Lindsay Cummins created ‘packs’ for students to help as they mature
throughout high school and college.”
Submitted Photo
Starting in fourth grade, kids can receive packs to help them as they mature. Girls receive items: a makeup bag, deodorant, chapstick, a Hershey’s kiss and a pad. Boys receive deodorant and chapstick.
County engineer says it is a simple project with a late start date of June 9
Maturing can be an awkward time for kids. A lot of new things are happening not only socially but to their bodies. Lindsay Cummins, nurse for the Colfax-Mingo School District, has found a way to help students out along the way with her “packs.”
“When I was going through middle school my mom came up with the idea,” Cummins said. “She helped me make my own pack that I kept in my bag
The packs, which are made up of a makeup bag, deodorant, Hershey’s kiss and a pad, are available to female students starting in fourth grade when they have the puberty discussion. They are also available upon request, if needed.
“The project evolved over time,” Cummins said. “It started out where I would apply for a grant through P&G yearly. When their supplies became less and less the idea for the packs came to fruition.”
Cummins asked for donations from staff members and was overwhelmed by the response from not only staff but school board members and their families. She also received grant funds from the Colfax-Mingo Education Foundation to purchase supplies for the packs.
“Spring City Pharmacy has been gracious in donating deodorant for both boys and girls for this yearly conversation,” Cummins said. “The pack also
PACKS | 3
By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune
Jasper County has hired a contractor to replace the bridge it shares with the City of Mingo. The county board of supervisors voted 3-0 this past week to award the contract toPeterson Contractors, Inc. for more than $806,000. The week before the county formed an agreement with Mingo to share responsibilities for the project.
County Engineer Michael Frietsch presented the bids to supervisors during their March 4 meeting. Bridge F04 is locat-
ed along East Street near Mingo, and it crosses a small nature stream. The west right-of-way is under the City of Mingo’s jurisdiction and the remainder is in Jasper County territory.
“The current bridge is one of those monolithic, poured concrete type structures,” Frietsch said. “Its life estimate was about six years in 2023. The City of Mingo went and put in for City Bridge Funds and was granted $1.5 million in City Bridge Funding for this. We just did the 28E agreement
BRIDGE | 3
Marine veteran still needs approval from supervisors before he can be hired
By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
Jasper County Veterans Affairs may have found its next director. Of the seven applicants who were interviewed by a selection committee this past month,
the top recommendation from the group was a Marine veteran and retired police officer from Marshalltown. The committee recommended him to the commission.
Ramon Maxey was accepted to be the next director of the department by the Jasper County Veterans Affairs Commission at a special meeting on March 5, but the final approval will have to come from the board of supervisors at an upcoming meeting. The commission recommended him to
board in a unanimous vote.
In addition to being a 24-year Marine veteran, his unit during the last years of his service worked as a transition unit for Marines separating after their enlistment was completed. Maxey is not a veterans service office, but he has a good understanding of the systems within veterans affairs.
Dennis Simon, director of human resources for Jasper County, said he received 19 qualified applications. He distributed copies to all of the commis -
sioners with the exception of Katherine Thompson, whose spouse had also applied for the position. Commissioners provided Simon with their top candidates.
“I went through the list of names and anyone who appeared on two or more lists got slotted for an interview,” Simon said. “…I think we had some very good candidates. We definitely learned a lot of individuals, interesting
Eric Wain Soutter
March 7, 2025
Soutter, Coburn Funeral Home, Colfax, IA 5004.”
Eric Wain Soutter, age 58, of Colfax, passed away on March 7, 2025. Per Eric’s wishes, there will be no services but a celebration of life at a later date. If you wish to mail the family a card, please address it to, “Attn: Eric
Eric was born in Des Moines on September 25, 1966. He grew up in Colfax and graduated with the last class of Colfax High School in 1985. Eric worked at Maytag and later Firestone. In his free time, Eric loved to tinker with things. He was outdoors as much as possible, preferably with his dog right next to him. He loved listening to the blues on KGGO on Sunday, Stevie Ray
Bank Iowa has pledged $30,000 to support the development of a new childcare center in Colfax. The center, a project started by Colfax Economic Development Corporation (CEDCO), will address the region’s childcare shortage and provide essential services for local families.
CEDCO recently received a $1.7 million Child Care Business Incentive Grant from the State of Iowa, which covers half the cost of constructing this new facility. The new childcare center will be next to Colfax-Mingo Elementary School and accommodate up to 100 children, offering year-round care for infants through schoolage children and two preschool classrooms.
Eric is survived by his children; Laci (David) Rolfes and Dylan (Kori) Soutter, grandchildren; Maverick Wayne Soutter and Paxson Collins Rolfes, his nephews; Wyatt Glasford and Andrew Owens, and his mother; Marianne Glasford.
Preceding Eric in death was his brother; Kent Owens, his stepfather; Larry Glasford, and his grandparents; Richard and Eleanor Lester.
