Iowa health officials release eastern Iowa locations linked to potential measles exposures

By Allison Jacobs · Monday, March 16th, 2026 at 5:08 am CDT

PRESS RELEASE

Iowa health officials release eastern Iowa locations linked to potential measles exposures

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) was notified by the Illinois Department of Public Health that an Illinois resident with confirmed measles traveled to Iowa during their infectious period. Iowa HHS is notifying the public of potential exposure locations. As of March 5, a total of 1,281 confirmed measles cases have been reported in the United States in 2026. Of these, 1,191 (93)% were unvaccinated. In Iowa, nine measles cases were identified in 2025. To date, no measles cases have been identified among Iowa residents in 2026.

Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that is spread through the air when an infectious person coughs, sneezes, or breathes, and can stay in the air for up to two hours after a person with measles leaves the room. Iowa and Illinois health officials have identified a location visited by the individual while contagious, where the public might have been exposed to measles. Anyone who visited the following location within the listed timeframe should closely monitor for symptoms of measles (e.g., fever, cough, red/watery eyes, runny nose, and a rash). Anyone born in or after 1957 who visited the following locations and is unvaccinated or unsure of their immune status is at higher risk. If you think you have been exposed to measles and have symptoms, call your medical provider or nearest emergency room ahead of time and tell them that you have been exposed to measles and have symptoms before arriving.

Measles exposure locations, dates, and times:

Location: 

Comfort Inn and Suites

2100 Swan Lake Blvd, Independence, IA 50644

Date/Time:

Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 5:30pm through Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 9:00am

“With ongoing measles transmission in the United States, Iowans should make sure they’ve received a measles-containing vaccine and should consider an accelerated measles vaccination schedule for their children,” said Dr. Robert Kruse, State Medical Director.

While the routine measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine schedule is one dose at 12–15 months and a second dose at 4–6 years, Iowans should consider:

  • An early extra dose of MMR between 6 and 11 months of age (“dose 0”); this dose does NOT count toward the routine series
  • The first routine dose (dose 1) can be given after 12 months of age, at least 28 days after dose 0
  • The second routine dose (dose 2) can be given at least 28 days after dose 1, instead of waiting until age 4–6 years

For the latest information on measles in Iowa, visit the Iowa HHS Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology disease information page. This page is updated weekly, on Fridays, with current case counts and public health guidance.  Iowa HHS will issue a press release when there is a confirmed public exposure that may pose a risk to others. When possible, individuals identified as close contacts will also be notified directly by public health officials.

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Blizzard Update – March 16th, 5:00 am

By Allison Jacobs · Monday, March 16th, 2026 at 5:02 am CDT

Blizzard conditions swept through the Midwest overnight, bringing snow and extreme winds gusting up to 50 miles per hour. The strong winds created blowing and drifting snow, reducing visibility to near zero at times. According to the National Weather Service, Snow and strong northwest winds will diminish from west to east this morning.  However, winds will remain high enough to continue blowing and drifting newly fallen snow through the afternoon hours, especially in open and rural areas. The blizzard warning remains in effect until 10 am this morning.

Temperatures remain dangerously cold this morning, with wind chills making it feel around seven below zero.

Drivers are urged to use caution if traveling today. Before heading out, check current road conditions at 511ia.org for the latest updates. Some delays have already been reported in the area due to the weather.

Because of the conditions, the Mount Pleasant Rec Center will be closed this morning. They will re-evaluate conditions at 9:00 a.m. and provide an update at that time about a possible opening later today. All morning group exercise classes have been canceled.

The Mount Pleasant Public Library plans to open at 10:00 a.m. this morning. Mount Pleasant Christian School will operate on a two-hour delay.

Many area schools are already on spring break this week, limiting additional schedule changes. These weather-related announcements are brought to you by Main Street Pizza.

On the bright side, this winter storm is being called the black bird storm by area residents who say this is winter’s farewell before turning to spring.

F. L. “Pete” Turbett – Pending

By Allison Jacobs · Monday, March 16th, 2026 at 5:02 am CDT

F.L. “Pete” Turbett, 81, of Mt. Pleasant, died Saturday, March 14, 2026 at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington, IA.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant.

Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.

Danville City Council Meeting on Monday, 3/16/26

By Lisa Grilliot · Sunday, March 15th, 2026 at 12:05 pm CDT

The City of Danville will meet in regular session on Monday, March 16th at Danville City Hall with call to order at 5:30pm.  Items on the agenda include departmental reports and a work session on the 2026-27 budget.  This meeting is open to the public.

Salem City Council Special Session Meeting – 3/16/26

By Lisa Grilliot · Sunday, March 15th, 2026 at 12:00 pm CDT

The City of Salem will meet in special session on Monday, March 16th at the Community Center, 201 S. Main Street in Salem at 5:30pm.  There are several items on the agenda including a Fire Department Grant, insurance renewal, and a kinetic permit request.  Following the special session meeting, the Salem City Council will hold a budget work session.  No action will taken at the work session and the meeting is open to the public.

March 16, 2026 – March 22, 2026

By Slaten Swords · Sunday, March 15th, 2026 at 11:15 am CDT
03/16/26
Brooke Smith
03/16/26
Rick Mallams
03/16/26
Cora Allendar
03/17/26
Bradyn Smith
03/17/26
Genevieve Brumbaugh
03/18/26
Angie Roach Sotelo
03/18/26
Kailey Mulford
03/18/26
Eric Sanderson
03/18/26
Jacob and Katie Greiner *Anniversary
03/18/26
Ginny Butcher
03/19/26
Ed & Carol *Anniversary
03/19/26
Debra Schmidt
03/20/26
Steve Meeker
03/21/26
Boyd Oetken
03/21/26
Mike Hatch
03/22/26
Michelle Gardner
03/22/26
Linda Kruse
03/22/26
Delores Wilson

2026 KILJ’s March Madness Bracket Challenge

By Slaten Swords · Sunday, March 15th, 2026 at 10:30 am CDT

Mt. Pleasant, IA- It’s that time of the year earn bragging rights amongst your friends, family, and local community members. March Madness is just around the corner and your chances of getting a perfect bracket sits at roughly 1 in 9.2 quintillion, so time to start guessing in one of the most exhilarating tournaments in all of sports.

The KILJ Bracket Challenge is on for the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament bracket to crown a National Champion and more importantly a local champion! Last year, 15 of our 46 local brackets picked the correct champion. Can that same success rate continue?

This is our third season holding the challenge under these new rules; so, here’s a refresher on what to do when the challenge tips-off.

The night that starts March Madness will be Selection Sunday on March 15th. Followed by first round action on March 19th.

A printable bracket will be posted to KILJ’s Facebook page after Selection Sunday for you to fill out. You can either bring your bracket out to our station or email it to sports@kilj.com. The rules to apply are listed below:

  1. First and Last Name must be attached to your backet.
  2. A phone number or email address must be attached to your bracket.
  3. One entry per person.
  4. The bracket must be turned in by 5 pm on March 18th.

The scoring will be done as such: first round (2 point for each correct pick), second round (4 points for each correct pick), Sweet 16 (8 points for each correct pick), Elite Eight (16 points for each correct pick), Championship Game (32 points for each correct pick), Correct Champion (64 points). The four play-in games will not count towards your final score.

The top three brackets will receive a prize package (listed below) and leaderboards will be updated after every round. Winners will be notified after the results are tabulated.

Prizes:

1st Place

  • Meal a month from The Press Box
  • 2 Old Thresher Gate Passes
  • 2 State Fair Tickets

2nd Place

  • 2 Old Thresher Gate Passes
  • 2 State Fair Tickets
  • 2 Festival of Lights Tickets

3rd Place

  • 1 Old Thresher Gate Pass
  • 2 State Fair Tickets
  • 2 Festival of Lights Tickets

KILJ thanks The Press Box for sponsoring KILJ’s Bracket Challenge!