JCT-02-13-2025

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Fundraising efforts progressing for new childcare center in Colfax

April deadline makes donating sooner than later more important than ever

Fundraising efforts are well underway for the new childcare center in Colfax. The district, in partnership with the Colfax Economic Development Corporation (CEDCO), received a $1.7 million grant from the State of Iowa for a new childcare center and is working to match the funds by the April 1 due date.

“We’ve got money coming in, which is good,” Colfax-Mingo Superintendent Tim Salmon said. “We’re not where we need to be but we are getting close.”

The district will use the funds to build a new childcare center adjacent to the elementary building. It will hold roughly 100 kids and have wraparound care for before and after school.

CEDCO recently

announced Atura Architects of Clear Lake to design the new center. The firm will work with the CEDCO board, community members and school district staff to design the center to meet the needs of the district and the community.

“Now we are in design mode,” Salmon said. “What we are looking to do with the architecture was bring

An early rendering of what the new Colfax

secure the $1.7 million grant from the State of Iowa. The Colfax

Corporation recently approved Atura Architects for the final design.

Lack of affordable childcare looms large in Jasper County

League of Women Voters hosts legislative gathering Feb. 15 at

Rep. Dunwell confirmed to appear to give updates and answer questions

The League of Women Voters of Jasper County will be hosting its first legislative gathering of the year at 10 a.m. Feb. 15 at DMACC Newton Campus. Scheduled to attend the public event is House Rep. Jon Dunwell, who will be providing updates and answering questions about the goings on at the Iowa Legislature.

Sen. Ken Rozenboom has also been invited to attend.

House Rep. Barb Kniff McCulla, whose district covers most of the Prairie City and

Monroe communities, cannot attend the first event but is scheduled to participate alongside Dunwell in a forthcoming event at 10 a.m. March 11 at the Newton Public Library. Legislative gatherings have garnered energetic discussions about some of the most talked about topics that have come before the legislature. Education has proven to be a major talking point in past events, particularly when the governor proposed the reform of the AEAs and introduced education savings accounts, or vouchers, for private schools.

The Jasper County Community Health Needs Assessment found childcare and early childhood education a top concern for residents

Editor’s note: This is the fifth in a series of articles exploring the results of the Jasper County Community Health Needs Assessment. Lack of childcare is a top concern in the community Health Needs Assessment, and it is an issue that has been present in the county for an extended period of time. With a workforce shortage perception of more than 56 percent for childcare providers in the county, finding quality childcare close to home is more difficult than ever for local families.

More than 16 percent of respondents also eported they were unable to get childcare when it was needed in the past year. For those who attended the community town hall meeting, lack of childcare was a top three concern.

The county is also falling behind in head start programs which

Shaw Media papers received placements in 14 categories at annual convention

Newton News and the PCM Explorer took home four firstplace plaques last week at the Iowa Newspaper Association Convention and Awards Ceremony in downtown Des Moines. Both newspapers, along with the Jasper County Tribune, received top-three placements in 14 categories for their reporting, photography and graphics.

“I am always impressed with the work our staff puts in keeping the public informed week in and week out,” editor Jamee A.

is designed to help children from birth to age five who come from families at or below poverty level. In Jasper County there is a rate of 4.63 per 10,000 kids in a head start program, below the state average of 13.16 per 10,000 kids according to the US Department of Health and Human Services.

“This indicator is important because the program’s goal is to help children become ready for kindergarten while also providing the needed requirements to thrive, including health care and food support,” the report said.

Preschool fairs better with 426 children ages three and four enrolled in the county. That is 44.24 percent of those children that age within the borders compared to 43.19 percent of kids in the state according to the US Census Bureau American Community Survey.

first-place

Pierson said. “To be recognized for our efforts by our peers is exciting, and I am very proud of everyone who contributes to making our papers great.”

The ceremony was held Feb. 6 at the Marriott Hotel. Presentations were made to the win-

the

ners of the 2025 Iowa Better Newspaper Contests, which was judged this year by the Kansas Press Association. Approximately 3,200 entries in dozens of categories were judged by

Serving Colfax • Mingo • Baxter • Western Jasper County
Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune
Four
plaques highlighted
14 placements for the Newton News and PCM Explorer in Des Moines at the Iowa Newspaper Assocation Convention and Awards Ceremony

Baxter Community School 2024-25 1st Semester Honor Roll

A/B Honor Roll 6th Grade — Hayden Akins, Mason Backus, Isabelle Beals, Wesley Beavers, Gracie Breckenridge, Kaidon Bucklin, Ashlynn Chugg, Cooper Daugherty, Ariah Eveland, Oliver Gliem, Tinsley Guckert, Sloan Hasselbrink, Calvin Hauser, Kahlene Hawkins, Colton Jochems, Maddilynn Kerwin, Abigail Mahoney, Adalia McDanel, Brylee McDonald, Ara Mergen, Logan Moses, Jaxon Reed, Lillie Robinson, Ryan Rominger, Sephirra Rupe, Richard (RJ) Seals, Hayden Seeley, Caydence Steingrabe, Bently Stoll, Oliver Swihart, Kylah Wignall, Ava Yeltman 7th Grade — Sydney Beavers, Rhiane Bolina, Lane Cannon, Allison Engle, Owen Halter, Lincoln Handorf, Diego Herrera Marquez, Drake Hewitt, Mazie Humston, Christian Jones, Jadelynn Kincel, Claire Kucera, Ashlyn Mahoney, Ava Maxwell, Ella Moffit, Brennan Oglesby, Reilly Oglesby, Lilyan Pickett, Jaxon Popenhagen, Riley Ratliff, Crew Redman, Liv Schnathorst, Gage Snyder, Kinzlee Steingrabe, Noah Stratton, Rylan Tabor, Tristan Thornton, Eliza Tiffey, Jenner Travis, Kinlee Varner, Ruth Warden, Ada Warkentin, Avery Whaley, Elizabeth Whitacre, Natalie Wilcox, Kydin Wing, Gavin Yeltman

8th Grade — Emileigh Beals, Braxton Bowen, Nyle Brown, Mackenzie Cross, Gianna Dart,

Holden Dee, Savannah Frasher, Elsie Hauser, Auztyn Kerwin, Blake Maxwell, Brecken Maxwell, Brylea Nicholson, Zander Parker, Olivia Parrie, Alec Robinson, Lincoln Russell, Nicholas Shedd, Cooper Smith, Grace Warden, Willow White, Kenzie Wignall, Sammuel Wilhelm, Kattarina Wing Gold Honor Roll

(4.0 Grade Point Average)

9th Grade — Hayden Burdess, Colten Damman, Kaitlyn Engle, Sydney Hibbs, Kamdyn Krampe, Kaylyn Krampe, Dakota O’Harra, Breason Oliphant, Owen Parrie, Piper Redman, Robert Richardson, Derek Rominger, Grayson Scroggins

10th Grade — Kendall Brummel, Luci Kucera, Camden Moffit, Briah Mortenson, Gwen Tichy, Avery Wonders 11th Grade — Grace Anderegg, Alyvia Burdess, Callie Cross, Eli Dee, Austin England, Bree Hopkins, Colton Moffit, Camryn Russell, Natalie Shedd, Cody Spurgeon, Caydence Sulzle, Rilyn Titus, Cody Travis, Callie Van Beek

12th Grade — Grant Anderegg, Bailie Bennien, Jace Bottorff, Nicole Bunse, Kieren Chugg, Abigail Meyer, Logan Rainsbarger, Matthew Richardson, Cadence Spurgeon, Perrin Sulzle, Cainan Travis, Josslynn Travis, Emersen Tuhn, Rylee Van Beek Silver Honor Roll (3.5-3.99 GPA)