Vaughn was always a favorite. You often could find him drinking Pepsi and Fresca, sitting in a lawn chair outside, usually enjoying a bonfire. He spent countless weekends camping with friends and family. Eric always looked forward to his yearly trips to the Iowa State Fair where he might enjoy an old rock concert in the grandstands or just hang around his camper enjoying the people. Above all things, Eric loved his grandchildren, making time for them whenever he could.
“I am honored to be a Bank Iowa representative on the CEDCO Board of Directors,” Becca Stonehocker, assistant vice president and relationship manager at Bank Iowa in Colfax, said. “Not only does this allow Bank Iowa to support the community, but it helps shape the town of Colfax for many years to come.”
To secure the full grant funding, CEDCO must raise commitments for an additional $1.7 million by June 1, 2025. Without these funds, the project will be scaled back. Construction is scheduled to begin in July 2025, with an anticipated project dura-
tion of one year.
“The new childcare center is a game changer for our community and school district,” Tim Salmon, superintendent of Colfax Mingo Community School District and VP of CEDCO, said. “It will provide extra space for our preschool program, establish before/ after school care for students and solve the childcare issue in Colfax. Bank Iowa’s donation shows their dedication to helping solve these childcare issues.”
CEDCO is actively looking for donations from supporters at all levels.
For more information on how to contribute to this project, contact cedcoiowa@gmail.com or visit cedcoiowa.com.
The importance of a home inventory before a disaster or insurance
By Sonya Sellmeyer, Consumer Advocacy Officer for the Iowa Insurance Division
When disaster strikes, whether a tornado, fire, burglary, or other insurance-covered peril, homeowners and renters often find themselves overwhelmed by the loss and the claims process. One critical step an insured can take to prepare for such situations is to create a comprehensive home inventory.
After a covered peril occurs, an insurance company may require policyholders to provide proof of ownership and value for lost or damaged items. Insureds may struggle to recall every item they own, leading to incomplete claims and potential financial losses. A home inventory is a detailed list of personal belongings with descriptions, receipts, purchase dates, photographs, appraisals, and estimated values.
To create an inventory, go room by room and list your belongings with photos, receipts or estimated worth, and descriptions including the make, model, and serial numbers. Always store your inventory in a safe place not in your residence, like a safety deposit box or in the cloud. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has a home inventory app that can help with the documentation process by allowing you to
As millions of people file their 2024 tax returns, the Internal Revenue Service today reminded taxpayers to use the “Where’s My Refund?” tool on IRS. gov to confirm receipt of their return and track a refund.
Taxpayers who file electronically can typically use the “Where’s My Refund?” tool to check the status of a tax refund within 24 hours of filing. It takes about four weeks for the same information to be available for those filing paper returns.
The tool is available 24/7, and is a fast, easy way for taxpayers to get information about a refund without needing to call the IRS. The tool also allows taxpayers to access information about returns from tax years 2024, 2023 and 2022.
The online tool is mobile-friendly and can be accessed through the IRS2Go mobile app, where users also can find free tax help and make payments. Information needed to use ‘Where’s My Refund?’
take pictures and scan barcodes of items.
An inventory allows claimants to submit accurate and detailed reports, ensuring they receive the actual or replacement cost compensation they are entitled to under their policy. Actual cash value is paid after depreciating for age and wear and tear. Replacement cost means reimbursement for the cost to repair or replace with a similar item. With replacement cost, the depreciated amount is paid first, and once proof is provided for the repair or replacement the company will reimburse the cost.
Insurance policies cover personal property up to the limit on your declarations page. In the absence of a home inventory, insurers may default to estimating the value of lost items, often leading to underpayment. By having an organized record, policyholders can provide concrete evidence, increasing the likelihood of receiving the full replacement cost for their belongings.
In the case of burglary, a home inventory is a valuable tool for insurance claims and law enforcement investigations. Many homeowners and renters underestimate the value of their possessions, leading to insufficient insurance coverage. A home inventory helps individuals assess whether their current policy limits are
A critical step an insured can take
time when disaster strikes is to create
hensive home inventory.
adequate to replace their belongings. If the total value of possessions exceeds the policy’s coverage limit, policyholders can make informed decisions about adjusting their coverage before a loss occurs. This proactive approach prevents the unpleasant surprise of being underinsured when it is too late to make changes. Speak to your licensed insurance agent annually about policy limits and if they need to be adjusted.
A home inventory is an invaluable tool that simplifies the insurance claims process, ensures fair compensation, and provides peace of mind during difficult times. Taking the time to create a comprehensive inventory before disaster strikes, allows homeowners and renters to protect their financial well-being and recover more quickly from losses.
The IRS updates the “Where’s My Refund?” tool once daily – usually overnight – so there’s no need to check refund status multiple times a day. To check refund status, taxpayers will need: Social Security or individual taxpayer ID number (ITIN) Filing status Exact refund amount
Refund delivery Most refunds are issued in less than 21 calendar days. The fastest way to get a refund is by filing electronically and choosing direct deposit as the delivery method. Taxpayers who do this typically get their refund in less than 21 days. Taxpayers who don’t have a bank account can find out how to open one at a FDIC-insured bank or the National Credit Union Locator Tool.
