Two Young Men Selected for Boys State Due to Leadership Qualities

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, January 25th, 2024 at 8:49 am CDT

Two young men in Mount Pleasant have been selected for the prestigious Boys State conference in June. Congratulations to Elijah Rynders and Jonah Zimmer for being selected. This 6-day conference, which takes place at Camp Dodge, is open to incoming High School Seniors who are selected by their local American Legion Post.

According to the website, students engage in civic leadership experience in the operation of a democratic form of government. Students learn more in one week than in an entire semester of high school civics.

Scholarship opportunities are available, as well as the possibility to earn college credit.

Students are selected based off a large criterion, which boils down to possessing qualities of leadership, scholastic achievement, good citizenship, and willingness to participate.

During Boys State, students can meet elected officials, tour the State Capitol, play in sports tournaments, job shadow the Highway Patrol, join Mock Trial and Judge Appointments, and complete the National Guard Leadership Reaction Course. They simulate a government for 6 days, with students partaking in elections, bipartisan work in the house and senate, and even passing laws.

Congratulations to Jonah Zimmer and Elijah Rynders for being selected to the 2024 Iowa Boys State.

Sports, January 25th

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, January 25th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Basketball

Mt. Pleasant will host Washington tomorrow, January 26th, with the girls playing at 6 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will have the call with the pregame show at 5:45 pm.

Mediapolis will travel to Burlington Notre Dame tonight with the girls’ scheduled to play at 6 pm. 

New London will face off against West Burlington on the road tomorrow with the first game scheduled to start at 6 pm. 

Van Buren County will host Holy Trinity Catholic tomorrow with the girls playing at 6 pm followed by the boys. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will face off against WACO tonight at home with game one at 6 pm.

Central Lee will take on Danville in a home matchup tomorrow with the girls playing at 6 pm. 

Holy Trinity Catholic will host Wapello tonight with game one at 6 pm. 

High School Wrestling

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team will compete at the conference tournament on Saturday, January 27th, at Burlington Notre Dame. 

New London will host a quad today.

The WACO boys’ team will compete in a quad tonight at Pekin. 

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will compete in a dual today at Burlington. 

The Mt. Pleasant, Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union, and WACO girls’ teams will compete at Alliant Energy Power House for Super Regionals tomorrow, January 26th. 

High School Bowling

Mt. Pleasant will host Burlington today.

College Basketball

The #5 Iowa women’s team will look to get back in the win column on Saturday, January 27th, at 1 pm in a home matchup against Nebraska. 

The Iowa State women’s team fell to Kansas last night 60-58. Audi Crooks was the main source of offense for the Cyclones as she totaled 25 points and eight rebounds in the effort. Addy Brown also finished in double figures with 10 points. The Cyclones will look to pull off another upset against #24 West Virginia on Saturday at 1 pm on the road. 

The #23 Iowa State men’s team’s fundamentals ended up giving the Cyclones the 78-67 victory over Kansas State last night. The Cyclones finished the game 27 of 39 from the free throw line as Keshon Gilbert collected a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Iowa State will take on #7 Kansas at home on Saturday at 12:30 pm. 

Despite taking a 34 to 28 lead into halftime, the Iowa men’s team couldn’t stop Maryland’s comeback as Jahmir Young made the game winning layup with less than two seconds remaining to win 69-67 for the Terrapins. Tony Perkins went a perfect 11 for 11 from the free throw line as he led the Hawkeyes with 20 points. Owen Freeman was a rebound away from a double-double as cashed in for 14 points. Iowa will face off against Michigan on Saturday at 4 pm in a road matchup. 

This Day in Sports History

1960 – Wilt Chamberlain scores 58 points, the most ever by an NBA rookie, as the Philadelphia Warriors beat the Detroit Pistons, 127-117 at Bethlehem, PA. 

1991 – St. Louis right winger Brett Hull scores twice in a Blues’ 9-4 win at Detroit to give him 50 goals in 49 games. Making him the third player in NHL history with 50 goals in less than 50 games. 

1999 – After an inquiry into a corruption scandal, six International Olympic Committee members were expelled.

