Sports, Friday, December 3rd

By Nathan Bloechl · Friday, December 3rd, 2021 at 12:32 pm CDT

Prep Girls’ Basketball: Mount Pleasant Hosts Fort Madison, Other Regional Matchups:

The Mount Pleasant girls’ basketball team will look to win their second in a row tonight when they open up Southeast Conference action at Panther Gymnasium, hosting Fort Madison.

The Panthers are coming off a Monday night win over Ottumwa, 43-29.

Fort Madison has started their season well, also with a victory over Ottumwa in their pocket, while defeating Davis County 58-43, earlier this week.

Mount Pleasant is lead by Andrea Lopreato’s 18 points per game, the junior is also leading the squad with 8.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists.

The consensus first-team All-Conference player from a year ago looks poised for another huge season.

The Panthers have won nine of the last 10 tilts between the two schools with Fort Madison nipping Mount Pleasant in their most recent matchup, 36-31 back on January 8th.

Tonight’s game will be varsity only and will tip at 6:30 p.m.

You can listen on FM 105.5 and kilj.com.

Nathan Bloechl and Kent Bennett will have all the action.

Other area scraps:

  • Holy Trinity vs. Cardinal
  • Louisa-Muscatine vs. Columbus
  • Winfield-Mount Union vs. Highland
  • Wapello vs. Hillcrest Academy
  • Pekin vs. Mediapolis
  • New London vs. WACO
  • Central Lee vs West Burlington
  • Notre Dame vs. Van Buren County

Prep Boys’ Basketball: Mount Pleasant at Fort Madison, New London Opens:

The Mount Pleasant boys’ basketball team will look to get into the win column, albeit in a tough environment, when the Panthers travel to the HoundDome to take on Fort Madison.

The Panthers suffered a Tuesday night defeat at the hands of Cedar Rapids Xavier, one in which they shot a meager 29% from the field and 23% from the three point land.

Dewon Trent looked to be in good form however.

The Mount Pleasant forward has a chance to claim Southeast Conference Player of the Year honors this year.

Tonight will be Fort Madison’s first of the year but the Panthers are 4-1 against the Bloodhounds in the last five.

Dayton Davis will lead a solid senior class that will be bookended by Miles Dear, Tate Johnson and Landes Williams.

Tonight’s game will tip at the HoundDome at 7:30 p.m.

Meanwhile in Henry County, a matchup of rivals commences tonight when New London squares off with WACO.

The Tigers and their star-power need no introduction.

Blaise Porter, arguably the top prospect in southeast Iowa and classmate Kade Benjamin comprise the best 1-2 punch in the conference and will start their quest to Wells Fargo Arena tonight.

Standing in their way on their 2021-22 debut is WACO, who looked strong in a 58-29 win earlier this week against Holy Trinity.

First team all-state running back Simeon Reichenbach scored 12 points in that matchup while Hunter Hughes chipped in with 11.

Tonight’s game will tip from Wayland at 7:30 p.m.

Other area matchups:

  • Burlington at Keokuk
  • Fairfield at Washington

Prep Girls’ Basketball: Latest IGHSAU Basketball Rankings:

Class 1A
School
Record
LW
1
Newell-Fonda
2-0
1
2
Bishop Garrigan
1-1
2
3
Exira-EHK
1-0
3
4
Springville
3-0
4
5
North Linn
2-1
5
6
MMCRU
1-0
6
7
Burlington Notre Dame
3-0
7
8
North Mahaska
1-1
8
9
Storm Lake St. Mary’s
0-0
9
10
Montezuma
2-0
13
11
East Buchanan
2-0
NR
12
Stanton
1-0
12
13
Central Elkader
3-0
NR
14
CAM
1-0
NR
15
Westwood
1-1
9
 
Dropped Out: St. Ansgar (11), Maquoketa Valley (12), Kingsley-Pierson (14)
Class 2A
School
Record
LW
1
Dike-New Hartford
2-0
1
2
Grundy Center
1-0
3
3
Denver
4-0
5
4
Central Lyon
1-1
4
5
Panorama
1-0
6
6
Cascade
2-0
7
7
Nodaway Valley
1-1
2
8
Sibley-Ocheyedan
1-1
8
9
West Hancock
1-0
9
10
Jesup
2-0
11
11
South Central Calhoun
2-0
13
12
Treynor
1-1
10
13
North Union
1-0
15
14
Aplington-Parkersburg
2-0
NR
15
Wilton
2-0
NR
 
Dropped Out: West Fork (12), Underwood (14)
 
