Cecilia Rae Poole

By Yorke Prough · Monday, August 21st, 2023 at 2:22 pm CDT

Cecilia Rae Poole, 64, of Farmington, Iowa, passed away at 3:00 a.m. Friday, August 18, 2023, at Van Buren County Hospital in Keosauqua, Iowa.

She was born on September 8, 1958, in Keosauqua, Iowa, the daughter of Gerald LaVerne and Jessie Louise (Pittman) Boyd. On September 14, 1974, she married Donald Poole in Farmington, Iowa. He preceded her in death on October 3, 2021.

Survivors include her children: Tanya (Daniel) Harness of Revere, Missouri, Tammie Poole of Farmington, Iowa, Thomas (Amee) Poole of Farmington, Iowa, Trisha Poole of Farmington, Iowa, Terri (Jimmy) Vancil of Farmington, Iowa; grandchildren: Taylor and Christopher Pilcher, Ethan and Owen Harness, Trevor, Quinton, Mason and Gavin Poole, Katerina Wyatt, Sera and Gabriel Poole; great grandson: Jett Dameron; brothers: Floyd Boyd, Edward Allen Boyd; sisters: Brenda Louise (Randy) Cook, Connie (Jeff Oaks) Boyd, Julie (Stephen) Krauter; in-laws: Ronnie (Trisha) Poole of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Bobby Poole of Burlington, Iowa, Virginia (Bill) Glaha of Chariton, Iowa, Brad Smith of Mount Sterling, Iowa, Charlie (Kelly) Smith of Mount Sterling, Iowa, John Smith of Mount Sterling, Iowa; step siblings: Bill Smith of Oklahoma, Roger (Tina) Smith of Farmington, Iowa, Linda (Larry) Miller of Edgewood, Maryland. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband: Donnie; sister: Marvina Lee Sullivan; brothers: Marlin Dean Boyd and Blair Boyd; brothers-in-law: Chad Smith and Larry Poole.

Cecilia worked as a CNA at Good Samaritan and managed Pappy’s Place. She was a member of the Southeast Iowa Women’s Pool League and the Women’s Miscue Pool League. She was an avid pool player having participated in the National Pool Shootout in Las Vegas, where she placed fourth in the women’s division and her women’s pool team participated in the Iowa State Women’s League where they won first place. Cecilia also enjoyed reading, music, barbecuing and get togethers with her family. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her grandkids.

Her body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.

A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, August 26, 2023, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Farmington.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. at Schmitz Funeral Home in Farmington with Michael Browning officiating.

Following the memorial service, a Celebration of Life will be held at the Farmington American Legion.

A memorial has been established in her memory

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

Anne Frank Pen Pal Museum Receives WWII Boxcar

By Yorke Prough · Monday, August 21st, 2023 at 2:16 pm CDT

Excitement was stirred up on Friday, August 18th, as a large, World War II era boxcar traveled through the eastern portion of the state.

This boxcar was lowered onto tracks just outside the Danville Station, which is home to the Anne Frank Pen Pal Museum, and now serves as a hallowing historical piece that reminds museum goers of different times in a distant place. However, that world doesn’t seem so far away with letters from the past providing a glimpse into a world on the verge of world war.

In the fall of 1939, a Danville teacher began a pen pal exchange for her class. Miss Birdie Mathews provided a list for her students where they were able to pick a name out. Juanita Wagner, a ten-year-old girl, chose a girl that was her age and lived across the world in Amsterdam. This young girl was named Anne Frank. Danville is one of just two places in the world to view the pen pal letters.

The boxcar is similar to one that the Frank family, and millions of others, would have been transported on to a concentration camp.

This boxcar, now a permanent fixture in Danville, serves as a bridge that forms a connection between the previous century, and the present.

Prep Volleyball’s Top 15 Rankings: Preseason Rankings Have Holy Trinity Catholic and New London in Top 10

By Slaten Swords · Monday, August 21st, 2023 at 11:52 am CDT

Prep Volleyball- The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union released the preseason Volleyball rankings as the season gets underway tonight with first competitions. Southeast Iowa is well represented in the Class 1A rankings.

