This summer, the spirit of jazz will do more than fill the air—it’ll be served on the rocks, with a twist of cabaret. For the first time ever, the Bart Howard Cabaret Cocktail Competition is joining the lineup of the Burlington Jazz Festival, bringing a spirited new tradition to downtown July 25–26.
In honor of Burlington native and iconic songwriter Bart Howard—best known for the timeless jazz standard “Fly Me to the Moon”—local bars and restaurants will shake, stir, and pour their way into the spotlight with original cocktails inspired by Howard’s legacy, jazz culture, and cabaret flair.
Festival-goers will have a delicious say in the competition. Patrons can sample entries at participating venues and cast their votes using ballots available on-site throughout the weekend. Final votes must be dropped off at Night Cap by 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 26.
Winners will be crowned that night during the lively 3rd Street Block Party, with titles awarded in categories such as Most Creative, Best Garnish, and Crowd Favorite. And in a sweet bonus, one lucky voter will walk away with a $100 cash prize, just for participating.
But it’s not just about the cocktails—it’s about the cause. Proceeds from cocktail entry fees and sales will benefit local music education programs, ensuring the next generation of musicians continues Burlington’s jazz legacy.
Businesses interested in competing can submit their entries now at btownjazzfest.com, while curious cocktail lovers can follow The Capitol’s social media to preview the lineup of libations.
Whether you’re mixing, sipping, or swinging to the beat, the Bart Howard Cabaret Cocktail Competition promises a weekend where jazz isn’t just heard—it’s tasted.
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has confirmed the state’s first measles case of the year. The case involves an unvaccinated adult in central Iowa who tested positive at the State Hygienic Laboratory. This marks Iowa’s first reported measles case since 2019.
The individual is part of a broader, evolving national outbreak. Iowa now joins 31 other U.S. jurisdictions that have reported measles cases in 2025. So far this year, the outbreak has led to 1,024 confirmed cases and three deaths nationwide.
According to HHS, a comprehensive investigation has been completed, and public health officials are reaching out to people identified as having close contact with the individual. No large-scale public exposure is expected.
“Prevention starts with vaccination,” said Dr. Robert Kruse, Iowa’s State Medical Director. “The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is our most effective defense. It protects not only the person vaccinated but also those in the community who cannot be vaccinated—such as infants and individuals with weakened immune systems.”
Measles is a highly contagious airborne virus, spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Common symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, and a rash. The illness can lead to serious health complications: about 1 in 10 people infected in the U.S. require hospitalization, and between 1 to 3 in every 1,000 children with measles die, even with access to quality healthcare.
The MMR vaccine is 97% effective in preventing measles. The first dose is recommended between 12 and 15 months of age, followed by a second dose at 4 to 6 years. In Iowa, 84% of 2-year-olds have received the MMR vaccine—below the 95% coverage needed to prevent outbreaks. Iowans covered by Medicaid can receive the vaccine at no cost, with no age restrictions.
Anyone experiencing measles symptoms or who believes they have been exposed should call their healthcare provider or emergency room before arriving to avoid spreading the virus.
Judith “Judy” Kay Bowman, 73, of rural Le Mars (Dalton), died of cancer with her best friend at her side.
Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 31 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Merrill. Visitation will be during a reception following the service at the church. Interment will be June 21st at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in rural Mt. Pleasant, IA. Arrangements are with Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home. Expressions of sympathy may be expressed to the family through www.mauerjohnsonfh.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to: Wet-Nose Animal Rescue, Plymouth County Historical Museum, and Second Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant, IA.
Judy Logan was born April 2, 1952, to Dorothy L. (Boyd) and William L. Logan in Mt. Pleasant, IA. She grew up on the farm of her grandparents, Howard and Merle Burkey, near Mt. Pleasant. At the age of 7, she moved to Mt. Pleasant with her mother, stepfather, and sister, and graduated as class valedictorian from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1970.
She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Latin and English from Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, where she was editor of the weekly newspaper for three semesters. During her Cornell years, she studied for one semester in Italy, and graduated magna cum laude in 1974. Her summer employment during college was as a reporter/photographer at the Mt. Pleasant News.
