Prep Girls Basketball Rankings: Holy Trinity Catholic Enters the Top 15

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, December 7th, 2023 at 1:22 pm CDT

Prep Girls’ Basketball– The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union released their second in-season rankings for the 2023-24 season and with the new rankings we have our first Southeast Iowa Super Conference team make an appearance.

In Class 1A, North Linn still held on to the top spot as the top four remained the same. Bishop Garrigan and Calamus-Wheatland each jumped up three spots to now be ranked 7th and 8th. Woodbine had one of the toughest schedules to start the season as the #5 Tigers had to take on three ranked teams in a row. Unfortunately, the Tigers lost to Cherokee Washington and #14 CAM, resulting in a tumble down the list to #12, while CAM moved above them to #11. Marquette Catholic and Boyden-Hull fell out of the rankings and made room for #14 Lynnville-Sully and #15 Holy Trinity Catholic. The Crusaders started the year 4-0 with two of the four wins coming by 31 points or more. Mary Kate Bendlage’s 20.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game have led this squad.

Class 2A had little movement in the top 15 with Aplington-Parkersburg and Sioux Central switching spots to now be ranked 8th and 9th, respectively. Dike-New Hartford sits atop the rankings as the defending champions, but Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont is making a run with a 5-0 record to begin the season.

Solon is the top team in Class 3A, but we did see some movement in the top three. In a top five matchup, #5 Mt. Vernon defeated #2 Benton 53-45, resulting in the top teams switching positions in the rankings with the Mustangs now ranked 2nd. Chariton replaced Center Point-Urbana in the top 15.

Class 4A saw few moves in the top 10 with Dallas Center-Grimes, Clear Creek-Amana, and Norwalk all holding on to the top three spots, respectively. Mason City fell back from 4th to 6th. Sioux Center fell out of the top 15 and Western Dubuque vaulted over #15 Xavier to take the #14 slot.

Johnston kept the top spot in Class 5A, beyond that chaos ensued. #2 Ankeny Centennial lost by nearly 30 points to #6 Dowling Catholic, knocking the Jaguars down to #5, while Dowling Catholic is now ranked 4th. #3 Pleasant Valley’s lost to #4 Davenport North saw the Spartans slide to #7, while the Wildcats took that open #3 slot. Valley’s 5-0 record and two wins against ranked opponents shot the Tigers up to #2 in the rankings. Tomorrow will see a highly anticipated matchup with Valley facing off against Ankeny Centennial. Muscatine’s loss to Valley sent them out of the top 15 with Sioux City West taking the open #15 spot.

James Karaff

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, December 7th, 2023 at 10:13 am CDT

James M. Karaff, 49, of Donnellson, Iowa, passed away at 10:44 am. Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in Fort Madison.

He was born on September 26, 1974, in Kirksville, Missouri, the son of Lloyd E. and Marian (Standley) Karaff.

He is survived by his parents: Lloyd and Marian; brother: Bronson M. Karaff of St. Paul, Minnesota; uncle and aunt: Frank and Joyce Protsman.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; one uncle and one cousin.

James was a graduate of Central Lee High School. He worked as a manager for Kentucky Fried Chicken. He enjoyed animals (especially dogs), camping, taking his best friends Henry and Jack (the dogs) camping.

His body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Homes for cremation.

Per his wishes, no services will be held

Memorials have been established in his memory for PAW Animal Shelter or an animal rescue of the donor’s choice.

Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Water Quality Initiative Project Expanding Further into Jefferson

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, December 7th, 2023 at 8:21 am CDT

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced yesterday that a successful Water Quality Initiative (WQI) project in Wapello, Mahaska, Keokuk, and Jefferson Counties is expanding in territory, further east into Jefferson County, while beginning a new phase that includes an added focus on edge-of-field conservation practices.

Since the Cedar Creek Partnership Project started in 2014, nearly 45,000 acres of cover crops have been seeded in the project area and more than 367,000 feet of terraces have been built. The next stage of this project will continue to emphasize the use of these traditional conservation practices and expand to now include a larger focus on the installation of edge-of-field practices such as saturated buffers and bioreactors as well as nutrient reducing grade stabilization structures. These proven structural practices filter water as it leaves fields, helping to keep nutrients from entering our waterways. To date, five saturated buffers, three bioreactors, and two nutrient grade stabilization structures have been built in the project area and the goal is to greatly increase these numbers.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, through the Water Quality Initiative, is allocating $417,490 for the next phase of this expanded project.

