Secretary Naig to Present the Keitzer Family with the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award

DES MOINES, Iowa (April 9, 2025) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will present the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award to the Dan and Jan Keitzer family of Des Moines County on Friday, April 11. The presentation will take place at 11 a.m. at their family farm near Mediapolis.

When World War II broke out, the Keitzer family’s farm near West Burlington was needed by the federal government to construct an ammunition plant. In 1941, they relocated and put down new roots at their current farm near Mediapolis. In the more than eight decades since, generations of the Keitzer family, including Dan upon his graduation from college in 1983, have farmed and cared for their land and livestock. Today’s farming operation includes Dan and his wife Jan, their son Keaton and his wife Keely, their daughter Kendra and her husband Travis Meisgeier, as well as Dan’s cousin Bryan Keitzer and uncle Robert Keitzer. The farm includes corn and soybean production, seed corn production for Beck’s Hybrids, custom feeding of pigs for JBS, and a custom planting and harvesting enterprise.

“Rural Iowa continues to be a wonderful place to call home because we have great farm families like the Keitzers who contribute to their communities and support their neighbors in so many ways,” said Secretary Naig. “The Keitzers are good stewards of their land and excellent caretakers of their livestock. They are well respected leaders within their community and in Iowa agriculture. They step up, time and again, to serve and to lead. I am pleased to present them with the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.”

The family has long believed in the importance of conservation to enhance soil health and to improve water quality. They utilize management practices such as no till, reduced tillage, and vertical tillage to minimize soil disturbances that can lead to erosion. They have grid sampled their fields since 1992, which allows them to deploy technology that ensures each acre has the precise nutrients needed to be as productive as possible. They have also constructed waterways and terraces, both of which are structural practices that protect the soil and water.

The Keitzers pride themselves on taking good care of their livestock. Keaton has assumed a leadership role in the swine operation and is PQA (Pork Quality Assurance) certified. Their pigs enjoy modern comforts such as automatic feeders and waterers, drop curtains for adequate ventilation, and a back-up generator that ensures seamless operations in the case of a power outage.

The Keitzers are strong supporters of and contributors to their community. Dan and Jan are members of the Mediapolis Methodist Church, where Dan has served as Treasurer since 1991. Dan serves on the Board of the Southeast Iowa Research Farm. He has also been a member of the County Extension Committee, 4-H and Youth Committee and Treasurer of the Des Moines County Fair. He is actively involved in the local Lions Club, where he has given of his time and talents to serve as a leader for many building projects within the community and fairgrounds. The Keitzers are longtime members of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Soybeans Association, Iowa Pork Producers Association, and Iowa Corn Growers Association, where Dan currently serves on the Board of Directors as well as Chairman of the Usage and Production Committee. He has previously served in many leadership roles for the Des Moines County Pork Producers. The Keitzers frequently welcome international trade delegations, ensuring that visitors to our state can see an Iowa farm and meet a farm family.

The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award is made possible through a partnership with the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF), The Big Show on WHO Radio and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Now in its 21st year, this award recognizes Iowa livestock farmers who take pride in caring for the environment and their livestock while also being good neighbors. It is named in memory of Gary Wergin, a long-time WHO Radio farm broadcaster who helped create the award.

Burlington Police are investigating an armed robbery that took place late Monday night at the Steamboat Landing Apartments, located at 300 Angular Street.

According to a press release issued by the Burlington Police Department, officers responded to the scene at approximately 9:10 p.m. on April 7 following a report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival, officers found an adult male victim who had been assaulted during the incident. Authorities confirmed that several items had been taken from the residence.

The victim was transported by ambulance to Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center and was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Police are urging anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Burlington Police Department at (319) 671-7001 or Crime Stoppers at (319) 753-6835. Tipsters who provide information that leads to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward.

Authorities emphasized that no arrests have been made at this time and that the investigation is ongoing. The department also reminded the public that criminal charges are accusations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

The Iowa State Patrol is alerting residents to a nationwide phishing scam targeting cell phone users through fraudulent text messages claiming to collect toll road fees.

These scam messages often appear as official notifications and may include text such as “unpaid toll charges” or provide links urging recipients to settle outstanding fees. In Iowa, however, this is a clear red flag.

Important Reminder: Iowa does not have toll bridges or toll roads. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) does not send text messages requesting payment for any type of transportation-related fee.

