Late Night Traffic Stop Turns To Police Chase Through Mount Pleasant Neighborhoods

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, January 6th, 2025 at 12:00 pm CDT

On January 4, approximately 2:15 in the morning, Mount Pleasant police attempted to traffic stop on a silver 2015 KIA Sedona operated by Tylor Ward of Mount Pleasant at the intersection of Grand Ave and Maple Leaf Drive for multiple traffic violations.

Tylor fled from the stop at a high rate of speed, accessing 60 miles an hour in a 25 mile an hour zone on Maple Leaf Drive. Tylor continued to flee at a high rate of speed through residential streets until he crashed into a legally parked 2016 KIA Sorento in the 1100 block of East Madison Street. Tylor then fled on foot but was apprehended by officers in the 100 block of Brazelton street.

Upon investigation it was learned that Tylor was operating the Sedona without the permission of the owner. Both vehicles sustained disabling damage, and the Sedona had airbags deploy. The Sedona was impounded and searched with permission of the owner where two bottles of liquor were located that were later learned to have been stolen by Tylor from Casey’s just before he was pulled over in the traffic stop.

Tylor was transported to the Henry County jail, where he’s booked on the following charges: eluding criminal mischief second degree operating without owner’s consent, interference with official acts, theft in the fifth degree, and multiple traffic citations.

The Mount Pleasant Police Department was assisted in the investigation by the Henry County Sheriff’s office and Breuer’s towing. Criminal charges were merely accusations and defended as innocent until proving guilty.

Sports, January 6th

By Slaten Swords · Monday, January 6th, 2025 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Basketball

In a battle between two Southeast Iowa Super Conference North rivals, WACO was able to exit Winfield-Mt. Union with a pair of wins as the girls’ held off the Wolves’ comeback attempt to win 46-45, while the boys’ pulled out a 51-42 victory. In the girls’ game, Winfield-Mt. Union was led by Kynlee Buffington’s 23 point, 16 rebound, and 7 block performance, while the boys had Jake Edwards cash in for 13 points. WACO had Ella Huisenga finish with 14 points and Christian Stacy collect 19 points in the win. Boys’ head coach Chayse Roth talked about the importance of the win,

“Yeah, this was huge for us. You know, they came in with one loss. We were undefeated. So, if they knock us off, we’re right there tied. So, if we wanted to stay where we wanted to be, you know, our goal was to be at the top of the North. We really had to buckle down and play big tonight, take care of the boards and keep that position on the top of the North. Where we want to be.”

Both WACO squads will look to keep their win streaks going tomorrow, January 7th, against Wapello with game one at 6 pm. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to Pekin tomorrow with the girls’ team tipping off at 6 pm. 

West Burlington split their weekend matchup against Wapello with the girls’ team falling 43-42 in overtime as Macey Kuntz led the Arrows with 15 points, while the boys’ team steamrolled Wapello 87-45 as Mason Watkins continued tearing defenses apart with a game-high 35 points. 

Burlington Notre Dame will take on West Burlington tomorrow with the girls playing at 6 pm. 

The Fairfield girls’ team dropped a close one to Davis County over the weekend 40-39. The Trojans will face off against Centerville at home tonight with the girls playing first at 6 pm. 

The Danville girls’ team had their five-game win streak snapped over the weekend by English Valleys 54-35. Alaina Gourley finished the night with an 18 point and 11 rebound double-double. The boys’ team handled English Valleys 72-44 behind Dillan Mason’s 21 points. The Bears will compete against New London tomorrow on the road with the night starting at 6 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 5:45 pm. 

Mt. Pleasant will take on New London tonight 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.  

The Central Lee girls’ team will travel to Burlington tonight at 6:30 pm. 

Columbus will host Louisa-Muscatine tomorrow with game one at 6 pm. 

Van Buren County will take on Central Lee at home tomorrow with the first game at 6 pm. 

Mediapolis will tango with Holy Trinity Catholic tomorrow with the girls playing at 6 pm at home. 

High School Wrestling

The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team made the trip to Davenport Assumption over the weekend and finished 2-1, defeating the Saints 42-29 and St. Patrick 49-23, but fell to Geneseo 38-29. Colt Boyles, C.J. Davis, Kaiden Dietzenbach, and Kael Cook each went 3-0 for the meet. The Nikes will travel to Maquoketa for a tournament on Saturday, January 11th.

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union and Mediapolis boys’ teams both participated in the Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont duals tournament over the weekend. The Wildcats picked up a win against North Mahaska 44-31, but fell to Atlantic and Creston. Kason Dopler was the lone wrestler to finish undefeated for the three matches. 

Mediapolis lost their four duals as Kyler Crow and Peyton Johnson managed to go 4-0 for each of their matches. 

Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union will compete at the Ottumwa Invitational on Friday, January 10th. 

The WACO girls’ and boys’ teams participated in the BGM Holiday tournament over the weekend and the boys’ team finished the meet with a 2-3 record. Louden Huisenga, Ian Maize, and Gage Samo did not drop a match. For the girls’ team, Cayten Coakley led the way with a 5th place finish in the 125-pound weight class. 

The girls’ Keokuk Invite was rescheduled for this past weekend with a couple of our local teams making the trip. Mt. Pleasant was led by Zenlynn Lee’s 2nd place finish in the 145-pound weight class as she lost to Peggy Miller of Washington by a 9-4 decision. Fairfield’s Alyia Abbot collected a 3rd place finish with a win by fall over Mt. Pleasant’s Paris Phosy. 

The Mt. Pleasant, Mediapolis, Van Buren County, and WACO girls’ teams will compete at the Highland tournament on Friday.

Fairfield will host a quad tomorrow, January 7th, with Wapello making the trip. 

The New London boys’ team will travel to Durant on Thursday, January 9th, to compete in a meet.

The Mt. Pleasant and WACO boys’ teams will travel to Highland for the Gary Curtis Invitational on Saturday.

High School Bowling

Mt. Pleasant will host Washington on Thursday, January 9th. 

Southeastern Community College

The #20 men’s basketball team will take on Western Iowa Tech at home on Wednesday, January 8th, with tip-off scheduled for 7 pm. 

College Basketball

The #3 Iowa State men’s team pulled away in the second half against #25 Baylor over the weekend 74-55 to start Big 12 play off with a win. Keshon Gilbert led the team with a double-double, cashing in for 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. The Cyclones will compete against Utah tomorrow, January 7th, at 7 pm at home. 

The Iowa men’s team will host Nebraska tomorrow at 7 pm. 

The #23 Iowa women’s team lost a top-25 matchup to #8 Maryland yesterday 74-66. Lucy Olsen tallied 19 points in the losing effort. The Hawkeyes will take on Illinois on Thursday, January 9th, at 6 pm on the road.

The Iowa State women’s team is now 1-3 in their last four games after dropping their matchup against Utah yesterday 75-67. Audi Crooks finished the game with 29 points to go along with eight rebounds. The Cyclones will face off against Arizona State on Wednesday, January 8th, at 7:30 pm on the road. 

This Day in Sports History

1681 – First recorded boxing match is engineered by Christopher Monck, 2nd Duke of Albemarle; his butler takes on his butcher and the butcher wins. 

1980 – The Philadelphia Flyers set the longest unbeaten streak in North American sports history with 35 consecutive games without a loss.

1995 – Atlanta Hawks’ coach Lenny Wilkens passes the legendary Red Auerbach to become the NBA’s all-time winningest coach, with 939 career victories.

Mount Pleasant Airport Improvements Coming in 2025

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, January 6th, 2025 at 6:20 am CDT

Mount Pleasant Mayor, Steve Brimhall paid a visit to KILJ last week for the Generation Gap.

Mayor Brimhall talked about several improvement projects that are planned for 2025. The first thing he discussed was the Airport improvement project.

Mayor Brimhall says the mount pleasant airport is a key facility for southeast Iowa, bringing in lots of  company CEO’s, agriculture flights for crop work, and private travel. Mayor sounds confident the project will start and finish in 2025.

Henry County Conservation Department Takes Archery Team To First Tournament

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, January 6th, 2025 at 5:53 am CDT

The Henry County Conservation department has been working with a few local schools and organizations to start an archery program. NASP is the National Archery in Schools Program, and over 20 students have been in the club for a few weeks now.

Shania is the Assistant Naturalist with the Henry County Conservation department and is taking the Archery team to their first tournament.

 

Shania also mentioned that the conservation department is still in efforts to build a playground at the park. You can contact the Henry count conservation office if you would like to become involved or make a donation.

 

Henry County Sheriff Monthly Update

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, January 6th, 2025 at 5:44 am CDT

Henry County Sheriff Rich McNamee stopped by the KILJ studio for his monthly update on the jails inmate count and budget.

As we see the colder weather and frigid temperatures below zero, Sheriff McNamee wants to advise people to be safe on the roadways and be prepared for emergency.

 

During his monthly update, Sheriff also talked about the new year being a good time to update your emergency contact information if you have moved, or if you are a business owner, The Sheriffs office needs the most updated information in their efforts to help in an emergency.

Lastly Sheriff McNamee talks the new year being a great time to check Fire alarms and smoke alarm batteries in your home or business, check the batteries in your security cameras and changing the batteries so you know they are new and good for the year.

Senator Chuck Grassley Honored Once Again as President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, January 6th, 2025 at 5:35 am CDT

Senator Chuck Grassley was honored to be sworn in once again as President pro tempore of the United States Senate. Grassley previously held the position from 2019 to 2021.

This constitutional leadership role is traditionally held by the most senior member of the majority party and places me third in the line of presidential succession, following the Vice President and Speaker of the House. Senator Grassley is only the second Iowan in history to serve as President pro tempore, following in the footsteps of Senator Albert B. Cummins, who served in this role from 1919 to 1925.

Iowa is number one in the Senate as a result of my leadership. Grassley says he is looking forward to delivering for our great state as President pro tempore and Senate Judiciary Chairman this Congress.

January 6, 2025 – January 12, 2025

By Allison Jacobs · Sunday, January 5th, 2025 at 3:01 pm CDT
01/06/25
Lance Hampton
01/06/25
Greg Peck
01/06/25
Lucky Kreiger (102 years old)
01/07/25
Marci Adams
01/07/25
Willow Barton
01/07/25
Dalton Gardner
01/07/25
Sabrina Mathews
01/08/25
Kendall Horn
01/08/25
Averee McMullin
01/09/25
Jerry Lamb
01/10/25
Steve Mallams
01/10/25
Paul Lampe
01/10/25
Megan Rolenc
01/10/25
Emery Ledbetter - 12
01/10/25
Vada & Violet Johannson
01/11/25
Marlene Hill
01/11/25
Joni Maxwell
01/11/25
Mitchell Moothart
01/11/25
Rita Glover
01/11/25
Greg Perrott
01/11/25
Julie Wesley
01/11/25
Patsy McClain
01/12/25
Holly Nelson

Rosemary E. Marley

By Hayden Douglas · Sunday, January 5th, 2025 at 1:26 pm CDT

Rosemary E. Marley, 82, of Mt. Pleasant, died unexpectedly on Friday, January 3, 2025 at the Henry County Health Center Emergency Room after suffering a fall at her home.

Mrs. Marley, the former Rosemary Emma Hallowell, was born May 1, 1942 in Iowa City, IA. She was the daughter of Carl Joseph and Beulah Edith (Miller) Hallowell. She graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1960. She worked at the Hy-Vee Food Store where she met and began dating the man who became the love of her life. On July 2, 1961 at the Salem Methodist Church, Rosemary was united in marriage to William Warner “Bill” Marley. It was a love and partnership that lasted 58 years until Bill’s passing on Sunday, April 26, 2020 in Iowa City.

After their marriage, Rosemary worked at Smitty’s Cleaners and Motorola in Mt. Pleasant. Together with Bill, they cleaned houses for numerous families in the area. Rosemary also babysat for many people as well.

Rosemary was a devoted member of the First United Methodist Church, seldom missing a worship service. A gifted cook, Rosemary prepared a meal every Saturday night for the Saturday night worship service at FUMC. Rosemary employed her cooking skills far more than at church. She would host her fellow co-workers from Motorola for suppers. Other groups and individuals were the beneficiaries of her skills in the kitchen and their hospitality. When the meals were not at her house, Rosemary would prepare meals and take them to people.

Rosemary loved flowers and enjoyed tending to her flower beds. She was a devoted fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, cheering them on, no matter what sport it was. Above and beyond all this, Rosemary loved pleasing people and would go out of her way to bring life and joy into someone’s life.

Those thankful for sharing in Rosemary’s life include her 4 children – Deb Marley of Mt. Pleasant, Dawn (Ron Walgren) Marley of Maui, Hawaii, Denise (Brian) Kirby of Mt. Pleasant, and Doug (Ashly) Marley of Mt. Pleasant; her sister – Carlene Miller of Ft. Madison; 2 grandsons – Spencer Kirby and Kasey (Michaela Speketer) Kirby, and 4 great grandchildren – Izabella Rose Kirby, Isla Kirby, Oakland Kirby and Bennett Duncan.

Her parents and husband Bill precede Rosemary in death.

Friends may call from 12 Noon to 8 PM on Wednesday, January 8 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. The family will be present to receive friends from 4-6PM.

The funeral service for Rosemary will be 11 AM on Thursday, January 9 at the First United Methodist Church, 309 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. The Reverend Court Fischer, Senior Pastor, will officiate. Cremation Rites will be accorded following the service, and Rosemary’s ashes will be interred on Friday at the Forest Home Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant.

Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the First United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com