Daily Newsletters
Account
Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Washington’s top stories of 2023
Washington Remembers Former Journal Publisher (Feb. 9)
Darwin Sherman wore many hats in his life: a business professional, a hunter, a farmer, a collector, an outdoorsman, a parent and a newspaper publisher, to name a few. Specific accomplishments are documented across his career, with titles like Washington Chamber of Commerce Board Member, co-founder of WEDG, Iowa Newspaper Association Board President and recipient of the group’s Master Editor-Publisher Award in 1997.
After Sherman’s death Jan. 31, those who knew him said he’d be remembered not for his remarkable deeds, but for his outspoken, opinionated personality. For better or for worse, the former publisher was up front with people about anything and everything.
“He was tough, he was fair, he knew what he wanted,” Southeast Iowa Union Publisher Matt Bryant said.
His workhorse attitude ran in the family, according to Sherman’s daughter, Darci Witthoft. It was less a school of thought and more a force of personality that followed him into old age, sometimes to a fault.
“It just was ingrained, it was who he was,” she said. “His brother and his sister were driven, they were driven people too, and my grandmother … I think it was just his upbringing.”
Washington mayor charged with sexual abuse (Jan. 25)
The state of Iowa filed charges against Washington Mayor Jaron Rosien Jan. 24, accusing him of third degree sexual abuse. Rosien went on to enter a not guilty plea in the case. His jury trial was scheduled, then repeatedly rescheduled several times in the following 12 months, with the latest motion for continuance saying attorneys involved were “engaged in plea negotiations,” with updates expected by Jan. 12, 2024, the next scheduled date for a pretrial conference.
Municipal leaders, meanwhile, have voiced frustration with Rosien’s soon-to-be yearlong leave of absence, which has left Mayor Pro Tem Millie Youngquist at city’s helm, as council members passed a new code of ethics, and sometimes voiced personal frustrations with the mayor’s decision not to step down amid the legal drama.
“I take these allegations very seriously,” Rosien said in a statement shortly after the allegations were announced. “I also take this job, its duties, and those that rely on me to complete them, very seriously. For this reason I will respectfully step back from the formal role in order to focus on what is required. During this time I think of and wish to thank my family, friends, and community for their support.”
Washington YMCA breaks ground on new indoor pool (Jul. 12)
Community members gathered at the Washington YMCA July 11 to turn over the first shovels full of dirt on an indoor pool project years in the making. Once complete, the facility will replace a nearly century-old pool currently located downtown, after years of extended fundraising that saw the estimated price rise from $5.5 to $8.2 million.
“I’m at a loss for words, actually, it feels like a new beginning,” Washington County Y CEO Amy Schulte said at the ground breaking ceremony. “I’m feeling very emotional about it … The millions of dollars that have come from individuals in this community, that’s just a huge thing, to have that kind of support … it does feel like the last piece finally falling into place, and we can really be a whole Y.“
Major Washington pork producer in default (Sept. 28)
One of the top pork producers in one of the top pork-producing counties in America’s number one pork-producing state was found in default on over $38.8 million of debt, according to court records in late September.
The news rattled community members in Washington, where JWV Pork is known as a major source of jobs, event sponsorships, and food donations, as well as the work of its civically engaged co-owners, who have a long history of volunteerism around town. It was also an unwelcome bellwether for an industry producers increasingly describe as “bleeding.”
“This year, hog producers are losing an average of $40 per head on each hog marketed,” said one article from the bimonthly Iowa Pork Producer Magazine in September. “While hog prices have moderated significantly since 2022, current losses are largely because of record-high production costs that have increased up to 50% over the past year, and those losses could force some producers to exit the industry.”
The pork producer closed its Washington facility and laid off 65 on Jan. 1 according to public records. Court documents published since the initial report added more context to the default, citing “significant infectious disease instances that severely impacted JWV’s operations” between winter of 2022 and spring of 2023.
Kalona library won’t ban ‘Gender Queer’ (May 11)
The Kalona Public Library board of trustees voted 5-2 on May 9 to keep “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe on shelves despite substantial public pressure to have it removed. The book drew complaints from some for at least six illustrations of nudity or sex, and from others for the pro-LGTBQ views of its author, who — as the title suggests — does not conform to conventional gender or sexuality norms.
