Prep Bowling: Girls’ and Boys’ All-SEC Teams

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, March 7th, 2024 at 8:59 pm CDT

Mt. Pleasant, IA- The Southeast Conference has released the girls’ and boys’ All-Conference teams as Keokuk swept the conference championships.

Keokuk, the Class 2A state champion, had four bowlers make the All-Conference First Team in Allison Sapp, Sophia Rule, Jaelylnn Ketterer, and Addi Spicer. Sapp led the way with a two game total of 436 as Ketterer clinched a spot in the state tournament and exited as the individual state champion.

Nattalee Alberts and Liz Clifford each earned All-Conference Second Team honors for the Chiefs.

Mt. Pleasant’s Addison McGehearty had the fifth highest conference score with 350 total points as she was the lone Panther to be named First Team All-Conference. Additionally, McGhearty was a state qualifier.

The Panthers had four bowlers earn Second Team All-Conference honors in Kya Goodrich (state qualifier), Madelynn Millard, Shyann Smith, and Bethany Drury (state qualifier).

Katleyn Ott of Burlington was the final bowler to make the All-Conference Frist Team. Ott bowled a two-game total of 343 to claim that sixth spot.

Conference standings: Keokuk (2,870), Mt. Pleasant (2,415), Burlington (2,001), Fairfield (1,524), and Washington (1,007).

On the boys’ side, Keokuk finished as the conference champion as they were led by First Team All-Conference Honoree Pray Lawson as he had the fifth highest score of the match with 409 pins.

Ashton Weilandich, Kayden Ames, and Chase Hemann each finished on the All-Conference Second Team.

Mt. Pleasant had two student-athletes make the All-Conference First Team as Alec Payne was the top bowler in the conference with a two-game total of 463 pins. Keagan Ellington grabbed the final spot on the team with 408 pins.

Titus Reno earned Second Team All-Conference honors after bowling a 381 two-game total.

Keaton Lair of Burlington finished with the second highest score in the conference meet with a two-game total of 448 pins. Ian Mason grabbed Second Team All-Conference with a score of 398.

Caleb Zieglowsky of Washington nabbed the final spot on the All-Conference First Team with the third highest score in the conference as he finished with a two-game total of 447 pins.

Final Conference Standings: Keokuk (2,869), Burlington (2,804), Mt. Pleasant (2,741), Fairfield (2,520), and Washington (2,219).

Girls’ Academic All-Conference

Hailie Brill Burlington

Paige Nixon Burlington

Hannah Wenzel Burlington

Christianna Ziegler Burlington

Katelyn Ott Burlington

Addison Harris Fairfield

Grace Forrest Fairfield

Una Carter Fairfield

Natalee Alberts Keokuk

Abigial Broadwell Keokuk

Sophia Rule Keokuk

Addison Spicer Keokuk

Bethany Drury Mt. Pleasant

Joanna Fortin Mt. Pleasant

Kya Goodrich Mt. Pleasant

Addison McGehearty Mt. Pleasant

Boys’ Academic All-Conference

Ian Mason Burlington

Carter Sage Burlington

Ace Whalen Burlington

Ethan Cass Fairfield

Dylan Adam Fairfield

Josh Mineart Fairfield

Ian Aplara Fairfield

Binh Truong Fairfield

Rylan Anderson Fairfield

Julio Akinyooye Keokuk

Keith Carter Keokuk

Alec Payne Mount Pleasant

Trevin Sulentich Washington

Prep Girls’ Basketball: All-Region Teams for Southeast Iowa

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, March 7th, 2024 at 8:21 pm CDT

Southeast Iowa- The 2023-2024 basketball season is in the books and here’s a look at the All-District teams for our local teams.

In Class 1A Region 7, Danville’s Jaeda Molle earned a spot on the team after an amazing year for the senior. Molle helped the Bears win 19 games in a row as she averaged 13.8 points and nearly five steals per contest. She finished her career with 820 points and 356 steals.

Tatum Wolford of Wapello also made the squad as she was the lone Arrow to average double figures with 14.9 points per game and 7.9 rebounds a night.

Moving over to Region 8, Holy Trinity Catholic had two seniors make the All-Region team in Mary Kate Bendlage and Natalie Randolph. Bendlage averaged 20.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, and three steals in her senior season as Randolph put up 14.8 points per night and added 2.9 steals a game.

Bendlage finished her career with 1,1342 points. The Crusaders ended the season with a 20-3 record as it was their first season picking up 20 wins in over 20 years.

For Class 3A, Mediapolis had Grace Holsteen named to the All-Region 1 team. The sophomore led the Bulldogs in scoring with 14.3 points per game and dished out 4.7 assists per game.

In Class 4A, Kendra Boatman and Makenna Altgilbers of Keokuk both earned spots on the All-Region 1 team. Boatman, a sophomore, took home Southeast Conference Player of the Year honors after averaging 18.6 points per game and 4.4 steals per game.

Altgilbers, a senior, also averaged double figures with 10.3 rebounds per game as she also snatched 2.3 steals per game.

For a full look at the All-Region rosters follow this link: All-Region Teams

Boys’ Prep Basketball: The All-Substate Roster from Southeast Iowa

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, March 7th, 2024 at 7:52 pm CDT

Southeast Iowa- Now that the basketball season has officially concluded for all our Southeast Iowa teams, it is time to take a look at the boys’ All-Substate teams.

In Class 1A Substate 5, there were six members of the Southeast Iowa Super Conference selected to the team. WACO’s Hunter Hughes made the squad as he averaged 15.6 points per game and finished his career with 1,139 points.

Holy Trinity Catholic’s junior guard Luke Hellige earned a spot on the team after leading his team to the Substate championship game in large part due to his 23.9 points per game and 8.2 rebounds per game. Hellige also became the Crusaders’ leading scorer and broke the record for most points in a game with 45.

Jackson Lanz claimed a spot for Wapello as he was a one man show for the team, averaging a double-double a night with 23.6 points and 11 rebounds.

Liam Delaney of Burlington Notre Dame had a stellar season as the Nikes almost defeated Winfield-Mt. Union in the district championship. Delaney was the leading scorer as he shot nearly 50% from the field and averaged 17.6 points a night.

Lastly, the Substate champions, Winfield-Mt. Union, had two players named to the team in standout seniors Abram Edwards and Cam Buffington. Abram Edwards collected 13 double-doubles over the course of the season as he averaged a double-double for the first time in his career. Edwards finished with 1,145 career points, 893 rebounds, and 190 career blocks.

Buffington, despite missing the first couple games of the season, led the team in scoring as he averaged over 19 points per game and finished his career with 1,634 points and 800 rebounds. The two helped lead the Wolves to their first state tournament berth since 1996.

Winfield-Mt. Union head coach Klay Edwards nabbed Coach of the Year for Substate 5. In his five seasons at the helm, Edwards has led his team to a 77-37 record as the Wolves have picked up 20-plus wins in two of the past three seasons.

For Class 2A, West Burlington’s historical run culminated in two All-Substate 4 players and a Coach of the Year honor. Mason Watkins earned a spot on the team after leading the team in scoring with 21.9 points per game as the junior tallied his 1,000-career point in the Substate championship game against Cascade.

Brady Martin also secured a spot on the team as the point guard of the state bound squad. Martin shot 45.3% from the field and finished his career with over 1,000 career points.

Lastly, Cody VanFleet was named Coach of the Year for Substate 4 after leading his squad to a 22-1 record in his fourth season at the helm. VanFleet brought West Burlington their first ever state tournament appearance.

Moving to Class 3A, Mt. Pleasant’s Payton Hagans has been named to the All-Substate team for back-to-back seasons. The senior finished his career with 1,205 points as he averaged over 20 points per game the past two seasons. After averaging 22.8 points per game and 2.3 steals per game, Hagans earned Southeast Conference Player of the Year.

Jaxon Clark of Keokuk also made the All-Substate 5 team after averaging a double-double for the season with 19.8 points and 11.5 rebounds per game.

For a full look at the 2024 All-Substate honorees follow this link: All-Substate Teams

Earl Kerr Jr

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, March 7th, 2024 at 4:14 pm CDT

Earl L. (Leroy) Kerr, Jr., passed away on February 27, 2024, at University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, with his son, Jeffrey S. Kerr, by his side. He was born June 22, 1934, to parents Earl L. Kerr, Sr. and Alma Kerr (Anderson) in Mt. Pleasant, IA. 

Earl was preceded in death by his son, Tony Lynn Kerr, in 1960; his wife, Rita Mae Kerr (Lane), in 2009; his son, Dannie Jon Kerr, in 2019; and his dog, Heidi, in 2021. He is survived by his son, Jeff, and daughter-in-law, Lisa Kerr, of Selbyville, DE, and his granddaughter, Tamra Janell (T.J.) Chambers (Kerr) of Mountain Home, AR.

