HCHC & ImpactLife Team up for Blood Drive This Friday

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, December 18th, 2024 at 8:45 am CDT

Henry County Health Center will host a community blood drive with Impactlife, December 20th. Callie Easton with Impactlife came to visit KILJ and talk about a few blood drives going on this holiday season.

ut first she talked about Impactlife and how they operate.

Callie mentions a few things to have a successful blood donation for yourself are eating a health breakfast, drink plenty of water and make sure you feel well and have no symptoms of illness when you donate. Impactlife has many volunteers that help with their area blood drives.

Charlie Yoder is a member of the community and helps Callie run several blood drives and tells us why he helps impactlife.

There are several chances here around the holidays to donate and callie talked about how you can find your nearest blood drive and the importance to having a supply ready.

Potential donors must be at least 17 years of age and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo I.D. is required to donate. Donors who last gave blood on or before 10/25/24 are eligible to give at this drive. The blood drive will be from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm on Friday at Henry County Health Center inside Health Education Center.

For questions about eligibility, please call ImpactLife at (800) 747-5401.

The Mount Pleasant Personnel & Finance Committee will meet Tuesday, December 24

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, December 18th, 2024 at 8:37 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant Personnel & Finance Committee will meet Tuesday, December 24, 2024, at 9:00 AM at City Hall in the City Administrators’ Conference Room.
AGENDA
1. Call to order.
2. Discuss Downtown Christmas Decoration Displays
3. Discuss Financing a Pumper Truck for the Fire Department
4. Discuss General Liability Insurance Renewal
5. Discuss IPIB Letter
6. Discuss FY26 Budget Timeline
7. Discuss Phone Service Provider for Police Department
8. Discuss Purchase of New Public Works Truck and Plow
9. Open Forum.
10. Adjourn.

Henry County Board of Supervisors Meeting December 19th Agenda

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, December 18th, 2024 at 8:36 am CDT

1.Approve Agenda

2.Approve Minutes

  1. Approve Claims

4.Jake Hotchkiss Engineer Weekly Update

5.Public Hearing on the Proposed Henry County Hershy Hall Urban Renewal Plan

6.Resolution determining an area of the County to be an economic development area, and that the rehabilitation, conservation, redevelopment, development or a combination thereof, of such area is necessary in the interest of the public health, safety or welfare of the residents of the County; designating such area as appropriate for urban renewal projects; and adopting the Henry County Hershey Hall Urban Renewal Plan

  1. Consideration of Ordinance for the division of revenues under Section 403.19, Code of Iowa, for Henry County Hershey Hall Urban Renewal Plan
  1. Public hearing on the proposal to enter into a Development Agreement with IWU Hershey, LLC.
  1. Resolution approving and authorizing execution of a Development Agreement by and between Henry County and IWU Hershey, LLC.

10.Public Comments

Other County Business as time allows

Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates

Sports, December 18th

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, December 18th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Basketball

Holy Trinity Catholic swept their home doubleheader last night against Van Buren County with the girls’ winning another close game 44-41, while the boys’ team dominated their way to an 86-51 final. Luke Hellige led the scoring for the Crusaders with 28 points. 

Van Buren County will take on Danville with the girls tipping off the night at 6 pm on Friday, December 20th, at home. 

Holy Trinity Catholic will face off against Burlington Notre Dame on Friday with game one at 6 pm. 

West Burlington and Danville split last night’s contest with the Bears winning the girls’ game 49-32, while the Falcons boys’ team clobbered Danville 59-23. West Burlington will compete against Central Lee on Friday with the boys following the girls’ game at 7:30 pm. 

The Mediapolis girls’ team remained undefeated after picking up a 58-13 win over Burlington Notre Dame last night as Ellah Wagenbach put up 19 points in the win. The boys’ team did not have the same luck as the Nikes walked out with a convincing 78-43 victory. The Bulldogs will travel to Winfield-Mt. Union tomorrow, December 19th, for a doubleheader with game time at 6 pm.

Columbus hosted Winfield-Mt. Union last night and the girls’ team gathered a 54-33 win, while the boys’ team fell to the Wolves 63-52. The Wildcats will take on New London tomorrow at home with the girls playing first at 6 pm.

WACO swept Hillcrest Academy last night with the girls winning 45-38 and the boys sneaking by with a 48-46 victory. The Warriors will stay on the road tomorrow to compete against Highland with the girls leading off the night at 6 pm.

