Sports, March 20th

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, March 20th, 2024 at 6:28 am CDT

High School Track and Field

The Mt. Pleasant girls team will compete at a meet in West Burlington on March 26th, while the boys’ team will travel to Washington tomorrow, March 21st, to compete in the Steve Roth Relays.

The WACO and Danville boys’ teams will travel to Washington to participate in a meet tomorrow. The WACO girls’ team will run on March 26th at West Burlington.

The New London and Central Lee boys’ teams will participate in a meet on March 25th at West Burlington.

The Van Buren County girls’ and boys’ teams will travel to Albia for a meet tomorrow.

The Mediapolis and Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ teams will travel to Washington tomorrow for a meet. The Mediapolis, Danville, Winfield-Mt. Union, and New London girls’ teams will compete in a relay on March 26th at West Burlington.

High School Soccer

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

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ and girls’ teams will take on West Liberty on March 25th at home with the girls’ game scheduled first at 5 pm. 

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ will host Mediapolis on March 26th to start their season at 4:30 pm, while the boys’ will travel to Danville to play at 5 pm on the same day. 

The Danville girls’ team will face off against Assumption on March 25th on the road at 5 pm.

The Mediapolis boys’ team will take on Burlington on March 26th on the road at 5 pm.

Southeastern Community College

For baseball, SCC and Carl Sandburg College had the offenses firing on all cylinders yesterday as the Blackhawks produced two runs in the top of the 8th to narrowly win 9-7. Michael Farina finished the game 3 for 5 as he clobbered a home run and pushed across three RBIs. The Blackhawks will face off against Marshalltown Community College today at the Burlington Bees Stadium. 

The SCC softball team enters a doubleheader today with a 12-8 record as they are set to host the Des Moines Area Community College. 

College Basketball

The Iowa women’s team will be the #1-seed in the Albany Regional for the National Championship bracket, which means they will host the first two rounds. The Hawkeys will take on either Holy Cross or UT-Martin on Saturday, March 23rd, at 2 pm.

The Iowa State women’s team will be making their 5th consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament as the Cyclones earned the #7-seed. They will face off against Maryland on Friday, March 22nd, at 6:30 pm. 

The Iowa State men’s team claimed the #2-seed in the NCAA tournament as they will compete against the #15-seed South Dakota State tomorrow, March 21st, at 6:35 pm.

The Iowa men’s team eliminated Kansas State from the NIT tournament last night in a high scoring affair, 91-82. Payton Sandfort and Ben Krikke totaled double-doubles with Sandfort cashing in for 30 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, while Kirkke scored 24 points and collected 11 rebounds. The Hawkeyes will face off against the #2-seed Utah this weekend. 

College Awards

The men’s and women’s All-America teams were announced yesterday and the United States Basketball Writers Association selected Iowa’s Caitlin Clark to the First Team. Clark is leading the nation in points per game with 31.9 and assists per game at 8.9. She is the first player to lead the nation in assists and scoring in back-to-back seasons along with being the first Division-I player to register over 1,000 points in back-to-back seasons.

On the men’s side, The Associated Press named Tamin Lipsey All-American honorable mention. Lipsey is the first Cyclone to be named to the AP All-American list since 2016. Lipsey was also named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches All-District 8 First Team yesterday. 

March Madness

The KILJ bracket challenge, sponsored by The Press Box and Wiley’s Interior Furnishings and Design, has officially started. The first four play-in games will not count towards your final score and brackets are due by the end of today.

For a full list of rules and prizes follow this link: KILJ Bracket Challenge 

This Day in Sports History

1934 – All-round female super athlete Babe Didrikson Zaharias pitches a hitless inning for Philadelphia A’s in their exhibition pre-season baseball game against the Brooklyn Dodgers.

1965 – 27th NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship: UCLA beats Michigan, 91-80, making the Bruins one of seven teams to earn back-to-back titles. 

1990 – The LA Lakers retired Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s #33.

Wapello Fire and Rescue Fight Multiple Fires Over Past Week

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, March 19th, 2024 at 2:26 pm CDT

Wapello Fire and Rescue have been busy fighting fires and medical emergencies in the last week.

At 3:38 PM on March 13th, Wapello Fire and Rescue was called to the Wapello yard waste site for a report of fire out of control. Crews arrived on scene and extinguished some burning yard waste.

At approximately 7:18 PM on March 14th, crews were called to 14164 County Road G-62 for a report of a garage fire. Arriving on scene, they determined that the fire had been extinguished by the homeowner. Crews conducted overhaul operations and investigation for fire extension. The cause of the fire was determined to be from improper handling of shop towels. Damage was estimated at less than $5000. There were no injuries.

Just before 3 in the morning on Monday the 18th, Wapello Fire and Rescue was called 5364 Highway 99 in rural Oakville to assist Oakville Fire Department with a structure fire. Upon arrival, Oakville Fire Department was on scene of a single family home. Heavy smoke and flames were observed coming through the roof and from inside the home. Crews attacked the fire and ventilated the structure. Firefighters remained on scene for several hours conducting salvage and overhaul operations before the fire was eventually extinguished. The home sustained heavy damage from fire, smoke and water. Damage estimates are not available at this time but the home is inhabitable.

The American Red Cross was requested to assist the occupants. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Two occupants were home at the time of the fire and were able to escape the structure however one occupant of the home was transported to the hospital by Wapello Ambulance. Two cats were located inside the home and rescued by firefighters. There were no injuries to any firefighters. Firefighting efforts were complicated by high winds and freezing temperatures. Agencies responding to the fire included Oakville Fire and Rescue, Wapello Fire and Rescue, Wapello Community Ambulance, Morning Sun Fire Department, Louisa County Sheriff’s Office, Eastern Iowa Light and Power and Servpro.

23 Year Old Arrested with Handgun

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, March 19th, 2024 at 2:25 pm CDT

Last Tuesday, Des Moines County Sheriff’s Deputies stopped a vehicle for an equipment violation at US Highway 34 and Gear Ave. During the traffic stop deputies smelled the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. Deputies asked a passenger in the vehicle to step out and speak with them. The passenger was identified as Jabak Yacub Willis, age 23, of Burlington, IA. Willis was observed to have an object resembling a firearm tucked into his front waistband. He was then detained and a 9mm handgun was located on his person.

Deputies ran a check of the firearm, and it came back stolen out of Burlington, IA. Deputies also found that Willis has a previous conviction for domestic abuse assault preventing him from carrying a firearm. Willis also has a previous drug conviction and admitted to using marijuana earlier that day. Willis was placed under arrest for possession of firearm by domestic abuse offender (D Felony) and person ineligible to carry dangerous weapons. He was transported to the Des Moines County Correctional Center

Tamin Lipsey Adds Some More Hardware as the Cyclones Prepare for March Madness

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, March 19th, 2024 at 10:55 am CDT

Ames, IA- Tamin Lipsey has been the heart and soul of the Iowa State men’s basketball team this season and has been properly acknowledged for his efforts, earning All-Big 12 First Team and Defensive Team honors.

You can now add the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District 8 First Team honor to the list of accolades. Lipsey has averaged 12.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and an impressive 2,8 steals per game, which has helped the Cyclones to a 27-7 record and a Big 12 Championship.

The Cyclones earned the #2 seed in the East Region for the NCAA championship and will face off against the #15 seed South Dakota State on Thursday, March 21st, at 6:35 pm.

Sports, March 19th

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, March 19th, 2024 at 6:20 am CDT

High School Track and Field

The Mt. Pleasant girls team will compete at a meet in West Burlington on March 26th, while the boys’ team will travel to Washington on Thursday, March 21st, to compete in the Steve Roth Relays.

The WACO and Danville boys’ teams will travel to Washington to participate in a meet on Thursday. The WACO girls’ team will run on March 26th at West Burlington.

The New London and Central Lee boys’ teams will participate in a meet on March 25th at West Burlington.

The Van Buren County girls’ and boys’ teams will travel to Albia for a meet on Thursday.

The Mediapolis and Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ teams will travel to Washington on Thursday for a meet. The Mediapolis, Danville, Winfield-Mt. Union, and New London girls’ teams will compete in a relay on March 26th at West Burlington.

High School Soccer

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

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ and girls’ teams will take on West Liberty on March 25th at home with the girls’ game scheduled first at 5 pm. 

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ will host Mediapolis on March 26th to start their season at 4:30 pm, while the boys’ will travel to Danville to play at 5 pm on the same day. 

The Danville girls’ team will face off against Assumption on March 25th on the road at 5 pm.

The Mediapolis boys’ team will take on Burlington on March 26th on the road at 5 pm.

Southeastern Community College

The SCC baseball team is on the road today as the Blackhawks face off against Carl Sandburg College. The Blackhawks are 15-5 on the season.

The SCC softball team enters a doubleheader tomorrow, March 20th, with a 12-8 record as they are set to host the Des Moines Area Community College.

College Basketball

The Iowa women’s team will be the #1-seed in the Albany Regional for the National Championship bracket, which means they will host the first two rounds. The Hawkeys will take on either Holy Cross or UT-Martin on Saturday, March 23rd, at 2 pm.

The Iowa State women’s team will be making their 5th consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament as the Cyclones earned the #7-seed. They will face off against Maryland on Friday, March 22nd, at 6:30 pm. 

The Iowa State men’s team claimed the #2-seed in the NCAA tournament as they will compete against the #15-seed South Dakota State on Thursday, March 21st, at 6:35 pm.

The Iowa men’s team earned the #3-seed in the National Invitation Tournament and the Hawkeyes will face off against the #4-seed Kansas State tonight at 8 pm. 

