Wapello County Farmers Receive Funding due to Conservation Efforts in FY 2025

Farmers across southeast Iowa are among those benefiting from millions of dollars invested in conservation efforts through partnerships with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Iowa farmers and private landowners worked with NRCS in fiscal year 2025 to implement conservation practices on more than 258,000 acres statewide. Those efforts included addressing soil erosion, improving water quality, and enhancing wildlife habitat, with a total of $75.3 million obligated through Farm Bill conservation programs.

In southeast Iowa, Wapello County ranked second in the state for Environmental Quality Incentives Program, or EQIP, participation. Sixteen contracts there will cover more than 5,400 acres, bringing nearly $1.7 million in conservation funding to local farms. EQIP allows producers to choose conservation practices tailored to local resource concerns.

Popular conservation practices across the region included cover crops, grazing management, fencing to support livestock rotation, brush management, and installation of watering facilities. These practices are aimed at protecting soil health while keeping farms productive.

NRCS also invested millions statewide through the Conservation Stewardship Program, Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, and Regional Conservation Partnership Program, supporting long-term conservation planning and land protection. Additional funding helped address water quality concerns in the Mississippi River Basin and supported wildlife habitat projects.

State conservation officials say Iowa’s strong participation reflects continued interest from farmers in protecting land and water resources while maintaining working farms. Enrollment for USDA conservation programs remains open year-round through local USDA Service Centers.

Sports, January 5th

High School Basketball

WACO hosted Winfield-Mt. Union over the weekend and the pair split their rivalry showdown. The Warrior girls’ team dominated the glass with 25 offensive rebounds, resulting in a 56-41 victory. Brenna Graber knocked down four threes for a game high 19 points in the effort. Suttyn Schlee put up 11 points for the Wolves.

In a battle for second place in the North Division of the Super Conference, Winfield-Mt. Union’s defense held WACO to just 16 points in the second half to win 48-41. Hayden Shelman kept the Warriors close with 13 points, but it was Cody Milks that took over the game in the second half, cashing in for 17 points. Wolves head coach Klay Edwards talked about Milks’ play,

“Yeah, definitely, and that’s something we’ve been talking about all year is, you know, getting downhill. He’s got a nice big body, he can rise up and finish in the paint, so, you know, we wanted him to, you know, do that to get him going and then he can step out and hit those threes, but he did have, he had some huge threes for us tonight too, so yeah, when we have him going and then you got Isaac [Egli] and Max [Edwards] scoring inside, like, it’s tough to deal with.”

WACO will travel to Wapello tomorrow, January 6th, with gametime at 6 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union will host Pekin tomorrow with the night tipping-off at 6 pm.

Danville traded their games against English Valleys over the weekend with the girls’ team losing 64-34 and the boys’ team ending up on top 64-48. Macie Wagner finished with nine points for the girls’ team, while Dillan Mason scored 16 points in the boys’ game. The Bears will square off against New London tomorrow at 6 pm.

West Burlington swept Wapello over the weekend 40-33 in the girls’ game and 58-43 in the boys’ contest. Macey Kuntz put up a 14 point/14 rebound double-double in the loss, while Silas Lotzow led the Falcons his own double-double, collecting 24 points and 12 rebounds. 

Burlington Notre Dame will compete against West Burlington on the road tomorrow with the girls tipping-off at 6 pm.

Mt. Pleasant will hit the road to take on New London tonight with game one at 6 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 5:45 pm.

Fairfield will travel to Burlington tonight with the first game tipping-off at 6:15 pm.

Central Lee will take on Van Buren County tomorrow with game one at 6 pm on the road. 

Mediapolis will face off against Holy Trinity Catholic tomorrow with the night starting at 6 pm on the road. 

Columbus will play Louisa-Muscatine tomorrow at 6 pm.

High School Wrestling

The Mt. Pleasant, Van Buren County, Fairfield, and Mediapolis girls’ teams competed at the Keokuk Invite over the weekend and Burlington ended up on top of the standings with 187 points followed by Van Buren County with 150.5 points. Fairfield finished right in front of Mt. Pleasant with 97 points for 5th place. 

The Warriors had a quartet of 1st place finishers with Armony Adams (100-pound weight class), Brystol Wiley (110-pound weight class), Rylee Caviness (125-pound weight class), and Hadley Noe (135-pound weight class) each finishing the tournament undefeated. 

