Mount Pleasant Rec Center Kicks Off New Year with “Lose It!” Weight Loss Challenge

By Kadie Johannson · Friday, January 2nd, 2026 at 10:08 am CDT

As many area residents set New Year’s resolutions focused on health and wellness, the Mount Pleasant Rec Center is inviting the community to turn those goals into action with its annual “Lose It!” Weight Loss Challenge.

The individual challenge runs from January 9 through March 8, with registration open December 8 through January 9. The program is designed to motivate participants to build healthier habits at the start of the new year while competing for prizes and accountability along the way.

Participants will have a chance to win a $300 grand prize, which includes a cash award, a yearly individual Rec Center membership, and four personal training sessions. Second place will receive a six-month individual membership and four personal training sessions, while third place earns a three-month individual membership.

Registration fees are $20 for Rec Center members and $30 for non-members. The challenge is open to individuals looking to jump-start their fitness journey, stay consistent with New Year’s resolutions, and make lasting lifestyle changes.

Those interested can register or get more information by contacting the Mount Pleasant Rec Center at 319-385-2960, visiting the facility at 200 E. Monroe Street, or online at www.mprecctr.com

The Mount Pleasant Rec Center encourages residents to make 2026 the year they commit to healthier living—and reminds participants that every step forward counts.

Burlington Police Arrest Man Following Train Depot Vandalism

By Kadie Johannson · Friday, January 2nd, 2026 at 7:00 am CDT

The Burlington Police Department reports an arrest following an incident of property damage late Wednesday night.

Police say officers were dispatched around 11:10 p.m. on December 31st to the Burlington train depot at 300 South Main Street after receiving a report of a man breaking windows. Upon arrival, officers observed significant damage to the building.

The suspect was identified as Obie Taylor, who police say admitted to causing the damage during the investigation. Taylor was taken into custody and transported to the Des Moines County Jail, where he is being held on bond.

Taylor has been charged with second-degree criminal mischief. Police note that additional charges may be pending. As with all cases, the charge is an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

Henry County Conservation Board Meeting Set for Wednesday, January 7, 2026

By Kadie Johannson · Friday, January 2nd, 2026 at 6:57 am CDT

The Henry County Conservation Board will hold their January Board meeting on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 4:30 pm in the conservation board meeting room at the office in Oakland Mills.

Items on the agenda will include: FY26/27 Budget Discussion, Board Member Vacancy, Committee Updates, Project Updates, Director Report, and Naturalist Reports.

Please contact the conservation department if you have any questions, 319-986-5067. Henry County Conservation Director, Caleb Waters, will be in to KILJ to provide listeners updates on Thursday, January 8, 2026.

Rep. Taylor Collins to seek Reelection to Iowa House in 2026

By Kadie Johannson · Friday, January 2nd, 2026 at 6:55 am CDT

Iowa House Representative Taylor Collins has announced plans to seek reelection in 2026. Collins currently represents Iowa House District 95, which includes all of Louisa County and portions of Des Moines, Henry, and Muscatine counties.

Collins, first elected in 2022 and reelected by a wide margin in 2024, says he is running to continue what he calls conservative priorities for southeast Iowa, including tax relief, public safety, and education policy. During the current legislative term, Collins was appointed chair of the Iowa House Higher Education Committee, where he helped advance legislation capping tuition increases, expanding civic education initiatives, and creating accelerated degree and work-study programs at Iowa’s regent universities.

In addition to his leadership role on higher education, Collins serves on the Appropriations, Government Oversight, State Government, and Natural Resources committees. Outside the legislature, Collins works as executive director of economic development for the Greater Burlington Partnership and helps manage his family’s farm. Collins and his family live in Mediapolis.

 

Caroleann Black

By Kadie Johannson · Friday, January 2nd, 2026 at 6:27 am CDT

Caroleann Black, age 88, of Columbia, Missouri died on December 19, 2025.

