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.

“The unseasonably warm and dry weather this past week offered Iowa farmers another suitable stretch to finish up harvest and tackle other farm work,” said Sec. Naig. “We expect warmer temperatures to hang around this week, though forecasts show a more active storm track as we approach Thanksgiving.” 

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

Crop Report

Warm, dry weather prevailed across a majority of Iowa resulting in 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending November 12, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Fieldwork included harvesting corn and soybeans, completing fall tillage, applying fall fertilizer, baling stalks, and hauling manure.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 17 percent very short, 41 percent short, 41 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 27 percent very short, 42 percent short, 30 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Corn harvested for grain reached 94 percent statewide, on pace with last year but 10 days ahead of the 5-year average. Moisture content of field corn being harvested for grain remained steady at 16 percent. Soybean harvest is nearly complete, on pace with last year and 9 days ahead of the average.

Cattle continued to graze on stalk fields this week, while livestock producers still had concerns about water supplies.

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

Unseasonably warm temperatures were observed across the Upper Midwest over the reporting period with positive departures approaching 10 degrees in western Iowa; the statewide average temperature was 45.0 degrees, 7.0 degrees above normal. Precipitation was also lacking across the state with stations in eastern Iowa registering measurable, but below-normal totals.

Gusty southerly winds and sunny skies boosted afternoon temperatures into the mi- 60s on Sunday (5th) afternoon. A low-pressure center moved across southern Minnesota overnight into Monday (6th) as the attendant cold front swept through Iowa, producing light rain showers in eastern Iowa. Morning lows ranged from the mid-40s north to mid-50s south with several stations reporting a trace of rainfall. Wind shifted to an east-northeasterly direction with daytime highs in the upper 50s and low 60s. Partly cloudy skies developed over portions of northern and central Iowa into Tuesday (7th) morning with temperatures holding in the 30s. Another cold front dropped across the state, firing a narrow band of showers in eastern Iowa towards the late afternoon; rain totals were under 0.20 inch with 0.12 inch in Maquoketa (Jackson County) to 0.19 inch in Davenport (Scott County) and Clinton (Clinton County). Clouds hung around into Wednesday (8th) with a northwesterly wind and highs in the upper 40s east to upper 60s southwest. Starry skies prevailed as Venus appeared next to the waning crescent Moon into Thursday (9th) with morning lows dropping into the upper 20s and low 30s. Daytime temperatures rose into the low 60s in southern Iowa while conditions were 10 degrees cooler at stations in northern Iowa. Clouds gradually increased overnight and through the day on Friday (10th) as a weak cold front transited the state, producing light rain in central and eastern Iowa. Winds were light and variable with chilly afternoon temperatures in the upper 30s north to upper 40s south. Saturday (11th) started overcast across the western three-quarters of Iowa with gusty southeasterly winds and lows ranging from the high 30s west to low 20s east where skies were clear. Upper 40s and low 50s were registered later in the day as clouds began to thin in western Iowa. Cloud cover persisted in eastern Iowa after midnight and wind speeds increased. Sunday (12th) morning began with temperatures in the 40s and generally clear conditions.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from no accumulation at most of Iowa’s stations to 0.20 inch in Clinton. The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.01 inch, while the normal is 0.45 inch. Several southern stations reported the week’s high temperature of 72 degrees on the 6th, on average 19 degrees above normal. Mapleton (Monona County) reported the week’s low temperature of 17 degrees on the 10th, nine degrees below normal.

MEETING OF HENRY COUNTY HEALTH CENTER BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Wednesday, November 15, 2023 Time:  7:30 a.m.

HCHC Board Room

Mission:  To enhance the health of individuals and communities through high quality, effective and efficient services

Vision:  To be the healthcare provider and employer of choice

Values:  Quality, Service, Teamwork, Accountability, Respect and Trust

1. CALL TO ORDER

II.           ROLL CALL

1. Prottsman ____            4. Mrs. Bender                        ____                7. Mr. Welcher     ___
2. Olson ____             5. Mrs. McNamee       ____
3. Heaton ____             6. Mr. Blake                ____

III.          CONSENT AGENDA

1. Minutes of previous meetings and committees
2. Administrative memo and EMS report

IV.          OLD BUSINESS

1. Financial Update ♦ □
2. Capital Update ♦ □
3. HOSPITAL INSPECTION Carmen Heaton

VI.          NEW BUSINESS

1. Parking Lot Improvements – Phase 8♦ □*
2. Park Place Sidewalk Extension♦ □*
3. Unbudgeted Capital Operating Room – Microscope♦ □*
4. Employee Holiday Meal – December 19^th □

VII.         EXECUTIVE CONFERENCE

Closed session pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 21.5 to discuss strategic and proprietary           objectives and Iowa Code Chapter 21.5(1) to discuss patient care quality.

VIII.        ADJOURNMENT

* = vote required                                              ♦ = Discussion                                    □ = Information

1. CALL TO ORDER.
2. Roll call.
3. Approval of Agenda.

1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING.
2. Regular Board Meeting – October 17th, 2023 – Approval.                                                                                                                             

1. Approval of Warrants.
2. Treasurer’s Report – Jody Fuller.
3. Real Estate Purchase Agreement of 508 N Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, IA, also known as Iowa Wesleyan Physical Plant – Review & Approval.

1. LEGAL COUNSEL.
2. Tim Whipple, Attorney.

1. Management – Nate Lucas, General Manager.
2. Cedar Lane Well #7 and Water Distribution System Project – Update.
3. Adams Street Substation 15 kV Sheltered Aisle Switchgear Replacement Project – Update.
4. Transmission System Power Supply Project – Update.
5. Monthly Activities.

1. Customers.
   2. Employees.

1. OTHER BUSINESS.
2. Other Business, Consideration by Board of Trustees.
   1. Executive Session – Personnel & Legal
   2. a) (Executive Session pursuant to Section 21.5(1)(c) of the Code of Iowa for

        legal purposes). 

 Next Regular Board Meeting: 1:00 p.m. Tuesday December 19^th, 2023

1. Roll Call

2. Public Hearing – Budget Amendment #1 FYE24 @ 7:30 pm

3. Information On County Hazardous Mitigation Plan Update – (Gail Thomas)

4. Consent Agenda

Note:  These are routine items and will be enacted by one motion without separate discussion unless a Council member requests an item be removed for separate consideration.

1. Minutes of November 1, 2023
2. Bills for Payment
3. CD Renewals
4. WEDC Semi-Annual & Development Agreement Reports

5. Citizen Forum

The Mayor and City Council welcome comments from the public for items not listed on the agenda.  You are asked to state your name and address for the record and to limit your remarks in order that others may be given the opportunity to speak.  The Order of Business is at the discretion of the Chair.  No action will be taken.  

6. Unfinished Business

7. New Business

1. 2023-24 “City Budget Amendment #1 & Certification Resolution FY23/24”
2. 2023-25 “Engineering Services Agreement” (North Plains Estates – Plat 2)
3. 5-day Special Class C Retail Alcohol License Application – Your Choice Restaurant
4. 2024 Energy Efficiency Rebates

8. Adjournment

BNSF has notified Des Moines County that the following Railroad crossings will be closed for repairs, weather permitting.

Please refer to the list below for RR crossings and their information.

Contact BNSF with any general questions.
RR Crossing- Road- City- Closure Date – Open Date
063010E S Main St Burlington 11/14/2023 – 11/16/2023
079192R Gear Ave West Burlington 11/15/2023 – 11/17/2023
079191J Washington Rd West Burlington 11/15/2023 – 11/17/2023
079190C N Sunset Dr West Burlington 11/15/2023 – 11/17/2023
079186M Private Middletown 11/15/2023 – 11/17/2023
079159R Prairie Grove Rd Middletown 11/15/2023 – 11/17/2023
079185F 165th Ave Middletown 11/15/2023 – 11/17/2023
063327W Boundary Ave Middletown 11/16/2023 – 11/20/2023
079183S Private Middletown 11/16/2023 – 11/20/2023
079181D 180th Ave Middletown 11/16/2023 – 11/20/2023
079180W Private Middletown 11/16/2023 – 11/20/2023
079179C Private Danville 11/16/2023 – 11/20/2023
079177N Roosevelt St Danville 11/17/2023 – 11/21/2023
079176G Private Danville 11/17/2023 – 11/21/2023
063328D 125th St Danville 11/17/2023 – 11/21/2023
063329K Main St Danville 11/17/2023 – 11/21/2023
079174T 24th Ave Danville 11/20/2023 – 11/22/2023
079171X Jimtown Rd Danville 11/20/2023 – 11/22/2023
079170R 145th St Danville 11/20/2023 – 11/22/2023
079168P Private Danville 11/20/2023 – 11/22/2023
095162P Private Danville 11/21/2023 – 11/21/2023
079167H Private Danville 11/21/2023 – 11/21/2023

At approximately 10:28pm on November 11^th, 2023, Keokuk Police Officers were dispatched to 3405 South 7^th Steet in reference to a subject discharging a firearm towards a group of people.

Officers arrived on scene and learned that a male subject, identified as Martin Alvarez, 37, of Keokuk, had armed himself with a rifle and fired the rifle multiple times in the air, at windows of his residence at 3405 South 7^th Street, towards a wooded area, towards South 7^th Street, and in the general vicinity of a group of individuals on his property. The group of individuals were not on the property unlawfully. Alvarez then went into his residence with the rifle.

At that time, the Iowa State Patrol and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene to assist the Keokuk Police Department during this incident.

Officers attempted to make contact with Alvarez multiple times with no success.

The Keokuk Police Department then applied for, and received, a search warrant for the residence. An armored vehicle was requested from the Iowa State Patrol to be utilized in the service of a search warrant. Once the vehicle arrived, an approach was made to the residence. The offices employed the armored vehicle’s public announcement system to make contact with Alvarez, who then surrendered at that time without further incident.

A search of the residence was conducted, and multiple items of evidentiary value were collected.

Martin Alvarez was arrested and charged with Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon, a class C felony, and Reckless Use of a Firearm, a simple misdemeanor.

There were no physical injuries related to the discharge of the firearm reported.

The Iowa State Patrol, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lee County Consolidated Dispatch assisted the Keokuk Police Department during this investigation.

The Mt. Pleasant Community School Board met in regular session on Monday, November 13^th.

During the Superintendents report, the looming question of “what next” regarding Iowa Wesleyan property was brought up. As of Sunday, November 12^th, the due diligence period has ended, and the attorneys are meeting to discuss a closing date for the 1.135-million-dollar purchase of “central campus.”

Reports from last night show that HOWE Hall, Student Union, and the Chapel, would cost the board just shy of 50 million dollars if they were to construct those buildings new. Of course, those buildings sit vacant, and the board is looking to purchase them for a fraction of the price.

For the practice field, the board is currently researching the best avenue for constructing a 6ft fence, and then building a 15-20ft netting on top. This is to prevent soccer balls from getting into neighboring lawns.

The board also discussed the possibility of building a traffic control light at the intersection of S Grand Avenue and E Harvest Drive, which is the entrance to the Highschool. This has been tabled for the time being as they perform more research and discussion.