David Weller, age 60, of Oakland Mills, passed away July 25. Friends may call after 12 noon Friday at the Schmitz Funeral Home in Farmington where the family will receive friends from 4 to 6 pm Friday afternoon. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established for his son’s education. Schmitz Funeral Home of Farmington is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at schmitzfuneral homes.com.
News, Thursday, July 30th
By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com
New London Man Charged With Possession of Stolen Property:
A motorcycle stolen in Mount Pleasant last week was found in Bonaparte and a New London man has been arrested in connection with case.
Clint Potter, was taken into custody and charged with possession of stolen property and trespassing.
Van Buren County Sheriff’s Deputies said the bike had been re-painted and it’s emblems were removed but were still able to identify it as the missing bike.
Lee County Narcotics Task Force Arrests Two:
The Lee County Narcotics Task Force has announced the arrest of a St. Louis man and woman on felony drug charges.
Christopher Baretich, 29, and Alexandra Mayhall, 27, both of St. Louis, Mo., were arrested in Argyle and charged with felony possession of marijuana and traffic citations for speeding and failure to have a valid driver’s license.
The arrests stem from a traffic stop investigation for speeding conducted by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
This investigation led to the discovery of over one half pound of marijuana located in the vehicle.
The Lee County Narcotics Task Force was contacted to assist in the investigation.
Access Energy Modifies Format for 2020 Annual Meeting:
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainty surrounding the ability of large groups to gather and for the protection of the health and safety of members and employees, the Access Energy Cooperative Board of Directors made the decision to modify the format of the 2020 Annual meeting of the members.
The large gathering that always includes music, family fun and a meal at McMillan Park has been eliminated.
Cooperative Manager Kevin Wheeler explains the Board’s struggle with cancelling the popular picnic:
The election of directors will be conducted by mail and electronic voting only.
Each member who votes will receive a $10 bill credit.
Ballots must be received by 4:30 pm on August 3 to be eligible.
Members should have already received their information packets.
Sen. Chuck Grassley on China’s Promises to Increase Purchases of Ag Commodities:
Iowa farmers are anxious to know that China will carry thru on promises to increase purchases of agriculture goods.
According to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussions with China’s leadership indicates they have every intention of completing their obligations under the Phase 1 trade deal.
KILJ News asked Senator Chuck Grassley if he is confident China will make good on their side of the deal:
Correctional Officer Assaulted at Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison Last Night:
A correctional officer was assaulted by an inmate at the Iowa State Penitentiary at approximately 7:10 p.m last night.
The officer was handling the distribution of medications to inmates in a living unit. After issuing a verbal directive to an inmate, the inmate began advancing towards the officer in an aggressive manner.
The officer attempted to deploy pepper spray, but it didn’t deter the inmate, who then proceeded to assault the officer with closed fist strikes.
The officer was able to utilize defense maneuvers to restrain the inmate, and additional staff quickly arrived to assist.
The officer was assessed by prison medical staff and returned to his post.
The inmate did not suffer any significant injuries.
This incident remains under investigation.
Board Approves $65.4M in Cuts to State Universities:
The Iowa Board of Regents has approved $65.4 million in cuts to the state’s public universities in the latest blow to their budgets.
The Des Moines Register reports that the board unanimously approved a $1.5 billion general operating budget for the schools Tuesday afternoon that includes $727.9 million for the University of Iowa, $629.9 million for Iowa State University, and $170 million for the University of Northern Iowa.
The reductions are on top of an $8 million cut in state funding approved by the Legislature last month.
Sports, Wednesday, July 29th
By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com
Sanders Dissects Underwood, L-M to Semis:
Hailey Sanders twirled a complete-game one-hit shutout as the second-seeded Louisa-Muscatine Falcons made quick work of #7 Underwood with a 6-1 victory in a Class 2A State Quarterfinal at Harlan Rogers Park, yesterday afternoon.
