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

“Business As Usual” For The Henry County Supervisor Meeting

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, December 5th, 2024 at 12:58 pm CDT

It was a full room for this weeks Henry County Supervisors meeting. On the agenda was the monthly update from department leads.

On everyone’s mind was something different; Chairman Greg Moeller.

Each and every department lead started their monthly update with a quick “thank you” or “Business as Usual” to Greg, for his service as a Henry County Supervisor for so many years.

Greg shared with the room during the Supervisors meeting that he would encourage departments to come into meetings with something other than “business as usual”.

Greg Moeller will end his term as Chairman for the Henry County Supervisors at the end of 2024. Steve Detrick will be joining the board of supervisors as a newly elected supervisor.

Prep Wrestling: IAwrestle Releases Their First Rankings of the Season

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, December 5th, 2024 at 11:27 am CDT

Prep Wrestling- The 2024-2025 Iowa high school wrestling season has started rolling with most of the teams with at least one competition under their belts. On schedule, IAwrestle released their first round of rankings for both the boys’ and girls’ classes and weight divisions.

Boys’ Class 1A

WACO touts two wrestlers ranked within the top 5, including a top wrestler for their weight division. In the 113-pound weight class, Gage Samo enters at the #4 slot as the senior looks to improve upon a 6th place finish from last year’s state tournament. Louden Huisenga sits at the top of the 190-pound weight class as he started the year with three pins within the first round.

New London still awaits their first match of the season with their own tournament on Saturday, but Gage Burden will start his senior season ranked #9 in the 126-pound weight class after a trip to the state tournament last year.

Class 2A

Notre Dame/West Burlington has been a powerhouse of wrestling for Southeast Iowa the last half-decade and will keep that claim with the Nikes slotted at the #7 slot with six ranked wrestlers. The one interesting aspect is no one is the favorite for their respective weight class.

In the 120-pound weight class, Colt Boyles is ranked 7th. CJ Davis, according to the rankings, is the 3rd best wrestler in the 138-pound weight class. Kaiden Dietzenbach is ranked #2 for the 144-pound weight class after finishing as the runner-up a season ago.

In the 150-pound weight class, Blake Wilson is ranked at #8. Dirk Boyles is #7 in the 157-pound weight class and Kael Cook rounds out the top 10 in the 165-pound weight class.

Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union shocked the Nikes in last year’s conference tournament, usurping the title. They return two key members in #7 Dakota Aney of the 106-pound weight class and #11 Jacob Nelson of the 113-pound weight class.

Fairfield will be looking to make a dent in not only the Southeast Conference (SEC) but also the state tournament with four wrestlers ranked to start the year. Cael McCabe has made his name known in the 106-pound weight class as the junior ranks #1 as he eyes a gold to add to his silver medal.

Cason Miller had a phenomenal run through the consolation bracket last year in the 157-pound weight class, rightfully, he starts the year ranked 3rd. Dain Burkhart and Dre Smithburg are both ranked 9th in the 175-pound and 215-pound weight classes, respectively.

Another local name to look out for is #7 Kyler Crow of Mediapolis in the 175-pound weight class. Crow managed two victories by fall in their triangular back on Tuesday night.

Girls’ Class 1A

In the debut season for multi-class girls’ wrestling, there will be plenty of local talent to watch as the season progresses. Fairfield touts two wrestlers ranked within the top 10 with Alyia Abbot ranked 4th in the 110-pound weight class and #8 Samantha Lyons in the 170-pound weight class.

Wapello’s Kenadee Helscher is ranked 5th in the 100-pound weight class and Elyssa Graber of WACO slides in the 105-pound weight class rankings at #8.

This upcoming Saturday, December 7th, will be a busy day for our local wrestlers as they travel all around southeast Iowa to participate in various tournaments and invites.