Possible Lane Closures for Franklin Avenue

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, November 30th, 2023 at 10:22 am CDT

Henry County Engineers Office announces a project on Franklin Avenue (W-55), that could affect traffic between 260th Street and 275th Street. The project will include culvert work and tree clearing along both sides of Franklin Avenue preparing for a future resurface project.

Tree clearing will start the week of December 4th and continue through the winter, weather permitting. Franklin Avenue will not be closed but could have lane closures with flaggers. Expect delays and use caution. Questions can be answered at 319 385-0762.

Overturned Semi in Lee County

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, November 30th, 2023 at 10:06 am CDT

There was a single vehicle accident in Lee County on Wednesday morning. A semitruck and trailer was traveling South Bound on Highway 218/27 in the 2800 block when the vehicle left the roadway into the West Bound ditch, causing the truck to overturn. This caused damage to a property fence line.

The semi-tractor and trailer sustained disabling damage and was subsequently towed from the scene. The driver, Charles Smith of Clinton, did not report any injuries at the time of the incident and this was the only vehicle involved in the accident. The estimated damage is $30,000.

Fire in Winfield This Morning

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, November 30th, 2023 at 8:20 am CDT

UPDATE 10:37am 12/01/23

There was a fire in Winfield on November 30th around 5:48am. At that time, Winfield Fire and Rescue was assisted by Olds Fire and Rescue.

We now have an update to the fire in Winfield on Thursday morning. The Fire Chief of Winfield has confirmed that poles caught fire. Internet cable lines were burned as a result.

Currently, the cause of the fire is undetermined, as an investigation is ongoing, and they are reviewing video footage. There were no injuries reported at the time.

*These reports are preliminary*

The Olds Fire Department was requested at 6:00am this morning, the 30th, for backup on fighting a fire. According to dispatch, a fire was  ongoing at that time on a detached garage at 401 N Olive St in Winfield.

Alliant Energy was on route at that time, as preliminary reports suggest that an electrical pole was  on fire around 6:20 this morning. An officer stated “looks like the wires are about to burn in two.”

KILJ will have more information on this as details are released.

 

 

Vehicle Collision in New London

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, November 30th, 2023 at 6:45 am CDT

On November 28th, 2023, at approximately 2:25 p.m., the Henry County Sheriff’s Office was called to the intersection of 260th Street and west Bound Highway 34 outside of New London for a two-vehicle collision.  An investigation into the collision determined a 2007 Western Star, driven by James Prottsman of Mount Pleasant, was travelling west on Highway 34 and approaching the intersection of 260th Street.  As the Western Star approached the intersection a 2019 Nissan Kick, driven by Robert Johnson of New London, entered Highway 34 and into the path of the Western Star.

A passenger in the Johnson vehicle reported being injured.  The Western Star sustained disabling damage and the Nissan was considered a total loss.  Both vehicles were towed from the scene.  Mr. Johnson received a citation for Fail to obey a stop sign and yield right of way.

Sports, November 30th

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

High School Basketball

Mt. Pleasant will take on Burlington tomorrow, December 1st, 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. 

Holy Trinity Catholic will travel to take on West Burlington tomorrow with the girls’ scheduled to play at 6 pm followed by the boys game. 

Central Lee squares off against New London tomorrow in a home matchup with the girls’ game starting at 6 pm. 

Van Buren County will host Burlington Notre Dame tomorrow with the girls’ playing at 6 pm. 

The Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team will take on Pekin at home tomorrow at 6 pm with the boys’ game scheduled to start at 7:30 pm. 

WACO will look to get back in the win column tomorrow at home against Wapello with the girls’ playing at 6 pm. 

The Mediapolis boys’ team will take on Danville tomorrow at 7:30 pm in a road matchup.

The Danville girls’ will face off against Fort Madison on December 4th at 6 pm.

The Mediapolis girls’ team will host Holy Trinity Catholic on December 5th at 6 pm. 

High School Wrestling

Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union will head to Williamsburg on Saturday, December 2nd, to compete in a tournament. 

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ and boys’ teams will travel on December 2nd to a tournament hosted by Wapello. 

The New London and WACO girls’ teams will compete in a scramble hosted by Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union today. 

The New London boys’ team will host a tournament on December 2nd. 

High School Bowling

Mt. Pleasant will face off against Keokuk on December 7th.

Southeast Iowa Playbook

Mt. Pleasant was the school of focus for last night’s episode with special guests Franklin Tousignant and Addison McGehearty. Tousignant, a 2nd Team All-Conference wrestler last season, talked about what he’s going to be focusing on in his next couple of matches. McGehearty, the top bowler at the conference meet last season and an All-Conference honoree, said her mindset is always focused on the next frame. 