Class 3A
School
Record
LW
1
Unity Christian
2-1
1
2
West Lyon
2-0
3
3
Ballard
2-1
2
4
Estherville-Lincoln Central
3-0
6
5
Center Point-Urbana
3-0
7
6
Cherokee
2-1
4
7
Sergeant Bluff-Luton
1-0
8
8
Clear Lake
0-1
5
9
West Liberty
2-0
9
10
West Marshall
3-0
10
11
Vinton-Shellsburg
3-0
14
12
Roland-Story
0-1
11
13
Harlan
2-0
NR
14
Okoboji
2-0
NR
15
Davenport Assumption
0-2
13
Dropped Out: Des Moines Christian (12), Nevada (15)
Class 4A
School
Record
LW
1
Glenwood
1-0
1
2
Indianola
2-0
2
3
Central DeWitt
1-0
3
4
Cedar Rapids Xavier
3-0
4
5
Bishop Heelan
3-0
6
6
North Scott
2-0
7
7
North Polk
2-1
14
8
Dallas Center-Grimes
2-1
5
9
Winterset
1-0
9
10
Grinnell
2-0
10
11
Solon
1-2
8
12
Mason City
1-1
11
13
Spencer
1-1
12
14
Gilbert
2-0
NR
15
Benton Community
2-1
13
Dropped Out: Waverly-Shell Rock (15)
Class 5A
School
Record
LW
1
Johnston
2-0
1
2
Waterloo West
0-0
2
3
Cedar Falls
1-0
3
4
Iowa City High
0-0
4
5
Des Moines Roosevelt
1-1
6
6
West Des Moines Valley
2-0
7
7
Iowa City West
1-0
8
8
Ankeny Centennial
3-0
9
9
Southeast Polk
1-1
5
10
Cedar Rapids Washington
2-0
10
11
Dowling Catholic
4-0
11
12
Waukee Northwest
2-1
12
13
Sioux City East
1-0
13
14
Pleasant Valley
1-0
14
15
Linn-Mar
2-0
NR

College Football: Grand View Takes on Lindsey Wilson in NAIA semifinals Saturday:

Third ranked Grand View visits top ranked Lindsey Wilson of Kentucky in the semifinal round of the NAIA playoffs on Saturday.

Lindsey Wilson is the defending national champion.

“What an opportunity we have to play the defending the national champions on their home turf. I know our guys are excited about the challenge and the opportunity and [we] just can’t wait for Saturday to get here.”

That’s Grand View coach Joe Woodley who says the Vikings first goal is to make a game of it. Lindsey Wilson has only played one game that was not a blowout in posting a 12-0 record.

Former Mount Pleasant standout Brody McGhghy has been a special teams ace for the Vikings this year.

Saturday’s game will kick at 12:30 p.m. from Columbia, Kentucky.

Hinterland Dairy Honored with Iowa Venture Award

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, December 2nd, 2021 at 9:16 pm CDT

Hinterland Dairy, Donnellson, member of Access Energy Cooperative, was among the seven recipient of the Iowa Venture Awards in Des Moines this year. The Iowa Area Development Group (IADG), on behalf of Iowa’s rural electric cooperatives, municipal utilities and independent telecommunications companies, honored seven distinguished Iowa companies with the Iowa Venture Award at a luncheon held in conjunction with the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives’ annual meeting.

Hinterland Dairy Nominated by Access Energy Cooperative

Ralph and Colleen Krogmeier’s dairy farm sits on 400 acres near the southeast Iowa town of Donnellson. They are committed to raising healthy cows fed non-GMO crops grown on their farm, caring for the land and producing high-quality, 100% natural milk. In 2019, Hinterland opened a new cheese production facility and an on-farm store. Hinterland Dairy weekly produces cheese, Quark, a low-calorie, high-protein spreadable cheese, cheddar and Happy Jack (a take on Monterey Jack). They direct market cheese products to local grocery stores, markets, the on-farm store, and an online store.

“The Iowa Venture Award Luncheon provides a forum to celebrate the courage, contribution, innovation, responsibility, and vision of Iowa entrepreneurs,” said IADG President Rand Fisher. “Hinterland Dairy is a shining example of a family committed to sustainable agriculture and expanding their operation in creative ways through cheese production and agritourism, benefiting southeast Iowa and beyond.”

Additional Iowa Venture Award recipients include:

Industrial Packaging Corporation – Wilton

ProPulse – Peosta

RiverView Ridge – Rock Valley

Rolinda Acres – Waterville

Sister’s Home Style Entrees – Humboldt

TrinityRail – Shell Rock “Outstanding Business of the Year”

 

About the Iowa Venture Award

This marks the 32nd year that IADG has presented Iowa Venture Awards to individuals and organizations, both large and small, in recognition of their significant contributions to Iowa’s economy through entrepreneurial leadership, innovation and the creation of job opportunities. History has demonstrated that these are among the most accomplished and successful companies in the state. Together they are helping to sustain and grow Iowa’s economy. The Iowa Venture Award Hall of Fame showcasing these 280 companies can be found at www.IADG.com/HallOfFame.

