It is the summer fireworks season. Henry County Summer 2023 firework use times are from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 1st through July 8th, and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 8th. Keep in mind local cities and municipalities may adopt more restrictive firework ordinances. If you reside within city limits its prudent you check your local laws to ensure you are legally using fireworks. If you have a complaint of fireworks being used outside of legal dates/hours, the Henry County Iowa Sherriff’s office asks you please use the non-emergency number 319-385-2712 to ensure that the 911 lines stay available for emergencies. As a reminder, you may only use fireworks on your property or a property that you have received permission to use fireworks on.
11-year-old Missing Child Found, Ottumwa Man Facing Charges
An Ottumwa man is facing multiple charges after the discovery of a missing girl.
Tuesday just after 4:30 a.m., the Ottumwa Police Department was notified that an 11-year-old child was missing. She was found and deemed safe just before 9:30 AM that morning.
The incident is being investigated and as a result, 48-year-old Peter Frederic Serrer of Ottumwa, was detained. Serrer has been charged with criminal child endangerment that resulted in physical harm and neglect or abandonment of a dependent person.
Serrer is being detained in the Wapello County Jail without bond until he can see the magistrate.
Fairfield Police Looking for Information
The Fairfield Police Department is looking for information on a single-vehicle accident that occurred on Highway 34 East of Fairfield around Midnight on Sunday.
According to the official report, first responders were notified of the accident around midnight. Once on-site, it was discovered that the occupant of the vehicle had left the scene.
It is believed that the driver of the vehicle was heading westbound on Highway 34 swerved, overcorrected, then rolled their vehicle, and fled the scene.
It is not known at this time if there were any injuries.
If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Fairfield Police Department at 641-472-4148.
Both the Fairfield Fire Department and Fairfield Police Department responded to the scene.
Burlington Man Arrested on Outstanding Warrants
The Burlington Police Department says that a man wanted on multiple charges has been arrested following a traffic stop.
According to a news release, on Monday, May 30th, a West Burlington Police Officer stopped a vehicle and located a wanted fugitive, 27-year-old Kewion Boyce, inside.
Boyce was arrested and turned over to Burlington Police for questioning.
Following the questioning by Burlington detectives, Boyce was arrested on warrants for felony domestic abuse assault, 3 counts of 1st-degree harassment, aggravated domestic abuse assault, possession of a firearm by a felon and willful injury.
Sports, June 1st
High School Soccer
The boys’ state quarterfinals finished up play with Class 4A yesterday. Ankeny Centennial defeated Valley in a big upset taking down the #1 seed. Johnston defeated Prairie 3-0. Iowa City West took down Cedar Rapids Kennedy 2-0 and Dowling Catholic came out with the win 2-1 over Ames.
The state tournament will get back to action today.
The girls’ state quarterfinals started yesterday and here are the results. Des Moines Christian and Gilbert each defeated their opponents 2-0 yesterday. Bishop Heelan pulled off the upset against Nevada 1-0. Lastly, Assumption took down Van Meter 2-0.
Waverly-Shell Rock continued their dominance defeating North Polk 4-1 in Class 2A. Pella snuck past ADM 1-0. Dallas Center-Grimes handled Marion 10-0 and North Scott netted three to take down Spencer.
Waukee Northwest defeated the preseason favorite Ankeny Centennial 2-0. Valley won 2-0 against Pleasant Valley. Dowling Catholic was the second 7th seed to pull off the upset winning 1-0 over Ankeny. Lastly, Johnston ran away with a 5-0 win over Linn-Mar.
The state tournament will continue tomorrow.
High School Baseball
Mt. Pleasant will continue their series against Washington tonight at home with first pitch at 7:30 pm.
Winfield-Mt. Union will face off against Highland at home tonight.
Danville will compete against Van Buren County today.
Central Lee took down New London last night 18-6 after a 9 run 4th inning for the Hawks. Tate Welcher notched 3 RBIs for the Tigers. Central Lee will take on West Burlington tonight on the road.
New London will host Keota tonight.
High School Softball
Mt. Pleasant traveled to Wapello last night and after waiting out a lightning delay exited with the 8-3 win over the Arrows. The Panthers jumped on the board first after an Emma Starr walk and Addison Clark double put runners on 2nd and 3rd, a subsequent wild pitch would score Starr. Saige Burchett would tally an RBI in the 2nd inning to make it 2 to 0. An Ada Boysen home run would cut the lead in half for the Arrows.
The Panthers and Arrows would enter the 6th inning tied at 3, but an RBI single by Keagyn Coleman and heads up baserunning by Meadow Carter would put the Panthers ahead 4 to 3. The 7th inning was where the Panthers broke it open starting with a 2 run homer by Jersey Beachy to make it 6 to 3. Coleman and Kynlee White would bat home the other runs. The Panthers will face off against Washington at home tonight.
Winfield-Mt. Union will host Highland this evening.
Danville will look to get back in the win column against Van Buren County tonight.
Holy Trinity Catholic will look to take down Mediapolis today.
New London will host Holy Trinity Catholic tomorrow, June 2nd.
High School Tennis
The boys’ state team tournament began yesterday and these are the results. In Class 1A, Pella shut out Ballard and Wahlert Catholic 5 sets to 0. Cedar Rapids Xavier defeated Glenwood 5 sets to 2 and Decorah 5 sets to 0. Pella will take on Xavier today for the championship. Decorah and Wahlert Catholic will face off for 3rd place.
In Class 2A, Waukee Northwest and Iowa City West dominated the competition to make it to the championship game today. Linn-Mar will take on Pleasant Valley for 3rd place.
