Reminder! Simulated Accident Scene in New London This Afternoon

If you see a large presence of law enforcement and first responders in New London today, there is a good chance it is just a drill. Operation Prom is being held for New London High School students, which will include an accident scene. This is in hope that the students will understand the dangers of drinking and driving, and therefore deter them from even thinking about doing so.

Students will be part of a simulated accident and emergency response, providing a hands-on experience of the potential consequences of risky behaviors. As well as students and law enforcement, medical personnel, firefighters, life flight crews, and funeral home representatives will be on-site to interact with students.

The training will focus on smart decision-making, safety, and understanding the consequences of choices made during celebratory events.

Operation Prom is designed to create awareness and foster responsible decision-making among our teens during prom season. A way for parents to get involved is by supporting your teen’s participation and discussing the importance of responsible choices.

Some of the material may be graphic in nature since it will be a simulated accident scene.

Governor Reynolds Comments on Passage of “AEA” Bill

Governor Reynolds issued the following statement on Senate passage of HF 2612 to reform Iowa’s Area Education Agencies, improve special education outcomes, and raise teacher salaries for new and experienced teachers:

“Today’s vote by the Senate sends a strong message: every Iowa student deserves a world class education, and the compensation of every Iowa teacher should reflect the importance of their role.

“Over the last several weeks, this bill has been the focus of much discussion and debate. Change is seldom easy, but it is necessary to achieve better results. Reforming the AEA system creates accountability, transparency, consistency, and most importantly, better outcomes for all Iowa’s students.

“I look forward to the work ahead to implement this bill and the possibilities it holds for Iowa’s students.”

Henry County – Sign Up For Emergency Alerts!

If you reside in Henry County, make sure to sign up for Alert Iowa alerts by texting HenryIA to 67283. By signing up, you will receive urgent notifications via text message. Examples of these include emergency notifications, event reminders, traffic updates, and severe weather alerts. These are important messages to receive especially as we soon enter into tornado season.

Again, text HenryIA to 67283 to sign up for Alert Iowa.

A reminder that there will be a statewide tornado drill this morning at 10:00am.

Sports, March 27th

High School Track and Field

The girls’ meet at West Burlington was canceled due to weather.

The Danville, WACO, and Van Buren County girls’ teams will travel to Mediapolis for a meet tomorrow, March 28th. 

The WACO and New London boys’ teams will travel to Van Buren County for a meet tomorrow.

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ and girls’ teams will host their Invitational tomorrow with the West Burlington and Mediapolis boys’ teams in attendance. 

The Central Lee girls’ team will travel to Fairfield for a meet on April 2nd. 

The Winfield-Mt. Union boys and girls’ teams will participate in a relay at Mediapolis on April 2nd.  

The New London girls’ team will travel to WACO for a meet on April 2nd. 

High School Soccer

The WACO boys’ team will open the season tomorrow, March 28th, against Fairfield on the road at 5 pm.

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ and girls’ teams had their games against Washington last night canceled. The girls’ team will host Wapello tomorrow at 5 pm, while the boys’ team will face off against Mt. Pleasant on April 1st at 7 pm at home. 

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ and boys’ teams had their games canceled yesterday due to weather. The boys’ team will host Clear Creek Amana tomorrow at 5 pm, while the girls’ team will travel to take on the Clippers at the same time.

The Mediapolis boys’ team will compete against Keokuk tomorrow at 5 pm on the road. 

The Central Lee boys’ team will host Centerville on April 2nd and the girls’ team will travel to Mid-Prairie on the same day with both games starting at 5 pm.

The Danville boys’ team will battle Mediapolis in a road matchup on April 4th at 5 pm.

High School Tennis

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team will host Davis County tomorrow, March 28th, at 4:30 pm and the boys’ team will travel to Davis County on the same day. 

High School Golf

The Central Lee boys’ team will travel to Elks Fairview Golf Club tomorrow for an invitational. 

The WACO boys’ and girls’ teams will compete in a meet hosted by New London on April 2nd. 

The Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ and girls’ teams will travel to Columbus to participate in a meet on April 4th. 

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team will travel to Washington Golf and Country Club on April 1st and the boys’ team will participate in a conference match at Fairfield Golf and Country Club on the same day. 

Southeastern Community College

In baseball, SCC will travel to face off against Des Moines Area Community College tomorrow, March 28th, in a doubleheader. 

The SCC softball team will take on Kirkwood Community College today in a doubleheader.

College Basketball

The #1-seed Iowa women’s team will battle with the #5-seed Colorado in the Sweet 16 on Saturday, March 30th, with tipoff at 2:30 pm. 

The #2-seed Iowa State men’s team will face off against #3 Illinois tomorrow, March 28th, at 9:10 pm. 

March Madness

The KILJ bracket challenge, sponsored by The Press Box and Wiley’s Interior Furnishings and Design, is officially underway with over 30 brackets submitted with the top three set to receive prizes.

