Mt. Pleasant City Council Meeting Agenda 04/24

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, April 24th, 2024 at 6:56 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant City Council will meet in Regular Session on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at City Hall, 307 E. Monroe Street, second-floor meeting room at 5:30 p.m.

AGENDA

  1. Roll Call.
  2. Consent Agenda: To the Public — All items with an asterisk (*) are routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion and a roll call of the Councilmembers. There will be no separate discussion of items unless the Mayor, a Councilmember or citizen so request, in which event the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and will be considered in its normal sequence on the Agenda.
  3. Receive & file communications. Megan Brincks, Executive Director, United Way of Southeast Iowa
  4. Approve agenda.

*5. Approve minutes of previous meetings.

*6. Approve payment of bills.

*7. Receive report of Officers.

  1. Old Business-
    1. 5:30 p.m. Public Hearing on proposed 2024/2025 Budget.
    2. Resolution authorizing adoption of the 2024-2025 Budget for the City of Mount Pleasant and authorizing its filing.
    3. Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to sign Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy (RISE) agreement for the construction of H Eugene Way.
    4. Authorize Mayor to sign Nuisance Property and Abandoned Building Remediation Assistance Loan Program Agreement for IWU old gymnasium.
    5. Authorize the Mayor to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission to complete open building/zoning projects for the City of Mount Pleasant.
    6. Designate the State as temporary electrical permit inspector.

 

  1. g) Renewal of a Class F Retail Alcohol License for Veterans Club of Henry County Iowa, at 300 W Monroe Street.
  1. New Business-
    1. Approve purchase of software system for the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
    2. Discussion of RAGBRAI events with Mt. Pleasant Chamber and Main Street Mt. Pleasant and approve request for funding and use of City property.
    3. Resolution approving purchase agreement to purchase 304 S Jefferson Street.
    4. Resolution setting Public Hearing on ordinance amendment for Flexible Business Space.
    5. Authorize the City to sign a contract with LL Pelling Co. to chip and seal Cottrel Gym Parking Lot at 310 E Madison Street.
    6. Authorize the City to sign a contract with Norris Asphalt to asphalt a portion of Forest Home Cemetery Road on S Walnut Street.
    7. Authorize the City to sign a contract with Norris Asphalt to asphalt S Harrison Street from Washington Street to Clay Street.
    8. Authorize the City to sign a contract with Norris Asphalt to asphalt S Jackson Street from Washington Street to Clay Street.
    9. Resolution authorizing the appointment of Braden Harp to Fire Department Reserves.
    10. Resolution authorizing the appointment of DeAnn Scott-Harp to Fire Department Reserves.
    11. 5:30 p.m. Public Hearing on appeal of dangerous animal.
    12. Resolution to affirm, modify or reverse dangerous animal.
  2. Public Forum.

I l. Adjourn to meet in regular session on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.

Sports, April 24th

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, April 24th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Track and Field

The Keokuk girls’ and boys’ teams hosted their Coed meet last night at Fort Madison High School and the Mt. Pleasant girls’ team continued their team domination, capturing the team title with 154 points, 41 more than second-place Keokuk, while Clark County claimed first place on the boys’ side with 116 points. 

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team won six events and finished in second place in four more events last night. Alex Scott picked up the win in the 400-meter dash with a time of 1 minute and 4 seconds. Linzy Striegel won the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1 minute and 14 seconds. The team of Courtney Raub, Kynlee White, Bailey Jalas, and Andi Scott took first in the 4×100 meter relay. Kiyah Sanders jumped in for Scott and helped the 4×200 meter relay team capture the gold with a time of 1 minute and 50 seconds. The 800 sprint medley team of Sanders, White, Jalas, and Raub won with a time of 1 minute and 57 seconds. Lastly, Savannah Slobodnik tossed the discus 113 feet and 7 inches to win the event. 

The Central Lee girls’ team totaled 26 points as Allison Gruntmeier led the charge for the Hawks with a second place finish in the high jump with a leap of 4 feet and 10 inches.

On the boys’ side, Fort Madison took second place with Mt. Pleasant grabbing third place with 100 points. Avin Truong had a nice meet for the Panthers with a first place finish in the long jump with a leap of 21 feet and 11 inches and a second place time of 11.14 seconds in the 100-meter dash. Harmon Ensminger won the shot put with a heave of 43 feet and 11.25 inches. Jude Dykstra grabbed second in the 800-meter run and the team of Max Sloat, Jahmal Dodson, Payton Walker, and Jordan Lane captured second in the 4×200 meter relay. 

The Central Lee boys’ team earned 40.5 points with Grant Myhre racing to a first-place time of 53.97 seconds in the 400-meter dash. 

The Central Lee girls’ team will compete tomorrow, April 25th, at Wapello. 

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ and girls’ teams will participate in a meet tomorrow at Pella.

The New London boys’ and girls’ teams celebrated their senior night last night but it was the Mediapolis boys’ and girls’ teams that took the crown with the boys scoring 184 points and the girls taking 160 points. 

The Mediapolis boys’ team won six relays last night: the 4×100, 4×200, 4×400, 800 medley, 4×110 shuttle hurdle, and the 1600 medley. Owen Schmidgall grabbed first in the 800-meter run with a time of 2 minutes and 3 seconds, Grady Gunn won the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 16.07 seconds and Chet Mohr soared to the height of 5 feet and 8 inches to win the high jump.

Danville’s 117 points was good enough for second place as Ayden Doyle dominated for the Bears, finishing in first place in the 100, 200, and 400-meter dashes. Isaac Shinn paced himself for a first place time of 10 minutes and 43 seconds in the 3200. Jackson Shacklett won the 1600-meter run with a time of 4 minutes and 39 seconds. Lastly, the 4×800 meter relay team earned first place.

West Burlington grabbed 70 points with Logan Hamma’s first place finish in the 400-meter hurdles leading the charge. New London finished with 49 points as London Franklin took the long jump with a leap of 20 feet and 4 inches.

On the girls’ side, Maylen Zaugg won the 400-meter hurdles, Byrn Wright grabbed first in the 3,000-meter run, Avery Crear won the high jump, and the 4×100 meter shuttle hurdle team grabbed first place for the Bulldogs.

Danville finished in second place with 142 points despite winning eight events. Jaeda Molle raced to a first-place time of 27.09 seconds in the 200-meter dash. Macie Wagner won the 400-meter dash. Alaina Gourley took the 800-meter run with a time of 2 minutes and 39 seconds. Kenna Furnald leapt to the gold in the long jump with a distance of 16 feet and 2 inches. Taegan Frazier heaved the shot 32 feet and 11.25 inches to win the event. 

West Burlington earned 111 points as Ady Lamm won the 100-meter dash. Kaitlyn Kipp took the 1500-meter run, and Faith Gibb earned gold in the 100-meter hurdles. 

The WACO boys’ and girls’ teams will host the Ekstrand Relays tomorrow with Danville, Mediapolis, Winfield-Mt. Union, New London, and the Central Lee boys’ team all attending. 

The Van Buren County girls’ and boys’ teams will travel to Cardinal on Friday, April 26th, for a meet. 

Drake Relays

High school competition for the 114th running of the Drake Relays begins tomorrow, April 25th, and runs through Saturday, April 27th. Here’s a look at our local athletes competing tomorrow. 

Solomon Zaugg of Mediapolis will compete in the 3200 meter run and the trio of Avin Truong of Mt. Pleasant, Winfield-Mt. Union’s Cam Buffington, and Keshawn Wyldon of Burlington will battle it out in the long jump. Lastly, Kylee Hill of Burlington will toss the shot put.

High School Soccer

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team will travel to Hillcrest Academy on Friday, April 26th, while the girls’ team will face off against Pella Christian on Saturday, April 27th, at 10 am on the road. 

The Mediapolis boys’ team netted two second half goals to narrowly escape with the home victory against WACO last night 2-1. The Mediapolis girls’ team had no such luck, falling to Burlington 4-0. The Bulldogs will face off against Central Lee tomorrow, April 25th, at home with the girls playing first at 5 pm.

The WACO boys’ team will travel to Wapello on Friday. 

The offense showed up early for the Mt. Pleasant boys’ team as their three first half goals led to a 4-2 victory against Keokuk last night. Dylan White and Jonah Zimmer each collected two goals in the win. Mt. Pleasant will compete against Washington tomorrow with the girls’ team traveling to Washington and the boys’ team hosting the Demons.

The Central Lee girls’ team picked up the win last night 3-1 with all of their goals coming in the second half. 

The Danville boys’ team will host Wapello tomorrow.

High School Tennis

In a rematch of the opening match of the season, the Mt. Pleasant boys’ repeated history by taking down Davis County 7-2. Lou Schimmelpfennig blanked his singles opponent 8-0, while Zach Johnson and Gavin Ross won their matches 8-3, and Phoenix Watson and Sawyer Fulton took their matchups 8-4. Dane Cook and Johnson teamed up for a thriller in doubles competition, eking out a 9-7 victory. Ross and Fulton picked up the last win of the night 8-2 in their doubles match.  

The girls’ team made the trip to Fairfield for a make-up meet against Maharishi last night and fell 7-2. Jana Isanta battled back to score the final 7 of 8 games to win her singles match 8-5. The team of Isanta and Ellie Situmeang combined for an 8-5 win in their doubles match. The Panthers will take on Fairfield tomorrow, April 25th, with the boys on the road and the girls at home.

High School Golf

Winfield-Mt. Union will host Lone Tree tomorrow, April 25th. 

WACO will travel to Wapello for a meet tomorrow.

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team traveled to Oskaloosa yesterday to compete in a tournament with the Panthers finishing in 13th place with a team score of 367, while Washington took the crown, scoring a 304. Roman Roth led the field with an 18-hole score of 71. The boys’ team will participate in the Mohawk Classic tomorrow, April 25th, while the girls’ team will host their invitational on Friday, April 26th.

Central Lee will host WACO on Friday. 

Mediapolis took on Van Buren County last night and the girls’ meet ended in a forfeit with Olivia Hines shooting a 46 for the Bulldogs. The boys’ team edged past the Warriors 163 to 176. Ben Wolter shot a 36 to lead the charge for the Bulldogs. Mediapolis will hit the road to take on Holy Trinity Catholic on Friday. 

Southeastern Community College

SCC baseball will travel to face off against Kirkwood Community College today in a doubleheader.

The SCC softball team will travel to Carl Sandburg College today for a doubleheader. 

This Day in Sports History

1956 – AL umpire Frank Umont is the first to wear glasses in a regular season game. 

1963 – Future Basketball Hall of Fame point guard Bob Cousy plays his last NBA game for Boston as the Celtics beat the LA Lakers, 112-109, in Game 6 for their 5th straight NBA Championship.

1981 – Bill Shoemaker wins his 8,000th race, 2,000 more than any other jockey at the time.

2024 Iowa High School Track and Field State Qualifying Meet Sites and Assignments

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, April 24th, 2024 at 12:54 am CDT

Prep Track and Field- The Iowa High School Athletic association (IHSAA) and Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) released the sites and assignments for the coed state qualifying track meets scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 9th. Here’s where our local teams are going.

Tickets will go on sale at 9 am on May 6th. Just follow this link: https://www.iahsaa.org/tickets/

Class 1A

Sigourney will be the place to be for the Southeast Iowa Super Conference with over half of the 14 teams coming from the conference. Here’s all 14 schools: Columbus Community, Danville, Highland, Hillcrest Academy, Keota, Lone Tree, Montezuma, New London, North Mahaska, Pekin, Sigourney, WACO, Wapello, and Winfield-Mt. Union.

Class 2A

Mediapolis, West Burlington, Van Buren County, and Central Lee will all be making the trip west to Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont where they will face off against eight other teams: Albia, Cardinal, Centerville, Central Decatur, Chariton, EBF, Interstate 35, and Mid-Prairie.

Class 3A

Mount Pleasant will be the host for seven other teams, including four Southeast Conference rivals: Assumption, Clear Creek-Amana, Davis County, Fairfield, Fort Madison, Keokuk, and Washington.

Class 4A

Burlington will make the trip to Iowa City, City High for their state qualifying meet with Davenport Central, Iowa City High, Iowa City West, Muscatine, Pleasant Valley, Prairie, and Waterloo East all jockeying for a spot in the state meet.

There will be no more than 24 qualifiers for any event as the 2024 Iowa State Track and Field Championships will begin on May 16th and run through the 18th at Drake Stadium in Des Moines.

Leave wildlife babies where they belong — In the wild

By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024 at 1:11 pm CDT

Leave wildlife babies where they belong — In the wild

It’s as predictable as May flowers – from border to border, the Wildlife Baby Season has arrived in Iowa. From now until at least mid-June, DNR field offices across the state will be inundated with hundreds of phone calls and scores of deliveries regarding “orphaned wildlife.”

Most calls begin with something like, “We were walking in the park when . . .,” or “I looked out my window and saw. . .” In nearly every instance, the scenario ends with something [or several somethings] being rescued from their mother.

During a typical season, the species will range all the way from baby robins and squirrels to spindly-legged white-tailed fawns. At this time of the year it is not at all uncommon for biologists to discover that complete litters of baby raccoons, foxes, or even skunks have mysteriously appeared on their doorsteps.

Why this happens is no real mystery. From fuzzy yellow ducklings to tiny baby bunnies, nothing appears more cute and cuddly than a wildlife baby.  But in reality, most of the wildlife reported to DNR field offices is not really orphaned at all. And while the people who attempt to “rescue” these babies have the best of intentions, they are in fact dooming the very creatures they intend to help.

The babies of most wildlife species leave their nests or dens well in advance of being able to care for themselves. Although broods or litters may become widely scattered during this fledgling period, they still remain under the direct care and feeding of their parents.

For many songbirds, the transition to independence comes quickly and may take as little as four or five days. For other species such as Canada geese, kestrels, or great horned owls, the young and parents may stay in contact for weeks — even months.

At the beginning of the fledgling period, young birds appear clumsy, dull-witted, and vulnerable. The reason for this is because they really are clumsy, dull-witted, and vulnerable. But as the education process continues, the survivors smarten up fast, while slow learners quickly fade from the scene. Most birds have less than a 20 percent chance of surviving their first year. While this seems unfortunate or cruel, this is a normal occurrence in nature.  In the real out-of-doors, it’s just the way things are.

Most mammals employ a slightly different strategy when it comes to caring for their adolescents. Since most mammals are largely nocturnal, the mother usually finds a safe daytime hideout for her young while she sleeps or looks for food. Consequently, it is perfectly normal for the young to be alone or unattended during the daylight hours.

Nevertheless, whenever a newborn fawn or a nest full of baby cottontails or raccoons is discovered by a human, it quite often is assumed that the animals are orphaned. The youngster’s fate is usually sealed when it is promptly “rescued from the wild.”

Many wildlife babies die soon after capture from the stress of being handled, talked to, and placed into the unfamiliar surroundings of a slick sided cardboard box. Should the animal have the misfortune of surviving this trauma, they often succumb more slowly to starvation from improper nourishment, pneumonia, or other human caused sicknesses.

Whether they are adults or young, all species of wildlife have highly specific needs for survival. “Rescuing a baby from its mother” not only shows bad judgment, it also is illegal.

Observing wildlife in its natural habitat is always a unique privilege.  Taking a good photo or two provides an even more lasting memory. But once you’ve done that, let well enough alone. Leave wildlife babies where they belong — in the wild.

A list of wildlife rehabilitators is available online at http://www.iowadnr.gov/Conservation/Iowas-Wildlife.

Media Contact: Karen Kinkead, Wildlife Diversity Program Coordinator, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 712-330-8461.

Time to start planning to control plants in Iowa ponds

By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024 at 1:10 pm CDT

Time to start planning to control plants in Iowa ponds

A healthy pond needs aquatic plants, but too many plants can limit the pond’s use and cause imbalances in the fish population. If you had problems using your pond last year because of aquatic plant growth, you could have similar problems this year.

In an existing pond, mechanical and chemical control methods are the best options for immediate control. They usually work best if you start early, when plant growth is not at its maximum level. If you wait until growths are thick, control will be difficult, take longer, and chemical control could cause water quality issues that harm fish.

Mechanical methods include bottom blanketing, shading, removal and lowering water levels. Temporarily blanket the bottom of a private pond and leave it in place for 30 days early in the season to limit plant growth in fishing or swimming areas. Use weighted commercial weed barrier products or thick black plastic (punctured to allow gasses to escape).

To shade a pond, apply a pond dye in April, before most plants are actively growing, to reduce the amount of light needed for plants to grow. This works best in ponds with a small watershed. Many blue and black pond dye products are available for pond beautification. Re-apply the product at a reduced rate throughout the spring and summer since inflowing water can dilute it and ultraviolet light can degrade it.

Removal is a low-cost way to take out plants from high-use areas. It can be done by hand or with special rakes and cutters (make your own or buy from retail outlets).

Herbicides will control pond plants chemically, but you may need to reapply during the summer to get season-long control. Follow these five steps when you apply any herbicide: 1) correctly identify the plant you want to control; 2) measure the area you are going to treat (surface area and average depth); 3) read the herbicide label to determine the correct timing and amount to apply; 4) identify possible restrictions on uses of the water (e.g., irrigation or watering animals) and 5) apply according to label directions. Most aquatic herbicides work best if applied on a calm, sunny morning.

Find more information on aquatic plants in ponds on the DNR website at www.iowadnr.gov/ponds.

Media Contact: Jason Euchner, Fisheries Biologist, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 515-230-4789

Prep Golf: Busy Day Yields an SEC Regular Season Crown for the Washington Boys’ Team

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024 at 11:34 am CDT

Prep Golf- Spring golf is nearing the end of the season with two total weeks left before postseason play begins, meaning there were plenty of matchups last night. Here’s a look at some of those local matchups and some highlight scores.

SEISC Golf

Mediapolis took on Burlington Notre Dame at home last night and the host team swept the Nikes with the boys’ team winning 171 to 201 and the girls scraping by 271 to 296.

The boys’ team for the Bulldogs extended their undefeated record to 8-0 as Jonathan Ford and Ben Wolter led the charge both shooting 9-hole score of 42. Mediapolis finished with every single golfer shooting a score under 50.

On the girls’ side, Olivia Hines, a multi-time state podium finisher, dominated with a 9-hole score of 47. Nevertheless, it is not her lowest score of her career nor the season with a 9-hole low of 39 last year and 9-hole low of 40 for her senior campaign.

The Bulldogs will face off against Van Buren County today at Riverview Club. The Burlington Notre Dame girls’ team will travel to Fort Madison for a triangular today, while the boys’ team will take on New London on Thursday, April 25th.

Speaking of the Tigers, New London took on Holy Trinity Catholic last night. On the boys’ side, the Crusaders snuck out with their first victory of the season 207 to 216. Max Kruse shot a 46 for the Crusaders with Blake Mohrfeld following behind with a 9-hole score of 53.

Emma Mohrfeld led the Crusaders on the girls’ side with a 9-hole score of 56.

The New London girls’ team will travel to Elks Fairview Golf Course on Monday, April 19th for a tournament, while the boys’ team will hit the road to participate in a tournament at Blue Top Ridge Golf Course.

Boys’ SEC Regular Season Finale

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team hosted the other SEC teams for the final time this regular season–conference meet on May 1st–and Washington continued their domination with a complete sweep of the season competition, winning with a team score of 296 followed by Mt. Pleasant with a score of 350.

Washington was led by the phenomenal play of Roman Roth as he shot a 67 or 5-under-par for the course. Rajan Roth shot a 74, Drew Conrad a 76, and Teague Mayer finished with a 79 as these were the four best scores of the meet.

Mt. Pleasant had three golfers shoot under 90 for the course as Nate Dismang finished with an 84, Reece Coffman an 86, and Merrick Lamm finished with an 88. Fairfield took third with a team score of 352, Fort Madison finished in fourth with a 386, and Keokuk rounded out the pack with a 395.

Sam Weaton led the Trojans with an 85, Brady Wade was the top golfer for the Bloodhounds with an 81, and Chase Eckland ended the day with a 92 for the Chiefs.

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will head west to compete in a tournament hosted by Oskaloosa today.

The team standings: Washington (884), Fairfield (1,055), Mt. Pleasant (1,059), Fort Madison (1,151), and Keokuk (1,194).

Individual Standings:

  1. Roman Roth- 170 (Washington)
  2. Rajan Roth- 184 (Washington)
  3. Drew Conrad- 185 (Washington)
  4. Teague Mayer- 190 (Washington)
  5. Luke Beenblossom- 199 (Washington)
  6. Reece Coffman- 202 (Mt. Pleasant)
  7. Sam Weaton- 204 (Fairfield)
  8. Carson Brown- 207 (Washington)
  9. Brady Wade- 209 (Fort Madison)
  10. Drew Myers- 209 (Fairfield)
  11. Nate Dismang- 218 (Mt. Pleasant)
  12. Merrick Lamm- 218 (Mt. Pleasant)

Thomas Michael Driscoll

By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024 at 10:15 am CDT

Thomas Michael Driscoll, 88, of Donnellson, Iowa, passed away at 8:25 a.m. Monday, April 22, 2024, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in Fort Madison.

He was born on November 14, 1935, in Belfast, Iowa, the son of Timothy Francis and Margaret Rita (Burke) Driscoll. On February 13, 1965, he married Alice J. Brune. She preceded him in death on January 3, 2022.

He is survived by one son: Mike (Rachelle) Driscoll of McGregor, Iowa; one daughter: Kim (Doug) Ensminger of Argyle, Iowa; four grandchildren: Zach, Emma, Olivia and Weston; one brother: Tim (Mary) Driscoll. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife: Alice; eight siblings: Mary Knox, Margaret Hayes, Theresa Bentzinger, John Driscoll, Colleen Lowenberg, Patricia Hirschler, Jim Driscoll and Agnes Roan.

Tom was a graduate of Donnellson High School. He served in the United States Army for two years. He operated heavy equipment and owned his own business for a time. Tom was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point and the American Legion.

His body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.

A visitation will be held from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Schmitz Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 26, 2024, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson with Father Dan Dorau officiating.

Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in West Point with a flag presentation by the Donnellson American Legion Gillaspey – Moodie Post #474.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in his memory for Donnellson Fire and Rescue.

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

Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024 at 9:37 am CDT
Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

April 15-21, 2024

DES MOINES, Iowa (April 22, 2024) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.

“Planters temporarily stopped rolling last week as thunderstorms produced severe weather across portions of Iowa along with above-average rainfall,” Secretary Naig. “Warmer temperatures are forecasted this week with a more active weather pattern persisting as farmers look for windows of opportunity to get back into the field.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.

Crop Report
Although the week began with above normal temperatures, multiple storm systems brought cooler temperatures and much-needed rain, which only allowed Iowa farmers 3.0 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 21, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Corn, soybean and oat planting continued this week when field conditions allowed. Topsoil moisture condition rated 10 percent very short, 27 percent short, 60 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 19 percent very short, 36 percent short, 43 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.

Corn planted reached 13 percent complete, 3 days ahead of last year and the 5-year average. Eight percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, 4 days ahead of last year and 6 days ahead of the average. Seventy-eight percent of the expected oat crop has been planted, 1 week ahead of last year and 8 days ahead of the 5-year average. Thirty-four percent of the oat crop has emerged, 10 days ahead of last year.

