Sports, December 19th

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, December 19th, 2023 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Basketball

Mt. Pleasant will host Keokuk tonight with the girls going at 6 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will have the call with the pregame show at 5:45 pm. Head Coach Eric Rawson talked about the upcoming matchup against the top teams in the conference. The Panthers will be having a “white out” as they ask all of their fans to wear white for the game. 

The Central Lee girls team fell to Columbus last night 47-43. The girls’ team heads into winter break with a 3-5 record. The Central Lee boys handled Columbus last night 76-35. Owen Swan had 20 points for the Hawks. The boys’ team is 2-6 entering winter break.

The Mediapolis girls’ team dominated Wapello last night 78-22. Haley Steffener led the way with 17 points followed by Hanna Wagenbach’s 14 points and 7 rebounds. Tatum Wolford scored 8 points for the Arrows. The girls’ team heads into winter break with an 8-1 record. The boys’ team also defended their home court against Wapello last night, winning 78-40. The boys’ team touts a 5-3 record heading into winter break. 

The Danville boys’ team will host BGM on Thursday, December 21st, at 7:30 pm. The girls’ team will head into winter break with a 5-4 record.  

The New London boys’ team will travel to Regina Catholic on Thursday at 7:30 pm, while the girls’s team will compete against Columbus on Thursday at 6 pm at home. 

WACO will host Lone Tree tonight with the girls’ team scheduled to play at 6 pm. 

The Van Buren County boys’ team will face off against Columbus on January 4th at 7:30 pm and the girls’ team will travel to Fairfield on January 2nd at 7:30 pm. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to Highland tonight with the girls playing at 6 pm. 

Holy Trinity Catholic will host Clark County tonight with the girls’ team scheduled to start at 6 pm followed by the boys game. 

High School Wrestling

The WACO girls and boys will travel to BGM today to compete in a meet. 

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team will compete at a tournament after winter break on January 5th at Highland. 

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ teams will have to wait until after winter break with the Panthers competing on January 4th at Sigourney, while the girls’ team will compete at a tournament at Highland on January 5th. 

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team will compete Saturday, December 23rd, at Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont. 

New London will wait until after winter break to compete in a quad at Cascade on January 4th. 

High School Bowling

Mt. Pleasant will take on Washington on January 4th. 

College Football

Iowa State University will take on Memphis in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis on December 29th at 2:30 pm. The Cyclones defeated Memphis in the 2017 AutoZone Liberty Bowl 21-20. 

#20 Iowa will face off against #25 Tennessee in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on January 1st at noon. 

College Basketball

The #4 Iowa women’s team will face off against Loyola-Chicago on Thursday, December 21st, at 5 pm at home.  

The Iowa State women’s team will compete against UNI tomorrow, December 20th, at 6:30 pm. 

The Iowa State men’s team will host Eastern Illinois on Thursday at 7 pm. 

The Iowa men’s team will host UMBC tomorrow at 7 pm. 

Conference Player of the Week

Iowa State’s Audi Crooks nabbed her first career honor after being named Big 12 Freshman of the Week for her 21 point effort in their win over Troy last weekend. Crooks shot 90% in the win along with grabbing nine rebounds.

Owen Freeman now holds the school record for Big Ten Freshman of the Week after collecting his fourth award of the season. He scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds over the weekend to help the Hawkeyes get back in the win column. He was the first Hawkeye freshman to finish with a double-double since 2018. 

This Day in Sports History

1904 – The Dawson City hockey team begins their 9 day walk to get a boat to Seattle to catch a train to Ottawa to play in the Stanley Cup. 

1984 – Wayne Gretzky, at the age of 23, is the 18th and youngest NHL player to score 1,000 points. 

2010 – “Miracle at the New Meadowlands”, the Philadelphia Eagles trail the New York Giants by 21 points with eight minutes to play, before scoring four touchdowns in final seven minutes, including a dramatic walk-off punt return for a touchdown by DeSean Jackson.

Two Men Wanted in Burlington Area

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, December 19th, 2023 at 6:02 am CDT
Daryl Heyl

Daryl Alan Heyl age 34, is currently wanted by authorities on warrants including, but not limited to, Violation of Probation, Possession of Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. If you know the whereabouts of Daryl Alan Heyl, please call Crime Stoppers at 319-753-6835.

Samuel Pogue

Samuel J. Pogue, age 31, is currently wanted by authorities on warrants including, but not limited to, Escape from Custody and Violation of a No Contact Order. If you know the whereabouts of Samuel J. Pogue, please call Crime Stoppers at 319-753-6835. If your tip leads to their arrest, you will receive a cash reward. PLEASE DO NOT POST YOUR TIP ON THIS PAGE!!

