Budget Cuts Coming to Henry County

By Yorke Prough · Friday, December 8th, 2023 at 8:50 am CDT

The Henry County Supervisors have been in discussion with department heads over a possible budget cut. At this moment, due to House File 718, funding over the next four years will need to decrease 1.3 million dollars. The general basis levy, which is currently set at $4.83 in Henry County, will need to be $3.50.

Henry won’t be the only county affected by this file, with 39 others’ needing to cut their budget in the same time frame.

Over the past few months, the department heads have been closely scrutinizing their budgets, finding potential avenues to help the county in the long run. Currently, one option that is being weighed is an early retirement severance package. It is no secret that a 20 year old is going to be paid less than someone who has been working in public service for 40 years. This is just one route that the supervisors might choose. After today’s Henry County Supervisors meeting, it sounds as if personnel might be let go if they can’t find a way to decrease the budget drastically.

While this has all been speculated, a senator from Mahaska County told the supervisors that this benchmark of $3.50 is going to stay.

Cereal Box Drive Organized by Mt. Pleasant Highschoolers

By Yorke Prough · Friday, December 8th, 2023 at 8:49 am CDT

The Mt. Pleasant Community High School Student Council deserves a round of applause, after they organized a Cereal Box Drive for the Fellowship Cup. This was the first of its kind, but if the success of the event is anything to go on, will not be the last. This was in conjunction with “Kindness Week” and Thanksgiving, which encouraged students to show an attitude of gratitude.

Advisory classes brought in donations of cereal boxes, and the Advisory class with the most donations were even rewarded with an ice cream treat.

239 boxes of cereal were donated by advisory students across the Mt. Pleasant High School. This will impact many lives across Southeast Iowa.

Two Men Flee After Traffic Stop in Mt. Pleasant Now Charged

By Yorke Prough · Friday, December 8th, 2023 at 7:46 am CDT

On December 6th at approximately 11:30pm, a traffic stop was conducted by the Mount Pleasant Police Department on a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt for a stop sign violation. The driver who was identified as 27-year-old Allen James Hart and passenger who was identified as 27-year-old Nathen Cosgrove were present in the vehicle.

While a pat down search for weapons was being conducted, Allen fled on foot failing to stop. Allen wasn’t able to be located. While Allen fled on foot it was found that Nathen had fled on foot as well for a short distance before injuring himself. Nathen was apprehended by Officers and Sheriffs Deputies. A search of Nathen’s person was conducted with marijuana and drug paraphernalia being located on his person.

Nathen was transported to the Henry County Health Center Emergency Room by Ambulance.

It was later found that Nathen had an active arrest warrant out of Burlington, IA and there was a firearm present in the vehicle that Nathen had been in possession of prior to fleeing.

A short time later that night, Nathen was taken into custody after leaving the Emergency Room.

On the morning of 12/08/23, Allen was taken into custody as well.

Nathen was charged with Dominion/Control of Firearm by Felon, a  D Felony, Interference with Official Acts,  Simple Misdemeanor, Possession of Marijuana, a Serious Misdemeanor, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia,  Simple Misdemeanor

Allen was charged with Interference with Official Acts, Simple Misdemeanor, and received traffic citations for Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability and Failure to Obey Stop Sign.

Sports, December 8th

By Slaten Swords · Friday, December 8th, 2023 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Basketball

Columbus will be hosting WACO tonight with the girls scheduled to play at 6 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union will host Wapello tonight with the girls playing at 6 pm and the boys’ game to follow.

Mt. Pleasant will host Fort Madison in a conference matchup tonight with the girls’ leading off the night at 6 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will have the call with the pregame show at 5:45 pm. 

Central Lee will take on Van Buren County tonight with the girls going at 6 pm followed by the boys’ game. 

New London will host Holy Trinity Catholic tonight with the girls’ playing at 6 pm. 

The Danville boys’ team will take on Burlington Notre Dame tonight at 7:30 pm at home. The girls’ team defeated Burlington Notre Dame last night 73-58. The Bears will face off against WACO tomorrow, December 9th, at 4:30 pm. 

Mediapolis will travel to take on West Burlington tonight with the girls’ scheduled to play at 6 pm and the boys at 7:30 pm. 

