Four Mount Pleasant Students Selected by SEIBA to Perform in Southeast Iowa Honor Band

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, January 13th, 2026 at 6:05 am CDT

Four Mount Pleasant students have been selected to perform with the Southeast Iowa Honor Band.

The students were chosen during auditions hosted Saturday in Fairfield by the Southeast Iowa Bandmasters Association, where students in grades 7 through 12 from across Southeast Iowa competed for spots in the regional honor band.

Selected from Mount Pleasant Middle School are seventh grader Peter Shroyer on trombone and eighth grader Karen Liu on flute. From Mount Pleasant High School, sophomore Carly Mullin was selected on bass clarinet, along with senior Caden Goetsch on baritone saxophone.

The students will perform with the Southeast Iowa Honor Band on Saturday, January 24th, at the Voxman School of Music on the University of Iowa campus.

KILJ congratulates these Mount Pleasant students on their achievement and the hard work that earned them a place in the honor band.

Ottumwa Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Online Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, January 13th, 2026 at 5:57 am CDT

A 33-year-old Ottumwa man has been sentenced to ten years in prison following convictions in Jefferson County involving the online sexual exploitation of a minor.

The Jefferson County Attorney’s Office says Randall Paul Dodds was sentenced Friday after being found guilty of grooming a minor and enticing a minor under the age of 16 for sexual purposes. The court imposed two five-year prison sentences to be served consecutively.

Following his release, Dodds will be required to register as a sex offender for life and will also be subject to an additional ten-year special parole sentence related to the grooming conviction.

The case stemmed from an undercover investigation by the Fairfield Police Department, in which an officer posing as a 13-year-old girl was contacted online by Dodds. Authorities say the investigation was part of proactive efforts to identify and stop individuals attempting to exploit children through digital platforms.

The Jefferson County Attorney’s Office says the sentence reflects the seriousness of crimes involving the sexual exploitation of minors and emphasizes that law enforcement actively monitors online spaces to prevent harm before it occurs.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to talk with children about online safety, including not sharing personal information online, reporting inappropriate messages or requests, and understanding that not everyone online is who they claim to be. Anyone who suspects online exploitation of a child is urged to report it to local law enforcement.

 

Great River Health to Close The Birthplace at SEIRMC in Fort Madison end of 2026 – Moving to New Maternal Care Model

By Kadie Johannson · Monday, January 12th, 2026 at 5:09 pm CDT

Inpatient labor and delivery services at the Birthplace at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in Fort Madison will end after December 31, 2026.

Great River Health announced Thursday that those services will be expanded at the Women and Family Center at its West Burlington campus as part of a system-wide realignment of maternal care.

The change coincides with the upcoming retirement of Dr. Timothy Staudte, the sole obstetrician at the Fort Madison Women’s Health Clinic. Staudte has served the community for more than 21 years and plans to retire to pursue mission work with his church.

To maintain access to maternal services amid ongoing workforce shortages, Great River Health will expand its hub-and-spoke care model, which centralizes labor and delivery services at a primary location while continuing prenatal and postnatal care through local outpatient clinics. That model is already in place at Henry County Health Center and will be extended to Fort Madison by the end of 2026.

Under the plan, Women’s Health services in Fort Madison and at the Keokuk Clinic will continue and be strengthened with additional providers, including nurse midwives. Dr. Staudte will continue to care for obstetric patients with expected deliveries before the end of 2026 and will see new gynecology patients throughout the year.

Great River Health notes that efforts to recruit a replacement OB-GYN have been unsuccessful, reflecting a nationwide shortage. Iowa currently ranks last in the nation for OB-GYNs per capita.

A public forum to discuss the transition is scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, at 3:30 p.m. in the Administrative Conference Rooms at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in Fort Madison. The public is invited to attend.

Read the full press release from Great River Health here.

TDT CPAs and Advisors Approaches 50 Years in Business

By Kadie Johannson · Monday, January 12th, 2026 at 3:47 pm CDT

TDT CPAs and Advisors is marking 50 years in business as the firm approaches its anniversary later this month.

Founded January 17, 1975, TDT has grown from two offices to six locations across Iowa, with offices in Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Centerville, Fairfield, Mount Pleasant, and Oskaloosa. The firm now employs 35 professionals and provides tax, accounting, and wealth management services to clients across eastern and southeastern Iowa and nationwide.

Partner Jodi Kerr says the milestone reflects the trust of long-time clients and the firm’s commitment to personalized service. TDT is also part of a nationwide alliance with CLA, giving clients access to additional technical expertise while maintaining a local approach.

Click here to read the full press release. Congratulations to TDT CPAs and Advisors on this milestone!

Southeast Iowa Bandmasters Honor Fairfield’s Jim Edgeton with Karl King Distinguished Service Award (Retired)

By Kadie Johannson · Monday, January 12th, 2026 at 2:14 pm CDT

The Southeast Iowa Bandmasters Association (SEIBA) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025-26 Karl King Distinguished Service Awards, honoring outstanding members of SEIBA who have made significant and lasting contributions to the organization and to the advancement of school band programs across Southeast Iowa.

The Karl King Distinguished Service Award is presented in two categories—Active and Retired—and recognizes exemplary leadership, service, and dedication to music education.

The Karl King Distinguished Service Award (Active) will be presented to Kevin Brown. Mr. Brown is the Director of Bands at Northwest Junior High in the Iowa City Community School District and is in his 27th year of teaching, including 16 years at Northwest.

The Karl King Distinguished Service Award (Retired) will be presented to Jim Edgeton. Mr. Edgeton taught instrumental music for 41 years, beginning as the 5–12 band director in Goldfield, Iowa. After earning a master’s degree in music education from Southern Methodist University, he taught for 11 years in the Dallas Independent School District before returning to his hometown of Fairfield, where he served as Director of Bands at Fairfield High School for 29 years. He retired in 2021 and has since continued supporting Iowa band programs through interim teaching roles.

Beyond the classroom, Edgeton has directed the Fairfield Municipal Band for 32 years, the Fairfield Jazz Band for 14 years, serves as musical director for the Fairfield Area Community Theater, directs the Van Buren Players orchestra, and leads church choir programs. An active IBA member, mentor, clinician, and adjudicator, his honors include SEIBA’s Karl King Distinguished Service Award (Active), the Governor’s Volunteer Award, Fairfield Teacher of the Year, National Board Certification, and Fairfield Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. He and his wife, LeAnne, live in Fairfield.

SEIBA congratulates both recipients on this well-deserved recognition and thanks them for their continued commitment to enriching music education and supporting band programs throughout Iowa.

The Karl King Distinguished Service Awards will be formally presented at the Southeast Iowa Bandmasters Association Honor Band Concert on January 24, 2026 in Iowa City.

Jennifer Cisco Riepe

By Kadie Johannson · Monday, January 12th, 2026 at 2:02 pm CDT

A celebration of life for Jennifer Cisco Riepe, of Mt. Pleasant, will be 2-4 PM on Saturday, January 17th, 2026 at the First Presbyterian Church, 902 South Walnut Street, Mt. Pleasant.

Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the All God’s Creatures Animal Shelter in Mt. Pleasant. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com

Rodney “Rod” Eugene Hope

By Kadie Johannson · Monday, January 12th, 2026 at 1:46 pm CDT

Rodney (Rod) Eugene Hope, 66, of West Burlington, formerly of New London and Mt. Pleasant, died at 9:28 pm on January 9, 2026 at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington.

He was born on November 19, 1959 in Winterset, Iowa to Larry Eugene and Myrna Marie Little Hope. On April 24, 1982 he married Sherry Blow at the Open Bible Church in Mt. Pleasant. Together, they raised two sons.

He was a 1978 graduate of Winterset High School and a 1980 graduate of Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny. He began working at the Fareway Grocery in Winterset during high school. In 1981 he moved to New London to work for Continental Telephone Company as an install and repairman. He then worked for Alliant Energy (Iowa Southern Utilities), retiring in 2016 after thirty-two years.

Rod made two meaningful trips to Juarex, Mexico and helped Broken Heart Ministries working on construction projects. He was a member of the 20th Century Car Club in Mt. Pleasant.

Survivors include his wife Sherry; sons Clint (Megan) Hope of West Burlington and Spencer (Katty) Hope of Des Moines; grandchildren Carson, Callie, Corbin, Hayden, Myra, Lainey and Baby Hope on the way; sister Rhonda Shoafstall (Tom Switzer) of Liscomb, Iowa; step-sister Sheryl Moore of Mt. Pleasant; niece Brandi Morris and nephew Brandon Richards; step-nephew Justin McDonald; step-nieces Krista McAllister and Jamie Krogmeier; great-niece Bailee Richards, Mariah Richards and Denim Morris; great-nephew Dayton Morris; many cousins and beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; step-father Jim Moore; paternal grandparents Ralph and Gwendolyn Hope; maternal grandparents Charles and Geneva Little; great-nephew Dallon Morris; and his close friend Tom Brown.

According to his wishes, cremation has been entrusted to Elliott Chapel, New London and there will be no services. A memorial has been established to be determined later. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

The family would like to thank Amy, Amber and the staff at Southeast Iowa regional Hospice House for their compassionate and meaningful care to Rod during this time.

William Daniel Ledlow

By Kadie Johannson · Monday, January 12th, 2026 at 11:32 am CDT

William Daniel Ledlow, 45, of Hillsboro died unexpectedly Friday, January 9, 2026, at the Henry County Health Center in Mount Pleasant.

Will was born October 8, 1980, in Hohenwald, Tennessee, the son of Levi and Barbara (Edington) Ledlow. He worked construction before moving to Iowa. He has lived in Hillsboro for the last 18 years and worked for West Liberty Foods for 10 years and most recently Lomont Molding. He loved to cook and was always coming up with his own recipes. Will enjoyed spending time with family and friends, bonfires and cheering on the Pittsburg Steelers.

Will is survived by his fiancé Sara Burns; four children, Nick (Mahala) Bur-Cart, Jamen (Hayden Durall) Ledlow, Trevin Burns-Ledlow, Ziggy Burns-Ledlow; his mother Barb Ledlow; a brother Christopher (Shelby) Ledlow, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and an aunt Mary Jane.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. The Olson-Yoder Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Will and his family. Messages may be sent to the family at www.olsonyoderfh.com.