High school students who plan to pursue an agricultural major or minor after their 2024 graduation are encouraged to apply for Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s $2,500 scholarship. Awarded to 27 students, this scholarship is renewable for four years, up to $10,000.

Applicants must be tied to an Iowa Farm Bureau membership in good standing, have a minimum 2.5 GPA and accepted into an accredited higher education institution, including community colleges and technical schools.

Students must apply online by Jan. 31, 2024, at iowafarmbureau.com/scholarships.

This application qualifies students for both county-level scholarships, where available, and the state scholarship. Each of the 100 county Farm Bureaus across the state will select one student from their local area to be considered for the $2,500 state award. From this pool, three students from each of Iowa Farm Bureau’s nine districts will be selected as scholarship recipients.

Additionally, the program includes the Daniel Johnson Memorial Scholarship and the Edward W. & Isabelle M. Klodt Memorial Scholarship, each offering $500 to eligible students.

For more information on the scholarship program, eligibility criteria, and application process, visit iowafarmbureau.com/scholarships. Questions can be directed to the Iowa Farm Bureau Community Resources Office at 515-225-5461.

The Mt. Pleasant City Council approved the contract for refuse hauling services between WEMIGA Waste and Lance Refuse. Beginning in February, the former system of trash stickers will become obsolete, and the new system will take over.

So, why the change? The City Council believes that the current system is a waste of taxpayer dollars, and that the private sector can better serve the people. It was found that only 1/3^rd of Mt. Pleasant residents use trash stickers, with the majority seeking the service of private companies.

With this change from the old to the new, WEMIGA will service the north side of town and Lance Refuse will tackle the south side. The two containers offered will cost a household $16.75 and $19.75 for a 65-gallon or a 95-gallon container. This will be included in the monthly utility bill, as well as a flat $8.50 charge, which is $1 for landfill closure, $3.25 for solid waste collection, and $4.25 for recycling.

Every resident will now be on this new system, whether you participated in private pickup or through the city in the past.

It was revealed that a letter will be sent to residents in January detailing the changes.

Any and all questions should be directed to the Mt. Pleasant City Council.

The price of regular unleaded gasoline fell 5 cents, averaging $2.82 across Iowa according to AAA.

Crude Oil Summary

• The price of global crude oil fell this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $.52 per barrel and is currently priced at $69.65.
• Brent crude oil fell $.91 and is currently priced at $74.30.
• One year ago, WTI crude sold for $75.39 and Brent crude was at $80.14.

Motor Fuels

• As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.82 across Iowa according to AAA.
  • Prices fell 5 cents from last week’s price and are down 9 cents from a year ago.
  • The national average on Wednesday was $3.12, down 10 cents from last week’s price.
• Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 12 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.85.
  • One year ago, diesel prices averaged $4.51 in Iowa.
  • The current Iowa diesel price is 23 cents lower than the national average of $4.08.
• Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.
• The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $1.78 for U87-E10, $2.00 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $2.35 for ULSD#2, $2.68 for ULSD#1, and $1.82 per gallon for E-70 prices.

Heating Fuels

• Propane prices fell 1 cent with a statewide average of $1.55 per gallon.
• Home heating oil prices fell 19 cents, with a statewide average of $3.13 per gallon.
• Natural gas prices fell 33 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $2.34/MMbtu

Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov.

On December 12th at approximately 4:09am, the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to 11903 DMC Hwy 99 in reference to an unknown individual who was inside the residence.

While Deputies were enroute they were notified that a shot was fired, and someone had been struck by the bullet.

Upon arrival Deputies located a male with a gunshot wound. He was then transported to Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries.

Multiple people were interviewed at the scene and the DMCSO has determined there is no ongoing threat to the community. The incident remains under investigation.

The Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Burlington Police Department and the Burlington Fire Department and Paramedics.

The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation (IALF) is making mini-grants available to support the integration of agriculture into classroom instruction or after school programs with an academic focus.

The Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher Supplement Grants, made possible through support from the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), are designed to help Iowa teachers initiate new projects or expand existing projects that promote agriculture literacy in students. Teachers can apply for $250 grants that can be used to fund innovative lessons, activities, classroom resources, guest speakers, outreach programs, field trips, and other projects.

Preschool through 12^th grade teachers, librarians, afterschool program coordinators, and Homeschool Assistance Programs at Iowa schools are eligible to apply. Grants must relate to social studies, science, math, language arts, or 21^st century skills and integrate agriculture into the learning.

“The IFBF is proud to provide financial assistance and support educators in their classrooms,” said Ronnette Vondrak, IFBF community resources manager. “Agricultural literacy is critical in further expanding knowledge and an understanding of the value and impact agriculture has across our state and world.”

The deadline for application is January 5, 2024, and the proposed project must take place between February 6 and June 7, 2024. To apply online or for more information visit https://www.iowaagliteracy.org/tools-resources/general/grants.