Drive Clean Offering Gas Cards, Donations for After-Prom Events

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association’s (IRFA) Drive Clean campaign is helping Iowa teens celebrate Prom safely — and drive cleaner while they do it.

Drive Clean, an educational campaign focused on helping young drivers make smart fuel choices, is offering donations to support high school After-Prom events across the state.

“We want young drivers to feel confident when they pull up to the pump — not just on Prom night, but every day,” said IRFA Marketing Director Lisa Coffelt. “Choosing Unleaded 88 helps them save money, reduce emissions, and support Iowa farmers. Partnering with schools to promote safe driving and smart fuel choices makes After-Prom even more meaningful. Drive Safe. Drive Clean.”

The Drive Clean donation will include a $25 gas card along with a Drive Clean branded t-shirt, lanyard, stickers and air freshener. Schools can request a donation online here or contact IRFA’s Marketing Director Lisa Coffelt at LCoffelt@IowaRFA.org for details.

Drive Clean encourages teens ages 14–18 to choose Unleaded 88 at the pump. Unleaded 88, also known as E15, is a 15% ethanol blend approved for vehicles model year 2001 and newer. To learn more, follow @DriveCleanIowa on Instagram and TikTok.

 

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association represents the state’s liquid renewable fuels industry and works to foster its growth. Iowa is the nation’s leader in renewable fuels production with 42 ethanol refineries capable of producing 4.7 billion gallons annually – including 34 million gallons of annual cellulosic ethanol production capacity – and 10 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce 416 million gallons annually. For more information, visit the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association website at: www.IowaRFA.org.

Central Lee Recognized Worldwide for Student Leadership Program

A Southeast Iowa school is gaining international recognition for student leadership.

Central Lee Middle School has earned Lighthouse Certification from FranklinCovey — an honor awarded to about five percent of schools worldwide.

Superintendent Andy Crozier says the certification recognizes the school’s successful implementation of the “Leader in Me” framework, based on Stephen Covey’s book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

School leaders say the program encourages students to take ownership of their academic performance and develop leadership skills in the classroom and throughout the community.

District officials say the recognition highlights a school-wide commitment to building confidence, responsibility, and leadership in students.

Arrest Made After Vehicle Vandalized, Registration Set on Fire in Wellman

A Wellman woman was arrested on a felony charge Monday after burning a vehicle’s registration and damaging property.

On Monday, just before 3 p.m. the Washington County Sheriff’s Office arrested 35-year-old Sheyenne Chambers of Wellman on one count of second degree criminal mischief, a class D felony.

According to court records, deputies responded to the 600 block of 4th Street in Wellman to a report of a vehicle that was taken without permission. Upon arriving at the residence, deputies found Chambers in the car and witnessed Chambers leaning out the driver’s door burning the vehicle’s registration and bill of sale. Upon further investigation it was found that she broke two sun visors, the vehicle’s gear shift, and center console area, and had also burnt a spot in the driver’s door with a lighter and also keyed the car.

The estimated cost of repairs is $5,950. When asked by deputies, Chambers admitted to causing the damages.

A trial date has yet to be set.

Autopsy Results Released in Unexplained Keokuk Sidewalk Death

A preliminary autopsy on the body of a woman found dead on a sidewalk in Keokuk in January showed no signs of foul play.

That’s according to Keokuk Police Chief Zeth Baum. 35-year-old Danielle Clark was found dead on a sidewalk in the 1300 block of South Seventh Street on January 31st. There were no signs of any external injuries.

Baum says additional details may be available once the full autopsy is received.

Police Respond to Fatal Self-Inflicted Gunshot in Keokuk

A Keokuk man is dead following what police say was a self-inflicted gunshot wound Friday afternoon that sparked a large police response.

The Keokuk Police Department responded around 3:27 p.m. to the area of Fourth and Fulton Streets for a report of a person with a gun.

Police Chief Zeth Baum says officers arrived within a minute and found a man with what appeared to be a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Multiple Keokuk officers and other area law enforcement agencies were on scene as authorities canvassed the area for witnesses who may have seen anything related to the incident.

Sports, March 4th

Girls’ State Basketball

Day two of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s State Tournament featured three of the classes whittling the bracket down to their semifinal matchups. 

Class 3A held their final quarterfinal matchup to tip-off the day and #3 Des Moines Christian took down #6 Forest City, 52-46. Reese DeVooght led the effort with 23 points. The Lions will tangle with #2 Maquoketa tomorrow, March 5th, at 3:15 pm.

For Class 4A, #2 Dallas Center-Grimes set the tone with a one-sided victory over #7 Waverly-Shell Rock, 59-39. Macy Meyer cashed in for 17 points on 7 for 11 shooting. 

#3 Norwalk bookended their matchup with #6 Central DeWitt, outscoring the Sabers 30 to 20 in the first and fourth quarters to walk away with a 50-37 victory. The Warriors were an impressive 16 of 17 from the free throw line, including a 10 for 10 performance from Braylyn Birmingham as she finished with 26 points. 

Norwalk and Dallas Center-Grimes will play tomorrow at 5 pm.

In the bottom half of the bracket, #1 Bishop Heelan crushed #8 North Polk 81-56. Melina Snoozy broke the Class 4A state single game scoring record with 39 points as she also grabbed 12 rebounds. 

Lastly, #4 Clear Creek-Amana was upset by #5 Carlisle, 58-44. Four of the five starters for the Wildcats finished the game in double figures, as Mallie Stoner collected 10 rebounds for a double-double. 

Carlisle will look for another upset tomorrow at 6:45 pm against Bishop Heelan. 

Class 2A got two of their quarterfinals games in last night, as #1 Hinton fended off a 2nd half rally to escape with a 46-45 victory over #8 West Lyon. The Blackhawks, one of the best three-point shooting teams this season, went 0 for 11 from beyond the arc.

In another tight matchup, #4 Denver’s ferocious 21-point 3rd quarter lifted the Cyclones past Emmetsburg, 45-42. Channing Johnson did the heavy lifting, going off for a 22 point/11 rebound double-double. 

Hinton, who is looking to defend their state title, will take on Denver in the semifinals on Friday, March 6th, at 10 am.

Class 2A and Class 1A will finish their quarterfinal round today.

In Class 5A, #1 Johnson and #5 Ankeny will square off in the semifinals tomorrow at 10 am. In the bottom half of the bracket, #2 Dowling Catholic will take on #3 Waukee Northwest tomorrow at 11:45 am.

For the Class 3A state tournament, #1 Mt. Vernon and #4 Wahlert Catholic will square off tomorrow at 1:30 pm.

Boys’ Postseason Basketball

For the Class 1A State Tournament, #4 Burlington Notre Dame will face off against #5 Bellevue on Tuesday, March 10th, with tip-off at 3:45 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 3:30 pm.

Other Class 1A matchups include: #1 St. Edmond facing off against #8 Woodbine, #2 MMCRU taking on #7 Boyden-Hull, and #6 Marquette Catholic looking to upset #3 Bishop Garrigan.

Boys’ Substate Basketball

Mt. Pleasant’s Isaiah Lange was named to the Class 3A All-Substate Team for Region 4. The sophomore put together a stat line of 17 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in their first round matchup against Assumption. Lange averaged 14 points and nearly eight rebounds per game for the season.

Southeastern Community College

The men’s basketball team will take on Marshalltown Community College in the first round of the Region 11 tournament tonight at home at 7 pm.

The baseball team will compete on Friday, March 6th, with another matchup against Southwest Mississippi Community College. 

The softball team will take on Black Hawk College on Friday in a doubleheader. 

College Basketball

The Iowa State women’s team nabbed a bye and will get back to action in the Big 12 tournament tomorrow, March 5th, at 5:30 pm. The Cyclones will be led by Jada Williams and Audi Crooks (unanimous), who were both placed on the Big 12 All-Conference 1st Team yesterday. 

The #9 Iowa women’s team earned the double bye and will get ready for action in the Big Ten tournament on Friday, March 6th, at 5:30 pm. The Hawkeyes will lean on Ava Heiden, who was placed on the All-Big Ten 1st Team, as Hannah Stuelke earned 2nd Team honors. 

The Iowa men’s team will square off against #3 Michigan tomorrow at 7 pm.

The #6 Iowa State men’s team will look to bounce back on Saturday, March 7th, at 1 pm at home.

This Day in Sports History

1927 – Babe Ruth becomes the highest-paid player in MLB history when he signs a 3-year, $70,000 per season contract with the New York Yankees.

1970 – Jacksonville is the first college basketball team to average 100-plus points per game.

1993 – First ESPY Awards: Michael Jordan and Monica Seles win.

Donnellson Man Faces Felony Child Sexual Abuse Charge

A Donnellson man is facing a felony charge after police say he sexually abused a child last summer.

Thirty-five-year-old Daryl Lee Manley of Donnellson was arrested Friday by the West Point-Donnellson Police Department and charged with second-degree sexual abuse, a Class B felony.

Authorities say Manley admitted to sexually abusing a victim at his home in August of 2025.

The complaint also states that Manley told investigators he threatened to kill himself if the victim told anyone.

Manley is being held at the Lee County Jail on a 30-thousand-dollar cash-only bond.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. March 9.

Under Iowa law, a person convicted of a Class B felony faces up to 50 years in prison.

Central Lee Superintendent Named As Finalist in Waukee Superintendent Search

The Central Lee Community School District could soon be searching for a new superintendent.

Central Lee Superintendent Dr. Andy Crozier (Crow-Zure) has been named one of three finalists for the superintendent position in the Waukee Community School District in Central Iowa. The other finalists include Mark Lane, superintendent of the Woodward Granger Community School District, and Dr. Michelle Morse, superintendent of the Bettendorf Community School District.

The Waukee district expects a final decision during the Waukee School Board meeting on March 12. The position would begin July 1.

Crozier says he was not actively looking for a new position but decided to consider the opportunity when the opening in Waukee became available.

If selected, Crozier says he would remain at Central Lee through the end of the current school year. If the district chooses another candidate, he says he is happy to remain in his current role.

Crozier has served as superintendent at Central Lee after previously working as an educator, activities director, and digital learning coordinator. He also currently serves on the Iowa High School Athletic Association Board of Control.