Sports, August 17th

By Slaten Swords · Saturday, August 17th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Football

WACO will kick off the season with a week zero matchup against Central City this Friday, August 23rd, at home at 7 pm. The Warriors defeated the Wildcats 48-12 back in 2022, where Louden Huisenga rushed for a touchdown and totaled five tackles. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will scrimmage Midland on Friday at 5 pm at home. 

Central Lee will take on Keokuk on Friday at 6:30 pm for a scrimmage at home.

Mt. Pleasant will face off against Danville on Friday at 7:30 pm for a home scrimmage. Besides the return of starting quarterback Jaden Bauer, the Bears will be featuring some new names running the football,

“So, we have what new we have a brand-new backfield” said head coach Cody Thompson. “You know our our whole backfield graduated last year. So, Drake Bielser he’s going to be a junior, but he didn’t see hardly any varsity time this year, he’s very explosive. Talented kid and you know, I think he’s really going to help us move the needle in the run game and then also in the backfield, there’s going to be a sophomore. Tatem Sherwood. He’s another kid that all he’s been showing up all summer. He’s a vocal guy, but he’s got that potential to really help us offensively and defensively at linebacker and running back.”

High School Volleyball

Mt. Pleasant will travel to WACO on Monday, August 19th, for a scrimmage at 5:30 pm. Head coach Logan Wall talked about one of the seniors who could help make a difference this season,

“Well, I think Sonya Simon, she was on varsity last year and could have had some JV minutes and I think we kind of missed out on some of those opportunities, but she’s stepping up into a new role possibly as a setter this year. And so, she’s really taken that on and had some leadership qualities and you know, her being a senior and switching roles on the team can be difficult, but she’s taking it in stride, so we’re excited to see that…”

West Burlington will host a scrimmage on Tuesday, August 20th, at 4 pm.

New London and Danville will compete in a scrimmage on Thursday, August 22nd, at Burlington Notre Dame.

Central Lee will host a scrimmage on Friday, August 23rd, at 5 pm.

Meet the Players Nights

New London’s “Meet the Players” night will be on Friday, August 23rd, at 5:30 pm with cross country and volleyball introductions and scrimmage taking place in the Charles Lorber Gym. On the football field, cheer and football will have their introductions with a football scrimmage against Wapello to follow.

Winfield-Mt. Union’s “Meet the Players” will take place on Wednesday, August 21st, at 6:30 pm.

Mt. Pleasant will have their “Meet the Panthers” night on Friday starting with an intrasquad volleyball game at the high school gym at 5 pm. 

Fairfield will have their “Meet the Trojans” on Friday with introductions taking place on the track at 6:35 pm. Volleyball and football will have intrasquad scrimmages at 7 pm. 

High School Cross Country

Fairfield will practice at 8 am on Monday, August 19th, and Friday, August 23rd, then Tuesday through Thursday practice will start at 3:30 pm.

High School Wrestling

Mt. Pleasant will be holding a wrestling camp today for Mt. Pleasant students for Kindergartners through high school seniors for free at 10 am in the wrestling room. 

College Football

The University of Iowa will officially kick off the season on Saturday, August 31st, at home against Illinois State at 11 am.

Iowa State will take on North Dakota on August 31st at 2:30 pm at home.

This Day in Sports History

1957 – Baseball player Richie Ashburn fouls and hits fan Alice Roth twice in the same at-bat playing for the Philadelphia Phillies. The first hit breaks her nose and the second one hits her while she is on the stretcher. She makes a full recovery.

1963 – Jim Hickman becomes the first New York Met to hit for the cycle.

1987 – Muhammad Ali is elected to “Ring” magazine’s Boxing Hall of Fame.

Robert D. Wolf

By Allison Jacobs · Friday, August 16th, 2024 at 3:43 pm CDT

Robert D. Wolf, 78 of Wayland, died Friday, August 16, 2024, at the Parkview Home in Wayland.

A Celebration of Life will be Friday, August 30, 2024, at 10:00 AM at the Independent Bible Church in Wayland, with Pastor Ben Linville officiating. The service will be available via Livestream at the Beatty Peterseim Website, Facebook and YouTube pages. A visitation will be held Thursday, August 29, 2024, from 5 – 8 PM at the Independent Bible Church in Wayland. A memorial fund has been established for the Independent Bible Church in lieu of flowers. The Beatty Peterseim Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Robert David Wolf was born October 9, 1945, in Philadelphia, PA, the son of Robert Rittenhouse and Elizabeth (Forstner) Wolf. He graduated from Merion High School in Ardmore, PA in 1963. From there he went on to Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC, where he earned a Master of Arts Degree in pastoral studies in 1971. He was united in marriage to Catherine E. Holman on December 27, 1969, in Coopersville, MI. Bob served as pastor in churches in Michigan, South Carolina and Iowa, where he was pastor for the Independent Bible Church in Wayland from 1984 until 2017. Bob was a member of the WACO Ministerial Association, volunteered at the Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility for 37 years, and led a weekly bible study at Parkview Home in Wayland for 35 years. He enjoyed classic cars and attending car shows.