High School Wrestling

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team will compete tomorrow, December 9th, at Keokuk for an Invitational. 

The WACO girls’ team will compete tomorrow at Vinton-Shellsburg for a tournament. 

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team fell to Keokuk last night 30-6. Paris Phosy won her match for the Panthers by fall over Natalie Baum in the 115-pound weight class. The Panthers will travel to Fort Madison on December 14th to compete in a dual. 

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team defeated Keokuk last night 49 to 24. Keegan Birdsell won by major decision in the 144-pound weight class over Gavin LeMaster. Jackson Newman, Christian Falline-Ossman, and Franklin Tousignant all won by fall in their respective weight classes. Lastly for the Panthers, Charlie Bohenkamp in the 132-pound weight class won by an 8-3 decision. For Keokuk, Xavier Johnson, Kevin Joy, Rylee Moore, and Robert Howes all won by fall. Mt. Pleasant also got the best of Illini West with Newman, Jared Dorothy, William Birdsell, Tousignant, and Bohenkamp all winning by fall. The Panthers will compete tomorrow at a tournament hosted by Grinnell. 

The New London boys’ team competed in a triangular last night, picking up a 36-18 win over Lone Tree but losing to Wapello 41-28. Zach Harbison of Wapello won his match against Riley Raines by technical fall in the 144-pound weight class. Matthey Helscher also picked up a win for Wapello by fall. Picking up wins for the Tigers was Killian Kelly by major decision, Michael Raines by fall, and Kane Forseen by fall. Against Lone Tree, Gavin Menke-Bailey and Corbin Jacobs-Jewell won their matches by fall. New London will travel to North Cedar tomorrow for a tournament. 

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team defeated both teams at Highland last night in their triangular, handling Highland 69-12 and narrowly getting the best of Burlington Notre Dame 47-45. Against Highland, Bowen Thomson won by a 4-2 decision, Kohlby Newsom, Cole Storm, and Kason Dopler won by fall. Against the Nikes, Cooper Buffington, Trentin Gary, Thomson, Storm, Dopler, and Riley Kaalberg all won by fall. Jacob Nelson won by technical fall. For Burlington Notre Dame, Colt Boyles, Landon Brown, Kaiden Dietzenbach, and Kael Cook won by fall. C.J. Davis won by major decision. Cole Mincer and Colin Vaughen won by decision, and Dirk Boyles won by technical fall. The Wildcats will travel to Colfax-Mingo tomorrow for a tournament.

The WACO boys’ traveled to Pekin and defeated Pekin 75-6, Louisa-Muscatine 57-21, Van Buren County 54-24, but fell to Mediapolis 58-24. In their dual with Pekin, John Mclaughlin won his match by a 5-0 decision. Kale Warren and John Stauffer won their matches by fall. Against Louisa-Muscatine, Gage Samo, Mclaughlin, Warren, Brawk Sterna, and Louden Huisenga won their matches by fall for their respective weight classes and Kaden Leichty won his match in a thrilling 11-9 decision. Samo picked up wins by fall against Van Buren County and Mediapolis. Warren won by fall in his match against Van Buren County, while Stauffer, Huisenga, and Mclaughlin won their matches by fall against Mediapolis. WACO will compete in a tournament tomorrow at Tri-County. 

High School Bowling

Keokuk swept Mt. Pleasant in their conference matchup last night with the girls winning 2,758 to 2,215 and the boys taking it 2,872 to 2,574. On the boys’ side, Alec Payne led the Panthers with 488 total pins. The Panthers will take on Fairfield on December 11th. 

College Football

Iowa State University will take on Memphis in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis on December 29th at 2:30 pm. The Cyclones defeated Memphis in the 2017 AutoZone Liberty Bowl 21-20. 

#20 Iowa will face off against #25 Tennessee in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on January 1st at noon. 

College Basketball

The #4 Iowa women’s team will travel to Wisconsin on Sunday, December 10th, at 1:30 pm. 

The Iowa State women’s team will host North Dakota State on Sunday at 5 pm. 

The Iowa State men’s team clobbered Iowa last night 90-65. The Cyclones controlled the game thanks in-large part to Keshon Gilbert’s 25 points. Robert Jones tallied 18 points, while Tre King cashed in for 17 points. Payton Sandfort led the Hawkeyes with 14 points. The Cyclones will host Prairie View A&M on Sunday at 12 pm. The Hawkeyes will host Michigan on Sunday at 3:30 pm. 

