Burlington Man Arrested on Multiple Charges After Domestic Disturbance

By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, March 31st, 2026 at 6:21 am CDT

Des Moines County authorities responded to a reported domestic disturbance late Monday morning that resulted in multiple charges against a Burlington man.

According to the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched at approximately 11:20 a.m. on March 30th to a residence located at 10994 115th Avenue. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with a female victim who reported she had been assaulted.

Officials say the victim sustained injuries to her arm, neck, and face. She also told deputies that the suspect had threatened to burn down her home with her and her child inside, and that he was in possession of a firearm.

The suspect was identified as 30-year-old Brett Alexander Young of Burlington, Iowa.

Deputies later made contact with Young and took him into custody without incident. He now faces charges including domestic abuse assault, second offense, possession of a firearm by a felon, and first-degree harassment.

Young was transported to the Des Moines County Correctional Center, where he is being held pending further proceedings.

As a reminder, a criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Rain Is on the Way

By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, March 31st, 2026 at 6:19 am CDT

A changing weather pattern is expected to bring multiple rounds of active weather to our area this week, including thunderstorms, elevated fire danger, and the potential for heavy rainfall.

Forecasters say scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening, with activity becoming more widespread overnight. Despite the rain chances, an elevated fire risk remains in place through today due to dry conditions and gusty winds.

A series of three storm systems is expected to move through the area between now and Saturday. The most impactful period looks to arrive Wednesday through Friday, when widespread soaking rains are likely.

The heaviest rainfall is expected Wednesday night into Thursday, bringing a low-end risk for flash flooding. Drivers are urged to use caution during heavy downpours, as reduced visibility and wet pavement could lead to hazardous travel conditions. Slowing down can help prevent hydroplaning.

Residents are also encouraged to stay weather-aware, especially overnight. Make sure you have multiple ways to receive warnings while asleep.

Stay tuned to KILJ for updates as this active weather pattern develops.

District Shares Tips Ahead of ISASP Testing

By Shelbi Swinscoe · Monday, March 30th, 2026 at 3:00 pm CDT

Students in the New London Community School District will soon begin statewide assessments.

District officials say ISASP (which stands for Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress) testing is set to begin the week of April 6 for students in grades 3 through 11, including Clark Elementary, New London Middle School, and New London High School.

The assessments are designed to measure student growth and academic progress over the school year. School leaders say the goal is not only to evaluate learning, but to ensure students feel calm, confident, and supported throughout the testing process.

Families are encouraged to help students prepare by making sure they get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive to school on time. Keeping routines consistent and stress levels low can also make a big difference.

District staff say the most important message for students is simple, take your time and show what you know.

Residents Invited to Explore Henry County Parks Today

By Shelbi Swinscoe · Monday, March 30th, 2026 at 2:09 pm CDT

Today is National Take a Walk in the Park Day, and although a little windy the weather is shaping up to be a great excuse to get outside and enjoy it.

Residents in Henry County are encouraged to take advantage of the area’s parks and green spaces. A full list of local parks is available through Healthy Henry County, which can be accessed by clicking here, offering plenty of options for a quick walk, family outing, or some fresh air.

Even if you can’t make it out today, officials suggest bookmarking the park guide online, downloading a printable version, or stopping by their office to3 pick up a copy for later use.

It’s a simple reminder to get outside, stay active, and enjoy what Henry County has to offer.

Elevated Fire Risk Across Iowa Monday

By Shelbi Swinscoe · Monday, March 30th, 2026 at 2:01 pm CDT

Breezy conditions and unseasonably warm temperatures are creating an increased fire risk across Iowa to start the week.

The National Weather Service says elevated fire weather conditions are expected Monday, with the greatest threat across southern and western parts of the state. Southwest winds could gust between 20 and 25 miles per hour, while temperatures climb near record highs, reaching into the upper 70s to mid-80s.

At the same time, humidity levels are expected to drop as low as 25 to 40 percent, leaving vegetation dry and highly flammable.

