Henry County Supervisors Agenda July 18th, 2024

By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, July 16th, 2024 at 10:51 am CDT

AGENDA

July 18, 2024

1.Approve Agenda

2.Approve Minutes

3.Secondary Road Weekly Update

     Motion – Approval to hire Office Assistant

     Motion – Approval to hire Part-Time Equipment Operator

4.Katie Rueter, Public Health Director Update

5.Review Annual Treasurer Report

6.Review Wages Paid to County Employees FY23-24

7.Joe Buffington, P&Z Isenhower Subdivision, Section 24, Tippecanoe Township

8.Resolution, Beneficiary to Lincoln National

9.Henry County Attorney, Discuss recent FOIA requests

10.Public Comments

Other County Business as time allows

Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates

July 18, 2024 Agenda

The Board of Supervisors meets regularly on Thursday mornings usually beginning at 9:00 AM.  All meetings are open to the public unless, for purposes described in Code of Iowa Chapter 21, a closed meeting is necessary or advisable to protect the interests of individuals or the County.  All persons are invited to take an active roll in Henry County government.  Agenda items will need to be scheduled through Henry County Auditor’s Office.  You may address the Board (without an appointment) while they are in session during the Public Comment portion of the Agenda.

 

Sports, July 16th

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, July 16th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Postseason Baseball

In Class 1A Substate 6, Burlington Notre Dame and Sigourney will play at Fairfield tonight at 7 pm with the winner advancing to the state tournament. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm. Head coach Chris Chiprez talked about his team’s mindset heading into the championship game,

“Like we’ve preached all year long, you know, don’t battle your opponent. You know, battle yourself and battle the game. You know if you’re doing things the right way, I feel like no matter who we play, I feel like that, you know, we can. We can do the job and come out on top. So, we just got to come out with the same intensity and the same hunger as we did tonight, and hopefully good things will happen.”

In Class 3A Substate 5, Mt. Pleasant and Central DeWitt braved the elements last night to play their second round matchup; unfortunately, the Panthers fell short of the upset, losing 8-3. Payton Hagans clobbered his first career home run in the effort. Head coach Brent Broeker discussed what made this team special,

“I think they’re easy forgetters, you know they their kids that have fun and you know they make cars they do things wrong but they forget and you know they go out the next time try just as hard as they did the first time so you know I’ve had teams before where they dwell on you know what they did wrong this team seems to forget they pick each other up and it makes it a fun team to coach.”

The Panthers finished the season with a 22-9 record. 

Fairfield and Assumption had their game postponed to tonight and relocated. The Trojans and Knights will face off at North Scott High School at 5 pm tonight with the winner set to take on Central DeWitt for the substate championship.

High School Postseason Softball

In Class 1A Region 8, Wapello and Sigourney had their regional championship postponed to tonight at Sigourney at 7 pm. 

Class 3A Region 8, Central Lee will compete against Assumption for the Region 8 championship tonight at 7 pm on the road. 

For Class 4A Region 8, Burlington will take on North Scott on the road tonight at 7 pm for the Region 8 championship. 

High School Cross Country

Mt. Pleasant’s optional summer runs, available for 7th through 12th graders, are scheduled Monday through Thursday. The runs will often be led by upperclassmen as coaches may not be present for every run.

On Mondays and Wednesdays the runs will start at 6:30 am at the Old Threshers Museum Theatre and on Tuesdays and Thursdays they will be at Saunders Park by the swimming pool at 7 pm. 

If you have any questions, contact Coach Murray at 319-850-0867. 

Prospect League

The Burlington Bees will travel to take on the Lucky Horseshoes tonight at 6:30 pm. 

The Clinton LumberKings had their matchup against the Normal CornBelters last night postponed. The LumberKings will host the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp tomorrow, July 17th, at 6:30 pm. 

This Day in Sports History

1909 – MLB Detroit Tigers and Washington Senators play the longest scoreless game in AL history – 18 innings at Bennett Field in Detroit, Michigan.

1941 – Joe Dimaggio goes 3 for 4, hitting in his 56th straight game.

1994 – The Shreveport Pirates lose their first CFL home game, 35-34 to the Toronto Argonauts at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Bonny Kay Story – Pending

By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, July 16th, 2024 at 6:10 am CDT

Bonny Kay Story, 71, of Frankewing, Tennessee, formerly of Mt. Pleasant, died Sunday, July 14, 2024 at Addington Place in Burlington, Iowa.  Arrangements are pending at Elliott Chapel, New London.

Weekly Crop Progress and Condition Report

By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, July 16th, 2024 at 6:09 am CDT
Weekly Crop Progress and Condition Report

July 8-14, 2024

DES MOINES, Iowa (July 15, 2024) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.