Church Schedules

Women’s Prayer and Coffee

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 19 - 9 a.m. Busy Bee Quilters and Fresh Encounter Prayer; 5:45 p.m. AWANA Family Meal; 6:25 p.m. AWANA Clubs

SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH Newton, Iowa

SATURDAY - 4 p.m. Mass

SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Mass

COLFAX FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

S. Locust & W. Division St. Office - 674-3782 Rev. Phil Dicks pastor

SUNDAY - 10:30 a.m. Family Worship; Sunday School

HOPE ASSEMBLY OF GOD 126 E. Howard Rev. Paul Avery, pastor Church: 674-3700 hopeassemblyofgod@yahoo. com

SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10 a.m. Worship

UNITED CHURCH Pastors Doug Cupples and Phil Butler SUNDAY - 9:30 a.m. Church service; 10:30 a.m. Sunday school Communion first Sunday METZ COMMUNITY CHURCH

3253 W. 62nd St. S., Newton Pastor David Rex 641-521-4354

SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10:10 a.m. Worship Last Saturday of month - 8 a.m. Men’s Breakfast

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH Colfax Minister, Pastor Cody Dyer Church Office 674-4165

SUNDAY, Feb. 16 - 9 a.m. Fellowship; 9:15 a.m. Bible Education Classes; 10:25 a.m. Communion Sunday, Message by Pastor Cody Dyer

TUESDAY, Feb. 18 - 3 p.m.

WEDNESDAY - 7 p.m. Evening Service

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

CATHOLIC CHURCH

302 E. Howard St., Colfax Fr. Marty Goetz 515-674-3711

SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Mass

DAILY MASS - 8 a.m.

MINGO UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Rev. Phil Dicks 515-689-4926

SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Worship service (Sunday school not meeting at this time)

ASHTON CHAPEL

8887 W. 122nd St. N., Mingo Pastors: Larry Craig & Mark Eddy

SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10 a.m. Worship

BETHANY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

The church schedule is brought to you by Coburn FUNERAL HOMES Colfax-Prairie City-Monroe 515-674-3155 www.coburnfuneralhomes.com

9th Grade — Taylor Cross, Samuel Diaz, Mackenzie Eldred, Lillian Grunsted, Ayden Hansen, Myah Johnston, Masyn Titus, Liam Trent, Maddux Tuhn, Joshua Warden, Ivy Whitacre

10th Grade — Mallory Bottorff, Maxxon Handorf, Tayler Iverson, Journey Kampman, Lauren McKibbin, Coy Mergen, Denver Sulze, Kaitlyn Ware

11th Grade — Katie Bell, Alivia Boike, Aiden Chugg, Harleigh Cross, Jayme Riley, Klaire Shanks, Stadan Vansice

12th Grade — Hudson Bethards, Jacob Damman, Zoey Gliem, Hannah Huffaker, Koltin Hurd, Karlee Koehler, Tyler McKibbin, Cade Robinson, Carter Smith, Janay Stone, MaKayla True

Bronze Honor Roll (3.0-3.499 GPA)

9th Grade — Parker Bonney, Malayla Hurd, Charlie Maher, Brienna Oliphant, Benjamin Ratliff, Tate Schnathorst, Melodie Smith, Jakayla Vansice

10th Grade — Morgan DeGrave, Cole Frasher, Nolan Hill, Madelyn Reimers, Rossi Swihart, 11th Grade — Kash Brummel, Danika Flora, Johnelle, Gliem, Willow Grimes, Cody (CJ) Grunsted, Trevor Hamilton, Maddox Peters, Cael Wishman

12th Grade — Jack Anderson, Adison Bonney, Cheyenne Danley, James Esqueda, Gavin Kampman, Addison Kerwin, Skyler Stoll

5627 N. 95th Ave. W., Baxter 641-227-3402

Pastor Chris Hayward

SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday School (Sunday after Labor Day to second Sunday in May); 10 a.m. Sunday Worship. First Sunday communion. All are welcome. baxterbethanyucc. org

EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH BAXTER

Mike Mclintock, Pastor

SUNDAY - 9:15 a.m. Sunday School; 10 a.m. Worship; 6 p.m. Awanas

WEDNESDAYS - 1st & 3rd -

6:30 p.m. Mens Bible Study 2nd & 4th - 6:30 p.m. Men’s and Womens Bible Study

THURSDAYS 10 a.m. - Womens Bible Study

BAXTER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

218 S. Main, Baxter Pastor Ben Spera Church: 641-227-3382

SUNDAY - 10 a.m. Worship

WEDNESDAY - 6 p.m. Bible Study

THIRD THURSDAY of month

- 6:30 p.m. Theology on Tap at Bea’s Place on Main Street Check us out on Facebook and baxtercongregational.com

CORNERSTONE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP

1000 E. 12th St., Newton Rev. Josh Farver, pastor Phone 641-792-4650

SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10:15 a.m. Worship

WEDNESDAY - 6:30 p.m. Prayer Meeting and Bible Study; Youth Group

HERITAGE WORD OF LIFE

ASSEMBLY OF GOD

102 Second St. NW, Mitchellville Pastor Dave Adams 515-967-3330

SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Bible classes; 10 a.m. Worship service; 6 p.m. Evening service

WEDNESDAY - 7 p.m. Evening activities

LUTHERAN CHURCH OF HOPE

Capitol II Theatre in Newton

SUNDAY - 9:30 a.m. Livestream Worship Service

Community Calendar

Send items to news@jaspercountytribune.com

THURSDAY

• Baxter Garden Club meets at 7 p.m. second Thursday of month, March to December, at the Baxter Community Building

MONDAY

• Colfax Historical Society meets at 7 p.m. the third Monday of month at the museum

THURSDAY

• Mingo Men’s Club meets at 7 p.m. the third Thursday of month at the Mingo Community Center

It’s hard to imagine Valentine’s Day without chocolate, and that association can be traced to a name that is very familiar to people who enjoy sweets on Feb. 14.

According to History. com, Richard Cadbury utilized advancements at his family’s chocolate factory in England to

produce new varieties of what was then known as “eating chocolate.” Cadbury then began marketing eating chocolates in decorative boxes, and while History.com notes he never patented the heart-shaped box, it’s widely believed Cadbury was the first to create one.

Metro Creative

Iowa conifers struggling with winter burn

Iowa Department of Natural Resource (DNR) foresters are anticipating reports of moderate to severe winter burn damage to arborvitae and white pine trees across Iowa.

“The ground remains frozen, but the ambient temperatures have been above freezing,” Tivon Feeley, DNR forest health forester, said. “The tree is forced to use their water reserves in the needles, but can’t absorb new water from the frozen soil. The lack of water causes the trees to dry out.”

Winter burn is common on conifers planted

in open, unprotected locations exposed to severe winter weather. Symptoms include browning or bleaching of the needles, trees losing needles, and tree death. These symptoms become more apparent as the day becomes warmer in late spring and tend to be worse on the side of the tree exposed to sunlight or wind during the winter months.  If needles on the tree are dead but buds are alive, new plant foliage will regrow to replace the winter burned foliage. If both the buds and needles are dead, the tree will not recover. The tree

will need to be removed. There is no way to prevent winter burn. You can reduce the risks by properly mulching around your conifers and making sure the tree is well-hydrated before it goes dormant in the fall. Watering is especially important in drought years. The DNR cautions planting certain conifers in newly planted windbreaks.Deciduous trees generally grow faster, have fewer disease and insect problems, and provide faster protection.Contact your local district forester for further assistance.

Rural Iowa ‘critically short’ of dementia services

Families of rural Iowans with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia face a crucial lack of mental health services and advocates are meeting with some rural residents today to assess their most important needs.

