‘Decisional Bargaining’ Could Close Burlington CNH Plant

By Hayden Douglas · Friday, November 8th, 2024 at 6:18 am CDT

CNH Industrial America LLC, announced a “tentative” closure of its Southeast Iowa plant in Burlington, Ia.

KILJ News Director, Hayden Douglas reached out to CNH as to why a closure, and why it is listed as “tentative”. We heard back from Kristina Post, External Communications Specialist of North America, saying..

“CNH has tentatively decided to move the production of backhoes, tractor loaders and rough terrain forklifts out of the Burlington plant to other CNH facilities in the US and Europe. If this tentative decision is finalized, then upon completion of this move, the Burlington site, which currently has approximately 350 employees, will be closed. This decision is part of the Company’s continuous global initiatives to streamline operations, minimize costs, and bolster competitiveness in a changing market.

The decision is described as “tentative” because it is subject to a process known as ‘decisional bargaining’. The UAW, which represents the hourly employees at Burlington, was contacted on November 7 and will be provided the opportunity to engage in the decision bargaining process.”

The closure is set for the 2nd quarter of 2026.

2024 Iowa High School Volleyball State Championship Recap

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, November 7th, 2024 at 9:56 pm CDT

Prep Volleyball- Championship Thursday brought around five new champions for the 2024 season as one team was searching for a three-peat, Class 3A featured aa championship rematch, and another team hoping to pull off the upset.

Class 5A

#6 Waukee Northwest—last year’s champion—was looking to pull off the upset against #1 Pleasant Valley, a team that had won their past 29 games. A five-point rally by the Spartans to start the game set the tone against the Wolves, eventually losing the set 25-20.

But an upstart Waukee Northwest squad would not go away easily as they staged their own run in the second set to score the final four points to win 26-24 to tie the match at one set apiece.

What felt like the set to turn the tide, Waukee Northwest was preparing to steal the third set before an Isabelle Kremer kill supplied the win for the Spartans, 25-22. A 10 to 1 run in the fourth set by Pleasant Valley, which included four blocks, secured their program’s second championship in a 25-16 set four win.

Kremer led the way with 24 kills for the Spartans as she was named Captain of the All-Tournament team with Carsyn Kelley providing 24 assists and the Iowa Pork Producers Top Producer of the Match Abby Staats tallied 23 digs. Logan Vogt had 21 kills for the Wolves.

Class 5A All-Tournament Team

Gabriella Ragins, Pleasant Valley
Avery Vogt, Waukee Northwest
Delaney Miller, Ankeny Centennial
Ella Rogers, Dowling Catholic
Ellie Muller, Dowling Catholic
Logan Vogt, Waukee Northwest
Isabelle Kremer, Pleasant Valley (captain)

Class 4A

#2 Bishop Heelan did not break a sweat in their sweep of #5 Pella (25-10, 25-13, 25-17) with eight points being the closest margin of victory for the Crusaders. Maddie LaFleur was masterful in her performance, finishing the match with 36 assists and 13 digs as she was named All-Tournament Captain.

Maliyah Hacker and Ava Lloyd provided an unstoppable dynamic duo at the net for Bishop Heelan as the two combined for 34 kills in the victory. Katie Scheckel of Pella had six kills and 13 assists, while Emma Eekhoff led the Dutch with eight kills.

Surprisingly, the Dutch had defeated Bishop Heelan 2-1 a week before the tournament. This marked the Crusaders’ fourth state championship and their first since going back-to-back in 2006 and 2007 with Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Hall of Famer Carli Tritz.

Class 4A All-Tournament Team
Ava Lloyd, Bishop Heelan
Emma Eekhoff, Pella
McKenzie Moeller, North Scott
Bre VanDenTop, Sergeant Bluff-Luton
Maliyah Hacker, Bishop Heelan
Katie Scheckel, Pella
Maddie LaFleur, Bishop Heelan (captain)

Iowa Pork Producers Top Producer of the Match
Maliyah Hacker, Bishop Heelan

Class 3A

It was a rematch of last year’s championship game where #2 Western Christian pulled off the upset and downed #1 Mt. Vernon in four sets. The Mustangs were on a mission to not allow that to happen again, sweeping the Wolfpack (25-17, 25-17, 25-18).

