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.

Mary Hodges

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, January 24th, 2024 at 5:53 am CDT

Mary Cecile Hodges, 92, Wapello, died Friday, January 19, 2024, at Wapello Specialty Care, where she had been a resident since July of 2022. She had been in hospice care for approximately two months.

She was born in rural Van Buren County March 27, 1931, to Arthur Marion Poling and Etta (Morris) Poling. In 1936, she and her parents moved to a farm west of Keosauqua, where she lived the remainder of her childhood and youth.

She attended a one room schoolhouse through eighth grade, and then graduated as valedictorian in the Keosauqua High School Class of 1948.

She was a Rainbow Girl and was a high school basketball cheerleader.

Following high school graduation, she worked as a bank teller in Keosauqua. While working in the bank, she met her future husband, James (Jim) Hodges, who was the editor of the local weekly newspaper.

They were married in April of 1951 in Keosauqua, and after a short time in Odebolt, Iowa, moved to Wapello, where Jim was editor (and soon the owner) of the Wapello Republican.

The paper was soon incorporated as Louisa Publishing Company, which eventually owned and published seven weekly newspapers in Southeast Iowa, and had the area’s first web press.

Mary was Secretary/Treasurer of Louisa Publishing Company, retiring in 2002. She was active in the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wapello, T.T.T., Wapello Chamber of Commerce, and in Republican politics.

She was an excellent cook, specializing in casseroles that could be prepared in advance so supper would be ready soon after arriving home from work, and in many other dishes as well.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jim in 1994, and by her parents.

Mary is survived by her sons Mike (Joan) Hodges of Wapello, and James David Hodges of Grandview; grandchildren Bob (Elissa) of Ankeny, Ben (Courtnee), Murray, KY, and Stephanie (Noah David II) Conner of Riner, VA; and great-grandchildren Madeline, Abigail, Tyson and Emerson Hodges, and Coralee and Noah David Connor III.

Visitation will be held 2-4 p.m., Sunday, January 28, 2024, at Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral and Cremation Services in Wapello.

A private graveside service will be held at a later date.

A memorial in the name of Mary Hodges has been established. Memorial funds will be directed to Wapello Fire and Rescue and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wapello. Memorial monies may be mailed to P.O. Box 306, Wapello, IA 52653.

The family would like to extend sincere thanks to the staff of Wapello Specialty Care and Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice for Mary’s care.

Michael Wesely

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, January 24th, 2024 at 5:52 am CDT

Michael G. “Mike” Wesely, 72, of Lockridge passed away on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

 

 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant.  Memorials may be directed to the Lockridge Fire and Rescue Association in his memory.  According to his wishes cremation has been entrusted to the care of Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant.

 

 

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

  Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant, is caring for his arrangements.

City Council Meeting Agenda January 24th

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024 at 3:48 pm CDT

The Mount Pleasant City Council will meet in Regular Session on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at City Hall, 307 E. Monroe Street, second-floor meeting room at 5:30 p.m.

AGENDA

  1. Roll Call.
  2. Consent Agenda: To the Public — All items with an asterisk (*) are routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion and a roll call of the Councilmembers. There will be no separate discussion of items unless the Mayor, a Councilmember or citizen so request, in which event the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and will be considered in its normal sequence on the Agenda.
  3. Receive & file communications.
  4. Approve agenda.

*5. Approve minutes of previous meetings.

*6. Approve payment of bills.

*7. Receive report of Officers.

  1. Old Business-
    1. 3rd reading/adopt Ordinance amending Chapter 21 “Solid Waste” and Chapter 25 “Solid Waste Charges” of the City of Mount Pleasant Code of Ordinance.
    2. Resolution approving Amended Curbside Residential Solid Waste Collection

Agreement between the City of Mount Pleasant and Wemiga Waste, Inc. and Lance Refuse Inc.

  1. Request from Midwest Old Threshers Board of Directors to close off McMillan Park and Old Threshers grounds to all vehicle traffic Friday, August 23 rd.
  2. Request from Midwest Old Threshers Board of Directors for the use of McMillan Park from August 7 through September 13, 2024.
  3. Request from Midwest Old Threshers to sell alcohol in McMillan Park during Midwest Old Threshers Reunion August 29- September 2, 2024.
  4. Outdoor Amplified Sound Permit for Midwest Old Threshers at McMillan Park and Old Threshers grounds from August 8-September 2, 2024.

Page 2 of 2

  1. Request from Midwest Central Railroad and Midwest Old Threshers to close Locust Street gate on each night of Midwest Haunted Rails and Threshers House of Terror October 2024.
  2. h) Outdoor Amplified Sound Permit for Midwest Central Railroad and Midwest Old

Threshers on each night of Midwest Haunted Rails and Threshers House of Terror in October, 2024.

  1. New Business-
    1. Authorize the Mayor to sign an Engineering Services Agreement with Warner Engineering for Eugene Way — Drainage & Paving- 2024 RISE-funded paving west from S. Roosevelt Street.
    2. Resolution authorizing the filing of an application for the State of Iowa Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy (RISE) funds for a new roadway providing access to future industrial development.
    3. Resolution authorizing Warner Engineering Services to file an application for TAP

(Transportation Alternatives Program) Funding for the Construction of PCC TRAIL on N. Grand Avenue.

  1. Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to submit a grant application to the

Iowa Department of Economic Development’s Nuisance/Abandoned Property

Remediation Fund to demolish the former Iowa Wesleyan University Gymnasium.

  1. Authorize Mayor to sign Mount Pleasant Area Development Commission (ADC)
  2. 1 st reading of Ordinance amending Chapter 69 (parking regulations) of the City Code of Ordinances.
  3. Approve Mayor appointments to the Historic Preservation Committee.
  4. Resolution approving 2023 tax abatement applications and authorizing the filing with the Henry County Assessor.
  5. Accept Resignation from Fire Chief with the Mount Pleasant Fire Department.
  1. Public Forum.

I l . Adjourn to meet in regular session on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.