Ankeny Christian, last year’s state champions, sit atop the rankings and for good reason. The Eagles were led by a sophomore strong core that included Carley Craighead, Macey Nehring, and Katie Quick who notched a triple-double in the championship game against Gladbrook-Reinbeck. This young core for the Eagles will make them a team to fear for at least this year and next.

Holy Trinity Catholic enters this year as the #2 team as the Crusaders also return young talent in Mary Kate and Anna Bendlage along with Natalie Randolph, who did not get to play last season due to an injury. An early mark against this team will be the lack of depth after an injury to Reagan Holvoet.

Don Bosco was ranked 3rd and AGWSR, who shocked everyone with their run through the playoffs, is ranked 4th. New London is ranked 8th after coming up one set short of a trip to the state tournament last season. The Tigers will look to replace their impressive seniors in Eliana Manning, Emma Nye, Natalie Burden, and Camryn Lair. Expect Morgan Jones, Tysann Gipple, and Sophie Malott to step up for this squad. Despite Gladbrook-Reinbeck’s runner-up finish last year, the Rebels rank just inside the top 15 at #13.

Dike-New Hartford is the obvious preseason favorite after a 45-3 record to their runner-up finish last season and one of the few teams that stood in their Western Christian, last year’s winner, got moved up to Class 3A means Class 2A is for the Wolverines taking. Hinton and Grundy Center rank #2 and #3, respectively. Pella Christian ranks 8th with Denver getting the #10 spot. South Central Calhoun rounds out the top 15 after a 34-9 finish last season.

Des Moines Christian was upset by Sioux Center in the semifinals last season, and they will look for revenge as they take the top spot in the Class 3A rankings. Western Christian might be new to Class 3A after winning the crown in 2A last season, but they enter as the #2 team. Assumption, last year’s winner, is ranked 3rd. Sioux Center might have finished as the runner-up; however, the senior-led Warriors are located outside of the top 15. Mount Vernon is ranked 6th, Mid-Prairie at #11, and Roland-Story rounds out the list.

In Class 4A, Xavier was last year’s champion, but they enter the rankings at #4. Clear Creek-Amana, last year’s runner-up, is the team at the top of the rankings followed by Indianola and North Scott, respectively. Bondurant-Farrar is ranked 10th after a 24-11 season a year ago. Bishop Heelan was one of the eight teams in the state tournament last season, but enter this year ranked 13th. Waverly-Shell Rock takes the last spot on the list.

In Class 5A, Waukee Northwest was dispatched in the first round of the state tournament last season, but they enter this year as the favorite. Dowling Catholic and Johnston make up the rest of the top three teams, respectively. Surprisingly, Iowa City Liberty lost only three sets on their way to a state championship last season but enter this season ranked 7th. Pleasant Valley may have finished as the runner-up last year but will be ranked #10 to enter this season. Muscatine is ranked 12th and Dubuque Senior rounds out the list.

Single Lane Closure 220th St

By Yorke Prough · Monday, August 21st, 2023 at 7:59 am CDT

Henry County announces bridge maintenance at the following locations 220th Street, east of Mt. Pleasant and Iowa Avenue, north of Mt. Pleasant. There will be one lane road closures with stoplights. This work will take place Monday, August 21, and Tuesday, August 22. Please use caution and slow down to allow workers to safely get the job done.

Sports, August 21st

By Slaten Swords · Monday, August 21st, 2023 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Volleyball

Mt. Pleasant will take on conference foe Burlington tonight on the road at 7 pm. The Panthers held a scrimmage last Friday for their “Meet the Panthers” night and Head Coach Logan Wall wants the team to be more aggressive in their opening game of the season.  

New London will host Holy Trinity Catholic on August 31st to start their season. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will host Keokuk to start the season on August 24th. 

Holy Trinity Catholic will be participating in a tournament on August 26th hosted by Bondurant-Farrar to start their season.

WACO’s tournament begins play tonight with the Warriors taking on Centerville to start the night at 5 pm. Van Buren County will face off against Pekin to start their tournament play. 

Central Lee will begin their season on August 26th with their own tournament starting at 9 am.

High School Football

Mt. Pleasant will be looking to stop a two-game skid against Fairfield on August 25th when the Trojans come to town for the opening game of the season. Head Coach John Bowlin expects this rivalry game to set the tone for the season. 

Danville will face off against Lynnville-Sully and Van Buren County will take on Central Lee in Class A competition.

In 8-man football, Winfield-Mt. Union begins their season against Central City. New London will travel to take on Easton Valley. Lastly, WACO’s week one matchup will be Fremont-Mills on the road.

Meet the Players Night

Winfield-Mt. Union’s “Meet the Players” night will be tonight at 7 pm.

This Day in Sports History

1931 – Yankees slugger Babe Ruth becomes the first MLB player to hit 600 career home runs as NY defeats St. Louis Browns, 11-7, at Sportsman’s Park.

1967 – Kansas City utility Ken Harrelson becomes baseball’s first free agent when he is abruptly released by the Athletics; calls team owner Charlie Finley “a menace to baseball.”

1982 – MLB Milwaukee Brewers’ relief pitcher Rollie Fingers becomes first pitcher to get save #300.

Duplex Fire in Burlington

By Yorke Prough · Monday, August 21st, 2023 at 6:25 am CDT

At 12:30 PM on August 20th, 2023, the Burlington Fire Department and West Burlington Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire located at 212 S. 10th in Burlington, IA. 52601. Burlington firefighters arrived at 12:35 PM to find a two-story vacant duplex with fire  showing from the first floor.

212 S. 10th is a rental property owned by Dennis Wilson and was vacant due to a recent fire to the adjoining side of the duplex. The structure is considered a total loss.

The fire is considered suspicious and is under investigation by the Burlington Fire Department and Burlington Police Department.

There were no civilian or firefighter injuries reported, and firefighters cleared the scene at 4:44 PM. Ten initial firefighters responded to the incident and were assisted by Danville Fire Department, Mediapolis Fire Department, Yarmouth Fire Department, Lee County EMS, Burlington Waterworks, and Alliant Energy and Gas.

Argument Leads to Gunshot and Arrest

By Yorke Prough · Monday, August 21st, 2023 at 6:24 am CDT

There was an arrest made by the Burlington Police Department on Friday afternoon after a heated argument that ended with a gunshot.

Burlington Officers were dispatched to the 1200 block of Stowe Street on August 18 at 2:25pm following a report of a mother and father arguing over a child and the mother firing a gun. While officers were responding, Amanda VanSant called DESCOM and said she had fired one round into the air. VanSant said she and the father of her children had been arguing all day about the father wanting to take the children out of state.

She said she returned home and found the father there with one of the children in his vehicle. VanSant pulled her vehicle beside the father’s vehicle to block him in. At one point, VanSant exited her vehicle with a handgun and fired it. VanSant told officers she fired it in the air to make the father of her children leave.

VanSant said the father of her children then struck her in the face. VanSant admitted it was the father’s time for visitation and knew she couldn’t legally make him leave the children. No one was injured as a result of the gunfire.

Amanda VanSant was arrested and charged with Child Endangerment, Reckless Use of a Firearm, Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon C-Felony, and Aggravated Domestic Abuse Assault while displaying a dangerous weapon.

Nancy Wanda Miller

By Yorke Prough · Monday, August 21st, 2023 at 6:10 am CDT

Nancy Wanda Miller, 76, of New London, died Saturday, August 19, 2023 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House, West Burlington.  She was born November 12, 1946 in Burlington to Wallace Carroll and Virginia Elaine Helphrey Riepe.  She was a 1965 graduate of New London High School and was a member of the New London Presbyterian Church.

On June 19, 1966 she married Ronald Ervin Miller in New London.  Nan was a homemaker and enjoyed crafting, sewing, baking, gardening, tending her flowers, and attending her children’s and grandchildren’s activities and events.

Besides her husband Ron, she is survived by two daughters, Lena (Michael) Jones of New London and Rachel (Jason) Huegel of Ankeny; four grandchildren, Tate and Morgan Jones, and Ev and Jayden Huegel; one sister Carol (Donald) Miller of Washington, Iowa; nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Judith in infancy.

The funeral service for Mrs. Miller will be held at 10:00 am Thursday, August 24, 2023 at Elliott Chapel, New London, with Pastor Maurie Campbell officiating.  Burial will follow the service at Trinity Cemetery, rural Mt. Union. Visitation at the chapel will begin at noon on Wednesday with the family present to greet friends from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.

Memorials have been established for Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House and Trinity Cemetery.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.