EveryStep Grief & Loss Services offer The Touching our Grief support group. It is free and open to anyone who needs support following the loss of a loved one. Sessions are led by expert bereavement counselors and offer a safe place to give and receive support from others. The group meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 4-5:30pm in the EveryStep conference room, 118 N. Main street in Mt. Pleasant. For more information, contact Amanda Day, bereavement counselor at 319-330-1086, or everystep.org. this month, the group will meet on Thursday, April 16th.
Kathryn “Kate” (Katy) Gerst
Kathryn “Kate” (Katy) Gerst, 76, passed away on March 28, 2026.
She was born on October 26, 1949, in Burlington, Iowa, to Edwin “Ed” and Carolyn “Cotty” Hicklin and was raised in Wapello, Iowa. She grew up surrounded by family, lifelong friends, and a strong sense of community that stayed with her throughout her life. Wapello was always home to her, and it remained the center of her life and the place where she built lasting relationships and memories. On March 1, 1969, she married the love of her life, Roger “Rod” Gerst Jr. Together they built a life grounded in family, community, and a deep care for the people around them.
She was a devoted wife and mother, and her daughter was at the center of her world. Being a mom was the role she cherished most, and it showed in the way she supported, encouraged, and stood by her daughter through every stage of life.
Kate was known by many as the heart of the Wapello junior and senior high school. She served as secretary for nearly 20 years and knew every student who walked through those doors. She remembered their names, their stories, and what they needed, and she treated each one with kindness and care. To many students, she was more than a secretary. She was someone they could count on, someone who listened, and someone who made them feel seen. She also served as the school’s drama director, where she encouraged students to step out of their comfort zones and be part of something bigger. Her impact on those students stayed with them long after they left school.
Her love of music was a constant throughout her life. She was a talented bassoon player and performed with the Southeast Iowa Symphony for many years. Music was not just something she did, it was something she truly loved. Later, she took on the role of manager for the symphony, continuing to support the organization and the arts community in a different way. She believed in the importance of music and the role it played in bringing people together.
She was always supportive of Rod’s photography and took great pride in her daughter’s career. She encouraged the people she loved without hesitation and stood behind them in everything they did. Her support was steady and unwavering, and it meant more than words can fully express.
Travel was something she loved throughout her life and something she shared with her family. She and Rod spent years exploring together, and those experiences became an important part of their life. They traveled across the country and beyond, including trips to Canada and Alaska. Whether it was a long-planned trip or time spent simply getting away, she valued those moments. Being together, seeing new places, and making memories along the way brought her a great deal of joy. After retiring, she was able to spend even more time traveling and being with Rod and Cary, something she truly cherished.
Above all else, she was the best mom. She was steady, loving, and always there when it mattered most. She showed up in every way that counted, and that is what will be remembered most.
She is survived by her husband, Rod; her daughter, Carolyn “Cary” Gerst; her sisters, Martha (Greg) Remley, Betsy Barber, Nancy (Mike) Roach, and Jane Weaver; her brother, Bill (Erin) Weaver; her brother-in-law, Marty (Brenda) Gerst; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her parents-in-law, Roger and Dot (Dorothy) Gerst; her infant daughter, Hannah; her sister, Joan (Ronald) Cross; and her sister-in-law, Becky Gerst.
In accordance with her wishes, there will be no services or memorial at this time. A memorial has been established for the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra, https://www.seiso.us/support, in Kate’s name. Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services is caring for Kate’s arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.
She will be deeply missed and forever loved.
Sports, April 3rd
High School Track and Field
All meets scheduled for last night were canceled due to the weather.
Columbus will travel to the Liberty Co-Ed invitational tomorrow, April 4th.
Mt. Pleasant and Washington will venture north to the Williamsburg Co-Ed Invitational on Tuesday, April 7th.
Mediapolis will host the Dave Aamodt Relays on Tuesday with Danville, West Burlington/Notre Dame, Wapello, and Winfield-Mt. Union making the trip.
The WACO Relays are scheduled for Tuesday with Van Buren County, New London, and Columbus competing.
The Fairfield girls’ team will hold their own meet on Tuesday with Central Lee flying over, while the Fairfield boys’ team will participate in the Dennis Anderson Relays.
