The Fairfield Community School District is hiring! The district announced an opportunity for a dynamic and dedicated individual to join its leadership team as Director of Operations.

This vital role is responsible for overseeing key functions that ensure the smooth daily operation of schools, including transportation, facilities management, and district-wide operations. The Director of Operations will play an essential part in creating safe, efficient, and supportive environments for students, staff, and families.

“We’re looking for someone who is passionate about helping our schools succeed behind the scenes,” the district shared. “This position provides the chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students and in our community.”

Those interested in applying are encouraged to visit the district’s employment page at fairfieldsfuture.org to learn more about the position and submit an application.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors met on Monday in a public work session to hash out the details of a proposed burn ordinance. The Supervisors hope to move toward a simpler, more focused set of rules aimed at curbing dangerous burning during red flag warnings while minimizing unnecessary regulation on responsible landowners.

At the heart of the discussion was the desire to craft an ordinance that puts teeth into enforcement during periods of high fire danger, while relying on common sense and courtesy for routine burns. Supervisors agreed that the purpose section should be tightened up to reflect that goal.

Supervisors agreed that notification requirements could serve as a safeguard, helping alert residents to red flag conditions. Joe Buffington with Planning & Zoning said, “Sometimes people just don’t know there’s a red flag warning. If they call dispatch, they can be told, ‘Hey, you can’t burn today.’ That might stop a problem before it starts.”

Ideas discussed included requiring calls for burn piles over a certain size (such as 500 or 1,000 square feet) and combining related sections of the ordinance to avoid redundancy. The board also acknowledged the reality of fire behavior. “You can set up your burn pile however you want, but fire is fire. Mother Nature can take over pretty quickly,” one supervisor cautioned.

Despite differing views on some details, the supervisors appeared unified on the need for a straightforward ordinance that emphasizes safety during red flag conditions while respecting property owners’ good judgment. County staff will work on revised language, and the board expects to review a new draft at an upcoming meeting.

 The Burlington Fire Department responded to an apartment fire Monday evening that resulted in significant damage to a rural residence and the loss of a family pet.

At approximately 6:54 p.m. on June 23, 2025, emergency crews were dispatched to 3750 Old Highway 61 following reports of a fire at a four-plex apartment complex. Firefighters arrived on scene within six minutes and found flames visible from one of the units in the single-story building.

The residence, owned by Shipley Construction and insured at the time of the fire, housed multiple families. All occupants were able to evacuate safely before firefighters arrived. Unfortunately, one cat perished as a result of the blaze.

Firefighters were able to contain the fire to a single apartment unit, preventing further spread and damage to the rest of the structure. Notably, smoke alarms were not present in the affected unit.

The Burlington Fire Department received assistance at the scene from the West Burlington, Wever, Gladstone, and Denmark Fire Departments, as well as the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, Access Energy, and the American Red Cross. No injuries were reported among civilians or firefighters.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Burlington Fire Department and the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Burlington Fire Department at (319) 753-8396.

Fire Marshal Robert Berndt indicated that additional updates will be provided as the investigation continues.

DES MOINES, Iowa (June 23, 2025) – 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.

“Last week’s mix of hot temperatures, high humidity and blustery winds really made it feel like summer. Some areas across north-central Iowa received several inches of rain with other locations receiving uninvited hail and high winds,” said Secretary Naig. “The warmer temperatures and increased chances for rain are likely to continue through the end of the month.”

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

Crop Report
Spotty precipitation, heavy in some areas, limited Iowa farmers to 4.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 22, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field work included cutting hay and spraying. Above average temperatures spurred crop growth.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 16 percent short, 73 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 6 percent very short, 21 percent short, 65 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus.

Virtually all of Iowa’s corn crop has emerged, and there were scattered reports of corn silking. Corn condition rated 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 14 percent fair, 62 percent good and 21 percent excellent. Nearly all of the soybean crop has emerged. Soybeans blooming reached 13 percent, 5 days ahead of both last year and the five-year average. Soybean condition rated 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 61 percent good and 16 percent excellent. Iowa’s oat crop reached 81 percent headed with 27 percent turning color. Oat condition rated 0 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 13 percent fair, 67 percent good and 18 percent excellent.

At 94 percent, the first cutting of alfalfa hay was nearly complete. The second cutting reached 24 percent complete. Hay condition rated 80 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 72 percent good to excellent. Some heat stress was reported in livestock.

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

An active storm track over the Upper Midwest allowed for several days of thunderstorms across Iowa. Northern and eastern Iowa reported above-normal rainfall, particularly north-central stations. Temperatures also ramped up through the end of the reporting period with positive departures across the state; the statewide average temperature was 75.9 degrees, 4.8 degrees above normal.