Several factors may affect the timing of a re -
fund delivery, including: Filing an incomplete or inaccurate return Corrections to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) Bank processing and posting times
The IRS will contact taxpayers by mail if more information is needed to process a return. IRS representatives reached by phone or by walking into a Taxpayer Assistance Center can only research the status of a refund if: 21 days or more have passed since the return was e-filed Six weeks or more have passed since the return was mailed “Where’s My Refund?” tells the taxpayer to contact the IRS Changes made by the IRS may sometimes affect the amount of an expected refund. These changes include corrections to the Child Tax Credit or EITC amounts, or an offset to pay past-due tax or debts. More information about reduced refunds is available at IRS.gov.
Filing season reminders
The deadline for most taxpayers to file a return, pay taxes due or request an extension is April 15.
Taxpayers with questions should make IRS. gov their first stop. It’s available 24/7 and contains information on a variety of topics, including:
Choosing a tax professional Using IRS Free File Seeking answers to tax questions using an Interactive Tax Assistant Finding tips on filing a return Recognizing tax scams For information on amended returns, use the “Where’s My Amended Return?” tool. This news release is part of a series called the Tax Time Guide, a resource designed to help taxpayers file an accurate return. Additional help is available in Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax (For Individuals).
includes a Hershey’s kiss. These have been donated by a staff member. She and I were talking about the packs and she said she’d like to put something in there to sweeten up their day because being a girl can be hard at times.”
Chapstick has also been added to the pack and made available to boys as well, thanks to a donation from a Colfax-Mingo school board
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member. Boys received deodorant and chapstick during their puberty discussion.
“Puberty is a pivotal time of a student’s life. There are so many changes,” Cummins said. “For a female student, having these packs as a visual representation of things they will need helps them understand part of the process. The girls enjoy receiving them.”
For anyone looking to help out the school, donations of chapstick, deodorant or pads can be dropped off at any of the school buildings.
experiences and stuff. But it come down to it, we had two top candidates.”
By the time the committee thought about scheduling additional interviews, one of the applicants withdrew their application. Simon said the potential evening activities and other outreach events that would come with
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with Mingo last week.”
Five bids were received by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Petersen Contractors submitted the low bid of $806,718.40. Jasper Construction Services, Inc. submitted a bid of more than $876,000; Herberger Construction Co., Inc. submitted a bid
the job dissuaded the candidate; they did not feel they could commit the time.
Maxey was chosen as the top choice as a result. Simon said one of the questions the committee asked Maxey was how to make the veterans affairs office more visible and known in the community and to veterans. Simon said Maxey had some pretty good ideas and then emailed more ideas afterward.
Following his tenure in the Marines, he worked at the Marshalltown
of more than $890,000; Manatt’s Inc./Cunningham-Reis submitted a bid of more than $901,000; and Godberen-Smith Construction Co. submitted a more than $1.04 million bid.
Initial construction costs were thought to be $900,000, so the bid from Petersen Contractors is well below that original estimate. Frietsch said the late start date for the project is June 9, and there are
Police Department and has since retired. Simon said Maxey’s experience with deescalation training could come in handy. Maxey is currently working for a subcontract security service providing armed security at UnityPoint Healthl.
105 working days scheduled. Frietsch said the new bridge will be an 80-foot continuous concrete slab structure.
“It’s not going to take that long to build,” he said. “It’s not a very big bridge. East Street is not going to be hard road to close and divert traffic around.” Supervisor Brandon Talsma added, “You say that until you close it.” “I know. Famous last words. I know.”
“I think we’re all very pleased and impressed with his answers and responses,” Simon said. “Our other two commission-committee members, Lt. (Mike) Gunsaulus and (Jasper County) Board of Supervisors Chairman (Brandon) Talsma are all very favorable of this individual.”
Veterans affairs has been without a director/administrator since December 2024. The commission terminated former administrator Alyssa Wilson after the county conducted an internal investigation into her working habits. The report alleged she arrived late, left early, had extended lunch periods and other breaks and even falsified her timesheets.
By Mark Moran Iowa News Service
A new report by the group Food and Water Watch says egg companies are exploiting the bird flu outbreak for profit in Iowa.
Data show egg prices in the Midwest were already sharply higher long before the latest wave of avian flu.
Some 75 percent of egg-laying hens are raised on almost 350 factory farms in the U.S. — each housing about 850,000 birds.
Now over $5 a dozen, egg prices in Iowa grocery stores are nearly twice what they were two years ago.
Rebecca Wolf, senior food policy analyst with Food and Water Watch, said highly consolidated corporate egg producers are using the outbreak and their market control to drive the numbers still higher — even though egg production costs have remained nearly flat.
“Prices rising before the bird flu outbreak, and now an astronomical impact with the actual, real impacts of the bird flu,” Wolf said, “which is a classic case of what we say is price-gouging consumers, so really
taking advantage of that market control.”
Iowa raises more egg-laying hens on factory farms than any other state, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Iowa has lost nearly 30 million birds in the current avian flu outbreak.
As the nation’s leader in raising egg-laying hens, Wolf said Iowa’s consolidation makes the industry fragile and highly sensitive to any disruption. She claimed operators designed it that way.