High School Soccer
All games scheduled for last night were canceled.
Mt. Pleasant will face off against Columbus on the road on Monday, April 6th, with the girls playing first at 5 pm.
Burlington Notre Dame will head down the road to compete against Burlington on Monday with game one at 5:30 pm.
The WACO boys’ team will square off against Fairfield on Monday on the road at 5 pm.
Central Lee will contend with Keokuk for their home opener on Monday with game one at 5 pm.
The Danville boys’ team will stay at home to face off against Cedar Rapids Washington on Monday at 6 pm.
The Washington girls’ team will travel to Oskaloosa on Monday at 5 pm, while the boys’ team will host Hillcrest Academy on Tuesday, April 7th, at 5 pm.
Wapello will take on Cedar Valley Christian on Tuesday at home with the girls leading off the night at 5 pm.
The Mediapolis girls’ team will hit the road to play Tipton on Tuesday at 5 pm, while the boys’ team will host Danville on Thursday, April 9th, at 7 pm.
High School Golf
Mt. Pleasant and Fairfield will start their conference play on Monday, April 6th, with the girls’ teams heading to Washington and the boys’ teams playing in Fairfield.
Holy Trinity Catholic will face off against Burlington Notre Dame on Tuesday, April 7th, at home.
Wapello will host Louisa-Muscatine on Tuesday.
Mediapolis will travel to Danville on Tuesday.
Columbus will take on Hillcrest Academy at home on Tuesday.
Van Buren County will travel to Central Lee on Tuesday.
WACO will compete against Lone Tree on Tuesday at home.
The Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team will attend the Wapello Invite on Wednesday, April 8th. Konner Kinneberg talked about what his goals are for the rest of the season,
“I’m really hoping to shoot under 70 this year. I’ve gotten pretty close over the summer and shot a few rounds under par. We had our first meet, which I didn’t really play the best. I shot 80. We actually got third as a team and I got fifth individually. It was a really good milestone to hit for our first meet. It was a really good starting score that I’m hoping to take down a few times.”
While Max Edwards is hoping to use the momentum from his great start to propel his way through the year,
“My goal going into the season was to consistently break 90. As Konner said, we had our first meet and I shot an 81. I’d say that’s a pretty good tone setter. Now I’m thinking to consistently be low 80s. With that tone setter, low 80s is something that’s in range for me to get. Then break 40 for the first time on nine holes.”
High School Boys’ Tennis
Fairfield will look to start the season tomorrow, April 4th, at the Ottumwa Invitational.
Mt. Pleasant will take on Keokuk for their home opener on Tuesday, April 7th.
Southeastern Community College
The baseball team will host Iowa Lakes Community College today in a doubleheader.
The softball team will hit the road for a doubleheader today against St. Louis Community College.
March Madness
The KILJ bracket challenge, sponsored by The Press Box, is officially underway with 60 brackets submitted with the top three set to receive prizes.
Here’s an updated look at the top 10 brackets and a recap of the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight: KILJ’s Bracket Challenge Standings. The Final Four is slated to start tomorrow, April 4th, with game one at 5:09 pm between #2 UConn and #3 Illinois.
Standings will be updated before the championship game.
College Baseball and Softball
The Iowa baseball team will host Minnesota today.
The Iowa softball team will travel to Oregon for a three-game series starting tonight at 8 pm.
The Iowa State softball team will take on #14 Arizona on Sunday, April 5th, in a home doubleheader.
College Basketball
Audi Crooks, the Iowa State women’s basketball star, plans to finish her collegiate career elsewhere after announcing on her social media yesterday that she had entered the transfer portal. The three-year starter finished second in scoring this past season and averaged nearly 23 points and eight rebounds per game as a Cyclone. She became the ninth Cyclone to enter the portal, which includes Addy Brown and Jada Williams.
This Day in Sports History
1988 – Mario Lemieux wins the NHL scoring title, stopping Gretzky’s 7 year streak.
1994 – The first roster of Silver Bullets (all-female pro baseball team) was announced.
2019 – San Antonio coach Greg Popovich is ejected after an NBA record low 63 seconds in the Spurs 113-85 loss in Denver; received two technical fouls in a verbal confrontation with a referee.
Southeast Iowa Fishing Report, April 3rd
The 2026 Iowa Walleye Challenge features exciting new ways for anglers to compete, connect, and contribute to fisheries science and management across the Midwest.
This event uses the mobile app MyCatch, where anglers report catches and trips to qualify for prizes. The $25 entry fee includes a $20 Discount Tackle gift certificate for every angler who reports a valid trip. Prize categories include Weekly Challenges, Random Draw Prizes, Most Fish Caught, Most Waterbodies Fished, Captain Prizes, Early Bird Prizes, and Longest Walleye.
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The weekly fishing report is broken down by fisheries regions and management districts – Mississippi River, northeast, northwest, southeast and southwest.
Use the new search and filter options to check the activity of your favorite lake, pond, river and stream within each region, including which species are being caught, a rating of the bite (slow, fair, good or excellent), and simple tips and tricks for targeting those fish.
Lake Darling Management District
- Contact Person: Vance Polton – 319-694-2430
For more information on these lakes and ponds, call the Lake Darling Fisheries at 319-694-2430. Last updated on 03/04/2026
- Water Temperature (°F): 50.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water temperature is about 50 degree, is starting to fall with the cold rain (April 1-2).
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: On sunny warm (70+) days, anglers were picking up bass along the north side along the more open shoreline where the sun could get in to warm the water.
Jefferson Co. Park New Pond (Jefferson)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
There are still plenty of trout left in the lake to catch. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: They have had time to settle down. Using bobber and bait is working better; try corn, powerbait, or worms. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Water Temperature (°F): 50.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water temperature is around 50 degrees.
- Black Crappie – Good: Anglers were catching 10-inch crappies in 10 to 12 feet of water earlier this week. They are using sonar to find scattered schools of fish and then jigging just over the top of them to catch them before moving on to the next school.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: A few more boats are chasing bass on sunny warm days. Anglers are catching some decent bass up to the 4 pounds. Try working the lures slow and shallow along sun heated rocks.
- Water Temperature (°F): 51.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water temperature is 51 degrees. The lake is coming up and is a little more turbid with the heavy rain (April1-2). Water clarity is 2-3 feet.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are picking up crappies in the shallow water around the brush piles and the steeper rock shorelines. Concentrate your efforts on where the sun hits the structure to warm the water.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass continue to come into the shallows on the few sunnier days, but quickly return to deeper water on cooler days. Soft plastics and jigs worked slowly work best this time of year. Target the areas of the lake where the sun and wind hit the same stretches of shoreline.
- Water Temperature (°F): 45.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
There are still plenty of trout left in the lake to catch. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Minnows are not allowed as bait in this lake.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Even though good numbers of trout were caught the first day, there are many more still waiting to be caught. Work the fish habitat not to far off shore with a worm and bobber or small jigs tipped with red worms. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Water Temperature (°F): 45.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The middle (Red Barn) boat dock is in. The other docks are getting repaired and should be in the water shortly.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: 10- to 12-inch bass are moving into shallower water and feeding. Target the shorelines where the wind is blowing in. Larger bass are hanging out around the habitat in a little deeper water yet.
- Walleye – Slow: Walleyes are cruising along the rock shorelines down along the lower end of the lake in the evening. Troll a live bait rig about 15 to 20 feet from shore at a fairly slow speed along the rocks where the wind blows into shore.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
There are still plenty of trout left in the lake to catch. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Now that the trout have found homes in the lake, look for them around the cedar trees not too far out from shore or in the “corners” of the lake. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
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Macbride Management District
- Contact Person: D. J. Vogeler or Chris Mack – 319-624-3615
Coralville Reservoir (Johnson)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Fair
- Bluegill – Good: Use a piece of worm along rock shorelines.
- Channel Catfish – Slow
- Green Sunfish – Good: Use a piece of worm along rock shorelines.
- Largemouth Bass – Slow: Try fishing along rock shorelines or brush piles in coves.
- White Crappie – Fair
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- Rainbow Trout – Fair; You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Slow
- Bluegill – Slow
- Largemouth Bass – Slow
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Crappie – Good
- Largemouth Bass – Good
Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction) (Johnson)
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- Water Temperature (°F): 52.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Channel Catfish – Fair
- Sauger – Slow
- Walleye – Fair
- White Bass – Fair
- Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair
Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake) (Iowa)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Channel Catfish – Slow
- Walleye – Fair: Try fishing in creek mouths.
- White Bass – Slow
- Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Slow
- Water Temperature (°F): 50.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Largemouth Bass – Fair
- Spotted bass – Slow
- White Crappie – Fair: Look for suspended fish around brush piles in 10-18 feet of water.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- Rainbow Trout – Fair; You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- Rainbow Trout – Fair: You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
North Ridge Park Pond (Johnson)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- Rainbow Trout – Fair: You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Beach, shelter and cabin docks are reported in.
Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction) (Jones)
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Smallmouth Bass – Slow
- Walleye – Fair
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Rathbun Management District
- Contact Person: Rathbun Fish Hatchery personnel – 641-647-2406
Water temperature is in the mid-40s. Last updated on 04/02/2026
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Target channel catfish early spring.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Target channel catfish along wind-blown shorelines.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Channel Catfish – Slow: Try cut bait or dead minnows.
- Largemouth Bass – Good: Anglers report catching largemouth bass. Target the rip-rapped shorelines using plastics or spinnerbaits.
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Channel catfish are usually the first fish to catch in the spring.
Ottumwa Park Pond South (Trout Pond) (Wapello)
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Anglers report that mornings and evenings are the best bite. Use gold rooster tails or other in-line spinners. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Water Temperature (°F): 46.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Lake level is 904.65 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Boat ramps are open; campgrounds are still closed. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels; clean, drain and dry your boat before going to another water body.
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Senator Grassley Visits MackayMitchell Envelope Company as Part of His 99-County Tour
On Thursday, April 2, Chuck Grassley visited Mount Pleasant to tour MackayMitchell Envelope Company and hold a question-and-answer session with employees as part of his 99-county tour of Iowa. The Q&A was held from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. at the company’s facility on East Mackay Avenue.
During the visit, Grassley toured the production floor with President and Chief Operating Officer David Mitchell. The company, founded by Harvey Mackay, now 93, remains family-led, with Scott Mitchell serving as CEO and his son, David Mitchell, overseeing day-to-day operations.
One highlight of the tour was a look at one of the company’s newest investments — a 628 machine. Purchased in 2023 for approximately $3.5 million, the machine requires just two operators and can produce up to 1,000 envelopes per minute. It can print an envelope with five colors, embossing, varnishing, and a window in a single run. In 2025 alone, the machine produced roughly 250 million envelopes.
Mitchell, who also serves as chairman of the national Envelope Manufacturers Association, was joined by the organization’s president, Marie Clark of Washington, D.C. Clark said her goal is to help federal decision-makers better understand the day-to-day realities on manufacturing floors and how policies made in Washington impact workers and businesses across the country.
An estimated 80 to 100 employees attended the Q&A, raising questions about major issues affecting both their jobs and the industry. Topics included political partisanship, the sustainability of and rising United States Postal Service rates, and increasing fuel costs, among others.
While the discussion was productive, company leaders emphasized ongoing challenges facing production. Rising diesel prices continue to drive up transportation costs, impacting operations in real time as products are shipped nationwide. Tariffs have also affected production. Global tensions, including conflict involving Iran, were cited as concerns, particularly regarding the availability of raw materials used in adhesives and inks that move through the Strait of Hormuz.
At the same time, increasing costs tied to the United States Postal Service are making traditional mail less attractive for MackayMitchell’s customers. Postage rates have risen roughly 30 percent over the past five years, creating what Mitchell described as a “death by a thousand cuts” — gradually shrinking the company’s competitive position in the marketplace.
Grassley addressed those concerns by emphasizing that the Postal Service remains a bipartisan priority in Washington. He noted that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle recognize it as a critical piece of the nation’s infrastructure, particularly for rural communities that rely on consistent and reliable delivery.
When asked about the future of the company, Mitchell said he anticipates a return to balance and equilibrium as market pressures stabilize. He also pointed to the long-standing trust Americans place in the mail system — built over more than 250 years — especially at a time when scams and AI-driven impersonations are on the rise, emphasizing that reliability and security continue to make traditional mail an essential form of communication
Mitchell says in an era of scams and AI impersonation, the U.S. mail and paper-based communication still delivers something rare—trust—and remains vital to rural America; a sentiment Senator Grassley shared during his comments.
Henry County Bulk Item Collection this Weekend
Henry County residents living in rural areas will have a chance to get rid of large household items this weekend.
All American Sanitation is hosting a bulk item collection for items too large to fit in regular weekly compactors.
The event is open to rural residents only, not those living within city limits, and will follow the same guidelines as past collections.
Drop-off will take place at the county site on West Washington Street, near Emergency Management.
Hours are Friday, April 3rd from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday, April 4th from 7:30 a.m. until noon.
Again, this collection is for rural Henry County residents only.
Central Lee Middle School Students Make History at the State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa
Central Lee Middle School students made history at the State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa in Ames, earning the Clay Groff Traveling Trophy for the top overall science fair program in the state!
Fifty-three students represented Central Lee and delivered an outstanding performance, including earning five of the top six overall middle school project placements:
Aralind Grafton, 1st Overall
Drake Newton, 2nd Overall
Brystol Gerdes, 3rd Overall
Lily Jacobs & Zoey Jones, 4th Overall
Hudson Essing, 5th Overall
The team capped off an incredible season by winning every science fair they entered this year!
Thank you to sponsors Amanda Myhre and Allison Krehbiel for their leadership and support in this remarkable achievement.
Iowa State Penitentiary Welcomes Janie Mendez as New Warden
FORT MADISON, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Corrections (DOC) has named Janie Mendez as the new warden of the Iowa State Penitentiary (ISP).
Mendez brings more than two decades of experience within the DOC, having served in a variety of leadership and frontline roles across multiple institutions, including ISP, the Iowa Medical and Classification Center (IMCC), and the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility (MPCF).
Her career includes service as Associate Warden of Treatment at IMCC (2021–2026), Treatment Services Director at ISP (2020–2021), Correctional Counselor at ISP (2012–2020), Correctional Counselor at MPCF (2005–2012), and Correctional Officer roles at both MPCF and IMCC beginning in 2003.
“I am pleased to welcome Janie Mendez to her new role as warden of the Iowa State Penitentiary,” said Deputy Director of Institutional Operations Marcy Stroud. “Her extensive background across multiple institutions has equipped her with the knowledge, leadership skills, and steady judgment essential for this position.”
In addition to her professional experience, Mendez has deep roots in the Fort Madison community. Her longstanding presence in the area reflects a strong commitment to both the institution and the people it serves, providing a sense of continuity and stability that is invaluable during times of transition.
Mendez said returning to ISP is a meaningful milestone in her career.
“Being able to return to the ISP team truly warms my heart,” Mendez said. “It is a special place where strong, resilient staff work tirelessly to provide a safe and secure environment for the people that live there, and I am thrilled to work with them again. It is important to me to help ISP maintain its critical role within the Department of Corrections.”
“I am excited to announce Janie as the new Warden of Iowa State Penitentiary,” said DOC Director Beth Skinner. “Her deep experience across multiple institutions and her long-standing commitment to this department make her exceptionally well prepared for this role. Her leadership will strengthen ISP’s mission of safety, security, and rehabilitation, and I look forward to the positive impact she will continue to have on staff and the community.”
“I am confident that Janie will lead with integrity, professionalism, and a clear vision for the future,” said Stroud. “I look forward to supporting her as she steps into this important leadership role and am excited about the positive impact she will have on staff, operations, and the broader community.”
Mendez holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice.
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About the Iowa Department of Corrections
The Iowa Department of Corrections is making significant strides to implement evidence-based practices system-wide that are proven to reduce victimization, reduce recidivism and enhance community safety. The IDOC is a nationally recognized leader in corrections for innovation and implementation of evidence-based practices. Being on the forefront of innovation and practice, the IDOC continues its commitment to be the best corrections system in the country.
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