Mervin Lyle Raines

By Theresa Rose · Monday, August 23rd, 2021 at 8:15 pm CDT

Mervin Lyle Raines, 95, of New London, died Friday, December 11, 2020, at New London Specialty Care.  He was born April 12, 1925 in Lowell to Homer Brian and Margaret Ellen Collins Raines.  On August 4, 1946, he married Darlyne Parsons in Lowell; she passed away September 24, 2010.

He was a graduate of New London High School, then served as a Seaman 3rd Class in the United States Navy during WWII.  Mervin was a member of New London United Methodist Church; a lifetime member of New London VFW Post 7641; the Chamber of Commerce; Veterans Memorial Committee; New London Lions Club; and New London City Council.

He and Darlyne owned and operated the Tastee in New London; he worked for National Cash Register and sold insurance and real estate; but he was most known and will be remembered for his 24 plus years as a car salesman in New London and the surrounding area, retiring in 1992.  In true salesman fashion, Merv never met a stranger and was a friend to all.

Survivors include his sons; Bradley (Elaine) Raines of New London and Mitchell (Mary) Raines of Anthem, AZ; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren.  Besides his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by his daughter Lettie Faye Warth and son Gregory Brian Raines.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 28, 2021 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm at New London VFW Post #7641.  Mervin will be inurned at Burge Cemetery next to his beloved wife, Darlyne, at a private family service with military rites by the Henry County Honor Guard.

Memorials have been established for New London School Athletic Department and New London Veterans Memorial Park.  Elliott Chapel, New London is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Daily Jail Count

By Theresa Rose · Monday, August 23rd, 2021 at 3:08 pm CDT

In the interest of keeping Henry County residents informed, the Henry County Sheriff’s office has requested KILJ post the daily jail count. During the jail referendum campaign it was publicized that the jail would be able to house additional inmates from surrounding counties and this would generate revenue for Henry County.

Date:   ____8-23-2021_____

 

JAIL COUNT

 

  28_    Henry County Inmates

 

 _49    Out of County Contract Inmates              

 

 77   TOTAL

Women’s College Basketball: Iowa City’s Joens Picks Iowa State:

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, August 23rd, 2021 at 12:04 pm CDT

Iowa City — The third installment of the Joens’ sisters is following her older siblings footsteps.

Yesterday City High Star Kelsey Joens announced her commitment to Iowa State — picking the Clones over other offers from Nebraska and Michigan.

Both of the elder sisters are currently on the Cyclone roster, including National Player of the Year Candidate and All-American Ashley Joens.

Iowa State finished 17-11 last year, falling in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to Texas A&M.

College Football: Drake Ready to Compete in the Pioneer Football League

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, August 23rd, 2021 at 12:01 pm CDT

(Via Radio Iowa)

Des Moines — An experienced Drake football team looks to contend for the Pioneer Football League championship this fall.

The Bulldogs return the entire roster from a team that finished 2-3 during an abbreviated spring season — including former Mount Pleasant standout Kieran Kohorst, who played in four games with three starts last year.

“Normally that first week of training camp, it’s a bit of a cluster — but it feels like we’ve picked up right where we’ve left off” head coach Todd Stepsis said.

The defense gave up less than 13 points and 77 yards of rushing per game in the spring but the Bulldogs need improvement from an offense that averaged only 18 points per contest.

“We’re always going to play tough defense, but at the same time we have to score and points and we have to move the ball.” Stepsis said.

“We have improved a lot, our offense is starting to gel and it’ hasn’t missed a beat. 

Kohorst finished last year with five total tackles, including one tackle for loss and tallied one quarterback hurry.

The Bulldogs open at home on Thursday, September 2nd at home against West Virginia Wesleyan.

Men’s College Soccer: Wesleyan Falls in NAIA Opener

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, August 23rd, 2021 at 11:58 am CDT

Burlington — After nine years in NCAA Division III, the Iowa Wesleyan men’s soccer team made their return to NAIA, falling to Midland University on Saturday, 1-0 at Bracewell Stadium.

In the early minutes of the game, the Tigers put pressure on the Warriors but could not cash in.

However, Midland did not make that same mistake.

The Warriors countered with a goal against the run of play, finding the back of the net in the 35th minute to take a 1-nil lead.

The Tigers would struggle to put shots on goal with Carlos Mateo Moreno having the lone shot on goal for Wesleyan.

Midland put seven shots on goal.

Goalkeeper Alvaro Morera made four saves for the Tigers.

Wesleyan will look to bounce back against William Penn University on Tuesday in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Kickoff is slated for 6:00 p.m.

College Football: Central Favorited for ARC Crown

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, August 23rd, 2021 at 11:53 am CDT

Pella — The Central College Dutch are the coaches’ choice to win the 2021 American Rivers Conference Football title.

