Woman Returns Thrown Eggs with Gunshot

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, February 29th, 2024 at 8:05 am CDT

A Burlington woman fired a bullet after individuals attempted to egg her house. On the 26th of February just before 11:00pm, Burlington Police Officers responded to a report of a single gunshot in the area of Maple and S. 8th St. During investigation, officers located evidence of a shot being fired. Iva Ellen Cale, a resident of 810 Maple St. admitted to shooting a round as a warning shot to citizens attempting to throw eggs at her residence. She was charged with Reckless Use of a Firearm.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

New London Dollars for Scholars Upcoming Auction

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, February 29th, 2024 at 7:59 am CDT

The New London Dollars for Scholars chapter, affiliated with Scholarship America, has raised money for New London graduates each year since 2001.

The scholarships are awarded to any graduating senior or any previous graduate within the past ten years returning to post-secondary education-regardless of financial need, grade point average, or extra-curricular activities. The only requirement is that the student apply and then attend college, community college, or technical school.

The chapter has awarded over $158,000 in scholarships to 412 New London students since 2002. The scholarships are based on the amount of interest earned on an endowment fund, as well as gifts specified for that purpose and monies raised from this annual auction. Students can receive scholarships for 4 years.

Money raised from contributions to the auction will be used to increase the amount of the endowment and/or increase the funds available to award scholarships this year.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 23rd, as the auction will take place at the New London High School Gym. Visit their Facebook page “New London, Iowa- Dollars for Scholars” for more information.

Weekly Fuel Report 02/29

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, February 29th, 2024 at 6:47 am CDT

Prices for gasoline rose once again this week, up 5 cents from the week prior. Now averaging $3.06 across Iowa, this is 23 cents less than the national average, and only 9 cents cheaper than a year ago.

When looking at our diesel prices, they average $3.80 in Iowa after falling three cents, and are 19 cents less than one year ago and 27 less than the national average.

Propane prices averaged $1.59 per gallon statewide.

Home heating oil prices averaged $3.14 per gallon statewide.

Natural gas prices rose 10 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $1.86/MMbtu

Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov.

Sports, February 29th

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, February 29th, 2024 at 6:37 am CDT

Girls’ State Basketball

The Quarterfinal round is complete for all five classes as today marks the first of the Semifinal matchups. Here’s a recap of yesterday’s matchups.

Class 2A almost saw two upsets in the bottom half of the bracket as both lower seeds had a lead at halftime. #2 Panorama utilized a 22-point third quarter to eventually defeat #7 Grundy Center 59-49. Morgan Crees finished with 19 points, nine rebounds, and four steals. 

#3 Westwood kept their undefeated season alive after holding #6 Central Lyon to just seven second half points to win 35-32. The Rebels shot just 25% from the field as Addy Johnson led the winning effort with 11 points. #2 Panorama and #3 Westwood will square off tomorrow, March 1st, at 11:45 am.

Moving on to Class 1A, #1 North Linn has dominated for the entire year and that remained true against #8 Montezuma, holding the Braves to six first half points to win 68-38. Macy Boge cashed in for 20 points. 

#4 St. Albert defeated #5 Bishop Garrigan 53-42. Avah Underwood totaled a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. #1 North Linn will face off against St. Albert tomorrow at 1:30 pm.

#2 Newell-Fonda sprinted past #7 Calamus-Wheatland 68-30 after scoring 35 points off of their 29 turnovers. Kinzee Hinders scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the win.

#3 Remsen St. Mary’s took down #6 Martensdale-St. Marys 52-33 to round out last night. Remsen St. Mary’s fed off of points off turnovers and second chances. #2 Newell-Fonda will square off against #3 Remsen St. Mary’s tomorrow at 3:15 pm. 

The order of the Class Semifinals today will start with Class 5A then Class 3A with Class 4A finishing off the day. #1 Johnston will take on #4 Waukee at 10 am. #7 Cedar Falls will face off against #3 Dowling Catholic for Class 5A. 

For Class 3A, #1 Estherville Lincoln Central will compete against #4 Mt. Vernon. #2 Des Moines Christian will tango with #3 Solon.

To round out the day, #1 Clear Creek-Amana will be attempting to stay unbeaten against #5 North Polk as well as #2 Waverly-Shell Rock as the Go-Hawks face off against #3 Bishop Heelan at 6:45 pm for Class 4A.

Boys’ State Basketball

#4 Winfield-Mt. Union will take on #5 Lynnville-Sully on Monday, March 4th, at 12:15 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at noon.

#4 West Burlington will face off against #5 Treynor on March 4th at 7:15 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 7 pm.

College Signing

The Waldorf University men’s soccer team will be adding a Panther to their roster in the fall after Angel Avila signed his letter of intent to play for the Warriors yesterday.

Avila has collected two assists and two goals in his Mt. Pleasant career playing as a midfielder. He will be joining a Warrior squad that finished 2-14-1 last season and he’s looking forward to the opportunity to get some quality playing time.

“You know, I like the program. I connected really well with the coaches; the men’s soccer program is pretty good, and I feel like I get really good playing time there. But play as a probably in the midfield. That’s where I shine most.”

The Panthers are looking to improve upon their 4-10 record from last season as they search for their first winning season since 2018-19 and Avila is looking to make that happen.

“I feel like I just want to do really good, perform really good for the team. I’m just excited for what’s to come. We’re aiming for state, hopefully.”

Mt. Pleasant will start the season at home on March 28th against Clear Creek-Amana with Fairfield on April 4th being their first home conference matchup.

College Basketball

The #6 Iowa women’s team stomped Minnesota last night 108-60. Caitlin Clark finished with a triple-double as she scored 33 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out 12 assists as she became the all-time major women’s college basketball leading scorer. The Hawkeyes will take on #2 Ohio State on Sunday, March 3rd, at home at noon.

The Iowa State women’s team took down Kansas State last night 82-76. Addy Brown went off for 24 points as she also grabbed 11 rebounds to finish the night with a double-double. The Cyclones will host Cincinnati on Saturday, March 2nd, at 1 pm.

The #8 Iowa State men’s team’s stingy defense gave the Cyclones the 58-45 win against Oklahoma last night. Demarion Watson scored 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds off the bench in the winning effort. The Cyclones will face off against UCF on Saturday at 3 pm. 

The Iowa men’s team will face off against Northwestern on Saturday at 4:30 pm on the road.

This Day in Sports History

1940 – Detroit’s Cecil “Tiny” Thompson becomes first goaltender in NHL history to play 40 (or more) games for 12 straight seasons; milestone comes in a 3-1 Red Wings loss at Toronto.

1964 – Cincinnati’s Jerry Lucas and Oscar Robertson combine for a rare 40-40 performance as the Royals beat host Philadelphia 76ers, 117-114; NBA MVP Robertson has 43 points; Rookie of the Year Lucas, 40 rebounds.

1992 – Boston’s Ray Bourque becomes just the third defenseman in NHL history to score 1,000 career points with a goal and 2 assists in the Bruins’ 5-5 tie with Washington Capitals at Boston Garden.

Mt. Pleasant’s Angel Avila Commits to Waldorf’s Men’s Soccer Program

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, February 28th, 2024 at 4:38 pm CDT

Mt. Pleasant, IA- The Waldorf University men’s soccer team will be adding a Panther to their roster in the fall after Angel Avila signed his letter of intent to play for the Warriors today.

For Avila, this signing has fulfilled a childhood dream of his,

“Definitely when I was young, I always wanted to play up there [college]. You know, I feel like this is like the highest level I can probably compete at, for now.”

Avila has collected two assists and two goals in his Mt. Pleasant career playing as a midfielder. He will be joining a Warrior squad that finished 2-14-1 last season and he’s looking forward to the opportunity to get some quality playing time.

“You know, I like the program. I connected really well with the coaches; the men’s soccer program is pretty good, and I feel like I get really good playing time there. But play as a probably in the midfield. That’s where I shine most.”

The Panthers are looking to improve upon their 4-10 record from last season as they search for their first winning season since 2018-19 and Avila is looking to make that happen.

“I feel like I just want to do really good, perform really good for the team. I’m just excited for what’s to come. We’re aiming for state.”

Mt. Pleasant will start the season at home on March 28th against Clear Creek-Amana with Fairfield on April 4th being their first home conference matchup.

Earl Kerr Jr. – Pending

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, February 28th, 2024 at 2:40 pm CDT

Earl L. Kerr, Jr., 89, of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa and formerly of Danville, Illinois, died Tuesday, February 27th.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Sunset Funeral Home, 3940 North Vermillion Avenue in Danville, Illinois.

The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant, IA, is assisting Earl’s family with local arrangements.

Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com

Carl Proper

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, February 28th, 2024 at 2:20 pm CDT

Carl Richard Proper, 96, of the Kensington, formerly of Donnellson and Bonaparte, Iowa, passed away at 12:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at the Kensington in Fort Madison.

He was born on October 29, 1927, in Fremont, Nebraska, the son of Donald Harley and Clara H. (Johnson) Proper. On January 10, 1952, he married Barbara Jean Stevens in Farmington, Iowa. She preceded him in death on October 22, 1998.

He is survived by one daughter: Cheryl (Donald) Folker of Farmington, Iowa; one son: Steven Proper of Bonaparte, Iowa; four grandchildren: Steve Junior (Cara) Proper, Derek (Miranda) Proper, Amy Folker, Heather Folker; three great grandchildren; one great – great grandchild and one brother: Donald Proper.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife: Barbara; daughter: Ramona; four sisters: Dorothy, Virginia, Irene, Wannabelle and one brother: Worthy.

Carl served in the United States Navy as a signalman during WWII. He worked as a linotype operator for Wallaces Farmer Magazine and the Ottumwa Courier. He also had worked at Blue Bird in Mt. Pleasant. After retirement, he and his wife Barbara moved to Branson, Missouri where he worked at Silver Dollar City. Carl was a member of the Bonaparte American Legion Sargent – Osweiler Post #563. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, visiting and spending time with family and friends.

A visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 1, 2024, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Farmington.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 1, 2024, at Schmitz Funeral Home with Reverend Mark Caston officiating.

Burial will be at the Bonaparte Cemetery with full military rites presented by the Bonaparte American Legion.

A memorial has been established in his memory for PAW Animal Shelter.

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

Man Crashes Into Unknown Vehicle in Lee County

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, February 28th, 2024 at 9:55 am CDT

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office reports of a motor vehicle accident on Tuesday. 22-year-old Nicholas Ziegelmeyer of Burlington was traveling south bound in the 1800 block of Highway 61 in a sedan just after noon. Ziegelmeyer is uncertain of how the event unfolded but stated that he was merging to the right when there was a collision. The driver stated that he has a medical condition and probably should not have been driving.

The damage to his vehicle consisted of a shredded tire and the fender peeling to the rear of the vehicle. There were dark marks on the side of the hood and what was left of the upper area of the passenger side front fender. He mentioned that he was unsure of what the second vehicle was, however, he knows it was bigger than his car. There were no parts from the unknown vehicle at the scene and due to the lack of, and there not being another vehicle on scene, it is probable that the unknown vehicle was a semi hauling a trailer.