Survivors include his wife Cathy of Wayland; five children: Todd (Heather) Wolf of Muskegon, MI, Amy Wolf Henderson of Pickens, SC, Andrew Wolf of Atlanta, GA, Daniel (Hannah) Wolf of Wayland, Megan (Kris) Wolf Boland of Lyman, SC; son-in-law Alex (Cordyllia) Posivenko of Carrollton, GA; 11 grandchildren: Duncan, McKenzie and Kadie Henderson, Adrian and Garrett Posivenko, Owen, Layla and Avery Wolf, Brennan and Kyler Boland and Elizabeth Smith; and one brother William Wolf of Bowie, MD.

Preceding Bob in death were his parents, his daughter Shelly Wolf Posivenko, his granddaughter Anora Posivenko, father and mother-in-law: Honor and Louise Holman, three brothers-in-law: Jim, Kent and Keith Holman, and two sisters-in-law: Judy Holman and Martha Talamini Wolf.

Sports, August 16th

By Slaten Swords · Friday, August 16th, 2024 at 6:29 am CDT

High School Football

WACO will host a scrimmage today against Springville starting at 3 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union will scrimmage Midland on Friday, August 23rd, at 5 pm at home. 

Central Lee will take on Keokuk on August 23rd at 6:30 pm for a scrimmage at home.

Mt. Pleasant will face off against Danville on August 23rd at 7:30 pm for a home scrimmage. Bears’ head coach Cody Thompson talked about who his leaders are going to be for the season,

“So, some kids have been really good for us over the summer that have really stepped up and lead and they did some of it last year we’re Jaden Bauer, he’s our returning quarterback this year, Landon Seibert, Kessler Whaley, Deken Huff, those guys. Those guys are all seniors that that have been very consistent over the summer, and I think have potential to be leaders, one of our more vocal leaders is going to be a junior Byers Nealey he’s returning all-district Linebacker. You know, he was good last year. He’s been great this year. Very vocal. Helped, you know, helps teach the kids and really just he works his butt off and he wants to be good, and he helps everybody prepare to be that and he’s going to be one of our bigger vocal leaders this year.”

High School Volleyball

WACO will practice tonight from 3:30 to 6 pm.

Van Buren County will have their practice starting at 4:30 pm. 

Mt. Pleasant will travel to WACO on Monday, August 19th, for a scrimmage at 5:30 pm. Head coach Logan Wall talked about what the Panthers have been focusing on to get ready for the season,

“Definitely reviewing those fundamentals, but just gelling as a team, I feel like last year we had some changes in the lineup and so that kind of threw us for a loop right there at the beginning of the year and the beginning of the season. And so, we really just try to get girls in the gym and getting get us gelling as a team and working together we have good returning athletes coming in and so we’ve just been working on that cohesiveness and trying to just up our game from last year.”

West Burlington will host a scrimmage on Tuesday, August 20th, at 4 pm.

New London and Danville will compete in a scrimmage on Thursday, August 22nd, at Burlington Notre Dame.

Central Lee will host a scrimmage against Keokuk on Friday, August 23rd, at 5 pm.

Meet the Players Nights

New London’s “Meet the Players” night will be on Friday, August 23rd, at 5:30 pm with cross country and volleyball introductions and scrimmage taking place in the Charles Lorber Gym. On the football field, cheer and football will have their introductions with a football scrimmage against Wapello to follow.

Winfield-Mt. Union’s “Meet the Players” will take place on Wednesday, August 21st, at 6:30 pm.

Mt. Pleasant will have their “Meet the Panthers” night on Friday, August 23rd, starting with an intrasquad volleyball game at the high school gym at 5 pm. 

High School Cross Country

New London will practice this week with a 9 am start time. Junior high runners are encouraged to join the high school practices for extra conditioning as their first practice is scheduled for Friday, August 23rd, at 4 pm. 

Fairfield will continue having practice at 7:45 am at Waterworks for the week.

Van Buren County will start their practice at 4 pm at the track.

High School Wrestling

Mt. Pleasant will be holding a wrestling camp tomorrow for Mt. Pleasant students for Kindergartners through high school seniors for free at 10 am in the wrestling room. 