Officials are urging residents to avoid any outdoor burning. Even small fires or brush piles could spread quickly and become difficult to control under these conditions.

If possible, delay any burning until weather conditions improve later in the week.

Big Wins for Van Buren at State Science Competition

By Shelbi Swinscoe · Monday, March 30th, 2026 at 2:01 pm CDT

Students in the Van Buren County Community School District are bringing home top honors after an impressive showing at the State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa.

According to a post from Science Fair Sponsor Jasmine Padget, Van Buren County students earned a total of 24 awards, highlighting the hard work, dedication, and innovation put into their projects this year.

The biggest highlight comes from high school student Vesper Druvenga, whose project has been selected to advance to the International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix, Arizona. The opportunity places Druvenga among the top student researchers from around the world.

School officials say the strong results reflect not only student effort, but also the support from staff, families, and the community.

Padget called the first year of the program a success, adding that this is just the beginning for Van Buren County’s science program.

KILJ’s 2026 Bracket Challenge Standings Heading into the Final Four

By Slaten Swords · Monday, March 30th, 2026 at 1:48 pm CDT

Mt. Pleasant, IA- The Sweet 16 saw half of the games decided by two possessions or less, the Elite Eight watched the #1-overall seed lose on an ill-fated pass turned into a near-half court buzzer beater, while the Cinderella hopefuls will have to wait another year. Another March, another year of madness on the hardcourt for the NCAA men’s tournament.

What Happened

Where to start with the insanity? The East Region saw #5 St. John’s push #1 Duke to the brink of upset after splashing 13 three pointers, but the Blue Devils supplied the physicality, racking up 13 more rebounds, shot over 50% from the field, and made 11 more free throws to walk away with an 80-75 victory.

Despite the loss, St. John’s Rick Pitino inked a new deal to become the second highest paid coach in the Big East conference.

#2 UConn nearly watched their season come to an end twice in the past four days. The first time was in the Sweet 16 when #3 Michigan State came storming back in the second half to tie the game at 44 and keep it neck-and-neck until Tarris Reed Jr. iced the game with a pair of free throws for a 67-63 final.

Then in the Elite Eight, the Huskies scored the first two points of the game; Duke responded by holding the lead for nearly 39 minutes and even leading by as many as 19 at one point in the game. Yet, UConn clawed their way back into the game and forced a Cayden Boozer turnover that turned into a Braylon Mullins 35-foot three pointer with three-tenths of a second remaining to win, 73-72.

Before that shot, the Blue Devils had an 89.6% of chance of winning the game. Instead, UConn is heading to the Final Four.

Waiting for them there from the South Region will be #3 Illinois after the Fighting Illini tossed #2 Houston aside, 65-55, in the Sweet 16. #9 Iowa, this year’s Cinderella story, was fresh off of upsetting #4 Nebraska in a 77-71 classic to advance to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1987.

Not a bad first year at the helm for Hawkeye head coach Ben McCollum. Yet, the magic ran out after shooting nearly 60% from the floor in the first half, as Iowa connected on just six field goals in the second half to fall to Illinois, 71-59. It’s their first trip to the Final Four since 2005.

So, #2 UConn will take on #3 Illinois on Saturday, April 4th, at 5:09 pm.

The East Region nearly saw #11 Texas pull off another upset as the Longhorns knocked down 11 three-pointers, but Trey Kaufman-Renn kept #2 Purdue in the dance after tipping in a loose ball at the buzzer to win the game for the Boilermakers, 79-77.

Unfortunately for Purdue, they ran into #1 Arizona, who had trounced #4 Arkansas, 109-88, in the Sweet 16 and kept that momentum rolling into the Elite Eight, bouncing the Boilermakers, 79-64, despite Purdue holding a seven-point lead at halftime.

#2 Iowa State was clearly missing their All-American Joshua Jefferson in the Sweet 16 of the Midwest Region, as the Cyclones struggled to make a shot and was dominated on the boards by #6 Tennessee in a 76-62 thumping.

