Teens Plead Guilty of Murder

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, April 18th, 2023 at 3:36 pm CDT

The two Fairfield teens accused of murdering Fairfield teacher Nohema Graber have pleaded guilty to First Degree Murder in a Jefferson Willard Miller and Jeremy Goodale appeared Tuesday morning in Jefferson County Court. Apparently, there was a plea agreement and the neither teen will go to trial. Sentencing will be announced at a later date. During the hearing Goodale said he and Miller went to Chautauqua Park in Fairfield intending to kill the High School Spanish teacher. He also went on to describe their actions saying after Miller struck the teacher, they moved her body off the trail where she was attacked and then he also struck Graber ensuring she was dead. The two then attempted to remove evidence from the scene.

 

Fort Madison Community School District Votes to End Shared Sports Agreements

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, April 18th, 2023 at 11:46 am CDT

Fort Madison, IA- After some controversy brought the shared activities agreement between Fort Madison, Holy Trinity Catholic, and Central Lee to Monday Night’s board meeting, it was officially voted that Fort Madison would cut ties with Holy Trinity Catholic and Central Lee in their shared sports agreements by a 4-3 vote.

The board had originally stated that they were going to let the district’s shared athletic programs contract expire at the end of the school calendar year and not hold a vote. Pushback caused the board to open it up and put it on the agenda. Coaches and parents came out in support and debate waged for about 20 minutes. Lois DiPrima, Paul Wilkerson, and Carol Ross voted to continue the agreement, while Board President Josh Wykert, Vice President Mio Santiago, Dianna Hope, and Brad Menke voted to end the agreements.

Holy Trinity Catholic and Fort Madison had shared Baseball, Girls Cross Country, Boys and Girls Soccer, Boys and Girls Tennis, Boys and Girls Track and Field, and Boys and Girls Wrestling. Fort Madison and Central Lee shared Boys and Girls Wrestling.

Holy Trinity Catholic stated that their plan moving forward is to still offer the sports affected by this decision and that more details will come.

Iowa Wesleyan Music to Present “Wesleyan, We Love Thee: A Celebration of Music”

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, April 18th, 2023 at 8:29 am CDT

Iowa Wesleyan University is pleased to announce “Wesleyan, We Love Thee: A Celebration of Music,” to be performed on Sunday, May 7, 2023, at 3:00 pm in the University Chapel. This will be the final performance by the highly acclaimed IW Choir & Primae Voces and will feature our Alumni and Friends’ Choral & Instrumental Ensembles. This family-friendly reunion and celebration concert is free and open to the public.

“It is very hard to say goodbye to something that has been so embedded into our lives and our community,” noted Blair Buffington, Director of Choral Activities. “This concert– the reunion of alumni and friends– and our collective music will allow us all to celebrate IW’s legacy and help us bring closure to this chapter of our lives and find some healing.”

“When the Board announced the closure of the University, Blair asked me what he could do to help. I asked him to bring us music and singing. I can’t think of a more fitting way to say goodbye to this beautiful academic community than by filling our Chapel with music,” said President Chris Plunkett. “Music is a universal language with which we can all celebrate the remarkable 181-year legacy of Iowa Wesleyan University and the thousands of students who have passed through our hallways.”

IW alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and students, regardless of degree or major, are invited to participate in this celebration of music and community. A reunion gathering and rehearsal will occur on Saturday, May 6, at 7:00 pm in Old Main, room 300. A final choral rehearsal will be held on Sunday, May 7, at Noon in Old Main, and an instrumental rehearsal in the University Chapel at 1:00 pm. Musicians interested in participating may register at https://www.iw.edu/wesleyan-concert/. Participants must provide their own instruments; music will be provided.

We hope the community will come out to celebrate this final concert.

Sports, April 18th

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, April 18th, 2023 at 6:36 am CDT

High School Track and Field

The girls teams of Danville, Central Lee, Winfield-Mt. Union, WACO, and New London will travel to compete in the Panther Relays tonight.

The WACO boys team will host the Warrior Relays with Central Lee, New London, and Winfield-Mt. Union competing at the meet today.

The Danville boys team will compete in the Panther Relays hosted by Mt. Pleasant today.

High School Soccer

The Mt. Pleasant boys team fell to Faifield last night 6-0 on the road. Rudy Ruiz Motta had 12 saves for Mt. Pleasant. The Panthers will host undefeated Fort Madison on April 20th.

The Mt. Pleasant girls team got back in the win column after taking down Fairfield 6-0 last night. Charice Auwerda led the Panthers with 2 goals and 4 assists on the night. Tori Wilson had 2 goals as well with Hailey Parrott and Elly Manning each added a goal. The Panthers will travel to face off against Fort Madison on April 20th.

The WACO boys team will face off against Burlington Notre Dame tonight on the road.

The Central Lee girls team will take on Canton on April 20th.

The Central Lee boys team’s next game will be today against Hillcrest Academy.

High School Golf

The Winfield-Mt. Union boys team will compete in the Wildcat Invitational today and the girls team will compete at the Wapello Invite tomorrow, April 19th.

The Mt. Pleasant boys team traveled to Washington yesterday and finished in 4th place with a team score of 209. Washington finished in 1st place to extend their lead with a team total of 162 on the day. Nick Matheney was the top golfer for the Panthers as he shot a 46 followed by Nate Dismang with a 48. Rajan Roth had the best round as he shot a 38 for the Demons. Mt. Pleasant still sits in 3rd place behind Fairfield in 2nd and Washington in 1st. The Panthers will travel to Fort Madison on April 24th. The girls team will travel to compete in the Oskaloosa Invite on April 20th.

The Central Lee boys defeated Burlington Notre Dame yesterday 186-177 as the Hawks were paced by five golfers who shot under 50 for the course. Caleb Larson led the way with a 43 followed by Mylan Lowenberg with a 44. Ashton Robinson and Bo Herdrich both shot a 45. The Central Lee girls and boys teams will take on Danville on April 27th.

High School Tennis

The Mt. Pleasant girls team fell to Burlington Notre Dame last night 8-1. Bethany Drury was the lone win for the Panthers as she won her singles match 8 to 3. The Panthers will take on Maharishi today on the road.

The Mt. Pleasant boys team will host Maharishi tonight.

Iowa Wesleyan Athletics

The Tiger softball team is looking to extend their win streak to 6 games as they take on Waldorf University in a road doubleheader today.

The Tiger baseball team will travel to take on Westminster College today.

The men’s golf team will travel to compete in the Verhille Invitational today for day one of a two day tournament.

The outdoor track and field teams will be competing in the DeBacker Invitational on April 22nd.

This Day in Sports History

1942 – Stanley Cup Final, Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, ON: Toronto Maple Leafs beat Detroit Red Wings, 3-1 for a 4-3 series win; Toronto recovers after losing first 3 games.

1966 – Bill Russell becomes first African American coach in NBA history (Boston Celtics).

2017 – Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo becomes first player to score 100 goals in the Champions League with a hat-trick in Real Madrid’s 4-2 win over Bayern Munich.

Kim Rossiter

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, April 18th, 2023 at 5:53 am CDT

Kim Allyn Rossiter, 62, of Winfield, passed away on Friday, April 14, 2023, at The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Kim’s visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., with the family present from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Wapello. His funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 21, 2023, at the funeral home. A private family burial will be held in the Wapello Cemetery. A memorial has been established in Kim’s name. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservices.com.

Kim was born on May 30, 1960, in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, the son of Leon and Shirley (Davis) Rossiter. Kim was a 1979 graduate of Wapello High School. On May 1, 1982, Kim was united in marriage to the love of his life, Julie Bayne, in Wapello. Together Kim and Julie welcomed three beautiful children, Karly, Jan, and Jace, whom Kim loved very much and was incredibly proud of.

A farmer his entire life, Kim was innovative, and loved sharing his farming knowledge with others. He had a strong appreciation for classic rock music, and loved snowmobiling, riding motorcycles, launching fireworks, playing cards, and being with his friends and family. Kim marveled at the intelligence and cleverness of his grandchildren.

Kim will be dearly missed by his wife, Julie; children, Karly White of Iowa City, Jan Rossiter of Melbourne, Florida, and Jace Rossiter of Winfield; grandson Jules and granddaughter Nev; son-in-law Taylor White of Iowa City, father Leon Rossiter of Winfield, sister Kristi Rossiter of Crawfordsville and brother Kurt Rossiter of Crawfordsville.

Kim was preceded in death by his mother, Shirley Rossiter; and grandparents, Glenn and Vera Davis and Harry and Pearl Rossiter.

One more thing: Kim had a gift for conversation and a genuine curiosity for a multitude of subjects – so much so that his close friends often referred to him as “The Great Philosopher.” Kim also had a sense of adventure that went hand-in-hand with the fact that he was an avid Star Trek fan. May his legacy continue to live on in the hearts of those he touched, as we bid farewell to our beloved Kim with a heartfelt “Beam him up, Scotty!” – a fondly-remembered inside joke amongst his immediate family – and a fitting tribute to a man who brought strength, joy, and laughter to their lives, and whose spirit will always soar in their hearts.

 

Trace White is Named CAC Golfer of the Week

By Slaten Swords · Monday, April 17th, 2023 at 5:02 pm CDT

Iowa Wesleyan Golf- The Iowa Wesleyan men’s golf team has put together a solid spring season including a 3rd place finish at the SCC Invitational and leading the way for the Tigers is Continental Athletic Conference (CAC) Golfer of the Week Trace White.

At the SCC Invitational, White led the way for the Tigers with his first of two 5th place finishes for the week. White hit an impressive 76 to score 2-over on the day. He followed up with a 3-over on a par-71Ottercreek Golf Course to pace the Tigers in the Viking Classic.

Over the two rounds, White hit 82 percent of the greens. This is his 2nd career CAC Golfer of the Week honor. He will look to continue his performance tomorrow at the two-day Verhille Invitational at 10 am.

Drugs and Gun Found During Traffic Stop

By Theresa Rose · Monday, April 17th, 2023 at 4:43 pm CDT

On April 17, 2023 at approximately 12:45p.m. a deputy stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation near DMC Highway 99 and 125th St. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Brandon Ray Wilson, age 48, of Sperry, IA. During the traffic stop, deputies observed Wilson to be in possession of a bag of marijuana. Wilson was detained and a search of his vehicle was conducted. Deputies located an additional bag of marijuana, a bottle containing approximately 772 grams of liquid methamphetamine, and a 9mm handgun.

Wilson was cited for traffic violations of driving under suspension, no insurance, and   speeding. He was placed under arrest for possession of a controlled substance 2nd offense: marijuana, possession of a controlled substance 2nd offense: methamphetamine, fail to affix a drug tax stamp, and person ineligible to carry dangerous weapons. Wilson was transported to the Des Moines County Jail.

Linda Parker (final arrangements)

By Theresa Rose · Monday, April 17th, 2023 at 4:31 pm CDT

Linda Joyce Davis Parker, 72, of Rome, Iowa died Friday, April 14, 2023 at Bickford Cottage, Burlington.

Linda was born January 8, 1951 in Ft. Madison, the daughter of Albert and Margie Fraise Young.  She was a high school graduate, took some college classes, and was of the Catholic faith.  On her birthday in 1993, Linda married Michael Ellsworth Parker in front of Justice of the Peace David McCoid.  She worked as a Head Start teacher, a bartender and house cleaner to support her family.  She was good at everything she did, including embroidery, cooking, and keeping a very clean house.

Linda is survived by her husband Michael; sons, Scott Davis of Nevada and Sean Davis of Hillsboro; daughter, Sarah McClintock of Ankeny; eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and sisters, Patty Haigh of Nauvoo, Illinois and Barb Schmitz of Olathe, Kansas.  She was preceded in death by her parents and  brother, Michael Young.

According to her wishes, Linda has been cremated and there will be no formal services.  Elliott Chapel, New London is assisting the family.  Oline condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com