The Iowa State Patrol emphasizes the following steps to protect yourself:

• Do not click on any links in suspicious messages.
• Do not provide personal or credit card information.
• Delete the message and report it using your phone’s “report junk” or “report spam” option.
• Alternatively, forward the message to 7726 (SPAM) to report it.

For more details and tips on avoiding phishing scams, visit the Iowa DOT’s official consumer alert page: https://www.news.iowadot.gov/…/iowa-dot-warns-consumers…

Stay safe and spread the word — knowledge is key to stopping scams in their tracks.

Henry County Board of Supervisors to Hold Budget Hearing and Proclamations at April 10 Meeting

Mount Pleasant, Iowa — The Henry County Board of Supervisors will convene for a regular meeting on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in the Third Floor Courtroom of the Henry County Courthouse, located at 100 E Washington Street, Mount Pleasant.

The meeting consist a full agenda, highlighted by a public hearing and adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026 Henry County Budget.

Following routine approvals of the agenda, previous meeting minutes, and claims, County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss will deliver his weekly department update. The board will also hear from Caleb Waters of the Conservation Department.

At the center of the meeting is a public hearing on the proposed county budget for FY2026, after which the board is expected to consider and potentially adopt multiple related resolutions:

• Certification of the FY2026 Budget
• Appropriations for FY2026
• Wage adjustments for Henry County employees and the Assessor’s Office

The meeting also includes proclamations recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month, along with a resolution to reappoint Klay Edwards to the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission’s Loan Review Committee.

Additional county business may be addressed as time allows, and the supervisors will share updates from their sub-committees. The public is welcome to attend.

Governor Kim Reynolds has expressed strong support for legislation passed by the Iowa House that aims to limit student access to personal electronic devices during instructional hours. House File 782, which passed earlier this week, seeks to address the growing concern over digital distractions in schools.

In a statement released Tuesday, Governor Reynolds highlighted the negative impact of cell phone use on student learning and classroom productivity.

“Digital distractions are at an all-time high, disrupting focus, learning, and productivity in our classrooms,” she said. “Iowa students deserve to learn free from the disruption of personal electronic devices to fully focus on their education.”

Reynolds emphasized that several Iowa schools have already implemented similar restrictions and have seen “tremendous progress in student behavior and engagement.” She voiced her support for extending those outcomes statewide.

“I look forward to signing this bill, allowing every Iowa student to once again prioritize learning,” she added.

The proposed legislation marks a significant step in Iowa’s ongoing efforts to enhance the educational environment and reduce distractions in schools. Once signed into law, it will enforce stricter guidelines on electronic device use, aiming to create more focused and engaging classrooms across the state.

The Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize Capstone Pharmacy as the second finalist for the 2025 Small Business of the Year award!

Known for their personalized service, compassionate care, and deep community ties, Capstone Pharmacy has built a strong reputation as a trusted healthcare partner in Mount Pleasant. From providing expert advice to going the extra mile for customers, their commitment to wellness and community well-being truly sets them apart.

In a Facebook post from the chamber, they wrote, “This recognition is a reflection of their dedication not just to business excellence, but to the people they serve every day.”

Please join us in congratulating Capstone Pharmacy on this well-earned honor! Stay tuned as we continue to spotlight more outstanding local businesses throughout the week

Jersey Mike’s Subs Coming to Mount Pleasant – Grand Opening April 16th!

Mount Pleasant, IA – Sandwich lovers, get ready! Jersey Mike’s Subs is officially opening its doors in Mount Pleasant on Wednesday, April 16th, bringing fresh-sliced subs and top-tier service to the heart of southeast Iowa.

Located at 901 N Grand Ave, Jersey Mike’s will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., giving locals plenty of time to swing by for their favorite cold subs, hot cheesesteaks, and fresh-made wraps.

In a convenient twist for busy schedules, the Mount Pleasant location will feature a dedicated pick-up window for online and call-in orders only, making it even easier to grab a meal on the go. Customers are encouraged to download the Jersey Mike’s app to place orders, earn rewards, and skip the line.

“Our amazing team can’t wait to serve you,” said a representative from the new location. “We’re excited to become a part of the Mount Pleasant community and look forward to serving up smiles—Mike’s Way!”

Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the Jersey Mike’s experience, make plans to stop in and taste the difference on April 16th.