Author: Allison Jacobs

The U.S. Drought Monitor for Southeast Iowa shows all of Henry County, Lee, Jefferson, Washington and Van Buren Counties in abnormally dry conditions.  Nearly all of Des Moines County is also abnormally dry.  Low humidity and scarce rainfall have caused things to dry out.

The Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 75^th Anniversary with a Masterworks Concert Series! The Masterworks Series features Brahms’ monumental 1st Symphony, Beethoven’s triumphant 9th Symphony, and Tchaikovsky’s passionate Violin Concerto. To make this season even more memorable, complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served after every concert. Meet the musicians and concertgoers.

75th Masterworks Series tickets are transferable to any location – this means you can attend the concert venue and date that works best for you! Physical tickets will be mailed to you prior to the October 11th concert. Each concert is general admission seating.  Concerts are held in Mt. Pleasant on Sundays at 6:30pm in the Chapel Auditorium, at 2pm on Sundays at the Bridge View Center in Ottumwa, and on Saturday evenings at the Capitol in Burlington at 7pm.  For more information and regular performance updates, please join our email list or follow these events on our Facebook page.

It’s Harvest season across the Midwest and Southeast Iowa. Farmer safety on roadways involves both farmers operating equipment and motorists sharing the road.  Farmers should ensure equipment is well-lit, marked with a slow moving vehicle emblem, and kept clean, limiting travel during peak hours and using escort vehicles for large equipment. Motorists should slow down, maintain a safe following distance, never assume the farmer’s intentions before passing, and provide ample space for the large, slow-moving vehicles.

More than 1,100 motor vehicle crashes involving farm equipment occur in Midwest states each year.  The Iowa DOT offers these tips for motorists for driving in areas where farm equipment on the road is common:

• Be alert and always watch for slow-moving vehicles.
• Don’t tailgate.
• Watch for turns. A farmer may use hand signals as well as blinkers. Farm machinery makes wide turns, and often directly into a field, where there is no obvious road.
• Be patient. Don’t assume the equipment operator can move aside to let you pass. The shoulder may not be able to support a heavy farm vehicle.
• Slow down as soon as you see farm equipment.

The Danville City Council will meet in regular session on Monday, September 15^th at 5:15pm in Danville City Hall. At 6:30pm, the Danville City Council will hold a regular joint meeting with Pleasant Grove Township Trustees.  Both meetings are open to the public.

The Henry County Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners will hold their monthly meeting on Tuesday, September 16^th at 3:30pm.  This meeting will be held at the USDA office, 709 S. Iris Street in Mt. Pleasant.  Items on the agenda include cover crop applications and the watershed report.

The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) construction contractor  shifted phases on the Highway 61 bridge over Highway 34 on Friday. This will move traffic from the outside lanes to the inside lanes.

Most traffic will continue with little to no change. The primary impact is that the southbound Highway 61 to eastbound Highway 34 movement will be closed until the project is complete. This closure will remain in place until the bridge overlay project is completed in November.

Drivers are encouraged to allow extra travel time and plan alternate routes if they typically use this connection.

The Iowa Health Care Association (IHCA) announced that the Parkview Home in Wayland, Iowa has achieved a “deficiency-free survey”.  This is a rare and commendable achievement that speaks highly of the exceptional care and upholding of the highest standards at Parkview Home.  Congratulations to Executive Director Ron Sernier and the Parkview team!