The Welcome Home Center and IowaWINs will be hosting a Native American Heritage Month Celebration at the Belle Center, 107 W Broad Street, on Saturday, November 22nd from 5 to 7 PM.
Enjoy cultural displays, Native American art and history, First Thanksgiving foods, and discussions with our neighbors about the first people here. The event is free. All are welcome.
Kristina Kay Bessine Seals, 58, of Burlington, died Saturday, November 15 at the University of Iowa Hospital, Iowa City. She was born January 26,1967, in Burlington to Richard Charles and Betty Jean Sly Bessine. In 1988 she married Marcus Martin and they later divorced.
Kristina was a 1985 graduate of Notre Dame High School and of the Catholic faith. She worked as a Human Resources Manager at Alfagomma America, Inc. She enjoyed shopping, her dogs Bruiser, Baby, Reba and Gigi and absolutely adored time spent with her grandchildren.
Kristina is survived by her daughter Ashley (Matt) Grinnell of West Burlington; her sons Aric (Ashlee) Martin of Burlington and Anthony (Bethany) Martin of Fort Madison; six grandchildren; Cayden, Carsen, and Corben Grinnell; Mattelyn, Jaric, and Wrigley Martin; sisters Mary Bessine of Austin, Tx. and Cindy Bessine of Burlington; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Gene Bessine, and one nephew, Rayme Moore.
According to her wishes her body has been cremated and a celebration of her life will be held at the Crystal Lake Club, 657 Crystal Lake Road, Carman Illinois on Saturday, November 22 at 6pm.
Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com
Carl E. Hughes Jr, 75, of Mount Pleasant, died Friday, November 14, 2025, at Celebrate of Moline in Moline, Illinois.
Carl was born August 18, 1950, in Albia, Iowa, the son of Carl and Reva Mae (Brooke) Hughes Sr. He graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1969. In 1972, Carl enlisted in the United States Air Force. Carl honorably served his country for 20 years as a Tech Sergeant Air Cargo Specialist during the Vietnam War. Carl was united in marriage to Mary Kuykendall. He returned to Mount Pleasant in 2000, where he began working for Republic Services of Iowa. Retiring after 24 years, Carl enjoyed spending time fishing and camping. Carl was a member of the V.F.W. Post 2561.
Carl is survived by his daughter Sabrina Oswalt of Texas; three grandchildren Zackary Daniels, Landon Oswalt, Brenyn Oswalt; brother Kelly Hughes of Mount Pleasant; five nephews David (46), Josiah (42), Matthew (39), Jonathan (38), and Benjamin (30); two nieces Becky (41) and Sara (36).
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Mary, sisters Vicki and Leanne.
A graveside service will be held in the Oakview Cemetery in Albia at a later date. Memorial contributions in Carl’s name may be directed to the V.F.W. Post 2561. The Olson-Yoder Funeral Home & Crematory is caring for Carl and his family. Condolences may be left for the family at www.olsonyoderfh.com.
Just after 12:00 noon on Monday, crews from Mount Pleasant Fire, Salem Fire, and New London Fire responded to a report of a silo on fire at 2801 Lexington Avenue, just outside Mount Pleasant.
KILJ News arrived on scene at approximately 12:20 p.m., where multiple fire personnel were actively working the incident.
Mount Pleasant’s ladder truck was extended to the very top of the tall grain silo as firefighters monitored the upper portion of the structure.
Light, barely visible smoke could be seen drifting from the top. (No Visible Flames)
At this time, the cause of the fire remains unknown, and no injuries have been reported.
Update: Crews were cleared from scene just before 3pm on 11/17/25
Over 30,000 Gallons of water was hauled to the scene from New London fire & Salem Fire.
The Iowa Department of Transportation has implemented new safety measures at the U.S. 218/Highway 34 interchange in Mount Pleasant, installing No Left Turn signs and placing yellow and white road barriers at Exit 42A. The change is designed to prevent drivers from crossing over Highway 34 and making a left turn—or westbound turn—into Mount Pleasant. 
For years, some motorists have used the 42A ramp to turn left despite signage and roadway markings prohibiting the maneuver. That maneuver has contributed to numerous crashes, including a fatal motorcycle accident this past summer, in which a driver attempted to cross oncoming traffic to make a left turn, causing a deadly collision.
The new barriers and signage are meant to physically block that left-turn movement, forcing drivers to use the safer, designated route.
Drivers should be aware:
Exit 42A no longer allows any left turn toward Mount Pleasant. Motorists traveling north on U.S. 218 who need to head west on Highway 34 will now be required to continue to Exit 42B and navigate the exit to make the proper connection into Mount Pleasant.
IDOT officials emphasize the change is permanent and encourage all drivers to stay alert, follow posted signs, and adjust their routes accordingly to ensure safer travel through the interchange.
Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) has announced that she has secured $825,000 in Community Project Funding to support ongoing facility improvements at the Keokuk Area Hospital—a major step toward restoring critical health care access to a region that has been without a hospital since October 2022.
“For more than two years, families in and around Keokuk have gone without local hospital care, a gap that has put lives at risk,” said Miller-Meeks. “As a physician, I am proud to secure this funding to help restore emergency and specialty services and ensure that every Iowan, no matter their ZIP code, has access to timely, reliable, and quality health care. This investment brings hope, stability, and long-overdue support for a community that deserves nothing less.”
Keokuk Area Hospital – $825,000
The funding will support vital facility upgrades needed to reopen the site as a Rural Emergency Hospital. These improvements will allow the facility to provide not only emergency care but also outpatient specialty services, addressing a dangerous gap in health access for Lee County and surrounding communities. The project aims to stabilize health outcomes and reinstate critical medical resources that residents have lacked for more than two years.
This investment is part of more than $5 million in Community Project Funding Congresswoman Miller-Meeks has secured so far this year for communities across Iowa’s 1st District. Her supported projects span a range of essential local priorities, including expanded childcare options, strengthened rural health care systems, and programs that train future medical professionals.
Miller-Meeks continues to advocate for community-driven initiatives designed to enhance quality of life, boost local economies, and ensure Iowa families have reliable access to the services they need and deserve.
Henry County Public Health and Healthy Henry County are alerting families to a multistate outbreak of infant botulism linked to ByHeart Whole Nutrition powdered infant formula. A national recall has been issued, but officials caution that some product may still be in homes and in use.
Parents and caregivers are urged to immediately stop using any ByHeart Whole Nutrition formula, including all powdered varieties and single-serve packets. Officials emphasize that WIC formula supplies are not affected by this recall.
Signs of Infant Botulism
Early symptoms can be subtle, but may rapidly worsen. Parents should watch for:
What to Do
If an infant shows any of these symptoms, families should contact their healthcare provider immediately. If symptoms appear after regular hours, take the child to the nearest emergency department and inform medical staff that botulism is suspected.
Henry County Public Health encourages families to check their formula supplies right away and stay alert for any updates regarding the recall.
For more information, families may contact their healthcare provider or Henry County Public Health.
A late-night traffic stop on Highway 218 resulted in the arrest of an Illinois man on several charges, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
On November 16, 2025, at approximately 8:21 p.m., a deputy conducted a traffic stop near mile marker 150 in Riverside after observing a vehicle traveling 96 miles per hour in a 65-mph zone. The vehicle, registered under license plate 4183894B, was stopped for suspected impaired driving.
During the investigation, deputies arrested Brandon Alan Hamilton, 25, of Liberty, Illinois. Hamilton faces multiple charges, including:
Possession of a Controlled Substance – Marijuana (1st offense)
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Speeding 96/65
Reckless Driving
No Valid Driver’s License
The Sheriff’s Office noted that the vehicle was added to the Mobile Architecture for Communications Handling (MACH) system following the incident.
No injuries were reported. The case remains under investigation.
