County directors play a critical role in the success of local extension programming, and in Washington County, Andy Miller is the go-to person.

Miller was named director in 2021 and was awarded the County Professional Excellence in ANR Programing award at this year’s professional development conference for Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources – held Sept. 16-17 at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames.

“Andy brings outside experience and connections to his position, and is very well respected by all of our staff and our extension council,” said Holly Beinhart, office assistant for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Washington County.

Over the past three years, Miller has helped coordinate the county’s Master Gardener and Master Conservation programs, while also working closely with area field agronomist Rebecca Vittetoe, on additional outreach such as the newly launched “Field Talk” meetings with area farmers and the local ag industry.

According to Vittetoe, the “Field Talk” meetings are held in cooperation with Keokuk County, in an effort to host small-group discussions centered around current crop issues, as well as grain marketing.

“We’re very fortunate to have Andy here in Washington County,” said Vittetoe. “He has a lot of great connections and he’s not afraid to roll up his sleeves to help get things done.”

Miller also helps with field days and events at the Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm, and he is also part of an effort with the University of Iowa to improve roadway safety for farmers and non-farm motorists.

Miller is part of the “Roadway Safety Community Advisory Board,” which includes local farmers, local law enforcement, and others who are working together to improve roadway safety in Washington County and beyond.

Miller also helped organize a Youth Service Board, where five local youth planned a volunteer event.  This event led to partnerships with Washington School District, Mid-Prairie School District, Pleasantview House, Halcyon House, and UP Home with Iowa State Extension Washington County.  These five youths took 125 students to these partners and volunteered.  This experience was great for the students, teachers, faculty, and residents at the homes.

Outside of his extension work, Miller helps operate the family’s Christmas tree farm, is a Washington County firefighter and EMS volunteer, and can be found volunteering as a coach for one of his daughters’ volleyball teams. He is married to Cheyenne and is the father to three daughters: Carys, Isla, and Wren.

On September 23rd, 2024, at approximately 12:55pm Louisa County Dispatch Center received a call regarding an intoxicated male subject in Grandview, IA at Petro and More gas station. Deputies arrived and further located the subject in question in Grandview. The subject had also been previously trespassed from the property.

Christopher Cosenza, 33, from Grandview was taken into custody after being found intoxicated and further became hostile with Deputies on scene and was further uncooperative with field sobriety testing. Christopher was then arrested and transported to the Louisa County Jail.

Amazingly, while in jail, Cosenza again become uncooperative and began to attempt to fight with Deputy Sheriffs and Jailers. During this incident Cosenza caused injury to a Deputy Sheriff and property damage to jail items. Cosenza further attempted to headbutt another Deputy and was restrained.

As a result of this incident Cosenza has been charged with:

Assault on peace officer- D Felony

Operating while intoxicated (2nd Offense) – Agg. Misdemeanor

Interference with official acts- Agg. Misdemeanor

Interference with official acts- Serious Misdemeanor

Criminal Mischief- Simple Misdemeanor

Trespassing-Simple Misdemeanor

On September 25th, 2025 Cosenza posted a cash only bond and was released from the Louisa County Jail.

Congratulations to the 2024 New London Homecoming Court! The king and queen will be crowned on Friday evening at 6:45pm.

(Back row) Boys: Gavin Menke-Bailey, Corbin Jacobs-Jewell, Gage Burden, Cael Wilka, Colin Pealer

(Front row) Girls: Haylee Dudley, Lillie Gallup,  Morgan Jones, Shaylee Brothersen, Stevie Wintermeyer

The New London Community School District has issued a letter to parents regarding a change to the school dismissal times. Beginning September 30^th, the Middle and High School’s will dismiss at 3:20pm all days but Wednesday, where they will dismiss at 2:11pm. Clark elementary students will dismiss each day at 3:30pm, and 2:20 on Wednesday. The bus arrival and departure times will not change.

This change to the dismissal times has come after a traffic study was conducted at the school, which provided the district with suggestions to improve dismissal. They believe that students from the middle school and high school will be safely off campus before the elementary school begins to dismiss. They also have additional supervision in place for now to try to help the Clark Elementary students with reminders to stay on the sidewalks.

Please note that the school start times will remain unchanged for all buildings, and that this will be a 2 week trial period.

They ask that you reach out to the district with any questions or concerns.

Gasoline prices rose slightly across Iowa this week, up 7 cents from the week before to average just over $3 across Iowa. The national average is $3.21, which is 17 cents higher than in Iowa.

Diesel prices in Iowa held steady at $3.34, which is 25 cents lower than the national average.

​​​​​​​Natural gas prices rose a whopping 52 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $2.83/MMbtu.

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

At yesterday’s Mt. Pleasant City Council meeting, the council accepted Public Works Director, Rick Mullin’s, retirement. Rick has been the public works director for 13 years and has worked for the city for 26. Drew Schumacher was promoted from assistant public works director to the position Rick held. Mullin’s retirement is effective November 29^th, 2024.

Also at the meeting, a proclamation was accepted for October to be recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Henry County Supervisor’s have a similar item on their agenda today.

The council approved an agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation accepting a grant to construct the Airport Taxiway/Aprons for Hanger. Additionally, a second agreement was approved for a grant for the airport hangar structural improvement project.

An update was given on Eugene way, which is close to finished. There are 6 total lots, but the concrete plant will occupy one of those, leaving 5 lefts at 5 acres. Regarding the project around Main St, asphalt will be coming this fall and they are making good progress so far.