Fairfield Police Looking for Information

By Allison Jacobs · Thursday, June 1st, 2023 at 9:25 am CDT

The Fairfield Police Department is looking for information on a single-vehicle accident that occurred on Highway 34 East of Fairfield around Midnight on Sunday.

According to the official report, first responders were notified of the accident around midnight. Once on-site, it was discovered that the occupant of the vehicle had left the scene.

It is believed that the driver of the vehicle was heading westbound on Highway 34 swerved, overcorrected, then rolled their vehicle, and fled the scene.

It is not known at this time if there were any injuries.

If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Fairfield Police Department at 641-472-4148.

Both the Fairfield Fire Department and Fairfield Police Department responded to the scene.

Burlington Man Arrested on Outstanding Warrants

By Allison Jacobs · Thursday, June 1st, 2023 at 9:25 am CDT

The Burlington Police Department says that a man wanted on multiple charges has been arrested following a traffic stop.

According to a news release, on Monday, May 30th, a West Burlington Police Officer stopped a vehicle and located a wanted fugitive, 27-year-old Kewion Boyce, inside.

Boyce was arrested and turned over to Burlington Police for questioning.

Following the questioning by Burlington detectives, Boyce was arrested on warrants for felony domestic abuse assault, 3 counts of 1st-degree harassment, aggravated domestic abuse assault, possession of a firearm by a felon and willful injury.

Sports, June 1st

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, June 1st, 2023 at 6:20 am CDT

High School Soccer

The boys’ state quarterfinals finished up play with Class 4A yesterday. Ankeny Centennial defeated Valley in a big upset taking down the #1 seed. Johnston defeated Prairie 3-0. Iowa City West took down Cedar Rapids Kennedy 2-0 and Dowling Catholic came out with the win 2-1 over Ames.

The state tournament will get back to action today.

The girls’ state quarterfinals started yesterday and here are the results. Des Moines Christian and Gilbert each defeated their opponents 2-0 yesterday. Bishop Heelan pulled off the upset against Nevada 1-0. Lastly, Assumption took down Van Meter 2-0. 

Waverly-Shell Rock continued their dominance defeating North Polk 4-1 in Class 2A. Pella snuck past ADM 1-0. Dallas Center-Grimes handled Marion 10-0 and North Scott netted three to take down Spencer.

Waukee Northwest defeated the preseason favorite Ankeny Centennial 2-0. Valley won 2-0 against Pleasant Valley. Dowling Catholic was the second 7th seed to pull off the upset winning 1-0 over Ankeny. Lastly, Johnston ran away with a 5-0 win over Linn-Mar. 

The state tournament will continue tomorrow.

High School Baseball

Mt. Pleasant will continue their series against Washington tonight at home with first pitch at 7:30 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union will face off against Highland at home tonight.

Danville will compete against Van Buren County today.

Central Lee took down New London last night 18-6 after a 9 run 4th inning for the Hawks. Tate Welcher notched 3 RBIs for the Tigers. Central Lee will take on West Burlington tonight on the road. 

New London will host Keota tonight.

High School Softball

Mt. Pleasant traveled to Wapello last night and after waiting out a lightning delay exited with the 8-3 win over the Arrows. The Panthers jumped on the board first after an Emma Starr walk and Addison Clark double put runners on 2nd and 3rd, a subsequent wild pitch would score Starr. Saige Burchett would tally an RBI in the 2nd inning to make it 2 to 0. An Ada Boysen home run would cut the lead in half for the Arrows.

The Panthers and Arrows would enter the 6th inning tied at 3, but an RBI single by Keagyn Coleman and heads up baserunning by Meadow Carter would put the Panthers ahead 4 to 3. The 7th inning was where the Panthers broke it open starting with a 2 run homer by Jersey Beachy to make it 6 to 3. Coleman and Kynlee White would bat home the other runs. The Panthers will face off against Washington at home tonight.

Winfield-Mt. Union will host Highland this evening.

Danville will look to get back in the win column against Van Buren County tonight.

