The Winfield Lions are hosting their annual Free Will Offering Thanksgiving Dinner on Thanksgiving Day, from 11:30a -1p at the Winfield Presbyterian Church. This is an eat-in dinner by reservation only. Call 319-330-6108 by Wednesday November 20th. The menu includes turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, salad and dessert.
Southeast Iowa Weekly Fishing Report
Weekly fishing report
Big Hollow Lake
Water temperature is in the upper 50s and touching 60 degrees in the afternoons when the sun is shining. Black Crappie – Fair: The weather has stopped crappies from moving into shallow water; try drifting over the brush in 6-8 feet of water. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are staying in 4-6 feet of water. Anglers are catching some along the jetties on the north side.
Lake Geode
Water temperature is in the mid-50s. Water clarity is improving (less green). Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappies in the rock piles and other fish habitat in 5-7 feet of water. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are holding out in 4-6 feet of water. Try the rock piles along the haul road running from the spillway up to straight across the beach. Expect them to leave for deeper water soon. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Work the habitat and rock piles in 8 to 10 feet of water using deep diving crankbait. Bass are still fairly active, especially for this time of the year.
“Festival of Trees” Opens Tonight Nov. 15th
Mount Pleasant is well known for its holiday spirit around the holidays. The downtown square is lit up with lights on the fountain and lights hung from the tractor. This year, Cindy Wardle, owner of ”Sorta Sweet Boutique” has started the first “Festival of Trees” event. This event will be held at 111 Monroe street, Just around from her store.
Cindy has gotten Local Businesses and residents to donate and decorate a tree or wreath to be on display. Starting tonight, visitors will have 3 weekends to pay $5 for individuals or $10 per family, and walk through the indoor forest of trees and wreaths.
Money from the entry fee will go to Main Street Downtown. Following the lighted parade on December 5, the Christmas Trees and Wreaths from the Festival of Trees will be available for sale in a live auction at 8pm.
Proceeds from the Christmas Tree & Wreath sales will go to EveryStep Hospice in Mount Pleasant. EveryStep Hospice is Iowa’s oldest and largest nonprofit, community-based hospice provider. Opening in 1978.
Sports, November 15th
Postseason Football
The 2024 state tournament semifinals continued yesterday as Class A and Class 4A squared off with only one potential repeat champion able to advance through the first two days.
The first semifinal matchup featured Class A’s champion from last year in West Hancock taking on Cinderella story Madrid. The fairytale almost continued after a 28-point second half by the Tigers, but West Hancock’s rushing attack went off for 450 yards and seven touchdowns, including touchdown runs of 79 and 73 yards. Gustavo Gomez and Brady Bixel each finished with three touchdowns as Bixel added 240 yards on the ground. Preston Wicker had 418 all-purpose yards and four total touchdowns in the loss.
The second game of the day was not nearly as close with Tri-Center’s highflying offense besting Saint Ansgar 42-14. A.J. Harder tossed for 286 yards and two scores in the win. The Class A championship game between Tri-Center and West Hancock is scheduled for Thursday, November 21st, at 1 pm.
In Class 4A, Pella’s 14-point 4th quarter outburst knocked the defending champions Lewis Central out of the tournament with a 28-16 final. Emmanuel Diers rambled for 175 yards and two touchdowns for the Dutch.
In the final game of the night, North Polk demolished North Scott 35-7. Nathan Feldmann did not have to throw the ball often, completing only five passes for 105 yards, but three of those passes went for touchdowns as B.J. Tate caught an 84-yard touchdown. The Class 4A championship will play on Thursday night at 7.
Classes 1A and 5A will play today with Wilton and Grundy Center kicking off the day at 10 am, while Hinton and Dike-New Hartford will play at 1 pm. Valley will take on Dowling Catholic at 4 pm and Southeast Polk will look for a chance to repeat with a matchup against Iowa City Liberty at 7 pm.
Tomorrow, November 16th, Spirit Lake will face off against PCM at 10 am and Van Meter will take on West Lyon at 1 pm for Class 2A. Rounding out the day will be Class 3A with Wahlert Catholic competing against Sergeant Bluff-Luton at 4 pm and Mt. Vernon slated to play Humboldt at 7 pm.
The 8-Player championship game between Remsen St. Mary’s and Gladbrook-Reinbeck will be played on Thursday at 9:30 am as the Hawks eye their fourth state championship, while the Rebels will be looking for their third title.
High School Girls’ Basketball
Mt. Pleasant will host a scrimmage tomorrow, November 16th, with Central Lee and Davis County making the trip. Head coach Curt Watson is ready to see the team’s growth in action,
“I’m really looking forward to that, see what we can do against, you know, some different teams and stuff and then we have our Jamboree on Monday. We’re going to do a lot of, you know, experience and different lineups and stuff with the girls. We told them they’re all going to play. You know, we’re probably going to dress 10 girls this year to start with on the varsity. So they’re all going to get a lot of playing time. We’re hoping to get after it and press the full court man a little bit more this year and so hopefully Saturday is going to give us a good idea of what we need to work on for Monday for the Jamboree and see how much we can improve from Saturday to Monday.”
Southeastern Community College
The men’s basketball team will host Richard J. Daley College tomorrow night at 7.
