Gear up for the ultimate family-friendly adventure as the Villages of Van Buren County, Iowa, proudly hosts the 38^TH Annual Bike Van Buren on August 17-18! Set amidst the stunning rolling hills and picturesque river valleys of Southeast Iowa, this two-day event is an experience for cycling enthusiasts of all ages.

Why Ride with Us?
Hospitality Galore: Enjoy top-notch hospitality with complimentary refreshments at every stop, all included in your registration! Meet the locals, learn about the rich history, and take breaks as you pedal through some of the most scenic landscapes Iowa has to offer.

Flexible Routes: Whether you’re in for the full weekend or just a day, we’ve got you covered. Choose from primary routes or create your own adventure. All routes start and end at Keosauqua City Park, clearly marked for your convenience.

Tech Support & Safety: Bickel’s Cycling & Fitness of Burlington will provide technical support on Saturday, while Sag Wagons and support crews ensure you stay safe and hydrated both days with free bottled water, courtesy of Rathbun Regional Water Association and Dutchman’s Store, and limited first aid.

Delicious Lunch Options: Opt for a lunch band at registration ($15 adults, $10 kids 12 & under). Savor Saturday’s feast by Lunch Box Cafe of Douds and Sunday’s meal by Girl Scout Troop #4089 at the Stockport Legion.

Exciting Poker Run: Spice up your ride with our Poker Run! Draw cards at designated stops to build your best hand. Daily winners snag $50 cash, with additional prizes from Bickel’s Cycling & Fitness.

Keosauqua Lions Pancake Breakfast Extravaganza: Kickstart your mornings with an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast by the Keosauqua Lions Club. Both days, from 6:30-9am, fuel up on delicious pancakes and sausage under the big tent at Keosauqua City Park. Everyone’s invited! Bring the family and support your local organizations!

Sign Up Today!
Register online at villagesofvanburen.com through August 11. Walk-up registrations are welcome:

• Saturday: 7-8:30am at Keosauqua City Park
• Sunday: 7:30-8:00am at Keosauqua City Park for single-day Sunday only riders

Registration Fees:

• Two-Day: Adults $45, Children under 18 $40
• Single Day: Adults $35, Children $30

Don’t miss out on this incredible ride through the heart of Iowa’s countryside. Bring your family, enjoy the fresh air, and make memories that will last a lifetime!

Donna Wirt, DNP, Family Nurse Practitioner, has joined the Henry County Health Center-Wapello Clinic.

Wirt has been a nurse for the last thirty years.  She has held many healthcare positions throughout Great River Health System including providing patient care in the Intensive Care Unit and managing the Heart and Vascular Clinic. Wirt also worked as a nursing instructor at Iowa Wesleyan University for six years. To further her career, she returned to school to attain her Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Clark University.

Wirt has already spent time at the Wapello Clinic providing nursing care for patients and is looking forward to continuing to be an active partner in their healthcare. “I love taking care of people. I want to take the time to get to know my patients and their families and work together to get the best health outcomes we possibly can” expressed Wirt.

Wirt will provide primary care to patients of all ages.

When not at work, Wirt enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, hiking, camping, and reading a good book.

She will begin seeing patients in the Wapello Clinic on August 1, 2024.  You can schedule an appointment with Donna Wirt or find out more about her on the Great River Health website, www.greatriverhealth.org.

There has been an update to the shooting in Keokuk over the weekend that saw one person dead. On July 28^th just after 9:00am, the LeeComm Dispatch Center received two 911 calls resulting in Keokuk Police Officers being dispatched to 510 Morgan Street in reference to an adult male with a gunshot wound.

Keokuk Officers arrived on scene less than three minutes later and observed a male subject, identified as 27-year-old Colby Deck, with a single gunshot wound to the chest. Deck was receiving life-saving measures at the time of arrival.

The Lee County Ambulance Service arrived and took over medical aid. Deck would be pronounced deceased on scene at approximately 9:39am.

The supervisor on duty immediately contacted Keokuk Police Detectives and additional Patrol Officers, who responded to the scene. The department also requested the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) for assistance in this case.

The scene was processed for anything of evidentiary value. The scene was photographed, videos were taken, and interviews were completed. A canvas of the neighborhood was conducted to identify any additional witnesses or locate additional evidence. Multiple search warrants were applied for, received, and served in connection with this incident. Items of evidentiary value were collected.

The subject that fired the fatal shot has been identified. That person’s name is not being released currently due to the ongoing investigation. No charges have been filed at this time and all relevant information related to this case will be forwarded to the Lee County Attorney’s Office for consideration.

*Updated at 9:12am* Another round of strong to severe storms will move through southeast Iowa, far northeast Missouri and west central Illinois between 1030 AM and 2 PM. Very heavy rain, quarter sized hail and wind gusts potentially of 70 mph can be expected from these storms.

*Original post* The severe thunderstorms meteorologists are keeping eyes on will basically track the same path as the storms did this morning. These will develop from northwest Iowa/Central Iowa and move southeast into southeast Iowa which could impact Keokuk, Henry, Washington, Jefferson, Van Buren, and Lee Counties between Noon and 5:00 pm. Stay tuned to KILJ for more updates.

Below is a press release courtesy of Access Energy Cooperative regarding a scam.

“Access Energy Cooperative has been alerted to a recent scam targeting our members. Over the weekend, a member reported receiving a call from someone claiming to represent Access Energy Cooperative. The caller offered discounts on their electric bill, which is a fraudulent claim.

We want to make it clear that Access Energy Cooperative does not have any groups or individuals making such calls. If you receive a call offering discounts or any other offers from someone claiming to be with Access Energy Cooperative, please be aware that this is a scam.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your service, please contact our office directly at 319-385-1577 or toll-free at 866-242-4232.”

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.

“Sweltering temperatures and scattered thunderstorms dotted much of Iowa over the weekend,” said Secretary Naig. “The mid-growing season heat and timely rain helped push crops along through the pivotal weeks of July. August looks to start warmer and drier and will shift toward more seasonal conditions through the beginning of the Iowa State Fair.”

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

Crop Report
Scattered rainfall allowed Iowa farmers 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 28, 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 1 percent very short, 12 percent short, 80 percent adequate and 7 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 11 percent short, 80 percent adequate and 7 percent surplus.

Corn silking hit 85 percent this week, 2 days behind last year but 2 days ahead of the five-year average. Thirty-four percent of the corn crop has reached dough stage or beyond, 1 day ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of average. Two percent of the corn crop has reached the dent stage. Corn condition was rated 77 percent good to excellent. Eighty-three percent of soybeans were blooming, 4 days behind last year but 1 day ahead of normal. Soybeans setting pods reached 43 percent, 2 days behind last year. Soybean condition was 76 percent good to excellent. Ninety-six percent of oats were turning color or beyond. The oat harvest for grain reached 67 percent complete, 6 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of the five-year average.

The State’s second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 87 percent complete, 4 days behind last year but 2 days ahead of the five-year average. The State’s third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 16 percent, 6 days behind last year but 2 days ahead of the five-year average. Hay condition rated 78 percent good to excellent.  Pasture condition rated 71 percent good to excellent. Heat stress in livestock was reported.