Terry Forquer

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, June 2nd, 2020 at 4:13 pm CDT

Terry Forquer, 66, of New London, died Monday, June 1, 2020 at his home.

He was born December 12, 1953 in LaHarpe, Illinois to Walter Eugene and Juanita Lucille Murphy Forquer.

He was a 1972 graduate of LaHarpe High School and was of the Christian faith.  Terry worked as an over the road truck driver.  He enjoyed going on road trips, fishing and camping, playing cards, and spending time with family.

Survivors include two sons, Troy (Misty) Forquer of Hamilton, Illinois and Jesse (Lindsey) Forquer of Salem, Iowa; one daughter Tara Benacka of Mt. Pleasant; eight grandchildren, Alivia, Kane and Finnley; Mason and Coy; and Kyle, Nathaniel and Emma; one brother James Forquer of Canton, Illinois; and nieces and nephews.  Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers; Warren, Gary and Henry and one sister Nedra Cassidy.

According to his wishes, his body has been cremated and there will be no formal service.  Inurnment will be at a later date in Fairmont, Missouri next to his parents.  Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

KILJ Announces Summer Broadcast Schedule

By Nathan Bloechl · Tuesday, June 2nd, 2020 at 2:24 pm CDT

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com

KILJ — With summer sports starting up statewide June 15th, KILJ will air 10 games over the course of 24 days during the baseball and softball regular season.

Here’s a look at the schedule:

  • Monday, June 15th — Mount Pleasant Baseball vs. Fort Madison — 5:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, June 18th — Mount Pleasant Softball vs. Washington — 5:30 p.m.  and 7:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, June 23 — New London Baseball at Iowa City Regina — 5:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, June 24th — Mount Pleasant Softball at New London — 7:00 p.m.
  • Monday June 29th —- Mount Pleasant Baseball vs. Burlington — 5:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, July 1st — Mount Pleasant Baseball vs. Marion — 7:00 p.m.
  • Monday, July 6th — Mount Pleasant Softball vs. Washington — 5:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, July 7th — Mount Pleasant Baseball at Mediapolis — 7:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, July 9th — Mount Pleasant Baseball at Knoxville — 5:30 p.m.

Of course start times are approximate.

We look forward to bringing live sports back to the KILJ-FM airwaves!

Iowa Crop Progress and Conditions Report

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, June 2nd, 2020 at 2:15 pm CDT

Week of May 25-31, 2020

DES MOINES, Iowa (June 1, 2020) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly from April through November.

“Planting across the state is nearly complete,” said Secretary Naig. “Iowa is expecting warmer temperatures over the next few days. The heat that is expected this week should help move the crop along.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s site at nass.usda.gov/ia.

Crop Progress

Rain throughout the week resulted in 2.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 31, 2020, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Warmer temperatures advanced crop development.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 1% very short, 1% short, 78% adequate and 20% surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 0% very short, 1% short, 81% adequate and 18% surplus.

Iowa farmers have planted 98% of the expected corn crop, 2 weeks ahead of last year and 1 week ahead of the 5-year average. Corn emergence was at 93%, almost 3 weeks ahead of last year and 10 days ahead of the 5-year average. Corn condition improved to 85% good to excellent. The soybean crop moved to 95% planted, 3 weeks ahead of last year and over 2 weeks ahead of average. Seventy-six percent of the soybean crop has emerged, 3 weeks ahead of last year and 11 days ahead of the 5-year average. Soybean condition rated 81% good to excellent. Ninety-eight percent of the oat crop has emerged with 5% headed. Oat condition rated 83% good to excellent.

The State’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been 16% completed, 5 days ahead of last year. Hay condition rated 74% good to excellent. Pasture condition improved to 66% good to excellent. There was little stress on livestock although feedlots remain muddy.

Preliminary Weather Summary

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, June 2nd, 2020 at 2:13 pm CDT

Preliminary Weather Summary
Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

The final week of May was warmer and wetter across much of Iowa as an active storm track brought multiple systems through the state; above average rain totals were reported at a majority of stations. Near seasonal temperatures were observed across western Iowa with warmer conditions farther east; the statewide average temperature was 66.3 degrees, 2.3 degrees above normal.

A line of strong thunderstorms with heavy rain continued moving through western Iowa into the early afternoon hours of Sunday (24th) before quickly dissipating as it moved into central Iowa. With southerly winds and clearing skies, daytime highs reached into the upper 70s and low 80s, allowing for instability to build in ahead of another disturbance that pushed into southwestern Iowa during the evening; this system produced a few strong thunderstorms along with a wide area of measurable rainfall. Totals reported on Monday (25th) were highest along a swath from southwestern to north-central Iowa with amounts generally at or above 0.50 inch; nearly 30 stations reported totals above an inch with Oakland (Pottawattamie County) reporting 2.42 inches. A southerly flow brought waves of showers and thunderstorms through the day with isolated severe thunderstorms across central Iowa. Johnston (Polk County) reported a brief EF-1 tornado with an estimated peak wind speed of 95 mph. Tuesday (26th) was another active day as a low pressure center spun into Iowa. Multiple bands of showers and thunderstorms moved through the state with several severe thunderstorms reported during the afternoon. Three weak tornadoes were observed in Dallas, Guthrie and Wright counties, though no significant damage was reported. Rain totals were highest in western Iowa with a majority of stations across Iowa reporting measurable rainfall; the statewide average was 0.33 inch of rain.

The low exited into Minnesota early on Wednesday (27th) as high temperatures topped out in the 70s under cloudy skies. Another line of showers and thunderstorms crept through the state ahead of a sluggish frontal boundary overnight and through Thursday (28th). Morning lows remained on the warm side, averaging 62 degrees statewide, nine degrees above normal. The front finally pushed out of eastern Iowa overnight as cloud cover thinned. Rain totals were highest in the northeast where Guttenberg Lock and Dam (Clayton County) reported 3.80 inches. General totals from 0.25 inch to 1.00 inch were reported from central to eastern Iowa with another pocket of heavy rainfall reported in southeastern Iowa; Brighton (Washington County) observed 2.25 inches. Friday (29th) was pleasant statewide with northwesterly winds and partly to mostly sunny skies. Daytime temperatures remained in the upper 60s and low 70s. Overnight lows into Saturday (30th) dipped into the low to mid 50s, with upper 40s observed in north-central Iowa. Another weak disturbance brought periods of showers across Iowa’s southwestern quarter through the day. Totals were generally light, though a small band of over one-half inch was reported across a few southwestern counties with Lamoni (Decatur County) reporting 0.60 inch. Amounts quickly tapered off northeast of this band. Morning lows on Sunday (31st) varied across the state with upper 40s in eastern Iowa under clear skies to upper 50s across western Iowa, where cloud cover was observed.

Weekly rain totals ranged from 0.12 inch in Remsen (Plymouth County) to 4.29 inches in Tripoli (Bremer County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 1.57 inches while the normal is 1.07 inches. Muscatine (Muscatine County) reported the week’s high temperature of 89 degrees on the 25th, 12 degrees above normal. Elkader (Clayton County) and Stanley (Buchanan County) reported the week’s low temperature of 43 degrees on the 30th, on average eight degrees below normal.

Sports, Tuesday, June 2nd

By Nathan Bloechl · Tuesday, June 2nd, 2020 at 11:26 am CDT

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

2020 Preseason Softball Rankings Announced:

The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union has announced its 2020 pre-season softball rankings and there is some area flavor among the top-15 teams per class.

In 2A, 3A state runner-up Louisa-Muscatine drops down and grabs hold of the #2 spot in the class behind only North Linn, who finished last year 42-4.

L-M returns several from last year’s 35-5 team.

In 4A, both Southeast Conference foes Fairfield and Washington are represented.

Fairfield checks in at #11 while Washington is #12.

The Trojans went 22-19 last season but return gobs of talent, while Washington ended last year 22-15.

1A’s top team is Collins-Maxwell, 3A’s is perennial power Davenport Assumption, 4A’s top squad is Carlisle, while 5A’s is Fort Dodge.

2020 Shrine Bowl Cancelled:

The annual Iowa Shrine Bowl Football Classic has been canceled due to concerns over COVID-19.

The game was slated to be held July 18th at the UNIDome in Cedar Falls.

The Shrine Bowl board held out as long as possible, hoping that we would be able to host this game and related events that are so important to The Shriner’s Hospitals for Children.

Unfortunately, there were just too many unknowns at this time and they could not jeopardize the safety of any participants, guests or staff at this event.

Mediapolis’ Kye Borrison was scheduled to play in the bowl game, representing Team South.