The decision followed months of debate between community members. While most speakers during public comment periods wanted to see the book removed, others pointed out that “Gender Queer” was the only entry in the library’s catalog with the subject heading of “gender-nonconforming people.”
"There are other people like Maia in this very community,“ Library Patron Karalee Smith said. ”If a teenager is experiencing doubt about their sexuality or gender identity, gender-affirming support is lifesaving … literature is a great way to experience things unfamiliar to us, and ‘Gender Queer’ would help an unsure, or uncertain parent or adult to understand something new.“
Brighton Fire Dept. to keep running (March 15)
Community members in Brighton breathed a sigh of relief after a letter from the fire department to officials at City Hall on March 14 said the actions taken at council meeting the previous night were sufficient to prevent a mass resignation of volunteers, which it had promised on March 15 if certain conditions were not met.
A dispute over the volunteer department’s funding first came to light in February of 2022, before dying down and suddenly reemerging later that year. Months of disagreement eventually led the city to enact a new intergovernmental fire protection agreement that established an advisory board to guide future fire policy. Months of disagreements also saw countless heated exchanges, packed meeting rooms, and a public, $2,000 donation to the city budget by Brighton resident Dick Green, who has since been elected as a council member.
“I’m ready to work together and move forward, is all I’ve got to say,” Mayor Melvin Rich said after the letter reached city hall in mid-March.
Most animals rescued from Washington County farm were euthanized (Aug. 12)
Hundreds of animals were rescued from a farm between Washington and Kalona shortly before Thanksgiving last year, in a case the people involved called one of the grisliest they’d ever worked. Of the 175 sheep, goats and pigs rescued, 140 were sent to the Animal Rescue League.
All of those at the organization’s facility in Des Moines were euthanized before the end of the year. The move came after three pigs in the herd had tested positive for brucellosis, a finding that came as a shock given the disease’s near eradication among U.S. domesticated animals. ARL of Iowa CEO Tom Colvin said keeping the animals alive, even under quarantine, would endanger countless others.
“Although (The Iowa Department of Agriculture) did not order us to euthanize, they did quarantine our facilities,” Colvin said. “Nothing could go in or go out, horse, pig, cow, whatever … and if there was any further positives, that quarantine could be extended indefinitely. That’s decision process number one. We could not operate out of our barn, at all, during that period of time.”
Friday night storm hits Wellman hard (March 31)
A tornado tore through the western outskirts of Wellman on the last day of March, on a path more or less following Elm Avenue, where the cyclone flattened a handful of houses, sheds, and grain silos.
Angela Whetstine’s family was among those who lost their house to the storm, though she said nobody was injured when it collapsed.
“Water started coming down from the ceiling and we could smell outside, so we knew that wasn’t good,” she said. “We’re still kind of in shock right now … we were just very thankful that we made it in, and nothing caved in on us.”
Railroad merger approved by federal board (March 16)
Federal officials from the Surface Transportation Board announced March 15 that they would allow the merger of Kansas City Southern and Canadian Pacific railroads. The resulting streamlined freight route is expected to increase daily train counts by 14.4 in every Southeast Iowa town along the CP line between Sabula, Iowa and Kansas City, Missouri. In the segment connecting Ottumwa and Muscatine — which includes Columbus Junction, Washington and Richland — the change represents an over 330% jump by 2027.
Residents in Washington and Ainsworth had been keeping a close eye on the acquisition, especially those who live and work in businesses that line the tracks. While some have asked their local governments to implement “quiet zones” along the rails, high costs, contentious funding mechanisms and safety concerns led Washington City Council members to opt against such measures, at least in the immediate future.
Washington hotel development agreement passes (Dec. 8)
City council members voted unanimously in early December to approve a development agreement with Washington Hotel Group LLC after weeks of debate.
While the use of Tax Increment Financing to grant a $1.5 million tax rebate for developers through the arrangement sparked some disagreements, area residents and decision-makers largely agreed the hotel would prove hugely beneficial to the local economy, expecting it to draw millions of dollars worth of traffic a year to nearby restaurants and entertainment venues.
“I’m very gracious to all the work that’s been done by the city council and some of the people behind the scenes,” Washington Hotel Group co-founder Andy Drahota said after the agreement was approved. “We’re excited for the project to come through.”