“So, if one birds is sick in one of those 300-some facilities, which is what we’re seeing,” said Wolf, “then all of those birds, in this case, have been culled for the bird flu.”
Chickens are more susceptible to disease in cramped confinements, and concentrated manure also threatens air and groundwater quality.
Industry operators say they’re trying to address potential environmental pollution while meeting consumer demand for high-quality poultry.
Few likely imagined that a day would come when a person could communicate, browse the internet, take photos and videos, play music, and much more all from a device small enough to store in a pants pocket. But that’s just what one gets with a smartphone. These amazing devices have transformed how people engage in everyday life. Although smartphones have their upside, there are disadvantages to the connectivity they provide - including the threat phones pose when used while behind the wheel.
Anything that causes a driver to take his or her eyes off of the road, even if only for a few seconds, can prove disastrous. And smartphones have proven particularly distracting for drivers. In fact, according to Franciscan Health, one in four accidents occur because a driver was using a cell phone, hands-free or not. Distracted driving contributed to 3,522 deaths and 362,415 injuries in the United States in 2021, the most recent year for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s published estimates. More than 20 percent of respondents in a 2022 NHTSA survey admitted to using at least one smartphone-based distrac-
tion, such as social media, texting or video calls, while driving. Each time a driver gets away with using a phone without incident while behind the wheel, he or she may feel like it is no big deal. However, there is very real danger in doing so. Here are some facts that highlight how dangerous using a smartphone while driving can be.
• The National Safety Council has found drivers using handsfree and handheld cell phones fail to see up to 50 percent of the information in their driving environment. This is known as “inattention blindness.”
• The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says using a cell phone while driving increases crash risk, as researchers have consistently linked texting or manipulating a cell phone to increased risk. When the IIHS monitored drivers who frequently use cell phones while driving for one year, those drivers had the highest rates of near crashes and crashes.
• Using driving simulators or instrumented vehicles, various analyses have found typing or reading text messages significantly slowed reaction time and increased lane deviations. It also increased the length of time
Anything that causes a driver to take his or her eyes off of the road, even if only for a few seconds, can prove disastrous.
drivers looked away from the roadway. The NSC says drivers using cell phones had reaction times slower than drivers impaired by alcohol at .08 blood alcohol concentration.
• When a person sends a text message or reads a message, it takes his or her eyes off the road for five seconds. Going 55 miles per hour while texting is like driving the length of a football
field with one’s eyes closed. Although smartphones are convenient, they should be stored out of reach while driving to limit the temptation of use.
So where are we in the legislative process? Week Eight has come to an end and with it, the First Funnel. For a bill to still be considered, it must have passed through a committee. The exceptions are Ways and Means & Appropriation Bills.
A few things to keep in mind.
1) Just because a bill passed through a committee doesn’t mean it will get to the House Floor.
2) There are many bills that proceed out of committee with the expressed intent of generating greater discussion and
State House YOUR VIEW
State Rep. Jon Dunwell
further improvements.
3) Bills will change. As more time passes and members beyond the committee begin to look at the narrowed list, amendments (changes) will be proposed. And in many cases, the bill will be adapted.
4) Just because a member voted for a bill to get through a committee doesn’t mean they will vote for it on the House floor. Why? As stated above, they may have moved it through committee to see if time and more effort could improve
March is finally here, and that means we’re chomping at the bit for planting season. On my farm and those around me, we’re making sure everything — and everyone — is ready to roll as soon as the weather and the crop insurance companies give us the green light. The seed is being delivered, the grease and oil applied, the fuel tanks filled. We’re gearing up.
Spring is always a season of possibility and hope for farmers. We’re eternal optimists. But we also know that no amount of hoping and wishing will change the realities of the agricultural system we operate in. We can go broke while our input suppliers and the multinational companies who buy our grain and livestock make record profits.
One of the biggest risks we calculate each season is the role of federal funding, policy, and federal workers in the fate of our operations. We all know how closely we work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). We go to our county offices for many things: payments when our prices or production aren’t up to snuff, loans when no banks will give them to us, help for limiting soil erosion and restoring wildlife habitat, crop insurance, export assistance ... the list goes on.
That’s why I am incredibly concerned about what has been going on at Trump’s USDA in the last few weeks, in particular Elon Musk’s chainsaw approach to government agencies. When was the last time Musk got his hands dirty or tried to grow a crop? What we’re seeing is Musk cutting us to the bone, and that ain’t right. We can all agree that things should be efficient, but this is hardly that. This is chaos.
