HCHC Raising Funds for New Safety Vests

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, September 21st, 2023 at 3:31 pm CDT

Henry County Health Center Foundation is raising funds to protect their EMTs and Paramedics. Enhanced Multi-Threat Safety Vests are needed for those whose lives are put in danger everytime they respond to a call.

Mark Hempen, HCHC Foundation Director, believes these vests are vital to the overall safety and success of a mission. “Each time an EMT or Paramedic responds to an emergency, they are exposing themselves to an unknown situation.  While trying to provide lifesaving support, they could be putting their own lives in danger.  Not only by weapons, but by physical violence as well. We want them to be able to do their work without hesitation, so it has become important to provide as much protection as possible for the safety of the team.”

St. Alphonsus Church in Mt. Pleasant will host a special fundraising lunch in Manning Hall on Saturday, October 14th, at 1pm. Tickets are $25 each and all proceeds go towards the purchase of the vests.

Each Level IIIA+ rated vest costs $750 and are bullet, strike, slash, stab, taser and special threat resistant.  Twenty-four vests total are needed to protect the team.

Reservations for the lunch are due Monday, October 2nd.  To reserve your seat or to make a donation to the project, please notify the HCHC Foundation office at 319-385-6541 or email MHempen@greatriverhealth.org.

One Lane Closure on 170th St

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, September 21st, 2023 at 10:38 am CDT

The Henry County Road Department has announced road construction work for Thursday and Friday this week on 170th St. Work will include one lane closure between Hwy 218 and Kentucky Avenue with flaggers. Please use caution if driving in this area.

Questions may be answered by calling 319 385-0762.

Weekly Fuel Report – Unleaded Falls, Diesel Rises

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, September 21st, 2023 at 8:04 am CDT

The price of regular unleaded gasoline fell 10 cents, averaging $3.82 across Iowa according to AAA.

Crude Oil Summary

  • The price of global crude oil rose this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $2.12 per barrel over last week, currently priced at $91.10.
  • Brent crude oil rose $1.53 and is currently priced at $93.78.
  • One year ago, WTI crude sold for $84.45 and Brent crude was at $89.62.

Motor Fuels

  • As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $3.82 across Iowa according to AAA.
    • Prices fell 10 cents from last week’s price and are up 27 cents from a year ago.
    • The national average on Wednesday was $3.88, up 3 cents from last week’s price.
  • Retail diesel prices in Iowa rose 6 cents this week with a statewide average of $4.33.
    • One year ago, diesel prices averaged $4.79 in Iowa.
    • The current Iowa diesel price is 26 cents less than the national average of $4.59.
  • Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.
  • The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $2.61 for U87-E10, $3.07 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $3.46 for ULSD#2, $3.97 for ULSD#1, and $2.53 per gallon for E-70 prices.

Heating Fuels

  • Propane prices fell 27 cents with a statewide average of $1.50 per gallon.
  • Home heating oil prices rose 37 cents, with a statewide average of $3.86 per gallon.
  • Natural gas prices fell 1 cent at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $2.75/MMbtu

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

Sports, September 21st

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, September 21st, 2023 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Football

It’s Homecoming week for Mt. Pleasant as the Panthers play host to last year’s Class 3A runner-up Mt. Vernon tomorrow, September 22nd. KILJ will be on the call with the pregame show at 7:15 pm. 

In other Class 3A District 4 matchups, Washington will hit the road to take on Keokuk and Fort Madison will travel to Davenport to face off against Assumption. 

Fairfield will take on Benton Community tomorrow in a road game. 

Mediapolis will face off against West Burlington-Notre Dame tomorrow night as both teams battle for winning records. 

Columbus will face off against Highland at 7 pm.

Central Lee will travel to Albia tomorrow. 

Danville will compete against Wapello at 7 pm tomorrow night.

Van Buren County will hit the road to face off against Louisa-Muscatine tomorrow at 7 pm.