She married Daniel C. Bowman on June 1, 1974. They later divorced, while remaining friends until his death in 2009.
Judy attended the University of Missouri, Columbia, where she obtained her Master of Arts degree in Journalism in 1979. She was employed as news editor of the Ida County Pioneer Record in Ida Grove, IA, from 1975 to 1995. In 1992, she participated in a journalistic study program to Russia, and in 1993, she led Ida County in a fund-raising effort to bring a Russian editor to Ida County. During those years she also received a number of awards from the Ida County Pork Producers and the Ida County Beef Producers.
In 1992, she self-published a book, One Week at a Time in the Life of a Country News Hound, about newspapering in small-town Iowa. She was advisor to the Ida Grove High School newspaper for nine years. After working one summer at the Holstein Advance, Bowman moved to Le Mars, serving as a reporter/feature editor at the Le Mars Daily Sentinel from 1995 to 1998. She worked for a total of 25 years in newspaper journalism.
Bowman became the administrator at the Plymouth County Historical Museum in Le Mars, serving 25 years from Nov. 1, 1998, to Dec. 31, 2023, when she retired. While at the Museum, one of her greatest loves was to pull her dog in a little red wagon that promoted the Museum as a “Doggone Great Museum.”
While at the Museum, she also was employed part-time as an adjunct instructor in English and Communications at Northwest Iowa Community College, Sheldon; Dordt College, Sioux Center; Western Iowa Tech Community College, Sioux City; and Wayne State College, Wayne, NE. However, her favorite subject to teach was dog obedience classes in Le Mars.
In 2020, Judy completed her Master of Arts degree in Education at Wayne State, with an Emphasis on Teaching English.
An animal lover her entire life, Judy helped start Wet-Nose Animal Rescue in 2019 at Le Mars and helped finance the opening of the shelter in 2022. She also kept her own cats, dogs, and horses at her Dalton ghost town acreage. At the time of her death, she was caring for 15 animals. She also was publishing the courthouse newsletter, The Messenger, with her weekly columns about life “Down at Dalton,” focusing on her life with animals. She was planning to self-publish the columns in book form by July 15, 2025.
Judy returned to her academic love, Latin, by enrolling in classes at the University of South Dakota under the direction of Dr. Lisa Millen.
When Judy arrived in Le Mars, she joined the historic St. George’s Episcopal Church where dogs were allowed to attend the worship services in the tradition of the English, who founded the church. After St. George’s became inactive, Judy attended St. Peter Lutheran Church in Brunsville. At the time of her passing, she was worshipping at United Methodist Church of Merrill. She also had worshipped at Adaville Methodist of Adaville and at Living Faith Lutheran, Le Mars. In recent years, she attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen with her friend Judy Stokesberry. In September 2024, after retirement she achieved a major item on her bucket list, organizing the “Burkey Bash,” a reunion of her extended Burkey family after 60 years of little to no contact.
Survivors include two nieces: Belinda DeWitt of Mt. Pleasant and Teresa Johnson of Solon; brother-in-law, William Martin of New London; great niece, Chandler DeWitt; three great nephews: Eli DeWitt, Hunter Johnson, and Keegan Johnson; one grand-nephew, Trice DeWitt; one grand-niece, Blakely DeWitt; friend/editor, Judy Stokesberry of Remsen; mentor, Dr. Katherine Butler of Wayne, NE; and animal friends,: Dr. Marilyn Lowe of Ute, Angel Anderson, Mary Valentine, Margaret Henrich, and Dena Plendl all of Le Mars, Charlotte Hebert of Westfield, Brenda Groon of Akron, and Wet-Nose friends. Many beloved dogs, cats, and horses also survive.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather, Ed Boyd; her sisters, Janet (Logan) Martin and Nancy Logan; her step-grandmother, Blanche Boyd; her aunt, Aileen Albert; her mentor, Glada Koerselman; and many beloved animals.
It was a record attendance for the 2025 State Track and Field meet this past weekend with over 40,000 tickets sold over the three-day event. Southeast Iowa displayed their talent on Championship Saturday early on as Winfield-Mt. Union’s Kohlby Newsom captured the gold medal in the 800-meter run in a personal best time of 1 minute and 53 seconds to end his senior season.
