Trick-or-Treat Locations & Times!

According to the drought monitor, almost 74 percent of Henry County is experiencing abnormally dry conditions.  The month of September is the 4th driest September on record over the past 130 years.

Looking ahead to weather in our area for Thursday, October 31st and Halloween:  the daytime high temperature is expected to be 56 degrees, dropping to 35 degrees overnight.  The sun will set at 6:02pm and we will have breezes at about 13 MPH.

TRICK OR TREAT 10/30/24, WEDNESDAY

Moose Lodge/Mt. Pleasant/108 N. Saunders Ave 10/30/24:  5:00pm – 7:00pm

Trenton: 10/30/24 5:00pm – 7:00pm

TRICK OR TREAT 10/31/24, THURSDAY

City of Mt. Pleasant: 5:00pm – 7:00pm

City of Salem: Weenie Roast 5:30-6:30, Trick or Treat 5:30pm-7:30pm

Danville: 5:30pm-7:00pm

New London: 5:00pm – 7:00pm

Wayland: 5:30pm – 7:00pm

Winfield: 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Please check out KILJ.COM and Community Calendar for these events.

 

“Meet the Candidates” – MPCSD School Board Meeting

The MPCSD School Board is holding a special session board meeting on Monday, October 28th.  Included in that meeting is a “Meet the Candidates” Forum, at 6pm in the High School Media Center, 2104 S. Grand Avenue.

The following candidates will be attending:
Jeff Shipley – House District #87
Thomas O’Donnell – House District #87
Jeff Poulter – House District #95
Lisa Ossian – Senate District #44
John Dabeet – Senate District #48

Red Ribbon Week

Red Ribbon Week is celebrated annually at the end of October and is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention awareness program. The 2024 theme is “Life is a Movie, Film Drug Free”.

The origin of the Red Ribbon Campaign traces back to 1985, following the tragic murder of Drug Enforcement Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. This initiative, initiated by NFP, symbolizes a commitment to raising awareness about the devastating impact of drugs in America.

Red Ribbon Week kicks off on Monday, October 28 through the 31st!  The MPCSD is urging students to wear red on Monday!

Sports, October 26th

Postseason Football

On a cold night, WACO’s variety of smashmouth football shocked Central City last night as the Warriors smacked the Wildcats 39-16. A big reason for that success was WACO’s defense as the Warriors held one of the top rushing attacks in the state to less than 100 yards. Warrior head coach Chad Edeker talked about the win after the game,

“Oh, I thought our defense played great to hold those guys to 16 points. That’s awesome. I think, you know, I don’t know. Officially they have. I don’t think they much more than 100 yards rushing, probably total. Klostermann, heck of a back. He’s got 1800 yards in the season. Our kids did a great job of getting to the ball, getting multiple guys to the ball. You know, he’d spin and break one tackle and there be two guys standing ready to hit him. I thought we did a good job.”

The Warrior offense started humming in the second half as Trey Edeker rambled off a 68-yard rushing touchdown as he tallied three rushing touchdowns on the game, while Louden Huisenga claimed 146 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground in the win. Coach Edeker gave credit to the offensive linemen for the win last night,

“You know, our frontline: Rafe, Joel, Adam, Owen, Tyler. Those five guys, when we go to that, that, that double tight heavy set and just pound the ball they did a great job of down blocking and Trey kicked out and allowed and did a good job of reading it we don’t we don’t run it that much you know we just started running the last couple weeks and it’s worked and we try not to do in practice too much it’s physical it’s tough on our kids that to be that physical and they did a great job tonight running it.”

WACO will play on Friday, November 1st, for the second round of the playoffs. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union hung in with Montezuma but the Braves exited with the home win 61-54. The Wolves ended the season with a 5-4 record.

Danville lost to Bellevue last night 43-7. The Bears finished the season a 5-4 record. 

Columbus was eliminated from the postseason last night by Maquoketa Valley 61-13. The Wildcats finished with a 4-5 record for the season.

#10 West Burlington/Notre Dame picked up their first postseason victory in program history after defeating Centerville last night 38-22. Quincy Collins rushed for over 250 yards and three touchdowns. The Falcons await their next opponent for the second round of the postseason.

Mediapolis pulled off the upset last night, defeating Northeast 21-6 to advance to the second round of the postseason. 

High School Football

Mt. Pleasant fell to Assumption last night 35-0. The Knights will advance to the postseason after finishing as the runner-up in the district. The Panthers finish the season with a 4-5 record. 

Fairfield lost to Grinnell last night 45-27. The Trojans ended the year with a 2-7 record.

In other District four games, #7 Mt. Vernon destroyed Keokuk 62-7 and Washington handled Fort Madison 41-21. The Mustangs advanced to the postseason. 

Postseason Volleyball

In Class 1A Region 2, Holy Trinity Catholic will host Wapello on Monday, October 28th, at 7 pm for the Regional Semifinal. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm. 

In Class 2A Region 2, Van Buren County will travel to face off against #2 Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont at 7 pm on Monday. 

In Region 3, #14 West Burlington will compete against Lisbon at home on Monday at 7 pm. 

High School Cross Country

The Class 3A state meet is scheduled for Friday, November 1st, in Fort Dodge with both Washington teams and Mt. Pleasant’s Quintrie Lee making the trip. 

The Class 1A and Class 2A state meet will run on Saturday, November 2nd. 

Southeastern Community College

The volleyball team defeated Spoon River College last night in straight sets. The Blackhawks will continue their Triangular today with their first match at noon against Black Hawk College.

College Football

Iowa will be searching for a win today at home against Northwestern at 2:30 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM will be on the call.

#10 Iowa State is on a bye week.

This Day in Sports History

1982 – Steve Carlton becomes the first pitcher to win four Cy Young awards.

1986 – Trailing 5-3 with 2 outs and no one on in the bottom of the 10th, the New York Mets rally to win Game 6 of the World Series, 6-5, when Boston Red Sox infielder Bill Buckner misplays a ball at Shea Stadium in New York.

2005 – MLB World Series: Chicago beats Houston 1-0 in Game 4 at Minute Maid Park to sweep the Astros and win the White Sox their first title in 88 years; MVP: Chicago outfielder Jermaine Dye.

Local Postseason and Regular Season Football Scores (Week 9)

8-Player

(8-1) Iowa Valley 64, (6-3) Southeast Warren 48

(9-1) Montezuma 61, (5-4) Winfield-Mt. Union 54

(8-1) WACO 39, (6-4) Central City 16

Class A

(8-1) Maquoketa Valley 61, (4-5) Columbus 13

(8-1) Pekin 28, (6-3) North Linn 20

(7-2) Bellevue 43, (5-4) Danville 7

Class 2A

(5-4) Mediapolis 21, (7-2) Northeast 6

(6-3) Mid-Prairie 35, (3-6) Union Community 7

(8-1) #10 West Burlington/Notre Dame 38, (4-5) Centerville 22

Class 3A

(6-3) Grinnell 45, (2-7) Fairfield 27

(8-1) #7 Mt. Vernon 62, (3-6) Keokuk 7

(4-5) Assumption 35, (4-5) Mt. Pleasant 0

(6-3) Washington 41, (0-9) Fort Madison 21

Class 4A

(6-3) #9 Xavier 49, (2-7) Burlington 6

Darlene Nuss Stevens Spencer

Darlene Nuss Stevens Spencer, 89, of Burlington, formerly of Danville, died Thursday, October 24, 2024 at her home.  She was born November 2, 1934 in Burlington to Kendal Victor and Marjorie Nellie Nuss Stevens.  On July 6, 1963, she married Edwin Carl Spencer in Burlington; he died May 10, 2003.

She was a 1952 graduate of Burlington High School and attended Harmony Bible Church.  Darlene worked for Mason & Hanger-Silas Mason; as a secretary at Danville Community Schools; and later volunteered at Great River Medical Center.  She loved to cook and bake, enjoyed sewing, reading, spending time with family, and traveling.

Survivors include her sons, Steve (Trina) Spencer of Danville and Mark (Lana) Spencer of Burlington; eight grandchildren, Kirstie, Erik, Taylor, Travis, Maria, Nathan, Ethan, and Tobey; seven great-grandchildren; her sister Sandra Kay Avritt of Las Vegas; one niece and one nephew.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son Tom Spencer; and sister Molly Lou Dockendorff.

According to her wishes, her body has been cremated and a memorial service will be held Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 11:00 am, at Elliott Chapel, New London with Mr. Dan Dingus officiating.  Visitation will begin at 9:00 am, with the family receiving friends from 10:00 until the time of the service.  Inurnment will follow the service at Jaggar Cemetery, rural Danville.  A memorial has been established for Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Barbara S. Crear

Barbara Sue Crear, 87, of Danville, died Friday, October 25, 2024 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice, West Burlington.  She was born in Augusta, Iowa September 25, 1937 to James Edward and Inez Q Askew Atkinson.  She was a graduate of Burlington High School and a member of West Burlington United Methodist Church.  She married Mark Crear in Oquawka, Illinois; he preceded her in death.

Barbara worked in the Administration Building for the Burlington School District, then retired after many years as a seamstress at Levi Jeans in Lebanon, Missouri.  She loved sewing, was an avid quilter, and enjoyed baking.  She was a Super Race Car Fan, watching three generations of her family and almost never missed a race.

Survivors include her children Don (Linda) Crear of Oquawka and Kathy Hall of West Burlington; four grandchildren, Dustin and Leah Crear, Eric and Cory Hall; ten great-grandchildren; brother Gary “Butch” Atkinson of New London and sister Connie (Dale) Glasgow of Danville.  Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son Lonn Crear; sister Mary Lou Overton; and brother Rick Atkinson.

According to her wishes, her body has been cremated and there will be no services.  Memorials have been established for Danville Fire Department and Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House and may be directed to Kathy Hall; 509 West Agency Rd., Lot 62, West Burlington, Iowa, 52655.  Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

High Speed Chase Ends in Wreck in Mount Pleasant, IA

On 10/24/24, at 12:53am, the Mount Pleasant Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop for a speed violation on a Red Nissan Pathfinder on Winfield Avenue. The vehicle briefly stopped then fled at a high rate of speed reaching 85MPH-110MPH East on 220th Street failing to stop with visual lights and audible sirens. The vehicle went into a ditch then turned South onto Marsh Avenue.

The vehicle continued to flee then exited the roadway into a corn field at high rates of speed, hit an embankment causing the vehicle to go airborne and land in the field wrecking the vehicle. The driver, who was identified as 18 year old Demetrius Hendricksen, of Blairstown IA was taken into custody.

HCHC EMS was requested to the scene where Demetrius was transported by ambulance. Due to medical circumstances Demetrius was released pending charges being filed.

It was later discovered that the vehicle had been stolen.

Demetrius is being charged with several traffic violation citations, Eluding 25MPH over speed limit-D Felony, and potentially more charges to come.

An investigation is ongoing in regard to the vehicle.

The Henry County Sheriffs Office investigated the accident scene.

The Mount Pleasant Police Department was assisted by the Henry County Sheriffs Office, Breuers Towing Service, and Henry County Health Center Emergency Medical Services.

 

A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Anyone who sees suspicious activity is encouraged to contact the Mt Pleasant PD at 319 385-1450.