15 last night...partly sunny today and a high of 38.

Land values again went up in 2004, compared to 2003. The average value of an acre of farmland in Iowa increased $354 an acre, to an all-time high of $2,629. The annual survey was conducted by Iowa State University. In Jackson County, the land value in 2004 was $2,427 an acre, up from $2,122 last year, a 14.4 percent increase. Someone with a 200 acre farm in Jackson County, had in increase in value of his/her farm of around $60,000. Scott County again has the highest per acre value of $4,167....breaking the $4,000 barrier for first time ever.
Low interest rates and a good crop yield in 2003 were two major factors in the better than 12-percent increase statewide.

School Board news: Next semester, the MCHS Future Farmers of America Program will see a switch in duties.
Jennifer Nabb and Gary Bruns will switch places. Bruns will become the FFA advisor and Nabb will be the Assistant FFA advisor. The request for the change came from the two, according to High School Principal Bill Walters. He said there were extinuating circumstances for the change, but declined to elabaorate.

The cattle that were reported missing yesterday near Bellevue have been found. They were found in a neighbor's field. No explanation was given.

John "Hawk" Bean of Maquoketa, age 77, died yesterday at a Davenport Hospital.
He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Been and 2 daughters, Cecelia in Davenport and Rachelle in Bettendorf. He was an electrician for Maquoketa Municipal Electric, retiring in 1992.

Mary Kay Roth, 61, of Bellevue, died this morning after an extended illness. Survivors include a daughter, Laurie Steines of Maquoketa and a brother, Barney McAfee of Maquoketa.

Shane Bock of Des Moines and formerly of Maquoketa, died Tuesday at Crestridge Nursing Home in Maquoketa after an extended illness. He got his law degree from Drake Law School in 1986 and worked for the Iowa Supreme Court and later for the Iowa Court of Appeals.
He won an award twice for being "Iowa's best piano player". He is survived by his mother, Gisele Bock of Maquoketa.

The Clinton County breakfast forthe Clinton-area people who winter in Arizona, will be held this year the 3rd Saturday in January and February at the Sunland Villaage Restaurant in East Mesa, Arizona. Reservations are required. Anyone who has ever lived in Clinton County is welcome to attend. I own a drive-in theatre in Clinton County. Wonder if I qualify.
Sign-up with Shirley Miller at 480-654-2535.

Thanks for checking in again.

Take Care.

Dennis Voy