College Football

The University of Iowa will officially kick off the season on Saturday, August 31st, at home against Illinois State at 11 am.

Iowa State will take on North Dakota on August 31st at 2:30 pm at home.

Award Watch List

The pillars of this year’s Iowa squad have been added to the Lombardi Award watch list, the award is given to the college player who best embodies the values and spirit of NFL coach Vince Lombardi.

Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson represent the defense for the Hawkeyes with 281 combined total tackles last season and Logan Jones aims to move the offensive line as the starting center. The trio made the All-Big Ten team in some capacity last season.

Rocco Becht will have lofty expectations under center for Iowa State this year after being added to the Manning Award watch list, the award is given to the nation’s top quarterback. His 26 total touchdowns last season is the second-most in a single season in school history.

This Day in Sports History

1743 – Champion of England titleholder Jack Broughton publishes “Rules of the Ring,” the earliest boxing code.

1954 – American brand management company Authentic Brands Group first publishes the magazine “Sports Illustrated.”

2022 – The Philadelphia Phillies picks up an 11-4 win over the visiting Cincinnati Reds. They become the 9th team with 10,000 franchise victories (and last of those founded in 19th century); they were the first to lose 10,000, in 2007.

Burlington Man Arrested Following High Speed Chase

By Allison Jacobs · Friday, August 16th, 2024 at 6:19 am CDT

Yesteday afternoon, August 15, 2024, Des Moines County Deputies observed a possible stolen vehicle traveling south on US Highway 61 near 210th St. Deputies attempted to catch up to the vehicle to verify that it was stolen. The vehicle then accelerated and attempted to elude law enforcement while traveling south on US Highway 61 at speeds greater than 25 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. It has been reported speeds as high as 115 miles per hour. Scanner communication confirmed stop sticks were deployed and contacted by the eluding vehicle on Highway 61 North of Burlington. The vehicle continued to elude law enforcement until pulling over near Roosevelt and Mt. Pleasant St. At the time of the arrest there were upwards of six Des Moines County Sheriff’s Deputy vehicles.

The driver was placed under arrest and identified as Jefferey Lynn Elmore, age 54, of Burlington, IA. The vehicle he was driving was confirmed to be stolen from the Burlington area. A search of the vehicle revealed a drug pipe. When searching Elmore’s person he was found in possession of methamphetamine. Elmore appeared to be suffering from a medical condition and was transported to the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center by ambulance.

Upon release from the hospital, Elmore was transported to the Des Moines County Correctional Center and charge with Eluding (D felony), Theft 2nd Degree (D felony), Driving While Barred, Reckless Driving, Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

A CRIMINAL CHARGE IS MERELY AN ACCUSATION AND THE DEFENDANT IS PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL AND UNLESS PROVEN GUILTY.

Cleda D. Biggs

By Allison Jacobs · Friday, August 16th, 2024 at 6:04 am CDT

Cleda D. Biggs, 89, a resident of Fairfield, passed away Thursday, August 15, 2024 at Oakwood Specialty Care in Albia.

Visitation for family and friends will be 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sunday, August 18, 2024 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield. Funeral services celebrating her life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 19th at Behner Funeral Home. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the family for a memorial to be determined and sent to 304 S. 4th St. Fairfield, Iowa 52556.

Cleda was born July 26, 1935 in Van Buren County, the daughter of William (Clyde) and Laura (Cass) Clark. She married Wayne Biggs in January 1956. He preceded her in death, July 9, 1990.

Cleda worked for Sitler’s Auto and Electrical Supply, Tribune Printing, Arnold Motor Supply, where she worked for 30 years, the Loving Spoonful Café, and Bob Barker Auction. Cleda was a charter member of the Fairfield Eagles Auxiliary #1927, holding all officer roles. Cleda was a member of the Heritage Club, where she enjoyed traveling. She enjoyed camping,

reading, and playing pool, cribbage, pitch, 31, and dancing to country music.

Those left to honor her memory include her children, Lynda (Dan) Rickelman of Fort Madison, Alicia Biggs of Fairfield, and Allen Biggs of Fairfield; grandchildren, Scott (Stacie) Rickelman, Amy (Bobby Jones) Rickelman, Laura (Loran) Franklin, and Rachel Biggs; and five great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Wilma Clark, Carley Clark, and Kathryn Renteria; brothers, William Clark, Jr., Richard Clark, and Jimmie Clark; and one daughter-in-law, Cynthia Biggs.

Online condolences may be made to Cleda’s family by viewing her obituary at www.behnerfh.com.