To listen to past episodes, head over to kilj.com and go to our “Special Programs” tab. Click here: Special Programs 

College Football

Iowa State University will be assigned a bowl game on December 3rd. 

#18 Iowa will compete for the Big Ten Championship on December 2nd at 7:15 pm against Michigan. 

College Basketball

The Iowa State men’s team will travel to take on DePaul tomorrow, December 1st, at 7:30 pm. 

The Iowa State women’s team thumped St. Thomas last night 85-44. Kelsey Jones led the team with 17 points, while collecting five rebounds. The Cyclones will host UNCW on Sunday, December 3rd, at 1 pm. 

The #4 Iowa women’s team will take on Bowling Green on Saturday, December 2nd, at home at 12:30 pm. 

The Iowa men’s team was firing on all cylinders last night as the Hawkeyes took down North Florida 103-78. Ben Krikke nailed all 11 of his free throws to finish with 21 points, while Tony Perkins shot 80% from the field to also cash in 21 points. The Hawkeyes will travel to Purdue on December 4th at 6 pm. 

This Day in Sports History

1872 – First international soccer game, as Scotland draws with England (0-0) in Glasgow.

1968 – CFL Grey Cup, CNE Stadium, Toronto: the Ottawa Rough Riders defeat the Calgary Stampeders, 24-21; MVP: Vic Washington’s 79-yard Touchdown run, which remains a Grey Cup record.

1983 – Denver Nuggets coach Doug Moe, hopelessly behind, advises his team to let the Portland Trail Blazers break their scoring record.

Prep Basketball: Winfield-Mt. Union Finishes the Night 1-1 Against Louisa-Muscatine in a SEISC-North Contest

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, November 29th, 2023 at 4:59 pm CDT

Southeast Iowa Basketball- Winfield-Mt. Union traveled to take on Louisa-Muscatine last night and exited the gym having split the games with the girls’ losing 45-27 and the boys’ winning 50-27.

In the girls’ game, the Falcons jumped out to a quick 17 to 8 lead at the end of the first quarter and kept up that pace only being outscored in the fourth quarter 13 to 6. The Wolves defense struggled without Lily Freeman anchoring the middle of the lane as she’s dealing with a foot injury.

Madisen Kellogg continues to lead the offense, stuffing the stat sheet with 12 points, seven rebounds, and two steals. Pacey Schlee added 9 points to the effort with two steals of her own.

Head Coach Mendy McCreight thought her team put up a lot of good looks, but ultimately the ball would not fall through the net. The Wolves are now 2-2 on the season.

For the boys, it was the first game of the season and the Wolves picked up right where they left off last season with a terrific effort from Abram Edwards. The senior collected a double-double with 24 points and 17 rebounds, while rejecting four shots.

Jake Edwards scored 13 points and dished out five assists in the winning effort. Head Coach Klay Edwards talked about getting his team healthy after a long football season, so the Wolves were without Cam Buffington as he is still healing from his ankle injury suffered in the semifinals.

Winfield-Mt. Union will host Pekin in another conference rivalry matchup on Friday, December 1st, with the girls’ game scheduled to start at 6 pm and the boys’ game to follow. The girls’ have a seven-game win streak against the Panthers, while the boys’ team has won the past four matchups against Pekin.

Darlene McCoy

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, November 29th, 2023 at 11:59 am CDT

Darlene L. McCoy, age 96, of Mount Pleasant, died Thursday, November 23, 2023, at Sunrise Terrace in Winfield.

According to her wishes her body has been buried at Finley Cemetery. There will be no formal services held. The Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory is caring for Darlene and her family.

Ottumwa Police Break Woman Out of House Fire Started by Her Son

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, November 29th, 2023 at 11:35 am CDT

On November 21, 2023, at approximately 2:15 a.m., personnel from the Ottumwa Fire Department and the Ottumwa Police Department responded to 502 Wabash on a report of a house fire.

While emergency personnel were responding to the call, the resident of 502 Wabash called 911 and reported that she was trapped inside the burning residence.

When police arrived they were able to break out a bedroom window and pull the victim out of the residence. The victim was identified as Patricia Bird, age 84, of 502 Wabash. Bird was transported to the hospital where she was treated and released.

An investigation into the fire was conducted by the Ottumwa Police Department, Ottumwa Fire Department, and the Iowa Department of Public Safety Division of the State Fire Marshall’s Office.

The fire investigation identified that two pet dogs died as a result of the fire.

On November 28, 2023, at approximately 2:45 p.m., George Edward Dennison, age 67, also of 502 Wabash, Ottumwa, was arrested in relation to this incident and charged with the following crimes:

• Arson 1st Degree, a Class “B” Felony
• Animal Abuse (2 Counts), both Aggravated Misdemeanors

George Dennison is the son of Patricia Bird and was living with Bird in her residence when the fire took place.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.