City Council Votes to Approve New Trash Pickup System in Mount Pleasant

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, January 25th, 2024 at 6:20 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant City Council met yesterday evening to vote on the new trash-pickup system in the city. Though there were a few last-minute questions from citizens, these were promptly answered, and the vote took place without fuss. The council voted to approve the new trash pickup system with three tiers in a contract with Lance Refuse and WEMIGA Waste.

Each “tier” provides an option for individual households to pursue. The 1st option is a 95-gallon container picked up once a week for $19.75. Option 2 and 3 are both a 65-gallon container. The difference is that option 2 is $16.75 a month and the container is picked up once a week, while the 3rd option is picked up once a month for $10.

According to the city’s lawyer, they do not need to go through three additional readings due to adding the 3rd tier, because this is seen as a benefit to the people who asked for change.

The Chief of Police spoke up when a resident, with a private dumpster, asked about what they are to do if unauthorized people dump their trash in a private dumpster. Chief Murray told them to call the police, as that is a crime. Mayor Brimhall gave an additional option of buying a padlock and putting it on your dumpster.

Mayor Steve Brimhall mentioned how an exact date cannot be given for when this system will begin, due in large part to the recent snowstorm, however he did say it will be in March. Containers will be delivered to residences in late February.

 

Previous Coverage:

Garbage Collection Update: 3rd Option Now Available for Residents

Mt. Pleasant Citizens Express Frustration at MP City Council Meeting…

New MP Trash Hauling System: Q & A

Mt. Pleasant Garbage Pickup: Old System Made Obsolete in Favor of New System

National Passenger Safety Week

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, January 24th, 2024 at 2:11 pm CDT

January 21st-28th is National Passenger Safety week. While it is easy to think about yourself, it might slip your mind to ensure your passengers are safe when in your vehicle. U.S. roadway deaths are rising at an alarming rate while people still drive recklessly. The National passenger Safety Campaign aims to promote safe driving practices and speak up when unsafe methods are used.

According to nationalpassengersafety.org, in 2020, 16 percent of traffic fatalities were passengers. 6,275 vehicle passengers were killed in crashes that year alone. Staggeringly, 56% of the deaths of teenage passengers occurred in vehicles driven by another teenager.

In 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) added the campaign to their national calendar. National Passenger Safety Week is now an ongoing event, the last week in January of every year.

Passengers can make a difference, because “one courageous voice can change one deadly choice.”

Weekly Fuel Report – January 24th

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, January 24th, 2024 at 2:02 pm CDT
Weekly Fuel Report

Crude Oil Summary

·        The price of global crude oil rose this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $3.66 per barrel and is currently priced at $75.43.

·        Brent crude oil rose $3.03 and is currently priced at $80.37.

·        One year ago, WTI crude sold for $80.13 and Brent crude was at $85.25.

Motor Fuels

·        As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.75 across Iowa according to AAA.

o   Prices rose 2 cents from last week’s price and are down 51 cents from a year ago.

o   The national average on Wednesday was $3.10, up 1 cent from last week’s price.

·        Retail diesel prices in Iowa held steady this week with a statewide average of $3.59.

o   One year ago, diesel prices averaged $4.24 in Iowa.

o   The current Iowa diesel price is 33 cents lower than the national average of $3.92.

·        Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.

·        The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $1.93 for U87-E10, $2.28 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $2.33 for ULSD#2, $2.64 for ULSD#1, and $1.81 per gallon for E-70 prices.

Heating Fuels

·        Propane prices averaged $1.57 per gallon statewide.

·        Home heating oil prices averaged $3.01 per gallon statewide.

·        Natural gas prices fell 18 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $2.65/MMbtu.

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

Sports, January 24th

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, January 24th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Basketball

Mt. Pleasant will host Washington on Friday, January 26th, with the girls playing at 6 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will have the call with the pregame show at 5:45 pm.

The Mediapolis girls’ team kept New London off the scoreboard in the third quarter as the Bulldogs thrashed their way to a 75-9 win. Haley Steffener totaled 17 points and five assists in the winning effort. The Mediapolis boys’ team’s 28-point first quarter provided enough momentum to take down the Tigers 61-56. The Bulldogs will travel to Burlington Notre Dame on Thursday, January 25th, with the girls’ scheduled to play at 6 pm. 

New London will face off against West Burlington on the road on Friday with the first game scheduled to start at 6 pm. 

Van Buren County and Danville had their games last night canceled. The Warriors will host Holy Trinity Catholic on Friday with the girls playing at 6 pm followed by the boys. 

The WACO girls’ team attempted the comeback against Highland last night but fell short in the effort, 52-49. Breanna Graber led the way with 21 points for the Warriors. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will face off against WACO tomorrow with game one at 6 pm.

The Central Lee girls’ team picked up their 5th win of the season in a 64-48 win against West Burlington. Kenna Sandoval tallied a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. The boys’ team attempted to spoil West Burlington’s perfect season but the Falcons glided past the Hawks 60-57. Central Lee will take on Danville in a home matchup on Friday with the girls playing at 6 pm. 

The Holy Trinity Catholic girls’ team enacted revenge from their lone loss earlier this season against Burlington Notre Dame as the Crusaders snuck past the Nikes 64-63. The boys’ team followed suit with a 63-55 victory over the Nikes. Luke Hellige cashed in for 29 points in the winning effort. The Crusaders will host Wapello tomorrow with game one at 6 pm. 

High School Wrestling

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team handled Louisa-Muscatine, 66-13, and Pekin, 84-0, last night in a triangular. Picking up wins by fall against Louisa-Muscatine was Ty Scorpil, Bowen Thomson, Cael Phillips, Trevor Phillips, Sheaden Adams, Cole Storm, and Dakota Aney. 

Scorpil, Thomson, Trevor Phillips, Russel Coil, and Aney all won their matches by fall against Pekin. Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union will compete at the conference tournament on Saturday, January 27th, at Burlington Notre Dame. 

New London will host a quad tomorrow, January 25th.

The WACO boys’ team had their triangular scheduled for last night postponed to January 30th. The Warriors will compete in a quad tomorrow at Pekin. 

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will compete in a dual tomorrow at Burlington. 

The Mt. Pleasant, Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union, and WACO girls’ teams will compete at Alliant Energy Power House for Super Regionals on Friday, January 26th. 

High School Bowling

Mt. Pleasant will host Burlington tomorrow, January 25th.

College Basketball

The #5 Iowa women’s team will look to get back in the win column on Saturday, January 27th, at 1 pm in a home matchup against Nebraska. 

The Iowa State women’s team will look to rebound tonight against Kansas in a road matchup at 6:30 pm. 

The #23 Iowa State men’s team will host Kansas State tonight at 8 pm. 

The Iowa men’s team will take on Maryland at home tonight at 6 pm. Catch the game on KILJ 105.5 FM. 

This Day in Sports History

1952 – The Dallas Texans become the first NFL team in Texas; formerly the New York Yanks, the Texans lose 11 of 12 games and fold after one season. 

1962 – Jackie Robinson is the first African American elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame; Bob Feller is also elected. 

1990 – Los Angeles’ Pat Riley becomes the 13th and fastest coach to reach the 500-victory plateau as the Lakers down the Indiana Pacers, 120-111; Riley completes the task in 133 less games.

Dense Fog Advisory Until 9:00 AM

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, January 24th, 2024 at 6:13 am CDT

Currently the KILJ listening area is in a dense fog advisory until 9 am this morning. Expect visibility of one quarter mile or less in dense fog. It might be difficult to drive due to the low visibility. Slow down and leave plenty of space in front of you to allow yourself more time to brake. Make sure your headlights are switched on. Again, this dense fog advisory expires at 9:00am.

Burlington Man Conspires to Distribute 65 Kilograms of Meth, Henry County Sheriff’s Office Assists in Investigation

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, January 24th, 2024 at 5:58 am CDT

A Burlington man was sentenced on January 23, 2024, to 25 years in federal prison for Conspiracy to Distribute 50 grams or more of Methamphetamine.

According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Larry Keith Knotts, III, 36, conspired to distribute over 65 kilograms of Methamphetamine. As a part of the conspiracy, Knotts possessed a dangerous weapon and attempted to influence a witness.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Knotts will be required to serve five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Southeast Iowa Narcotics Taskforce, Burlington Police Department, Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, West Burlington Police Department, Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN, an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime, is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.