Henry County Auditor Shelly Barber conducted a successful post-election audit of two races in the November election on November 18, 2022. Ballots in the Precinct 3 were hand counted by election workers to ensure they matched the totals reported by the ballot tabulator. The precinct was randomly selected by the Secretary of State following Election Day. The gubernatorial race and constitutional amendment ballot measure were audited. The results matched 100%.

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate added another layer of protection to Iowa’s electoral process this year by expanding post-election audits to include the statewide constitutional amendment question. All 99 counties are required to conduct a hand-count audit of two races following the November 2022 general election. In previous elections, they audited only the gubernatorial or presidential race.

Auditor Shelly Barber would like to thank all the Precinct Election Officials who worked so hard to help this election go very well and most of all her staff who worked many long hard hours to have everything done according to the Code of Iowa.

“I’d like to thank the county auditors and our more than 10,000 election officials and poll workers across the state for their hard work this year,” Secretary Pate said. “We conducted another fair, secure election in Iowa and these hand count audits are one more way we ensure the integrity of the vote.”

Every ballot tabulator in Iowa undergoes a public pre-election audit to ensure it will count votes accurately on Election Day. Post-election audits are mandatory in all 99 counties following each election.

For more information about election security in Iowa, visit the Secretary of State’s website at sos.iowa.gov. Information about casting your ballot is available at VoterReady.Iowa.gov.

The 2022 Iowa Agricultural Statistics, a comprehensive overview by Iowa’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) office and released by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), found Iowa’s corn yield in 2021 averaged 205 bushels per acre, breaking the previous high of 203 in 2016.  Iowa’s soybean crop yielded an average of 63 bushels per acre, eclipsing the old record of 60, also set in 2016.

            “Technology advancements in seed and precision agriculture have allowed farmers to increase yields, even during drought,” said Brent Johnson, IFBF President. “It also enables us to use less fertilizer which reduces inputs and water quality impacts. Iowa is a global leader in seed genetics research, and farmers continue to make big strides in both practice and management, which has helped us produce more food, fuel and fiber while using fewer resources and remaining focused on sustainability.” 

            In addition to having a highly productive crop year in 2021, Iowa livestock farmers led the nation in commercial red meat production.  NASS data found that Iowa ranked first nationally in pigs raised and egg production, fourth for cattle and calves on feed and seventh for turkey production.  Iowa ranks first in corn production, and second for both soybeans and oats. 

            “Iowa is home to nearly 85,000 farms with a tremendous amount of diversity among commodities raised, production practices and size,” said Johnson.  “A significant portion of Iowa farms are small scale, with 60% of Iowa farms having less than $99,999 in annual sales, and regardless of whether a farm operation is conventional or caters to a niche market, we continue to see new opportunities and productivity increase.” 

While Iowa ag production continues to rise, the analysis found that farmers are feeling the economic crunch amidst inflation and rising cost to grow a crop and raise livestock.  The NASS survey found that statewide land values set a record high average in 2021 of $9,751 per acre, contributing to rising cash rent rates.  Additionally, Iowa farmers faced a record year for farm production expenses in 2021, with per acre expenses up $1,000 from 2020.  The cost of production is expected to rise yet again for 2022, amidst rising input costs and a fertilizer crisis. 

“Perseverance and farming go hand-in-hand; from volatile markets to Mother Nature, there will always be challenges, but Iowa farmers continue to rise up to overcome obstacles and cement our status as some of the most productive farmers in the nation,” Johnson said.  

The $12 stats book can be ordered from the Marketing and Communications Division, Iowa Farm Bureau, 5400 University Avenue, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266. Checks should be made payable to the Iowa Farm Bureau.

Police, ambulance and the fire department responded to a call Wednesday afternoon at the intersection of East Monroe and South Haynes Streets. Scott Houghtby of Mount Pleasant was driving East on Monroe.  He swerved to avoid what he thought was going to be a collision with a vehicle pulling out from a stop sign.  The action caused him to drive up on the curb and his vehicle hit a tree.  He was transported to Henry County Health and later released.

Date:   ____11-18-2022_____

In the interest of keeping Henry County residents informed, the Henry County Sheriff’s office has requested KILJ post the daily jail count. During the jail referendum campaign it was publicized that the jail would be able to house additional inmates from surrounding counties and this would generate revenue for Henry County.

  _25_      Henry County Inmates

 _47_      Out of County Contract Inmates              

 _72_     TOTAL

Ethan Sexauer, a Mount Pleasant High School musician, has been selected as first-chair of the violin section in the All-State Orchestra  based on seating auditions conducted Thursday, opening day of the three-day Iowa All-State Music Festival in Ames. Sexauer, a senior who also plays trumpet in the high school symphonic and jazz bands, was selected all four years for the All-State Orchestra.

Also in Ames participating in the All-State Festival from Mount Pleasant are Robbie Heaton, Tien Nguyen and Natalie McCormick, all in the All-State Chorus.

Being named All-State is the highest individual honor available to Iowa high school musicians.

The 2022 festival will celebrate the 76th anniversary of this prestigious event. District auditions for the 278-piece All-State Band, 214-piece All-State Orchestra and 601-member All-State Chorus were held in October at LeMars, Hampton, Independence, Atlantic, Indianola and Washington. Approximately 17 percent of the students who audition are selected for membership in the All-State ensembles.

Participants will rehearse in Ames Friday, November 18 and Saturday, November 19, and the Festival Concert will be presented to the public at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Hilton Coliseum, at Iowa State University, in Ames. Iowa Public Television will record the concert for re-broadcast November 24 at 7:00 p.m.