Warm, Mostly Dry Week Allows Farmers to Wrap Up Fieldwork; Corn Harvest Nearly Complete

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, November 25th, 2025 at 5:17 am CDT

The latest Crop Progress and Conditions Report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service shows that Iowa farmers enjoyed 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending November 23. Producers continued fertilizer and manure applications, along with fall tillage, as the season winds down.

Moisture levels held steady: topsoil moisture was rated 4% very short, 27% short, 67% adequate, and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture mirrored those ratings at 4% very short, 27% short, 66% adequate, and 3% surplus.

The corn harvest is essentially finished statewide, with 99% of the crop now in the bin.

Weather Summary – Southeast Iowa

Southeast Iowa experienced another mild November week with temperatures running well above normal. Highs climbed into the upper 50s early in the week, with lows mostly in the 30s and low 40s. Cloud cover was common, and dense fog developed several mornings—especially midweek—before gradually clearing each afternoon.

Rainfall in the region was light and scattered, generally ranging from just a trace to around a quarter inch, with most of the heavier precipitation staying north of Highway 30. Conditions dried out again heading into the weekend, with breezy west winds and sunshine returning Saturday and Sunday.

Community Thanksgiving Dinner RSVP Deadline Is Today at 3 p.m. 

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, November 24th, 2025 at 11:23 am CDT

Today is the final day to reserve a meal for this year’s Community Thanksgiving Dinner, taking place Thursday, November 27 at the First United Methodist Church in Mount Pleasant. RSVPs must be made by 3 p.m. today. 

The church will offer sit-down dinners from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., pick-up meals from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m., and delivery at 11:00 a.m. for individuals without transportation. 

To reserve your meal, sign up in the back of the FUMC sanctuary or call the church office at 319-385-1740 before the 3 p.m. deadline. 

If you’re unable to volunteer but would like to support the effort, monetary donations may be dropped off at the church office Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The church encourages anyone planning to participate to get their reservations in today. 

Solid Waste Collection & Recycling Holiday Schedule 

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, November 24th, 2025 at 11:22 am CDT

The City of Mount Pleasant has announced changes to solid waste and recycling services for the Thanksgiving holiday. Lance Refuse and Wemiga Waste will run their regular routes on Wednesday. However, any collection normally scheduled for Thursday will take place on Friday, November 28, 2025, due to the holiday. 

City offices will also be closed on Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28, in observance of Thanksgiving. Regular business hours will resume the following Monday. 

Residents are encouraged to plan accordingly and have carts placed at the curb by 7 a.m. on Friday if they are typically a Thursday pickup. 

Thursdays Area Recyclers route in mt pleasant will be picked up Friday. 

KILJ Welcomes Shelbi Swinscoe as New Production Manager

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, November 24th, 2025 at 10:43 am CDT

KILJ Radio is proud to announce the addition of Shelbi Swinscoe as our new Production Manager.

A lifelong Mount Pleasant resident, Shelbi brings both hometown pride and a strong understanding of the community to her new role.

Many listeners and local residents will recognize Shelbi from her recent position at Mount Pleasant City Hall, where she served as Administrative Assistant. During her time there, she built meaningful relationships across the city and gained valuable experience in local operations and public service.

Shelbi brings that same dedication to KILJ, along with a deep appreciation for Mount Pleasant and the greater southeast Iowa region. “It’s a privilege to step into this role and continue serving the people and places that have shaped who I am,” she shared.

As Production Manager, Shelbi will support KILJ’s ongoing mission of delivering trusted local news, storytelling, and community connection. Please join us in welcoming Shelbi to the KILJ team as she begins this exciting new chapter.

Aerial Applicator Continuing Instruction Course Set for December 11 in Washington County

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, November 24th, 2025 at 7:42 am CDT

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Washington County will host the Aerial Applicator Continuing Instruction Course (CIC) for commercial pesticide applicators on Thursday, December 11, 2025. The annual training is provided through ISU Extension’s Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP).

This course fulfills the 2025 continuing instruction requirements for commercial pesticide applicators certified in Category 11. Topics on the agenda include pesticide use and its impact on the environment, understanding and interpreting pesticide labels, and an overview of pests, pest management strategies, and related pesticide considerations.

Registration is open now. To sign up or learn more, contact Holly Beinhart at the ISU Extension and Outreach Washington County office by calling 319-653-4811 or visit https://go.iastate.edu/ALTQL4

Sports, November 24th

By Slaten Swords · Monday, November 24th, 2025 at 6:38 am CDT

High School Wrestling

The WACO girls’ team competed in a tournament at BGM over the weekend and collected 28 points by the day’s end. Makayla Morrison led the Warriors with a 4th place finish after narrowly falling in the 3rd place match by a 7-6 decision. 

The WACO, Mediapolis, and Van Buren County girls’ teams will participate in a tournament tonight hosted by Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union.

Burlington hosted the Grayhound Invite over the weekend and the hosts snuck away with the victory, totaling 196.5 points, while Van Buren County accounted for 168 points to take 3rd place. The Warriors had two wrestlers finish atop the podium with Armoney Adams (105-pound weight class) and Brystol Wiley (110-pound weight class) each winning both of their matches by fall to earn the gold. Rylee Caviness claimed 2nd place. 

Mt. Pleasant grabbed 8th place with 76 points and Mediapolis snatched 11th place. In the Panthers’ first action of the season, Quintrie and Zenlynn Lee led the squad as they both fell in the championship match of their respective weight classes to finish with the silver. In the 235-pound weight class, Courtney Smith and Olivia Gordy claimed 2nd and 3rd place, respectively. 

Lastly, Avery Hollingsworth of Mediapolis defeated Rory Philips of Van Buren County in the 105-pound championship match by fall to claim the lone gold medal of the day for the Bulldogs. 

The Wapello and Mt. Pleasant girls’ teams will wrestle at the West Liberty Invitational tonight.

The Fairfield and Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ teams participated in the Wilton tournament over the weekend and Fairfield’s 60 points were good enough for 10th place, while the Wildcats took 12th place. Samantha Lyons and Kendra Allison both pinned their way to gold medals for the Trojans, while Jada Moats’ 3rd place finish led Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union. 

High School Basketball

The New London, Mediapolis, Columbus, and WACO boys’ teams will head to Hillcrest Academy tonight for a jamboree. 

The Mt. Pleasant and Central Lee boys’ teams will compete at the Mid-Prairie jamboree tonight. Panther head coach Eric Rawson is excited to get the season started,

“…And so, it’s good to finally be back in the gym and, you know, just seeing a big difference in their maturity level, we’re pretty strong. You know, they’ve really gotten after it in the weight room and so now we just got to get our basketball legs under us and get some lungs and you know, it should be an exciting year.”

The West Burlington boys’ team will scrimmage Fairfield, while Holy Trinity Catholic will face off against Cardinal tonight in a jamboree hosted by the Crusaders. 

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team will tip-off the season at Pella tomorrow, November 25th, at 7 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm.

The Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team will hit the road to face off against Pekin tomorrow at 7:30 pm.

The Fairfield girls’ team will compete against Knoxville tomorrow at 7:30 pm on the road. 

The Columbus girls’ team will host Louisa-Muscatine tomorrow at 6 pm.

The WACO girls’ team will face off against Wapello at home tomorrow at 6 pm.

The New London girls’ team will travel to Louisa-Muscatine on December 1st at 6 pm.

High School Bowling

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team will travel to Keokuk tomorrow, November 25th, at 6 pm.

Southeastern Community College

The women’s basketball team lost 81-58 over the weekend to Neosho County Community College. Deejah Buchanan led the team with 23 points. The Blackhawks will stay at home to play North Iowa Area Community College tomorrow, November 25th, at 5:30 pm.

The men’s basketball team fell to Moberly Area Community College over the weekend 92-82. Jacob Franklin went off for 29 points in the losing effort. The Blackhawks will host Spoon River College tomorrow at 7 pm.

The men’s and women’s wrestling teams will duel Ellsworth Community College on Wednesday, December 3rd, at home.

College Football

Iowa finally flipped the script and outscored Michigan State 13 to 0 in the 4th quarter, as Drew Stevens walked-off a 20-17 victory for the Hawkeyes on a 44-yard field goal. Mark Gronowski tossed for 147 yards and a touchdown in the win. The Hawkeyes will travel to Nebraska on Friday, November 28th, to end the regular season with kickoff at 11 am. KILJ 105.5 FM will have the call.

Iowa State whacked Kansas over the weekend 38-14. Rocco Becht had a huge game, throwing for 241 yards and three touchdowns, while Carson Hansen gashed the Jayhawks for 120 rushing yards and a score. The Cyclones will face off against Oklahoma State on Saturday, November 29th, at 11 am. 

College Basketball

The #19 Iowa women’s team muscled their way past Miami over the weekend at the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Showcase, 64-61. Hannah Stuelke collected a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. The Hawkeyes will host Western Illinois on Wednesday, November 26th, at 6:30 pm.

The Iowa men’s team will compete in the Acrisure Classic tomorrow, November 25th, against Ole Miss at 8:30 pm.

The #12 Iowa State women’s team flattened Mercyhurst yesterday 112-62. Audi Crooks tabbed 27 points and two steals in the mauling. The Cyclones will compete in a tournament starting on Friday, November 28th, at 10 am.

The #16 Iowa State men’s team will play in the Players Era Men’s Championship tournament starting today against #14 St. John’s at 3:30 pm.  

This Day in Sports History

1960 – Philadelphia center Wilt Chamberlain pulls down an NBA record 55 rebounds in a Warriors 132-129 loss to the Boston Celtics at Philadelphia Civic Center.

1985 – CFL Grey Cup, Olympic Stadium, Montreal: the BC Lions defeat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, 37-24; it’s the final CFL game played with 25-yard long endzones.

1991 – Monica Seles sets the female tennis record winning prize money of $2,457,758 in a year.

Horse-Drawn Wagon Ride Tickets Go On Sale This Morning at 9am!

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, November 24th, 2025 at 5:24 am CDT

Tickets for this year’s popular horse-drawn wagon rides will go on sale (today) November 24 at 9:00 a.m., with online sales only. Seats are limited, and rides traditionally fill quickly, so early purchase is encouraged. 

Wagon rides will be offered on the following dates and times: 

  • Tuesday, December 9 – 5:30 PM, 6:30 PM, 7:30 PM 
  • Wednesday, December 10 – 5:30 PM, 6:30 PM, 7:30 PM 

For the safety of guests and horses, each wagon is limited to the maximum number of riders allowed. This includes all passengers—adults, children, and infants seated on laps. 

Route Notice:
While this year’s Festival of Lights offers a new 2-mile display route, the horse-drawn wagons will continue to use the original 1.5-mile route. This longstanding path avoids the South 40 expansion, which includes a steep incline, ensuring a safe and comfortable experience for both horses and riders. 

Please note: Tickets are non-refundable, and no cancellations will be accepted. Link at kilj.com 

Kay (June) Johnson

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, November 24th, 2025 at 5:15 am CDT

Kay (June) Johnson, age 83, passed away peacefully with her son and daughter–in–law by her side on Thursday, November 20, 2025 at Halcyon House in Washington, Iowa. The daughter of Maurice William and Ethel (Murray) June, Kay was born on June 11, 1942, in Burlington, Iowa.Kay and her family lived in New London until 1944 when Ethel and her daughters moved to Burlington. At the end of the war in 1945, Kay went to live with her maternal grandparents, Charles and Iva (Calhoun) Murray who farmed north of Wapello. Kay attended school in Grandview, Iowa from kindergarten through 4th grade. In 1952, following the death of her grandfather, Kay, her sister, her mother and grandmother moved to Wapello. In 1954, Kay’s mother Ethel married Merton Ask ren who became the patriarch of the newly formed family.A graduate of Wapello High School in 1960, Kay was active in marching and concert band, choir and basketball.On December 14, 1960, Kay married Norman Johnson of Wapello in Iowa City. Norman was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1962, and the couple spent 2 years at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, NY where Kay worked as a waitress at the Hotel Thayer. After the couple returned to Iowa in 1964,Kay attended Burlington Business College and then worked as a secretary at B.L. Robinson Electric Supply from 1965 until 1968. In September of 1968, Kay and Norman adopted their daughter Gwen, and Kay gave birth to their son Charles in August of 1969.In 1979, the family moved back to Wapello and Kay worked as the bookkeeper at Tillman Motor Company, the local Ford dealership for many years, and then as a cashier at Jack and Jill Grocery Store.Kay enjoyed playing cards with her friends and watching her children’s and grandchildren’s sports and  music activities. Kay and Norman enjoyed camping and taking their children on RAGBRAI five times in the 1980’s. Kay and Norman loved to dance and would go dancing on the weekends whenever they had a chance.More opportunities to dance came after retirement when Kay and Norman would winter in Mission,TX. They spent over 10 years travelling there to spend time with their new friends to escape the Iowa winters. Following Norman’s death on May 24, 2016, Kay returned to Mission, TX in the winters of 2017and 2018 before health issues limited her ability to return.Kay was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and Order of the Eastern Star, both in Wapello.Kay is survived by her son, Charles (Lisa) Johnson of Kalona, Iowa; her sister, Barbara Lancaster of DesMoines, Iowa; grandchildren, Courtney (Alexander) Chandrea of Asbury, Iowa and Cassidy Johnson of Truckee, California; step–grandchildren Logan Wadsworth of Ft. Smith, Arkansas and Lexy (Jaemin