Author: Theresa Rose

Washington County 4-H County Council will be sponsoring an Iowa Junior Beef Breeds Association (IJBBA) sanctioned open cattle show on Saturday, April 23 at the Washington County Fairgrounds.  This event is open to youth of all ages up to 21.  To exhibit at this show, there are no requirements be a member of the IJBBA or a member of 4-H.  However, members of the IJBBA will receive points.  To see all IJBBA show rules visit http://ijbba.com/rules-ijbba/.  This is a great opportunity for youth to compete against youth from other counties, work more with their cattle, gain experience showing and have fun.

Check-in and day of registration is set for 8:00-9:30 a.m. $35.00 registration entry fee.  Make checks payable to Washington County Extension Office.  The show will begin at 11:00 a.m.   Supreme Champion will receive $250.00 and Reserve Champion will receive $150.00 for both market and breeding animals.  All 1^st-3^rd place in the class will have cash awards.

Pre-registration discount of $30 per animal due by April 1.  Forms are available at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/washington/news

Health papers are required on all animals.  If intending to show in a breed division registration papers are required.  Generators are recommended, but not required.  In conjunction with this event will be a Pancake Breakfast from 7:00-10:30 a.m. in the lower level of Dallmeyer Hall on the fairgrounds.

Questions regarding registration, sponsorship or other additional questions please contact Amy Green at amygreen@iastate.edu or 319/653-4811.

The State Objection Panel, comprised of Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, Attorney General Tom Miller, and State Auditor Rob Sand, will convene Tuesday, March 29 to review challenges to several candidates’ nomination petitions. The meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. in Room G15 (the legislative dining room) on the first floor of the Iowa State Capitol.

Challenges to the following candidates have been filed:

Abby Finkenauer, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate

Mike Franken, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate

Kyle Kuehl, Republican candidate for U.S. House, District 1

Tom Miller, Democratic candidate for Attorney General

Anthony LaBruna, Republican candidate for Iowa Senate, District 3

Jeff Shipley, Republican candidate for Iowa House, District 87

The Candidate’s Guides for the Primary Election and General Election, that include detailed instructions, signature requirements, and best practices for acquiring petition signatures, are available on the Iowa Secretary of State’s website.

AGENDA

 March 29, 2022

Approve Agenda

Approve Minutes

9:00 Jake Hotchkiss, Engineer Weekly Update

Motion for Electrical Easement on County Property

9:30 Award Contract for Rural Solid Waste Collection

10:00 Amy Grieser Regarding MEI Training

Other County Business as time allows

Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates

The June 7 primary ballot at the County level is now set. Attorney Darin Stater is running for re-election as a Republican. County Recorder Malinda Fitzgibbon, a Democrat, is also seeking re-election.  On the Republican side newcomer Lynnae Buffington has thrown her hat into the ring as a candidate for Recorder. Republican Marc Lindeen is running for another term on the Board of Supervisors. And Republican Kellie Sloan is running in the primary for County Treasurer.  Long time Treasurer Ana Lair made the decision not to seek re-election.

Henry County Jail

In the interest of keeping Henry County residents informed, the Henry County Sheriff’s office has requested KILJ post the daily jail count. During the jail referendum campaign it was publicized that the jail would be able to house additional inmates from surrounding counties and this would generate revenue for Henry County.

Date:   ____3-25-2022_____

27_    Henry County Inmates

50    Out of County Contract Inmates

77   TOTAL

Partnership Will Expand Nursing Education and Employment Opportunities

West Burlington, March 24, 2022 – On March 23, Great River Health announced a new
partnership to expand Southeastern Community College’s nursing program to help
meet the critical need for nurses. It will be funded by a grant of up to $10 million from
the Great River Health Foundation.
The nursing partnership will create a stronger future for nursing and higher education in
southeast Iowa and enhance the health care workforce. The money will be distributed
over five years to help SCC expand faculty and related student support positions plus
provide tuition assistance to students entering the nursing program.
“This gift will allow us to allocate considerable resources toward the nursing program to
position us for growth that we otherwise wouldn’t be able to make,” said SCC President
Dr. Michael Ash. “We are grateful to the Great River Health Foundation.”
The donation is the single largest gift in SCC history. It comes in addition to Great River
Heath’s $1 million gift that funded the construction of the College’s Health Professions
Center, which opened in 2016.
“The Great River Health Foundation is Great River Health’s newest endeavor to help the
communities we serve,” said Great River Health President and CEO Matt Wenzel. The
foundation joins us in our vision of empowering people, transforming lives and fulfilling
dreams.”
Great River Health Foundation Executive Director Jason Hutcheson said: “SCC has been a
key partner in providing well-educated nurses for decades. This partnership strengthens
both institutions. More students can enter the nursing program and complete their
studies, and the health system will have an enhanced pool of skilled caregivers with
roots in southeast Iowa.”
Labor market data shows there are over 300 nurse positions open annually within a 50-
mile radius of Burlington with a median salary of nearly $63,000.
SCC’s nursing program consistently receives high marks for quality, and its students
regularly outperform their peers from nursing programs across Iowa and the nation.
“Nursing school is not easy, and not everyone is able to complete it,” said Kristi
Schroeder, SCC Dean of Health Professions and Director of Nursing. “One benefit of
these nursing program enhancements is that students who choose to participate will
have additional resources to help them succeed.”
Students will have access to a dedicated nursing tutor for help with coursework and a
student success advocate who will help guide them through the program and keep
them on the path to graduation.
Financial support may also be available in the form of supplemental scholarships and
grants. Students will also have preferred status when applying for positions at Southeast
Iowa Regional Hospital campuses in Fort Madison and West Burlington, and Henry
County Health Center in Mount Pleasant.
Details of individual student financial and personal support are still being finalized.
Organizers plan to hire an associate dean of nursing, a nursing tutor, student success
advocates in the coming months with additional staff coming onboard within one year.

Many Americans are concerned about the fighting in Ukraine. As every day citizens here in the United States, we may feel like there isn’t anything we can do about it. However, St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Mount Pleasant offers the community an opportunity to join in a world wide prayer event on Friday. Pope Francis has reached out asking all of us to pray at the same time all over the world. There will be a special prayer service Friday at 11 am at St. Alphonsus.   All are welcome to attend.  You do not have to be Catholic. The church is handicap accessible and located on South Jackson.