Sports, January 12th

By Slaten Swords · Monday, January 12th, 2026 at 6:41 am CDT

High School Basketball

In a top 10 showdown, the #4 Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team outsprinted #6 Marquette Catholic over the weekend 85-71. Shay Stephens tabbed 24 points and dished out nine assists in the win. The girls’ team fell to the Defenders 55-44.

Burlington Notre Dame will host Central Lee tomorrow, January 13th, at 6 pm.

The Central Lee boys’ team defeated Fort Madison over the weekend, 65-52, behind 21 points from Will Hayes.

New London split their weekend matchup against WACO with the girls’ team losing 65-22 and the boys’ team collecting their first win of the season in a 71-62 final. Megan Lee led the scoring in the girls’ game with 8 points for the Tigers. In the boys’ showdown, London Franklin tabbed 23 points to outduel Holden Hughes’ 22 points. 

New London will take on Van Buren County tomorrow with game one at 6 pm at home. 

WACO will travel to Pekin tomorrow with the first showdown at 6 pm. 

The Danville boys’ team defeated Durant over the weekend 53-42 behind a huge second half. Connor Hulett put up 18 points in the win. The Bears will travel to Holy Trinity Catholic tomorrow with the girls’ playing first at 6 pm.

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team will travel to Burlington Notre Dame tonight with tip-off at 6 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 5:45 pm.

Fairfield will square off against Van Buren County at home tonight with game one at 6 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union will play Holy Trinity Catholic tonight at 6 pm on the road. 

Wapello will tangle with Louisa-Muscatine tomorrow with the night starting at 6 pm.

Columbus will take on Hillcrest Academy tomorrow at 6 pm on the road. 

Mediapolis will contend with West Burlington tomorrow with tip-off at 6 pm.

High School Wrestling

The Fairfield girls’ team finished in 6th place at the North Mahaska Invitational over the weekend with 63 points. Samantha Lyons went unblemished for the invitational, pinning all three of her opponents within the first round. 

The Fairfield and WACO girls’ teams will compete at the Ottumwa Invitational tonight. 

The Wapello and Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ teams competed at the Corky Stuart Invitational over the weekend and the Wildcats captured 3rd place with 158 points. 

Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union had a trio finish atop the podium with Dakota Aney, Bowen Thomson, and Angel Ineichen each collecting the gold. 

Wapello finished in 6th place as a team as Draysin Crow and Cohen Wolford each took home 2-1 records and 2nd place in their respective weight classes. 

The WACO, New London, and Mt. Pleasant boys’ teams participated in the Gary Curtis Invitational over the weekend and the Panthers led the charge taking 6th place with 97.5 points followed by WACO in 12th with 41.5 points.

Levi Evans had the best tournament for Mt. Pleasant as he captured 2nd place after a close 15-10 decision finish in the championship match. Aven Beauchamp battled his way back for a 3rd place finish. 

WACO’s Ian Maize nabbed 2nd place as he took home a 2-1 record, while Killian Kelly of New London finished in 5th place after winning four matches in the consolation bracket. 

The New London boys’ team will host a triangular with WACO and Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union in attendance on Thursday, January 15th. 

Mt. Pleasant will dual Washington at home on Thursday.

The Mediapolis boys’ team will hold a triangular on Thursday with Wapello joining the fray. 

The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team traveled to Maquoketa for an invitational and snatched 2nd place as a team with 201 points. Kael Cook kept his undefeated season alive after sneaking past Preston Hunter of Beckman Catholic by a 6-3 decision in the championship match. Rowan Berndt, Colt Boyles, Ryan Rose, Jared Glendening, Tate Sherwood, and Joey Glendening all claimed 2nd place in their respective weight classes. 

The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team will travel to Pekin for a triangular on Thursday. 

The Wapello girls’ team will compete at the Lisbon Triangular tomorrow, January 13th. 

The Fairfield boys’ team will head to Oskaloosa for a quad tomorrow.