This Day in Sports History

1940 – National Football League Championship, Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C.: Chicago Bears beat Washington, 73-0; most one-sided victory in NFL history and the first NFL title game broadcast on national radio. 

1961 – Philadelphia Warriors center Wilt Chamberlain scored 78 points in 151-147 triple-overtime defeat to Los Angeles Lakers at the Philadelphia Civic Center; third highest game total in NBA history. 

1987 – Flyers’ Ron Hextall becomes the first NHL goalie to actually score a goal, shooting the puck into the Boston Bruins empty net in a 5-2 win at The Spectrum in Philadelphia.

Man Arrested Months After Burglary

By Yorke Prough · Friday, December 8th, 2023 at 6:18 am CDT

On May 6th, 2023, the West Burlington Police Department responded to a report of a burglary at Cricket Wireless at 411 W Agency Road Suite 3. The store had been burglarized at that time, with stolen phones and U.S. currency, the total amount taken adds up to several thousand dollars.

An investigation began in order to catch the suspect. On May 26th, a residential search warrant was conducted at 38 Midtown Lane in regards to this investigation. During this Search Warrant several items of evidence were seized to further the investigation.

On August 21st, the West Burlington Police Department issued arrest warrants for Diamonte Ladon Walls for charges on Burglary 3rd Degree and Possession of Controlled Substance.

Diamonte Ladon Walls was arrested in DuPage County, Illinois on September 14th, following the robbery of a Verizon Wireless store. Walls was charged with one count of Armed Robbery with a Firearm and one count of Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon. Walls is currently being held at the DuPage County Jail and will be extradited back to Des Moines County at the conclusion of his Illinois cases.

The West Burlington Police Department was assisted by the Southeast Iowa Narcotics Taskforce, Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, and the Burlington Police Department.

Multiple Vehicle Accident on Tuesday Involving 15 Year Old

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, December 7th, 2023 at 4:04 pm CDT

On December 5th, 2023, at approximately 3:57 P.M., the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a vehicle rollover at the intersection Highway 78 and Gabriel Avenue.

An investigation into the incident determined that Tristan Luitjents, age 15, of Olds, was driving a passenger car on Highway 78 eastbound approaching the intersection of Gabriel Avenue. Luitjents’ car dropped off the pavement, lost control and side swiped an oncoming passenger car driven by Kenneth McKee, 52 of Richland, Iowa.

The Luitjents vehicle struck the fore slope of the Gabriel Avenue intersection and rolled multiple times before striking a tree and coming to rest, in an adjacent house-yard.  The juvenile was wearing his seat belt and both front and side airbags deployed.

Mr. McKee, and his passenger, denied medical treatment at the scene.  Luitjents was treated by Wayland First Responders and Henry County EMS, on scene, for minor injuries and was later released to his parent.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Wayland First responders, Wayland Police Department, Winfield Police Department and Henry County EMS.

 

***A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendants are

presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.***

Prep Wrestling: Early Season Rankings for Southeast Iowa

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, December 7th, 2023 at 1:52 pm CDT

Prep Wrestling- IAwrestle released their rankings for both the boys and girls and Southeast Iowa showed a strong presence.

In Class 1A for the boys, Gage Samo of WACO is eyeing a return to the state tournament as the junior is ranked 10th in the 113-pound weight class. WACO Junior Louden Huisenga is looking to make a run at the 175-pound weight class as the 5th ranked wrestler.

In the 120-pound weight class, Kane Fornseen appears to be the next Tiger great as the freshman for New London is currently ranked 9th. New London senior Michael Raines is ranked 10th in the 165-pound weight class.

Wapello’s senior star Zach Harbison is ranked 11th for the 144-pound weight class.