Fairfield Kensley Fligg and Samantha Lyons each went 3-0 for the tournament, including a victory over Macy Peterson of Burlington in the championship match for Lyons. 

Zenlynn Lee and Courtney Smith of Mt. Pleasant each took 2nd place in their respective weight classes, while Mediapolis was led by a pair of 3rd place finishes for Avery Hollingsworth and Kaiya Swafford. 

Mt. Pleasant will duel Keokuk tonight at home. 

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union and Van Buren County girls’ teams will compete in the WACO tournament tonight.

Fairfield will head to Wapello for a boys/girls dual tomorrow, January 6th.

The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team held their Nike Duals and swept the competition with wins over Cardinal (78-6), Davis County (72-12), and Regina Catholic (54-30). Rowan Berndt, Colt Boyles, Tate Sherwood, and Kael Cook each finished the tournament 3-0. 

The Mediapolis boys’ team participated in the EBF Invitational over the weekend and collected a 1-3 record with a 39-18 victory over Lincoln College Prep highlighting the weekend. Kyler Crow was the lone Bulldog to finish the weekend with four wins. 

The Bulldogs will compete at the Washington meet on Thursday, January 8th. 

High School Bowling

Mt. Pleasant and West Burlington/Notre Dame bowled at the Louisa-Muscatine Invite over the weekend and the Mt. Pleasant girls’ team led the local effort with a 9th place finish followed by the Falcon girls’ team with a 12th place effort. On the boys’ side, Mt. Pleasant placed in 17th followed by West Burlington/Notre Dame in 18th. 

The Panthers will hold a triangular on Thursday, January 8th.

West Burlington/Notre Dame will travel to West Central on Wednesday, January 7th. 

Fairfield will host Keokuk today.

Southeastern Community College

The women’s basketball team fell to Iowa Lakes Community College this past weekend 94-51. Trinity Barrett totaled a 21 point/11 rebound double-double in the loss. The Blackhawks will square off at home against Marshalltown Community College on Wednesday, January 7th, at 5:30 pm.

The men’s basketball team will host Indian Hills Community College on Saturday, January 10th, at 7 pm.

College Basketball

The #10 Iowa State women’s team was upset by #22 Baylor yesterday, 72-70, marking their first loss of the season. Jada Williams put up 28 points in the loss. The Cyclones will attempt to right the ship on Wednesday, January 7th, against Cincinnati on the road at 5:30 pm.

The #14 Iowa women’s team will travel to Northwestern tonight for tip-off at 7:30 pm.

The #25 Iowa men’s team produced a 74-61 victory over UCLA this past weekend as Bennett Stirtz went off for 27 points in the win. The Hawkeyes will face off against Minnesota tomorrow, January 6th, at 7 pm on the road. 

The #3 Iowa State men’s team will take on Baylor on the road on Wednesday at 7 pm.

This Day in Sports History

1931 – Lucille Thomas becomes the first woman to purchase a professional baseball team when she buys the Class-A Topeka Senators team of the Western League.

1971 – The Harlem Globetrotters lose 100-99 to the New Jersey Reds, ending their 2,495-game winning streak. 

2021 – 86th Heisman Trophy Award: DeVonta Smith, Alabama. Just the third wide receiver to win the award.

Ernest Miller

Ernest Miller, 69, of Farmington, Iowa, passed away at 6:48 a.m. Saturday, January 3, 2026 at his home.

He was born on June 10, 1956 in Keosauqua, Iowa, the son of Don and Sharon (Weller) Miller. On March 19, 1977 he married Linda Norman.

Survivors include his wife Linda; four children: Ernest (Keith) Selser of Galesburg, Illinois, Kristi Miller of Farmington, Iowa, Vaughn Miller of Farmington, Iowa, Mary (Kris) Lowe of Brighton, Iowa; three grandchildren: Elizabeth (Lane) Burlingame, Autumn Sly, Logan Lowe; and five siblings: Donald (Billie) Miller of Middletown, Iowa, Rodney (Sandy) Miller of North Carolina, Sandi Miller of West Burlington, Iowa, Amy Miller of West Burlington, Iowa, and Cheryl Hollenbeck of Fort Madison, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Sharon and James Smith; Father Don Miller; nephew John Miller; two sisters Pam Canty and Susan Swank; and one brother Dennis Miller.

Ernest was a United States Army Veteran and was a member of the Farmington American Legion Richardson-Anthony Post #231. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing pool, and western movies.

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

The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at Schmitz Funeral Home in Farmington. A celebration of life will be held following the visitation at the Farmington American Legion. A memorial has been established in his memory. Schmitz Funeral Home of Farmington is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Phyllis Marie Johnson

Phyllis Marie Johnson, of New London, died Sunday, January 4, 2026 at River Valley Place, Ft. Madison on her 79th birthday. She was born January 4, 1947 to Kenneth W. and Anna Belle Lott Ricketts. She attended Wapello High School and was a member of New London Christian Church where she was treasurer for many years. On May 22, 1980 she married Robert Johnson at the Burlington Christian Church.

Phyllis began her employment career at IAAP as a machine operator, then in 1970 at Champion Spark Plugs/Iowa Industry where she retired. She was a lifetime member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She was an avid reader; enjoyed bowling; spending time with her kids and grandkids; sewing, crocheting, and embroidery; her rose bushes; and painting ceramics. She and Bob delivered Meals on Wheels for many years and she donated over nineteen gallons of blood in her lifetime. She was president of the New London Country Club where she and Bob enjoyed camping and she loved Thanksgiving and Christmas especially when all the grandbabies were there. Phyllis dearly loved every dog she ever had.

Survivors include her husband; her children, John (Carma) Seitz of Wayland, Kenny (Kim) Seitz of New Boston, Illinois and Robert (Rhonda) Seitz of Des Moines; stepsons Michael and Denny Allan Johnson both of Mt. Pleasant; thirteen grandchildren, Christina, Lesley, Gina, Kelsey, Kylie, Stephanie, Kristopher, Kourtney, Daniel, Joe, Kayla, Nikki and Zoey; many great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and her precious maltipoo Sammy. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter Joanne Sourwine; a daughter in infancy; brothers Billy and John Ricketts and sister Anna Lee Simpson.

According to her wishes, her body has been cremated and there will be a private family graveside service at Burge Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of River Valley Place for the amazing care Phyllis received the last few months of her life. A memorial has been established for the Memory Care Unit at River Valley Place. Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

January 5, 2026 – January 11, 2026

01/05/26
Laura Noble
01/06/26
Tammy Lyon - Belated from Monday
01/06/26
Tucker Syfert
01/06/26
Lance Hampton
01/06/26
Sue Loescher
01/06/26
Lucky Krieger (103rd birthday!)
01/07/26
Marci Adams
01/07/26
Dalton Gardner
01/07/26
Sabrina Mathews
01/08/26
Kendall Horn
01/08/26
Sherry Christensen
01/08/26
Jeane Schweitzer
01/08/26
Averee McMullin
01/08/26
Melaine Liechty
01/08/26
Kira Hendricks (Belated!)
01/09/26
Radenna Heinz
01/09/26
Jerry Lamb
01/09/26
Logan White
01/09/26
Julie Wesley
01/09/26
Patsy McClane
01/10/26
Steve Mallams
01/10/26
Emery Ledbetter
01/10/26
Paul Lampe
01/11/26
Molly Hill
01/11/26
Marlene Hill
01/11/26
Joan Maxwell
01/11/26
Mitchell Moothart
01/11/26
Aidon Sammons
01/11/26
Rita Glover

Grief Share Program Beginning in February

Grief Share is a 13-week program that offers hope and healing after the death of a loved one and has been billed as the number one grief recovery program in the world.  At Grief Share, you find support, direction and guidance while learning practical tips for navigating your grief and hearing from experts in the field of grief recovery.  The New London Christian Church at 2770 New London Road is hosting a Grief Share program starting on February 5th – April 30th.  The group meets every Wednesday from 6pm – 7:30pm.  There is no cost for this program, and you can pre-register at www.griefshare.org

Great River Health Scholarships Available

Great River Health announced the availability of Auxiliary Scholarships and applications are now open.  The 2026 scholarships are available for graduating high school students, and for those continuing their education.  In the past two years, over $50,000 has been awarded to local students.  Great River is proud to support students taking their next steps toward healthcare careers and have opportunities for internships, job shadowing in more.  Please access www.greatriverhealth.org/student-opportunities for more information!

