Central Lee Bus Driver Dies In Garage Accident

By Hayden Douglas · Friday, November 15th, 2024 at 6:24 am CDT

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

By Hayden Douglas · Friday, November 15th, 2024 at 6:04 am CDT

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

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, November 14th, 2024 at 2:08 pm CDT

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

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, November 14th, 2024 at 2:04 pm CDT

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.

City Council Meeting November 13th 5:30pm

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, November 14th, 2024 at 2:02 pm CDT

City council meeting November 13th 5:30pm

The 2024 FYE Annual Finance Report was the first Report.

The intersection of Harvest drive and South Grand Avenue were the first discussion of the council meeting. This intersection, a topic of discussion for a few years now. Planning and Zoning are looking at four-way stop for the intersection. With an increase in new drivers, new businesses and residents, a four-way stop would go in and a speed limit reduction down to 45mph is the recommendation. After the recommended speed limit, Police Chief, Lyle Murray suggested lowering it down to a 35mph zone to fit with the rest of the road. Chief sees a lot of new drivers in that area and see’s a slower speed being the safer option at 35pmh. This speed limit change is suggested on S. Grand Avenue from, 255th street to Washington Avenue. This was approved by the council.

A discussion about the Greiner subdivision at 1501 E Linden Drive looks to be approved. The area and lots would fit well and it would cause little to no impact to the road/ traffic way. This will add 5 residential building lots. This was Approved by the council.

The Mount Pleasant Fire Dept will start a cadet program. Youth who interested in becoming a fire fighter, ages 14-18 years old will receive hands on training and certifications that will lead them into a career as a fire fighter. Aiden Blint & Jared Dorothy were names the first Junior Cadets.

The City Council members approved the hiring of Ashley N Krogmeier for the position of Public Works Maintenance Worker.

Brent schrader was reappointed to a three-year term on the Construction Appeals board.

City Council Meeting was Adjourned at 5:48pm

Prep Football: Mt. Pleasant Puts 5 on the All-District Teams

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, November 14th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

Mt. Pleasant, IA- The Panthers held their banquet last night celebrating their 4-5 season, their highest win total since 2020. A season full of memories to fondly remember and players to commemorate as the team also announced their Class 3A All-District 4 players as Mt. Pleasant had three players make the First Team and two players make the Second Team.

On the First Team for defense, Payton Walker and William Birdsell each earned a spot at the linebacker position. As the middle linebacker, Walker led the team with 75 tackles and 11.5 tackles for a loss. He also added a fumble recovery, an interception, and 1.5 sacks, which included a safety against Tipton.

The 33-24 win against Tipton, though not the first of the season, gave Mt. Pleasant their first win at Bob Evans Field in 1,428 days or since October 16th, 2020. The Panthers won every facet of the game, including a fine game from senior quarterback Zach Newton (151 passing yards and a passing touchdown).

Walker also added 519 total yards on offense with a team leading seven rushing touchdowns for the season. Two of those touchdowns were against Fairfield in the opening game of the season. An overtime thriller, which ended the Panthers 23-game losing streak.

Birdsell was a constant nuisance in the backfield, tallying 11 tackles for a loss with 3.5 sacks as he finished tied for third on the team with 32.5 total tackles. The senior also blocked a punt, which turned the tide in Mt. Pleasant’s comeback victory against Fort Madison in week 8.

This game involved a game-winning field goal from Dylan White, the second time this season he nailed a kick to give the Panthers a win. It also marked the first time since 2019 that the Panthers had come out victorious against the Bloodhounds.

Nolan Frueh was the last member of the First Team for the Panthers, earning a spot on the offensive line. Frueh helped clear the path for a Mt. Pleasant rushing attack that gained 1,279 yards and scored 17 touchdowns on the season, their best marks since 2020.

On the Second Team was junior offensive guard Kellen Kohorst, who also nabbed an interception on defense, as he helped lead the Panthers at the line of scrimmage and Ramzy Davis, the junior running back and defensive back.

Davis had recorded two carries for five yards through the first four games; the junior got the starting spot in week five and never looked back as he accumulated 245 yards and six rushing touchdowns in a three-week span. He finished the season with 312 yards and an interception on defense.

Avin Truong was the leading receiver with 232 yards off of nine receptions and a 46-yard touchdown. Senior Lou Schimmelpfennig also caught a touchdown along with sophomore Merrick Lamm.

The only win yet to be discussed is Zach Newton’s greatest performance in his Panther career. The senior signal caller kept his team under control despite a three-possession deficit in the first half.

Nevertheless, Keokuk held a 27 to 21 lead entering the fourth quarter after a couple clutch defensive stops by Mt. Pleasant. Yet, Mt. Pleasant found a way to score twice and recover two onside kicks to win 34-27. Newton passed for 81 yards and rushed for 139 yards and two scores.

Head coach John Bowlin’s squad had a lot to prove this season and they delivered. Expect the Panthers to continue to build upon this year’s success heading into 2025 and beyond.

Sports, November 14th

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, November 14th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

Postseason Football

The 2024 state semifinals kicked off yesterday with the 8-Player matchups. The day began with Bishop Garrigan taking on Remsen St. Mary’s as the Golden Bears were eyeing for a chance to repeat. Tate Foertsch appeared poised to lead them back to the title game after scoring his second rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to tie the game, followed by an Ethan Marso touchdown to take a 20 to 14 lead. Nevertheless, with 24 seconds remaining in the game Landon Waldschmitt connected with Brady Wurth for his third passing touchdown of the game and converted the two-point conversion to win 22-20. 

In the second game of the day, Gladbrook-Reinbeck outscored Lenox 15 to 0 in the second quarter, helping the Rebels pull off the 43-27 upset. Gladbrook-Reinbeck’s Drew Eilers outdueled Gabe Funk, rushing for 146 yards and four touchdowns in the winning effort. The championship game will be played on Thursday, November 21st, at 9:30 am as the Hawks eye their fourth state championship, while the Rebels will be looking for their third title. 

Madrid and West Hancock will start off the Class A semifinal matchups today at 10 am, followed by Tri-Center taking on Saint Ansgar at 1 pm. Class 4A will round out the day with Lewis Central competing against Pella at 4 pm and North Scott and North Polk playing at 7 pm.

Classes 1A and 5A will play tomorrow, November 15th, 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.

On Saturday, 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.

Southeast Iowa Playbook

Last night was a new episode of the Southeast Iowa Playbook where we got to talk to Mt. Pleasant girls’ head basketball coach Curt Watson and boys’ head coach Eric Rawson for a preseason report. 

For Coach Watson, his team was inexperienced a season ago but picked up a lot of playing time in the process, which has strengthened his team entering the new season,

“I’ve seen a lot of growth. I mean, the girls seem to be a lot more confident. I know Abby Carthy played for the Iowa Preps this year, and you can see a lot of improvement in her. Myah Starr and Kynlee White have all improved. Our three seniors have really worked hard at getting better. Plus, Peyton Ensminger has worked really hard and Keegan Coleman. We’re really excited about the growth they’ve made last year. You know, we took our lumps last year, but hopefully we learned from it, and I think we’re going to have a lot more experience this year. So hopefully we can compete night in and night out. So, we’ll hopefully have a good season.”

The boys’ basketball team will be depending on their underclassmen to lead this squad, an aspect that coach Rawson and his staff are ready to undertake. 

“It’s a kind of trial by error. We’ll see, you know, starting on the 18th and we’ll approach it like we always do every year. Every year is different and just a matter of what they can pick up and absorb and put together. And you know, we’ll approach every day as a new day and come in and work really hard. I know this group just from looking at them and watching them, observing them in open gyms that they like to play together. They’re sharing the basketball. They want to play for Mount Pleasant and it’s not so much about the name on the back of the shirt for them it’s more about what’s on the front. So it’s a good group to have.”

Look out for new episodes on Wednesday nights at 6. If you missed last night’s episode, then follow this link: Mt. Pleasant Basketball Preseason Episode

High School Girls’ Basketball

Mt. Pleasant will host a scrimmage on Saturday, November 16th, with Central Lee and Davis County making the trip. 

Southeastern Community College

The men’s basketball team continued their narrow winning ways, defeating Highland Community College last night 69-66. The Blackhawks will host Richard J. Daley College on Saturday night at 7.

College Football

Iowa State will face off against Cincinnati on Saturday, 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 tomorrow, November 15th, at 7:30 against Washington State. 

The #8 Iowa State women’s team will compete against St. Thomas tonight at 6:30 pm at home.

The Iowa women’s team did not face any resistance last night in a 94-57 stomping of Toledo. Five Hawkeyes finished in double figures as Hannah Stuelke led the team with 15 points to accompany nine rebounds. Iowa will travel to take on Drake at 2 pm on Sunday, November 17th.

This Day in Sports History

1943 – Sid Luckman became the first passer in NFL history to eclipse the 400-yard plateau when he threw for 433 yards and 7 touchdowns in his team’s 56-7 rout of the New York Giants.

1993 – Don Shula became the winningest coach in NFL history when the Dolphins defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 19-14, at the old Veteran Stadium. The victory was the 325th of Shula’s career.

2018 – New York Mets pitcher Jacob DeGrom wins the NL Cy Young Award; his 10 wins were the fewest ever by a Cy Young winner in a non-strike-shortened season.

Edward Allen Rich

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, November 13th, 2024 at 3:13 pm CDT

Edward Allen Rich, 91, of Lockridge, died Monday, November 11, 2024 at the Henry County Health Center in Mt. Pleasant.

Ed was born January 2, 1933, in Trenton, IA, the son of Nicholas V. and Oleta Grace (Smith) Rich. He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1951. He received his Bachelors Degree from Iowa Wesleyan College and a Masters Degree in School Administration from the University of Iowa. Ed also served in the United States Army

Ed married Betty Marlene Shima in 1956. Betty died in 1969. On April 12, 1997 at the Salem Friends Church, Salem, IA, Ed was united in marriage to Marcia Kay Hinz.

For 30 years, Ed was an Administrator in the Cedar Rapids School District, serving several elementary schools as their principal. He retired in 1995.

Ed enjoyed gardening and watching things grow. He enjoyed growing fruit trees, especially his apple trees. When indoors, Ed loved to read the Bible.

Survivors include his wife Marcia of Lockridge; his sons – Kyle (Melody) Rich of Sumner, IA, Kean (Barb) Rich of Mt. Pleasant and Kurt (Jane) Rich of Vinton, IA; a step -daughter, Kristine Norem of Marion, IA, a step son, Andrew (Deseree) Young of Marion, IA, a step daughter-in-law, Jen Young of Cedar Rapids; 2 brothers – Willis (Helen) Rich of Jacksonville, FL and Jim Rich of Cedar Rapids; 11 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and 7 step grandchildren.

His parents, first wife, brothers Marvin and Dean Rich, sisters Lavonne Zear, Lorraine Swanson, Joyce Stull and Doris Ann Hall and step son Matthew Young precede Ed in death.

A private family funeral will be held at the Greenmound Church of God, rural Trenton, with burial in the Greenmound Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Greenmound Cemetery or Boys Town. The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant is caring for Ed and his family. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.