November 27, 2023 – December 3, 2023

11/27/23
Larry Crill
11/27/23
Rylee Wibstad
11/27/23
Mike & Marcia Wesely *Anniversary
11/28/23
Josie Gilmore
11/28/23
Aaron Bodenham
11/28/23
Joan Wolfe
11/28/23
Viggo Rose
11/28/23
Pam Vantiger - 65
11/29/23
Kyndall Syfert
11/29/23
Jean Halferty - 92
11/30/23
Devon Rhum
11/30/23
Bill Griest
11/30/23
Kacie Morin
11/30/23
Ryan Hanna
11/30/23
Lorna Hood
11/30/23
Cleo McKim
12/01/23
Douglas Slobodnik
12/01/23
Olivia Dale
12/01/23
Court Fischer
12/01/23
Whitney Barton
12/01/23
Bridget DeWitt
12/02/23
Gregg Crew
12/02/23
Abbie Liechty
12/03/23
Chris Stewart

Sports, November 25th

High School Basketball

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ will stay on the road to take on Ottumwa on November 27th at 7:30 pm. 

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ will host Cedar Rapids Washington on November 27th at 7:30 pm to begin their season. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will have the call with the pregame show at 7:15 pm. 

The Danville girls’ team will travel to take on Burlington on November 27th at 7:30 pm. 

The Danville boys’ will face off against Holy Trinity Catholic on November 28th at 7:30 pm to begin their season. 

Mediapolis will host Central Lee on November 28th with the girls’ game starting at 6 pm and the boys’ game to follow. 

The New London girls’ and boys’ will compete against Van Buren County on November 28th with the first game starting at 6 pm. 

The Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team will take on Louisa-Muscatine on Tuesday, November 28th, on the road at 6 pm with the boys’ game scheduled to start at 7:30 pm. 

Holy Trinity Catholic will take on WACO on November 27th in a road matchup with the girls’ starting at 6 pm and the boys’ to follow. 

The Van Buren County girls’ team will host Cardinal on November 27th at 6 pm to begin their season. 

High School Wrestling

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union and WACO girls’ teams will compete in an Invitational on November 27th at Fort Madison. 

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team will host a triangular on November 28th with Mt. Pleasant also competing. 

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team’s next meet will be December 2nd at a tournament hosted by Wapello. 

The New London girls’ team will compete in a scramble on November 30th. 

The New London boys’ team will host a tournament on December 2nd. 

High School Bowling

Mt. Pleasant will travel to West Burlington to compete against the Falcons on November 28th. 

College Football

Iowa State University will end the regular season tonight against Kansas State in a road matchup at 7 pm. 

#17 Iowa and Nebraska supplied all of the entertainment needed in the last minute of the game as the Hawkeyes and Cornhuskers traded interceptions, leading to a Marshall Meeder 38 yard field goal for the walkoff 13-10 victory. Leshon Williams gained 111 yards on the ground and had a key run on the final drive to set up the game winning kick. The Hawkeyes will compete for the Big Ten Championship on December 2nd at 7:15 pm against either Ohio State or Michigan. 

We will not be broadcasting the Cyclone game due to the Festival of Lights.

College Basketball

The Iowa State men’s team could not make up the ten-point deficit after the first half as the Cyclones suffered their first loss of the season last night 71-62 against Virginia Tech. Milan Momcilovic led the squad with 21 points as he shot 70% from the field. The Cyclones will take on #12 Texas A&M tomorrow, November 26th, at 5:30 pm for third place in the ESPN Events Invitational. 

The Iowa State women’s team loss to Vanderbilt yesterday 68-53 after a four-point second quarter held them back. Audi Crooks downed 14 points in the effort. The Cyclones will face off against Syracuse today at 1 pm. 

