Sunday, December 26, just before 11 am, Washington County authorities and emergency responders were dispatched to a single vehicle crash near 300th Street and Hwy 1 in rural Washington County. Stanley Knipfer was driving and Donna Knipfer was a front seat passenger. Both were taken by Washington County ambulance to University Hospitals in Iowa City. According to the crash report Stanley apparently suffered some sort of medical problem that caused him to lose control of the vehicle. It left the roadway entering the ditch where it struck a fence then entered a field. The vehicle hit another fence and then went airborne, striking an embankment before coming to rest on another fence.
Public Health has free COVID-19 mail-in test kits only
Henry County Public Health has free COVID-19 at-home test kits from Test Iowa available for individual pick-up. These test kits are NOT rapid tests but are saliva sample PCR tests that you can do at home and send directly to the State Hygienic Lab. You must have internet access and an email address where you will receive your results within 24-72 hours.
To request a test you can stop by Public Health (106 N. Jackson St., Mt. Pleasant) Monday – Friday 8am-4pm, or call 319-385-0779 and someone will meet you outside at your vehicle. Please do not come inside our office if you are sick or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. The test kit will contain instructions and samples can be returned using a UPS drop-off box (at U.S. Bank, Pilot, and Kempkers True Value in Mt. Pleasant). Visit testiowa.com for more information or to request a kit be mailed to your house, or contact their call center at 833-286-8378.
The best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including new variants, is to get vaccinated, get a booster if you are eligible, and to wear a mask in indoor public settings or in a crowded environment. Find more information about vaccine clinic options, what to do if you have been exposed, and steps to protect yourself and others at HealthyHenryCounty.org/covid.
Mildred G. “Millie” Kennedy
Mildred G. “Millie” Kennedy, 97, of Farmington, Iowa, passed away at 7:25 p.m. Saturday, December 25, 2021, at her home.
She was born on September 1, 1924, the daughter of John and Lula (Fickle) Hedden. On July 13, 1947, she married Lewis Kennedy at Christian Church in Keokuk, Iowa. He preceded her in death on December 22, 2016.
Survivors include her three sons: William J. Kennedy of Farmington, Robert J. (Cindy) Kennedy of Farmington and Douglas (Mellisa) Kennedy of Lake City, California; seven grandchildren: Jamie Kennedy, Darren Kennedy, Jenny (Scott) Batten, Jody (Brian) Black, Jonie (Tony) Kennedy, Jessie Kennedy and Sydna Kennedy; eight great grandchildren; four great-great grandchild and one on the way. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and a lot of great friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; three sisters: Thelma Shaefer, Veda Rockefeller, Berta Ferguson and one brother: Bob Hedden
Millie was a graduate of Keokuk High School. She was homemaker and a former member of Big Mound Methodist Church, a member of the Donnellson Saddle Club, Order of the Eastern Star and quilt clubs. She was an expert seamstress, making many quilts for family and friends. Millie enjoyed going to yard sales and traveling. She especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Her body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.
A graveside service will be held in the Spring of 2022 with burial at Sharon Cemetery rural Farmington.
A memorial has been established in her memory for Sharon Cemetery and can be mailed to the family at: Schmitz Funeral Home, P.O. Box 56, Donnellson, Iowa 52625.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com. Schmitz Funeral Home of Farmington is assisting the family with arrangements.
Speed Trailer Damaged
On December 19th at approximately 6:40AM, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office was notified of damage to property in the 2100-Grid of Franklin Avenue Street. Equipment damaged was a posted speed trailer along the roadway shoulder. This incident had occurred during the overnight hours that evening. The Sheriff’s Office request contact from involved parties and/or assistance from the public with any information relating to this incident.
Single Vehicle Crash Details
On December 25th at approximately 12:09AM, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office was notified of and responded to the location of a single motor vehicle accident with injury near the Franklin Avenue/Oakland Mills Road intersection.
Upon arrival, emergency services provided aid to multiple vehicle occupants. During a subsequent investigation, the vehicle was determined to have entered the ditch area from driver related factors causing them to loss control and leave the roadway. The driver was identified as Billy Kerr, 42, of Mt Pleasant. Standardized field sobriety test were additionally conducted during this time.
From this incident and investigation Billy Kerr was taken into custody and charged with Operating while Intoxicated (OWI), Failure to Obey Stop Sign, and Failure to Maintain Control
KILJ Sports Year in Review: Quarter One presented by Two Rivers Bank
January
Bees Find New Home:
The Burlington Bees and the Clinton LumberKings played baseball this spring — as part of the Prospect League, which featured college baseball players.
In December of 2020, Major League Baseball cut ties with 42 of its minor league teams, including the two along Iowa’s eastern border.
The Pioneer League’s players — all of whom are collegians — pay 495 dollars to play a 60-game schedule.
Opening games were in late May and ran through early August.
There are 16 teams in the Prospect League and general managers of the teams will met in January the season’s schedule.
Wesleyan’s Temaine Wright Resigns Midseason:
Iowa Wesleyan head women’s basketball coach Temaine Wright has resigned from his position in January.
Wright was entering his second season with the Tigers.
Jazmyne Laskey, who was in her first year as the top lieutenant to Wright, led the program for the remainder of the season
The Tiger women were 0-2 at the time of the resignation.
February
Lopez Wins Third State Title:
Marcel Lopez kept etching his name into history.
The Magic Man from New London, who appropriately took a bow following his state finals masterpiece was crowned a three-time state champion in February.
Lopez defeated Lisbon’s Brandon Paez by decision (1-0) in February’s 1A-120 pound finals, creating a legacy that many in the state strive for.
It wasn’t pretty at times in this year’s tournament for Lopez, but does it even have to be?
All he did was win, win, win and win again.
Now, he’s coming back as a senior for a feat so rare that only 28 wrestlers in Iowa High School history have done it: four years, four state titles.
Lopez ended his junior campaign with a record of 60-0.
Wesleyan’s Odorisio Resigns:
Iowa Wesleyan announced the resignation of men’s soccer coach Tony Odorisio in February.
Odorisio, who was entering his fifth season, had coached 18 players to All-Conference honors, while guiding the Tigers to the SLIAC Conference Tournament Championship match just one year ago.
He was named SLIAC Coach of the Year in 2019, as well.
Johnson Commits to Central:
Mount Pleasant senior quarterback Jack Johnson committed to play college football at Central College this spring.
Johnson followed the footsteps of 2019 quarterback Brody Bender as Panthers to head to Pella.
The Panther superstar enjoyed a monster senior season for the Panthers accounting for over 2,000 combined yards and 22 touchdowns.
He ended his season with his best passing performance of the year in the team’s loss to eventual state champion North Scott, where he threw for 378 yards and three touchdowns.
Lopreato Headlines 2020-21 All-Conference Lists:
Mount Pleasant sophomore forward Andrea Lopreato was recognized by Southeast Conference officials in February as a 1st Team All-Conference selection following her terrific campaign for Curt Watson’s group.
Lopreato led Mount Pleasant with 16.7 points and 10.9 rebounds per game, all while contributing two assists, three steals and a block per contest, as well.
Her capstone performance was a February 5th drubbing of Burlington, where Lopreato set the school record for points in a game with 37 (13-of-19 FG), while snagging 16 rebounds.
Joining Lopreato on the 1st Team were the Fairfield tandem of Danielle Breen and Hannah Simpson, Abby Wolter of Keokuk (Conference POY) and Fort Madison’s Malarie Ross and Brandy Walker.
Lopreato’s classmate Tristian Shull was named 2nd Team All-Conference by the coaches, as well.
Shull averaged 9.5 points her second year on the varsity floor, leading the conference with nearly four assists per game.
She finished second on the team in steals per game with 2.7.
Both Emma Huckabone and Kenna Lamm were named to the Honorable Mention All-Conference list.
Lamm, Huckabone, Ava Lowery, Karsyn Lamm and Emma Rugg were all Academic All-Conference selections for the Panthers as well.
Mount Pleasant closed their season with a record of 11-10.
March
Wesleyan Hires Steve Williamson:
Just days after stepping down from William Penn University, Mount Pleasant native Steve Williamson was named the new head coach of the Iowa Wesleyan women’s basketball team.
Williamson accumulated 246 wins, four conference championships, five conference tournament championships, and eight national tournament appearances in his first stint with Iowa Wesleyan.
In his time in Oskaloosa, a program he led for the past four years, Williamson accrued an 88-28 record.
He was 66-20 in conference play.
A two-time Heart of America Conference Coach of the Year, Williamson headed 13 all-Heart performers, one Heart Player of the Year, and three NAIA All-Americans.
Academically, he had seven Heart Scholar-Athletes and five NAIA Scholar-Athlete under his tutelage.
He also led the Statesmen to their first regular season title since 1988 and orchestrated their first Heart of America Conference Tournament title in program history.
William Penn finished 10-9 this year and 10-7 in conference play.
Mount Pleasant Alum Magnani Hired at VBC:
For the first time in over 50 years, the Van Buren County boys’ basketball team will be coached by someone other than Fred Parsons.
Parsons, who has been the lead man in Keosauqua since the 1962-63 school year, officially announced his retirement in March before the Van Buren County School Board.
Taking over will be former Mount Pleasant student athlete Trey Magnani.
Magnani will look to fill the gaping shoes left by Parsons, who is second in all-time wins with 742, trailing only Bob Hilmer of North Linn, who retired in May of 2020.
Magnani is currently a teacher in the Van Buren County School District and was the middle school basketball coach for the previous two seasons.
Trey’s father Alan was the long-time head coach of the Iowa Wesleyan men’s basketball team also serving as an assistant on Caleb Akey’s staff last year at Mount Pleasant High School.
Van Buren County finished last year winless, the first time in school history.
Trent Named First Team All-Conference:
Mount Pleasant junior forward Dewon Trent was one of four Panthers honored by Southeast Conference coaches on the 2020-21 All-Conference list in March.
Trent was a unanimous first-team selection in his first varsity season after leading Mount Pleasant to a 13-11 record and a near upset of Mount Vernon (RV) in the Class 3A Substate semifinal.
Trent finished third in the conference — and tops on the team — in scoring at 15.8 points per game, while hauling 7.3 rebounds — also good for third in the Southeast Conference.
Joining Trent on the first team was Amarion Davis of Burlington (Co-Conference POY), Fort Madison’s Dayton Davis (Co-Conference POY), Ethan Patterson of Washington, Fairfield’s Max Wheaton, and Anthony Potratz of Keokuk.
Panther senior forward Brevin Wilson was named Second Team All-SEC.
Wilson averaged 10.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game — second in the SEC.
Both Owen Vansickel and Chase Williamson garnered Honorable Mention All-Conference recognition.
Dylon Hagans, Jack Johnson, Mason Mills, Cooper Pullis, Avery Scanridge and Brevin Wilson were all named to the Academic All-Conference list.
2021 KILJ Year In Review 1st Quarter
So many times in the past the beginning of January brings a snow storm. Not in 2021. That happened at the beginning of February. We’ll get to that.
Possibly, the biggest announcement came mid-month. January 12 Iowa Wesleyan University and Southeastern Community College Announced Formation of Southeast Iowa Higher Education Alliance. While both institutions will continue to operate separately, this unique partnership between a four-year private liberal arts university and a community college will serve as an innovative model for the future of higher education securing the future of both as well as offering a smooth, affordable academic pathways between IW and SCC, broadening the educational opportunities for students and increasing the talent pipeline for the regional workforce. Through this model, a student could take college-level courses in high school and go on to complete an associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degree all within the SIHEA system.
At about 9:40 the morning of February 4 the Mount Pleasant Fire Department was paged out to a fire at 2818 Kentucky Avenue. Upon arrival at the Batey Sawmill crews encountered heavy smoke coming from a large structure. Salem and New London Departments were immediately called for manpower and tanker trucks. Crews remained on the scene for four and half hours. Mount Pleasant Fire Chief Drew Schumacher said the fire started when dust and debris caught fire while mechanics were using a cutting torch to cut bolts as they were removing equipment. They tried to put out the fire with several fire extinguishers but the fire spread too quickly. Six firefighters from Salem brought an engine, a tanker, a brush truck and a rescue unit. New London sent five firefighters and one engine.
And now for the snow storm…..at about the same time the fire department was wrapping up at the scene of the saw mill fire Henry County Engineer, Jake Hotchkiss, had to temporarily halt county plow trucks. Trucks were stopped out on the roads to wait and see if winter storm conditions would improve. Motorgraders continued to work on the gravel roads so school buses could operate since school let out early. At about 2:30 the plow trucks were back on the roads but Hotchkiss said at that time that he may have to pull them off again. White out conditions were being reported especially north of Mount Pleasant from the Trenton/Mt. Union black top going north. Travel on 218 was reported to be difficult and one lane only with icy conditions. By 3 pm the snow fall had let up but strong winds continued to blow and drift the snow creating poor visibility and treacherous road conditions. There were also reports of jack knifed semis, cars in the ditch and a crash on 218 just north of Mt. Pleasant near 185th Street. Access Energy cooperative reported several outages across its’ service area. One outage caused KILJ AM to off the air for a time.
The first quarter of 2021 saw the completion of the campaign to convince Henry County voters that Henry County Health Center should enter into a lease agreement with Great River Health Systems. On March 2 a majority of Henry County voters said, “Yes” to the public measure asking if the HCHC Board of Trustees should be authorized to pursue leasing the public hospital facilities and related assets to Great River Health System. This agreement between a public hospital and a private hospital calls for HCHC employees to remain HCHC employees and retain their benefits.
Daily Jail Count
Henry County Jail
In the interest of keeping Henry County residents informed, the Henry County Sheriff’s office has requested KILJ post the daily jail count. During the jail referendum campaign it was publicized that the jail would be able to house additional inmates from surrounding counties and this would generate revenue for Henry County.
Date: _12-27-2021________
JAIL COUNT
_23_ Henry County Inmates
_34_ Out of County Contract Inmates
_57_ TOTAL