Ronald James Hutson

By Allison Jacobs · Friday, July 4th, 2025 at 3:03 pm CDT

Ronald James Hutson, 78, of Wever, Iowa, passed away at 9:34 a.m. Thursday, July 3, 2025, at his home in Wever.

He was born on March 10, 1947, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of Clarence Jr. and Ruth (Mansheim) Hutson. On May 1, 1971, he married Dorothy Lowman, at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Nauvoo, Illinois.

Survivors include his wife: Dorothy; two children: Shawn (Sonya) Hutson, Shanna (Aaron) Rohdy; grandchildren: Samantha (CJ) Gosney, Alexis Pumphrey, Kaeli Hutson, Caden Hutson, Eleanor Rohdy, Mason Rohdy, Cooper (Emma) Rohdy, Hadleigh Rohdy; great grandchildren: Chad Booten, Sophia Pumphrey, Blakely Hale, Christian Pumphrey, Charlie Gosney, Branton Gosney; brother: Dennis Hutson of Niota, Illinois; sisters-in-law: Linda Eland of Burlington, Iowa, Martha (Dennis) Wollbrink of Sutter, Illinois, Trisha Lowman of Nauvoo, Illinois; brothers-in-law: Mel (Kay) Lowman of Ben Wheeler, Texas and David G. Woodley of Fort Madison, Iowa. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law; son: Shane Hutson; brother: Dickie; brothers-in-law: Mark Lowman and Doug Eland; sisters-in-law: Betty Woodley, Glenda Hutson and great nephew: Clinton Tebbs.

He was a member of Holy Family Parish in Fort Madison, he retired from Alliant Energy as Operations Manager. He served on God’s Portion Day Committee, was a past officer of U.S.S. Lyman K. Swenson Naval Reunion, volunteered for many years at the Tri-State Rodeo working wherever he was needed. Ronnie played co-ed softball in Illinois, and helped coach his children and some of his grandchildren.

Ronnie was an amazing man, he was giving of his time and never turned anyone away. His love for his family was strong. Ron’s motto was “work smart not hard” he told his children and grandchildren, “never be afraid to ask why”.

After retirement his project began. His 1969 Black Camaro was his pride and joy, he won many awards, plaques, and trophies.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 6, 2025 at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 7, 2025 at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson with Father Gary Beckman officiating.

Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Fort Madison with full military rites.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in his memory for Wever Fire & Rescue or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

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

Iowa DNR – Boating Safety

By Allison Jacobs · Friday, July 4th, 2025 at 7:36 am CDT

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has released information on how to keep boats in compliance with state law and passengers safe especially as we head into the long holiday weekend.

According to the DNR, motorboats should be registered through the county recorder and boaters under the age of 18 must either be accompanied by an adult or have completed a boater education course. Boaters under the age of 12 cannot operate motorboats without the supervision of an adult.

While on board, boaters are required to wear personal floatation devices such as life jackets for safety.

Alcoholic beverages on boats have the same regulations as land motor vehicles, with a blood alcohol level of .08 incurring a citation for Boating While Intoxicated. Drinking can be especially dangerous on the water due to the amplifying effects that water movement and the glare of sunlight on the water have on drunkenness.

When transporting boats, boat owners should double-check their trailers to ensure that the lights and equipment function properly before leaving home.

 

ISP – Safe Holiday

By Allison Jacobs · Friday, July 4th, 2025 at 7:33 am CDT

Iowa had nine traffic fatalities over the fourth of July holiday in 2024 – making it the deadliest fourth of July weekend in over a decade.   The Iowa State Patrol is advising people to buckle up, slow down and follow the new hands-free law.  Citizens should also think about the risks of drinking and driving and plan ahead.  Law enforcement will be out en force during this holiday weekend.

 

Henry County Public Health Update

By Allison Jacobs · Friday, July 4th, 2025 at 7:32 am CDT

Henry County Public Health director Katie Reuter of Henry County gave her update at the Henry County Board of Supervisors meeting yesterday and gave an update on federal funding cuts to cancer research.  The state of Iowa has rising cancer rates with Iowa ranking second in the nation for cancer cases.  Henry County is considered average in the number of cancer cases with Des Moines and Lee Counties ranking as high.  Reuter also advised that the monthly contribution of $500/month to the Fellowship Cup should be increased as 50% of the Henry population is in poverty.

The Back-to-School Fair will be held on August 11th in the former Howe Center.  The back-to-school fair provides valuable resources and information for students and their families.

 

Hwy 78/Winfield Closure – Monday 7/7/25

By Allison Jacobs · Friday, July 4th, 2025 at 7:30 am CDT

Highway 78 South of Winfield is set to be closed on Monday, July 7, and will remain closed into October. Crews will replace an existing bridge with a twin box concrete culvert approximately 1 and a half miles South of Winfield.  There will be a detour to follow.  The latest highway information can be found through the Iowa DOT’s 511 systems at 511ia.org.

HC Supervisors 7/3/25 Grant

By Allison Jacobs · Friday, July 4th, 2025 at 7:29 am CDT

The Henry County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Thursday morning, July 3rd.  Updates were given by county department heads, and the supervisors approved a resolution to apply for an 80/20 grant with 18 other projects across the state of Iowa.  The project is a 1.5-million-dollar bridge project located on Iowa Avenue.  The supervisors also approved a motion to extend the contract with Elliot Oil.  Complete details of the supervisors meeting can be found on KILJ.COM under News.

 

The Henry County Board of Supervisors will meet in regular session on Thursday, July 10th at 9am at the Courthouse in Mt. Pleasant.  This meeting is open to the public.

High Speed Chase, Fire: Lee County – Thursday

By Allison Jacobs · Friday, July 4th, 2025 at 7:27 am CDT

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a series of escalating events that required a coordinated multi-agency response yesterday (July 3rd.)  Just after 11am, emergency responders were dispatched to reports of a motor home on Hwy 27 fully engulfed in flames near the Missouri border which temporarily caused the closure of northbound Hwy 27.  At about 11:30am, Lee County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by Clark County, Missouri authorities regarding an active vehicle pursuit entering Iowa, heading directly toward the scene of the motor home fire.  Clark County officials reportedly reached speeds of up to 130mph.  The driver of the vehicle crashed the car and proceeded to run.

10 minutes later, a 911 call reported that a male subject was running toward the fire scene with a firearm and then gunshots were heard in the area.  Additional reports stated that the individual was attempting to gain entry into a vehicle.

After a brief manhunt, the suspect was apprehended by sheriff’s deputies near the 1700 block of 320th Street southeast of Argyle, Iowa. Multiple agencies participated and coordinated resources in the series of events.

 

Sports, July 4th

By Slaten Swords · Friday, July 4th, 2025 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Baseball

Fairfield’s two-run sixth inning claimed the Trojans their second consecutive Southeast Conference Title last night in a 3-2 win over Burlington. Cason Miller was the one to do it with the two-run blast to lift the squad over the Grayhounds. Dain Burkhart pitched the complete game, striking out three in the win. Fairfield will face off against Mt. Vernon on Monday at 7 pm on the road. 

Postseason Baseball Brackets

In Class 1A Substate 5 District 10, Danville and Van Buren County will be heading off to Moravia for a doubleheader tomorrow, July 5th. The Bears will square off against Moravia at 7 pm, while Van Buren County will start off the night at 5 pm.

On the bottom half of the bracket, Burlington Notre Dame will venture to New London to face off against Keota at 5 pm, while New London will host the nightcap against Wapello at 7 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call for both games with the pregame show at 4:45 pm.

Moving to Class 2A Substate 4 District 7, #5 Mediapolis earned a bye and will host the winner between West Liberty and Camanche on Tuesday, July 8th, at 7 pm.

Over in Class 2A Substate 5 District 9, West Burlington and Louisa-Muscatine will meet up in Wilton at 5 pm in the battle of the Falcons. Winfield-Mt. Union will take on the hosts at 7 pm, where the winner will advance to compete against Central Lee Tuesday at 5 pm at Chariton Middle School.

For Class 3A Substate 5, Washington will face off against Assumption on the road. In Substate 6, Mt. Pleasant will travel to play Fairfield for the fourth time this season, while Keokuk will take on Pella and Fort Madison will venture to Xavier with both games on the road. 

For Class 4A Substate 3, Burlington grabbed the #4-seed and will hit the road to compete against the #3-seed Muscatine.

Classes 3A and 4A will start postseason action on July 11th with first pitch at 7 pm. 

High School Softball

Mt. Pleasant fell to Fort Madison last night 10-2. Keagyn Coleman swatted an RBI-double after a leadoff triple by Lila Cook for her first career extra-base hit as a member of the Panthers. 

New London lost to Hillcrest Academy last night 13-5. 

Fairfield took down Burlington last night 8-1 behind Leah Helmick’s complete game, two-hitter. Lilly Bergren led the team with three RBIs as she hit one of the team’s four doubles. The Trojans will compete in the Ottumwa Classic tomorrow.  

West Burlington/Notre Dame will take on Mid-Prairie on Monday, July 7th, at home with game one of a doubleheader starting at 5:30 pm.

Mediapolis will host Davis County on Tuesday, July 8th, at 5:30 pm.

Postseason Softball

For Class 1A Region 1, game one on Monday, July 7th, will pin WACO against Wapello at 7 pm with the Arrows getting a home game. The winner of the matchup will play Holy Trinity Catholic at West Point South Park on Wednesday, July 9th, at 7 pm.

Over in Class 2A Region 2, Van Buren County will host Danville on Monday at 7 pm with the winner advancing to play #2 Louisa-Muscatine Wednesday in a road showdown.

Also playing on day one will be New London/Winfield-Mt. Union, as the Tigers will make the pilgrimage to Pella Christian High School to face off against the Eagles. The winner will take on Wilton in the quarterfinals.

Columbus earned a bye and a home game with the Wildcats gearing up for a contest with Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont on Wednesday at 7 pm in the top half of the bracket with Louisa-Muscatine expected to host the July 11th contest in the semifinals if both teams advance.

On the bottom half of the Class 4A Region 3 bracket, it is a repeat of the season opener as Mt. Pleasant will travel west to face off against Oskaloosa on Thursday, July 11th. The Panthers struck first that night with a two-run homer off the bat of Paityn Ensminger, but could not keep the momentum going as they fell 11-3. KILJ will be on the call.

Prospect League

The Burlington Bees returned the favor to the Clinton LumberKings last night, winning 15-7, to tie the series at one game apiece. Caleb Seibers walloped the ball for a three-run homer in the winning effort. The Bees and LumberKings will close out their three-game series tonight at 6:30 pm in Clinton.

This Day in Sports History

1939 – Lou Gehrig is the first MLB player to have his number (4) retired on his “Appreciation Day” at Yankee Stadium, making the iconic “luckiest man” speech.

1980 – Nolan Ryan becomes the fourth pitcher to register 3,000 MLB strikeouts.

1995 – The Birmingham Barracudas (based in Alabama) play their first CFL game beating Winnipeg 38-10 but the failed experiment only lasts one season.