Sports, October 16th

By Slaten Swords · Monday, October 16th, 2023 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Football

Mt. Pleasant will travel to Davenport Assumption this Friday, October 20th, to end their season. Head Coach John Bowlin talked about what the Panthers will look to do against a ranked opponent. 

In other Class 3A District 4 matchups, Keokuk will look to pull off the upset against Mt. Vernon at home and Washington will take on Fort Madison.

Fairfield will end the regular season against Grinnell this Friday. 

Columbus will host Maquoketa Valley for the first round of the playoffs at 7 pm.

Danville will travel to face off against Wapsie Valley at 7 pm for the first round of playoffs. 

West Burlington-Notre Dame will hit the road to compete against Camanche for the first round of the playoffs. 

#10 Mediapolis will start their playoff journey against Anamosa this Friday at home with kickoff starting at 7 pm.

#10 WACO will host Baxter this Friday at 7 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will have the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm.

#1 Winfield-Mt. Union will take on Belle Plaine at 7 pm this Friday for the first round of the playoffs. KILJ 98.5 FM and AM 1130 will have the call with Jeff Broeg. 

High School Volleyball

Mt. Pleasant will take on Keokuk tomorrow, October 17th, for the first round of the Class 4A regional. KILJ will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union will face off against Danville in the first round of the Class 1A regionals at home tonight. KILJ 98.5 FM and AM 1130 will have Jeff Broeg on the call.

New London will travel to compete against Burlington Notre Dame tonight for the first round of regional play. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm.

Central Lee will compete against Solon in the Class 3A quarterfinal round tomorrow. 

WACO will host Iowa Valley tonight for the first round of regionals.

Mediapolis will take on Tipton in the Class 3A quarterfinal tomorrow.

Holy Trinity Catholic finished with a 1-2 record at the Knoxville Invitational over the weekend with a win against Albia but losses to Knoxville and Union Community. Natalie Randolph tallied 27 assists while Presley Myers finished with 16 kills in the tournament. The Crusaders will host Moulton-Udell tonight for their first round matchup. 

Van Buren County will travel to Wilton for the quarterfinal round of regionals on October 18th. 

Cross Country

Winfield-Mt. Union, WACO, Danville-New London, Holy Trinity Catholic, and Van Buren County will travel to Regina Catholic on October 19th. 

In Class 2A, Mediapolis, Central Lee, and West Burlington-Notre Dame will compete at Williamsburg on October 19th. 

Pella will serve as the host for Mt. Pleasant, Fort Madison, Keokuk and Washington for the Class 3A meet on October 18th. 

College Football

The University of Iowa has re-entered the top 25 after defeating Wisconsin in typical Hawkeye fashion 15-6. Leshon Williams rushed for 174 yards and a touchdown to help bring the Heartland Trophy back for Iowa. The #24 Hawkeyes will take on Minnesota at home this Saturday, October 21st.

After a slow start, Iowa State University dominated their way to a 30-10 victory over Cincinnati. Rocco Becht threw for 241 yards and two touchdowns in the winning effort. The Cyclones will enjoy the week off.

For the Hawkeye broadcast, tune into KILJ 105.5 FM.

Hawkeye Women’s Basketball

Kinnick Stadium was packed yesterday for the Iowa women’s basketball exhibition game to open up their season. The Crossover at Kinnick set a NCAA single game record for the most attended game in women’s basketball history–55,646–and the first ever women’s basketball game to be played outdoors in a football stadium.

It was also a complete success for the Hawkeyes and last year’s National Player of the year. Caitlin Clark collected a triple double, scoring 34 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 94-72 win over DePaul. The season will officially get underway on November 6th against FDU. 

This Day in Sports History

1912 – Baseball World Series: the Boston Red Sox beat the New York Giants, 3-2, at Fenway Park to clinch a 4-3-1 series win; the series was extended to 8 games as one game tied due to darkness.

1921 – Jim Conzelman takes over as coach of the Rock Island Independents from Frank Coughlin; the only mid-game coaching change in NFL history.

1949 – Red Byron wins the first NASCAR Strictly Stock championship.

Natural Gas Dangers as Winter Draws Near

By Yorke Prough · Monday, October 16th, 2023 at 6:24 am CDT

With the arrival of cooler weather, Alliant Energy encourages its customers to be mindful of natural gas safety principles.

Richard Sublett, director of operational compliance and work order management for Alliant Energy commented, “As the temperatures drop and customers begin to turn on their furnaces, there are some precautions they can take to keep their families and communities safe.”

Alliant Energy has advice for those of you who choose to listen. Make sure to know the signs of a gas leak and what to do. Understand the risk of carbon monoxide and how to detect it. Typically, a gas leak has an odor like rotten eggs, which is an odorant added from utilities due to natural gas having no scent. You might hear a hiss, roar, or whistle, near a gas appliance, meter, or pipeline. Blowing dirt, bubbling water, or discolored vegetation in an otherwise green area can also be telltale signs.

While we are all hoping that snow doesn’t come soon, it is almost a guarantee that it will eventually fall in Iowa. Once it does, do not let snow or ice block gas vents, as that can cause a variety of problems in your home. As always, dig safely when outside.

Natural gas detectors help identify the threat and are especially important for those with a known loss of smell. Additionally, certain soil conditions can strip the rotten egg odorant out of natural gas; cooking aromas and other strong smells can mask the odorant; and prolonged exposure can make the odorant undetectable. If your natural gas detector goes off or you experience any of the signs listed above, move quickly to a safe location and call Alliant Energy at 1-800-255-4268.