Holy Trinity Catholic will look to take down Mediapolis today.

New London will host Holy Trinity Catholic tomorrow, June 2nd.

High School Tennis

The boys’ state team tournament began yesterday and these are the results. In Class 1A, Pella shut out Ballard and Wahlert Catholic 5 sets to 0. Cedar Rapids Xavier defeated Glenwood 5 sets to 2 and Decorah 5 sets to 0. Pella will take on Xavier today for the championship. Decorah and Wahlert Catholic will face off for 3rd place.

In Class 2A, Waukee Northwest and Iowa City West dominated the competition to make it to the championship game today. Linn-Mar will take on Pleasant Valley for 3rd place. 

Iowa Baseball

The Hawkeyes will open up play in the NCAA tournament against North Carolina tomorrow, June 2nd, at 6 pm.

This Day in Sports History

1925 – Future NY Yankees Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig pinch hits for shortstop Pee-Wee Wanninger in a 5-3 loss to Washington; first of record 2,130 consecutive games.

1943 – Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Rip Sewell patents his “eephus” or “blooper ball” pitch; uses pitch on way to a 20-win campaign.

2012 – Johan Santana throws first no-hitter in the New York Mets’ 50-year MLB history when he beats the St. Louis Cardinals, 8 – 0.

Ray Dean Gillespie

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, May 31st, 2023 at 1:37 pm CDT

Ray Dean Gillespie, 75, of Mt. Pleasant passed away on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant.

Crash Report

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, May 31st, 2023 at 1:32 pm CDT

On May 30th, 2023, at approximately 11:40 a.m., the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received several reports of a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Henry-Des Moines Avenue and Highway 34, south of New London.  An investigation determined the two vehicles involved were, a 2019 White Chevrolet box van being driven west bound by Ben Davis, 54 of Coal Valley, Il., and a 2013 Honda CRV being driven by Memphis Watson, 16 of Mount Pleasant, Ia.

The investigation determined the Watson vehicle was traveling south on 267th Street and came to a stop at the intersection of Highway 34.  The Davis vehicle was traveling west on Highway 34 at the same time.  The Watson vehicle proceeded into the intersection striking the passenger side of the Davis vehicle.  Mr. Watson was cited for Failure to obey a stop sign and yield the right of way.

No injuries were reported. Both vehicles sustained disabling damage and were towed from the scene.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Henry County Emergency Medical Service and the New London Fire and Rescue Department.

Sports, May 31st

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, May 31st, 2023 at 6:27 am CDT

High School Soccer

The boys’ state quarterfinals got underway yesterday and here are the results. In Class 1A, GCGR defeated Columbus Catholic 4-0. Des Moines Christian took down West Branch by the same score 4-0. Regina Catholic won against West Liberty 2-1. Lastly, Western Christian shutout Treynor to win 1-0.

Class 2A’s contests featured all shutouts. Assumption Davenport, Nevada, Gilbert, and Bishop Heelan all moved on to the next round.

Des Moines Hoover handled Xavier 6-0. Norwalk and Humboldt had a tough contest with Norwalk winning 3-2. Iowa City Liberty defeated Dallas Center-Grimes 4-2. Lastly, Marion took down Denison-Schleswig 3-1.

The games for Class 4A were postponed to today.

The girls’ state quarterfinals will start today with Des Moines Christian facing off against Hudson to lead off the day.

High School Baseball

Mt. Pleasant was swept in their road doubleheader to Washington last night 4-1 in game one and 9-8 in game two. Both teams entered the game struggling at the plate and those woes continued for both of those teams in game one. The Demons worked 5 walks in the first inning, which allowed them to score two runs. The Panthers had opportunities in the contest, but could not push across the runs. Payton Hagans notched an RBI with Payson Coleman tallying the only hit. Chase Greiner had an RBI single for the Demons.

