2024 Mount Pleasant Holiday Parade Winners Announced

By Hayden Douglas · Friday, December 6th, 2024 at 11:05 am CDT

The downtown streets of mount pleasant were lined with parents and children Thursday night for the Holiday on Main celebration & Christmas Traditions parade. Over 50 floats braved the cold temperatures to parade the street for the holiday spirit. As the parade finished, families stuck around central park to visit with Santa Clause, roast chestnuts on an open fire, and read Christmas books with Mrs. Clause.

The 2024 Holiday Parade winners:

Best Community Entry:  Southeast Iowa Realty

Most Festive Entry:  Jefferson Antique Mall

Best Lighted Entry: Access Energy

Start 2025 With “Project Power”

By Hayden Douglas · Friday, December 6th, 2024 at 7:07 am CDT

Henry County Public Health & Healthy Henry County have partnered with the American Diabetes Association to host Project Power for adults. Project Power is a no-cost 12-week lifestyle change program that aims to help you lower your risk for type 2 diabetes. Amy Martin, a Henry County Public Health Nurse, tells us about what Project is.

The 12-week program will consists of interactive lessons and personalized health coaching that will guide you into a healthier lifestyle.

The classes are virtual so you can choose your own schedule. Amy talked about the class content.

Learn more about Project Power and register at diabetes.org/project-power.

Use referral code: C-2104

Henry County Optimist Club Announces New Meeting Times

By Hayden Douglas · Friday, December 6th, 2024 at 6:59 am CDT

The Henry County Optimist Club stopped by the KILJ studios this week to reintroduce themselves to the community and announce their new bi-weekly meetings. Paul Katsion Is the President of the optimist of Henry County and talked about these new meetings.

The Optimist club hosts several fundraisers during the year in efforts to raise funds to help send kids to camps throughout the year. One thing the Henry County Optimist club is know for, is their parade of flags.

Paul mentions the Flag display has gained a few more roads this year. Added to the display is east maple leaf from becks over to the Walmart distribution center, and Iris, from Winfield Ave to Washington. To donate or become involved, search for the Henry County Optimist Club on Facebook.

Sports, December 6th

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

High School Basketball

The Fairfield boys’ team’s slow start resulted in a 60-28 loss at the hands of Albia last night. The Trojans will host Fort Madison tonight with the girls’ playing first at 6 pm. 

The Columbus girls’ team stomped North Cedar last night 54-13. The Wildcats will square off against Hillcrest Academy tonight with the girls’ tipping off at 6 pm. 

The West Burlington girls’ team struggled against Centerville last night, losing 72-35. The Falcons will take on West Prairie at Central Lee tomorrow, December 7th, at 10:30 am. 

Burlington Notre Dame will host Central Lee tonight with the girls’ getting the night underway at 6 pm. 

Holy Trinity Catholic will stay at home to take on Danville with the girls’ scheduled to lead off the night at 6 pm.

The Mediapolis boys’ team will take on West Burlington tonight at 7:30 pm on the road, while the girls’ team will host Wilton on Monday, December 9th, at 6 pm. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will square off against Lone Tree tonight with the boys playing at 7:30 pm, following the girls’ game. 

Wapello will travel to Louisa-Muscatine tonight with the girls’ tipping off at 6 pm.  

New London will look to right the ship tonight on the road against Van Buren County with game one at 6 pm. 

Mt. Pleasant will commence conference play tonight at home against Burlington with the girls’ competing first at 6 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 5:45 pm. Boys’ head coach Eric Rawson talked about the matchup tonight,

“Yeah, I mean, Burlington’s going to be pretty similar, you know, and be athletic and they’re going to get after it. And it’s a rivalry game, obviously and we’ll be ready.”

WACO will face off against Pekin tonight with the girls’ tipping off the night at 6 pm. 

High School Girls’ Basketball Rankings

The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union released their second rankings of the season and first of the regular season. 

In Class 4A, Keokuk’s first game did not go to plan as Illinois’ Quincy Notre Dame’s squad handled the Chiefs 64-34. Despite the loss, Keokuk did not move from their #13 slot. The Chiefs will have to improve their three-point shooting as they went 0 for 14 against the Raiders from beyond the arc. 

A new Southeast Iowa Super Conference North division team entered the Class 1A rankings with Highland jumping out to a 4-0 start and to #9 in the rankings. One of those wins included dispatching a previously ranked #10 team in Lone Tree, 60-47. The Huskies have been leaning on freshman Kamryn Fink as she is averaging a double-double with 22 points and 14.5 rebounds per game. 

High School Wrestling

The Fairfield boys’ team showed off their prominence in the Davis County quad last night, sweeping Centerville 42-36, Davis County 57-21, and conference rival Keokuk 65-12. Zandrik Allison, Dain Burkhart, Dre Smithburg, Cael McCabe, and Cason Miller finished the night undefeated for the Trojans. Fairfield will travel to West Delaware tomorrow, December 7th, for the Bob Murphy Invitational. 

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team will compete in the Raider Duals tomorrow at Williamsburg. 

The Mediapolis boys’ team will travel to Burlington to compete in an invite tomorrow.

The Wapello boys’ team will host WACO and Mt. Pleasant tomorrow for the Willard Howell Tournament. 

The New London boys’ team will host the Jeremy Fulk Classic tomorrow.

The Mt. Pleasant, Mediapolis, Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union, and WACO girls’ teams will compete in the Willard Howell Tournament tomorrow at Wapello. 

High School Bowling

Fairfield will take on Burlington today on the road. 

Southeastern Community College

The #11 men’s basketball team will host Kennedy-King College tomorrow, December 7th, at 7. 

