We will lose an hour of sleep and analog clocks – if you still have them, will have to be changed this weekend with the start of Daylight Saving Time. On Sunday at 2 a.m., clocks will spring forward one hour. Daylight Saving Time will run through November 2nd.
The sun, in Mt. Pleasant, will go from setting at 6:05 p.m. on Saturday, to setting at 7:06 p.m. on Sunday.
People are also reminded to use this time to check batteries in smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and weather radios.
We have a couple of meetings scheduled in the KILJ listening area for next week:
The New London City Council will meet in regular session on Monday, March 10th at 6pm. The meeting is held at City Office and is open to the public.
The MPCSD school board will meet in regular session at 6pm on Monday March 10th in the Media Center of the Mt. Pleasant High School, 2104 S. Grand Avenue. For a complete look at the agenda items, please visit MTPCSD.org/board. This meeting is open to the public.
Mount Pleasant, IA- The Mt. Pleasant girls’ basketball team held their banquet last night to get together one more time as a team and celebrate the accomplishments of the all the players along with having some fun.
Head coach Curt Watson started off by thanking everyone involved in the program, including his assistant and JV coaches. He stated after the fact how exciting it was as this was the first time in a long time that all the players who finished the season were also able to attend the banquet.
In terms of awards, every player that attended last night received a Varsity Letter and Alexa Fuller and Kynlee White were recognized for being named to the All-Conference Honorable Mention team.
There were some team awards as well and here was the breakdown:
“Kynlee [White] ended up being our leading scorer and we always put her on the best offensive player of the other team, and it was close. I mean, Kynlee deserves this. She played really well for us, and she was always pretty consistent on there. Alexa Fuller was our offensive MVP, and I think she was second or third and scoring on there and she missed like 9 or 10 games for us and came back in the district game and with one leg and that’s the one lasting impression I’m ever going to have of Alexa just being there playing that last district game for us. And then Charice was, if she didn’t have the top offensive player, Kynlee did, and Cherise would also alternate with her and have the next best offensive player and Charice just did an awesome job too.”
That will officially wrap up the 2024-25 girls’ basketball season for the Panthers, but before you know it the November chill will cast upon us a new season of Panther basketball.
Irma Lucille (Chayka) Lorber, 93, of New London, Iowa, passed peacefully in her sleep on March 5, 2025.
She was born in Muscatine, Iowa, to Edward Bernard (Bernie) Chayka and Nella (Dyche) Chayka on January 12, 1932. She was the 3rd of their 4 daughters, joining Alice (Robert Janney), Carol (Leon Morgenstern) and followed by Nella (Robert O’Brien).
Irma spent her formative years in Muscatine and loved to share stories with her family such as living above the family grocery store on the corner of 9th and Cypress St. and the long hilly trek to St. Mathias school and church where she slid down the very steep railing in front of the church. She greatly enjoyed singing in the church choir and loved her dance classes and piano lessons.
Irma met her devoted husband of almost 74 years, Charles (Chuck), at school activities as teenagers. They were from rival Catholic schools; Irma at the Irish Catholic St. Mathias and Charles at German Catholic St. Mary. Irma’s favorite stories included Charles stopping in often after school at the ice cream store where she worked and wearing his letter sweater as she watched him play high school basketball. After a two-year courtship, they were married May 13, 1951 at St. Mathias Catholic Church in Muscatine when Charles was on a very brief military leave. Charles and Irma’s first home was in Seattle, Washington, until Charles was shipped overseas to Korea. After Charles’ military service was completed, they lived in Iowa City as Charles completed his BA degree. Upon graduation, Charles began a teaching career taking Irma and their growing family to many towns in Iowa, including Sioux City, Conesville, Nichols, Wilton, Union- Whitten, and New London in 1970.
During this adventure, Irma provided support to Charles as he earned his master’s degree in education administration. He was the New London junior and senior high school Principal/AD for 25 years (and many years beyond as AD). Irma’s focus during the early part of their married life was caring for the family. In the mid-60’s Irma enjoyed submitting articles to the Muscatine Journal chronicling local Wilton news. As the children began to leave home, she worked outside the home as a bookkeeper at MHI and Community Mental Health, ending her career in her 70’s as a bookkeeper at PSSI. Irma enjoyed the last 20 years of her life attending grandchildren’s events and relaxing in her favorite chair, being waited on by her devoted husband. Irma was an ardent cheerleader for her children and the teams/activities in which they participated. Irma could most often be found keeping the scorebook next to the ball diamond, cheering on the teams in the gym from the 5th row of the visitor’s side to sit closely to Charles as he did his AD work, sweating at the indoor New London pool during her kid’s swim meets and bundled up at the New London football field watching games/meets and marching bands. Irma continued her ‘famdom’ traveling often with Charles to grand-kid’s events to provide her vocal support. In their later years, Irma and Charles were Hawkeye fans with season tickets to both football and men’s basketball.
Irma and Charles are the parents of seven children: Paul (Kim) Lorber, New London; Mark (Chris) Lorber, Waukee; Brian (Ann) Lorber, Waukee, Marcia (Phil) Dickman, Burlington; Greg (Jane) Lorber, New London; Gretchen Lorber, Cedar Rapids; Sharon (Jamie Minnaert) Kleinow, West Branch. Charles and Irma have also been blessed with 16 grand-children and 19 great-grandchildren. Preceding Irma in death are her parents, siblings and their spouses, daughter-in-law Leslie (Greg) Lorber, and son-in-law Robert (Sharon) Kleinow.
Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family with arrangements. Visitation will be Monday, March 10, from 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM with family present 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Rosary is at 3:30 PM, at Elliott Chapel, New London, and all are welcome.
The Mass of Christian Burial is being held at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, on Tuesday, March 11 at 10:30 A.M. Father Ross Epping will officiate. Burial will be held at Burge Cemetery, New London.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to St. Alphonsus Catholic Church or in Irma’s name to a favorite charity or organization. Due to sensitivities, greenery is preferred.
Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Mount Pleasant Community School District (MPCSD) Board Member Sarah Donnolly announced her immediate resignation Today (Fri), after careful reflection and discussions with family and trusted colleagues.
Donnolly, who has served on the board with a commitment to students, teachers, and staff, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the district.
“Serving on the board has been an honor, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to our schools and community,” Donnolly said in her official statement. “While I am stepping away from this role, my commitment to advocating for our students, teachers, and staff remains steadfast.”
She encouraged community members to remain engaged in discussions about the future of MPCSD, emphasizing that meaningful change requires collective effort.
Her resignation leaves a vacancy on the board, and the process to fill the seat will be determined by district leadership in accordance with school board policies.
Donnolly closed her statement by thanking the community for its support and understanding during her transition.
MPCSD Superintendent John Henriksen offers a statement on how that vacant seat can be filled.
For updates on how the district plans to proceed with filling the open position, residents are encouraged to visit the MPCSD website or attend upcoming school board meetings.
James R. Harlan, 86, of Donnellson, Iowa, passed away at 3:02 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at his home in Donnellson.
He was born on November 5, 1938, in Winchester, Indiana, the son of Dale and Dorothy (James) Harlan. On December 31, 1998, he married Anita Lodwick in Burlington, Iowa. She preceded him in death on November 4, 2022.
He is survived by his daughter: Kristie Ruddell; son: Tim Harlan; step-son: Joe Mapes and grandson: Shane Harlan.
He was preceded in death by his parents and wife: Anita.
James attained a Bachelor of Science degree from Ball State University. He served in the United States Army Reserves and worked as a salesman.
His body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.
Per his wishes, no services will be held.
Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
A staff member at Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility faces up to 25 years in prison after allegedly engaging in a sexual relationship with an inmate and helping smuggle contraband.
Kimberly Joe Kerr, 46, was arrested on Feb. 25 and charged with ongoing criminal conduct, contraband possession, and sexual exploitation.
Authorities allege Kerr had sexual encounters with the inmate between July and October 2024 and facilitated contraband sales using a Cash App account, receiving over $5,600. Investigators found contraband linked to the scheme inside the prison.
Kerr posted a $35,000 bond and was released the same day. As of Friday March 7th, Kerr’s next scheduled court date was not available.
Under Iowa law, a person convicted of a Class B felony can be sentenced up to 25 years in prison and fined up to $100,000.
KILJ Reached out to The Iowa Department of Corrections on February 26th and has not yet received a statement regarding the situation.
High School Girls’ Postseason Basketball
Class 5A will feature a championship rematch after #1 Johnston thrashed #4 Ankeny Centennial yesterday 62-41. Amani Jenkins led the scoring with 19 points, while Ari Phillips aided the Dragons with a 10 point/10 rebound double-double.
#2 Dowling Catholic held up their end of the bargain after pulling away in the second half against #3 Waukee Northwest in a 52-47 final. Ellie Muller was a force collecting her own double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. The Dragons and Maroons will face off tonight at 6 pm for the championship.
In Class 3A, #1 Mt. Vernon won a slugfest against #5 Estherville Lincoln Central 35-34 as only one Mustang finished the night in double figures (Sydney Huber with 11 points). #2 Wahlert Catholic will be playing for their first state championship after dispatching Williamsburg 52-34. Claire Luken put up an impressive 27 points. The championship bout will be played tonight at 8 pm.
For Class 4A, #8 Xavier’s head coach Tom Lilly announced earlier this season that he would retire at season’s end, the Saints are still playing after knocking out #4 Norwalk 70-60 as Libby Fandel continued her dominating play, gathering 21 points and 14 rebounds. The squad will look to send coach Lilly out with his sixth state championship.
Standing in the way of the Cinderella story will be #2 North Polk as Greta Dillinger knocked down seven three-pointers for 21 points in a 52-30 victory over #6 Dallas Center-Grimes. The Comets are eyeing their first state championship.
In Class 2A, #5 Central Lyon will compete against #1 Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont in the semifinals today at 10 am. #2 Regina Catholic and #3 Hinton will face off in the semifinals today at 11:45 am.
In Class 1A, #1 St. Albert will face off against #4 Bishop Garrigan today for the semifinals at 1 pm. On the bottom half of the bracket, #3 Newell-Fonda and #2 North Linn will meet in the semifinals today at 3:15 pm.
High School Boys’ Postseason Basketball
Joining North Linn in the Class 1A state tournament set to start on March 10th will be Boyden-Hull, St. Edmond, Marquette Catholic, Gladbrook-Reinbeck, Madrid, Woodbine, and Remsen St. Mary’s.
Also punching their ticket to the Class 2A state tournament with Grand View Christian were Unity Christian, West Lyon, Jesup, Grundy Center, Union Community, Treynor, and Western Christian.
Knoxville is making their first trip to the state tournament since 2000 and joining them in Class 3A will be MOC-Floyd Valley, Storm Lake, Clear Lake, Xavier, Central DeWitt, ADM, and Ballard.
Attending state for Class 4A will be Waukee, Ames, Cedar Falls, Linn-Mar, Dubuque Senior, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Waukee Northwest, and Valley.
High School Football
The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) released the District and Group assignments for the next two year cycle with schedules for the 2025 and 2026 seasons to be released as soon as possible and there was a bit of a shakeup amongst our local teams.
In Eight-Player, Winfield-Mt. Union and WACO will remain together in District 5 but Belle Plaine will be the new squad in the mix. The opening was due to New London’s jump up to Class A where they will join Columbus, Danville, Van Buren County, Wapello, Highland, and Pekin in District 5.
Over in Class 2A, Mid-Prairie will look to repeat as district champion as they are joined by West Burlington/Notre Dame, Wilton, West Liberty, Central Lee, and Mediapolis in District 6.
For Class 3A, The Southeast Conference found a home together in District 4 with Fairfield jumping in with Fort Madison, Keokuk, Washington, and Mt. Pleasant. Solon will be the odd-man out in the district. Burlington will be in District 3 of Class 4A with Clinton, North Scott, Western Dubuque, Davenport North, and Davenport West.
Southeastern Community College
The men’s basketball team defeated Marshalltown Community College last night 76-64 to advance in the ICCAC Region 11 Championship. The Blackhawks will travel to Indian Hills tomorrow, March 8th, to play for the championship with tip-off at 7 pm.
College Basketball
The #10 Iowa State men’s team will attempt to venture back into the win column tomorrow, March 8th, at 12:30 pm against Kansas State on the road.
The Iowa men’s team held a seven point lead at halftime over #8 Michigan State but the Spartans proved to be too much, winning 91-84. Josh Dix had 18 points in the effort. The Hawkeyes will face off against Nebraska on the road on Sunday, March 9th, at 11:30 am for their regular season finale.
The #11-seed Iowa women’s team upset the #6-seed Michigan State last night 74-61 to advance to the Big Ten quarterfinals. Lucy Olsen scored 21 points and grabbed four of the team’s 16 steals in the win. The Hawkeyes will take on the #3-seed Ohio State tonight at 8 pm.
The Iowa State women’s team advanced in the Big 12 tournament after outlasting Arizona State 96-88 in a high scoring affair. Addy Brown set a tournament program single-game record with a career-high 41 points in the victory. The Cyclones will compete against Baylor tonight at 5:30 pm in the Big 12 quarterfinals.
This Day in Sports History
1982 – NCAA Tournament Selection televised live for the first time.
1986 – Wayne Gretzky breaks own NHL season record with 136th assist.
1988 – Jim Abbott, a one-handed pitcher, wins the 58th James E. Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in the United States, becoming the first baseball player to win the award.
