Iowa Boys’ High School Basketball District and Substate Pairings

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, February 7th, 2023 at 3:04 pm CDT

Prep Boys’ Basketball- The Iowa High School Athletic Association released the district and substate pairings for Class 1A and 2A boys’ basketball and here’s how it shakes out for some of our local teams.

In Class 1A District 7 and 8 for Substate 4, WACO comes in as the top team and they will play the winner of Columbus and Highland on February 13th at 7 pm. Other games taking place on February 13th will be New London facing off against Danville for the third time this year. Winfield-Mt. Union will be hosting Wapello, the Wolves have defeated the Indians by 35 points and 30 points, respectively, in their first two matchups. Lastly, Burlington Notre Dame will face off against Holy Trinity Catholic as the Nikes won both matchups in the regular season, but the Crusaders will be riding a four-game winning streak into the game.

For Class 2A District 11 and 12 for Substate 6, Central Lee will face off against Louisa-Muscatine on February 13th at 7 pm. The Hawks hold a 3-1 advantage over the Falcons in their last four games. Mediapolis will host Van Buren County on the same day as the Bulldogs having won the last matchup 66-38 on January 31st. West Burlington will play the winner between Central Lee and Louisa Muscatine on February 16th at 7 pm and Albia will play the winner of Mediapolis and Van Buren County on the same night.

Stay tuned to KILJ for further updates as postseason basketball is getting closer to starting.

Monthly County Conservation Board Meeting

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, February 7th, 2023 at 6:58 am CDT

The Henry County Conservation Board will hold their February 2023 Board meeting on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at 5:30 pm in the
conservation board meeting room at the office in Oakland Mills. Items on the agenda will include: FY23-24 Budget Discussion,
Facility/Recreation Area Updates, Director Update, and Naturalist Reports. Please contact the conservation department if you have any questions, 319-986-5067

Sports, February 7th

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, February 7th, 2023 at 6:09 am CDT

High School Basketball
The Mt. Pleasant’s girls’ team had a late lead over the Bulldogs, but couldn’t hold on as Ottumwa came out on top 47-44. It was a barrage of threes by the Bulldogs in the second half that put Ottumwa in the lead as Camdyn Crouse led the team in points with 18 on the night. Andrea Lopreato and Tristian Shull tied for the team lead in points for the Panthers with 15 points. The Panthers end the regular season with an 11-11 record.
The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team extended their win streak to 12 games as they defeated Ottumwa 67-35. The Panthers outscored the Bulldogs 34 to 14 in the first half. The Panthers will be back in action Friday, February 10th, for a conference matchup against Fairfield at 7:30 pm.
The Holy Trinity Catholic girls’ team will play Wapello February 9th to start their regional play at 7 pm. KILJ will be on the call with pregame at 6:45 pm.
The Central Lee girls’ team fell to Cardinal last night 60-59 to end their regular season with a 9-12 record. The Hawks will be back in action Saturday, February 11th, against Davis County at 7 pm.
The New London boys’ team will host Keokuk tonight at 7 pm and the girls’ will travel to play Burlington Notre Dame on February 9th for their first game of their regional. KILJ, 98.5 FM and 1130 AM, will cover the game.
The Danville girls’ team’s next game is February 14th against West Burlington to start their regional play.
The WACO girls’ team will start their regional play February 9th against Keota at home at 7 pm.
The Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team will host Lone Tree tonight at 7:30 pm. The girls’ team will play the winner of Holy Trinity Catholic and Wapello on February 14th.
High School Wrestling
The next competition for the Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will be at the Class 2A District 9 postseason meet on February 11th. To make it to state, wrestlers in Class 1A or 2A must finish in first or second-place and third-place finishers in Class 3A District Tournaments will also qualify.
High School Bowling
Mt. Pleasant will be competing in the Southeast Conference Tournament on February 9th.
Iowa Wesleyan Athletics
The women’s basketball team will be at home to face off against Columbia College at 5:30 pm on February 9th. Isabell West was named Continental Athletic Conference Player of the Week. In her two games at the Crowley’s Ridge Classic, West scored 41 points and grabbed 19 rebounds, which helped the Tigers go 2-0 on the weekend. This is her second time receiving the honor.
The 23rd-ranked men’s team will be back at home tomorrow, February 8th, against St. Ambrose University at 7 pm.
The men’s wrestling team will face off against 16th ranked Baker University tonight.
The women’s wrestling team will be at home tonight to go against 20th ranked Baker University.
The Tigers Indoor Track and Field teams will be competing at the SAU Tune Up/Racewalk on Friday, February 10th at 3:30 pm.
The Tiger baseball team will start their season on Friday against Hannibal-LaGrange University at 2 pm on the road. The Tigers will look to improve on their 21-30 record from last season.
This Day in Sports History
1976 – Toronto center Darryl Sittler sets NHL record with 10 points in a Maple Leafs’ 11-4 win over Boston at Maple Leaf Gardens; 6 goals, 4 assists.
2005 – Britain’s Ellen MacArthur becomes the fastest person to sail solo around the world taking 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes 33 seconds.
2021 – Sarah Thomas becomes the first woman to referee a Super Bowl in Tampa Bay, Florida.

 

Work release escape of Ross Cobler

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, February 7th, 2023 at 5:36 am CDT

Ottumwa – Ross Thomas Cobler, convicted of Domestic Abuse Assault-3rd or Subsequent Offense in Wapello County, failed to report to the Ottumwa Residential Facility as required Friday.

Cobler is a 36-year-old white male, height  5′ 10″, and weighs 203 pounds. He was admitted to the work release facility on 10/26/22.

Persons with information on Cobler’s whereabouts should contact local police.

 

For more information on the state’s work release program, please see Iowa Code 904.901-904.910

JoAnn Gail Ostby

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, February 7th, 2023 at 5:34 am CDT

JoAnn Gail Ostby was born on December 24, 1944 in Fergus Falls, MN, the daughter of Myrtle (Fronning) and Morris Baasen. At age 2, her mother passed away. Her father married Avis (Pikop) in 1954. She was baptized and confirmed at rural Rock Prairie Lutheran Church, Elbow Lake, MN. JoAnn graduated from Elbow Lake High School, and she obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD in 1966. She peacefully entered into eternal rest February 5, 2023 in Winfield, IA at Sunrise Terrace Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

The family welcomes donations as an expression of sympathy instead of flowers. Please make contributions to the Family of JoAnn Ostby and mail to Cheryl Crawmer, 3723 147th St., Urbandale, IA 50323. The contributions will be split between the three county public heath nursing services where JoAnn worked.

JoAnn met Frank Ostby during her senior year at Augustana and they were married on June 8th, 1968 at Rock Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Elbow Lake, Minnesota. They were married 52 years. They set a great example of how to love your spouse in good times and bad. Frank and JoAnn had three children, Cheryl, Kris and Paul.

JoAnn worked for 42 years in various fields of nursing, with the last 17 in public health. She worked as an RN for Rochester Methodist Hospital in Rochester, MN, Palmer Memorial Hospital in West Union, IA, NIACC as an LPN instructor in Calmer, IA, Craft Care Center in Panora, IA, and Dallas County Hospital in Perry, IA. JoAnn also worked in public health nursing in Guthrie County, IA, Redwood County, MN and in Worth County, IA. In her last years of nursing, she supervised the home care for the elderly who were able to remain in their own homes. Once retired, JoAnn and Frank spent time at Orangewood Shadows in Mesa, AZ for the winter.

JoAnn was very active in the various churches where she was a member. Her involvement included choir pianist, organist, Stephen Ministry and circle (bible study) to name a few. JoAnn had a huge heart and was a dedicated servant for God. JoAnn used her talents and passions to serve others. She loved to knit, sew, quilt and bake. Most of the items she made were for various missions of her churches. Her grandchildren’s favorites were her donuts and sugar cookies. She always had a tin of them in her freezer. She loved music; she played the organ and piano at church and the clarinet in bands in Mason City, IA and at Orangewood Shadows (Mesa, AZ). In addition to the church, JoAnn volunteered often with various medical clinics (blood donation, flu clinics, etc.).

