Fort Madison, Iowa — An inmate at the Iowa State Penitentiary died at 7:12 a.m. on Saturday, May 16th, 2026.
Charles Cullor, age 81, was serving for crimes committed in Tama County.
Cullor’s sentence began on October 31, 1980.
Henry County Supervisors to Hold Evening Meetings
Henry County residents are being encouraged to attend a newly scheduled evening meeting of the Henry County Board of Supervisors later this week.
The board of Supervisors will hold an evening meeting on Thursday, May 21st at 6 p.m. on the first floor of the Henry County Courthouse.
County leaders say the move comes in response to public feedback, with the third Thursday meeting of each month now being held during the evening to provide greater accessibility for residents unable to attend daytime meetings.
The Henry County Courthouse is located in Mount Pleasant.
Mount Pleasant Municipal Utilities BOT Meeting This Afternoon
The Mount Pleasant Municipal Utilities Board of Trustees will meet this afternoon to discuss several major infrastructure and financial projects impacting utility customers in Mount Pleasant.
Among the items on the agenda is consideration of the utility’s fiscal year 2026-2027 capital and operating budget, along with a proposed agreement with Tyler Technologies for new ERP software. Trustees will also consider approving an interruptible water agreement with Lawn and Land Solutions.
Utility officials are also expected to provide updates on several ongoing projects, including the Cedar Lane Well Number 7 and Water Distribution System project, the advanced metering infrastructure replacement project, water treatment maintenance work, and the Hoaglin Drive overhead-to-underground improvement project.
The board may enter closed session to discuss litigation strategy related to the Cedar Lane Well project and ongoing wholesale power supply litigation.
The meeting begins at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Mount Pleasant Municipal Utilities Conference Room at 509 North Adams Street in Mount Pleasant.
Watch For Deer When Driving
Drivers across Southeast Iowa are being reminded to stay alert for deer on roadways after two separate deer-related crashes were reported Friday evening in Henry County.
According to the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, the first crash happened at approximately 8:05 p.m. on May 15th near the Highway 218 North on-ramp from North Grand Avenue in Mount Pleasant.
Authorities say Lisa May of Belle Plaine, Minnesota, was traveling northbound when a deer entered the roadway and struck her 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The vehicle sustained an estimated $2,500 in damage. No injuries were reported.
Less than two hours later, at approximately 9:33 p.m., another deer-related crash was reported in the 2500 grid of Highway 34 near New London Road.
Joseph Miller of Burlington was traveling eastbound in a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu when a deer entered the roadway and collided with the vehicle. The impact caused the Malibu to come to rest partially off the roadway in the outside lane of traffic. Miller suffered minor scratches and abrasions in the crash, and airbags deployed during the collision.
Authorities say the vehicle sustained disabling damage estimated at around $9,000 and was towed from the scene.
This is a reminder that deer activity tends to increase during the evening and overnight hours, especially along rural highways and wooded areas. Drivers are encouraged to reduce speed in areas known for deer crossings and remain alert, particularly around dawn and dusk.
Winfield Man Arrested After Altercation
A Winfield man was arrested Friday evening following a reported altercation in rural Henry County.
According to the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, dispatchers received a report of an altercation at approximately 5:32 p.m. on May 15th at 2506 Highway 78 near Winfield.
During the investigation, deputies and officers located Nichlas Lowe inside a barn on the property. Lowe was taken into custody and charged with Domestic Abuse Assault – Second Offense and First Degree Harassment.
Authorities say Lowe was transported to the Henry County Jail following the arrest.
The Henry County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Winfield Police Department.
Sports, May 19th
High School Postseason Soccer
In Class 1A Substate 5, The WACO boys’ team fell to Mediapolis last night, 5-0. The Warriors finished the season with a 5-7 record.
Mediapolis will take on Pella Christian on May 27th at 7 pm on the road.
The Danville boys’ team throttled Wapello last night, 5-1. Trevor Yaley and Alex Pfadenhauer each collected two goals for the Bears, while Edgar Vazquez had the lone goal for Wapello.
Danville will travel to Burlington Notre Dame on May 27th at 7 pm.
