Henry County Veterans Affairs Director Roger Pittsenbarger delivered his monthly update to the Henry County Board of Supervisors on Thursday, April 2nd, highlighting both local services and recent legislative developments.

During the month of March, the Henry County Veterans Affairs Office handled 220 phone calls and 19 in-office visits, continuing to provide support to veterans throughout the county.

Pittsenbarger also reported meeting with State Representative Taylor Collins to discuss Senate File 2466, a proposal that would have reorganized Veterans Affairs offices and changed their funding structure. Pittsenbarger voiced opposition to the measure, and Collins ultimately voted against it. The bill did not pass.

A separate measure, House File 1000, keeps the current system in place while providing each Veterans Affairs office with a $10,000 allocation, along with access to a $250,000 grant opportunity.

Locally, Pittsenbarger reported that Henry County veterans are receiving more than $762,000 in monthly benefits, totaling around 9 million dollars annually — a number that continues to grow.

He also highlighted ongoing outreach efforts, including a free veterans breakfast held every third Friday, offering fellowship and guest speakers.

Community support remains strong, with nearly 300 people attending the recent Vietnam Veterans dinner held March 28th at the VFW in Mount Pleasant.

DES MOINES, Iowa (Apr. 13, 2026) – 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.

“April has been a particularly wet month as the Midwest remains locked into an active storm track. We expect the wet weather to continue over the next several days. I encourage Iowans to stay weather aware this week, as multiple rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms are possible,” said Secretary Naig. “Though the rain may slow fieldwork, it is helping recharge soil moisture. We have seen substantial improvement in drought conditions in southern Iowa.”

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

Crop Report

Corn planting in Iowa reached 1 percent complete for the week ending April 12, 2026, which is 1 percentage point behind last year, when 2 percent of the crop had been planted. No soybean planting has been reported, which is 1 percentage point behind 2025, when 1% of the crop had been planted. There were 2.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 12, 2026. This is 3.3 days less than last year, when there were 5.9 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture conditions across Iowa were rated 3 percent very short, 11 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 16 percent surplus.

Weather Summary

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

Much of southern Iowa received above average rainfall during the first full week of April as several waves of showers and thunderstorms transited the state. Drier conditions prevailed across Iowa’s northwest corner. Temperatures were near to slightly below average at most stations; the statewide average temperature was 45.0 degrees, 1.3 degrees below normal.

Sunday (5^th) afternoon was pleasant with mostly sunny skies, westerly winds and temperatures in the 50s. Clouds overspread much of southern Iowa into Monday (6^th) with morning temperatures holding in the upper 30s and low 40s. Clear skies farther north allowed temperatures to drop to near freezing. Gusty northerly winds built in through the day with highs in the low 40s northwest to mid 50s southeast. Showers streamed across southwestern Iowa later in the evening and overnight into Tuesday (7^th) bringing localized higher amounts into the early afternoon; Corning (Adams County) collected 1.01 inches while 1.36 inches was reported in Creston (Union County). Several peripheral stations observed more than 0.50 inch with totals dropping off northeast and southwest. Conditions remained overcast across the state with temperatures holding in the 40s under blustery southeasterly winds. Skies cleared by daybreak on Wednesday (8^th) as a low pressure center moved along the Iowa-Minnesota border. Wind speeds increased significantly during the day with 52 mph wind gusts reported at municipal airports in Ames (Story County) and Marshalltown (Marshall County). Overall sustained winds were above 30 mph at most stations as a cold front dropped through the state. Light showers formed along the surface boundary with much of eastern Iowa registering up to 0.10 inch.

Thursday (9^th) began chilly over northern Iowa with lows in the upper 20s and low 30s. Morning conditions were over 20 degrees warmer in the southeast. Light to moderate showers formed over southern Iowa as a warm front lifted across the Iowa-Missouri border. The front transitioned to a stationary boundary as an upper-level disturbance and ample moisture allowed for moderate to locally heavy rainfall into the evening hours from isolated, embedded thunderstorms. Much of the state’s southern half reported at least 0.75 inch of rainfall with nearly 120 stations registering at least an inch. The highest totals were found in central Iowa with 1.52 -1.64 inches at several Des Moines (Polk County) gauges to 1.78 inches in Dallas Center (Dallas County); the statewide average rainfall was 0.71 inch. Winds turned northerly behind the system as clouds cleared into early Friday (10^th) afternoon. Daytime temperatures rose into the 50s as winds gradually shifted to easterly with increasing clouds in western Iowa towards sunset. Another disturbance brought showers into western Iowa after midnight, which were reinforced by a northeasterly moving warm front. The area of showers spread and increased as it moved through southern Iowa with additional development into northern Iowa. Most stations that received measurable amounts observed under 0.40 inch.  Higher rain amounts varied from 0.50 inch in Melrose (Appanoose County) to 0.78 inch in Lineville (Decatur County). Portions of northeast Iowa also saw totals over 0.50 inch with 0.54 inch in Decorah (Winneshiek County) to 0.61 inch in Elma (Howard County). Rain cleared the state by nighttime with strong southerly winds and partly cloudy skies on Sunday (12^th) morning.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from 0.04 inch at Sioux City Airport (Woodbury County) to 2.30 inches in Creston. The statewide weekly average rainfall was 0.87 inch; the normal is 0.77 inch. Davenport (Scott County) reported the week’s high temperature of 77 degrees on the 8^th, 20 degrees above normal. Several stations reported the week’s low temperature of 16 degrees on the 7^th, on average 15 degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures on Sunday were in the low to mid 50s statewide.