Then, in the penultimate event of the day, New London’s London Franklin zoomed past Lisbon on the anchor leg to win the championship in the 4×100 meter relay with a season best time of 42.5 seconds. The team of Franklin, Cale Westerbeck, Gavin Strawhacker, and Brigham Porter also took home the silver in the 4×200 meter relay. New London finished tied for 5th with Columbus in team scoring with 30 points apiece.
For a full breakdown of Saturday’s events for our local teams and the scoring, follow the link: Day Three Recap
High School Tennis
Fairfield’s Rumin Luo earned the #3-seed in the boys’ Class 1A State Singles Tournament. His first round matchup will be against Ethan Valtman of Newton today.
High School Golf
The boys’ Class 1A state golf meet will take place at South Hills Golf Course in Waterloo today and tomorrow, May 28th with Hillcrest Academy competing as a team.
Central Lee will contend for the boys’ Class 2A state championship starting today at Gates Park Golf Course in Waterloo.
Washington’s Drew Conrad will tee off today at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course in Cedar Falls for the boys’ Class 3A state meet.
The girls’ Class 1A state meet will be held at American Legion Golf Course in Marshalltown with New London’s Emma Busby and Wapello’s Emmalin Marshall making the trip, starting on Thursday, May 29th, and concluding on Friday, May 30th.
High School Soccer
In the boys’ Class 1A Substate 5 bracket, Danville will take on (14-1) West Liberty tonight at 7 pm in a road showdown.
The Central Lee boys team will travel to Mediapolis tonight at 7 pm.
In the boys’ Class 2A Substate 5 bracket, #6 Burlington Notre Dame will take on Assumption tonight at 7 pm at home.
It will be a Southeast Conference battle in the boys’ Class 2A Substate 6 semifinals as Mt. Pleasant will get to host Fairfield tonight at 5 pm.
In the girls’ Class 1A Region 3 bracket, Assumption will take on Washington tomorrow, May 28th, at 7 pm.
The Mediapolis girls’ team will host Mid-Prairie tomorrow at 7 pm.
In the girls’ Class 2A Region 4 bracket, Fort Madison will square off against Burlington on the road tomorrow at 7 pm.
High School Baseball
West Burlington will travel to Winfield-Mt. Union tonight at 5:30 pm.
Mt. Pleasant is back on the road tonight against Clear Creek Amana for first pitch at 7 pm.
Fairfield will travel to Moravia tonight at 5:30 pm.
Mediapolis will face off against New London on the road at 7 pm tonight.
Burlington Notre Dame starts their season tonight with a home opener against Danville with first pitch at 5:30 pm.
Van Buren County will face off against Mt. Pleasant tomorrow, May 28th, at 5:30 pm at home.
Central Lee will compete against Fairfield tomorrow at 7:30 pm on the road.
Wapello will look to right the ship against Hillcrest Academy on Thursday, May 29th, at 5:30 pm on the road.
High School Softball
Mediapolis and Columbus met up for a Memorial Day showdown and the Bulldogs started the season off with a 7-2 road victory. Payton Harris did it all from pitching a nine-strikeout complete game in the circle, to clobbering a solo home run at the plate.
New London will host Mediapolis tonight at 7 pm.
Wapello will tangle with Columbus tonight at 7 pm at home.
Mt. Pleasant will hit the road to compete against Oskaloosa tonight at 7:30 pm.
Central Lee will fly to Van Buren County tonight at 7 pm.
WACO will contend with Highland tonight at 7 pm at home.
Holy Trinity Catholic will take on Danville tonight at 7:30 pm at home.
Fairfield will face off against Van Buren County tomorrow, May 28th, at 7 pm on the road.
West Burlington/Notre Dame will square off against West Liberty tomorrow at 7 pm.
Southeastern Community College
The baseball team staved off elimination in the NJCAA Division II World Series after Jackson Petsche launched a three-run seventh inning blast to lead the Blackhawks past South Mountain Community College 5-2. SCC will get a rematch against Kellogg Community College today with first pitch at 10 am.
Prospect League
The Burlington Bees open the season at home against the Quincy Baseball Club with gametime at 6:30 pm.
