Woman Charged in Construction Workers Deaths on Great River Bridge

By Theresa Rose · Sunday, March 12th, 2023 at 8:42 am CDT

Emily Johnson, of Gladstone, Illinois is charged with two counts of reckless homicide in the deaths of two construction workers working for Frank Millard and Co. on the Great River Bridge at Burlington in October of last year.

According to a press release from the Henderson County State Attorney’s Office, Johnson is also charged with two counts of aggravated, unlawful use of an electronic communication device.

Johnson faces between a minimum of six years in prison and a maximum of 28 years for the reckless homicide charges.

Pearson J. Franklin, of New London and Andrew Whitcomb, of Burnside, Illinois., were working on the Great River Bridge on the morning of Oct. 18, 2022 when they were hit by a car driven by Johnson. Authorities say Johnson was using her cell phone at the time. Johnson was traveling west when her car struck a barrel, continued on, and then struck the two construction workers, resulting in fatal injuries.

Single Vehicle Crash

By Theresa Rose · Friday, March 10th, 2023 at 5:17 pm CDT

On March 9th, at approximately 10:50 A.M., The Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a single vehicle roll over in the 1500-Grid of Highway 218.

An investigation into the crash determined that Mau Minh Quan Dang, 44 of Fairfield, was driving a SUV North bound on Highway 218 when he lost control. The vehicle entered the ditch, striking a tree. The vehicle came to rest on it’s top and all the air bags deployed. Both the driver and passenger denied medical care at the scene.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by, Henry County Health Center Ambulance, and the Iowa DOT enforcement.

The Dickey Dispatch by Senator Adrian Dickey

By Theresa Rose · Friday, March 10th, 2023 at 5:13 pm CDT

Hello Senate District 44,

With funnel week in the rear-view, this week I was busy with floor debate and meeting with a few groups who made their way to the Capitol. Monday and Tuesday were primarily debate days, with some heated discussion exchanged in the chamber. At the end of the day however, important legislation was passed and sent to the House for the next step in the legislative process.

Outside of floor debate, I was able to spend some time conversing with a few groups. One of these groups was the Jefferson County Cattleman’s Association, who attended Cattlemen at the Capitol Day. A delicious breakfast of brisket breakfast burritos was served, and afterward we were able to discuss agricultural related issues. These varied from preservation of land for livestock, the Phase II of the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab at Iowa State, and property rights. It was great to have the chance to speak with some of these cattlemen, and thank them for all of the hard work they do and the food they provide to Iowans. In addition to cattlemen, mental health advocates were at the Capitol this week. It was quite interesting having the opportunity to speak with them on current issues we are facing in regards to mental health, and the next steps they propose we take to move forward. I appreciated the chance to speak to everyone this week and hear their thoughts and concerns.

With hours of debate held this week, there was a large amount of legislation passed in the Senate chamber. One of these bills was SF 514, which was the Governor’s Reorganization Bill. The point of this bill is to streamline the state government to create higher efficiency and effectiveness. This bill presents the first large-scale review of government and how the executive branch manages its departments in almost 40 years. This bill also advocates for smaller government, reducing the number of cabinets from 37 to 16, which in turn improves operations and communication between departments. All of the Midwest states have fewer cabinets than Iowa, and spend less per capita. SF 514 will save Iowan’s A LOT of money, increase the efficiency of the executive branch, and create a smaller, yet more efficient, state government.

Another GREAT piece of legislation that was passed by both the House and Senate, was SF 538. This bill makes it illegal to perform transgender surgeries, or sex changes, on children in the State of Iowa. The issues of gender identity and reassignment are complex, and are accompanied with intense emotions. The correct approach is to let children develop naturally and provide sympathetic health care, NOT to fill them with puberty-blockers and hormones. Children make rash, instantaneous decisions – it is a part of growing up and learning, but we cannot allow them to make decisions that can permanently scar them. These massive amounts of hormones and surgeries have permanent consequences on children. More and more frequently, it is not uncommon to hear stories of adults and children who received these treatments and are now physically and mentally damaged for life. In one of the subcommittee meetings that was held on the issue, a doctor who testified was asked if these procedures are FDA approved. She stated they were not, because the FDA does not perform clinical trials on children! If the FDA does not perform clinical trials of children, why should any hospital in Iowa be doing them? This instance alone should speak to the immense risk and danger that these surgeries and drugs have on Iowa’s children.

