Iowa experienced cooler temperatures and dry conditions across most of the State. These conditions allowed Iowa farmers 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending September 8, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included cutting hay and chopping corn silage.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 29 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 24 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.

Corn in the dough stage or beyond reached 96 percent this week. Seventy-four percent of the corn crop reached the dent stage or beyond, 6 days behind last year and 2 days behind the five-year average. Corn maturity reached 20 percent, 4 days behind last year and 1 day behind the average. Corn condition was rated 77 percent good to excellent. Soybeans setting pods reached 97 percent. Soybeans coloring or beyond reached 42 percent, 4 days behind last year and 1 day behind the five-year average. Soybeans dropping leaves reached 9 percent, 4 days behind last year and 3 days behind the five-year average. Soybean condition was 78 percent good to excellent.

The State’s third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 93 percent, 8 days behind last year but 1 week ahead of the five-year average. Pasture condition rated 63 percent good to excellent.

The Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report, “Areas of northern Iowa received some scattered showers last week, but otherwise conditions were favorable for field and farm work,” said Secretary Naig. “Warm and dry conditions are expected for the week ahead, with better chances of rain forecasted for the second half of September.”

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

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation relating to the weight limits and transportation of grain, fertilizer, and manure.

The proclamation is effective immediately and continues through October 9, 2024. The proclamation allows vehicles transporting corn, soybeans, hay, straw, silage, stover, fertilizer (dry, liquid, and gas), and manure (dry and liquid) to be overweight (not exceeding 90,000 pounds gross weight) without a permit for the duration of this proclamation.

This proclamation applies to loads transported on all highways within Iowa (excluding the interstate system) and those which do not exceed a maximum of 90,000 pounds gross weight, do not exceed the maximum axle weight limit determined under the non-primary highway maximum gross weight table in Iowa Code § 321.463 (6) (b), by more than 12.5 percent, do not exceed the legal maximum axle weight limit of 20,000 pounds, and comply with posted limits on roads and bridges.

A Mediapolis man has been arrested falling a sexual assault on Sunday morning according to the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office.

On September 8th, 2024, deputies responded to Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center for a reported sexual assault. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with an adult female who advised she was sexually assaulted earlier that same morning in Mediapolis, IA.

Based on the victim’s statement, a search warrant was executed at 127 Maple Dr. in Mediapolis, IA. Items located at this residence confirmed that the victim was present at this address. The suspect, identified as Thomas Scot Armstrong (45 years old), was at home upon deputies’ arrival during the execution of the search warrant. Armstrong refused to speak to deputies about the alleged incident.

Armstrong was placed under arrest for Sex Abuse in the 3rd Degree, a Class C Felony in the State of Iowa. Armstrong faces up to 10 years in prison for the offense. Armstrong was transported by deputies to the Des Moines County Correctional Center and was given No Bond for this offense, which means Armstrong must see a judge prior to being released or issued a bond to secure his release.

Residents of Fairfield that live within the FCSD have a vote coming up in November that will see a $38.51 million general obligation bond on the ballot.

Citing a brochure provided from the FCSD, they are seeking this money to construct a new Middle School building. The current middle school, they state, is in “disrepair” and requires “urgent attention.”

The most pressing needs for the middle school were identified through a facility assessment. The district is currently facing a hefty maintenance bill of around $1 million per year. To renovate the existing building would cost of 40 million. The building was constructed too low on the site, leading to ongoing water infiltration, a problem that cannot be effectively remedied. Additionally, classrooms are about 150 square feet smaller than the current standards. The current building does not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which would be costly to modify now.

They plan to minimize the financial impact on taxpayers by combining the referendum funding with existing SAVE funds. The total project budget of $59 million would benefit from $21 million of SAVE funds, which is a statewide sales tax that does not increase property taxes.

Benefits of a new building include lower maintenance energy costs, as well as an enhanced learning environment. The board believes this will help attract new students and teachers to the district, as well as retain those already there.

For additional information on this subject, please visit https://www.fairfieldsfuture.org/article/1728360

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The Iowa Department of Education today released new spring 2024 assessment results from the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) for students in grades 3-11. State-level results from the spring 2024 ISASP show student achievement reaching or exceeding pre-pandemic levels across most grade levels in both English language arts and mathematics.

Significant proficiency gaps remain among students with disabilities and students who are English language learners in both English language arts and mathematics. In English language arts, the overall results show modest long-term progress with some grades showing significant gains. In mathematics, the overall long-term results remain steady and do not show meaningful progress in most grade levels.

The standards were reviewed and revised by a team consisting of elementary and secondary educators, administrators and area education agency partners, representatives from institutions of higher education, community members including parents and industry, and content experts from the Iowa Department of Education. State law requires an ongoing review of Iowa’s academic standards, including public comment, to ensure content is current and aligns with best practices.

The spring 2023-24 ISASP state-level results, which include graphs and charts, can be found on the Iowa Department of Education website.