The Clinton LumberKings will face off against the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp tonight at 6:30 pm at home.
This Day in Sports History
1960 – Baltimore manager Paul Richards devises an oversized catcher’s mitt used by Baltimore Oriole Clint Courtney.
1968 – George Halas retires from coaching, finishing with 318 regular-season wins and 6 NFL titles.
1981 – Lenny Randle tries to blow a ground ball foul but the umpire says no.
The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) is partnering with Iowa law enforcement agencies for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) “Click It. Don’t Risk It.” Campaign. This is a high-visibility seat belt enforcement effort centered around the Memorial Day holiday and will end on June 1.
According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, there have been 88 traffic fatalities in the state so far this year. At least 29 of those people were not wearing seatbelts.
Law Enforcement will do a similar high-visibility enforcement campaign in November with its “Click It or Ticket” campaign for the Thanksgiving weekend.
Stride into Summer with a Family Walk at Mt. Pleasant’s Eastlake Park on Sunday, June 1st. Sponsored by Health Henry County Communities, the walk will start by the Tennis Courts and loop around Eastlake with family-friendly activity stations to visit. The Henry County Sheriff’s Office will have the fingerprint/Kids ID Kit, and a fire truck and ambulance will be on site. Enjoy kids’ games, summer safety information, a story walk, hands-on activities, giveaways and of course, a health snack! The Stride into Summer Family Walk is from 1-4pm on Sunday, June 1st with the rain date scheduled for June 8th.
Gordon Leon Pilcher, 71, of Fairfield, IA passed away on Friday, May 23, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City. As were his wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service to celebrate his life will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield, IA with Pastor Gary Van Nyhuis officiating. Burial will be in the Dunnville Cemetery immediately following the service. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield beginning at 3:00 p.m. with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions in Gordon’s honor may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or to the Shriners Children’s Hospital and may be mailed to 1837 Brookville Rd., Fairfield, IA 52556. Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Gordon Leon Pilcher was born on January 17, 1954, in Ottumwa, IA. He attended school and graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1972, and soon after began a career that would lead him down many rewarding paths. Road construction took him to Fairfield, IA where he met his future wife, Barb Rippey. They were united in marriage in 1974 at the Fairfield Friends Church. Gordon’s career advanced as he took on a role at Iowa Malleable in the Pattern Department, serving the company loyally for 21 years until its closure.
A believer in education and self-improvement, Gordon returned to school at Indian Hills where he excelled and made the Dean’s List in Business Management. His professional journey continued as he ventured into sales at Fairfield Lumber and later opened his own auto repair shop, Pro Motors. Gordon was versatile in his work spending time as a real estate agent before eventually becoming a facilities manager for Cambridge and the Sondheim Center in Fairfield.
In his retirement, Gordon combined his love for animals and his knack for business to start Waggin Tails Boarding, a service where he cared for and boarded pets. He found immense satisfaction in providing a home away from home for the furry companions of others.
Gordon’s early years were peppered with memorable moments coaching little league softball, where he helped shape the lives of many young athletes. His passion for rebuilding and collecting cars was more than a hobby; it was a testament to his appreciation for craftsmanship and history. He loved the outdoors with a particular fondness for camping and fishing. Gordon and Barb shared a love for travel, exploring far-off places together and collecting stories along the way. His interest in knives and guns led to a remarkable collection, each piece with its own story, much like Gordon himself.
Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Ruth Burrows Pilcher; his siblings, Russell Pilcher, Charles Pilcher, Carol Paxton, and Eva Pilcher; and a grandchild, Rena Pilcher.
Gordon’s memory is cherished by his wife, Barb Pilcher of Fairfield, IA; his children, Deon (Dave) Rude, Erin (Denver) Carlson, and Jerod (Jenn) Pilcher; his eight grandchildren, Alie, Logan, Dallas, Jacob, Aspen, Josua, Evan, and Lillith; two sisters-in-law, Sally Pilcher and Betty Vealey; and a brother-in-law, Larry (Cindy) Rippey, as well as many extended family and friends.
Judith “Judy” Kay Bowman, 73, of rural Le Mars (Dalton), died of cancer with her best friend at her side.