Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Henry County is hosting a farmland leasing meeting on August 6^th at 3:30pm.  The meeting will be held at the Henry County Extension Office in Mt. Pleasant.  The annual meeting is offered to address questions that landowners, tenants or other interested individuals have about leasing farmland.  The topics will include land values, market outlook and cash rent trends, cost of production and more.  Registration is $25 per person and includes materials including a 100-page workbook with resources regarding land leasing agreements such as surveys, sample written leas agreements and termination forms.  Pre-registration is encouraged.  Contact Kristen at the ISU Extension and Outreach Henry County Office at 319-385-8126

The Henry County Health Center Diabetes Education Department has announced events for July at the Henry County Health Center in Mt. Pleasant. HCHC Diabetes Education has earned Iowa State Certification and has been awarded recognition from the American Diabetes Association.  That recognition assures that the program has met the national standards for diabetes self-management education Programs.  The first class is on Thursday, July 10^th next week and is the Annual Review Course from 1-3pm in Suite 25.  Please call the HCHC Diabetes Education office at 319-385-6518 by noon on Tuesday to reserve your spot.  The program is open to anyone who has Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes and has completed the 10-hour diabetes class.

According to the latest fuel report from AAA and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship the average price of regular unleaded gas fell four cents in Iowa. Prices fell three cents nationally. Retail diesel prices also dropped on average, decreasing by three cents both in Iowa and nationally. Crude oil prices continued to fluctuate this week.

The City of Danville City Council will meet in regular session on Monday, July 7^th with call to order at 5:15pm.  Items on the agenda include a sewer rates increase and officer salaries.  This meeting is open to the public.  Following the regular session meeting, the city council will move into closed session to evaluate the professional competency of an individual.  A motion and statement will be forthcoming from the closed session meeting.

The Keokuk High School has been awarded the 2025-26 Therapeutic Classroom Grant in the amount of $144,000 according to the Iowa Department of Education. “KHS is honored to be awarded the grant,” Jennifer Roederer, KHS associate principal, said. “This funding will help us create a dedicated space at KHS with the resources and trained staff necessary to help those students thrive. It reflects our district’s commitment to meeting students where they are and ensuring every learner has the opportunity to succeed.”

At KHS, the grant will fund the creation of a sensory-sensitive therapeutic classroom, staff training in trauma-informed practices, SEL tools for general classrooms, and expanded mental health support for students and families, Roederer added. The grant was established to provide funding to public schools to establish therapeutic classrooms for learners ages three to 21 whose emotional, social or behavioral needs interfere with their ability to be successful in their current educational environment.

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.