It’s Not You, It’s Me: Take a Break From Your Phone This Week

In honor of Screen Free Week Monday, May 6 to Sunday, May 12, UScellular encourages everyone to take the Phones Down for 5 Challenge, a UScellular “Built for US” initiative meant to inspire people to take a break from technology for five days, five hours or even just five minutes.

Screen Free Week is organized by the nonprofit organization Fairplay. This is an annual event that encourages people to take a break from screen-based entertainment.

Smartphones are an essential part of everyday life that help us do so many things. But in a recent UScellular survey*, nearly 75% of respondents said they spend at least an hour on social media every day with 24% spending three to four hours per day. Nearly a third of respondents said they want to take an intentional break from their phone, which makes Screen Free Week an ideal time for people to spend time away from their screens and reset their relationship with technology.

“We encourage everyone to take a break from their devices during Screen Free Week to connect with what matters most,” said Joshua Olbricht, UScellular’s director of sales and operations for east Iowa. “By taking the Phones Down for 5 Challenge or taking a break in a way that works for you, our hope is that everyone can make the most of their screen-free time and foster a healthier relationship with technology.”

In addition to Phones Down for 5, UScellular has created the following tips to help your Screen Free Week be a success:

Reconnect with Family and Friends. Talk about your favorite memories with your partner. Take a friend you have not seen in a long time out to dinner. Invite your neighbors to a game night with board games. Try making a brand-new recipe or dish for your family. Make experiences that are unique and impossible to duplicate if you were glued to your phone.

Have More Parental Control. UScellular recently partnered with Bark to help parents and families navigate life with their digital devices. With Bark, parents can monitor their child’s social media activity, manage screen time and help prevent digital dangers including cyberbullying, unsafe websites and more with real-time alerts. Upon checkout, use code USCCARES to receive one month free.

Be a Creative Genius. Painting and drawing are activities that not only allow you to express your creativity, but they also provide a sense of accomplishment and relaxation during your unplugging session. If you are feeling crafty, you could also make your own jewelry, furniture or decor for your home.

Unplug with Your Kids. Establish healthier digital boundaries with your children with UScellular and Screen Sanity’s Smarter Start Toolkit. It includes educational and actionable tools, tips and an agreement for both parents and kids, so everyone can use technology in a more thoughtful way.

Get out. Work out. Chill out. Take a break from being on your device by spending time outdoors and getting some fresh air on a walk or bike ride. The Great Outdoors offers plenty of exercise options, as well. Try to go for a run or shoot some hoops. If technology plays a significant role in your self-care regimen, be sure to substitute it for peaceful activities during your screen-free time.

Sports, May 6th

High School Track and Field

Mt. Pleasant will host the state qualifying meet on Thursday, May 9th, with Washington, Keokuk, Fort Madison, and Fairfield making the trip.

Danville, New London, WACO, Columbus, and Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to Sigourney for their state qualifying meet, while Mediapolis, West Burlington, Van Buren County, and Central Lee will head west to Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont for their meet on Thursday.

High School Soccer

Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to Wapello tonight with the girls playing first at 5 pm.

The WACO boys’ team shutout Highland over the weekend 2-0. Tristan and Keiran Lutijens each scored a goal as Colton Leichty saved all 11 shots against him. 

The Central Lee girls’ team will take on Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union tomorrow, May 7th, at home.

The Mediapolis girls’ team will take on Canton tonight. 

The boys’ Southeast Iowa Super Conference tournament will begin tomorrow.

Mt. Pleasant will face off against Fort Madison tonight with the boys’ team celebrating senior night at home and the girls’ team hitting the road. 

The Burlington Notre Dame girls’ team will face off against Wapello tomorrow.

High School Tennis

Mt. Pleasant will compete in Fairfield with the girls’ team participating in the regionals today and the boys’ playing in their district matches on Wednesday, May 8th.

High School Golf

The New London boys’ team will host Danville, Holy Trinity Catholic, Winfield-Mt. Union, and WACO for their district meet on Wednesday, May 8th. The boys’ teams of Central Lee, Van Buren County, and Mediapolis will take a trip to Mid-Prairie for districts tomorrow, May 7th. 

