EU Registration

East Union Student Registration for the 2010-2011 school year will be August 2, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., in the Middle School/High School library and central office, for those wishing to register in person. Registration packets were mailed this Monday.

Forms are also available on the website.

Walk-in or mail-in registrations will be accepted through August 13.

Those who have moved or are new to the district will need to contact Herman Chenoweth, at 641-347-8421, concerning the bus route.

Sheriff Department Contract

by Terri Queck-Matzie

The Union County Board of Supervisors approved the county's contract with the sheriff's department at its meeting yesterday. A collective bargaining agreement between Union County and Teamsters Local Union #238 goes into effect July 1. The contract covers the Union County Sheriff's Department. Included in the agreement is a 3 percent pay increase, a controversial move in a year when other county employees were denied raises.

The contract also allows for on call pay for deputies when there are three deputies on staff. Once a fourth is hired, it will no longer apply.

The Sheriff's Department contract will be in effect until June 30, 2013.

The board also approved a contract with the chief deputy that will put him under the complete and sole discretion of the sheriff at 90 percent of the sheriff's pay for the duration of the sheriff's term of office.

Supervisor Change on Ballot

by Terri Queck-Matzie

A measure to change the make-up of the Union County Board of Supervisors from five to three will be on the November 2 General Election Ballot. The action taken by the Board of Supervisors on Monday was in response to a petition presented to the board last week by Lois Monday and Karen Finn.

Union County Auditor says Iowa Code allows little leeway in such matters. As long as the petition appears valid, the board must consider it.

Should the measure pass in November, the county will begin the redistricting process with a three-person board taking office in January 2013.

Creston Police Department Arrests

The Creston Police Department arrested 30 year old Paulyette Renee Wright, on Monday evening. She is charged with allowing an animal to run at large and no insurance. She was cited and released.

David Duane Hoadley, 46 was arrested on Monday evening. He is charged with allowing an animal to run at large. He was cited and released.

Union County Fair

The Union County Fair continues today at the Union County Fairgrounds in Afton. The Horse Show starts at 9 am. The FFA Livestock Judging Contest will be at 10 am. The FFA Pedal Pull will be at 4 pm and the Rodeo Finals will start at 8 pm.

Crop Report

The Iowa Department of Agriculture reports rainfall scattered throughout the state left field conditions either well saturated or flooded. Higher grounds and sandy soils are in excellent condition while crops on flatter and lower grounds are not draining well. Considering all the excess rain, no significant crop damage was reported.

Corn and soybean color is improving in Southwest Iowa. Aphids are being detected but infestations are light. Farmers are having difficulty harvesting hay and oats between rainfalls. High heat and humidity levels have been more stressful on livestock than crops; however, most livestock is in good condition.

Ninety-four percent of the corn acres have tasseled, 85 percent have silked, and 21 percent have reached the milk stage; all three are well ahead of last year and the five-year average.

Eighty-two percent of the soybean crop has bloomed, compared to 78 percent last year and 81 percent for the five-year average. Pods have been set on 44 percent of the soybean acres.

Oat harvest is 57 percent complete.