School Board Policy Committee Meeting

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, December 2nd, 2021 at 9:15 pm CDT

Mount Pleasant Community School District POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING

 Mt. Pleasant CSD – Central Office

1010 East Washington Street – Suite 102

Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641

 The Mount Pleasant Board of Education POLICY COMMITTEE will meet at 4:10PM on Friday, December 3, 2021 to review/discuss:

  1. Open School Board Policy Series 800 Buildings and Sites
  2. Christamore Family Treatment Center Day School Update
  3. Mount Pleasant Community Childcare After School Program Update
  4. ESSER III Plan

 The meeting is open to the public and patrons are welcome

James H. McLeland

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, December 2nd, 2021 at 9:11 pm CDT

James H. McLeland died on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 surrounded by the love of family and friends both near and far.  Visitation will open at 2:00 PM at Pedrick Funeral Home, Keosauqua with family present 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday December 4, 2021 at the Keosauqua United Methodist Church with Pastor Mary Kathryn Hart, Reverend Herb Shafer and Pastor Larry Smith officiating.  Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Cantril immediately following the funeral. For gifts of remembrance, please donate in Jim’s name to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Bentonsport Improvement Association or Compassus Hospice Care may be left at the funeral home, church or mailed to the family at 21937 Marion Street, Keosauqua, IA 52565.

Born in Keosauqua, Iowa on March 22, 1941, Jim loved his home state. He attended Iowa State University, married Carrel Phelps and had two sons, Tony and Curt. He started a career teaching auto mechanics, then farmed for several years in the Bonaparte area, and eventually returned back to a career as an automotive instructor. He could fix and build almost anything and was a born teacher – both patient and knowledgeable.

After some life changes, Jim launched a second act when he met Patricia DeSpain in Illinois. On December 21, 1996, Jim and Pat married and began a life together in Freeport, Illinois. They enjoyed an ever-expanding circle of friends and family, and Jim became a beloved figure in the lives of Pat’s children and grandchildren.

To all who knew him, Jim was a joke teller and yarn spinner like no other. Whether he was regaling an unsuspecting restaurant server, or his family (especially the grandkids!) who could recite many of his jokes right along with him, Jim loved to entertain and lift people’s spirits. 

Jim could be counted upon to offer his quiet counsel and wisdom to his many friends and family members. Always ready to lend an ear, Jim could often be found visiting either on the phone or in person. He never knew a stranger – everyone he met quickly became a lifelong friend.

Always an active and involved member of his community wherever he lived, after retirement he and Pat moved to historic Bentonsport where Jim became self-appointed mayor. He could be spotted on any given day riding his Gator around town to check in on his friends and neighbors.

A member of the Bentonsport Improvement Association – or “hysterical society” as he called it due to the many laughs they enjoyed together – Jim always sought to make things better for his community.

Jim’s spirit will live on in many hearts thanks to his generosity of spirit, faithfulness in friendship, and love of his fellow man.

Jim is survived by his wife of 25 years, Patricia L. McLeland, brothers Vern (Debra) McLeland, Ken (Debbie) McLeland and Jerry (Katrina) McLeland, sister Shirley Hicks, sons Tony (Molly) McLeland, Curt (Elizabeth) McLeland, and grandsons Jordan (Chelsea) McLeland, Jared (Holly) McLeland, and Nick McLeland. He is also survived by his extended family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Valera (Hervey) McLeland.

The family wishes to thank the hospice staff of Compassus for their empathetic support in Jim’s final days.

 

Charlotte Spiekermeier

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, December 2nd, 2021 at 9:02 pm CDT

Charlotte Spiekermeier, 75, of West Point, Iowa, passed away at 8:47 a.m. on Thursday, December 2, 2021, at her home in West Point.

Born January 27, 1946, on a ranch in Aberdeen, South Dakota, the daughter of Richard & Leona Grace (Ericson) Thompson. On July 15, 1966, she married Raymond David Spiekermeier at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point.

Survivors include her husband David, daughter: Jean (Jim, her favorite son-in-law) Tennant of West Point, Iowa; grandsons (the loves of her life): Chance (Kenzie Horton) Tennant of Donnellson, Iowa, Chase (Jenna  Murphy) Tennant of Des Moines, Iowa; sisters: Audrey Diane of Sierra Vista, Arizona, Janet  (Gary) Horstman of Denmark, Iowa; brother-in-law: John Sander of Farmington, Iowa; two nephews (she loved like her sons): Dean (Angela) Sartain of Williamsburg, Virginia, Shawn (Kim) Thompson of Wever, Iowa; five nieces: Sandra, Jennifer, Kandys, Paula, and Lori. Also surviving are several great nieces and great nephews.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, mother-in-law and father-in-law Jargo & Lucille, brother: Dean Thompson; sister: Sharon Sander; brother-in-law: Duane Sartain and niece: Andrea Sartain.

