Sports, June 19th

By Allison Jacobs · Monday, June 19th, 2023 at 5:58 am CDT

High School Baseball

Mt. Pleasant will face off against Fairfield at home in a doubleheader tonight.

Winfield-Mt. Union will compete against Mediapolis today.

New London will take on Highland tonight.

Van Buren County will face off against Mediapolis tomorrow, June 20th.

Danville will take on Wapello today.

Central Lee will take on Washington tomorrow.

In Southeast Iowa conference (SEC) play, Fort Madison will host Burlington tonight in a doubleheader and Washington will be competing against Keokuk in a doubleheader today.

High School Softball

Mt. Pleasant lost to Wilton over the weekend 10-1. Saige Burchett had both of the Panthers hits (a double and a triple) and the lone RBI. The Panthers will take on Fairfield at home in a doubleheader tonight with game one at 5:30 pm. KILJ will be on the call with pregame at 5:15 pm.

Central Lee will face off against Columbus today on the road.

New London participated in the Cardinal Invitational over the weekend and fell in both of their games, 13-1 against Cardinal and 7-0 to Pella Christian. The Tigers will take on Highland tonight.

Mediapolis will face off against Winfield-Mt. Union tonight.

Danville fell in both of their games over the weekend at the Hillcrest Academy Tournament. Hillcrest Academy defeated Danville 16-9 in game one. Aubrey Nahorny went 3 for 4 with three doubles and 2 RBIs. English Valleys won game two 13-1. The Bears will face off against Wapello today.

Holy Trinity Catholic will travel to play Hillcrest Academy tonight.

Van Buren County will battle against Lone Tree today.

In SEC games, Fort Madison will compete against Burlington and Washington will take on Keokuk in doubleheaders tonight.

Mt. Pleasant Cross Country

The Mt. Pleasant Cross Country optional summer runs started up today. The runs will be led by upperclassmen as coaches may not be present for every run. The practices are open to runners from 7th to 12th grade.

On Mondays and Wednesdays, runs will begin at the Old Threshers Museum Theatre at 6:30 am.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, runs will start at 7 pm at Saunders Park by the swimming pool.

The runs will continue throughout the summer until the middle of August. If you have any questions, reach out to Coach Murray at 319-850-0867.

Prospect League

The Burlington Bees fell to the O’Fallon Hoots 5-3 over the weekend. Tanner Holland and Simon Turner each tallied a double and an RBI for the Bees. Cauy Massner, a former Iowa Wesleyan Tiger, pitched 4.2 innings with 3 strikeouts in the loss. The Bees will travel to take on the Jackson Rockabillys tonight.

The Clinton LumberKings split their weekend games as they lost to the Chillicothe Paints 9-7 on Saturday and defeated the Johnstown Mill Rats 13-3 yesterday. In game one, Will Stark cracked a double and a triple on his way to an RBI. Trevor Burkhart and Casey Hintz tied for the team lead in RBIs with two. In game two, Gavin Brzozowski went 4 for 4 with three doubles and 4 RBIs. The LumberKings take on the Mill Rats again today on the road.

Iowa State Basketball

Omaha Biliew, a freshman on the men’s team, was named to the 2023 USA U19 Men’s National Team scheduled to start on June 24th in Hungary. The US has won the competition 8 times and has won three of the last four. He is the 9th Cyclone to play for a USA Basketball team.

This Day in Sports History

1970 – Jim Bouton’s controversial baseball diary “Ball Four” is published. Informally, blacklisting him from major league baseball.

1999 – Stanley Cup, Marine Midland Arena, Buffalo, NY: Dallas Stars edge Buffalo Sabres, 2-1 in triple overtime for 4-2 series win; Brett Hull clinches series with the infamous “No Goal” ruling.

2011 – US Open Men’s Golf, Congressional CC: Irishman Rory McIlroy wins by 8 strokes ahead of Australian Jason Day; sets a then 11 tournament records, including lowest total 72-hole score (268) and lowest total under par (−16).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sports, June 16th

By Allison Jacobs · Friday, June 16th, 2023 at 6:08 am CDT

High School Baseball

Mt. Pleasant handed Burlington their first conference loss on the season in a 9-7 win at Mapleleaf. The Panthers scored the first 7 runs of the game and had an 8 to 1 lead entering the 6th inning. The Grayhounds rallied for 2 runs in the 6th inning to make it 8 to 3. A leadoff triple from Payton Hagans led to a sacrifice fly from Zerek Venghaus making the new score 9 to 3.

That’s when Burlington decided to make things interesting and score 4 runs in the top of the 7th inning cutting the lead down 9 to 7. The Grayhounds had the bases loaded with two outs when Hagans struck out the last batter for the win. Ben Newton picked up the win on the mound allowing only 1 run with 3 strikeouts in 5.2 innings of work. The Panthers will face off against Fairfield at home in a doubleheader on June 19th.

Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to face off against Highland tonight.

New London will take on Highland on June 19th.

Van Buren County was able to force extra innings after scoring two runs in the bottom of the 7th inning, but Central Lee walked away with the 6-5 win in the 8th inning. Taylor Sprouse went 2 for 4 with 4 RBIs in the losing effort. The Warriors will take on Danville on the road tonight. The Hawks will face off against West Burlington today.

In Southeast Iowa conference (SEC) play, Washington walked it off against Fairfield scoring 3 runs in the bottom of the 7th inning to win 9-8.

High School Softball

Mt. Pleasant battled against the #9 team in Class 4A, Burlington, but came up short losing 5-2. Emma Starr and Addison Clark each tallied an RBI in the loss. The Panthers will take on Wilton tomorrow, June 17th.

Central Lee will host West Burlington tonight.

New London handled Mediapolis last night 13-1. Anna Ford had the lone RBI for the Bulldogs. The Tigers will take on Cardinal tomorrow. The Bulldogs will face off against Winfield-Mt. Union on June 19th.

Danville lost to Holy Trinity Catholic last night 13-2. The Bears will face off against Van Buren County tonight. The Crusaders will travel to play Hillcrest Academy on June 19th.

Winfield-Mt. Union fell to Columbus Junction last night 15-0. Quin Smith had the lone hit for the Wolves with a single. The Wolves will face off against Highland tonight on the road.

In SEC games, Fairfield stopped the sweep defeating Washington 10-3. Lilly Bergren led the Trojans with 5 RBIs. Fort Madison had a 7th inning rally to force extra innings and the Bloodhounds came out on top over Keokuk 13-12.

Mt. Pleasant Cross Country

The Mt. Pleasant Cross Country optional summer runs will start up Monday, June 19th. The runs will be led by upperclassmen as coaches may not be present for every run. The practices are open to runners from 7th to 12th grade.

On Mondays and Wednesdays, runs will begin at the Old Threshers Museum Theatre at 6:30 am.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, runs will start at 7 pm at Saunders Park by the swimming pool.

The runs will continue throughout the summer until the middle of August. If you have any questions, reach out to Coach Murray at 319-850-0867.

Prospect League

The Burlington Bees picked up a much needed win over the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp yesterday 9-8. Hawkeye turned Bee, Coy Sarsfield tallied two RBIs in the contest. The Bees take on the Cape Catfish tonight.

Clinton is now on a 5-game winning streak after taking down the Danville Dans 9-3 last night. Parker Shupe smacked a three-run homer for the LumberKings. Clinton faces off against the Lafayette Aviators tonight.

This Day in Sports History

1909 – Jim Thorpe makes his pro baseball pitching debut for Rocky Mount (ECL) with 4-2 win, this will cause him to forfeit his Olympic gold medals.

1975 – NBA Milwaukee Bucks trade Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Walt Wesley to L.A. Lakers for 4 players.

1989 – In the 88 previous U.S. Opens, there had only been 17 holes-in-one, then Doug Weaver, Mark Wiebe, Jerry Pate, and Nick Price each got a hole-in-one on the par-three, 160-yard sixth hole.

Sports, June 15th

By Allison Jacobs · Thursday, June 15th, 2023 at 6:08 am CDT

High School Baseball

Mt. Pleasant brought the power last night to EBF with four extra base hits leading the way to a 13-5 win. Payton Walker started the scoring with an RBI single in the top of the 1st inning. The Panthers added 5 runs in the 3rd inning after J.C. Sitar clobbered the Panthers first home run of the season for 2 RBIs. Garrett Cook smashed his own 2 RBI double and Ben Newton totaled the final RBI of the inning off a single.

Walker was not finished at the plate as he sent the ball over the fence for the Panthers second home run of the season to add an insurance run in the 5th inning after the Rockets scored 5 runs to make it 6 to 5. Newton added another RBI later in the inning. The Panthers added four runs in the 6th inning and one more run in the 7th inning to reach the final.

Walker reached base in all five of his at-bats and picked up the complete game win on the mound as he struck out the side in the 7th inning to finish with 4 strikeouts for the game. The Panthers will take on Burlington tonight at home with first pitch at 7:30 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to face off against Highland tomorrow, June 16th.

New London will host Mediapolis tonight.

Danville will travel to face off against Burlington Notre Dame today at 5:30 pm.

Central Lee will take on Van Buren County tonight on the road.

Van Buren County moved to 15-1 on the season after handling Highland last night 16-0.

In Southeast Iowa conference (SEC) play, Fort Madison will host Keokuk and Fairfield will travel to take on Washington tonight. Burlington fell to Davenport Assumption yesterday 12-8.

High School Softball

Mt. Pleasant will have a rematch with Burlington tonight at home with first pitch at 7:30 pm.

Van Buren County lost to Highland last night 14-2 after the Huskies scored all of their runs in the 1st inning. The Warriors will face off against Central Lee today at home.

New London was defeated by Wapello last night 5-0. The Tigers will host Mediapolis tonight.

Danville will face off against Holy Trinity Catholic tonight.

Winfield-Mt. Union fell to Holy Trinity Catholic last night 18-2. Keely Malone went 3 for 3 with two doubles and an RBI as Anna Anderson picked up the other RBI. The Wolves will take on Columbus today.

Mediapolis ran up the score against Pekin last night after being down 2 to 0 entering the 4th inning to win 14-2. Avery Bandy tallied 5 RBIs for the Bulldogs.

In SEC games, Washington will look for the complete 3-game sweep over Fairfield tonight. Fort Madison will host Keokuk today at 7:30 pm.

Mt. Pleasant Cross Country

The Mt. Pleasant Cross Country optional summer runs will start up Monday, June 19th. The runs will be led by upperclassmen as coaches may not be present for every run. The practices are open to runners from 7th to 12th grade.

On Mondays and Wednesdays, runs will begin at the Old Threshers Museum Theatre at 6:30 am.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, runs will start at 7 pm at Saunders Park by the swimming pool.

The runs will continue throughout the summer until the middle of August. If you have any questions, reach out to Coach Murray at 319-850-0867.

Prospect League

The Burlington Bees will look to get back in the win column tonight against the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp at home.

The LumberKings defeated the Danville Dans 5-4 in extra innings. The game winning RBI went to Brock Wollin. Danville and Clinton will rematch tonight.

This Day in Sports History

1928 – Philadelphia Athletics baseball star Ty Cobb, steals home for a record 54th time.

2004 – NBA Finals: Detroit Pistons beat Los Angeles Lakers, 100-87 in Game 5 to complete one of the greatest upsets in NBA history; MVP: Chauncey Billups.

2019 – Baseball jersey belonging to Babe Ruth becomes most expensive sports memorabilia when it sells for $5.64 million at an auction in New York.

 

 

 

 

Sports, June 14th

By Allison Jacobs · Wednesday, June 14th, 2023 at 6:27 am CDT

High School Baseball

Mt. Pleasant will take on EBF tonight on the road at 7:30 pm. KILJ will be on the call with pregame at 7:15 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to face off against Highland on Friday, June 16th.

Danville took the lead 2 to 0 after scoring in the top of the 1st inning, but it was all New London after scoring the next 15 runs to win 15-2. The Tigers will host Mediapolis tomorrow, June 15th.

Danville will travel to face off against Burlington Notre Dame tomorrow at 5:30 pm.

Mediapolis will compete against Pekin tonight with first pitch at 5:30 pm.

Central Lee will battle with Lone Tree on the road tonight.

Van Buren County shutout West Burlington last night 8-0. The Warriors will travel to take on Highland tonight at 7 pm.

In Southeast Iowa conference (SEC) play, Fort Madison will host Keokuk and Fairfield will travel to take on Washington tomorrow. Burlington will face off against Davenport Assumption tonight.

High School Softball

Mt. Pleasant will have a rematch with Burlington tomorrow at home with first pitch at 7:30 pm.

Van Buren County will host Highland tonight with first pitch at 7 pm.

New London will travel to take on Wapello tonight.

Danville will face off against Holy Trinity Catholic tomorrow, June 15th.

Winfield-Mt. Union fell to Wapello last night 13-0. The Wolves will host Holy Trinity Catholic tonight at 7 pm.

Central Lee will take on Lone Tree tonight.

Mediapolis will take on Pekin today.

In SEC games, Washington will look for the complete 3-game sweep over Fairfield tomorrow. Fort Madison will host Keokuk tomorrow at 7:30 pm.

Prospect League

Five Hawkeyes will be joining the Prospect League. Burlington will be adding two members to their Bees’ club in Will Mulflur and Coy Sarsfield. Mulflur batted 0.143 in 21 at bats with one of his three hits being a home run. He also tallied 3 RBIs. Coy Sarsfield batted 0.176 in 17 at bats. Sarsfield walked twice and stole a base.

The Clinton LumberKings picked up three Hawkeyes to join them for the summer. Drew Proskovec appeared in three games on the mound and finished with an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 0.83.

Jack Young adds another arm to the LumberKIngs as he touts a 4.76 ERA in 7 appearances. Ben DeTaeye provides Clinton with another lefty pitcher.

The Burlington Bees woes continued after losing their 5th consecutive game last night to the Quincy Gems 11-6. Mason Schwalbach had a double and two RBIs and Keanu Spenser smacked a home run and tallied two more RBIs. The Bees will look to get back in the win column tomorrow against the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp at home.

The LumberKings will host the Danville Dans tonight.

This Day in Sports History

1870 – All-pro Cincinnati Red Stockings suffer their first loss in 130 games. The streak includes 81 official games and 49 exhibitions.

1966 – Miami beats St. Petersburg (Florida State League) 4-3 in 29 innings, the longest uninterrupted game in organized baseball.

2000 – Greg Maddux makes his 387th putout, breaking Jack Morris’ career record.

 

 

 

 

Cynthia “Cindy” Houston

By Allison Jacobs · Thursday, June 8th, 2023 at 1:47 pm CDT

Cynthia “Cindy” Houston, 72, of Salem, died unexpectedly Monday, June 5, 2023, at the Henry County Health Center.

Cindy was born February 26, 1951, in Mount Pleasant, the daughter of Wilbur and Ruby “Arlene” (Rees) Swan. She graduated from Winfield-Mount Union High School in 1969, and went on to attend the Medical Assistant program at Southeastern Community College. Cindy married Ron Westerbeck in 1970, they later divorced. She married Jim Houston in 1990, they later divorced. Cindy lived in Florida for a number of years before returning to the Henry County communities. Cindy was a member of the Winfield Methodist Church. She worked at the John Deere store in Winfield and later in life worked as a teacher’s aide in the Winfield-Mount Union Community School District. After retirement, Cindy loved to spend her time volunteering. She could be found at the Quarter Maybe More Store in Mount Pleasant, Lewelling Quaker Museum in Salem and her favorite, reading to students at the elementary schools. She also loved spending time with family and enjoyed animals, especially cats and horses.

Cindy is survived by her son Christopher (Sarah) Westerbeck of Katy, Texas; four grandchildren, Rachel, Alex, Emma and Emily; sister Nancy (Doyle) Syfert of Salem; three nephews Jerad (Lisa) Syfert, Jake (Angie) Syfert, Joe (Nicole) Syfert all of Mount Pleasant; a niece Jamie (Jeremy) Orr of Salem; and 13 great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Richard Swan.

Memorial Service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 17, 2023, at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel and Crematory. Visitation will begin at 1:00, with family present to greet friends. A memorial fund has been established for Salem Fire and Rescue. The Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel and Crematory is caring for Cindy and her family. www.powellfuneralhomes.com

Weekly Fuel Report

By Allison Jacobs · Thursday, June 8th, 2023 at 6:20 am CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (June 7, 2023) – The price of regular unleaded gasoline fell 4 cents, averaging $3.37 across Iowa according to AAA.

Crude Oil Summary

  • The price of global crude oil fell this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $5.74 per barrel over last week, currently priced at $68.82.
  • Brent crude oil fell $5.59 and is currently priced at $72.84.
  • One year ago, WTI crude sold for $100.28 and Brent crude was at $125.53.

Motor Fuels

  • As of Wednesday, May 31, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $3.37 across Iowa according to AAA.
    • Prices fell 4 cents from last week’s price and 89 cents lower than one year ago.
    • The national average on Wednesday was $3.58, up 2 cents from last week’s price.
  • Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 3 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.70.
    • One year ago, diesel prices averaged $5.16 in Iowa.
    • The current Iowa diesel price is 25 cents less than the national average of $3.95.
  • Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.
  • The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $2.43 for U87-E10, $2.83 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $2.50 for ULSD#2, $3.04 for ULSD#1, and $2.56 per gallon for E-70 prices.

Heating Fuels

  • Natural gas prices fell 23 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $2.31/MMbtu.
  • We will continue reporting retail heating oil and propane prices in Iowa in September.

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

TWO Residents turn 100 on the same day in Wayland, IA

By Allison Jacobs · Thursday, June 8th, 2023 at 6:19 am CDT

It’s a great achievement to celebrate your 100th birthday, but the celebration is twice the size when TWO people turn 100 on the same day! Parkview Home in Wayland has two residents turning 100 years old on the same day, June 22nd. Betty Messer and Mary Olson also share their birthday with another resident turning the young age of 89 years. With so much to celebrate, you are invited to the party at 102 North Jackson Street in Wayland, IA beginning at 3 p.m. The families request no gifts, if you have any questions call Ron Semler at Parkview Home in Wayland at 319-256-3525.

Stephanie Myers

By Allison Jacobs · Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 at 4:34 pm CDT

MOUNT PLEASANT – Stephanie Gertrude Myers, 75, died Sunday, June 4, 2023 at her home in Mount Pleasant.

Stephanie was born January 14, 1948, in Boston, Massachusetts, the daughter of Earl and Elizabeth (McGurr) Daggett, Sr. She graduated from high school and then served her country in the United States Marine Corp. Stephanie moved to Fort Madison in 1978, and work as a correctional officer for the Iowa State Penitentiary for 16 years. She moved to Mount Pleasant in 2010.

Stephanie is survived by three children: Linda (Greg) Fangman of Waterloo, John (Laura) Myers of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Mark (Kim) Myers of Lockridge; two granddaughters: Megan and Emily Fangman; and two grandsons: Jonathan and Brock Myers. She was preceded in death by her parents and six brothers and sisters.

According to Stephanie’s wishes her body has been cremated and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. The Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel and Crematory is caring for Stephanie and her family. www.powellfuneralhomes.com