Sports, January 24th

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, January 24th, 2023 at 6:32 am CDT

High School Basketball

Mt. Pleasant faced off against Mid-Prairie in a doubleheader last night with the Panthers splitting the night. The girls’ team started off in control as the Panthers were up by as many as 12 in the first half; however, the Golden Hawks would outscore the Panthers 42 to 26 in the second half as Mid-Prairie ran away with the game 61-51. Andrea Lopreato led the charge scoring 29 points in the contest followed by Tristian Shull knocking in 9 points.

The boys’ team had a back-and-forth game throughout as one team would hit a three to take the lead the other would answer back with their own three. It all led to the final quarter of play as the Panthers and Golden Hawks were knotted up at 46 apiece. Payton Hagans would then hit three three-pointers to start the fourth quarter off with a bang as the Panthers would hold on to the lead and exit Mid-Prairie with a 66-59 win. Coach Rawson talked about how important this road win is for his team. Payton Hagans finished the night with 28 points as Nate Stroud added 12 points and Owen Vansickel scored 10 points. Mt. Pleasant will face off against conference rival, Keokuk, on Friday, January 27th, with the boys’ at home and the girls on the road. Coach Rawson discussed how his team is still hungry after tonight’s performance.

The Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team had a tough matchup on the road against West Burlington as the 5th ranked Falcons of Class 2A got the better of the Wolves 66-52. Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to face off with Columbus this Friday.

New London will host Mediapolis and Holy Trinity Catholic will travel to play Burlington Notre Dame with the girls’ going at 6 pm followed by the boys. Both games will take place tonight, January 24th.

Danville will travel to play Van Buren County with the girls’ going at 6 pm followed by the boys’ team tonight.

WACO will host Highland tonight with the girls’ going at 6 pm followed by the boys.

The updated basketball rankings were released yesterday by the Iowa High School Athletic Association and none of the teams lost the top spot. West Burlington remains ranked 5th in Class 2A and WACO is still ranked 3rd in Class 1A, as both teams are still undefeated.

High School Wrestling

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will host Burlington Thursday, January 26th.

The Regional Duals for boys’ wrestling has been set with Burlington Notre Dame going against Knoxville in the first round with the winner matching up against Williamsburg for Class 2A.

High School Bowling

Mt. Pleasant will host Burlington this Friday.

Iowa Wesleyan Athletics

The women’s basketball team will be back in action January 27th against Bacone College at the Bacone Classic.

The 25th ranked men’s team is on a 18-game winning streak and getting into conference play at the Bacone Classic Thursday, January 26th.

The men’s wrestling team’s next competition will be a dual against Waldorf University tomorrow, January 25th.

The women’s wrestling team’s  next scheduled competition is January 27th at the 2023 Spire Classic.

The Tigers next indoor meet will be the Grinnell Invitational on January 28th.

This Day in Sports History

1947 – NFL adds 5th official (back judge) & allows sudden death in playoffs.

1962 – Jackie Robinson is 1st African American elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame.

1990 –  Los Angeles’ Pat Riley becomes the 13th and fastest coach to reach the 500-victory plateau as the Lakers down the Indiana Pacers, 120-111; Riley (500-184) surpasses Don Nelson (500-317) to reach the milestone.

Dorothy Hinkle Sams

By Theresa Rose · Monday, January 23rd, 2023 at 4:27 pm CDT

Dorothy Hinkle Sams, 96, of Mediapolis, died Monday, January 23, 2023 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House, West Burlington.  She was born November 8, 1926 in Stockport to Chester and Grace L. Hammans Douglas.  She attended Stockport schools.

She married Peter Hinkle, Jr in Iowa City; he preceded her in death.  On August 16, 1973, she married Dwain Sams in Fairfield.  He died September 27, 2017.  When she and Peter were first married, they ran the restaurant in the Brazelton Hotel.  Dorothy later worked at the Glove Factory, Sylvania, and retired after 22 years as an expeditor at JI Case Company.

She enjoyed baking and cooking; her grandchildren said her homemade noodles and mashed potatoes were the best!  She loved red flowers; wearing hats; horseracing, especially the Kentucky Derby; considered the hummingbirds to be her pets; but she mostly loved her family.

Survivors include her daughter Dianna (Steve) Klaus of Danville and son Peter Hinkle III (Cathy) of Lockridge; five grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; and eight brothers and sisters.

The funeral service for Mrs. Sams will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, January 26, 2023 at Elliott Chapel, New London.  Visitation will begin at 9:00 with the family receiving friends from 10:00 until the time of the service.  Burial will be at Kossuth Cemetery, Mediapolis, at 2:00 PM Thursday.  A memorial has been established to feed the birds at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Two Now dead. Three shot at downtown Des Moines charter school

By Theresa Rose · Monday, January 23rd, 2023 at 4:26 pm CDT

Three people were wounded in a shooting this afternoon (Monday) at charter school in downtown Des Moines.  According to Radio Iowa two are now dead and the third person is listed in serious condition after the shooting at “Starts Right Here.” Sergeant Parizek says a group of suspects in the shooting were taken into custody in a traffic stop about two miles away from the shooting scene. The charter program that helps at-risk metro Des Moines youth was founded by local rapper Will Holmes and is affiliated with Des Moines Public Schools. Governor Kim Reynolds and Des Moines Police Chief Dana Wingert are both on the organization’s board.

Gov. Reynolds released the following statement in response to the shooting at Starts Right Here:

 

“I am shocked and saddened to hear about the shooting at Starts Right Here. I’ve seen first-hand how hard Will Keeps and his staff works to help at-risk kids through this alternative education program. My heart breaks for them, these kids and their families. Kevin and I are praying for their safe recovery.” 

Semi Flips

By Theresa Rose · Monday, January 23rd, 2023 at 4:19 pm CDT

On Sunday, January 22, 2023, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report that a semi had flipped over onto its side and was blocking the west bound traffic of Highway 34 near MM229 in Mount Pleasant. The driver, Ahmed Guled (23) of Urbandale, IA, was traveling west bound along Highway 34 when he lost control of the semi and over corrected causing the semi and trailer to flip on its side and came to rest perpendicular to the road blocking the flow of traffic. No other vehicle was involved in the accident and Ahmed did not report any injuries. Ahmed was examined and cleared by Henry County Ambulance personnel. Iowa DOT, State Patrol, and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office temporarily rerouted the west bound traffic while the semi and trailer were removed from the road. Ahmed was given a citation for Failure to Maintain Control.

Assault Investigation in Winfield

By Theresa Rose · Monday, January 23rd, 2023 at 4:17 pm CDT

On January 23rd, 2023, at approximately 10:30 a.m., the Henry County Sheriff’s Office took a report of an assault occurring in the 200-block of South Locust Street in Winfield.  The Sheriff’s Office arrived and conducted an investigation into the allegations.  One of the parties involved was identified as Dustin Beames, 38 of Winfield.  During the investigation, it was discovered Dustin had a metal smoking pipe on his person.   It was determined the pipe was used for ingesting/smoking a controlled substance.  Dustin was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor.

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

Boys’ High School Basketball Rankings: Top Teams Remain, WACO still in 3rd

By Slaten Swords · Monday, January 23rd, 2023 at 3:15 pm CDT

Prep Basketball- The Iowa High School Athletic Association released the updated rankings for the boys’ basketball season. None of the top teams fell from their spots, but there was some movement amongst the rankings.

Class 4A had Cedar Rapids Kennedy remain atop the rankings, but Waukee is now ranked 2nd as they switched spots with Waukee Northwest for 3rd. Indianola jumped up the rankings to 5th as Ankeny Centennial dropped to 7th. North Scott replaced Waterloo West in the top 10 at the 10th spot while Dubuque Senior dropped from 8th to 9th.

Bondurant-Farar still rules Class 3A at 13-0 followed by Cedar Rapids Xavier as MOC-Floyd Valley dropped to 5th in the rankings after losing last week. Clear Lake and Marion went from 6th and 7th, respectively, to 3rd and 4th, respectively after their productive week. Waverly-Shell Rock was replaced by Charles City for the 10th spot in the rankings.

Class 2A had the top 5 remain the same with Central Lyon on top and West Burlington in 5th and still undefeated. Alburnett dropped from 6th to 9th as Sioux Central is now ranked 6th after being 8th last week. AHSTW and Grundy Center moved up in the rankings to 7th and 8th, respectively. Carroll Kuemper fell out of the top 10 after being ranked 7th last week and Lake Mills rounds out the top 10 after being unranked last week, they are 15-0 on the season.

Class 1A still has WACO in the 3rd slot at 15-0 looking up at the top team, Grand View Christian, and North Linn. The top 7 spots remained constant as Wapsie Valley jumped up in the rankings from 10th to 8th. Lynnville Sully and Marquette Catholic both dropped out of the rankings, as they were replaced by Baxter and Gehlen Catholic.

De Anne Swartzendruber

By Theresa Rose · Monday, January 23rd, 2023 at 11:59 am CDT

De Anne Swartzendruber, 59, of Wayland, died Sunday, January 22, 2023, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. A funeral service will be held Thursday, January 26, 2023, at 11:00 AM at the Beatty Funeral Home in Washington. The family will greet friends from 9:30 until the time of service on Thursday. Following the meal, burial will be held at the Sugar Creek Cemetery in Wayland. A memorial fund has been established for Hospice of Washington County.

De Anne was born July 3, 1963, in Washington, Iowa, the daughter of Don and Karen Deanna (Roth) Swartzendruber. She graduated from WACO High School and the University of Northern Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.  De Anne worked for Farm Bureau for 31 years, working in insurance for 13 years and for the Washington and Johnson County Board of Directors for 18 years. She enjoyed crafts, selling them at various craft sales with her mother, and working on the computer. She loved to be outdoors fishing and camping and had recently started collecting gnomes.

Survivors include her brother Rick Swartzendruber of Wayland, uncles and aunts: Lynn and Linda Roth of Wayland, and Rod and Kathy Roth of Wayland and a number of cousins.

Preceding De Anne in death were her parents, her sister-in-law Donna Swartzendruber and her cousin Mike Roth.

Imelda M. Groene

By Theresa Rose · Monday, January 23rd, 2023 at 11:51 am CDT

Imelda M. Groene, 95, of West Point, Iowa, passed away at 9:11 p.m. Saturday, January 21, 2023, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City.

Born on  August 6, 1927, in Fort Madison, the daughter of Dr. S. P. and Elinor Catherine (Winnike) Holtz. On August 4, 1947, in West Point, Iowa, she married James J. Groene. He preceded her in death on March 19, 2007.

Imelda is survived by her three daughters: Jeanne Bremekamp of Belize, Central America, Janet (Bill) Benjamin of Donnellson and Joyce (Bill) Meierotto of West Point; twelve grandchildren; twenty-one great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; two brothers: Carl (Rita) Holtz of West Point and Delmar Holtz of St. Joseph, Missouri. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband: James; son-in-law: John Bremekamp; great granddaughter: Reagan Hulsebus; brother: Lester Holtz; sisters: Lucy Vonderhaar and Rozella Freitag.

Imelda graduated from Saint Mary’s High School. She was a member of St. Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic Church, the Altar and Rosary Society of the church and Daughters of Isabella. She enjoyed playing cards and spending time with family. Her passion was being a wonderful mother and grandmother.

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

Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon, Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point, where the family will receive friends from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A parish rosary will be recited at 4:00 p.m. and a Christian wake service will be held at  5:30 p.m.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 26, 2023, at St. Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point, with Father Dan Dorau as celebrant.

Burial will be held in Calvary Cemetery in West Point.

A memorial has been established in her memory for West Point Holtz-Geers American Legion Post #668 or Calvary Cemetery.

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