To date, the Iowa Shrine Bowl has raised over $2,600,000 for The Shriner’s Hospitals for Children.

Funds for The Shriner’s Hospitals for Children are developed by ticket sales, advertising in the Shrine Bowl program, merchandise sales, contributions and sponsorships.

Cyclones Pick Up Kansas City Prep WR:

Iowa State picked up a big recruiting win yesterday when Missouri prep wide receiver Jaylin Noel announced his commitment to Iowa State over Nebraska on Sunday.

Noel starred at Park Hill High School last year as a junior, recording 42 receptions for 769 yards and nine touchdowns.

The 5-foot-11, 170-pound prospect is ranked as the 136th receiver in the country and the No. 18 player in the Show-Me State.

He’s the fourteenth commit for Iowa State’s Class of 2021, which currently ranks #29 in the nation and #3 in the Big 12.

MLB Mulling Players’ Association Counterproposal:

Unable to yet reach a return-to-play agreement, Major League Baseball has discussed playing a shorter schedule in which it would pay members of the MLB Players Association their full prorated salaries, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports.

Players have held out for a full prorated portion of their salaries, based on a March 26 agreement with the league, and in an offer Sunday proposed a 114-game schedule that would cover 70.3% of their original salaries.

A 50-game schedule with full pro rata would pay the players 30.8% of that number.

The league, which has contended that it will lose money each game it plays without fans and with players making their full pro rata, has pushed for a shorter season because of fears of a second wave of the coronavirus potentially wiping out its postseason and the revenue that comes with it.

While the MLB is seemingly losing traction, both the NBA and NHL seem to be on the verge of concrete plans to return, with the NBA playing out it’s postseason with players sequestered in Orlando and the NHL operating its playoff in various hub cities.

Lloyd E. Lee

By Theresa Rose · Monday, June 1st, 2020 at 9:42 pm CDT

Lloyd E. Lee, 90, of Salem passed away on Sunday, May 31, 2020, at the Great River Hospice House in West Burlington.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2020, at 2 p.m. at the Salem East Cemetery.  Friends may call at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant on Friday, June 5, 2020, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m… The family will not be present.  Military Honors will be conducted by the Henry County Honor Guard and Fireman’s Honors will be conducted by the Southeast Iowa Regional Fire Honor Guard.  Memorials may be directed to the Salem Fire and Rescue, Salem Veterans Memorial and to Great Rive Hospice House in his memory.

 

 

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant is handling the arrangements.

 

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

Susan Steward

By Theresa Rose · Monday, June 1st, 2020 at 5:59 pm CDT

Susan Steward, 63, of New London, died Sunday, May 31, 2020 at her residence.

Per Susan’s request, there will be no visitation or funeral service. Cremation rites have been entrusted to the Kimzey Funeral Home, Mt. Pleasant.

On line condolences may be left at www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com.

Susan Steward was born March 17, 1957 in Iowa City, IA. She was the daughter of Carroll Clark and Opan Irene (McGraw) Steward.

Susan held several positions in her working career in the fields of construction, factory work and nursing home aide. She lived in Quincy, IL for several years working for Michaelman Steel. She also did seasonal work as a corn sorter for area seed companies. Her favorite jobs were involved with product delivery, as she loved to go for drives. Drives in the car were not only her favorite occupation, she loved them as well as her favorite pastime. She rode horses in her earlier years. Later on, she enjoyed reading and word puzzles.

Those thankful for sharing in Susan’s life include her siblings – Gary Steward of Mt. Pleasant, Ronnie Steward of Mediapolis, Charlotte Vigue of Mt. Pleasant, Carol Keck of New London, Connie (Francis) Palmer of Atalissa and Nancie Steward of New London, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Her parents, a brother, Merle Steward, 3 sisters – Sandy and Anna Mae Steward and Sharon Vaughn and a sister in infancy precede Susan in death.

 

Mobile Crisis Telemedicine Response Line

By Theresa Rose · Monday, June 1st, 2020 at 3:40 pm CDT

Southeast Iowa Link also known as SEIL, providing mental health and disability services in our region now has a mobile crisis telemedicine response line that you can call. Provided is a 24 hour a day mental health crisis response team. Emotional support and risk screenings are also available by phone or video chat. For services call 833-854-7613.

The region serves the counties of Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lee, Louisa, Washington and Van Buren.