Sanders, the Falcons ace, started the game in a fury — she struck out the game’s first six hitters and carried a perfect game into the 6th inning and her no-hit bid was broken up in the 7th with two outs and two strikes.
She was utterly dominant, finishing with 12 punch-outs over seven innings.
The Falcons got the game’s scoring started in the 2nd inning, scratching a run across on a Kenzie Kissell RBI single after Mae Cox reached base via error.
Kissell, just a freshman, helped break the game open in a three run 4th inning, leading off with an opposite field double.
Later in the inning Hailey Sanders executed a flawless safety squeeze to score her sister, All-State shortstop Kylee Sanders.
Brynn Jeamby had an infield single moments later to tally the Falcon’s fifth run.
Sanders lone mistake came deep in the 7th inning with her team up 6-0.
With two strikes on Maddie Pierce, Sanders hung a two-strike off-speed pitch that was crushed over the left-center field fence for Pierce’s fifth home run of the season.
However it was too little and way too late for Underwood, who was making their first trip to state since 2004.
The Eagles end their season at 14-5 while Louisa-Muscatine, now 19-5, will take on third-seeded Ogden in this afternoon’s Class 2A State Semifinal.
First-pitch is set for 3:30 p.m.
You can listen along on KILJ and kilj.com with air-time scheduled for 3:25 p.m.
SEISC Announces All-Conference Softball Teams:
The Southeast Iowa Super Conference has announced their 2020 All-Conference and several area names received recognition.
Beginning with the Players of the Year, the North Division POY was Louisa-Muscatine senior pitcher Hailey Sanders.
Sanders excelled in the circle, working 95 innings this year to the tune of 0.81 ERA with 149 strikeouts.
The Northern Iowa recruit is 14-2 on the season.
The South Division POY was West Burlington-Notre Dame pitcher Lauren Summers, who was dynamite for the Falcons this season.
Here’s a look at the area players on the First Team for the North Division:
- P Madie Anderson, JR, Winfield-Mount Union
- C Morgan Stecher, 8th, Louisa-Muscatine
- IF Kylie Sanders, JR, Louisa-Muscatine
- IF Brynn Jeamby, SOPH, Louisa-Muscatine
- OF McKenna Hoenadel, SOPH, Louisa-Muscatine
- UT Aliyah Lolling, JR, Wapello
And First Teamers for the South Division:
- P Sophie Turner, SOPH, Central Lee
- C Layney Loyd, SR, New London
- C Brooke Mueller, FR, Holy Trinity
- IF Ashlyn McSorley, SOPH, New London
- OF Meghan Hopp, SOPH, Central Lee
- OF Kara Krieger, SR, New London
- UT Carlea Beckman, FR, Danville
Second Team North Division:
- C Toni Bohlen, JR, Wapello
- C Anna Anderson, FR, Winfield-Mount Union
- IF Mallory Mashek, JR, Louisa-Muscatine
- IF Sammy Ewart, JR, Wapello
- IF Mackenzie Springsteen, SR, Mediapolis
- OF Morgan Richenberger, SOPH, Wapello
- OF Mae Cox, JR, Louisa-Muscatine
- UT Carlee Sloan, SOPH, Winfield-Mount Union
- UT Jayde Eberhardt, SOPH, Mediapolis
Second Team South Division:
- P Mary Hellige, FR, Holy Trinity
- C Halo Arrowood, JR, Central Lee
- C Miranda Richards, SR, Danville
- IF Sofie Reighard, JR, New London
- IF Daly Brisby, SR, Central Lee
- IF Morgan Waste, JR, Danville
- OF Makalya Morrison, FR, Central Lee
- OF Marah Hartrick, JR, New London
- UT Elly Manning, FR, New London
- UT Andrea Benner, SR, Central Lee
- UT, Ava Smith, SOPH, Danville
Marion Shocks #1 Sergeant Bluff-Luton in 3A Quarters, State Baseball Recap:
The eighth-seeded Marion Indians became just the sixth school in the last 16 years to knock off a one-seed as they took down Sergeant Bluff-Luton last night in a Class 3A State Baseball quarterfinal.
Here’s a look at the complete round-up:
Marion 3, Sergeant Bluff-Luton 1
Norwalk 4, Clear Creek-Amana 3
Gilbert 4, ADM Adel 0
Dallas Center-Grimes 1, Benton Community 0
Iowa Basketball Shuts Down Summer Workouts:
The Iowa men’s basketball program has announced a suspension of summer workouts due to two positive COVID-19 tests within the program.
The individuals who tested positive are in mandatory isolation.
The suspension of activities is slated to be 14 days and began on Monday.
Iowa basketball is currently the heavy preseason favorite in the Big Ten should center Luka Garza return to the program for his senior campaign.
MLB Scoreboard (7/28):
Cleveland 4, Chicago White Sox 3
Toronto 5, Washington 4
Chicago Cubs 8, Cincinnati 5
Pittsburgh 8, Milwaukee 6
Tampa Bay 5, Atlanta 2
Detroit 4, Kansas City 3
New York Mets 8, Boston 3
Minnesota 6, St. Louis 3
Arizona 4, Texas 1
Los Angeles Dodgers 5, Houston 2
Los Angeles Angels 10, Seattle 2
Colorado 8, Oakland 3
San Diego 5, San Francisco 3
SEISC Announces All-Conference Softball Lists
By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com
KILJ — The Southeast Iowa Super Conference has announced their 2020 All-Conference and several area names received recognition.
Beginning with the Players of the Year, the North Division POY was Louisa-Muscatine senior pitcher Hailey Sanders.
Sanders excelled in the circle, working 95 innings this year to the tune of 0.81 ERA with 149 strikeouts.
The Northern Iowa recruit is 14-2 on the season.
The South Division POY was West Burlington-Notre Dame pitcher Lauren Summers, who was dynamite for the Falcons this season.
Here’s a look at the area players on the First Team for the North Division:
- P Madie Anderson, JR, Winfield-Mount Union
- C Morgan Stecher, 8th, Louisa-Muscatine
- IF Kylie Sanders, JR, Louisa-Muscatine
- IF Brynn Jeamby, SOPH, Louisa-Muscatine
- OF McKenna Hoenadel, SOPH, Louisa-Muscatine
- UT Aliyah Lolling, JR, Wapello
And First Teamers for the South Division:
- P Sophie Turner, SOPH, Central Lee
- C Layney Loyd, SR, New London
- C Brooke Mueller, FR, Holy Trinity
- IF Ashlyn McSorley, SOPH, New London
- OF Meghan Hopp, SOPH, Central Lee
- OF Kara Krieger, SR, New London
- UT Carlea Beckman, FR, Danville
Second Team North Division:
- C Toni Bohlen, JR, Wapello
- C Anna Anderson, FR, Winfield-Mount Union
- IF Mallory Mashek, JR, Louisa-Muscatine
- IF Sammy Ewart, JR, Wapello
- IF Mackenzie Springsteen, SR, Mediapolis
- OF Morgan Richenberger, SOPH, Wapello
- OF Mae Cox, JR, Louisa-Muscatine
- UT Carlee Sloan, SOPH, Winfield-Mount Union
- UT Jayde Eberhardt, SOPH, Mediapolis
Second Team South Division:
- P Mary Hellige, FR, Holy Trinity
- C Halo Arrowood, JR, Central Lee
- C Miranda Richards, SR, Danville
- IF Sofie Reighard, JR, New London
- IF Daly Brisby, SR, Central Lee
- IF Morgan Waste, JR, Danville
- OF Makalya Morrison, FR, Central Lee
- OF Marah Hartrick, JR, New London
- UT Elly Manning, FR, New London
- UT Andrea Benner, SR, Central Lee
- UT, Ava Smith, SOPH, Danville
Sports, Tuesday, July 28th
By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com
L-M Looks to Begin State Trip on Right Foot:
The second-seeded Louisa-Muscatine Falcons (18-5) will begin their state tournament trip this afternoon when they take on the seventh-seeded Eagles of Underwood High School in a Class 2A State Quarterfinal at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge.
The first historical matchup between the two programs could not come with higher stakes as the Falcons, last year’s Class 3A runner-up, look to reign supreme after dropping down a class.
L-M is led by the terrific Sanders tandem — senior Hailey and junior Kylee.
Hailey has excelled in the circle, working 95 innings this year to the tune of 0.81 ERA with 149 strikeouts.
The Northern Iowa recruit is 14-2 on the season.
Kylee has been on a tear, meanwhile, at the plate.
The junior has hit .587 this year with 13 doubles, two triples and 15 runs batted in. Hailey Sanders was equally as good at the plate, hitting .429 with three home runs and 25 runs batted in.
McKenna Hohenadel was the Falcons top hitter, the terrific sophomore hit .538 with three home runs and a team best 31 runs batted in.
Meanwhile for Underwood, their ace is junior Ella Pierce. Pierce, 12-2 this season, finished with a 1.32 ERA in 85 innings with 71 strikeouts.
Maddie Pierce has been Underwood’s best hitter, at .333 with 4 long balls and 15 RBI, but as team, they’re hitting just .299.
This afternoon’s game will begin at 4:30 p.m. — you can listen along on KILJ and KILJ.com shortly before first pitch.
And the full scoreboard from yesterday’s 3, 4 and 5A action from Fort Dodge:
5A
Muscatine 3, WDM Valley 1
Fort Dodge 7, Bettendorf 0
Ankeny Centennial 5, Waukee 2
Cedar Rapids Kennedy 10, Pleasant Valley 4
4A:
Carlisle 5, LeMars 0
North Scott 11, Charles City 0
Winterset 7, West Delaware 4
Dallas Center-Grimes 7, Fairfield 5
3A:
Albia 12, Creston 0
Mount Vernon 7, Humboldt 4
Class 2A Quarterfinals Finish Up in Des Moines, Yesterday:
The Class 2A State Baseball quarterfinals closed up yesterday with a couple of very competitive games at Principal Park, here’s a look at the scoreboard:
#1 Van Meter 1, Treynor 0 (F/8 inn.)
West Lyon 13, Mid-Prairie 3 (F/6 inn.)
- Mid-Prairie knocked off Central Lee last Wednesday night.
North Linn 2, Durant 1
Des Moines Christian 2, Dike-New Hartford 1
SLIAC Announces Changes to Fall Sports Season:
Iowa Wesleyan men’s and women’s soccer and volleyball will have a spring season as the SLIAC announced changes to the conference schedule yesterday afternoon.
Iowa Wesleyan men’s and women’s Cross Country, men’s and women’s golf and will be allowed to have limited competitions during the fall of 2020 while following the directives of local, state, and national health organizations.
Specific details on rescheduled seasons, contests, and championships will be discussed by the conference and announced at a later date. Winter sports schedules currently remain unchanged but will be evaluated as the conference approaches their respective start dates.
MLB Scoreboard (7/27):
Oakland 3, Los Angeles Angels 0
San Diego 6, Arizona 2
Toronto 4, Washington 1
Chicago Cubs 8, Cincinnati 7
Tampa Bay 14, Atlanta 5
Kansas City 14, Detroit 6
Milwaukee 6, Pittsburgh 5 (F/11 inn.)
Houston 8, Seattle 5
New York Mets 7, Boston 4
Sports, Monday, July 27th
By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com
Notre Dame Baseball Ends Run with First-Round Loss to Remsen:
After taking a 1-0 first inning lead, the Notre Dame baseball saw Remsen St. Mary’s score teh games next 11 runs as the Hawks advanced to Thursday’s Class 1A semifinal with an 11-1 five inning victory in the final of four Class 1A Quarterfinals at Principal Park, Saturday afternoon.
Jeron Connor and Nick Skerik had back-to-back singles to start the game against Remsen ace Blaine Harpenau and after a passed ball the Nikes took a 1-0 lead.
St. Mary’s countered with two runs in the bottom of the first without a hit, then added two more runs in the second, three in the third and four in the fifth. Levi Waldschmitt had a three-run triple in the fifth, and scored the winning run on a wild pitch.
Xavier Gallas had two doubles for the Hawks.
Blaine Harpenau (8-0) was the winning pitcher.
St. Mary’s (20-0) will meet sixth-seeded Newman Catholic (18-5) in the semifinals.
The Nikes committed five errors and ended at 14-3 after making their eighth state tournament trip and first since 2002.
IGHSAU State Softball Begins Today:
The Iowa High School State Softball tournament begins today with 3, 4 and 5A quarterfinals being played at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge.
5A top-seed Fort Dodge will kick the tournament off in their hometown with a matchup against eight-seeded Bettendorf.
2A will get underway from Fort Dodge tomorrow when the second-seeded Falcons of Louisa-Muscatine will take on #7 Underwood at 4:30 p.m.
KILJ-FM will have coverage of that game beginning shortly before first pitch.
The Class 2A portion of the State Baseball tournament will also go forward today with matchups including:
- 10:30—Van Meter vs. Treynor
- 1:30—Mid-Prairie, Wellman vs. West Lyon, Inwood
- 4:30—North Linn, Troy Mills vs. Durant
- 7:30—Dike-New Hartford vs. Des Moines Christian
IHSAA Announces Football Schedule Changes, More Information Coming:
The Iowa High School Athletic Association has announced that there will be a revised schedule for the upcoming football season.
In the new revision, the Association announced this year will be a seven-week regular season with the option for teams to schedule five, six or seven games within that seven-week period.
As a result of the shortened year, all teams in all classes will qualify for the postseason — which will begin Friday, October 16th.
The first practice date (August 10th) and Week 1 game date (August 27th) have not changed. However, Weeks 1 and 2 will be optional game dates.
Mount Pleasant is scheduled to open up Week One by hosting Wisconsin Badger recruit T.J. Bollers and the Clear Creek-Amana Clippers.
Drake Football With Several Named Preseason All-Pioneer League:
Drake football had 12 players named to Phil Steele’s 2020 Preseason Pioneer Football League Teams, the school announced.
First-team honors went to offensive lineman Chris Evans, fullback Grant Gossling, defensive lineman Gavin Dineen, defensive back Will Warner and long snapper Ryan Kriceri.
Second team choices were quarterback Ian Corwin, wide receiver Shane Feller and defensive back Collin Seymour.
On the third team is linebacker Will Kulick and defensive back Alex Rogers.
Drake finished last year with a record of 6-5, they’re scheduled to open up against Black Hills State College on September 3rd at Drake Stadium in Des Moines.
Sports, Saturday, July 25th
By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com
Notre Dame Eyes Trip to State Semis, Takes On Remsen St. Mary’s:
The senior laden Notre Dame Nike baseball team is all systems go ahead of their first trip to the State Baseball Tournament since 2002, clinching their berth Wednesday night with a 7-5 win over upset-minded North Cedar.
The Nikes, 14-2, are the lone unranked team in the Class 1A state field, entering as the #7 seed.
Today they’ll take on 19-0 Remsen St. Mary’s in a quarterfinal matchup at 1:30 p.m.
They’ll look to join Kingsley-Pierson as schools to upend top-ranked teams, after Kingsley-Pierson took down top ranked Martensdale-St. Mary’s yesterday morning.
The Nikes are led by a terrific senior class highlighted by right-handed arms Mitchell Brent and Jeron Connor and infielder Drew Chiprez.
Chiprez went scorched earth on Southeast Iowa Super Conference pitching this year, hitting .545 with seven home runs, 25 runs batted in and 27 runs scored.
Brent finished this year on the hill with an ERA of 2.66 with 39 strikeouts in 23.2 innings, while Connor threw 21.2 innings with a 1.62 ERA and 34 strikeouts.
As a team Notre Dame hit .395 this year averaging north of 10 runs per game.
They’ll need all the firepower they can gather as they get set to face either Carter Schorg, Blaine Harpenau or Jaxon Bunkers.
Schorg finished 5-0 for Remsen, he did not allow an earned run all year in 26.2 innings, while striking out 37.
Harpenau went 7-0, logging a team-high 43.2 innings with a microscopic 0.16 ERA. He’s fanned a remarkable 88 hitters in those 43 innings.
Bunkers, a freshman for Remsen, was 2-0 in 26 innings, yielding just five earned runs all season.
Remsen’s staff ERA is just 0.71 — so elite pitching will meet elite hitting.
Again, today’s game will begin at 1:30 p.m. and will be available on KILJ-FM and kilj.com.
Mount Pleasant Baseball Piles Up Accolades:
The Mount Pleasant baseball team had six 1st Team All-Conference selections as announced by the league today:
- P Nik Coble
- P Jaxon Hoyle
- INF Clayton Lowery
- OF Rylan Seberg
- OF Chase Williamson
- DH Brennen Bender
Shortstop Corbin Broeker was 2nd Team All-SEC choice, as well.
INF Jack Johnson and C Dalton Gardner were both Honorable Mention selections.
The Panther finished this year 15-7 and conference champions of the Southeast Conference before falling in Monday’s Substate 5 semifinal to Davenport Assumption, 9-5.
IHSAA Approves Changes to Football Schedule:
The Iowa High School Athletic Association has announced several notable changes to their fall football schedule.
First practice (August 10) and first competition (August 27) dates are currently unchanged in this revision, as are the weeks for state semifinals (November 13-15) and finals (November 20-21).
This revised plan was approved by the Board of Control on Friday.
The IHSAA plans to release further fall season and sport-specific guidance next week. Team schedules will be compiled and released when available.
A seven-week regular season will be conducted. Teams will have the option of scheduling five, six, or seven games within those seven weeks.
All teams in all classes will qualify for the postseason. Brackets will consist of six rounds for each classification.
The IHSAA will determine postseason pairings with geography, quality, and team availability as primary considerations. This is intended to be a one-time measure for postseason formatting.
Week’s 1 and 2 of this iteration will be optional game dates.
Opponents, locations, and participation may determined by member schools in 11-player football.
MLB Scoreboard (7/24)
New York Mets 1, Atlanta 0
Cincinnati 7, Detroit 1
Toronto 6, Tampa Bay 4
Miami 5, Philadelphia 2
Chicago Cubs 3, Milwaukee 0
Cleveland 2, Kansas City 0
Boston 13, Baltimore 2
Texas 1, Colorado 0
Minnesota 10, Chicago White Sox 5
St. Louis 5, Pittsburgh 4
Houston 8, Seattle 2
Los Angeles Dodgers 9, San Francisco 1
San Diego 7, Arizona 2
Breaking: IHSAA Announces Seven-Week Football Schedule, More Changes
By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com
KILJ — The Iowa High School Athletic Association has announced several notable changes to their fall football schedule.
First practice (August 10) and first competition (August 27) dates are currently unchanged in this revision, as are the weeks for state semifinals (November 13-15) and finals (November 20-21).
This revised plan was approved by the Board of Control on Friday.
The IHSAA plans to release further fall season and sport-specific guidance next week. Team schedules will be compiled and released when available.
2020 Scheduling Changes:
REGULAR SEASON: A seven-week regular season will be conducted. Teams will have the option of scheduling five, six, or seven games within those seven weeks.
POSTSEASON: All teams in all classes will qualify for the postseason. Brackets will consist of six rounds for each classification. The IHSAA will determine postseason pairings with geography, quality, and team availability as primary considerations. This is intended to be a one-time measure for postseason formatting.
OPTIONAL DATES: Week 1 and Week 2 will be optional game dates. Opponents, locations, and participation may determined by member schools in 11-player football.