Prep Cross Country: WACO’s Dykstras Both Find a Spot in the Top 30 of the IATC’s Individual Rankings

By Slaten Swords · Monday, September 15th, 2025 at 12:03 pm CDT

Prep Cross Country- The Iowa Association of Track Coaches released their fourth edition of the individual rankings and despite a star powered meet at the Ron Hunerdosse Invite and Fairfield, one runner was moved back in the rankings.

Class 3A

The Ron Hunerdosse Invite was the first time this season that the Southeast Conference had the opportunity to run against one another and the meet featured three runners ranked within the top 30 on the girls’ side. Well, three runners from the SEC still remain in the top 30 but there was a switch.

#5 Avery Fedler of Mt. Pleasant actually fell a spot in the rankings despite winning the meet with a time of 19 minutes and 11 seconds. Her season best time is sub-19 minutes, yet the freshman is still trying to find her pace that will be sustainable for the entire season.

It should also be mentioned that she is one of four freshmen ranked within the top 30 for Class 3A and the only one ranked in the top 15.

Last week, I was surprised that Fort Madison’s Avery Rump was ranked below Washington’s Iris Dahl at #18 and #16, respectively. This last meet changed those rankings as Avery Rump’s 2nd place time of 19 minutes and 30 seconds blew Iris Dahl’s time of 20 minutes and 56 seconds out of the water. Avery is now ranked #13 in the rankings.

Unfortunately for Dahl, Fort Madison’s Addison Rump beat her to the finish line with a time of 20 minutes and 44 seconds, resulting in Rump going from unranked to #21 Addison Rump and Dahl going from #16 to unranked.

On the boys’ side, Washington’s Andrew Rees was knocked out of the top 30 after finishing in 3rd place with a time of 17 minutes and 27 seconds.

Class 2A

Mediapolis’ opportunities have been far and few between with only two races under their belt, yet, it has left an impression, especially with a 1st place team finish at the Van Buren County Invite.

Simon Wendel climbed up five spots in the rankings to #10 after notching a time of 15 minutes and 29 seconds, beating Van Buren County’s Lincoln Bainbridge by over 30 seconds. Will Schmidgall finished in 3rd place with a time of 16 minutes and 12 seconds and that result levitated him from unranked to #28 in this week’s rankings.

Class 1A

They say that sometimes absence makes the heart grow fonder and that appears to be the case for WACO’s #7 Jude Dykstra as the Warrior did not run at the Sigourney Invitational. Nevertheless, Dykstra moved up three spots in the rankings from last year.

Van Buren County’s Lincoln Bainbridge also propelled in the rankings after taking 2nd place at his home invite, then following it up with a 1st place finish at the Ron Hunerdosse Invite with a time of 17 minutes and 1 second. The Warrior climbed five spots in the rankings to #12.

WACO had another member join the top 30, but on the girls’ side. Sophomore Josie Dykstra was slotted in at #22 for the first time in her career after taking 1st place at the Sigourney Invite with a time of 20 minutes and 12 seconds.

Up Next

The meet to circle on your calendar will be the Timm Lamb Invitational on Thursday, September 18th, as the Southeast Conference and most of the Southeast Iowa Super Conference get ready to run against one another at Rodeo Park Trail.

Sports, September 15th

By Slaten Swords · Monday, September 15th, 2025 at 6:39 am CDT

High School Volleyball

#1 Holy Trinity Catholic and Van Buren County competed in the Redette Tournament over the weekend and the two met in the championship match, where the Crusaders swept the Warriors 21-8 and 21-16. Van Buren County picked up victories over Murray and Keokuk to earn a spot in the championship match. 

Holy Trinity Catholic will travel to Mediapolis tomorrow, September 16th, at 7:30 pm.

Van Buren County will square off against West Burlington tomorrow at 7:30 pm at home.

Mt. Pleasant, Winfield-Mt. Union, and Mediapolis competed in the Wilton Tournament over the weekend, here’s how the trio fared. The Panthers swept Highland 21-14 and 21-19 and the Wolves 21-11 and 21-15, but otherwise struggled, getting swept by Wilton, Mediapolis, and Burlington.