The #5 Iowa women’s team scored points in bunches as the Hawkeyes defeated Purdue Fort Wayne 98-59. Caitlin Clark nailed six three-pointers as she finished the night with 29 points, while Sharon Goodman added 16 points. The Hawkeyes will compete against FGCU in the semifinals for the Gulf Coast Showcase tonight at 6:30 pm. 

The Iowa men’s team got back in the win column last night, taking down Seton Hall 85-72. Payton Sandfort cashed in for 22 points and collected nine rebounds in the win. The Hawkeyes will take on North Florida on Wednesday, November 29th, at 8 pm. 

This Day in Sports History

1961 – NBA’s Bob Cousy becomes the second player to score 15,000 points.

1979 – Pat Summerall and John Madden broadcast a game together for the first time. A pairing that lasts 22 years and becomes one of the most well-known partnerships in TV sportscasting history.

2018 – LA Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers sets an NFL single-game record, completing 25-straight passes in a 45-10 win against the Arizona Cardinals.

Sports, November 24th

High School Basketball

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ will stay on the road to take on Ottumwa on November 27th at 7:30 pm. 

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ will host Cedar Rapids Washington on November 27th at 7:30 pm to begin their season. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will have the call with the pregame show at 7:15 pm. 

The Danville girls’ team will travel to take on Burlington on November 27th at 7:30 pm. 

The Danville boys’ will face off against Holy Trinity Catholic on November 28th at 7:30 pm to begin their season. 

Mediapolis will host Central Lee on November 28th with the girls’ game starting at 6 pm and the boys’ game to follow. 

The New London girls’ and boys’ will compete against Van Buren County on November 28th with the first game starting at 6 pm. 

The Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team will take on Louisa-Muscatine on Tuesday, November 28th, on the road at 6 pm with the boys’ game scheduled to start at 7:30 pm. 

Holy Trinity Catholic will take on WACO on November 27th in a road matchup with the girls’ starting at 6 pm and the boys’ to follow. 

The Van Buren County girls’ team will host Cardinal on November 27th at 6 pm to begin their season. 

High School Wrestling

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union and WACO girls’ teams will compete in an Invitational on November 27th at Fort Madison. 

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team will host a triangular on November 28th with Mt. Pleasant also competing. 

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team’s next meet will be December 2nd at a tournament hosted by Wapello. 

The New London girls’ team will compete in a scramble on November 30th. 

The New London boys’ team will host a tournament on December 2nd. 

High School Bowling

Mt. Pleasant will travel to West Burlington to compete against the Falcons on November 28th. 

College Football

Iowa State University will end the regular season tomorrow, November 25th, against Kansas State in a road matchup at 7 pm. 

#20 Iowa will play today at 11 am at Nebraska.  

For the Hawkeye broadcast, tune in to KILJ 105.5 FM. We will not be broadcasting the Cyclone game due to the Festival of Lights.

College Basketball

The Iowa State men’s team needed a strong second half to power their way past VCU last night 68-64. Keshon Gilbert and Tamin Lipsey each notched 22 points as Gilbert also tallied 10 rebounds to finish with a double-double. The Cyclones will compete against Virginia Tech today at 4:30 pm. 

The Iowa State women’s team will face off against Vanderbilt today at 3:30 pm. 

The #2 Iowa women’s team will compete in the Gulf Coast Showcase tonight at 6:30 pm against Purdue-Fort Wayne. 

The Iowa men’s team fell to Oklahoma yesterday 79-67. Owen Freeman captured 13 points and seven rebounds in the losing effort. The Hawkeyes will take on Seton Hall tonight at 5 pm. 

This Day in Sports History

1960 – Philadelphia center Wilt Chamberlain pulls down an NBA record 55 rebounds in a Warriors 132-129 loss to the Boston Celtics at Philadelphia Civic Center.

1985 – CFL Grey Cup, Olympic Stadium, Montreal: the BC Lions defeat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, 37-24; it’s the final CFL game played with 25-yard long endzones.

1991 – Monica Seles sets the female tennis record winning prize money of $2,457,758 in a year.

Sports, November 23rd

High School Basketball

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ will stay on the road to take on Ottumwa on November 27th at 7:30 pm. 

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ will host Cedar Rapids Washington on November 27th at 7:30 pm to begin their season. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will have the call with the pregame show at 7:15 pm. 

The Danville girls’ team will travel to take on Burlington on November 27th at 7:30 pm. 

The Danville boys’ will face off against Holy Trinity Catholic on November 28th at 7:30 pm to begin their season. 

Mediapolis will host Central Lee on November 28th with the girls’ game starting at 6 pm and the boys’ game to follow. 

The New London girls’ and boys’ will compete against Van Buren County on November 28th with the first game starting at 6 pm. 

The Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team will take on Louisa-Muscatine on Tuesday, November 28th, on the road at 6 pm with the boys’ game scheduled to start at 7:30 pm. 

Holy Trinity Catholic will take on WACO on November 27th in a road matchup with the girls’ starting at 6 pm and the boys’ to follow. 

The Van Buren County girls’ team will host Cardinal on November 27th at 6 pm to begin their season. 

High School Wrestling

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union and WACO girls’ teams will compete in an Invitational on November 27th at Fort Madison. 

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team will host a triangular on November 28th with Mt. Pleasant also competing. 

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team’s next meet will be December 2nd at a tournament hosted by Wapello. 

The New London girls’ team will compete in a scramble on November 30th. 

The New London boys’ team will host a tournament on December 2nd. 

High School Bowling

Mt. Pleasant will travel to West Burlington to compete against the Falcons on November 28th. 

College Football

Iowa State University will end the regular season on Saturday, November 25th, against Kansas State in a road matchup at 7 pm. 

#20 Iowa will play tomorrow, November 24th, at 11 am at Nebraska.  

For the Hawkeye broadcast, tune in to KILJ 105.5 FM. We will not be broadcasting the Cyclone game due to the Festival of Lights.

College Basketball

The Iowa State men’s team will compete in a Thanksgiving showdown today against VCU in a road matchup at 4:30 pm. 

The Iowa State women’s team will face off against Vanderbilt tomorrow, November 24th, at 3:30 pm. 

The #2 Iowa women’s team will compete in the Gulf Coast Showcase tomorrow at 6:30 pm against Purdue-Fort Wayne. 

The Iowa men’s team will face off against Oklahoma today at 2 pm. 

This Day in Sports History

1984 – Boston College Quarterback Doug Flutie passes for 472 yards including the game ending 48 yard touchdown to end the game and beat Miami 47-45.

1991 – Brigham Young University quarterback Ty Detmer finishes with a then-NCAA career record of 15,031 passing yards.

1991 – The Sacramento Kings ends the NBA’s longest road losing streak at 43 games.

Rhonda Woodsmall

Rhonda Rae Woodsmall, 68, of Salem, died Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at University of Iowa Hospitals.  She was born September 30, 1955 in Mt. Pleasant to Marvin Leo and Dorothy Marie Higdon Mills.  On January 19, 1975, she married Glen Wayne Woodsmall at Salem Friends Church.

She was a 1973 graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School and attended Southeastern Community College.  Rhonda worked as a CNA and in childcare.  She enjoyed quilting and sewing; puzzles and word games; wrote a book of poetry; and loved making up stories to tell her grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband of Savannah Heights in Mt. Pleasant; her mother of Salem; daughter Sarabeth (Dr. Ben) Carter of New London; sons Nathan (Jill) of Winfield and Glen (Angie) of Wapello; ten grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her father.

According to her wishes, her body has been cremated.  A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date with inurnment at Burge Cemetery, New London.  A memorial has been established to assist with burial expenses.  Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Iowa Wesleyan Buildings Repurposed for Affordable and Temporary Housing

IWU Mt. Pleasant, LLC (IWU) acquired six buildings on the former Iowa Wesleyan Campus in Mount Pleasant, Iowa on October 17, 2023, consisting of the former dormitories on the east and west sides of the campus, as well as the Science Building and Hershey Hall.

In response to numerous requests from local and regional community leaders, IWU plans to market the dormitories to serve anticipated housing needs for temporary *construction workers in nearby Middletown.  While in the very early stages, this use is expected to reduce the strain on area hotels needed for local businesses and residents alike, as well as attract construction workers to the community, replacing at least part of the economic benefit associated with former students at Iowa Wesleyan University.

Chris Ales, project manager and co-owner of IWU Mt. Pleasant, LLC further plans to convert the Science building and/or Hershey Hall to affordable housing.  The initial phase of this project consists of approximately 30 apartments for seniors over the age 55 with incomes at or below 60% of the area median income and rents estimated at $5-600 for one-bedroom and $6-700 for two-bedroom apartments.  Typical tenants will be retired on social security with a modest pension.

Ales has over 20 years of experience in adapting buildings such as these for use as housing throughout eastern Iowa, many of them award winning developments. Ales notes urban revitalization projects like these avoid blight otherwise associated with idled buildings and represent an efficient utilization of community resources.  While preserving historic properties, they also provide needed affordable housing for seniors, which frees up entry level housing for the local workforce and utilizes existing public infrastructure which minimizes public costs.

 

*Previous coverage explaining the need for construction workers for a project.*

Middletown Ammunition Plant Expansion

 

Don’t Drink and Drive – It Kills

Every day, about 37 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes — that’s one person every 39 minutes. In 2021, over 13,000 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths — a 14% increase from 2020. These deaths were all preventable.

Driving after drinking is deadly. Yet it still continues to happen across the United States. If you drive while impaired, you could get arrested, or worse — be involved in a traffic crash that causes serious injury or death.

Driving a vehicle while impaired is a dangerous crime, and of course, there will be increased law enforcement from now until Monday. Charges range from misdemeanors to felony offenses, and penalties for impaired driving can include driver’s license revocation, fines, and jail time. It’s also extremely expensive. A first-time offense can cost the driver upwards of $10,000 in fines and legal fees.

About 31% of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers. In fact, on average over the 10-year period from 2012-2021, about 10,850 people died every year in drunk-driving crashes

No one is saying you can’t have a drink this holiday weekend. There are plenty of ways to drink and still arrive home without placing anyone, including yourself, in danger.

  1. Plan your safe ride home before you start the party, choose a non-drinking friend as a designated driver.
  2. If someone you know has been drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel. Take their keys and help them arrange a sober ride home.
  3. If you drink, do not drive for any reason. Call a taxi, a ride-hailing service, or a sober friend.
  4. If you’re hosting a party where alcohol will be served, make sure all guests leave with a sober driver.
  5. Always wear your seat belt — it’s your best defense against impaired drivers.

If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact local law enforcement. Your actions could help save someone’s life.

Sports, November 22nd

Girls’ High School Basketball

Mt. Pleasant’s season opener did not go to plan as Pella defeated the Panthers 72-19. The Dutch defense was tenacious, accounting for 27 steals, and the offense was unstoppable, burying 12 threes. Alexa Fuller led the Panthers with 7 points in the contest, while Kynlee White finished with 6 points and three offensive rebounds. The Panthers will stay on the road to take on Ottumwa on November 27th at 7:30 pm. 

Mediapolis showed off their offensive prowess last night against conference foe Danville as the Bulldogs won 80-41. Haley Steffener finished one rebound shy of a double-double with 21 points off of 61.5% shooting from the floor. Hanna Wagenbach added 19 points with Grace Holsteen cashing in 14 points. 

Danville will travel to take on Burlington on November 27th at 7:30 pm. 

Mediapolis will host Central Lee on November 28th at 6 pm. 

Calamus-Wheatland brought the defense last night as the Warriors downed New London 57-5. The Tigers will compete against Van Buren County on November 28th at 6 pm at home. 

Winfield-Mt. Union suffered their first loss of the season to conference opponent Lone Tree 67-26 last night. The Wolves will take on Louisa-Muscatine on Tuesday, November 28th, on the road at 6 pm. 

WACO’s fourth quarter comeback came up just short in a conference showdown against Pekin last night 43-42. Emma Wagler led the way with 15 points on the night with Brenna Graber contributing 8 points off the bench. 

Holy Trinity Catholic will take on WACO on November 27th in a road matchup at 6 pm. 

Van Buren County will host Cardinal on November 27th at 6 pm to begin their season. 

The boys’ basketball season will officially begin on November 27th. 

High School Wrestling

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union and WACO girls’ teams will compete in an Invitational on November 27th at Fort Madison. 

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team will host a triangular on November 28th with Mt. Pleasant also competing. 

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team’s next meet will be December 2nd at a tournament hosted by Wapello. 

The New London girls’ team will compete in a scramble on November 30th. 

The New London boys’ team will host a tournament on December 2nd. 

High School Bowling

Mt. Pleasant will travel to West Burlington to compete against the Falcons on November 28th. 

High School Football

The Iowa Football Coaches Association/Iowa Print Sports Writers Association released their all-state teams and here’s some of our local players. 

For 8-player, Winfield-Mt. Union had four players make the team. Cooper Buffington was named 1st Team All-State as an offensive lineman. Cam Buffington nabbed 1st Team All-State linebacker for his 106.5 tackles, four sacks, 18.5 tackles for a loss, and one fumble recovery. Cole Milk’s five interceptions earned him 1st Team All-State defensive back. 

Abram Edwards was named 2nd Team All-State defensive lineman for his team leading 22.5 tackles for a loss and 11.5 sacks. He also tallied a pick-six. 

WACO’s Colton Leichty was named 1st Team All-State defensive lineman for his seven sacks, 18.5 tackles for a loss, two fumble recoveries, and one interception on the season. Chase Waterhouse earned 2nd Team All-State offensive lineman. 

In Class A, Kaiden Amigon of Columbus was tabbed 1st Team All-State for his 1,860 rushing yards and 28 rushing touchdowns for his senior season. 

In Class 2A for Mediapolis, Drew Miller’s 49.5 yard average for punts earned him 1st Team All-State punter. Chett Mohr was named defensive utility 1st Team All-State. Kyle Vorwerk earned 2nd Team honors at defensive lineman and Noah Schmidgall was named 2nd Team returner with a punt return touchdown on the season.  

Fort Madison’s Teague Smith was named 2nd Team linebacker for Class 3A. 

College Football

Iowa State University will end the regular season on Saturday, November 25th, against Kansas State in a road matchup at 7 pm. 

#20 Iowa will play on Friday, November 24th, at 11 am at Nebraska.  

For the Hawkeye broadcast, tune in to KILJ 105.5 FM. We will not be broadcasting the Cyclone game due to the Festival of Lights.

College Basketball

The Iowa State men’s team will compete in a Thanksgiving showdown tomorrow against VCU in a road matchup at 4:30 pm. 

The Iowa State women’s team will face off against Vanderbilt on Friday, November 24th, at 3:30 pm. 

The #2 Iowa women’s team will compete in the Gulf Coast Showcase on Friday at 6:30 pm against Purdue-Fort Wayne. 

The Iowa men’s team will face off against Oklahoma tomorrow at 2 pm. 

This Day in Sports History

1950 – 7,021 fans see the Fort Wayne Pistons defeat the Minneapolis Lakers 19-18 at Minneapolis Auditorium; lowest ever NBA score of 37 combined points.

2008 – Patrick Roy’s #33 jersey is retired by the Montreal Canadiens.

2016 – The ‘Vegas Golden Knights’ is revealed as the Las Vegas NHL expansion team’s name.