Author: Yorke Prough

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October, the Domestic Violence Intervention Program and Rape Victim Advocacy Program (DVIP & RVAP) is hosting a series of events and initiatives aimed at raising awareness and providing support for victims and survivors of domestic violence.

DVIP & RVAP operates a 24/7 shelter for individuals and families fleeing intimate partner violence. Every Domestic Violence Awareness Month, they request help from the community in stocking the shelter at their Shop For Safety campaign.

DVIP & RVAP is partnering with several grocery stores in Johnson County on this event. Volunteers, board members, and staff will be onsite at each location to solicit donations for the organization’s most needed items. The goods collected at this event will provide about nine months’ worth of hygiene items, household cleaning supplies, and food for the individuals the agency serves within  each year.

Participating locations include Burlington Hy-Vee, Mount Pleasant Hy-Vee, Keokuk Hy-Vee, Washington Hy-Vee, Fort Madison Fairway.

Shop for Shelter will take place on October 10th, 2024 from 4-6 PM.

If you miss Shop for Shelter but would still like to donate goods to the cause, contact 319-359-9353 to set up a drop-off appointment.

DVIP & RVAP is also hosting other Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities, including:

Library Book Displays: Starting October 1st, public libraries across DVIP & RVAP’s eight-county service region will feature curated book displays throughout the month, highlighting books and resources that focus on domestic violence, survivor stories, and related issues. Free bookmarks offering resources and information for those in need will also be available.

Participating libraries include Tipton Public Library, West Branch Public Library, Burlington Public Library, Yohe Memorial Library (West Burlington SCC), Mount Pleasant Public Library, Iowa City Public Library, North Liberty Library, Coralville Public Library, Keokuk Public Library, Fort Madison Public Library, Keosauqua Public Library, Washington Public Library, Kalona Public Library, Williamsburg Public Library, Solon Public Library, and Marengo Public Library.

Wear Purple Day: Join DVIP & RVAP on October 17th in wearing purple to support victim-survivors. Purple is the national color used to represent those who have experienced/are experiencing domestic violence. Share photos of your purple wear on social media, tag DVIP & RVAP, and use the hashtag #PurpleForAPurpose.

“Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a great time for the community to show support for survivors,” said Alta Medea, Director of Community Engagement for DVIP. “We invite everyone to participate in these events, educate themselves about the issues victim-survivors are facing, and show their support for individuals affected by domestic violence.”

For more information about these events, visit our website at dvipiowa.org.

An endangered person in Lee County was located in Peoria County, Illinois, on Saturday after an advisory was put out to the public.

On September 28th, at approximately 11:30 am, Peoria County Sheriff’s deputies were notified by Lee County Sheriff’s Office of a missing 15-year-old female who was listed as an Endangered Runaway. Lee County investigators informed the deputies that the juvenile’s phone was pinging in an area in Peoria County. The deputies were given information about the juvenile, including the vehicle she may have been in.

Deputies with the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office started looking in the area and a short time later located the Dodge Ram, the juvenile, and two adult males at a gas station. However, the license plates on the truck did not match the ones previously given. Astonishingly, the males swapped the license plates out to avoid police. The two adult males were interviewed, arrested, and booked into the Peoria County Jail.

Shawn M. Carrell, 28, was arrested for 2 counts of Criminal Sexual Assault, Violation of Order of Protection, and Harboring a Runaway. It was found that the juvenile had an order of protection against Carrell.

Ian J. Fifer, 19, was arrested for Harboring a Runaway and Child Pornography. During the investigation, Peoria County investigators found pictures of a nude underage female on Fifer’s cell phone.

Both males are from Iowa.

If you see a suspicious vehicle driving around Mt. Pleasant in the coming days, chances are it’s just looking for leaks. According to the Mt. Pleasant Utilities, a company will be driving around town in a blue van and/or an orange moped inspecting for leaks.

If you have any questions, please contact our office at 319-385-2121.

Additionally, the Mt. Pleasant Utilities PO Box number has now been closed. From now on, please send payments to their physical address at 509 N Adams St. in Mt. Pleasant.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.

“As we head into October, harvest activity will move into high gear with dry conditions expected to continue,” said Secretary Naig. “Although suitable for harvest, these warm and dry conditions, paired with low humidity and gusty winds, also produce an environment that can lead to field fires. I encourage everyone to be prepared, have a plan, and keep safety top of mind as you are in the field, on the road and around the farm.”

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

Crop Report
Iowa continued to experience hot and dry conditions this week allowing Iowa farmers 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending September 29, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service.  Field activities included harvesting both corn and soybeans.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 15 percent very short, 44 percent short, 41 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 11 percent very short, 44 percent short, 44 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Corn in the dent stage or beyond reached 97 percent this week. Corn mature reached 75 percent, 1 week behind last year but 2 days ahead of normal. Corn harvested for grain reached 11 percent, 3 days behind last year but equal to the five-year average. Corn condition remained at 77 percent good to excellent. Soybeans coloring or beyond reached 95 percent. Soybeans dropping leaves reached 80 percent, 2 days behind last year but 3 days ahead of average. Soybeans harvested reached 27 percent this week, 3 days ahead of both last year and the five-year average. Soybean condition rated 77 percent good to excellent.

Pasture condition continued to deteriorate with 44 percent rated good to excellent this week.  With the continued dry conditions, some producers have had to begin hauling water to cattle.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office responded to a single vehicle rollover on September 25^th. At 6:30am that morning, the office received a 911 call reporting a crash near the intersection of 150^th St and Graham Avenue.

Mariah Christiansen, 17,  of Wayland, Iowa was driving eastbound in the 1500-grid of 150^th Street. The driver lost control of her vehicle causing her to enter the ditch and rollover multiple times. The driver was transported by Henry County EMS for non-life-threatening injuries.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Wayland First Responders and Henry County EMS.