Ernest Miller

By Kadie Johannson · Monday, January 5th, 2026 at 5:52 am CDT

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

By Kadie Johannson · Monday, January 5th, 2026 at 5:47 am CDT

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

By Shelbi Swinscoe · Sunday, January 4th, 2026 at 9:49 am CDT
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

By Slaten Swords · Saturday, January 3rd, 2026 at 7:09 am CDT

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

By Slaten Swords · Saturday, January 3rd, 2026 at 6:49 am CDT

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

By Slaten Swords · Saturday, January 3rd, 2026 at 6:30 am CDT

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.

Klein Center, West Burlington Faces $10,000 Fine

By Slaten Swords · Saturday, January 3rd, 2026 at 6:13 am CDT

The Klein Center in West Burlington is facing a potential $10,000 fine after a long-term care resident died after being put to bed while struggling to breathe. The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing has proposed the fine. That fine is being held in suspension while the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services determines whether a federal penalty will be imposed in place of the proposed state fine.

According to state inspectors, the staff at the Klein Center failed to perform a proper assessment and failed to intervene when a female resident with Down syndrome coughed, choked and vomited during the evening meal on Dec. 5, 2025. The resident continued to struggle to breathe and was coughing when put to bed.  The woman’s oxygen levels had dropped and she was no longer responsive. The staff called 911 but pronounced the woman dead a short time later.

In May 2025, Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center’s Klein Center was fined $500 by the state for resident abuse.  Three staff members were aware of a CNA’s verbal abuse of staff, but didn’t report it, in part because they had to work with her regularly.

Federal records indicate that during the past three years, Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center’s Klein Center has been fined once by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The facility has a three-star, or average, overall rating from CMS

 

Winfield: Early Morning House Fire on Friday

By Slaten Swords · Saturday, January 3rd, 2026 at 6:05 am CDT

The Winfield Fire Department and the Henry County Sheriff’s Department responded to a house fire just after 1:00am on Friday morning in the 1180 block of Louisa Henry Avenue.  Four people escaped the fire which was reported as accidental and no one was injured.

A tanker had to be called in due to the rural location of the fire and the home was a total loss. Wapello, Morning Sun and Columbus Junction fire departments assisted.