College Football

#16 Iowa State will face off against #12 Arizona State tomorrow, December 7th, at 11 am for the Big 12 conference championship. 

Iowa will await their bowl matchup, which will be announced on Sunday, December 8th. 

College Basketball

The #6 Iowa State men’s team will stay at home to take on Jackson State on Sunday, December 8th, at 6 pm. 

The Iowa men’s team will travel to Michigan tomorrow, December 7th, at 1 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM will have the call.

The #20 Iowa State women’s team will face off against Central Michigan on Sunday at noon in front of the home crowd. 

The #17 Iowa women’s team will take on Tennessee in the Women’s Championship Classic tomorrow at 6 pm. 

This Day in Sports History

1961 – Syracuse running back Ernie Davis became the first Black player to win the Heisman Trophy.

1992 – San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice catches an NFL record 101st touchdown in a 27-3 win over the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park.

2018 – Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry goes off for a franchise-record 238 yards and four touchdowns in a 30-9 win versus the Jacksonville Jaguars in Nashville; Henry’s 99-yard touchdown run ties Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame running back Tony Dorsett’s longest run in NFL history.

MPCHS November 2024 Students of Character Announced

By Hayden Douglas · Friday, December 6th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

Mount Pleasant High School is proud to announce the November 2024 Students of Character, Ramzy Davis and Charice Auwerda.

These students have demonstrated Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship.

Students are nominated by the MPCHS faculty each month.

If you see these students at school or in the community, please tell them to keep up the good work! We are Panther Proud of you all!

Catherine Alane Jones

By Hayden Douglas · Friday, December 6th, 2024 at 6:20 am CDT

On Sunday, November 24, 2024, the angels took Catherine Alane Jones, age 59 of Potosi, Missouri and formerly of Mt. Pleasant to her heavenly home.

Catherine was born April 16, 1965 in North English, Iowa the daughter of Margaret (Finley) Jackson and Doyle Alan Jackson.

In 1984, Catherine graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School. Later, she attended Southeastern Community College, West Burlington, where she was to meet her husband, Darwin Lynn Jones.

Catherine loved cooking, roses, and music (country, rock, disco). She also was a lover of animals and a great homemaker. When she was alone she would often sing and dance.  She also enjoyed spending time with her family on fishing outings.  

Catherine is survived by her husband, of 36 and a half years, Darwin Jones of Potosi, Missouri, her daughter, Cassey Alane Potter of Mt. Pleasant, her son, Anthony Jack Jones of Potosi, Missouri, her mother, Margaret Finley of Mt. Pleasant,  her brother, Matt Finley, of Morvia,  and her sister, Sheena Finley, of Mt. Pleasant, her nieces, Amberlee (Daniel) Wagner and Desirae Kogo both of North Dakota, her brothers-in-law, Eugene, Harold, William (Cindy) and Glen (Darlene) Jones, and her sisters-in-law, Judy Pennington and Lou Ann (Donald) Stathem, along with many friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Doyle Jackson, her brother, Darrell Potter; her grandmother, Thorton Josephine Young; and her great-grandmother, Adelaide Stites.

Graveside services will be held on Monday, December 9, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. at the Forest Home Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant.  The family will receive friends from 10 until 11:15 on Monday at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant.  A memorial has been established in her memory.

In our hearts and memories, she will remain forever with us. In spirit, she will dwell in the land of God waiting for the day we are reunited. Rest in Peace Catherine.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant, is caring for her arrangements.

Car vs Deer Collision

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, December 5th, 2024 at 3:29 pm CDT

Submitted by Rich McNamee, Henry County Sheriff – On December 4th, 2024, at approximately 6:00 p.m., the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a car vs deer collision.

It was reported the collision took place at mile marker 228 of Highway 34.  An investigation into the collision determined that a 2010 Hyundai Sonata, driven by Chloe Warner, 21 of Mount Pleasant, was traveling west bound on Highway 34 when a deer ran into the roadway.

The vehicle and the deer collided.  The vehicle was determined to be a total loss with damages estimated at $4000.

No injuries were reported.

Helen L. Moore

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, December 5th, 2024 at 3:26 pm CDT

Helen L. Moore, 96, of Mount Pleasant, formerly of Ottumwa, died Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at Savannah Heights in Mount Pleasant.

Helen was born September 10, 1928, in Fremont, Iowa, the daughter of Elmer F. and Irene (Phillips) Kelley. She graduated from Hedrick Hick School in 1946. On November 19, 1948, Helen was united in marriage to George R. Moore. Helen was a dedicated homemaker and farmwife. The couple made their home on the family farm north of Ottumwa Airport for over 40 years. Helen was a member of Hedrick United Methodist Church during this time, and was a member of Willard St. United Methodist Church after moving to Ottumwa in 1992. She enjoyed cooking, and tending to her garden. Helen cared deeply for her husband and children, always making sure they had what they needed.

Helen is survived by her husband George of Mount Pleasant; three daughters Teresa (Steve) Crew of Mount Pleasant, Karen (Ron) Nichols of Astor, FL, Joyce (Derek) Sellars of Oskaloosa; son-in-law Steve Pilchen of Oskaloosa; 12 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; sister Edith Hale of AZ; sister-in-law Pat Kelley of Ottumwa; and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Diane Moore Pilchen, son Michael R. Moore, and brother Robert Kelley.

Visitation will be held Saturday, December 7, 2024, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory. The family will be present to greet friends during that time. There will be no formal service. The Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory is caring for Helen and her family. www.powellfuneralhomes.com