Sports, February 25th

Boys’ District Basketball

In Class 1A Substate 5 District 9, #4 Burlington Notre Dame squashed a late rally by Holy Trinity Catholic to win the District Championship in consecutive years with a 64-51 final. Griffin Kies knocked down four of the Nikes’ seven three-pointers, as he finished with a team high 22 points, while Shay Stephens managed only 13 points. Crusader head coach John Hellige was proud of the way his team executed the game plan,

“Yeah, just really wanted to kind of try to slow him down as much as we could. Kind of limiting the transition and trying to control the defensive boards and limit our live ball turnovers is really what we tried to do tonight. For the most part, I thought the boys did a good job with the game plan.”

Layne Rung was a one-man wrecking crew for Holy Trinity Catholic, scoring 26 points on the night, as he finished his career with 1,148 points. Coach Hellige commended the senior’s effort,

“Amazing player, amazing player, amazing young man. He did everything this season we needed him to do. He’s kind of played behind a couple guys the last few years, and this year it was his turn to step into the spotlight, and boy did he ever. Had a great senior year, and just super proud of him.”

Holy Trinity Catholic finished the season with a 16-8 record. 

In District 10, Hillcrest Academy had a chance late but Calamus-Wheatland made enough free throws to clip the Ravens last night, 48-46, to win the district championship. Hillcrest Academy posted a 20-5 record for the year.

Burlington Notre Dame and Calamus-Wheatland will face off for the Substate 5 championship on Saturday, February 28th, at 4 pm at Iowa City High. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 3:45 pm.

In Class 2A Substate 5 District 9, Central Lee fell to Regina Catholic last night, 66-41. The Hawks collected a 15-8 record for the season.

In Substate 5 District 10, Mid-Prairie rallied late but could not overcome the Northeast offense, losing 75-66. The Golden Hawks take home a 16-7 record for the year. 

In Class 3A Substate 5, #5 Washington will travel to #1 Pella tomorrow, February 26th, at 7 pm.

#3 Keokuk will tangle with #2 Center Point-Urbana tomorrow at 7 pm on the road. 

Girls’ Postseason Basketball

For the Class 3A state tournament, #7 Mediapolis will square off against #2 Maquoketa for the state quarterfinals on Monday, March 2nd, at 8:30 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 8:15 pm.

The other Class 3A matchups include #1 Mt. Vernon taking on #8 Cherokee Washington, #4 Wahlert Catholic will face off against #5 Williamsburg, and #3 Des Moines Christian will tangle with #6 Forest City.

High School Bowling

The Class 1A Individual State Tournament was held yesterday and Kaden Zear of Washington finished in 14th place with 681 total pins. Taking home the individual title was Landon Costello of Maquoketa by three pins, as he bowled a 249 in the championship match. 

Denison-Schleswig shutout ADM in the Class 2A team championship, winning by at least 27 pins in each of the three games.

Keokuk’s Chase Hemann will compete in the Class 2A individual state tournament today.

Southeastern Community College

The women’s basketball team will take on Southwestern Community College tonight at home at 5:30 pm.

The men’s basketball team will travel to Marshalltown Community College on Saturday, February 28th, at 7 pm for their regular season finale. 

College Basketball

The Iowa State women’s team will square off against Oklahoma State tonight at 6:30 pm at home.

The #9 Iowa women’s team will host Illinois tomorrow, February 26th, at 8 pm.

The Iowa men’s team will contend with Ohio State at home tonight at 8 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM will have the call.

The #4 Iowa State men’s team throttled Utah last night, 75-59. Joshua Jefferson led the team with 21 points, but the night belonged to Milan Momchilovic as he set the single-season three-point record, knocking down four for the night and currently sitting at 104 for the year. The Cyclones will face off against #16 Texas Tech on Saturday, February 28th, at 3 pm. KILJ 98.5 FM and AM 1130 will have the call.

This Day in Sports History

1924 – Marie Boyd scored 156 points in a Maryland High School basketball game (163-3 final).

1941 – The Boston Bruins set a then-NHL record of a 23-game unbeaten streak (15-0-8).

2019 – Caitlin Clark sets the Class 5A state tournament single-game scoring record with 42 points in a game for Dowling Catholic High School against Waukee High School, winning in triple overtime.

Deanna Marie Reu

Deanna Marie Reu, 82, of Donnellson, Iowa, passed away at 12:37 p.m. Monday, February 23, 2026, at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in Fort Madison, Iowa.

She was born on December 15, 1943, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the daughter of Leonard and Dehlia (Ball) Krebill. On September 8, 1963, she married Richard H. Reu in Donnellson, Iowa.

She is survived by her husband: Richard; two children: Mike (Paula) Reu, Penny (Vince) Hocker; grandchildren: Brandon (Lexy) Reu, Jessica (Darion) Weber, Clayton (Clarissa) Hocker, Katie (Chad) Schinstock; seven great grandchildren; brothers-in-law: Ray Tull and David Reu. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister: Barb Tull; sisters and brothers-in-law: Willis and Colleen Kirchner, Carol and Pauline Blacksmith, Howard and Darlene Metcalf and Wanda Reu.

Deanna was a 1961 graduate of Donnellson High School. She later graduated from Burlington Cosmetology and went on to own and operate Deanna’s Beauty Shop for sixty years before her retirement. A lifelong member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Donnellson, she faithfully served as a Sunday School teacher for forty years.

In her earlier years, Deanna enjoyed traveling and motorcycling. She also took great joy in feeding and watching the birds and squirrels outside her home. Above all, Deanna cherished time spent with her family, who were the center of her life.

Her body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation. Friends may call after 12:00 noon, Monday, March 9, 2026, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson, where the family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Monday, March 9, 2026, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson with Pastor Aaron Hand officiating. Burial will be at a later date at Evangelical Cemetery in Donnellson.

A memorial has been established in her memory. Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Niota Man Arrested for OWI After Wrong-Way Driving on Highway 34 in Henry County

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office reports a Niota, Illinois man was arrested early Sunday morning after allegedly driving the wrong way on Highway 34.

According to Sheriff Rich McNamee, deputies were dispatched at approximately 2:10 a.m. on February 22, 2026 after receiving reports of an SUV traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of Highway 34. Henry County Dispatch received multiple 911 calls throughout the incident, with callers providing updated location information on the vehicle.

Deputies located the SUV still traveling in the incorrect lanes and conducted a traffic stop near mile marker 239. Authorities say the vehicle was brought to a safe stop without further incident.

Following an investigation, deputies determined Chad Hohenthaner, 54, of Niota, Illinois, was operating the vehicle on the wrong side of the two-way highway. Hohenthaner was arrested and transported to the Henry County Jail.

He has been charged with Operating While Intoxicated, First Offense, a serious misdemeanor, along with Open Container and Driving on the Wrong Side of a Two-Way Highway, both scheduled violations.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

Winfield Attorney Becky Wilson Announces Candidacy for Henry County Attorney

Attorney Becky Wilson has announced her plans to appear on the ballot for Henry County Attorney, according to a recent press release to KILJ. In the release, Wilson details her legal experience and explains why she believes she is well-qualified for the position.

Attorney Wilson explains she has a total of 17 years of legal experience, consisting of 7 years as a National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) certified paralegal and 10 years as a practicing attorney in Iowa. She has practiced many areas of law; bankruptcy, family, personal injury, criminal defense, probate, child in need of assistance, guardianships, juvenile delinquencies, and more.

She grew up in small-town Iowa and now lives in Winfield. She and her husband have been married 37 years and have three sons and two grandchildren. Her husband is pastor of the Winfield Open Bible Church.

In a statement, she said she believes Henry County deserves a prosecutor who can restore public trust and place the interests of the community first.

Wilson says she welcomes opportunities to speak with local organizations and voters ahead of the election.

You can view her letter announcing her candidacy in its entirety here.

Danville Man Arrested on Assault Charges in Keosauqua

The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office has released details surrounding an early Sunday morning investigation in Keosauqua.

According to Sheriff Brad Hudson, at approximately 4:30 a.m. on February 22, a deputy responded to a report of a stolen vehicle and a possible missing person.

The reporting party told authorities her boyfriend had taken her car to Tillie’s Bar earlier in the night and had not returned home. She later learned from individuals at the bar that an unknown male had loaded her intoxicated boyfriend into her vehicle and driven away.

At approximately 5:30 a.m., the vehicle was located near Hotel Manning in downtown Keosauqua. Both male subjects were found in the immediate area.

Trenton A. Miller, 36, of Danville was arrested and charged with assault causing bodily injury.

All charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Mount Pleasant Hotel Disturbance Leads to Arrest

A domestic disturbance at the Quality Inn & Suites in Mount Pleasant on February 18, 2026 has resulted in multiple charges.

The Mount Pleasant Police Department was called to the 1200 block of East Baker Street just before midnight. The victim told police she and Steven Piccinino, 60, of Saint Ann, Missouri, had been drinking before returning to their hotel, where he allegedly punched her several times in the arm. Officers reported visible bruising.

When police attempted to make contact, Piccinino allegedly barricaded himself inside the room. Officers breached the door and took him into custody after a brief struggle. During the arrest, he is accused of kicking an officer.

Piccinino is being held at the Henry County Jail on a $9,000 cash or surety bond. He faces a Class D felony charge of Assault on Persons in Certain Occupations causing bodily injury, along with domestic abuse and additional assault charges. A no-contact order has been issued, and a court appearance is scheduled for February 27th.

As a reminder, a criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Mount Pleasant Man Charged Following Domestic Altercation

A Mount Pleasant man is facing multiple charges following a reported domestic altercation earlier this month.

Mount Pleasant Police officers responded around 11:00 p.m. on February 7, 2026 to the 400 block of North Cherry Street for a report of a physical disturbance. When officers arrived, the suspect had already left the residence.

The suspect, identified as Idryss Williams, 35, of Mount Pleasant, allegedly choked the victim during an argument that escalated inside the home, impeding the victim’s breathing. Officers reported observing injuries on both sides of the victim’s neck consistent with hand placement.

Authorities say the couple has been in a relationship for more than a year and shares three young children. Two of the children were reportedly present during the altercation, while a third child was asleep downstairs.

When law enforcement contacted a witness, they reported seeing Williams corner the victim in the bathroom and hearing the victim tell him to remove his hands.

Due to concerns for the victim’s safety and the suspect leaving the scene, police requested an arrest warrant. The warrant was served on February 18, 2026 and a no-contact order was issued the following day. Williams is currently being held at the Henry County Jail.

He faces one charge of domestic abuse assault—impeding the flow of air or blood—an aggravated misdemeanor, along with two counts of child endangerment. A bond review hearing is scheduled for March 14, 2026.

As a reminder, all charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.