Winfield-Mt. Union picked up wins over Mediapolis (21-16, 21-15) and Highland (21-7, 21-6) but fell to Wilton in straight sets and Burlington in three sets, losing 15-8 in the tiebreaker. 

Mediapolis took down Highland in straight sets, but fell to Burlington and Wilton. Ellah Wagenbach finished the tournament with 17 kills. 

Mt. Pleasant will travel to Fort Madison tomorrow at 7:15 pm.

Fairfield finished the Williamsburg Tournament with a 1-3 record, besting Des Moines Lincoln in straight sets (22-20, 21-15). Natalie Steele tallied 17 kills and five aces through the four matches. 

West Burlington finished the weekend 4-1 with sweeps of Des Moines Lincoln, Columbus, and #13 Williamsburg. Kaylee Webb dominated the net with 57 kills, while Baylee Woodsmall assisted on 93 kills with both notching three aces.

Fairfield will square off against Burlington at home tomorrow at 7:15 pm.

Danville will travel to New London tomorrow at 7:30 pm. 

Burlington Notre Dame will host Central Lee tomorrow at 7:30 pm.

WACO will make the trip to Columbus tomorrow at 7:30 pm.

Wapello will square off against Winfield-Mt. Union at 7:30 pm on the road tomorrow.

High School Cross Country

New London will head to Oskaloosa for a meet tomorrow, September 16th.

Wapello will compete in the English Valleys Invite tomorrow.

Central Lee will host their Invitational tomorrow with Winfield-Mt. Union and Van Buren County competing. 

WACO, Mt. Pleasant, Mediapolis, Danville, Fairfield, Holy Trinity Catholic, and West Burlington/Notre Dame will travel to Rodeo Park Trail for the Timm Lamb Invitational on Thursday, September 18th.

High School Girls’ Tennis

Mt. Pleasant will celebrate their senior night tonight against Davis County.

Fairfield prepares to host the Class 1A Region 6 Individual tournament on Wednesday, September 17th.

High School Football

Mt. Pleasant will square off against fellow undefeated Central DeWitt on Friday, September 19th, at 7:30 pm at home. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 7:15 pm.

New London will face off against Wapello on Friday at 7 pm at home.

WACO will host Fremont-Mills on Friday at 7 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union will host Wayne for their Homecoming on Friday at 7 pm.

West Burlington/Notre Dame will welcome Mediapolis on Friday at 7 pm for their Homecoming. 

Fairfield will hit the road on Friday at 7:30 pm to play Knoxville. 

Danville will take on Van Buren County in a road showdown on Friday at 7 pm.

Columbus will compete on Friday at 7 pm against North Linn. 

Central Lee will travel to West Liberty on Friday with kickoff at 7 pm.

Southeastern Community College

The women’s soccer team split their weekend slate, defeating State Fair Community College 3-1 but falling to St. Charles Community College yesterday 4-0. Servane Veyrac scored two of the three goals with Hunter Pender netting the third. The Blackhawks will host Northwest Iowa Community College on Saturday, September 20th, at 1 pm.

The men’s soccer team finished the weekend 2-0 after clobbering State Fair Community College 4-0 and St. Charles Community College 5-1. Tomas Raposo and Gregory Zuniga each scored two goals over the weekend. The Blackhawks will face off against Northwest Iowa Community College at 3:30 pm on Saturday at home.

The volleyball team will travel to Northeast Community College tomorrow, September 16th, at 6:30 pm.

College Football

#12 Iowa State was on upset alert for most of the afternoon, but just like for most of the Rocco Becht era, the Cyclones found a way to win and put down Arkansas State, 24-16. Becht finished with 265 yards and two total touchdowns, while Abu Sama III rushed for 69 yards and put the final touchdown on the board. The Cyclones will enjoy a much needed bye week.

Iowa got back into the win column after destroying UMASS over the weekend 47-7. The Hawkeyes were able to do anything they wanted on offense with 201 rushing yards and 234 passing yards as Mark Gronowski tossed for two touchdowns and ran in for another score. Iowa will travel to Rutgers on Friday, September 19th, at 7 pm.

This Day in Sports History

1938 – Lloyd and Paul Waner became the first brothers to hit back-to-back home runs in a major league game. It was Lloyd’s last home run.

