Sports, February 10th

By Slaten Swords · Saturday, February 10th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

Girls’ Regional Basketball

In Class 1A Region 7, Danville will travel to Lone Tree on Tuesday, February 13th at 7 pm. KILJ AM 1130, 98.5 FM, and kilj.com will be on the call.

In Class 1A Region 8, WACO will travel to Montezuma on Tuesday at 7 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm. 

#15 Holy Trinity Catholic will host English Valleys on Tuesday at 7 pm. 

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

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

In Class 4A Region 1, 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.

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 Wednesday, February 14th, at 7 pm.

Boys’ District Basketball

New London hosted Columbus in the Class 1A Substate 5 District 9 preliminary round last night and the Tigers handled business, winning 65-52. The key for New London was their shooting from three-point land, as the Tigers buried 11 threes and saw four players finish in double figures; an aspect of the game Head Coach Bryant Porter knows makes New London a different team. 

Brendan Richey led the way with 16 points followed by Memphis Watson with 13 points and four steals as Carter Benjamin cashed in for 12 points and Brigham Porter finished with 11 points. New London will travel to face off against #5 Winfield-Mt. Union on Monday, February 12th, and Coach Porter is looking for his team to play spoiler. All first round games will begin at 7 pm. KILJ AM 1130, 98.5 FM, and kilj.com will have the call. 

The first-round games will be played on Monday 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 Tri-County after the Trojans defeated Seymour last night 69-52. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm.

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 Basketball

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team defeated Fairfield last night 68-57. Payton Hagans scored 28 points and Christian Stacy added 22 points in the winning effort. With the conference win and Keokuk’s loss to Fort Madison last night 57-41, the Panthers have now claimed back-to-back Southeast Conference titles. Mt. Pleasant will travel to take on Oskaloosa today at 3 pm. 

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 today 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 face off against Nebraska on the road tomorrow, February 11th, at noon.

The Iowa State women’s team will compete against Oklahoma tonight at 6 pm at home.

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

The Iowa men’s team will search for a win tomorrow at home against Minnesota at 2 pm. 

This Day in Sports History

1920 – Baseball outlaws all pitches that involve tampering with the ball. 

1971 – Bill White becomes the first African American baseball announcer. 

1989 – To gain deregulation, the WWF admits pro wrestling is an exhibition and not a sport in a New Jersey court.

David Albert Bell-Pending

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, February 10th, 2024 at 6:01 am CDT

David Albert Bell, 63 of Bonaparte, passed away on Thursday, February 8, 2024.  Funeral arrangements are pending with the Schmitz Funeral Home in Farmington

Janice Brown

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, February 10th, 2024 at 6:00 am CDT

Janice Brown, 95, of Wapello passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington, after suffering a stroke.  As staying with Janice’s wishes there will be a private family graveside service in the spring where Janice will be laid to rest next to her husband Don, at Wapello Cemetery.  Janice was always very concerned about others, she never wanted anyone worrying about her. It only seems fitting she did not want to trouble others with inconveniencing them with missing work or unsafe travels to attend her services.  Memorials have been established for First Presbyterian Church of Wapello and Wapello Fire Department in Janice’s name.  Memorials may be sent to Janice’s family in care of the funeral home, at 209 Franklin Street, Wapello, Iowa 52653.   Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservices.com.    Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Wapello are assisting the family with arrangements.

Janice Elaine Marie Bloomer was born on November 15, 1928 in Burlington, the daughter of John Oscar and Olive Florence (Miller) Bloomer.    Janice was a 1946 graduate of Wapello High School.  On June 22, 1947, Janice was united in marriage to Donald Raymond Brown in Wapello and to this union five children were born.  Janice was a stay-at-home mom who enjoyed and cherished being at home with her kids and seeing Don when he came home for lunch every day.  In 1974 Janice went to work for Louisa Publishing Co. as a typesetter, retiring at the age of 87.   Janice was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church of Wapello, playing the piano and organ for Sunday church services.  She was also a member of PEO, active in Girl Scouts and Wapello Music Boosters.  She found her greatest joy in time spent with her husband, Don, their kids and grandkids.  Janice and Don cherished each other and had a wonderful marriage.   Janice thoroughly enjoyed attending her kids’ and grandkids’ sporting events and band concerts.  A story has been shared that Hal Cross, the band director at the time, told the audience, “We can now start, Janice Brown is here.” Janice had a love for music all of her life, beginning with high school band and choir continuing throughout her life playing the organ and piano at church, singing in the church choir and accompanying David as he played the guitar at home.  Janice also enjoyed being outdoors and sitting on her porch.  She was a true home body, loving home and family.  They meant the world to her.

