David Augustine Sr.

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, October 8th, 2024 at 12:57 pm CDT

David Allen Augustine, Sr. 70, of Donnellson, Iowa, formerly of Las Vegas, Nevada, passed away at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, October 6, 2024, at his daughter’s home in Donnellson.

He was born on January 15, 1954, in Wausau, Wisconsin, the son of Victor A. and Eleanor M. (Boruch) Augustine.

He is survived by his mother: Eleanor; daughter: Karen Johnson of Donnellson, Iowa; son: David Augustine, Jr. of Austin, Texas; eight grandchildren; five great grandchildren; brothers: Donald Augustine, Kenneth Augustine and sisters: Susan Mohelntzky, Karen Davis.

He was preceded in death by his father: Victor; brother: Charles Augustine and sister: Lorraine Lepisko.

David served in the United States Air Force for over twenty years before his retirement.

A private graveside service will be held at the Keokuk National Cemetery in Keokuk, Iowa.

Burial will be at the Keokuk National Cemetery.

A memorial has been established in his memory and can be mailed to the family at: Schmitz Funeral Home, P.O. Box 56, Donnellson, Iowa 52625.

Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Soybean Harvest Ahead of 5 Year Average – Weekly Crop Report

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, October 8th, 2024 at 11:59 am CDT

Iowa experienced another week of dry and windy conditions which allowed farmers 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending October 6, 2024. Corn and soybean harvest continued to be the primary field activities for the week. Combine and other equipment fires were reported as weather conditions increased the risk of such fires.

Corn mature reached 90 percent, 6 days behind last year but 5 days ahead of the five-year average. Corn harvested for grain reached 22 percent, 2 days behind last year but 1 day ahead of normal. Moisture content of field corn being harvested for grain was 18 percent. Corn condition rated 77 percent good to excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves reached 93 percent, 1 day ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of the five-year average. Soybeans harvested reached 58 percent this week, 4 days ahead of last year and 1 week ahead of the average. Iowa farmers were able to harvest 31 percent of the State’s soybean crop during the week ending October 6, 2024. Soybean condition rated 76 percent good to excellent.

Pasture condition continued to fall and rated just 38 percent good to excellent this week, a decrease of 6 percentage points.  Livestock water resources continue to be a concern.

The weekly report is available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov, as well as www.kilj.com.

Temporary Road Closure for Oasis Avenue

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, October 8th, 2024 at 8:09 am CDT

According to the Henry County Engineer’s Office, starting Tuesday, October 8th Oasis Avenue between 200th Street to 220th Street will be closed during the day for the rest of this week for a road stabilization project. The road will be open every night.

Mt. Pleasant Fire Department Open House for Fire Prevention Week

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, October 8th, 2024 at 8:07 am CDT

This week is fire prevention week, which has been a national observance since 1925, making it the longest-running public health observance in our country. During Fire Prevention Week, children, adults, and teachers learn how to stay safe in case of a fire. This year’s theme is “Smoke Alarms: Make them work for you!” Firefighters provide lifesaving public education in an effort to drastically decrease casualties caused by fires.

Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. This horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land.

The Mount Pleasant Fire Department and Marshall from PAW Patrol, a popular kid’s show, visited Lincoln Elementary early this week. The firefighters encouraged the students to develop a fire safety plan with their families.

The Mt. Pleasant Fire and Rescue Department is hosting an open house at the fire station, 204 South Jackson Street from 6:00pm – 8:00pm.  Check out the fire station and the trucks, spray a fire hose, try on bunker gear, see Marshall, and have some cookies!

Sports, October 8th

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, October 8th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Football

Mt. Pleasant will stay at home to take on Keokuk on Friday, October 11th, at 7:30 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 7:15 pm. 

Columbus will face off against Van Buren County on Friday at 7 pm. 

Central Lee will square off against Mid-Prairie on the road on Friday at 7:30 pm. 

Mediapolis will compete against Davis County on Friday at 7:30 pm on the road. 

WACO will hit the road to take on English Valleys on Friday at 7 pm. 

Danville will be tested on the road against #4 Lisbon at 7 pm on Friday.  

New London will compete against Moravia on the road on Friday at 7 pm. 

West Burlington/Notre Dame will host Albia on Friday at 7:30 pm. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will host Mormon Trail on Friday at 7 pm.

Wapello will travel to Pekin on Friday at 7 pm.

Fairfield will take on South Tama on Friday at 7 pm at home. 

High School Volleyball

#12 West Burlington will square off against New London tonight at 7:30 pm on the road. 

Mediapolis will travel to Burlington Notre Dame tonight at 7 pm. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to Highland tonight at 7:30 pm.

Van Buren County will celebrate their senior night tonight at 7:30 pm against #3 Holy Trinity Catholic. 

Central Lee will take on Danville tonight at home to celebrate their senior night at 7:30 pm. 

Wapello will square off against Hillcrest Academy tonight at 7:30 pm on the road. 

Mt. Pleasant and Fairfield will be gearing up for the first round of the Southeast Conference tournament at Keokuk tonight at 5 pm. 

WACO will face off against Lone Tree tonight at 7:30 pm on the road. 

Columbus will take on Highland on Thursday, October 10th, at 7:30 pm at home.

High School Cross Country

Hillcrest Academy hosted their invitational last night and Pella, split up into two teams, swept both the gold and silver as a team in the boys’ and girls’ races. Looking at the girls’ varsity race, Fairfield finished in 6th place as a team followed by Mt. Pleasant in 7th place. The Trojans were led by Caroline Van Pelt’s 30th place finish with a time of 22 minutes and 41 seconds, while Quintrie Lee was the top Panther with a 15th place time of 21 minutes and 33 seconds.

For individual runners, WACO’s Josie Dykstra took 18th place with a time of 21 minutes and 47 seconds, while Kenna Small of Wapello grabbed 31st place with a time of 22 minutes and 46 seconds.

Shifting towards the boys’ varsity race, Jude Dykstra of WACO was the top finisher outside of Pella as the Warrior finished with a 6th place time of 17 minutes and 14 seconds. Mt. Pleasant’s Locken Henderson was not far behind as he crossed the finish line with a time of 17 minutes and 49 seconds, good enough for 8th place. Wapello’s Will Parsons anchored the team with a 61st place time of 21 minutes and 54 seconds. 

In terms of team results, Fairfield, led by Gabe Tejada’s 21st place finish, collected 132 points for 5th place and Mt. Pleasant grabbed 8th place with 183 points. 

Mediapolis and Columbus will be co-hosting the Mike Jay Invitational with Danville, Van Buren County, WACO, Central Lee, Winfield-Mt. Union, New London, Holy Trinity Catholic, Mt. Pleasant, West Burlington/Notre Dame, and Wapello all competing on Thursday, October 10th.

High School Cross Country Rankings

The Iowa Track Coaches Association (IATC) released their latest edition of the individual rankings with four runners being ranked within the top 15 in their respective classes.

Starting with the Class 3A boys’ rankings, Washington’s Tyler Alderton dropped three spots to be ranked #22 in the state. The Demons had one meet last week, their own invitational, and Tyler Alderton grabbed the gold by six-tenths of a second with a time of 16 minutes and 43 seconds. 

In Class 2A, Will Schmidgall of Mediapolis jumped up one spot in the rankings to #12 after an idle week for the Bulldogs.

The boys’ Class 1A remains ultra competitive with three runners ranked in the top 15 and four runners ranked overall. Van Buren County’s Lincoln Bainbridge continues to lead the charge as he shifted one spot back to #7 after a bye week.

Jackson Shacklet of Danville climbed back into the top 10 to #9 after a time of 16 minutes and 24 seconds earned him 6th place at a tough Williamsburg meet last Tuesday.

Rounding out the top 15 is Ty Muniz of Columbus. The Wildcat took 6th place last Saturday with a time of 16 minutes and 47 seconds. Lastly, WACO’s Jude Dykstra tumbled back five spots to #19 after collecting a bronze at the Washington Invitational and a 2nd place finish at the Winfield-Mt. Union Invitational with two times above the 17-minute threshold. 

Southeastern Community College

The volleyball team will compete against Western Iowa Tech Community College tomorrow, October 9th, at 6 pm on the road. 

College Football

#11 Iowa State will travel to West Virginia on Saturday, October 12th, at 7 pm. KILJ 98.5 FM and AM 1130 will have the call.

Iowa will host Washington on Saturday at 11 am. KILJ 105.5 FM will have the broadcast.

This Day in Sports History

1975 – The San Antonio Spurs, then members of the ABA, defeat the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, 109-107, in the first basketball game ever played in the Louisiana Superdome.

1995 – Miami Dolphin Dan Marino breaks Fran Tarkenton’s NFL career completions record.

2018 – Boston Red Sox Brock Holt becomes the first MLB player to hit for the cycle in a postseason game during Boston’s 16-1 Game 3 rout of the New York Yankees in the AL Division Series at Yankee Stadium.

