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
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
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
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
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
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.
Phillip “Albert” Rich
Phillip “Albert” Rich, 92, of Mt. Pleasant passed away on Friday, February 23, 2024, at the VanVorhies Haus in Mt. Pleasant.
Albert was born on December 31, 1931, in Mt. Pleasant the son of Forest Milo “Frosty” and Lillie N. (Bain) Rich. Albert served his country in the United States Army from February 12, 1952 until February 11, 1954. Following his honorable discharge he was united in marriage to Anna Mae Ross on August 15, 1954, at the Wayland United Methodist Church. She preceded him in death on July 27, 2004. Albert always was a hard worker. He started working for the Sinclair Gas Station in Mt. Pleasant, Chevrolet Garage in Winfield, was a repairman for the Ford Tractor Dealership and later for the Henry County Road Department retiring after 28 years. On November 26, 2005, he was united in marriage to Wilma Smithburg. She preceded him in death on July 29, 2017. He was a member of the Trenton Missionary Church, served on the Green Mound Cemetery Board, singing with the Rhythm Rockers of Mt. Pleasant and was a member of the American Legion Post of Wayland.
Albert is survived by his children, Phillip (Kara) Rich of Chariton, Teresa (John) Mallams of Mt. Pleasant, Curtis (Mindy) Rich of Mt. Pleasant, 5 grandchildren, Angela, Matthew, Joshua, Heather, Alexa and P.J., and 5 great-grandchildren, Raylee, Kylie, Zayden, Zebulon and Lillian, his stepchildren, Linda (Clinton) Boese of Pella, Nancy (Roger) Asby of Lockridge and Edward (Vivian) Smithburg of West Olive, Michigan.
He was preceded in death by his parents, both wives, a grandson, Nathan Mallams, an infant sister and his brother, Donald J. Rich.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at the Trenton Missionary Church with Pastor David Forrester officiating. Burial will follow in the Green Mound Cemetery, with full military honors. Friends may call from 2 until 6 p.m. on Friday at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant. The family will not be present. In lieu of flowers family suggests memorials may be directed to the Trenton Missionary Church, the Green Mound Cemetery or to the VanVorhies Haus in his memory.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com
Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant, is caring for his arrangements.
February 26, 2024 – March 3, 2024
02/26/24
Lucas Lee
02/26/24
Lila Cook
02/26/24
Dale Davidson
02/26/24
Joe Hunsaker
02/26/24
Betsy Johnston
02/26/24
Spencer Newman
02/26/24
Lisa Price
02/26/24
Dr. Matt Donnelly
02/27/24
David Curtis
02/27/24
Wyatt Miller
02/27/24
Weston Miller
02/27/24
Carl Scott
02/27/24
Makenzie Kauffman-Ho
02/27/24
Nick West (16)
02/27/24
Mandi Bain
02/28/24
Elizabeth Garrels
02/28/24
Ashley Wesley
02/28/24
Allison Lowe
02/28/24
Grant Roberson
02/28/24
Ellie Stewart
02/28/24
Lisa Miller - 50th
02/28/24
Jim & Rhonda Molter *Anniversary
02/28/24
Kathy & Ken Hawkins - 45th Anniversary
02/28/24
Jim & Cora Arnold - 65 years
02/29/24
Danielle Broeker
03/02/24
Sherri Leaper
03/03/24
Stan and Charleene Stigge - 62 years
03/03/24
Jack and Janice Murphy - 57 years