Fuel Prices Continue to Rise

By Lisa Grilliot · Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 at 12:00 pm CDT

Nationally, oil prices spiked by 30 cents and motorists will find that Gas Prices surged 9 cents overnight on Thursday, April 30th, marking the biggest one-day jump in prices in the last six weeks. Gas prices in the U.S. are up 33 cents in the last week alone. They are now at their highest level since July 2022, according to AAA.

The latest Triple A fuel report as of this morning (5/2/26) shows a statewide average of $3.95/gallon of regular gasoline.  In southeast Iowa, including Henry County, the average is $3.86 – $3.94/gallon.

 

Bird Migration Across Iowa Tonight!

By Lisa Grilliot · Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 at 12:00 pm CDT

Several bird species are expected to migrate through Iowa tonight. Migration data and maps from birdcast.org indicate the state will experience high migration intensity.  Overnight last night over a million birds flew through Iowa’s skies and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources asks that all outside lights be turned off between 11pm and 6pm to help the birds find their way.  Species flying through the state include orioles, grosbeaks, buntings, and hummingbirds, warblers, thrushes, and sparrows.  Here is a link so you can follow the progression!  BIRDCAST

Flags at Half-Staff on Sunday

By Lisa Grilliot · Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 at 7:30 am CDT

Monday, May 4th is International Firefighter’s Day.  Henry County acknowledges and pays tribute to the Mt. Pleasant, Salem, Wayland, Olds, Winfield, Mt. Union, New London, and Hillsboro Fire Departments for their service and dedication.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has ordered all flags in Iowa to fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service on Sunday, May 3rd, 2026. Firefighters who have died in the line of duty during the previous year are honored at the national memorial service in Emmitsburg, Maryland. All firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice over the years are also honored.

Governor Reynolds said. “We acknowledge and remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in their heroic endeavors. They will not be forgotten.”

Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex. Flags will also be half-staff on all public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state of Iowa.
Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties, and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flags at half-staff for the same length of time.

 

Traffic Stop in Burlington Results in Drug Charges

By Lisa Grilliot · Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 at 6:41 am CDT

Des Moines County Sheriff’s Deputies stopped a vehicle for a failing to stop at a stop sign at S. 8th St. and Maple St. in Burlington at about 9:14pm last night (5/1/26). The driver of the vehicle was identified as Roger Bernard Steffensmeier, age 58, of Burlington, IA.

According to a Sheriff’s Department press release, Deputies discovered he had multiple bags of methamphetamine in his pocket. Deputies seized the methamphetamine and it weighed approximately 24 grams. Deputies did not locate a drug tax stamp affixed to the bags. Steffensmeier was placed under arrest for failure to obey a stop sign and yield right of way, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, and failure to affix a drug tax stamp. He was transported to the Des Moines County Correctional Center.

A CRIMINAL CHARGE IS MERELY AN ACCUSATION AND THE DEFENDANT IS PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL AND UNLESS PROVEN GUILTY.

 

 

Sports, May 2nd

By Slaten Swords · Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Track and Field

Mt. Pleasant and Van Buren County competed in the Bob Gerard Relays last night and the Panthers swept the team titles, while the Warriors each finished in 2nd place.

On the girls’ side, Mt. Pleasant’s Kynlee White took the win in the 200-meter dash with a time of 26.4 seconds. The Panthers swept the long-distance events with Quintrie Lee winning the 1500-meter run, while Avery Fedler claimed the 3000-meter run. Delaney Anderson snatched the victory in the 100-meter hurdles. Izzy Sloat glided to the win in the long jump with a mark of 15 feet and 8.75 inches. Mt. Pleasant collected victories in the 4×100, the 4×200, and the shuttle hurdle relays. 

Van Buren County had Aubrey Loeffler win the 400-meter hurdles, while the Warriors combined to win the 4×800 and sprint medley relay. 

On the boys’ side, Griffin Jones of Mt. Pleasant sprinted to the win in the 200-meter dash with a time of 23.02 seconds. Tayten George was victorious in the 800-meter run, while Silas Hulett took the 1600-meter run with a time of 4 minutes and 39 seconds. Hoang Quang glided 19 feet and 7.75 inches to win the long jump. Lastly, the Panthers claimed the distance medley relay with a time of 3 minutes and 58 seconds.

Van Buren County’s Kayden Simmons nabbed the gold in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.67 seconds. Jace Duncan leapt to the win in the 400-meter hurdles. Additionally, the Warriors took home the banners in the 4×800 and sprint medley relays. 

Fairfield will host the Brookhart-Crew Relays on Monday, May 4th, with Mt. Pleasant, Washington, and West Burlington/Notre Dame competing.

Columbus will hold their Wildcat Relays on Monday with Wapello participating. 

Danville and New London will travel to the Highland Relays on Monday.

Van Buren County will host their own Co-Ed meet on Monday. 

The Southeast Iowa Super Conference Meet is scheduled for Thursday, May 7th, at WACO High School. 

High School Soccer

The Fairfield girls’ team picked up a 4-1 victory over Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union last night as Frances Miller netted two goals for the Trojans. 

Fairfield will face off against Keokuk on Monday, May 4th, with the girls’ hitting the road and boys’ team hosting with both games starting at 5 pm.

The WACO boys’ team knocked off Wapello last night, 5-1. The Warriors will take on Highland at home on Monday at 5 pm.

In an offensive thriller, the Danville boys’ team tied Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union last night, 4-4. Kevin Villa scored twice for the Wildcats, while Alex Pfadenhauer collected two goals and two assists for the Bears. 

The Danville boys’ team will host Hillcrest Academy for their senior night on Tuesday, May 5th, at 6:30 pm.

Burlington Notre Dame spoiled Central Lee’s senior night with a sweep as the girls’ team won 4-0 and the boys’ team took down the Hawks, 5-2. Mason Sanders and Peter Seyb each had a goal in the losing effort. 

The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team will travel to St. Vincent Athletic Complex today for an invitational.

The Burlington Notre Dame girls’ team will tangle with West Branch at home on Monday at 5 pm.

Centra Lee will face off against Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union on the road on Tuesday with the girls’ teams playing at 5 pm.

The Washington girls’ team will compete in a tournament at Denver today.

Mt. Pleasant will take on Washington on Monday with the boys’ team hitting the road at 6 pm, while the girls’ team will stay at home for a 4:30 pm start time.

The Wapello girls’ team will take on Benton at 5 pm on Monday at home.

Mediapolis will travel to Wapello on Tuesday, May 5th, with the girls’ teams leading off at 5 pm.

High School Golf

Winfield-Mt. Union swept New London yesterday with the girls’ team winning 223-236 and the boys’ team coming out on top, 158-199. Ashlyn Bender led the Wolves with a round of 45, while Konner Kinneberg compiled an impressive score of 1-under par for the boys’ team. 

The New London girls’ team will participate in the Grayhound Invite on Tuesday, May 5th, along with Burlington Notre Dame, Danville, and Fairfield. 

The Southeast Iowa Super Conference boys’ teams will meet for their conference showdown on Wednesday, May 6th, at Flint Hills Golf Course.

The Southeast Conference boys’ teams competed in Keokuk yesterday and Washington kept their winning streak alive with a team score of 311, which was 27 strokes better than Mt. Pleasant. 

Washington’s Rajan Roth finished with the gold for the course, carding a 74, but the Demons had their five golfers finish within the top seven. Owen Dolf for Mt. Pleasant grabbed the bronze with a round of 77, while Brody Engle and Merrick Lamm rounded out the top 10. Fairfield, who finished in 3rd as a team, was led by Luke Thornton’s score of 82. 

The Washington boys’ team will host an invitational on Monday, May 4th, with Danville, Fairfield, and Mt. Pleasant making the trip.

Holy Trinity Catholic will face off against Burlington Notre Dame on Monday at home. 

WACO will host Lone Tree on Monday.

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team hosted a tournament yesterday and the Panthers finished in 5th place with a team score of 430, followed by Columbus and Danville, respectively. 

The Wildcats had the best individual finisher amongst our local teams with Hailey Wellington taking home the bronze medal with a round of 94. Mt. Pleasant was led by Ashlynn Beauchamp’s 13th place score of 103, while Danville’s Aubrey Nohorny and Karlee Furnald each shot a 109 for 19th and 20th place, respectively. 

The Washington girls’ team will hold an invitational on Monday with Mediapolis joining the fray.

The Central Lee, Mt. Pleasant, and Van Buren County girls’ teams will travel to Keokuk for an Invite on Monday.

High School Boys’ Tennis

Mt. Pleasant will look to win the regular season conference title on Monday, May 4th, against Burlington on the road. 

Fairfield will travel to Keokuk on Monday.

Southeastern Community College

The baseball team swept North Iowa Area Community College in convincing fashion yesterday, 16-6 in game one and 22-0 in game two. The Blackhawks will look to end the regular season with a series sweep today at noon on the road. 

College Baseball and Softball

The Iowa baseball team defeated Illinois last night, 9-3. The Hawkeyes will continue the home series today at 2 pm.

The Iowa softball team eked out an 8-7 victory over Purdue last night behind a 12-hit day by the offense. The Hawkeyes will take on Purdue today at 1 pm at home.

The Iowa State softball team fell to #22 UCF yesterday, 8-5. Tatum Johnson clouted a three-run homer for the Cyclones. The series will continue today at 1 pm at home.

This Day in Sports History

1970 – Diane Crump is the first woman jockey at the Kentucky Derby.

2012 – Barcelona football player Lionel Messi breaks the European goal-scoring record with 68 goals.

2015 – Floyd Mayweather Jr. beats Manny Pacquiao on points in 12 rounds in a world welterweight unification fight, shattering all financial records for a boxing match.

New London Spring Clean Up Begins Monday, 5/4/26

By Lisa Grilliot · Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 at 6:27 am CDT

The City of New London is holding their 2026 Spring Clean Up on Monday, May 4.  Items must be bagged or boxed and placed within three feet of the roadway or curb on your REGULAR TRASH PICK UP DAY by 6:00am.  Please note that loose piles of trash on the curbside will NOT be picked up.

ITEMS ACCEPTED – Unwanted miscellaneous household bulk items that are simply otherwise too large for a cart. Volume is limited per household and cannot exceed a pickup bed truck volume.

ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED – Construction debris, dirt, stumps, railroad ties, wet paint, hazardous waste, automobile/mechanical parts, no appliances, no tires, etc.

APPLIANCES – Such as refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, stoves, water heaters, microwaves, air conditioners, furnaces, etc. for curb pickup must have a receipt from City Office, fee $15.00.

TVs – Televisions and computer monitors will NOT be picked up curbside and must be taken to the Des Moines County HazChem Center for disposal. There may be a fee required for disposal, please contact the HazChem in advance for costs/drop off times, 319-753-8758.

 

Rising Fuel Costs Causing Financial Strain for Nonprofits

By Lisa Grilliot · Friday, May 1st, 2026 at 4:01 pm CDT

Rising diesel costs are creating financial strain for Nonprofit organizations, like the Food Bank of Iowa.  Food Bank of Iowa operates 12 trucks traveling over 270,000 miles annually to deliver food across the state. On Thursday, oil prices surged to $126 a barrel and in Iowa, triple A reports the average price of regular gas is now $3.90 per gallon while diesel fuel is reported at $4.96 per gallon and that is more than a dollar higher than a year ago.

Currently, Iowa Food Bank is paying $1.59 more for every gallon of diesel than they were in February. That’s an extra $5,000 a month that could be spent on food.

The additional $5,000 monthly expense is a significant burden for the nonprofit and they are working to maximize truck routes by ensuring vehicles are fully loaded and strategically packed before each trip to their 700 partners across Iowa.

More than 385,000 Iowans face hunger issues, and the food bank is concerned about how rising diesel prices will affect its operations.  The Food Bank is 100 percent funded by generous donors and more fundraising is in the future.

Next week, Mt. Pleasant Fellowship Cup Director, Ken Brown will visit with KILJ about some of these issues and the effect on Henry County residents who rely on the Fellowship Cup for support.

Fairfield Man in Custody After Assault on Fairfield Police Officer

By Lisa Grilliot · Friday, May 1st, 2026 at 3:27 pm CDT

A Fairfield man was arrested in Fairfield earlier today (Friday, May 1, 2026) on charges of assault on a Peace Officer Causing Bodily Injury.  The Fairfield Police Department and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the 50th block of North 12th Street on a domestic disturbance report. According to a press release, officers encountered a male and a female; the male subject immediately became uncooperative and refused to comply with officers’ demands.  42-year-old Mahmoud Ahmed of Fairfield actively resisted arrest.  During the altercation, a Fairfield Police Department officer was struck in the face by Ahmed who also made threats to kill responding officers.  Officers were able to successfully and quickly end the altercation, and the officer was able to self-treat on scene and did not require hospitalization.

Ahmed was charged with -Assault on a Peace Officer Causing Bodily Injury (Class D Felony)

-Harassment 1st Degree (Aggravated Misdemeanor)

-Interference with Official Acts (Aggravated Misdemeanor)

Ahmed was transported to the Jefferson County Jail, where he is being held without bond pending an initial appearance.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation. All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.