College Football
Iowa State will face off against Cincinnati tomorrow, November 16th, at 7 pm at home. KILJ 98.5 FM and AM 1130 will be on the call.
Iowa is on a bye this week.
College Basketball
The #7 Iowa State men’s team will face off against IU Indianapolis on Monday, November 18th, at 7 pm at home.
The Iowa men’s team will compete in the John Deere Quad Cities Hoops Showdown tonight at 7:30 against Washington State.
The #8 Iowa State women’s team continued their dominant start to the season with an 80-47 win over St. Thomas last night. Audi Crooks was a force in the post, cashing in for a game-high 26 points to go along with eight rebounds. The Cyclones will play Northern Iowa on Wednesday, November 20th, at 6 pm on the road.
The Iowa women’s team will travel to take on Drake at 2 pm on Sunday, November 17th.
This Day in Sports History
1970 – Paul Brown, as head coach of the expansion Cincinnati Bengals, defeats his former team the Cleveland Browns, a moment he calls his “greatest victory.”
1992 – Richard Petty drove in the final race of his 35-year career.
1998 – Emmitt Smith (Dallas Cowboys) moved into third place on the all-time touchdown list when he got his 127th.
Central Lee Bus Driver Dies In Garage Accident
Chris Rule, a Central Lee School District Bus Driver, Bus #37, sadly lost his life Tuesday in a work accident.
LeeComm dispatched first responders to the Montrose area for all they knew at the time was a man in his 40’s, pinned under a vehicle, in a garage.
Montrose Police Chief Todd Shields was the first on the scene in just minutes. Chief Shields found Chris trapped beneath a vehicle he had been working on. Due to the nature of the death, Chief Shields called for the assistance of the Lee County Medical Examiner Investigator.
The man’s body was sent to the state medical examiner’s office for an autopsy where no indication of foul play was found.
It appears the lift failed that Chris had been working under.
School counselors and staff were on hand to assist students through the loss this week.
John F. Warth
John F. Warth, 82, of New London, died Thursday, November 14, 2024 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House, West Burlington. He was born May 5, 1942 in Burlington to Russell “Butch” and Dorothy Wasson Warth. He was a 1960 graduate of New London High School where he was proud to be on the successful football team. Immediately following graduation, he joined the Air Force and was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas and Webb Air Force Base in Big Springs, Texas serving as an Airman 1st Class for four years. He later enjoyed reunions with his Air Force buddies. He was a member of the New London VFW Post #7641; former member of the New London Oddfellows; and was of the Presbyterian faith.
On March 21, 1969 he married Lettie Raines in Kahoka, Missouri. They divorced but remained close for the sake of their daughters. She died April 26, 2002.
John worked as a truck driver and farmed with his dad, grandpa, great-grandpa and Uncle Everett Warth. He was a loyal fan of the Cubs, Bears and Iowa Hawkeyes. He enjoyed woodworking; coaching his daughters in softball; gardening; taking drives with his brother Bob; and faithfully attending all of his grandchildren’s events. He single-handedly kept the lottery going by playing scratch-off tickets!
John was a wonderful father and grandfather and will be missed greatly by his daughters, Kerri (Joe) Menke of Danville, Mindi (Todd Hopkins) Bitting of West Burlington, and Shawnna (Steve) Lutes of New London; seven grandchildren, Zachery, Matthew, Jared, Austin, Kourtney, Bren and Raesa; and two great-grandchildren Bentley and Adelyn. He is also survived by his brother Bob Warth of New London; sisters Pat (Bob) Wright of New London and Jane (Jay) Lohman of Kellogg, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; ex-wife Lettie; brother Woodrow Warth who died in the Vietnam Conflict; sister Diane Carter and brother-in-law Bill Carter; and Uncle Everett Warth.
According to his wishes, his body has been cremated and inurnment will be held at a later date. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at Elliott Chapel, New London with Rev. David Mixon officiating. Military rites will be presented by the Henry County Honor Guard. Friends may call from 9:00 until the time of the service; the family will not be present. A memorial has been established for the Wounded Warrior’s Project. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfueralchapel.com.
Main Street Washington Selected For $100k In Matched Grants
The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) recently awarded $930,808 in Main Street Iowa Challenge Grants to 10 communities around the state. These grants help redevelop under used buildings as a way to grow and further invest in Iowa’s historic main streets. One Southeast Iowa town was selected. Samantha Meyer, With Main Street Washington talks to KILJ about what they will be doing with the funds.
Main Street Washington received $100,000 to rehabilitate and restore a long-vacant building at 106 South Iowa Ave.
The funding will be distributed in the form of matching grants to the selected Main Street programs. Meaning the Building owner came up with 100k in funds and 100k was given in the grant. The building owner estimates around $250,000 going into this entire project. The construction is expected to be done late spring or early summer.
Panther Octet Headed To Iowa State Football Finals
Eight students from Mount Pleasant High School will represent the high school and Southeast Iowa, Singing the National Anthem, during the 2024 5A Iowa State Football Finals. There were 43 groups that auditioned and seven groups were selected. The Panther Mixed Octet being one of the groups selected. Superintendent Henriksen announces the members of the Panther Octet.
The Panther Octet will perform at the 5A Iowa State Football championship game, Friday, November 22 at 7:00pm.