Iowa Boys State is a week-long, hands-on leadership and civics program for high school junior run by the American Legion Department of Iowa. Mt. Pleasant American Legion Post #58 is a proud supporter of this event and is hosting a soup and salad fundraiser on Saturday, March 21st. Boys State is a mock government experience where students create a miniature version of the Iowa State government and is for boys who are juniors in high school. Students learn how the government works by running for office, passing laws, debating issues, and collaborating to solve problems. The Mt. Pleasant American Legion fundraiser meal is a free will donation and will be held at the Mt. Pleasant Veterans Hall, 300 W. Monroe Street from 5:30pm – 7pm, 3/21/26.
“Safe Driving Takes More Than Luck” – GTSB
Local law enforcement is partnering with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau in their statewide “Safe Driving Takes More Than Luck.” enforcement weekend to combat drunk driving. St. Patrick’s Day is Tuesday, March 17th and last year, the Iowa Department of Transportation reported 148 crashes and five traffic fatalities on Iowa roadways. Young drivers ages 21-34 accounted for the highest percentage (35%) of alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal traffic crashes during the 2023 St. Patrick’s Day holiday.
If your plans include drinking for this holiday, make sure you have plans for a designated driver or other sober ride.
Winter Weather “Advisory”- What to Expect
Winter weather is in the forecast Sunday into Monday, and a Winter Weather ADVISORY is issued when the forecast calls for blowing snow, accumulations of more than 3 inches of snow in a 12-hour period, freezing rain, or sleet. Also, a reminder that Unplowed/less traveled roads may be slick, and road conditions can change quickly. Headlights should be ON not on auto, distance, slow down and ease into braking. Buckle up, avoid distractions and use extra caution on ramps, bridges and overpasses and of course: don’t crowd the plow! Check 511ia.org for the latest road conditions in Iowa.
Early Voting for Henry County Attorney Begins on Monday, 03/16/26
The Henry County Auditor’s Office in Mt. Pleasant received the ballots for the upcoming special election to fill the position of Henry County Attorney and early voting begins on Monday, March 16th. The Henry County Courthouse is located at 100 E. Washington Street and is open from 8am – 4:30pm Monday through Friday. Citizens of Henry County can cast their vote up until the time of the special election.
The special election will be held on Tuesday, March 31st. On that day, voters will cast their ballots at their regular polling locations across Henry County. Residents looking for information about their polling place or voting details can find a full list of polling locations at KILJ dot com under the news tab.
To listen to the Candidates forum with Abbie Liechty and Becky Wilson visit the KILJ spotify page found on our website, or tune in to 105.5 FM and KILJ.com Monday night (3/16/26) at 6pm for the rebroadcast.
Friday Afternoon: Lockridge Fire Department- Grass Fire/Washington County Accident
Lockridge Fire & Rescue Department was dispatched to a grass fire on Friday afternoon in the 2900 block of 239th Street in Lockridge.
Washington County Sheriff’s Deputies and Washington County Fire & Rescue responded to an overturned semi tractor trailer with an attached manure spreader late Friday morning at Highway 92 and Hwy 1. Washington County dispatch reported that Both occupants of the vehicle were transported to the University of Iowa hospitals.
Sports, March 14th
Boys’ State Basketball
The Iowa High School Athletic Association’s (IHSAA) 2026 state tournament is in the books and four new champions were crowned yesterday.
The Class 3A championship went down to the wire to tip-off the day, as #1 Ballard battled back to force overtime and win the title over #2 ADM, 43-39. Parker Miller scored 17 points in the winning effort. It is Ballard’s first state championship.
It was the Cinderella story versus a perfect season for the Class 4A championship and #6 Johnston’s magic ran out despite sprinting out to a 22 to 7 lead after the first quarter as the Dragons fell to #1 Cedar Falls, 56-48. Will Gerdes scored 19 points to help lead the comeback. The Tigers claimed their third state championship.
For the third straight season, #6 Marquette Catholic played in the Class 1A state championship contest and for the third straight year they were denied, as #1 St. Edmond won their program’s second state championship in a 54-42 final. The Defenders held a slim lead entering the final quarter, but the Gaels went on an 18 to 3 run to seal the victory. Hunter Horn, the All-Tournament Team captain, collected a 21 point and 10 rebound double-double.
Burlington Notre Dame’s Shay Stephens was also placed on the Class 1A All-Tournament team as the Nike averaged 22 points, nine rebounds, 2.5 steals, and 4.5 assists in his two state tournament games.
In the Class 2A nightcap, #2 Unity Christian outlasted #1 Kuemper Catholic, 67-64, for their program’s fifth state championship. Tyler VanDonge tallied 25 points in the win.
Girls’ High School Basketball
A handful of local athletes will be participating in the Larry Niemeyer Senior Girls All-Star basketball tournament scheduled today.
In Class 2A, Danville’s Alaina Gourley will play on the Gray Team with their game at 1 pm.
Over in Class 3A, Adalyn Long of Washington will join a trio from the Southeast Iowa Super Conference in Kenna Sandoval of Central Lee and Grace Holsteen and Ellah Wagenbach of Mediapolis on the White Team. They will play at 10:30 am.
