Iowa Drought Conditions Continue To Get Worse
(Le Mars) — The latest crop condition report shows a widening of the drought for Iowa and a continuation of being short on moisture supplies as farmers start thinking of harvest. Some area farmers have begun chopping corn for silage purposes. A look at many area corn fields will show some firing has begun with the stalk drying out and turning from green to a tan brown color. Joel DeJong, crops specialist, with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach was asked if the area crops are maturing early, or if the firing of the stalks is because of the dry conditions?
Corn in or beyond the dough stage reached 90 percent, six days ahead of the five-year average. 47 percent of the corn crop reached the dent stage or beyond, four days ahead of normal. Iowa’s corn condition rated 58 percent good to excellent. Soybeans setting pods reached 95 percent, eight days ahead of normal. Five percent of the soybean crop were coloring. There were a few reports of soybeans dropping leaves. Soybean condition was rated 61 percent good to excellent.
County Supervisors Approve Grant Application For Plywood Recreational Trail
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors voted 3 to 2 in favor of approving a grant application through the state funded REAP program which, if approved by REAP officials would be applied to the construction of the Plywood Recreational Trail between Le Mars and Merrill. The discussion on the topic became contentious at times. Supervisor Craig Anderson stated he had some questions for the Plywood Trail officials and the engineering firm behind the project, starting with DOT certifications.
Brett Langley an engineering consultant with McClure Engineering Firm, the company that is responsible for the trail’s proposed route tried to clarify the position involving the Iowa DOT with a portion of the trail that has been given approval for construction.
Le Mars City Administrator, Jason Vacura, McClure Engineering Project Manager, Brett Langley, and Graham McGraffin speak to Plymouth County Board of Supervisors about the REAP grant application for the Plywood Recreational Trail. Supervisor, Mike Van Otterloo listens to the comments.
Anderson mentioned he had spoken with NIPCO officials and says it was his understanding that NIPCO was most concerned about security.
Anderson who has a farm next to the proposed route that would run parallel to Highway 75 shared his reasons for opposing the project.
Anderson says he is not opposed to bicycle trails. He made the suggestion to get the trail away from the highway. Supervisor Mike Van Otterloo reminded his fellow supervisors that the application is for the grant itself, not necessarily for the trail in general.
Those voting in favor of the REAP grant application were Van Otterloo, Horton, and Meis. Voting against were Anderson and Kass.
State Representative Bohannan Running For Congress in Iowa’s 2nd District
(Iowa City, IA) — State Representative Christina Bohannan of Iowa City is running for the Democratic nomination for Congress in Iowa’s 2nd District. The U-S House seat is currently held by freshman Republican Marianette Miller-Meeks from Ottumwa. Bohannan says she’s running for the U-S House because too often she sees families struggling. The University of Iowa law professor also said the “bickering” between the two parties has to stop if big issues are going to get resolved. There’s a possibility when new district lines are redrawn for the 2022 election that Iowa City and Ottumwa won’t be in the same district. Bohannan said new district maps will be a consideration later on. Miller-Meeks issued a statement saying Bohannan will seek “more, not less, government control” over Iowans’ lives and personal liberties. Miller-Meeks won the November election by six votes.
Southwest Iowa School District Delays Start Due to Staff COVID Cases
(Avoca, IA) — A COVID outbreak among staff in a western Iowa district is delaying the start of the school year in Avoca. The A-H-S-T-W Community School District serves the communities of Avoca, Hancock, Shelby, Tenant and Walnut. The first day of class was scheduled for today (Tuesday), but now is the goal is to start school next Monday. In a post on the district’s website, Superintendent Darin Jones said, “this leads to an increased concern level for me in knowing if we will be able to staff our building in the near future and also for the potential additional exposures to students who have yet to enter our building.” Jones says up to 120 teachers and staff were exposed to COVID during a teacher in-service day. He says contact tracing indicated students at the K-12 levels have not had the same level of exposure.
One Suspect Pleads Not Guilty to Murder of Lake Park Woman
(Spirit Lake, IA) — One of two suspects accused in the death of a Lake Park woman last December claims he’s innocent. Twenty-four-year-old Justice Bernston pleaded not guilty to the first-degree murder of 25-year-old Angel Bastman in Dickinson County court Monday. The judge scheduled Bernston’s trial to begin September 21st. Twenty-six-year-old Allison Decker remains jailed on one-million dollars bond in Bastman’s homicide. Her body was found in her Lake Park home on December 22md, 2020, but investigators haven’t said how Bastman was killed.
Black Hawk County Authorities ID Teen Killed in Train Crash
(Raymond, IA) — Authorities in northeast Iowa are identifying the teenage girl killed in a collision between a car and train near Raymond. The Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office says 15-year-old Kate Michels of Maynard was a passenger in a vehicle driven by her 18-year-old sister, Emma Michels. Deputies say their car was struck while trying to cross the tracks Saturday afternoon and Kate died Sunday in an Iowa City hospital. Emma was taken to a Waterloo hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Investigators say it appears the train’s whistle was working properly and the warning lights and bells at the rail crossing were functioning at the time.
