Governor Kim Reynolds issued a proclamation to ease restrictions for transportation of and access to fuel used for heat during the extremely frigid temperatures during the blizzard.
The proclamation is effective immediately and continues through 11:59 p.m. on January 1, 2023. The proclamation suspends the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code pertaining to hours of service for crews and drivers delivering propane, diesel, natural gas, and other fuels used for residential, agricultural, and commercial heating purposes during the duration of the blizzard.
First KILJ Humanitarian Awards
KILJ Radio is very excited to announce the first ever KILJ Humanitarian Award. Friday during the weekly Generation Gap program station owner Paul Dennison and manager Kadie Johannson introduced the first two recipients of this special honor. From now on each year at this time KILJ will recognize the efforts of someone who quietly goes about making this community a better place to live. The inaugural award is presented this year to Linda Enearl and Dan Spray of Mount Pleasant. Each receives a special engraved award and $1,000 they may donate to a favorite organization.
During the special live announcement on KILJ Melinda Huisinga and Ken Brown spoke about these honorees. Melinda spoke to Linda’s volunteer efforts at the First United Methodist Church in Mount Pleasant and with the Festival of Lights project. Ken knows Dan thru his volunteer work with the Fellowship Cup. Ken described Dan as a great human being with a service heart who dedicates his life to the Lord. Ken also said Dan is a great leader and asset but no one really knows how much he does for the community. Dan said he was honored and humbled.
Linda was appreciative of the honor but also encouraged others to volunteer. Melinda said Linda puts in more hours than any other volunteer helping with the annual Festival of Lights from set-up to directing traffic. Linda also volunteers at the First United Methodist Church during Old Threshers heading up the food tent committee and running the Church’s online, sound and visual technology.
Both praised the Mount Pleasant community for the huge dedication to volunteerism.
Two Vehicle Crash On Racine
On December 18th, 2022, at approximately 5:18 P.M., the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a two-vehicle collision in the 2100-Grid of Racine Ave.
An investigation into the accident determined that Willow Spring, 26 of Iowa City, was driving a passenger car approaching a nearby intersection. After failing to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic, this vehicle was struck by SUV traveling on Racine Ave. Both vehicles came to a stop and entered into in the ditch area of the intersection. Both drivers were transported by ambulance from the scene.
Resulting from this Willow was cited for Failure to Obey Stop Sign and Yield Right of Way. A state accident report was also completed regarding the accident occurrence.
The Henry County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Mount Union First Responders, New London Fire and Rescue, Henry County Health Center Ambulance, and the Iowa State Patrol.
***A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.****
Two Vehicle Crash
On December 20th, 2022, at approximately 11:50 a.m., the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a two-vehicle collision in the 300- Block of East School Street in Olds. An investigation into the collision was conducted. It was determined Brent Vollmer, 22 of Olds, was operating a 2014 Jeep Wrangler, heading East on School Street. Daniel Garrett Jr, 40 of Livingston, TN, was operating a 1997 Kenworth and pulling out of the St Ave BP. While pulling out, the front of the Garrett vehicle struck the rear passenger side of the Vollmer vehicle. The Vollmer vehicle entered a rear wheel skid and struck a concrete barrier. A passenger in the Vollmer vehicle was taken to HCHC for injuries.
Suspicious Activity Report Leads to Arrest
On December 21st, at approximately 6:20 a.m. the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report of suspicious activity in the 2400-grid of 240th Street. It was reported two individuals drove into a farm residence and were approached by the resident. One individual fled on foot and another in the vehicle. The Henry County Sheriff’s Office arrived and began an investigation. During the investigation, a male subject, Andrew Joseph Stout, 36 of West Burlington, was located a short distance from the last known location of the subjects. Stout was charged with trespass, simple misdemeanor, and possession of a controlled substance 3rd offense, D-felony. Stout did have an active warrant through Des Moines County as well.
Iowa Girls High School Basketball Rankings: Winter Break Gifts the Top Teams and Leaves Stocking Stuffers
Prep Basketball- Another Thursday brings us another Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union rankings for the basketball season. Overall, the top teams remain atop the rankings, but we did see some movement within the Top 15 for all of the classes.
Algona Bishop Garrigan is 9-1 on the season and still rank number one, followed by Newell-Fonda, and North Linn. Council Bluffs St. Albert experience a three-spot jump from 10th to 7th. Despite no teams falling out of the top 15, Stanton and Martensdale-St. Marys fell from 7th and 8th to 14th and 15th, respectively. Burlington Notre Dame and Winfield-Mt. Union are still undefeated and continue climbing the rankings as the Nikes are now top 10 at the 10th spot followed by the Wolves at 11th.
Class 2A’s top 10 experienced no change with Dike-New Hartford in 1st. The biggest change came with South Hamilton’s jump from 15th to 11th after defeating West Marshall, a top 5 team in Class 3A, on Tuesday 48-47. Aplington-Parkerburg and Panorama were the only teams to fall as they went from 11th and 12th to 14th and 15th, respectively. West Burlington comes in ranked 12th and Mediapolis is 13th. No teams fell out of the top 15.
Class 3A had previously mentioned West Marshall fall from 2nd to 5th due to their loss to South Hamilton. Benton Community replaced West Marshall for 2nd. Estherville-Lincoln Central is still the boss of Class 3A. Osage fell from 5th to 9th; Des Moines Christian jumped four spots from 12th to 8th. Monticello and Harlan replaced West Liberty and West Lyon for the last two spots of the top 15.
Cedar Rapids Xavier, Dallas Center-Grimes, and Ballard are the new top three for Class 4A as North Polk fell from 3rd to 5th after a three-point loss to Cedar Rapids Kennedy 51-48. Indianola jumped Clear Creek-Amana (8th) and Carlisle (9th) to be ranked 7th. Lewis Central was ranked 10th last week but got dropped from the top 15 with Glenwood jumping into the rankings at 14th.
Class 5A had the top three teams remain the same with Waterloo West keeping the top spot. Southeast Polk and West Des Moines Valley switched spots from last week with West Des Moines Valley now on top in 4th. Iowa City West experienced the biggest fall in the rankings dropping five spots from 6th to 11th after losing two games last weekend to Linn-Mar and Bishop Heelan. With that win, Linn-Mar took over the 15th spot after previously being unranked. Waukee was the only team to fall out of the top 15 after losing to Ankeny Centennial–ranked 6th in Class 5A–and 2nd ranked Johnston.
Sports, December 22nd
High School Basketball
Mt. Pleasant will host New London January 2nd with the girls starting at 6 pm. The boys’ team is currently 5-3 on the season and the girls’ team is 4-6.
The New London Tigers girls’ team’s next game is January 1st against Van Buren County. The boys’ team is 6-2 being led by Blaise Porter and Kade Benjamin.
The Winfield-Mt. Union Wolves girls’ basketball team will travel to Lone Tree January 6th and the boys’ team will face off against Hillcrest Academy on January 3rd at 7:30 pm. The girls’ team is ranked within the top 15 of Class 1A and tout a 10-0 record.
Danville will host West Burlington January 6th with the girls starting at 6 pm and the boys to follow. The girls’ team goes into the break 5-5 on the season while the boys’ team touts a 7-2 record.
The WACO Warriors next game will be January 3rd at home against Louisa-Muscatine with the girls starting at 6 pm and the boys at 7:30 pm. The boys’ team is ranked fifth in Class 1A touting an undefeated record of 8-0, while the girls are off to a strong start as well at 6-2.
The Holy Trinity Catholic Crusaders will have to wait until January 6th to host Central Lee with the girls going at 6:30 pm. For the Crusaders, the girls’ team is 4-4 and the boys’ team is 3-6 heading into winter break. The Hawks girls’ team is also 4-4 with the boys’ team 2-7 after their last win over Columbus 68-46.
High School Wrestling
The Mt. Pleasant boys team will be back in action January 12th when they travel to face off with Washington. The girls team will compete at the Highland Tournament January 6th.
High School Bowling
The Mt. Pleasant Panthers girls and boys teams next competition will be January 5th against Washington at the Iris Bowling Center.
Iowa Wesleyan Athletics
The men’s basketball team, now 14-1 and rocking a 13-game winning streak, will have to wait until January 6th to compete against Crowley’s Ridge College for a CAC Classic. Coach Ashton knows that this team still has not hit their peak.
The women’s basketball team will look to have Coach Williamson break the record for most career victories in Iowa Wesleyan history December 29th on the road against Bellevue University for the Bellevue Classic at 12:30 pm.
The women’s wrestling team will compete December 29th and 30th at the Soldier Salute Tournament.
The men’s wrestling team will have to wait until next year to wrestle at Central Methodist University on January 10th.
The Tiger’s next indoor meet will be the Dutch Athletics Classic on January 14th.
This Day in Sports History
1962 – 1,000,000th NBA point scored.
1969 – Pete Maravich sets an NCAA record by hitting 30 of 31 foul shots, and scores 46 points to lead LSU to a 98-89 victory over Georgia.
2019 – New Orleans wide receiver Michael Thomas sets NFL record for most catches in a season with his 144th as Saints beat Tennessee 38-28; breaks 17-year old record held by Marvin Harrison (143).
Reminder from the City of Mount Pleasant
It looks like we may have a white Christmas after all! With the upcoming snow fall here are a few reminders regarding sidewalk and street snow removal.
SIDEWALKS
• Snow must be removed from most public sidewalks 24 hours after the end of the storm
• Snow must be removed from downtown public sidewalks 12 hours after the end of the storm
• Sidewalks treated so it isn’t slippery within the same timeframes as above
• Snow removed from most public sidewalks 24 hours after being deposited by street clearing crews
• Snow removed from downtown public sidewalks 12 hours after being deposited by street clearing crews
STREETS
• We ask that all residents of Mount Pleasant be mindful and limit/remove parked cars on side streets to allow the Public Works Department to clear the streets completely and safety.
• Please refrain from parking overnight and in restricted parking spaces around the square so the snow removal crews can clear parking areas and collect the snow in the designated spaces.