Henry County Sheriff Rich McNamee Renews Request For Outside Legal Counsel

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, May 22nd, 2025 at 11:32 am CDT

Sheriff McNamee appeared before the Board of Supervisors for the third time in recent months, reiterating his request for the county to approve funding for outside counsel, citing a conflict of interest within the County Attorney’s Office and inadequate legal representation during official proceedings.

McNamee explained that he had traveled to Des Moines on April 10 at the request of the Iowa Attorney General’s Office to provide a deposition regarding the certification status of a former Henry County deputy. During the deposition, he said he was informed that the Attorney General’s staff did not represent him and that he would need legal counsel—either from the county or privately retained.

Despite prior rejections of his request for outside counsel, McNamee emphasized the burden the ongoing matter has placed on him personally, saying: “I mortgaged my home to pay for legal expenses on a county matter.”  However, he clarified that he is not currently requesting reimbursement for past expenses—only approval of future legal representation, specifically from Ellis Law Firm, at county expense.

The Board did not make an immediate decision.

Delbert “Duke” Moser – PENDING

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, May 22nd, 2025 at 8:20 am CDT

Delbert “Duke” Moser, 86, of New London and formerly Burlington and Kingston, died Wednesday, May 21, at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House, West Burlington.  Arrangements are pending at Elliott Chapel, New London.

Sports, May 22nd

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, May 22nd, 2025 at 6:40 am CDT

High School Track

The State Track and Field meet is scheduled to start today and run through Saturday, May 24th, in Des Moines. KILJ will be keeping track of 16 local teams, providing updates and results throughout the three-day event. For a full list of our local state qualifiers’ heat assignments and times, follow this link: Heat Assignments and Times

High School Tennis

The Fairfield boys’ team fell to Pella 5-1 yesterday in their Substate 8 championship contest. Rumin Luo picked up the lone win for the Trojans. Fairfield ended the season with a 14-1 record. 

High School Golf

The girls’ Class 1A Region 5 final commenced yesterday and Wapello’s Emmalin Marshall finished as the medalist for the field, carding an 82 and punching her ticket to the state meet. The Arrows took 4th place with a score of 405.

New London finished in 6th place with a team score of 421, but Emma Busby shot an 85 for the 18-hole course, snatching the last spot for an individual state qualifier as she grabbed 4th place. 

Kinlee Brown’s 17th place score of 101 led Columbus as the Wildcats finished in 7th place. Holy Trinity Catholic’s Elizabeth Griffin and Winfield-Mt. Union’s Kellee Milks each carded a 102 to tie for 19th place. 

For Class 1A Region 4, Sophia Jirak of Van Buren County ended her junior season with an 18th place score of 101. 

The girls’ Class 1A state meet will be held at American Legion Golf Course in Marshalltown, starting on Thursday, May 29th, and concluding on Friday, May 30th. 

The Mt. Pleasant, Burlington Notre Dame, and Fairfield girls’ teams made the trip to Edmudson Golf Course yesterday for their Class 3A Region 3 final and the Panthers led the trio with an 8th place team score of 441 followed by Fairfield in 9th place with a 446. The Nikes took 11th place with a 456. 

Mt. Pleasant’s Sophia Walderbach carded a 95 to grab 12th place. Ella Bentler of Fairfield scored a 101 for 23rd place, while Notre Dame’s Emersyn Hopkins collected a 25th place score of 103. 

The boys’ Class 1A state golf meet will take place at South Hills Golf Course in Waterloo on Tuesday, May 27th, and Wednesday, May 28th.

Central Lee will contend for the boys’ Class 2A state championship starting Tuesday at Gates Park Golf Course in Waterloo.

Washington’s Drew Conrad will tee off on Tuesday at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course in Cedar Falls for the boys’ Class 3A state meet.

High School Soccer

In the girls’ Class 1A Region 3 bracket, Mt. Pleasant and Mid-Prairie needed 11 penalty kicks last night to decide the winner and it was the Golden Hawks who mounted the upset in a 2-1 final. The Panthers put together quite the effort to get there after allowing a first half goal, they went scoreless for 77 minutes. Yet, Charice Auwerda weaved her way through the defense and found Brianna Leonardo in front of the net for the game tying goal. Head coach Chris Davis knows this loss will sting,

“This team is probably the best team we’ve had in a while. Unfortunately, half of them are seniors. This is an unfortunate way to go out at the end of the season. They put their heart into it and fought back the entire game from being one down and I can’t be any prouder.”

Fairfield was shutout by Assumption last night 12-0. The Knights will take on Washington on Wednesday, May 28th, at 7 pm at home after the Demons defeated West Liberty 1-0.

The Mediapolis girls’ team will get to host Mid-Prairie next Wednesday at 7 pm after sneaking past Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union last night 1-0. 

The Burlington Notre Dame girls’ team will start their Class 2A Region 4 postseason journey tomorrow, May 23rd, on the road against Clear Creek Amana at 7 pm.

In the boys’ Class 1A Substate 5 bracket, Danville will take on (14-1) West Liberty on Tuesday, May 27th, at 7 pm in a road showdown.

The Central Lee boys team will travel to Mediapolis on Tuesday at 7 pm.

In the boys’ Class 2A Substate 5 bracket, #6 Burlington Notre Dame will take on Assumption on Tuesday at 7 pm at home.

It will be a Southeast Conference battle in the boys’ Class 2A Substate 6 semifinals as Mt. Pleasant will get to host Fairfield on Tuesday at 5 pm. 

High School Baseball

Fairfield pulverized Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont last night, 16-0, as eight Trojans tabbed at least one RBI. Zandrik Allison collected a team-leading four RBIs, while Luke Konczal clobbered two doubles for three RBIs. Fairfield will travel to Moravia on Tuesday, May 27th, at 5:30 pm. 

Wapello had no answer for BGM last night in a 13-0 loss. Kinnick Richenberger snatched three bases in the effort. Wapello will host Wilton tomorrow, May 23rd, at 5:30 pm.

Mt. Pleasant started the game off hot, pushing across three runs in the top of the 1st inning, but Grinnell remained consistent throughout the game and downed the Panthers 13-3. Zach Newton smacked a two-RBI double in the losing effort. Mt. Pleasant will look for a win in their home opener tonight against Cardinal with first pitch at 7 pm.

Van Buren County will travel to Keokuk tonight at 7:30 pm.

West Burlington will stay at home for their matchup against Louisa-Muscatine tomorrow at 5:30 pm.

Mediapolis will face off against New London on the road at 5:30 pm on Tuesday.

Central Lee will compete against Fairfield on Wednesday, May 28th, at 7:30 pm on the road.

Southeast Iowa Playbook

Last night was our last episode of the 2024-25 season of the Southeast Iowa Playbook and our special guest was Mt. Pleasant baseball head coach Brent Broeker. He thought Grayson Lowery could take the biggest step in his development this year and that appears to be the case after the sophomore logged an RBI in last night’s contest against Grinnell.

If you missed last night’s episode, then follow this link: Mount Pleasant Episode

Southeastern Community College

The baseball team is heading back to Enid, Oklahoma for the third straight season after nabbing the #7-seed as an at-large bid in the NJCAA DII World Series. The Blackhawks will start their postseason journey on Saturday, May 24th, at 10 am against the #10-seed Kellogg Community College, who is on a 17-game win streak after winning the Great Lakes District Championship. 

This Day in Sports History

1911 – Boston pitcher Cliff Curtis lost his 23rd game in a row, dating back to 1910, still the all-time record for consecutive losses by a pitcher.

1987 – Canadian Rick Hansen completes his ‘Man in Motion’ world tour in a wheelchair at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium, raising money for spinal cord research.

2003 – In Fort Worth, Texas, Annika Sörenstam becomes the first woman to play the PGA Tour in 58 years.

Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility Hosts “We’ve Got Your Back” Event to Support Foster Children

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, May 21st, 2025 at 4:43 pm CDT

MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa – The Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility (MPCF) hosted their8 “We’ve Got Your Back” event—an initiative aimed at bringing hope, dignity, and a touch of comfort to children entering the foster care system.

In collaboration with Four Oaks Foster Care, the event saw MPCF staff and incarcerated individuals work side by side to pack backpacks and duffle bags filled with essential items for children who are in or entering foster care. Each bag included hygiene products, clothing items, blankets, and more—simple yet meaningful items meant to ease the transition for children in difficult circumstances.

The effort came from Incarcerated Inmates donating their own money, staff donations, families and fundraisers. Some were able to donate several dollars, while some were able to donate the last pennies they had during event. All that donated, were honored during Wednesdays even.

Dozens of bags were assembled during today’s event, with participants expressing a deep sense of pride and purpose. Organizers say the act of giving, particularly from those who may have experienced hardship themselves, brought a shared sense of healing and humanity.

 

MPCF officials hope to continue and expand this initiative in the future, with the goal of involving more community partners and reaching even more children across Iowa.

For more information about the program or future events, contact the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility administration.

Margaret (Margie) Carolyn Courtney Curtis

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, May 21st, 2025 at 3:37 pm CDT

Margaret (Margie) Carolyn Courtney Curtis, passed away at the age of 77, February 5, 2025, in Keota, Iowa.

A celebration of Margaret’s beautiful life will be held at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 30, 2025 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield.

The family will greet friends from 4:00 p.m. until the time of the service.

A full obituary may be viewed at www.behnerfh.com.

Thomas Judd – PENDING

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, May 21st, 2025 at 10:35 am CDT

Thomas Judd, 67, of Mount Pleasant passed away Tuesday, May 20th at his home in Mount Pleasant. Funeral arrangements are pending at the Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant.

Sweet Summer Support: Heartland Youth For Christ Launches 2025 Peach & Pecan Fundraiser

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, May 21st, 2025 at 10:21 am CDT

Heartland Youth For Christ is inviting community members to support their 2025 summer fundraiser by purchasing juicy Georgia peaches and flavorful pecans, with proceeds helping to connect local youth to the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.

Supporters can choose from:

  • 15 pounds of Georgia peaches for $38
  • 1 pound of pecans (either plain or cinnamon & sugar) for $18

Orders are available for pick-up the week of June 23rd at four convenient locations across Eastern and Southeastern Iowa: Cedar Rapids, Manchester, Mount Pleasant, and Ottumwa.

To participate:

  1. Visit the Pre-Order Form to reserve your peaches and pecans.
  2. After submitting your order, follow the provided link to make a secure payment online through Square.

Proceeds from the sale go directly toward Heartland Youth For Christ’s mission of reaching and mentoring teens in our region—providing faith-based guidance, community, and hope.