Her body was cremated.  Visitation for family and friends will be 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield.  A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Frosty Van Voorst officiating.  A private burial will be held at Batavia Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Caroleann was born December 20, 1936 in Polk County, Iowa and was adopted by Emmet and Hazel Gingerich at the age of five months.  She was united in marriage to Marvin Lee Black (“Bud” Hupp) on October 23, 1955, at Hope Lutheran Church in Germanville, Iowa.  Caroleann lived most of her life in Germanville and the Batavia area.  She graduated from Brighton High School with the class of 1955.

In her younger years, Caroleann sewed clothes for herself and her daughter.  She spent many years gardening and canning while living on the Batavia farm.  Caroleann loved music and sang solos for many weddings and funerals.  She served as a church organist and choir director for many years.  She also cleaned houses and worked for the University of Iowa Hospitals for a period of time. Caroleann and Marvin loved camping together.

She was a member of the Richland United Methodist Church in Richland, Iowa, before moving to Columbia, Missouri in 2021.

Caroleann is survived by her two children, Ron (Sandy) Black, and Martha (Thomas) Morrow; three grandchildren: Nicole (Jared), Billie Jo, and Jason; two step-grandchildren: Bobbi (Alex) and Steve (Tyana); six great-grandchildren: Gage, Kane, Zaden, Xzavier, Oakley, and Cashton; and three step great-grandchildren: Shadyn, Adrian, and Mateo.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Emmet and Hazel Gingerich; her husband, Marvin Lee Black; one son, Randy Joe Black; one sister, Nancy Jones; and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bill and Ruth Hupp.

Sports, January 2nd

By Slaten Swords · Friday, January 2nd, 2026 at 6:20 am CDT

High School Basketball

Mt. Pleasant will host Keokuk tonight with game one at 6 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 5:45 pm.

Central Lee will face off against Mediapolis at home tonight with tip-off at 6 pm for the girls’ game. 

New London will travel to Holy Trinity Catholic tonight with game one at 6 pm.

Burlington Notre Dame will have a home showdown with Danville tonight with the night tipping-off at 6 pm.

West Burlington will compete against Van Buren County at home tonight with the first game at 6 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union will make the trip to Wapello tonight with the girls playing at 6 pm with the boys to follow. 

Columbus will host WACO tonight at 6 pm. WACO boys’ head coach Chayse Roth is hoping his leaders can get the Warriors going in the new year,

“Kellen Schelman is a really good offensive player. He’s got a really good three-point shot if he gets that three-point shot following that really picks up on his defense and he’s really competitive. So, a lot of those kids feed off of his competitiveness and then Holden Hughes, you know, he’s probably our best all round player. He can shoot from the outside; he can play inside. He’s about 6’4 and gets up off the floor and does a really good job rebounding. It’s really good to have a player like that, that kids can watch, and if he plays all out with maximum effort, he’s going to be really tough to stop here in the North Division.”

High School Wrestling

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team will wrestle at the EBF Invitational tonight.

The Mt. Pleasant, Van Buren County, Fairfield, and Mediapolis girls’ teams will compete in the Keokuk Invite tomorrow, January 3rd. 

The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team will hold the Nike Duals tomorrow.

The Mediapolis boys’ team will participate in the EBF Invitational tomorrow.

High School Bowling

Mt. Pleasant and West Burlington will get back to action with the Louisa-Muscatine Invite tomorrow, January 3rd. 

Southeastern Community College

The women’s basketball team will travel to Iowa Lakes Community College tomorrow, January 3rd, at 1 pm.

NAIA Rankings

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) released their first women’s wrestling rankings of the new year and former Iowa Wesleyan head coach Jake Kadel has William Penn positioned at #4 in the rankings. The Statesmen tout two of the top ranked wrestlers at their respective weight classes and last year’s Southeast Conference Wrestler of the Year in Jalyiah Gardner, as she tries to carve out a spot in her freshman campaign.

College Basketball

The #10 Iowa State women’s team will be tested at home on Sunday, January 4th, against Baylor with tip-off at 2 pm.

In a top 20 matchup, the #14 Iowa women’s team rolled to an 86-76 victory over #20 Nebraska yesterday in front of the home crowd. The duo of Chit-Chat Wright and Hannah Stuelke proved unstoppable for the Cornhuskers as Wright splashed in a career high 24 points and Stuelke collected a 21 point/10 rebound double-double. The Hawkeyes will travel to Northwestern on Monday, January 5th, for tip-off at 7:30 pm.

The #25 Iowa men’s team will get back to Big Ten play when they take on UCLA tomorrow, January 3rd, at home at 5 pm.

The #3 Iowa State men’s team opens up Big 12 play at home tonight against West Virginia with gametime at 8 pm.

This Day in Sports History

1922 – 8th Rose Bowl: California ties Washington and Jefferson, 0-0. The first of three ties in the history of the Rose Bowl. 

1966 – National Football League Championship, Lambeau Field, Green Bay: the Green Bay Packers beat the Cleveland Browns, 23-12; first NFL title game televised in color; last one played before Super Bowl era. 

1982 – “The Epic in Miami” The San Diego Chargers defeat the Miami Dolphins 41-38 in overtime in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game, a game that set numerous playoff scoring records along with the then-highest-scoring playoff game in NFL history.

Dorothy L. Robertson

By Kadie Johannson · Friday, January 2nd, 2026 at 6:17 am CDT

Dorothy L. Robertson, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away early Wednesday morning, December 31, 2025 at Park Place Elder Living at the age of 104 years.

Mrs. Robertson, the former Dorothy Lilian Gholson, was born February 14, 1921 in the Richwoods area of rural Mount Pleasant. She was the daughter of Omer L. and Elsie C. (Ericson) Gholson. Dorothy graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School as a member of the Class of 1939. On November 17, 1942 in St. Louis, MO, Dorothy was united in marriage to Robert W. Mathews. Mr. Mathews died February 23, 1945 from injuries suffered in the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II. At the time, Dorothy was expecting the birth of their daughter, who was born after her father’s death. Dorothy raised their daughter, Janet, on her own. On June 7, 1966 in Keokuk, Dorothy was united in marriage to Leland “Lee” Everett Robertson. Mr. Robertson died August 15, 1985 at Henry County Health Center in Mt. Pleasant.

Dorothy worked for Dr. Byron Hartley, MD and Dr. Dean Frisch, DDS. After her marriage to Lee, Dorothy worked at Ruth’s Fashions and Rodd’s Cards and Gifts.

Dorothy was a devoted member of First United Methodist Church. As Lee was an airplane pilot, she also obtained her pilot’s license after taking lessons from Raymond Breazeale. Lee and Dorothy spent many hours in the air. Dorothy even acquired the nickname “Flying Grandma”.

Those thankful for sharing in Dorothy’s life include a grandson – Scott Schurhammer of Wabasha, MN; nieces and nephews – Richard (Kellann Redhead) Aicher, Nancy Behner, Dean (Doris) Aicher, Ted (Kathy) Aicher, Sherri Leeper, Robert Gholson and Dennis (Jody) Gholson, and the families of all the nieces and nephews, and 2 step children – Lee (Lori) Robertson, Jr. of Oakville, and Lyn (Andy) Brader of Mediapolis.

In addition to her parents and husbands, Dorothy is preceded in death by her daughter, Janet K. Mathews Schurhammer (died January 1, 1998) and Janet’s husband, William Schurhammer, siblings and their spouses – Vera (Dale) Aicher, Martha (Red) Leeper, Edward (Blondie) Gholson and Edwin Gholson.

Friends may call from 9AM – 12Noon on Saturday, January 3rd at the First United Methodist Church, 309 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. The family will be present to receive friends from 12 Noon to 1PM at the church. A funeral service for Dorothy will be held at 1PM on Saturday, January 3rd in the Chapel of First United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Forest Home Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant.

Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to First United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com. The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant, is honored to serve Dorothy’s family.

MP Public Works Christmas Tree Pick Up Next Week

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, January 1st, 2026 at 7:40 am CDT

The City of Mt. Pleasant is providing free Christmas Tree pickup next week, Monday through Friday; January 5th – 9th, 2026.  MP Public Works will use the week to pick up trees and there is no need to call the department.  Just have your Christmas tree by the curb for a Monday – Friday pickup.  Trees must not have plastic coverings, decorations, or tinsel on them.