The Wapello girls’ team lost last night 67-48 to Highland. Wapello will face off against Columbus on Friday with game time at 6 pm. 

Mt. Pleasant will host Washington on Friday in a doubleheader with the girls’ tipping-off 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 will travel to Keokuk on Friday with the girls’ tipping-off the night at 6 pm.

High School Wrestling

Mt. Pleasant will dual Fort Madison tomorrow, December 19th, at home. 

Fairfield will take on Burlington on the road tomorrow.

The New London boys’ team will face off against Pekin tomorrow on the road. 

WACO will compete in a double dual tomorrow against Mediapolis and Burlington Notre Dame at home. 

The Wapello boys’ team will celebrate their senior night tomorrow in a triangular against Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union and Van Buren County. 

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team will compete in the John Randles Invite at Prairie on Saturday, December 21st. 

The Wapello girls’ team will travel to Chariton for an invitational on Saturday. 

High School Bowling

Mt. Pleasant will travel to Burlington on Friday, December 20th, for a triangular.

Southeast Iowa Playbook

Tonight’s episode of the Southeast Iowa Playbook will feature a member of the 2024 Iowa’s Racing Hall of Fame, Jeff Broeg. The episode is scheduled for 6 pm on KILJ 105.5 FM or kilj.com.

IHSSA News

The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and Iowa High School Sports Network (IHSSN) will end their longstanding media rights agreement at the end of the 2024-2025 athletic year.

The IHSSN, who was the exclusive rights holder for championship events since 2006, will continue to provide for select IHSAA state tournament events through the 2025 state baseball tournament. The state tournament finals will be free to stream but all earlier rounds will require a fee to livestream.

The IHSAA will regain the media rights on August 1st, 2025.

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 Football

#18 Iowa State will face off against #16 Miami in the Pop Tarts Bowl on December 28th at 2:30 pm in Orlando. 

Iowa will take on #19 Missouri for the Music City Bowl on December 30th in Nashville at 1:30 pm. 

College Basketball

The #3 Iowa State men’s team will host Morgan State on Sunday, December 22nd, with game time scheduled for noon. 

The Iowa men’s team will meet Utah on Saturday, December 21st, at 5 pm in a road matchup. 

The #22 Iowa women’s team will face off against Northern Iowa on Friday, December 20th, at 6:30 pm at home. 

The Iowa State women’s team’s hopes at an upset were dashed by #4 UConn’s three-point barrage in a 101-68 loss for the Cyclones. Audi Crooks was the lone bright spot as she cashed in for 22 points. Iowa State will look to get back in the win column on Saturday on the road against Oklahoma State at 4 pm. 

This Day in Sports History

1932 – The Portsmouth Spartans and the Chicago Bears compete in the first playoff game in NFL history. The Bears beat the Spartans 9-0. 

1949 – NFL Championship, the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Los Angeles Rams 14-0; played in driving rain that caused the field to become a mud pit. 

1983 – NBA San Diego Clippers ends their 29-game road losing streak.

Wayland Council Agenda

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, December 18th, 2024 at 6:19 am CDT

CITY OF WAYLAND

  1. Roll Call
  1. Consent Agenda

Note:  These are routine items and will be enacted by one motion without separate discussion unless a Council member requests an item be removed for separate consideration.

  1. Minutes of December 4, 2024
  2. Bills for Payment
  3. Building Permits
  4. Next Meeting Date (per code) Changed to January 2, 2025 (vs Jan. 1st)
  1. Citizen Forum

The Mayor and City Council welcome comments from the public regarding items not listed on the agenda.  You are asked to state your name and address for the record and to limit your remarks in order that others may be given the opportunity to speak.  The Order of Business is at the discretion of the Chair.  No action will be taken. 

  1. Unfinished Business
  1. 21-2024 “An Ordinance Amending The Code Of Ordinances Of The City Of Wayland, Iowa, By Amending Sewer User Charges” (Second Reading and consider waiving final reading)
  2. Discuss Covenants for North Plains Estates Subdivision – 2024
  1. New Business
    1. Consider/Approve File Cabinet Purchase (Police Records)
    2. Review/Approve Quote for North Plains Subdivision Street Lights
    3. North Plains Subdivision 2024 Project – Pay Application No. 4
    4. 2024-22 “28E Agreement with Jefferson Township Trustees (Fire)”
    5. Tax Abatements:
      – 208 E Main Street (kitchen remodel, deck addition, siding)
      – 605 N Parkway (80’ x 100’ building addition & office remodel)
    6. Consider/Approve Park Slide & Ten Spin for East Park (EHCCF Grant)
    7. Set 2025 Energy Efficiency Rebates
    8. Preliminary Goal Setting Session
  1. Adjournment

Iowa House Republicans Elect Assistant Majority Leaders

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, December 18th, 2024 at 6:17 am CDT
(DES MOINES) — Today, House Republicans held elections to fill out the caucus’ leadership team in advance of the 2025 Legislative Session.

The following four Assistant Leaders were elected:

  • Rep. Jon Dunwell (R-Newton)
  • Rep. Heather Hora (R-Washington)
  • Rep. Craig Johnson (R-Independence)
  • Rep. Brent Siegrist (R-Council Bluffs)

“Congratulations to these four individuals on their election to serve as Assistant Majority Leaders,” Speaker Pat Grassley (R-New Hartford) said. “With our House Republicans leadership team set, we are ready to get straight to work on January 13th to deliver on the promises we have made to Iowans.”

The 91st Iowa General Assembly will convene on Monday, January 13, 2025.

     William Robert Herte

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, December 18th, 2024 at 6:03 am CDT

William Robert Hertel, 77, of Denver, Iowa, formerly of Gilbert, Arizona and Fairfield, Iowa, passed away Sunday, December 15, 2024 at Ravenwood Specialty Care in Waterloo, Iowa.

In accordance to his wishes, Bill will be cremated and laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield, Iowa is assisting the family.

Bill was born November 10, 1947 in Fairfield, the son of Charles and Shirley (Courtney) Hertel. Growing up, Bill was in Boy Scouts, reaching Eagle Scout.

He was a graduate of Fairfield High School in 1966. He played clarinet and was in small band groups through high school and later years, following his father and mother’s love of music. Bill graduated from the University of Iowa in 1970. He was in the Army ROTC program throughout his college years. Bill met Chris Henkes while they were attending the University of Iowa. They were married August 9, 1969. She preceded him in death February 15, 2017.

Bill was a Lt. Colonel in the United States Army. His military career moved their family to numerous places throughout the world until he and Chris decided to settle in northern Virginia. After retirement from the Army, he worked as a consultant for Camber until moving to Gilbert, Arizona.

Bill and Chris were season ticket holders of the Arizona Cardinals while they lived in Arizona. Bill and Chris loved traveling, visiting places in the United States, Europe, Middle East, South America, Southeast Asia, Baltic Sea states, and Australia/New Zealand. He never missed a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game on television and once a year Bill and Chris would meet up for a game with two high school friends and their wives. It was a big part of his life.

Bill loved to golf and loved his dogs. He was a long-time supporter of the University of Iowa and the children’s hospital. He had season tickets to Hawkeye football games since returning to Iowa.

Those left to honor his memory include his son, Jason Hertel of Manassas, Virginia; his sister, Janice (Larry) Wilson of Mesa, Arizona; four nieces and nephews, Wade (Sarah) Wilson, Kent (Darcie) Wilson, Kelly (Ray) Runyon, and Julie (Lee) Person.

In addition to his wife, Bill was preceded in death by his parents.

Bill’s family would like to extend their appreciation to Kathy and her husband Gary Hoskins for spending time with Bill in his final weeks.

Online condolences may be made to Bill’s family by viewing his obituary at www.behnerfh.com.

The Iowa High School Sports Network and Iowa High School Athletic Association Agree to Terminate Exclusive Media Rights Agreement at the end of the 2024-25 Athletic Season

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, December 17th, 2024 at 1:39 pm CDT

IHSAA- The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and Iowa High School Sports Network (IHSSN) will end their longstanding media rights agreement at the end of the 2024-2025 athletic year.

This will end the litigation between the two entities after the IHSAA filed its initial petition in June 2023 when the IHSSN started charging viewers for their state tournament coverage, starting with the 2023 state baseball tournament.

The IHSSN, who was the exclusive rights holder for championship events since 2006, will continue to provide for select IHSAA state tournament events through the 2025 state baseball tournament. The state tournament finals will be free to stream but all earlier rounds will require a fee to livestream.

The IHSAA will regain the media rights on August 1st, 2025.