Southeast Iowa Man Killed in Accident Saturday Morning

By Allison Jacobs · Monday, March 9th, 2026 at 6:23 am CDT

A southeast Iowa man is dead following a single-vehicle crash early Saturday morning.

The Iowa State Patrol says the crash happened shortly after midnight in the northbound lane of Highway 34 near mile marker 44 in Henry County.

Authorities say a Chevy Malibu driven by 26-year-old Jaden Eugene Williams of Eddyville left the roadway for unknown reasons. The vehicle struck an embankment and was launched into a bridge.

Williams was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was transported to Olson-Yoder Funeral Home.

Officials did not indicate whether Williams was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

The Iowa State Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Mount Pleasant Police Department and EMS, and the Henry County Medical Examiner.

Severe Weather in the Forecast for Tuesday, March 10th

By Allison Jacobs · Monday, March 9th, 2026 at 6:23 am CDT

Repeating rounds of thunderstorms with heavy rainfall Tuesday evening may produce some flash flooding according to the National Weather Service. 1 to 3 inches of rain may be possible and could cause flooding in low-lying areas, roads, fields, and basements as well as contribute to rising river levels. As of now the prediction for tornadoes, hail, and damaging winds increases as storms grow stronger late afternoon Tuesday into the evening hours.

03.09.2026 4.39 AM CDT - DssPacket

Joan Elizabeth Menke

By Allison Jacobs · Monday, March 9th, 2026 at 6:14 am CDT

Joan Elizabeth Menke, 93, of West Point, Iowa, passed away at 1:43 a.m. Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Southeast Iowa Regional Health and Hospice in West Burlington, Iowa.

She was born on June 11, 1932, the daughter of Gerald and Anna (Fullenkamp) Wheeler Sr. On December 29, 1957 she married Arthur William Menke at St Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point, Iowa. He preceded her in death on January 29, 2017.

Survivors include two daughters: Jennifer (Roger) Fullenkamp of West Point, Iowa, Marisue Menke of Minnetonka, Minnesota; two sons: Sam (Suzanne) Menke of Donnellson, Iowa, Charlie (Linda Johnson) Menke of Dunlap, Illinois; six grandchildren: Alex (Brianna) Fullenkamp, Josh (Kaitlyn) Fullenkamp, Trevor (Christine) Menke, Brice (Teja Fischer) Menke, Ellie Menke, Mitchell Menke; and 5 great grandchildren:

Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; three brothers; and two sisters.

Joan was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point. A former member of the St Ann’s Circle Daughters of Isabella and the West Point Library Book Club. Joan was an avid Bridge and Euchre player. She enjoyed puzzles and spending time with her family especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Visitation will begin at 12:00 P.M. Wednesday March 11, 2026 at the Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point where the family will receive friends from 4:30 to 7:00 P.M. A parish rosary will be recited at 5:00 P.M. and a Christian Wake service will be held at 6:30 P.M.

The  Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday March 12, 2026 at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point with Fr. Dan Dorau as Celebrant.

Burial will be in in Calvary  Cemetery in West Point.

A memorial has been established in her memory for the West Point Library Book Club or the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House.

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

March 9, 2026 – March 15, 2026

By Slaten Swords · Sunday, March 8th, 2026 at 11:14 am CDT
03/09/26
David Sutherland
03/09/26
Jaime Ackles
03/10/26
Diane Dunsmore
03/11/26
Deb Heitmeier
03/11/26
Debbie Heitmeier
03/11/26
Doris Grilliot
03/11/26
Sheri Millard
03/11/26
Amy Dehart
03/12/26
Amanda Brothersen
03/12/26
Jackie Sefton
03/12/26
Phil Hassenfritz
03/12/26
Carolyn Jensen
03/12/26
Michelle Rosell
03/13/26
Sandy Shanahan
03/13/26
Kali Hudson
03/13/26
Dave Hassenfritz
03/13/26
Sam Collora
03/13/26
Paula Lauer
03/13/26
Terry Mabeus
03/14/26
Cora Arnold
03/14/26
Jodie Meeker

Sports, March 7th

By Slaten Swords · Saturday, March 7th, 2026 at 6:30 am CDT

Girls’ State Basketball

The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union has now crowned two state champions after last night with Classes 4A, 2A, and 1A getting ready for their championship contests today.

In yesterday’s action, #1 Hinton will get a shot to defend their Class 2A title after defeating #4 Denver, 57-48, to tip-off the day. Sydney Doeschot led the Blackhawks with 19 points and five assists.

#2 Rock Valley needed a 21 to 9 rally in the fourth quarter, including a 9 to 0 run in the final 90 seconds to beat #6 Treynor yesterday, 57-54. Cayden Harmsen tallied 17 points in the victory. 

#1 Hinton and #2 Rock Valley will tangle for the Class 2A championship today at 4:45 pm.

In Class 1A, #1 Bishop Garrigan’s defense shutdown #5 Dunkerton in a 49-38 thumping of the Raiders. Emmi Bartolo tabbed a game high 17 points in the winning effort. 

On the bottom half of the bracket, #2 Newell-Fonda captured a 50-45 victory over #3 St. Albert. Ellie and Quinn Sievers combined for 31 points for the Mustangs. 

#1 Bishop Garrigan will face off against #2 Newell-Fonda for the Class 1A title at 7 pm tonight.

#1 Johnston nearly watched history slip through their fingers last night, but Jenica Lewis would not be denied as she went off for 14 points in a 15 to 3 run, leading to a 51-37 victory over #3 Waukee Northwest for the Class 5A title. Lewis’ 22 points led the Dragons to their third consecutive title and increased their win streak to 79 games, the longest in state history.

In the final game of the night, #2 Maquoketa, in just their second trip to the state tournament in program history, demolished #1 Mt. Vernon 59-42 for the Class 3A championship. The Cardinals outscored the Mustangs 16 to 2 in the fourth quarter. Cora Widel notched 21 points in the victory. 

The Class 4A championship against #2 Dallas Center-Grimes and #5 Carlisle is scheduled for today at 2:30 pm.

Girls’ High School Basketball

A handful of local athletes will be participating in the Larry Niemeyer Senior Girls All-Star basketball tournament scheduled for Saturday, March 14th.

In Class 2A, Danville’s Alaina Gourley will play on the Gray Team with their game at 1 pm.

Over in Class 3A, Adalyn Long of Washington will join a trio from the Southeast Iowa Super Conference in Kenna Sandoval of Central Lee and Grace Holsteen and Ellah Wagenbach of Mediapolis on the White Team. They will play at 10:30 am. 

Lastly, Kendra Boatman of Keokuk and Burlington’s Mylee Stiefel will join sides for the Gray Team in a combination of Class 3A/4A/5A talent. They will square off at 9:15 am.

Boys’ Postseason Basketball

For the Class 1A State Tournament, #4 Burlington Notre Dame will face off against #5 Bellevue on Tuesday, March 10th, with tip-off at 3:45 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 3:30 pm. 

Other Class 1A matchups include: #1 St. Edmond facing off against #8 Woodbine, #2 MMCRU taking on #7 Boyden-Hull, and #6 Marquette Catholic looking to upset #3 Bishop Garrigan.

Southeastern Community College

The men’s basketball team will travel to Indian Hills Community College tonight at 7 pm for the Region 11 championship.

The baseball team clouted Crowder College yesterday, 17-9. The two will have a doubleheader rematch today. 

The softball team split their doubleheader with Black Hawk College yesterday, losing game one 6-2 and shutting out the Braves 4-0 in game two. Kiera Klum and Lyndsey Kelley each smacked solo home runs in game one, while Logan Kelley swatted a three-run homer in game two. The Blackhawks will travel to St. Louis Community College on Monday, March 16th, for a doubleheader.

College Basketball

The #9 Iowa women’s team advanced to the Big Ten Tournament’s semifinals after withstanding a late Illinois run for a 64-58 final. Four of the five starters for the Hawkeyes notched double figures. Iowa will take on Michigan today at 3:30 pm.

The Iowa men’s team will close out the regular season with another top ten foe, as they face off against #9 Nebraska on the road tomorrow, March 8th, at 4 pm.

The #6 Iowa State men’s team will look to bounce back today at 1 pm at home against Arizona State.

This Day in Sports History

1982 – NCAA Tournament Selection televised live for the first time.

1986 – Wayne Gretzky breaks own NHL season record with 136th assist.

1988 – Jim Abbott, a one-handed pitcher, wins the 58th James E. Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in the United States, becoming the first baseball player to win the award.

MP Fire Department Responded to 3 Fires on Friday

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, March 7th, 2026 at 6:29 am CDT

Henry County Dispatch reported 3 area fires last night, involving two structure fires and a vegetation fire: The MP Fire Department and Henry County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a structure fire in Westwood, west of Mt. Pleasant at about 7pm Friday evening.  The fire was reported in the 4000 block of Sycamore Dr.

At about 9pm, Mt. Pleasant Police Department and the MP Fire Department dispatched multiple units to a structure fire in the 400 block of S. Jefferson Street just south of Warren Street.

Around 9:30pm The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department extinguished a grass fire in the 300 block of East Henry St.  After the fire was out, crews remained on scene to monitor smoldering areas.

MPCSD School Board Regular Scheduled Meeting, Monday, 3/9/26

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, March 7th, 2026 at 5:21 am CDT

Mt. Pleasant Community School District School Board will meet in regular session on Monday, March 9th in the high school media center at 2104 S. Grand Avenue.  The board will be voting on Phase One of the school district’s General Fund Budget Reductions for the 2026-27 school year.  A motion to set Monday, March 23 at 6:10pm as the Public Hearing date regarding the closure of Salem Elementary School at the conclusion of the 2026-27 school year is on the agenda for Monday’s meeting.  Citizens who want to make comments may contact Central Office on Monday to be added to the agenda: 319-385-7750.  Comments are limited to 3 minutes. There are many other items listed for the school board meeting: please find the complete agenda at MTPCSD.org/Board/Meetings or click:    Agenda