Mary Menke

By Yorke Prough · Monday, February 26th, 2024 at 10:00 am CDT

Mary Jo Menke passed away on January 5, 2024. Her graveside services will be on Saturday, March 2nd at 12:00 noon at Calvary Cemetery in West Point, Iowa. There will be a luncheon immediately following at the American legion in West Point. We invite all family and friends to join us in celebrating Mary Jo’s life on March 2nd and look forward to seeing as many of you as can make it. Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point  is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Red Flag Warning – Do Not Burn Today

By Yorke Prough · Monday, February 26th, 2024 at 9:51 am CDT

If you were planning on burning today, put that on the backburner. A Red Flag Warning is in effect from 9:00am to 6:00pm, with a Do Not Burn Warning. Very low humidity, gusty winds, and warm temperatures in the 70s (record highs) will lead to very high to extreme fire behavior.

 

From record highs to snow in just one day, that’s the Midwest. A strong cold front will move in Tuesday night, with a possible dusting of snow and cold wind chills.

 

So a recap, do not burn today due to that red flag warning, but enjoy the beautiful weather in the 70s this afternoon. Tomorrow, you can burn, but you might have to bundle up in layers to do so due to the temperature reaching into the teens.

Robert King – Pending

By Yorke Prough · Monday, February 26th, 2024 at 9:36 am CDT

Robert D. King, 90, of Rogers, Arkansas, and formerly Salem, Iowa died Friday, February 23 at “The Blossoms in Rogers” , in Rogers, Arkansas. Arrangements are pending at Elliott Chapel, New London.

InMotion Takes First! Grand Champions for Showchoir Group in Central Lee

By Yorke Prough · Monday, February 26th, 2024 at 8:28 am CDT

On Saturday, InMotion Showchoir had an incredible day at the Central Lee Invitational. They placed 2nd in another competitive 3A class, earning the 2nd highest score out of all groups/classes in daytime competition. Following their pattern for the year, each performance they have upped the ante, which earned them both best vocals and grand champions in finals competition! This is the groups first grand champions trophy this year. Congratulations to InMotion, your 2024 Central Connections Grand Champions.

Mt. Pleasant Jazz Bands Spend Day at Coe College Jazz Summit

By Yorke Prough · Monday, February 26th, 2024 at 8:27 am CDT

The Middle and High School Jazz Bands were among 97 bands to compete at the Coe College Jazz Summit in Cedar Rapids that stretched over three days.  Mt. Pleasant’s Jazz 2, directed by Laura Westfall, placed third in Class 3A Second Bands. Meanwhile a 7&8th Grade Jazz Band member, Jack Henriksen on tenor sax, was one of five to receive Honorable Mention Performer recognition.

 

Evidence of DMT Lab in Burlington, Man Charged

By Yorke Prough · Monday, February 26th, 2024 at 8:20 am CDT

A Burlington man has been charged after a search warrant was executed at 1113 S 3rd Street on the 23rd.

The Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force has been investigating a report of Jordan Blint manufacturing Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) in the Burlington area.  During a search of the residence, evidence of a DMT lab was located, as well as large quantities of Methamphetamine, Marijuana, and Pharmaceuticals.

Jordan Blint was placed under arrest and charged with outstanding warrants for No Insurance, Driving Under Suspension, Operation of a Non-Registered Vehicle and Fail to Appear for Theft 4th, and Two counts of Delivery of a Controlled Substance – DMT.

Blint was additionally charged with:

Possession with Intent to Deliver – Methamphetamine, Over 5 grams (Class B Felony)

Possession with Intent to Deliver – Marijuana (Class D Felony)

Possession with Intent to Deliver – Schedule II Pharmaceuticals (Class C Felony)

Possession with Intent to Deliver – Schedule IV Pharmaceuticals (Aggravated Misdemeanor)

Three Counts of Iowa Drug Tax Stamp Violations (Class D Felonies)

Manufacturing a Controlled Substance – DMT. (Class C Felony)

The Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force was assisted by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa State Patrol Tactical Team, Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office and the Burlington Police Department.

This investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are anticipated.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Sports, February 26th

By Slaten Swords · Monday, February 26th, 2024 at 6:49 am CDT

Girls’ State Basketball

The matchups are set for the state tournament with Class 5A and 3A set to tip-off the event today at 10 am. Here are today’s matchups.

In Class 5A, #1 Johnston defeated #8 Valley 60-31. #4 Waukee narrowly defeated #5 Ankeny Centennial 46-44. #2 Davenport North will take on #7 Cedar Falls, who has just one loss on the season. Lastly, #6 Pleasant Valley’s attempt to repeat will be a tough one as they compete against #3 Dowling Catholic at 3:15 pm to start off their tournament.

Class 3A will aptly have three games tonight with their final game starting off the day tomorrow, February 27th. At 5 pm, #1 Estherville Lincoln Central faces off against #8 Forest City. #4 Mount Vernon takes on #5 Harlan Community. #2 Des Moines Christian takes on #7 Benton Community to round the night in a rematch of last year’s four-seed versus five-seed contest that saw the Bobcats come out on top. #3 Solon will compete against #6 Dubuque Wahlert tomorrow morning at 10 am to finish up the Class 3A first round as there will be a new champion crowned.

Boys’ Substate Basketball

In Class 1A Substate 5, the defenses dominated but a 12 to 2 run for Winfield-Mt. Union gave the Wolves the momentum needed to win 46-41 over Holy Trinity Catholic. The Crusaders had cut the deficit to two in the fourth quarter, but Winfield-Mt. Union again counted on clutch free throws to seal the win. Luke Hellige led the scoring for Holy Trinity Catholic with 16 points as Conner Gehling finished his career with 1,001 points after cashing in for 10 points. Head coach John Hellige talked about his seniors Gehling and Maddox Rung.