The SEISC girls’ teams will participate in their conference meet today. 

The SEC boys’ teams will meet up on Wednesday at Mt. Pleasant for sectionals with Albia, West Burlington/Notre Dame, and Mt. Vernon also competing.

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team will compete in their SEC meet on Wednesday. 

The Central Lee boys’ team hoisted a tournament over the weekend and took the crown with a team score of 320. Mylan Lowenberg led the Hawks with an 18-hole score of 73 followed by Caleb Larson, who carded an 80. Fort Madison took third place with a team score of 348. Van Buren County shot a 354 for fourth place and Keokuk and Holy Trinity Catholic rounded out the card with scores of 394 and 405, respectively.

Southeastern Community College

SCC baseball needed extra innings yesterday, but their 7-5 victory after 11 innings resulted in a series sweep of conference foe Indian Hills Community College. In a game that needed a committee to finish it out on the mound, it was Sam Skarich that slammed the door for the final 2.1 innings, striking out four batters in the win. Michael Farina slapped a double and totaled three RBIs as Caleb Wolf also knocked in three RBIs. 

The Blackhawks will face off against Carl Sandburg College today in a doubleheader with their first game being a continuation from their game back on April 11th that had play suspended in the bottom of the fifth inning due to rain with the Chargers leading 8-7. 

This Day in Sports History

1953 – MLB St. Louis Browns Alva “Bobo” Holloman throws a no-hitter against the visiting Philadelphia A’s in his first career start, winning 6-0. He is one of just two pitchers in the modern era to complete this feat.

1954 – English athlete Roger Bannister becomes the first to run a sub-4 minute mile, recording a time of 3:59:4 at Iffley Road Track, Oxford.

1998 – Kerry Wood strikes out 20 Houston Astros to tie the major league record held by Roger Clemens. Wood threw a one-hitter and did not walk a batter in his 5th career start.

May 6, 2024 – May 12, 2024

05/06/24
Jerry Lalaga
05/07/24
Kelly Mabeus
05/07/24
Adalyn Anderson (8)
05/08/24
Alissa Alexander
05/08/24
Becky Calhoun
05/08/24
Flint Wilson
05/09/24
Karen Carter
05/09/24
Peter Kilbourn
05/09/24
Codi Sammons
05/10/24
Thelma Scarff
05/10/24
Philip Geiser
05/11/24
Mike Hampton
05/11/24
Haley Fitzhugh
05/11/24
Mose Caulk
05/11/24
Jill Kilbour
05/12/24
Louie Rosell

National Military Appreciation Month

National Military Appreciation Month falls in May each year.  Congress made this designation in 1999, to raise awareness and encourage appreciation for those who serve or who have served in the United States Armed Forces.  It serves as a reminder of the contributions made by service members and their families and takes us into Memorial Day.  You can find more information and news at www.military.com.

Sports, May 4th

High School Track and Field

Mt. Pleasant will host the state qualifying meet on Thursday, May 9th, with Washington, Keokuk, Fort Madison, and Fairfield making the trip.

Danville, New London, WACO, Columbus, and Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to Sigourney for their state qualifying meet, while Mediapolis, West Burlington, Van Buren County, and Central Lee will head west to Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont for their meet on Thursday.

High School Soccer

Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to Wapello on Monday, May 6th, with the girls playing first at 5 pm.

The WACO and Danville boys’ teams were locked at two after a half of play last night, but the Bears offense generated 17 shots on goal and pushed across three goals to win 5-2. Kadu Garcia tallied a hat trick in the win with Talan Whaley assisting on four of the goals. 

The WACO boys’ team will look to get back in the win column today against Highland at home.

The Central Lee boys’ team’s offense could not be stopped last night, thumping Keokuk 7-3. Landan Lowenberg and Landon Crank each netted two goals as Nathan Newberry, Zach Estrada, and Ayden Kent each scored a goal.

The Central Lee girls’ team will take on Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union on Tuesday, May 7th, at home.

The Mediapolis girls’ team will take on Canton on Monday. 

The boys’ Southeast Iowa Super Conference tournament will begin on Tuesday.

Mt. Pleasant will face off against Fort Madison on Monday with the boys’ team celebrating senior night at home and the girls’ team hitting the road. 

High School Tennis

Mt. Pleasant will compete on Monday, May 6th, in Fairfield with the girls’ team participating in the regionals and the boys’ playing in their district matches.

High School Golf

The New London boys’ team will host Danville, Holy Trinity Catholic, Winfield-Mt. Union, and WACO for their district meet. The boys’ teams of Central Lee, Van Buren County, and Mediapolis will take a trip to Mid-Prairie for districts on Tuesday, May 7th. 

The SEISC girls’ teams will participate in their conference meet on Monday, May 6th. 

The SEC boys’ teams will meet up on Wednesday, May 8th, at Mt. Pleasant for sectionals with Albia, West Burlington/Notre Dame, and Mt. Vernon also competing.

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team will compete in their SEC meet on Wednesday. 

The Central Lee boys’ team will host a meet today with Van Buren County, Holy Trinity Catholic, and Burlington Notre Dame also making the trip. 

Southeastern Community College

SCC baseball have now rattled off four consecutive victories after winning both games of their doubleheader against Indian Hills Community College yesterday. Game one saw the bats on full display with a 14-3 win. Luke Wallace went 3 for 4 with a home run and four RBIs. Michael Farina and Caleb Klein also smacked a home run in the win.

Game two was a nail biter as the Warriors were on the verge of tying the game in the bottom of the ninth until Cole Smith struck out the last batter to tally the save in a 6-5 win. Wallace collected two more RBIs to bring his two game total to six. The Blackhawks will stay on the road today to finish their three-game series against the Warriors.

SCC softball appeared poised to advance to the Region 11 championship after scoring 13 runs in the first two innings against Indian Hills Community College yesterday; however, the Warriors would put up 11 unanswered runs in the final four innings to win 16-13. The Blackhawks will wait to see if they are selected for the NJCAA DI softball world series.

This Day in Sports History

1869 – Cincinnati Red Stockings play their 1st official baseball game, a win against the Great Western Base Ball Club, 45-9.

1893 – Cowboy Bill Pickett invented bulldogging, the skill of grabbing cattle by the horns and wrestling them to the ground.

1984 – Dave Kingman’s fly ball never comes down as it gets stuck in the Metrodome ceiling.

SEISC Conference Results: Mediapolis Sweeps South Team Titles as the Pekin Girls and Columbus Boys Repeat in the North

Wayland, IA- The Southeast Iowa Super Conference (SEISC) held their conference meet last night and Mediapolis claimed the boys and girls’ South division title, while the Pekin girls’ team claimed the North division crown and Columbus took the boys’ North division banner.

Girls South Division

Mediapolis

The Mediapolis girls’ team, which finished fourth last year, collected 148 points and six conference champions. Bryn Wright ran the 1500-meter in 5 minutes and 21 seconds to win the event. Kendall VanWinkle won the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1 minute and 14 seconds.

Avery Crear leapt to a first-place finish in the high jump with a height of 4 feet and 8 inches. The 4×100 team of Baily Jackson, Josie Hutcheson, Kira Messer, and Haley Steffener took the win over Danville by 0.01s of a second. The same team won the 4×200 meter relay by nearly 13 seconds.

Hutcheson and Steffener were joined by Grace Holsteen and Avery Dietz in the 4×400 meter relay, which grabbed the win with a time of 4 minutes and 25 seconds.

West Burlington

The Falcons, attempting to defend their title from last year, fell just short in that endeavor, earning 144 points and four conference champions. Ady Lamm grabbed first place in the 100-meter dash with a time of 13.57 seconds.

Kaitlyn Kipp paced herself to a win in the 3000-meter run with a time of 11 minutes and 37 seconds. The 4×800 meter relay team of Hannah Fruehling, Nickel Jilian, Olivia Ritter, and Chloe Diewold won with a time of 10 minutes and 53 seconds—37 seconds faster than second place.

Nadiya Jones won gold in the shot put with a heave of 32 feet and 1.5 inches.

Danville

The Bears’ 110 points was good enough for third place. Jaeda Molle won the 200-meter dash with a time of 27.17 seconds. Miya Orbiana raced to a time of 1 minute and 4 seconds in the 400-meter dash.

The 800-sprint medley team of Kenna Furnald, Delaney Newberry, Alaina Gourley, and Molle won by seven seconds with a time of 1 minute and 54 seconds. Furnald doubled up with a win in the long jump with a leap of 15 feet and 9 inches.

Van Buren County

The Warriors finished with 94.5 points. Kayley Snowgren won the 800-meter run with a time of 2 minutes and 34 seconds. Marlee Mertens took the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 18.84 seconds.

The distance medley team of Ava Loeffler, Daphny Wells, Emma Coffin, and Snowgren took first with a time of 4 minutes and 42 seconds. Mertens, Wells, Lexie Wiley, and Libby Bainbridge won the 4×100 meter shuttle hurdle team with a time of 1 minute and 19 seconds.

Central Lee

The Hawks finished with 63.5 points and one conference champion in Aubrey Weber, winning the discus with a throw of 93 feet.

New London

The Tigers were led by the 4×200 meter relay team of Morgan Jones, Marlianna Woodsmall, Angelica Schlarbaum, and Brooklyn Curry with a fourth-place finish. New London finished with 12 points.

Boys South Division

Mediapolis

Mediapolis won 11 events on their way to 190 points. Solomon Zaugg won two events with first place finishes in the 1600 and 3200-meter runs. Nathan Schmidgall claimed the gold in the 400-meter dash and Logan Rosas won the 800-meter run.

Grady Gunn hopped his way to a first-place finish in the 110-meter hurdles. Gavin Hallgren heaved the shot 42 feet and 4.5 inches to finish as the conference champion in the shot put.

The Bulldogs dominated the relays, winning the 4×200 with the team of Braden Oliver, Henry Luttenegger, Noah Schmidgall, and Kyler Crow with a time of 1 minute and 33 seconds. The 4×400 meter relay of Reese Campbell, Will Schmidgall, Nathan Schmidgall, and Logan Rosas with a time of 3 minutes and 32 seconds.

The 4×800 meter relay team Simon Wendel, Owen Schmidgall, Will Schmidgall, and Zaugg won with a time of 8 minutes and 33 seconds. The 4×110 meter shuttle hurdle team Ben Wolter, Jackson Hutcheson, Gunn, Kamden Stotlar won the event with a time of 1 minute and 5 seconds.

The distance medley relay team of Noah Schmidgall, Crow, Rosas, and Campell finished with a time of 3 minutes and 38 seconds.

Van Buren County

The Warriors finished in a distant second place with 94 points. Tyler Stoltz won the high jump with a leap of 6 feet and Cameron Stoltz took the discus with a heave of 115 feet and 5 inches.

Danville

The Bears grabbed 79 points and third place. Danville’s Ayden Doyle grabbed gold in the 200-meter dash and the 4×100 meter relay team of Jaden Bauer, Drake Bielser, Landon Seibert, and Doyle won with a time of 44.52 seconds.

West Burlington

The Falcons had Landry Haberichter win the 100-meter dash, Logan Hamma took the 400-meter hurdles, and the 800-sprint medley team of Maddox Diewold, Colby Booton, Hamma, and Caden Schwenker won with a time of 1 minute and 40 seconds. West Burlington claimed 76 points.

Central Lee

Central Lee finished with 70 points. Ostyn Moore took second in the shot put with a throw of 39 feet and 3.25 inches. Owen Krogmeier tossed the discus 109 feet and 10.5 inches to earn second place. Lastly, Aden Ross raced to a second-place time of 54.73 seconds in the 400-meter dash.

New London

For the Tigers, London Franklin was the conference champ for the long jump with a leap of 21 feet and 6 inches. New London finished with 55 points.

Girls North Division

The Pekin girls’ team handled business, generating 165 points, with Louisa-Muscatine taking second place with 97 points followed by Hillcrest Academy with 84 points.

Columbus

The Wildcats grabbed 60 points to finish in sixth place. Kymila Bacon’s second-place finish in the 200-meter dash with a time of 28.74 seconds and Bella Forbes’ second-place throw of 30 feet and 3 inches in the shot put led the team.

WACO

WACO collected 58 points as the 4×100 meter shuttle hurdle relay team of Ally Rinner, Brenna Graber, Madelyn Farmer, and Zoey Dennler finished as conference champions with a time of 1 minute and 15 seconds.

Winfield-Mt. Union

Winfield-Mt. Union finished with 51 points and two conference champion hurdlers as Josie Nelson won the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 17.2 seconds and Tessa Huston took the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1 minute and 12 seconds. Quin Smith won the high jump with a leap of 5 feet and 2 inches.

Boys North Division

Columbus has now gone back-to-back after garnering 186 points as Pekin followed behind with 140 points.

Columbus

The Wildcats had two multi-conference champions and six total event wins.

Kaiden Amigon was one of the two multiple winners with a first-place time of 11.40 seconds in the 100-meter dash and a winning time of 23.4 seconds in the 200-meter dash. Lamar Ceant jumped to a win in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 15.69 seconds.

The team of Juan Chairez, Riley Kaalberg, Ceant, and Amigon won the 4×100 meter relay with a time of 45.31 seconds—just 0.14 seconds faster than WACO.

Russell Coil showed off the muscle and technique, winning the shot put with a heave of 48 feet and 7 inches and the discus with a toss of 136 feet and 8 inches.

Winfield-Mt. Union

Winfield-Mt. Union finished in third place in the North division with 120 points. Ty Scorpil won the 400-meter dash with a time of 51.76 seconds and 400-meter hurdles with a time of 58.11 seconds. Kolby Newsom grabbed the gold in the 800-meter run with a time of 2 minutes.

The 800-sprint medley team of Kael Johnson, Eli Miller, Abram Edwards, and Gabriel Hemsworth and the distance medley team of Lane Genkinger, Edwards, Jaxton Jones, and Newsom finished with the win.

Jake Edward leapt 6 feet to take the high jump and Cam Buffington won the long jump with a distance of 20 feet and 11 inches.

WACO

The Warriors earned 67.5 points to finish in fifth place. Chase Waterhouse with a toss of 135 feet and 1 inch in the discus and Louden Huisenga in the high jump with a leap of 5 feet and 10 inches each grabbed second place.

Upcoming Meets

Danville, New London, WACO, Columbus, and Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to Sigourney for their state qualifying meet, while Mediapolis, West Burlington, Van Buren County, and Central Lee will head west to Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont for their meet on May 9th.

Free Mental Health Assistance for Farmers in Iowa

Affordability and accessibility are the top barriers for farmers seeking mental health services, per an American Farm Bureau Federation survey. During May Mental Health Awareness Month, the Iowa Farm Bureau wants to remind farmers support is readily available—and at no cost—through Personal Assistance Services (PAS).

This service provides farm families with personalized, ongoing counseling. It is facilitated by rural mental health clinicians, many of whom have a farming background or understand the unique challenges farming communities face. They offer tailored support for stress, anxiety, sleep issues, substance abuse and more.

“We put so much energy into our farms that sometimes we can neglect our own well-being,” says Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson. “While farming is a calling and a significant part of our life, you—as a friend, spouse, parent, neighbor, community member and volunteer— are irreplaceable, and your health deserves to be prioritized. We feel strongly about mental health for farm families, which is why we provided financial assistance to a farm-focused mental health program in 2020 that has now expanded nationwide.”

Additionally, Iowa Farm Bureau has compiled a comprehensive list of mental health services, Iowa-based resources and suicide prevention hotlines that assist all Iowans in their pursuit of wellness. For more information, visit iowafarmbureau.com/farmstress.

Burlington Police Department Needs Your Help: Gunshot Through a Window

The Burlington Police Department investigates every report of the sound of gunfire. We need community members to help by providing any information they might have related to the incident. Many times, officers are unable to locate evidence or witnesses to help determine the exact location the gunfire originated from. In the following case, evidence of a shooting was located, and arrests are anticipated.

At approximately 9:32 pm on May 2, 2024, Burlington Police Officers responded to a call of shots fired in the 1400-block of Spray. Upon officer’s arrival, they located a residence nearby that had a single gunshot through a window. No injuries were reported. This investigation is ongoing and arrests are anticipated. If you have any information about this incident, please call DESCOM at 319-671-7001, or to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at 319-753-6835. If your information leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a cash reward.