Henry County Supervisors Meeting, 08.15.24

By Allison Jacobs · Thursday, August 15th, 2024 at 11:33 am CDT

The Henry County Supervisors met in regular session this morning at the Henry County Courthouse. Jake Hotchkiss, the Henry County Engineer gave his weekly update. Hotchkiss began his report with an approval of a resolution concerning the stop signs located on East Jackson Street in Salem. Hotchkiss will apply for a grant to obtain speed feedback signs as well as new signage. The topic of moving the crosswalk to connect to the existing sidewalk in front of Salem Elementary School rather than the parking lot was also brought up with further discussion possible in the future.

Crews over the last 2 weeks completed road rebuilding and shaping for the final 2 miles on Oasis Avenue between 200th and 220th streets. Crews will be working on placing rock and coordinating the schedule with Washington County for the Roadhog to incorporate Base one into the road. Work will begin on a rip-rap project for the stream running along side Oasis Avenue while waiting on Washington County. Two crossroad culverts on Henry-Washington County Line East of Wayland have been replaced, and mowing on gravel road sides continues.

Franklin Avenue also known as W-55 is closed from 275th Street North to 260th Street. There are a few more days of hauling embankment to fill in the existing closure, then work will begin on a short section under flaggers from Fremont to 260th. The schedule is fluid as crews navigate weather.

Iowa Bridge & Culvert is looking to start bridge removal of Nebraska Bridge, located on Nebraska Avenue South of 220th Street, the week of August 26th and closure will be verified in the next week as the contractor has said they are a little behind now but still plan to start late the week of the 26th.

Caleb Waters, Director of the Henry County Conservation Department, gave his monthly update to KILJ before heading down the road to the Henry County Courthouse.

Henry County Handbook Policy Timesheet Meal Reimbursements were the next item listed on the agenda. With confusion surrounding the procedure to submit meal reimbursements, the Henry County Supervisors decided to request clarification in the language concerning the process. This opened the door for discussion around the amount of meal reimbursement county employees are allowed. Henry County Auditor Shelley Barber made known rumblings among employees that the current reimbursement rates of $10 for breakfast, $15 for lunch, and $20 for dinner, and $45 per day when traveling overnight are hard to abide by when traveling for work. After discussion the supervisors decided to raise the lunch reimbursement limit to $17.50, dinner to $25, and a new limit of $52.50 per day. Henry County Employees are not reimbursed for meals in Henry County, and only when meals are purchased during times of travel or work. The reimbursement rate does not include gratuity which is reimbursed up to an 18% rate.

Due to budget cuts the Henry County Supervisors voted to not give the Henry County Employees a raise last year. The Henry County Department Heads asked the supervisors to consider giving August 30th as a floating holiday to the employees in the absence of a raise or bonus. Jefferson County was brought up as a reference after they gave their employees July 5th off in leu of a raise or bonus. After discussion the supervisors decided against this move stating employees are welcome to use their vacation time to take that day off if they choose.

During Public Comments a resident asked for clarification on the next planning and zoning public hearing concerning the windmill ordinance for Henry County. As of now there is a loose date of September 17th for this meeting to be held in either the Heatilator Performing Arts Center or the Courtroom in the Henry County Courthouse. Residents requested adequate seating and audio availability as a large number of residents are expected to attend. Joe Buffington, Director of Planning and Zoning, also let residents know there may be a different process to this public hearing than previous hearings. Buffington mentioned there may be a list at the entrance to the meeting where residents will sign-up to give a public testimony.

The last public comment was a resident asking the process to bring Henry County Supervisor Meetings to the internet through audio and video. It was established that the supervisors must decide to add this service where it is then sent to IT.

The Henry County Supervisors will meet next Thursday, August 22nd at 9 am in the Henry County Courthouse.

Sports, August 15th

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, August 15th, 2024 at 6:33 am CDT

High School Football

WACO will host practice from 5 pm to 8 pm tonight.

Van Buren County will have their practice this week starting at 7 am and going to 10 am. 

Danville will continue practice this week as the Bears look to make it back to the playoffs. 

High School Volleyball

WACO will practice tonight from 5 to 8 pm. 

Van Buren County will have their practice starting at 4:30 pm. 

Mt. Pleasant officially started practice this week, but the Panthers had strong participation throughout the summer, filling up the weight room and working through team camp last week. Head coach Logan Wall sees a lot of promise for the squad after last week’s camps,

“The girls really bonded as a team and we were focused on not only those fundamentals but working on rotations and getting our setters and hitters together to have good communication there. And then we, yeah, we went to Des Moines and did a team camp. There were 103 teams participating, so we had some great competition. That’s our first year doing that and we got really good feedback from our fans that attended just saying how well the girls looked and how they were working together and so we’re excited to just build on that and we saw some great things, but we’re always looking for areas to improve as well. So, we’ve been working on that this week.”