In Substate 6, the Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team shutout Highland last night, 5-0. The Wildcats will hit the road to play Tipton on May 27th at 7 pm.
Over in Class 2A Substate 4, the Washington boys’ team came back to beat Central DeWitt last night, 2-1. Ben Kronlage tabbed an assist and a goal in the win. The Demons will square off against Mt. Vernon on May 27th at 7 pm on the road.
The Fairfield boys’ team clipped Mid-Prairie last night, 2-1. The Trojans will look to knock off Solon in the substate semifinals on May 27th at 7 pm on the road.
For Substate 5, Central Lee will compete against Knoxville tonight at 7 pm.
High School Soccer
The Burlington Notre Dame girls’ team got back into the win column with a 5-0 shutout of Keokuk last night. Avery Jefferies claimed a hat trick and two assists in the victory. The Nikes will square off against Fort Madison tonight at 5 pm.
The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team lost to Ottumwa last night 10-0. The Panthers will host Mediapolis on Thursday, May 21st, at 4:30 pm.
The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will make up their contest against Clear Creek Amana tomorrow, May 20th, on the road.
The Central Lee girls’ team dropped their contest to West Branch last night, 11-1. Hope Juarez netted the lone goal for the Hawks. The Central Lee girls’ team will face off against Fairfield in the first round of the Class 1A Region 2 bracket on May 26th at 7 pm on the road.
The Washington girls’ team had their contest against Fort Madison last night canceled.
The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team will travel to Washington tonight at 5 pm.
The Fairfield girls’ team will play Mediapolis tonight at 5 pm on the road.
High School Golf
The Fairfield and Washington boys’ teams and Brody Engle of Mt. Pleasant will travel to Pella for their District meet today.
The Winfield-Mt. Union, WACO, and Danville boys’ teams along with Holy Trinity Catholic’s Max Kruse and Wapello’s Cully Fry will head to Oskaloosa Golf today for their Class 1A District showdown hosted by Sigourney.
The Mediapolis boys’ team will host their Class 2A District Meet today at Heritage Oaks with Central Lee competing.
The Wapello girls’ team will host the Class 1A Region 5 finals at Heritage Oaks Golf & Country Club tomorrow, May 20th, with Winfield-Mt. Union, Van Buren County’s Sophia Jirak, and Hailey Wellington of Columbus making the trip.
The Mid-Prairie girls’ team will host the Class 2A Region 5 finals with Burlington Notre Dame’s Alexandria Booten competing tomorrow.
The Mt. Pleasant and Fairfield girls’ teams will be heading to Edmundson Golf Course tomorrow for the Class 3A Region 3 meet.
The Washington girls’ team will travel to Stone Creek Golf Club for the Class 3A Region 4 meet tomorrow.
High School Track and Field
The Iowa High School State Track and Field meet is scheduled to start on Thursday, May 21st, and run through Saturday, May 23rd, with KILJ providing updates throughout the three-day event.
Some of our local athletes will be looking to defend their titles from last year. New London’s crew of Cale Westerbeck, Gavin Strawhacker, Brigham Porter, and London Franklin will look to run it back in the 4×100 meter relay. Eli Zillman of Fairfield will look to reclaim the high jump title from his sophomore season. Lastly, Burlington’s Kylee Hill is looking to make it a three-peat from the shot put ring.
For a full list of our state qualifiers, follow this link: State Qualifiers List
High School Boys’ Tennis
The team tennis tournament will begin tomorrow, May 20th, with Mt. Pleasant traveling to Assumption and Fairfield taking on Central DeWitt on the road for Class 1A Substate 7.
High School Baseball
Wapello had their contest against West Burlington canceled last night. Wapello will get back to action on Thursday, May 21st, at 5 pm at home against North Cedar.
West Burlington will tangle with Fort Madison tomorrow, May 20th, at 7 pm on the road.
Winfield-Mt. Union was handled by Burlington last night, 9-0. Trevor Phillips and Graham Haines combined for eight strikeouts on the mound in the loss. The Wolves will host Cardinal tomorrow at 7 pm.
Fairfield fell to Grinnell last night, 5-3. The Trojans will stay at home tonight against Oskaloosa with first pitch at 7 pm.
