Margaret Johanson

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, February 8th, 2024 at 1:53 pm CDT

Margaret Anna Johanson, 85, died Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at New London Specialty Care in New London after an extended illness with stiff person syndrome.

Margaret was born June 21, 1938, as the second oldest of seven children to Philip A. and N. Lucile (Pontzius) Evans on a farm outside of Winfield. She graduated from Olds High School in 1956. On June 24, 1959, she was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart Marvin Johanson in Memphis, Missouri. They were blessed with 64 years of marriage. They made their home in the Brighton community. Margaret worked at the calendar factory in Washington before opening an auto repair shop with her husband. Later moving to Washington where she operated a daycare. She greatly enjoyed spending time with family, square dancing, playing cards and watching Jeopardy daily with Marvin and their dachshund Maci.

Margaret is survived by her husband Marvin of Mount Pleasant; son Wayne (Barb) Johanson of Muscatine; grandchildren: Amber (Isaac) Schulte, Fauna (Mike) Fry Jr., Josh Lemon, Jordan Lemon, Levi (Kayla) Lemon all of Muscatine; and numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Philip and Lucile Evans; brothers, Edward Evans, William (Corky) Evans, Morris Evans, Ralph (Bingo) Evans; and sisters, Lucile Self and Phyllis Plummer.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 16, 2024, at the Olson-Powell Chapel and Crematory in Mount Pleasant. Pastor Earl Swigart will officiate. Burial will be in the Forest Home Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until time of service on Friday. A memorial fund has been established for PAW Animal Shelter in Fort Madison. The Olson-Powell Chapel and Crematory is caring for Margaret and her family. www.powellfuneralhomes.com

Pilot Grove Savings Bank Announces Acquisition of Wayland State Bank

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, February 8th, 2024 at 10:35 am CDT

A merger between two banks in our area has been made official.

Pilot Bancorp, Inc., the holding company of Pilot Grove Savings Bank, announced the signing of an agreement to merge Wayland State Bank with Pilot Grove Savings Bank.

This agreement is subject to shareholder and regulatory approval which is anticipated to occur in the 2nd quarter of 2024. The completed merger is expected to take place during the 3rd quarter of 2024.

This will create an estimated combined asset value of just shy of one billion dollars, at $942 Million. Wayland State Bank operates banks in Wayland, Winfield, and Mount Pleasant, Iowa.

Matt Morrison, Pilot Grove Savings Bank President and CEO commented, “We are delighted to welcome Wayland State Bank into the Pilot Grove Savings Bank family. It is rare to find a bank whose dedication to customer service and traditional banking values mirrors that of Pilot Grove. Our like-minded approach can only serve to produce a seamless transition for both the employees and customers.”

Wayland State Bank has been committed to the community, customers, and employees, for over 90 years. Led by a dedicated and progressive board of directors, they have become aware that more opportunities are available to enhance the value of Wayland State Bank to their communities.

They are very fortunate to join forces with a partner that allows us to fulfill that vision. “Pilot Grove will enable us to combine our strengths to form a team of community minded, experienced bankers who share a common value in providing innovative financial solutions and pledging our resources to promote agriculture, small business and home ownership,” CEO Robert Meyer said. “Our top priority is to make this transition as seamless as possible for our customers and employees.”

“The Pilot Grove team is excited to work with the employees and customers of Wayland State Bank,” Morrison said. “Banking rural Iowa communities is not only a specialty of Pilot Grove Savings Bank but a commitment. We are confident everyone will appreciate our focus on successful banking relationships and community growth.”

About Pilot Grove Savings Bank:

Pilot Grove Savings Bank was established on May 12, 1911, when 23 investors collectively pooled $10,000 to form the foundation of the bank. Beginning in a modest building on the sole street in Pilot Grove, Iowa, the institution’s journey has been marked by resilience and growth. Over the decades, the Home Office in Pilot Grove witnessed significant expansions, reflecting the bank’s commitment to accommodating its expanding services. Branch offices sprouted in neighboring towns, with notable additions in Houghton (1980), Donnellson (1983), West Point (1992), Mount Pleasant and Packwood (2000), Winfield (2004), Fort Madison (2011), Keokuk (2013), Fairfield (2014), and West Burlington (2020). Today, with over 100 employees, Pilot Grove Savings Bank remains steadfast in its founding values of trust, loyalty, and commitment, poised to embark on a new chapter through this merger with Wayland State Bank.

Beware of Scam Calls During Tax Season

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, February 8th, 2024 at 10:33 am CDT

Scammers work awfully hard to take your money during tax season. Do not give out any personal information over the phone, which includes your bank account information.

A general rule of thumb, if you get a call that sounds too good to be true, it more than likely is.

Computer scams are ramping up in popularity as well. Make sure not to give out information or purchase gift cards as a form of payment.

According to the IRS website, scammers often impersonate the IRS by phone, email, or even in person. There are multiple ways to stay vigilant against these schemes.

The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. Typically, the IRS first mails a paper bill to a person who owes taxes.

If you are suspicious of a potential scam, please report these to the IRS. Do not click on any links, reply, or take any other actions that may put you at risk. There are specific ways to pay taxes. The agency will not leave pre-recorded, urgent, or threatening messages on an answering system. They will never threaten to bring in police, call for immediate payment with a prepaid debit card, gift card, or wire transfer, or ask for checks to third parties. Finally, the IRS will not demand payment without giving the taxpayer an opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.

Criminals can fake or spoof caller ID numbers to appear to be anywhere in the country. Scammers can even spoof an IRS office phone number or the numbers of various local, state, federal or tribal government agencies. Again, report scam calls to the IRS.

For more information:

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tips-to-help-taxpayers-spot-and-avoid-tax-scams

Sports, February 8th

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, February 8th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Basketball

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team will host Burlington tonight at 7:30 pm. The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will travel to Fairfield tomorrow, February 9th, at 7:30 pm.

The Mediapolis boys’ team will take on Tipton tonight at 7:30 pm at home.

The Central Lee boys’ team will face off against Davis County tonight at 7:30 pm on the road. 

Girls’ Basketball Regional Pairings

Regional basketball is set to begin for Class 1A tonight and classes 2A and 3A will begin on Saturday, February 10th. Here’s a look at our local matchups.

In Class 1A Region 7, Lone Tree will host Winfield-Mt. Union. 

Danville will take on Burlington Notre Dame with the Bears acting as host. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm. 

Both games are set to begin at 7 pm tonight with the winner of the two games competing against one another. 

In Class 1A Region 8, WACO will face off against Hillcrest Academy at home and New London will travel to #15 Holy Trinity Catholic. KILJ AM 1130, 98.5 FM, and kilj.com will be covering the Crusaders and Tigers. Both games are scheduled to start at 7 pm tonight.

For Class 2A Region 6, Van Buren County hits the road to face off against Pleasantville on Saturday at 7 pm. Columbus will host West Burlington on February 13th at 7 pm.

In Class 3A Region 1, Mediapolis will host Central Lee on Saturday at 7 pm.

In Class 3A Region 5, Fairfield will take on the top seed Solon on the road and Washington will host Davis County. Both games will take place on Saturday at 7 pm.

The Regional brackets for classes 4A and 5A were released and Class 4A Region 1 is the place for Southeast Iowa basketball.

Mt. Pleasant will hit the road to take on Oskaloosa for the second time this season as Oskaloosa won that matchup 55-17. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm.

The winner of this game will take on #1 Clear Creek-Amana, who boasts a 20-0 record. 

On the bottom half of the bracket, it will be a Southeast Conference matchup between Fort Madison and Burlington. These two have traded games this season with the Grayhounds winning round one 47-39 and the Bloodhounds taking the most recent contest 58-48. 

The winner will be tasked with a road matchup against Keokuk. The first-round is scheduled to begin on February 14th at 7 pm.

Boys’ Basketball District Matchups

The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) has released the brackets for District play set to begin tomorrow, February 9th, for the Class 1A preliminary round. All games will start at 7 pm. Here’s our local matchups.

In Class 1A Substate 5: District 9, New London and Columbus are set to rumble tomorrow at New London in the preliminary round with the winner moving on to play the top seed, #5 Winfield-Mt. Union. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call.

The first-round games will be played on Monday, February 12th, and Danville will take on Sigourney at home. Burlington Notre Dame will host Wapello and WACO will face off against Pekin at home.

In District 10, Holy Trinity Catholic holds the top spot and will compete against either Seymour or Tri-County on Monday at home.

Class 2A, Substate 4 District 7 will be headlined by the undefeated #8 West Burlington Falcons. Central Lee and Louisa-Muscatine will compete on Monday with the winner moving on to face off against the Falcons.

On the bottom half of the bracket, Mediapolis will host Van Buren County on Monday with the winner to move on and travel to West Branch on Thursday, February 15th, for the second-round matchup.

The brackets for classes 3A and 4A will be released on Monday with their first-round matchups taking place on February 19th.

High School Wrestling

New London and WACO will travel to Wilton to compete in districts. Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union will wrestle at Solon, while Mt. Pleasant will travel to Fairfield with Burlington Notre Dame, Keokuk, and Mediapolis also in attendance. Districts will take place on Saturday, February 10th, at 10 am.

High School Bowling

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team will be heading to Oskaloosa on Monday, February 12th and the boys’ team on Tuesday, February 13th, to compete in the state qualifying meet. Burlington and Keokuk will also be making the trip.

College Basketball

The #2 Iowa women’s team will host Penn State tonight at 8 pm.

The Iowa State women’s team will compete against Oklahoma on Saturday, February 10th, at 6 pm at home.

The #14 Iowa State men’s team will host TCU on Saturday at 1 pm.

The Iowa men’s team will face off against Penn State on the road tonight at 6 pm.

This Day in Sports History

1936 – First-ever NFL Draft: the Philadelphia Eagles select Jay Berwanger from the University of Chicago as the first pick. The first Heisman trophy winner opts not to play in the NFL.

1945 – Paul Brown agrees to coach the new American football expansion team in Cleveland, which would later be named the Cleveland Browns after their coach.

1960 – Boston Celtic Bill Russell becomes the first NBA player with 50 rebounds in a game with 51.

Father and Son Squabble Leads to Injury, Death for Dad

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, February 8th, 2024 at 6:17 am CDT

A disturbance broke out around 7:23pm on Monday, January 22nd in Keokuk. Officers with the Keokuk Police Department arrived on scene to 416 Burke Street just three minutes later.

A thorough investigation revealed that 84-year-old Gary L. Rockenbach received injuries during a physical altercation with his son, Craig L. Rockenbach. Allegedly, the assault took place after a disagreement over food.

The Lee County Ambulance Service arrived on scene at 7:31 after being requested by the officers, and Gary was transported to a medical facility at that time.

Craig Rockenbach was arrested at 7:34 p.m. for Assault Causing Bodily injury, a serious misdemeanor. He was transported to the Lee County Jail.

One week later, the Keokuk Police Department received additional information in regard to the internal injuries that Gary Rockenbach suffered. The Lee County Attorney’s Office was given this new information, and the original charge was amended and changed to Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury, a class C felony.

Gary Rockenbach succumbed to his injuries in a medical facility and the police department was made known on February 1st. This is an ongoing investigation, and an autopsy has been requested to determine the cause of death.

An arrest is merely an accusation supported by probable cause and all defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted in a court of law.

Gas and Diesel Price Both Fall – Weekly Fuel Report

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, February 8th, 2024 at 5:53 am CDT

The price of regular unleaded gasoline fell 4 cents, averaging $2.83 across Iowa according to AAA.

Crude Oil Summary

  • The price of global crude oil fell this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $1.82 per barrel and is currently priced at $73.82.
  • Brent crude oil fell $2.54 and is currently priced at $79.14.
  • One year ago, WTI crude sold for $77.14 and Brent crude was at $82.92.

Motor Fuels

  • As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.83 across Iowa according to AAA.
    • Prices fell 4 cents from last week’s price and are down 47 cents from a year ago.
    • The national average on Wednesday was $3.15, up 1 cent from last week’s price.
  • Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 3 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.54.
    • One year ago, diesel prices averaged $4.22 in Iowa.
    • The current Iowa diesel price is 40 cents lower than the national average of $3.94.
  • Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.
  • The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $1.97 for U87-E10, $2.27 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $2.49 for ULSD#2, $2.77 for ULSD#1, and $1.79 per gallon for E-70 prices.

 

Heating Fuels

  • Propane prices averaged $1.59 per gallon statewide.
  • Home heating oil prices averaged $2.94 per gallon statewide.
  • Natural gas prices fell 15 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $1.97/MMbtu

 

Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov.

Girls’ Basketball: Mt. Pleasant on the Road for Panthers’ First-Round Regional Contest

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, February 7th, 2024 at 6:41 pm CDT

Mount Pleasant, IA- The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union has released the brackets for classes 4A and 5A as everyone prepares for postseason basketball. Here’s how the bracket shook out for our local teams.

All eyes will be set on Class 4A Region 1 for southeast Iowa. Mt. Pleasant (4-15) will hit the road to take on Oskaloosa for the second time this season as Oskaloosa won that matchup 55-17. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm.

The winner of this game will take on #1 Clear Creek-Amana, who boasts a 20-0 record.

On the bottom half of the bracket, it will be a Southeast Conference matchup between Fort Madison (12-5) and Burlington (10-9). These two have traded games this season with the Grayhounds winning round one 47-39 and the Bloodhounds taking the most recent contest 58-48. Burlington is searching for their first winning record since 2010-2011.

The winner will be tasked with a road matchup against Keokuk (17-3). The Chiefs grabbed the conference crown but come off a loss against Iowa City West 53-39.

The first round will begin on February 14th at 7 pm.

A Preview of Class 1A’s First Round Regional Matchups

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, February 7th, 2024 at 6:30 pm CDT

Girls’ Basketball- The first round of Class 1A Regionals is set to kickoff tomorrow, February 8th, at 7 pm so it seems appropriate that we preview the upcoming matchups for our local teams and look at the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s final top 15 for classes 1A, 2A, and 3A for the season.

Class 1A Region 7

On KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, it will be Danville (16-4) hosting Burlington Notre Dame (10-10). The Nikes have had a mixed bag of a season after experiencing the high of knocking Holy Trinity Catholic out of the top 15 earlier this season and taking their spot to the low of a harboring a 6-10 record.

Danville had a terrible start to the season, no mincing words. An 0-4 start and the Bears seemed to be destined to stay in hibernation for much of the season. However, the defense woke up ferociously as the Bears average 18.2 steals per game and have rattled off 16 straight wins.

It will be a battle of the guards with senior Jaeda Molle (14.4 points per game) of Danville facing off against fellow senior Lauren Krieger (17.8 points per game) for the Nikes. Danville has won both matchups this season, but Burlington Notre Dame has won 8 of the past 10.

Winfield-Mt. Union (4-14) will have the tough task of riding up to take on Lone Tree (18-3), the second-highest seed in the bottom half of the bracket. The Wolves and Lions will have to shake off the rust as they both enter the game with an albatross hanging around their neck of losing streaks (WMU-4, Lone Tree-2).

The Lions will have the advantage with a defense that generates 20.7 steals per game, while the Wolves turn it over an average of nearly 28 times per game. Madisen Kellogg, a sophomore for Winfield-Mt. Union, will have to step up and have a monster game as she nearly averages a double-double of 16.7 points per game and 9.1 rebounds per game. Lone Tree will lean on Finley Jacque’s 15. 9 points per game as a sophomore.

Winfield Mt. Union showed a lot of improvement in their second matchup against Lone Tree this season but have still been outscored 131 to 72 in the two matchups.

Class 1A Region 8

On KILJ AM 1130, 98.5 FM, or kilj.com, you can tune in to hear Jeff Broeg call the matchup down in Fort Madison between #15 Holy Trinity Catholic (18-2) and New London (1-19). The Crusaders are back in the top 15 for the second time this season after a dominant win over Lone Tree, 50-26, to claim the Southeast Iowa Super Conference crown.

Senior Mary Kate Bendlage is a problem that Southeast Iowa has not had a solution for as she’s averaging nearly a double-double a night with 21.8 points per game and 8.9 rebounds per game. Natalie Randolph has stepped up with 13.8 points per game.

New London’s lone win of the season occurred back in mid-December in a narrow 50-48 victory over West Burlington. The only time the Tigers scored over 40 points in a game this season. They’ll depend on Mylee Miller as she is the only Tiger averaging double figures at 10.1 points per game to complement her 7.2 rebounds per game.

The Crusaders have won the past 22 games in this series, outscoring the Tigers 133 to 46 in their two matchups this season.

WACO (12-9) will get to host their first-round matchup against Hillcrest Academy (6-14). The Warriors have finished the year strong with a 6-1 record in the last 7 games as the defense has not allowed an opponent to score more than 43 points in a win.

The Ravens have picked up two wins at the end of the season to help snap a 6-game losing streak. Teams have found a way to shut off their offense with the most points the Ravens have managed to score in a loss is 42 (three times).

WACO has won both matchups this season by narrow margins of just six and seven. But this has been a trend since 2014 as the Ravens haven’t won in the past 12 games. Senior Emma Wagler will lead the Warriors with 12.8 points per game, while Claire Withrow, a sophomore, will look for an upset as she averages 14.3 points per game.

Nevertheless, as any coach will tell you a game is not won on paper, so we will find out tomorrow night who will advance to keep their state tournament hopes alive.