Queen Crowned!

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, July 13th, 2022 at 9:38 pm CDT

The 2022 Henry County Fair Queen is Chevelle Mills! Congrats also to First Runner-Up Alexandra Farley. This year’s Junior Queen is Bella Tedrow and First Runner-up is Jacie Campbell. The Fair Princess is Kara Hoover and the First Runner -Up is Kara Campbell! Thank you to Hometown Vet Care for sponsoring the Royalty announcement on KILJ! Tune-in Thursday morning for more details about this year’s Royalty.

Doris Dian Crocker

By Allison Jacobs · Wednesday, July 13th, 2022 at 3:12 pm CDT

Doris Dian Crocker, passed away on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at 72 years of age.  She lived her entire life in Southeast Virginia and had just recently moved to South Texas.

Graveside Services will be held on Monday, July 18, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the Peninsula Memorial Park at 12750 Warwick Blvd, Newport News, Virginia.  Doris will be buried next to her father.   In lieu of flowers her family requests memorials be made to the Lockridge First Responders or the Lockridge Fire Department.  The family request that memorials be mailed to Murphy Funeral Home at 408 North Broadway Street, Mount Pleasant, Iowa 52641.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant  is caring for her arrangements.

Richard A. Tolander (final arrangements)

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, July 13th, 2022 at 1:58 pm CDT

Richard A. Tolander, of Ankeny, and formerly of Olds and Mount Pleasant, died on his 93rd birthday, Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at the VA Regional Medical Center in Des Moines, IA.

A memorial funeral service for Richard will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, July 29, 2022 at the First United Methodist Church, 309 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. The Reverend David Bracht-Wagner, Senior Pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the Forest Home Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant, with military honors conducted by the Iowa Military Funeral Honors Detail and the Henry County Honor Guard. Friends may call from 12 Noon to 8PM on Thursday, July 28 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. The family will be present to receive friends from 5-7 PM on that Thursday. On-Line condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com

This Day in Sports History – July 13

By Parker Testa · Wednesday, July 13th, 2022 at 9:49 am CDT

July 13th in Sports History:

1896 – Philadelphia’s Ed Delahanty became the second major league player to hit four home runs in a single game.

1930 – The first soccer World Cup competition began in Montevideo, Uruguay. Thirteen teams were in the competition.

1972 – Carroll Rosenbloom (owner of the Baltimore Colts) and Robert Irsay (owner of the Los Angeles Rams) traded teams.

1982 – The All-Star Game was played outside the United States for the first time. They played in Montreal, Canada.

1984 – Sportscaster Howard Cosell asked to be released from his duties on “Monday Night Football.” He said that he was “tired of being tied to the football mentality.”

1995 – Geddy Lee (Rush) sang “Oh Canada” before the All-Star Game at Baltimore’s Camden Yards.

New London Baseball Advances to State

By Parker Testa · Wednesday, July 13th, 2022 at 9:38 am CDT
Photo Credit: Deb Helmerson

NEW LONDON – The New London Tigers have advanced to the Class 1A Baseball State Championship next week in Carroll after defeating Moravia 11-1 Tuesday night in their state qualifier game. New London was defeated in the state quarterfinal round by Kee 4-3 last year.

KILJ’s Parker Testa spoke with New London Head Coach Brad Helmerson following Tuesday night’s contest.

“It feels good. It’s one of those deals where these kids have been working hard since last year when we lost in the quarterfinal round, so they’ve been doing the work. It’s rewarding to see them come out and do what they did in those first couple innings.” Helmerson said.

New London will head to Carroll next week for the 1A state tournament with quarterfinal games beginning on Monday.

Below is a list of the 1A state tournament competitors:

Substate 1 Champion: Remsen St. Mary’s

Substate 2 Champion: Newman Catholic

Substate 3 Champion: South Winneshiek

Substate 4 Champion: Lisbon

Substate 5 Champion: North Linn

Substate 6 Champion: New London

Substate 7 Champion: CAM

Substate 8 Champion: Kingsley-Pierson

Clearing the Air at Several MP Businesses

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, July 12th, 2022 at 3:27 pm CDT

The Smoke Free Air Act, which celebrated its 14th anniversary in 2022, prohibits smoking in places of employment; however, it does not extend to smokeless tobacco. That means products like vape pens or e-cigarettes are legal to use unless a business implements a tobacco and nicotine free policy.

According to the journal Tobacco Control, smokers miss about 2.6 more days of work each year than non-smokers. Additionally, the American Cancer Society estimates tobacco-related health care costs and lost work productivity equal $289 billion dollars in the U.S.

The decision by an employer to become a tobacco and nicotine free workplace benefits both the company,  its employees, and its patrons. This also sends a message to youth that vaping products still contain nicotine, which is addictive, and these products have not been proven healthier than traditional tobacco products.

In fiscal year 2022, the following were  the most recent businesses to adopt a tobacco and nicotine free policy:   MP Childcare Center, Brown’s Shoe Fit, Nikki K’s Dance, Salon Monroe, Etc., Chamber of Commerce, and Henry County Public Health. Iowa State University and Outreach congratulates these businesses in helping make a healthier environment for all. Contact Chris Kempker if you are interested in  implementing a tobacco and nicotine free policy at your business. Free resources and signage are available. Call Chris at 319.385.8126 for more information.

Secretary Naig to Honor Bates Family with Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, July 12th, 2022 at 3:13 pm CDT
 
 

Row crop, cattle and turkey farmers from Washington County to be recognized for outstanding leadership in agriculture

DES MOINES, Iowa (July 12, 2022) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will present the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award to the Bates family, owners of Bates Family Farms, on Thursday, July 14 in Washington, Iowa at 11:00 a.m.

This family farm is based outside of Washington and run by Mike and Karen Bates along with their daughter Courtney Bates and one employee. Mike established the operation after he graduated from high school in 1972 and has been farming ever since.

“As leaders in Iowa agriculture, the Bates family has made animal care and environmental stewardship the foundation of their operation for the past 50 years,” said Secretary Naig. “Pairing their farming practices with their longstanding commitment to supporting their local community, the Bates family embodies the true character of Iowa agriculture. I am proud to present them with this award.”

The Bates family farm includes corn, soybean and alfalfa production, a black angus herd and, for 33 years, a turkey operation. While the turkey operation recently transitioned to another young farmer in the area, it remains an important part of the farm’s leadership story.

Through their turkey operation, the family implemented many innovative animal husbandry practices. All their turkey barns were environmentally controlled and equipped with comprehensive biosecurity programs made possible by digital monitors and alarms. The Bates family kept detailed records of their antibiotic-free flock and were reviewed annually by West Liberty Foods. They are also Beef Quality Assurance certified, further ensuring their ability to provide top-notch animal care.

In addition to their dedication to high-quality animal husbandry, Mike has consistently emphasized the importance of conservation. As a result, the family has incorporated terraces, buffer strips and no-till practices on most of their row crop acres. They have also planted rye cover crops on potions of their land and use solar energy to power their house and turkey barns.

Outside of their work on the farm, the family is extensively involved in the Iowa agriculture community and other organizations. Mike has served on the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, the U.S. Meat Export Federation, the Farm Bureau Poultry Advisory Committee, the Agri-Way Partners board of directors and the West Liberty Foods board of directors. He is currently a member of the Iowa Turkey Federation, the Iowa Farm Bureau, the Iowa Soybean Association, the Iowa Corn Growers Association and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. They are active members of their church and are involved with Water for Life, an organization that helps ensure people in Haiti have access to clean drinking water.

The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award is made possible by the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers. This award recognizes Iowa livestock farmers who take pride in caring for the environment, their livestock and being good neighbors. It is named in memory of Gary Wergin, a long-time WHO Radio farm broadcaster who helped create the award.

Sports, July 12th

By Parker Testa · Tuesday, July 12th, 2022 at 9:08 am CDT

New London

New London Baseball will face off with Moravia tonight at 7:00 PM in the Class 1A – Substate 6 State Qualifier game at the Ottumwa Sports Complex in Ottumwa. The Tigers go into tonight’s game with an overall record of 27-1 after beating Notre Dame 5-0 Saturday night in the District 11 championship. Moravia enters tonight’s contest at 21-6 overall after defeating Sigourney 20-9 Saturday night in the District 12 championship. New London Head Coach Brad Helmerson says he expected a tough game against Notre Dame but wants to keep energy levels high going into the game tonight. Live coverage of tonight’s game with Moravia will begin at 7:00 PM on KILJ.

Panther Hoopla Basketball Camp

Coming up on July 20th and 21st, Mount Pleasant High School is hosting the Panther Hoopla Basketball camp. Panther Hoopla is a southeast Iowa basketball camp offering fundamental skill sessions for girls and boys 3rd through 8th grade. This two-day camp will provide you a great opportunity to get in the gym and practice skills to help you all season long. More information can be found on the Panther Hoopla Facebook page as well as the KILJ Facebook page.

This Day in Sports History

1901 – Cy Young (Boston Red Sox) got his 300th career victory. He ended his career with 511 wins.

1928 – 1st televised tennis match

1949 – 16th Baseball All-Star Game: AL wins 11-7 at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn

1970 – Jack Nicklaus beats Doug Sanders by 1 stroke at the British Open to win his 2nd of 3 Open Championships

1979 – At Comiskey Park in Chicago, “Disco Demolition Night” led to fans taking the field after a box of disco records was blown up. The White Sox forfeited the 2nd game of a doubleheader to the Detroit Tigers due to the condition of the field.