1946 – A Brooklyn Dodgers-Chicago Cubs game was called when players, umpires and fans were attacked by gnats.

1978 – Muhammad Ali defeated Leon Spinks to win his 3rd World Heavyweight Boxing title.

Noon Optimist Club Plans September 16 Meeting in Mount Pleasant

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, September 15th, 2025 at 5:27 am CDT

The Noon Optimist Club will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, September 16, at the RIA Advisory Group, located on the south end of Holtkamp Auto in Mount Pleasant.

Members are encouraged to bring a lunch, while the host will provide drinks for everyone attending. In addition to regular club business, the meeting will feature special membership items for discussion.

All members and prospective members are invited to attend and take part in the conversation as the club continues its mission of community service and youth support.

Farmington Teen Killed in Early Morning Motorcycle Crash

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, September 15th, 2025 at 5:10 am CDT

An 18-year-old Farmington man was killed Saturday morning in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash in Lee County.

According to the Iowa State Patrol, the crash occurred around 7:41 a.m. on September 13 in the 1900 block of County Road 103, just east of Pilot Grove Road. Investigators said a westbound 1983 Yamaha motorcycle, driven by Lucas Timothy Johnson, failed to negotiate a curve, left the roadway, and entered the north ditch, where it struck a utility pole.

Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office by Schmidt Family Funeral Home. No other vehicles were involved.

The crash remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol, with assistance from Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

Washington County 4-H Youth Compete in 2025 State Shooting Sports Competition

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, September 15th, 2025 at 5:09 am CDT

Washington County 4-H Youth Compete in 2025 State Shooting Sports Competition

September 9, 2025, 2:35 pm | Sydney Peterson, Celine Beggs-Shoemaker 

AMES, Iowa – More than 130 youth from 22 counties participated in the 2025 Iowa 4-H Safety and Education in Shooting Sports State Shooting Competition on Aug. 23 at Brownell’s Big Springs Shooting Complex in Searsboro.  Washington County’s 4-H Bows and Bullets club sent nine members to compete.

“I’m so impressed with these members and their dedication,” said Amy Green, Washington County 4-H and Youth Coordinator.  “I know their leaders are so proud of the time the kids put in and how much they want to grow.  It’s a group of positive kids who have went to the event with big goals for themselves.”

Iowa 4-H members competed at the state level in six disciplines: archery, air rifle, shotgun, smallbore rifle, muzzleloader and wildlife. Youth competed in compound, recurve and Genesis archery subcategories, and in Junior (grades 4–6), Intermediate (grades 7–8) and Senior (grades 9–12) age divisions for awards. Competition results for Washington County 4-H members include:

Archery – Genesis

Junior Division.  Third – Nolan Rose, Washington County

Intermediate Division

  • First – Brayden Rundell, Washington County
  • Second – Cooper Boman, Washington County
  • Third – Dean Rose, Washington County

Smallbore Rifle

Intermediate Division – Second – Lovella Peiffer, Washington County

Senior Division – Second – Justin Moore, Washington County

Each discipline’s four top-scoring individuals will be contacted and invited to compete in the 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships, scheduled for June 21–26, 2026, in Grand Island, Nebraska. Participants may only attend a National 4-H Shooting Sports Championship Invitational once per discipline and can only compete in one discipline per year.

Sponsors for the event included Brownell’s, the Iowa 4-H Foundation, and the Nebraska and Western Iowa VA Suicide Prevention Program. The Nebraska and Western Iowa VA supported the event by donating 200 gun cable locks to give to families and clubs who attended the event. Kimberly Cavalier, health and human sciences educator with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, passed out the gun cable locks and shared information about suicide awareness, suicide prevention and safe gun storage.

For more information on how to get involved as a participant, volunteer or sponsor of the  Washington County 4-H shooting sports activities please contact the Washington County Extension Office at 319-653-4811.  Follow “Washington County 4-H – Iowa” on Facebook for up to date 4-H event news.

Danville City Council Meeting Sept. 15th

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, September 15th, 2025 at 5:00 am CDT

Monday, Sept. 15, 2025

Order of business, regular session

Danville City Council, Danville City Hall

NOTE:  The regular session may be conducted electronically

as allowed by Iowa Code 21.8

Citizen comments:  Comments must be directed to the subject under consideration.  The presiding officer shall rule on the relevance of the citizen comments.  Citizens making personal, impertinent, or slanderous remarks may be barred by the presiding officer from further comment before the Council during the meeting.

 

  1. Call to order, 5:15 p.m..

 

  1. Accept or amend the agenda. Due to the fact the Council will be meeting with the Danville & Pleasant Grove Township Trustees at 6:30, p.m., council may need to take a recess at 6:30 p.m. and reconvene after the joint meeting if need be to finish their agenda.

 

  1. Open forum: A time set aside to receive comments from the public regarding city business.  The Mayor and City Council welcome comments from the public on any subject pertaining to City business, including items on this agenda.  You are asked to state your name and address for the record and to limit your remarks to five minutes in order that others may be given the opportunity to speak.  The Order of Business is at the discretion of the Chair.  No action will be taken.

 

  1. Discussion and action on the August 2025 Des Moines County Sheriff’s report.

 

  1. Items for discussion with City Attorney, action if needed.
  2. Wagner Park
  3. Other city items.

 

  1. Discussion on location of Danville School’s fireworks display, action if needed.

 

  1. Building Inspector report.
  2. Discussion and action on proposed Building inspection and permit fees.

 

  1. Public Works written report.
  2. Action on the written report.
  3. Discussion and action on Sidewalk RFQ Notice to Bidders.
  4. Discussion on Capital Expense projects.

 

  1. Approval of consent agenda.
  2. Council and paper minutes of September 2, 2025.
  3. Payment of bills.

 

  1. Council reports and correspondence.
  2. Review of invoice from Tyler Technologies regarding city software.
  3. Review of letter received by Bob Dodds

 

  1. Adjournment.

 

Next regular session of the Danville City Council will be on,

Monday, October 20, 2025 starting at 5:15 p.m…

September 15, 2025 – September 21, 2025

By Allison Jacobs · Sunday, September 14th, 2025 at 2:16 pm CDT
09/15/25
Erin & Derrick Housh
09/15/25
Terry Johnson
09/15/25
Josephine Allender
09/15/25
Natalie Burgus
09/16/25
Jayden Housh (21)
09/16/25
Damien Dawson
09/16/25
Colton Syfert
09/18/25
Wanda Curtis
9/18/25
Connie Krieger
09/18/25
Briar Connop (15)
09/18/25
Tim & Julie Liechty *Anniversary
09/18/25
Chris & Ellie Stuart *Anniversary
09/19/25
Kacey Howard
09/19/25
Finley Millard
09/19/25
Tom Jacobsmeier
09/19/25
Rhonda Connop
09/19/25
Shaylee Brotherson (Tom Jacobsmeier's granddaughter)
09/19/25
Josh Hansen
09/19/25
Sondra & Ken Godsell *Anniversary
09/20/25
Eva Ford
09/20/25
Blake White
09/20/25
Breana White
09/20/25
Erin Ireland
09/21/25
Bruce King of New London - 90

Farm Equipment on the Road Safety Alert!

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, September 13th, 2025 at 6:47 am CDT

It’s Harvest season across the Midwest and Southeast Iowa. Farmer safety on roadways involves both farmers operating equipment and motorists sharing the road.  Farmers should ensure equipment is well-lit, marked with a slow moving vehicle emblem, and kept clean, limiting travel during peak hours and using escort vehicles for large equipment. Motorists should slow down, maintain a safe following distance, never assume the farmer’s intentions before passing, and provide ample space for the large, slow-moving vehicles.

 

More than 1,100 motor vehicle crashes involving farm equipment occur in Midwest states each year.  The Iowa DOT offers these tips for motorists for driving in areas where farm equipment on the road is common:

  • Be alert and always watch for slow-moving vehicles.
  • Don’t tailgate.
  • Watch for turns. A farmer may use hand signals as well as blinkers. Farm machinery makes wide turns, and often directly into a field, where there is no obvious road.
  • Be patient. Don’t assume the equipment operator can move aside to let you pass. The shoulder may not be able to support a heavy farm vehicle.
  • Slow down as soon as you see farm equipment.