Anglers Invited to “Save the Bridge” at 1st Annual Catfish Tournament in Henry County

The Skunk River will come alive with friendly competition and community spirit on Saturday, June 7, 2025, as local organizers host the 1st Annual “Save the Bridge” Catfish Tournament from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Held during Iowa’s Free Fishing Weekend, no license is required to participate, making this an accessible and fun event for all ages.

Participants will gather at the south shore of the Oakland Mills Dam Area at 6:00 AM for sign-up, with both boat and bank fishing allowed along the Skunk River in Henry County.

Each fisherman will be limited to five (5) catfish, and only one catfish can be entered in the Big Cat Competition. All fish must be alive at weigh-in, which will be held at 2:30 PM at the same south shore location.

The day will conclude with a community Fish Fry at 3:30 PM at Oakland Bait & Tackle, supported by freewill donations. The public is welcome to enjoy the food.

The tournament aims to raise awareness and support for preserving a local bridge, an iconic piece of infrastructure in the Oakland Mills area. For more information, contact Steve Davis at Oakland Bait & Tackle (319-217-0371) or Marc Ford (319-931-0871).

Park Place to Honor Resident Veterans with Quilts of Valor Ceremony

Park Place invites the community to join in a heartfelt celebration as we honor three resident veterans with a tribute they so deeply deserve. On Friday, June 6 at 2:30 p.m., a special Quilts of Valor Ceremony will take place at Park Place, recognizing the bravery and service of those who have worn our nation’s uniform.

In partnership with the Quilts of Valor Foundation, each honored veteran will receive a handcrafted quilt—each stitch sewn with appreciation, each pattern a symbol of comfort and gratitude. These quilts are more than fabric and thread; they are a tangible expression of a nation’s thanks.

Merle Smith- Navy

Guerdon Lee- Marines

Karl Messer-  National Guard

All community members, friends, and family are warmly encouraged to attend this uplifting ceremony. Whether you’re coming to support a loved one or to simply share a smile with a neighbor, your presence will help make this event even more special.

Because freedom isn’t free—and neither are hugs, smiles, or really good quilts.

Light refreshments will be served, and all are welcome.
For questions or additional information, please contact Ashlee at 319-470-3377.

West Point Woman Arrested on Multiple Felony and Misdemeanor Drug Charges

The Lee County Narcotics Task Force has announced the arrest of a West Point woman following the execution of a search warrant at her residence.

Allison Lea Wolkenhauer, 42, faces a range of felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from the investigation. She is accused of possession of more than five grams of methamphetamine with intent to deliver while in possession of a firearm — a Class B felony.

In addition, Wolkenhauer is charged with three counts of Iowa drug tax stamp violations, each a Class D felony. She also faces several serious misdemeanor charges for alleged possession of controlled substances, including morphine, oxycodone, clonazepam, ecstasy, and marijuana. She was further charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor.

The charges are the result of a coordinated law enforcement effort. The search warrant was executed by the Lee County Narcotics Task Force with assistance from the Lee County area Special Response Team (SRT), the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Fort Madison Police Department, and the Keokuk Police Department’s K-9 unit, including K-9 officer Szolt.

Authorities emphasize that all charges are allegations, and Wolkenhauer is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Lee County Narcotics Task Force receives partial funding from the U.S. Department of Justice, with funds administered by the Iowa Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy.

Fort Madison Man Arrested on Felony Sexual Assault Charge, Meth Possession

Detectives with the Fort Madison Police Department have arrested Bryan Morehouse, Jr., following an investigation that resulted in a warrant for his arrest on a charge of Sexual Assault in the 2nd Degree, a Class B felony under Iowa law.

Officers located Morehouse, Jr. inside a garage at 2133 Avenue E and took him into custody without incident. During the arrest, police discovered a baggie containing 1.7 grams of a crystalline substance among Morehouse Jr.’s personal belongings. The substance later field-tested presumptive positive for methamphetamine.

Morehouse, Jr. was transported to the Lee County Correctional Center, where he is being held on a $50,000 bond. In addition to the felony charge, he now faces an additional charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance, a serious misdemeanor.

The arrest follows an ongoing investigation led by Fort Madison Police Department detectives. The case remains active, and Morehouse, Jr. is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

The arrest was authorized and confirmed by Fort Madison Police Chief Cody Potthast.

Sports, June 2nd

High School Soccer

For the boys’ Class 2A state tournament quarterfinals, Burlington Notre Dame will hit the road to face off against Williamsburg at 7 pm tonight.

High School Baseball

Fairfield and Van Buren County competed in the Davis County Classic over the weekend and for the Trojans it was just what the doctor ordered as they snapped a two-game losing streak with a 2-0 showing. 

Against Van Buren County, Fairfield’s Jacob Crew punched in three of the team’s 13 unanswered runs after the Warriors scored two in the top of the first in a 13-2 final. Izaak Loeffler and Isaiah Meek each notched an RBI in the loss.

Game two pinned Fairfield against Moravia, who beat them in extra innings last Tuesday, and the Trojans got their revenge in a 9-5 victory. Aiden Westercamp whacked a double on his way to three RBIs as Dain Burkhart finished the weekend with four hits and three RBIs. 

Van Buren County was unable to pick up the pieces in a 4-1 loss to Davis County to conclude their weekend. Marion Yoder collected the lone RBI in a pinch hitting effort.

Mt. Pleasant will host a doubleheader tonight against Fairfield with game one at 5:30 pm. Panther head coach Brent Broeker gave his thoughts on the upcoming conference race,

Fairfield should be strong again. They have the Dain Burkhart kid back. Burlington, they’re kind of a question mark right now, you know, 4A school. They usually have some athletes that show up, so it’ll probably be those two that we’re trying to chase…” 

Winfield-Mt. Union will make the trip to Van Buren County tonight at 5:30 pm.

