Crop Progress & Condition Report

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, July 12th, 2022 at 8:25 am CDT

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.

“An early July derecho raced along a path from northwestern South Dakota through northern Iowa early last week, producing swaths of lodged and flattened corn as well as some structural wind damage,” said Secretary Naig. “Several waves of rainfall also brought widespread relief to drier parts of the state as corn tassels begin to emerge.”

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

Crop Report

Most of the state received rain along with warmer temperatures, resulting in 4.0 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 10, 2022, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. A derecho blew through northern Iowa on Tuesday, causing some crop damage. Fieldwork included wrapping up the first cutting of alfalfa and working on the second.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 19 percent short, 72 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 7 percent very short, 22 percent short, 66 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus.

Corn silking was at 7 percent, 4 days behind last year and 5 days behind average. Corn condition rated 81 percent good to excellent. Thirty-four percent of soybeans were blooming or beyond, 1 week behind last year and 2 days behind average. Three percent of the soybean crop was setting pods, 10 days behind last year and 5 days behind the 5-year average. Iowa’s soybean condition rating was 79 percent good to excellent. Ninety-five percent of the oat crop was headed or beyond, 4 days behind last year. Forty-eight percent of oats were turning color, 6 days behind last year. Oat harvest for grain has begun at 2 percent, 1 week behind last year. Iowa’s oat condition was 80 percent good to excellent.

Thirty-five percent of the State’s second cutting of alfalfa hay was complete. All Hay condition rated 70 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 59 percent good to excellent. Pasture and hay improved with widespread rain. Livestock were stressed due to above average heat and humidity with reports of pinkeye in cattle.

Help Avoid Child Heatstroke and Vehicular Tragedies: Park. Look. Lock

By Theresa Rose · Monday, July 11th, 2022 at 5:45 pm CDT

 

Kansas City, MO — As temperatures rise, so does the risk of vehicular, heat-related illnesses and deaths in children. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Region 7 which includes Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, is working together to promote Park. Look. Lock. effort designed to ensure that child passengers are not left behind in the car by parents and caregivers, and that children cannot gain unsupervised access to motor vehicles.

NHTSA hopes that before walking away after parking a vehicle, drivers look in the back of their car and lock the doors. Vehicle heatstroke is one of the leading causes of traffic-related death for children in the United States, resulting in the deaths of 906 young children since 1998.

“More than half (53%) of all vehicle-related heatstroke deaths in children are caused by a child accidentally being left in the car, and 26% are from a child getting into a hot car unsupervised,” said Regional Administrator Susan DeCourcy. “Since 1998, our region has lost 67 children to vehicular heatstroke. We have to impress upon our children that the vehicle is not a playground and that playing in and around the car is very dangerous. Get the word out to everyone: please Park. Look. Lock.”

Families staying home more over the past couple of years likely contributed to a decline in ‘forgotten’ circumstances. Unfortunately, the percentage of children playing in and around the car and getting locked in has increased.

The bottom line is this: We are all susceptible to forgetfulness. We live in a fast-paced society, and our routines are often upended at a moment’s notice. It is during these moments of hurriedness and change in routine that many of these preventable tragedies occur. For this reason, NHTSA urges everyone to make it a habit to look in the back seat every time and think to Park. Look. Lock.

If you are a bystander and see a child in a hot vehicle:

  • Make sure the child is okay and responsive. If not, call 911 immediately.
  • If the child appears to be okay, attempt to locate the parents. If there is someone with you, one person should actively search for the parent while the other waits at the car.
  • If the child is not responsive or appears to be in distress, attempt to get into the car to assist the child — even if that means breaking a window.

Knowing the warning signs of heatstroke, which include red, hot, and moist or dry skin; no sweating; a strong rapid or a slow weak pulse; nausea; or confusion is also key. If a child exhibits any of these signs after being in a hot vehicle, quickly spray the child with cool water or with a garden hose — but never in an ice bath. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

For more information on vehicle heatstroke, visit www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/heatstroke.