Meet the Players Nights

New London’s “Meet the Players” night will be on Friday, August 23rd, at 5:30 pm with cross country and volleyball introductions and scrimmage taking place in the Charles Lorber Gym. On the football field, cheer and football will have their introductions with a football scrimmage against Wapello to follow.

Winfield-Mt. Union’s “Meet the Players” will take place on Wednesday, August 21st, at 6:30 pm.

Mt. Pleasant will have their “Meet the Panthers” night on Friday, August 23rd, starting with an intrasquad volleyball game at the high school gym at 5 pm. The football team will scrimmage Danville at 7:30 pm.

High School Cross Country

New London will practice this week with a 9 am start time. Junior high runners are encouraged to join the high school practices for extra conditioning as their first practice is scheduled for Friday, August 23rd, at 4 pm. 

Fairfield will continue having practice at 7:45 am at Waterworks for the week.

Van Buren County will start their practice at 4 pm at the track.

Mt. Pleasant has been running through their team camp this week, but girls’ head coach Lyle Murray talked about a tradition that might be just as important,

“They get to design our T-shirts and a lot of times they’ll come up with their own catch phrases and that’s fun to watch because you know it comes from the kids, not from the coaches, and it usually has some type of meaning to them… team building for sure working together.”

College Football

The University of Iowa will officially kick off the season on Saturday, August 31st, at home against Illinois State at 11 am.

Iowa State will take on North Dakota on August 31st at 2:30 pm at home.

Award Watch List

Iowa’s Jay Higgins continues to reel in preseason adulation as he was named a 2024 Sporting News Preseason All-American. Higgins was the anchor to a Hawkeye defense that allowed only 14.8 points per game last season, which ranked fourth nationally.

The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award preseason watch list will have both Iowa’s Cade McNamara and Iowa State’s Rocco Becht. The award is given to the top senior or upperclassman quarterback set to graduate with their class.

McNamara is hoping to build upon an injury laden season that saw him play in just four complete contests, throwing for 505 yards and four touchdowns.

Becht is looking to build upon his redshirt freshman season that saw him earn Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year. Becht tossed for an ISU freshman record 231 completions, 3,120 yards, and 23 touchdowns, while leading the Cyclones to a 7-6 record.

This Day in Sports History

1958 – 25th NFL Chicago All-Star Game: All-Stars 35, Detroit 19. Of the 42 games played, the College All-Stars won just nine contests.

1964 – Mayor Richard J. Daley declares “Ernie Banks Day” in Chicago, honoring the Cubs baseball player.

1975 – Baltimore Orioles manager Earl Weaver is ejected from both games of a home doubleheader against the Texas Rangers. He is the only manager to get thrown out of both games of a doubleheader twice.

Weekly Fuel Report, 08.15.24

By Allison Jacobs · Thursday, August 15th, 2024 at 6:15 am CDT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Don McDowell
515-326-1616
don.mcdowell@iowaagriculture.gov
Weekly Fuel Report

DES MOINES, Iowa (August 14, 2024) – The price of regular unleaded gasoline rose 3 cents, averaging $3.26 across Iowa according to AAA.

Crude Oil Summary

·         The price of global crude oil rose this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $4.02 per barrel and is currently priced at $78.56.

·         Brent crude oil rose by $3.19 and is currently priced at $80.95.

·         One year ago, WTI crude sold for $82.51 and Brent crude was priced at $87.40.

Motor Fuels

·         As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $3.26 across Iowa according to AAA.

o    Prices rose 3 cents from last week’s price and are down 52 cents from a year ago.

o    The national average on Wednesday was $3.45, down a cent from last week’s price.

·         Retail diesel prices in Iowa held steady this week with a statewide average of $3.50.

o    One year ago, diesel prices averaged $4.13 in Iowa.

o    The current Iowa diesel price is 26 cents lower than the national average of $3.76.

·         Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.

·         The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $2.29 for U87-E10, $2.56 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $2.45 for ULSD#2, $2.72 for ULSD#1, and $2.06 per gallon for E-70 prices.

Heating Fuels

·         Natural gas prices rose 13 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $2.21/MMbtu.

·         Continuing throughout the summer months, we will only report retail heating oil and propane prices in Iowa once a month.

 

Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov.
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About the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Led by Secretary Mike Naig, the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship serves the rural and urban residents that call Iowa home. Through its 14 diverse bureaus, the Department ensures animal health, food safety and consumer protection. It also promotes conservation efforts to preserve our land and enhance water quality for the next generation. Learn more at iowaagriculture.gov.