for our nation’s veterans
For the past decade, I have been appointed to the national veterans and military services committee. We have worked tirelessly to pass the Pact Act and were successful in doing so in 2022. 2023 was the year that the claims processing department was ramped up to 100 percent and things were coming together for our nation’s veterans and the claim process. There are representatives from more than 30 states that meet twice a year to organize and lobby for veterans’ issues. Each of us carrying a unique perspective but the same desire to help our local veterans. Having just returned from the latest conference, I would like to give
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Thousands of USDA staff have been cut. They’ve closed 58 FSA and NRCS offices across the country. Millions of dollars in funding for farmer-driven projects are being withheld. Farmers who did their part and shelled out thousands of dollars to implement conservation practices are not being repaid. The Iowa Soybean Association, Practical Farmers of Iowa, and Conservation Districts of Iowa are all waiting on millions in payments, and I know of fellow Iowa CCI members who farm are beyond nervous. With this reality, you’d expect every Republican, Democrat, and Independent politician to demand a course correction at USDA. They need to lead USDA down a path of better support for farmers and rural people, more investment across rural America, and more shared prosperity for all of us no matter where we live. Yet none of Iowa’s Representatives are speaking out against these Trump-Musk job cuts and freezing of USDA funds. Neither are our Senators. Senator Grassley even responded to questions about these trends saying he doesn’t think “farmers have anything to worry about.” That’s not leadership. That’s a betrayal.
It’s time for Iowa’s elected officials to get in the fight and do what’s right. It’s time for them to tell Trump and the USDA to keep funding the services and contracts that are so vital to Iowa’s family farmers and rural communities. When we go to our county USDA offices, there should be workers there, empowered to do their jobs and fulfill the promises made to all of us.
Barb Kalbach Adair County
a brief update. On the Friday before we assembled, it was announced that DOGE was planning to eliminate 16,000 positions from the VA. If enacted, that would lead to serious disruptions in the VA system nationwide. We met with the undersecretary of the VA on Sunday for an update and discussion. When we presented the DOGE job cut concerns he stated that he understood the apprehension but they had been assured that the cuts would not affect the claims processors. One of our members is a retired colonel and lives in South Dakota. He shared that just the week prior, 123 employees of the Sioux Falls veterans hospital were arbitrarily let go. This included radiology techs, nurses, clerical staff and a couple of doctors. That sent their hospital into disarray including much confusion and canceled
the bill. Or they may have voted the bill through committee to get the perspective of the rest of the caucus (their party’s representatives).
5) Even if a bill gets placed on the Debate Calendar by the Majority Leader, there is no guarantee it will be debated. Before any bill makes it to the House Floor, the caucus (for me, all the House Republicans) will debate it behind closed doors to determine if it should be adapted, brought to the House Floor for debate, or die.
Everything in the Iowa House involves process and teamwork. The process of moving through a subcommittee, full committee, to the caucus, and then to the House Floor (and then doing the same thing with the Senate), allows the bill to
be touched by many hands and reviewed/ adapted by an ever-growing diverse group of people. And no bill moves forward without the support of 51 House members, 26 Senators, and the Governor. It takes a lot of agreement and working together to get things done. Around 85-87 percent of our bills pass with strong bi-partisan support. You probably find that surprising. Over the next few weeks, our legislative days will be filled with committee meetings reviewing the bills sent over from the Senate and debating the bills we’ve determined should make it to the House Floor. And before you know it, April 4 and the Second Funnel will be here. For any bill to be considered, it will need to have passed one of the Chambers. Let’s keep the discussion going!
Senator Rozenboom made a surprising statement when he appeared at the legislative forum recently. He said “… every private school student costs the state $7,983 — that’s all they get.” That may be true, but that does not begin to tell us what education savings accounts really cost
SF 394 is moving forward in the Iowa Senate and will go to the House next. The bill would make it much harder for Iowa families that have been harmed by the widespread use of herbicides and pesticides to get any measure of justice. More than 55 million
appointments. Some of those appointments had been scheduled for months. His veterans would now be subjected to longer waits or traveling five to six hours for medical care.
On Monday, we participated in a presentation with newly appointed VA Secretary Doug Collins. Secretary Collins is a current colonel in the Air Guard and a former congressman from Georgia. He gave us some examples of changes in the processes that should help streamline claims and create other efficiencies. He reminded us of his congressional service and how that would help him not only speak veteran but “speak hill,” meaning Capitol Hill legislative talk. We felt a bit more encouraged after that presentation.
On Tuesday, we met with Iowa Senator Joni Ernst. Senator Ernst sits on not only the Senate Veterans Affairs Com-
all of us who pay taxes. Here is one example. There is an out of state company called Odyssey that contracted with the state to oversee distribution of our tax money for the ESAs. According to an article that appeared in the Des Moines Register, Odyssey was paid more than $682,000 in the first year. But that wasn’t all Odyssey was paid. Odyssey also charged a transaction fee to process each student through its system.
The parents of the students don’t pay this fee, the taxpayers do. So last year the state paid Odyssey over $267,000 more
pounds of herbicides, pesticides and fungicides are applied in Iowa annually. These poisons end up in the soil, air and water. The widespread use of herbicide resistant crops means that these chemicals are now commonly used late in the growing season, so the poisons are absorbed directly into the grains that are used for animal and human food. We are being exposed daily to these toxins. Not surprisingly, as more people are harmed, the number of damage lawsuits has·
mittee but the DOGE Committee as well. Sitting across the table from the senator, I shared our concerns over the staff cuts centering on the quick processing of claims and the lowering of the veteran’s suicide rate. She was gracious in her responses and assured us that even though the administration might plan to make cuts, Congress controls the purse strings. We left with a promise that the VA would not bear the full brunt of DOGE as it was presented.