WACO will take on Easton Valley tomorrow.

New London will be suiting up tomorrow night to take on HLV with kickoff at 7 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union will look to keep the momentum going against English Valleys tomorrow for their Homecoming match. 

High School Volleyball

Mt. Pleasant will face off against Fairfield on the road next Tuesday. 

Winfield-Mt. Union, WACO, and Holy Trinity Catholic head into the Southeast Iowa Super Conference (SEISC) Tournament tonight with 4-0 conference records. 

New London and Danville will be back in action tonight for the SEISC tournament. 

Van Buren County and Mediapolis enter the SEISC tournament with 3-1 conference records. 

Cross Country

Mt. Pleasant and WACO will compete in the Washington Invitational on September 26th. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will run on September 25th in Iowa City. 

Mediapolis and Van Buren County will run tonight in Burlington. 

Danville will run at Williamsburg on September 26th for a meet. 

Southeast Iowa Playbook

WACO seniors Colton Leichty and Zoey Dennler joined us on the Southeast Iowa Playbook yesterday. It had been over two years since the football team had lost in the regular season and for Colton that mark against the Warriors had only motivated the team to make a run for the rest of the season. The volleyball team has had a hot start to the season with Zoey seeing an increase in production from last season.

If you missed the episode, then head over to the “Special Programs” tab on kilj.com and you can find the full list of archived episodes there.

College Football

#24 Iowa will be tested this Saturday, September 23rd, against #7 Penn State at 6:30 pm. 

Iowa State University will take on Oklahoma State this Saturday to begin Big 12 play. 

For the Hawkeye broadcast, tune into KILJ 105.5 FM and the Cyclone broadcast will be on 98.5 FM and AM 1130. 

This Day in Sports History

1952 – MLB Boston Braves play what turns out to be their last home game at Braves Field in Boston, losing to the Brooklyn Dodgers 8–2 before a crowd of 8,822; the team relocates to Milwaukee before the start of the next season.

1982 – NFL players begin a 57 day strike. The longest in NFL history.

2008 – The final home game is played at Yankee Stadium against the Baltimore Orioles. It hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history.

Sting Operation at Massage Parlor – Undercover Officer Offered Sexual Favor

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, September 21st, 2023 at 6:25 am CDT

An Owner and employee at a massage parlor in Burlington have been arrested following a sting operation, according to the Burlington Police Department.

On June 30th, 2023, an investigation was conducted by detectives with the Burlington Police Department into the business “J Massage” located at 3220 Division Street. This was due to complaints received over the last couple of years in reference to sexual acts happening for an extra tip.

On July 12th, 2023, after conducting visual surveillance on the business, detectives pulled trash out of the trash can belonging to J Massage. They soon found a small sack containing numerous paper towels and tissues. After examination, it was found these tested positive for seminal fluid.

During the investigation, detectives learned the owner of J Massage was James Dixon.

On September 20th, 2023, an Undercover Police Officer was sent into the business for a massage. The undercover officer was then offered manual copulation form Yuna Song, a female, in the form of a hand gesture. The officer asked Song what she meant, and she clarified that she was offering a sex act for $60. The undercover officer declined the act.

At 2:00pm on the same day, detectives executed a search warrant at J Massage. Song and Dixon were then brought to the Burlington Police Department for an interview.

Dixon admitted that he is aware Asian massage parlors are known for giving sexual “favors”. He also admitted that he has been to parlors like that in the past, and that he has received massages from Song.

The profits from the massage parlor were brought up, with Dixon telling detectives that he receives half of the money to pay the bills. Song keeps the other half, as well as any tip money.

James Dixon, 71, was charged with Pandering, a class D felony.

Yuna Song, 68, was charged with Prostitution, an aggravated misdemeanor.

Burlington Police detectives were assisted in the investigation by the Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force, Henry County Sheriff’s Office, and Department of Homeland Security Investigators.

Tammie Susanne Goates Rackow

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, September 20th, 2023 at 3:17 pm CDT

Tammie Susanne Goates Rackow, 60, of Mt. Pleasant, IA passed on September 12, 2023 with family by her side at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL.

Tammie was born on November 23, 1962 in Putnam County, MO to Ronald and Judith (Bowman) Minear. She spent most of her school years in Oskaloosa, IA and later took classes at Indian Hills Community College In Ottumwa and Southeastern Community College in Burlington. She moved to Fairfield after high school, then lived in Mt. Pleasant, Burlington, and Meservey before settling back in Mt. Pleasant to be closer to her family. She married David Rackow on March 19, 2021. She was a member of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mt. Pleasant.

Tammie was a truly compassionate and loving person. She enjoyed gardening, riding on the motorcycle, boating, camping, taking long drives, and spending as much time with family and friends as she could. She was so proud of her family and would light up every time she spoke of them. She rarely missed the opportunity to visit or gather with family and friends.

Tammie is remembered as someone who was whoever you needed her to be at any given time: a confidant, a therapist, a supporter, a teacher, a change of perspective, and most of all a friend. She was so many things to so many people. Those who knew and loved her saw her as a beacon of strength and an inspiration. That strength undoubtedly helped her deal with the challenges life threw her way, and she did so with grace, humility, and unwavering faith. Her fun-loving and lighthearted spirit resonated with everyone she was around and will continue on in the hearts of every life she touched.

Those left to honor her memory include her children: Sara Moyes, Alisha (Chris) Iserman, and Morgan Manley (Cole Foster); step-children: Candace Buchanan; Walker Goates, Aurora Aasheim, Harley Navarrete, Olivia Gentile, Raquel Navarrete, Amber (Philip) Jacobs, Natasha (Jacob) Timm, and Jesse Bruer; grandchildren: Arya Kirkpatrick, Phoenix Quagliano, Lucca Moyes, Adylinn Iserman, and Leo Foster; one great grandson: Nicholas Glasgow; and many beloved step-grandchildren.  She is also survived by her husband, David; sisters: Theresa Rogers, Michelle (Mike) Gray, Tanya (Mark) Kukuzke, and Dawn (Greg) Roemen; stepmother: Laurel Minear; and step-siblings: Shonda (Brian) Endrizal, Kendra (Jason) Messamaker, and Nathan Thomas; and many nieces and nephews.

Tammie was preceded in death by her parents, husband Kent Goates, and twin sisters Sarah and Susan.

Funeral service will be at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, 910 E. Mapleleaf Dr. Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641 on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at 10:00 AM followed by fellowship and remembrance at Union Block, 105 W. Monroe St. Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641

Cards may be mailed to: Ali Iserman, 2154 Jewel Ave. Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641

Mike Hampton for Mt. Pleasant Community School Board

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, September 20th, 2023 at 3:13 pm CDT

Mike Hampton has announced his candidacy for the Mount Pleasant Community School Board.

Mike graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College and remained in Mt. Pleasant, where he taught government and European and World History for 23 years. He also spent many years as boys’ and girls’ coaches, spanning a variety of different sports. Hampton is also a retired Captain of the 224th Engineers BN in the Iowa National Guard.

Hampton commented on his candidacy, and with children who have attended Mt. Pleasant school K-12, he believes he would be a great fit for the board. “As a member of our fine community, I am interested and committed to the children and students of Mt. Pleasant Community Schools. I feel the youth that fill our classrooms are everybody’s business as they are the future. As an active retiree, I have the time and the commitment to give back. Through the years of working with all ages of people, I have learned the importance of listening, gathering multiple perspectives, and basing decisions on the best course of action.

As a former Henry County Supervisor, he knows all about making tough choices. “Decision-making is hard, but together we can only hope decisions will be made benefit to all. I would be proud to represent you on the Mt. Pleasant Community School Board.”

The Mt. Pleasant Community School Board election is on November 7th, 2023. All seven seats on the board are up for election.

Mikaela Foecke: A Unanimous Choice for the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union for the 2023 Athletic Union Volleyball Hall of Fame

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, September 20th, 2023 at 1:11 pm CDT

Fort Madison, IA- Holy Trinity Catholic has been a powerhouse for Volleyball with 14 trips to the State Tournament, which includes last year squad. There was a span of 10 seasons where the Crusaders were battling for the crown every year. But there’s only one team that can call themselves State Champions and that is the 2014 squad anchored by Mikaela Foecke Richter (then Mikaela Foecke).

There’s a laundry list of adjectives you can use to describe Foecke’s career, but the simplest one—even acting as an understatement—is tremendous. And that tremendous career resulted in a unanimous election into the Athletic Union Volleyball Hall of Fame for 2023.

Holy Trinity Catholic attended the State Tournament every year Foecke was on the team and with each year the Crusaders got one step closer to lifting the trophy. In 2011, Foecke’s freshman year was her “worst” year with 480 kills, 123 blocks, 57 aces, 78 digs, and a hitting efficiency of 0.419 (her lowest). The Crusaders were knocked out of the first round by Janesville three sets to one but ended the season with a 47-3 record.

Her sophomore season saw improvements in every statistical category besides blocks: 624 kills, 110 blocks, 61 aces, and 231 digs. This offensive improvement led Holy Trinity Catholic to the semifinals after beating Marquette Catholic in straight sets in round one, which saw Foecke set a new mark for most solo blocks in a tournament game at three. Unfortunately, Tripoli, the eventual champions, knocked the Crusaders out of the tournament.

Foecke was the last person you wanted to see on the other side of the net in her junior campaign as she compiled a season-best 145 blocks. The Crusaders looked poised for the crown after taking down Guthrie Center in round one and Gehlen Catholic in four sets in the semifinals. However, Janesville returned to spoil the fun as they won in four sets. It was another 47-win season for Head Coach Melissa Freesmeier and Mikaela Foecke; however, the greatest prize was still out of reach for the time being.

2014 was a special season. Foecke put up season-bests in kills with an otherworldly 812, aces with 170, and hitting efficiency of 0.619. Add 95 blocks and 270 digs and you have a recipe for Foecke to be named the 2014-15 Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year. With a laundry list of accolades, the only one missing was State Champion. The Crusaders simply dominated as they swept Gehlen Catholic, Tripoli, and Central Lyon on their way to Holy Trinity Catholic’s first State Championship in school history. Foecke was unstoppable as she set the tournament record for kills in a match with 37 against Tripoli. 48 wins, a State Championship, Class 1A All-State Tournament Team, 2014-15 Under Armor First Team All-America honoree, and 2014-15 Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year, cannot ask for a more storybook ending to a high school career.

Mikaela Foecke finished her high school career with a state record of 2,813 kills, 473 blocks, 378 aces, and 854 digs. Foecke touts a career record of 187-17 and is a two-time Gatorade State Volleyball Player of the Year. Additionally, she won gold at the NORCECA Women’s U20 Continental Championship. Unanimous almost doesn’t seem definitive enough for a Hall of Fame career such as this.

In case you were wondering, she was also a two-time National Champion at the collegiate level with Nebraska. She’s also a two-time NCAA Championship Most Outstanding Player. She finished her Cornhusker career with 1,638 kills and 132 aces, both top ten marks in school history when she graduated. The great crescendo to her collegiate career was winning the 2018 Senior CLASS Award, which is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I volleyball who excels in four arears: classroom, community, character, and competition.

Foecke played professionally for Il Bisonte Firenze out of Florence, Italy and now works for Ecsell Sports to help teams build more successful teams.

The Hall of Fame ceremony will take place at the State High School Volleyball Championship finals at the Xtream Arena prior to the Class 1A championship match.