Sports, April 22nd

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026 at 6:43 am CDT

High School Track and Field

Mt. Pleasant hosted the Panther Relays last night and it was a complete sweep for the home team as the girls’ team snuck past Washington by one point and the boys’ team collected 161 points–30 more than second place Mediapolis.

On the girls’ side, Mt. Pleasant dominated the relays, taking the shuttle hurdle, the 4×100, the 4×200, and broke the meet record in the distance medley relay with the team of Ellie Freeman, Taylor Williamson, Izzy Sloat, and Avery Fedler crossing the finish line in 4 minutes and 16 seconds. Sloat would also go on to take the long jump with a leap of 17 feet and 2.5 inches.

Danville’s lone win came in the sprint medley relay with a time of 1 minute and 54 seconds. 

WACO’s Josie Dykstra grabbed the gold in the 800-meter run with a time of 2 minutes and 23 seconds, less than a tenth of a second faster than second place.

Allison Gillip had the lone win for New London in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1 minute and 12 seconds.

Mediapolis’s Avery Crear won the high jump with a leap of 4 feet and 10 inches.

Lastly, Washington’s Jaedyn Moore claimed the 100 and 200-meter dashes. Lauren Drahota took the 400-meter dash. Leighton Messinger glided to the win in the 100-meter hurdles. Lastly, the Demons won the 4×400 meter relay.

On the boys’ side, Mt. Pleasant had Silas Hulett win the 3200-meter run, posting the only sub-10 minute time. Griffen Jones displayed his speed with a victory in the 200-meter dash. In the field events, Kaden Schadt leapt 5 feet and 10 inches to win the high jump, and Jaymisen Rich’s toss of 44 feet and 11.5 inches led the field in the shot put, while Mason Frueh broke the meet record in the discus with a heave of 139 feet and 9 inches. The Panthers also won the shuttle hurdle relay.

Washington’s Kael Williams sprinted to the gold in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.42 seconds. Andrew Rees took the 800-meter run.

Danville claimed the distance medley and 4×400 meter relays.

Mediapolis had Will Schmidgall out-stride the field in the 400-meter dash with a winning time of 52.5 seconds and Gannon Gunn took the 110-meter hurdles. Simon Wendel snatched the gold in the 1600-meter run with a mark of 4 minutes and 31 seconds. Larson Truett won the tiebreaker for the boys’ long jump with a mark of 20 feet and 10 inches. The Bulldogs shattered the 4×200 meter relay meet record, clocking a time of 1 minute and 30 second with the team of Will Luttenegger, Brock Spears, Kyler Crow, and Henry Luttenegger. The same team broke the 4×100 meter relay meet record with a time of 43.34 seconds.

Fairfield traveled to the Don Newell Classic in Ottumwa last night and the girls’ team finished in 8th place, while the boys’ team grabbed the bronze medal with 100 points.

The boys’ team found victories in the 4×200 meter relay with a time of 1 minute and 33 seconds and the 4×800 meter relay with a mark of 8 minutes and 45 seconds. Moreover, Eli Zillman flew to a win in the high jump with a height of 6 feet and 6 inches.

The Mt. Pleasant, Mediapolis, and Fairfield boys’ teams will compete in the Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont meet tomorrow, April 23rd.

The Washington girls’ team will hold an invitational tomorrow with Fairfield, Mediapolis, and Mt. Pleasant participating.

Winfield-Mt. Union will host their relays tomorrow with Danville, New London, and WACO making the trip.

The Drake Relays are set to start tomorrow for our local high school athletes with Eli Zillman of Fairfield competing in the boys’ high jump and Washington’s Greyson Hartman throwing the discus. For a full look at the slate for our local athletes, follow this link: Start List for 116th Drake Relays

High School Soccer

The Washington girls’ team fell to Burlington last night 3-0, while the boys’ team tied Mid-Prairie with a goal apiece. The Demons will take on Keokuk tomorrow, April 23rd, with the girls at home and the boys on the road with the both games starting at 5 pm.

The Fairfield girls’ team snared Knoxville last night, 1-1. The Trojans will square off against Fort Madison tomorrow with the girls’ team at home and the boys’ team on the road with a 5 pm start time.

The Burlington Notre Dame girls’ team lost to Quincy Notre Dame last night, 6-0. The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team handled Hillcrest Academy, 7-0. 

Burlington Notre Dame will travel to Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union with the girls’ teams leading the night at 5 pm.

Mediapolis swept Central Lee last night with the girls’ team winning 9-0 despite 28 saves by Aubree Bunnell and the boys’ team taking their contest, 3-1. Jaedin Ogelsby had the lone goal for the Hawks.

Central Lee will host Wapello on Friday, April 24th, with the night starting at 5 pm.

The Danville boys’ team defeated Wapello last night, 5-2. Zeke Orbiana and Alex Pfadenhauer each notched a goal and an assist in the win. Izaya Bergen and Edgar Vazquez had the goals for Wapello. The Bears will face off against Highland at home on Friday at 5 pm.

Mt. Pleasant will compete against Burlington tomorrow with the boys’ team at home at 4:30 pm and the girls’ team on the road at 5 pm.

The WACO boys’ team will travel to Hillcrest Academy on Friday at 5 pm.

High School Golf

Holy Trinity Catholic held a triangular yesterday and the New London girls’ team came out on top with a team score of 215, while the Crusader boys’ team won the tiebreaker with Danville as both teams shot a 184. Elizabeth Griffin put up a 51 for the Crusaders, while Max Kruse logged a 41.

Winfield-Mt. Union swept Wapello yesterday with the girls’ team narrowly winning, 206-207, and the boys’ cruising to a 167-223 final. Ashlyn Bender led the Wolves with a round of 46, while Konner Kinneberg shot a 39 for the boys’ team. 

The Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team will compete in the Lone Tree Quad tomorrow, April 23rd.

Wapello will travel to Columbus tomorrow.

The Central Lee girls’ team will hold an invitational today with Holy Trinity Catholic competing.

The Wapello girls’ team will prepare for their invite today with Burlington Notre Dame, Danville, Mediapolis, New London, and Winfield-Mt. Union making the trip. 

The Mt. Pleasant and Washington girls’ teams will compete in the Oskaloosa Invitational tomorrow.

The Fairfield girls’ team will contend in the Golden Hawk Invitational tomorrow at Mid-Prairie. 

WACO will host Louisa-Muscatine tomorrow.

The Fairfield boys’ will hold an invitational on Friday, April 24th, with Mt. Pleasant participating.  

High School Boys’ Tennis

Mt. Pleasant will face off against Keokuk tomorrow, April 23rd, on the road. 

Fairfield will travel to Burlington on Monday, April 27th.

Southeastern Community College

The baseball team will square off against Kirkwood Community College today.

The softball team will look to bounce back at home on Saturday, April 25th, in a doubleheader against Marshalltown Community College at 1 pm.

College Baseball and Softball

The Iowa baseball team demolished Western Illinois last night, 22-3. The Hawkeyes will host UIC tonight at 6 pm.

The Iowa softball team got their revenge in the Cy-Hawk series with a 7-2 victory over Iowa State last night. The Hawkeyes will travel to UNI tonight at 6:30 pm.

The Iowa State softball team will start their series against Kansas on Friday, April 24th, at 5 pm.

This Day in Sports History

1876 – Philadelphia native Tim McGinley of the Boston Red Caps scores baseball’s National League’s 1st run, in Philadelphia, as his team wins 6-5. 

1954 – NBA adopts a 24-second shot clock and the 6 team-foul rule. 

1969 – Robin Knox-Johnston ends his 312 days of non-stop sailing to become the first person to perform a single-handed non-stop circumnavigation of the globe.

Inmate Death in Fort Madison Prison

By Allison Jacobs · Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026 at 6:35 am CDT

An inmate at the Iowa State Penitentiary died at 9:31 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026.

Jess Ellsworth Whitsel, age 77, was serving for crimes committed in Linn County.

Whitsel’s sentence began on April 23, 1982.

Valerie Kay Boal

By Allison Jacobs · Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026 at 6:23 am CDT

Valerie Kay Boal, age 68, of Burlington, Iowa, passed away on April 17, 2026, at the Savannah Heights Nursing Home in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, while in the care of Hospice. She was born in Mount Pleasant on August 14, 1957, the daughter of Wesley “Dean” and Mary (Eubank) Boal. As a young girl, Valerie was a part of the Special Olympics and participated in a 4-H Club. Valerie was a part of Hope Haven and Imagine the Possibilities. She lived at (Hope Haven) Guegler Group Home in Burlington since 1985. While living in the Group Home, she worked various jobs including a Recycling Center, cleaning offices and Hopefully Yours Thrift store. After retiring she attended Day Hab at Hope Haven. She loved her family very much and they loved her, attending many family dinners, holidays, and reunions. A special acknowledgement to her caregivers and her family at Guegler and Hope Haven, she genuinely loved living there and it was due to all the love and care she received.

 

She is survived by her sisters, Amy (Paul) Eiserman of Mundelein, Illinois; Jean (Kim) Holtgrewe of Waukee, Iowa; and Rosemary (Steve) Burnett of Johnston, Iowa; two nieces: Erin and Kathryn and four nephews: Jason (Kelsey), Jared (Stacy), Jacob and Tim, great nieces and nephews. Aunt Glenda and Uncle Malcom Alvine and many cousins.

 

Valerie was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Michael Boal.

 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 9th at 11:00 a.m. at the Finley Chapel in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to Imagine the Possibilities/Valerie Boal Memorial or the Finley Cemetery Association.

Lee County School Districts Discuss Consolidation

By Allison Jacobs · Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026 at 6:18 am CDT

A conversation about the future of public education in Lee County is getting attention, after the Keokuk Community School District reached out to neighboring districts about potential consolidation.

In a letter sent to both Central Lee and Fort Madison, the Keokuk School Board invited leaders to consider a long-term, forward-looking discussion on possibly combining districts—or at least expanding shared services.

The letter cites ongoing challenges including declining enrollment, financial pressures, changing legislation, and limited economic growth in the region. Keokuk officials say working together could expand academic offerings, improve financial efficiency, strengthen staff recruitment, and support extracurricular programs.