Carbon monoxide can also be a danger when a furnace or gas appliance malfunctions. Carbon monoxide detectors help identify this threat. Carbon monoxide is a deadly, odorless gas that causes dizziness, shortness of breath, headaches, confusion, nausea and fainting. If you come across signs of a gas leak or experience these symptoms, leave the premises immediately. From a safe location, call 911.

Once winter arrives, snow and ice can damage gas meters and pipes. Use a broom to keep gas service equipment clear. You must clear vents for gas appliances following a major snow or ice storm to enable proper venting and prevent carbon monoxide accumulation.

For more information about gas safety, please visit alliantenergy.com/gas.

Iowa Army Ammunition Plant Environmental Cleanup Process to be Discussed at Board Meeting

By Yorke Prough · Monday, October 16th, 2023 at 6:23 am CDT

There is a meeting for the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant’s Restoration Advisory Board tomorrow. The board will discuss the environmental cleanup process of the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant. This is an open meeting so anyone can attend.

This meeting will be held at the West Burlington City Hall Counsel Chambers Room, located at 122 Broadway St, West Burlington, at 9:00am on Tuesday, October 17th.

Vehicle Burglaries Near Spirit Hollow Golf Course

By Yorke Prough · Monday, October 16th, 2023 at 6:22 am CDT

On Friday, October 13th, the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office took several reports of suspicious activity and motor vehicle burglaries in the residential area around Spirit Hollow Golf Course and the surrounding area.

The Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office is requesting that anyone in that area please review their home surveillance cameras and report any suspicious persons or vehicles in the area during the overnight hours.

Iowa State Capitol Building Searched After Threat

By Yorke Prough · Monday, October 16th, 2023 at 6:18 am CDT

There was a threat to the Iowa State Capitol building on Saturday, October 14th. The Iowa State Patrol learned of this after the United States Capitol Police alerted agencies around 12:45pm that day.

This was a threat made through social media. The Department of Public Safety investigated and assessed the threat, they soon determined it to not be credible.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Iowa State Patrol swept the building and located nothing of concern, after agreeing to be cautious. The building was cleared at 1:30pm, and normal activities continued at the Capitol soon after.

Billy Baxter

By Yorke Prough · Monday, October 16th, 2023 at 6:17 am CDT

Billy D. Baxter, age 70, of Winfield, died unexpectedly Friday, October 13, 2023, at Henry County Health Center.

Billy was born August 4, 1953, in Garden City, Kansas, the son of William Kemp and Izetta Pearl (Caudill) Baxter. Billy worked for McWhirter Chevrolet Buick and most recently Mount Pleasant Glass for more than 25 years. He enjoyed watching the Chicago Cubs, Green Bay Packers, and Iowa Hawkeye Football. Billy could often be found near water, spending time doing what he loved, fishing.

Billy is survived by his significant other Jo Ellen Wood of Winfield; two children, William Baxter of Mount Pleasant, Gayle Baxter of Washington; two brothers Jim Baxter of Medicine Lodge, Kansas, Carl (Kay) Baxter of Keosauqua; three sisters Mona (David) Gates of New London, Anna (Carl) Lloyd of New London, June (Curt) Moeller of Brownsville, Texas; and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, George, Leeroy, David; one sister Margarette; and a grandson.

According to his wishes his body will be cremated and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. A memorial fund has been established to assist the family with funeral expenses. The Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory is caring for Billy and his family. www.powellfuneralhomes.com

Mary Downey

By Yorke Prough · Monday, October 16th, 2023 at 6:15 am CDT

Mary Ann Downey, 69, of Mt. Pleasant, died Sunday, October 15, 2023 at her residence.

 

Per Mary’s request, there will be no funeral service. Cremation rites have been entrusted to the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant, which is assisting the family with the arrangements. On-line condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com

October 16th, 2023 – October 22nd, 2023

By Allison Jacobs · Sunday, October 15th, 2023 at 9:16 am CDT
10/16/23
Mariella McClellan
10/16/23
Anita Hampton
10/16/23
Joslyn Bryant
10/16/23
Melva Sammons
10/17/23
Tammy Ireland
10/17/23
Emma Smith
10/17/23
Peggy Hickenbottom
10/17/23
Deb Stokesberry
10/17/23
Greg Allred
10/17/23
Bill Smith (96 Years Old)
10/17/23
Karly Swords
10/17/23
Grayson Lowery - 15
10/18/23
Patricia Rod
10/18/23
Nicole Hill
10/18/23
Bill Sanderson
10/18/23
Landon Yocum - 13
10/18/23
Peter Yocum - belated from Sunday!
10/18/23
Steve Detrick - belated from Tuesday!
10/19/23
Leslie Soppe
10/19/23
Lillie Westphal 12
10/19/23
Matthew Hobbs
10/19/23
Lorene Allred
10/19/23
Dianne Sammons
10/19/23
Ray Linz
10/19/23
Kevin & Ashley Wesely *Anniversary
10/19/23
Monty & Tammy Stark *Anniversary-32nd
10/20/23
Braya Short
10/20/23
Steele Jacobsmeier
10/20/23
Maverick Pigeon (8)
10/20/23
Dave & Joan Rodgers *Anniversary-50th
10/21/23
Easton Martin
10/21/23
Eric Martin
10/21/23
Debbie Graber
10/21/23
Anthony Blint