Mike Naig Applauds Passage of House Agriculture Committee’s New Farm Bill

By Yorke Prough · Friday, May 24th, 2024 at 9:40 am CDT

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today applauded the House Agriculture Committee’s bipartisan passage of the new Farm Bill. He thanked Representatives Feenstra and Nunn, members of the Committee, as well as the entire Iowa delegation, for their work to incorporate Iowa’s priorities:

“Iowa farmers and consumers need a strong and comprehensive Farm Bill, and the House Agriculture Committee should be commended for taking a significant step toward that goal. Thanks to the influential work of Representatives Feenstra and Nunn, who serve on the committee, as well as Representatives Hinson and Miller-Meeks, many of Iowa’s priorities are included in the House Farm Bill.

Every title of the House Farm Bill matters to Iowa. We must ensure strong risk management tools like crop insurance, bolster commodity programs and fix the Prop 12 ruling. We also need to keep accelerating conservation, provide nutrition assistance and invest in rural development and trade promotion.

I appreciate the leadership of Chairman Thompson throughout the development of this significant legislation. Now it’s time for Chairwoman Stabenow to follow suit and release her committee’s version, schedule a hearing, and demonstrate that the Senate leadership is serious about getting a new Farm Bill enacted yet this year.”

Downtown Survey Project Meeting Ahead of Preserve Iowa Summit

By Yorke Prough · Friday, May 24th, 2024 at 9:34 am CDT

The Historic Union Block was the site of a meeting on the downtown survey project yesterday evening. Rebecca McCarley of SPARK consulting, Cedar Rapids, presented the information currently garnered from the project.

The goal is to assess the possibility of a historic district in Mount Pleasant listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Addressing the room, McCarley spoke about the intense amount of research that has had to been done. The first phase of the project, research, saw volunteers investigate historic newspaper ads which proved to be a good sign of where a business was located, and when. Telephone directories were also investigated, but the current address format was established in 1956, meaning that the directories between 1913 and 1952 created more work. Some volunteers even had the privilege of looking at historic images, dating all the way back to 1869.

Mount Pleasant has changed a lot of the years. For example, where the post office sits now once was a YMCA, until it was destroyed by a fire. Officers for the Mount Pleasant Police Department show up to work where a historic grocery store sat before. While Mount Pleasant has changed, parts of it remain the same. Out of the 137 properties surveyed in this project, 1/3rd date back to the Civil War era in the 1850s and 60s.

There are four criteria in which a district can be placed on the NRHP. This project focuses on criteria A and C, which is a pattern of important commercial activity, and architecture.

Many volunteers put countless hours into this project, and it is looking like the report will be finalized in June this year. By this fall, a potential grant application may be sent in.

If you’re interested in learning more about the history of Mount Pleasant, ensure that you attend the Preserve Iowa Summit in Mount Pleasant, June 6th-8th. Head to https://culture.iowaeda.com/events/230

Suspect Barricades Himself After Attempted Murder in Fairfield on Thursday

By Yorke Prough · Friday, May 24th, 2024 at 9:16 am CDT
Zachary George Gory

At approximately 12:14 P.M. on May 23, 2024, law enforcement responded to a call concerning a stabbing at 206 East Jefferson in Fairfield, Iowa.

Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered two victims who appeared to have multiple stab wounds. The victims were transported to the Jefferson County Health Center for treatment, and both have since been discharged with minor injuries.

The defendant, Zachary George Gory, age 35, remained barricaded in the residence until law enforcement forced entry. He was arrested and charged with two counts of Attempt to Commit Murder, B Felony charges, one count of Assault on a Peace Officer and one count of Interference with Official Acts, both misdemeanor charges. He was transported to the Jefferson County Health Center for evaluation and has since been taken to the Jefferson County Jail.

A criminal charge is only an accusation, and the Defendant is presumed innocent until and if found guilty in a Court of Law.

As a pending investigation, there is no further information to be released at this time.

This was a multi-agency effort, and the County Attorney’s Office wishes to thank the swift and thorough law enforcement efforts that helped to minimize injury to the those involved and protect the community at large.

Van Buren Deputy Arrests Woman on Warrant out of Missouri

By Yorke Prough · Friday, May 24th, 2024 at 8:35 am CDT

On May 22,  at approximately 10:00 AM, Bree Greever (39) of Bloomfield was arrested by a Van Buren County Deputy during a traffic stop on J40 north of Milton. Greever was stopped for speeding, and not having registration plates attached to the vehicle. During the traffic stop it was discovered that Greever had an active arrest warrant issued out of Missouri. She was subsequently arrested on the warrant. A search of her person yielded a substance consistent with methamphetamine. She was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd offense, and possession of drug paraphernailia. She is currently being held in the Van Buren County Jail on $3000.00 cash or, surety bond.

