Janet Lea Simmons

By Theresa Rose · Monday, April 17th, 2023 at 10:48 am CDT

Janet Lea Simmons, 88, of New London passed away on Thursday, April 13, 2023, at the Klein Center in West Burlington.

Janet was born on October 7, 1934, at Crawfordsville, the daughter of Lafe and Nellie (Ross) Finke.  She was united in marriage to Floyd W. Miller. After his death, she married Bill Simmons; they later divorced.  She has been with her partner, Rande Beattie for 23 years.

Janet worked at Sylvania, Champion Spark Plug and later at M.H.I until she retired.  She was a wonderful mother and loved her family with all of her heart.  Janet enjoyed going to the casino and loved her dog, Toby.

She is survived by her daughter, Connie Swartzendruber, of New London, 4 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren, her sister, Bonnie Lou Gesling and her partner, Rande Beattie of New London.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents and her sons, Kerry Miller and Craig Miller.

According to her wishes cremation has been entrusted to the care of Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant. A celebration of Janet’s life will be held at a later date.

 

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant, is caring for her arrangements.

Sports, April 17th

By Slaten Swords · Monday, April 17th, 2023 at 6:39 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 tomorrow, April 18th.

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

The boys teams of New London and Central Lee will compete at the Hawk Relays today.

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

The girls teams of Danville and Central Lee will compete in the Hawk Relays today.

High School Soccer

The Mt. Pleasant boys team will travel to take on Fairfield tonight.

The Mt. Pleasant girls team will host Fairfield today.

The WACO boys team will face off against Burlington Notre Dame tomorrow 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 tomorrow, April 18th, against Hillcrest Academy.

High School Golf

The Winfield-Mt. Union boys team will compete in the Wildcat Invitational on April 18th and the girls team will compete at the Wapello Invite on April 19th.

The Mt. Pleasant boys team will travel to Washington for another SEC meet while the girls will host today.

The Central Lee boys and girls teams will face off against Burlington Notre Dame tonight at home.

Holy Trinity Catholic will host Mediapolis today.

High School Tennis

The Mt. Pleasant girls team will face off against Burlington Notre Dame today.

The Mt. Pleasant boys team will host Maharishi tomorrow, April 18th.

Iowa Wesleyan Athletics

The Tiger softball team has extended their win streak to 5 games after beating Crowley’s Ridge College twice on senior day over the weekend. In game one the Tigers had to comeback from behind after surrendering four runs in the first inning to win 8-5. Kara Krieger put the Tigers on the board in the 3rd inning after doubling home two runs to make it 4 to 2. Alexis Davis would smack her first home run of the season in the 4th inning to cut the deficit to one. Down 5 to 3 in the 5th inning, Jordan Lantz would double home a run and Ivy Geerdes would follow it up with a two RBI double to take the lead. A Nicole Shirrell RBI single and a sacrifice fly by Aspyn Harrison would give the Tigers their 8 runs. Coach Hampton talked about his team’s performance the past couple of games.

In game two, the Tigers overcame a 1 to 0 deficit to win 4-2. Kelsey Topliff doubled home a run and Gracie Jevyak tallied an RBI. Kylie Topliff would get the game-winning RBI and the insurance RBI. Ariana Wolfard would pick up the win as she went 6.1 innings allowing only two hits and striking out two. Coach Hampton talked about the eight seniors on the team after the win.

Softball seniors: Ariana Wolfard, Kelsey and Kylie Topliff, Nicole Shirrell, Alexis Davis, Julia Hill, Mia DeTolve, and Karoline Stratton.

The Tiger baseball team will be back in action tomorrow, April 18th, against Westminster College on the road.

The women’s golf team competed at the Carl Sandburg’s Invitational and came out on top by 9 strokes. Three Tigers finished in the top five as Aubrey Duncan took 2nd place as she shot a 12 over on the day. Natalie Ames and Michal Wohlleber placed in 4th and 5th place, respectively. The men’s team will travel to compete in the Verhille Invitational tomorrow.

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

This Day in Sports History

1860 – Champion of England Tom Sayers and American John Heenan fight out in a brutal 2 hour, 27 minute draw near Farnborough, England; police stop fight and it’s acknowledged as the first world title bout.

1972 – Kiteman attempts to throw out the 1st ball for the Philadelphia Phillies but crashes into centerfield seats.

1976 – National League’s greatest comeback: trailing 12-1, Philadelphia Phillies beat Chicago Cubs, 18-16 in 10 innings at Wrigley Field; Mike Schmidt hits 4 consecutive Home Runs.

New London School Board Meeting Agenda

By Theresa Rose · Monday, April 17th, 2023 at 6:12 am CDT
Board of Directors – Regular Meeting *Amended Agenda
04/17/2023 06:00 PM
Central Office
Board Room
106 W. Wilson St., New London, IA
The Mission of the New London Community School District, through the combined resources of school, home and community, is to guide, challenge and motivate life-long learning in an environment that fosters individual success, mutual respect, pride and personal accountability.
1. Welcome
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Public Hearing – FY24 Proposed Budget
a.  FY24 Proposed Budget – Action Item
4. Public Forum
5. IASBO Executive Director – Scholarship Presentation
6. Approval of Agenda
7. Approval of the Consent Agenda
a. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
b. Financial Reports
c. Claims
8. Board Business
a. America’s Farmers Grow Communities $5,000 Grant – Action Item
b. School Resource Officer – Discussion Item
c. G.O. Bond Project: Pavement Rework & Unsuitable Soils – Action Item
d. 2023-24 Property, Casualty & Worker Compensation Insurance – Discussion Item
e. 2023 Seniors for Graduation – Action Item
f. Sharing Agreement with Great Prairie AEA for Social Worker Services – Action Item
g. Consider Bids for Concrete Projects – Action Item
h. Opaa! Food Service Management Extension Agreement – Action Item
9. Reports
a. Student Ambassador
b. Superintendent
c. Board
10. Personnel
a. Resignation
a. Tina Mullin, High School Social Studies Teacher
b. Jena Watts, 2nd Grade Classroom Teacher
c. Anissa Nelson, ESL Teacher
d. Cassidy Schmidt, Assistant HS Volleyball Coach
e. Cassidy Henle, Assistant MS G Basketball Coach
f. Brady Schmidt, Head MS Wrestling Coach
g. Brady Schmidt, Head MS Football Coach
h. Brady Schmidt, Groundskeeper
b. Appointments
a. Jill Parker, 4th Grade Classroom Teacher
b. Cory Reid, Co-NHS Sponsor
c. Jackie Housman, Co-NHS Sponsor
d. Donna Carlson, K-12 Teacher-Librarian
e. Austin McBeth, Assistant High School Baseball Coach
f. Paula Bliven, MS Track Meet Clerk @ $75
g. Damon Loyd, Volunteer High School Softball Coach
11. Board Development
a. IASB Summit on Student Success – April 27-28, 2023
b. Follow-up to IASB Work Session
12. Exempt Session to Discuss Negotiations
13. Closed Session Pursuant to Iowa Code, Section 21.5 to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session.
14. Adjourn
New London Community School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age (except students) national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, socioeconomic status, disability, religion or creed in admission or access to, or treatment in, its programs/activities or in its hiring and employment practices.

WACO School Board Meeting Agenda

By Theresa Rose · Monday, April 17th, 2023 at 6:10 am CDT

WACO Community School District
Regular Board of Education Meeting
Tentative Agenda
WACO Board Room
WACO Junior/Senior High
Wayland, Iowa
Monday April 17, 2023
5:30 pm
I. Call to Order—Roll Call
II. Approval of Agenda
III. Recognition of Visitors –
IV. Review WACO Mission Statement—The mission of the WACO Community School
District is to develop responsible, productive citizens who view learning as a life-long
process. WACO’s educational environment encourages continuous improvement,
problem-solving, measurable outcomes, and community involvement.
V. Consent Agenda
a. Approval of Minutes
b. Financial Reports
c. Bills for Payment
d. Open Enrollment-Khloe Looney (2), Gabriella Davis (3) MP to WACO, Gracie
Wood (9) Fairfield to WACO
e. Personnel- Resignations: Jenny Pasch, 2nd Grade; Julie Klett, HS SPED, Laurie
Miles, Student Council Sponsor, Schyler Sterna, Girl Wrestling Coach.
VI. Communications
a. Public Forum
VII. Old Business
a. Approval of Second Reading, 501.10R1 – 502.05
VIII. New Business
a. Approval of 2023-2025 WEA Agreement
b. First Reading, 502.06 – 502.10
c. Approval of 2021-2022 Audit Report
IX. Administrative Reports
a. Principals: Elementary and High School
b. Superintendent

X. Board Reports/Comments
XI. Adjourn

April 17th, 2023 – April 23rd, 2023

By Allison Jacobs · Sunday, April 16th, 2023 at 9:16 am CDT
04/17/23
Jerry Barker
04/17/23
Janis Rankin
04/17/23
Carson Ryon
04/18/23
Nicole Keaster
04/18/23
Bruce Hucker
04/18/23
Jennifer Bell
04/18/23
Wyatt Schroeder
04/18/23
Doug Harrison
04/18/23
Blake Stein - 18 (golden birthday)
04/19/23
Heather Cole
04/19/23
Jane Dotson
04/19/23
Ruth Hagist
04/19/23
Anders Horn
04/19/23
Kynlee White
04/19/23
Sue Kingery
04/20/23
Carson Bagles
04/20/23
Samantha Liechty
04/20/23
Haiden Duffy (12)
04/21/23
Alexander Achen
04/21/23
Kathy Alexander
04/21/23
Brent Broker
04/22/23
Sally Olson
04/22/23
Mitch Anderson
04/22/23
Sam Beatty (Golden Birthday)
04/22/23
Jane Briggs
04/23/23
Sharon Davis
04/23/23
Scott Augsburger
04/23/23
Mary Bixler
04/23/23
Lori Johnson-Vick
04/23/23
Judith Kinney
04/23/23
John Klopfenstein
04/23/23
Janis Roach
04/23/23
Mark Kimzey
04/23/23
Keith Lockard

The Dickey Dispatch by Senator Adrian Dickey

By Theresa Rose · Sunday, April 16th, 2023 at 8:11 am CDT

 

Hello Senate District 44,

After a relaxing Easter it was nice to get back in the office and work on wrapping up this session. With the end of session on April 28th, it is imperative we start tying up loose ends and getting ready to debate on the floor. This week the Senate focused on the budget and finding some common ground with the House. It has taken some time, but I believe we are finally getting closer to an agreed number.

In the Workforce Committee on Tuesday, we moved Governor Reynolds’s appointees out of committee and now they will go to the Senate floor for debate. For the most part, all nominees were passed without any opposition. We had only two nominees who will be debated individually in the Senate Chamber, but I have no doubt their appointments will be passed.

This week we saw the Iowa Supreme Court hear arguments to lift the injunction on the Heartbeat bill, which was passed in 2018. This bill would ban abortions after a baby’s heartbeat is heard, with the exceptions for the cases of rape, incest, and the life of the mother. This bill was unfortunately held up by the courts and was unable to be enforced.

After this bill was initially passed, a liberal Iowa Supreme Court created a constitutional right to abortion in the state constitution. Following this, a district court judge placed a permanent injunction on the Heartbeat Bill due to the decision of the Supreme Court on the 72-hour bill, which implements a 72-hour waiting period before an abortion may proceed. Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court relinquished the right to make decisions on this issue back to the states – where it should be. What works in California does not always work in Iowa, so giving states the power to make these decisions is crucial.

Following this decision, the Iowa Supreme Court also overturned the previous decision to make abortion a constitutional right. After this decision was flipped, Governor Reynolds asked the Iowa Supreme Court to lift the injunction and take another look at the constitutionality of the Heartbeat bill. I do not expect a decision to be made in the near future, but I hope that the injunction is lifted. If so, the lives of many unborn Iowans will be saved.

On a lighter note, I had the opportunity to sit down with Simon Conway and speak on traffic cams, my youth employment legislation, and property taxes. It was very fun to be able to have a lighthearted conversation on these topics. If you would like to listen to the talk show, you may follow the link below:

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/simon-conway-20710735/episode/simon-conway-property-taxes-gotcha-cams-112798069/

As a friendly reminder, Tax Day is coming up on April 18th! Now I know it is not everyone’s favorite day of the year, but due to the historic tax cuts Senate Republicans have passed, Tax Day will be less burdensome to Iowans. Starting in 2018 Senate Republicans passed the first historic tax relief plan, and just last year we passed the most recent tax relief package. This flattens Iowa’s income tax to 3.9 percent and eliminates the tax on retirement income and pensions. Income rates will continue to lower each year for the next couple of years until we reach that 3.9 percent flat rate. We Republican Senators are proud of passing this for Iowans and look forward to seeing Iowans keep more of their money.

I still have GREAT hope that we will be able to pass legislation to provide additional property tax relief! While the proposed plans between the House and the Senate are different, I remain optimistic that before the session ends, we will find an agreement.

As always, thank you all for your tremendous support. Your emails of support mean a great deal to me and I appreciate each of them. Please reach out with any questions on legislation you may have. Enjoy your weekend Senate District 44!

Sincerely,

Steven V. Burke

By Theresa Rose · Sunday, April 16th, 2023 at 8:07 am CDT

Steven V. Burke, 74 of Denmark, Iowa, passed away Friday, April 14, 2023, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington, Iowa.

He was born on February 14, 1949, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of Edmund and Shirley (Lingenfelter) Burke. On June 21, 1968, he married Monica Pollpeter at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point, Iowa.

He is survived by his wife: Monica; brother: William (Deanna) Burke; sisters-in-law: Jane Bell, Alice (Gary) McCannon and Dorothy Pollpeter. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son: Chad; nephew: Joe Burke and two brothers-in-law: Carl Bell and Mark Pollpeter.

Steve was a graduate of Fort Madison High School. He worked as a superintendent at Raid Quarries then worked at First Miss, Excide and Lee County Secondary Roads as a motor grader. He was a member of Holy Family Parish in Fort Madison. His greatest joy was his John Deere lawn tractor. Steve was a die hard St. Louis Cardinals fan and also enjoyed spending time outside tending to his yard and helping others.

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

Visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at Ss. Mary  & Joseph Catholic Church, Holy Family Parish in Fort Madison.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at Ss. Mary & Joseph Catholic Church, Holy Family Parish in Fort Madison with Father Joseph Phung as celebrant.

Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in West Point, Iowa.

Memorials have been established in his memory for Denmark Ball Association or Denmark Fire and Rescue.

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

Linda J. Parker

By Theresa Rose · Sunday, April 16th, 2023 at 7:59 am CDT

Linda J. Parker, 72, of Rome, Iowa died Friday, April 14, 2023 at Bickford Cottage, Burlington.  Arrangements are pending at Elliott Chapel, New London