On Wednesday, it was released that the DOGE cuts to VA would actually amount to 80,000 positions, not just 16,000. You can imagine our dismay nationwide when that information went out. Phones are going to go unanswered. Claims will go unprocessed and stalled in the system. Appointments will be postponed or just straight out cancelled. It will prove devastating to all aspects
than the agreed contract amount to cover these transaction fees. The amounts charged by Odyssey are expected to be even more this year.
Despite what Senator Rozenboom claims, education savings accounts are taking much more money from public schools than he would have us believe. This benefits only a fraction of the total number of students attending schools in Iowa. Taxpayers’ money should go to public schools. This is best investment for the future of our state.
Robert Holley Newton
risen. Bayer and their industry lobbyists are pushing hard for a legal shield against damage lawsuits because it hurts their profits. Please reach out to your legislators, contact info at www. lowa.legis.gov/legislators, and let them know that you oppose this legislation and that it’s wrong to put corporate profits ahead of the health of Iowans. More info at www.iowacci.org/bayer. Dan Valentine Iowa CCI Action member Clive
of the VA system that so many of us, and you, have worked for. I understand that efficiencies should always be explored, and tax dollars saved. This isn’t the way to do it. Our veterans deserve better and should not be used as just “numbers” in a federal budget game. I am not sure how this situation will change by the time this letter prints. I would respectfully request that each of you pick up your phone and call our Iowa Senators Ernst and Grassley. Let them know that veterans should come first, and these cuts should not be arbitrarily applied to the detriment of our nation’s vets. Ernst 202224-3254 and Grassley 202224-6020. Reach out to me if you would like to discuss this in more detail. Thanks for the consideration. Our veterans deserve the best.
Doug Bishop Baxter
Iowa Learning Farms will host a monarch and pollinator habitat workshop from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 18 at the Coralville Public Library. Farmers, landowners and urban residents are welcome to attend the free workshop and a complimentary meal. Pollinators, like farmers, help ensure the world eats. It is estimated that about 75 percent of the world’s flowering plants and about 35 percent of the world’s food crops depend on animal pollinators. Monarchs are ecologically important as pollinators and are symbolic wildlife used by biodiversity conservation initiatives as exemplary flagship species. The iconic species migrates across U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico, as well as across dozens of U.S. states, especially the Midwestern Corn Belt and Iowa, in search of milkweed for both nectar resources and laying their eggs. This workshop will provide an opportunity to learn more about monarchs and
integrating pollinator habitat into Iowa’s landscape.
The workshop will be hosted by Katherine Kral-O’Brien, Iowa State University assistant professor in natural resource ecology and management and co-leader of the Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium, Mykayla Hagaman, Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium program specialist, and Stephanie Shepard, Iowa Department of Natural Resources wildlife diversity biologist.
The event will be held at the Coralville Public Library E. Jean Schwab Auditorium, 1401 Fifth St., Coralville, and is free and open to farmers, landowners and urban residents though reservations are required to ensure adequate space and food. Meeting participants are asked to park in areas other than the two rows of the parking lot closest to the library. Attendees will have a complimentary meal and be entered in a drawing for ISU Prairie Strips honey. For rea-
sonable accommodations and to RSVP, please contact Liz Ripley at 515-294-5429 or ilf@iastate. edu. Iowa Learning Farms field days and workshops are supported by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. For more information, visit the Iowa Learning Farms website
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
The League of Women Voters will sponsor a Legislative gathering at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 15 at the Newton Public Library. Representatives Dunwell and Kniff McCulla and Senator Rozenbloom will speak about the session. All are welcome to attend and ask questions of our elected officials.
Tips to protect Iowans from tax and IRS scams during the 2025 tax filing season
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced tips to protect Iowans from tax and IRS scams during the 2025 tax filing season.
“As tax season kicks into high gear, Iowans should be on the lookout for IRS and tax scams,” said Attorney General Bird. “Criminal scammers are on the prowl to steal Iowans’ hard-earned money, and they will use every opportunity they can get. Iowans should not get tricked into losing money for following the law and filing their taxes. Remember that the IRS will never contact you by phone or email to ask you to share personal or financial information. If you are suspicious of a scam, call my office at 1-888-777-4590, and follow our top tips to stay safe this tax season.”
Common tax scams include:
Phone/Imposter Scams: Scammers impersonate IRS agents and call taxpayers, threatening arrest or legal action if Iowans do not immediately “pay taxes.”
Email/Text/Phishing Scams: Deceptive emails or texts, claiming to be from the IRS or tax software companies, will request personal information
HOWARD ST. CHRISTIAN CHURCH
(Disciples of Christ)
Pastor Josh Burns 101 N. Locust St., Colfax Cell - 515-779-3148
SUNDAY - 10 a.m. Fellowship;10:30 a.m. Worship, in person or online via YouTube
MONDAY - Pastor Josh day off TUESDAY - 9:30 a.m. Coffee Time; 2:30 p.m. Chair Yoga
WEDNESDAY - 3:30 p.m. After school elementary youth; 6:15 ChiRho and CYF youth supper; 7:30 p.m. Youth Group
THIRD SUNDAY - 8 p.m. Elders meeting, Board meeting after church; Collect for Food Pantry
FOURTH SUNDAY - Potluck Dinner
FIFTH SUNDAY - Potluck Breakfast
FIRST MONDAY - WIC appointments
FOURTH & FIFTH TUESDAY - 3
p.m. Table of Grace
IRA UNITED CHURCH
Pastors Doug Cupples and Phil Butler
or direct Iowans to fake websites to steal their data.
Spoofed Phone Numbers: Scammers may call using fake caller IDs. If you are suspicious of a call, hang up and call back at an official and verified number that you found yourself. Do not call a number the scammer provides.
Identity Theft: Scammers use stolen personal information to file fraudulent tax returns and claim refunds.
Tax Preparer Fraud: Dishonest tax preparers may inflate refunds, falsify deductions, or charge excessive fees.
To protect against tax scams, Iowans should: Watch out for demands and threats: If you receive an email, call, or message from an alleged tax authority that is demanding immediate payment or threatening arrest, it is a scam.
Avoid pressure to act quickly: Scammers will try to get you to act quickly so that you don’t realize it’s a scam. Avoid pressures to take immediate action.
Research tax preparers thoroughly: Choose reputable professionals with a proven track record.
Never share personal or
Metro Creative
If you receive an email, call or message from an alleged tax authority that is demanding immediate payment or threatening arrest, it is a scam.
financial information over phone or email: The IRS makes first contact through the mail. If the IRS reaches out by phone or email, it is usually a scam.
Protect yourself online: Keep computers and mobile devices secure with up-to-date antivirus software and firewalls. Also, beware of clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. Know the right way to pay: The IRS and state tax agencies will never ask for payment via
cash, gift cards, payment apps (e.g., Venmo, PayPal, or Cash App), or cryptocurrency ATMs. Scammers push these methods because they are difficult to trace or recover. If you owe taxes, always verify payment details directly through the official IRS or state tax authority website or phone number.
Report suspected tax fraud or scams: Contact the Iowa Attorney General’s office at 1-888-777-4590, or the IRS to report suspected scams.
The Iowa Attorney Gener-
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, March 16 - 9 a.m. Fellowship; 9:15 a.m. Bible Education Classes; 10:25 a.m. Communion Sunday, Message by Pastor Cody Dyer
TUESDAY, March 18 - 3 p.m.
Women’s Prayer and Coffee
WEDNESDAY, March 19 - 9
a.m. Busy Bee Quilters and Fresh Encounter Prayer; No AWANASpring Break
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
WEDNESDAY - 7 p.m. Evening Service
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
CATHOLIC CHURCH
302 E. Howard St., Colfax Fr. Marty Goetz
515-674-3711
SUNDAY - 11 a.m. Mass
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 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 month6:30 p.m. Theology on Tap at Bea’s Place on Main Street
al’s office investigates fraud, seeks reimbursement and relief for fraud victims, ensures fair competition in the marketplace, and aims to protect Iowans from falling victim to scams or fraud.
If you or someone you know has been targeted by a tax or IRS scam, contact the Iowa Attorney General’s office at 1-888-777-4590 or file a complaint online: https://www. iowaattorneygeneral.gov/ for-consumers/file-a-consumer-complaint.
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
Baxter junior Eli Dee led the conference in scoring and senior Perrin Sulzle averaged a double-double in conference games this past season.
The Bolts duo headlined a runner-up finish this season and both earned first team all-conference recognition for their efforts.
Senior Cainan Travis ranked near the top 10 in rebounds per game to land on the second team and Stadan Vansice averaged more than four assists per contest as the honorable mention selection.
All-conference recognition is based on statistics inside conference play only.
The ISC all-conference teams were released to the public after Don Bosco lost in a Class 1A substate championship game
on March 1.
Dee scored the ISC South Division Player of the Year honor after leading the division in scoring at 33.8 points per game. He scored 406 total points in conference games.
He also tied for third in the conference in steals per game at 2.3 and averaged 5.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists per contest. He ranked second in the league in 3-point percentage at 45.7 and led the conference in field goal
percentage at 55.6 percent and free-throw percentage at 89.
Sulzle led the league in rebounds per game at 11.1 and ranked seventh in points per game at 14.8. He also ranked third in blocks per contest at 1.3 and sixth in steals per tilt at 2.2 and averaged 2.2 assists per game.
His 53.8 percent shooting from the floor ranked fourth and Sulzle led the league with 133 rebounds and ranked sev-
enth with 178 points.
Travis averaged 8.5 points per game and ranked 11th in the league in rebounds per game at 5.9 and sixth in blocks per contest at .8. He also averaged 1.5 steals and 2.3 assists per tilt while ranking 10th in total rebounds with 71.
Vansice ranked second in the conference in assists per game at 4.2 and tied for ninth in steals per game at 1.8. He also averaged 3.1 points and 2.0 rebounds per contest.