JoAnn also loved spending time outdoors: hiking, walking, canoeing, tube floats, golfing and biking. Many of these were incorporated into camping and family trips. She also liked to travel. Frank and JoAnn traveled to Norway twice, they took a Panama Canal cruise, an Alaskan Cruise and they went to various places around the US. JoAnn liked to play cards and other games with her family and friends.  With cards, she always said she had a bad hand, but then seemed to win. She loved to read, which is one of the few things she was able to continue to do despite her Parkinson’s. She was very proud of her three kids, and her grandchildren brought her great joy.

JoAnn was known for her faith, kindness and huge heart for service. She will be greatly missed.

JoAnn is survived by her children Cheryl (Travis) Crawmer of Urbandale, IA, Kris Davis (Mike Scheidt) of Van Meter, IA and Paul (Julie) Ostby of Mount Pleasant, IA; her sister Carlyn (Ron) Nordby of Wilmar, MN and brother Eugene Baasen of Hutchingson, MN. There are eight grandchildren: Justin and Madison Crawmer, Jacob and Emma Davis, Brittan, Zachary (Brianna), Anna and Kolbein Ostby; sister-in-law, Eldora (Jack) Kelly of Springfield, VA and several nieces, nephews and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank, her parents and various other relatives.

A funeral service for Mrs. Ostby will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 11 at the Swedesburg Evangelical Lutheran Church. Pastor Jeffery A. McPheron will officiate. Burial will be at later date in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Albert Lea, MN. Friends may call from 12 Noon to 7 PM on Friday at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. The family will receive friends from 10-11 AM Saturday morning at the church.

On-Line condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com

Joyce A. Newton

By Theresa Rose · Monday, February 6th, 2023 at 4:25 pm CDT

Joyce A. Newton, 73, of Oquawka, Illinois, formerly of Farmington, Iowa, passed away at 2:57 a.m. Saturday, February 4, 2023, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa.

She was born on May 7, 1949, in Keokuk, Iowa, the daughter of Don Eugene and Betty (Hedden) McBride. On April 9, 1971, she married John Newton in Dallas City, Illinois.

Survivors include her husband: John; one daughter: Julie (Jeff) Sims of Oquawka, Illinois; one son: Jeff (Resa) Newton of Hillsboro, Iowa; five grandchildren; Alonzo and Citlally Morales, Auset Sims, Jasmine Seitz and Sebastian Newton; one brother: Darrell (Christine) McBride of Farmington, Iowa and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and daughter: Joanna Newton.

Joyce was a 1967 graduate of Harmony High School. She worked as a waitress at Country Kitchen and the Bridge Cafe. She also worked for Riverside Plastics. Joyce was an avid reader and enjoyed ceramics, watching television shows and movies.

A visitation will be held with the family receiving friends from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Farmington, Iowa.

A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 8, 2023, with Pastor Chad Welch officiating.

Burial will be at Greenglade Cemetery, Farmington, Iowa.

A memorial has been established in her memory for the Epilepsy Research Foundation.

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

Iowa Wesleyan Music Department to Present Annual Variety Show

By Theresa Rose · Monday, February 6th, 2023 at 4:22 pm CDT

The Iowa Wesleyan University Music Department, in association with the Mt. Pleasant Community Theatre, will host the annual IW Variety Show at 7 PM on Saturday, February 25, 2023, in the University Chapel. This family-friendly show, Titled Around the Campfire, will consist of various performances, including comedy, music, and dancing.

Performers will include Iowa Wesleyan students, faculty, staff, and members of the Southeast Iowa Community. A mini-auction fundraiser auction will be held during the show.  All proceeds from ticket sales and the auction will directly benefit the students of the Iowa Wesleyan Music Department.

Blair Buffington, Director of Choral Activities and Artistic Director, said, “This year’s show is really going to be next-level. The caliber of auditioned acts, coupled with the assistance from Mt. Pleasant Community Theatre, is taking this show to new heights! We are so excited!”

Pre-sale general admission tickets are $10, and all student tickets are $5 with a student I.D. Tickets may be purchased at Brown’s Shoe Fit in Mount Pleasant, from IW Choir members, or online at https://www.iw.edu/varietyshow. Tickets at the door will be $15.

 

Iowa Wesleyan University: As Southeast Iowa’s regional comprehensive University, Iowa Wesleyan University is a transformational learning community whose passion is to educate, empower and inspire students to lead meaningful lives and careers.