The Henry County Board of Supervisors rejected the recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission at the board meeting on Thursday. This recommendation is over the alternative energy overlay ordinance. Absent from Thursday’s meeting was supervisor White.

At the September 17^th Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing, a commissioner recommended to repeal the existing Title 6 Chapter 2 Section 11 2-6 and replacing it with the ordinance proposed by the Henry County Watchmen LLC. This motion died due to a lack of 2^nd. A motion passed unanimously to table the Henry County Watchmen LLC ordinance until the following week.

At the board of supervisors meeting, board chair Greg Moeller asked for the legal opinion of the Assistant County Attorney, Steven Giebelhausen. After reviewing the proposed ordinance, Giebelhausen said that he believes the proposed ordinance will not hold up in court, and therefore it was his advice that it should be rejected by the board of supervisors.

Supervisor Lindeen made the motion to reject the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission suggesting to “substitute the ordinance proposed by Henry County Watchmen LLC.” Moeller seconded the motion, and it was approved.

The board then voted to set a public hearing for Tuesday, October 8^th, at 6:00pm to further discuss the changes to the ordinance that the supervisors recommended. A meeting place has not been finalized yet, although the Planning and Zoning Director is waiting for confirmation on the use of the courtroom once again.

One citizen sent multiple emails to the board of supervisors after the September 17^th Planning and Zoning meeting (read the report here: Planning and Zoning Public Hearing ) but has not received any response. As one of the 3 people that put together the proposed Watchmen ordinance, she estimated that 85% of what is in the proposal comes from ordinances in other counties, believing that it would stand up in court.

The proposed ordinance put forth by the Henry County Watchmen, as well as the working ordinance, are on the county website at www.henrycounty.iowa.gov

Also at the meeting, a motion was approved proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Shell Feijo and Shelby Ridenour presented to the board as representatives for DVIP/RVAP, which works with law enforcement, hospitals, social services, and those who reach out themselves. They provide a wide range of services, such as advocacy and counseling, which assists with long term healing, since many children are impacted by domestic violence. In fact, 1 in 3 Americans have witnessed domestic violence. Marc Lindeen thanked the group for all the work that they do.

Good work is being done on Franklin Avenue (W55), which is currently closed from 300^th Street south to Liberty Street. Flaggers will be utilized as they work in multiple areas along Franklin. Milling operations may begin late next week or early the following week, which will be a big step in the project.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors will meet again next Thursday, October 3^rd, at 9:00am in the county courthouse.

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.