Author: Theresa Rose

Mount Pleasant, IA – April 27, 2021 — Iowa Wesleyan University will host its May Commencement honoring graduates on Saturday, May 1. Two ceremonies are being planned at 1 pm and 3 pm, split between academic programs to provide the opportunity to host graduation in person. The ceremonies will honor both 2020 and 2021 graduates and will be held in the Howe Student Activity Center in Ruble Arena.

On Friday, April 30, Iowa Wesleyan will host the annual Nursing Pinning Ceremony at 7 pm in the University Chapel. This year the University Baccalaureate will be pre-recorded. This service will be showcased on the IW website and social media pages at 10:30 am on May 1.

Christine Plunkett, President of Iowa Wesleyan, will preside over Commencement and present the President’s Award to an outstanding Iowa Wesleyan graduate. The Chadwick Teacher of the Year award recipient will also be announced, the most prestigious honor for teaching at Iowa Wesleyan.  There will also be music by the IW Choir as well as a special video tribute to the graduating class. 

Presenting the commencement address is Michael Patten, M.A., General Manager for the Walmart Distribution Center in Mount Pleasant. Patten is an energetic leader, a passionate life-long learner, and will focus his message around perseverance.  He began his Walmart career in 2004, working as an investigator in the Global Security Division. In 2007, he joined Logistics as a Regional Senior Manager in Asset Protection, supporting nine Distribution Centers in Texas. In 2010, he was promoted to Senior Director of Compliance, Safety, and Asset Protection supporting sixty-two Distribution Centers across the country. In 2015, Michael was named the General Manager for the eCommerce Fulfillment Center in Chino, CA. In this role, he led the start-up of the 1.2 million square foot Dot Com fulfillment center, which now employs over 4,000 associates responsible for shipping items direct to customers.

University Provost Dr. DeWayne Frazier said, “We welcome one of Mount Pleasant’s finest to speak to our graduates. Michael Patten’s energy and enthusiasm will be motivational for our graduates given the overwhelming challenges they endured to get to this important day.  Michael will share stories that not only inspirational but empowering.”

The Commencement ceremony is not open to the public as the graduates are limited in the number of tickets to comply with the University protocols. However, the Chapel will hold an overflow area where the ceremony will be live-streamed on campus. Seating in the Chapel is first come, first served. Doors will open in the Chapel for seating at noon for the 1 pm ceremony and at 2 pm for the 3 pm ceremony. 

The general public is invited to listen live on KILJ Radio at KILJ.com or view Commencement live at: 

Commencement May 1, 2021 1:00 pm – YouTube

Commencement May 1, 2021 3:00 pm – YouTube

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

“We’ve seen improvement in drought conditions across western Iowa,” said Secretary Naig. “Colder temperatures and some late-season snow slowed farmers down last week. However, recent weather patterns have allowed more farmers to get into the fields and a warm and windy forecast should ramp up field activities in the coming days.”

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

Crop Report

Below normal temperatures during the week ending April 25, 2021 delayed planting for some farmers but as the weekend neared, planting accelerated according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide there were 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week. Field activities for the week included applying anhydrous and dry fertilizer, tilling fields and planting.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 6% very short, 28% short, 64% adequate and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 10% very short, 35% short, 54% adequate and 1% surplus.

Despite hesitancy due to cold soil temps, 20% of Iowa’s corn crop has been planted, one day behind the 5- year average. Some farmers chose to plant soybeans with 6% of the crop planted, 3 days ahead of normal. Eighty-three percent of Iowa’s expected oat crop has been planted, 3 days ahead of last year and 6 days ahead of the 5-year average. Statewide 29% of the oat crop has emerged, 3 days ahead of average.

Pasture condition rated 45% good to excellent. Calving is reportedly going well. Despite pasture and hay being slow to grow, cattle are on pastures.

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

Although not unusual for this time of April, late-season measurable snow fell on multiple days during the reporting period. Even with measurable precipitation at a majority of the state’s reporting stations, unseasonable dryness was observed statewide. Colder than average conditions persisted through Iowa with temperatures up to 12 degrees below normal; the statewide average temperature was 41.7 degrees, 11.1 degrees below normal.

Partly cloudy skies remained during Sunday (18th) afternoon with a steady wind out of the west. Afternoon temperatures were generally in the low to mid 60s with a statewide average high of 62 degrees, climatologically normal for the date. A cold front swept through the state overnight into Monday (19th) bringing much cooler temperatures. Behind the front, rain switched over to snow during the morning hours with a rain and snow mix persisting over much of Iowa’s western half and along the Iowa-Missouri border. Light rain and some snow remained across southeastern Iowa on Tuesday (20th) morning with a majority of Iowa’s stations reporting a temperature below 32 degrees. Event snow totals reported at 7:00 am were generally under a half of an inch, though 10 stations reported an inch or more; Little Sioux (Harrison County) measured 2.7 inches while Sibley (Osceola County) reported 4.0 inches. Daytime temperatures rebounded into the mid to upper 40s with the statewide average high of 45 degrees, 18 degrees below normal. Iowa experienced another frosty morning on Wednesday (21st) with a vast majority of thermometers falling below 28 degrees, leading to a late-season freeze. With the sun shining and a southerly wind, warmer afternoon temperatures were observed, from the upper 50s to low 60s across the state.