Sports, December 7th

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, December 7th, 2023 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Basketball

WACO will host Columbus tomorrow, December 8th, with the girls scheduled to play at 6 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union will host Wapello tomorrow with the girls playing at 6 pm and the boys’ game to follow. Head Coach Klay Edwards is looking to build off their win against WACO on Tuesday night. 

Mt. Pleasant will host Fort Madison in a conference matchup tomorrow with the girls’ leading off the night at 6 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will have the call with the pregame show at 5:45 pm. 

Central Lee will take on Van Buren County tomorrow with the girls going at 6 pm followed by the boys’ game. 

New London will host Holy Trinity Catholic tomorrow with the girls’ playing at 6 pm. 

The Danville girls’ team will clash with Burlington Notre Dame tonight at home at 6 pm with the boys’ team taking on the Nikes tomorrow at 7:30 pm at home. 

Mediapolis will travel to take on West Burlington tomorrow with the girls’ scheduled to play at 6 pm and the boys at 7:30 pm. 

High School Wrestling

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team will compete on Saturday, December 9th, at Keokuk for an Invitational. 

The WACO girls’ team will compete on December 9th at Vinton-Shellsburg for a tournament. 

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team will compete in a dual against Keokuk at home today.   

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will compete in a Triangular at home today.

The New London boys’ team will travel to Wapello today to compete in a triangular. 

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team will travel to Highland for a Triangular tonight.

The WACO boys’ will compete in a meet today at Pekin. 

High School Bowling

Mt. Pleasant will face off against Keokuk today.

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. 

Three Hawkeyes earned All-America status from CBS and/or The Athletic. Cooper DeJean was a first-team honoree for both as he totaled 41 tackles, two interceptions, and five pass breakups. Jay Higgins was tagged second-team by CBS as he tallied 155 tackles, tops in the Big Ten. Tory Taylor was a first-team selection by both institutions. Taylor led the nation in punts with 86 on the season, averaging 47.9 yards per punt. Taylor also had 30 downed inside the 20. 

College Basketball

The #4 Iowa women’s team defeated Iowa State University last night 67-58 as Caitlin Clark made history. Clark’s 35 points, nine rebounds, and five assists moved her career totals past 3,000 points, 750 rebounds, and 750 assists. She is the first Division I player, men’s or women’s, to collect this career stat line. For the Cyclones, Addy Brown and Audi Crooks each notched double-doubles with Brown going for 14 points and 12 rebounds and Crooks collecting 15 points and 10 rebounds. The Hawkeyes are traveling to Wisconsin on Sunday, December 10th, at 1:30 pm. 

The Iowa State women’s team will host North Dakota State on Sunday at 5 pm. 

The Iowa men’s team will take on Iowa State University tonight at 6:30 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM will be broadcasting the game. 

This Day in Sports History

1907 – Eugene Corri becomes the first referee in a boxing ring. 

1996 – The first Big 12 Championship Game: Texas beats #3 Nebraska, 37-27. 

2020 – The competitive form of breakdancing is confirmed as an Olympic sport for the Paris 2024 games.

William Knox

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, December 6th, 2023 at 3:46 pm CDT

William Lane Knox, 94, of Mt. Pleasant, died peacefully with his family at his side on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at his residence.

William ‘Bill” Knox was born August 21, 1929 in Moline, Illinois to Esther(Terry) and Earl Knox. He grew up on a farm near Joy, Illinois the youngest of three boys.  His family moved to Aledo, Illinois where he graduated from high school. One of his biggest joys was attending Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa, earning his way by being a busboy throughout high-school.

Bill married Marilyn Wakeland on August 4, 1951 and then worked for Contel Telephone Company, retiring in 1992.  

Bill was a member of Community of Christ church and was ordained as an elder, becoming a much beloved pastor of several congregations. Camping and volunteering at Camp Nauvoo at Nauvoo, Illinois was his passion and  he was a longtime member of Camp Nauvoo Board.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years and three children, Debbie Batey(Todd), Kevin (Cindy), Kelly Manning (Jack), his son in law, Bret McFarlin (Teva), seven grandsons and 11 great grandchildren.

He is predeceased by his parents, two brothers and his dear daughter, Kathleen McFarlin.

A service will be held in the spring at Camp Nauvoo.

A memorial has been established for Outreach International and Camp Nauvoo and may be sent toKimzey Funeral Home at 213 N. Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa 52641 who is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com

We thank many friends and family and especially Everystep Hospice who lovingly cared for him and his family.

Beth Owen

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, December 6th, 2023 at 3:40 pm CDT

Beth Lynne Owen, 64, of Milton, FL and formerly of Ft. Madison, IA, died Saturday, December 2, 2023 in Milton from injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant, is assisting  Beth’s family with local arrangements.

On-Line condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com

Beth Lynne Carpenter was born March 20, 1959, in Cleveland, OH. She was the daughter of Charles and Marcia (Stubing) Carpenter. Beth was united in marriage to Bobby Porter. The couple later divorced. On October 11, 1998, Beth was united in marriage to Alan “Buck” Owen. Mr. Owen died in 2004.

Beth loved to play pool. She played on several pool leagues for many years. She was especially fond of going to pool tournaments. Beth also loved riding her motorcycle and attending bike rallys. She was a member of District 18 ABATE of Iowa. Her true passion, however, was being among her family and friends. She enjoyed socializing with the many people she met. She never knew a stranger. Once you met Beth, you would remember her as she would definitely remember you.

Those grateful for sharing in Beth’s life include her children – Robert (Casey) Porter of Kearney, MO, Janeene (Ray Simmons) Porter of Salem, IA and Jeremiah (Rayna Buckner) Porter of Keokuk, IA; 5 siblings – Donna Ford of Ohio, Michael Neargardner of Lakewood, OH, Amy (William) Kuhn of Elyria, OH, Barbara (Craig) Roshaven of Ft. Worth, TX and Lydia (Ron) Huffman of Milton, FL; 9 grandchildren – Nicholas porter, Triston Surratt, Dezirae Porter, Ethan Porter, Ryan Simmons, Raelyn Simmons, Essance Smeltser and Eylissa Smeltser as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husband Alan, sister-in-law Helen Neargardner and sister Daphne Lindsey precede Beth in death.

Gasoline and Diesel Prices Fall Again – Weekly Fuel Report

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, December 6th, 2023 at 3:18 pm CDT

The price of regular unleaded gasoline fell 4 cents, averaging $2.87 across Iowa according to AAA.

Crude Oil Summary

The price of global crude oil fell this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $7.02 per barrel over last week, currently priced at $70.17.

  • Brent crude oil fell $7.08 and is currently priced at $75.21.
  • One year ago, WTI crude sold for $74.25 and Brent crude was at $79.92.

Motor Fuels

  • As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.87 across Iowa according to AAA.
    • Prices fell 4 cents from last week’s price and are down 22 cents from a year ago.
    • The national average on Wednesday was $3.22, down 3 cents from last week’s price.
  • Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 10 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.97.
    • One year ago, diesel prices averaged $4.72 in Iowa.
    • The current Iowa diesel price is 20 cents lower than the national average of $4.17.
  • Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.
  • The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $1.95 for U87-E10, $2.19 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $2.47 for ULSD#2, $2.82 for ULSD#1, and $1.92 per gallon for E-70 prices.

Heating Fuels

Propane prices rose 1 cent with a statewide average of $1.56 per gallon.

Home heating oil prices fell 19 cents, with a statewide average of $3.32 per gallon

Natural gas prices fell 15 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $2.67/MMbtu

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

New London Municipal Utilities Agenda

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, December 6th, 2023 at 3:05 pm CDT

NEW LONDON MUNICIPAL UTILITIES – AGENDA FOR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
DECEMBER 7TH, 2023 – THURSDAY AFTERNOON – 1:00 P.M. – NEW LONDON CITY OFFICE

1. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR MEETING Chairman Robert Byczek

2. ROLL CALL: Jerry Wilhelm, Craig Nelson, Jodi Jackson, Jean Westerbeck, and Robert Byczek

3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

4. OPEN FORUM

5. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
a. Approve minutes of the previous meetings (1-4)
b. Accept Treasurer’s report (5-12)
c. Approve payment of claims (Handout)

6. OLD BUSINESS
a. Discuss and take action on purchasing street light banners (13)

7. NEW BUSINESS
a. Approve a chairperson for 2024 (14)
b. Approve a chairperson pro tem for 2024 (14)
c. Approve committee appointments for 2024 (14)
d. Discuss the damage claim from Windsteam for 313 S. Cottonwood St. (15-21)
e. Discuss the basis of cost charges for labor, equipment and materials (22-23)
f. Update on purchasing a new locator for water and underground electric
g. Utility Board Meeting, January 4th, 2024 at 1:00 PM, City Office

8. REPORTS
a. Foreman’s Report – Dave Ford (Handout, 24)
b. Council Minutes (25-30)

9. ADJOURNMENT