Author: Theresa Rose

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:   08-25-2021______

JAIL COUNT

   28       Henry County Inmates

   48       Out of County Contract Inmates              

  76       TOTAL

At 7:02 AM Tuesday August 24, 2021 the Burlington Fire and Police Departments responded to
a reported house fire at 1126 Washington Street in Burlington. Firefighters arrived at 7:04 AM
to find a two-story apartment house with heavy fire showing in the front. Initial 911 calls to
DESCOM reported people trapped inside the house. Dispatchers worked with the callers to
obtain information on their locations as police officers and firefighters worked outside to
evacuate the house and bring the fire under control.
The 4-unit apartment house, owned by Wilson Rentals of Burlington, sustained extensive
damage and is considered a total loss. The property is insured. Three of the four units were
occupied with a total of 4 occupants. Two of the occupants were injured. They were treated at
the scene and transported to Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington. A
third occupant escaped uninjured and left the scene prior to police arrival. The two occupants
were treated and released from the hospital.
Firefighters conducted a search of the building and located a fourth occupant, Samantha M.
Hoenig, 44. Ms. Hoenig was removed from the house by firefighters. Paramedics treated Ms.
Hoenig at the scene and transported her to SEIRMC where she later died of her injuries.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Burlington Police and Fire Departments
and the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s office. It is not considered suspicious at this time.
Eleven Burlington firefighters initially responded to the call and were assisted by five West
Burlington firefighters responding on automatic aid. Burlington police officers and deputies
from Des Moines County Sheriff’s office assisted with injured victims and fireground
operations. Superior Ambulance, Alliant Energy, and 1-800-Board-Up provided vital assistance
at the scene. One firefighter was injured and was being treated at the hospital

During their Tuesday meeting the Henry County Supervisors voted to share federal funds with two local fiber optic companies.  Farmers and Merchants Mutual Telephone of Wayland and Danville Mutual Telephone each will receive $700,000.  Henry County is a primary recipient of American Recovery Plan funds to assist with recovery from the impact of COVID-19, receiving over three million dollars.  Last week the Board disbursed $250,000 each to the New London and Mount Pleasant Community Childcare Centers.

Preliminary reports indicate there was a collision in front of the Mount Pleasant High School involving a truck and a scooter.  The incident occurred just after 7 am Tuesday.  No other details are available at this time other than there were possible minor injuries and the ambulance was dispatched.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented today on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly from April through November.

“After generally dry and pleasant weather during the Iowa State Fair, beneficial rain fell across much of northern Iowa over the last few days, providing some help to the extreme drought areas,” said Secretary Naig. “As we enter the final days of August, a more active weather pattern looks to bring additional chances of rainfall as soybeans are reaching a critical stage of development.”

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

Crop Report

Despite spotty precipitation, Iowa’s farmers had 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending August 22, 2021, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included harvesting hay and oats. Producers were utilizing the release of CRP land for haying and grazing.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 24% very short, 40% short, 36% adequate and 0% surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 27% very short, 42% short, 31% adequate and 0% surplus. Northwest, Central and East Central Iowa had the lowest subsoil moisture levels in the State, with more than 80% rated short to very short.

Corn in or beyond the dough stage reached 90%, six days ahead of the 5-year average. Forty-seven percent of the corn crop has reached the dent stage or beyond, four days ahead of normal. There were scattered reports of corn reaching the mature stage. Some producers have begun chopping silage. Iowa’s corn condition rated 58% good to excellent. Soybeans setting pods reached 95%, eight days ahead of normal. Five percent of soybeans were coloring. There were a few reports of soybeans dropping leaves. Soybean condition was rated 61% good to excellent. Sudden death syndrome was observed in some soybean fields across the State. Oats harvested for grain reached 97%.

The third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 68% complete, three days ahead of the 5-year average. Both mites and army worms have been spotted in alfalfa and grass hay crops. Pasture condition was rated 31% good to excellent. Water for cows and calves on pasture has become an issue as some creeks and ponds dry up.