Standings have been updated and you can find them here: KILJ Bracket Challenge Standings

This Day in Sports History

1871 – First international rugby union match – Scotland beats England 1-0 at Raeburn Place, Edinburgh.

1939 – First NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship: Oregon beats Ohio State, 46-33; Ohio State forward Jimmy Hull is named tournament Most Outstanding Player.

1951 – 13th NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship: Kentucky beats Kansas, 68-58; Wildcats’ third title; a 16-team field is introduced.

Alberto Villagrana

Alberto Villagrana, 71, of Mt. Union, died Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at his home.

Alberto was born February 21, 1953, in Zacatecas, Mexico, the son of Mauel and Marta (Sonora) Villagrana. He moved to Los Angeles

and was united in marriage to Maria Zamora. The couple moved to Iowa, where Alberto was employed by West Liberty Foods. He was a member of Jesus Es El Camino AIC, in Mount Pleasant. Alberto loved to mow grass and take care of his yard. He also enjoyed working on cars.

Alberto is survived by his wife Maria; son Jose Villagrana of Mt. Union; three granddaughters, Hope Villargana, of Muscatine, Ruthie Haller of Janesville, WI, and Genesis Villagrana, of Mt. Union. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m. Monday, April 1, 2024, at the Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory. Burial will follow in the Trinity Cemetery, rural Mount Pleasant. Rev. Marcelino Alejandro will officiate. The service will be livestreamed on Powell Funeral Homes Facebook page and www.powellfuneralhomes.com. Visitation will be held 12:00 p.m. until the time of service.  A memorial has been established to assist the family with funeral expenses. Contributions may be given online at powellfuneralhomes.com on Alberto’s obituary page.

Trevor Coughlin – Pending

Trevor M. Coughlin, 32, of Mt. Pleasant, died Tuesday, March 26th.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant.

Online condolences may be directed to wwwkimzeyfh.com

Louise Unkrich – Pending

Louise E. Unkrich, 99, of Swedesburg, IA, died Monday, March 25th.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant.

Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com

Shirley Brobston

Shirley Anne (Fleming) Brobston, 76, returned peacefully to her heavenly home on March 26, 2024 in Franklin, Tennessee.

Graveside services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Maple Hill Cemetery, Birmingham, Iowa with Pastor John D. Boatman officiating.  Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer’s Association.  Cards for the family may be mailed to Brobston Family, 2020 Fieldstone Parkway, Suite 900-538, Franklin TN 37069. Online condolences may be made to Shirley’s family at www.behnerfh.com.
Shirley was born February 17, 1948 in Fairfield, Iowa to William and Wilma (Turner) Fleming.  She married the love of her life Robert Richard Brobston in Fairfield on November 7, 1965.  During their 55 years of marriage, they raised two children, Kimberly and Sean.

Shirley was a devoted Christian, wife, and mother. She exemplified compassion, and selflessness, continuously prioritizing the needs of others over her own.  She loved spending time with her family and was ever-present to pray, listen, help, and offer comfort in any possible manner. She would even bring smiles to family and friends faces by cooking or baking their favorite dishes from scratch.  She found joy in nurturing flowers, birds, and researching family genealogy to uncover and learn about descendants from generations past.

Shirley began her secretarial career in Clinton, Iowa from 1976 through 1980.  In 1980, they moved to Hamilton, Illinois where they became members of the First Baptist Church in Keokuk, Iowa.  There she continued serving as the secretary of First Baptist Church for over 28 years, retiring in November 2016. She loved serving God and the members of the church. Her musical ability was known through her years of singing in the church choir, performing solos, and playing the piano.  For a decade, she and her husband also hosted a weekly Bible study in their home.

She will be deeply missed by her children, Kimberly Newlon of Hamilton, Illinois, and Sean Brobston of Franklin, Tennessee; son-in-law, Neil Newlon; daughter-in-law, Danielle Brobston; six grandchildren, Brianna Newlon, Megan (Brandon) Nott, Jonathan Newlon, Zachary Brobston, Grace Newlon (great-granddaughter Elena), Ethan Brobston; one brother, Mark (Celeste) Fleming of Keokuk, Iowa; one sister, Randi (Ray) Larson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; sister-in-law, Gail Fleming of Tipton, Iowa; nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.  Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Richard Brobston (August 8, 2021); her parents, William and Wilma Fleming (Fairfield, Iowa); brother, Gary Fleming (Tipton, Iowa), and sister, Sandy (Fleming) Olinger (Reno, Nevada).

“Mom, you embodied values which today appear out of fashion – your faith in God, your decency, your honesty, your absolute selflessness, your complete disinterest in ego and materialism. Your pain is gone, and you have earned your eternal rest.  We will continue your resolve and do our best to follow your example.

We love you and we will miss you terribly until we meet again.”

In loving memory,
Your family