Prep Football: RPI Rankings for Classes 5A, 4A, and 3A Released Along with New Top 10 for the Rest of the Classes

By Slaten Swords · Monday, October 7th, 2024 at 2:54 pm CDT

Prep Football- The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) released their second round of rankings for Classes 2A, 1A, A, and 8-Player; additionally, the IHSAA also sent out their first edition of the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) for Classes 3A, 4A, and 5A.

Class 5A

Only two undefeated teams remain in Class 5A, and Bettendorf sits atop the rankings with a 27-24 win over #8 Linn-Mar being their marquee win of the season. The other 6-0 squad is #6 Ottumwa as Koby Chanthalavanh has eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark this season.

The Bulldogs were tested against #31 Ames last Friday, which hurts their strength of schedule. However, Ottumwa should very well enter their week 9 contest against #3 Waterloo West a perfect 8-0.

Last year’s champion, Southeast Polk sits at just 3-3 in a bit of a championship hangover, which places the Rams at 17th.

For a full look at the ratings: Class 5A Ratings Percentage Index

Class 4A

Plenty of undefeated teams remain in Class 4A as the top three teams (North Polk, Decorah, and Pella) all sit at 6-0. ADM’s 30-27 loss to Lewis Central is the only blemish on their record, but the Tigers sit above last year’s champs at #4.

Gilbert is the final undefeated team at #6 as their opponents’ record is tied with Lewis Central for the worst in the top 10. Last year’s runner-up, Western Dubuque, is 4-2 and ranked #7 as they have faced one of the toughest schedules this season.

Burlington has picked up two wins in dominating fashion this season, but the Grayhounds have been outscored 94 to 0 in district play so far. Thus, Burlington has an RPI ranking of #27 out of 36 teams. They are the lowest ranked two-win team in Class 4A.

For a full look at the ratings: Class 4A Ratings Percentage Index

Class 3A

Week 7 football will feature a showdown between #1 Algona (6-0) and #2 Humboldt (5-1). Despite #3 Sergeant Bluff-Luton and Wahlert Catholic both touting undefeated records, the only blemish on the Wildcats record comes from a narrow 26-17 loss to Class 4A’s #1 North Polk.

The Bulldogs win on defense and special teams with four interceptions returned for a touchdown and a punt return for a touchdown on the season. Coen Maston will look to ball out for Humboldt with 1,183 passing yards and 15 total touchdowns on the season.

Solon could have been the number one team a week ago, but a 21-20 misstep against #16 Benton knocked them down to #7 in the rankings. The Spartans will be tasked with taking on #8 Williamsburg, whose only loss was at the hands of Class 4A’s #8 Xavier.

Mt. Vernon enters the list at #10 after avoiding an upset to #32 Assumption. #12 Washington also avoided an upset to #31 Mt Pleasant as their off to one of their best starts in a half-decade at 5-1. The Demons should be able to move to 6-1 as they take on the Saints.

#31 Mt. Pleasant, the lowest ranked two-win team, will compete against #21 Keokuk who sits at 3-3 after taking on Class 5A’s #6 Ottumwa and Class 4A’s #3 Pella to start the season. Lastly, Fairfield is ranked #34 and Fort Madison is in last place at #36.

For a full look at the ratings: Class 3A Ratings Percentage Index

Class 2A

No new teams in the rankings after a week of competition, in fact, the top six remained the same with West Lyon and PCM holding on to their perfect records. The difference is Des Moines Christian loss their game and fell back to #10, while the rest of the teams got bumped up one spot.

Class 1A

Different class, similar story. top five did not change with Grundy Center beating up #7 South Hardin 35-0, leading to the only change in the rankings with OABCIG jumping up to #6. However, the Falcons will be tested against #9 Hinton on Friday night at home.

Class A

No change in the top 10 with West Hancock sitting above ACGC. The Eagles have not allowed a point in two weeks and the Chargers have scored 50 points or more in their last two wins.

8-Player

There’s a new team in the top 10 with #10 GTRA replacing Belle Plaine after the Plainsmen fell to Montezuma last Friday 28-24. Bedford replaced Belle Plaine at the #9 slot, while Lenox remained at #1 followed by five undefeated teams.

One of local adjacent teams, #8 Iowa Valley, stormed to their 5th 70-point plus outing last Friday against Winfield-Mt. Union. Sophomore sensation Nolan Kriegel has nearly 2,000 total yards and 27 total touchdowns this season for the Tigers.

The Tigers will face off against Belle Plaine to end the regular season on October 18th in a road matchup.

District Standings for Local Teams

Class 4A District 3

Clear Creek-Amana: 2-0 (4-2)

Xavier: 2-0 (4-2)

North Scott: 1-1 (4-2)

Clinton: 1-1 (2-4)

Oskaloosa: 0-2 (1-5)

Burlington: 0-2 (2-4)

Class 3A District 4

#10 Mt. Vernon: 2-0 (5-1)

Washington: 2-0 (5-1)

Keokuk: 1-1 (3-3)

Assumption: 1-1 (1-5)

Mt. Pleasant: 0-2 (2-4)

Fort Madison: 0-2 (0-6)

District 5

#8 Williamsburg: 2-0 (5-1)

Benton: 2-0 (4-2)

#7 Solon: 1-1 (5-1)

Grinnell: 1-1 (5-1)

Fairfield: 0-2 (1-5)

South Tama County: 0-2 (0-6)

Class 2A District 5

Mid-Prairie: 3-0 (3-3)

Albia: 2-1 (4-2)

West Burlington/Notre Dame: 2-1 (5-1)

Mediapolis: 1-2 (2-4)

Central Lee: 1-2 (4-2)

Davis County: 0-3 (3-3)

Class A District 5

#4 Lisbon: 5-0 (6-0)

Pekin: 4-1 (5-1)

Danville: 4-1 (4-2)

Columbus: 3-2 (3-3)

Wapello: 2-3 (2-4)

Van Buren County: 1-4 (1-5)

Highland: 1-4 (2-4)

Louisa-Muscatine: 0-5 (0-6)

8-Player District 6

#8 Iowa Valley: 4-0 (6-0)

WACO: 3-1 (6-1)

Winfield-Mt. Union: 2-2 (3-3)

English Valleys: 1-2 (1-5)

New London: 1-3 (1-5)

HLV: 0-3 (1-6)

Deputy Injured during Manhunt

By Yorke Prough · Monday, October 7th, 2024 at 2:52 pm CDT

A Louisa County Sheriff deputy was injured during a manhunt on Thursday which started in Columbus Junction.

Just after 3:00pm, a traffic stop was conducted by the Columbus Junction Police Department. The driver, who was pulled over for multiple violations, exited his vehicle, but then got back in and flew westbound from downtown Columbus Junction at a high rate of speed, nearly colliding with multiple vehicles. Eventually, the driver crashed at a road construction barrier near X17, rolling the vehicle several times. The driver ran from the crash into a timber to the south.

The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office and the Columbus Junction Police Department set up a perimeter, ultimately locating the subject with K9 Drake and utilizing a drone. The suspect was later identified as Francisco Nunez, age 46, of Muscatine, IA. Nunez complained of injuries, but was cleared later at a local hospital. He remains at the Louisa County Jail on a $7,500.00 cash only bond.

As a result of this incident Nunez has been arrested on multiple charges…

Felony Eluding-C Felony
Driving while revoked-OWI
Interference with official acts
Driving while suspended
Reckless Driving

Multiple traffic citations
*further charges are pending by Louisa County Sheriff’s Office

Multiple agencies assisted the Columbus Junction Police Department to include the Louisa County Ambulance, Mincers Towing, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa DOT and the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office.

Jeffrey Hunt

By Yorke Prough · Monday, October 7th, 2024 at 2:50 pm CDT

Jeffery Alan Hunt, 65, of Burlington, died, Sunday, October 6,2024.  He was born in Iowa City on September 12, 1959 to Ruby Louise Nevins.

He attended schools in Ottumwa and served in the United States Army. He worked as a press operator and fabricator at Gregory Manufacturing, then at ESCP Corp in Mediapolis before retiring.  Jeff enjoyed going to Farney’s to visit with friends; mushroom hunting; fishing; and going to the cabin with his Uncle Lonnie.

Survivors include his brother Jason Scott of Batavia; aunts, Connie Jones of New London, Shirley Hobbs of Ottumwa, Dee Gannon of Springfield, Missouri and Debbie Finney of Bella Vista, Arkansas; uncles Ronald and Greg; many cousins; and a host of friends.  He was preceded in death by his mother Ruby; Grandmother Mary who was very important in his life; and uncles, Lonnie, Jim, Fred and Lester.

According to his wishes, his body has been cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, October 12th at the McElhinny House, 300 N. Court, Fairfield.  Elliott Chapel, New London is assisting the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.