Henry County Encourages Residents to Update 911 Address Signs

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, March 19th, 2025 at 7:56 am CDT

Henry County officials are urging residents to ensure their rural 911 address signs are up to date and properly placed. These signs play a crucial role in helping emergency responders locate homes, businesses, and land parcels quickly in times of crisis.

The county’s Planning & Zoning department is responsible for issuing new or replacement 911 address signs.

These blue signs are required at residential and commercial properties, but landowners can also place them on vacant parcels for easier identification.

To request a sign, residents can contact Henry County Planning & Zoning at 319-385-2146. Ensuring that address signs are visible and in good condition can save valuable time in emergency situations.

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, March 19th, 2025 at 7:56 am CDT

Walk With Ease: A Free, Evidence-Based Program for Better Health

Healthy Henry County is Teaming up with the Arthritis Foundation for Walk With Ease. Developed by the Arthritis Foundation, walk with ease is a free, evidence-based program designed to help individuals stay active and manage arthritis or joint pain.

This community-based program is easy to follow and accessible statewide through the Self-Directed Program. Participants can go at their own pace while improving their overall health, reducing pain, and increasing balance.

The program is available to everyone and provides structured guidance for a six-week walking plan.

Sign up by March 21st by visiting www.wellnessworksisu.org and take the first step toward better health. Or visit healthyhenrycounty.org

Congratulations to This Year’s Winners of Taste of Mount Pleasant!

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, March 19th, 2025 at 7:55 am CDT

Mount Pleasant’s most delicious event of the year has come to a close, and the results are in! Congratulations to this year’s Taste of Mount Pleasant winners, who wowed the community with their outstanding flavors, service, and dedication to great food.

Most Visited: Costas Pizza & Steakhouse – A favorite destination for food lovers, Costas Pizza & Steakhouse brought in the crowds with its mouthwatering dishes and warm hospitality.

Highest Score: Central Park Coffee Co. Cafe & Bakery – Earning top marks from food enthusiasts, Central Park Coffee Co. impressed with its expertly crafted coffee, fresh-baked goods, and cozy atmosphere.

Judge’s Choice: Miss K’s Homemade Delectables – A standout among judges, Miss K’s Homemade Delectables delivered an unforgettable taste experience with its delightful homemade treats.

Fast Food Favorite: A&W – When it comes to quick bites with classic flavors, A&W claimed the top spot, proving that fast food can still be packed with quality and flavor.

Visit the mount pleasant chamber website for a list of local restaurants.

Red Flag Warning Issued South of Highway 34: High Fire Danger on March 19

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, March 19th, 2025 at 7:54 am CDT

Red Flag Warning Issued South of Highway 34: High Fire Danger on March 19

The National Weather Service (NWS) in the Quad Cities has issued a Red Flag Warning for areas south of Highway 34 on Wednesday, March 19. This warning indicates critical fire weather conditions due to gusty winds, warm temperatures, dry fuels, and low humidity, creating the perfect environment for the rapid spread of wildfires.

How You Can Help Prevent Wildfires:

  • Avoid burning – Any open flames or controlled burns can quickly get out of control.
  • Use caution with equipment – Sparks from farm machinery or outdoor tools can ignite dry grass.
  • Properly discard cigarettes – Do not toss cigarette butts carelessly, as they can easily start fires.

Fire departments urge residents to stay alert and take precautions to prevent wildfires. If you see an unattended fire, report it immediately to local authorities.

For updates, check with the NWS Quad Cities and your local Fire Department for questions. Stay safe and fire-aware!

2025 KILJ’s Bracket Challenge

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, March 19th, 2025 at 6:35 am CDT

Mt. Pleasant, IA- It’s that time of the year to get out your lab coat and conduct whatever experiments or, most likely, superstitious operations to attempt to beat the 1 in 9.2 quintillion odds of netting a perfect bracket.

The KILJ Bracket Challenge is on for the 2025 NCAA men’s basketball March Madness bracket to crown a National Champion!

Last year was such a success we are keeping the same rules, but the dates have changed just a bit. So, here’s a refresher on what to do when the challenge tips-off.

The night that starts March Madness will be Selection Sunday on March 16th. Followed by first round action on March 20th.

A printable bracket will be posted to KILJ’s Facebook page after Selection Sunday for you to fill out. You can either bring your bracket out to our station or email it to sports@kilj.com. The rules to apply are listed below:

  1. First and Last Name must be attached to your backet.
  2. A phone number or email address must be attached to your bracket.
  3. One entry per person.
  4. The bracket must be turned in by the end of the day March 19th.

The scoring will be done as such: first round (2 point for each correct pick), second round (4 points for each correct pick), Sweet 16 (8 points for each correct pick), Elite Eight (16 points for each correct pick), Championship Game (32 points for each correct pick), Correct Champion (64 points). The four play-in games will not count towards your final score.

The top three brackets will receive a prize package (listed below) and leaderboards will be updated after every round. Winners will be notified after the results are tabulated.

Prizes:

1st Place

  • Meal a month from The Press Box
  • $100 gift certificate to Wiley’s Interior Furnishings and Design
  • 2 Old Thresher Gate Passes
  • 2 State Fair Tickets

2nd Place

  • 2 Old Thresher Gate Passes
  • 2 State Fair Tickets
  • 2 Festival of Lights Tickets

3rd Place

  • 1 Old Thresher Gate Pass
  • 2 State Fair Tickets
  • 2 Festival of Lights Tickets

KILJ thanks The Press Box and Wiley’s Interior Furnishings and Design for sponsoring KILJ’s Bracket Challenge!

Sports, March 19th

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, March 19th, 2025 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Track

Central College will host an indoor meet with the boys’ teams participating tomorrow, March 20th, and the girls’ competing on Friday, March 21st.

The Columbus Co-ed Invitational is scheduled for Monday, March 24th, with Central Lee, New London, Van Buren County, and Winfield-Mt. Union making the trip to start the outdoor season.

High School Basketball

The 2025 Pizza Ranch All-Star Game is scheduled for March 29th at Dallas Center-Grimes High School with three of our local players and a coach making the trip to compete. 

On the girls’ Southeast team, WACO’s Ella Huisenga, who ranked 2nd on the team in points and 1st in rebounds, earned a spot and accompanying her will be her coach Lisa Graber. The Southeast squad will face off against the Northwest team for the first round at 10:45 am.

On the boys’ Southeast team, a pair from the Southeast Iowa Super Conference South Division will join forces in West Burlington’s Mason Watkins and Luke Hellige of Holy Trinity Catholic. Watkins and Hellige both finished within the top 10 in the state in points per game and as their respective program’s all-time leading scorer. The Southeast and Northwest will square off for their first round matchup at noon. 

IHSAA News

The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) announced that the State Basketball Tournament will be played at James H. Hilton Coliseum in Ames starting in 2027.

The 14,267-capacity stadium agreed to a five-year deal with the IHSAA as their 2027-time frame coincided with the expectation that the CyTown District will be up in running, which will include retail, restaurants, common areas, and a Marriott hotel.

This agreement will conclude the partnership with the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, who has hosted the tournament since 1963, marking 63 years of state tournament basketball in Des Moines.

 “We have great relationships in Des Moines and at Iowa Events Center, and we thank them for all their years of support and their continued work in hosting our events,”  IHSAA executive director Tom Keating said.

It will also be a historic occasion when the 32 teams from all four classifications meet up from March 8th through the 12th in 2027 as it will have been 101 years since the last time the state tournament was held in Ames. State Gym hosted a tournament (from 1920-22 there were two tournaments held) in 1917, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, and 1926 for Class B—the only one officially under the IHSAA.

Three of our local teams would like to be welcomed back to Ames, including a former champion. Mt. Pleasant controlled the state for a two-year stretch, winning the title 28-22 in 1917 over Iowa City. Fairfield attended in 1919 and 1921, getting tossed in the quarterfinals each time. Lastly, Columbus Junction ventured out in 1922, losing in the quarterfinals.

Southeastern Community College                                                     

The softball team will be back in action for a doubleheader on Saturday, March 22nd, against Southwestern Community College with game one at 1 pm. 

The baseball team got back in the win column yesterday in their first conference showdown of the season, belting Marshalltown Community College 18-4. The Blackhawks will host a three-game series against North Iowa Area Community College on Saturday with their first game of a doubleheader at 1 pm.

College Basketball

The Iowa State men’s team grabbed the #3-seed for the South Region but they will be without the services of Keshon Gilbert for the rest of the season due to injury. The Cyclones will dance with the #14-seed Lipscomb on Friday, March 21st, at 12:30 pm. 

In the woman’s NCAA national championship tournament, Iowa grabbed the 6th seed and will take on the #11-seed Murray State in Oklahoma on Saturday, March 22nd, at 11 am. This is the seventh consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament for the Hawkeyes. 

The Iowa State women’ s team also continued their streak of consecutive appearances at the tournament at six but they will have to earn their way to the round off 64. The Cyclones will square off against Princeton tonight at 6 pm with the winner advancing to play the #6-seed Michigan. 

March Madness

The KILJ Bracket Challenge brought to you by The Press Box and Wiley’s Interior Furnishings and Design is back for the 2025 March Madness men’s bracket with the same rules as last year. A printable bracket was posted to KILJ’s Facebook page. The bracket must be filled out and turned in to sports@kilj.com or our station by the end of the day. 

For a full list of rules and prizes, follow this link: KILJ Bracket Challenge

This Day in Sports History

1966 – Underdog Texas Western College defeats Kentucky, 72-65, in the NCAA men’s college basketball championship—the first NCAA title for an all-Black starting five.

1972 – First AIAW Women’s Basketball Tournament, Immaculata beats West Chester State 52-48 in Normal, Illinois.

1984 – Two-time Cy Young Award winner Denny McLain is indicted on charges of drug trafficking, embezzlement and racketeering; 25 year sentence later quashed.

Robert L. Latta

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, March 19th, 2025 at 5:35 am CDT

Robert L. Latta

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

Brock M. Welcher

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, March 19th, 2025 at 5:32 am CDT

Brock Mica Welcher, 52, of New London, died Monday, March 17, 2025 in the company of loved ones at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington.

Brock was born on August 5, 1972 in Mt. Pleasant. Surviving parents are Kathy Nicholson Fox and Randy Fox of Waxhaw, NC and Kenny and Peggy Welcher of Mt. Pleasant; four sisters – Tina Welcher Starnes (Shane) of Marshville, NC , Kylie Parrott (Daniel) of Weddington, NC and Morgan Lance (Rob) of New London and Lindsey Torgler (Cody) of Tiffin, IA, and a brother, Joe Welcher (Catherine of Berryton, KS. Also surviving are many nieces and a nephew.

Brock was a proud and loving father of five children: Captain Brennan Welcher, US Marine Corps (Emilee) of Jacksonville, NC, Serie Welcher of Fairbank, IA, Kaela Bass (Logan) of Mt. Pleasant; Tate and Linken Welcher of New London.

Brock was an accomplished athlete, distinguishing himself in baseball, soccer, cross country and basketball as he grew up in Decatur, IL and Lincoln University, PA.

He also made his mark returning to Mt. Pleasant where he lettered in baseball and punted for the football team. He graduated from Mt. Pleasant Community High School and attended the University of Northern Kentucky.

His love for sports and children led him to coach soccer, baseball and softball for many years. He instructed players to use the right techniques and was a firm believer in giving everyone an opportunity and encouragement.

Brock most recently worked as an Air Cargo Supervisor for the Industrial Service Corporation of Burlington. It was a position he enjoyed and for a company that worked with him during his 15-month battle with cancer that entailed chemotherapy, multiple radiation treatments and a myriad of prescriptions.

Brock served his country for 6 years as a Marine with initial training in Palm Desert, CA followed by regular training as a Reservist.

Celebration of Life services for Brock will be held at a later date.

In respect for and remembrance of Brock and the compassionate care he received, bequests can be directed to the Hospice House, Great River Health Foundation, 1221 S. Gear Ave., West Burlington, IA, 52655.

Cremation rites have been entrusted to the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant

Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.