Bonaparte News

Showing off the Courier after lunch at the Bonaparte Retreat restaurant are, front row, from left, Jean Hampton, Barbara Swanson, John Kooyman, Audrey Kooyman, Phyliss Johnson and Dorothy Gaumer; back row, from left, Edna Scully, Fran Hoffman, Charles Swanson, Jim Hensley, Mary Ann Johnson, Letha Hill and Bonnie Stookesberry.

By WILLIAM SMITH wsmith@thehawkeye.com BONAPARTE -- Nearly three years after Shawn Bentler murdered his parents and three little sisters in their own home, the house and estate they lived in will be sold to the highest bidder tonight.

The estate of a southeast Iowa family who were killed by a son has been auctioned off to seven buyers for nearly $1 million.

SATURDAY'S SALE CAME NEARLY THREE YEARS AFTER SHAWN BENTLER OF QUINCY, ILL., WAS CHARGED WITH KILLING HIS PARENTS AND THREE YOUNGER SISTERS AT THE FAMILY'S HOME NEAR BONAPARTE.

The 4,000 square-foot home in rural Boneparte overlooking the Des Moines River has five bedrooms, 2 3/4 bathrooms, a two-car garage, a swimming pool and hot tub, among many other features.

Emily Iona Dodds of Legacy Pointe Retirement Community , died Thursday, August 20, of natural causes.

The cameras are up, the paintings rehung and the artifacts reunited with their places on shelves and tables.

In pursuit of westward expansion, the United States made the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.

Certified appraisers from Illinois and Southeast Iowa will evaluate antiques from 1 to 5 p.m. Aug.

Lt. Governor Patty Judgea s Travel Iowa a 09 will enter Van Buren County on Tuesday August 4. During the tour, the Lt.

The French government plans to bestow the French Legion of Honor upon an Iowa City man and 10 other U.S. veterans in recognition of their service during World War II.

Fire damaged a home in Bonaparte, Iowa, early Monday morning. The blaze broke out after 2 a.m. at the home of Scott Adams in the 300 block of Washington St.

The annual Bentonsport Spring Fest is this weekend. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday.

Gloria Villanueva wants her voice heard. She is one of many in the state who are opposed to last month's ruling by the Iowa Supreme Court legalizing gay marriage.

Even in Iowa, the county courthouse is rarely considered the hip place to be. Today's different, though.

An Iowa woman is organizing a statewide prayer service against gay marriage on Monday, the first day of legalized same-sex unions.

Johnston High School government and economics teacher Ben Knight is the 2009 recipient of the James Madison Fellowship for Iowa.