Sports, January 3rd

High School Basketball

Mt. Pleasant was swept by Keokuk last night, losing 66-36 in the girls’ game and 69-41 in the boys’ game. Kynlee White and Abi Shelangoski each scored seven points for the Panthers, while Aiden Humble led the boys’ team with 16 points. Boys’ head coach Eric Rawson knows it was the fundamentals that cost his team last night,

 “So, tonight, I thought we did a nice job on Clark. He’s a kid that’s averaging 35 and 17, I think, and we held him at 23 and got him in foul trouble, but we just couldn’t throw it into the ocean tonight. We missed 20 free throws and we got down early in the first quarter, like 19 to 3. So, we’re just kind of clawing back in it, and again, when you’re missing 20 free throws, you’re not gonna win any games.”

Mt. Pleasant will hit the road to take on New London on Monday, January 5th, with game one at 6 pm.

Mediapolis swept Central Lee last night with the girls’ team clobbering the Hawks 62-29 and the boys’ team sneaking out with a 59-54 victory after scoring 27 points in the 4th quarter. Grace Holsteen cashed in for 28 points in the winning effort. 

Central Lee will take on Van Buren County on Tuesday, January 6th, with game one at 6 pm on the road. 

Mediapolis will face off against Holy Trinity Catholic on Tuesday with the night starting at 6 pm on the road. 

Holy Trinity Catholic handled New London last night with the girls’ team winning 54-22 and the boys’ team coming out on top 53-30. Layne Rung led the effort with 22 points. 

Burlington Notre Dame split their night with Danville with the girls’ team falling 44-34 and the boys’ team cruising to a 72-38 final. The Nikes will compete against West Burlington on the road on Tuesday with the girls tipping-off at 6 pm.

Danville will continue their road trip today against English Valleys with the day starting at 3 pm.

West Burlington swept Van Buren County last night with the girls’ team outdueling the Warriors 64-59 and the boys’ team throttling Van Buren County 81-39. 

West Burlington will fly to Wapello today with the girls’ playing first at 4:30 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union split their showdown with Wapello last night with the girls’ team losing 53-18 and the boys’ team winning a low-scoring affair, 38-33. 

The Columbus girls’ team snuck out with a 43-42 victory over WACO last night. The Wildcats will play Louisa-Muscatine on Tuesday at 6 pm.

WACO will host Winfield-Mt. Union today with the night tipping-off at 4:30 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregames show at 4:15 pm.

Fairfield will travel to Burlington on Monday with the first game tipping-off at 6:15 pm.

High School Wrestling

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team wrestled at the Megan Black Invitational last night and the Wildcats were led by Jada Moats’ 2nd place finish in the 190-pound weight class after going 2-1 for the night. Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union will compete in the WACO tournament on Monday, January 5th.

The Mt. Pleasant, Van Buren County, Fairfield, and Mediapolis girls’ teams will compete in the Keokuk Invite today.

The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team will hold the Nike Duals today.

The Mediapolis boys’ team will participate in the EBF Invitational today.

High School Bowling

Mt. Pleasant and West Burlington will get back to action with the Louisa-Muscatine Invite today. 

Southeastern Community College

The women’s basketball team will travel to Iowa Lakes Community College today at 1 pm.

College Basketball

The #10 Iowa State women’s team will be tested at home tomorrow, January 4th, against Baylor with tip-off at 2 pm.

The #14 Iowa women’s team will travel to Northwestern on Monday, January 5th, for tip-off at 7:30 pm.

The #25 Iowa men’s team will get back to Big Ten play when they take on UCLA tonight at home at 5 pm.

The #3 Iowa State men’s team clobbered West Virginia last night 80-59. Milan Momcilovic collected a game high 26 points in the win. The Cyclones will take on Baylor on the road on Wednesday, January 7th, at 7 pm.

This Day in Sports History

1981 – Golfer Johnny Miller wins the sport’s first $1 million tournament when he beats Seve Ballesteros in a playoff in the inaugural Million Dollar World Challenge at Sun City, South Africa. 

1983 – Dallas running back Tony Dorsett sets an NFL record with a 99-yard touchdown run in a Cowboys’ 31-27 defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings. There were only 10 Cowboys on the field. 

1993 – “The Comeback”, quarterback Frank Reich leads the Buffalo Bills back from a 32-point deficit to defeat the Houston Oilers 41-38 in overtime in a wild card playoff game; the second largest comeback in NFL history.