Joyce Ahern

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, February 15th, 2024 at 11:03 am CDT

Joyce Marie Christensen Ahern, 67, of Danville, formerly of Enfield, Connecticut and New London, Iowa, died Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at her home in Danville.  She was born September 14, 1956 in Council Bluffs, Iowa to Dean and Vera Lucille Marshall Christensen.

She was a 1975 graduate of New London High School.  She married Jim Ahern at their home in New London.  Joyce was of the Christian faith. She worked as a bartender and owned her own cleaning service.  She dearly loved her pets and watching soap operas.

Survivors include her brother Kevin (Molly) Christensen and their son Dillon, all of Danville; nieces and nephews including a special nephew Jason (Shannon) James of Danville and their children Hayley and Jacob.  She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sister Vickie James and brother Randy.

According to her wishes her body has been cremated and private family inurnment will be held at Wapello Cemetery at a later date.

A memorial has been established for the Des Moines County Humane Society.  Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Charles Bertlshofer

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, February 15th, 2024 at 11:01 am CDT

Charles Edward “Chuck” Bertlshofer, Jr., 82, of Fort Madison, Iowa, passed away at 3:55 a.m. Thursday, February 15, 2024, at his home in Fort Madison.

He was born on February 7, 1942, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of Charles, Sr. and Mary (Cormick) Bertlshofer. On April 14, 1962, he married Karen Sue Randell at Sharon Presbyterian Church in rural Farmington, Iowa.

He is survived by his loving wife of sixty-one years: Karen; one son: Michael Charles (Angi) Bertlshofer of Galesburg, Illinois; one daughter: Tracy Lynn (Mike) Morrison of North Liberty, Iowa; grandchildren: Tyler Morrison, Haley (Tyler) Africa, Stephen Bertlshofer, Michael Bertlshofer, Kylee Bertlshofer, Bryan Bertlshofer; sisters: Carol (David) Faeth of Eldridge, Iowa, Judy (Ron) Hunsaker of Burlington, Iowa; brother: Edward Bertlshofer of Fort Madison, Iowa; brothers-in-law: Larry Reid of Burlington, Iowa and Aaron Burghoffer of Fort Madison, Iowa. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Joan Reid and Debbie Burghoffer.

Chuck was a graduate of Donnellson High School, where he lettered in track, baseball and basketball for four years. He served in the United States Army Reserves for six years. He worked at Gleason Corporation for forty-four years, the last twenty-seven of which he was plant manager. Chuck was a member of the Sharon Presbyterian Church. He served on the Central Lee School Board for six years and was on the Fort Madison Community Hospital Board of Directors for twenty years. He coached little league baseball and YMCA girls grade school basketball. He enjoyed gardening, flowers, fishing and he was an avid Chicago Cubs fan.  Family was of utmost importance to him. Chuck’s favorite motto was “Always give more than you take.”

A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 19, 2024, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 19, 2024, at Schmitz Funeral Home with Pastor Katrina Bergman officiating.

Burial will be at Clay Grove Cemetery in rural West Point, Iowa.

A memorial has been established for the Donnellson Fire & Rescue.

Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Back to Scratch: Supervisors Table Ordinance Amidst New Bill in Iowa Senate

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, February 15th, 2024 at 10:58 am CDT

The Henry County Supervisors met on Thursday morning for the first Reading of the Ordinance to Amend Title 6, Chapter 2, Article 11-2 through 11-6 Alternative Energy Overlay District. In reference to the potential wind farm project, this ordinance would by no means approve the potential wind farm. Instead, it is just an update to the language regarding wind and solar energy.

However, the supervisors chose not to go through with the first reading and instead table it for the time being. It will go back to the Planning and Zoning Commission. This came after a recommendation from the assistant County Attorney. Due to Senate Study Bill 3169, which is not in effect at this time, this new bill would allow the State to set the guidelines, trumping county law. Currently, there is no companion bill in the Iowa House of Representatives.