The Van Buren County girls’ team will host a Round Robin tonight with Mediapolis participating. 

The Van Buren County boys’ team will square off against Highland on Thursday at home. 

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team will compete in the Cascade Tournament on Thursday. 

High School Bowling

Fairfield will host Burlington today.

Mt. Pleasant will take on Burlington at home on Thursday, January 15th.

Southeastern Community College

The women’s basketball team fell to Iowa Western Community College over the weekend, 72-60. The Blackhawks will travel to Southwestern Community College on Wednesday, January 14th, at 5:30 pm.

The men’s basketball team lost 68-61 against Indian Hills Community College over the weekend. The Blackhawks will host Harry S. Truman College on Wednesday at 7 pm.

College Basketball

The #11 Iowa State women’s team has now dropped its third straight game after losing to West Virginia yesterday 83-70. Audi Crooks put up a 22 point/10 rebound double-double. The Cyclones will play on Wednesday, January 14th, on the road against Colorado at 8 pm.

The #14 Iowa women’s team’s 19-4 run in the 3rd quarter solidified a 56-53 comeback victory over Indiana yesterday. It was a three-headed attack for the Hawkeyes with Hannah Stuelke, Ava Heiden, and Chit-Chat Wright each finishing in double figures. Iowa will host Oregon on Thursday, January 15th, at 8 pm.

In a top 25 matchup, the #19 Iowa men’s team fell to #16 Illinois 75-69 over the weekend. Tavion Banks led the scoring with 16 points. The Hawkeyes will look to regroup on the road against Purdue with tip-off at 5:30 pm on Wednesday.

The #3 Iowa State men’s team took down Oklahoma State over the weekend 71-63. Joshua Jefferson led the team with 19 points. The Cyclones will square off against Kansas on the road tomorrow, January 13th, at 8 pm.

This Day in Sports History

1958 – The NCAA adds the two-point conversion to football.

1966 – Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach records his 1,000th NBA career victory (regular season and playoffs) in a 114-102 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Boston. 

1992 – Highest scoring NCAA basketball game; the Troy State Trojans defeat the DeVry Hoyas 258-149 in Troy, Alabama.

Kum Yea “Kay” Phelps

By Kadie Johannson · Monday, January 12th, 2026 at 6:15 am CDT

Kum Yea “Kay” Phelps, 96, of Eagan, Minnesota, formerly of Mount Pleasant, passed away Thursday, January 8, 2026, at her daughter’s home in Eagan.

Kum Yea was born August 27, 1929, in Osaka, Japan, the daughter of Boon Chang and Il Boon (Chun) Lee. On August 19, 1960, she was united in marriage to Thomas “Tom” Phelps in Seoul, Korea at the American Embassy. They lived in Chicago, Illinois, before moving to Mount Pleasant. Kum Yea worked for Lomont and then Motorola for 17 years before retiring. She was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church. Kum Yea enjoyed gardening, sewing, crocheting, going on country drives, embroidery and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Kum Yea is survived by her daughter Patricia Tinder of Eagan, Minnesota, son Thomas “Tim” Phelps IV (Maggie) of Irvine, California; five grandchildren Matthew Tinder (Christy), Alexa Tinder, Thomas “Martin” Phelps V, Serena Phelps, Melody Phelps; great grandchildren Leo Tinder and Eileen Tinder, a sister Kie Boon Han and a brother Seung Boo Lee, both of Chicago, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Thomas “Tom” Phelps III, a sister Sue Em, and three brothers Han Chul Lee, Han Sook Lee, and Katsuwa Lee.

A celebration of KumYea’s life will be at Calvary Baptist Church in the spring. Memorials may be directed to the Mount Pleasant Library or Calvary Baptist Church. The Olson-Yoder Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Kum Yea and her family. Messages may be sent to the family at www.olsonyoderfh.com.

Larry John Raid

By Kadie Johannson · Monday, January 12th, 2026 at 6:07 am CDT

Larry John Raid (86) of Denmark, Iowa, died peacefully at home January 9, 2026 after surviving 10 years with dementia.Larry was born March 18, 1939 in Fairfield, Iowa the son of Arlo J. and Leontina D. (Schlecht) Raid. On May 28,1966 he married Mary Elizabeth Petsche at St. Alphonsus Church in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.

Larry graduated from Denmark Academy High School in 1957. He then attended Bluffton College in Ohio for two years and was inducted into their football Hall of Fame as “Rocky.” In 1962 he graduated from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (Truman State University) with a Bachelor’s of Science in Industrial Education. After graduation he returned to Denmark to found Pry Plastics Incorporated.

On the night of July 17, 1964, by a stroke of luck, Larry met Louis Armstrong, and by a stroke of fate, he also met his future wife Mary Petsche. Together, Mary and Larry built their family and community in Denmark. Larry served as volunteer fireman, coached softball and little league, and operated Pry Plastics for 55 years. He and Mary traveled with their children across the United States teaching them about the world. Larry found no greater joy than helping others discover and learn.

Larry led a big life. Owning a short line railroad, patenting a cap rack, collecting and showing antique gas engines, and establishing Linotype University, an annual pilgrimage for printers from around the world, there was not a person or machine he would not befriend. His impact on this earth will be forever felt from the thousands of bookmarks he printed, the hand he was always willing to lend, and for the cards he would endlessly play with his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; his children, Michelle (Barry) Tuller, John (Linda) Raid, Laura (Chad) Witthoeft; his grandchildren, Zachary (Christine Isaguirre) and Rachel Tuller, Ethan and Jenna Raid, Elizabeth, Anna and, David Witthoeft; one sister, Kay Gingrich; two sisters-in-law, Margaret Petsche and Janet (Tom) Erickson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers-in-law, Marvin Gingrich and Eugene, Donald, William and Neil Petsche; two nephews, Troy and Tod Gingrich.

Visitation will begin at 11:30 am, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at Barr Memorial Chapel, Ft. Madison, Iowa, with funeral services following at 1:30 pm at the funeral home. Burial will be at Denmark Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for the Midwest Old Threshers Foundation and Denmark Academy Fund.

The Raid Family would like to thank Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice. A special thanks to Phyllis Hinds, RN, for her care of Larry.Barr Memorial Chapel is honored to serve the Raid family and an online guest book may be found at www.barrmemorialchapel.com.

January 12, 2026 – January 18, 2026

By Shelbi Swinscoe · Sunday, January 11th, 2026 at 9:51 am CDT
01/12/26
Rowan Connop
01/12/26
Bowen Schorr
01/12/26
Carson Gire
01/13/26
Amie Stuckerjurgen
01/13/26
Laura Bjork
01/13/26
Sutton Wesely (1 years old)
01/14/26
Jeff Van Amerongen
01/15/26
Nick Davis
01/15/26
Denton Reschly
01/15/26
Matt Hauptman
01/15/26
Pat Chapius (90)
01/16/26
Don Jones
01/16/26
Faye Miller
01/16/26
David Oliver
01/16/26
Nolan Frueh
01/17/26
Scott Kauffman
01/17/26
Kelsey Rose
01/18/26
Taryn Brown
01/18/26
Brittany Davidson
01/18/26
Mike Renken
01/18/26
Jerilyn Horn
01/18/26
Curt Bjork
01/18/26
Allie Hultman
01/18/26
Corey Scott
01/18/26
Gabe Chrissinger
01/18/26
Jerry Sutter
01/18/26
Judy Bozarth

Iowa DOT Announces Events to Celebrate America’s 250th

By Slaten Swords · Saturday, January 10th, 2026 at 7:44 am CDT

Iowa Department of Transportation invites you to start celebrating the semiquincentennial of America with Iowa’s American 250 Scenic Byways Road Trip series.

