The Iowa DNR Deer and Turkey Harvest report has been posted for the end of 2024. There were a total of 90,506 deer and 16,088 turkeys harvested in the state, which was down from last year for deer by about 500. Last year, there were over 100,000 deer harvested. The number of turkeys is up from last year by over 1,200. Henry County reported 1,284 deer harvested and a total of 79 turkeys. Jefferson County: 1,239 deer and 86 turkeys. Lee County: 2,116 deer harvested and 152 turkeys were reported.
Sports, January 4th
High School Basketball
In a double-overtime thriller, the WACO girls’ team snapped Columbus’ five-game winning streak, winning 58-57. Ella Huisenga had a remarkable game with 26 points in the win, while Arianna Vergara chipped in 15 points for the Wildcats. The WACO boys’ team followed suit but with no extra time needed in a 66-44 final. Christian Stacy led the Warriors with 17 points and Juan Chairez finished the night with 15 points for the Wildcats.
Columbus will host Louisa-Muscatine on Tuesday, January 7th, with game one at 6 pm.
Winfield-Mt. Union split the night against Wapello with the girls’ team falling 36-31, despite an 11-point fourth quarter, while the boys’ team demolished Wapello 62-29.
Winfield-Mt. Union will face off against WACO at home today with the girls’ tipping off at 3:30 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 3:15 pm.
Mt. Pleasant attempted to defend their home court against Keokuk last night but the Panthers were swept, losing 54-26 in the girls’ game and 59-30 in the boys’ game. The girls’ team was lifted by the return of Abby Carthey after injury sidelined her for the first half of the season as she led the team with 8 points, while the boys were led by Ryan Helling’s 11 points. Boys’ head coach Eric Rawson saw glimpses last night but his team is still working on putting a full game together,
“We came out of half and couldn’t really stop the bleeding. You know, we stayed in man, we just got to get tougher defensively and, you know, transition right now for us seems to be a chore and we’ve got to be able to sprint down the floor and sprint through our cuts and it’s got to be consistent throughout the entire game and we’re just not there yet.”
Mt. Pleasant will take on New London on Monday, January 6th, at home with the girls’ teams starting the night at 6 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 5:45 pm.
Fairfield surrendered 60-plus points last night to Burlington in the girls’ game, falling 63-48, while the boys’ team picked up a conference win over the Grayhounds 67-46. The Fairfield girls’ team will play Davis County today at 2:30 pm at home.
The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team got back in the win column in a big way last night, winning 87-50 over Danville. The Danville girls’ team collected their fifth straight win last night, handling the Nikes 53-38.
Danville will host English Valleys tonight with the boys’ following the girls’ game at 6 pm.
Burlington Notre Dame will take on West Burlington on Tuesday with the girls playing at 6 pm.
West Burlington split their matchups against Van Buren County last night with the girls’ team losing a slugfest 33-27 as Callie Kracht scored 10 points for the Warriors and the boys’ team won 92-51. The Falcons will compete against Wapello today with the girls’ teams playing at 3 pm.
Van Buren County will take on Central Lee at home on Tuesday with the first game at 6 pm.
The Mediapolis girls’ team continued their undefeated season with a dominating 62-31 win over Central Lee as Josie Hutcheson collected 24 points and five steals in the win, while the boys’ team handled the Hawks 67-47.
The Central Lee girls’ team will travel to Burlington on Monday at 6:30 pm.
Mediapolis will tango with Holy Trinity Catholic at home on Tuesday with the first game at 6 pm.
Holy Trinity Catholic swept New London last night with the girls’ team winning 51-27 and the boys’ team crushing the Tigers 74-24 behind Luke Hellige’s 24 points. Mylee Miller finished with a double-double for New London, cashing in for 12 points and grabbing 17 rebounds.
High School Wrestling
The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team will participate in a Tri-Meet today at Davenport Assumption.
The New London boys’ team will travel to Durant on January 9th to compete in a meet.
The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union and Mediapolis boys’ teams will participate in the Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont tournament today.
The Van Buren County boys’ team will compete at the Ottumwa Invitational on January 11th.
The WACO girls’ and boys’ teams will compete in a dual tournament today at BGM.
Fairfield will host a quad on January 7th with Wapello making the trip.
The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will travel to Highland for the Gary Curtis Invitational on January 11th.
The Mt. Pleasant, Fairfield, Van Buren County, and Mediapolis girls’ teams will participate in the Keokuk Invite today.
High School Bowling
Mt. Pleasant will host Washington on January 9th.
Southeastern Community College
The #20 men’s basketball team will take on Western Iowa Tech at home on January 8th with tip-off scheduled for 7 pm.
College Basketball
The #3 Iowa State men’s team will face off against #25 Baylor in a home matchup this afternoon at 1 pm. KILJ 98.5 FM and AM 1130 will have the call.
The Iowa men’s team could not stop Wisconsin last night, falling 116-85. Drew Thelwell led the scoring with 25 points. The Hawkeyes will host Nebraska on Tuesday, January 7th, at 7 pm.
The #23 Iowa women’s team will face off against Maryland tomorrow, January 5th, at home with game time at 5 pm.
The Iowa State women’s team will stay at home to take on Utah tomorrow at 6:30 pm.
This Day in Sports History
1887 – Thomas Stevens is the first man to bicycle around the world. It took him 986 days as he traveled 13,500 miles.
1975 – NHL Boston Bruins Dave Forbes becomes the first athlete indicted for criminal assault for excessive violence during play; stick butt-end to the face of Minnesota North Star Henry Boucha, which caused permanent vision damage. The court case ends in hung jury, and a civil settlement is eventually reached.
2000 – A day after accepting the head coaching position for the New York Jets, Bill Belichick resigns and moves to the New England Patriots.
Iowa DOT – Winter Weather Information
The Iowa Department of Transportation sent a message late Friday afternoon cautioning Iowans about winter weather this weekend.
Falling and potentially heavy blowing snow is expected to create dangerous driving conditions in the southern two tiers of Iowa counties late today into Sunday. Normal winter driving conditions may be present throughout most of the state, however they may deteriorate very quickly for those traveling into the path of the storm south, west, and east into bordering states. You can check roadways in advance at 511ia.org
Scholarships Available: Access Energy Coop
Access Energy Coop has announced up to two $2000.00 scholarships for students enrolled in a one- or two-year line worker program. The application deadline is March 25, 2025. Please visit www.accessenergycoop.com for program and application information.
MP Public Works Reminders for Winter Weather & Snow
The Mt. Pleasant Public Works Department is ready for winter weather action and with the impending winter weather this weekend, the city of Mt. Pleasant has issued a few helpful reminders for residents regarding street parking and the removal of snow on sidewalks.
STREETS
- Please limit/remove (if possible) parked cars on side streets to allow the Public Works Department to clear the streets completely and safely.
- Please refrain from parking overnight and in restricted parking spaces around the square so the snow removal crews can clear parking areas and collect the snow in the designated spaces.
SIDEWALKS
- Snow must be removed from most public sidewalks 24 hours after the end of the storm
- Snow must be removed from downtown public sidewalks 12 hours after the end of the storm
- Sidewalks treated so it isn’t slippery within the same timeframes as above
- Snow removed from most public sidewalks 24 hours after being deposited by street clearing crews
- Snow removed from downtown public sidewalks 12 hours after being deposited by street clearing crews
Rosemary E. Marley – Pending
Rosemary E. Marley, 82, of Mt. Pleasant, died Friday, January 3, 2025 at the Henry County Health Center.
Funeral arrangements are pending at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com
Janice Faye (Tortat) McTee
Janice Faye (Tortat) McTee, 74, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away on Sunday December 29, 2024, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
She was born on March 5, 1950, in Mt. Pleasant, the daughter of Frank and Jo Anne (Baker) Tortat.
Janice was united in marriage to William “Bill” McTee on March 1, 1979. From this union, 3 children were born, Tedd, Nick and Melissa.
A passionate and skilled crafter, Janice’s talents in sewing and creating beautiful items were widely appreciated. She lent her skills to numerous marching band, show choir, and theatre productions and lovingly made receiving blankets and stockings for babies born at Henry County Health Center. Janice was an active member of her community, participating in the Squaw Bowling League, Women of the Moose, Master Gardeners, and the Mt. Pleasant Music Boosters.
Janice’s warmth, creativity, and dedication to family and community will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Those thankful for sharing in her life include her children who she was devoted to, Tedd McTee of Chicago, Illinois, Nick (Frances) McTee, of Wilmington, North Carolina and Melissa McTee of Greendale, Wisconsin, a proud grandmother to two beloved grandchildren, Delphia JoAnne Stapleton and Barrett William McTee.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Jo Anne Tortat, as well as her siblings Darlene and George.
A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for a future donation to organizations Janice held dear. Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com
Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant, is caring for her arrangements.
The Henry County Conservation Board Meeting Wednesday, January 8, 2025
The Henry County Conservation Board will hold their January 2025 Board meeting on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 4:30 pm in the conservation board meeting room at the office in Oakland Mills.
Items on the agenda will include:
Dump Station Status Update, FY25/26 Budget Discussion and Approval
Board Member Terms
Director Report
Naturalist Reports.
Please contact the conservation department if you have any questions, 319-986-5067.