While attending Mt. Pleasant High School, Earl was a fixture in the Choir, known for his good singing voice and ability to “really cut a rug” on the dance floor. He was also a skilled boxer, winning the 1951 state championship. After graduation, Earl enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served on the front lines of the Korean War as a radio operator with the 5th Air Force’s 8th Bomber and Fighter Group. Following the war, he was stationed at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, IL. While there, he met and married his beloved Rita. They were married for 51 years.

After the Air Force, Earl worked his entire career for the Department of the Army, Logistics and Supply Command, including on the Patriot Missile Program. Earl shared his love of sports and fierce competitiveness with his sons, coaching many of their childhood teams and never missing a football, basketball, or baseball game. Earl and Rita raised their sons in St. Louis, MO, from 1967 to 1977, then in suburban Washington, DC, from 1977 to 1982, before returning to St. Louis until his retirement in 1989.

He and Rita then built their dream home in Danville, IL. They were longtime members of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, where Earl was a Eucharistic Minister and a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. Earl was a Mason and a Shriner, devoting several years to transporting sick children and their families to Shriner’s Hospital for care. Earl and Rita were longtime members of the Danville Boat Club, where their swing dancing skills were on display at every event. Earl was an avid golfer playing with Jeff and in his regular foursome long into retirement. Earl was devoted to Rita, caring for her throughout her cancer battles.

In 2010, Earl reconnected with his dear friend from high school, Marilyn Alter, and in 2015, he returned to live near her in Mt. Pleasant, where he was lovingly accepted into her family. Shortly after moving to Mt. Pleasant, Earl adopted his beloved dog, Heidi, who was his constant companion. Earl was a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church and most recently resided at Addington Place, where he was known for his smile and witty comments.

Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 1303 N. Walnut St., Danville, IL 61832, followed by a funeral mass at 2 p.m. He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at Sunset Memorial Park. Arrangements were entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 3940 N Vermilion St., Danville, IL, 61834. Please join us in remembering Earl’s life by posting photos, memories, and videos to his tribute wall at sunsetfuneralhome.com.

A celebration of Earl’s life will also be held from 4-5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 18, at Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Earl’s name can be made to Disabled American Veterans, https://www.dav.org/ P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301, or St. Paul’s Catholic Church https://www.stpauldanville.org/ 1303 N. Walnut St., Danville, IL 61832.

Henry County Supervisors Meeting Agenda 03/12

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, March 7th, 2024 at 3:18 pm CDT

Henry County Supervisors

100 E Washington St  Ste 202

Mt Pleasant IA  52641

Fax:  319-385-3601

Chad White, Member            Marc Lindeen, Vice-Chairman        Greg Moeller, Chairman

           319-385-0759                                 319-385-0760                                  319-385-0761________                       

AGENDA

March 12, 2024

Approve Agenda

Approve Minutes

9:00 Jake Hotchkiss, Engineer Weekly Update

Other County Business as time allows

Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates

 

Fairfield Vigilante! Crime Fighting Citizen Takes Matter Into Own Hands by Catfishing Pedophiles

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, March 7th, 2024 at 3:02 pm CDT

The Fairfield Police Department and the law enforcement community within Jefferson County have been made aware of recent videos circulating online which appear to depict local adults attempting to meet what they believed to be children they had met online. These meetings appear to be the result of a private citizen or citizens establishing social media accounts of minors, then confronting the adult men (each individual depicted thus far has been male) who propositioned the minors to meet in person. Such activity is generally referred to as “catfishing” or “pedo-baiting.”

The videos are disturbing, and depict a shocking and unfortunate reality that children are often targeted for sexual abuse by adults online. The efforts of the individual creating these videos are commendable, and after meeting with members of law enforcement, the evidence and records generated by this individual have been turned over to law enforcement for further investigation. Frankly, the efforts of this individual are notable and commendable.

However, standard procedures from child exploitation investigation agencies generally prohibit the use of “vigilante” investigations or “stings” in furtherance of criminal investigations, for a number of reasons. Principally,  these investigations generally adhere to specific rules relating to evidentiary integrity and chain of custody, as well as procedural limitations on what can and cannot be said when an investigator poses as a minor online when investigating sexual exploitation. Furthermore, there are grave and serious safety concerns generated when confronting an adult who may have just been caught seeking to exploit a minor for sex. When law enforcement conducts these operations, it is in a controlled environment involving numerous trained and armed agents which limit the dangers present in a sting. Additionally, and ideally, the individual is arrested if the grounds exist. This further limits the danger posed that the target might harm themselves or others following the confrontation, which is a very real possibility in cases such as these. Because of these reasons, vigilante investigations are not condoned or encouraged in any way by law enforcement.

The Fairfield Police Department and additional agencies are actively investigating the records received relating to these videos, and will determine whether criminal charges are appropriate based on the information provided.

This incident stands as a good reminder to parents that children can and often are the subject of sexual attention by adults encountered online, and a conversation regarding safe online behavior is a good idea, as there are predators lurking online, but not far away, that wish to do harm to children.

This incident also means local agencies will be enhancing efforts at online enforcement operations to further discourage this type of behavior.

*Note from the Fairfield Police Department – “Stings conducted in this way are not condoned by law enforcement and vigilante acts such as these often cannot be used for further prosecution, and create serious safety concerns for the people involved.”

Robert Boese

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, March 7th, 2024 at 2:59 pm CDT

Robert E. “Bob” Boese, 78, of Mt. Pleasant passed away on Friday, March 1, 2024, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Illinois.

 Bob was born on January 25, 1946 north of Lockridge, the son of Arthur and Viola (Van Sant) Boese.  He was united in marriage to Cheryl Kay Hummell on September 8, 1965, at the Open Bible Church in Mt. Pleasant.  Bob served his country in the United States Army.  Bob worked for the Jefferson County Roads Department for 30 years.  He and his wife Cheryl owned and operated Boese Mowing Service and mowed many cemeteries throughout Jefferson and Henry counties.  In his spare time, Bob enjoyed drinking coffee with his friends at various places. Bob also enjoyed working on the latest antique tractor, getting it to run perfectly, or working on his personal mower tractor. Bob attended the Open Bible Church.

 He is survived by his wife, Cheryl of 58 years, three sisters, Donna Bishop of Packwood, Linda (Alan) Coop of Wayland and Kathy (Kenneth) McCarty of Mt. Pleasant, his sister-in-law, Norma Boese of Fairfield, many nieces and nephews and his beloved dog Nia. Also surviving him are Tina Andrew and Cory Shy, two beloved family friends. 

 Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his two children, Robbie A. Boese and Lori Lynn Boese Williams, two brothers, James Boese and William Boese and one sister, Susan Boese in infancy, a brother-in-law, Una Bishop and his mother-in-law, Beatrice Hummell.

 Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at the Open Bible Church in Mt. Pleasant with Pastor Michael Johnson officiating.  Burial will follow in the Salina Cemetery.  Friends may call after 2 p.m. at Murphy Funeral Home, Mt Pleasant, on Friday, March 22, 2024, where the family will be present from 5 to 7 p.m. that evening.  Memorials may be directed to the Open Bible Church in Bob’s memory.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

 

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant is caring for his arrangements.

County Attorney’s Office Encourages Supervisors to “Pump the Brakes” on Ordinance

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, March 7th, 2024 at 2:51 pm CDT

The Henry County Supervisors met on Thursday morning in a public meeting in which many members of the public joined. First on the agenda was a monthly department head meeting, which was then followed by a discussion over the Wind Energy Ordinance.

The supervisors agreed that they would like to see changes to the ordinance. It must be noted that these changes are by no means final. Board Chair Moeller mentioned how they are listening to the citizens, and they know their concerns.

It was spelled out that if the ordinance is approved by the Henry County Supervisors, this allows a company to build a wind farm if they receive the permits. For the supervisors to approve this, the law states that they must have at least one public hearing and 3 readings of the ordinance. To receive the permits, they must comply with the ordinance. Again, this ordinance is not final, it is currently a work in progress.

Board Chair Moeller mentioned that after speaking with the County Attorney’s Office, they are going to slow this process down. They are going to go over this with a fine-tooth comb and mull over all of the emails, texts, calls, messages, etc. Planning and Zoning Director, Joe Buffington is going to look over all of this and send the letters to the P&Z for them to investigate.

A citizen suggested that the supervisors and the planning and zoning need to look at the ordinance as a whole, rather than just a specific portion. A supervisor agreed with this, and it sounds as if the supervisors will take this advice.

When asked how penalties are enforced if a company does not comply with the ordinance, Joe Buffington answered. He said that it is situation dependent. As the Planning and Zoning Director, he would speak with the party to tell them their faults and give them a deadline to fix them. If they were not fixed, the County Attorney’s Office would get involved.

The Planning and Zoning Commission meeting for next Tuesday, March 12th, has been postponed at this moment after a recommendation from the County Attorney’s Office. Once details are known for the next meeting, it will be posted.