The celebration begins on Sunday, January 18, 2026, with “An Assessment of Iowaville (1765–1824)” at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park Lodge from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Attendees will explore the fascinating story of Iowaville, an Ioway (Báxoje) Native American Tribe village in Van Buren County. Cindy Peterson, Research Director with the University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist, and Alan Kelley, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, will lead the presentation.

Peterson and Kelley will bring to life the insights from a research effort supported by the State Historical Society of Iowa, offering a compelling look at the Báxoje occupation of the area and the village’s historic significance. The presentation will also include information about area artifacts, stories about tribal members, and a discussion about this remarkable place on the Iowa landscape which has been recommended as a National Historic Landmark.

A number of additional historical activities and tours are scheduled in the Van Buren County area January 18-19 through Pathfinders Resource Conservation and Development.

America 250, marking the nation’s semiquincentennial, is more than a birthday – it’s a chance to reflect, learn, and celebrate the people and places that helped define the American story on Iowa’s prairielands.  Please refer to this website.

Monthly presentations will continue through June 2026, each spotlighting a different Iowa Scenic Byway and historical theme – from Governor Larrabee’s home at Montauk to Iowa’s Underground Railroad connections. These events are free and open to the public, offering a welcoming space for Iowans of all ages and backgrounds to connect with their heritage.

Iowa’s America 250 Scenic Byway Road Trip Schedule:

  • January 18, 2026 – 1:30-2:30 p.m., Lacey-Keosauqua State Park Lodge, Historic Hills Byway: An Assessment of Iowaville (1765-1824) with Cindy Peterson and Allan Kelley.
  • February 28, 2026 – 1:30-2:30 p.m., Clermont Opera House, River Bluffs Scenic Byway: An Overview of Montauk (1874–1912) with Nurit Finn.
  • March 22, 2026 – 1:30-2:30 p.m., Fort Madison Riverfront Pavilion, The Great River Road National Scenic Byway:Fort Madison and the War of 1812 with State Archaeologist John Doershuk.

CDC Report – Iowa at High Level of Flu Activity

By Slaten Swords · Saturday, January 10th, 2026 at 7:36 am CDT

Seasonal flu activity is up across the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. The Centers for Disease Control reports that Iowa is among 17 states with high levels of flu-like activity for the week ending on January 3rd. No states had minimal levels of flu activity, and just three were at low levels. 25 states had very high flus activity levels – at the end of December there were 30 states in this category.

The positivity rate for influenza was over 24% as of the week ending Jan. 3, a decrease from the week prior. Additionally, 7.2% of visits to health care providers were for a respiratory illness — also a decrease from the end of December.

Flu activity levels are calculated by the CDC by measuring the proportion of outpatient visits to providers that have “influenza-like” illnesses. The average percentage of visits is compared to non-influenza weeks.

 

 

 

Structure Fire in Brighton on Saturday

By Slaten Swords · Saturday, January 10th, 2026 at 7:35 am CDT

The Washington County Sheriff’s Department reported a building fire in Brighton at about 5:30 on Saturday evening on 320TH ST.  The fire was extinguished with Brighton, Richland, and Washington Fire Departments responding.

Sports, January 10th

By Slaten Swords · Saturday, January 10th, 2026 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Basketball

Mt. Pleasant split their matchup with Fairfield last night, losing 47-43 in the girls’ game and defeating the Trojans 62-42 in the boys’ game. Faith Jones scored 14 points in the girls’ game for the Trojans. Noah Lange cashed in for 24 points for the Panthers in the winning effort. 

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team will travel to Burlington Notre Dame on Monday, January 12th, with tip-off at 6 pm.

Fairfield will square off against Van Buren County at home on Monday with game one at 6 pm.

The #4 Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team kept their undefeated season rolling, bulldozing Van Buren County last night 83-35. The Nikes will square off against Marquette Catholic today at 3 pm in a top ten matchup. 

The Burlington Notre Dame girls’ team fell 50-45 to the Warriors. They will suit up against Marquette Catholic at 1 pm today. 

Wapello was swept by Pekin last night 58-38 in the girls’ game and 64-56 in the boys’ contest. Annaka Greiner put up 10 points in the loss. Wapello will tangle with Louisa-Muscatine on Tuesday, January 13th, with the night starting at 6 pm.

The Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team fell to Louisa-Muscatine last night 68-41. The Wolves will play Holy Trinity Catholic on Monday at 6 pm on the road. 

The Central Lee boys’ team escaped with a double-overtime victory over Holy Trinity Catholic last night 62-58. The Hawks will host Fort Madison today with the day starting at 11:30 am.

Columbus split their night with Lone Tree with the boys’ team winning 69-59 and the girls’ team losing 61-33. The Wildcats will take on Hillcrest Academy on Tuesday at 6 pm on the road. 

Mediapolis swept Danville last night in convincing fashion with the #10 girls’ team winning 64-38 and the boys’ team handling business in a 65-48 final. Josie Hutcheson put up a 20 point/11 rebound double-double in the win. 

The Danville boys’ team will travel to Durant today with gametime at 3:15 pm.

Mediapolis will contend with West Burlington on Tuesday with tip-off at 6 pm.

New London was swept by West Burlington last night 56-8 in the girls’ game and 62-39 in the boys’ game. WACO will travel to New London today with game one at 5 pm.

High School Wrestling

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union, Mediapolis, Van Buren County, Mt. Pleasant, and WACO girls’ teams wrestled at the Highland Invitational last night and the Van Buren County girls’ team led the charge with 104.5 points for 6th place followed by Mt. Pleasant in 8th place with 80 points. 

Van Buren County had a pair of 2nd place finishers in Teagan Sickles and Brystol Wiley. 

The Fairfield, Van Buren County, and Mediapolis boys’ teams will attend the Ottumwa Invitational today. The Panthers dominated the 235-pound weight class with Courtney Smith pinning her teammate Olivia Gordy for the gold in the championship match. 

Brynn Pogmore snatched 4th place for Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union and Emorry Davis and Macy Bonebrake of WACO each took 6th place in their respective weight classes. 

The Fairfield girls’ team will wrestle at the North Mahaska Invitational today.

The Wapello and Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ teams will compete at the Corky Stuart Invitational at BGM today. 

The WACO, New London, and Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will travel to the Highland Invitational today. 

The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team will head to Maquoketa for an invitational today. 

High School Bowling

Fairfield will host Burlington on Monday, January 12th.

Mt. Pleasant will take on Burlington at home on Thursday, January 15th.

Southeastern Community College

The women’s basketball team will face off against Iowa Western Community College at home today at 1 pm.

The men’s basketball team will host Indian Hills Community College today at 7 pm.

The women’s wrestling team will compete at the Lakeland Scramble tomorrow, January 11th.

College Basketball

The #11 Iowa State women’s team will host West Virginia tomorrow, January 11th, at 2 pm.

The #14 Iowa women’s team will travel to Indiana tomorrow for tip-off at 4 pm.

The #19 Iowa men’s team will square off against Illinois at home tomorrow at 11 am.

The #3 Iowa State men’s team will face off against Oklahoma State today at 3 pm at home. KILJ 98.5 FM and AM 1130 will be on the call.

This Day in Sports History

1982 – NFC Championship, Candlestick Park, SF: the San Francisco 49ers beat the Dallas Cowboys, 28-27; “The Catch” an iconic moment in NFL history, Dwight Clark makes a fingertip catch for a touchdown from Joe Montana with 58 seconds remaining. San Francisco goes on to win the Super Bowl. 

1985 – Lenny Wilkens becomes the first to coach in 1,000 NBA games when his Seattle SuperSonics defeat the Golden State Warriors, 89-86. 

1986 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar of the Los Angeles Lakers scores his 34,000th career point during a 124-102 win over the Indiana Pacers; the only NBA player to reach the milestone at that time as he held the career record until 2023.