The Tri-State Rodeo is not far away now, and additional entertainment has been announced. The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales will march into Fort Madison on Tuesday, September 3^rd, and stay at the Tri-State Rodeo ground until the 10^th.  

The Clydesdales’ appearance in Fort Madison, is one of hundreds made annually by three teams of traveling hitches based out of operation headquarters located at the St. Louis Brewery in Missouri.   The Clydesdales have been the mascot of Anheuser-Busch since 1933.

The Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office had a busy weekend getting meth off the streets after making two separate arrests.

On July 4^th, Sheriff’s Deputies stopped a vehicle for a registration violation at Cottonwood Ct. and Vineyard St. in Burlington, IA. During the traffic stop deputies observed a passenger, James Adam Murphy, age 53, of Davenport, IA, to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. Deputies observed James pull a glass smoking pipe out of his pocket. Deputies also located a bag of methamphetamine and a container of marijuana on James.

James was placed under arrest for two counts possession of a controlled substance 3rd or subsequent offense, D Felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia. James was transported to the Des Moines County Correctional Center.

The next day, Sheriff’s Deputies stopped a vehicle at Mt. Pleasant St. and Curran St. in Burlington, IA after recognizing the driver was unlicensed. Deputies made contact with the driver and positively identified him as Calvin Darnell Hill, age 52, of Burlington, IA. Deputies confirmed that Hill’s driving status was barred in the State of Iowa. Deputies were also advised that Hill had an active arrest warrant.

A Burlington Police Department K-9 unit was requested and conducted an open-air sniff around the vehicle, in which the K-9 alerted. A search was then conducted. Where a glass methamphetamine pipe, loose shards of methamphetamine, several individually packaged bags of methamphetamine, drug packaging material, and an open container of alcohol were located inside the vehicle. The total combined weight of the methamphetamine was approximately 26 grams.

Hill was placed under arrest on the arrest warrant and charged additionally with driving while barred, open container, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver (B Felony), failure to affix a drug tax stamp (D Felony), and possession of drug paraphernalia. Hill was transported to the Des Moines County Correctional Center.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office reports of a single vehicle accident in Geode State Park on Sunday morning, in which the driver was intoxicated.

At approximately 5:33am on July 7^th, the HCSO was notified of an accident in the 3300 grid of Racine Avenue.

An investigation into the accident determined that Linda Schrock, 70, of Stronghurst Illinois, was driving a passenger car entering Geode State Park. After failing to navigate the turn the vehicle left the roadway and entered the ditch where it struck several bushes/small trees before coming to a rest.

Observations of intoxication/impairment were observed from Linda and Standardized Field Sobriety Tests were administered.

As a result of this investigation, Linda was charged with Operating While Intoxicated and cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

The Fort Madison Bridge will close next month for repair, with maintenance expected to last through November. In a statement from BNSF railway, they announce the closure due to public safety as the necessary repairs are made.  This will begin August 5^th and last through August 30^th, with a weeklong break as the Tri-State Rodeo goes on from August 31 to September 8^th. After that, repairs will continue through November 22^nd.

Maintenance work will include replacing floor beams and associated stringers at six different locations on both the east and west approach. Since the bridge is owned and operated by BNSF Railway, toll revenue collected on the bridge is paying for part of the maintenance with BNSF making up the remainder of the cost. They assure that no public dollars are being used.

Looking at the weekly crop progress and condition report, Iowa farmers were allowed 3.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 7^th due to heavy rains in the south central and northeast portions of the state. Concerns were expressed about getting hay put up and spraying for weeds due to frequent rain.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 0 percent very short, 4 percent short, 77 percent adequate and 19 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 0 percent very short, 6 percent short, 77 percent adequate and 17 percent surplus.

Corn silking reached 17 percent, equal to last year but 4 days ahead of the five-year average. Corn condition was 76 percent good to excellent. Soybean crop blooming reached 32 percent, 2 days behind last year but equal to the average. Soybeans setting pods reached 5 percent. Soybean condition rated 76 percent good to excellent. Oat crop headed or beyond reached 95 percent. Oats turning color reached 63 percent, 5 days ahead of the average. Oats harvested for grain was 8 percent complete, 6 days ahead of the average. Oat condition rated 79 percent good to excellent.

The State’s second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 34 percent complete. Hay condition rated 81 percent good to excellent.  Pasture condition rated 73 percent good to excellent. Feedlot conditions remain muddy due to excess precipitation and flooding.

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.

“Many parts of Iowa experienced a wet start to July. Now, we’re hoping for some summer heat to provide a much-needed boost to our crops,” said Secretary Naig. “With the continued impacts of Hurricane Beryl influencing the weather pattern, forecasts indicate a calmer storm track for Iowa and increased chances of warmer temperatures over the next few weeks.”

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