Saturday, August 15th is the 1st day to buy your deer tags. It’s the same as last year, any sex deer tag is $28.50 and ONE antlerless tag is $28.50. The 2nd antlerless deer tags are not available until September 15th, unless the quota is gone. There are 925 antlerless tags available again this year for Henry County. The Henry County Recorder’s office will be open Monday – Friday next week 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.
Come Enjoy MP High School Band Practice
The Mount Pleasant High School Panther Marching Band is inviting the public to come out to watch the band practice this morning (Friday) at the high school. The entire band will be there from 11:00 to 11:45 working on their fall show, The Prince of Egypt, based on the story of Moses. Park in the south lot and either watch from your car or stand or sit in your lawn chair along the sideline. Please observe social distancing among yourselves and also the students and staff.
The band has been practicing the past 2 weeks. Their show was written by Jim DePriest as a socially distanced show, which keeps every student 7.5 feet apart. Unlike past years, the band has been practicing in smaller groups for the most part.
Donald James Fillinger
Alliant Energy and ITC Midwest joint statement regarding Iowa restoration efforts
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Aug.13, 2020) – Responding to an unprecedented storm in an unprecedented year, Alliant Energy and ITC Midwest are working, as quickly and safely as possible, to restore electric services throughout Iowa.
The utilities have confronted the devastating damage with a similarly unprecedented restoration effort. The companies achieved a key milestone Tuesday night when the lights came back on in downtown Cedar Rapids. ITC Midwest was able to return to service a critical line that feeds Alliant Energy’s Downtown Industrial substation, allowing Alliant Energy to restore electric services to the city’s hospitals, police and fire stations, municipal government offices, businesses and residences in the city’s core. The close coordination between ITC Midwest and Alliant Energy is key to continued progress in restoring electric service throughout the city, county and affected region.
ITC Midwest has estimated that nearly 350 miles of lines in Linn County alone were impacted by Monday’s derecho. Across its entire service area, the company estimated more than 1,200 miles of lines were impacted in some way, from mild damage to miles of transmission structures broken and lying on the ground. To respond, ITC Midwest has mobilized more than 500 field utility workers to repair and rebuild the transmission system. The company is working closely with Alliant Energy and other distribution utilities to prioritize the needed transmission lines and substations to be re-energized. Substations step down high voltage electricity from the transmission system to a lower voltage so power can be supplied to homes and businesses through local distribution lines.
At the same time, Alliant Energy, joined by employees from across Iowa and Wisconsin and crews from throughout the country, is repairing and replacing its power lines and poles, substations and other equipment. As both companies work in tandem on repairs, services will continue to be steadily restored for Iowa customers.
As of 9 a.m. CDT today, power has been restored for more than 100,000 Alliant Energy customers, following the widespread outages caused by the major storms on Monday afternoon. For a complete update, click to view Alliant Energy’s recent statement.
“The entire restoration team, including our crews from Iowa and Wisconsin, crews from other utilities and ITC Midwest, is making progress to restore services to all customers,” stated Terry Kouba, SVP at Alliant Energy and President of the Iowa Utility Company. “The crews are working as quickly and as safely as possible in order to fully restore all services.”
“This was by far the most extensive storm damage we have seen since ITC Midwest began operating the transmission system at the end of 2007,” said Dusky Terry, president of ITC Midwest. “The storm was the equivalent of a 40-mile wide tornado that rolled over 100 miles of the state. To address the damage, we have deployed significant resources and equipment to return the transmission system to service. We’ll continue partnering with Alliant Energy and other local utilities to bring power back to Iowans.”
Alliant Energy and ITC Midwest appreciate your patience as crews continue to work to restore services to all customers. Please visit Alliant Energy’s outage map, Facebook page and Twitter feed for updates. Please visit ITC’s Facebook page for updates.
Vote for Local Team for Peoples Choice in the Governor’s Charity Steer Show
The Annual Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show and Auction will take place Saturday, August 15th, 2020, 3:05 pm in Ames at the Jeff & Deb Hansen Ag Learning Center.
Twenty-five steers from across the state will compete for the championship designation, showmanship honors, and the People’s Choice award. The steers have been raised by Iowa youth involved in the cattle industry, and celebrities will accompany the young steer owners in the ring. Immediately following the competition, the steers will be sold at auction with proceeds going to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa. Last year’s auction raised more than $284,000.
District 20 Cattlemen’s Association will be represented by John Kuhens, Retired KILJRadio Host and exhibitor Aer’Ronne Johnson of Mount Pleasant and Hillsboro showing “Charcoal.”
Since its inception in 1983, the Governor’s Charity Steer Show has generated over $3.8 million (equivalent to more than 270,000 nights stays) in support of Iowa’s Ronald McDonald House chapters. During that same time, nearly 48,000 Iowa families have been served. Additionally, another 8,000 families coming from all 50 states and more than 60 foreign countries have used the Iowa facilities.
Pictures and bios of all 23 teams have been posted on the Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show Facebook page.