Mediapolis enters the week two rankings for Class 2A at #10 after splitting a weekend tournament against Class 1A’s #10 Don Bosco and Beckman Catholic, who is receiving votes in Class 2A.

It was a 10 inning classic against the Dons as both squads pushed across runs in the 8th inning before Mediapolis was finally able to end it in walk-off fashion in the 10th inning to win 4-3. Lance Ludens, Max Griffin, Kyler Crow, and Payton Doty each knocked home a run. 

That pitching duel was followed by Beckman Catholic tagging the Bulldogs for double-digit runs in a 13-3 loss. Crow added another RBI to his weekend total.

Mediapolis will host Danville tomorrow, June 3rd, at 7:30 pm.

Central Lee will travel to Anamosa tonight at 7 pm.

Danville will take on Hillcrest Academy at home tonight at 7:30 pm.

New London will face off against Pekin tonight at 7 pm at home.

West Burlington will host Burlington Notre Dame tomorrow at 5:30 pm.

Wapello will face off against Winfield-Mt. Union tomorrow at 5:30 pm on the road. 

High School Softball

Central Lee accrued a 2-1 record in the Redette Classic over the weekend with a 9-0 shutout over Seymour and a 7-1 handling of Moravia to bookend a 13-0 loss to Carlisle. 

Elaina Barlow threw a five-inning one-hitter against Seymour, while Kenna Sandoval and Olivia Day each swatted a home run for two RBIs in the win. Hayden Rule dealt nine strikeouts in a seven-inning outing against the Mohawks. 

Wapello will travel to Central Lee tonight at 7 pm.

West Burlington/Note Dame, Mt. Pleasant, and Columbus made the trip to Louisa-Muscatine over the weekend for an early season tournament. 

Mt. Pleasant finished the tournament 0-2 after falling to Louisa-Muscatine, 9-0, and Columbus, 3-2. Parker Coleman swatted a two-RBI double against the Wildcats. 

West Burlington/Notre Dame split their weekend with a 3-1 loss at the hands of Louisa-Muscatine and a dominant 15-3 offensive showing against Columbus. Tannisyn Christofferson clouted two home runs for five RBIs over the weekend series. 

Mt. Pleasant will start conference play tonight at home in a doubleheader with first pitch at 5:30 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 5:15 pm.

West Burlington/Notre Dame will compete against Highland tonight at 7 pm at home.

Columbus will battle on the road against Central Lee tomorrow, June 3rd, at 7 pm.

Mediapolis will take on Louisa-Muscatine tonight at 7 pm at home.

New London will host Pekin tonight at 7 pm.

Holy Trinity Catholic will face off against West Burlington/Notre Dame tomorrow at 7 pm on the road. 

WACO will start a three-game road stand tomorrow against Lone Tree at 5:30 pm. 

Van Buren County will take on Pekin on Thursday, June 5th, at 5:30 pm at home.

Iowa Archery

The Flint River Archery Club made the trip to Sperry for the Scholastic 3D State Championship this past weekend and Mt. Pleasant’s Katie Ettinger has now made it back-to-back years of finishing the event with the title.

Ettinger hit three 12s on her way to a score of 250 in the Young Adult Female Open Division. She will be looking to win her second consecutive ASA 3D State Championship in the summer event.

Prospect League

The Burlington Bees are now on a three-game winning streak after sneaking past the Clinton LumberKings 4-3 and outdueling the Springfield Lucky Horseshoes in an 8-5 final.

Against the LumberKings, the pitching quartet of Kaelen Clarkson, Dylan Eggl, Mitchell Cox, and Parker Lewin combined to finish the game allowing only two earned runs on nine hits, while striking out 12. 

Keanu Spenser notched a double and two RBIs in the win over the Lucky Horse Shoes. 

The Bees are playing the Normal CornBelters at noon today for Kids Day at Community Field. 

The LumberKings took out their frustrations on the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp yesterday in a 17-0 clobbering. Kaden Frommelt collected four RBIs in three hits. Clinton will look for the sweep on the road tomorrow, June 3rd, at 7:05 pm.

This Day in Sports History

1883 – The Northwestern League’s Quincy Quincys played a local college in the first night game involving a professional team.

1958 – Brooks Robinson hits into his first of record 4 triple plays.

1987 – Mariners draft Ken Griffey Jr. #1.

David R. Calhoun- pending

David R. Calhoun, 68, of Mount Pleasant passed away on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at his home.

 

Funeral arrangements for Dave are pending at the Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant.

Mt. Pleasant’s Katie Ettinger Hits Bullseye on Second Consecutive S3DA State Championship

Sperry, IA- The Iowa S3DA (Scholastic 3D Archery) program has not been around for very long, but Katie Ettinger, a Mt. Pleasant junior, has certainly cemented her name in the legacy of the sport after winning her 2nd consecutive State Championship in her second year of competing and only the third year of its existence.

(Photo Courtesy of Nick Ettinger)

Ettinger, a member of the Flint River Archery Club out of Burlington, made the trip to Sperry’s Big Hollow Recreation on Saturday to participate in the Young Adult Female Open Division. The competition had the junior aim in 20 target events that concluded with a five target shoot off to determine the winners.

After the scores were tabulated, Ettinger finished the day with a score of 250 and with her second career S3DA State Championship, which included three 12’s. Ettinger also collected 3rd place at the Indoor State Championship.

She will be competing for back-to-back ASA 3D State Championships in the women’s open division in the summer.

Barbara Joan Love

Barbara Joan Love, 92, of Keosauqua, IA passed away on Friday, May 30, 2025,

 Funeral services honoring her life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Keosauqua, IA

 Burial will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Birmingham immediately following.

  Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. and last until the time of service. 

Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.