Donna Lee Woodall Baker

By Theresa Rose · Friday, April 28th, 2023 at 7:45 pm CDT

Donna Lee Woodall Baker, 91, of New London, died Thursday, April 27, 2023 at Savannah Heights, Mt. Pleasant.  She was born September 18, 1931 in Pleasant Grove Township to Frank Ernest and Sylvia Irene Millizer McCannon.  She attended school at the Denmark Academy and was a member of The Open Bible Church in Mt. Pleasant.

On September 17, 1949 she married the love of her life, Frank Edward Woodall in Burlington; he died February 24, 1997.  She married Bill Baker in New London on May 26, 1999; he died December 6, 2005.  For many years she worked as a waitress in different restaurants; worked at the Glove Factory in New London; and was a clerk at the day old bakery in Burlington where she gave bread to women who couldn’t afford it for their children.

She was a member of the Iowa Quarter Horse Association; the American Quarter Horse Association; the Illinois Quarter Horse Association; the Des Moines County Saddle Club; the Henry County Saddle Club; and the Baltimore Township Saddle Club.  She was an avid horsewoman and loved being with her family, especially her “girls” and their families.

She is survived by one daughter Judy (Dean) Messer of Bailey, Colorado; two granddaughters, Brandi (Kendall) Irvin, and Bobbi (Jacob) Spinsby; five great-grandchildren, Brennan, Kenadi, Logan, Natalie, and Kylie; three great-great-grandchildren, Drake, Avianna, and Sade; one brother Butch McCannon of New London and one sister Fernietta Woodall of New London.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, daughter Linda Riha; grandson Monte Burras; and sister Dorothy Higdon.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 PM Monday May 1, 2023, at Pleasant Grove South Cemetery, rural Danville with Pastor Rod Cooper officiating.  Visitation will begin at 9 am Monday at Elliott Chapel, with the family receiving friends from noon until 1:45.  Memorials have been established for Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice and American Cancer Society.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

 

WMU School Board Meeting Agenda

By Theresa Rose · Friday, April 28th, 2023 at 2:58 pm CDT

WINFIELD – MT. UNION COMMUNITY SCHOOL

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

LIBRARY, W-MU 6:00 p.m. ~ May 10, 2023

  1. Call to Order
  2. Roll Call
  3. Public Comment
  4. Consent Agenda

D1.  Minutes, Bills, Financial Reports

D2.  Personnel Hirings/Resignations

 

  1. Reports

E1.  Building Reports

E2.  Superintendent Report

 

 

  1. General Business

F1.  Policy Review:  IASB Updates – Edwards:  200.4 Board Member Social Media Engagement, 210.5

Meeting Notice, 401.5R1 Employee Records Regulation, 401.9 Credit Cards, 407.2 Licensed

Employee Contract Release, 501.2 Nonresident Students, 604.6 PSEO Instruction, 701.2 Transfer of

Funds, and 708 District Records

F2.  Consider Shared Librarian Agreement with AEA for 2023-24.

F3.  Consider Transportation/Travel Regulations

F4.  Consider Ad Hoc Study Committee for 4 Day School Week

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Adjourn

Henry County Board of Supervisors Meeting

By Theresa Rose · Friday, April 28th, 2023 at 2:38 pm CDT

AGENDA

May 2, 2023

Approve Agenda

Approve Minutes

9:00 Jake Hotchkiss, Engineer Weekly Update

Resolution  – award contract for Iowa Avenue twin box culvert

Other County Business as time allows

Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates

Floyd Leo Watznauer

By Theresa Rose · Friday, April 28th, 2023 at 2:22 pm CDT

Floyd Leo Watznauer, 96, of Fort Madison, Iowa, passed away at 7:10 a.m. Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at the West Point Care Center in West Point, Iowa.

Born on September 12, 1926, in Fort Madison, the son of William L. and Genevieve (Kramer) Watznauer. On June 25, 1949, in Fort Madison, he married Deloris Nadine Davolt.

He is survived by his wife: Deloris; two children: Randy (Judy) Watznauer of Fort Madison and Rhonda (Duane) Burkhardt of Carlisle, Iowa. Also surviving is one sister: Vera Boeding of West Point and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Martha Boeddeker, Evelyn Schneider, Pauline Blint, LaVerne Boeding, Raymond Watznauer, Lucille Fedler, Ike Watznauer, Wilbert Watznauer, Ilene Dingman, Rita Miller and Bernard Watznauer.