Henry County Supervisors addressed staffing changes and a growing backlog of public records requests during their meeting Monday, April 13 at 10 a.m.

The board unanimously approved two motions related to the County Attorney’s Office, both passing on a 3-to-0 vote.

As part of those actions, Assistant County Attorney Steven Giebelhausen announced his resignation, effective April 30th, under an employment separation agreement. Giebelhausen, who has served in the role for six years, will receive three months of regular salary through July 31st, along with benefits and a payout for unused vacation time, totaling just over $26,400.

Supervisors also approved hiring a part-time, temporary outside attorney to help manage public information requests. The position will pay $45 per hour, for up to 34 hours per week, and will not include benefits.

The move comes as the county attorney’s office faces staffing shortages and a significant backlog of work in relation to outstanding Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. County Attorney Wilson says the office is currently dealing with four to six outstanding Freedom of Information requests, some of which have been granted extensions through the Iowa Public Information Board (IPIB). She noted that one request alone involves between 7,000 and 8,000 pages of documents that still need to be reviewed and redacted.

Wilson plans to hire attorney Ed Harvey to handle the FOIA-related workload. Attorney Giebelhausen noted that any outside attorney would be required to withdraw from active state cases to comply with Iowa law, and Attorney Wilson assured the supervisors that the process is currently underway.

Supervisors emphasized the need to balance ongoing county business with meeting public records requirements. Although not listed on the agenda, Board Chair Chad White allowed for public comment and the meeting adjourned.

April is recognized nationwide as Child Abuse Prevention Month, and organizations across southeast Iowa are working to raise awareness and support families.

Quad County Community Partnerships for Protecting Children is leading local efforts, with coordinator Arin Jones emphasizing both education and community involvement.

During a recent presentation to the Henry County Board of Supervisors, supervisors signed a proclamation officially declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Henry County.

Jones shared data from 2025, reporting 123 confirmed cases of child abuse in Henry County. About half of those cases involved denial of critical care—often tied to financial stress and challenges facing families. There were also 6 cases of physical abuse, 5 cases of sexual abuse, and a small number involving exposure to substances.

Jones noted that sexual abuse is widely underreported and appears to be increasing locally. She also emphasized that abuse often involves someone the child knows and trusts, and in most cases, perpetrators may also be underage, something many adults and caregivers don’t realize.

April 13th through the 17th marks the National Week of Action, when organizations will spotlight strategies, everyday actions, and policy solutions that help children and families thrive.

Locally, the focus remains on prevention—raising awareness, educating parents and community members, and creating safer environments for children. Jones shared, every one dollar spent on prevention, saves three dollars in treatment of overcoming abuse.

Community members are encouraged to show support by wearing blue throughout the month. Blue symbolizes possibility, strength, and the future every child deserves. You may also see the blue and silver pinwheels across the county as a reminder that when communities work together, we can prevent child abuse.

Advocates say prevention starts with simple but powerful ideas: investing in families early leads to safer, healthier children; strong families build stronger communities; and protecting children is everyone’s responsibility.

For those involved in the effort, the message is clear—every child deserves the best a community can give.

A second public hearing is scheduled later this month for the proposed Henry County budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors will hold the hearing on April 27th at 6:00 p.m. at the Henry County Courthouse 3rd floor courtroom.

The hearing, originally scheduled for April 23, will review the proposed fiscal year budget covering July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 for Henry County. County officials say any resident or taxpayer may attend the meeting, ask questions, present objections, or speak in favor of any part of the proposed budget.

According to the budget summary, total proposed revenues and other sources are approximately $22.7 million, while total expenditures and other uses are projected at about $24.7 million.

Officials note that the higher expenditure total does not necessarily represent a structural deficit. A significant portion of the difference is tied to secondary roads funding streams and capital construction projects that are planned and accounted for across fiscal year boundaries. County leaders say these timing differences—particularly in major infrastructure projects—often result in expenditures appearing higher in a single fiscal year, but are expected to balance out over time as funding sources and reimbursements are received.

Major spending areas include public safety and legal services, roads and transportation, administration, and capital projects. Public safety and legal services account for more than $6.4 million, while road and transportation spending is projected at more than $7.2 million.

Officials note the budget reflects rising costs and efforts to maintain county services, with proposed property tax revenues making up a significant portion of funding. When viewing the budget across funding cycles, the intention is to remain as balanced as possible for ongoing financial planning.

The notice also states that if a valid protest petition is filed, the State Appeal Board could hold an additional hearing. Budget documents and supporting details are available through the county auditor’s office, at henrycounty.iowa.gov, or here.