This Thanksgiving holiday, local law enforcement is teaming up with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Region 7 on a high-visibility Click It or Ticket seat belt awareness campaign. Over the entire Thanksgiving holiday weekend (Wednesday, November 22, through the early morning hours on Monday, November 27), your law enforcement community will be working together to reduce the number of fatalities that occur when vehicle drivers and passengers fail to buckle up. If you’re unbuckled, you may be pulled over and issued a ticket.

During the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in 2021 there were 361 passenger vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes across the nation. Tragically, half (50%) were unrestrained. Not wearing a seat belt proved to be deadly at any time of the day during the holiday weekend: 52% of those killed in nighttime crashes were unbuckled, and 46% of those killed in daytime crashes also were unbuckled. These deaths represent needless tragedies for families across America and may have been prevented with the simple “click” of a seat belt.

The facts don’t lie: If you’re ejected from a vehicle during a crash, the odds are that you will not survive. In 2021, more than 4 out of 5 (83%) passenger vehicle occupants ejected from vehicles in crashes were killed. Wearing your seat belt is the most effective way to prevent ejection.

We want you to make it to the dinner table this Thanksgiving. The bottom line is this: a seat belt may very well mean the difference between spending the holiday with family and friends or in a hospital or worse. Make sure you and all passengers fasten seat belts so everyone can have a happy holiday weekend. For more information about traveling safely this Thanksgiving, please visit:  www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/seat-belts

On Wednesday November 15^th, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office and the New London Community School District, with help from the New London Police Department, provided “active attack training” at the New London Community Schools.

Staff members were instructed by Deputy Lopez, who is the Student Resource Officer for New London. Prior to his appointment as SRO, he first was trained in ALERRT, Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training. This course was provided by Texas State University, where Deputy Lopez learned how to instruct others in safety and response for active shooter situations.

This training was a walk through of the basics, to provide the staff in the school district with the fundamentals of protecting their students and themselves in the horrific event. The plan taught to school districts across the country is to “run, hide, fight.” First, teachers are taught to get students out of the immediate situation. If that is not an option, those in this situation need to hide. Fighting the assailant is the last resort.

After speaking with the Henry County Sheriff, it was revealed that there will be more training to come. The purpose of this training is to keep our youth safe.

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.

“We approach Thanksgiving with a deep sense of gratitude for the hardworking farm families who produced yet another substantial crop, despite numerous challenges, including a record 176 consecutive weeks of at least D1 drought,” said Secretary Naig. “Weather conditions are expected to be colder and drier as Iowans hit the road to gather and give thanks with friends and family.”

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

Crop Report
Another dry and warmer than normal week statewide led to 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending November 19, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Fieldwork included harvesting corn, completing fall tillage, applying fall fertilizer, and hauling manure. Reports of tile work being done in fields were received this week.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 22 percent very short, 47 percent short, 31 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 32 percent very short, 43 percent short, 24 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Corn harvested for grain reached 97 percent statewide, on pace with last year but 10 days ahead of the 5-year average. Farmers in South Central Iowa still have over 10 percent of their corn for grain crop remaining to be harvested.

Cattle continued grazing on stalk fields. Reports of more calves being weaned were received.

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

A warm and dry weather pattern persisted across Iowa for a second consecutive reporting period as temperatures were up to 12 degrees above normal; the statewide average temperature was 45.5 degrees, 8.2 degrees above normal. Preliminary rain gauge data indicates only five stations reported more than a trace of rainfall with 10 days remaining in a particularly dry November.

Gusty southerly winds gradually shifted to the west into Sunday (12th) afternoon under sunny skies and high temperatures in the mid to upper 60s. Clear conditions continued overnight as winds became light and lows dropped into the upper 20s northwest to mid-30s southeast. Spotty clouds were reported across southern Iowa on Monday (13th) with daytime highs in the upper 50s and low 60s. Southerly winds increased overnight into Tuesday (14th) with morning lows varying from the low 30s in eastern Iowa to mid-40s west. Winds increased through the afternoon hours as a low-pressure center pushed across the Upper Midwest. Low 70s were observed at several stations in western Iowa with 60s across the rest of the state. Cloud cover increased into the early hours of Wednesday (15th) as a quick-moving cold front moved through Iowa. There was a wide range of lows reported at 7:00 am with low 40s southeast to the mid-20s northwest. Daytime conditions were similar to the previous day though hazy skies were observed in southern Iowa. Light showers formed in western Iowa along a weak cold front after sunset and continued into eastern Iowa after midnight on Thursday (16th). Seven stations across northern and eastern Iowa reported a trace of rainfall with 0.02 inch at Oelwein Municipal Airport (Fayette County) and 0.04 inch in Lee County. Winds shifted to the northwest and then more westerly as the day progressed; high temperatures rose into the mid to upper 40s behind the fast surface boundary. Saturday (18th) began generally cloudless with morning lows in the 20s and light winds; afternoon conditions were sunny as temperatures jumped into the low 60s west to upper 50s east. Winds became light and easterly into Sunday (19th) morning with low to mid-30s statewide.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from no accumulation at most of Iowa’s stations to 0.04 inch at Keokuk Municipal Airport (Lee County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.00 inch, while the normal is 0.43 inch. Little Sioux (Harrison County) reported the week’s high temperature of 71 degrees on the 15th, 23 degrees above normal. Mapleton (Monona County) reported the week’s low temperature of 17 degrees on the 18th, six degrees below normal.

On November 19th at approximately 1:15pm, the Mt. Pleasant Police Department investigated a motor vehicle striking a pedestrian in the 600 Block of South Adams Place. After investigation, it was found that Randy Haynes of Mt. Union was traveling Southbound on Adams place when he struck Paul Maher. Maher was trimming grass from the roadway. He was then transported to Henry County Health Center and later released with minor injuries. Haynes was cited for failure to maintain control. Damage was estimated at $2500.

At 5:04 pm on November 16, 2023. The Burlington Fire Department responded to a report of a house fire at 217 Barret St. Burlington, IA. 52601. Burlington firefighters arrived approximately four minutes later and located flames showing from a second-story window.

217 Barret St. Is owned by Trenton Furnald who was not home at the time of this incident. Mr. Furnalds dog was rescued from the fire and taken to the local animal shelter. The residence had no working smoke or carbon monoxide alarms present.

The property was insured and damage is being assessed at this time.

At 1:57 am on November 17, 2023, Burlington firefighters responded back to 217 Barret St., and arrived approximately four minutes later to find flames showing from a second-story window. At the time of this fire, there were no occupants inside.

Ten firefighters responded to the initial alarm. Burlington Fire Department was assisted by West Burlington Fire Department, Burlington Police Department, and Alliant Energy and Gas.

There were no reported injuries by civilians or firefighters.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Additional information relating to this incident will be made available by the Fire Marshal.