Game two started with Zerek Venghaus, Jake Ensminger, and Carter Amos slapping singles to fill up the bases, but a Payton Walker sacrifice fly was all the Panthers could muster. The trouble began in the 4th and 5th innings, when the Demons jumped for 7 runs to take a 9-2 lead into the top of the 7th inning. The Panthers would score 6 runs due to wild pitching and a key couple hits, but it would not be enough. Ensminger, J.C. Sitar, and Payson Coleman all added an RBI to their season total. The Panthers will rematch with Washington tomorrow, June 1st, at home with first pitch at 7:30 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union will face off against Highland at home tomorrow.

Danville will compete against Van Buren County tomorrow.

Central Lee will travel to take on New London tonight.

High School Softball

Mt. Pleasant lost to Washington in their doubleheader last night with game one’s final being 12-3 and game two’s final being 13-1. Addison Clark clobbered a home run in the second game, while notching 3 hits in the two games. The Panthers will face off against Wapello tomorrow on the road. KILJ will be on the call with pregame at 6:45 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union fell to Columbus 12-0 last night. The Wolves will host Highland tomorrow, June 1st.

Holy Trinity Catholic handled Danville last night 14-2. The Bears will look to get back in the win column against Van Buren County tomorrow. The Crusaders will look to take down Mediapolis tomorrow.

New London lost to Mediapolis last night 14-2. The Tigers will host Central Lee tonight.

High School Tennis

The girls’ Class 1A and 2A state team tennis tournaments finished up yesterday and here are the state champions.

In Class 1A, Columbus Catholic took down Clarinda 5 sets to 1 to claim the crown.

In Class 2A, the #1 seed Cedar Rapids Washington defeated Dowling Catholic 5 sets to 2 to take home the state championship.

The boys’ state team tournament will begin today. Pella enters the tournament as the #1 seed in Class 1A, while Waukee Northwest enters as the favorite in Class 2A.

Iowa Baseball

The Hawkeyes will open up play in the NCAA tournament against North Carolina on Friday, June 2nd, at 6 pm.

This Day in Sports History

1937 – Second largest crowd in Polo Grounds history (61,756) sees Brooklyn Dodgers beat NY Giants, 10-3, ending Carl Hubbell’s record consecutive-game winning streak at 24.

2002 – The New Jersey Nets defeat the Boston Celtics 96-88 in Game 6 of the NBA’s Eastern Conference Championship, winning the series 4 games to 2 to advance to their first NBA Finals appearance.

2015 – Harriette Thompson aged 92 and 65 days becomes the oldest woman to complete a marathon.

 

 

 

 

Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, May 31st, 2023 at 6:16 am CDT
 

May 22 – 28, 2023

DES MOINES, Iowa (May 30, 2023) — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented today on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November.

“Nearly all of Iowa’s corn and soybeans are now planted thanks to the seasonal temperatures and unseasonably dry conditions over the past week,” said Secretary Naig. “As the calendar flips to June, Iowans can expect scattered thunderstorms and the warmest stretch of the season thus far with weather outlooks indicating a gradual shift from drier conditions to better chances of rain.”

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

Crop Report

Very dry conditions and relatively warm weather meant Iowa farmers had 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 28, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Farmers were still planting some corn and soybeans. However, farmers took advantage of the dry warm weather to cut a lot of hay. Other field activities included spraying pesticides on emerging crops.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 10 percent very short, 40 percent short, 49 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 10 percent very short, 36 percent short, 53 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Planting is nearing completion, with 98 percent of Iowa’s corn crop planted, 8 days ahead of last year and 11 days ahead of the 5-year average. Eighty-five percent of the corn crop has emerged, 1 week ahead of last year and the average. Iowa’s first corn condition rating of the year was 0 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 65 percent good, and 12 percent excellent. Ninety-four percent of Iowa’s expected soybean crop has been planted, just over a week ahead of last year and 15 days ahead of normal. Sixty-seven percent of soybeans have emerged, 8 days ahead of last year and the average. Iowa’s first soybean condition rating of the year was 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 25 percent fair, 59 percent good, and 12 percent excellent. Ninety-seven percent of the expected oat crop has emerged, 6 days ahead of normal. Twenty-one percent of the oat crop has headed, 8 days ahead of last year and the average. Oat condition declined to 74 percent good to excellent.

Fifty-two percent of the State’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed, jumping from close to the 5-year average pace to nearly 2 weeks ahead. Hay condition fell 8 percentage points to 58 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition dropped to 50 percent good to excellent.  No major livestock concerns other than precipitation needed to improve pasture conditions.

Weather Summary

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

A nearly stationary high pressure center, known as a Rex Block, dominated the weather pattern across the region through the reporting period. This atmospheric configuration blocked the large-scale west-to-east flow, setting up a dry pattern for the region; most of Iowa’s stations observed rainfall deficits from 1.00 to 1.20 inches. Warmer to near-seasonal temperatures were reported northwest to southeast with the statewide average temperature at 65.1 degrees, 2.1 degrees above normal.

Daytime highs on Sunday (21st) were in the 70s statewide while a few northwestern stations reported low 80s with sunny skies and winds out of the south.  Overnight conditions remained seasonal with lows in the 50s and patchy fog in western Iowa at sunrise on Monday (22nd). Skies became partly cloudy through the day as the remaining hints of Canadian wildfire smoke produced a copper tinge to higher level cumulus. Temperatures were again pleasant with mid to upper 70s reported under a light southerly wind. Cloud cover remained in southwestern Iowa into Tuesday (23rd) morning with calm to slightly breezy conditions and lows in the mid to upper 50s. Daytime highs pushed into the low to mid 80s with a few passing clouds in western Iowa. Winds became light and variable in eastern Iowa over the nighttime hours as the wind direction gradually shifted easterly through Wednesday (24th) morning. Afternoon conditions quickly warmed into the low to mid 80s with spotty upper 80s at several stations in eastern Iowa; the statewide average high was 83 degrees, nine degrees above normal. Rain showers with a few rumbles of thunder developed in southwestern Iowa just before sunset and slowly moved northwest. Additional, isolated cells redeveloped into late Thursday (25th) morning along a localized boundary as a weak cold front dropped north to south through the state.

Only 31 stations in western Iowa reported rainfall with six stations registering just a trace amount. Rain totals were generally under a tenth of an inch though higher totals ranged from 0.13 inch at a Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow (CoCoRaHS) gauge in Atlantic (Cass County) to 0.40 and 0.42 inch-totals at two stations in Woodbury County. Afternoon skies were generally cloudless with a gustier easterly wind in eastern Iowa shifting to southeasterly farther northwest. Starry skies prevailed overnight into Friday (26th) with morning lows ranging from the mid 40s east to upper 50s west with a statewide average low at 46 degrees, seven degrees below normal; some western Iowa stations were anywhere from two to six degrees above average. Afternoon conditions continued to be warmer in the northwest, with highs in the low 80s while temperatures were up to 10 degrees cooler at stations in the east. Easterly winds persisted into Saturday (27th) as morning temperatures hovered in the upper 40s and low 50s. Ample sunlight and southeasterly winds pushed daytime highs into the upper 70s and low 80s, with a noticeable lack of humidity. With lower dewpoints and clear skies, temperatures dropped into the 50s on Sunday (28th) morning.

Weekly rain totals ranged from no accumulation at a majority of Iowa’s weather stations to 0.42 inch at Sioux City Airport (Woodbury County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.02 inch, while the normal is 1.05 inches. Several stations reported the week’s high temperature of 88 degrees on the 24th, on average 13 degrees above normal. Fayette (Fayette County) and Vinton (Benton County) reported the week’s low temperature of 36 degrees on the 26th, on average 14 degrees below normal.

Henry County Board of Supervisors Meeting Agenda

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, May 31st, 2023 at 6:15 am CDT

AGENDA

June 1, 2023

Approve Agenda

Approve Minutes

9:00 Monthly Department Head Meeting

Jenni from Elevate for Mobile Crisis Response Service

9:30 Paul Katsion, Henry County Optimist Club

10:15 RWE Wind Energy for Update on their Project

Other County Business as time allows

Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates