Author: Kadie Johannson

On Tuesday, 12/9/25,  the Iowa Transportation Commission approved $9,752,043 in total funding for 28 separate projects from Iowa’s Traffic Safety Improvement Program. The program was created in 1987 for the purpose of increasing traffic safety on all of Iowa’s roadways. This funding is available for use on institutional, city, county, or state roads through an annual application process.

Two local cities will receive funding for their projects.

The City of Burlington will receive $500,000 for a roundabout on Division Street and West Burlington Avenue. The total project cost estimated at just over 1.4 million dollars.

The City of Fairfield will also benefit from the DOT Traffic Safety Improvement Program, receiving $212,630 for pedestrian improvements on Main Street and Burlington Avenue. Fairfield’s project is estimated at $373,000 for the full project.

The complete list of projects can be found on the Iowa DOT Traffic Safety Improvement Program web page or by visiting KILJ.com under the news tab.

Authorities say a man found dead near Snake Alley in Burlington on Sunday morning died of natural causes. At around 11:45 a.m., Craig “Doc” Patterson, 65, of Burlington, was found dead on the 600 block of Washington Street, according to the Burlington Police Department.

Emergency personnel and the Burlington Police Department had initially been called to the scene after receiving a report of an unresponsive man at the location. Patterson was pronounced dead at the scene. The preliminary investigation indicates that Patterson’s death was the result of medical event. No foul play is suspected.

On this day, December 10, 2025, KILJ Radio remembers the shooting death of 53-year-old Mt. Pleasant Mayor Edward M. King that stunned the city of Mt. Pleasant and rocked the nation. On this day, 39 years ago, in 1986, Mayor King was shot and killed, and two city council members: Ron Dupree and Joann Sankey were left with severe injuries. The gunman, Ralph O. Davis, walked into a Mt. Pleasant City Council meeting and shot them over a sewer dispute.

In addition to being mayor, Edd King was Vice President and Director of Personnel at what was then known as Metromail. He knew everyone and most people by their first name.

Edd King and the former E.A. Hayes put Mt. Pleasant, at the crossroads of Highway 218 and 34, on the map. They were instrumental in bringing Pioneer Hi-Bred International and the Walmart Distribution Center to Mt. Pleasant.

The Mayor Edd King Memorial Fountain can be found in Mt. Pleasant’s Central Park as a constant reminder of what Mayor King meant to the city of Mt. Pleasant and the tragedy that struck our small town.

DONNELLSON, IA — Kaisie Peterson will serve as the next principal of Central Lee Middle School, starting in the 2026-27 school year.

Peterson brings 13 years of experience in education, including roles in special education, 4th grade, and, most recently, 5th grade at CLMS. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to student learning and continuous school improvement.

“Kaisie has been a strong teacher and leader within our district,” said Central Lee Community School District Superintendent Dr. Andy Crozier. “She brings the experience, passion, and vision necessary to lead our middle school into the future. I am confident she will build strong relationships, guide our staff in effective instructional practices, and create the conditions for continued student success.”

Peterson’s leadership has extended beyond the classroom through her service as a Professional Learning Community (PLC) leader, mentor teacher, and active member of building leadership and lighthouse teams. She also plays an important role in supporting student-athletes by coaching middle school basketball and organizing youth programming for 1st and 2nd grade through Central Lee Youth Basketball.

As a proud graduate of Central Lee, Peterson has deep roots in the district. She and her husband, Tyler, are the parents of two Central Lee students and are active members of the community.

The Henry County Conservation Department is rolling out a major change to how residents access park information, facility reservations, and conservation updates. The department has announced it is moving away from the long-time MyCountyParks platform and transitioning to a new system hosted through CivicPlus.

Officials say the switch will give visitors a more streamlined and user-friendly experience, with improved navigation, updated reservation tools, and better integration with the county’s existing digital services. The new CivicPlus site will also offer more flexibility for posting timely announcements, trail information, and seasonal programming.

During the transition, users may notice temporary changes in how they make campground or cabin reservations, but the conservation department says staff will be available to help guide people through the new process. All current bookings will remain valid.

Henry County Conservation encourages residents to watch for updates as the CivicPlus platform goes live in the coming weeks. More information will be posted on the county’s official website and social media pages. The change is set to occur January 1, 2026.

In other Henry County Conservation news… Their deer processing program scheduled for tonight, December 9, has been canceled due to lack of interest.

Willy Amos, District Store Director at both the Washington and Mount Pleasant Hy-Vee locations, has announced his retirement, effective January 1, 2026.

Amos has been part of the Hy-Vee family for 38 years, beginning his career in 1987 as a part-time courtesy clerk at the Chariton store. Over the next several years, he held various roles across multiple locations, finally landing as store director in Mount Pleasant in 2001.

In a letter to all store associates Willy said, “There is no way to put into words what Hy-Vee means to me and my family. It’s the only job I have ever had and the only job I ever wanted. Serving our customers, our staff, and the community of Mount Pleasant is what I am the proudest of. ‘A helpful smile in Everly Aisle’ isn’t just a tagline. It’s truly how we operate as a company. I am beyond thankful for all the opportunities and experiences I have been given at Hy-Vee. It’s time to focus on my health and my family. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of my 38 years at Hy-Vee.”

It would be difficult to find a more dedicated store leader than Willy. Not only do his store teams provide outstanding service, but he is also a key part of the community in every way. Whether it’s serving on the school board, coaching Little League, or organizing a community food drive, Willy is always there to help Hy-Vee and our community.

Please join KILJ in congratulating Willy on his remarkable and successful career.