Steffensmeier Welding and Manufacturing to become a Weaton Company

(November 2, 2022) – Weaton Companies announced today that it has acquired a strategic interest in Steffensmeier Welding and Manufacturing, a privately held woman-owned small business based in Pilot Grove, IA.

SWM specializes in custom welding, CNC machining, laser cutting, and metal fabrication for end users in the Agriculture, Refrigeration, Government, and Industrial Products industries.

“I am excited for the Steffensmeier Welding & Manufacturing employees and all our partners as this opportunity to join Weaton Companies brings immediate expansion of resources and capabilities to our operation”, states Jenny Steffensmeier, Owner of SWM. “We share a passion for manufacturing success in Iowa, so to work alongside the Weaton Team to drive value for SWM’s future is a true honor.”

Weaton Companies is a diversified Iowa manufacturer that delivers flexible, creative, and innovative solutions to the end markets they serve through their family of independent manufacturing brands.

“We are excited to work alongside Jenny and the amazing Steffensmeier Team to grow their brand, engage with their employees, optimize their operation and be a part of their community”, said Nate Weaton, Founder and CEO of Weaton Companies. “This is a positive next step for our team as we execute on our strategy to provide unique succession opportunities to Iowa manufacturing companies and their ownership, and we are excited for SWM to join our family”.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Henry County Board of Supervisors Meeting Agenda

AGENDA

November 3, 2022

Approve Agenda

Approve Minutes

9:00 Department Head Meeting

10:00 Public Hearing of Truck Storage

Open Bids for Truck Storage Building for Secondary Road – Weekly Updates.

Resolution to Abate Taxes for Building on Leased Land

Other County Business as time allows

Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates

 

Daily Jail Count

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.

Date:   11-2-2022______

 

   25_    Henry County Inmates

 

   48     Out of County Contract Inmates              

 

  73       TOTAL

Hy-Vee’s Retail Stores Will Be Closed Thanksgiving Day

Announcement includes all Hy-Vee grocery, Dollar Fresh Market, Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh and Hy-Vee Wine & Spirits locations

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (Nov. 1, 2022) — Hy-Vee announces that its more than 285 retail locations will  be closed for Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, so that the company’s more than 80,000 employees across its eightstate region can enjoy the holiday with their friends and family.
This is the first time in Hy-Vee’s 92-year history that its stores will close on Thanksgiving, reflecting Hy-Vee’s commitment to be the best place to work in America. All Hy-Vee grocery stores, Dollar Fresh Markets, Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh locations, Wall to Wall Wine and Spirits locations, and Hy-Vee Wine & Spirits locations will be closed. Customers will still be able to pay at the pump for fuel at all Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh locations on Thanksgiving Day. “Thanksgiving Day is about gratitude. The last several years have been some of the most challenging our employees have experienced and this is our way of showing our appreciation for everything they do on a daily basis to serve our customers,” said Jeremy Gosch, CEO and president of Hy-Vee. “By closing our stores on Thanksgiving Day, we can give back to our employees by providing them time to focus on their own celebrations.” Customers who purchase holiday meal packs will be able to schedule a time to pick up their order in-store prior
to the Thanksgiving holiday or via curbside pickup from 8 – 11 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day at Hy-Vee grocery stores. Customers can order holiday meal packs by calling their local Hy-Vee store or by ordering online. All Hy-Vee corporate offices will also be closed on Thanksgiving Day. For more information on specific store locations or hours, please visit www.hy-vee.com/stores.

Mary E. Mercer Huddleston

Mary E. Mercer Huddleston, 102, of Burlington, died at Oakview Nursing & Rehabilitation Center on Monday, October 31, 2022.

Mary was born April 4, 1920 near Packwood, Iowa, the daughter of Edward and Iva Ramsey Mercer.  On September 12, 1943 she married Walter E. Huddleston in Newport, R.I. where both were serving in the US Army.  She enlisted as a WAAC during WWII.  She was a teacher for a short time, a homemaker, and a bookkeeper for Benner Tea Company in Burlington.  They raised their family in New London.  They moved to Amarillo, Texas and retired to Hendersonville, North Carolina before returning to Burlington.  She loved to travel with her husband all over the United States and was an avid reader.  She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Burlington.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Mary L. Schwartz, Indianapolis, IN; her son, Robert A. (Dorie) Huddleston, Mt. Union; grandchildren, Daniel Crook, Indianapolis, IN, Kristen (Bob) Alfred, Denmark, IA, Jacob (Annie) Huddleston, Oak Grove, MO; seven great-grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, seven step-great-grandchildren, and two step-great-great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband Walter; one son Bill; five brothers and three sisters.

Friends may call after 9:00 AM on November 12, 2022 at Elliott Chapel, New London, where the family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 AM with a graveside service with Military Rites immediately following at Maple Hills Cemetery, Birmingham.  A memorial has been established for Faith Lutheran Church, Burlington.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com

Secretary Pate expanding post-election audits to ensure integrity of the vote

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is adding another layer of protection to Iowa’s electoral process by expanding post-election audits. All 99 counties will be required to conduct a hand count audit of two races following the November 2022 general election. Previously, they audited one race.