Daily Jail Count

By Theresa Rose · Monday, July 11th, 2022 at 5:31 pm CDT

 

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:   07-11-2022______

 

JAIL COUNT

 

24_    Henry County Inmates

 

61     Out of County Contract Inmates

 

85       TOTAL

Myrtle Mary Peitz

By Theresa Rose · Monday, July 11th, 2022 at 5:29 pm CDT

Myrtle Mary Peitz, 92, of West Point, Iowa, passed away at 12:45 a.m. Monday, July 11, 2022, at the West Point Care Center, West Point, Iowa.

She was born on March 10, 1930, the daughter of Theodore and Pearl (Sonntag) Brinkschroeder in Fort Madison, Iowa. On August 27, 1949, at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church she married Richard Edwin Peitz. He preceded her in death on December 14, 2010.

Survivors include her children: Diane (Richard) Jennings of West Point, Iowa, Cindy Kennedy of Farmington, Iowa, Susan (Rob) Gruener of West Point, Iowa, Daniel (Laura) Peitz of Decatur, Georgia, Randy (Pamela) Peitz of West Point, Iowa, Mark Peitz of Burlington, Iowa, Alan (Monica) Peitz of Perry, Iowa, David (Lori) Peitz of Republic, Missouri, Doug Peitz (Deanna Boyle) of Danville, Iowa; twenty-two grandchildren, thirty-two great grandchildren, two on the way and seven great great grandchildren. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one granddaughter, one daughter in-law, one son in-law, two sisters and one brother.

Myrtle graduated from Catholic Central High School in Fort Madison, Iowa. She was a homemaker, cook at American Legion and worked for Sheaffer Pen Company. She was a member of Saint Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic Church, the Altar and Rosary Society, past member of Saint Anns Daughters of Isabella. Myrtle volunteered for many years at the West Point Care Center. She enjoyed embroidering her flowers and especially enjoyed her family.

Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. noon Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point, where the family will receive friends from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. that evening. A parish rosary will be recited at 4:00 p.m. and a Christian wake service will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 14, 2022 at  Saint Mary’s  of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point with Father Dan Dorau as celebrant.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in West Point, Iowa.

A memorial has been established for Saint Mary’s Catholic Church or Calvary Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements.

Henry Count Supervisors Meeting Agenda

By Theresa Rose · Monday, July 11th, 2022 at 10:07 am CDT

AGENDA

 

July 12, 2022

 

Approve Agenda

 

Approve Minutes

 

9:00 Jake Hotchkiss, Engineer Weekly Update

Resolution Awarding Fuel Contract for August 1, 2022

 

9:30 Nathan Milks, Assessor Recommend

Signature of Homestead Military

 

9:45 Approve Final Plat Rice Subdivision Sec 1-70-5

 

Review Treasurer Annual Report

Review FY2022 Gross Wages

 

Other County Business as time allows

 

Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates

 

Donald K. “Butch” Standley (final arrnagements)

By Theresa Rose · Monday, July 11th, 2022 at 9:48 am CDT

Donald K. “Butch” Standley, 79, of rural Mt. Pleasant passed away on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at his home.

His family will receive friends on Saturday, July 16, 2022 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant.  A memorial has been established in his memory.   Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant is caring for his arrangements.

 

Larry Allen (final arrangements)

By Theresa Rose · Monday, July 11th, 2022 at 9:46 am CDT

Larry P. Allen, 71, of Lockridge, died unexpectedly Friday, July 8, 2022, at his home.

Larry was born October 22, 1950, in Centerville, Iowa, the son of Zora and Viola “Ruth” (Crawford) Allen. He graduated from Centerville High School in 1968. He attended Iowa Wesleyan College for two years. He later received his BA from University of Phoenix. On February 7, 1970, Larry was united in marriage to Regina “Jeanie” Orr in New London. The couple moved to Tucson, AZ in 1977 where he worked for Industrial Motor and Control. The company transferred him to El Paso, TX where he worked until his retirement in 1995. The couple returned to Iowa in 1995 and made their home in Lockridge. Larry began working for Performance Pipe in Fairfield until his second retirement in 2012. Larry felt called to ministry and became a licensed local pastor for the United Methodist Church. He served as a minister for Longcreek United Methodist Church in Danville, New Sweden United Methodist Church in rural Lockridge, and Faith United Methodist Church in Libertyville before finally retiring in 2018. He was a faithful part of the Emmaus Community. He was an avid reader, especially of science fiction and fantasy. Larry was a big Iowa Hawkeye fan. He loved watching Iowa sports and continued to follow the careers of many Iowa players who went on to play professionally. He also enjoyed gardening and making his “special” fruit brandy.

Larry is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jeanie; daughter Kelly Allen of Lockridge; son Derick (wife Shannon) Allen of Garmisch, Germany; three grandchildren Marie (husband Will) Crews, Johnathan Allen, Emma Allen; great grandson Charles Crews; two brothers Clair Allen, Dick Allen; sister Donna Ewing and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Joan Ervin, Joye Ritter, William Robert “Billy” Allen and an infant sister, Sharon Kay Allen.

Visitation will be held from 12:00 – 3:00 pm on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel. Funeral service will follow at 3:00 pm. A memorial fund has been established for the American Heart Association and New Sweden United Methodist Church. The Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel is caring for Larry and his family.

Barry Holtgrewe

By Theresa Rose · Monday, July 11th, 2022 at 9:40 am CDT

Barry Holtgrewe, 88, of Mount Pleasant, died Friday, July 8, 2022, at Savannah Heights in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.

Barry was born June 14, 1934, in Remsen, Iowa, the son of Elmer and Emily Mae (Eichhorn) Holtgrewe. He graduated from Remsen High School, attended Drake University for two years and received his bachelor’s degree in education from the University of South Dakota. On June 30, 1952, Barry was married to Lois Nothem in Elk Point, South Dakota. Barry began his career as a schoolteacher and coach in Norfolk, Virginia. He moved back to Iowa in 1960, to coach the Storm Lake boys’ basketball team, leading them to The State Title in 1968. He next coached the Iowa Wesleyan University men’s basketball team from 1970 – 1975, living in Mt. Pleasant. Barry retired from coaching in 1975 and moved to Spirit Lake, where he owned an insurance agency for over 30 years. While in Spirit Lake, he was member of Kiwanis, the First Presbyterian Church, and was selected as The 2011 Citizen of the Year. In 1990, Barry was inducted into the Iowa High School Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame and in 2019, he was inducted into the Iowa Wesleyan Athletic Hall of Fame. Barry enjoyed playing golf and watching a variety of sports. He attended the Drake Relays for more than 50 years; reuniting with former athletes was the highlight of the trip every year. Barry was a devoted grandfather, faithful mentor, and trusted friend. 

Barry is survived by 3 sons, David (Karen) Holtgrewe of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Kim (Jean) Holtgrewe of Mount Pleasant, Jeff (Betsy) Holtgrewe of Cherry Hills Village, Colorado; 10 grandchildren: Hilary (Jason) Prall, Ashley (Ryan) Hall, Amy (Johnnie) Willis, Michael (Katrina) Holtgrewe, Jason (Kelsey) Holtgrewe, Jared (Stacy) Holtgrewe, Catherine (Chris) Murray, Jenny (Phillip) York, David (Sarah) Holtgrewe, Mary Holtgrewe; and 13 great grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Lois, son Brad, daughter-in-law Linda Holtgrewe, a great granddaughter Harlyn, and sister Barbara Lovrien. 

According to Barry’s wishes, his body will be cremated. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Burial will be in the Remsen Cemetery in Remsen, Iowa. A memorial fund has been established with the First Presbyterian Church in Spirit Lake. The Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel is caring for Barry and his family.