Severe Weather Alert Information Available!

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, March 8th, 2025 at 6:27 am CDT

We can see snow, rain, high winds, and possibly warm temps all in the same week! Receive severe weather information by signing up for alerts according to Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Alert Iowa is the State of Iowa’s official emergency notification system. Through Alert Iowa, state and local officials can utilize a single, statewide notification system that provides local control of how and when to disseminate emergency and public safety messages to residents. Alert Iowa is available in 92 counties, including Henry, Lee, and all counties in the KILJ listening area. Sign up now to receive free alerts via text message, email, and/or voice message.  Go to alert.iowa.gov

Spring Forward!

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, March 8th, 2025 at 5:57 am CDT

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.

Meetings Scheduled – next week

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, March 8th, 2025 at 5:54 am CDT

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.

Mt. Pleasant Girls’ Basketball Team Awards

By Slaten Swords · Saturday, March 8th, 2025 at 12:04 am CDT

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:

MVP: Kynlee White
Offensive MVP: Alexa Fuller
Defensive MVP: Charice Auwerda
Most Improved: Jayden Yoder
Panther Award: Myah Starr and Kaylen Hunold
Coaches Award: Addison Clark and Paityn Ensminger
Coach Watson talked about what went into the choices for all of the MVP selections,

“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

By Allison Jacobs · Friday, March 7th, 2025 at 3:20 pm CDT

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 School Board Member Sarah Donnolly Resigns Effective Immediately

By Hayden Douglas · Friday, March 7th, 2025 at 2:26 pm CDT

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

By Hayden Douglas · Friday, March 7th, 2025 at 10:58 am CDT

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.

Correctional Facility Staffer Faces 25 Years for Inmate Relationship, Contraband Scheme

By Hayden Douglas · Friday, March 7th, 2025 at 10:39 am CDT

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.