IHSAA Board Meeting: New 2024 Baseball State Tournament Venue for Class 3A and 4A

By Slaten Swords · Monday, September 25th, 2023 at 11:55 am CDT

IHSAA- The Iowa High School Athletic Association met last week for their Board meeting and there will be a couple of changes to look out for as the school year continues.

The biggest news is a change of the Class 3A and 4A venue for the Baseball State Championship. After three seasons at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City, Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids will be the setting for the 2024 State Baseball tournament. This is a one-year agreement.

The agreement, which began in 2022, with the University of Iowa for Duane Banks Field was a year-to-year extension due to the potential of renovations as the University of Iowa scheduled upgrades after the 2024 NCAA season.

1974 marks the last time Cedar Rapids hosted the summer IHSAA State Baseball Tournament: Spalding Catholic (now Gehlen Catholic) won for Class 1A and Dubuque Hempstead was the Class 2A champion. Carroll will still host the Class 1A and 2A State Baseball tournaments.

One designated spot has been added for active member school athletic directors for the eight sport advisory committees. This means that there will be six voting members on each sport committee, with members serving a maximum of two three-year terms. The committees meet once a year to talk about possible policy to the IHSAA and board.

Lastly, Grand View Christian will not repeat as Basketball’s Class 1A state champion following an approved request by the Thunder to play at the Class 2A level starting this winter. Grand View Christian will be in Class 2A for at least the next two seasons.

SCC Board of Trustees Candidates

By Yorke Prough · Monday, September 25th, 2023 at 10:49 am CDT

Election season is quickly approaching with many boards experiencing a long list of candidates for positions. The SCC Board of Trustees consists of five members.

The deadline for nomination was on Thursday, September 21st, and we now have a full list of candidates.

Moudy Nabulsi is running uncontested for district 4, where he currently serves as member of the board.

District 5 will see Janet Fife-LaFrenz, the current vice chairperson, run uncontested.

There are muddy waters for the district 1 seat, as the current chairperson, Joseph Johnson, is not running. Three candidates are on the ballot, with a wealth of experience and knowledge shared between all three. Jesse Howard, Mark Hempen, and Ryan Coop, are all searching for that elusive seat for district 1.

The election is on November 7th, 2023. KILJ will provide voting options as that date gets closer.

Third Community Day – Provides Public Opportunity for Free Items

By Yorke Prough · Monday, September 25th, 2023 at 10:15 am CDT

While there is a small chance of rain on Wednesday, don’t allow that to get in the way of sunshine. The public now has another opportunity for free items at Iowa Wesleyan, according to the Chamber of Commerce.

The previous community days have been so successful, for both the entities and the public, as people have walked away with many great pieces.

On Wednesday, September 27th, from 1:00pm-7:00pm, the gymnasium and Student Union will host what is essentially a “treasure hunt.” Whatever you find in these buildings, you can take with you as long as it is not attached to the wall.

Once again, power tools are not permitted but a wagon is allowed to help carry whatever goods you find. You will have to wait to explore the other buildings on campus, as the gymnasium and Student Union are the only two available this Wednesday.

Make sure to stay tuned to KILJ as we will continue providing updates to these great opportunities.

JoAnn Boulware

By Yorke Prough · Monday, September 25th, 2023 at 10:10 am CDT

JoAnn “Jo” Boulware, 82, of Donnellson, Iowa, passed away at 9:20 p.m. Sunday, September 24, 2023, at the Montrose Health Center in Montrose, Iowa.

She was born on May 30, 1941, in Creston, Iowa, the daughter of Bernard W. and Christine (Pedrick) Bosley. She married Felton Boulware in Dallas, Texas. He preceded her in death.

JoAnn is survived by her two sons: Jeff Boulware and Bart Boulware; sister: Marty Miller and brother: John Bosley. Also surviving are several cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband: Felton.

Jo worked for Texas Instruments in Dallas, Texas for thirty-five years.

Her body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.

Per her wishes, no services will be held.

A memorial has been established in her memory and can be mailed to the family at: Schmitz Funeral Home, P.O. Box 56, Donnellson, Iowa 52625.

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

Road Closure in Des Moines County

By Yorke Prough · Monday, September 25th, 2023 at 6:49 am CDT

The Des Moines County Road Department has announced that Mediapolis Road, immediately west of the Hwy. 61 intersection, will be closed for bridge deck work.

From Tuesday, September 26th through Friday, September 29th, and Monday, October 2nd, the route will be closed. This road will not be closed over the weekend. The closure won’t start until 7:00am each day, and the plan is for the road to reopen by 5:00pm.

Shawn Kenneth Dix: Wanted Man

By Yorke Prough · Monday, September 25th, 2023 at 6:48 am CDT

Shawn Kenneth Dix, age 50, is currently wanted by authorities on warrants including, but not limited to, Violation of Parole on original charge Prohibited Acts.

If you know the whereabouts of Shawn Kenneth Dix, please call Crime Stoppers (Burlington) at 319-753-6835. If your tip leads to his arrest, you will receive a cash reward.

Sports, September 25th

By Slaten Swords · Monday, September 25th, 2023 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Football

Mt. Pleasant will head to Washington this Friday as the Demons celebrate their Homecoming. KILJ will be on the call with the pregame show at 7:15 pm.

In other Class 3A District 4 matchups, Keokuk will travel to face off against Fort Madison and Mt. Vernon will host Assumption.

Fairfield will host Williamsburg this Friday, the #1 team in Class 3A. 

Mediapolis will travel to take on Mid-Prairie at 7 pm.

Columbus will host Louisa-Muscatine this Friday. 

Central Lee will hit the road to take on West Burlington this Friday.

Danville will host Van Buren County this Friday for their Homecoming.

WACO will travel to New London this Friday for the Tigers’ homecoming.

Winfield-Mt. Union will hit the road to face off against Iowa Valley at 7 pm.

High School Volleyball

Mt. Pleasant will face off against Fairfield on the road tomorrow, September 26th. 

The Southeast Iowa Superconference (SEISC) tournament concluded play yesterday as Holy Trinity Catholic, Mediapolis, Winfield-Mt. Union, West Burlington, Burlington Notre Dame, Wapello, Van Buren County, and Central Lee battled for the conference title. 

In the opening round, West Burlington swept Winfield-Mt. Union to move on. Tayrn Snodgrass tallied 23 assists while Mady Hamelton grabbed 10 kills. Audrie Gipple led the Wolves with three kills.

Wapello pulled off the upset as the Arrows defeated Burlington Notre Dame in straight sets 25-20 and 25-15. Emily Hemphill notched 9 kills for Wapello.

Holy Trinity Catholic squeaked by Mediapolis to win both sets 25-23 and 25-20. Haley Steffener had 7 kills for the Bulldogs. 

Central Lee moved on to the semifinals after defeating Van Buren County. However, the Hawks fell to Holy Trinity Catholic to be moved to the third place game, while the Crusaders waited in the championship game for their opponent. 

West Burlington continued their run through the tournament as the Falcons soared to a 2-0 sweep of Wapello. Snodgrass added 26 assists to her total with Hamelton leading the way with 9 kills. Hemphill notched 11 kills as the Arrows were set to take on Central Lee for 3rd place and the Falcons to challenge for the conference title.

Central Lee took the first set 25-20 but Wapello forced a third set after narrowly winning 27-25. The Arrows rode that momentum to win the third set and 3rd place by the score of 15-11. Hemphill concluded the tournament with 22 kills. 

West Burlington avenged an early season loss to Holy Trinity Catholic to win the conference championship in straight sets. Snodgrass finished the tournament with 71 assists while Hamelton tallied 29 kills. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to Louisa-Muscatine on September 28th.

WACO will compete in a quad at Lone Tree tomorrow.

New London will host Central Lee tomorrow with the Varsity set to play at 7:30 pm.

Holy Trinity Catholic will hit the road tomorrow to play against Van Buren County.

Danville will compete against Central Lee on September 28th at home.

Mediapolis will travel to take on Van Buren County on September 28th.

Cross Country

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

Winfield-Mt. Union will run today in Iowa City. 

Danville will run at Williamsburg tomorrow for a meet. 

College Football

Iowa was knocked out of the top 25 after their shutout loss to #6 Penn State 31-0. The offense managed only 76 total yards on 33 plays. The Hawkeyes will be at home this Saturday, September 30th, to take on Michigan State.

Iowa State University started their Big 12 play off right with a 34-27 win over Oklahoma State. Jaylin Noel caught 8 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown in the win. The Cyclones face off against Oklahoma this Saturday.

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

1926 – The NHL grants franchises to the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings.

1989 – Boston Red Sox Wade Boggs is the first to get 200 hits and 100 walks in four consecutive seasons.

2000 – Vince Carter jumps over 7 foot 2 Frédéric Weis in the 2000 Summer Olympics, known in France as “le dunk de la mort” (the dunk of death).

Wanted: Joseph Frank

By Yorke Prough · Monday, September 25th, 2023 at 5:54 am CDT

Lee County Crime Stoppers is asking for the assistance in locating Joseph Patrick Frank. His last known address is 108 Cedar Street, Montrose, IA. Frank has a felony warrant for Failure to Appear to Sentencing on original charges of 2 Counts of Possession of Controlled Substance and Failure to Assist Resulting in Death.

He was recently arrested in February, 2023, for possession of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana.

Please submit your tip by clicking the below link or calling our anonymous line at (319) 376-1090.

Should your tip lead to the arrest of Joseph Patrick Frank, you may be eligible for a cash reward!

www.leecountytips.com