People’s Choice Award
Help select the 2020 Governor’s Charity Steer Show People’s Choice Award by participating in the online voting process via Facebook. Vote for the sponsor, celebrity, and youth exhibitor of your choice by liking that team’s picture on the original post on the Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show Facebook page. Each picture like equals one point and each share on the respective picture will count as two points for that team.
- One like = one point
- One share = two points
- The first round of voting will conclude Friday evening
- The top two teams with the most votes on Friday evening by 5 p.m. will proceed on to a second round of voting.
- The second round of voting will start Friday evening at 7 p.m. and will conclude when the show starts at 3:05 p.m. on Saturday
- The winner will be announced during the show on Saturday
- The People’s Choice winner will not be eligible for the Champion steer or Showmanship selections.
In 1983, the Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association joined forces with Governor Terry Branstad and organized the Governor’s Charity Steer Show (GCSS). At the Governor’s request, the designated charity for the first-time event was the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa. Houses are now located in Des Moines, Iowa City and Sioux City. These facilities house the family members of seriously ill children being treated in area hospitals.
Door-To-Door Visits Begin Nationwide for 2020 Census
Census takers are now working across all areas of Iowa to visit households that have not yet responded to the 2020 Census from now through September 30.
How to identify census takers?
- Census takers wear a valid government ID badge with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date on the badge
- Census takers will also have official U.S. Census Bureau phones
- To confirm a census taker’s identity, the public in Iowa may contact the Chicago Region Census Center: 312-579-1500
Under Title 13 federal law, census taker work is confidential, to protect the privacy of households responding to the census – so news media are NOT allowed to follow census takers at work.
Why is it important to respond to the 2020 Census?
A complete and accurate count of each community ensures that community receives its fair share of representation in Congress and the state legislature and its fair share of billions in federal funds distributed each year to state and local communities for many programs, such as emergency response services, hospitals and clinics, schools, job training, roads, highways and more. Census data is important for decisions by businesses, nonprofits and all levels of government.
Who will census takers be visiting?
Households that have not yet responded.
2020 Census response rates are updated daily on this interactive map:
2020Census.gov/response-rates
The majority of households have already responded. In Iowa, 69% have responded – which is about one million households. That means almost one in three households will need census taker visits.
Can you still respond in your own to the 2020 Census?
Yes – Those that respond on their own will not need to be visited to obtain their census response.
Ways for responding to the 2020 Census
- Online – visit 2020Census.gov
- Phone – call 844-330-2020 – phone lines are open 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. Central – seven days a week
- If a census taker visits your home or calls you, please answer their questions.
- The Census Bureau is also sending emails to low-responding blocks. The email is sent from 2020Census@subscription.census.gov. Please respond.
- For non-English language support: 2020Census.gov/languages.
More info on census takers: 2020Census.gov/census-takers
What can households expect when a census taker visits?
- In most cases, census workers will make up to six attempts at each housing unit address to count possible residents. This includes leaving notification of the attempted visit on the door. The notification will include reminder information on how to respond online, by paper or by phone. In addition, census workers may try to reach the household by phone to conduct the interview.
- Census takers will go to great lengths to ensure that no one is missed in the census. After exhausting their efforts to do an in-person interview with a resident of an occupied housing unit, they will seek out proxy sources — a neighbor, a rental agent, a building manager or some other knowledgeable person familiar with the housing unit — to obtain as much basic information about the occupants as they can.
- Census takers are hired from local communities. All census takers speak English, and many are bilingual. If a census taker does not speak the householder’s language, the household may request a return visit from a census taker who does. Census takers will also have materials on hand to help identify the household’s language.
Following local public health guidelines
Census takers have completed training on social distancing and safety protocols, will follow local public health guidelines, and will be required to wear a face mask when conducting follow-up visits.
On Aug. 6, the Census Bureau and Centers for Disease Control issued a joint statement stating:
Participation in 2020 Census interviews should present a low risk of transmission of COVID-19. Census takers are trained to rigorously and universally follow these CDC recommendations to mitigate risk of transmission:
- Wearing of face masks.
- Maintaining social distance of 6 ft. or more.
- Practicing hand hygiene.
- Not entering homes, and conducting interviews outside as much as possible or practical.
Census Takers Contacting Some Households By Phone
In order to minimize the need to send census takers to households in person, the Census Bureau is training census takers to follow up with households by phone. Using information provided to the Census Bureau and third-party purchased data, the Census Bureau has a strong contact list for both landlines and cellphones assigned to houses on the Census Bureau’s address list. These phone calls will enable the Census Bureau to have maximum flexibility for conducting field operations, and is one more method that census takers can use to reach nonresponding households. Phone calls will be used on an as-needed basis and when in-person contact attempts have not resulted in an interview. If a voicemail is available, the census taker will leave a message asking the household to call one of the Census Bureau’s call centers.
About the 2020 Census – The U.S. Constitution mandates a census of the population every 10 years. The goal of the 2020 Census is to count everyone who lives in the United States on April 1, 2020 (Census Day).
Bike Van Buren This Weekend
The Villages of Van Buren County, Iowa will be hosting the 34TH year of Bike Van Buren on August 15 & 16. Bicycling enthusiasts will pedal their way through our historical villages during the two-day event in Southeast Iowa. The Villages will welcome the bikers with free refreshments and outstanding hospitality! All of the routes will lead you through some of the most beautiful countryside in Iowa! Register for Bike Van Buren online at www.villagesofvanburen.com or walk-up registration will be held at the Keosauqua City Park, Saturday 7-8:30am, Sunday only rider registration is 7:30-8:00am. Two day registration fees: Adults: $45, Children under 18 years: $37. Single day registration: Adults: $35, Children $27.
Two routes will be offered on Saturday and one route on Sunday. Riders can create their own route as well. All routes will begin and end at the Keosauqua City Park, and all are clearly marked with large colored arrows. Bickel’s Cycling & Fitness of Burlington will provide technical support and sag wagons will be en-route with the riders at all times. Phone numbers for support crews are provided on the maps riders will receive upon registration. Riders are encouraged to carry a cell phone. All support crews will be equipped with free cold bottled water, courtesy of Dutchman’s General Store in Cantril, and limited first aid.
Riders will have the option to purchase a lunch band at registration ($10 adults, $7 youth). Saturday’s lunch will be held at the Lunch Box Café in Douds and Sunday’s lunch will be held at the Bridge Café & Supper Club in Farmington. Registered riders will take advantage of 100% complimentary refreshments at each hospitality stop. Hospitality stops will be spread out more this year but will include some fascinating sites such as the Lacey-Keosauqua State Park Lodge, The Stone House in Bentonsport, Pearson House Museum Complex in Keosauqua and the Log Cabin Restoration located next to the Birmingham City Park Shelterhouse.
We will hold a drawing at the completion of the event this year, in lieu of the annual Poker Run. All registered riders for the weekend will be included. First prize is $50 cash. Second prize is a free registration towards next year’s Bike Van Buren. Bickel’s Cycling & Fitness in Burlington will provide prizes for the remaining place winners. The drawing will be held on Monday and winners will be contacted by phone.
Saturday’s ride will conclude at the Pearson House Museum Complex where riders will have the opportunity to try some 1840s snacks. Be sure to ask to tour the Underground Railroad safe house and see where escaping slaves hid under the floorboards during the Civil War on their journey to freedom. The Pearson House will also be open on Sunday from 1:00-4:00pm.
Hotel Manning will be offering grab and go breakfast burritos both mornings during registration. Saturday 7:00-8:30am, Sunday 7:30-8am. Big N Slims food truck will be available Saturday starting at 5:00pm at the Hotel Manning courtyard.
For more information contact: Villages of Van Buren 800-868-7822 / 319-293-7111 www.villagesofvanburen.com
Lower Skunk River Watershed Project Funded for Additional 3 Years
On July 1, 2020, the Lower Skunk River Water Quality & Soil Health Initiative Project was funded to continue its efforts in water quality and soil health for an additional three-years. The Lower Skunk River Water Quality and Soil Health Initiative supports the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy and the Iowa Water Quality Initiative by working with producers in the project area to implement conservation practices. The project demonstrates and accelerates the adoption of conservation practices that have been proven to be most effective in reducing nitrate-N and phosphorus-P in streams, providing cost share assistance to implement practices such as cover crops, bioreactors, saturated buffers, wetlands, and terraces implemented with alternative tile outlets.
The project has expanded its original area into Henry and Lee counties, adding Des Moines county for the first time. The previous project area included parts of Henry, Lee, Jefferson, and Van Buren counties, totaling approximately 135,000 acres with 46% of those acres in row crop. The expansion of the project will bring roughly 204,000 acres, making the total project area nearly 339,000 acres, increasing the farmable acres to almost 70%. This will provide over $6 million in funding opportunities including state, partner, and farmer contributions to implement conservation practices in Southeast Iowa. As remarked by Miranda Haes, LSR Project Coordinator, “By expanding the project area we are able to build on what we have learned over the past six years, creating momentum and increasing the use of nutrient management practices, benefiting not only Southeast Iowa water quality and soil health goals, but also the entire state.”
Farmer participation has increased nearly two-fold since the beginning in 2014. To date there have been 14,378 acres of cover crops implemented, nearly 170,000 feet of terraces built, 3 alternative tile outlets, 1 saturated buffer, 1 bioreactor, 1 wetland creation, and 3 grade stabilization structures installed. Additionally, 1 saturated buffer and 2 grade stabilization structures are planned for this coming fall.
Sabrina Pidgeon, LSR Steering Committee member and project landowner states “I’m proud to know the Lower Skunk River Watershed Project has been approved for another 3 years and even extended its territory. This project plays a major role in educating and providing financial resources to everyone within the watershed to protect the soil and sustain the environment. Our family farms, fishes, kayaks, swims and explores in this watershed. It is in our best interest to protect it for today, for tomorrow, and for our children’s future.”
For more information on the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, Water Quality Initiative, and the Lower Skunk River Water Quality & Soil Health Initiative, please visit www.cleanwateriowa.org or contact Miranda Haes, PC at 319-385-2824 Ext. 3 – miranda.haes@ia.nacdnet.net