On March 2nd at approximately 10:14 p.m. Burlington Police Officers responded to a report of shots fired at S 8th and Division St. Evidence of a shooting was located and no injuries were reported. This investigation is ongoing.
If you have information about this incident, please call 319-601-7001 or Crimestoppers at 319-753-6835. If you call Crimestoppers and your information leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a cash reward
Sunday afternoon saw a large fire in Wapello that required multiple fire departments to fight. Just after 3:30pm, Wapello Fire and Rescue was called for multiple reports of a fire in the field next to the South End Park that was quickly spreading and heading towards a barn.
A City of Wapello employee advised the crews that the fire had reached the barn. At the time, mutual aid was requested from the Morning Sun Fire Department. Arriving on scene at 3:37pm, crews observed a dire approximately one-quarter mile in length that was rapidly spreading due to extremely high winds from the south. If this wasn’t bad enough, the smoke caused zero visibility conditions for the firefighters.
The fire spread across 123rd Avenue, but firefighters were able to extinguish it before it spread any further. Crews extinguished the remaining fire and doused the area around the barn with additional water as a precautionary measure before returning to base. Amazingly, the barn was able to be saved.
Thirteen Wapello firefighters responded to this incident and were assisted by eight Morning Sun firefighters. Also assisting on scene was the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office. Crews remained on scene until 5:27 PM. There were no injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but it originated in the City of Wapello yard waste collection site.
As a reminder to those using the yard waste site, please follow the rules posted on the signage. Do not deposit anything other than yard waste meeting the criteria on the sign. Do not deposit waste that has been burned such as waste from a recreational fire pit. Do not set fire to any debris and please don’t smoke while using the site.
Conditions are extremely dry and unless we receive significant rainfall, the windy and unseasonably warm temperatures will continue to create conditions that are favorable for wildfires. Please do what you can to minimize this risk. While most people refrain from burning debris during these conditions, few people probably think about discarded cigarettes, hot vehicle exhaust, a chain dragging on a trailer or even a spark from your barbecue grill starting a fire.
March 4th-10th is Vehicle Safety Recalls Week and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) mission is to keep people safe on America’s roadways. This is a good reminder to drivers to check their vehicles for open safety recalls. In 2022 alone, there were 1,050 safety recalls affecting more than 31 million vehicles and other automotive equipment in the United States.
Even with alerts and warnings emailed or mailed by manufacturers, millions of recalled vehicles go unrepaired each year. This puts drivers, passengers, and other road users at risk. For example, an urgent airbag recall, currently the largest vehicle recall in U.S. history, has resulted in 27 deaths so far in the U.S. alone. This recall is still ongoing due to unrepaired vehicles that are still on the road today.
NHTSA has multiple ways to stay informed about open safety recalls:
Drivers can use the free, user-friendly Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Look-Up Tool, located at NHTSA.gov/recalls. This web tool allows vehicle owners to check for open safety recalls on their vehicles or automotive equipment.
Drivers can sign up for Recall Alerts. If their vehicle is included in a future recall, they’ll receive an email letting them know. NHTSA’s free web recalls tool will provide details on any unrepaired recall for a vehicle during the past 15 calendar years. It will also provide details on unrepaired safety recalls from major automakers, motorcycle manufacturers, and some medium/heavy truck manufacturers.
Drivers can check for open safety recalls by downloading NHTSA’s free SaferCar app which sends notifications for all related recalls and even directs drivers to local dealerships. This ensures they can quickly make an appointment and get their vehicle fixed quickly and for free.
Checking for recalls is free and easy. All vehicle owners need is their VIN, located on the lower portion of the windshield on the driver’s side. The VIN is also located on registration cards and possibly auto insurance cards.
For more information on NHTSA’s Vehicle Recalls, visit NHTSA.gov/Recalls.
The Mt. Pleasant High School InMotion Showchoir traveled to Fort Madison on Saturday in what would be their last competition of the season. Congratulations to all the performers for winning 1st place in 3A during the daytime. Natalie McCormick, a senior, won the best soloist award.
Earning a spot in the finals, they placed as 2nd runner up against multiple 4A schools. Congratulations to InMotion on a great season.
You still have a chance to watch the show if you have not been able to yet. The Annual Desser Theatre will take place the weekend of April 13th, where you will be able to see them perform, as well as the jazz bands.
Mt. Pleasant, IA- The NCAA men’s basketball season is winding down as teams are battling for position and the opportunity to be crowned National Champion in this year’s March Madness bracket.
KILJ will be hosting another bracket challenge, but things will be done a little differently this year. March 17th marks Selection Sunday with the brackets being released after 5 pm central time.
A printable bracket will be posted to KILJ’s Facebook page after Selection Sunday for you to fill out. You can either bring your bracket out to our station or email it to sports@kilj.com. The rules to apply are listed below:
The scoring will be done as such: first round (2 point for each correct pick), second round (4 points for each correct pick), Sweet 16 (8 points for each correct pick), Elite Eight (16 points for each correct pick), Championship Game (32 points for each correct pick), Correct Champion (64 points). The four play-in games will not count towards your final score.
The top three brackets will receive a prize package (listed below) and leaderboards will be updated after every round. Winners will be notified after the results are tabulated.
Prizes:
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
KILJ thanks The Press Box and Wiley’s Interior Furnishings and Design for sponsoring KILJ’s Bracket Challenge.
Girls’ State Basketball
The 2024 Iowa Girls’ Basketball State Tournament is in the books and here’s a recap of all five championship games.
Class 5A saw undefeated #1 Johnston taking down #3 Dowling Catholic 48-36. Jenica Lewis was the Iowa Pork Producers Top Producer of the Game with 20 points for the Dragons. Ali Tanke cashed in for 15 points and 13 rebounds for a double-double.
Ava Zediker splashed three three-pointers for 25 points for Dowling Catholic.
For Class 4A, it was the battle of the unbeatens as #1 Clear Creek-Amana and #2 Waverly-Shell Rock entered the contest with identical 25-0 records. Unfortunately for the Go-Hawks, they never stood a chance as the Clippers sailed to a 43-25 victory.
Averie Lower of Clear Creek-Amana took home Iowa Pork Producers Top Producer of the Game after finishing with 17 points in the game. But it was Ava Locklear that finished with a double-double, scoring 11 points and nabbing 19 rebounds in the win.
The Class 3A championship had #3 Solon leading 37 to 35 entering the fourth quarter against #1 Estherville-Lincoln Central and thanks to the Top Producer of the game Callie Levin’s 27 points the Spartans would run away with the win 54-47.
Aiding in the effort was Hailey Miller as she ended the game with 14 points and Anna Quillin’s 16 rebounds. Estherville-Lincoln Central’s Haylee Stokes gave it all she had with 30 points as she nailed all 10 of her free throws.
Fans got to witness a nail-biter between #1 Dike-New Hartford and #2 Panorama for the Class 2A championship. The Wolverines and Panthers entered the fourth quarter knotted up at 37. Panorama even seemed poised to end Dike-New Hartford’s three-year run as they led 42 to 39 in the fourth quarter.
However, the Wolverines became just the second school in the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union era to win four consecutive championships. Payton Petersen was the Top Producer with 27 points and 14 rebounds to round out her senior year. Jaidyn Sellers was the top scorer for the Panthers with 20 points.
North Linn shot over 70% from the field in the first half and rode that momentum to defeat Newell-Fonda 67-51 for the Class 1A championship. Kamryn Kurt was the Top Producer with 23 points as Macy Boge added 17 points to the effort.
Boys’ State Basketball
#4 Winfield-Mt. Union will take on #5 Lynnville-Sully today at 12:15 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at noon. Head coach Klay Edwards talked about his team’s strength heading into the matchup.
#4 West Burlington will face off against #5 Treynor tonight at 7:15 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 7 pm.
Class 1A will finish all of their quarterfinal matchups today and Class 2A will complete two quarterfinal contests.
College Basketball
The #6 Iowa women’s team went on an 18-3 run in the first quarter and never looked back as the Hawkeyes defeated #2 Ohio State 93-83. Caitlin Clark has no one left to chase as her 35 points passed the NCAA’s Division I all-time leading scorer Pete Maravich. The Hawkeyes head into the Big Ten Tournament on Friday, March 8th, with a 26-4 record.
The Iowa State women’s team outscored Cincinnati 28 to 9 in the third quarter to secure the conference win 76-60. Audi Crooks collected a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds in the win. The Cyclones head into the Big 12 Tournament on March 7th with an 18-10 record.
The #8 Iowa State men’s team’s defense propelled the Cyclones to a 60-52 victory over UCF over the weekend. Tre King had a game high 16 points in the winning effort. The Cyclones will suit up for a home matchup against BYU on Wednesday, March 6th, at 8 pm.
The Iowa men’s team picked up a road conference win against Northwestern over the weekend 87-80. Josh Dix cashed in for 24 points as Tony Perkins notched a double-double with 10 points and 14 assists. The Hawkeyes will celebrate senior night on March 10th against Illinois at 6 pm.
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.
Des Moines, IA- The 2024 Iowa Girls’ Basketball State Tournament is in the books and here’s a look at the all-tournament teams and the champions from each class.
Class 5A saw undefeated #1 Johnston taking down #3 Dowling Catholic 48-36. Jenica Lewis was the Iowa Pork Producers Top Producer of the Game with 20 points for the Dragons. Ali Tanke cashed in for 15 points and 13 rebounds for a double-double.
Ava Zediker splashed three three-pointers for 25 points for Dowling Catholic.
For Class 4A, it was the battle of the unbeatens as #1 Clear Creek-Amana and #2 Waverly-Shell Rock entered the contest with identical 25-0 records. Unfortunately for the Go-Hawks, they never stood a chance as the Clippers sailed to a 43-25 victory.
Averie Lower of Clear Creek-Amana took home Iowa Pork Producers Top Producer of the Game after finishing with 17 points in the game. But it was Ava Locklear that finished with a double-double, scoring 11 points and nabbing 19 rebounds in the win.
Brenna Bodensteiner was the only player to finish in double figures with 10 points for Waverly-Shell Rock.
The Class 3A championship had #3 Solon leading 37 to 35 entering the fourth quarter against #1 Estherville-Lincoln Central and thanks to the Top Producer of the game Callie Levin’s 27 points the Spartans would run away with the win 54-47.
Aiding in the effort was Hailey Miller as she ended the game with 14 points and Anna Quillin’s 16 rebounds. Estherville-Lincoln Central’s Haylee Stokes gave it all she had with 30 points as she nailed all 10 of her free throws.
Fans got to witness a nail-biter between #1 Dike-New Hartford and #2 Panorama for the Class 2A championship. The Wolverines and Panthers entered the fourth quarter knotted up at 37. Panorama even seemed poised to end Dike-New Hartford’s three-year run as they led 42 to 39 in the fourth quarter.
However, the Wolverines became just the second school in the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union era to win four consecutive championships. Payton Petersen was the Top Producer with 27 points and 14 rebounds to round out her senior year. Jaidyn Sellers was the top scorer for the Panthers with 20 points.
North Linn shot over 70% from the field in the first half and rode that momentum to defeat Newell-Fonda 67-51. Kamryn Kurt was the Top Producer with 23 points as Macy Boge added 17 points to the effort.
The Mustangs had three players finish in double figures in Kierra Jungers (17 points), Kinzee Hinders (16 points), and Mckenna Sievers (15 points).
Class 5A All-Tournament Team
Aili Tanke, Johnston
Ellie Mueller, Dowling Catholic
Grace Knutson, Cedar Falls
Divine Bourrage, Davenport North
Ava Zediker, Dowling Catholic|
Jenica Lewis, Johnston (Captain)
Class 4A All-Tournament Team
Bliss Beck, Clear Creek-Amana
Katelyn Eggena, Waverly-Shell Rock
Abby Tuttle, North Polk
Melina Snoozy, Sioux City Bishop Heelan
Averie Lower, Clear Creek-Amana
Ava Locklear, Clear Creek-Amana (Captain)
Class 3A All-Tournament Team
Anna Quillin, Solon
Rylee Yager, Estherville Lincoln Central
Chloe Meester, Mount Vernon
Abby Hall, Des Moines Christian
Callie Levin, Solon
Haylee Stokes, Estherville Lincoln Central (Captain)
Class 2A All-Tournament Team
Tyme Boettcher, Panorama
Maryn Bixby, Dike-New Hartford
Morgan Christian, Sioux Central
Jadyn Petersen, Dike-New Hartford
Jaidyn Sellers, Panorama
Payton Petersen, Dike-New Hartford (Captain)
Class 1A All-Tournament Team
Molly Boge, North Linn
McKenna Sievers, Newell-Fonda
Avah Underwood, Council Bluffs St. Albert
Kierra Jungers, Newell-Fonda
Kamryn Kurt, North Linn
Macy Boge, North Linn (Captain)
