Iowans who want to participate in early voting can begin casting ballots for the 2023 City-School Election on Wednesday, October 18. This marks the start of the absentee voting period and the first day Iowans can vote in person at their county election office. October 18 is also the first day County Auditors can mail absentee ballots to voters who requested them.

More than 5,500 Iowans have requested an absentee ballot so far. The deadline to request one to be mailed is 5:00 p.m. CT on Monday, October 23.

“We want to see every Iowan participate in the upcoming City-School Election, and the best way to be successful in voting is to have a plan for how you want to vote,” said Secretary Pate. “Iowans have several secure ways to vote, including early and in-person at their county auditor’s office. Iowans should make a plan early and take the necessary steps to ensure their voice is heard this November.”

Iowans can vote in person at their county auditor’s office beginning Wednesday, October 18. Iowans can also vote absentee by mail or in person at the polls on Election Day.

Absentee ballot request forms are available at VoterReady.Iowa.gov. You can also track the status of your request and ballot at that site. County auditors must receive your absentee ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day, which is Tuesday, November 7.

The upcoming vote for the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) is on November 7^th, 2023. This was created by the Iowa Legislature in the early 1990’s as a locally generated funding stream that is used to support school district facilities and equipment. Voters can approve a maximum levy of $1.34 per $1,000 of property tax.

The current voted PPEL was approved by voters in the New London Community School District nearly 20 years ago, in October of 1995. This levy ran for 10 years and was renewed in 2005 and 2014. The voters approved a $.67 per $1,000 rate on property tax.

This funding has been used to replace roofs, purchase new transportation vehicles, security system upgrades, purchased staff and student computers, as well as many more improvements throughout the district.

Funds can only be used for things such as roofing replacement/repair, masonry repairs, energy conservation improvements, concrete and asphalt repairs, school buses, technology, and other facility improvements. State law is very specific in that PPEL funds cannot be used for salaries, benefits, textbooks, or educational programs.

The school district receives approximately $141,000 annually from this levy.

The vote is for a 10-year extension and is at 103 W. Washington St from 7:00am until 8:00pm.

This will not raise property taxes.

Whether by car, train, bus, bike, or other, we all have different preferences when it comes to getting to our destination, but we do have one thing in common — at some point, Everyone is a Pedestrian. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Region 7, which includes Iowa, wants to remind everyone that choosing safe behaviors behind the wheel could save your, or someone else’s life.

There was a 12.5% increase in the number of pedestrians killed in traffic crashes when comparing 2021 with the previous year, a total of 7,388 deaths. That averages out to 20 pedestrian fatalities a day or one pedestrian fatality every 72 minutes!

First responders, including law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, and tow truck drivers become especially vulnerable pedestrians when performing roadside job duties. Inattentive driving and speeding are two of the top causes of pedestrian collisions along the roadside and within work zones.  The Move Over law, enacted in all 50 states, requires drivers to slow down and move over when approaching stopped emergency vehicles with emergency lights activated, so long as it’s safe to do so.  To help emphasize this life-saving law, Saturday, October 21, 2023, has been designated National Move Over Day.

Every state also has a law requiring drivers to stop when a school bus stop arm is extended. This is because the greatest risk to a child is not the school bus ride, but from walking to and from their bus. From 2012–2021, 240 school-age children (18 years old and younger) died as occupants of school buses and other motor vehicles or while walking. Of those 240 deaths, 92 were children who were walking. Among pedestrians of all ages killed in school bus-related incidents, there were 1.6 times more fatalities among pedestrians (203) than occupants of school buses (126).

“Motorists driving unsafely due to being distracted or from drugs and/or alcohol impairment has too many people paying with their lives,” said Regional Administrator Susan DeCourcy. “A collision involving a pedestrian is more likely to involve a fatality than a collision between two vehicles.” That’s why it’s every motorist’s responsibility to drive attentively and safely — especially where there is a higher chance of pedestrian traffic.”

Safety is not just motorists’ responsibility. It’s recommended that pedestrians traveling long distances wear bright colors during the day and shine lights or wear high-visibility clothing with reflectors when it is dark to help decrease crash risks. Almost 77% of pedestrian-related accidents happen when it is dark outside, so pedestrians should do what they can to ensure they are seen by motorists. Additionally, nearly every motorist is a pedestrian at some point throughout the day, so it’s always important for everyone to be aware of nearby traffic before taking their first step, and never make assumptions.

“Pedestrians can never assume that a motorist will see them, so it’s imperative to exercise awareness and caution at all times when walking on and near roadways,” said DeCourcy. “All of us, motorists and pedestrians, can do our part to ensure that everyone is safe both on and near the road.”

Whether you’re a concerned resident, a parent, or a caregiver, you can help ensure your loved ones and neighbors are safe while enjoying a walk in your community. Remember, at some point in the day, Everyone is a Pedestrian.

For more information and safety tips, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/pedestrian-safety.

The price of regular unleaded gasoline fell 15 cents, averaging $3.37 across Iowa according to AAA.

Crude Oil Summary

• The price of global crude oil fell this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $2.86 per barrel over last week, currently priced at $83.28.
• Brent crude oil fell $2.40 and is currently priced at $85.40.
• One year ago, WTI crude sold for $89.35 and Brent crude was at $95.17.

Motor Fuels

• As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $3.37 across Iowa according to AAA.
  • Prices fell 15 cents from last week’s price and are down 34 cents from a year ago.
  • The national average on Wednesday was $3.66, down 13 cents from last week’s price.
• Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 4 cents this week with a statewide average of $4.26.
  • One year ago, diesel prices averaged $5.04 in Iowa.
  • The current Iowa diesel price is 24 cents less than the national average of $4.50.
• Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.
• The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $2.33 for U87-E10, $2.68 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $3.19 for ULSD#2, $3.70 for ULSD#1, and $2.43 per gallon for E-70 prices.

Heating Fuels

• Propane prices were down 1 cent with a statewide average of $1.52 per gallon.
• Home heating oil prices fell 24 cents, with a statewide average of $3.64 per gallon.
• Natural gas prices rose 24 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $3.26/MMbtu

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

 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.

“Harvest is in full swing. Warmer temperatures and mostly dry conditions across the state allowed for significant harvest progress in the past week,” said Secretary Naig. “Forecasts are highlighting the chances of widespread rainfall statewide this week, potentially keeping combines out of the fields for a few days later this week.”

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

Crop Report

Western Iowa was the recipient of above average precipitation this week, however the State still had 5.9 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending October 8, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Corn and soybean harvest continued to be the primary field activities for the week.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 32 percent very short, 44 percent short, 23 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 37 percent very short, 43 percent short, 19 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Corn maturity reached 96 percent this week, 8 days ahead of last year and 11 days ahead of the 5-year average. Corn harvested for grain reached 30 percent statewide, 5 days ahead of last year and 6 days ahead of the average. Moisture content of field corn being harvested for grain was at 19 percent. Corn condition declined slightly to 48 percent good to excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves was 94 percent this week, 3 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of the average. Soybeans harvested reached 52 percent, 1 day ahead of last year and 1 week ahead of the average as Iowa farmers were able to harvest 28 percent of the State’s soybeans during the week ending October 8, 2023. Soybean condition rated 48 percent good to excellent.

Pasture condition rated 16 percent good to excellent. Livestock conditions were reported as generally good, but some producers continued to haul hay and water to their livestock on pasture.

Weather Summary

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

The first week of October remained unseasonably warm though temperatures took a nose-dive towards the end of the reporting period; the statewide average temperature was 60.3 degrees, 5.7 degrees above normal. Western Iowa received above-average rainfall totals with unseasonably dry conditions continuing across Iowa’s eastern two-thirds.

Strong southerly winds and sunshine pushed Sunday (1st) afternoon temperatures into the low 90s across much of Iowa. Spotty clouds filtered in overnight into Monday (2nd) as morning lows dropped through the 60s with lighter southeasterly winds. Daytime temperatures rose back into the upper 80s and low 90s with mid 80s reported in eastern Iowa. Cloudy skies developed into Tuesday (3rd) morning as gusty southerly winds pumped moisture north in advance of a strong cold front. An initial line of showers formed in western Iowa during the afternoon hours as temperatures over Iowa’s eastern half held in the 80s; clouds and light rain produced upper 70s and low 80s in western Iowa. A strong line of thunderstorms fired along the cold front as it pushed over the Iowa-Nebraska border just after sunset, leading to a few initial severe-warned cells. Showers expanded through central and eastern Iowa, though a lack of atmospheric energy allowed the main line to lose strength overnight into Wednesday (4th) as the cold front pushed out of eastern Iowa. Rainfall totals reported at 7:00 am showed widespread amounts of 0.50-inch or more with 22 stations measuring at least an inch in west-central and northwest Iowa. Much of western Iowa observed at least 0.20 inch with lesser totals moving east. Skies across eastern Iowa remained mostly clear through the day with cloudy conditions developing west. High temperatures varied from the low 80s along the Iowa-Illinois border to mid 60s northwest with westerly winds.

Thursday (5th) began chilly across portions of Iowa as temperatures dropped into the low to mid 40s at many stations. Stronger northwesterly winds developed through the day, holding highs in the low 60s northwest to mid 70s southeast. Clouds increased in western Iowa early on Friday (6th) as very light showers pushed through the state. The disturbance continued through eastern Iowa before exiting the state after the noon hour. Stations in western Iowa collected totals that were less than 0.10 inch while higher amounts were observed in eastern Iowa where totals ranged from 0.20 inch at New Hampton (Chickasaw County) to 0.32 inch in Lowden (Cedar County). Overcast conditions persisted for the rest of the day with unseasonably cool highs in the low 50s; the statewide average high was 55 degrees, 12 degrees below normal. Overnight conditions were quiet as clouds cleared over most of Iowa into Saturday (7th). Winds shifted to the west as daytime highs rose to the upper 50s and low 60s. Calm to light winds and clear skies in northwest Iowa allowed for several stations to drop below freezing into Sunday (8th) morning with low to mid 40s farther east where cloud cover was present; the statewide average low was 38 degrees, five degrees below normal.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from a trace at several stations to 1.85 inches in Little Sioux (Harrison County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.34 inch while the normal is 0.65 inch. Spencer Municipal Airport (Clay County) reported the week’s high temperature of 95 degrees on the 1st, 25 degrees above normal. Sibley (Osceola County) reported the week’s low temperature of 29 degrees on the 8th, 10 degrees below normal.