Judith Barrett-Guarino

By Yorke Prough · Monday, December 18th, 2023 at 9:39 am CDT

Judith A. Barrett-Guarino, 70, of Mt. Pleasant passed away on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

No services are planned at this time and burial will be held in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery rural Mt. Pleasant. According to her 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 her arrangements.

Protect Yourself From Illness This Winter

By Yorke Prough · Monday, December 18th, 2023 at 8:19 am CDT

It’s that time of year where family gatherings, big feasts, and quiet nights are ruined by sickness. Something seems to be hitting the good folk of Mt. Pleasant right now, and it seems as good a time as any to remember how to protect yourself from illness.

    1. Avoid close contact.
      Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
    2. Stay home when you are sick.
      If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.
    3. Cover your mouth and nose.
      Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk.
    4. Clean your hands.
      Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
    5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
      Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
    6. Practice other good health habits.
      Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

No one wants to miss out on family Christmas because they are “coughing up a lung” so make sure to take care of yourself and others, by following these tips.

IAble Plan

By Yorke Prough · Monday, December 18th, 2023 at 8:19 am CDT

Treasurer Smith encourages individuals with disabilities and their support system to consider saving with IAble in 2024. “A new year is the perfect opportunity to review past goals and determine new ones for your future,” Smith said. “If things like achieving financial freedom and saving money without restrictive asset caps comes to mind, IAble might be a perfect fit for you.”

IAble is Iowa’s Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) plan and helps individuals with disabilities and their support system save money.

  • Up to $100,000 can be saved in an IAble account without affecting eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
  1. Any amount saved does not affect eligibility for other federal needs-based programs, including Medicaid.
  2. Choose from a blend of up to six Investment Options and a Checking Account Option, which comes with a debit card.
  3. Money saved can be used for any expense relating to the Account Owner’s disability, including rent, food, assistive technology and employment support.
  4. If an Account Owner does not have the capacity to manage their finances, an Authorized Individual may do so on their behalf

DOT Offices Closed for Christmas

By Yorke Prough · Monday, December 18th, 2023 at 8:18 am CDT

All Iowa Department of Transportation locations will be closed on Monday, Dec. 25, Tuesday, Dec. 26, and Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Many people, including commercial driver’s license holders, may be able to complete driver’s license business online at www.iowadot.gov.

New London Board of Directors Agenda

By Yorke Prough · Monday, December 18th, 2023 at 8:17 am CDT
12/19/2023, 6:00 PM
Board of Directors – Regular Meeting
Central Office | Board Room | 106 W. Wilson St., New London, IA
Meeting Agenda
1. Welcome
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Public Forum
4. Approval of Agenda
5. Approval of the Consent Agenda
a. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
b. Financial Reports
c. Claims
d. Fundraisers & Donations
a. HS G Basketball – Cupcake Sales
b. Industrial Arts – Skid Loader
c. $10,000 Citizen Donation
d. $7,000 Enhance Henry County Community Foundation Grant
6. Reports
a. Student Ambassador
b. Elementary Principal
c. MS/HS Principal
d. Superintendent
e. Board
7. Board Business
a. Consider Early Graduation Request – Action Item
b. Minor School License – Action Item
c. Ready, Set, Govern! IASB Workshop Details – Discussion Item
8. Personnel
a. Resignations
b. Appointments
a. Amber Wilkerson, Special Education Associate
9. Board Policy
a. First Reading of Board Policy Series 100 – Lindsay Porter
10. Adjourn

Sports, December 18th

By Slaten Swords · Monday, December 18th, 2023 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Basketball

Mt. Pleasant will host Keokuk tomorrow, December 19th, with the girls going at 6 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will have the call with the pregame show at 5:45 pm. The Panthers will be having a “white out” as they ask all of their fans to wear white for the game. 

The Central Lee girls team will travel to take on Columbus tonight at 6 pm followed by the boys’ game. 

Danville swept Louisa-Muscatine over the weekend with the girls dominating in a 56-9 win, while the boys snuck out with a 54-51 final. Jaden Bauer finished with a double-double with 24 points and 13 rebounds. The boys’ team will host BGM on Thursday, December 21st, at 7:30 pm. The girls’ team will head into winter break with a 5-4 record.  

Mediapolis will host Wapello tonight with the girls’ team playing at 6 pm. 

The New London boys’ team stopped their five-game skid in a 60-59 win over GMG over the weekend. Brigham Porter tallied a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Brendan Richey led the Tigers with 21 points. The boys’ team will travel to Regina Catholic on Thursday, December 21st, at 7:30 pm, while the girls’s team will compete against Columbus on Thursday at 6 pm at home. 

WACO will host Lone Tree tomorrow with the girls’ team scheduled to play at 6 pm. 

The Van Buren County boys’ team will face off against West Liberty tonight at 7:30 pm and the girls’ team will travel to Fairfield on January 2nd at 7:30 pm. 

The Holy Trinity Catholic girls’ team defeated Winfield-Mt. Union over the weekend 68-15. Mary Kate Bendlage went off for 32 points as she shot 70% from the field. The Wolves got their revenge in the boys game, taking down the Crusaders 55-40. Cam Buffington led the effort for Winfield-Mt. Union with 20 points, while the Crusaders counted on Luke Hellige’s 17 points. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to Highland tomorrow with the girls playing at 6 pm. 

Holy Trinity Catholic will host Clark County tomorrow with the girls’ team scheduled to start at 6 pm followed by the boys game. 

High School Wrestling

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team traveled to Cedar Rapids-Prairie and had one 5th place finisher in Josie Nelson in the 140-pound weight class. Lecet Quiroz finished in 6th place in the 155-pound weight class. The girls will compete at a tournament after winter break on January 5th at Highland. 

The WACO girls competed in a tournament at Chariton over the weekend. Elyssa Graber battled her way to the 3rd place match and won by fall in the 105-pound weight class. The Warriors will travel to BGM tomorrow, December 19th, to compete in a meet. 

The Mt. Pleasant and WACO boys’ teams traveled to Regina Catholic over the weekend to compete in a tournament, which saw three Panthers finish on the podium. In the 106-pound weight class, Ladon Beckler defeated Bryer Jack of HLV by fall to advance to the championship match where he finished in 2nd place, falling to Ethan Humphrey. Lane Beckler defeated John Mclauglin of WACO to claim 3rd place in the 126-pound weight class. The last Panther to finish on the podium was William Birdsell in the 215-pound weight class as he won his 3rd place match by fall. Ramzy Davis defeated Trey Edeker by fall in the 5th place match of the 150-pound weight class. Fairfield’s top finishers were Cael McCabe and Dain Burkhart as they finished in 1st place in their respective weight classes, while Zach Harbison was Wapello’s lone 1st place finisher. The Panthers will have to wait until after winter break with the boys’ competing on January 4th at Sigourney, while the girls’ team will compete at a tournament at Highland on January 5th. 

The WACO boys’ team will compete tomorrow at BGM for a meet. 

Fort Madison hosted a tournament over the weekend with a couple of local teams in attendance. In the 106-pound weight class, Colt Boyles of Burlington Notre Dame took down Dakota Aney of Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union by fall in the 3rd place match. Ian Estudillo, Jacob Nelson, and Kason Dopler of Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union each finished in 4th place for their respective weight classes. Lastly for the Wildcats, Russel Coil grabbed 1st place in the 285-pound weight class. 

New London’s Kane Forseen fell in the championship match of the 120-pound weight class by technical fall to claim 2nd place. Gage Burden claimed 4th place for the Tigers and Michael Raines fell to Cole Storm of Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union in the 5th place match. 

Burlington Notre Dame had C.J. Davis and Carter West claim 1st place in their respective weight classes. Blake Wilson and Dirk Boyles each took home 2nd place in their respective weight classes for the Nikes. 

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team will compete Saturday, December 23rd, at Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont. 

New London will wait until after winter break to compete in a quad at Cascade on January 4th. 

High School Bowling

Mt. Pleasant will take on Washington on January 4th. 

College Football

Iowa State University will take on Memphis in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis on December 29th at 2:30 pm. The Cyclones defeated Memphis in the 2017 AutoZone Liberty Bowl 21-20. 

#20 Iowa will face off against #25 Tennessee in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on January 1st at noon. 

College Basketball

The #4 Iowa women’s team is now 11-1 for the ninth time in program history after taking down Cleveland State 104-75 over the weekend. Caitlin Clark finished with a game high 38 points. The Hawkeyes will face off against Loyola-Chicago on Thursday, December 21st, at 5 pm at home.  

The Iowa State women’s team dominated their way to a 105-68 victory against Troy yesterday. Audi Crooks led the way in points with 21, while Addy Brown gathered a team leading 14 rebounds to finish with a double-double as she scored 13 points. The Cyclones will compete against UNI on Wednesday at 6:30 pm. 

The Iowa State men’s team raced off to a 96-58 win last night against Florida A&M. The Cyclones shot 50% from three-point land as Tamin Lipsey made five threes on the night and Tre King collected 18 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double. The Cyclones will host Eastern Illinois on Thursday at 7 pm. 

The Iowa men’s team picked up a much needed win against Florida A&M over the weekend 88-52. Four Hawkeyes finished in double figures as Owen Freeman tallied a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. The Hawkeyes will host UMBC on Wednesday at 7 pm. 

This Day in Sports History

1932 – The Portsmouth Spartans and the Chicago Bears compete in the first playoff game in NFL history. The Bears beat the Spartans 9-0. 

1949 – NFL Championship, the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Los Angeles Rams 14-0; played in driving rain that caused field to become a mud pit. 

1983 – NBA San Diego Clippers ends their 29-game road losing streak.