Iowa has only 26 geriatricians practicing in the state. The Alzheimer’s Association said the state needs at least four times as many to meet the growing demand by 2050, and 32 percent more direct care workers for dementia patients by 2030.

Lauren Livingston, communications director for the

Iowa chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, said the current provider shortage falls most heavily on rural Iowa, which has been declared a dementia care “desert.”

“Most rural communities are unfortunately not lucky enough to have even a neurologist that is specialized in Alzheimer’s disease and can help diagnose,” Livingston pointed out. “Even with that first step of diagnosis, there isn’t anywhere to even get a referral to a doctor who would know how to diagnose it or what the next steps were.”

The Alzheimer’s Association said 11 percent of Iowans age 65 and older are living with the disease. Today’s on-

Fundraising

in what downtown Colfax looked like in 1920s.”

A $20,000 matching donation was also given by the Colfax-Mingo Education Foundation for the childcare center. It is just one piece in the $1.7 million puzzle CEDCO is putting together to make this much needed amenity a reality.

“We have a bunch of grants and foundations we’re waiting to hear back from,” Salmon said. “The response has been positive.”

One comment the superintendent has been hearing in the community is the fear of taxes increasing because of this project. He wanted to reassure citizens that no taxes will be added because of the childcare center.

“There is no impact on taxes because this is going to be paid for in full when it opens the door,” Salmon said.

The contributions people make towards the project are tax deductible, though. Any dollars put into the fundraising efforts can be used as a tax deduction for donors.

Another way to help and get some fun threads is by purchasing a “Make Rural Cool Again” shirt or hat. CED -

class, which is based on circulation size.

Newton News competed in Class IV, which is for newspapers published more than once a week with a circulation under

line forum is designed to hear from affected rural residents about their most pressing concerns.

Livingston noted they hope to get good information from rural health care providers, families and caregivers about the types of support services missing in their communities.

“Then from there, we want to be able to put together more of a plan of how we can help in these rural communities and close that gap,” Livingston emphasized.

Roughly 62,000 Iowans live with Alzheimer’s disease, and another 100,000 are unpaid family caregivers. AARP Iowa is pushing for a measure in the state legislature to offer them a tax credit to help offset their out-of-pocket care expenses.

CO is working to support small rural communities and get the word out how proud everyone should be to be a part of one. All proceeds from the sale of the items will go directly to the childcare center project.

“We’re sending a bunch of those out to local politicians, State Auditor Rob Sand asked if he could get one,” Salmon said.

The organization is also going to put a large thermometer in downtown Colfax to show the progress of

3,750. PCM Explorer and Jasper County Tribune, which cover the smaller communities of Jasper County, competed in Class I for newspapers published once a week with 755 circulation and under.

SIX PLACEMENTS FOR NEWTON NEWS

Sports Editor Troy Hyde won Best Sports

Section for the Newton News. Judges praised the quality writing and page layout. Hyde also earned third place for Best Sports Feature Photo for his photo of Cardinal bowler Libbie Keith reacting to one of her marks against a win over Norwalk.

Newton News also won first place for its Coverage of Business, which featured stories from Associate Editor Christopher Braunschweig about Newton YMCA, The Farmer’s Wife, Open Arms Foundation, Blooms by Design and Cardinal Frame Shop and Relics, LLC Antiques, Collectibles and Stuff.

Braunschweig also earned a third place finish for Best News Feature

fundraising efforts. More local contributions would be appreciated and go directly to help the community.

“We don’t care how much people donate,” Salmon said. “We know by history the Colfax-Mingo community has been willing to provide. We have some fantastic people.”

For more information on how to donate, visit www.CEDCOiowa.com or visit the CEDCO Facebook page. Donations can also be dropped off at the school district.

Story in Newton News and shared a third place placement with Pierson for Coverage of Agriculture for their stories about drought conditions, raising livestock in winter, notill farming, the farm bill and a Newton ag teacher. Pierson was also awarded third place for Best Use of Graphics.

FIVE PLACEMENTS FOR PCM EXPLORER

PCM Explorer won first place for Coverage and Government & Politics for Pierson’s reporting on Red Rock Prairie Trail funding, construction progress on the Prairie City Public Library, a reserve police program in Monroe, the effects of the state Public Health and Human Ser-

Childcare

Continuedfrompage1

To address the issue of lack of affordable daycare the county plans to launch a public awareness campaign through local media including social media, newspapers and radio highlighting the importance of children in improving community health. Information will be presented at a Jasper County Cares meeting and using social media will be promoted. Jasper County Cares will also update the county resource guide with any childcare information available.

The county will monitor state guild lines and advocate for changes for the childcare system. Promotions and offerings to train childcare providers will also be rolled out with a completion date for all efforts Dec. 31, 2026.

By doing so, the county hopes to increase awareness about childcare resources available in Jasper County. It also hopes to increase the people utilizing affordable childcare resources and increase the number of trained childcare providers.

vices consolidation and speed cameras. Hyde won first place for Best Sports Columnist for the PCM Explorer. Judges liked the local elements he tied to his stories, as well as the wide range of topics and teams he covered. They also commended Hyde for showing both sides of an argument to keep all readers engaged in his columns.

Pierson shared second place with Braunschweig for Coverage of Agriculture. PCM Explorer also won third place for Coverage of Business for Pierson’s reports on Monroe Foods and Mustang Nutrition, among others. Pierson also won third place for Best Continuing

Coverage for articles on the grade alignment.

THREE PLACEMENTS FOR JASPER COUNTY TRIBUNE

Hyde earned a second place finish for Best Sports Feature Photo for the Jasper County Tribune for his image of the Colfax-Mingo wrestling team celebrating James Gherveny’s win against Belle Plaine of Lynnville-Sully. Pierson and Braunschweig shared a third place win for Coverage of Agriculture for the Jasper County Tribune. Pierson also won third place for Best News Story for her article on school districts navigating legislation allowing staff to carry firearms on school grounds.

Adobe Stock Rural Iowans face more challenges than urban residents when it comes to diagnosis of dementia, medical and long-term care as well as support services for caregivers, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Submitted Photo
1.

The Ghosts of Groundhog Day past

Like thieves in the night, Groundhogs were our enemy when growing up on the MapleHill farm west of Monroe. Those little pigs dug tunnels around the foundations of farm buildings and made quite a mess. Dad and I stood on the porch across the road with my single-shot .22 and picked them off as best we could. Our landlord, Ulrie Clevenger, paid me $1 for every groundhog we shot. He then hauled the carcass out to the field for fertilizer. I tried trapping them once, only I didn’t use a big enough trap. I used a muskrat trap and set it in one of the tunnels, anchored to the ground with a stake. The next morning when I checked the trap, it was pulled out of the ground and the trap gone — a life lesson in using

the proper tool for the job. Several years ago, I belonged to Mt. Pleasant’s Running Club. For Groundhog Day, we decided to charter a bus, take it to Kansas City, and participate in the Annual Groundhog Run, held underground in Kansas City’s Hunt Caves. If you’ve never seen the Hunt Caves (yes the same Hunt family that owns the Chiefs), they are miles and miles of underground caves running horizontal through a hillside. They are used for storage because the caves are 68° year-around, with low humidi-

Never, ever give up

Persistence is the foundation of success. Although there are many ways to describe success, there is only one definition of failure – giving up. Whatever your meaning of success, you will only achieve it through persistence.

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.

Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.

Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almostaproverb.

Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.

Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”

-CalvinCoolidge

Babe Ruth had more strikeouts than anyone else in history. When asked about the key to his success he said, “I just keep swinging.”

In the mid 1960s, Martin Cooper, an electrical engineer at Motorola, had a vision of a phone that could be carried around and powered by a battery. His concept was scoffed at by many of his fellow engineers. After 15 years in development, Motorola brought the cellular phone to market.

In 1864, he was born the son of slaves on a Missouri plantation. He grew up not knowing his parents. With persistence and determination, he put himself through college. To combat the racism he encountered, he excelled in everything he did. George Washington Carver became one of our nation’s leading scientists and revolutionized agriculture.

At 205 pounds and standing 5’10” tall he was below average size for a pro football player. To build his strength and endurance he ran up steep hills while playing high school football. As a professional player he ran up an 80-yard hill, set at a 45-degree angle, 25 times a day. Determined to be the best he could be, he watched films of opponents until he could predict their moves. Football Hall of Famer, Walter Payton tied or beat seven NFL records during his 13-season career.

You are born without the concept of failure. How did you learn to walk? The first time you tried you immediately fell. But you didn’t know you couldn’t succeed and immediately tried again. And again, you fell down. But you never gave up. Hundreds of times you repeated this process until you learned to walk.

Persistence is getting up one more time than you fall down. Unfortunately, you are taught to give up and fail. How many times have you heard one or more of the following?

“Why bother, you’ll never be able to do that –it’ll never work”

“Don’t rock the boat, just do what you’re supposed to do”

“Why take chances?”

“You’ll never amount to anything”

“Stop dreaming — come back to reality”

“Why don’t you give up already?”

“I tried that already, it doesn’t work”. If you had believed any of the above when you were learning to walk you would still be crawling! You didn’t listen to bad advice then so why listen to it now?

When you feel like giving up, you must keep going. Only by continuing, when most others won’t, will you achieve your goals. Don’t join the ranks of those who have given up just around the corner from success. You never know where your corner is so you must never stop. ContactBryanGoldenatBryan@columnist. com or visit www.DareToLiveWithoutLimits. com

ty — ideal for storage, and running. As the name implies the Groundhog Run is held on a Sunday as close to Groundhog Day as possible. Well, the year I’m talking about, which was the second time we had gone to the Groundhog Run, I, being the class clown, decided to dress up like a groundhog, and run the entire race, a 5k (3.1 miles). There was also a 10k, which was simply a double loop of the 5k. But wearing the hot Groundhog costume, I wisely opted for the 5k.

I rented the groundhog costume from a costume store. It was actually a large mouse costume, but groundhog or big mouse, what’s the diff?

On the day of the race, I was quite the hit, like class clowns love. Runners had their pictures taken with me. I actually ran the whole 5k in the full-body costume and sweated like a hog (a misnomer — hogs don’t sweat). The large head was made of plastic, with only

the eyes for vent holes. But it was worth it. At the end of the race, the officials had me hand out awards. I was told that I was kissed several times by lady award winners, of which I was unaware. I was also disappointed that there was no award for the fastest groundhog. On the way home, the bus driver, vying for class clown, asked if he could borrow my groundhog costume. He wore it most of the way home, getting lots of honks from other drivers, and sent a picture of himself to his boss.

Groundhog Day was Sunday, Feb. 2 this year, perfect timing for the Groundhog Run. No, I did not run it this year, and maybe, at my age, 76, never will again. I have no idea if Punxsutawney Phil saw its (it is sometimes female) shadow, or not, and I don’t care. History tells us that PP is only 30 percent accurate, anywho, of predicting the weather for the rest of the winter. The Wolf Moon is a far better pre -

dictor as I wrote about a couple of weeks ago. If you could see Mars as the Moon passed over it, the rest of the winter was going to be miserable, like winters of old, snow up to the eaves. If you couldn’t see Mars, the rest of the winter would be mild. I could not see Mars when the Wolf Moon was full on Jan. 13. Therefore, the rest of the winter, the Wolf Moon and I predict, is going to be mild. There, you heard it first from the Empty Nest. Move over Farmers Almanac.

Speaking of groundhogs, there’s been some nasty holes dug in our roadside embankment lately. I’m wondering if they’re groundhog dens. I haven’t seen one yet, but I can’t imagine what else dug holes that size. Hmm. Maybe the groundhogs have come back to haunt me, getting revenge for all that shooting of their ancestors years ago. The ghosts of Groundhog Day past. Contact Curt Swarm at curtswarm@yahoo.com.

Strong Public Schools

With the first few weeks of the legislative session under our belts, it’s time to turn our attention to one of our most important duties - supporting public education.

Probably the biggest decision in front of us is deciding how much money the state will invest in public schools across the state, which are home to about 480,000 kids.

After hearing from parents, educators, and school board members about the challenges they are facing next year, we’re proposing boosting support for public education by $315 million next year, which is an increase of about 5 percent.

It’s what our state needs in order to guarantee every kid in Iowa gets a quality education, regardless of where they live. It will give public schools the flexibility to meet the needs of their students, whether it’s reducing class size, expanding mental health, or raising pay for educators.

YOUR VIEW

After a decade of low funding, it’s the minimum our public schools need to just keep up with rising costs. It’s also a matter of fairness given about 90 percent of our kids are in public schools. Here’s why.

When session began, the Governor recommended a whopping 44 percent increase in the amount of public dollars going to unaccountable private schools, while offering just a 2 percent increase for public school kids.

In the first four years alone, school vouchers are now expected to cost Iowa taxpayers over $1 billion. In addition to being way more than the original cost estimates, the huge increase next year is because there are no more limits on vouchers. Every family can receive almost $8,000 of taxpayer money to send their kids to private school - even the richest families in Des Moines.

Like most Iowans, I’m an opponent of vouchers because I believe public money is for public schools. As state lawmakers entrusted with taxpayer dollars, our commitment

Are supervisors overcompensated for their time?

I suppose our Jasper County Board of Supervisors deserve a slight pat on the back for not voting a pay raise for themselves this time around. According to the report I read, they currently receive about $47,000 in compensation, with the board chair receiving about $49,500. Not bad for part-time work, I’d say. It’s a little strange however, that while our Republican elected officials are all gung-ho about the President’s mission to increase government efficiency by slashing government jobs in all departments,

and even going so far as to demolish entire departments and all their staff to save money, our local Republican officials are only too happy to cash their own paychecks.

So why are our board members receiving such high pay? I suppose they deserve some compensation for the few hours they put in, but don’t all these board members have other, real jobs outside of their government service? Doesn’t one supervisor have a job at an auto dealership? Isn’t one a farmer? And doesn’t one work in Land and Wildlife Manage-

must be to public schools first.

Here’s my bottom line: public school kids deserve at least the same increase of $315 million that is being given to private schools next year.

While the looming debate over public school funding isn’t over yet, early signs aren’t looking good for public school kids. So far, signs are showing that kids in public schools will not get the share of state resources they deserve. So far, Senate Republican leaders are siding with the Governor but Republican leaders in the House haven’t yet shared plans.

It’s so frustrating and I don’t blame Iowans one bit for feeling like politicians in Des Moines just aren’t listening to them. I’ve heard from so many people who grew up in Iowa like me saying Iowa doesn’t seem like the same state anymore, especially when it comes to our commitment to public schools. Honestly, I can’t disagree with them.

We’ve got to do better for our kids. The solution is pretty simple: put people over politics.

ment? Aren’t those salaries enough for them?

So why do they need an extra 40 grand-plus a year? I’d think that half that would be sufficient, or maybe one-quarter even. If Republicans want to slash spending, how about rethinking their own bloated salaries? I doubt that any of them would end up having trouble paying the mortgage or buying gas and groceries if they were to take a much lower salary than they are currently being paid.

Maybe the $2,500 stipend should be enough payment for being “public servants”? Just a thought. John Moore Newton

Tigerhawk tandem caps careers with highest-ever state finishes

CORALVILLE — Colfax-Mingo

head girls wrestling coach Erin Hume preaches to his athletes about getting six points or going six minutes when it comes to competition.

That couldn’t have been more true about his two state qualifiers during the Iowa High School Girls State Wrestling Championships last week.

Emma Cook found herself behind in four of her six matches and Lily Webster went into overtime in a pair of bouts, but neither Tigerhawk panicked and the end results were the best state finishes of their careers.

“They are great examples of what can happen when you trust the process, trust your teammates and trust your coaches,” Hume said. “They got everything they deserved.”

Cook capped her wrestling career with a third-place finish at 235 pounds and Webster ended her prep career in fourth place at 100.

They combined to win seven matches at the state tournament, both won more than 40 matches this winter and more than 100 in their career and both Tigerhawks earned a pair of state medals in the past four seasons.

“Both girls were part of a team which won three conference championships and both girls helped grow Colfax-Mingo girls wrestling,” Hume said. “The program is in a better place because of them. I love those girls.”

The two Tigerhawks scored 36

points and finished in 15th place in the final Class 1A standings at Xtream Arena.

Cook and Webster both lost their first matches of the state tournament last winter but would not be denied in their final tries this weekend.

Webster scored a pin in 32 seconds in her opening match against Maquoketa’s Semiya Gill (25-12) before advancing to her first state semifinal following an overtime win over sixthranked and sixth-seeded Mara Davis of Algona in the quarterfinals.

Cook’s first match against Pekin’s Rylee Frye (22-23) ended in a first-period pin, but her hopes of winning a state title ended in the quarterfinals when she lost by fall to No. 9 and sixth-seeded Brooklyn Robinson of Humboldt.

Then, in an elimination match on the consolation side of the bracket, Cook rallied from a 7-0 hole to earn a medal following a win by pin against 12th-seeded Averie Gale (22-6) of Benton Community.

Gale put Cook on her back early in the match and the seven-point move gave her a significant lead.

“I knew I had to get out or I was done,” Cook said. “It was hard to come back from the loss, but I wanted the next best thing. You just have to keep going.”

Webster, who came into the tournament ranked fifth and seeded third, fell behind 3-0 to Davis in the quarterfinals. It stayed 3-0 until the third.

Webster (44-6) used an escape and

a takedown to go in front 4-3, but Davis’ reversal put her back in front 5-4. Another escape by Webster forced overtime, and the Tigerhawk senior capitalized on her second takedown attempt to win the match, 8-5, in SV-1. Her first attempt landed but the wrestlers were out of bounds.

“I realized my shots would actually work. So I just got more aggressive,” Webster said about the two shots in overtime. “I just thought about what I needed to do to win and what I get after I win. It motivated me. I knew I had a lot more left. I just had to get past the hard part.”

Cook fell behind 3-0 to Robinson (43-6) before losing by fall later in the first period. But her only loss of the tournament came to the eventual state champion as Robinson claimed the 235 title with four straight pins.

Gale used a headlock to score a seven-point move against Cook seconds into their consolation match. But Cook got a reversal to gain some momentum.

From that point on, Gale stuck her head into the mat and kept her arms tucked inside to avoid getting turned to her back.

The official awarded several stalling points to Cook. It was 7-4 heading into the second period, but a takedown and another stalling call pushed Cook into the lead. She eventually got the turn and the fall with 12 seconds to go in the period.

Tuhn’s career night powers Baxter girls past Colo-NESCO

COLO — Emie Tuhn broke her own school record for points in a game, buried a school-record eight 3-pointers and the Baxter girls basketball team dominated Colo-NESCO, 68-30, during an Iowa Star Conference South Division matchup on Feb. 7.

The Bolts swept the season series in what could be a preview of their firstround postseason matchup this week. The two teams opened regional play against each other on Feb. 13.

Tuhn scored a school-record 37 points and added six rebounds, seven assists and nine steals. She was 8-of-17 from 3-point range and buried 5-of-9 from the free-throw line. The eight 3s tied her own school record and her 64 made treys rank tied for third in Class 1A.

Kamdyn Krampe finished with nine points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals, Karlee Koehler chipped in 10 points, two rebounds, three assists and two steals and Kendall Brummel posted eight points, six boards and five steals.

Avery Wonders had four points and three rebounds and Kaylyn Krampe and Hannah Huffaker each grabbed four rebounds.

The Bolts (11-8, 9-3 in the conference) shot 37 percent from the floor, made 10-of35 from 3 and connected on 12-of-18 from the foul line.

They turned the ball over only 12 times and grabbed 17 offensive rebounds.

The season sweep improved Baxter’s record against Colo-NESCO (4-14, 2-11) to 1110 since 2007.

Baxter 67, Collins-Maxwell 19 BAXTER — Tuhn and Kamdyn Krampe combined for 44 points, the Bolts grabbed 16 offensive rebounds and made 11 treys and Baxter dominated Collins-Maxwell, 67-19, on Feb. 4.

The Bolts won the Iowa Star Conference South Division contest despite shooting 35 percent from the floor. They turned the ball over only eight times and were 10-of-29 from 3.

Kamdyn Krampe led Baxter with 23 points, seven rebounds, five assists and eight steals and Tuhn totaled 21 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Tuhn sunk 5-of-11 from 3. She’s made a school-record 239 triples in her career.

Brummel pitched in a season-high 11 points and added two rebounds, two assists and four steals, Koehler had eight points and three assists and Kaylyn Krampe registered eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. Makayla True dished out three assists and Myah Johnston and Huffaker each grabbed two rebounds.

The Bolts were 11-of-17 from the freethrow line with Kamdyn Krampe going 7-of11.

It was Baxter’s first sweep of Collins-Maxwell (2-15, 2-9) since 2022.

Baxter boys get redemption on rival Collins-Maxwell

BAXTER — Eli Dee dropped 36 points, Perrin Sulzle had a monster double-double and the Baxter boys basketball team scored a season split against Collins-Maxwell on Feb. 4

The Bolts made more than half of their shots from the floor, turned the ball over only six times and out-rebounded the Spartans by 10 during a 73-45 home win in Iowa Star Conference South Division action.

Dee scored 36 points and grabbed two rebounds. He was 7-of-8 from the free-throw line.

Sulzle finished with 18 points, 17 rebounds, two steals and two blocks. He was 4-of-5 from the foul line.

Cainan Travis totaled 12 points, six rebounds and three

steals, Stadan Vansice chipped in three points, three rebounds and seven assists and Maddux Tuhn grabbed three boards and dished out three assists.

The Bolts (12-8, 10-2 in the conference) shot 51 percent from the floor, made 4-of-11 from 3-point range and connected on 13-of-17 from the free-throw line.

They out-rebounded the Spartans 32-22. Collins-Maxwell shot 38 percent from the floor and made 6-of-12 from 3.

The Spartans turned the ball over 12 times.

Baxter led 21-13 after one and outscored its visitors 20-7 in the second.

Collins-Maxwell won the second half 32-25.

The Bolts split the season series with the Spartans and have won nine of the past 10 in the series.

Collins-Maxwell won the conference title following a win over Meskwaki Settlement School on Feb. 7. Cooper Wierson led Collins-Maxwell (16-3, 11-1) with

15 points and five rebounds and Josef Dvorak added 12 points and five rebounds.

Paden Myers came into the game averaging 16 points per game but was held to five in the loss. Ian Beattie also scored 7.7 points under his scoring average.

Baxter 64, Colo-NESCO 52 COLO — The Bolts made more than half of their shots from the floor, turned the ball over only eight times and used a fast start to down Colo-NESCO on Feb. 7.