“Although the first half of July was cooler and wetter than average, Iowa’s tasseling corn encountered some summer heat and humidity this past weekend,” said Secretary Naig. “Monday’s thunderstorms will give way to more seasonal conditions and cooler temperatures. This will be welcome news for our state’s livestock as well as those participating in county fairs around the state.”

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

Crop Report
Most of the State received below normal rainfall and experienced mild temperatures. These conditions allowed Iowa farmers 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 14, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included harvesting oats for grain, cutting and baling hay, and applying fungicides.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 0 percent very short, 6 percent short, 84 percent adequate and 10 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 8 percent short, 82 percent adequate and 9 percent surplus. Corn silking or beyond reached 44 percent, 1 day ahead of last year and 3 days ahead of the five-year average. Corn crop in the dough stage reached 6 percent, 5 days ahead of the average.

Corn condition rated 74 percent good to excellent. Soybean crop blooming reached 50 percent, 3 days behind last year. Soybeans setting pods reached 12 percent, 1 day behind last year but equal to the five-year average. Soybean condition rated 72 percent good to excellent. Oats turning color reached 82 percent, 5 days ahead of the average. Oat harvest for grain jumped to 26 percent complete, 1 week ahead of the average. Oat condition was 77 percent good to excellent.

The State’s second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 57 percent complete, 5 days behind last year but 2 days ahead of the average. Hay condition rated 78 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 71 percent good to excellent. Some pastures remain flooded and where floodwaters have receded some pastures are covered in silt.

Weather Summary
Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Iowans experienced near-normal temperatures for most of the reporting period before unseasonable warmth returned towards the end of the week; the statewide average temperature was 73.7 degrees, 1.0 degree below normal. Rainfall was reported statewide, though most stations registered below average totals; only the far northeast corner received above normal rain.

Thundershowers continued to fire on Sunday (7th) afternoon with stronger storms forming in western and northern Iowa over the evening hours. The cells consolidated as they moved into central Iowa and then pushed east through the early morning hours of Monday (8th). There were several reports of severe straight line winds and large hail; Albion (Marshall County) registered a 69 mph gust while two-inch hail was observed in Sheldon (O’Brien County). More than half of Iowa’s stations reporting rainfall had at least 0.30 inch with higher totals from north-central to southeast Iowa; Marshalltown (Marshall County) measured 1.61 inches with 2.01 inches at Bloomfield (Davis County). Clouds cleared west to east through the day with temperatures in the upper 70s and low 80s. Spotty thundershowers also popped across eastern Iowa with several stations reporting measurable amounts near an inch; two Lee County stations, Fort Madison and West Point, reported 0.71 and 0.93 inch, respectively. Clear skies and light winds developed overnight with Tuesday (9th) morning lows in the mid to upper 60s. High level clouds from the remains of Hurricane Beryl overspread the state into the afternoon with highs ranging from the low 70s southeast to low 80s northwest. An upper level low pressure center sitting over the Upper Midwest spun showers and thunderstorms into northern Iowa after midnight with further development later in the day on Wednesday (10th). Stronger storms formed along the Iowa-Missouri border into the evening where locally heavy downpours were observed. Slow moving thunderstorms persisted in east-central Iowa over the early hours of Wednesday (10th). Morning lows dropped into the upper 50s in western Iowa with conditions up to ten degrees warmer east. Rain totals were highest in eastern and southwest Iowa with 1.20 inches in Creston (Union County) and 2.13 inches in Coralville (Johnson County). General rainfall amounts were in the 0.20 to 0.40 inch range with a statewide average of 0.23 inch. Daytime conditions were partly cloudy with variable winds and temperatures in the lows 70s north to low 80s south.

High pressure dominated the weather pattern on Thursday (11th) with morning temperatures in the 60s and patchy fog across southern Iowa. Wind shifted to the east through the day with pleasant temperatures in the low 80s under mostly sunny skies. Stars were visible overnight into Friday (12th) as morning temperatures bottomed out in the low to mid 60s. A shift to southeasterly winds boosted highs in the upper 80s over western Iowa while the low to mid 80s were reported across the rest of Iowa. Foggy conditions were observed at daybreak on Saturday (13th) with unseasonably warm morning temperatures in the low 70s under generally clear skies. Gusty southerly winds built in through the day with temperatures from the mid 80s northeast to low 90s south and west. Spotty clouds developed in central to northeastern Iowa as a fast moving complex of thunderstorms, some severe, moved along the Iowa-Wisconsin border after sunset. A secondary line moved over the same region with additional development in eastern Iowa into early Sunday (14th). Several stations in northeastern Iowa observed rainfall with 0.50 inch in Dubuque (Dubuque County) and Elkader (Clayton County) to 0.98 inch at Guttenberg Lock and Dam (Clayton County).

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from a trace at Spencer Municipal Airport (Clay County) to 2.56 inches in Lowden (Cedar County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.70 inch, while the normal is 1.05 inches. Little Sioux (Harrison County) reported the week’s high temperature of 94 degrees on the 13th, eight degrees above normal. Mapleton (Monona County) reported the week’s low temperature of 53 degrees on the 10th, nine degrees below normal.
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About the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Led by Secretary Mike Naig, the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship serves the rural and urban residents that call Iowa home. Through its 14 diverse bureaus, the Department ensures animal health, food safety and consumer protection. It also promotes conservation efforts to preserve our land and enhance water quality for the next generation. Learn more at iowaagriculture.gov.

 

 
 

 
 

Helen E. Wiele

By Allison Jacobs · Monday, July 15th, 2024 at 8:23 am CDT

Helen E. Wiele, 76, of Mt. Pleasant passed away on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at her home in Mt. Pleasant.

Helen was born on April 14, 1948, in Washington, the daughter of Katherine Richards.  Helen lived a life marked by her love for the outdoors and her passion for hunting, fishing, camping and boating.  She enjoyed collecting frogs.

She is survived by her sons, Mark Cloke, David Cloke and Todd Cloke, all of Mt. Pleasant, her sisters, Cheryl (Danny) Fraise and Sue Russell-Smith, her cherished grandchildren, Samantha (Corey) Strothman, Stephanie (Adam) Connelly, Ashely (Josh) Smith, Brandon Skow, Tony Skow, Brody (Sara) Cloke, Tessa Cloke, Gavin Cloke and Gabe Speed, her joy was further multiplied by her great grandchildren, McKenna, Deacon and Gunner Strothman, Killian and Katarina Connelly and James Cloke, along with her nieces and nephews, Jamie and Dustin Carver, Tiffany Fraise, Chad Fraise.

Helen was preceded in death by her mother, her husband, Ben Cloke, her ex-husband, Daniel Wiele and her brothers, Richard Russell Jr., Wayne Russell and Terry French.

Helen’s love for life and her adventurous spirit will be remembered fondly by all who knew her.

According to her wishes cremation has been entrusted to the care of Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant.  No services will be held.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant, is caring for her arrangements.

Sports, July 15th

By Slaten Swords · Monday, July 15th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Postseason Baseball

In Class 1A Substate 6, Burlington Notre Dame entered Saturday’s matchup preparing for a pitching duel; instead, it was a 10-0 drubbing of Moravia to advance to substate 6 championship. Lucas Johnson started the scoring with an RBI double in the bottom of the 2nd inning, but it was a Logan Brent three-run homer in the 3rd inning that put the exclamation point on an eight run error filled inning. 

On the bottom half of the bracket, Sigourney handled BGM 6-1 over the weekend with Isaac Burns slugging a double and tabbing three RBIs in the win. 

Burlington Notre Dame and Sigourney will play at Fairfield tomorrow, July 16th, at 7 pm with the winner advancing to the state tournament. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm. Head coach Chris Chiprez will lean on his team’s experience for the substate championship,

“You know, I mean, we pretty much have the same lineup coming back this year, as we did last year, you know we only graduated one senior, but I think the thing that’s kind of pushed our guys over the hump is their maturity over the last year. You know, they don’t get they don’t get flustered when they get down by a run or two or whatever. You know, they just focus, and they keep battling and I’m really proud of that aspect of the game for them.”

In Class 2A Substate 5, Mediapolis fell to Anamosa over the weekend 6-4. The Bulldogs finished the season with a 21-8 record. 

In Class 3A Substate 5, Mt. Pleasant will make the trip to Central DeWitt tonight at 4 pm. Head coach Brent Broeker discussed his team’s mindset going against the top seed of the Substate,

“Yeah, we’ve been there. You know we were there last year this year, you know, like I told the boys, we gotta go up there loose. They’re the one seed. We’re the four seed. We’re not supposed to win the game. So, we might as well up there loose, play some ball and you know what? Hopefully we can keep it tight. Like Fort Madison did against us and we’ll see how it plays out in the end.” 

Fairfield versus Assumption has been postponed to tomorrow at 5 pm at North Scott.

High School Postseason Softball

In Class 1A Region 8, Wapello versus Sigourney has been postponed to tomorrow at 7 pm.

Class 3A Region 8, West Burlington traveled to Assumption over the weekend and attempted to pull off the upset, holding a 3 to 1 lead entering the 4th inning; unfortunately, the Falcons surrendered five runs between the 4th and 5th innings, losing 6-3. Orayana Gonzalez tabbed two RBIs in the loss. The Falcons ended the season with a 25-9 record. 

Central Lee pulled off the upset in thrilling fashion, scoring four runs in the top of the 7th inning and getting out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom half of the inning to defeat Washington 5-4. Marie Young went 2 for 4 with a team leading three RBIs in the win. The Demons ended the season with a 24-12 record. 

Central Lee will compete against Assumption for the Region 8 championship tomorrow, July 16th, at 7 pm on the road. 

In Class 4A Region 5, Fort Madison fell to Xavier 6-0 over the weekend. The Bloodhounds finished the season with a 14-19 record. 

For Class 4A Region 8, Burlington’s Saydee Plummer shut down the Central DeWitt offense over the weekend, allowing only one run on four hits while striking out 11, leading to a 6-1 win. The Grayhounds will take on North Scott on the road tomorrow at 7 pm for the Region 8 championship. 

High School Cross Country

Mt. Pleasant’s optional summer runs, available for 7th through 12th graders, are scheduled Monday through Thursday. The runs will often be led by upperclassmen as coaches may not be present for every run.

On Mondays and Wednesdays the runs will start at 6:30 am at the Old Threshers Museum Theatre and on Tuesdays and Thursdays they will be at Saunders Park by the swimming pool at 7 pm. 

If you have any questions, contact Coach Murray at 319-850-0867. 

Prospect League

The Burlington Bees split their weekend with a dominating 16-6 victory on Saturday against the Springfield Lucky Horseshoes and a heartbreaking 7-6 extra innings loss last night to the Normal CornBelters.

Bryce Brown clobbered four home runs over the weekend to the tune of 10 RBIs for the Bees. Burlington will travel to take on the Lucky Horseshoes tomorrow, July 16th, at 6:30 pm. 

The Clinton LumberKings powered their way to a 14-9 win Saturday night against the Alton River Dragons as Karson Grout finished with four RBIs and a home run in the win. Their matchup was postponed last night. 

The LumberKings will face off against the CornBelters tonight at 6:30 pm at home. 

This Day in Sports History

1912 – Jim Thorpe placed in the top 4 in all 10 events for a then-Olympic record 8,413 points to win the Decathlon gold medal at the Stockholm Olympics. He had his medal stripped in 1913 due to playing pro baseball, reinstated in 1982.

1999 – The inaugural game at the Seattle Mariners’ Safeco Field held in Seattle, Washington.

2007 – MLB Philadelphia Phillies lose to the visiting St. Louis Cardinals 10-2 to become the first franchise in major American sport with 10,000 all-time losses.

Donald M. “Bear” Ulm

By Allison Jacobs · Monday, July 15th, 2024 at 5:53 am CDT

Donald M. “Bear” Ulm, 89, a resident of Fairfield, passed away, Monday, June 17, 2024 at Addington Place in Fairfield.

Don’s choice for his service was to have a party with food and music. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 20, 2024 at the Walton Club in Fairfield. Please dress casually. Iowa State and Chicago Cubs attire are welcomed. Private burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Fairfield. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice Compassus, Shriner’s Hospital for Children, or Evergreen Cemetery. Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield is assisting the family with arrangements.

Don was born July 9, 1934 in Des Moines, the son of Maynard and Merna (Ballard) Ulm. In 1951, Burlington High School won the state championship in football, Don, #81, played tight end. He attended Iowa State University, where he played football for two years. After college he enlisted in the United States Navy as a fire control technician, Class C, in March 1956. Don married Norma Lee Drew, August 19, 1955 in Ft. Madison. She preceded him in death December 28, 2009.

Don’s father, Maynard, bought Van’s Grocery in 1952 and changed the name to Mayn’s Grocery in 1967. Don became owner in 1976 and operated the store until it closed in August 1990. He worked for Hayes Auction Service until his retirement.

Don was known as “Bear” for most of his life in Fairfield. He always had a big smile and bear hugs for anyone that would stand still long enough.
Don was a member of the Elks Lodge, a volunteer fireman, and served on the Walton Club board. He enjoyed playing golf, cards, and watching football and basketball. Don was an avid Iowa State Cyclone fan.

Those left to honor his memory include his daughters, Luann D. Ulm (Leland) Camp, Debra Kay (Lance) Hampton, and Janette (Dennis) Miller; sister, Karla Ferrel; grandchildren Ryan (Sabrina) Kurka, Lee (Kathy) Kurka, Mallory (Dylan) Knudsen, Jessie (Dave) Dunn, Corey (Ryan) Thomeczek, Sarah (Bret) Parrigon, Kelsey (Derek) Spooner, Kyle (Lexi Greathouse) Hampton, Crystal McCabe, Denny (Andreana) Miller; 17 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Richard Ulm; brother-in-law, Vic Ferrel; grandson, Shae McCabe; in-laws, Walt and Dorothy McKeehan, and Virginia and Kenny Freitag; two nieces, two nephews, and one great-nephew.
Bear will be deeply missed.

Online condolences may be made to Don’s family by viewing his obituary at www.behnerfh.com.