Author: Theresa Rose

The Iowa Beef Industry Council is pleased to announce that May is Beef Month in Iowa. Governor Kim Reynolds has signed the May Beef Month proclamation in recognition of the importance of Iowa’s beef industry to the state’s economy. The Iowa Beef Industry Council is pleased to present the following proclamation.

Whereas Iowa is a major beef producing state with nearly 4 million head of cattle on January 1, 2020; and

Whereas the beef industry contributes greatly to our economy by generating approximately $4 billion in cash receipts for cattle and calves, equal to nearly 15 percent of all Iowa agricultural cash receipts; and

Whereas today’s beef is a naturally nutrient-rich food providing protein, iron, zinc and B-vitamins with more than 30 beef cuts that meet the government’s definition for “lean”; and

Whereas Iowa is a leader in the export of value-added agriculture products, shipping high-quality Iowa beef to other countries around the world; and

Whereas there is an ever-increasing need for better understanding of the benefits that the beef industry provides to all Iowans.

Now therefore, I, Kim Reynolds, Governor of the State of Iowa, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2020 as Beef Month in Iowa, and urge all citizens to appreciate the contributions Iowa’s beef industry continues to provide to our state.

About the Iowa Beef Industry Council: The Iowa Beef Industry Council is funded the $1-per-head National Beef Checkoff Program and the $0.50-per-head Iowa State Beef Checkoff.  Checkoff dollars are invested in beef promotion, consumer information, research, industry information and foreign market development, all with the purpose of strengthening beef demand.  For more information, visit www.iabeef.org.

Weekly Fuel Report

April 23-29, 2020

DES MOINES, Iowa (April 29, 2020) – The average price of gasoline in Iowa fell 2 cents this week, currently at $1.48 per gallon.

Crude Oil Summary

• The price of global crude oil rose this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $1.78 per barrel over last week, currently priced at $15.69.
• Brent crude oil rose $2.85 and currently priced at $23.18.
• One year ago, WTI crude sold for $63.50 and Brent crude was at $71.22.

Motor Fuels

• As of Wednesday, April 29, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $1.48 across Iowa according to AAA.
  • Prices fell $.02 from last week’s price and $1.26 lower than one year ago.
  • The national average on Wednesday was $1.77 down $.03 from last week’s price.
• Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell $.03 this week with a statewide average of $2.19.
  • One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.02 in Iowa.
  • The current Iowa diesel price is $.26 less than the national average of $2.45.
• Wholesale ethanol prices rose $.04, currently at $0.99.
• The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $0.63 for U87-E10, $0.73 for Unleaded 87 (clear), ULSD#2 is at $.74, ULSD#1 is at $.87, and E-70 priced at $.96 per gallon.

Heating Fuels

• Natural Gas prices fell $.02 at the Henry Hub reporting site and currently priced at $1.88/MMbtu.
• Continuing throughout the summer months, we will only report retail heating oil and propane prices in Iowa once a month.

Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov

This is the theme for Soil & Water Conservation Week

Sunday, April 26^th– Sunday, May 3^rd.

The Henry County Soil & Water Conservation Commissioners; Allan Barnes, Rick Mallams, Harlan Miller, Jeff Olson and Alan Miller and Assistant Commissioners; Chuck Allen, Ross Tweedy and Steve Detrick would like to take this opportunity to thank all the area farmers and agribusinesses for conserving our soil and water resources.

Pollinators form the foundations of a healthy and sustainable future for food and the environment, but in recent years, they have shown concerning signs of decline. It’s important that we work to help them prosper     by enhancing native pollinator habitats and protecting against pollinator declines.  Pollinators are small animals like birds, bats, bees and bugs that eat the pollen or nectar found in flowers.  Some food items that are a result of pollination include apples, grapes, tomatoes, strawberries to name a few.  One out of every three bites of food we eat has been pollinated, plants that produce through pollination help provide the oxygen we need to breathe, some of the clothing we wear is made from plants that were pollinated.

To learn more about pollinators contact the Henry County Soil & Water Conservation District in the USDA office in Mt Pleasant or visit www.nacdnet.org.

MAY 1ST, 2020 – FRIDAY AFTERNOON – 1:00 P.M. – NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CENTER
1. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR MEETING Chairperson Jodi Jackson
2. ROLL CALL: Jerry Wilhelm, Steve Rotter, Jodi Jackson, Shanon Wellington, and Bob Byczek
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
4. OPEN FORUM
5. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
a. Approve minutes of the previous meetings (1-5)
b. Accept Treasurer’s report (6-13)
c. Approve payment of claims (Handout)
d. Approve a dishwasher rebate for Ben & Malissa Nelson at 303 E. Cleveland St. (14)
6. OLD BUSINESS
a. Approve a proposal for audit services for fiscal years 2020, 2021 and 2022 (15-24)
b. Approve resolution #119 agreeing to become a member of the southeast Iowa safety group and IAMU agreement for the Municipal Utilities of New London, Iowa (25-41)
c. Approve resolution #120 authorizing the City Clerk to transfer funds for fiscal year 2020 (42)
d. Approve resolution #121 authorizing the City Clerk to transfer funds for fiscal year 2021 (43)
e. Approve resolution #122 adopting a City & Utility Contingency & Disaster Recovery Plan of Computer Systems (44-48)
f. Discuss and take action on waiving the penalties, posting fees and not disconnecting customers a future date (49)
g. Discuss purchasing a solar light for the east welcome sign on Highway 34
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. Discuss wages for fiscal year 2021(50)
b. Utility Board Meeting, June 5th, 2020 at 1:00 PM, Community Center
8. REPORTS
a. Foreman’s Report – Dave Ford (51-58)
b. Council Minutes (59-64)
9. ADJOURNMENT

This morning, Thursday April 3oth, Haggerty Earthworks closed Madison St. between White St. & Jackson St. to through traffic. The closure is necessary to replace the sanitary manhole. The street will be closed through the weekend. Haggerty will pour the concrete patch back around the manhole May 1^st and will need time to mature.

A new opportunity is available to share your support and encouragement to frontline healthcare workers at Henry County Health Center.  Chalk your message or creative artwork in the squares in the Rehabilitation Services parking lot.

Due to road construction, traffic is restricted at the Rehabilitation Services parking lot on the very north end of the health center.  Four foot by four foot squares have been marked in chalk on that lot – each square at least six feet apart.  If you would like to share your support, simply bring your sidewalk chalk and put your message in one of the squares.   Put messages in as many squares as you wish but please remember to follow social distancing guidelines.  If you do not have sidewalk chalk, a bucket full is available by the Rehabilitation Services entrance.

Uplifting messages and artwork from all age groups are welcomed and squares are available for the next two to three weeks only during construction.  The Henry County Health Center Associate Care Team (ACT) Committee is responsible for this opportunity.  For more information, contact Kate Bentler at 319-385-6534 or Mark Hempen at 319-385-6541.