Lastly, Kendra Boatman of Keokuk and Burlington’s Mylee Stiefel will join sides for the Gray Team in a combination of Class 3A/4A/5A talent. They will square off at 9:15 am.
High School Track and Field
The IATC Indoor Track Championships wrapped up yesterday with Classes 1A and 2A getting the chance to compete and the Southeast Iowa Super Conference produced a dominant performance.
The New London boys’ team set the tone by finishing tied with Iowa Valley for Class 1A runner-up, securing 48 points, with Van Buren County taking 7th place with 30 points.
London Franklin had a terrific day for the Tigers, snatching the gold in the long jump with a leap of 21 feet and 4.5 inches, joining Brigham Porter, Cale Westerbeck, and Gavin Strawhacker to win the 4×100 meter relay with a time of 44.32 seconds, and claiming the silver medal in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.14 seconds.
Van Buren County had Lincoln Bainbridge take home a pair of 1st place finishes, winning the 400-meter dash with a time of 49.28 seconds and the 800-meter run with a time of 2 minutes. Additionally, the Warriors took 3rd place in the 4×400.
Danville’s 1600-meter sprint medley team of Drake Biesler, Byers Nealey, Ty Frazier, and Noah Horn snatched 2nd place with a time of 3 minutes and 46 seconds. For WACO, Jude Dykstra finished with the bronze medal in the 800-meter run with the 4×800 meter relay team also taking 3rd place. Cruz Hagmeier led Winfield-Mt. Union with a 9th place finish in the 60-meter hurdles.
On the girls’ side, Alaina Gourley of Danville grabbed 1st place in the 400 and 800-meter events, while helping the 4×400 meter relay team take home the bronze medal. WACO’s Carlee Lunsford finished right behind Gourley in the 800-meter run. Moreover, the Warriors claimed 4th place in the 4×400 meter relay.
Jumping to Class 2A for the boys’ teams, Mediapolis and Columbus each finished in the top 10 with the Bulldogs securing 5th place with 30 team points. Mediapolis’s 4×400 team of Nathan and Will Schmidgall and Henry and Will Luttenegger finished with the gold medal. Moreover, Simon Wendel claimed the bronze in the 3200-meter run.
Columbus had Lamar Ceant and Alex Rees finish in 2nd and 3rd place, respectively, in the 60-meter hurdles. The girls’ team saw Ella Howell take 8th in the 400-meter dash and Bella Forbes claimed 8th in the shot put with a heave of 33 feet and 8.5 inches.
Southeastern Community College
The baseball team lost to Delgado Community College yesterday, 5-3. Gavin Awbrey smacked a three-run homer for the Blackhawks. SCC will continue their three-game road series today.
The softball team will take on Lewis & Clark Community College on Monday, March 16th, for home doubleheader.
College Basketball
The #7 Iowa and Iowa State women’s teams will see their postseason fate determined on the Selection Sunday Show tomorrow, March 15th, at 7 pm.
The #7 Iowa State men’s team fell to #2 Arizona on a buzzer beater in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals last night, 82-80. Milan Momcilovic drilled eight threes for 28 points in the effort. The men’s Selection Sunday Show is scheduled for 5 pm tomorrow.
This Day in Sports History
1962 – Red Wings’ forward Gordie Howe becomes the second player in NHL history to score 500 career goals in Detroit’s 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers.
1972 – NBA’s Cincinnati Royals, plagued by poor home attendance, announce they are moving the franchise to Kansas City. They renamed the team to “Kings” to avoid confusion with the baseball team.
2017 – World’s oldest golf club Muirfield in Scotland, votes to admit women as members for the first time in 273 years.
Henry County Public Health: COVID-19 Boosters Available/Clinic Hours
Henry County Public Health Department announced on Friday afternoon that they have COVID-19 boosters for eligible adults. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that all people aged 65 years or older receive a second 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine dose to boost protection. The booster dose can be given 6 months after the first shot. Henry County Public Health office is located at 106 N. Jackson Street. Immunization Clinic hours are: Tuesdays 9-11am, Wednesdays and Thursdays 1-4pm, and the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month 1-6pm. No appointment is necessary, but you will need your insurance card if you have one. Uninsured and underinsured individuals can still receive the vaccine through a government funded program.
Charles William Sibley
Charles William Sibley, a veteran, devoted family man, and longtime resident of Iowa, passed away March 12, 2026 at the age of 78.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Lord’s Cupboard of Jefferson County. Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield is assisting the family.
Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, Chuck/Bill developed an early foundation of discipline and leadership at St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy. Shortly after graduation, he answered the call to serve his country, enlisting in the U.S. Army and completing a tour of duty in Vietnam.
Upon returning home, he built a life centered on family. He and his beloved wife, Cheryl, settled in Luna Pier, Michigan, where they raised their four children.
A dedicated provider, he spent many years working for Champion Spark Plug, where he retired after many years of service. He brought the same commitment to his career that he gave to his country.
For the past 37 years, he called Iowa home, enjoying a slower pace of life and the company of his growing family.
He was a man of quiet strength and enduring loyalty. He is preceded in death by his wife, Cheryl, and his eldest son, Matthew.
His legacy lives on through his two daughters, Patricia and Maggie, and his son, David. He was the proud “Poppie” to seven grandchildren and “Great-Poppie” to three great-grandchildren, all of whom will miss his stories and his presence.