Baxter led by 15 at halftime and held off a second-half charge from the Royals during a 64-52 road win in Iowa Star Conference South Division play.

It was the Bolts’ eighth straight win over Colo-NESCO and they improved to 15-5 in the series since 2009.

Dee dropped 30 points and grabbed three rebounds. No other Bolt reached double digits, but Sulzle had nine points and seven rebounds, Travis posted eight points, eight

boards and two steals and Tuhn tallied eight points and two assists.

Vansice chipped in five points, six assists and two steals, Dakota Parker scored three points and Colten Damman delivered two assists.

The Bolts shot 51 percent from the floor, made 7-of-15 from 3 and connected on 11-of14 from the foul line.

The Royals (15-6, 7-5) got 13 points and seven boards from Mark Bower.

The hosts shot 36.7 percent from the floor, made 4-of-17 from 3 and buried 12-of-16 from the foul line. Colo-NESCO turned the ball over 14 times.

Dunkerton 76, Baxter 73 BAXTER — The Bolts couldn’t quite dig themselves out of an early hole against Dunkerton on Feb. 8.

Baxter trailed by 13 after one and never got fully back on track during a 76-73 loss to the visiting Raiders during the Iowa Star Conference Challenge.

The Bolts lost the game de-

spite shooting 57 percent from the floor and making 10 shots from long range. They also made 7-of-10 from the foul line and committed only nine turnovers. Dee led four players in double digits with 21 points. Sulzle collected 16 points, eight rebounds and two assists, Travis chipped in 17 points and four boards and Tuhn totaled 11 points and five boards. Vansice registered eight points and two rebounds.

Dunkerton (16-4) led 19-6 after one. Baxter won the second 22-15 and closed the gap even more after a 22-17 advantage in the fourth.

Dylan Marquart led the Raiders with 30 points and four rebounds and Noah Fueling posted 23 points and four boards. The Raiders shot 50 percent from the floor, made 9-of-18 from 3 and turned the ball over only four times.

Dunkerton is 4-0 against the Bolts since 2022. The Raiders have won 10 of their past 11 games overall.

Jasper County Tribune
Tuhn
Dee
Jasper County Tribune
Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune
Colfax-Mingo senior Lily Webster finished fourth at 100 pounds at the girls state wrestling tournament on Feb. 7. She’s now a two-time state medalist after placing eighth as a freshman.
Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune
Colfax-Mingo senior Emma Cook earned her second state medal at the Iowa High School Girls State Wrestling Championships in Coralville on Feb. 7. She placed third at 235 pounds after taking fourth as a sophomore.
Sports Editor
TANDEM | 6

Tigerhawk wrestlers place

ninth at SICL tourney

Jasper County Tribune

NORTH ENGLISH

C-M girls score home win over Colo-NESCO

COLFAX — A strong first quarter was enough for the Colfax-Mingo girls basketball team against Colo-NESCO on Feb. 3.

The Tigerhawks led by 10 after eight minutes and the advantage held up during a 38-26 non-conference home game.

— Lynnville-Sully’s Kimball Elliott and Matthew Mintle claimed individual conference titles and three other area grapplers finished second at the South Iowa Cedar League tournament on Feb. 1.

Lynnville-Sully and Colfax-Mingo both brought five wrestlers to the conference tournament. Four of the five Hawks scored top-three finishes and L-S was sixth in the 10-team field.

Iowa Valley won the SICL tournament with 199 points, while the rest of the top five included North Mahaska (165.5), Sigourney/Keota (140.5), BGM (135) and Montezuma (123.5).

Lynnville-Sully’s five wrestlers scored 96.5 points in sixth. The rest of the field featured English Valleys (88.5), Belle Plaine (60), Colfax-Mingo (55.5) and HLV/ Tri-County (54.5).

Cason Fitch and Caden Sykes both were second to lead Colfax-Mingo.

Fitch (35-5) was 2-1 with two first-period pins at 126, while Sykes (34-6) was 1-1 at 175. Sykes’ loss came versus 1A No. 12 Nolan Kriegel of Iowa Valley.

Alex Hartson (16-11) finished fourth at 190, Alan Bregar was fifth at 215 and Xavier Cross placed sixth at 138. Hartson’s win came by technical fall.

Colfax-Mingo wasn’t at full strength. Among the missing Tigerhawks was Teagan Dybevik, who is ranked 12th in 1A at 285.

Colfax-Mingo led 11-1 after one quarter and extended the margin to 16 at halftime. The Royals rallied with a strong second half, but it wasn’t enough on the road.

A poor shooting performance and 30 turnovers was countered by a dominated effort on the boards and 16 steals from Colfax-Mingo.

Lydia Hansen led the Tigerhawks with 11 points, three rebounds and two steals.

Blain Houseman totaled eight points, six rebounds and two steals, Isabelle Foglesong tallied seven points, five boards, two assists and three steals and Katelyn Steenhoek chipped in six points and five rebounds.

Mallory Sipma collected four rebounds, three assists and six steals, Mickinley Bucklin had six points and three boards and Victoria Woods grabbed four boards and dished out three assists. Dakota Allen pulled down four rebounds and handed out two assists.

The Tigerhawks shot 26 percent from the floor, made 5-of-17 from 3-point range and connected on 7-of-15 from the free-throw line.

Colfax-Mingo, who snapped the Royals’ two-game win streak in the series, out-rebounded Colo-NESCO 34-25. The Tigerhawks grabbed 14 offensive boards.

Abigail Kettwig put in 10 points and Jadyn Niemeyer grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Royals.

Colo-NESCO (4-15) shot 25

percent from the floor, made 1-of-6 from 3 and missed 12 free throws. The Royals turned the ball over 31 times.

North Mahaska 63, Colfax-Mingo 30 COLFAX — Class 2A No. 5

North Mahaska dominated the first half and never looked back during a 63-30 road win over the Tigerhawks on Feb. 4.

Colfax-Mingo shot 27 percent from the floor and was out-rebounded by 12 during the South Iowa Cedar League game.

Foglesong led the Tigerhawks with 11 points and two assists. She was 2-of-4 from 3 and 3-of4 from the foul line.

Houseman totaled nine points, four rebounds and two assists, Hansen grabbed five boards and blocked four shots and Sipma pulled down four rebounds.

Bucklin registered three boards and Allen and Woods had two rebounds.

Colfax-Mingo (6-15, 4-11 in the conference) shot 5-of-17

from 3 and turned the ball over only 14 times.

Breckyn Schilling led the Warhawks (18-2, 14-1) with 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals.

North Mahaska shot 45.6 percent from the floor, made 3-of-12 from 3 and connected on 8-of-11 from the foul line.

Montezuma 60, Colfax-Mingo 22 MONTEZUMA — The Bravettes made 11 treys and used a fast start to down Colfax-Mingo on Jan. 31. Class 1A No. 6 Montezuma led by double digits after one and cruised to the 60-22 home win during SICL play.

Colfax-Mingo was hampered by 26 turnovers and 29.4 percent shooting from the floor. The Tigerhawks trailed 15-4 after one and 33-12 at halftime.

Foglesong led Colfax-Mingo with 11 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.

C-M boys drop pair of SICL contests

“I was nervous. She was nervous. We were all nervous,” Hume said about the early near fall situation. “She’s tough and knows what was on the line. A medal or go home. I’m just proud of her for continuing to fight.

“(Gale) was lying flat on the mat with her arms down. That official knew what was happening. I’m proud of Emma for staying with her plan.”

Webster began Day 2 with a semifinal loss to fourth-ranked and second-seeded Kenadee Helscher of Wapello. The final margin was 7-0, but it was 0-0 after one and 1-0 after two.

Helscher (35-1) ended up as the runner-up as she suffered her only loss of the season in the finals.

Webster had to win another overtime match in her first bout following the loss. She was scoreless with Wilton’s Audrey Cummings for three periods before getting a reversal to win 2-0 in TB-1.

Eighth-seeded Cummings (3910) rode out Webster in the second period, but Webster returned the favor in the third. When she had the chance to score from the bottom in overtime, she got the points she needed to win and held off Cum-

COLFAX — Harrison Rhone

put in 20 points, but Colfax-Mingo was outscored by 36 points in the middle two quarters during a 79-39 home loss to North Mahaska on Feb. 4.

The Tigerhawks limited their turnovers to only 13, but shot 35.4 percent from the floor and connected on 5-of-18 from 3-point range.

North Mahaska led by six after one quarter and Colfax-Mingo won the fourth 12-10, but the Warhawks won the second 29-7 and took the third 21-7 in the South Iowa Cedar League victory.

Rhone added five rebounds, four assists and three steals to his 20 points to lead Colfax-Mingo, which dropped to 2-17 and 2-13 in the conference.

Shane Hostetter collected four points, three rebounds and two steals, Chase Trotter totaled four points and two rebounds, Wyatt Jay put in five points and Carpenter grabbed four boards.

Adrian Smith had 12 points and 10 rebounds and Asher DeBoef added 11 points, five boards

mings’ attempt at getting points of her own.

“I reminded myself that I pushed through one before so I can push through this one, too,” Webster said. “I was able to figure it out.” Webster’s final match ended in a 4-0 loss to top-seeded and topranked Chloe Sheffield (39-5) of Decorah.

Sheffield, who was second last year, scored a takedown in the first period to go up 3-0 and then added an escape in the second.

Cook (46-5) fell behind again in her first match of the second day against No. 8 Ella Ray of Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont.

Ray (31-8) scored a takedown early to go up 3-0, but Cook scored a point on an illegal hold before the period ended and then got a reversal and received a stalling point in the second to go up 4-3.

Ray’s strategy was similar to Gale’s in that she tried to avoid a turn from Cook at all costs. It led to another stalling point in the third, and Cook eventually won the match by fall 40 seconds into the final period.

“You just have to hope the official sees it,” Cook said of all the stalling calls. “It’s frustrating, but you just have to stick to the plan.”

That set Cook up with matches against a pair of multiple-time place winners.

The consolation semifinal match came against No. 3 and top-seeded

and eight assists to lead the Warhawks. Gabe Hora also scored a team-high 13 points.

North Mahaska (17-3, 14-1) shot 52.3 percent from the floor, made 8-of-28 from 3 and connected on 3-of-6 from the foul line.

Montezuma 86, Colfax-Mingo 41

MONTEZUMA — The Tigerhawks couldn’t overcome a slow start against Montezuma on Jan. 31.

Colfax-Mingo trailed by 20 after one and was outscored by 21 in the third during an 86-41 road loss in SICL action.

Rhone put in 29 points, grabbed five rebounds and had five steals to lead the Tigerhawks in the loss.

Jace Lewis pitched in five points and five boards, Isaiah Lewis grabbed nine rebounds, Jay pulled down six boards and Carpenter chipped three rebounds.

Byal dished out three assists and Trotter pulled down two rebounds.

Colfax-Mingo shot 25.5 percent from the floor, made 3-of-15

Haley Armstrong of Atlantic.

Top-ranked Cook fell behind 3-0 again, but flipped the script with an escape, takedown and win by fall in the first period.

Fourth-ranked and second-seeded Jocelyn Buffum of Missouri Valley awaited Cook in the third-place match.

This one was scoreless until the final seconds of the third period. Buffum (39-8) was called for stalling with 1 second to go in the second and then Cook won the match 1-0 following a second stalling call in the final 10 seconds of the match.

Armstrong (37-4) was third last season and took eighth as a sophomore. Buffum finished second as a freshman and sixth in each of the past two seasons.

“Both girls had to work to get to where they ended up at,” Hume said. “This tournament is selfish. It doesn’t care what your record is or how your season’s gone. Everyone wants the same goal.”

Webster finished fourth in her final season after placing eighth as a freshman. An illness kept her down last season as she went 1-2 as the No. 14 seed.

Cook was 1-2 at 220 as a freshman. She put herself on the map with a strong sophomore season that ended with a fourth-place medal. Cook was 6-2 as the No. 12 seed that season.

Her junior year was plagued by an ACL injury she never fully recovered from. She ended last year’s tournament with a 2-2 record.

Notes: Webster plans to wrestle in college. She has a couple of options but has not yet decided on her future destination.

from 3 and connected on 12-of20 from the foul line. The Tigerhawks also turned the ball over 27 times.

Brady Boulton led Montezuma (18-2, 13-2) with 31 points, eight assists and five steals. Kohen Holland totaled 12 points and nine rebounds.

The Braves shot 61.5 percent from the floor, made 5-of-17 from 3 and sunk 17-of-29 from the foul line. They committed 15 turnovers.

Colo-NESCO 71, Colfax-Mingo 38 COLFAX — Rhone scored 19 points and made all six of his free throws, but the Tigerhawks lost 71-38 to Colo-NESCO during a non-conference home game on Feb. 3.

Colfax-Mingo also got six points from Isaiah Lewis, five from Hostetter and four from Byal. The Tigerhawks shot 24.4 percent from the floor, made 1-of-9 from 3 and buried 15-of19 from the foul line. No other statistics were available at press time. Colo-NESCO (15-6) won its third straight game against C-M in the series.

Kamdyn Krampe
C-M GIRLS
Fitch
Jasper County Tribune
Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune
Colfax-Mingo junior Gage Byal puts up a shot during a home game earlier this season.
Cook Webster

seal coat and microsurfacing of W. 129th St S. from IA163 to S. 96th Ave. W. and S. 96th Ave. W. from W. 129th St. S. to Pacific Street

YEA: CUPPLES NEARMYER

TALSMA Motion by Nearmyer seconded by Cupples to approve the contract award for Bridge D05 substructure packages to Oden Enterprises, Inc. in the amount of $87,050.72

YEA: CUPPLES NEARMYER

TALSMA Motion by Cupples seconded by Nearmyer to adopt Resolution 25-18 approving the 2025 ALS Fees

YEA: CUPPLES NEARMYER

TALSMA A complete copy of the resolution is on file in the Office of the Jasper County Auditor. Motion by Nearmyer seconded by Cupples to approve Lieutenant Michael Gunsaulus for the Sheriff's Office to be effective from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2028.

YEA: CUPPLES NEARMYER

TALSMA Motion by Cupples seconded by Nearmyer to approve Sergeants Brandon Bruxvoort and Tracy Cross for the Sheriff's Office to be effective from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2028. YEA: CUPPLES NEARMYER

TALSMA Motion by Cupples seconded by Nearmyer to approve Deputy Sheriffs Nicholas Aldrich, Dylan Blackford, Benjamin Block, Brandon Blom Joshua Borg Chad Coleman, Todd Decker Troy Daehler, Wyatt Dillon, Kira Lazenby Michael Spray, Corey Van Kooten, and Brad Van Zante for the Sheriff's Office to be effective from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2028

YEA: CUPPLES NEARMYER

TALSMA Motion by Cupples seconded by Nearmyer to approve Civil Process Servers Summer Guy, Michael Stephenson, and Kim Richardson-Fry for the Sheriff's Office to be effective from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2028

YEA: CUPPLES NEARMYER, TALSMA Motion by Cupples, seconded by Nearmyer to approve Reserve Deputy Sheriffs Ryan Eaton, Dennis Simon, Joel Wilkerson, Nathan Lanferman, and Steve Ashing for the Sheriff's Office to be effective from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2028.

YEA: CUPPLES NEARMYER, TALSMA Motion by Cupples seconded by Nearmyer to approve Deputy Auditors Kristin Carley, Teresa Arrowood, and Melissa Hartgers for the Auditor's Office to be effective from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2028.

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TALSMA Motion by Nearmyer seconded by Cupples to approve Hilltop Estates Exhibit D Certification of costs for both Fairview Lane (OnSite) and N. 51st Ave. W. (OffSite) improvements

YEA: CUPPLES NEARMYER

TALSMA Motion by Cupples seconded by Nearmyer to approve a Quit Claim deed for Mary Ellen Vandusseldorp on parcel #11.01.277.002 removing Jasper County as owner It was discovered to be her land that was incorrectly never transferred from 1967

YEA: CUPPLES NEARMYER

TALSMA Motion by Cupples seconded by Nearmyer to approve the Treasurer's Semi-Annual report from July 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024

YEA: CUPPLES, NEARMYER, TALSMA Motion by Nearmyer seconded by Cupples to adopt Resolution 25-19 approving transfer order 1539 in the amount of $215,000.00 from JC Hazmat Equipment Reserve fund to JC Emergency Management Fund.

YEA: CUPPLES NEARMYER

TALSMA A complete copy of the resolution is on file in the Office of the Jasper County Auditor. Motion by Cupples seconded by Nearmyer to approve claims paid through January 28 2025.

YEA: CUPPLES NEARMYER

TALSMA Motion by Nearmyer, seconded by Cupples to approve the Board of Supervisors meeting minutes from January 21 2025.

YEA: CUPPLES, NEARMYER, TALSMA There were no Board Appointments. Motion by Nearmyer seconded by Cupples to enter into closed session requested by Scott Nicholson in accordance with Iowa Code Section 21.5(c) to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in the litigation.

YEA: CUPPLES NEARMYER

TALSMA ROLL CALL YEA: CUPPLES, NEAMYER, TALSMA Motion by Nearmyer seconded by Cupples to come out of closed session.

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TALSMA Motion by Nearmyer seconded by Cupples to adjourn the regular meeting and enter into a work session.

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TALSMA The Board discussed simplified pay plans and COL increases for July 1, 2025. Motion by Nearmyer seconded by Cupples to recess the work session until 1:30 p.m.

YEA: CUPPLES, NEARMYER, TALSMA Motion by Nearmyer, seconded by Cupples to come out of recess YEA: CUPPLES NEARMYER

TALSMA The

voting location for this election, please contact the Jasper County Auditor's office at 641-792-7016 or by email at jjennings@jaspercounty.iowa gov. Voters in the Grinnell-Newburg School District will be voting on Public Measure A, physical plant and equipment tax. Notice is further given that the polling location for this election for ALL electors of the Grinnell-N ewburg School District residing in Jasper County are as follows: KELLOGG FIRE STATION, 417 Front St Kellogg IA 50135 for residents in the City of Oakland Acres, Hickory Grove Township Rock Creek Township and Richland Township The Voter Pre-Registration Deadline for this Election is February 18, 2025, in the Auditor's Office or by mail if postmarked on or before February 18, 2025 The deadline for registered voters to request an Absentee Ballot by mail is February 18 2025. If an eligible elector is unable to register to vote on or before the registration deadline, Iowa Law permits Election Day Registration at their polling location with current proof of Identity AND Residence within the precinct All voters are required to provide an approved form of identification at the polling place before receiving and casting a ballot. Voters who are not pre-registered -such as voters registering to vote on election day - and voters who have changed precincts will also be required to provide proof of residence. A voter who cannot provide proof of identification may have their identity attested to by another voter registered in the precinct who has an approved form

Anderson leads Baxter boys at conference tournament

ROCKFORD — Four Hawks won titles and the Lynnville-Sully boys wrestling team registered 19 pins during the Iowa Star Conference Invitational on Feb. 8.

The Hawks placed third in the 10-team field, while Baxter scored 47 points in eighth.

Riceville won the tournament with 168.5 points. The rest of the top five featured Maquoketa Valley (142.5), Lynnville-Sully (122.5), Moravia (117) and Janesville (99.5).

BCLUW-SH (82.5) was sixth and the rest of the field included North Tama (75), Baxter (47), Tripoli (43) and host Rockford (39).

The Bolts entered only four wrestlers in the tournament and Skyler Stoll left the event early with an injury.

Jack Anderson won his 40th match and placed first at 138 pounds to lead the Bolts.

Anderson (40-7) was 4-0 with three pins, including a win over Lynnville-Sully’s Burt Johnson. He defeated Riceville’s Chance Christensen, 6-4, in the finals.

The next best finisher was Maddox Peters (27-18). He was third at 157 with a 2-2 day that featured a 36-second pin.

Derek Rominger was 0-5 and placed sixth at 132, while Stoll won his first two matches before leaving the tournament with an injury.

Bolts fall twice at road triangular GREENFIELD — Anderson was 2-0, but the Bolts lost twice in a road triangular at Nodaway Valley on Feb. 6.

Baxter was defeated 64-5 by the host Wolverines and Southeast Warren/ Melcher-Dallas downed the Bolts 57-12.

The Bolts were 1-2 in contested matches against Nodaway Valley and the Wolverines were 9-0 in forfeits. Anderson won his match 17-0 at 138.

Baxter finished 2-1 in contested matches against Southeast Warren/M-D, but the Bolts gave up all nine forfeits.

Anderson scored a win by fall in 39 seconds and Peters registered a fall against the Warhawks.

Bolts fall three times in home quadrangular

BAXTER — Anderson went 3-0, but the rest of the Bolts struggled during a home quadrangular on Jan. 30, and Baxter couldn’t find the win column as a team.

The Bolts lost 30-18 to HLV, fell 53-12 to BGM and dropped their dual against Coon Rapids-Bayard, 43-5.

Baxter was 4-4 in contested matches against BGM and HLV combined but went 1-4 in the loss to the Bombers.

Anderson registered pins against HLV and BGM and won 15-0 against Coon Rapids-Bayard.

Stoll, Peters and Rominger all won once and Dille was 0-2 at 113.

Stoll’s win came by pin at 150 against HLV, Rominger won by fall at 132 against BGM and Peters took a forfeit against HLV.

Anderson’s title leads Bolts at Clarksville CLARKSVILLE — Baxter entered just three wrestlers into the Doug Trees Bearcat Invitational on Feb. 1, but Anderson won his weight and the Bolts were ninth in the 12-team field.

Three Bolts scored 37 points in ninth. Nashua-Plainfield won the tournament with 262 points, while 1A No. 7 Lake Mills finished second with 225.5.

The rest of the top five featured West Hancock (129.5), North Butler/Clarksville (129) and Garner-Hayfield-Ventura (108).

Anderson was 3-0 with two pins at 138.

Peters finished fourth at 157 after a 1-3 day. Stoll won 6-3 to open his day but lost his final two matches at 144.

Hansen had four points, four rebounds and two steals, Houseman chipped in three points, four rebounds and two assists and Sipma grabbed four boards.

Allen pulled down three rebounds, Woods swiped three steals and Bucklin grabbed two boards.

C-M was 2-of-8 from 3 and

0-of-4 from the foul line.

Montezuma (15-5, 14-1) got 21 points, five assists and five steals from Vivian Cook.

The Bravettes shot 41.7 per-

cent from the floor, made 9-of-12 from the floor and buried 11-of29 from 3. Montezuma has won 15 of its last 17 games.

Jasper County Tribune
Anderson
Stoll

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