Mount Pleasant Man Charged with Domestic Abuse Strangulation

By Kathy Snow · Monday, July 13th, 2026 at 7:27 pm CDT

A Mount Pleasant man is facing charges following a domestic disturbance early Sunday morning.

According to the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched at approximately 3:15 a.m. on July 12th to the 2400-grid of Diane Lane, just outside Mount Pleasant, after receiving a 9-1-1 call reporting a domestic disturbance.

Authorities say their investigation determined that 23-year-old Dallyn Kern of Mount Pleasant allegedly placed his hand over the victim’s mouth, interfering with the victim’s normal breathing. Investigators also allege Kern took the victim’s phone to prevent a call to law enforcement.

Kern has been charged with Domestic Abuse Strangulation, an aggravated misdemeanor, and Obstruction of Emergency Communications, a simple misdemeanor.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Mount Pleasant Police Department.

As in all criminal cases, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

John Lewis Christner

By Kathy Snow · Monday, July 13th, 2026 at 7:03 pm CDT

John Lewis Christner, 94, of Burlington and formerly of the Kalona community, passed away on Monday, July 13, 2026, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington surrounded by his loving family.

John was born on April 20, 1932, in Kalona, the son of Elam and Nettie (Swartzendruber) Christner. John was united in marriage to Nellie M. Bachmann on June 28, 1953, at the East Union Mennonite Church.  She preceded him in death on. September 27, 2007. John later married Marilyn Hiatt on July 11, 2009, at the Marion Avenue Baptist Church.

John was a longtime farmer in the Kalona area. For many years he owned and operated a corn shelling business until he lost his arm in a farming accident. He later became a salesman for Moorman Feed.

He was one of the founding members of the Marion Avenue Baptist Church where he enjoyed teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, being a deacon, treasurer, bus captain and soul-winner. After moving to Burlington, he became a member of the Heritage Baptist Church where he continued to serve faithfully in many different capacities. He also enjoyed planting flowers and tending to his yard.

Those thankful for sharing in his life are his wife, Marilyn, his son, Steve (Sally) Christner of Turner, Maine, a daughter, Joyce (Terry) Anglea of Bourbonnais, Illinois, and another daughter, Heidi (Brad) Cranston, of Burlington, Iowa, 18 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren, (with one great, great grandchild on the way!), his sister, Eudora Mullet of Kalona, Iowa, and his brother, Leo Christner of Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was blessed to share his life with his four stepchildren and their families, Jim (Patricia) Hiatt of Fairfield, Linda (Chris) Von Wiesenthal of Cyprus, Texas, Margaret (Mick) Schneider of Shawnee Mission, Kansas, and Marcia (Dacid) Wagner of Burlington, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Nellie, and one brother, Cecil Christner.

A Celebration of John’s life will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Marion Avenue Baptist Church in Washington, Iowa. Burial will follow in the Elm Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2026, at the church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Heritage Baptist Church of Burlington, Iowa.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at murphyfuneralandmonuments.com.

The Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant is honored to serve the family with love, comfort and dignity as we celebrate the life of John.

Central Lee School Board Meeting Tuesday, July 14th at 7am

By Kathy Snow · Monday, July 13th, 2026 at 6:55 pm CDT

The Central Lee School Board will meet in regular session on Tuesday, July 14th in the High School Commons.

Along with routine business, agenda items include: volunteer coaching approvals, financial reports, board appointments and policies, hot lunch guidelines, and an overnight trip request for students accepted into the Iowa All-State Show Choir and Band, July 17th – 20th in Pella.

The superintendent’s report will also include updates on summer projects, annual AEA staff training, and a reminder that online school registration is now open as the district prepares for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year.

For the complete school board meeting agenda, click here.

Central Lee Community School District is also reminding families that the first day of school for students is Monday, August 24th.

Parents should note that there will not be a scheduled, in-person registration day this year. Registration for all students in kindergarten through 12th grade must be completed online through the district’s registration portal. Families are encouraged to review the registration information to help guide them through the registration process.

If you have any questions, please contact the Central Lee Community School District office at 319-835-9510.

Henry County 2-Week Road Closure Begins Wednesday, July 15th: 245th Street and Hickory Avenue

By Kathy Snow · Monday, July 13th, 2026 at 5:27 pm CDT

Just a heads up that starting Wednesday, July 15th, the Henry County Road Department will begin re-grading 245th Street and Hickory Avenue from 235th Street to the bridge at the County Quarry entrance.

245th Street and Hickory Avenue will be closed to through traffic for two weeks, depending on weather. In addition, drivers should expect daily closures at various crossroads while crews replace drainage pipes, and are also encouraged to plan alternate routes as well as allow extra travel time.

If you have any questions, please call the Henry County Road Department at 319-385-0762.

And from all of us at KILJ, please remember to “respect the cone zone”—slow down, stay alert, and give road construction crews plenty of room to work safely.

Here’s a map link of the road construction area to help plan your alternate route.

Mt. Pleasant Man Arrested for Stealing Truck

By Kathy Snow · Saturday, July 11th, 2026 at 8:12 am CDT

A Mount Pleasant man is facing felony theft charges after a stolen work truck was recovered last week.

According to court records, Integrity Builders in New London reported that a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado work truck was stolen from the company’s parking lot on July 2nd.

At approximately 1:50 p.m. on July 6th, Mount Pleasant Police located the truck at the Stow-n-Go storage facility in Mount Pleasant. Officers also observed 31-year-old Reed Walton in the immediate area of the vehicle.

Walton has been charged with First Degree Theft, a Class C felony. As with all criminal charges, the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

James Lane

By Kathy Snow · Friday, July 10th, 2026 at 6:36 pm CDT

With peaceful hearts we share that James Dale Lane, born August 31, 1946, went to be home with his heavenly Father, July 10, 2026.

Jim was the kind of man who made everyone feel welcome. He lived his life centered around those he loved. When he wasn’t working (retired from Dexter), he spent his time piddling around in his garage. He was a true “Mr. Fix-It” who loved building things and working with his hands. When he wasn’t in the garage, he enjoyed spending time fishing and following his beloved Iowa Hawkeyes.

Jim is survived by his wife of 36 years, Deanna; his children, Rachel (Mike) Lewis and Mike (Jill) Lane and their mother, Valerie Harryman, who remained an important part of his life; his children, Teresa Kaylene and John Odell; and his stepchildren, Shon (Michelle) Baxter and Shelly Baxter.

He is also survived by a large and lively group of grandchildren and great-grandchildren who kept life interesting; his sisters, Karen (Bob) Gordon, Connie (Dave) Gardner, Kathy (Terry) Klett, and Pat (Jack) Lathrop.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Madeline Lane; sisters, Peggy and Marie; brothers, Dan, Ron, Harold, and Dick; and his beloved dog, Molli.

Private graveside services will be held at Friends Cemetery in Richland, Iowa. Jim will be remembered for his strong hands, generous heart, and the bonds he built within his family.

Memorials and cards may be sent to the family at 2903 W. Jefferson Ave. Apt A, Fairfield, Iowa 52556. Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield is assisting Jim’s family.

Lee County Fair Swine Show Crowns 2026 Champions

By Kathy Snow · Friday, July 10th, 2026 at 5:05 pm CDT

Here are your Lee County Fair 2026 Swine Show results. KILJ congratulates the following exhibitors!

Champion Crossbred Breeding Gilt – Presley Moeller
Reserve Champion Crossbred Breeding Gilt – Jaren Gerdes

Champion Purebred Breeding Gilt – Presley Moeller
Reserve Champion Purebred Breeding Gilt – Avery Steffensmeier

Champion Breeding Gilt – Presley Moeller
Reserve Champion Breeding Gilt – Jaren Gerdes
3rd Overall Breeding Gilt – Ella Weisinger
4th Overall Breeding Gilt – Presley Moeller
5th Overall Breeding Gilt – Brady Wellman

Champion Derby Gilt – Korden Moeller

Champion Derby Barrow – Hudson Essing

Champion Derby Swine – Hudson Essing
Reserve Champion Derby Swine – Jayden Mueller

Champion Derby Carcass – Kathleen Steffensmeier
Reserve Champion Derby Carcass – Korben Moeller

1st Place Rate of Gain – Kathleen Steffensmeier
2nd Place Rate of Gain – Kaden Hawk

Champion Competitive Swine Barrow – Taylor Jones
Champion Competitive Swine Gilt – Kaylee Moeller

Champion Competitive Swine Live – Kaylee Moeller
Reserve Champion Competitive Swine Live – Taylor Jones

1st Place Rate of Gain – Calvin Koller
2nd Place Rate of Gain – Zoey Jones

Champion Competitive Swine Carcass – Seely Brown
Reserve Champion Competitive Swine Carcass – Calvin Koller

Champion Junior Competitive Swine Overall – Kolton Moeller
Champion Intermediate Competitive Swine Overall – Kaylee Moeller
Champion Senior Competitive Swine Overall – Korben Moeller

Champion Market Gilt – Alex Schwartz
Reserve Champion Market Gilt – Owen Swan

Champion Market Barrow – Ella Weisinger
Reserve Champion Market Barrow – Jaren Gerdes

Champion Purebred Market Swine – Julia Fraise
Reserve Champion Purebred Market Swine – Aaden Anderson

Champion Market Swine – Ella Weisinger
Reserve Champion Market Swine – Jaren Gerdes
3rd Overall Market Swine – Jaren Gerdes
4th Overall Market Swine – Alex Schwartz
5th Overall Market Swine – Owen Swan

Champion Advanced Showmanship – Brody Moeller
Champion Senior Showmanship – Jaren Gerdes
Champion Intermediate Showmanship – Presley Moeller
Champion Junior Showmanship – Avery Steffensmeier

A special thanks to Shiloh Outfitters, Donnellson Lumber, Pilot Grove Savings Bank, Northeast Animal Hospital, and Newberry Towing for partnering with us to bring you these fair results.

The Lee County Fair continues through Sunday with livestock shows, entertainment, and grandstand events at the fairgrounds in Donnellson.

Tune in to KILJ’s Lee County Fair live coverage with fun interviews and the latest updates from our very own Allison Jacobs, Kathy Snow, and Kadie Johannson.

Check out this interview with Hudson Essing:

 

Thomas Ray Shahan

By Kathy Snow · Friday, July 10th, 2026 at 2:24 pm CDT

Thomas Ray Shahan, 41, of Mount Pleasant died Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Memorial services will be held 3:00 p.m. Thursday, July 16, 2026, at Olson-Yoder Funeral Home. Pastor Brian Swafford will officiate. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at the Airport Road Vineyard and Winery in rural Mount Pleasant. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established for Tom’s children.

Messages may be sent to the family at www.olsonyoderfh.com