Severe Weather in Our Area: 70mph Winds, Hail, Possible Tornadoes

By Yorke Prough · Friday, May 24th, 2024 at 6:56 am CDT

Severe weather is once again threatening, with two rounds possible throughout the day. Mount Pleasant is now in the impact area for a severe thunderstorm warning, in which we may see 70mph winds and penny size hail. Expect considerable tree damage, and then likely damage to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings.

Thunderstorms are then expected to redevelop this afternoon, with damaging winds and hail the threats again.

Severe storms are possible on Sunday as well.

Sports, May 24th

By Slaten Swords · Friday, May 24th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Soccer

In the girls’ Class 2A Region 8 backet, Burlington was downed by Iowa City Liberty last night 3-0 to end their season. The Lightning advanced to the state tournament and the Grayhounds finished the season with a 14-3 record. 

High School Tennis

Jana Isanta of Mt. Pleasant will participate in the girls’ Class 1A State Singles tournament today in Iowa City. Isanta was one of four players to earn a seed as she will be the #4-seed heading into the tournament. 

The boys’ Class 1A state singles tournament is officially over and here’s how Fairfield’s Rumin Luo performed in his day two action. 

Waiting for Luo in the consolation semifinals was Mason Reicks of Kuemper Catholic, who lost his first match against Decorah’s Caden Branum before two consecutive victories to meet up with Lou. However, his run ended there as Luo won both sets 6-3.

Sergeant Bluff-Luton’s Tyler Grote was all that stood between the Trojan and 5th place. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be; despite the tough match, Grote won both sets 7-5 and 6-4, which gave Lou 6th place overall. 

High School Golf. 

Day one of the girls’ state meet is in the books and here’s how New London fared in Class 1A. The Tigers currently sit in 6th place with a team score of 380. Nevertheless, Taylor Phillips, who finished with the silver last season, leads the field with a round-one score of 73 (+2). A three-stroke lead over Mount Ayr’s Jaylee Shaffer.

Sophie Malott finished the day in 22nd place, shooting a 91 (+20), while Emma Busby carded a 105 (+34) to earn 56th place. 

Easton Valley holds a shallow lead over Highland by a mere four strokes (363 to 367). BCLUW is in third place with a team score of 87-over par.

For Class 2A, Olivia Hines of Mediapolis will be looking to add to her medal collection as she aims to finish in second place. The senior shot an 80 (+8) to end day one in 6th place. Chole Bolte of Sumner-Fredericksburg is performing admirably to defend her state title, carding a 67 (-5). She has a ten-stroke lead heading into today. 

Bolte’s lead has helped Sumner-Fredericksburg lead the way on the team front with a score of 337 followed by Roland-Story’s score of 341. Mid-Prairie is back in 5th place with a team score of 365 as they are led by Gabi Robertson’s 84 (+12), which is 13th overall.

The state meet for all classes will conclude today.

High School Baseball

Central Lee will hit the road to face off against Hillcrest Academy at the Field of Dreams in Dyersville tonight at 6 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union’s late surge was not enough as the Wolves fell to Hillcrest Academy last night 11-7. Winfield-Mt. Union will take on Lone Tree tonight at 5:30 pm on the road. 

Mt. Pleasant will travel to play Muscatine tonight at 7 pm.

New London will hit the road to face off against Van Buren County today at 5:30 pm.  

Mediapolis versus Danville scheduled for tonight has been postponed. The game has been rescheduled for June 20th.

West Burlington will host Burlington Notre Dame tonight at 5:30 pm. 

High School Softball

Winfield-Mt. Union stood strong, tying the game at nine before Hillcrest Academy jumped on the Wolves for nine runs in the top of the 7th inning to win 18-9. Makiah Lower went 3 for 3 with two RBIs as Quin Smith swatted a triple and scored three runs for the Wolves. Winfield-Mt. Union will face off against Lone Tree tonight at 5:30 pm on the road. 

Mt. Pleasant will hit the road to face off against Mid-Prairie tonight at 7 pm. 

Van Buren County will travel to take on New London at 7 pm tonight.

West Burlington will participate in a tournament tomorrow, May 25th, at Louisa-Muscatine. 

Mediapolis versus Danville scheduled for tonight has been postponed. The game has been rescheduled for June 20th.

Central Lee versus Holy Trinity Catholic tonight has been canceled. 

High School Wrestling

The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s Board of Directors approved the move to divide the 2024-2025 girls’ wrestling season into two classes.

Class 2A will include the 64 largest wrestling schools, with Class 1A consisting of the remaining schools. Wrestlers will still compete at regional meets to qualify for the state tournament, which is scheduled for two days, February 6th and 7th.

The IGHSAU saw 204 schools sponsor a girls’ wrestling program, while 61 schools co-opted this past season.

Southeastern Community College

SCC baseball will head to Oklahoma to compete in the 2024 NJCAA Division II Baseball World Series tomorrow, May 25th. The Blackhawks earned the #7-seed and will face off against #10 South Arkansas Community College in the first round at 4 pm. 

This Day in Sports History

1935 – The first night game in major league baseball history was played at Cincinnati’s Crosley Field, where the home team defeated the Phillies, 2-1.

1981 – Indianapolis 500: Bobby Unser crosses the finish line ahead of Mario Andretti; Unser was disqualified for pit lane infraction, but later has his win reinstated for his 3rd career victory.

1992 – Indianapolis 500: Al Unser Jr. holds off Scott Goodyear to win by 0.043 seconds; Unser Jr. becomes the first second-generation driver to win the race along with this being the closest finish in Indy history.

Join the Burlington Citizen’s Fire Academy

By Yorke Prough · Friday, May 24th, 2024 at 6:08 am CDT

Have you ever wanted to be a firefighter but life got in the way? The Burlington Fire Department would like to announce the opening of the application period for the 2024 Citizen’s Fire Academy. The Citizen’s Fire Academy will be 8 weeks long and take place on Thursday evenings for 2 hours. The application period will be closed on July 19th with selection coming the following week.

The Citizens Fire Academy is built to give the citizens of Burlington, and their service area in rural Des Moines County, first-hand knowledge of what the Burlington Fire Department does daily. The sessions will be taught by Burlington firefighters. Sessions will cover everything from being one of the busiest ALS services in Southeast Iowa, to fire ground operations, to driving a fire truck down the road.

A criminal history investigation will be done on the applicant to participate in the Citizen’s Fire Academy.

If interested please click https://www.burlingtoniowa.org/2619/Citizens-Fire-Academy to fill out an application. Please complete the fillable application and submit it electronically, or print and return the application to the Fire Department at 418 Valley Street in Burlington.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the Fire Chief Matt Trexel at 319-753-8390

2024 Girls’ State Golf: New London’s Taylor Phillips Leads Class 1A After Day One

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, May 23rd, 2024 at 4:30 pm CDT

Prep Girls’ Golf- The 2024 girls’ state golf meet is underway and southeast Iowa currently has two golfers within the top ten of their respective classes with one of them sitting atop the standings.

Girls’ Class 1A

New London brought the whole team to compete and after a day of golf, the Tigers currently sit in 6th place with a team score of 380. Nevertheless, Taylor Phillips, who finished with the silver last season, leads the field with a round-one score of 73 (+2). A three-stroke lead over Mount Ayr’s Jaylee Shaffer.

Sophie Malott finished the day in 22nd place, shooting a 91 (+20), while Emma Busby carded a 105 (+34) to earn 56th place. Sydney Kracht’s score of 111 (+40) is the last score to contribute to New London’s team standings.

Easton Valley holds a shallow lead over Highland by a mere four strokes (363 to 367). BCLUW is in third place with a team score of 87-over par.

Girls’ Class 2A

Olivia Hines of Mediapolis has made it a habit of attending the state meet with bronze and silver medals in her back pocket; she will be battling for second place tomorrow. The senior shot an 80 (+8) to end day one in 6th place.

Chole Bolte of Sumner-Fredericksburg is performing admirably to defend her state title, carding a 67 (-5). She has a ten-stroke lead heading into the finals tomorrow, as 2nd place through 19th place are also separated by ten strokes to further represent her domination.

Bolte’s lead has helped Sumner-Fredericksburg lead the way on the team front with a score of 337 followed by Roland-Story’s score of 341 and Oelwein’s 352. Mid-Prairie is back in 5th place with a team score of 365 as they are led by Gabi Robertson’s 84 (+12), which is 13th overall.

Girls’ Class 3A Par 72

Individual standings: Eden Lohrbach (69), Meghan DeLong (73), Ava Kalb and Meera Julka (76)

Team Standings: Gilbert (309), Dubuque Wahlert Catholic (325), Xavier (349)

Girls’ Class 4A Par 71

Individual standings: Morgan Rupp and Isabella Pettersen (70), Saleah Vivanh Vong (71), Izzy Steele and Natalie Henson (73)

Team Standings: Pleasant Valley (315), Waukee Northwest and Cedar Rapids Washington (317), Cedar Falls (324)

KILJ will continue its coverage of the girls’ state tournament tomorrow.