Mt. Vernon’s front line dominated the play the entire match, out swinging Western Christian (0.343 vs 0.159) and out blocking the Wolfpack (11 vs 6).

Leading the Mustangs was the duo of Sydney Maue and Chloe Meester as Maue had 14 kills and two blocks, while Meester contributed 16 kills and two blocks of her own. Sydney Huber directed the offense with 38 assists.

Scarlett Winterfield had 10 kills for the Wolfpack, but it was Morgan Kooiman that led the team with 11 kills for the match. Maggie Van Schepen dished out 28 assists.

Class 3A All-Tournament Team

Sydney Maue, Mount Vernon
Scarlett Winterfeld, Western Christian
Olivia Donovan, Dubuque Wahlert
Hannah Cantwell, West Delaware
Sydney Huber, Mount Vernon
Maggie Van Schepen, Western Christian
Chloe Meester, Mount Vernon (Captain)

Iowa Pork Producers Top Producer of the Match
Sydney Huber, Mount Vernon

Class 2A

In a battle between the two best teams of Class 2A, #1 Denver managed to comeback from deficits in the second and third sets to accomplish the sweep over #2 Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont 25-16, 25-23, and 25-20.

The Rockets led by University of Northern Iowa commit Molly Shafer had the Cyclones against the ropes in the second set, leading 23 to 22 before a block and two kills for Denver, and the third set when Shafer connected for her 26th kill of the night to give the Rockets a 20 to 17 lead.

Denver relied on a balanced attack up front with Grace Mullihan hitting 0.750 for the match with a team leading 13 kills, followed by Bailey Mullihan and Mylee Thurm who each tabbed 11 kills in the win. Channing Jonhson collected 38 assists for the Cyclones.

Kate Shafer provided 36 assists, while Moly Shafer led the team in digs with 18 and had the team’s lone block of the night.

It was Denver’s first state championship in program history.

Class 2A All-Tournament

Bailey Mullihan, Denver
Kate Shafer, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont
Grace Mullihan, Denver
Alli Scherbring, Beckman
Reese Naeve, Regina Catholic
Channing Johnson, Denver
Molly Shafer, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (Captain)

Iowa Pork Producers Top Producer of the Match:

Channing Johnson, Denver

Class 1A

There never was much of a doubt on who would walk away with the Class 1A state championship with #1 Ankeny Christian looming over the bracket and the Eagles did not disappoint, drubbing #6 BCLUW in straight sets 25-15, 25-13, and 25-13.

Before 2022, Ankeny Christian had never been to the state tournament, nevertheless a championship game. The Eagles have now won the last three state championships, losing only four sets in the process.

Katie Quick, who is now aa three-time All-Tournament Team Captain and Drake commit, set her teammates up perfectly, collecting 36 assists in the win as Ankeny Christian swung at a 0.351 kill efficiency. Macey Nehring, a well-documented combination, led the team with 17 kills. Quick also amassed 10 kills along with teammate Carley Craighead.

BCLUW, who had their first tournament appearance a year ago, was simply outmatched in their first state championship game appearance. Grace Farnsworth, a junior, finished the night with 12 kills with Oliva Peters contributing nine kills of her own. Cassie Nason dished out 22 assists in the loss.

Class 1A All-Tournament Team

Carly Craighead, Ankeny Christian
Cassie Nason, BCLUW
Kruiz Ewoldt, North Tama
Anna Weathers, Ankeny Christian
Grace Farnsworth, BCLUW
Macey Nehring, Ankeny Christian
Katie Quick, Ankeny Christian (Captain)

Iowa Pork Producers Top Producer of the Match
Macey Nehring, Ankeny Christian

Jean L. Sammons

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, November 7th, 2024 at 11:19 am CDT

Jean Lawanna Sammons, 98, of Mt. Pleasant, died Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at Legacy Point in Iowa City.

Jean was born April 7, 1926 in Chicago, IL. She was the daughter of George and Marie (Schenk) Johnson. The family moved to northern Iowa during the Great Depression and then settled in her mother’s hometown of Winfield, IA. Jean attended Elementary School in Winfield and Crawford School near Swedesburg . She then attended Olds High School and graduated as one of the two Valedictorians of the Class of 1944 from Pleasant Lawn High School.

