2025 State Track and Field Qualifying Meet Sites

By Slaten Swords · Monday, March 31st, 2025 at 2:35 pm CDT

Prep Track and Field- The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) and the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) jointly released the 2025 State Track and Field Qualifying Meet Sites and most of our local teams will be heading to two locations.

Class 1A

Edgewood-Colesburg

Griswold

Lisbon

Lynnville-Sully

Madrid

North Union

Northwood-Kensett

WACO

Wayne

Woodbine

Class 2A

Clarinda

Crestwood, Cresco

Garner-Hayfield-Ventura

Grundy Center

Monticello

Ogden

PCM

Sheldon

Class 3A

Assumption, Davenport

Decorah

Glenwood

Mount Vernon

Mount Pleasant

Nevada

Sioux Center

Winterset

Class 4A

Council Bluffs, Abraham Lincoln

Iowa City, West

Mason City

Marshalltown

North Scott, Eldridge

Waukee, Northwest

Schedule

The state qualifying meets are set to run on Thursday, May 15th, at 4 pm with assignments scheduled to be released at a later time.

2025 KILJ Bracket Challenge Standings After the Elite 8

By Slaten Swords · Monday, March 31st, 2025 at 12:22 pm CDT

Mt. Pleasant, IA- Sorry Prince Charming, you will have to hold on to that glass slipper for another year as the Final Four is completely populated with #1 seeds. With only 10 upsets throughout the entire tournament, the carriage has turned to pumpkin before the clock even touched 11 pm.

What Happened

All right, that’s enough Cinderella analogies for now, but the sentiment stands. This was not the year to venture outside the seeding. There were more upsets in the first-round last year than this entire tournament. It is also the first time since 2008 and the second time ever that the Final Four is only made up of the top seeds.

Although, there were moments where that notion was challenged in the last two rounds. The Sweet 16 saw #3 Texas Tech overcome the third-largest deficit in Sweet 16 history—16 points, aptly—to down #10 Arkansas in overtime, 85-83.

#1 Florida was down double-digits with about five minutes to play in the second half against those same Red Raiders, but a flurry of buckets later saw the Gators flip the script and come out with the 84-79 victory to advance to the Final Four.

#1 Duke and #1 Houston never trailed in their Elite Eight matchups and #1 Auburn kept two Michigan schools at arms-length to punch their ticket to the Final Four. Overall, entertaining games, just not an entertaining storyline.

Well, at least, not on the hardwood. There is a bit of Cinderella story brewing in KILJ’s Bracket Challenge as Wanda Broeker continued her dominant ways, going 7 for 8 in the Sweet 16 and a perfect 4 for 4 in the Elite 8. This impressive pick ‘em performance kept her solely in 1st place a year after finishing in the middle of the pack.

Terry McWilliams and Alan Buckert were the only brackets to go perfect in the Sweet 16 as Buckert moved up 21 spots in the rankings, tied for the largest move after these last two rounds. Including Broeker, six brackets went perfect in the Elite 8.

This was a very successful two rounds for the bracket challenge as 18 brackets at least picked seven of the eight games correctly in the Sweet 16, leading to a tight finish with three games left to go. Only five brackets out of the 46 cannot score anymore points.

In case you’re dubious of the validity of my statement, 27 of the 46 or 59% of the brackets still have both championship teams in the running. The most popular is Florida versus Duke with 13 brackets having the two face off.

Should be a thrilling day of basketball when the Final Four showdowns tip-off on Saturday, April 5th.

Standings

  1. Wanda Broeker: 230
  2. Karen Brimhall: 218
  3. Lysha Bunnell: 216
  4. Terry McWilliams: 212
  5. Aaron Freeman: 206
  6. Brent Broeker: 204
  7. Alan Buckert: 204
  8. Janae Body: 202
  9. Josh Moon: 202
  10. Julie Liechty: 200

More

Stay tuned to KILJ for an update on the standings after the Final Four.

Fort Madison City Council Holds Public Hearing

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, March 31st, 2025 at 7:01 am CDT

The Fort Madison City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2025/2026 property tax levy on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 5:00 PM.

The hearing will take place in the Council Chambers at 811 Avenue E, Fort Madison, Iowa.

Residents are encouraged to attend and provide input on the proposed levy.

This meeting offers an opportunity for the public to learn more about the city’s property tax plans and how they may impact taxpayers.

To view the full Proposed Property Tax Levy, visit: Fort Madison Civic Alerts.

Food Safety Certification Class Offered by ISU Extension and Outreach

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, March 31st, 2025 at 7:00 am CDT

Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach is offering a valuable food safety training program for food service managers on May 15 at the Lee County Extension Office in Donnellson. This training is designed to enhance food safety knowledge and ensure compliance with industry standards.

The class is highly beneficial for foodservice managers across various sectors, including schools, restaurants, convenience stores, child care facilities, senior meal sites, and health care establishments. Participants will receive a copy of the ServSafe® Manager training manual, which provides essential food safety guidelines and best practices. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to take the ServSafe® certification exam, a widely recognized credential in the food service industry.

This certification class offers a comprehensive overview of safe food handling practices, sanitation procedures, and risk management strategies. By participating in this program, foodservice professionals can enhance their knowledge, improve workplace safety, and ensure compliance with food safety regulations.

For more information about the program, or to register for the class, contact Jessica Ellison at (319) 835-5116 or visit www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/servsafe.

Sports, March 31st

By Slaten Swords · Monday, March 31st, 2025 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Track

The Mt. Pleasant, Mediapolis, Central Lee, New London, Danville, and Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ teams will travel to West Burlington today for the Falcon Relays. 

The Van Buren County boys’ team will participate in the Ruriatan Relays tonight at Pekin.

The Wapello Coed relays are scheduled tomorrow, April 1st, with Columbus in attendance. 

The Danville, Fairfield, Mediapolis, New London, WACO, Winfield-Mt. Union, West Burlington/Notre Dame, and Mt. Pleasant girls’ teams will meet up in Burlington for the Falcon Relays tomorrow.

High School Tennis

Mt. Pleasant will start the season against Davis County on Thursday, April 3rd. The boys’ team will host Davis County, while the girls’ team will hit the road.

Fairfield will face off against Fort Madison on Thursday with the boys’ team at home and the girls on the road.

High School Golf

Van Buren County will square off against Central Lee today at the Riverview Club.

New London will host a quad tomorrow, April 1st, with Columbus and WACO making the trip.

Winfield-Mt. Union will host Highland on Thursday, April 3rd. 

Mediapolis will take on Danville at the Heritage Oaks Golf and Country Club on Thursday.

Wapello will travel to Louisa-Muscatine on Thursday.

High School Soccer

The Danville boys’ team will compete against Keokuk at home at 5 pm tonight.

The Mediapolis boys’ team will take on Burlington at home tonight at 5 pm.

The WACO boys’ team will host Sigourney Keota tonight at 5 pm.

The Central Lee girls’ team will face off against West Branch tonight at 5 pm at home.

The Wapello girls’ team will host Northeast tonight at 5 pm and the boys’ team will play Prince of Peace at home at 7 pm. 

Burlington Notre Dame will take on Assumption with the girls’ team playing tonight at 5 pm at home and the boys’ competing tomorrow, April 1st, at 5:30 pm on the road. 

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will square off against Danville at home tomorrow at 5 pm, while the girls’ team will make the trip to Mediapolis. 

Columbus will tangle with Washington tomorrow with the road showdown starting at 5 pm with the girls’ team and the boys’ team playing at 6:30 pm.

The Central Lee boys’ team will travel to Fairfield on Thursday, April 3rd, at 5 pm.

High School Basketball

The 2025 Pizza Ranch All-Star Game commenced over the weekend with three players and a coach representing southeast Iowa. WACO’s Ella Huisnega and head coach Lisa Graber represented the Southeast team for the girls and their first round matchup was close but the Northwest squad snuck out with the win 76-72. In their consolation game against the Southwest girls’, Ella Huisenga snatched two points in an 86-77 loss. 

On the boys’ Southeast team, the duo of West Burlington’s Mason Watkins and Holy Trinity Catholic’s Luke Hellige helped the squad pour on points in a 115-78 win over the Northwest team in the first round. The championship game was another high-scoring affair, but the Northeast team got the job done in a 110-98 final, despite Watkins’ 21 points. Hellige scored two points in each contest. Watkins’ 37 combined points nabbed him a spot on the All-Tournament team.

Southeastern Community College                                                     

The softball team will remain at home to face off against Indian Hills Community College on Wednesday, April 2nd, for a doubleheader. 

The baseball team had their matchup against Northeast Community College over the weekend postponed. The Blackhawks will host Kirkwood Community College on Wednesday in a doubleheader.

College Basketball

Iowa’s Payton Sandfort will compete at the State Farm College Dunk and Three-Point Championships on Thursday, April 3rd. Sandfort tallied 1,619 points in his career, the 11th most in program history, and made the second-most three-pointers all-time with 271. He is just the seventh Hawkeye to compete in the event and will look to become the second one to win it after Peter Jok in 2017. 

March Madness

The KILJ bracket challenge, sponsored by The Press Box and Wiley’s Interior Furnishings and Design, is gearing up for a tight finish with only four teams left in the bracket. It is the first time since 2008 and just the second time ever that the Final Four consists of all #1 seeds. 

The standings will be updated by the end of the day.

This Day in Sports History

1906 – The Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States is founded to set rules in amateur sports; it became the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in 1910.

1975 – 37th NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship: UCLA beats Kentucky, 92-85; 10th title under coach John Wooden, the most ever by one coach. He had announced his retirement 2 days earlier.

1998 – The Milwaukee Brewers become the first team since the inception of the American League in 1901 to switch leagues; Brewers lose their first NL game, 2-1 to the Braves in Atlanta.

Josephine M. Bainter

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, March 31st, 2025 at 6:01 am CDT

Josephine M. (Mrs. Harlan) Bainter, 93, of rural Salem, died Sunday, March 30, 2025 at her residence.

A graveside committal service will be held at a later date at the Salem East Cemetery, Salem, IA.

Cremation rites have been entrusted to the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.

Robert L. Latta

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, March 31st, 2025 at 5:58 am CDT

Robert L. “Bob” Latta, 77, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away Thursday, March 13, 2025 at Arbor Court in Mt. Pleasant, while under hospice care, after he unexpectedly suffered a heart attack.

Bob was born on August 14, 1947, in Osceola, Iowa, where his father served as a minister at the Osceola Methodist Church. He was the son of the Rev. Lloyd Alexander and Beulah Ardella (Dickey) Latta. In 1950, the family relocated to Red Oak, Iowa. Bob was active in Scouts and sports throughout his early years. In 1958, they moved again, this time to Washington, Iowa, where Bob continued to pursue sports and school activities. In 1964, he moved to Grinnell, where he completed his high school education. That year, Bob played as an end on the football team and participated in track, even running in the prestigious Drake Relays with his high school team.
Bob had a deep love for animals, and no stray cat or bird went unfed if it crossed his path. One notable example was Sheeba, a cat who had been physically and emotionally hurt. Bob patiently worked to earn her trust, took her to the vet for care, and welcomed her into his home. Sheena lived with Bob for 23 years, though her age at the time he took her in remains unknown.

With a gentle and loving spirit, Bob remained kind-hearted throughout his life.
Bob enjoyed spending time working in his shop, creating birdhouses, bird feeders, and many other crafts. He also found joy in yard work and caring for his Birds his garden and home. Bob had a deep passion for birds. On his country home, he had built more than 100 birdhouses, each carefully designed to provide shelter and comfort for his small, winged visitors. He knew every species that nested on his land and spent hours observing them, learning their songs and habits.
His dog, named Cookie, was his faithful companion. Every spring, after winter subsided and the fields returned to life, Bob and Cookie would walk together through the fields in the two meadows surrounding the house. While Bob tended the plants, Cookie hovered nearby, watching for intruders to disturb the peace of the land. Bob’s life revolved around nature, finding joy and purpose in tending his land and in the company of his feathered friends and his loyal dog.

Those thankful for sharing in Bob’s life include 2 siblings – Rick Latta and his wife Nelly of Miami, Fl and Rosalyn Laliwala of Albany,NY; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents and sister, Marilynn Knight, precede Bob in death.

A memorial funeral service for Bob will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, April 6, 2025 at the First United Methodist Church, 309 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. Pastor Jeffery A. McPheron of the Trenton/Wesley Chapel United Methodist Churches will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Oakland Mills Cemetery, rural Mount Pleasant. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service at the church. The family will also greet friends at a reception following the memorial service.

The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, is caring for Bob and his family.

Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com

Blaine Watkins Sworn into District 100

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, March 31st, 2025 at 5:56 am CDT
It’s Official!
On Monday, I took the oath of office and was officially sworn in to the Iowa House of Representatives.
Taking the oath on Monday, March 24 with my parents by my side!
Shaking hands with Speaker of the House, Pat Grassley
Standing with my grandparents after being sworn in
Standing with Majority Leader,

Matt Windschitl
It was a special day, I am glad I was able to have my parents join me
I am honored to be sitting at Representative Graber’s old desk
Legislative Action

It has been a whirlwind of a week, but I was able to hit the ground running. Monday started with me getting sworn in, receiving my committee assignments, and jumping right in to debating and voting on bills.
House File 970

HF 970 changes the types of food items that can be purchased with SNAP benefits, limiting items such as candy, pop, chips, and desserts. It does not restrict what anyone can buy with their own money, but it does prevent taxpayer money meant for nutrition from being used to buy food items with little to no nutritional value.
House File 928 and House File 954

HF 928 reforms Iowa’s election recount process, including setting a threshold for requesting a recount, and putting the County Auditor’s Office in charge of conducting recounts rather than a recount board consisting of people appointed by the campaigns. HF 954 aims to help the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office verify the citizenship of the voters. Ensuring that only American citizens vote in our elections is vital for maintaining trust in our elections.
House File 943 and House File 639

HF 943 simply prohibits the use of eminent domain to take agricultural land for a liquified carbon dioxide pipeline. HF 639 requires hazardous liquid pipelines to have insurance to cover potential damage, including injury and property value reduction, states that if individuals face increased insurance, or are unable to get insurance, due to the pipeline, the pipeline owner must provide insurance or reimburse the individual for additional costs, provides stronger safeguards to ensure that only legitimate public uses are recognized to request eminent domain, and mandates that all members of the Iowa Utilities Commission must be present during hearings related to public utility regulation, electric transmission lines, and pipelines.