Those left to cherish Janice’s memory include her children, Greg (Regina) Brown of Wapello, Joan Thompson of Winfield, David Brown of Iowa City, Mary (John) White of Mason City and Martha (Dirk) Wilkerson of Wapello; grandchildren, Clint Brown, Ashley Brown, Joy (Josh) Sparrow, Julie (Jeremy) Hunold, Kendra (Caleb) Connop, Shelby (Craig) Halverson, Abra (Brandon) Kammrad, Lisa Wilkerson and Brady Wilkerson; great- grandchildren, Noah and Nick Sparrow, Kaylen and Brant Hunold, Briar and Rowan Connop, Easton and Adri Halverson, Mac and Baylor Kammrad.

Janice was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Don on October 26, 1991; brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Betty Bloomer; son-in-law, Paul Thompson and daughter-in-law, Julia Ryan Brown.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.

Pickup Truck Driver Arrested After Crashing into Two Vehicles in Fort Madison

By Yorke Prough · Friday, February 9th, 2024 at 1:29 pm CDT

On February 8th, 2024, at 8:50 AM, a Fort Madison officer attempted to stop a pickup truck in a westside residential neighborhood for an equipment violation. The driver abruptly fled, emerging onto Business 61 without stopping, and accelerating wildly. It was observed weaving through traffic as it traveled westbound, attaining an estimated 80 MPH, and continuing for another 5 blocks before losing control. Subsequently the truck overturned in a parking lot and struck two unoccupied vehicles. The driver emerged from the vehicle, apparently uninjured, and was immediately apprehended.

Ronald Edwin Stegall, age 62, of Fort Madison was charged with Eluding, Possession of Methamphetamine, a probation warrant, and multiple traffic offenses. He was initially taken to the Fort Madison hospital for examination before incarceration at the Lee County Jail. The damaged vehicles were removed from the scene. Fort Madison Fire and Lee County EMS assisted.

The public is reminded that charges are an accusation of a criminal act, and that persons arrested are presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law.

Upcoming Acres of Opportunity Conference

By Yorke Prough · Friday, February 9th, 2024 at 11:08 am CDT

Beginning farmers know the substantial initial investment it takes to farm, and those who currently farm are facing a projected 25% cut in their net farm income compared to last year. These situations have prompted interest in niche opportunities that require less land or can complement an existing family farm.

To meet this rising interest, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s Acres of Opportunity conference provides a space to learn from and network with farmers who have taken a diversified path.

The conference is slated for March 16 at the Bridge View Center in Ottumwa and will cover niche areas such as specialty meats, small grains, flower farming, regenerative grazing and more. Industry experts will also be present to talk about beginning farmer loans, branding opportunities and e-commerce.

Keynoting the event is Sarah Frey, CEO and founder of Frey Farms, the nation’s leading grower, shipper and marketer of fresh fruits and vegetables. Frey will share the importance of learning from each other’s challenges and drawing on the inspiration all around us.

Registration is free for Farm Bureau members and $60 per person for non-members. Register online by March 3 and view a full agenda at www.iowafarmbureau.com/acres.

Attention Henry County 4-H Members!

By Yorke Prough · Friday, February 9th, 2024 at 10:36 am CDT

For our 4-H seniors, make sure to submit your Senior Spotlight Form as well as a high quality photo to Kristen by March 1st! The Senior 4H banners will be on display at the Fair as usual. Like previous years, the Henry County Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will be giving Senior Spotlight shout-outs to all of the 4-Hers on Facebook.

Form: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/henry/4h

Kristen’s Email: kbrinck@iastate.edu

Two Vehicle Crash Blocks Traffic in Mount Pleasant

By Yorke Prough · Friday, February 9th, 2024 at 8:43 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant Police Department responded to a two-vehicle collision on February 6th at the intersection of E Baker St and Beavers Drive.

Officers arrived at 12:54pm a found that a Buick Sedan, driven by Carolyn Dorothy of Mount Pleasant was westbound on E Baker, when it failed to stop at a stop sign. The Buick struck a Nissan Sedan driven by Brodie Wenger, also of Mount Pleasant. The Buick came to a stop on N Gran Avenue, temporarily blocking northbound traffic.

Total combined estimated damage is $7000. No injuries were reported at the time of the accident.

InMotion Traveling to Keokuk for Power City Classic

By Yorke Prough · Friday, February 9th, 2024 at 8:42 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant InMotion show choir travels to Keokuk tomorrow for their second competition of the season. After a very successful home invitational last weekend, it seems excitement surrounds the group as they continue their charge this season.

The group, comprised of freshmen through seniors, and led by director Makenzie Kauffman-Ho is sure to put on a great show. According to the program, you can catch InMotion at 1:50pm on Saturday at the Keokuk High School. They are sandwiched between the only other 3A groups, Springfield and Fort Madison.  Tickets are $10 for adults and children under 5 are admitted for free.