However, Fort Madison has already responded—and is not interested in pursuing the idea at this time.

In a reply letter, the Fort Madison School Board thanked Keokuk for the outreach, but said it remains confident in its current direction and the opportunities available to its students. The board stated it does not wish to explore consolidation or formal, comprehensive sharing agreements.

Fort Madison leaders did leave the door open to limited collaboration, saying they are willing to continue discussions at the superintendent level on specific, practical partnerships that could benefit all districts while maintaining their independence.

Keokuk officials emphasized their letter was not a formal proposal, but rather an invitation to begin a conversation. It’s not yet clear whether Central Lee has responded.

WACO FFA Earns Top Honor at Iowa State Talent Competition

By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, April 21st, 2026 at 1:58 pm CDT

The WACO FFA Chapter is celebrating a major achievement after earning the top honor in the state talent competition at the 98th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference 2026. This allows the WACO FFA Blue Grass Band to apply for the National FFA Talent Competition later this year.

The conference was held April 19th through the 21st in Ames, drawing more than 7,000 FFA members and guests from across the state. The annual event brings students together to explore careers in agriculture, compete in a wide range of contests, and take part in leadership development activities.

WACO FFA Blue Grass Band’s state-winning performance in the talent competition highlights the chapter’s creativity and dedication, standing out among entries from across Iowa.

The Iowa FFA Association says the leadership conference plays a key role in shaping the future of agriculture by giving students opportunities to build skills, make connections, and showcase their talents.

For WACO FFA, the state title marks a proud moment and a memorable showing on one of Iowa’s biggest student leadership stages.

Enjoy the performance HERE!

Des Moines County Courthouse Closing at 3 pm for Emergency Training Exercise

By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, April 21st, 2026 at 9:37 am CDT

The Des Moines County Courthouse will close early Tuesday afternoon for a planned emergency training exercise.

According to the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, the courthouse in Burlington will shut down to the public at 3 p.m. on April 21, with the closure lasting for the remainder of the day.

Officials say the training will take place at the courthouse, located at 513 North Main Street, and will involve a significant presence of law enforcement and emergency personnel.

Authorities emphasize that this is only a drill and is designed to help local first responders practice emergency procedures.

Residents who see increased activity around the courthouse are asked not to be alarmed.

Fairfield Youth Performing Arts Announces “Inspiring” 2026 Season

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, April 21st, 2026 at 9:03 am CDT

A new season of youth theater is coming to southeast Iowa, with Fairfield Youth Performing Arts announcing its 2026 lineup. On the heels of their inaugural 2025 season where they explored what was “possible,” 2026 promises to “inspire” these young performers to reach new heights and transform their communities in Southeast Iowa through theatre and art.

The organization, founded by Tommy Brower, will present a campy parody, Xanadu Jr. this summer. The award winning musical based on the 1980s cult-classic starring Olivia Newton-John, is scheduled for performances July 30th and 31st, and August 1st and 2nd. Auditions will be announced soon. To sign up for updates, fill out this form.

Later in the year, the group will shift to a more dramatic production with The Outsiders, set for December. The play is based on the classic novel by S. E. Hinton and will challenge young men in the area to get more involved with the performing arts.

As part of the lead-up to auditions, Fairfield Youth Performing Arts is also hosting a special event tied to Xanadu Jr. A pre-show “Glow” karaoke and pizza party is planned for Saturday, May 9th from 4 to 9 p.m. at 200 South Main Street in Fairfield, Iowa. The event includes a screening of the original Xanadu film, followed by pizza and Broadway-style karaoke. RSVP for the event is encouraged, but not required.

Organizers say the pre-show “glow” is open to current participants and those interested in getting involved. Everyone is encouraged to bring a friend and experience the program firsthand.

Click below to hear the full conversation with Tommy Brower about FYPA and their upcoming season.

Listeners and community members are invited to become a “Legacy Architect” with Fairfield Youth Performing Arts—joining a dedicated circle of supporters helping secure the organization’s future through investments in youth advocacy, facility growth, expanded programming, and long-term sustainability.

Keosauqua Man Facing Felony Charges Including Sexual Abuse and Incest

By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, April 21st, 2026 at 8:38 am CDT

A Keosauqua man is facing multiple felony charges following allegations of repeated sexual misconduct involving children over nearly a decade.

Fifty-three-year-old Christopher Krogmeier has been charged with four counts of Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree, Class B felonies; three counts of Incest, Class D felonies; and three counts of Child Endangerment, aggravated misdemeanors.

According to court documents, the allegations involve multiple child victims and span two separate time periods. The first set of alleged incidents occurred between 2016 and 2018 and involved one child. A second series of allegations involves multiple children and is said to have taken place between 2020 and 2025.

Investigators say some of the alleged victims are blood relatives of Krogmeier. The alleged incidents reportedly occurred both at his home in Keosauqua and in other states, as he was employed as a truck driver during the time periods in question.

Krogmeier is currently being held on a $100,000 cash-only bond. A no-contact order with minor children has also been requested in the case.

The charges remain allegations, and Krogmeier is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.