Central was chosen first on eight ballots and earned 64 points to earn the No. 1 ranking.

Two years ago, the last time conference football was played, the Dutch split the title with Wartburg. The Knights garnered 56 points in the poll and received one first-place vote.

Dubuque debuts at No. 3 in the coaches’ poll, earning 47 points, and Coe picked up 43 points to put them at the No. 4 spot.

Simpson tallied 36 points to put them at the No. 5 spot and Loras picked up 31 points to earn sixth.

Nebraska Wesleyan, Luther, and Buena Vista finished seventh, eighth, and ninth, respectively.

Central is entering the season ranked No. 14 while Wartburg is entering ranked No. 18 in D3football.com’s Top 25 Preseason Poll.

The 2021 season kicks off on Saturday, September 4 with all nine members of the American Rivers Conference taking the field.

Mount Pleasant Community School District School Board Special Session Meeting

By Theresa Rose · Monday, August 23rd, 2021 at 11:14 am CDT
Mount Pleasant Community School District School Board Special Session Meeting
Date  Monday, August 23,  2021   6:00 PM
Mount Pleasant Community School District:  High School Media Center
Mount Pleasant, Iowa 52641
  1. Call to Order
  2. Roll Call
  3. Approval of Agenda
  4. Consideration to Approve Lease Agreement with Mount Pleasant Community Childcare (Motion)
  5. Consideration to Approve IMEG Corp. for HVAC Retro-Commissioning Services (Motion)
  6. Consideration to Approve Johnson Controls for HVAC Retro-Commission Project (Motion)
  7. Approval to go into Closed Session under Iowa Code 21.5 (1)(a) “…to review or discuss records authorized by law to be kept confidential.” (Motion)
  8. Action Regarding Student Expulsion, which was subject of a closed session (Motion)
  9. Adjournment

Sports, Monday, August 23rd

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, August 23rd, 2021 at 11:13 am CDT

College Football: Central Favorited for ARC Crown:

The Central College Dutch are the coaches’ choice to win the 2021 American Rivers Conference Football title.

Central was chosen first on eight ballots and earned 64 points to earn the No. 1 ranking.

Two years ago, the last time conference football was played, the Dutch split the title with Wartburg. The Knights garnered 56 points in the poll and received one first-place vote.

Dubuque debuts at No. 3 in the coaches’ poll, earning 47 points, and Coe picked up 43 points to put them at the No. 4 spot.

Simpson tallied 36 points to put them at the No. 5 spot and Loras picked up 31 points to earn sixth.

Nebraska Wesleyan, Luther, and Buena Vista finished seventh, eighth, and ninth, respectively.

Central is entering the season ranked No. 14 while Wartburg is entering ranked No. 18 in D3football.com’s Top 25 Preseason Poll.

The 2021 season kicks off on Saturday, September 4 with all nine members of the American Rivers Conference taking the field.

Men’s College Soccer: Wesleyan Falls in NAIA Opener:

After nine years in NCAA Division III, the Iowa Wesleyan men’s soccer team made their return to NAIA, falling the Midland University on Saturday, 1-0 at Bracewell Stadium.

In the early minutes of the game, the Tigers put pressure on the Warriors.

However, Midland countered with a goal against the run of play, finding the back of the net in the 35th minute.

The Tigers would struggle to put shots on goal with Carlos Mateo Moreno having the lone shot on goal for Wesleyan.

Midland put seven shots on goal.

Goalkeeper Alvaro Morera made four saves for the Tigers.

Wesleyan will look to bounce back against William Penn University on Tuesday in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Kickoff is slated for 6:00 p.m.

College Football: Drake Ready to Compete in the Pioneer Football League:

An experienced Drake football team looks to contend for the Pioneer Football League championship this fall.

The Bulldogs return the entire roster from a team that finished 2-3 during an abbreviated spring season — including former Mount Pleasant standout Kieran Kohorst, who played in four games with three starts last year.

“Normally that first week of training camp, it’s a bit of a cluster — but it feels like we’ve picked up right where we’ve left off” head coach Todd Stepsis said.

The defense gave up less than 13 points and 77 yards of rushing per game in the spring but the Bulldogs need improvement from an offense that averaged only 18 points per contest.

The Bulldogs open at home on Thursday, September 2nd against West Virginia Wesleyan.

Women’s College Basketball: Iowa City’s Joens Picks Iowa State:

The third installment of the Joens’ sisters is following her older siblings footsteps.

Yesterday City High Star Kelsey Joens announced her commitment to Iowa State — picking the Clones over other offers from Nebraska and Michigan.

Both of the elder sisters are currently on the Cyclone roster, including National Player of the Year Candidate and All-American Ashley Joens.

Iowa State finished 17-11 last year, falling in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to Texas A&M.