Van Buren County will face off against Lone Tree tonight with the doubleheader starting at 5:30 pm.
Mt. Pleasant will have their home opener tomorrow at 7 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm.
High School Softball
The Wapello girls’ team won a pitcher’s duel against West Burlington/Notre Dame last night, 2-1. Quinn Zweibohmer was unstoppable, notching 17 strikeouts in seven innings of work in the circle to go along with an RBI at the plate. Orayana Gonzalez slashed an RBI double for the Falcons.
Wapello will square off against Columbus on May 26th at 7 pm on the road.
West Burlington/Notre Dame will look to bounce back against Fort Madison tomorrow, May 20th, at 7 pm on the road.
Columbus will tangle with Lone Tree at home tonight at 7 pm.
High School Softball Rankings
The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) released their preseason rankings yesterday and Central Lee was slotted in at #15 for Class 3A. The Hawks finished last year with a 22-9 record and for the third consecutive year on top of the Southeast Iowa Super Conference South Division rankings. Kenna Sandoval and Marie Young return to the lineup after combining for 53 RBIs last year, as Sandoval sits at 27 career home runs.
Two other Super Conference teams to keep an eye on is #1 Louisa-Muscatine in Class 2A and #5 Highland in Class 1A. Both teams will be battling it out in the North Division with their first matchup slated for June 9th.
College Signing
The nascent Southeastern Community College (SCC) men’s wrestling program will be adding another local talent to their roster in Mt. Pleasant’s Charlie Bohnenkamp, as he signed his letter of intent yesterday.
After going 14-12 in his senior campaign and not meeting his expectations, the Panther is looking forward for the opportunity at redemption,
“Yeah, it’s nice because SCC is giving me a second chance. I’m thankful for that. I mean, I love wrestling. I like wrestling. Like, it’s something that makes me a better person every day, and I hope that it will continue to make me better.”
Local Summer Athletic Camps
Mt. Pleasant girls’ basketball is offering up a camp for any girls’ basketball players entering 3rd through 12th grades from June 23rd through the 25th located at the Mt. Pleasant High School Gym. The camp will focus on the fundamentals and introduce team concepts employed by the high school’s system.
If you would like to sign-up, then follow this link and fill out the form: https://kilj.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/mp-girls-bball-camp.pdf
Winfield-Mt. Union is encouraging students entering 3rd through 8th grade to stay active this summer with their Wolfpack Performance Training program that will feature 12 dates throughout June and the beginning of July from 9 am to 9:45 am to build speed and agility.
If you would like to sign-up, then head over to KILJ’s Facebook page and use their QR Code.
College Baseball
Iowa will square off against Illinois today to start the Big Ten tournament from Omaha, Nebraska.
This Day in Sports History
1910 – Cy Young got his 500th win.
1912 – American League president Ban Johnson told the Detroit Tigers that if they continued to protest the Ty Cobb suspension they would be banned from baseball.
1974 – The Philadelphia Flyers became the first post-’67 expansion team to win the Stanley Cup. The Flyers won the cup the following season as well.
Mount Pleasant to Celebrate Belle Babb Mansfield’s 180th Birthday
A celebration of one of Mount Pleasant’s most historic figures is set for next weekend during the Farmhouse Central Vintage Market in downtown Mount Pleasant.
The community is invited to Central Park on Saturday, May 23rd, to celebrate the 180th birthday of Arabella Babb Mansfield — better known locally as Belle Babb Mansfield. 
The event will feature live music from Maybelle Lou from 1 to 3 p.m., along with birthday cake and a chance to reflect on Mansfield’s lasting connection to Mount Pleasant history.
Mansfield became the first certified female attorney in the United States after taking the Iowa bar exam in 1869. That exam was administered inside the historic Union Block building overlooking Central Park — a landmark that still stands today. Mount Pleasant also honors Mansfield with a statue on central campus recognizing her groundbreaking achievement.
The Farmhouse Central Vintage Market will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Central Park and will include shopping, entertainment, and community activities throughout the day.
The birthday celebration is sponsored by the Henry County Bar Association.
Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report, May 11-17, 2026
|