Holy Trinity Students Earn Impressive Science Awards

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, February 6th, 2025 at 1:02 pm CDT
L-R: Emma Menke, 9th Grade, Ellie Hellman, 10th Grade

Holy Trinity’s Ellie Hellman (10th grade) and Emma Menke (9th grade) have recently made their mark in the science community by securing top honors at various prestigious competitions through their hard work, dedication, and passion for science. These remarkable achievements highlight the exceptional talent and commitment of Holy Trinity students, who continue to shine as leaders in the scientific field. Congratulations to all the awardees!
Ellie Hellman will be representing the Iowa Junior Academy of Science next week in Boston, Massachusetts. She was selected last May after a Science Competition at MaryCrest University. During her week in Boston, Ellie will tour labs at Harvard and MIT and present her research in a poster format to the American Association of Academies of Science, where 15,000 to 20,000 scientists from around the world attend the conference.
Emma Menke and Ellie Hellman were recently selected to present their Science Research at the Regional Junior Science and Humanities Symposium on February 24 and 25 at Iowa State University. Out of a pool of the highest-caliber science research students across Iowa, only 18 were selected to present their work. Best of luck to both Ellie and Emma.
“Ellie and Emma are two outstanding members of the HTC Science Club” stated Ernie Schiller, HTC Science Coordinator & Science Research Sponsor, “both girls are supreme science researchers, and we couldn’t be more proud of them”!
“We are excited to offer our students these opportunities for growth and advancement in the fields of science and research.” said Craig Huebner, HTC 6-12 Principal and CAO, “Over the years, the program, led by Ernie Schiller, has expanded, and we are now seeing the rewards of that hard work, as evidenced by the impressive achievements of students like Ellie and Emma. We are incredibly proud of the representation they will bring to our school and our community. We wish both of them the very best and look forward to seeing their continued success.”

From The Desk of Matthew B. Rinker, Iowa House District 99

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, February 6th, 2025 at 12:54 pm CDT
February 6, 2025

This past Friday we lost a great member of the Iowa Legislature, Representative Martin Graber, a devoted husband, father, and community leader in Fort Madison. Martin was a native Iowan and served for over 30 years in the Iowa Army National Guard, achieving the rank of Brigadier General. He was also a financial advisor in the Fort Madison area, and spent time both in his personal life and in the legislature working to improve the lives of those around him. Martin was not only a great and dedicated public servant, but he was also an amazing friend and family man, and he will be missed by all whom he had an impact on.

The issue I’d like to discuss this week is an one that I know was important to Rep. Graber and a recurring topic on the House floor: the Veterans Trust Fund.

Created in 2007, the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund (managed by the Iowa Department of Veteran Affairs) is a multi-million dollar fund that offers financial assistance to veterans in Iowa. It is funded by proceeds from the Iowa Lottery ($2.5 million annually) every year to ensure the fund grows and exists in perpetuity, while the interest from the fund helps provide services and support to our Veterans community. This can be for things like vehicle repairs, mental health services, or emergency housing repair such as fixing a broken water pipe. This program is vital to ensuring our veterans get the help and support they need. Last year the Department of Veteran Affairs gave out more than $775,000 to Veterans in need. I am currently reviewing legislation that impacts the Iowa Trust Fund and how it may impact our Iowa Veterans.

Another topic discussed at the capitol this week was Iowa’s child welfare system. The Department of Health and Human Services presented data to legislators this week showing the valuable work they’ve done to improve children’s lives. Over the past decade the number of children in foster care has decreased by 30%, caseloads have reduced almost 10% since 2021,  and social workers are spending more time than ever with children who have been removed from their home. Under Iowa’s DHHS, children in the foster care system are in good hands.

Finally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) issued a press release in which Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced that his state agency is encouraging Iowa corn growers to leverage the new Nitrogen Fertilizer Application Consultation Tool (N-FACT) to inform nutrient application decisions this growing season. The N-FACT tool takes multiple field-level production variables into account, then recommends an optimal nitrogen application rate to help farmers balance productivity, environmental stewardship and input costs. The N-FACT tool leverages thousands of data points from hundreds of field trials conducted by ISU. Data inputs include field location, weather, residual soil nitrogen, estimated planting dates and input and commodity prices.  Field trials were conducted in each region of the state, yielding more than 21,000 possible optimal nitrogen rate scenarios.

MPCSD Finance Committee Meeting 2/7/2025, 12:30 PM

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, February 6th, 2025 at 12:42 pm CDT
2/7/2025, 12:30 PM
Finance Committee Meeting
The meeting has been published. You may review the agenda by clicking on Meeting Title.

Meeting Title:  2/7/2025, 12:30 PM-Finance Committee Meeting
Meeting Agenda
1. January 2025 Financial Reports
2. FY26 Taxable Valuations
3. FY26 Certified Budget Process
a. Public Hearing Dates, etc.
4. FY24 Audit Results
5. FY26 New Money Calculations
6. Apple Device Renewal Options
7. Review 2024-2025 School Calendar
8. Review 2025-2026 Proposed School Calendar
9. Instructional Support Levy Review

Henry County Board of Supervisors Deny Outside Legal Counsel For Henry Co. Sheriff

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, February 6th, 2025 at 11:29 am CDT

At this weeks Henry County Board of Supervisors meeting, the conversation continued between Henry County Sheriff, Rich McNamee, and the Board of Supervisors on request by Sheriff McNamee for outside legal counsel.

This counsel would represent the Sheriff in a proceeding related to an FOIA request involving the sheriff’s office.

Rich argues on his own behalf that the county attorney has a conflict of interest and cannot represent him fairly.

 

However, the board of supervisors previously denied this request and reaffirmed their decision in this meeting.

Board of Supervisor Chairman, Marc Lindeen reminded the room that legal counsel by the county attorney is responsible for representing the sheriff’s office unless officially removed from the case.

Despite Sheriff McNamee providing documents supporting his position, the board members maintained their stance in not approving outside council.

Weekly Fuel Report

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, February 6th, 2025 at 11:11 am CDT
  • As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.97 across Iowa according to AAA.
    • Prices rose 2 cents from last week’s price and are up 13 cents from a year ago.
    • The national average on Wednesday was $3.13, up 1 cent from last week’s price.
  • Retail diesel prices in Iowa rose 5 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.47.
    • One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.53 in Iowa.
    • The current Iowa diesel price is 20 cents lower than the national average of $3.67.
  • Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.
  • The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $2.10 for U87-E10, $2.27 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $2.40 for ULSD#2, $2.64 for ULSD#1, and $1.96 per gallon for E-70 prices.

Heating Fuels

  • Natural gas prices were up $.16 at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $3.28/MMbtu.
  • Propane prices averaged $1.68 per gallon in Iowa.
  • Home heating oil prices had a statewide average of $3.03 per gallon.

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

Donnellson Fire Chief, Fred Hoyer Retires After 69 Years

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, February 6th, 2025 at 11:10 am CDT

Donnellson Fire Department is congratulating Fred Hoyer as he retires as the Fire Chief.

Chief Hoyer joined the Donnellson Fire Department in 1956 and has served the community for 69 years. Fred has been the Fire Chief for the last 53 years after receiving the title in 1972. In addition to this role, Fred was also a first responder for many years, serving as a medical provider for the department.

The department would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Chief Hoyer for his leadership, commitment, and service to the department and the community.