Floyd was a farmer, worked for Iowa Ammunition Plant and retired from Armour Dial. He was a member of Sts. Mary and Joseph Catholic Church, Holy Family Parish in Fort Madison. Floyd enjoyed horseback riding, jigsaw puzzles, watching westerns, coon and mushroom hunting. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan.

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

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

 

A memorial has been established in his memory.

 

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

Iowa Wesleyan University Celebrates Annual Awards Day

By Theresa Rose · Friday, April 28th, 2023 at 2:01 pm CDT

Mount Pleasant, IA – April 27, 2023 —Iowa Wesleyan University held its annual Awards Day on April 27 to recognize outstanding students, faculty, and staff. The University recognized students for exemplary achievement in their majors, their leadership on campus, and their involvement in the community throughout the year. The awards ceremony also included announcing the most prestigious student award given annually, the President’s Award.

“Awards day is an honored tradition at Iowa Wesleyan University where we can showcase fantastic academic and co-curricular awards for many Iowa Wesleyan students while also announcing top awards for our staff and faculty,” stated Megan Hills, Interim Chief Academic Officer. “It is one of the amazing ways we celebrate the end of the year.”

The President’s Award, presented to a graduating senior, epitomizes a person who consistently demonstrates responsible and selfless use of talent and leadership throughout their undergraduate experience. Nominees must be high achievers who have modeled exemplary academic effort and engagement. The 2022-2023 President’s Award was presented to Ella Francis from New London, Iowa. Ella has been involved in numerous on-campus organizations and committees, including performing in the IW Choir and serving as the President of the Student Government Association during the 2022-23 academic year.

Faith Younce of Bonney Lake, Washington, received the Tiger Spirit Award. This award signifies what it means to be an Iowa Wesleyan Tiger by displaying a positive attitude, sportsmanship, spirit, and pride.

The Student Leader of the Year award recipient was Karoline Stratton from Dubuque, Iowa. This award recognizes a student who has excelled and exemplified outstanding leadership, service, and dedication to impact growth, culture, and change at IW positively.

The Mount Pleasant REC Center was recognized for their unwavering support of Iowa Wesleyan’s internship program. The REC Center has been a dedicated internship placement facility for many Iowa Wesleyan students while providing excellent support and guidance for interning students.

We are also excited to recognize our instructors during our annual celebration. The Advisor of the Year honor was awarded to Dr. Cyndi Walljasper ’92, Professor of Psychology and Faculty Chair, for her dedication to IW students.

The Carol J. Nemitz Staff of the Year award was presented to Jim Pedrick ’80, Development Director. This award recognizes staff members who have exhibited extraordinary commitment and service to Iowa Wesleyan University.

For a full list, check out our 2023 Awards Day Winners.

 

Charges Following Drug Trafficking Investigation

By Theresa Rose · Friday, April 28th, 2023 at 1:32 pm CDT

During early 2023, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office conducted a methamphetamine trafficking investigation in the Henry County and southeast Iowa area. Upon investigation, the following have been charged and/or arrested:

Michael Carpenter, 31 of St. Paul, IA:

Conspiracy to deliver over 5 grams of methamphetamine (class B felony)

Failure to affix drug tax stamp (class D felony)

Gathering/meeting where controlled substances distributed (class D felony)

Crystal Ecker, 36 of St. Paul, IA:

Conspiracy to deliver over 5 grams of methamphetamine (class B felony)

Conspiracy to deliver over 5 grams of methamphetamine (class B felony)

Trevor Harmon, 37 of Lomax, IL:

Conspiracy to deliver over 5 grams of methamphetamine (class B felony)

Bryan Stewart, 36 of New London, IA:

Sex Offender Registry Violation (aggravated misdemeanor)

Gathering/meeting where controlled substances distributed (class D felony)

Joshua Helmick, 41 of Norwalk, IA:

Possession with intent to deliver over 5 grams (class B felony)

Failure to affix drug tax stamp (class D felony)

Eluding (with 124 violation) (class D felony)

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office was assisted during the investigation by the Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force, Burlington Police Department, Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, West Burlington Police Department, Ottumwa Police Department, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, New London Police Department, and the Mount Pleasant Police Department.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty

Jeffrey A. Thompson

By Theresa Rose · Friday, April 28th, 2023 at 1:31 pm CDT

Jeffrey A. Thompson, 60, of Burlington, Iowa, passed away at 3:20 p.m. Thursday, April 27, 2023, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa.

He was born on April 24, 1963, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of Norman and Mary (Chapman) Thompson. He was married to Jacqueline Crowner.

He is survived by this two sons: Tory Thompson of Burlington, Iowa and Tyler (Brittanie) Thompson of Burlington, Iowa; two daughters: Jenna Buis of Muncie, Indiana and Chelsey Thompson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; eight grandchildren; mother: Mary Chapman; brother: Ron Thompson and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Jeff was a graduate of Fort Madison High School. He was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan and he loved spending time with his grandchildren.

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

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

A memorial has been established in his memory and can be mailed to the family at: Schmitz Funeral Home, P.O. Box 56, Donnellson, Iowa

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

Sports, April 28th

By Slaten Swords · Friday, April 28th, 2023 at 6:29 am CDT

High School Track and Field

The Danville girls team won the B Division of the Ekstrand Relays with WACO claiming 5th place, Winfield-Mt. Union taking 6th place, and New London finishing in 7th place. For Danville, Alaina Gourley won the 400 meter dash with a time of 1 minute and 1 second. Alexis Dietsch took the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 1 minute and 13 seconds. The team of Kamryn Sherwood, Jaeda Molle, Miya Orbiana, and Gourley won the 4×800 meter relay and Macie Wagner replaced Gourley to help win the 4×400 meter relay.

The top finishers for WACO was Elyssa Graber in 3rd place in the 800 meter run and Zoey Dennler in the 400 meter hurdles. The team of McKenzie Vradenburg, Halle Shelman, Dennler, and Graber won the distance medley.

Keetyn Townsley won the 100 meter hurdles for Winfield-Mt. Union and the team of Josie Nelson, Keyreana Sharar, Tessa Huston, and Townsley took the 4×100 meter shuttle hurdle.

WACO won the B Division for the boys side with 164 points, Winfield-Mt. Union grabbed 2nd place, New London took 3rd, and Danville finished in 4th place. Simeon Reichenbach won the 100 meter dash and the 110 meter hurdles for the Warriors. WACO won the 4×100 meter relay, the 4×200 meter relay, and the 4×110 meter shuttle hurdle. Mason Miller took the high jump with a leap of 6 feet 1 inch. Reichenbach leaped 19 feet 1.5 inches to win the long jump. Lastly, Oleh Shtefanchuk threw the discus 143 feet 10 inches to win the discus.

Kohlby Newsom won the 1600 meter run for Winfield-Mt. Union. The Wolves won the 4×800 meter relay and the distance medley. For New London, Rylan Martin took the 800 meter run and the 3200 meter run. Cale Westerbeck won the 400 meter hurdles and the 4×400 meter relay team won the event with a time of 3 minutes and 48 seconds. Ayden Doyle won the 200 meter dash for Danville and the 800 sprint medley team won with a time of 1 minute and 39 seconds.

The Mt. Pleasant girls and boys teams competed at the Tulip Time Relays and the girls team finished in 2nd place with 157 points and the boys team took 3rd place scoring 103 points. The girls team had a slew of 2nd place finishes with Andi Scott in the 100 meter dash, Rellana Van Deuren in the 400 meter hurdles, Elsie Lange in the long jump with a leap of 15 feet 4 inches, Ava English in the shot put with a heave of 36 feet 4 inches, and Savannah Slobodnik in the discus with a toss of 111 feet 2 inches. The team of Courtney Raub, Bailey Jalas, Tristan Shull, and Andi Scott won the 4×100 meter relay with a time of 51.03 seconds.

Avin Truong won the 200 meter dash for the boys team with a time of 23.25 seconds. In the 800 meter run, Gabe Feldmann took it with a time of 2 minutes and 8 seconds. Will Davidson won the 110 meter hurdles with a time of 14.75 seconds. Truong grabbed two more wins in the high jump with a leap of 5 feet 10 inches and the long jump with a leap of 22 feet 2 inches, 5th in school history and 5th in Class 3A. The 4×800 meter relay team of Jacob Richtman, Feldmann, Isaac Rynders, and Ben Carthey won with a time of 8 minutes and 26 seconds.

At the Drake Relays, AJ Bonnesen of Danville ran the 3200 meter yesterday and finished in 13th place with a time of 9 minutes and 26 seconds. Kade Benjamin grabbed 6th place in the high jump for New London with a leap of 6 feet 7 inches. Isaac Jerrel of Mt. Pleasant took 23rd in the shot put with a heave of 48 feet 0.5 inches.

Thomas Eschman of Central Lee and Cam Buffington of Winfield-Mt. Union will compete in the long jump today. Will Davidson of Mt. Pleasant will compete in the 110 meter hurdles and Boden Pickle of New London will join him in the 100 meter dash today.

High School Soccer

The Mt. Pleasant girls team throttled Keokuk yesterday 10-0. Tori Wilson netted 5 goals, Charice Auwerda tallied two goals, and Hailey Parrott and Elly Manning each scored one goal. The Panthers will take on Burlington at home on May 1st.

The WACO boys team will look to get back in the win column tonight against Columbus at home.

The Central Lee boys team improved to 3-5 on the season after taking down Centerville 6-0 last night. The Hawks will travel to compete against Wapello today.

The Central Lee girls team won in dramatic fashion with the Hawks down 1 to 0 entering the second half, Sarah Martin and Ellie Lake both scored to win 2-1. They will take on Wapello tonight on the road.

High School Golf

The Winfield-Mt. Union boys team competed in a duel against Hillcrest Academy last night and fell 173-164. The Wolves were paced by Carter Loyd who shot two over through the nine holes.

The Mt. Pleasant boys team participated in the Moravia Invite yesterday and finished in 12th place with a team score of 352. Knoxville won the Invite with a team score of 307. Nick Matheny led the way for the Panthers with a score of 76 followed by Nate Dismang with an 82. The Panthers will be competing at the Fairfield Invite on May 1st.

The Mt. Pleasant girls team will host their Invitational tonight.

The New London boys and girls teams will face off against Winfield-Mt. Union today.

High School Tennis

The Mt. Pleasant girls team lost to Fairfield yesterday 7-2. Bethany Drury kept up her impressive season winning her singles match 8-2 and then teaming up with Audrey Richmond to win their doubles match 8-5. The Panthers next meet will be on the road against Burlington on May 1st.

The Mt. Pleasant boys team keeps their undefeated season going after defeating Fairfield 7-2 last night. Owen Vansickle, Elliot Cook, Phoenix Watson, Tim Cam, and Gavin Ross all picked up wins in the singles. Cook and Watson won their doubles match 10 to 1 and Cam and Lou Schimmelpfennig combined to win their doubles match. The Panthers will travel to compete against Maharishi tonight.

Iowa Wesleyan Athletics

The Tiger softball team extended their win streak to four games after taking down Hannibal-LaGrange University in both games of their final home doubleheader. In game one, the Tigers won 8-1 with Alexis Davis smacking a solo home run. In game two, Kara Krieger hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the 6th inning to win 6-4. Haiden Molter and Ariana Wolford picked up the wins. The Tigers will face off against Harris-Stowe State University today in a doubleheader.

The Tiger baseball team earned the 4th seed in the Continental Athletic Conference (CAC) tournament and they will be facing off against Georgia Gwinnett College on May 6th.

The men and women golf teams’ next competition will be at the CAC tournament on May 1st.

KeRon Blackwell and the men’s 1600 sprint medley team of Jakim Brock, Jabez Rivers, Judah Rivers, and Daron Jackson will compete at the Drake Relays today.

The Wesleys ceremony commenced last night and some of the highlights was the basketball teams sweeping Team of the Year and Coach of the Year. Adaugo Nwachukwu won Female Athlete of the Year and Henry Shannon won Male Athlete of the Year. The biggest surprise was Mike Hampton’s induction into the Iowa Wesleyan Hall of Fame after coaching softball for 30 years and so much more for the Tigers. An emotional Hampton talked about the honor after the ceremony,

“I’m humbled, I’m shocked, I didn’t anticipate this whatsoever. I just wanted to say thank you to the University for everything they’ve done for me to bring me along as a young pup and now to the old guy.”

This Day in Sports History

1965 – Lindsey Nelson broadcasts a baseball game at Houston Astrodome from a hanging gondola.

1972 – Courts award 1968 Kentucky Derby prize money to 2nd place winner due to the winner being given drugs before the race.

1985 -Los Angeles Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela made baseball history by setting a then-MLB record with 41 consecutive scoreless innings.