| DES MOINES, Iowa (May 15, 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. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.
“We had unseasonably warm and wet conditions last week across most of the state as several rounds of severe weather brought measurable rain, hail, high winds and reports of 11 weak tornadoes,” said Secretary Naig. “Farmers should have a window of opportunity in the coming week to make more planting progress, as forecasts indicate drier conditions and more seasonal temperatures.” The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov. Crop Report Warm, but wet, weather meant Iowa farmers had just 3.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 14, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. The warmth helped crop emergence this week; however, the wet conditions marginally slowed planting progress. Farmers were still planting corn, soybeans, and oats during the dry periods of the week. Other reports of interest were concerns for isolated flooding and for a swath of large hail across the central portion of the State. Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 14 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 7 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 6 percent very short, 23 percent short, 68 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Eighty-six percent of Iowa’s expected corn crop has been planted, 8 days ahead of last year and 1 week ahead of the 5-year average. Thirty-five percent of the corn crop has emerged, 6 days ahead of last year and 2 days ahead of the average. One-fifth of Iowa’s expected soybean crop was planted during the week ending May 14, 2023, for a total of 69 percent planted, just over a week ahead of both last year and the average. Nineteen percent of soybeans have emerged, 9 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of normal. Nearly all the oat crop has been planted with 83 percent emerged, 9 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of the average. The first oat condition rating of the season was 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 64 percent good and 13 percent excellent. Hay condition improved to 72 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition jumped to 53 percent good to excellent. Reports of livestock turned out to pasture and grazing were received.
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Burglary in Burlington
May 13th at 12:25 PM, Burlington Police Officers responded to 123 S. 3rd Street when the business owner observed someone inside the building on their surveillance cameras.
Upon arrival, they found Cheyenne John Stone, age 41, hiding in the basement of the building. Further investigation revealed a saw, hedge trimmers, and pry bars in their possession.
Sports, May 16th
High School Track and Field
The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will compete in 8 events at the state track meet and the girls’ team will be in 5 events.
The Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team will be competing in 2 events with the boys’ team participating in 9 events.
The WACO and New London boys’ teams will be competing in 7 events.
The Danville boys’ team will be in 7 events with two runners in the 3200 meter run. The girls’ team will be participating in 5 events.
The Van Buren County boys team will compete in 5 events.
Thomas Eschman will run the 100 meter dash and compete in the long jump for Central Lee.
For a look at the boys’ heat and lane assignments follow this link: Boys’ State Heat and Lane Assignments
For a look at the full list of the local teams girls’ qualifiers follow this link: Girls’ State Qualifiers
The state track meet will begin competition on Thursday, May 18th, and run through the 20th. KILJ will be bringing live results throughout those days for our local teams.
High School Soccer
The Mt. Pleasant girls team was locked in a tight game on the road against Ottumwa after a scoreless first half, but the Panthers would net two in the second half to win 2-1. Charice Auwerda and Tori Wilson each scored a goal with Elly Manning and Sonya Simon getting credited with the assist. The Panthers will host Maquoketa in the Regional Qualifier on May 19th.
The Mt. Pleasant boys team fell to Solon last night in the first round of the substate 2-1. Dylan White scored the lone goal for Mt. Pleasant. The Panthers end the season with a 4-10 record.
The Danville and WACO boys’ teams were in a battle last night, but it was a first half goal by the Bears that decided the game with a Danville 1-0 win. The Bears will move on in the substate to face off against West Liberty on May 22nd. WACO ends the season 4-9.
Dante Merschman’s 2 goals and Hunter Gregory’s 8 saves led the way for Central Lee’s 2-1 win over Hillcrest Academy last night in the first round of substate 6 competition. The Hawks will travel to take on Pella Christian on May 22nd for the second round of the postseason.
The Central Lee girls team will compete in the Class 1A Region 3 contest against Mid-Prairie on May 17th.
High School Golf
The Mt. Pleasant girls team will compete in their Regional meet tomorrow, May 17th, at Xavier.
The boys teams of New London and Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to Brown Deer course in Iowa City today for their District meet.
The girls teams of New London and Winfield-Mt. Union will participate in the Regional final hosted by Wapello tomorrow.
Olivia Hines of Mediapolis will compete at Williamsburg for the Region 4 final tomorrow.
High School Baseball
Mt. Pleasant fell on the road to Van Buren County yesterday 6-5 after the Warriors walked it off scoring three runs in the bottom of the 7th. Payton Walker tallied three hits including a double with an RBI for the Panthers. They will host Mediapolis on May 18th at 7 pm.
Iowa Wesleyan Athletics
The NAIA National Championship meet will take place on May 24th for outdoor track and field.
This Day in Sports History
1957 – Yankees are involved in a Copacabana Incident, leads to Billy Martin trade.
1984 – The Twins sell 51,863 tickets to their 8-7 loss to the Blue Jays, but only 6,346 fans show up for the game. The skewed numbers are the result of a massive ticket-buying plan organized by Minneapolis businessman Harvey Mackay to keep the Twins in Minnesota.
1985 – Michael Jordan is named NBA Rookie of Year.
Vandalism Arrest
On May 12, 2023, at approximately 8:37p.m. deputies were dispatched to the Des Moines County Correctional Center for a report of vandalism. Des Moines County Correctional Officers discovered an individual had thrown large rocks at the windshields of two Des Moines County Correctional Center transport vehicles. There was additional damage to the front passenger window and frame of one of the transport vehicles. Total damage to the vehicles is estimated to be over $1500.
