Sports, March 14th

By Slaten Swords · Saturday, March 14th, 2026 at 6:30 am CDT

Boys’ State Basketball

The Iowa High School Athletic Association’s (IHSAA) 2026 state tournament is in the books and four new champions were crowned yesterday.

The Class 3A championship went down to the wire to tip-off the day, as #1 Ballard battled back to force overtime and win the title over #2 ADM, 43-39. Parker Miller scored 17 points in the winning effort. It is Ballard’s first state championship.

It was the Cinderella story versus a perfect season for the Class 4A championship and #6 Johnston’s magic ran out despite sprinting out to a 22 to 7 lead after the first quarter as the Dragons fell to #1 Cedar Falls, 56-48. Will Gerdes scored 19 points to help lead the comeback. The Tigers claimed their third state championship. 

For the third straight season, #6 Marquette Catholic played in the Class 1A state championship contest and for the third straight year they were denied, as #1 St. Edmond won their program’s second state championship in a 54-42 final. The Defenders held a slim lead entering the final quarter, but the Gaels went on an 18 to 3 run to seal the victory. Hunter Horn, the All-Tournament Team captain, collected a 21 point and 10 rebound double-double. 

Burlington Notre Dame’s Shay Stephens was also placed on the Class 1A All-Tournament team as the Nike averaged 22 points, nine rebounds, 2.5 steals, and 4.5 assists in his two state tournament games. 

In the Class 2A nightcap, #2 Unity Christian outlasted #1 Kuemper Catholic, 67-64, for their program’s fifth state championship. Tyler VanDonge tallied 25 points in the win. 

Girls’ High School Basketball

A handful of local athletes will be participating in the Larry Niemeyer Senior Girls All-Star basketball tournament scheduled today.

In Class 2A, Danville’s Alaina Gourley will play on the Gray Team with their game at 1 pm.

Over in Class 3A, Adalyn Long of Washington will join a trio from the Southeast Iowa Super Conference in Kenna Sandoval of Central Lee and Grace Holsteen and Ellah Wagenbach of Mediapolis on the White Team. They will play at 10:30 am. 

Lastly, Kendra Boatman of Keokuk and Burlington’s Mylee Stiefel will join sides for the Gray Team in a combination of Class 3A/4A/5A talent. They will square off at 9:15 am.

High School Track and Field

The IATC Indoor Track Championships wrapped up yesterday with Classes 1A and 2A getting the chance to compete and the Southeast Iowa Super Conference produced a dominant performance.

The New London boys’ team set the tone by finishing tied with Iowa Valley for Class 1A runner-up, securing 48 points, with Van Buren County taking 7th place with 30 points.

London Franklin had a terrific day for the Tigers, snatching the gold in the long jump with a leap of 21 feet and 4.5 inches, joining Brigham Porter, Cale Westerbeck, and Gavin Strawhacker to win the 4×100 meter relay with a time of 44.32 seconds, and claiming the silver medal in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.14 seconds. 

Van Buren County had Lincoln Bainbridge take home a pair of 1st place finishes, winning the 400-meter dash with a time of 49.28 seconds and the 800-meter run with a time of 2 minutes. Additionally, the Warriors took 3rd place in the 4×400.

Danville’s 1600-meter sprint medley team of Drake Biesler, Byers Nealey, Ty Frazier, and Noah Horn snatched 2nd place with a time of 3 minutes and 46 seconds. For WACO, Jude Dykstra finished with the bronze medal in the 800-meter run with the 4×800 meter relay team also taking 3rd place. Cruz Hagmeier led Winfield-Mt. Union with a 9th place finish in the 60-meter hurdles.

On the girls’ side, Alaina Gourley of Danville grabbed 1st place in the 400 and 800-meter events, while helping the 4×400 meter relay team take home the bronze medal. WACO’s Carlee Lunsford finished right behind Gourley in the 800-meter run. Moreover, the Warriors claimed 4th place in the 4×400 meter relay.

Jumping to Class 2A for the boys’ teams, Mediapolis and Columbus each finished in the top 10 with the Bulldogs securing 5th place with 30 team points. Mediapolis’s 4×400 team of Nathan and Will Schmidgall and Henry and Will Luttenegger finished with the gold medal. Moreover, Simon Wendel claimed the bronze in the 3200-meter run.

Columbus had Lamar Ceant and Alex Rees finish in 2nd and 3rd place, respectively, in the 60-meter hurdles. The girls’ team saw Ella Howell take 8th in the 400-meter dash and Bella Forbes claimed 8th in the shot put with a heave of 33 feet and 8.5 inches.

Southeastern Community College

The baseball team lost to Delgado Community College yesterday, 5-3. Gavin Awbrey smacked a three-run homer for the Blackhawks. SCC will continue their three-game road series today. 

The softball team will take on Lewis & Clark Community College on Monday, March 16th, for home doubleheader.

College Basketball

The #7 Iowa and Iowa State women’s teams will see their postseason fate determined on the Selection Sunday Show tomorrow, March 15th, at 7 pm.

The #7 Iowa State men’s team fell to #2 Arizona on a buzzer beater in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals last night, 82-80. Milan Momcilovic drilled eight threes for 28 points in the effort. The men’s Selection Sunday Show is scheduled for 5 pm tomorrow.

This Day in Sports History

1962 – Red Wings’ forward Gordie Howe becomes the second player in NHL history to score 500 career goals in Detroit’s 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers.

1972 – NBA’s Cincinnati Royals, plagued by poor home attendance, announce they are moving the franchise to Kansas City. They renamed the team to “Kings” to avoid confusion with the baseball team.

2017 – World’s oldest golf club Muirfield in Scotland, votes to admit women as members for the first time in 273 years.

Henry County Public Health: COVID-19 Boosters Available/Clinic Hours

By Lisa Grilliot · Saturday, March 14th, 2026 at 6:27 am CDT

Henry County Public Health Department announced on Friday afternoon that they have COVID-19 boosters for eligible adults.  The Centers for Disease Control recommends that all people aged 65 years or older receive a second 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine dose to boost protection.  The booster dose can be given 6 months after the first shot.  Henry County Public Health office is located at 106 N. Jackson Street.  Immunization Clinic hours are: Tuesdays 9-11am, Wednesdays and Thursdays 1-4pm, and the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month 1-6pm. No appointment is necessary, but you will need your insurance card if you have one. Uninsured and underinsured individuals can still receive the vaccine through a government funded program.

 

Charles William Sibley

By Lisa Grilliot · Saturday, March 14th, 2026 at 4:52 am CDT

Charles William Sibley, a veteran, devoted family man, and longtime resident of Iowa, passed away March 12, 2026 at the age of 78.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Lord’s Cupboard of Jefferson County. Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield is assisting the family.

Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, Chuck/Bill developed an early foundation of discipline and leadership at St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy. Shortly after graduation, he answered the call to serve his country, enlisting in the U.S. Army and completing a tour of duty in Vietnam.

Upon returning home, he built a life centered on family. He and his beloved wife, Cheryl, settled in Luna Pier, Michigan, where they raised their four children.

A dedicated provider, he spent many years working for Champion Spark Plug, where he retired after many years of service. He brought the same commitment to his career that he gave to his country.

For the past 37 years, he called Iowa home, enjoying a slower pace of life and the company of his growing family.

He was a man of quiet strength and enduring loyalty. He is preceded in death by his wife, Cheryl, and his eldest son, Matthew.

His legacy lives on through his two daughters, Patricia and Maggie, and his son, David. He was the proud “Poppie” to seven grandchildren and “Great-Poppie” to three great-grandchildren, all of whom will miss his stories and his presence.

Douglas Allen Grimm

By Lisa Grilliot · Friday, March 13th, 2026 at 6:42 pm CDT

Douglas Allen Grimm, 82, of Columbia, Missouri, passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at his home.  He was born at home in New London, Iowa on January 19, 1944 to Bernard William and Arbutus Louise (Kalmus) Grimm.  Dr. Frank Mehler assisted by midwife Violet Brown delivered Douglas at 4:00 am.

Douglas attended New London High School in New London, IA.  He was a plumber by trade and since 1995, owned and operated A1 Columbia Plumbing, Heating and AC company in Columbia, MO.

Douglas leaves behind brothers James (Debby) Grimm and Frank L. (Laurie) Goody; sister Betty (Dallas) Piper; niece Danielle Grimm; nephews Michael (Paula) Piper, Thomas (Jamie) Piper, Jason (Lisa) Goody, and Frank J. (Yuki) Goody; and extended family and friends.  Douglas was preceded in death by his father in 1950 and his mother in 2006; his brother William (Bill) Grimm in 2024 and his sister-in-law Carolyn Grimm in 2022, both of the Jefferson City, MO area.

According to his wishes, his body will be cremated and inurnment will be at a later date at Burge Cemetery, rural New London.  Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

 

Ted L. Klopfenstein – Pending

By Lisa Grilliot · Friday, March 13th, 2026 at 6:38 pm CDT

Ted L. Klopfenstein, 62, of Mt. Pleasant, died Thursday, March 12, 2026 at his residence.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant.

Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.

Marilyn Fenton

By Lisa Grilliot · Friday, March 13th, 2026 at 2:34 pm CDT

Marilyn Fenton, 94, of Fairfield, IA passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, March 12, 2026. A funeral service honoring her life will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 20, 2026, at the Bladensburg Christian Church with Pastor Larry Smith officiating. Burial will be in the Batavia Cemetery immediately following the service. Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2026 at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield beginning at 2:00 p.m. with the family present to greet friend from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions in Marilyn’s honor may be directed to the Bladensburg Christian Church and may be mailed to 9691 Competine Rd., Batavia, IA 52533. Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Henry County Receives Ballots for County Attorney Special Election

By Allison Jacobs · Friday, March 13th, 2026 at 12:16 pm CDT

The Henry County Auditor’s Office has received the ballots for the upcoming special election to fill the position of Henry County Attorney.

Early voting will begin Monday at the Henry County Courthouse in Mount Pleasant. Voters who wish to cast their ballot early can do so during regular courthouse hours leading up to Election Day.

The special election will be held on Tuesday, March 31st. On that day, voters will cast their ballots at their regular polling locations across Henry County.

Residents looking for information about their polling place or voting details can find a full list of polling locations HERE.

The special election comes after the previous county attorney left the position before the end of the term, prompting county supervisors to call for a special election to fill the office.

To listen to the Candidates forum with Abbie Liechty and Becky Wilson CLICK HERE, or tune in to 105.5 FM and KILJ.com Monday night at 6 for the rebroadcast.

 

Washington School Board Approves Sharing Agreements with WACO and Keota

By Allison Jacobs · Friday, March 13th, 2026 at 9:05 am CDT

Operational sharing is a function Iowa’s public schools can use to share the cost of administrative personnel and something many area schools use to save money.

The Washington School Board approved two operational sharing agreements Wednesday during their regular meeting.

For the 2026-2027 school year, Washington has entered into operational sharing agreements for business manager and maintenance director for Keota, and transportation director with WACO.

According to the Legislative Service Agency, operational function sharing is described as “an additional weighting in the school aid formula that districts receive to support the cost of sharing administrative personnel” and they must be shared for at least 20% of the normal, full-time contract hours.