The AFCA Selects Iowa Wesleyan’s Head Football Coach MD Daniels

By Slaten Swords · Monday, December 5th, 2022 at 1:44 pm CDT

Iowa Wesleyan- The American Football Coaches Association, AFCA, and the American Football Coaches Foundation selected Iowa Wesleyan’s Head Football Coach MD Daniels to participate in the AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches’ Leadership Institute scheduled for January 8th at the 2023 AFCA Convention. These coaches were whittled down from a field of over 200 coaches with talents coming from the Power 5 Division I level of college football.

Coach Daniels was hired in 2019 to serve as the Defensive Coordinator but by season’s end he was named the 50th head coach in Tigers history. He took over the program during its change from Division III to NAIA and has expanded it from 67 student-athletes to around 140. In his second full season this year, Coach Daniels navigated the Tigers to their highest win total since 2014 and doubled his win total from his first full year, finishing 4-7. The defense was outstanding this year, breaking four school records including most sacks in a game, fewest rushing yards allowed in both a game and season, and fewest total yards allowed in a season. Five players from the defense were given North Star Athletic Association Conference honors with Major Niccum and Joseph Pace headlining with 1st Team honors.

Sports, December 5th

By Slaten Swords · Monday, December 5th, 2022 at 7:43 am CDT

High School Basketball

The Mt. Pleasant boys basketball team dropped a close one to West Burlington last Saturday 53-51. The game was back-and-forth for the entire 32 minutes with the Panthers leading 51-50 with three minutes left; however, the Falcons shut down the Panthers and skirt pass with the win. Aaiden Ashton knocked down two threes on his way for the team leading 15 points with Carter Amos adding 12 to the effort. The boys team will have to wait until December 9th to play again as they will travel to Keokuk for tip-off at 7:30 pm.

The Mt. Pleasant girls basketball team will be back in action tomorrow, December 6th, when they host Oskaloosa at 7 pm.

The Holy Trinity Catholic boys team will look to bounce back tonight against Highland at 7:30 pm and the girls team will host Mediapolis at 6 pm tomorrow.

The New London girls and boys basketball teams next game will be on the road against Danville tomorrow with the girls starting at 6 pm followed by the boys.

Central Lee will play host to Burlington Notre Dame tomorrow with the girls game scheduled to start at 5:30 pm and the boys to follow.

The WACO girls and boys basketball teams will travel to Winfield-Mt.Union tomorrow with the girls scheduled to start at 6 pm.

High School Wrestling

The Mt. Pleasant girls wrestling team competed in the first Willard Howell Girls Invitational last weekend. Ella McNamee continued her dominance as she finished in first place winning all of her matches by fall, she is now 9-0 on the season. Natalie Parrott lost in the second round of the consolation bracket. Jayden Housh went 2-2 over the weekend falling in the consolation semifinals. Bianca Bain fell in the second round of the consolation bracket and Zenleynn Lee finished in second place as Bralynn Wagler of WACO won by fall in the championship match. They will be competing in the Williamsburg Girls Wrestling Invitational tonight.

The boys team competed in the 58th Willard Howell Invitational with Ramzy Davis falling in the first round of the consolation round. Bowen Davis had the best finish for the Panthers as he placed in 3rd defeating Hayden Hill of Wilton by fall. William Birdsell won the 5th place match by fall over Owen Jones of English Valleys-Tri County. The Panthers will be traveling to Keokuk to wrestle Thursday, December 8th.

.Elementary Basketball Tournament

The Mount Pleasant Christmas Holidays 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament for 3rd – 8th grade boys and girls will be held on Dec 17th, 2022. For more registration details contact Coach Ronnie Ashton at 319-931-2896.

Iowa Wesleyan Athletics

The women’s basketball team was able to take a big sigh of relief after coming out with the victory last Saturday against College of the Ozarks 68-65. The Bobcats kept it close despite being down nine for most of the fourth quarter. It was a superhero effort by Isabell West that led to the Tigers victory as she tallied a double-double with 35 points and 12 rebounds. Their next game is December 13th on the road against Grace College at 2 pm.

The men’s basketball team rolled through College of the Ozarks 95-62 for their 10th straight victory. The Tigers were red hot shooting the basketball in the first half as they shot 61% from the field and 59% from 3-point land. Four Tigers finished in double digits with Gacoby Jones leading the way with 18 points followed by Joey Brown IV with 15, Allante Pickens with 14 points, and Henry Shannon finishing with 11. Coach Ashton knows it will be tough to keep their win streak intact against Western Illinois on December 7th at 6 pm.

The women’s wrestling team will be back in action December 7th for a top ten matchup as they will host the #3 Grand View University Vikings. The men’s wrestling team’s next match will be January 10th at Central Methodist University.

Iowa Wesleyan’s next Indoor Track and Field competition will be Friday, December 9th, at the Grinnell Opener at 9 am.

This Day in Sports History

1973 – Chicago Cubs Ron Santo becomes 1st baseball player to invoke 10-5 rule and veto his trade (with the California Angels).

1974 – NFL’s Seattle Seahawks forms.

1992 – 1st SEC Championship Game: #2 Alabama beats #12 Florida, 28-21.

Officer Involved Shooting In Mount Pleasant

By Theresa Rose · Monday, December 5th, 2022 at 5:47 am CDT

On December 3, 2022, at approximately 10:04 PM, Officers of the Mt Pleasant Police Department and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a domestic disturbance at the 700 block of Main Street, where the male caller was being held at gunpoint. Upon arrival, Officers encountered a male calling for help from the bathroom window. The male was able to exit the bathroom window. While attempting to make contact with the subject, the subject brandished a weapon and an officer discharged their weapon. The Officers were not injured during the encounter. The subject sustained a gunshot wound to the right arm as a result of the officer involved shooting.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) was notified and requested to investigate the incident. Per protocol, the Officer has been placed on Critical Incident Leave, pending the investigation. The name of the subject is being withheld, pending the continued investigation. The name of the officer is being withheld, pending an interview with DCI.

No further information will be released at this time.

Note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

DCI Investigation in Mount Pleasant

By Theresa Rose · Sunday, December 4th, 2022 at 11:18 am CDT

KILJ News is currently waiting for details from the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation regarding an incident that occurred Saturday night in Mount Pleasant.  Unofficially, it appears there was an domestic incident in the 700 block of North Main Street at about 10 pm. Unverified reports indicate one person may have been shot but that the injuries were non-life threatening. Mount Pleasant Police Chief Lyle Murray said he can not comment but did say the DCI would be releasing a report.

Kenneth F. Barr (final arrangements)

By Theresa Rose · Sunday, December 4th, 2022 at 8:01 am CDT

Kenneth F. Barr, 91, of Mt. Pleasant, died Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City.

A Masonic Service for Kenneth will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, December 7 at the First United Methodist Church, 309 N. Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, conducted by the Mt. Pleasant Lodge #8 AF & AM. A memorial funeral service will follow immediately with the Reverend David Bracht-Wagner, Senior Pastor, presiding. Burial will be in the Forest Home Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant. The service will be livestreamed on the First United Methodist Church YouTube Channel and Facebook page.

The family will greet friends at a luncheon in the church Fellowship Hall immediately following the memorial service. Friends may call to sign the register from 9AM to 7 PM on Tuesday at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant.

Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Mt. Pleasant Lodge #8 AF & AM. On-Line condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com

Kenneth Frank Barr was born February 17, 1931 on the family farm in rural Mt. Pleasant. He was the son of Leslie Frand and Gladys Victoria (Nelson) Barr. He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1948 and attended the (then) Iowa Wesleyan College. On November 16, 1952 at the Green Mound Church of God, rural Trenton, Ken was united in marriage to Frances Louise Bain.

All of Ken’s working life involved farming the family farm. Primarily raising corn and beans, he did raise cattle early in his career. Ken served 7 years in the Iowa National Guard. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant, where he served as a Trustee. Many years found Ken frying chicken at the First United Methodist Church “Food Tent” during the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion. Ken was a member of the Mt. Pleasant Masonic Lodge, #8 AF & AM. He enjoyed touring around looking at cars, especially the car shows uptown Mt. Pleasant during the summer.

Those thankful for sharing in Ken’s life include his wife of 70 years, Frances of Mt. Pleasant; 3 children – John Mark Barr and Philip Matthew Barr, both of Mt. Pleasant and Linda Louise Barr of Annandale, VA; 2 granddaughters – Megan and Allison Martin and a sister Wanda (Duane) Thomas of Mt. Pleasant.

His parents precede him in death.

Area Drop-Offs for Deer Hides

By Theresa Rose · Saturday, December 3rd, 2022 at 4:37 pm CDT

An expected 100,000 deer hunters will hit the timber over the next 2 weeks for the annual Iowa shotgun deer season. Again this year, hunters are encouraged to donate hides to the Elks Leather Program. Last year statewide 4,183 deer were donated, which was a slight increase from the 2021-22 season. The deer hides are used by the Veterans Leather Program to make professionally-crafted leather gloves for veterans in wheelchairs and also turned into leather used for therapy programs for recovering veterans.

The Fairfield Elks Lodge will have a number of drop-off locations in the area for hides to be placed.

Here is a list of all drop-off locations:

Fastenal/Kinney & Sons-Mt. Pleasant

Oakland Mills Nature Center-By the shop

Nelson Company-Fairfield

Libertyville Co-op

4-way corner-Packwood

Keosauqua Lumber-Keosauqua

Old Lumber Yard-Stockport

Across from BP-Batavia

Bass Storage-Birmingham

GoFundMe Account Started For Stockport Man

By Theresa Rose · Saturday, December 3rd, 2022 at 4:34 pm CDT

Faircast Incorporated in Fairfield has started a GoFundMe account for one of its workers. Sean Reid, of Stockport, was seriously injured and his wife and her mother died in a car crash near New London last weekend. Reid remains in the Intensive Care Unit at University Hospitals in Iowa City. Donations will be used to help Reid’s two children.

Reid was driving westbound on Highway 34 southeast of New London when he went off the roadway. His vehicle struck a parked truck, rolled, and then came to a rest. Judith Ellis from Ollie and Sherry Reid died as a result of their injuries.

Sports, December 3

By Theresa Rose · Saturday, December 3rd, 2022 at 6:22 am CDT

High School Basketball

The Mt. Pleasant girls basketball team had a chance at the end but were unable to capture the victory as Fort Madison came out on top 41-36 to move to 3-0. The Panthers were able to claw their way back into the game after finding themselves down 11-3 in the first quarter. The big story of the night was Andrea Lopreato capturing her 1,000 career point in the third quarter after a three-pointer to take the lead 31-29. However, with a one-point lead entering the fourth quarter the Panthers were only able to put up five points compared to the Bloodhounds ten. They’ll have to bounce back quickly as they face off against West Burlington this afternoon at 3 pm.

The Mt. Pleasant boys basketball team won their home opener over Fort Madison 66-41 to move to 1-1 on the season. It was a close game heading into halftime with the Panthers up by only five, 26-21. Then, the offensive prowess of Peyton Hagans, who led the Panthers in points with 21, and Aaiden Ashton, who tallied 14 points, took over the second half where they outscored the Bloodhounds 40-20. They’ll be back in action this afternoon against West Burlington at 4:30 pm on the road.

The Winfield-Mt. Union girls basketball team dominated Pekin as they outscored the Panthers 37-2 in the first two quarters before going on to win 49-10. Bradie Buffington had a double-double scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.

The Winfield-Mt. Union boys basketball team started just as fast as they outscored the Panthers 31-14 in the first two quarters before running away with the 49-33 victory. Cam Buffington led the Wolves in points and rebounds finishing with a double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Abram Edwards also finished with a double-double. Both the girls and boys teams will face off against Van Buren County today with the girls playing at 3 pm and the boys to follow at home.

The Holy Trinity Catholic girls and boys team fell to West Burlington last night with the girls losing 48-40 and the boys losing 74-51. The boys will look to bounce back December 5th against Highland at 7:30 pm and the girls will host Mediapolis at 6 pm December 6th.

The New London girls basketball team fell to Central Lee 65-55 last night as Mylee Miller led the Tigers in points with 21. The boys team defeated Central Lee 64-29. New London’s next game will be on the road against Danville December 6th with the girls starting at 6 pm followed by the boys. Central Lee will play host to Burlington Notre Dame December 5th with the girls game scheduled to start at 5:30 pm and the boys to follow.

The Danville girls team fell to Mediapolis 68-42 and the boys team defeated Mediapolis 46-42.

The WACO girls and boys basketball teams blew out Wapello as the girls won 57-19 and the boys won 76-29. Ellah Kissell tallied 27 points for the Warriors, while Hunter Hughes dominated for the boys putting up 25 points. WACO will travel to Winfield-Mt.Union December 6th with the girls scheduled to start at 6 pm.

High School Wrestling

The Mt. Pleasant girls and boys wrestling teams will be competing at the Willard Howell Wrestling Tournament today, December 3rd.

.Elementary Basketball Tournament

The Mount Pleasant Christmas Holidays 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament for 3rd – 8th grade boys and girls will be held on Dec 17th, 2022. For more registration details contact Coach Ronnie Ashton at 319-931-2896.

Iowa Wesleyan Athletics

The women’s basketball team will be in action today at 1 pm for the first game of a double header against College of the Ozarks as they are looking for their 8th victory this season. KILJ will be on the call with pregame at 12:45 pm.

The men’s basketball team is now 10-1 on the season riding a 9-game win streak and they will play today against College of the Ozarks following the conclusion of the women’s game. Coach Ashton knows that this game will test his team.

The women’s wrestling team will be back in action December 7th for a top ten matchup as they will host the #3 Grand View University Vikings. The men’s wrestling team’s next match will be tomorrow at the Buena Vista Open starting at 9 am.

Iowa Wesleyan’s first Indoor Track and Field meet will be today in Davenport at the Frigid Bee Invite.

This Day in Sports History

1901 – At the MLB meeting, the Milwaukee Brewers franchise was officially dropped from the American League and replaced by the St. Louis Browns.

1950 – Cleveland Browns was the last NFL team with no-pass game (beat Philadelphia 13-7).

1968 – MLB Rules Committee adopts a series of changes designed to increase amount of offensive run production; decreases strike zone size and lowers height of pitcher’s mound from 15″ to 10″; changes are successful.