Burlington Notre finished last year as the #2 team in Class 2A, as of now, the Nikes are ranked as the 6th best team with six wrestlers ranked. Colt Boyles, a sophomore, is ranked 7th in the 106-pound weight class. Senior Carter West—finished 2nd in last year’s state tournament—is ranked 5th in the 113-pound weight class. CJ Davis, a junior, is the fourth best wrestler in the 126-pound weight class. Kaiden Dietzenbach is ranked 2nd in the 132-pound weight class, he finished in 3rd place as a sophomore. Dirk Boyles is ranked 10th as a junior in the 150-pound weight class. Lastly, Blake Wilson, in the 157-pound weight class, is ranked 11th as junior.

Fairfield has two wrestlers ranked with sophomore Cael McCabe, a favorite in the 106-pound weight class, ranked 2nd and Cason Miller ranked 7th in the 144-pound weight class as a junior.

Aaron Boone, a junior, is ranked 4th in the 132-pound weight class and Chase Greiner is ranked 8th in the 157-pound weight class as a senior for Washington.

Kyler Crow, a sophomore from Mediapolis, is ranked 11th in the 165-pound weight class.

Lastly, Robert Howes is ranked 12th in the 126-pound weight class as a senior for Keokuk.

In Class 3A, Burlington has one wrestler ranked, while Fort Madison has four wrestler ranked.

Junior Braxton Hutchinson is the lone Grayhound as he is ranked 5th in the 106-pound weight class.

For the Bloodhounds, junior Logan Pennock is ranked 9th in the 132-pound weight class, Nolan Riddle, a senior, is ranked 7th in the 157-pound weight class, Teague Smith, in his senior season, is ranked 7th at the 190-pound weight class, and senior Isaac Thacher is ranked 3rd in the 215-pound weight class.

On the girls’ side, Hailey Kemper of Fort Madison is ranked 7th as a junior in the 100-pound weight class.

To finish out the rankings, Tatum Wolford of Wapello is ranked 8th in the 155-pound weight class in her senior season.

Prep Girls Basketball Rankings: Holy Trinity Catholic Enters the Top 15

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, December 7th, 2023 at 1:22 pm CDT

Prep Girls’ Basketball– The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union released their second in-season rankings for the 2023-24 season and with the new rankings we have our first Southeast Iowa Super Conference team make an appearance.

In Class 1A, North Linn still held on to the top spot as the top four remained the same. Bishop Garrigan and Calamus-Wheatland each jumped up three spots to now be ranked 7th and 8th. Woodbine had one of the toughest schedules to start the season as the #5 Tigers had to take on three ranked teams in a row. Unfortunately, the Tigers lost to Cherokee Washington and #14 CAM, resulting in a tumble down the list to #12, while CAM moved above them to #11. Marquette Catholic and Boyden-Hull fell out of the rankings and made room for #14 Lynnville-Sully and #15 Holy Trinity Catholic. The Crusaders started the year 4-0 with two of the four wins coming by 31 points or more. Mary Kate Bendlage’s 20.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game have led this squad.

Class 2A had little movement in the top 15 with Aplington-Parkersburg and Sioux Central switching spots to now be ranked 8th and 9th, respectively. Dike-New Hartford sits atop the rankings as the defending champions, but Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont is making a run with a 5-0 record to begin the season.

Solon is the top team in Class 3A, but we did see some movement in the top three. In a top five matchup, #5 Mt. Vernon defeated #2 Benton 53-45, resulting in the top teams switching positions in the rankings with the Mustangs now ranked 2nd. Chariton replaced Center Point-Urbana in the top 15.

Class 4A saw few moves in the top 10 with Dallas Center-Grimes, Clear Creek-Amana, and Norwalk all holding on to the top three spots, respectively. Mason City fell back from 4th to 6th. Sioux Center fell out of the top 15 and Western Dubuque vaulted over #15 Xavier to take the #14 slot.

Johnston kept the top spot in Class 5A, beyond that chaos ensued. #2 Ankeny Centennial lost by nearly 30 points to #6 Dowling Catholic, knocking the Jaguars down to #5, while Dowling Catholic is now ranked 4th. #3 Pleasant Valley’s lost to #4 Davenport North saw the Spartans slide to #7, while the Wildcats took that open #3 slot. Valley’s 5-0 record and two wins against ranked opponents shot the Tigers up to #2 in the rankings. Tomorrow will see a highly anticipated matchup with Valley facing off against Ankeny Centennial. Muscatine’s loss to Valley sent them out of the top 15 with Sioux City West taking the open #15 spot.