The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has released information on how to keep boats in compliance with state law and passengers safe especially as we head into the long holiday weekend.

According to the DNR, motorboats should be registered through the county recorder and boaters under the age of 18 must either be accompanied by an adult or have completed a boater education course. Boaters under the age of 12 cannot operate motorboats without the supervision of an adult.

While on board, boaters are required to wear personal floatation devices such as life jackets for safety.

Alcoholic beverages on boats have the same regulations as land motor vehicles, with a blood alcohol level of .08 incurring a citation for Boating While Intoxicated. Drinking can be especially dangerous on the water due to the amplifying effects that water movement and the glare of sunlight on the water have on drunkenness.

When transporting boats, boat owners should double-check their trailers to ensure that the lights and equipment function properly before leaving home.

Iowa had nine traffic fatalities over the fourth of July holiday in 2024 – making it the deadliest fourth of July weekend in over a decade.   The Iowa State Patrol is advising people to buckle up, slow down and follow the new hands-free law.  Citizens should also think about the risks of drinking and driving and plan ahead.  Law enforcement will be out en force during this holiday weekend.

Henry County Public Health director Katie Reuter of Henry County gave her update at the Henry County Board of Supervisors meeting yesterday and gave an update on federal funding cuts to cancer research.  The state of Iowa has rising cancer rates with Iowa ranking second in the nation for cancer cases.  Henry County is considered average in the number of cancer cases with Des Moines and Lee Counties ranking as high.  Reuter also advised that the monthly contribution of $500/month to the Fellowship Cup should be increased as 50% of the Henry population is in poverty.

The Back-to-School Fair will be held on August 11^th in the former Howe Center.  The back-to-school fair provides valuable resources and information for students and their families.

Highway 78 South of Winfield is set to be closed on Monday, July 7, and will remain closed into October. Crews will replace an existing bridge with a twin box concrete culvert approximately 1 and a half miles South of Winfield.  There will be a detour to follow.  The latest highway information can be found through the Iowa DOT’s 511 systems at 511ia.org.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Thursday morning, July 3rd.  Updates were given by county department heads, and the supervisors approved a resolution to apply for an 80/20 grant with 18 other projects across the state of Iowa.  The project is a 1.5-million-dollar bridge project located on Iowa Avenue.  The supervisors also approved a motion to extend the contract with Elliot Oil.  Complete details of the supervisors meeting can be found on KILJ.COM under News.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors will meet in regular session on Thursday, July 10^th at 9am at the Courthouse in Mt. Pleasant.  This meeting is open to the public.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a series of escalating events that required a coordinated multi-agency response yesterday (July 3^rd.)  Just after 11am, emergency responders were dispatched to reports of a motor home on Hwy 27 fully engulfed in flames near the Missouri border which temporarily caused the closure of northbound Hwy 27.  At about 11:30am, Lee County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by Clark County, Missouri authorities regarding an active vehicle pursuit entering Iowa, heading directly toward the scene of the motor home fire.  Clark County officials reportedly reached speeds of up to 130mph.  The driver of the vehicle crashed the car and proceeded to run.

10 minutes later, a 911 call reported that a male subject was running toward the fire scene with a firearm and then gunshots were heard in the area.  Additional reports stated that the individual was attempting to gain entry into a vehicle.

After a brief manhunt, the suspect was apprehended by sheriff’s deputies near the 1700 block of 320th Street southeast of Argyle, Iowa. Multiple agencies participated and coordinated resources in the series of events.

The Henry County Supervisors held their regular weekly meeting this morning. The department head meeting included the following:

Katie Reuter of Henry County Public Health gave an update on federal funding cutting access to previously helpful cancer research resources. the state of Iowa has rising cancer rates with Iowa ranking second in the nation for cancer cases. Henry County is considered average in our number of cases with neighboring counties Des Moines and Lee ranking as high. Reuter also gave an update on vaccinations. There were parties in Henry County in contact with a measles case in Johnson county this past month, but all parties have completed their protocols and quarantines. Reuter stressed the importance for farmers of not only poultry but also swine and cattle to receive the flu shot. The worry is that a farmer infected with the regular flu strain may come in contact with an animal infected with avian influenza which may cause the virus to mutate. Reuter also mentioned the monthly contribution of $500/month to the Fellowship Cup should be increased as 50% of our population is in poverty and this contribution is expected to cover the entire county. Supervisor Steve Detrick asked Public Health to distribute more information on the dangers of Lyme Disease as we are in prime outdoor recreation season here in Southeast Iowa. Add to your calendar the Back to School Fair which will be held August 11th in the former Howe Center as they have outgrown Manning Hall.

Moving from Public Health to County Conservation, Caleb Waters shared the dump station at Oakland Mills will be open as early as this weekend with a few changes. “We have installed a gate, so in order to utilize that facility you have to be a registered camper. We’re not totally discouraging, you know, outsiders from dumping, but they’re going to have to pay $25 to dump.”

He also wants to stress the importance of not using fireworks on county properties. “Fireworks are not allowed in any of the county parks.”

Henry County Conservation, the Iowa DNR, and the Iowa State Extension Office held an informational program for area conservation entities as well as the public on Chronic Wasting Disease. CWD has been confirmed as close to our area as north of Burlington. If you come across a deer that looks to have lost a substantial amount of weight as well as walking in circles, contact your local conservation department immediately. The animal will most likely need to be euthanized and the lymph nodes will then be sent to a lab for testing. CWD is passed through bodily fluids and a real threat to deer populations. Waters also mentioned partnering with Rachel Lindeen of Henry County Tourism and Economic Development to discuss the possibility of a Destination Fee. This fee would be used for park improvements and would be charged on cabin rentals as well as on campsites. The current nightly rate for cabin rentals at Oakland Mills are $125/night for the larger cabins and $75/night for the smaller cabins. In the past month conservation staff have received many calls for service ranging from missing persons to dumped items and garbage. Littering is a crime, and the public should be reminded there are security cameras in county parks.

If you own or maintain a pond, pull out your calendar. “July 8^th from 4 to 6 in regards to pond maintenance. There’s a lot of farm ponds here in Southeast Iowa. Chad Dolan, he’s a DNR fisheries biologist, he is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to pond management and maintenance. He will be giving a presentation for us. It is open to the public at the nature center.”

Blake Vierra of the County Attorney’s Office updated Shawn Showers has been appointed as the new Chief Judge of Iowa’s Eighth Judicial District, succeeding retiring Chief Judge Myron Gookin. Vierra also wanted to point out a couple of laws he felt important to mention that went into effect July 1^st. The first law highlighted was the new hands-free driving law. It is now against the law to touch your phone while driving. All use of electronic devices must be voice controlled. The second law highlighted was the possession age of a firearm being decreased from 21 to 18. Vierra explained that an 18-year-old cannot purchase the firearm, but may be in possession, for example if the gun was purchased as a gift.

Joe Buffington, Director of Planning and Zoning, also covered a change as of July 1^st. According to the state two dwellings are now allowed on one parcel of land. Previous Henry County guidelines required 10 or more acres, and the dwelling had to be for a family member. According to the new law, it now does not matter whether the size of the parcel or if the other tenant is a family member. Buffington is updating county policies to reflect this change and expects changes to be brought to the Planning and Zoning Board in August. Buffington also informed the board that the county lost 400 phone lines last month, with 30 being an average. This brings the number of phone lines to 3800 in Henry County down from 10,000 30 years ago with many of the remaining phone lines being businesses. This could impact one of the avenues for funding our county dispatch utilizes. Buffington also wanted to inform the public that if your cabin is damaged by 50% or improved by 50% and located in a flood zone, you will need to ensure the cabin is a foot above the flood line to obey the DNR regulations. Campers also located in flood zones also must be able to be moved at a moment’s notice meaning it must have functioning wheels and no permanent lines, decks, or structures. In the event of a flood, campers must be moved out of the flood zone, not left behind.

Jake Hotchkiss, Henry County Engineer, gave his weekly update including Graham Avenue should be open by the end of day today, pavement markings are being freshened up around the county beginning with yellow before transitioning to white, and Goodyear Road north from 235^th Street up to the bridge will be changed from an earth shoulder to a granular shoulder due to the amount of truck traffic the road experiences. Hotchkiss also informed the supervisors that it is their responsibility to set the signage and speed limits for J20 and W55 through Salem as the town is less than 500 people. Hotchkiss is using studies as well as close communication with the city council of Salem to ensure all parties are happy with possible future changes.

Henry County Auditor Robin Detrick updated the property tax process has begun.

Supervisor Steve Detrick asked that IT Director Derek Wellington be present at future department head meetings to report on his department.

Roger Pittsenbarger Veterans Affairs Director was not able to attend the meeting but sent in his report for review. Supervisor Marc Lindeen stated Pittsenbarger, and his department have brought in $8,206,752 to the county for our veterans.

After the department heads completed their updates, the supervisors approved a resolution to apply for an 80/20 grant with 18 other projects in the state. This will be a 1.5-million-dollar bridge project located on Iowa Avenue. The supervisors also approved a motion to extend the contract with Elliot Oil, which sets the margin Elliot Oil makes from the sale of fuel to the county.

The next Henry County Supervisor’s meeting will be held Thursday, July 10^th at 9 am in the Henry County Courthouse.