Morning thunderstorms in western Iowa dissipated into Sunday (15th) afternoon as temperatures warmed into the upper 70s and low 80s. Showers and thunderstorms reformed in central and eastern Iowa during the evening hours with another pulse of development in north-central Iowa towards daybreak on Monday (16th). This complex moved southeast over eastern Iowa for much of the day as severe thunderstorms fired in western Iowa during the late afternoon. The line became severe-warned as it raced through west-central Iowa, but lost strength as it fanned out into central and southwest Iowa by sunset. Rain totals reported at 7:00 am on Tuesday (17th) were highest in northern Iowa, where Nora Springs (Floyd County) observed 2.28 inches while Lake Mills (Winnebago County) collected 3.25 inches. Several surrounding stations reported 1.00 inch or more with a north-central to southeast swath of at least 0.50 inch. Much of western Iowa also registered 0.25 to 0.50 inch. Morning conditions were clear with light and variable winds and temperatures in the mid to upper 60s. Afternoon temperatures varied from the upper 70s northwest to upper 80s southeast as scattered showers and thunderstorms returned to much of the state. Slow-moving thunderstorms brought heavier rain to northern Iowa, especially around Orange City (Sioux County) where several gauges registered from 1.58 inches to 3.02 inches. Rainfall continued into Wednesday (18th) with overcast skies across southern and eastern Iowa holding temperatures in the mid to upper 60s. Persisting clouds and rain held daytime temperatures in the 70s as thundershowers rumbled across central Iowa. Conditions quieted down after midnight with clearing skies, westerly winds and morning lows in the upper 50s to mid 60s. Rain amounts for the previous 24 hours were particularly high in southeastern Iowa where a 2.59-inch reading was collected in Ottumwa (Wapello County) and a 3.65-inch reading in Drakesville (Davis County).

Thursday (19th) afternoon conditions warmed into the mid 80s to low 90s under a clear sky and gradually shifting southerly winds. Clouds increased towards the later evening hours with thunderstorms forming in central Iowa as well as an isolated severe-warned cell in southwest Iowa; a 74-mph wind gust was observed near Tabor (Mills County). Another severe-warned line dove south, from Kossuth County into east-central Iowa by sunrise on Friday (20th). Along this swath, numerous stations reported over 0.75 inch with locally heavy totals at north-central and east-central stations; Mason City (Cerro Gordo County) hit 2.43 inches with 3.00 inches in Grinnell (Poweshiek County). Thunderstorms with downpours continued across eastern Iowa before moving out of the state by evening. Afternoon temperatures rapidly warmed into the upper 90s in western Iowa with 80s farther east as southerly winds increased. Strong southerly winds continued overnight into Saturday (21st) helping set several record warm low temperatures for the date; the National Weather Service office in Davenport (Scott County) hit 82 degrees with a statewide low of 72 degrees, 11 degrees above normal. Exceedingly warm daytime temperatures in concert with high dewpoints and sustained strong southerly winds produced anomalous conditions not seen at many locations in the observational record. Conditions were near identical into Sunday (22nd) morning with clear skies and temperatures in the upper 70s.

Weekly rainfall ranged from 0.06 inch at Logan (Harrison County) to 4.41 inches at a Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow (CoCoRaHS) network gauge in Mason City. The statewide weekly average precipitation was 1.82 inches; the normal is 1.19 inches. Little Sioux (Harrison County) reported the week’s high temperature of 101 degrees on the 20th, 17 degrees above normal. Oelwein (Fayette County) reported the week’s low temperature of 50 degrees on the 18th, 11 degrees below normal

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Fort Madison Fire Department have confirmed the recovery of the body of a missing boater from a June 21 capsizing incident on the Mississippi River. The individual’s remains were located late Sunday morning near the Wever area.

According to a joint statement issued by Sheriff Elliott Vandenberg and Fire Chief Chad Hannum, the discovery was made around 10:15 a.m. on June 23 as part of an extensive search effort that spanned multiple days. The identity of the individual has been confirmed, and next of kin have been notified. Out of respect for the family’s wishes, authorities are withholding the individual’s name at this time.

The recovery concludes a multi-agency search operation that began the evening of June 21 after reports of a capsized boat came in. The operation involved the use of drones, boats, and K9 units. Sheriff Vandenberg and Chief Hannum expressed deep gratitude to the responding agencies, volunteers, and family members who assisted in the search.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the individual during this difficult time,” the officials said. No further information will be released at this time out of respect for the family’s privacy.