The supervisors also discussed the townhalls, mentioning how those are for public input. There is another townhall this evening at 6:30pm at the Swedesburg Parish Hall for the potential wind farm project. RWE Representatives will be in attendance to answer questions.

Two School Board Members Join Superintendent for Day on the Hill Conversation

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, February 15th, 2024 at 8:40 am CDT

On Tuesday, February 13th,  Mike Hampton, Derek Mullin (MP School Board), and John Henriksen (Superintendent), went to the capitol for the Day on the Hill event. There, they met with legislators to discuss the Mount Pleasant School District and educational concerns.

They met with two senators, Adrian Dickey and Mark Lofgren, and two representatives, Jeff Shipley and Taylor Collins.

These lengthy conversations were to provide a first person perspective of issues being discussed in current legislation that would greatly impact our area’s educational community, staff, and students.

Gas Prices Rise All Around: Weekly Fuel Report

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, February 15th, 2024 at 8:39 am CDT

Our weekly fuel report reveals bad news across the board for Iowans. Regular unleaded gasoline averages $2.94 across Iowa, which is an 11 cent rise from last week. The national average also rose 11 cents, to $3.26.

Meanwhile, diesel prices skyrocketed, up to $3.80 a gallon, which is a whopping 26 cents higher than just 7 days ago. It’s not all bad, as the current Iowa price is 28 cents lower than the national average, and prices in Iowa were 34 cents higher at this time last year.

Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.

Propane prices averaged $1.59 per gallon statewide.

Home heating oil prices averaged $3.22 per gallon statewide.

Natural gas prices fell 36 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $1.61/MMbtu.

Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov.

Fires Burn in Southeast Iowa Yesterday, Not in the Heart but in the Field!

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, February 15th, 2024 at 8:38 am CDT

There were multiple fires on Valentines Day that required firefighters to put out. In the 600 Block of North Lincoln, a structure fire broke out and firefighters were put on alert at 2:35pm. Responding to this were the Mount Pleasant Fire Department and Rescue and New London Fire was called on mutual aid.

In the 2800 Block of Quaker Avenue, New London Fire responded to a field fire, with Henry County Sheriff’s Office initially responding.

Then, just 9 minutes later, a field fire broke out in the 2700 Block of Franklin Avenue in Mount Pleasant. The Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Mt. Pleasant Fire and Rescue and Salem Fire Department and Rescue all responded.

There was no time to rest for firefighters. Just before 5pm, a field fire broke out in the 1100 block of 208th Street in Mount Pleasant. Responding were Mount Pleasant Fire and Henry County Sheriff’s Office.

If you are attempting a controlled burn, be extra careful, especially with the wind conditions.

Sports, February 15th

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, February 15th, 2024 at 6:29 am CDT

Girls’ Regional Basketball

In Class 1A Region 7, Danville will take on Lynnville-Sully in a road regional semifinal matchup tomorrow, February 16th, at 7 pm. KILJ AM 1130, 98.5 FM, and kilj.com will be on the call.

In Class 1A Region 8, #15 Holy Trinity Catholic will travel to Montezuma tomorrow at 7 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call. 

For Class 2A Region 6, Columbus will hit the road to take on North Mahaska tomorrow at 7 pm.

In Class 3A Region 1, Mediapolis snuck past Tipton 39-36 in a highly defensive matchup to advance to the Regional Championship. Hanna Wagenbach tallied 12 points as Haley Steffener collected six of the team’s 14 steals. The Bulldogs will face off against Mt. Vernon on Saturday, February 17th, at 7 pm in Mt. Vernon.

In Class 4A Region 1, Mt. Pleasant stayed competitive with Oskaloosa through most of the first quarter with a couple of threes from seniors Juliana Burns and Hailey Parrott cutting Oskaloosa’s lead to 13 to 10. Unfortunately, the offense would manage only nine points for the rest of the game as the Panthers fell 61-19. Hailey Parrott led the scoring with 5 points. Mt. Pleasant finished the season with a 4-17 record. 

Boys’ District Basketball

Starting in Class 1A Substate 5 District 9, Danville will travel to take on Winfield-Mt. Union tonight at 7 pm. KILJ AM 1130, 98.5 FM, and kilj.com will be on the call.

In the bottom half of the bracket, Burlington Notre Dame will host WACO tonight at 7 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm.

In Substate 5 District 10, Holy Trinity Catholic will face off against Moravia tonight at 7 pm at home. 

Class 2A, Substate 4 District 7, Central Lee will compete against #6 West Burlington tonight at 7 pm.

In the bottom half of the bracket, Mediapolis will travel to West Branch tonight at 7 pm.

For Class 3A Substate 5, Mt. Pleasant will hit the road to take on Keokuk. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm. Washington will face off against Clear Creek-Amana and Fort Madison faces off against Williamsburg. 

In Class 3A Substate 4, Fairfield will take on Marion on the road.

In Class 4A Substate 3, Burlington snatched the sixth seed and will travel to Davenport, West for their first-round matchup. 

The first round for classes 3A and 4A will begin on Monday, February 19th, at 7 pm.

High School Wrestling

The state tournament continues today. KILJ will be focusing on 29 wrestlers at the tournament. After day one, WACO’s Gage Samo and Louden Huisenga are still in the championship bracket for Class 1A. 

In Class 2A, Burlington Notre Dame has six in the championship bracket with Fairfield’s Cael McCabe and Washington’s Aaron Boone winning their matchups to stay in the championship bracket. Russel Coil of Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union is still going strong in the championship bracket.

For Class 3A for the Southeast Conference, Nolan Riddle and Isaac Thacher of Fort Madison are in the championship bracket along with Burlington’s Braxton Hutchinson.

High School Bowling

The state tournament will begin on Monday, February 19th, as the Mt. Pleasant girls’ team will have Addie McGehearty, Bethany Drury, and Kya Goodrich competing as individuals. 

College Basketball

The #4 Iowa women’s team will host Michigan tonight at 7 pm. 

In an instant classic, the Iowa State women’s team chopped down the #7-ranked Kansas St. Wildcats 96-93 in double overtime. The home crowd in Ames got to witness a 13-point Wildcat comeback to force overtime then a buzzer-beater in overtime to send it to double overtime where free throws finally sealed the win for the Cyclones. Addy Brown and Audi Crooks each scored 20 points as Emily Ryan finished with a double-double, 12 points and 12 assists. The Cyclones finished 31 of 36 from the free throw line. Iowa State will travel to #5 Texas on Saturday, February 17th, at 3 pm. 

The #10 Iowa State men’s team will host Texas Tech on Saturday at 11 am.

The Iowa men’s team was outscored by 18 points in the second half as the Hawkeyes fell 78-66 at the hands of Maryland. Payton Sandfort led the scoring effort with 19 points. The Hawkeyes will take on #20 Wisconsin on Saturday at 1:15 pm at home.

This Day in Sports History

1973 – Friendsville Academy (Tenn) ends their 138-game basketball losing streak, an unofficial boys’ high school record.

1987 – 1982 Masters champion Craig Stadler is disqualified from the Andy Williams Open for kneeling on a towel to make a shot.

2000 – Martin Brodeur becomes the first (and only) goaltender in NHL history to get credit for a “game winning” goal as New Jersey wins 4-2 over the visiting Philadelphia Flyers.

Henry County Supervisors Meeting Agenda 02/15

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, February 15th, 2024 at 6:21 am CDT

AGENDA

 

February 15, 2024

Approve Agenda

Approve Minutes

Approve Claims

9:00 Caleb Waters, Conservation Monthly Update

9:15 Lynn Whaley, WEMIGA Waste Update

9:30 1st Reading Ordinance to Amend Title 6, Chapter 2, Article 11-2 through 11-6

Alternative Energy Overlay District

1st Reading Ordinance to Amend Title 6, Chapter 1, Article 7-2,

Adding Fees for Subdivision and Plates of Survey

6:30 Swedesburg Parish Hall for RWE

Wind Turbines

Other County Business as time allows

 Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates