Sports, Monday, January 3rd

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, January 3rd, 2022 at 12:55 am CDT

Prep Basketball: Mount Pleasant-New London Start New Year with Henry County Crossover:

The New Year will start with a bang in Henry County when New London hosts Mount Pleasant today in a nonconference girls’ and boys’ doubleheader.

Action will begin at 6:00 p.m. with the girls’ game.

Andrea Lopreato will look to spearhead the Panthers to third straight win against a New London team that enters 2022 at 0-11.

Lopreato last starred back on December 21st when Mount Pleasant slugged Burlington 71-22.

The do-it-all superstar is averaging 18.4 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.

Also today will mark the anticipated return of junior point guard Tristian Shull, who missed most of December with an ankle injury.

Before her departure, Shull was averaging 8.0 points per game.

New London is paced by junior Natalie Burden.

Burden is averaging 7.6 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.

In the nightcap, all eyes will be on New London junior Blaise Porter.

Porter, one of the top players in the state, eclipsed the 1,000 point mark for his career already this season and is firing on all-cylinders heading into tonight’s matchup.

Eric Rawson’s group has slumped to 2-5 after dropping three straight into the holiday break.

Dewon Trent has been doing his part and he will be leaned upon once again tonight.

The All-Conference forward is averaging 14.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.

Both games can be heard on FM 105.5 and kilj.com.

John Kuhens will have the lead call alongside Kent Bennett.

Other area matchups tonight:

  • Fairfield at Centerville
  • Keokuk at West Burlington
  • Louisa-Muscatine at West Liberty

College Wrestling: Spencer Lee to Have Season-Ending Surgery:

The University of Iowa wrestling program announced Saturday that senior Spencer Lee will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the 2021-22 season.

The decision to have season-ending surgery was made collectively by Lee, his family, and the Iowa coaching staff and medical team.

Lee was 3-0 this season, outscoring his opponents 31-1.

Lee suffered a torn ACL one year ago, but still managed to win his third national title.

He will be eligible for the 2022-23 season with a medical hardship.

Women’s College Basketball: Iowa Rolls Past Evansville:

The No. 21 ranked Iowa women’s basketball team set multiple career bests in its 93-56 win over the Evansville Purple Aces last night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Former Dowling Catholic star Caitlin Clark poured in a game-high 44 points, a career high and the most ever scored by an individual player on Iowa’s home floor.

Clark also broke 1,000 points becoming the fastest Big Ten athlete to reach that milestone.

The Hawkeyes return to Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Thursday, January 6 for Big Ten action against Northwestern.

Tip is set for 7:00 p.m.

 

Lots of Church Service Cancellations Due to Roads and Cold

By Theresa Rose · Sunday, January 2nd, 2022 at 1:50 pm CDT

Cold temps and snow are keeping church goers home this Sunday morning.  For all the weather related announcements go to kilj.com and click on the purple banner at the top of the home page.

If you have to travel, before you head out find the latest road conditions at 511ia.org. The Iowa DOT is showing roads in Southeast Iowa to be partially covered.

Sub zero wind chills are on tap for today. Sunny and cold, with a high near 10. Wind chill values as low as -15. Bundle up if you go out.  Make sure exposed skin is covered.

 

H. Clark Hays

By Theresa Rose · Saturday, January 1st, 2022 at 10:50 pm CDT

H. Clark Hays, 83, died Friday, December 31, 2021, at Park Place Elder Living in Mount Pleasant.  Funeral services are pending at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel.

Check 511ia.org for Road Condition Reports

By Theresa Rose · Saturday, January 1st, 2022 at 1:22 pm CDT

The Iowa Department of Transportation’s goal during the winter season is to return roads to reasonably near normal winter driving conditions as quickly as possible after a winter storm. The department operates around the clock to clear roads of snow and ice. Your responsibility is to ensure your vehicles are in good operating condition for winter driving. Take time to find out about the weather and road conditions. You can check the D.O.T.’s website 511ia.org for up to date information on the state’s roads. Use good driving skills to avoid losing control of your vehicle. And operate safely around snow removal equipment. Give crews room to do their job.

Sports, Saturday, January 1st

By Nathan Bloechl · Saturday, January 1st, 2022 at 3:29 am CDT

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

College Football: Iowa-Kentucky Ready for Citrus Bowl

The Iowa Hawkeye football team will look to close their 2021 season with a bang today when they take on Mark Stoops and the Kentucky Wildcats in the Citrus Bowl from Orlando.

Iowa, 10-3, fell in the Big Ten Championship game to Michigan — where a win would have likely vaulted them to today’s Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

Kentucky is 9-3 after finishing in 2nd place in the SEC East behind Georgia.

The Wildcats feature terrific quarterback Will Levis, a Penn State transfer, who threw 23 touchdowns this season.

Their ground game is spearheaded by Chris Rodriguez Jr. — he ran for over 1,200 yards and eight scores.

Iowa will be without their bellcow Tyler Goodson, who opted out of the game to further preparations for the upcoming NFL Draft.

Today’s game will kick at 12:00 p.m.

Coverage on FM 105.5 will begin at 10:00 a.m.

College Basketball: Wesleyan Closes First Half with Road Loss:

The Iowa Wesleyan men’s basketball team fell to the Mayville State University Comets 73-67 in their final game of the Hampton Inn Bruin Classic.

Down by 10 at half, Wesleyan cut the lead to four but Mayville State stayed hot at the foul line to secure the victory.

Former New London prep Alex Dentlinger led the Tigers with 14 points, bagging three rebounds and two blocks despite the loss.

Marvin Bateman had 11 off the bench, while Kaleb Cresswell chipped in with 10.

The Tigers will return home on January 4th to take on Lincoln Christian University in their next game. The game is set to start at 3 pm.

You can listen on FM 105.5 and kilj.com.

College Football: Bowl Game Scoreboard (Friday)

Wisconsin 20, Arizona State 13 (Late Thursday)

Wake Forest 38, Rutgers 10

Alabama 27, Cincinnati 6

Georgia 34, Michigan 11

Georgia will play Alabama in the CFB National Championship game, set for Monday, January 10th.

NBA Scoreboard (Friday)

Boston 123, Phoenix 108

Chicago 108, Indiana 106

Dallas 112, Sacramento 96

Miami 120, Houston 110

Toronto 116, Los Angeles Clippers 108

Atlanta 121, Cleveland 118

Oklahoma City 95, New York 80

Memphis 118, San Antonio 105

January 3, 2022 – January 9, 2022

By Lora Roth · Saturday, January 1st, 2022 at 1:37 am CDT
01/03/22
Russell Hill
01/04/22
Marie Jacobsmeier
01/04/22
Junior and Anna Williams
01/05/22
Jennifer Boyer
01/05/22
Kirby Moon
01/06/22
Lugene Krieger (99)
01/06/22
Kent Bennett
01/06/22
Joe Ruby (60)
01/06/22
Greg Peck
01/07/22
Quayson Talton
01/07/22
Tucker Syfert
01/07/22
Marshall Mathers
01/08/22
Averee McMullin

MP Utilities Reports Phone Scam

By Theresa Rose · Friday, December 31st, 2021 at 5:52 pm CDT

Mount Pleasant Utilities customers, especially the elder, are being targeted in a newly reported phone scam.  Customers who have received the automated call report getting a message that says you are late paying your bill and utility service will be cut in 45 minutes if you don’t send payment electronically.  The message then directs you to give your bank information. Mount Pleasant Utilities manager Jack Hedgecock confirms these are scam calls.  If, in fact, you are behind on your utility bill payments, you should have already received a formal notice posted on your door. Hedgecock also said there are no disconnections taking place over the holiday weekend. The Mount Pleasant Utility office is closed today but Hedgecock said dispatch is reporting a lot of calls from concerned residents.  If you have any further questions about this scam or your bill please call the business office Monday, January 3.  Also please note, you can’t rely on caller i.d. to pin point where the calls are coming from. Customers of other energy providers have received scam calls like this.

Snow Clearing Reminders

By Theresa Rose · Friday, December 31st, 2021 at 3:18 pm CDT

The Mount Pleasant Public Works Department is gearing up for the weekend winter storm. Here are some reminders for Mount Pleasant residents that will ensure the City can provide effective and safe traffic flow.

All residents are asked to limit or remove vehicles parked on side streets.  These vehicles can be a hindrance to proper snow removal. City ordinance states vehicles parked on side streets and in public parking lots must be moved every 24 hours

City Ordinance requires residents to remove snow from sidewalks within 24 hours of the end of the storm to ensure safety of postal carriers and pedestrians.

City Ordinance also states that snow removed from driveways should not be deposited in the street.

A couple of other notes:

After a snow storm residents are asked to clear a path to a fire hydrant if there is one in front of your property. Also, be sure to clear sidewalks, steps and porches leading to mail boxes. If you are a rural resident try to clear the area in front of your mail box so the rural postal carrier can get as close as possible to your mail box.