More pets are lost on July 4^th than any other day of the year! Keep your pets safe this 4^th by following these steps: make sure they are wearing current ID tags. Consider microchipping your pets, and have current photos of your pet on hand, just in case. Keep your dog indoors during fireworks, and drown out the noise of the fireworks with music or tv. Instead of coddling a frightened pet, which only reinforces their fear, play games or exercise with them to distract them. Animals typically run away in the opposite direction of the noise. If they do run, check with your local shelter.

Henry County Courthouse will be Closed Thursday July 4, 2024.

Henry County Auditor’s Office and Assessor’s Office will be Closed Friday July 5, 2024.

We are officially halfway through the year and by this time next year, there will be a new bus barn in Mount Pleasant for the school district, according to Superintendent John Henriksen, with the Mount Pleasant Community School District. During a radio interview, he spoke about future plans for the site at 1515 E Monroe. He believes that the building will be ready for move in by March 2025, although he is unsure if the district will immediately utilize it or wait until the summer.

After the school district purchased many properties formerly belonging to the Iowa Wesleyan University, questions and concerns were raised from community members. There will be a meeting at the end of July to discuss the master plan. That will be at 6:00pm on July 22^nd at the Mount Pleasant High School Media Center.

Much of Iowa received heavy rains which only allowed farmers 3.9 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 30, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities were limited due to rain and flooding throughout much of the State.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 7 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 16 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 10 percent short, 75 percent adequate and 14 percent surplus.

Corn silking reached 4 percent, 1 day ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of the 5-year average. Corn condition fell 4 percentage points to 73 percent good to excellent. Soybeans blooming reached 19 percent, 1 day behind of last year but 2 days ahead of average. The condition of the soybean crop was 72 percent good to excellent. Ninety-three percent of the oat crop has headed. Oats turning color reached 43 percent, 6 days ahead of the average. Oat condition rated 72 percent good to excellent.

The State’s second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 17 percent complete, equal to the 5-year average. Hay condition rated 78 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 73 percent good to excellent. Many feedlots remain muddy due to excess moisture.

You can find this weekly report on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov

According to the City Administrator, the building permits for the dig site next to the T-Mobile building are for a Jimmy John’s sandwich shop.