One randomly selected precinct in each county will hand count the votes for the Governor’s race to match with the ballot tabulators to ensure the accuracy of the vote. On November 9, the day after the election, Secretary Pate will announce an additional race in a randomly selected precinct in each county.

“This is being done to ensure Iowans of the integrity of the vote,” Secretary Pate said. “Our post-election audits consistently match the ballot tabulators perfectly. Adding another race to the process gives greater protection, transparency and security to the process. We want Iowans to know their vote counts.”

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

Applicants sought for scholarship program

Applications are currently being accepted for a scholarship/loan program through the Friends of Henry County Health Center. The purpose of the scholarship is to encourage education and future employment in a healthcare field at Henry County Health Center. Applicants must be residents of Henry County, HCHC associates, or a family member of an HCHC associate. The program is designated as a scholarship/loan because the recipient will be required to work at HCHC pending completion of course work, certification, and availability of employment. The scholarship/loan amount will be forgiven over a specified period of employment.

Applications are available at the HCHC Information Desk in the front lobby, high schools located in Henry County, Iowa Wesleyan University, Southeastern Community College, Indian Hills Community College, or Kirkwood Community College. To print the application, go to Friends of Henry County Health Center | Great River Health.

Applicants may enroll in a program of their choice and at the college of their choice; however, the scholarship committee reserves the right to review the program. Funds may be used to pay for tuition, books, and other educational expenses.

Completed applications are due by Wednesday, November 30, and may be turned into the HCHC Public Information Department, 407 S. White Street, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa 52641.

The Friends of HCHC initiated the scholarship/loan program in 1979 to offer financial assistance to students enrolled in a health care field of study.  Numerous scholarships have been awarded to area students in hospital service areas such as nursing, emergency care, laboratory, imaging (radiology), medical records and pharmacy. Friends of Henry County Health Center sponsor an annual soup supper on the first Friday in November to help fund the scholarship. This year’s Soup Supper is scheduled for Friday, November 5th.

For more scholarship information, call 319-385-6524.

Sports, November 2nd

High School Volleyball

Holy Trinity Catholic’s season is over after falling in the opening round of the State Tournament to Gladbrook-Reinbeck three sets to one by scores of 20-25, 25-14, 14-25, and 22-25. Presley Myers led the team in kills with 11 followed by Mary Kate Bendlage with 10 with Anna Bendlage being the main distributor for the kills. The Crusaders finished the season with a 29-16 record and Regional Champions and Coach reflected on how important the seniors were as leaders for the team to accomplish what they did this season.

High School Football

The WACO Warriors will face off against Montezuma tomorrow, November 3rd, at home at 7 pm here on KILJ with pregame at 6:45 pm. The Braves are led by senior quarterback Owen Cook who threw for 270 yards and scored eight total touchdowns, seven of which through the air last Friday.

The other matchups to watch for in 8 man football are Remsen St. Mary’s facing off with GTRA. Lenox plays Fremont-Mills and Newell-Fonda goes against Gladbrook-Reinbeck. All of these games will be played Thursday at 7 pm.

In Mt. Pleasant’s district, North Scott faces off against Waverly-Shell Rock and Iowa City Liberty hosts Carlisle Friday night.

Elementary Basketball Tournament

Mount Pleasant Christmas Holidays 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament for 3rd – 8th grade boys and girls will be held on Dec 17th, 2022. For more registration details contact Coach Ronnie Ashton at 319-931-2896.

Iowa Wesleyan Athletics

The women’s basketball team’s next game will be tonight, November 2nd, as the first game of a home doubleheader against William Woods University with their game starting at 5:30 pm and the men’s game starting at 7:30 pm. Both of these games will be covered on KILJ tomorrow with pregame starting at 5:15 for the women’s game.

The men’s and women’s cross country teams will compete Friday, November 4th, at the 2022 Continental Athletic Conference Cross Country Championship with the men starting at 7 am and women running at 7:45 am.

The Tiger football team will end their season this Saturday, November 5th, on the road against Waldorf University at 3 pm.

Men’s and women’s wrestling gets underway at the Luther Hill Invitational this Saturday, November 5th, at 9 am.

This Day in Sports History

1895 – First organized auto race in the United States was run in Chicago; 6 cars raced over a 52-mile lakefront course; 2 finished because of blizzard conditions.

1969 – 41-year old Detroit right wing Gordie Howe picks up his 19th and final NHL hat trick as the Red Wings beat Pittsburgh Penguins, 4-3; Howe is the oldest player to score an NHL hat-trick.

1972 – Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Steve Carlton is unanimously selected National League Cy Young Award winner; as he wins 27 games for Phillies, who as a team win only 59 games.