Author: Hayden Douglas

Burlington Trailways has announced it will shut down its West Burlington bus depot and discontinue all scheduled intercity routes at the end of the day on September 27.

The company confirmed the decision Tuesday afternoon, saying rising costs and federal funding challenges made rural intercity bus service financially unsustainable. Despite the closure, Burlington Trailways emphasized that it is not bankrupt and will continue to provide other services.

Tours and charters will remain in operation through September 30, and company officials noted that charters could extend into 2026, depending on the outcome of a pending auto insurance quote. An answer on that request is expected by October 1.

“If any service has to be canceled, passengers will be contacted and refunded,” the company’s statement said.

Officials pointed to several reasons behind the decision, including outdated federal grant formulas under the 5311(f) program, instability in partnerships with other carriers, and the high cost of bus insurance.

While the West Burlington depot will close, Burlington Trailways’ Division Street office will remain open.

Ron and Lori Moore, who have owned the company since 1981, released a statement expressing gratitude to the region for nearly a century of support.

“It has been an honor to serve our community, while we are deeply saddened by the discontinuation of our intercity scheduled route service, we are committed to continuing our tour, charter, and garage services as long as possible. We wish our employees the best in their future endeavors. Without their hard work and dedication, none of our accomplishments would have been possible.”

Founded in 1929, Burlington Trailways has been a familiar name in Southeast Iowa for generations, carrying passengers across the region and beyond.

BNSF Railway crews are currently making repairs to the rail crossing at Oakberry Avenue and 250th Street in New London.

As a result, the crossing will be closed to traffic for the remainder of this week. Drivers are encouraged to plan alternate routes and use caution in the area.

The work is part of BNSF’s ongoing maintenance efforts to ensure the safety and reliability of rail infrastructure.

This information was provided by the Henry County Engineer’s Office.

MIDDLETOWN – A major investment is coming to the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant (IAAP) in Middletown, Iowa. The U.S. Department of Defense announced Friday that the Army Contracting Command at Rock Island, Illinois, has signed a $635.2 million agreement with MSM Group North America to add a new production line at the facility.

The project calls for the Florida-based company to design, construct, and bring online a load, assemble, and pack facility at IAAP. The contract was funded through Army allocations in the Fiscal Year 2024 and 2025 defense budgets.

Only one bid was received for the project, which carries an estimated completion date of August 10, 2029.

IAAP has been in operation since World War II, when it opened in 1941 under the name Iowa Ordnance Plant. Today, it remains a cornerstone of U.S. military readiness, manufacturing medium- and large-caliber ammunition for the Department of Defense.

AT THIS TIME: KILJ News is waiting response from Joint Munitions Command out of Rock Island for a response on this expansion. More details will be released as they develop.

Scattered precipitation across Iowa gave farmers 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending August 17, 2025, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included oat and hay harvests, along with limited reports of fungicide and insecticide applications.

Moisture levels remained favorable across most of the state. Topsoil moisture was rated 72 percent adequate and 26 percent surplus, with only 2 percent short. Subsoil moisture mirrored the trend, with 73 percent adequate and 23 percent surplus.

Corn development continued steadily, with nearly all fields silking. Corn in the dough stage reached 78 percent, slightly behind last year and the five-year average, while 27 percent of corn had entered the dent stage, on pace with historical trends. Overall corn condition was rated 86 percent good to excellent.

Soybeans were also progressing well, with 96 percent of fields blooming and 83 percent setting pods. Crop condition was rated 82 percent good to excellent. Oat harvest was nearly complete, with 91 percent of the crop harvested.

Hay and pasture conditions reflected the season’s favorable rainfall. The third cutting of alfalfa reached 65 percent complete, while pastures were rated 83 percent good to excellent. Frequent rains extended grazing opportunities, and livestock were generally reported in good condition, though some stress was noted from heat and humidity.

MOUNT PLEASANT – Midwest Old Threshers has announced a meeting for all gate operation workers ahead of this year’s reunion. The meeting will take place on (Tonight) Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. in the lower level of the Theater Museum.

Gate workers are essential to the success of the annual Old Threshers Reunion, helping welcome thousands of visitors and ensuring smooth entry throughout the event. The upcoming meeting will provide important information, updates, and training to prepare staff for the busy Labor Day weekend.

Organizers strongly encourage all gate operation workers to attend in order to review responsibilities, ask questions, and help guarantee a positive experience for guests at this year’s reunion.

MOUNT PLEASANT – Whitney Rogers, a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Mount Pleasant, has earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) certification, awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board).

The CFP® designation is recognized as one of the highest standards in the financial services industry. To achieve certification, Rogers completed rigorous coursework and examinations covering a broad range of topics, including: Financial management, Tax-sensitive investment strategies, Retirement savings, Insurance planning, Education planning, and Estate considerations.

In addition to meeting the education and examination requirements, Rogers has pledged to uphold the CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct.

Rogers works alongside Branch Office Administrator Keelyn Kauffman at the Mount Pleasant Edward Jones office. They can be reached at 319-385-3411, or online at edwardjones.com/whitney-rogers.

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A North Carolina man is facing multiple felony charges in North Carolina after authorities say he picked up a missing juvenile in Fairfield and transported her across state lines.

On August 17, the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina was contacted by the Fairfield Police Department regarding a missing female juvenile from Fairfield. Fairfield Police determined through their investigation that the girl had been in contact with a man through texting applications and that he had driven her from Fairfield to Rockingham County.

Deputies located the juvenile at a residence on Willow Street in Reidsville, North Carolina, along with 25-year-old John Michael Johnson. Detectives and the Rockingham County Department of Social Services responded to the scene, beginning a joint investigation.

Following an interview with Johnson and consultation with the Rockingham County District Attorney’s Office, Johnson was charged with felony second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and felony solicitation by computer. He was taken before a magistrate and issued an $850,000 secure bond. Johnson is scheduled to appear in Rockingham County District Court on August 26, 2025.

Authorities confirmed the juvenile’s parents were notified. She is currently in the care of Rockingham County Department of Social Services until her parents can take custody.

The investigation remains ongoing with cooperation between the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, Fairfield Police Department, and the Invictus Task Force—a multi-county partnership that includes the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security, focused on combating internet crimes against children, sexual abuse, trafficking, and online exploitation. Officials said additional charges are expected.

Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page urged parents nationwide to remain vigilant. “Individuals will use current technologies such as messaging applications and other internet-accessible means to not only conduct scams, but also to exploit and prey on our children. We are seeing this activity far too often now. I would implore parents to be vigilant and involved in monitoring cell phone and internet usage by their children,” Page said.

Sheriff Page also thanked the Fairfield Police Department, the Invictus Task Force, the Rockingham County District Attorney’s Office, and Rockingham County Social Services for their assistance.