A Burlington man has been arrested after officers found methamphetamine in his vehicle. Des Moines County Deputies pulled over a vehicle at Roosevelt Ave. and Division St. at approximately 10:50pm on September 12^th, 2023. The driver had a barred license, and was identified as Andrew Joseph Stout, age 37, of Burlington.

Deputies proceeded to search the vehicle and located methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Stout was subsequently placed under arrest for driving while barred, possession of a control substance 3^rd of subsequent offense, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was then transported to the Des Moines County Correctional Center.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The Burlington Police Department has provided an update to a death that occurred in a workplace on September 15^th.

There was an injury that led to death at 724 Jefferson Street, with the name being unavailable to the public at the time. The deceased man has been identified as Travis Brown, 42, of Fort Madison.

Brown was working for a company contracted to perform work at the Busted Cup Brewery, which was scheduled to open for business on September 19^th. He, and another man, were loading a forklift onto an elevator when the forklift fell over and struck Brown in the head.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has opened an investigation into Brown’s death. The event has been determined to be accidental.

Central Lee Middle School student Micah Ashmore has been named a Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholar by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.

Out of a pool of 800 applicants, just 43 Young Scholars were selected for the program. Ashmore will receive a five-year, pre-college scholarship in recognition of his outstanding achievements. The seventh grader was recommended for this scholarship by Central Lee talented and gifted teacher, Hollie Weber, and middle school math teacher, Andrew Orton.

Hollie Weber had nothing but kind words for the gifted young man. “Micah has embraced the multitude of opportunities that Central Lee has provided, actively participating in various activities throughout his academic journey. I am eager to witness the experiences and growth that this program will offer him, as well as his continued success.”

The pre-college scholarship encompasses academic guidance, college advising, participation in sponsored summer programs, internships, music and art lessons. It also provides support for hardware, software needs, and enrichment opportunities tailored to each student.

This has been a long time in the making for Ashmore. He completed multiple rounds of the application process in May 2022, which spanned into the summer as well. Assisted by Nadine Weirather, K-12 talented and gifted coordinator, he was able to complete his application.

“The honor, distinction, and growth opportunities presented by the Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholar program are unparalleled,” said Dr. Andy Crozier, Central Lee Superintendent. “We are incredibly proud of Micah for securing this prestigious scholarship, and we have full confidence that he will seize this opportunity, paving the way for his success in high school and beyond.”

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students. The Young Scholars Program, one of the organization’s flagship initiatives, offers tailored scholarships and educational support to exceptionally promising students who demonstrate leadership, persistence, financial need, and outstanding academic ability and achievement.

To learn more about the Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Program, please visit https://www.jkcf.org/our-scholarships/young-scholars-program/.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, September 19^th. The big talking point came with the subject of House file 718.

This file, which originated in the Iowa House of Representatives, promises big changes to counties across the state. This will cause levies to drop to $3.50 by 2029. Currently, the Henry County general basis levy is set at $4.83, requiring a sharp drop in the next six years.

Representative Taylor Collins (District 95) and Representative Jeff Shipley (District 88) will both comment on Thursday’s meeting. They will be able to explain the file in detail. The supervisors are looking for more information from the representatives, and to ensure that their voices are heard. There is the possibility that Senator Dickey will meet with the board of supervisors in the coming weeks as well.

House file 718 – https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ba=HF718

The agenda for the supervisors meeting on Thursday is posted below.

AGENDA

September 21, 2023

Approve Agenda

Approve Minutes

9:00 Representatives Shipley & Collins

Discussion Regarding HF 718

Other County Business as time

Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates

Senator Grassley joined KILJ for an exclusive interview on Monday, September 18th. He spoke on a variety of topics, including health care, school-choice, his 43rd annual tour of all 99 counties in Iowa, and his celebrations for his recent birthday. The Senator also wanted to remind those between 17-23 years of age, of the upcoming military academy nomination deadline on October 20^th, 2023.

Senator Grassley is able to nominate select Iowans each year to attend these prestigious academies. For more information, visit https://www.grassley.senate.gov/services/academy-nominations

1. Applicants should first apply directly to the academies of interest and request that pre-candidate files be opened on their behalf.
2. Download and complete Senator Grassley’s office’s academy nomination application. You’ll also need to provide the following materials:
   • Completed High School Evaluation form by a School Guidance Counselor or alternate administrative school official
   • High school transcript
   • A letter of recommendation from a teacher
   • Two additional letters of recommendation from Iowans
   • An essay (Between one and two pages, single spaced)
   • ACT/SAT score (This must submitted directly by ACT/SAT. The identification number for the ACT is 7129 and the identification code for the SAT is 6260.)
3. Applicants should also seek recommendations from Senator Joni Ernst, their representative in the U.S. House of Representatives or Vice President Kamala Harris.
4. Mail the completed application and supporting materials to: U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley
   Attn: Nominations Coordinator
   721 Federal Building
   210 Walnut Street
   Des Moines, Iowa 50309

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.

“With harvest ramping up in parts of Iowa, weather outlooks are hinting at warmer temperatures and greater chances of rain into early October,” said Secretary Naig. “It’s National Farm Safety and Health Week, and throughout harvest, I encourage all Iowans to keep safety in the field and on the road top of mind.”

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

Crop Report
The southern tier of Iowa received above average rainfall this week leading to 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork statewide during the week ending September 17, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included harvesting corn and soybeans. Some farmers were also working on their fourth cutting of alfalfa hay.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 34 percent very short, 45 percent short, 20 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 in the dent stage or beyond was 96 percent this week, 6 days ahead of last year and 11 days ahead of the 5year average. Sixty-three percent of the State’s corn crop has reached maturity, 8 days ahead of both last year and normal. Corn harvested for grain reached 5 percent statewide, roughly 1 week ahead of both last year and the average. Moisture content of field corn being harvested for grain was at 22 percent. Corn condition improved slightly to 48 percent good to excellent. Soybeans coloring or beyond reached 86 percent, 6 days ahead of both last year and the average. Soybeans dropping leaves or beyond was 52 percent this week, 6 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of normal. Three percent of the soybean crop has been harvested. Soybean condition also rose slightly to 47 percent good to excellent.

Pasture condition rated 15 percent good to excellent. Getting water to livestock continued be a challenge for producers this week, with reports of livestock taken off pastures where ponds and creeks have dried up.

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

Portions of southern and eastern Iowa experienced above-normal rainfall as an active storm track brought widespread moisture to Iowa. The state’s northeast corner continued to experience unseasonable dryness with weekly deficits approaching 0.80 inch. Near normal to cooler temperatures prevailed statewide with the weekly average temperature at 63.1 degrees, 0.8 degree below normal.

Showers and some thunderstorms gradually expanded over Iowa through Sunday (10th) afternoon with temperatures ranging from the mid-60s north to the low 80s south. Rain persisted overnight across Iowa’s southeastern half through late Monday (11th) morning, gradually dissipating by noon. The southern half of Iowa received general rain totals above 0.50 inch from the event with much of northern Iowa reporting a few tenths. Nearly 60 stations collected at least an inch as south-central counties experienced the highest totals, ranging from 2.04 inches at Allerton (Wayne County) to 2.25 inches in Mount Ayr (Ringgold County); the statewide average total was 0.59 inch. Winds shifted to the northeast as clouds gradually thinned with afternoon highs in the low to mid 70s. Light showers pushed into northwest Iowa after midnight on Tuesday (12th) leaving Rock Rapids (Lyon County) with a 0.18-inch total before diminishing near daybreak. Morning lows were in the upper 40s and low 50s with clouds and patchy fog in northern Iowa. Daytime temperatures reached the 70s as scattered thunderstorms formed in north-central to eastern Iowa. The storms fizzled out after sunset, leaving behind general amounts under 0.25 inch; higher totals ranged from 0.32 inch at Hopkinton (Delaware County) to 0.47 inch near Clinton (Clinton County). Partly cloudy skies developed statewide into Wednesday (13th) with light northerly winds and lows in the upper 40s to low 50s at most stations. Afternoon conditions were cooler in northeast Iowa with highs in the mid-60s, while temperatures farther west were up to 15 degrees warmer.

Early Thursday (14th) temperatures showed a large spread across the state; northeast stations reported low to mid 40s while low 60s were reported in the southwest corner. Upper 70s and low 80s greeted Iowans through the day as southwesterly winds increased along with evening cloud cover in western Iowa, ahead of a cold front. Showers formed along the boundary into the daytime hours on Friday (15th) with widespread totals reported over Iowa’s northwest corner. Scattered thundershowers fired in south-central Iowa along with an isolated severe-warned evening storm in Sioux County; Orange City measured a 0.77-inch total with Rock Rapids (Buena Vista County) reporting 0.90 inch. Totals outside of these higher amounts were a few tenths of an inch. Foggy conditions formed overnight into Saturday (16th) with lows behind the boundary in the upper 40s; temperatures ahead of the front remained in the mid-60s. A cluster of showers and thunderstorms pushed from central Iowa into the southeast corner through the afternoon hours as a secondary complex fired along the Mississippi River in northeastern Iowa. Rathbun Dam (Appanoose County) observed 0.50 inch with Chariton (Lucas County) and DeWitt (Clinton County) reporting 1.08 and 1.62 inches, respectively. Northwesterly winds built in overnight into Sunday (17th) as lows dropped into the upper 40s and low 50s.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from 0.03 inch at Oelwein Municipal Airport (Fayette County) to 3.05 inches in DeWitt. The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.69 inch while the normal is 0.84 inch. Red Oak (Montgomery County) reported the week’s high temperature of 87 degrees on the 10th, seven degrees above normal. Mason City Airport (Cerro Gordo County) reported the week’s low temperature of 36 degrees on the 13th, 14 degrees below normal.