High pressure built into the region Thursday (22nd) as southerly flow pushed daytime highs into the upper 50s and low 60s under sunny skies. Overcast conditions developed overnight into Friday (23rd) holding temperatures in the mind to upper 40s with some spotty light rain showers in western Iowa. Southerly winds increased over the late morning hours as a weak low pressure system sluggishly moved across northern Iowa, shifting winds to a northerly direction from west to east through the early morning hours on Saturday (24th). Starry skies were reported in the southern quarter of the state, while clouds remained over the rest of Iowa as the low’s attendant cold front propagated southeast. Lows reported at 7:00 am ranged from the upper 30s to low 40s with very light rain totals across southeastern Iowa. Clouds cleared in the west through the morning hours and sunny conditions advanced east through the evening. Daytime highs reached the low 50s north to low 60s south, still four to ten degrees below average. Clouds redeveloped in western Iowa ahead of disturbance into Sunday (25th) morning with reports of light rain and some snowflakes in the northwest corner; Orange City (Sioux County) observed 0.08 inch at 7:00 am.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from no accumulation at many stations in west-central and eastern Iowa to 0.37 inch in Sibley (Osceola County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.05 inch while the normal is 0.80 inch. Sioux City Airport (Woodbury County) and Davenport Municipal Airport (Scott County) reported the week’s high temperature of 67 degrees on the 23rd and 24th, respectively; this reading is on average one degree above normal. Sibley and Stanley (Buchanan County) reported the week’s low temperature of 16 degrees on the 21st, on average 20 degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures were in the low 40s northeast to mid 50s southwest as of Sunday.

Hy-Vee Ranked No. 2 on USA Today’s 10Best List

 WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (April 26, 2021) — Hy-Vee, Inc. announced today that it has made USA Today’s 10Best Supermarkets in the nation list in the 2021 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Hy-Vee ranked No. 2 on the list among grocery retailers across the country.

Hy-Vee is a Midwestern grocery retailer with more than 275 stores across Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin. It is known for quality, variety, convenience, healthy lifestyles, culinary expertise and superior customer service. It employs more than 88,000 employees with sales of more than $11 billion annually.

“We are honored to be recognized as one of the top grocers in the nation,” said Hy-Vee Chairman, CEO and President Randy Edeker. “We thank our customers for their loyalty and our dedicated employees for providing exceptional service.”

Since 2020, Hy-Vee has been on a mission to be the “Best Place to Work and Shop in America,” introducing new services, innovations and value to its customers such as its Hy-Vee Plus premium membership program, enhancements to its Aisles Online grocery ordering service and now offering COVID-19 vaccines at its retail pharmacies – all while continuing to provide the helpful customer service it is known for.

Ove the past year, Hy-Vee has introduced new employee benefits such as a 10% employee discount on groceries, holiday pay, employee appreciation bonuses, an enhanced 401(k) plan, part-time insurance and tuition assistance.

A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial supermarket award nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. To learn more about USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice awards for best supermarkets, visit https://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-supermarket/.

MOUNT PLEASANT, IA – This past year presented many different challenges and obstacles that tested our strength and resiliency. The global pandemic forced us to cope with situations never before imagined, and many of us struggled with our mental health as a result. The good news is that there are tools and resources available that can support the well-being of individuals and communities.

May is Mental Health Month and was started 72 years ago by national organization, Mental Health America (MHA). Now, more than ever, we need to combat the stigma surrounding mental health concerns. That’s why this Mental Health Month, Henry County Health Center’s Senior Life Solutions is highlighting #Tools2Thrive – what individuals can do throughout their daily lives to prioritize mental health, build resiliency, and continue to cope with the obstacles of COVID-19.

Throughout the pandemic, many people found themselves struggling with mental health challenges for the first time. During the month of May, we are focusing on tools that can help us process the events of the past year and the feelings that surround them, while also building up skills and supports that extend beyond COVID-19.

“This past year forced many to accept tough situations that they had little to no control over,” said Chasity Lange, MSN, RN, Program Director of HCHC’s Senior Life Solutions. “If you found that it impacted your mental health, you aren’t alone.”

Fortunately, there are practical tools that can help improve your mental health. HCHC’s program is focused on managing anger and frustration, recognizing when trauma may be affecting your mental health, challenging negative thinking patterns, and making time to take care of yourself.

Ultimately, during this month of May, Senior Life Solutions wants to remind everyone that mental illness is real, and recovery is possible. By developing your own #Tools2Thrive, it is possible to find balance between life’s ups and downs and continue to cope with the challenges brought on by the pandemic.

“With this, it’s important to remember that working on your mental health and finding tools that help you thrive takes time,” concluded Lange. “Change won’t happen overnight. Instead, by focusing on small changes, you can move through the stressors of the past year and develop long-term strategies to support yourself on an ongoing basis.”

For more information, visit www.mhanational.org/may, or call HCHC’s Senior Life Solutions at 319-385-6552.

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HCHC’s Senior Life Solutions is managed in partnership by Psychiatric Medical Care (PMC), a leading behavioral healthcare management company. Focused on addressing the needs of rural and underserved communities, PMC manages inpatient behavioral health units, intensive outpatient programs, and telehealth services in more than 25 states. The company’s services provide evaluation and treatment for patients suffering from depression, anxiety, mood disorders, memory problems, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other behavioral health problems. For more information, visit www.psychmc.com/seniorlifesolutions.

AGENDA

April 27, 2021

Approve Agenda

Approve Minutes

9:00 Jake Hotchkiss, Engineer Weekly Update

Resolution Setting Mt Union Road Vacation Hearing Date

9:15 MOU with RUSS for Tanning Inspection

Other County Business as time allows

Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates