PLYMOUTH COUNTY BUDGET APPROVED
The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors held a hearing, and then passed, the county’s new budget. During the public hearing, there was no comment from the Chamber. Board Chair Don Kass said of the comments he received, there were few complaints about the budget itself, but much concern about the higher assessments which will drive property taxes higher. Property values in the county were assessed 275 million dollars higher than last year. The property tax levy for the General Fund is .13 cents per thousand higher than last year, and the levy for rural residents is .11 cents per thousand lower. After the hearing, the Supervisors passed a resolution to adopt the new budget, approved budget transfers for the next fiscal year, and approved appropriations through the various departments. They also approved 93-thousand dollars in provider programs, including Life Skilles Training Center, CAASA, Family Crisis Centers, Wet Nose Rescue, Safe Place, and Mid Sioux Opportunity.
PARK STRUCTURES DAMAGED IN FRIDAY STORM
The Plymouth County Conservation Director reported to the Board of Supervisors today on the damages caused at Hillview Park, the county’s conservation department headquarters.
Director Nick Beeck says large hail caused extensive damage to roofs and some siding on structures on the park property. These range from sheds to cabins to offices to storage facilities. Beeck says an insurance adjustor has not yet arrived, but he’s had a roofing firm look at some of the damage, and a repair plan is in the works. No repairs can be made until an adjuster completes his work. Meanwhile, Beeck says they are pressed for time as there are rentals booked for this weekend, with a weather forecast calling for rain. The Hinton area was hit with up to 2.5 inch diameter hail early Friday morning.
WEEKLY CROP AND WEATHER REPORT
The U-S-D-A Ag report shows farmers got started on planting, but wet weather and storms slowed up some of the progress. The report shows 18 percent of the projected corn crop was planted by Sunday. That’s three days ahead of last year and five days ahead of the five-year average. Eleven percent of the expected soybean crop is in the ground. That’s three days ahead of last year and one week ahead of the five-year average. Some areas had rain and hail, but it’s not known yet how that will impact crops already planted.
State Climatologist Justin Glisan says an active weather pattern ramped up across Iowa last Friday with hail, high winds and a few tornadoes. These thunderstorms brought above-normal rainfall to parts of northern and southern Iowa, however several stations reported no measurable totals. Temperatures were several degrees warmer across the state with Iowa’s average temperature at 52.6 degrees, 3.2 degrees above normal.
IOWA HOUSE VOTES TO CREATE A STATE PSILOCYBIN PROGRAM
The Iowa House has passed a bill to legalize the use of psilocybin — often called magic mushrooms — as medical treatment for certain conditions, like post-traumatic stress disorder. Treatments would have to be monitored in a clinical setting by a provider who holds a state license to administer the drug. Like the state’s medical marijuana program, the state would license facilities to grow psychedelic mushrooms and package psilocybin. Republican Representative John Wills of Spirit Lake says studies have shown it’s an effective treatment for P-T-S-D, but it will take the Veterans Administration years to set up a program. The bill passed on an 84-to-six vote on Monday. Representative Jeff Shipley, a Republican from Fairfield, who started sponsoring bills to legalize magic mushrooms seven years ago says psilocybin has shown tremendous promise as a breakthrough therapy that requires just one treatment.
EMILY’S LEGACY DMV TOUR VISITS LE MARS TODAY
The Iowa Donor Network, and Iowa DOT, is bringing “Drive for Life: Emily’s Legacy DMV Tour” to Le Mars this afternoon. This tour honors Emily, daughter of Liz Markert, and aims to raise awareness about the life-saving impact of organ and tissue donation. This presentation is from 12:30 to 2:30 today at the Plymouth County Driver’s License office.
County Treasurer Shelly Sitzmann says April is Organ Donation Awareness month and this event is to provide extra awareness of organ donation in Plymouth County. Last year, the office was chosen to receive a Donor Plaque.
SITZMANN APPROVES OF CIVICS EDUCATION IN IOWA SCHOOLS
Iowa Representative Travis Sitzmann says he supported a bill that would require Iowa high school students to pass a civics test in order to graduate. Sitzmann says it was a Sioux City representative who floor managed the bill that was eventually passed.
Students would have to score 60% on the test, and would have multiple opportunities to take the test in order to pass. The bill was signed into law by Governor Reynolds. It takes effect in 2027.
FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF FOR POPE FRANCIS
President Trump has issued a proclamation for all flags to be lowered to half-staff immediately until sunset on the day of interment for Pope Francis.
Similar orders have been issued by governors including Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. She says “Pope Francis devoted his life to serving Christ, leading the Catholic Church and its 1.4 billion members.”
Iowa Catholic Conference Executive Director Tom Chapman says he does not expect the Archbishop of Iowa or the state’s three catholic bishops to be at the Vatican for the pope’s funeral.
The next time the state’s bishops are scheduled to be together is May 1st, at the installation ceremony for John Keehner, the Bishop-elect of the Sioux City diocese. The installation may occur as the college of cardinals begin meeting in Rome to select a new pope.
There are half a million Catholics in Iowa, 15% of the state’s population.
BILL REQUIRES DISCLOSURE OF WATER SERVICE LINES THAT CONTAIN LEAD
A bill that’s cleared the Iowa House would require anyone selling real estate to let potential buyers know if lead service lines bring water to the home or building. Representative Thomas Jeneary of Le Mars explains.
A U-S Environmental Protection Agency rule has mandated that utilities replace lead pipes that carry water to a property by 2037, however the rule is being reviewed by the Trump Administration. Representative Josh Turek (TER-ehk) of Council Bluffs says Iowa has over 100-thousand active lead service lines.
The bill passed the House unanimously a week ago and is eligible for debate in the Iowa Senate. The state’s water utilities have asked the legislature to provide five million dollars in each of the next 10 years to help cover the cost of replacing lead service lines. Lead was commonly used in construction materials because of its resistence to corrosion, but over 50 years ago research began to link even low levels of lead with health problems. Lead-based paint was banned in 1978.
WEEKLY CROP AND WEATHER REPORT
Planters began rolling across much of the State before being slowed by precipitation last week. Iowa farmers averaged 5.5 suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday. In addition to planting corn, soybeans and oats, fieldwork included tiling, building waterways and spraying when winds allowed.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 6 percent very short, 22 percent short, 69 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 7 percent very short, 30 percent short, 61 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.
Corn planted reached 18 percent, 3 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of the 5-year average. Eleven percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, 3 days ahead of last year and 1 week ahead of the 5-year average. Oats seeding reached 68 percent complete, 5 days behind last year but 3 days ahead of the 5-year average. Twenty-three percent of the expected oat acreage has emerged, 4 days behind last year but 5 days ahead of normal.