Burton brings home gold
DES MOINES — It certainly didn’t take much time to start the Union area’s state championship barrage at the 2023 state track and field meet.
The first girls long jump competition of the 2023 state track and field meet went to Highland’s Sarah Burton, who earned her first-ever state title.
Burton, who took third in the event last year, dominated the Class 1A girls long jump with a leap of 17 feet, 8.25 inches to win her first state title.
“I honestly couldn't believe it,” Burton said. “I've watched so many amazing athletes here, and I was like, 'I want to be them. I want to be that first place.'”
Burton smashed the competition in all of her jumps. Her winning mark came on the fifth jump, but all of her first five eclipsed 17 feet. No other jumper ever hit that mark.
“I felt pretty good, knowing I was consistently in the 17s,” Burton said. “I've been a little bit slacking in the past two weeks.”
Burton, who qualified in four events, including two relays, scooped all of Highland’s 11 points on the weekend. She also took eighth in the 100-meter dash.
Highland’s 4X100 and 4X200 teams, which also featured Lilly Barre, Katelyn Waters and Mackenzie McFarland, took 22nd and 23rd respectively.
“I'm so excited for my team,” Burton said. “I'm happy that our seniors got to run together one last time.”
Roth named National Coach of the Year
LINCOLN, Ne. — They say third time’s a charm, and that was exactly the case for Washington boys track and field coach Steve Roth over the weekend. Roth was nominated as a National Coach of the Year candidate for the third-straight year in 2023, and in this time, it was his name that was called.
Roth, who has coached the Demon track team for 47 years was named National Coach of the Year in the sport of track, beating out seven other finalists.
“You never know,” Roth said. “You're with eight coaches that are fabulous coaches. It was very humbling.”
The award is given out by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association at the annual convention in Lincoln, Nebraska.
After hours of waiting through other sports, Roth, seating next to his wife Tammy, listened as the boys track and field award was finally given, and Roth got to hear his name called.
“When I heard the 47 years, and Tammy was sitting beside me and gave me this big nudge,” Roth recalled. “Very cool.”
Roth’s Demons won their third Southeast Conference championship in a row this year, the first three-peat under their head coach, making it quite the appropriate time for the trophy to make its way to Washington.
“It wouldn't happen if it weren't for the guys that I've had,” Roth said. “You're talking about 47 years of guys like this.”
Roth also thanked his assistant coaches and all of his coaching friends that he learned from over his nearly 50 year career, as well as his own track coach in his time running at Mt. Pleasant, Denny White.
Roth talked about how important Demon Nation has been to him, and he had plenty of it on the ride to and from Lincoln. Roth came equipped with some ‘LGD (Let’s Go Demons)’ merchandise, which has really started to take off in the town of Washington.
Roth says the coaches at the convention all got their hands on some Demon swag to take back home.
“I started, a couple of years ago, LGD,” Roth said. “It's just a trademark I put out, and they used it for the shirts. I've got Koozies, and I've been giving them away everywhere I go. Every coach that went got one.”
As Roth returned home with his wife, he was greeted by fans, current athletes and former athletes who waited at his home to celebrate his arrival.
“I was just going to come home, water my flowers and chill,” Roth said. “I had no idea.”
Once home, Roth was able to embrace the large group that came out to congratulate him, and show off his new trophy, which marks the newest accolade for Roth, and Washington High School.
“I'm proud of being a Demon, and for representing Washington,” Roth said. “It's very cool to represent Washington and to win for Washington.”
Washington girls golf 4th at state
CEDAR FALLS — The best girls golf teams and individuals in Class 3A gathered at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course on Friday morning to compete for the highest honor in Iowa High School girls’ golf.
After over seven hours of competition and 18 holes of action 10 teams and a plethora of individuals awaited to hear their names called.
Of those teams, was the Demons of Washington. Individually, Fairfield’s Viola Welsh represented the Trojans.
Washington played a great two rounds of golf as its team total of 688 placed it fourth overall.
Welsh capped off her high school career with a 22nd overall finish in the state final.
Gilbert was crowned state champions with a low of 653.
To begin the first round of state action, the Demons were right in the thick of it.
By the time the opening round was complete, Washington sat tied for third with Dubuque Wahlert Catholic. Both squads shot 341.
Wahlert would end as the state runner-up with 672. Clear Lake who was second after round one with 339, took third at 676.
Eventual champion Gilbert held a commanding lead heading into day two with a 332.
For the Demons, Kaylin Long put together a wonderful opening round.
Long finished her round of 18 with a 78. That was good enough to tie her for third heading into day two.
Makenna Conrad carded an 83, good enough for a tie at 10th.
Tied for 24th was both Mallary Johnson and Haley Mitchell. The pair each shot 90 on Day One.
Adalyn Long tied for 47th with a 96 and Maci Williams finished with a 98.
Fairfield’s Welsh was knotted with Johnson and Mitchell at 24th with a 90.
With a solid opportunity to move inside the top three, Washington needed to put together some low scores.
The Demons did just that, but so did the competition.
In day two, the Demons finished six shots higher than the day before tallying a 347.
Meanwhile, the three higher finishers all shot better than their opening day.
Gilbert shot 11 shots lower, 321, Dubuque Wahlert 10 strokes lower, 331, and Clear Lake two shots lower, 331.
Kaylin Long finished her second round of action with a 79, bringing her to 157.
The final total tied her for fourth with Kaylie Kelchen of Lisbon, but Long was dropped to fifth on cardback.
Conrad finished two strokes better than her first day, shooting an 81 for 12th. She totaled 164.
She was in a three-way tie for 10th when competition was complete with Jaya West of Winterset and Mahar Julka of Xavier, but Conrad was bumped down to 12th.
Mitchell shot three strokes higher in the final. She carded an 93 and 183 overall, good enough for 29th.
Johnson finished seven strokes higher on day two, shooting a 97 and 187 overall. That gave her 39th.
Adalyn Long was two shot better in her second round of 18. Long shot a 94 with a total of 190. That was enough for 41st place.
Finishing 52nd was Williams. Williams shot one stroke better in the second go around with a 97. Her total after two days was 195.
Fairfield’s Welsh had a great finish to her state meet.
Welsh shot five strokes better to end the tournament, tallying an 85. The score brought her total to 175.
That was good enough for her 22nd overall finish.
Roman Roth makes history
AMES — Roman Roth will forever be etched in the history of Washington High School athletics.
On Tuesday, the Washington junior simply dominated Day 2 of the Class 3A boys state golf tournament. After coming into the day with a three-shot lead, Roth shot a two-under 70 on Day 2 to run away from the field.
He is the first ever boys’ golf state champion in Demon history.
“I think this just shows the type of player that Roman is,” said Washington boys golf coach Collin Stark. “We just went about it like a normal tournament.”
Roth immediately stretched his lead with an eagle on Hole 10, his first hole of the day. He followed that up by making four birdies on the day, including three in his last seven holes.
“I didn't think the nerves were that bad,” Roth said. “I think I was pretty confident going down the stretch.”
It was his second eagle on Hole 10 on the weekend. On Monday, he struggled on the next two holes, going double bogey on 11 and 12, but on Tuesday, he kept things on the right path with a pair of pars.
“Early on the first day was kind of a struggle,” Roth said. “It was a very interesting start.”
Despite the pressures of a lead coming into Day 2, Roth never wavered.
“I just kind of played it cool,” said Roth. “I had some Chick-fil-A for breakfast, so that was pretty good.”
Roth wound up winning the tournament by eight strokes, beating out second-place Davis Korver of MOC-Floyd Valley, who finishe at +7. Roth ended the tournament at -1, shooting 143.
“It doesn't show on the course, with what he was able to shoot, but this is a college course,” Stark said. “It's challenging.”
Roth made two eagles and nine birdies in the tournament. The two back-to-back doubles on Monday were his only two double bogeys of the tournament.
Roth ended Day 2 with a birdie on Hole 9. As he walked off the course, the congratulations were already coming in.
“I knew I had won it, but a lot of my friends from other schools were congratulating me,” Roth said. “It was really nice.”
Roth returned home to applause at Washington Golf and Country Club on Tuesday night, and before too long, his picture will be up on the walls at Washington High School.
“It's the first ever in our school history,” Stark said. “That's a big thing.”
