The Danville City Council will meet in regular session on Monday, May 19th at Danville City Hall, 105 W. Shepherd Street. Call to order is at 5pm. This meeting is open to the public.
The Henry County Board of Supervisors will meet in regular session on Thursday May 22nd at 9am. This meeting is being held at the Henry County Courthouse and is open to the public.
May is Mental Health Month and the Henry County Health Center in Mt. Pleasant is hosting an open house on Wednesday, May 21st from 2pm – 5pm. Stop by and check out services available from Senior Life Solutions and the Mt. Pleasant Clinic Mental Health Services. Henry County Health Center is located at 407 S. White Street. The open house is on the 2nd floor, off the main lobby.
Joyce Ann Mueller Westerbeck, 75, of New London, died Thursday, May 15, 2025 at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at New London Christian Church with Pastors Rod and Nathan Cooper officiating. Family will greet friends beginning at 9:00 until the time of the service. Inurnment at Burge Cemetery, New London, will be held at a later date. A memorial has been established for the Children’s Ministry at New London Christian Church. Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliottchapel.com.
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Mount Pleasant, Iowa — A distressing incident occurred around 4:00 p.m. Friday afternoon on North Adams Street in Mount Pleasant, just outside the middle school, when a child was struck by a vehicle while riding a bicycle.
A call came over the police scanner reporting the incident, prompting a swift response from the Mount Pleasant Police Department and emergency personnel. KILJ News Director Hayden Douglas also arrived on scene shortly after the initial report.
According to witnesses, a group of children had been riding their bicycles together in the parking lot of Mount Pleasant Middle School and the surrounding neighborhood. Some of the children paused to check for traffic before crossing North Adams Street, while others continued ahead. During this moment, one of the children was struck by a Chevrolet truck.
Henry County EMS quickly responded and evaluated the child at the scene. The decision was made to transport the child to Henry County Health Center for further evaluation. As of this report, there is no update on the child’s condition.
Authorities do not suspect foul play. The Mount Pleasant Police Department did not administer any field sobriety tests, and the driver of the truck was released at the scene.
This incident serves as an important reminder for both motorists and young bicyclists to remain vigilant near schools and residential neighborhoods. Drivers are urged to slow down and watch for children, while young cyclists are encouraged to stay alert and check for traffic when crossing streets.
No further details have been released at this time. KILJ will continue to follow this story and provide updates as they become available.
Authorities in Van Buren County responded to a troubling report Thursday morning involving explosive devices in the small town of Bonaparte. According to a press release from Sheriff Brad Hudson, the Sheriff’s Office received a complaint around 9:00 a.m. on May 15 regarding possible explosions in the 400 block of First Street.
Deputies arriving on scene discovered several burst plastic bottles that appeared to have been used as makeshift explosive devices. Two additional bottles that had not yet detonated were located and safely neutralized by investigators.
The investigation quickly turned up video surveillance and eyewitness accounts pointing to three male suspects. They were identified as 20-year-olds Jacob Barrows and Taylor A. High, both of Bonaparte, along with a 16-year-old juvenile male from Fairfield.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the individuals were attempting to recreate a popular but dangerous trend on TikTok, which involves mixing a household chemical with soda to create a chemical reaction. The resulting pressure buildup can cause plastic containers to explode.
All three have been charged with placing an incendiary or explosive device, a serious misdemeanor under Iowa law. Barrows and High were taken into custody and later released after posting bond. The juvenile suspect was referred to Juvenile Court.
No injuries were reported in connection with the incident. Authorities are reminding the public that actions like these carry serious consequences.
Sheriff Hudson concluded the release with a reminder: “A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and defendants are to be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”
Mt. Pleasant, IA- Baseball and late spring into summer, hard to name a better tandem–possible trio–than those two and Henry County knows that well as a crowd gathered around the Mt. Pleasant REC Youth Baseball Fields on Thursday night for the opening day of the 2025 season.
The warm and breezy evening provided a perfect backdrop to introduce the 60th season of youth baseball in Mt. Pleasant as the organization touts about 200 Mt. Pleasant youth involved in the baseball program. Mt. Pleasant teams will be competing against other Henry County teams from Salem, Winfield, and Wayland.
It was also provided an opportunity for Board President Ryan Duffie to present Willy Amos with a plaque to honor his dedication and service as a longtime board member and president of the Mt. Pleasant Youth Baseball Asscoiation.
Of course, no opening day is complete without a ribbon cutting. The Mt. Pleasant Kiwanis Club presented their dedicated playground that certainly got its use from the off-duty ballplayers and spectators alike.
Overall, it was a terrific night to start playing baseball in Henry County.
Here’s a look at the four divisions, the team names, and the coaches for the 2025 season.
T-Ball Teams:
Durham Bulls
Coached by: Sam Taylor
Fort Wayne TinCaps
Coached by: Matthew Krogmeier
Bradenton Marauders
Coached by: Logan Wall
Greensboro Grasshoppers
Coached by: Shawn Warner
Midland Rockhounds
Coached by: Jake Rohde
Coach Pitch teams:
Eugene Emeralds
Coached by: Dan Henderson
Carolina Mudcats
Coached by: Ryan Duffie & Seth Krogmeier
Bowling Green Hot Rods
Coached by: Matt Donnolly
Charleston River Dogs
Coached by: Adam Wade
American League teams:
Lansing Lugnuts
Coached by: AJ Rash
Norfolk Tide
Coached by: Marvel Jones
Somerset Patriots
Coached by: Dave Rogers
National League teams:
Rochester Red Wings
Coached by: Luis Aranda
Scranton RailRiders
Coached by: Tyler Horn
Prep Track and Field- Teams from all over Iowa traveled to select high schools Thursday night to compete for a chance to punch their ticket to the 2025 State Track and Field meet in Des Moines. Southeast Iowa will be well represented, here’s a look at our local qualifiers and what event they will be participating in.
Girls Class 1A
Danville: Alaina Gourley in the 400-meter dash and the 800-meter run. The Bears will have the team of Violette Sowell, Macie Wagner, Delaney Newberry, and Gourley run in the sprint medley relay. Additionally, Newberry, Wagner, Gourley, and Miya Orbiana clinched a spot in the 4×400 meter relay.
Winfield-Mt. Union: Josie Nelson will sprint in the 100-meter hurdles and Kynlee Buffington will compete in the long jump.
WACO: Carlee Lunsford will be competing in the 800-meter run. Josie Dykstra earned a spot in the 400-meter hurdles. The Warriors will have Natalie Wagler, Taelyn Egli, Dykstra, and Lunsford running in the distance medley. In the field events, Bren Graber will be one of two freshmen participating in the high jump.
Wapello: Kate Lanz will be sprinting in the 200-meter dash and the 400-meter dash.
Columbus: Isabella Forbes will be chucking the shot put as she enters as the 21st seed.
Van Buren County: Kayley Snowgren will be participating in the 800-meter run. The team of Aida Troutman, Ava Loeffler, Daphny Wells, and Emma Coffin will run in the 4×100 and 4×200 meter relays. Lastly, the 4×800 meter relay team will feature Rory Philips, Gabby Titus, Rylee Philips, and Snowgren.
Boys Class 1A
New London: London Franklin will participate in the 100-meter dash and the long jump. In the 1600-meter run, Riley Raines earned an at-large bid. The squad of Cale Westerbeck, Gavin Strawhacker, Brigham Porter, and Franklin will run in the 4×100 and 4×200 meter relays. Logan Franklin will join the fray in the long jump.
Winfield-Mt. Union: Kohlby Newsom will compete in a trio of events: the 400-meter dash, the 800-meter run, and the 1600-meter run.
Wapello: Kolton Small will throw in both the shot put and discus.
Van Buren County: The sprint medley team of Bryce Moquin, Kayden Simmons, Izaak Loeffler, and Lincoln Bainbridge will participate along with the distance medley team with Bryce Newcomb replacing Moquin in the lineup. The Warriors also had the team of Moquin, Newcomb, Simmons, and Loeffler get a spot in the 4×200 meter relay. Newcomb, Simmons, Loeffler, and Bainbridge will also be running in the 4×400 meter relay. Bainbridge earned an at-large bid for the 200-meter dash.
Columbus: Alexander Rees and Lamar Ceant will perform in the 200-meter dash and the 110-meter hurdles. Riley Kaalberg will sprint in the 100-meter dash. Ty Muniz will join the groups in the 1600 and 3200-meter runs. The Wildcats will have the team of Rees, Lamar Ceant, Jonathan Miranda, and Riley Kaalberg run in the shuttle hurdle relay. Juan Chairez, Rees, Ceant, and Kaalberg will compete in the 4×100 meter relay. Dakota Aney and Tyson Kaalberg will join Riley Kaalberg and Chairez in the 4×200 meter relay. Ryan Villa, Muniz, Cade Storm, and Victor Tovar will participate in the 4×800 meter relay.
WACO: Jude Dykstra will be running in the 800-meter run and the 1600-meter run. The team of Gage Samo, Hayden Shelman, Louden Huisenga, and Dykstra will compete in the distance medley. Huisenga will be in contention for the high jumping crown. Shelman snuck in with an at-large bid for the long jump.
Danville: Nick Powell will be participating in the 800-meter run. Jackson Shacklett found a spot in the 3200-meter run. The squad of Drake Bielser, Jaden Bauer, Landon Seibert, and Kessler Whaley will run in the 4×100 meter relay. Ty Frazier will substitute in for Whaley for the 4×200 meter relay. Noah Horn, Frazier, Powell, and Whaley will compete in the 4×400 meter relay. The distance medley team will consist of Whaley, Seibert, Horn, and Powell. Lastly, the squad of Bielser, Bauer, Whaley, and Horn will participate in the sprint medley relay.
Girls Class 2A
Mediapolis: Kira Messer took an at-large bid for the 100-meter dash.
Boys Class 2A
Mediapolis: Simon Wendel will display his endurance in the 1600-meter run. Lathan Keller will compete in the high jump. The team of Kyler Crow, Noah Schmidgall, Henry and Will Luttenegger will run in the 4×100 and 4×400 meter relay.
Central Lee: Kegan Damico will sprint in the 400-meter dash.
Girls Class 3A
Mt. Pleasant: Alex Scott and Kiyah Sanders qualified for the 100-meter dash, while Scott will also be running in the 200-meter dash. The team of Kynlee White, Taylor Williamson, Sanders, and Scott will run in the 4×100 meter relay. Ellie Freeman will jump in for Williamson in the 4×200 meter relay. Izzy Sloat will join Freeman, Sanders, and White for the sprint medley relay. In the field events, Sloat and Linzy Striegel will compete in the long jump and Ella Ensminger will toss the shot put.
Fairfield: Lilly Bergren will participate in the 100 and 400-meter hurdles. The squad of Isabel McCready, Hayley Reinier, Ireland Cranston, and Bergren will compete in the shuttle hurdle relay. Elyse Setterstrom will join Lorence in throwing the discus.
Fort Madison: Mara Smith qualified for the 800-meter run. Avery Rump and Jordyn Marshall will run in the 1500 and 3000-meter runs. Addison Rump, Smith, McKayla Schinstock, and Avery Rump will participate in the 4×800 meter relay. Brylie Lorence will be throwing the discus and the shot put. Lastly, the team of Lillian Gelsthorpe, Olivia Buckner, Avery Rump, and Smith will compete in the distance medley relay.
Keokuk: Layonna Stewart will join Bergren in the 100-meter hurdles. Stewart will be joined by Baylee Billings, Alaya Carr, and Kylee Hoard in the 4×100 meter relay. The squad of Violet Shead, Preslie Weigert, Camryn Atterberg, and Billings will run in the 4×400 meter relay. Atterberg qualified for the high jump. Atterberg, Shead, Carr, and Ada Wood grabbed an at-large bid for the 4×200 meter relay.
West Burlington/Notre Dame: Ady Lamm, Kaylee Webb, Jilian Nickel, and Kaitlyn Kipp will be running in the distance medley relay.
Washington: Jaedyn Moore will sprint in the 200-meter dash. Iris Dahl will pace herself in the 1500-meter run. Leighton Messinger will participate in the 100 and 400-meter hurdles. The shuttle hurdle relay team will consist of Leighton Salazar, Layla Green, Kendall Hinrichsen, and Messinger. Moore will hop in for Green to run the 4×100 meter relay. The squad of Lauren Drahota, Jaslyn Villa, Lauren Horak, and Hinrichsen will compete in the 4×400 meter relay. Lastly, Hinrichsen, Dahl, Emma and Lauren Horak will run in the 4×800 meter relay.
Boys Class 3A
Fairfield: Gabe Tejada will look for a championship in the 800-meter run. Dylan Adam will be in the 400-meter hurdles. The distance medley team of Blake Burnett, Ousman Saine, Tejada, and Adam will be competing. Eli Zillman and Ryan Giberson will battle for the high jump title as Zillman looks to defend his championship. Zillman also earned a spot in the long jump along with Spencer McCready. The team of Burnett, Adam, Giberson, and McCready will compete in the shuttle hurdle relay. Lastly, the sprint medley team of Dayson Workman, Voss Richardson, Ethan Bisgard, and Tejada will be running.
Keokuk: Ryan Bair will be zooming in the 100 and 200-meter dashes. Chayse Smith will be sprinting in the 400-meter dash. Kurt Joy, Tramell Smith, Travarius Smith, and Drew Campbell will run in the 4×100 meter relay. Bair will tag out Joy to compete in the 4×200 meter relay. Chayce Smith and Brenton Hoard will participate with Travarius and Tramell Smith in the 4×400 meter relay. Joy, Bair, Campbell, and Travarius Smith will compete in the sprint medley relay.
Fort Madison: Peyton Lambert will run in the 400-meter dash. Nolan Guzman will take off in the 800-meter run. Mason McLey, Nolan Guzman, Riley Tripp, and Lambert will look to win the 4×800 meter relay. Dayton Lamar cleared 23 feet in the long jump to take the District Championship and enter as the favorite. Brayton Schneider will toss the discus, while Urijah Brooks and Caden Barnes will heave the shot put. Kenden Bowie will challenge the Fairfield powers in the high jump. Brandon Klein will compete in the Wheelchair Para events.
Washington: Tyler Alderton will compete in the 800-meter run. The squad of Logan McDole, Sawyer Tschantz, Carson Ryan, and Alderton will run in the 4×800 meter relay. Seth Shepherd, Keider Gomez Valdez, McDole, and Alderton will participate int eh distance medley relay. In the field events, Greyson Hartman will throw both the shot put and discus. Josh Anderson will be participating in the Wheelchair Para events.
West Burlington/Notre Dame: Landry Haberichter snatched a top ten seed as an at-large bid for the 100-meter dash. Logan Hamma will be participating in the 400-meter hurdles. The squad of Maddox Diewold, Colby Booton, Eli Oleson, and Haberichter grabbed a spot in the 4×100 meter relay. Hamma will jump in for Oleson to run in the 4×200 meter relay. Lastly, Mason Watkins will insert himself into the high jump conversation.
Girls Class 4A
Burlington: The Grayhounds will be prowling in the field events with Lilian Mennen participating in the high jump. Kylee Hill will look to defend her title in the shot put and look to improve upon her 4th place finish in discus last year.
Boys Class 4A
Burlington: Laderrias Shealey will compete in the 100-meter dash.
Up Next
Stay tuned to KILJ for updates and results throughout the three-day event starting on May 22nd.
Governor Kim Reynolds praised the 2025 legislative session as a success, highlighting sweeping accomplishments in healthcare, education, and tax reform.
“I’m proud of the work we did this session to expand on the strong foundation we’ve built,” Reynolds said, citing efforts to boost rural and maternal healthcare, create 460 new medical residency slots, and establish Iowa’s first paid parental leave program for state employees.
Education reforms focused on raising civics and math proficiency while limiting cell phone use during class. Tax cuts remained a priority, with a major reduction in unemployment insurance taxes projected to save businesses nearly $1 billion over five years.
Reynolds defended the state’s fiscal strategy, clarifying that the much-discussed “deficit” is actually an intentional return of surplus funds to taxpayers. “That’s what the Taxpayer Relief Fund is for,” she said, noting the fund’s $3.75 billion balance.
Looking ahead, Reynolds said her administration will continue targeting property tax relief and streamlining state government, with $250 million already saved through alignment initiatives.
Key bills passed this session include:
SF 607: Unemployment insurance tax reform
HF 972: Rural healthcare investment
SF 619: Expanded disaster assistance
HF 782: Cell phone-free school policies
SF 647: Cancer research funding
HF 784 & SF 369: Math and civics education enhancements
HF 889: Paid parental leave for state employees
SF 22: Hands-free driving law
SF 615: Medicaid work requirements
HF 1038: Opioid Settlement Fund appropriations
Governor Reynolds concluded, “We’ll keep making smart, responsible investments while ensuring Iowans keep more of what they earn.”
