Sports, March 16th

By Slaten Swords · Monday, March 16th, 2026 at 6:38 am CDT

High School Basketball Honors

Todd Borrison, the Mediapolis head coach, was named Coach of the Year for Class 3A Region 6 by the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association. Borrison led an all senior starting lineup to a perfect 24-0 record to punch their ticket to the program’s 24th trip to the state tournament and first since 2015. Borrison sits at 596 career victories and was also named Southeast Iowa Super Conference South (SEISC-South) Coach of the Year. Coach Borrison detailed his favorite moment of the season,

“Yeah, well, for sure, I think winning at PCM. It was one of those games where our toughness got challenged, and it got real physical. And I just thought our kids really stepped up. And I always told them, I said, and I was talking to them about this first round game, to me, the nervy game, the tough game is getting here, and then winning that regional final. And for them to do it the way they did it on the road at #6 PCM, that really stands out to me.”

On the boys’ side, Dan Kies of Burlington Notre Dame claimed Coach of the Year honors for Class 1A Substate 5. His 200th career victory proved to be the win to push Notre Dame to their first state tournament in 17 years. While in Des Moines, the Nikes added their first tournament victory since 1981, as Shay Stephens was named to the All-Tournament team. Kies was also named SEISC-South Coach of the Year.

Being put on the All-Substate team for Class 1A Substate 5 was Stephens and a pair from Holy Trinity Catholic in Layne Rung and Jack Ragar, who was one of only two freshmen to find a spot on the All-Substate team for all four classes. In Class 2A, Max Griffin of Mediapolis and West Burlington’s Ayden Figuereo made the All-Substate 5 team.

High School Track and Field

Fairfield will compete at the Hilltop Co-Ed Invitational today.

The Central Lee boys’ team will head to Central College on Thursday, March 19th, for an indoor meet.

The Mt. Pleasant, West Burlington, Mediapolis, and Danville girls’ teams will travel to Central College for an indoor meet on Saturday, March 21st. 

Southeastern Community College

The baseball team split their weekend slate against Delgado Community College, losing 7-6 in extra innings for game one, and bouncing back to win game two, 4-3. Efrain Osario, Jackson Petsche, and Nile Sinn each tabbed two RBIs throughout the weekend. The Blackhawks will head to Baton Rouge Community College today.

The softball team had their home doubleheader scheduled for today canceled. The Blackhawks will take on Dyersburg State Community College on Wednesday, March 18th, for a road doubleheader. 

College Wrestling

WACO alum Jonah Clark of Loras College competed in the NCAA Division III wrestling championships over the weekend in the 285-pound weight class and defeated his opponent by major decision to claim 3rd place. The Duhawk collected a 5-1 record for the tournament.

March Madness

The KILJ Bracket Challenge brought to you by The Press Box is back for the 2026 March Madness men’s bracket with the same rules as last year. A printable bracket was posted to KILJ’s Facebook page. The bracket must be filled out and turned in to sports@kilj.com or our station by the end of the day Wednesday, March 18th. 

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

College Basketball

The Iowa women’s team will be the #2-seed and will clash with #15 FDU on Saturday, March 21st, at 3 pm.

The Iowa State women’s team claimed the #8 seed and will play #9 Syracuse on Saturday at 4:30 pm.

The Iowa State men’s team will be the #2-seed in the Midwest Region as they will take on #15 Tennessee State on Friday, March 20th, at 1:50 pm.

The Iowa men’s team will look to pull off the upset as the #9-seed for the South Region with a first round matchup against #8 Clemson on Friday at 5:50 pm.

This Day in Sports History

1876 – Nelly Saunders and Rose Harland fight the first female boxing match (NY).

1955 – NHL President Clarence Campbell suspends Montreal Canadiens superstar Maurice “Rocket” Richard for the remainder of the season after he viciously attacked an opponent; riots ensued in Montreal.

1994 – American figure skater Tonya Harding pleads guilty to felony attack on former Olympic teammate Nancy Kerrigan.

Iowa health officials release eastern Iowa locations linked to potential measles exposures

By Allison Jacobs · Monday, March 16th, 2026 at 5:08 am CDT

PRESS RELEASE

Iowa health officials release eastern Iowa locations linked to potential measles exposures

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) was notified by the Illinois Department of Public Health that an Illinois resident with confirmed measles traveled to Iowa during their infectious period. Iowa HHS is notifying the public of potential exposure locations. As of March 5, a total of 1,281 confirmed measles cases have been reported in the United States in 2026. Of these, 1,191 (93)% were unvaccinated. In Iowa, nine measles cases were identified in 2025. To date, no measles cases have been identified among Iowa residents in 2026.

Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that is spread through the air when an infectious person coughs, sneezes, or breathes, and can stay in the air for up to two hours after a person with measles leaves the room. Iowa and Illinois health officials have identified a location visited by the individual while contagious, where the public might have been exposed to measles. Anyone who visited the following location within the listed timeframe should closely monitor for symptoms of measles (e.g., fever, cough, red/watery eyes, runny nose, and a rash). Anyone born in or after 1957 who visited the following locations and is unvaccinated or unsure of their immune status is at higher risk. If you think you have been exposed to measles and have symptoms, call your medical provider or nearest emergency room ahead of time and tell them that you have been exposed to measles and have symptoms before arriving.

Measles exposure locations, dates, and times:

Location: 

Comfort Inn and Suites

2100 Swan Lake Blvd, Independence, IA 50644

Date/Time:

Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 5:30pm through Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 9:00am

“With ongoing measles transmission in the United States, Iowans should make sure they’ve received a measles-containing vaccine and should consider an accelerated measles vaccination schedule for their children,” said Dr. Robert Kruse, State Medical Director.

While the routine measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine schedule is one dose at 12–15 months and a second dose at 4–6 years, Iowans should consider:

  • An early extra dose of MMR between 6 and 11 months of age (“dose 0”); this dose does NOT count toward the routine series
  • The first routine dose (dose 1) can be given after 12 months of age, at least 28 days after dose 0
  • The second routine dose (dose 2) can be given at least 28 days after dose 1, instead of waiting until age 4–6 years

For the latest information on measles in Iowa, visit the Iowa HHS Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology disease information page. This page is updated weekly, on Fridays, with current case counts and public health guidance.  Iowa HHS will issue a press release when there is a confirmed public exposure that may pose a risk to others. When possible, individuals identified as close contacts will also be notified directly by public health officials.

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Blizzard Update – March 16th, 5:00 am

By Allison Jacobs · Monday, March 16th, 2026 at 5:02 am CDT

Blizzard conditions swept through the Midwest overnight, bringing snow and extreme winds gusting up to 50 miles per hour. The strong winds created blowing and drifting snow, reducing visibility to near zero at times. According to the National Weather Service, Snow and strong northwest winds will diminish from west to east this morning.  However, winds will remain high enough to continue blowing and drifting newly fallen snow through the afternoon hours, especially in open and rural areas. The blizzard warning remains in effect until 10 am this morning.

Temperatures remain dangerously cold this morning, with wind chills making it feel around seven below zero.

Drivers are urged to use caution if traveling today. Before heading out, check current road conditions at 511ia.org for the latest updates. Some delays have already been reported in the area due to the weather.

Because of the conditions, the Mount Pleasant Rec Center will be closed this morning. They will re-evaluate conditions at 9:00 a.m. and provide an update at that time about a possible opening later today. All morning group exercise classes have been canceled.

The Mount Pleasant Public Library plans to open at 10:00 a.m. this morning. Mount Pleasant Christian School will operate on a two-hour delay.

Many area schools are already on spring break this week, limiting additional schedule changes. These weather-related announcements are brought to you by Main Street Pizza.

On the bright side, this winter storm is being called the black bird storm by area residents who say this is winter’s farewell before turning to spring.

F. L. “Pete” Turbett – Pending

By Allison Jacobs · Monday, March 16th, 2026 at 5:02 am CDT

F.L. “Pete” Turbett, 81, of Mt. Pleasant, died Saturday, March 14, 2026 at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington, IA.

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

Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.

Danville City Council Meeting on Monday, 3/16/26

By Lisa Grilliot · Sunday, March 15th, 2026 at 12:05 pm CDT

The City of Danville will meet in regular session on Monday, March 16th at Danville City Hall with call to order at 5:30pm.  Items on the agenda include departmental reports and a work session on the 2026-27 budget.  This meeting is open to the public.

Salem City Council Special Session Meeting – 3/16/26

By Lisa Grilliot · Sunday, March 15th, 2026 at 12:00 pm CDT

The City of Salem will meet in special session on Monday, March 16th at the Community Center, 201 S. Main Street in Salem at 5:30pm.  There are several items on the agenda including a Fire Department Grant, insurance renewal, and a kinetic permit request.  Following the special session meeting, the Salem City Council will hold a budget work session.  No action will taken at the work session and the meeting is open to the public.

March 16, 2026 – March 22, 2026

By Slaten Swords · Sunday, March 15th, 2026 at 11:15 am CDT
03/16/26
Brooke Smith
03/16/26
Rick Mallams
03/16/26
Cora Allendar
03/17/26
Bradyn Smith
03/17/26
Genevieve Brumbaugh
03/18/26
Angie Roach Sotelo
03/18/26
Kailey Mulford
03/18/26
Eric Sanderson
03/18/26
Jacob and Katie Greiner *Anniversary
03/18/26
Ginny Butcher
03/19/26
Ed & Carol *Anniversary
03/19/26
Debra Schmidt
03/20/26
Steve Meeker
03/21/26
Boyd Oetken
03/21/26
Mike Hatch
03/22/26
Michelle Gardner
03/22/26
Linda Kruse
03/22/26
Delores Wilson