#4 Alabama was favored to win at just one moment in their contest against #1 Michigan: 16:16 left in the first half leading 11 to 2. That percentage was only 52.7% to paint the picture of confidence for the Crimson Tide as they loss to the Wolverines, 90-77.

In the Elite Eight, Tennessee led 16 to 15 midways through the first half; the Wolverines proceeded to go on a 21 to 2 run and never looked back as they led 48 to 26 by halftime. A 27-point performance by Yaxel Lendeborg put the icing on the cake of a 95-62 laugher in favor of Michigan.

So, #1 Arizona will face off against #1 Michigan on Saturday at 7:49 pm.

Bracket Analysis

Now, looking at our brackets let’s take care of the big swings. 22 of our brackets picked Duke to win the championship and an astonishing 39 had the Blue Devils in the championship game. Additionally, eight brackets had the Cyclones winning the title, while three picked Houston and two chose Purdue.

On the bright side for some of you, Arizona was picked to win in 12 of the brackets, seven brackets chose Michigan, and one selected UConn. In fact, five brackets had Illinois in the Final Four with another advancing UConn to the Final Four.

Some of the standouts of the Sweet 16 included Jakin Bunnell, Dan Cook, Terry McWilliams, Lauren Donnolly, and Scott Fedler guess six of the game games correctly. The impressive picking for Cook moved him from 33rd to 8th and McWilliams soared from 38th to 10th place.

However, the most impressive climb belonged to Janel Fedler, as she was just one of two brackets to select three of the Final Four teams and vaulted up 39 spots to be ranked 7th heading into the final three games.

Speaking of picking three of the Final Four teams, Mat Wilson is also holding on to one of the two brackets that has a chance of predicting the correct championship matchup with the other one belonging to Jeniffer Krogmeier. Now, Krogmeier went perfect on the first day of the tournament but currently sits in 44th place; nevertheless, her maximum score would be good enough for 3rd place if Arizona beats UConn in the national championship.

All this to say, the game to watch for KILJ’s Bracket Challenge, sponsored by The Press Box, will be Arizona and Michigan. The winner will truly shake up the standings and position some brackets for one last move to their spot on the podium.

Standings

  1. Mat Wilson: 182 Finals Prediction: UConn (winner) vs Michigan
  2. Jakin Bunnell: 180
  3. Joseph Koller: 178 Finals Prediction: Duke (winner) vs Arizona
  4. Alan Buckert: 176 Finals Prediction: Arizona (winner) vs Duke
  5. Karen Brimhall: 174 Finals Prediction: Arizona (winner) vs Duke
  6. Georgie Alter: 174
  7. Janel Fedler: 174
  8. Dan Cook: 172
  9. Zach White: 170
  10. Terry McWilliams: 170

More

Stay tuned to KILJ for an update on the standings after the Final Four.

Mount Pleasant Man Accused of Stealing Railroad Materials from BNSF Property

By Allison Jacobs · Monday, March 30th, 2026 at 1:41 pm CDT

A Mount Pleasant man is facing theft charges following an incident involving railroad property in Mount Pleasant.

According to the Mount Pleasant Police, officers were called Sunday evening to the BNSF Railway environmental staging area in the 400 block of North Hamlin Street after a reported theft.

An investigation determined that a man had entered the property without permission and loaded 11 metal railroad tie plates into a pickup truck before leaving the scene. A BNSF special agent confirmed that no one is authorized to enter the property or remove materials.

Police say video footage captured the suspect loading the items into a silver pickup. The responding officer identified the individual as Bradley Bohnenkamp.

Officers later went to a residence on West Washington Street, where they located both the suspect and the vehicle. The stolen railroad tie plates were reportedly found in plain view in the truck bed.

Authorities say Bohnenkamp admitted to taking the items. The 11 plates are valued at 21 dollars each, for a total of 231 dollars.

Charges are pending in connection with the incident.