The media and supporters of these risky procedures now label them as “affirming care.” That is a classic example of when you can’t win the argument, you change the narrative.  “Sex changes performed on children” loses in every debate. “Affirming care” sounds much softer and less controversial, however, it is the same thing. This wording disguises what is happening during the process. Once again, these procedures are irreversible, experimental, and overall dangerous. For years Iowans have accepted that a child in Iowa cannot get a tattoo because it is permanent and they are not prepared to understand the risks linked to these acts until they are 18. Isn’t a sex change even more permanent than a tattoo and doesn’t it hold the potential of having much greater scars, both physical, emotional, and psychological? Shouldn’t that same common-sense restrictions that we have in place concerning tattoos should also apply to a sex change?

The last piece of legislation I want to highlight is SF 482. This is truly a common-sense bill that states God-made boys will use the boy’s restroom, and God-made girls will use the girl’s restroom. It is that simple. Some schools have struggled with dealing with policies regarding children who identify as the opposite gender, and what facilities they can use. School board members have even reached out, asking for the state to provide clarity on this subject. SF 482 does just that. It states that children in Iowa will use the locker room, bathroom, or changing room of their God created biological sex.

There were stories that were shared of girls feeling uncomfortable changing in front of students of the opposite sex, not using the bathroom all day, or even showering in bathing suits at school. This bill protects children and sets in place a common-sense solution to this controversial topic.

This week was not as hectic as the previous, but was still full of action. I am proud of the GREAT bills passed out of the Senate, and of the hard work of Senate Republicans that made it possible. I can only expect that next week will contain more floor debate, as well as a few subcommittee meetings. As always, thank you for the continuous support. If you find yourself at the Capitol feel free to send a note into the Senate chamber and I would be more than happy to speak with you if scheduling allows.

Virginia Stauffer

By Theresa Rose · Friday, March 10th, 2023 at 5:04 pm CDT

Virginia Norene Stauffer, 94, of Wayland, died Thursday, March 9, 2023, at the Parkview home in Wayland.

Her body has been cremated and interment will be at the Elm Grove Cemetery. Beatty-Peterseim Funeral, Cremation Care, and Monument Services are assisting the family. A general memorial has been established.

Virginia was born March 14, 1928, in Wayland, IA, the daughter of Hubert and Emily (Speidel) Wyse. She graduated from Wayland High School in 1946. She was united in marriage to Ervin Stauffer on October 27, 1946. She worked for the Library at WACO, Emerson Electronics in Mt. Pleasant, IA, and McCleery Cummings in Washington, IA. She enjoyed collecting and attending antique auctions for 60 years and enjoyed grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s sporting events.

Virginia is survived by two children: Ricke (Cynthia Miller) Stauffer of Mt. Pleasant, IA, and Ronda (Bob) Sobaski of Washington, daughter in law Jan Stauffer of Washington, IA, one sister Darlene McCoy of Mt. Pleasant, IA, five grandchildren: Michelle (Tom) Harbison of Crawfordville, IA, Matthew (Miranda) Stauffer Moscow, IA, Jaden (Michele) Prottsman Riverside, IA, Luke (Anne) Leyden of Washington, IA, Skyler (Sarah) Leyden Kirksville, MO, and ten great-grandchildren: Logan, Caedon, Evelyn, Callyn, Sonny, Owen, Miles, Adisyn, Joslyn, and Quintyn.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ervin, and son Rande Stauffer.

Mary Linn Fedler

By Theresa Rose · Friday, March 10th, 2023 at 4:00 pm CDT

Mary Linn Fedler, 69, of West Point, Iowa, passed away at 11:57 p.m. Thursday, March 9, 2023, at the West Point Care Center in West Point, Iowa.

She was born on November 27, 1953, in Quebec, Canada. She was adopted by Linus and Celeste (Winnike) Freitag from a convent in Wisconsin. On February 9, 1974, she married Ron Fedler at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point.

She is survived by her husband: Ron; two sons: Linus (JoAnna) Fedler of Fort Madison, Iowa and Adam (Keri) Fedler of Tioga, North Dakota; one daughter: Nicole (Matt) Lepper of Abingdon, Illinois; eleven grandchildren and several nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother: Rick and sister-in-law: Debbie.

Mary Linn was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the Altar and Rosary Society of the church. She enjoyed golf cart rides with her husband Ron and dog Ollie. Her greatest joy was being with children.

A visitation will be held from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point, where the family will receive friends from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. that evening. A parish rosary will be recited at 4:00 p.m. and a Christian wake service will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Marcy 15, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point with Father Joseph Phung as celebrant.

Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in West Point.

Memorials have been established in her memory for PAW Animal Shelter or West Point Care Center.

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

Women Managing Farm Finances Course Offered in Des Moines County this March and April

By Theresa Rose · Friday, March 10th, 2023 at 1:06 pm CDT

West Burlington, Iowa – Women Managing Farm Finances, a four-week course designed especially to help farm women explore the concepts of managerial accounting and practice using financial statements to analyze the farm business, is being offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach – Des Moines County.

Online registration is available at https://go.iastate.edu/SPDEKP or at the Des Moines County Extension office. Classes will be held at Des Moines County Extension Office on Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. beginning March 23 and continuing March 30, April 6 and April 13. A complimentary meal will be provided at 5:30 p.m. The cost is $75.00. Deadline to register is March 16.

Farm women participating in Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Women in Ag courses become better business partners and owners by learning to manage and organize critical information for their own farms, while establishing networks with other farm women and agriculture business professionals. Women Managing Farm Finances is taught in the tradition of Annie’s Project.

According to ISU Extension and Outreach farm specialist Charles Brown, Women Managing Farm Finances helps women better understand farm finances.

“Our goal is to provide a program that gives women hands-on experience exploring the concepts of managerial accounting, as well as practice using financial statements to analyze the farm business,” Brown said. “In addition, guest speakers share their experiences and knowledge to help women become better business partners and owners,” added Brown.

During the four-week course, participants will gain an understanding of how to complete a balance sheet and calculate key financial measures like the current ratio and the debt-to-asset ratio. Other topics covered include the Income Statement, the Cash Flow Statement and Budgeting/Benchmarking.

Demo and Construction

By Theresa Rose · Friday, March 10th, 2023 at 10:14 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant City Council has awarded a demolition contract to Kinney and Sons in the amount of $14,499.00 for a project on Harrison Street.  In February the City purchased a property at 102 N. Harrison. According to Building and Zoning Administrator Jack Swarm the house on the property is severely deteriorated and it is not feasible to make repairs.  Swarm has identified multiple nuisances.   Therefore, the house will be torn down.  A pine tree on the property will remain.

The City Council, at a recent meeting, approved a site plan for the construction of townhouses in the 600 blocks of West Washington and West Monroe. The submitted plan is for a project to construct four townhome buildings containing a total of nineteen units.  The site includes a double car garage for each individual unit. The City has agreed to install the sanitary sewer for the development.

WACO Student is Young Artist Competition Winner

By Theresa Rose · Friday, March 10th, 2023 at 9:20 am CDT

Mattias Luitjens is the 2023 Marilyn Minford McCoid Young Artist Competition Winner, sponsored by the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra.

The competition is held yearly in the fall and is open to students from across southeast Iowa.

Mattias auditioned for a panel of professional musicians from the symphony and was selected as this year’s recipient.

This prestigious honor culminates in three performances with the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra as a soloist. He will be performing Henryk Górecki’s Concerto for Piano and Orchestra.

Mattias is a senior at WACO and participates in choir as a bass, band as a percussionist, orchestra as a cellist, and jazz band as a pianist. He plans to major in music and computer science next year. He is the son of Nathan and Rachelle Luitjens.

Performances:

  • Saturday, March 18, 7:30 p.m., Bridge Center, Ottumwa
  • Sunday, March 19, 2 p.m., Capitol Theater, Burlington
  • Sunday, March 19, 6:30 p.m., Chapel Auditorium at Iowa Wesleyan University, Mt. Pleasant