Charlotte was a 1964 graduate of Central Lee High School. She was a member of the Sharon Presbyterian Church and the United Auto Workers Union. After 44 years of service, Charlotte retired from Champion Spark Plug.

Charlotte’s family wishes to extend a special thanks to the Southeast Iowa Regional Home Health and Hospice and JoAnn Lampe.

Her body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.

Friends may call after 12:00 noon Sunday, December 5, 2021, at Schmitz Funeral Home  West Point, where the family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. that afternoon.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 6, 2021 at the Schmitz Funeral Home West Point with Pastor Harry Hollingworth and Father Michael Spiekermeier officiating.

Burial will be at St James Cemetery in Saint Paul.

A memorial has been established in her memory for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s and West Point Fire Department & Rescue.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhome.com. Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements.

SEISO Chamber Orchestra Free Holiday Concert this Sunday

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, December 2nd, 2021 at 5:08 pm CDT

This coming Sunday Iowa Wesleyan University presents the SEISO Chamber Orchestra and Iowa
Wesleyan Vocal Department in a free holiday concert that will include both chamber works and holiday
music with works by John Rutter, Leroy Anderson, Antonio Vivaldi and traditional carols. SEISO Music
Director, Robert McConnell and Iowa Wesleyan Vocal Director Blair Buffington will be working with
musicians and students from the Southeast Iowa area.
The concert is supported by free will offerings and the Clear Creek Heritage Association and takes place
in the beautiful former St. Peters & Paul church in the countryside southwest of Keota, Iowa.
Sunday, December 5th. 2 PM.
St. Peters & Paul Church (Clear Creek Heritage Association). Harper, IA
For directions and information please visit their website: www.clearcreekheritageassociation.org or call
319.636.3018.

Reduce Holiday Financial Stress

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, December 2nd, 2021 at 5:05 pm CDT

A recent survey found nearly half of the 2,000 consumers surveyed are dreading the holidays due to the financial costs.  There are ways to reduce the financial stress of the holidays and purchase gifts that promote financial wellness.

  • Start with creating a budget for all your holiday expenses such as gas, food, decor, holiday cards, and travel.  Include a predetermined monetary amount for each person on your gift-giving list.  Sticking to a budget will prevent you from spending more than you can afford.
  • Consider using a cashback credit card or other similar rewards offer, but only if you can use credit responsibly and can pay off the balance in full.
  • If using credit cards is a struggle, consider using cash for all purchases and next year begin saving year-round. You may also want to consider a prepaid card to help you stick within your budget.
  • Credit cards provide protections that may not be available with debit cards.
  • When shopping online protect yourself and your money by keeping your phone or computer updated and having unique usernames and passwords for each site.
  • Avoid using free wifi and unsecured connections to make financial transactions.
  • Beware of phishing, which is when a scammer sends an email that appears to be from a legit company in an attempt to obtain your personal information.  If you receive an email from a retailer with a special sale offer, go to a new browser and type in the website URL to guarantee you are visiting the correct site.
  • Watch for grammatical errors, misspelled or extra words or numbers in a web address which may signal a scam.
  • Before doing business with a new company, read customer reviews and search the business name followed by the word “scam”.  Also, be aware if there is a limited amount of contact information on the website.
  • Monitor your credit cards and bank statements so you may report any suspicious activity immediately.

If you need gift ideas this year, consider these financial gifts:

  • Donate to a loved one’s favorite charity and inquire with your tax advisor to see if the donation is tax-deductible.
  • Purchase stock they will recognize and have an interest in.
  • Contribute to a 529 plan.
  • Contribute to the IRA of an eligible loved one with earned income.
  • Give the gift of cash and provide ideas on how to grow the money in a CD or investment account.  Save 4 Later Iowa provides financial education for free.
  • Pay for a visit to a licensed financial advisor.
  • Give the gift of financial learning with a book about finances.
  • Purchase a savings bond for your loved one.

If you purchase or receive gifts such as jewelry, art, or collectibles make sure they are properly insured by contacting your licensed insurance agent to discuss if your new possession should be insured with a rider to your homeowners or renters policy.

If you have leftover money in your budget, give yourself a gift by placing it in your IRA, emergency fund, or that holiday spending account for next year.

Daily Jail Count

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, December 2nd, 2021 at 4:56 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:   ____12-2-2021_____

 

JAIL COUNT

 

  17_    Henry County Inmates

 

 52_    Out of County Contract Inmates              

 

 69   Total