March Madness

The KILJ bracket challenge, sponsored by The Press Box and Wiley’s Interior Furnishings and Design, has officially started. The first four play-in games will not count towards your final score and brackets are due by the end of the day, tomorrow, March 20th.

For a full list of rules and prizes follow this link: KILJ Bracket Challenge 

This Day in Sports History

1966 – Underdog Texas Western College defeats Kentucky, 72-65, in the NCAA men’s college basketball championship—the first NCAA title for an all-Black starting five.

1972 – First AIAW Women’s Basketball Tournament, Immaculata beats West Chester State 52-48 in Normal, Illinois.

1984 – Two-time Cy Young Award winner Denny McLain is indicted on charges of drug trafficking, embezzlement and racketeering; 25 year sentence later quashed.

Kevin Woodsmall

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, March 19th, 2024 at 5:52 am CDT

Kevin Edward Woodsmall, 58, of Winfield, IA, died unexpectedly late Sunday, March 17, 2024 in the Emergency Room of the Henry County Health Center, Mt. Pleasant.

Kevin was born January 7, 1966 in Mt. Pleasant. He was the son of Paul “Jake” and Alverta (Hill) Woodsmall. He attended Mt. Pleasant Schools. He was first married to Peggy Ripperger. The couple later divorced. On April 4, 2003, Kevin married Teresa Lynn Graham.

For many years, Kevin was employed in the Tool and Die Department of Lomont Molding. For the past 8 years, he worked for Wemiga Waste.

Kevin loved working on cars. He was gifted in repairing the mechanical workings of many cars. A devout Chevy man, he was a member of the Square Body Chevy Club.

Those thankful for sharing in Kevin’s life include his wife Teresa of Winfield; 2 children – Sarah Woodsmall and Shane (Tiffany) Woodsmall, all of Fairfield; 2 stepsons – Dustin (McKenna) Thomas of Mt. Pleasant and Dillon Thomas of Muscatine; siblings – Anna Marie Baxter of Mt. Pleasant, Jerry (Carla) Woodsmall of Lockridge, Ron Woodsmall of Texas and Tim Woodsmall of Mt. Carmel, IL; grandchildren – Hadlee, Harvey, Dax, Beckham, Xander and Emerson. Kevin was anticipating the birth of his seventh grandchild.

Kevin’s parents and siblings – Larry “Woody” Woodsmall, Paul Keith Woodsmall, Tom Woodsmall and Terry Woodsmall precede him in death.

A Celebration of Life for Kevin will be held from 10AM to 1 PM on Saturday, March 23 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. Burial of Kevin’s ashes will follow at the Burge Cemetery, New London.

The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant, is caring for Kevin and his family. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com

Gov. Reynolds Statement on AEA Reform Passing Iowa Senate

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, March 19th, 2024 at 5:51 am CDT

Gov. Kim Reynolds released the following statement in response to the Iowa Senate passing AEA reform: 

 

“I want to thank the Senate for their commitment to improving special education and acknowledging that the AEA system needs reform. I now look forward to working with the House and Senate to reach a compromise that will bring transparency, accountability, and consistency to the AEA system while most importantly improving outcomes for students with disabilities. At the same time we must recognize the important role of teachers in the classroom by increasing minimum salaries for both starting and experienced teachers.” 

 

Norma Pundt

By Yorke Prough · Monday, March 18th, 2024 at 2:47 pm CDT

Norma Lee Pundt, 87, of River Hills Village, Keokuk, formerly of Fort Madison, Iowa, passed away at 11:15 p.m. Sunday, March 17, 2024, at River Hills Village in Keokuk, Iowa.

She was born on January 11, 1937, in Cantril, Iowa, the daughter of Fred and Nellie (Witt) Pundt.

She is survived by her nephews: Harlan (Lori) Pundt of Donnellson, Iowa, Kevin Herzog of Kettering, Ohio; nieces: Denise (Aaron) Nichols of Donnellson, Iowa, Kim Beckett of Dayton, Ohio; brother-in-law: John Herzog; sister-in-law: Carolyn Pundt and several great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers: Forrest and Harold Pundt; sister: Donna Herzog and nephew: Myron Pundt.

Norma was a 1956 graduate of Cantril High School. She worked as a waitress for Wilkens Drug Store and a clerk at Ron’s Supermarket and Dollar General in Fort Madison. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Fort Madison. Norma enjoyed playing Bingo, jigsaw puzzles and collecting salt and pepper shakers. Most of all, she loved her Hersheys candy bars and spending time with her family.

A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 22, 2024, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 22, 2024, at Maple Grove Cemetery in Cantril, Iowa with Carolyn Pundt officiating.

Burial will be at Maple Grove Cemetery in Cantril.

Memorials have been established in memory for Lee County Hospice or River Hills Village.

Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com