Pastures and hay ground continue to green up due to much-needed rain. No reports of cattle turned out onto pasture yet.

Weather Summary
Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

The first widespread severe weather event occurred early in the reporting period with all modes of hazards occurring through multiple waves of thunderstorms. At least 15 tornadoes were observed across Iowa along with large hail and straight-line winds. These thunderstorms brought widespread, above-average rainfall as well. Conditions were slightly warmer than average, especially over southern Iowa; the statewide average temperature was 51.6 degrees, 2.2 degrees above normal.

Sunday (14th) afternoon was sunny and unseasonably warm as daytime temperatures rose into the mid to upper 80s across southern Iowa; stations farther north reported upper 70s and low 80s while the statewide average high was 82 degrees, 22 degrees above normal. Monday (15th) morning started with lows ranging from the mid 40s northeast to mid 50s southeast under clear skies and winds in a generally easterly direction. Afternoon highs returned to the upper 70s and low 80s with wind speeds rising as a strong low-pressure center approached Iowa. Thundershowers pushed into southwestern Iowa towards midnight, expanding into northern Iowa before daybreak on Tuesday (16th). A second, stronger line formed during the later morning hours with embedded strong to severe thunderstorms. The first tornado of the day formed near Minburn (Dallas County) and traveled nearly seven miles, producing some structural damage. As the initial line strengthened and moved northeast, a more narrow but equally strong line formed behind, producing several severe and tornado-warned storms in eastern Iowa. Enough wind shear and instability over northwestern Iowa fired off shallow-topped supercells that spun up a few weak tornadoes; Rockwell City (Calhoun County) experienced an EF-1-rated tornado with wind speeds estimated at 100 mph. A longer track EF-2 was observed near Salem (Henry County), producing winds near 130 mph and lasting for 42 miles; there were numerous hail and high wind events across the state as well. Beneficial rain totals were observed across broad south-to-north swaths, particularly in northern and southeastern Iowa, with more than 110 stations collecting at least an inch; a station in Burlington (Des Moines County) reported 1.92 inches while Postville (Allamakee County) observed 2.62 inches with a statewide average of 0.74 inch.

Blustery, westerly winds built in as the system exited with overcast skies lingering into Wednesday (17th). Daytime temperatures rose into the upper 60s over southwest Iowa where skies were clearing. Another weather disturbance brought additional rainfall to Iowa just before midnight and through much of Thursday (18th) with most stations observing at least 0.30 inch. The wettest conditions were found in the northwest and along the Iowa-Missouri border with numerous one-inch or greater totals; Le Mars (Plymouth County) measured an inch on the dot while two stations in Bloomfield (Davis County) recorded 1.93 to 1.97 inches. Skies began to clear late in the evening as morning lows on Friday (19th) dropped below freezing in northwest Iowa. Westerly winds increased through the day as spotty clouds drifted across the state with upper 40s north to upper 50s south. Starry skies into Saturday (20th) allowed temperatures to settle in the low 30s statewide with persisting westerly winds. Overcast conditions developed through the day with chilly temperatures in the mid 40s to low 50s; the statewide average high was 48 degrees, 15 degrees below normal. Skies cleared overnight with low to mid 20s registering in eastern Iowa on Sunday (21st) morning.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from 0.51 inch in Sac City (Sac County) to 4.00 inches in Remsen (Plymouth County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 1.58 inches, while the normal is 0.91 inch. Winterset (Madison County) reported the week’s high temperature of 89 degrees on the 14th, 29 degrees above average. Elkader (Clayton County) reported the week’s low temperature of 23 degrees on the 21st, 13 degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures were in the mid to upper 40s statewide with low 50s reported in far western Iowa as of Sunday.
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About the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Led by Secretary Mike Naig, the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship serves the rural and urban residents that call Iowa home. Through its 14 diverse bureaus, the Department ensures animal health, food safety and consumer protection. It also promotes conservation efforts to preserve our land and enhance water quality for the next generation. Learn more at iowaagriculture.gov.