The Des Moines County News

06/27/2025

Tama Road has reopened to through traffic.

06/20/2025

BOOM 💥 Let’s clear the air about fireworks!

We know everyone loves a good celebration, but let’s make sure your Independence Day festivities don’t end with a citation. 😉

Here’s what you need to know:

📅 Legal Fireworks Times:
🔹 July 3rd: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
🔹 July 4th: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
🚫 Any other time? Fireworks are unauthorized and could land you in hot water (or at least under our watchful eye).

🏡 Location, Location, Location!
Fireworks can only be set off on your own property. Not the street. Not the park.

🎇 Want the BIG show? We’ve got you covered!
Join us downtown for the city’s annual firework show starting at 10:01 PM on July 4th. No cleanup, no citations—just sky-high fun for the whole family.

06/20/2025

Beginning Monday, June 23, 2025, the Iowa Department of Transportation will start a bridge deck overlay and general maintenance project on Highway 61 over Highway 34. To accommodate this work, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction, and ramp closures will be in place throughout the project. Traffic exiting Highway 34 will be temporarily detoured through Burlington using Curran Street and Agency Street. Construction is expected to continue into the fall. Drivers should anticipate delays, follow posted detour signs, and use caution in work zones.

06/03/2025

From the City of West Burlington

West Burlington Swimming Pool Leak Repair May Delay Opening Day
We want to keep our residents informed as we work through an issue at the West
Burlington Swimming Pool. Last week, we discovered a leak in the pool, and over the
weekend, we continued to lose water. On Monday, a leak detection company was
onsite to help locate the source.
Beginning today and continuing into Wednesday, a section of the pool deck will be
removed to investigate further. If the leak isn’t found there, the next step may
involve digging into the pool itself.
Please note: this work will likely delay the pool’s opening.

05/31/2025

The Des Moines County Board of Supervisors has sceduled a work session regarding possible changes to the current wind ordinance immediately following the June 3 9:00 a.m. meeting.

05/31/2025

Beginning Monday, June 16, 2025, the Iowa Department of Transportation will start a bridge deck overlay and general maintenance project on Highway 61 over Highway 34. To accommodate this work, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction, and ramp closures will be in place throughout the project. Traffic exiting Highway 34 will be temporarily detoured through Burlington using Curran Street and Agency Street. Construction is expected to continue into the fall. Drivers should anticipate delays, follow posted detour signs, and use caution in work zones.

05/21/2025

05/01/2025

Wind Turbine Opposition Requests Moratorium
Board of Supervisors
By Laurie Cochran
Several people who are opposing wind turbines in Des Moines County attended Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, requesting a Moratorium to allow the ordinance to be amended. Tim and Rose Fischer, who live on a family farm outside Pleasant Grove, asked the Board to reconsider the current ordinance.
Rose Fischer requested the board impose a Moratorium to give the county time to change the ordinance. As it was not on the agenda for this meeting, the answer was no. Tim Fisher then requested it be put on next week’s agenda. Chairman Jim Cary stated that if a Moratorium was on next week’s agenda, he would vote to table it.
Supervisor Shane McCampbell told the group that the Board could be sued if they impose a Moratorium because land has already been leased according to the present ordinance. County Attorney Lisa Schaeffer agreed, saying that the county could have contractual liability.
According to Melanie Patton, who is leading the opposition to wind farms in Henry County and was not present at the meeting, the county can be sued only if the company has applied for a siting permit.
“Just because the company has gotten easements and done legwork doesn’t mean anything,” Patton stated. “Henry County passed a 1-year moratorium and then extended it for another six months. If there is no Moratorium, the company can still do an application and then the current ordinance applies.”
Supervisor Tom Broeker said the wind companies have an application for a 168-megawatt facility, and expect to apply for permits in mid-2026. Construction is expected to start in 2028, with the facility operational in 2029.
A wind ordinance work session is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on May 6 for the public to voice their concerns. He added that the ordinance can be reopened for changes, and three public hearings will be held before the Board votes on the changes.
After several minutes of discussion, Broeker reminded those present that the Code of Iowa states there be no deliberation during public input, and suggested that the conversation be held during next week’s work session.
Following the meeting , Broeker confirmed that no companies have applied for siting permits.

04/24/2025

Starr's Cave has opened back up for traffic. The water will still be off to the building, but there are pit toilets by the parking lot.

04/23/2025

Starr's Cave Park and Preserve is closed until further notice. There are multiple construction projects going on at once, and there is no access to the Starr's Cave Nature Center. The road is closed.

04/22/2025

Read all about Monday’s meeting at the Danville Community building regarding the proposed commercial wind farms in our county in this week’s edition.