After high school, Jean worked as a Nurses Aide at the Mt. Pleasant Memorial Hospital (now HCHC).

On July 30, 1944, Jean was united in marriage to Merritt Keith Wandling. To this union a son, Charlie, was born.  Mr. Wandling was killed in a stock car racing accident on September 20, 1948. After his death, Jean accepted a position as the bookkeeper and pump attendant at the former Sinclair Service Station in Mt. Pleasant. It was there she met and began to date the fuel delivery driver. On October 30, 1950, Jean was united in marriage to William Patrick Sammons. To this union, 4 children were born, Robert, Gary, Susan and Jane. Mr. Sammons died February 22, 1981.

Jean was a longtime homemaker devoted to raising her children. After her children left home, Jean worked at  Fashion First Fabric, and later was the cashier at the former Iowa State Liquor Store in Mt. Pleasant.

A product of the depression, Jean was very skillful at stretching a dollar, and employed many of those traits until her final days. She was an excellent seamstress, and made many of her children’s clothes. Her skills with fabric also allowed her to be a gifted quilt maker. She was known as the family barber, cutting the family’s hair and even cutting her own.

Jean loved to be outdoors. She loved to garden. But, her most fond love was mowing the lawn. She enthusiastically hopped on the mower often, and was particular in how she cut the grass. Even after fracturing her ankle and was in a cast, she continued to mow while keeping her leg high in the air. During Old Threshers, she park cars in her yard, and was fastidious about how the cars were to be parked.

In her later years, Jean loved to go dancing with her friends at the Moose Lodge in Burlington. She won ribbons in Speedwalking at the Senior Olympics. Her family was amazed at her incredible memory, and how she could recall the details of her early life. Jean developed an immense love and admiration for the country of her father’s birth, Sweden. She visited Sweden six times, and was very pleased to meet and spend time with the relatives of her father’s family.

Those thankful for sharing in Jean’s life include 3 children – Charlie Wandling and his wife Shirley of Mt. Pleasant; Susan Hill and her husband Tom of Iowa City, and Jane Sammons and her husband Jay Speckeen of Iowa City; her daughter-in-law, Judy Sammons of West Branch, IA; 7 grandchildren – Nick Hill, Ryan (Mary Kay) Hill, Scott (Rebecca) Sammons, Julie (Chad) Jedlicka, Matthew (Mary) Millard, Benjamin (Shannon) Millard and Dallas Kyle, and 9 great grandchildren – William, Harrison, Josephine, Jack, Boden, Samuel, Emry, Marek and Jensen. Jean is also survived by her brother Ralph’s children and their families.

Jean’s parents, husbands, a son – Gary Sammons, a son in infancy, Robert Sammons, and her brother, Ralph Johnson, precede Jean in death.

A funeral service for Jean will be held at 3 PM on Sunday, November 10, at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. A private family burial will be on Tuesday at the Forest Home Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant. The family will be present to greet friends from 1-3 PM on Sunday at the Funeral Home.

Jean’s family would like to thank her friends and neighbors, especially Lynn and Maxine Bender, the Legacy Point Staff and St. Croix Hospice for the way they all looked after and cared for Jean.

Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the family for a fund to be established for the care of various Henry County rural cemeteries.

Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.

 

Lori Ann Poock Goerdt

By Allison Jacobs · Thursday, November 7th, 2024 at 8:45 am CDT

Lori Ann Poock Goerdt passed away August 2, 2024, at her home outside of Cathlamet, Washington, at the age of 61. She was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on July 27, 1963, the daughter of Gary and Mary Jacobs Poock. At that time, Gary was in the U.S. Navy.

At the age of 2, Lori moved back to Iowa along with her family. She was baptized and later confirmed at Faith Lutheran Church in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Lori graduated from public school in Mt. Pleasant, and then attended Western State College near Gunnison, Colorado, for a few semesters. She loved to ski using her telemark skis! Lori later returned to Iowa and completed her B.A. in botany and geology and a Master’s degree in teaching from the University of Iowa in 1991. Lori taught for several years in the Cedar Rapids Public school system.

During that time, Lori met a neighbor who a year later moved to Sandpoint, Idaho, and entered the real estate business at a Century 21 brokerage, selling property around Lake Pend Oreille. On her summer break, Lori went to Idaho with her mother, Mary, for a visit to her former neighbor and fell in love with the lake, the ski slopes at Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort AND the former neighbor, Alan Goerdt.

Lori stayed in the Sandpoint area and joined Alan in his real estate ventures and became very active in the Lake Pond Oreille Idaho Club. After a good development fell into place, they had the opportunity to plan for their wedding on a cruise ship vacation through the Caribbean during the Christmas holidays. The wedding took place at a port in Jamaica on December 26, 2000. Lori was a stunningly beautiful bride! Lori’s entire family was able to be there.

Upon their return, Alan and Lori would become caretakers for a private island in the San Juan islands off the northwest coast of Washington State. They stayed there for 3 ½ years until Lori saw the opportunity to fulfill one of her dreams: owning her own restaurant!! She loved cooking. Lori watched many TV cooking shows, bought many of the chef’s books and experimented with many of the recipes. When Lori saw an ad selling a historic house with an attached diner, she wanted to go see it! It was located up in the mountains near the North Cascade National Park. After the trip up there and a good ‘look around’, they put in an offer and became the owners.

At the diner, Lori was the star that made it happen! They ran it for 7 very successful years. To this day, the local folks rave about her cooking skills and wish she was still there running The Marblemount Diner!!

Upon retirement, Lori and her husband retired to the southwest corner of Washington State. They first moved to Vancouver, Washington, and then six years later, 70 miles north and west to Cathlamet, Washington, to build their new house along the Elochoman River, which drains into the Columbia River about 35 miles before it goes into the Pacific Ocean.

Lori was an inspiration in the lives of everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her. She had an extraordinary gift for connecting with people. Her boundless compassion and genuine love for helping others left a lasting impact on countless lives. She found her greatest joy in the simple yet profound moments in life from making a special sauce and connecting with friends or enjoying the timeless tunes of the 70’s and 80’s music. She knew how to make every moment memorable. Her presence was a source of comfort and happiness, and her love will continue to echo in the hearts of those she touched.

Preceding her in death were her grandparents Ed and Jo Poock of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Her Mother Mary Longanecker of Mt. Pleasant and Edwin and Mary Longanecker of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

She is survived by her husband, Alan Goerdt of Cathlamet, Washington, adopted father Edwin Longanecker of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, brother Lance Poock and Joe of Poinciana, Florida, uncle Craig Poock, wife Sue and nieces Allison and Delaney of Omaha, Nebraska, and brother Edwin Longanecker III., wife Heather along with their children Jack and Katie of Austin, Texas.

Lori’s service is planned for a later date . She will be laid to rest in the family plot in Forest Home Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. The Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory is caring for Lori and her family.

“Dateline”The Play, Opens At New London High School

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, November 7th, 2024 at 8:38 am CDT

The New London theater department has opening night of their Fall play this Friday night. “Deadline” is the name of the play. The scene is set at a murder mystery with a comedy twist…New London Theater Instructor, Tori Kenel give details about the play.

Showtimes for the New London School Play will be November 8th at 7:00 p.m. and on November 9th at 2:00 p.m. and again at 7:00 p.m. Saturday’s evening performance is also senior night. The New London theater department is offering several different ticket packages for your comfort. A VIP package for $20, early access pass for $10, & general admission ticket for $5. tickets can be purchased at schoolpay.com/link/deadline.

“Puff” The Play, Opens This Weekend

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, November 7th, 2024 at 7:37 am CDT

Mount Pleasant High School students came to the KILJ studios to promote their Fall play that is performed this weekend at the Heatilator Performing Arts Center. This years Fall play is titled “Puffs” and has a Harry Potter theme…

The showtimes will be Friday November 8th at 7pm, Saturday the 9th at 7pm, and Sunday the 10th at 2pm. Tickets are $10 at the door.

Sports, November 7th

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, November 7th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

Postseason Volleyball

The 2024 state championship matches are now set after all five classes competed in the semifinal matchups yesterday. Here’s how it shook out.

Class 5A featured #1 Pleasant Valley besting #4 Dowling Catholic in straight sets (25-23, 25-19, 25-23) and the only five-set thriller of the day with #6 Waukee Northwest holding on to upset #2 Ankeny Centennial (25-21, 25-22, 16-25, 23-25, 18-16). The Jaguars had Delaney Miller and Jaeden Pratt go for 21 kills apiece in the loss. The Class 5A championship game will start off the day at 10 am.

#5 Pella defeated #8 Sergeant Bluff-Luton in a sweep (25-15, 25-14, 25-23) as three members of the Dutch collected double-digit kills to advance to the Class 4A championship match. #2 Bishop Heelan will meet Pella there after taking down #3 North Scott in straight sets (25-23, 26-24, 25-21). Maddie LaFleur directed the offense with 37 assists. The championship game will start at 12:15 pm.

Class 3A did not involve much fanfare as #1 Mt. Vernon sweep Wahlert Catholic (25-12, 25-19, 25-17) and #2 Western Christian took down West Delaware in straight sets (25-21, 25-21, 25-14). They will compete at 2:30 for the Class 3A championship bout.

Class 2A saw #1 Denver handle business against the #4-seed and last year’s champion Dike-New Hartford, winning in straight sets (25-12, 25-19, 26-24). #2 Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont rode a historic 41-kill performance from Molly Shafer to down #3 Beckman Catholic in four sets (27-25, 19-25, 25-18, 25-19). Shafer’s 41 kills broke every class’ record for kills in a state tournament game. The Rockets and Cyclones will meet at 4:45 pm for the championship game.

Lastly, in Class 1A, #1 Ankeny Christian is one step closer to a three-peat after a dominating sweep of Riverside (25-12, 25-21, 25-18). The Eagles tabbed 12 aces as Katie Quick led the team with 13 kills. 

On the bottom half of the bracket, #6 BCLUW won the battle of the Cinderella teams, beating #7 Janesville in straight sets (25-17, 25-23, 25-19). Grace Farnsworth wrecked havoc for the Comets with a match-high 15 kills. Ankeny Christian and BCLUW will play for the championship tonight at 7 pm in a rematch of last year’s semifinal matchup.

Postseason Football

In Class 2A, Mid-Prairie will take on PCM tomorrow, November 8th, at 7 on the road. 

In Class 3A, #5 Mt. Vernon will travel to take on Algona tomorrow at 7 pm. 

Southeast Iowa Playbook

Last night’s episode of the Southeast Iowa Playbook was a highlight reel for the 2024 football and volleyball season for some of our local teams. One of our favorite moments of the season was the Mt. Pleasant football team kicking the game winning field goal against Fort Madison for their fourth win of the season. 

If you missed last night’s episode, then follow this link: Recap Episode

Southeastern Community College

The volleyball team lost to Des Moines Area Community College in the Region 11 Quarterfinals in a five-set thriller last night (17-25, 25-23, 19-25, 25-19, 8-15). Kenna Furnald led the team with 17 kills, while Maddie Jones tabbed 45 assists. The Blackhawks finished the season with a 22-19 record. 

College Football

Iowa will travel to UCLA tomorrow, November 8th, at 8:05 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM will have the broadcast.

#17 Iowa State will look to get back in the win column against Kansas on the road on Saturday, November 9th, at 2:30 pm. KILJ 98.5 FM and AM 1130 will be on the call.

College Basketball

The Iowa men’s team will stay at home to take on Southern tonight at 7 pm.

The #6 Iowa State men’s team will face off against Kansas City at home on Monday, November 11th, at 7 pm.

The #8 Iowa State women’s team will host Indiana State tonight at 6:30 pm.

The Iowa women’s team showed off the offense in a 91-73 victory over Northern Illinois last night. Lucy Olsen led the way with 19 points on the night to go along with seven assists. The Hawkeyes will travel to Virginia Tech on Sunday, November 10th, at 4:30 pm. 

This Day in Sports History

1943 – The Detroit Lions and New York Giants play in the last scoreless tie in the NFL.

1989 – Baltimore Oriole Gregg Olson is the first relief pitcher to win AL Rookie of the Year.

2009 – Jerry Sloan became the first coach in NBA history with 1,000 wins for one team after the Utah Jazz defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder.