The Henry County Conservation Department Board meeting scheduled for tonight (03/13) has been moved to Tuesday, March 19th, at 4:30pm.
Raccoon Causes Electrical Fire in Grandview
At approximately 2:58 AM on 3/12/24, Wapello Fire and Rescue was called to 14945 145th Street in rural Grandview for a report of a ditch fire.
Upon arrival, fire crews found several area of grass on fire along an approximately one-half mile stretch of the roadway. A high-voltage overhead electric line was found to have fallen onto the ground and fenceline. Fire crews monitored the fire until the power company could cut the electricity. Fire crews then quickly extinguished the fire and returned to base.
There were no firefighter injuries, and the fire was caused by a raccoon which climbed a pole and shorted out an electric insulator. Wapello Fire was assisted on scene by Eastern Iowa Light and Power and Louisa County Sheriff’s Office.
Iowa’s January Job Report
Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.0 percent in January, down from the 3.2 percent announced in December but unchanged from a revised December rate. The state’s jobless rate was 2.9 percent one year ago. The U.S. unemployment rate remained at 3.7 percent in January.
The total number of unemployed Iowans decreased to 50,900 in January, down 1,100 from revised December data. The total number of working Iowans decreased by 1,200 to 1,653,800. The labor force participation rate decreased to 67.3 percent from a revised December rate of 67.5 percent.
”January’s report was mixed. On the positive side, it shows the total number of nonfarm jobs remains 12,700 above last year’s total, even after retail businesses pared 2,000 jobs following the holidays,” said Beth Townsend, Executive Director of Iowa Workforce Development. “We also saw 2,300 people leave the workforce voluntarily in January. Given we have over 58,000 job openings currently in Iowa, it is important we retain the Iowans in the workforce and recruit those who have dropped out. We help Iowans find great career opportunities every day, and we encourage those who have been out of the workforce for a period of time to get in touch. We can help you find your next great career.”
Visit www.iowalmi.gov for more information about current and historical data, labor force data, nonfarm employment, hours and earnings, and jobless benefits by county.
Multiple Exercises for Henry County Emergency Management This Month
Henry County Emergency Management Coordinator, Walt Jackson, spoke with KILJ on Tuesday to discuss the busy month for his department. There will be multiple drills taking place in March which will see a large presence of law enforcement and first responders. He mentioned that there are many types of exercises, with two levels of intensity. A functional exercise is one in which you may see first responders, but it will essentially be a “walk-through.” Meanwhile, a full-scale drill, one of which is happening at the end of the month, will see lights and sirens.
The New London Community School District is partaking in a full-scale exercise, which has been named Operation Prom. Taking place on March 27th, highschoolers will have the opportunity to see the realities of what takes place at an accident scene.
Students will be part of a simulated accident and emergency response, providing a hands-on experience of the potential consequences of risky behaviors. As well as students and law enforcement, medical personnel, firefighters, life flight crews, and funeral home representatives will be on-site to interact with students.
Some of the material may be graphic in nature since it will be a simulated accident scene.
You may see a large presence of emergency responders in New London on Wednesday, March 27th. This is a simulated drill that will benefit the school district and the responders alike.
Carolyn Dorothy
Carolyn J. (Smith) Dorothy, 91, of Mt. Pleasant, died Sunday, March 10, 2024 at Arbor Court in Mt. Pleasant. 
Carolyn was born February 19, 1933 in Fairfield, IA. She was the daughter of Robert W. and Nellie (Hendricks) Smith. She grew up in Birmingham and attended Birmingham schools. Carolyn was united in marriage to Vern E. Dorothy on June 5, 1949 at her residence in Birmingham. Uniquely, she continued her education at Birmingham High School where she was an excellent basketball player. She graduated from Birmingham High School in 1951.
For many years, Carolyn was the receptionist for Dr. Don Jensen, an optometrist in Fairfield. She then became the secretary at the First Presbyterian Church in Fairfield. While her children were in the Van Buren schools, she was the secretary for the Jr. High in Stockport and then in Birmingham.
In the early 1990’s , Vern and Carolyn sold their farm and moved to Mt. Pleasant. For nearly 30 years, Carolyn was a funeral associate and visitation hostess for the Weir Funeral Home, later the Kimzey Funeral Home. Carolyn was a tireless worker in retirement. She was the Volunteer Coordinator for the former Hospice of Central Iowa, a cook for the former Sunnybrook Assisted Living, and a receptionist and sales associate for Whitney Monuments.
Carolyn was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church, the Mt. Pleasant Women’s Club and the American Legion Auxiliary. Food was an integral part of Carolyn’s life. She baked and decorated cakes for all occasions, most especially weddings. Nearly every Sunday after church, as well as many weekdays, Carolyn prepared meals. Over the years, Carolyn cooked for an untold number of guests. She often hosted the missionaries who visited her church. At church, she was known by the children as they sought her out for the suckers she gave to them. She volunteered to pop popcorn at the Women’s Club booth at Midwest Old Threshers. Also at Old Threshers, she and her husband Vern worked the Carousel.
Those thankful for sharing in Carolyn’s life include her husband of 74 years, Vern of Mt. Pleasant; 2 children – Joy (Brian) Messer of Fairfield and R.V. (Debra Bislip) Dorothy of Aruba; a brother – Bobbie (Janet) Smith of Birmingham; 4 grandchildren – Jason (Tasha), Jodi, Chad (Stacy) and Shelby; 10 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.
Her parents precede her in death.
A funeral service for Carolyn will be held at 11 AM on Friday, March 15 at the Calvary Baptist Church, 801 E. Mapleleaf Drive, Mt. Pleasant. Pastor Zach Fisher will officiate. Burial will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery, Birmingham. Friends may call after 12 Noon on Thursday, March 14 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main Street, Mt. Pleasant. The family will be present to receive friends from 4-6 PM on Thursday.
Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the family for a decision to be made later. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com
Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioners Meeting Agenda 03/19
The Henry County Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners
will hold their monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 19th at 3.30.
at the USDA Office, 709 S. Iris Street, Mt Pleasant. Tentative agenda
items include approve minutes, watershed report, and cost share payments
and other district business. Those needing special accommodations
should call the office @ 319-385-2824 ext. 3.
Iowa HHS Promotes Volunteer Opportunities and Recognitions
Iowa HHS recognizes the incredible work being done throughout the state of Iowa by countless volunteers to improve local communities and the state.
Each year, over 57% of Iowans volunteer in some capacity to serve others. Iowa HHS offers numerous volunteer opportunities and recognition ceremonies through Volunteer Iowa and other areas of the Department to encourage all Iowans to get involved and give back.
“We are thrilled to be able to recognize the outstanding contributions of so many selfless Iowans who continue to give back to our state through their passionate volunteer efforts,” said Iowa HHS Director Kelly Garcia. “Iowa HHS provides many unique volunteer opportunities for all Iowans to get involved in their communities. Volunteering not only helps a specific cause, but also has tremendous impact on a person’s mental health and cognitive wellbeing. I hope Iowans will see the value in volunteering and commit to helping others and our community.”
Below are details on the specific recognition and volunteer opportunities:
2024 Governor’s Volunteer Awards
The annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards, which recognizes individuals and organizations for their generous volunteer efforts, is now accepting nominations through April 30, 2024 at 10:00 p.m. Categories for the awards include: individual, group, and length of service.
Since 1982, the Governor’s Volunteer Awards have recognized thousands of volunteers for their efforts to make their communities and the state better through projects in arts and culture, education, mentoring, and STEM to name a few.
Nominations are accepted online from: City, county, state and federal governments, community colleges, private colleges, universities, Iowa MENTOR certified programs, K-12 schools (public and parochial), national service programs operating in Iowa (AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps Seniors), nonprofit and charitable organizations, and non-state government organizations.
To learn more, please visit https://volunteer.iowa.gov/about/recognition-programs/governors-volunteer-awards.
Give Back Iowa Challenge
Registration for the 10th annual Give Back Iowa Challenge, an eight-week challenge from April 1 – May 31, 2024, aimed at engaging Iowans in employer-supported volunteering efforts, is now open.
The Give Back Iowa Challenge was created in 2015 as a competitive challenge for Iowa employers to track the volunteer efforts of their employees. Last year, 24 employers participated in the challenge logging over 17,000 volunteer hours.
“It has never been more important to support the physical and mental well-being of employees than it is today,” said Jami Haberl, executive director of the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative. “Volunteering as an organization is a fantastic way to build a sense of community and connection that will foster the supportive culture workplaces should strive for.”
Volunteering not only has a significant impact on meeting community needs, but employer supported volunteering has a positive impact on business, including improved employee engagement, organizational commitment, job satisfaction, and retention.
For more information and employers interested in participating in the challenge should visit https://volunteer.iowa.gov/volunteering/employers/give-back-iowa-challenge.
Iowa Citizens Foster Care Review Board
The Poweshiek County Foster Care Review Board is seeking volunteers to join the board, which ensures children in the foster care system receive the services they need during the process of finding a permanent home.
Each county in Iowa has a Foster Care Review Board that is part of the Iowa Citizens Foster Care Review Board program and serve as a forum where key parties involved in the child’s case hear about both the progress and the challenges being encountered. Board members then offer recommendations for ways to clear any obstacles while also ensuring the case maintains a sense of urgency.
This volunteer opportunity requires an average of 10 hours a month of reviewing specific case materials and attending the monthly board meeting.
For more information about the FCRB program, call or text Cara Galloway, Program Coordinator for the Foster Care Review Board for Southeast Iowa at 515-499-3160 or visit https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/programs-and-services/fcrb.