The suspect was located directly in front of the vandalized vehicles, by Des Moines County Correctional Officers, lying on his stomach with his hands behind his back. The suspect was identified as Calvin Ball, age 37, of Springfield Illinois. A check of video surveillance showed Ball vandalized the vehicles at approximately 8:34p.m. Deputies placed Calvin Ball under arrest for Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree and walked him into the Des Moines County Correctional Center.
IW Track Closing Friday, May 26th
Girls’ Prep Soccer: Final Rankings of the Season for Class 1A
Prep Girls’ Soccer- The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union released their final Class 1A rankings for the year. The Class 2A and 3A final rankings will be released on May 19th.
The top 11 of the rankings remained the same with Des Moines Christian as the top school with an 11-2 record. Nevada and Davenport Assumption take the 2nd and 3rd spots in the rankings, respectively. No teams fell out of the top 15, but the teams ranked 12th through 15th were scrambled around. Beckman Catholic went from being ranked 12th to almost falling out of the top 15 after losing 4-0 to Solon. Harlan Community jumped up the rankings from 14th to 12th after their only loss last week came against 11th ranked Lewis Central 3-1. Pella Christian tumbled one spot from 13th to 14th after their 4-1 loss at home against 6th ranked Van Meter.
Comparing the final rankings to the preseason rankings, 11 teams managed to stay in the top 15 and 2 teams ended the season in the same rankings they started at: Des Moines Christian at #1 and Bishop Heelan at #7. The highest riser in the rankings was Denver as the Cyclones moved up 7 spots from 15th to 8th.
The play-in games for Class 1A will begin today with the first round scheduled to begin on May 17th.
Rebecca Susan Fritz
Rebecca “Becky” Susan Fritz, 66, of Mt. Pleasant, died Saturday, May 13, 2023 at her home. She was born June 16, 1956 in Keosauqua, Iowa to John Woodruff and Alice F. Neal Coleman. She was a 1975 graduate of New London High School. On August 16, 1986 she married James LeRoy Fritz in Mt. Pleasant.
Becky worked as a rehab aide at Arbor Court in Mt. Pleasant retiring in 2013. She enjoyed crafts, puzzling, reading, gardening and tending her flowers, and collecting “Willow Tree” figurines.
Besides her husband, she is survived by her daughter Brittany (Aaron) Buffington of Winfield; son Wyatt Fritz of Mt. Pleasant; stepson Ryan (Amber) Fritz of Birmingham; six grandchildren, Logan, Lexee, and Aubrey Fritz and Abel, Ezrah, and Isaias Buffington; brothers LeRoy, Cecil (Kathy), Lester, Jeff (Margaret), Rex (Lorna), Doug, and Reuben (Cathy); sisters Donna (Dennis) Hassman, Catherine (Steven) Ort, Linda (Greg) Mertens, Janet (Mark) Wesely, and Judy (Kerry) Kelly; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.
Visitation will begin at noon Thursday, May 18, 2023 at Elliott Chapel, New London, with the family greeting friends from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. The funeral service for Mrs. Fritz will be at 10:00 Friday, May 19, at Elliott Chapel with Pastor David Mixon officiating. Burial will follow at Burlington Memorial Park Cemetery, Burlington, Iowa. A memorial has been established for Compassus Hospice. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Municipal Utilities Meeting Mount Pleasant May 16th
Board of Trustees: Regular Meeting:
Dan McCabe, Chairman 1:00 P.M. Tuesday
Harvey Ungerman May 16th, 2023
David George (City Hall Council Chamber Room
Michelle Rosell located at 307 E. Monroe St.)
Lori White
AGENDA
I. CALL TO ORDER.
A. Roll call.
B. Approval of Agenda.
II. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS.
A. Regular Board Meeting April 18th, 2023 – Approval.
B. Board Working Session May 12th, 2023 – Approval.
III. FINANCIAL.
A. Approval of Warrants.
B. Treasurer’s Report – Jody Fuller.
C. Transfer of Funds – Transfer budget dollars allocated for the Turbine Room Project to Well #6 Roof
D. 2023-2024 Capital & Operating Budget – Review & Approval
E. Water Rate Resolution N0 2019 – 01 – Review & Approve
Review of detail associated with the automatic inflationary rate adjustment factor language
contained within the current Water Rate Resolution No. 2019-01.
IV. LEGAL COUNSEL.
A. Attorney – Timothy J. Whipple (Ahlers & Cooney P.C.).
V. OPERATIONS.
1. Cedar Lane Well #7 and Water Distribution System Project – Update
a) Board review of the associated Bid Package #1 (Well Drilling) work.
b) Board review of the associated Bid Package #2 (Well Equipping) work.
2. E. Henry Street Water Main Replacement Project – No Update.
a) Board review of the associated water main / service replacement work.
3. Adams Street Substation 15 kV Sheltered Aisle Switchgear Replacement Project – Update.
a) Board review of the associated Adams Street Substation 15 kV Sheltered Aisle Switchgear
Replacement Project work.
4. Transmission System Power Supply Project – Update.
a) Status update of the associated 69 kV transmission system power supply work.
5. Monthly Activities.
a) Mt. Pleasant Utilities Employee Handbook, Meal Reimbursement, Review and Approve
A. Customers.
1.
C. Employees.
1.
VI. OTHER BUSINESS.
A. Other Business, Unscheduled for Consideration by Board of Trustees.
1. Executive Session will convene w/ guests.
a) (Executive Session pursuant to Section 21.5(1)(c) of the Code of Iowa for
legal purposes).
VII. ADJOURNMENT.
Next Regular Board Meeting: 1:00 p.m. Tuesday June ??, 2023.