Middletown Ammunition Plant Expansion

The Middletown Ammunition plant announces a new estimated 1.5-billion-dollar expansion.

While many thought the war in Ukraine might need additional support from the United States, few must have realized that a small town in Iowa would have such an impact. The Middletown ammo plant is the only plant in the US that is producing the 155mm artillery shell, a vital round in the fight against Russia. The Ukrainian forces are estimating to be going through nearly 8,000 of these shells each day, which is far more than the plant can make. However, with this large expansion, it is estimated that the plant will be able to produce around 85,000 shells each month. The United States has already provided Ukraine with over 1 million 155mm rounds.

Of course, with expansion this means that more construction workers and manufacturing personnel with be in the area. It is currently estimated that this project will be completed in 2027.

Mount Pleasant Library Mini Gallery

The Mount Pleasant Arts IMPACT mini gallery, nested within the heart of the Public Library, is proud to announce the showcasing of one of Iowa City’s gems: artist Dee Miller’s vivacious and vibrant works. This exhibition, a testament to the power of resilience and creativity, is scheduled to delight visitors for the months of June and July.

With a style described as “whimsical”, Dee Miller’s artwork is a vibrant amalgamation of spirited birds, boldly stylized flowers, radiant sunflowers, quaint little houses, butterflies dancing above wildflowers, and the mesmerizing allure of bright blue skies on sunny days. Her work aims not just to paint a picture, but to paint a mood — one of joy, resilience, and optimism.

Beginning now through the end of July, visitors can explore Dee’s captivating world during the Public Library’s regular hours. The gallery is free and open to the public, offering an enchanting retreat into a world where the colors of resilience and hope shine brightly.

Experience the whimsy, feel the joy, and let Dee Miller’s art inspire you with its profound simplicity and its life-affirming message.

About the Mount Pleasant Arts IMPACT Mini Gallery 

The Mount Pleasant Arts IMPACT mini gallery is a hub of creative exploration, located within the city’s Public Library. It is committed to promoting local talent and encouraging community engagement with the arts.

June 12, 2023 – June 18, 2023

06/11/23
Ted Klopfenstein
06/11/23
Karol Shaffer
06/11/23
Marlys Turbett
06/11/23
Theresa Rose
06/12/23
Amy Buckert
06/12/23
Jim McCormick
06/12/23
Michael Gardner
06/12/23
Mark Kinney
06/12/23
Sydni Wilson
06/12/23
Lucas Rose - 16
06/13/23
Ginger Edwards
06/13/23
Joanne McCabe
06/13/23
Sara Roth - 21
06/13/23
Tom Haines
06/13/23
Myra Lord
06/14/23
Liam Christner
06/14/23
Shelley Doak
06/14/23
Allison Elmore
06/14/23
Jacob Mallams
06/14/23
Brian Morris
06/14/23
Connie Weatherman
06/14/23
Mary King
06/15/23
Christopher Mallams
06/15/23
Terri Hodges
06/15/23
Ron McArtor
06/15/23
Luann Martin
06/15/23
Lester & Martha Garrison
06/15/23
Tony and Cindy Buffington (27)
06/16/23
Jeffrey Cole
06/16/23
Viengvilai Keomanivong
06/16/23
Jeanette Michelson
06/16/23
Susan Sammons
06/16/23
Doug Williams
06/16/23
Gary and Jeane Schweitzer (50 years)
06/17/23
Leland McWilliams
06/17/23
Gaila Oschwald
06/17/23
Myla Martin
06/17/23
Ed Chabal
06/17/23
Lavelle Hibbs - 94
06/17/30
Sandra Paul
06/17/23
Parrish Blow-Smith - 30 (Lavelle's granddaughter)
06/18/23
Mary Lou & Wayne Rodgers - 46 yrs

Sports, June 10th

High School Baseball

Mt. Pleasant will travel to take on Burlington in a doubleheader on June 12th. KILJ will be on the call with pregame at 5 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union will face off against Danville on June 12th. 

New London will host Hillcrest Academy on June 12th.

Mediapolis will host Highland on June 12th. 

Central Lee will take on Wapello on June 12th. 

Van Buren County will host Louisa-Muscatine on June 12th at 5:30 pm.

In Southeast Iowa conference (SEC) play, Fort Madison will take on Keokuk on June 12th and Fairfield will face off against Washington on June 12th.

High School Softball

Mt. Pleasant lost to Central Lee last night 16-6. Jayden Housh finished with a double and 2 RBIs. Emma Starr and Addison Clark each tallied an RBI. The Panthers and Hawks will be competing in the Fairfield Invite today. 

Winfield-Mt. Union got the bats going scoring 12 runs in the last three innings to come out with the win 20-11 over Pekin. Quin Smith noticed a triple and 3 RBIs. Anna Anderson slugged three doubles to finish with 3 RBIs and Keely Malone added another 4 RBIs. The Wolves will take on Danville on June 12th.

New London will travel to compete at the Fairfield Invite today. 

Danville fell to Mediapolis 14-2 last night. Delaney Griffith clobbered a double with 4 RBIs for the Bulldogs. Mediapolis will host Highland on June 12th.

Van Buren County lost to Chariton yesterday 13-0. The Warriors will compete at the Fairfield Invite today. 

In other SEC games, Fort Madison will take on Keokuk on the road on June 12th. Fairfield will face off against Washington on June 12th. 

Iowa Hawkeye Track and Field

The 4×100 meter relay team of Kalen Walker, Austin Kresley, Gratt Reed, and Damoy Allen were off to a solid start but a fumbled handoff resulted in the team not finishing. James Carter Jr. finished with 2nd team All-American honors for his 13th place finish in the triple jump with a leap of 15.69 meters. Tionna Tobias will finish up her final three events in the Heptathlon today as she is currently in 14th place. 

Iowa State Track and Field

Ezekiel Rop finished as a 1st team All-American after finishing in 7th place in the 1500 meter run with a time of 3 minutes and 43 seconds. He is the Cyclones’ 9th All-American in the 1500 meter run. Callie Logue and Emily March will compete today with Logue running in the 5,000 meter and March tossing the discus. 

This Day in Sports History

1892 – Baltimore catcher Wilbert Robinson sets MLB record by going 7-for-7 in a 9-inning game; Orioles rout St. Louis Cardinals, 25-4 at Oriole Park.

1944 – Relief pitcher Joe Nuxhall at 15 years, 316 days, debuts for Cincinnati Reds; youngest player in MLB history; becomes All Star and broadcaster.

1974 – Philadelphia Phillies slugger Mike Schmidt hits a ball off the public address speaker hanging from Houston Astrodome roof.

New Electric Vehicle Chargers Tax Beginning July 1st

The Iowa Department of Revenue would like to remind owners of non-residential electric vehicle chargers that new tax changes take effect on July 1st, 2023.

Owners of these charging stations will now be held responsible for reporting and paying the Iowa Department of Revenue two and six-tenths cents for each kilowatt hour ($0.026 per kWh) of electric fuel dispensed into either the vehicle batter or energy storage device. Any business or organization, including nonprofits and local governments, that has a charging station for employees or customers will need a license. Licensing and taxation does not apply to electric fuel dispensed at residences. For more information, follow the link below.

Electric Fuel Excise Tax

IWU Furniture

Rumors have been circulating regarding the furniture from Iowa Wesleyan University. There have been movers out at the university, and we can now confirm why. William Penn University has had an offer accepted for an undisclosed number of beds and dressers from the dorms. There are also a number of houses near campus for sale now that the USDA owns the land.

KILJ will bring updates as they come.

Prep Softball Rankings: 3 New Top Teams

Prep Softball- The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union released their third rankings for the season and this last week provided for a lot of entertainment and three new teams rocking the crown in the five Classifications. Moreover, nine teams were dropped from the top 15.

North Linn is the new top team on the block in Class 1A after being ranked 4th last week. Their rise in the rankings comes after two wins against the #3 team in Class 2A Lisbon, 3-1 and 7-5. Martensdale-St. Marys jumped up the rankings after defeating the former #1 team Southeast Warren in a nail-bitter, 1-0. The Warhawks sit in the #3 slot. Remsen St. Mary’s and Collins-Maxwell experienced identical falls of 5-spots with the Hawks now ranked 8th and the Spartans now 11th. Earlham jumped into the rankings with an 11-4 record with Twin Cedars rounding out the top 15. Woodbine fell out of the top 15 despite winning their last 5 games and outscoring their opponents 44 to 9.

Class 2A had their top 5 almost remain the same from a week ago with Iowa City Regina sitting on top of the rankings. Van Meter jumped Wilton for the #4 spot. West Monona jumped up 6 spots in the rankings after taking down a previously ranked Ridge View, 8-7, amid a 9-game winning streak. After starting the season 3-6, Interstate 35 has turned a corner to even their record at 7-7 and moved up the rankings to 10th after falling to 14th last week. Louisa-Muscatine and Ridge View were dropped from the rankings. Missouri Valley, with a 15-1 record, enter the rankings in 11th and Waterloo Columbus Catholic rounds out the top 15 with a 13-3 record.

Class 3A had the least amount of movement with Williamsburg sitting on top of the rankings with an undefeated record. Saydel had the farthest drop of any team in Class 3A, going from 3rd to 7th. The Eagles 5-1 loss to unranked Greene County did them no favors. Davis County jumped up to the 3rd spot with their own undefeated record. West Lyon leaped three spots in the rankings to move into the top 10. Benton was the only team knocked out of the top 15 with 9-3 Grinnell taking their spot at #15.

Dallas Center-Grimes fell from their thrown in Class 4A and their heir, Fort Dodge, followed in suit. Indianola is now the top team after beating Norwalk, the new #2 team, twice. Dallas Center-Grimes fell to Norwalk 8-2 and Fort Dodge lost to Johnston and Southeast Polk; two teams ranked in Class 5A. Winterset ascended the rankings from 13th to 8th after defeating previously ranked ADM 4-1. Burlington remained ranked at 9th. Cedar Rapids Xavier had the steepest fall after losing three games in a row. One game to now unranked Benton in Class 3A and then two games to Dubuque Senior, a team ranked in Class 5A. Creston and ADM fell out of the rankings with Storm Lake taking the #14 spot and Knoxville rounding out the top 15.

Ankeny Centennial trekked 6 spots up the rankings to be ranked #1 in Class 5A. The Jaguars defeated Ankeny twice and Johnston once on their way to a 10-1 record. Valley had two losses handed to them by Southeast Polk, who would have taken the top spot if they had not lost to Winterset and Waukee the games before. Valley is now ranked 2nd and the Rams in 6th. To add to the craziness, three teams were dropped from the top 15. Urbandale, who was ranked 12th, Ames, and Sioux City East, who were ranked 14th and 15th respectively. Ottumwa is now ranked 13th with Dubuque Hempstead and Dubuque Senior taking the spot of Ames and Sioux City East, respectively, to round out the top 15.

Water Main Break on West Orange Street

The Mt. Pleasant Municipal Utilities is currently experiencing a water main break on West Orange Street. The water will be temporarily shut off on West Orange St. and N. Shepard Dr. for our water department to make repairs. The crew hopes to have water back on in a couple of hours.