Iowa Baseball
The Hawkeyes will open up play in the NCAA tournament against North Carolina tomorrow, June 2nd, at 6 pm.
This Day in Sports History
1925 – Future NY Yankees Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig pinch hits for shortstop Pee-Wee Wanninger in a 5-3 loss to Washington; first of record 2,130 consecutive games.
1943 – Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Rip Sewell patents his “eephus” or “blooper ball” pitch; uses pitch on way to a 20-win campaign.
2012 – Johan Santana throws first no-hitter in the New York Mets’ 50-year MLB history when he beats the St. Louis Cardinals, 8 – 0.
Ray Dean Gillespie
Crash Report
On May 30th, 2023, at approximately 11:40 a.m., the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received several reports of a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Henry-Des Moines Avenue and Highway 34, south of New London. An investigation determined the two vehicles involved were, a 2019 White Chevrolet box van being driven west bound by Ben Davis, 54 of Coal Valley, Il., and a 2013 Honda CRV being driven by Memphis Watson, 16 of Mount Pleasant, Ia.
The investigation determined the Watson vehicle was traveling south on 267th Street and came to a stop at the intersection of Highway 34. The Davis vehicle was traveling west on Highway 34 at the same time. The Watson vehicle proceeded into the intersection striking the passenger side of the Davis vehicle. Mr. Watson was cited for Failure to obey a stop sign and yield the right of way.
No injuries were reported. Both vehicles sustained disabling damage and were towed from the scene.
The Henry County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Henry County Emergency Medical Service and the New London Fire and Rescue Department.
Sports, May 31st
High School Soccer
The boys’ state quarterfinals got underway yesterday and here are the results. In Class 1A, GCGR defeated Columbus Catholic 4-0. Des Moines Christian took down West Branch by the same score 4-0. Regina Catholic won against West Liberty 2-1. Lastly, Western Christian shutout Treynor to win 1-0.
Class 2A’s contests featured all shutouts. Assumption Davenport, Nevada, Gilbert, and Bishop Heelan all moved on to the next round.
Des Moines Hoover handled Xavier 6-0. Norwalk and Humboldt had a tough contest with Norwalk winning 3-2. Iowa City Liberty defeated Dallas Center-Grimes 4-2. Lastly, Marion took down Denison-Schleswig 3-1.
The games for Class 4A were postponed to today.
The girls’ state quarterfinals will start today with Des Moines Christian facing off against Hudson to lead off the day.
High School Baseball
Mt. Pleasant was swept in their road doubleheader to Washington last night 4-1 in game one and 9-8 in game two. Both teams entered the game struggling at the plate and those woes continued for both of those teams in game one. The Demons worked 5 walks in the first inning, which allowed them to score two runs. The Panthers had opportunities in the contest, but could not push across the runs. Payton Hagans notched an RBI with Payson Coleman tallying the only hit. Chase Greiner had an RBI single for the Demons.
Game two started with Zerek Venghaus, Jake Ensminger, and Carter Amos slapping singles to fill up the bases, but a Payton Walker sacrifice fly was all the Panthers could muster. The trouble began in the 4th and 5th innings, when the Demons jumped for 7 runs to take a 9-2 lead into the top of the 7th inning. The Panthers would score 6 runs due to wild pitching and a key couple hits, but it would not be enough. Ensminger, J.C. Sitar, and Payson Coleman all added an RBI to their season total. The Panthers will rematch with Washington tomorrow, June 1st, at home with first pitch at 7:30 pm.
Winfield-Mt. Union will face off against Highland at home tomorrow.
Danville will compete against Van Buren County tomorrow.
Central Lee will travel to take on New London tonight.
High School Softball
Mt. Pleasant lost to Washington in their doubleheader last night with game one’s final being 12-3 and game two’s final being 13-1. Addison Clark clobbered a home run in the second game, while notching 3 hits in the two games. The Panthers will face off against Wapello tomorrow on the road. KILJ will be on the call with pregame at 6:45 pm.
Winfield-Mt. Union fell to Columbus 12-0 last night. The Wolves will host Highland tomorrow, June 1st.
Holy Trinity Catholic handled Danville last night 14-2. The Bears will look to get back in the win column against Van Buren County tomorrow. The Crusaders will look to take down Mediapolis tomorrow.
New London lost to Mediapolis last night 14-2. The Tigers will host Central Lee tonight.
High School Tennis
The girls’ Class 1A and 2A state team tennis tournaments finished up yesterday and here are the state champions.
In Class 1A, Columbus Catholic took down Clarinda 5 sets to 1 to claim the crown.
In Class 2A, the #1 seed Cedar Rapids Washington defeated Dowling Catholic 5 sets to 2 to take home the state championship.
The boys’ state team tournament will begin today. Pella enters the tournament as the #1 seed in Class 1A, while Waukee Northwest enters as the favorite in Class 2A.
Iowa Baseball
The Hawkeyes will open up play in the NCAA tournament against North Carolina on Friday, June 2nd, at 6 pm.
This Day in Sports History
1937 – Second largest crowd in Polo Grounds history (61,756) sees Brooklyn Dodgers beat NY Giants, 10-3, ending Carl Hubbell’s record consecutive-game winning streak at 24.
2002 – The New Jersey Nets defeat the Boston Celtics 96-88 in Game 6 of the NBA’s Eastern Conference Championship, winning the series 4 games to 2 to advance to their first NBA Finals appearance.
2015 – Harriette Thompson aged 92 and 65 days becomes the oldest woman to complete a marathon.