RAISE Grant Award To Fund Bridge in Mt Pleasant

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, July 6th, 2023 at 4:05 pm CDT

The US Department of Transportation has announced a RAISE grant award of $24.76 million for the construction of nine County bridges in Iowa. The RAISE grant stands for “Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity”.

Henry County’s 235th Street Bridge over Big Creek located on Business 34, west of Mt, Pleasant is one of the nine bridges included in the grant. The estimated cost for replacement of the Henry County Bridge is $5,000,000. The grant will pay for 4 million, which is 80%. The remainder of the funds will be paid through the County’s Farm to Market fund.

The plan is to construct the Henry County bridge in FY 25 • as an approximate eight-month project,

Nine Iowa Counties worked together with HDR Consulting a three-month period collaborating information, graphs, letters of recommendation from local entities and man, zoom meetings to submit a large packet to the federal government. The other counties included in the award are Clay, Crawford, Lee, Lucas, Page, Pottawattamie, Mitchell, and Wright.

 

Iowans Selling Hay and Straw

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, July 6th, 2023 at 10:55 am CDT
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship offers a free, searchable online directory to connect Iowa farmers who have hay or straw to sell with buyers who are interested in purchasing it.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is encouraging farmers or those with hay or straw to sell to update their listing at least once per year or as they have new inventories to offer. Organizations associated with promoting and marketing hay and straw can also access the free, online tool.

“Building markets for Iowa products is a priority for us, and the Hay and Straw Directory is a free, searchable online tool that connects Iowa sellers with both in-state and out-of-state buyers,” said Secretary Naig. “The Hay and Straw Directory is most effective and useful when it includes updated information, so I would encourage those with hay or straw to sell to make your updates now.”

To search by product and county, visit the online directory.

Anyone can view the hay and straw directory, but only Iowa sellers can be included on the list.

If you are an Iowan interested in selling hay or straw or need to update your information, you can do so by creating an account in the online system. You may also contact Judy Allison with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at 515-281-8604 or judy.allison@iowaagriculture.gov.

Rob Sand Townhall Tour

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, July 6th, 2023 at 9:37 am CDT

State Auditor Rob Sand will be visiting Southeast Iowa as part of his 100 Townhall Tour. This is his fifth time doing this since taking office in 2019 as he “wants to hear from Iowans” and believes this is a great opportunity.

He will be visiting Fairfield on the 25th of July from 4-5pm at the Central Park Gazebo, followed by a trip to Crane’s Pond in Mount Pleasant at 6pm. His travels will take him to Louisa County the next day as he speaks from 11:30am-12:30 in Wapello’s North Park. For those in Washington County, mark Thursday, September 7th on your calendars as Rob Sand will speak at the Central Park Fountain in Washington from 12:15pm-1:15pm.

For a full list of the remaining 73 counties on the State Auditors list, visit https://www.auditor.iowa.gov/townhall

Sand plans to discuss the new pro-corruption law that allows state agencies to hide records from the Auditor’s Office, the expansion of his Public Innovations and Efficiencies (PIE) program, which encourages government entities and school districs to come up with creative ways to save tax dollars, and the new school voucher system that shifts tax dollars from public schools into private schools without limitations or transparency on how the private school spends it.

These townhalls are open to the public and the media.

Sports, July 6th

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

High School Postseason Baseball

In Class 1A Substate 5: District 9, Burlington Notre Dame clobbered New London to punch their ticket to the district championship last night 12-0. It was an error-filled night for the Tigers defensively as Landry Haberichter reached on an error to start the game for the Nikes then scored later due to an error on a throw down to third base on his steal attempt. 

The second inning was when the game was broken open as a bases loaded triple by Caden Schwenker led to three runs being ushered across and the score being pushed to an eventual 8 to 0. Eli Olesen smashed a 2 RBI double in the 4th inning to complete their game of slugging. Hunter Shipley picked up the win on the mound going 4 innings allowing only 2 hits and striking out 4 batters. Memphis Watson and Cale Westerbeck tallied the two hits for the Tigers as New London ended the season with an 8-15 record. The Nikes will take on Moravia on July 8th at 7 pm.

In Class 2A Substate 5: District 10, the doubleheader at Van Buren County was canceled last night due to the rain. Mediapolis and Central Lee will face off at 5 pm and Van Buren County will square off against Winfield-Mt. Union at 7 pm with both games taking place tonight. 

The Bulldogs swept Central Lee in their two contests this season. The Warriors won their last matchup back on June 21st, 12-2.

In Class 3A Substate 4, Washington will take on the #2 seed Davenport Assumption at 5 pm.

In Class 3A Substate 5, we will see a Southeast Conference matchup to start off the playoffs with Mt. Pleasant hosting Fairfield at 7 pm. 

Fort Madison will travel to take on Benton and Keokuk is on the road to face off against Cedar Rapids Xavier with both games taking place at 7 pm.

Class 4A will have 8 substates and brackets of 6 teams. Each team will have an opponent for the first round with the highest winning seed getting a bye to the next round. Burlington will take on North Scott in Substate 6 as the #4 seed.

The first round for Class 3A and 4A will take place tomorrow, July 7th.

High School Postseason Softball

In Class 1A Region 8, Holy Trinity Catholic fell to Sigourney last night 9-0. The Crusaders end the season with an 11-12 record.

Wapello defeated Highland yesterday 3-2. Tatum Wolford tallied 2 RBIs for the Arrows. Sigourney and Wapello will face off tomorrow at 7 pm with the winner going to the regional championship. 

In Class 2A Region 7, Van Buren County was upset by Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont last night 4-1. Ivy Davison had the lone RBI for the Warriors. Van Buren County finished the season with a 19-8 record. 

In Class 2A Region 8, Mediapolis scored the first run but that would be their only run as they fell to Louisa-Muscatine 11-1 yesterday. Delaney Griffith collected the RBI. The Bulldogs finished the season with a 7-12 record. 

Central Lee and Washington will square off tonight at Washington and West Burlington will host Fairfield today with both games taking place at 7 pm for Class 3A Region 8.

In Class 4A Region 6, Mt. Pleasant and Keokuk will compete in a conference matchup at Joyce Park tonight at 7 pm. KILJ will be on the call with pregame at 6:45 pm.

Knoxville will host Fort Madison with the winner taking on Burlington at Burlington.

Mt. Pleasant Cross Country

On Mondays and Wednesdays, runs will begin at the Old Threshers Museum Theatre at 6:30 am.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, runs will start at 7 pm at Saunders Park by the swimming pool.

The runs will continue throughout the summer until the middle of August. If you have any questions, reach out to Coach Murray at 319-850-0867.

Prospect League

The Burlington Bees made it two in a row last night after defeating the Danville Dans 6-4. Jaden Hackbarth clobbered a bases loaded double resulting in a team leading 3 RBIs. The Bees will face off against the Quincy Gems tomorrow, July 7th.

The Clinton LumberKings will look to go against the Quincy Gems tonight at home.

This Day in Sports History

1956 – MLB Commissioner Ford Frick inaugurates the Cy Young Award, to honor baseball’s outstanding pitcher of the season.

1980 – MLB Philadelphia Phillies starter Steve Carlton fans 7 Cardinals to reach 2,836 strikeouts, the most by a left-handed pitcher in MLB history.

1989 – Ex-Phillies 3rd baseman Mike Schmidt becomes the first retired MLB player to be named to start the All Star game; he elects not to play.

Gary Lee Olson

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, July 6th, 2023 at 6:24 am CDT

Gary Lee “Coffee” Olson, 73, of Houghton,Iowa, passed away at 5:57 p.m. Tuesday, July 4, 2023 at the V.A. Medical Center in Iowa City.

 

Gary was born on November 2, 1949 in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of Clarence and Mary (Chesnut) Olson. On September 29, 1979 he married Lucille Hellweg in Houghton, Iowa.

 

He is survived by his wife: Lucille, two children: Andy (Maria) Olson of Atkins, Iowa, and Lynn Olson of Newhall, Iowa, four grandchildren: Caleb, Ava, Bella, and Landon, one sister: Linda (Mike) Panther of Fort Madison, Iowa, one brother: Tom Olson of Texas, also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister: Pat Bouressa, one sister-in-law: Christine, and one brother-in-law: Dan Bouressa.

 

Gary owned and operated Gary “Coffee” Olson Construction. He was a member of the Farmington American Legion, he served on the Houghton City Council and a United States Army Veteran serving during Vietnam. Coffee enjoyed his grandchildren and attending their events, he was an avid NASCAR fan, and enjoyed drinking coffee with his friends.

 

The Family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 8, 2023 at the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Houghton.

 

A funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 8, 2023 at the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Houghton with Father Dan Dorau officiating.

 

Burial will be in St. Johns Cemetery with full military rites presented by the Farmington American Legion Richardson – Anthony Post #231.

 

A memorial has been established to Houghton Fire and Rescue or St. Johns Catholic Church.

 

On-line condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com. Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements.

Queen Crowned at the Lee County Fair

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, July 6th, 2023 at 6:23 am CDT

The Lee County Fair is now in full swing with a sheep show, bingo, craft show, and bull riding that I’ve been told will happen “rain or shine.”

Of course, you can’t have a county fair without having a queen. Congratulations to Olivia Tennant, the 2023 Lee County Fair Queen. She also was awarded the title of Miss Congeniality.

The Little Miss award goes to Charlotte McDowell, the Jr Miss is Arabella McDowell, and our winner for Little Mr is Luke Wilson. Congratulations to all of them.

The 2023 Queen Contest is sponsored by Hometown Veterinary Care in New London.

KILJ will continue to bring updates from the grounds.

Weekly Fuel Report

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, July 6th, 2023 at 6:14 am CDT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Don McDowell
515-326-1616
don.mcdowell@iowaagriculture.gov
Weekly Fuel Report

DES MOINES, Iowa (July 5, 2023) – The price of regular unleaded gasoline fell 6 cents, averaging $3.32 across Iowa according to AAA.

 

Crude Oil Summary

·        The price of global crude oil rose this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $2.45 per barrel and is currently priced at $72.02.

·        Brent crude oil rose $2.72 and is currently priced at $76.74.

·        One year ago, WTI crude sold for $99.50 and Brent crude was at $110.49.

Motor Fuels

·        As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $3.32 across Iowa according to AAA.

o   Prices held fell 6 cents from last week’s price and are $1.26 lower than one year ago.

o   The national average on Wednesday was $3.52, down 3 cents from last week’s price.

·        Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 4 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.58.

o   One year ago, diesel prices averaged $5.37 in Iowa.

o   The current Iowa diesel price is 27 cents less than the national average of $3.85.

·        Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.

·        The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $2.43 for U87-E10, $2.80 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $2.46 for ULSD#2, $2.99 for ULSD#1, and $2.52 per gallon for E-70 prices.

Heating Fuels

·        Natural gas prices rose 1 cent at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $2.66/MMbtu.

·        We will continue reporting retail heating oil and propane prices in Iowa in September.

 

Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov.
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About the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Led by Secretary Mike Naig, the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship serves the rural and urban residents that call Iowa home. Through its 14 diverse bureaus, the Department ensures animal health, food safety and consumer protection. It also promotes conservation efforts to preserve our land and enhance water quality for the next generation. Learn more at iowaagriculture.gov.

 

 
 

 

Arrest Made in Burlington Shoot-out

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, July 6th, 2023 at 6:12 am CDT

An arrest was made in Burlington yesterday after shots were fired in the area of Louisa and Remey. Just after 2pm on July 5th, Treyyin Monroe Jarrel encountered another man and began shooting. The other man, who was legally carrying, returned gunfire with his handgun. No one was hit or injured, but the gunfire did strike a garage, vehicle, and house, causing damage.

As a result, Jarrel was arrested and charged with possession of firearm by felon , intimidation with a dangerous weapon, going armed with intent , two counts of aggravated assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, and reckless discharge of a firearm causing property damage.

The other man has not been charged with a crime but the investigation is on-going.

If you have any information about this crime, or any crime, call Crime Stoppers at 319-753-6835. If your tip leads to an arrest, you are eligible for a reward of up to $1000.00.