Author: Theresa Rose

Iowa DNR conservation officers responded to a fatal hunting incident on Saturday, December 4, 2021 around 2:45 pm near Lake Red Rock in Marion County.

The incident happened at the Red Rock Wildlife Management Area on the south of Lake Red Rock, north of Knoxville on 132nd Place. A hunter was fatally struck during a deer drive by a round believed to be fired from a member of a large hunting party.

The investigation into the hunting related shooting is on-going at this time. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is assisting on the scene.

Hunters are reminded of the following safety tips:

• Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
• Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
• Know your intended target and its surroundings.

Do not touch the trigger of the gun until you’re ready to shoot.

DES MOINES– Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced her appointment of Clinton Boddicker as a district court judge in Judicial Election District 8B. 

Boddicker, of Keokuk, Iowa, currently serves as a district associate judge in Judicial Election District 8B. He previously served as the Lee County Attorney and has also worked in private practice. Boddicker received his undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa and his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law. 

Boddicker fills the vacancy created by the upcoming retirement of District Court Judge Mary Ann Brown. Judicial Election District 8B includes Des Moines, Henry, Lee, and Louisa counties. 

ISU Extension and Outreach, Henry County is hosting a Farm Owners and Operators Meeting at the Henry County Extension Office in Mt. Pleasant (127 North Main Street) on Friday, December 17 from 8:00 am – 12:00pm. Breakfast will be served starting at 7:30 am.

Take an in-depth look into the outlook for agriculture in 2022 as the agriculture community starts planning for next year. Speakers and topics for this meeting include:

• Chad Hart– ISU Professor & Extension Economist and Crop Markets Specialist
  • Crop Market Outlook and where are we at on carbon credits.
• Charles Brown– ISU Extension & Outreach Farm Management Specialist
  • Cost of crop production for 2022 and break-evens?
• Kristine Tidgren– ISU Director for the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation
  • Tax update and things to be aware of in carbon credit contracts and energy leases.
• Dennis Todey– Director, USDA Midwest Climate Hub
  • How is our weather acting and outlook for 2022.

The registration fee for this event is $30/person and pre-registration is required, as space is limited. Please contact the Henry County Extension Office at (319) 385-8126 to reserve your spot by December 13.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors met Thursday with the County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss.  The Engineer presented the contract for county bridge inspections with Calhoun Burns. This is the firm that has been doing the inspections since Hotchkiss has been with Henry County.  The first year of the two year contract will be for 28 bridge structures at a total cost of $5,950.  The second year will cost the county $17,060 and will include the inspection of 86 structures. Calhoun Burns inspects anything with a span over 20 feet. The county engineer inspects the rest under 20 feet.

Henry County Veterans Affairs officer Roger Pittsenbarger now works full time for the county. The supervisors approved the change from 20 hours a week to 40 due to the increase in the number of vets seeking assistance. According to Pittsenbarger four or five years ago the Veterans Affairs office was helping about 20 veterans per month now it’s more like 60 or 70.

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:   ____12-3-2021_____

JAIL COUNT

  17_    Henry County Inmates

 61_    Out of County Contract Inmates              

 78   Total

Hinterland Dairy, Donnellson, member of Access Energy Cooperative, was among the seven recipient of the Iowa Venture Awards in Des Moines this year. The Iowa Area Development Group (IADG), on behalf of Iowa’s rural electric cooperatives, municipal utilities and independent telecommunications companies, honored seven distinguished Iowa companies with the Iowa Venture Award at a luncheon held in conjunction with the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives’ annual meeting.

Hinterland Dairy Nominated by Access Energy Cooperative

Ralph and Colleen Krogmeier’s dairy farm sits on 400 acres near the southeast Iowa town of Donnellson. They are committed to raising healthy cows fed non-GMO crops grown on their farm, caring for the land and producing high-quality, 100% natural milk. In 2019, Hinterland opened a new cheese production facility and an on-farm store. Hinterland Dairy weekly produces cheese, Quark, a low-calorie, high-protein spreadable cheese, cheddar and Happy Jack (a take on Monterey Jack). They direct market cheese products to local grocery stores, markets, the on-farm store, and an online store.

“The Iowa Venture Award Luncheon provides a forum to celebrate the courage, contribution, innovation, responsibility, and vision of Iowa entrepreneurs,” said IADG President Rand Fisher. “Hinterland Dairy is a shining example of a family committed to sustainable agriculture and expanding their operation in creative ways through cheese production and agritourism, benefiting southeast Iowa and beyond.”

Additional Iowa Venture Award recipients include:

Industrial Packaging Corporation – Wilton

ProPulse – Peosta

RiverView Ridge – Rock Valley

Rolinda Acres – Waterville

Sister’s Home Style Entrees – Humboldt

TrinityRail – Shell Rock “Outstanding Business of the Year”

About the Iowa Venture Award

This marks the 32^nd year that IADG has presented Iowa Venture Awards to individuals and organizations, both large and small, in recognition of their significant contributions to Iowa’s economy through entrepreneurial leadership, innovation and the creation of job opportunities. History has demonstrated that these are among the most accomplished and successful companies in the state. Together they are helping to sustain and grow Iowa’s economy. The Iowa Venture Award Hall of Fame showcasing these 280 companies can be found at www.IADG.com/HallOfFame.