Cam Buffington led the way with 18 points as Abram Edwards was enthusiastic about his team advancing to state after the game. The Wolves took the #4 seed and will take on #5 Lynnville-Sully on Monday, March 4th, at 12:15 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at noon.

Class 2A Substate 4, West Burlington rushed past West Branch 61-44 over the weekend to advance to the state tournament with a perfect 21-0 record. The Falcons grabbed the 4th seed and will take on Treynor on March 4th at 7:15 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 7 pm.

For Class 3A Substate 5, Keokuk will face off against Williamsburg in the substate final tonight at 6:30 pm at Alliant Energy PowerHouse.

All-Southeast Conference Teams

The Southeast Conference released their All-Conference list before the weekend for girls’ and boys’ wrestling along with girls’ basketball and here’s the First-Team All-Conference members.

For girls’ wrestling, Fort Madison had eight First-Team All-Conference members in Hailey Kemper, Lucille Zimmerman, Briena Fenton, Mara Smith, Chloe Sokolik, Kat Diprima, Tatum Peters, and Sadie Brandon. Burlington had four honorees in Aliya Snyder, Sarina Cline, Adrian Thorton, and Kiara Rodriguez. Fairfield’s Samantha Lyons and Keokuk’s Jalyiah Gardner also earned a spot as Gardner and Smith earned CO-SEC Wrestler of the Year honors. Peyton Mowery of Mt. Pleasant grabbed Second-Team All-Conference.

For boys’ wrestling, Fort Madison led the way with five First-Team honorees in Luke Vanderpool, Isaac Thacher, Teague Smith, Cory Arnett, and SEC Wrestler of the Year Nolan Riddle. Fairfield had Cael McCabe, Zandrik Allison, and Dain Burkhart earn a spot on the list. Robert Howes was the lone member of Keokuk to earn First-Team honors. Washington had three wrestlers grab a spot in Aaron Boone, Caden Greiner, and Chase Greiner. Landon Beckler of Mt. Pleasant was named Second-Team All-Conference.

For girls’ basketball, Keokuk headlines the team with Makenna Altgilbers, Camryn Atterberg, and SEC Player of the Year Kendra Boatman making the First-Team. Dayonna Davis of Fort Madison, Savannah Hollander of Fairfield, and Mylee Stiefel of Burlington also earned a spot. Mt. Pleasant’s Abby Carthey grabbed a spot on the Second-Team. 

Boys’ Basketball will be released this week.

College Basketball

The #4 Iowa women’s team got back in the win column yesterday with a three-point barrage against Illinois, winning 101-85. The Hawkeyes nailed 17 threes as Caitlin Clark registered a triple-double with 24 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists. The Hawkeyes will travel to Minnesota on Wednesday, February 28th, at 8 pm. 

The Iowa State women’s team clobbered BYU over the weekend 74-49 as Audi Crooks set the new freshman season scoring record after putting up 18 points in the win. Emily Ryan led the way in scoring with 22 points. The Cyclones will face off against #10 Kansas State on Wednesday at 6:30 pm.

The #8 Iowa State men’s team defeated West Virginia 71-64 over the weekend. Tamin Lipsey led the scoring with 14 points. The Cyclones will compete against Oklahoma on Wednesday at home at 7 pm.

The Iowa men’s team fell to #12 Illinois over the weekend 95-85. Tony Perkins had a nice game with 18 points and tied for the team high in rebounds with 8. The Hawkeyes will take on Penn State in a road matchup tomorrow, February 27th, at 8 pm.

This Day in Sports History

1967 – 9th Daytona 500: Mario Andretti wins his first and only NASCAR Grand National event; only time a driver born outside the US has ever won the Great American Race.

1981 – 84 penalties (406 mins) assessed for a brawl between the NHL’s Minnesota North Stars and the Boston Bruins. Boston won 5-1.

2017 – 59th Daytona 500: Kurt Busch wins after Kyle Larson runs out of gas on the last lap; Jeffrey Earnhardt makes NASCAR history as the first ever 4th generation driver to compete in the Daytona 500.

Sunday Fire in Wapello Still Buring

By Yorke Prough · Monday, February 26th, 2024 at 6:19 am CDT

On Sunday Afternoon, Wapello Fire and Rescue was requested to an area in the Iowa River floodplain north of Wapello for a report of a control burn that was out of control.

Upon arrival, crews found a 40-acre area that had been mostly burned, and fire that spread to a large area of remote timber land owned by the State of Iowa. The Morning Sun and Grandview Fire departments were requested as assistance. Fire crews contained the fire to the timber area and prevented the fire from spreading to an adjacent area with 500 acres of grassland and an additional 220 acres of timber.

As of yesterday evening, the fire was contained to an approximately 120-acre area of mostly timber. There are many dead trees in this area that remain on fire and are surrounded by burnt vegetation. The fire has generated a significant amount of smoke and with the wind having switched to the north, the smoke is currently carrying into Wapello and is creating extremely smoky conditions. The burning trees are inaccessible to fire equipment and will most likely continue to burn for several days.

Air quality should improve today with winds out of the southeast. Firefighters will continue to monitor the situation as the week unfolds. Be advised that the smoke is currently causing visibility issues on US 61 from inside Wapello to approximately one mile north of the city limits.