Author: Yorke Prough

Looking at the weekly crop progress and condition report, Iowa farmers were allowed 3.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 7^th due to heavy rains in the south central and northeast portions of the state. Concerns were expressed about getting hay put up and spraying for weeds due to frequent rain.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 0 percent very short, 4 percent short, 77 percent adequate and 19 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 0 percent very short, 6 percent short, 77 percent adequate and 17 percent surplus.

Corn silking reached 17 percent, equal to last year but 4 days ahead of the five-year average. Corn condition was 76 percent good to excellent. Soybean crop blooming reached 32 percent, 2 days behind last year but equal to the average. Soybeans setting pods reached 5 percent. Soybean condition rated 76 percent good to excellent. Oat crop headed or beyond reached 95 percent. Oats turning color reached 63 percent, 5 days ahead of the average. Oats harvested for grain was 8 percent complete, 6 days ahead of the average. Oat condition rated 79 percent good to excellent.

The State’s second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 34 percent complete. Hay condition rated 81 percent good to excellent.  Pasture condition rated 73 percent good to excellent. Feedlot conditions remain muddy due to excess precipitation and flooding.

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.

“Many parts of Iowa experienced a wet start to July. Now, we’re hoping for some summer heat to provide a much-needed boost to our crops,” said Secretary Naig. “With the continued impacts of Hurricane Beryl influencing the weather pattern, forecasts indicate a calmer storm track for Iowa and increased chances of warmer temperatures over the next few weeks.”

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

The Mount Pleasant Community School Board will meet in regular session this evening for their July meeting. This will take place at the Mount Pleasant high school media center at 6:00pm with a call to order and roll call. The Superintendents report consists of many updates, including the school safety grant, which awards the district with $350,000 to share across their buildings for safety upgrades. There will be discussion about the repairs made to the chapel, summer school data, and a look at the open teaching positions across the district. A long list of policies will be voted on at the end of the evening.

This meeting is open to the public and begins at 6:00pm in the High School media center.

On July 3rd at approximately 1:25 a.m., the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a vehicle in the ditch near the intersection of Quaker Avenue and 240^th Street outside of New London.  Upon arrival, and investigation into the single vehicle collision occurred.  The investigation determined, Eric Rugg, 26 of Mount Pleasant, was driving a 2017 GMC Canyon south on Quaker Avenue.  Ruggs turned west onto the level b road of 240^th Street.  Due to the recent rain the road surface was slick directing the vehicle into the ditch striking a culvert.  The vehicle became partially submerged.  There were no injuries reported and the damage to the vehicle was estimated at $10,000.  Rugg was cited with Failure to Maintain Control of a Motor Vehicle.

On July 4^th, 2024, at approximately 1:50 a.m., the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a domestic disturbance, involving a knife, occurring in the 400-block of N Division Street in New London.  As a result of the investigation into the incident, Thelma Watkins, 55 of New London, was arrested and charged with Domestic Assault While Displaying a Dangerous Weapon, an aggravated misdemeanor.  Demontae Watkins, 22 of New London, was also arrested and charged with Domestic Assault and Interference with Official Acts, both simple misdemeanors.