Mark Hempen of New London has announced his candidacy for the Southeastern Community College District 1 Trustee seat.  Hempen wants to directly support the successful initiatives currently going on at the college, as well as future initiatives to promote quality higher education in the southeast Iowa region.

“As I’ve lived and worked in southeast Iowa, I’ve seen SCC grow to become an award-winning institution.  I stand behind SCC’s positive path that has supported innumerable successful careers and will support efforts to created an education workforce to fulfill local job opportunities.  Many of Southeast Iowa’s largest achievements started with a degree from SCC.”

Hempen has gained extensive leadership experience in his career and his volunteer commitments in southeast Iowa.  After a successful career in radio and radio sales with KBUR/KGRS and later Titan Broadcasting in Burlington, he has served as the Foundation Director for Henry County Health Center for the past eight years.

He was previously elected to the New London City Council for 12 years, was appointed to the Mississippi Valley Regional Workforce Investment Board and the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission and has also volunteered as a member of the Red Flag Horseless Carriage Tour Board, the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber Ambassadors and the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce Board, where he was recognized as Volunteer of the Year.   He has gained extensive experience with public budgeting, board governance, fundraising and community relations.

Hempen believes his record of collaborative partnerships and positive relationship-building would be a positive addition to the SCC board and he asks for your vote on November 7^th.

The upcoming City and School election on November 7^th, 2023, will see many changes throughout differing boards and councils.

Southeastern Community College, best known as SCC, will see three candidates wrestle for one position on the board. The man currently in that position is not running.

Mark Hempen has received awards such as volunteer of the year in Mt. Pleasant, worked in the radio industry for many years, and served on the New London City Council for 12 years. Hempen wants to directly support the successful initiatives currently going on at the college, as well as future initiatives to promote quality higher education in the southeast Iowa region.

He faces tough competition from First Sergeant Jesse Howard, a marine-turned Army National Guard soldier, who has faithfully served his country for 21 years. Howard currently serves as the Board President for the New London Community School District. Jesse strives to be a strong advocate for expanding Career and Technical Education opportunities and increasing continuing education opportunities in Henry County.

Also on the ticket is newcomer Ryan Coop, who has turned to historical ways of campaigning. Coop, and a group of volunteers, have walked around the community in a door-knocking campaign to raise support and help get his name out there. Coop has spent two years serving as Clerk at the State Legislature. He is eager to expand live classes and other educational opportunities at the SCC Mt. Pleasant Center and other regional SCC offices.

You will have the chance to hear from all three of them through KILJ on Friday, October 27^th, for a special episode of “Generation Gap.” Paul and Kadie will interview the three candidates for thirty minutes and ask questions that many community members have been asking. Tune into 105.5FM, 98.5FM, 1130AM, or KILJ.com on Friday to hear directly from the three men.

All three candidates are fighting for a single seat in District One. Early voting is already available through your local county auditor’s office, and the polls will be open for day-of voting on Tuesday, November 7^th, 2023.

Preston Kash Ingram, convicted of Robbery 2nd Degree and other charges in Lee County, failed to report back to the Ottumwa Residential Facility as required last Friday.

Ingram is a 35-year-old black male, height 5’11”, and weighs 195 pounds. He was admitted to the work release facility on July 11, 2023.

Persons with information on Ingram’s whereabouts should contact local police.

For more information on the state’s work release program, please see Iowa Code 904.901-904.910

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a multiple vehicle accident at 2:30 in the afternoon on Friday, October 20^th. A vehicle pulling a trailer was traveling southbound on Highway 61 when a second vehicle struck the rear left side of the trailer.

According to reports, the second vehicle, owned and operated by Jason Trome, of Warsaw, Illinois, was attempting to pass the trailer in the left lane when a different vehicle came speeding by. This caused Trome to merge back into the lane of the trailer, which caused them to collide.

Trome and the driver of the first vehicle, Stanley Ball of Montrose, exchanged information on scene.

Jason Trome was uninjured and left the scene. Stanley Ball complained of no injuries at the time and reported the accident that at 10:37am on Saturday, the 21^st. He went to the hospital the night of the accident complaining of chest pain and was diagnosed with three broken ribs.

There was a multiple vehicle collision on Saturday, October 21^st, that resulted in a flipped car. In the 2500 block of Highway 218, Stephanie Gould of Donnelson was driving a Chevy southbound, when the driver of a Ford pulled out from a stop sign into the path of Goulds’ vehicle. The driver of the second vehicle was identified as Fanueli Byamnobe, of Houston, Texas.

The Ford was struck by the Chevy, which caused the Ford to flip onto its driver side and end up on the southeast end of the intersection. Gould’s’ Chevy traveled south for 50 more yards before pulling off to the side, and the airbags were deployed. Gould complained of knee pain after being looked at by Lee County EMS. She was then transported to Fort Madison Hospital by a family member, and the vehicle was towed.

Byamnobe did not complain of any injuries and was assessed by Lee County EMS. His vehicle was towed and he was cited for failure to yield upon entering through highway.