Vansice shot 43.8 percent from 3 and 46.4 percent from the floor, while ranking second in the conference with 51 assists.
By Troy Hyde Sports Editor
The Iowa High School Athletic Association releases new high school football districts every two seasons. Programs move up or down classes based on enrollment and a few other factors. A lot of them have remained in the same class for the past several seasons, too.
The new districts were released on Wednesday and four of the five area squads will see a majority of new opponents in the next two-year cycle.
“I like that the districts change every two years,” Newton head football coach Andy Swedenhjelm said. “It mixes up who you see a bit, and the (IHSAA) has done a better job of trying to make the districts more balanced when they can.
While non-district opponents are not yet known, the only team in Newton’s Class 4A district who the Cardinals played last season is Pella.
PCM gets a whole new district in 2A, Colfax-Mingo drops down to Class A and is back in the same district with South Iowa Cedar League rival Lynnville-Sully and Baxter’s 8-man district features five opponents who were not on the Bolts’ schedule last year.
And Zach Hasselbrink, pending board approval, is Baxter’s choice as its next head football coach.
Hasselbrink, who has been the defensive coordinator the past several seasons, takes over for long-time head coach Rob Luther, who resigned from his position this past offseason.
“We are going places we ha-
ven’t typically been, which is similar to the last cycle,” Hasselbrink said.
“It feels like another go round with some quality district opponents who have established programs and success year in and year out.”
Colfax-Mingo and Lynnville-Sully will be joined in Class A District 6 by BGM, Earlham, Madrid, Martensdale-St. Marys and North Mahaska.
Two of those programs were in different classes last year. The Tigerhawks move down after going 1-7 in 1A and BGM moves back into 11-man football after finishing 4-5 in 8-man last season.
“Class A is what I grew up in and is my favorite brand of football so I’m excited about it,” Colfax-Mingo head football coach Drake Buscherfeld said. “The district having four SICL
schools should make for some fun rivalry games. Each school besides Earlham (41) had 3136 kids on their roster last year, which is nice to see.”
While Colfax-Mingo’s district features nobody it played last season, Lynnville-Sully’s schedule includes a trio of familiar foes in North Mahaska, Madrid and Martensdale-St. Marys.
The Hawks went 5-4 last season. Two of those wins
came against the SICL rival Warhawks (4-4) and Martensdale-St. Marys (0-8). They also lost to district champion Madrid, which finished 9-3. The Tigerhawks have bounced back and forth from A to 1A in the last several seasons. They are back in Class A for the first time since the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Colfax-Mingo and North Mahaska have alternated wins in their last six meetings.
The Tigerhawks last faced Martensdale-St. Marys in 2020 and defeated the Blue Devils 4123.
Madrid is 2-0 against C-M since 2021, and the Tigerhawks are 0-4 against BGM since 2014 but last played in 2017.
The most recent meeting between Colfax-Mingo and Earlham (6-3 last year) resulted in a 29-6 postseason win for the Tigerhawks in 2015. It’s Colfax-Mingo’s only playoff win. Lynnville-Sully is 6-3 against Colfax-Mingo since 2014. The two teams last played each other in 2022.
Madrid has won two straight against Lynnville-Sully, but the Hawks have won the two most recent meetings against both Martensdale-St. Marys and North Mahaska.
Earlham is 2-1 against the Hawks since 2008, but Lynnville-Sully defeated the Cardinals, 49-16, in the opening round of the 2022 playoffs.
BGM is 7-3 against Lynnville-Sully since 2010, but the Hawks won the two most recent meetings, 32-7 and 20-12, in 2017 and 2016, respectively.
FOOTBALL | 7
Baxter senior Emie Tuhn led the Iowa Star Conference South Division in total points, assists and made 3-pointers, she led the conference in points per game and ranked in the top four in four other statistical categories.
And for her efforts, Tuhn was named ISC South Division Player of the Year and joined Baxter freshman Kamdyn Krampe on the all-conference first team.
Senior Karlee Koehler ranked in the top 10 in points per game and made 3s to earn second-team recognition and sophomore Kendall Brummel was the honorable mention selection.
All-conference recognition is based on statistics inside conference play only. The all-ISC girls basketball teams were released after Dunkerton was defeated in the opening round of the girls
state basketball tournament on March 5.
Tuhn led the ISC South Division in scoring at 21.2 points per game, ranked second in assists per game at 3.9 and finished third in steals per contest at 4.1.
Tuhn ranked fourth in the conference with a field goal percentage of 46.3. Her 38.6 percent shooting from 3 and 72.5 percent shooting from the freethrow line both ranked second in the league.
Tuhn finished with an ISC South Division-most 254 points,
47 assists and 51 made 3s.
Krampe’s first prep season included 191 points, 82 rebounds, 32 assists and 39 steals in conference play, which ranked third, sixth, seventh and fourth, respectively.
Her 16 points per game ranked fourth in the division and she ranked sixth in rebounds per contest at 6.8, seventh in assists per game at 2.7, fifth in steals per tilt at 3.2 and second in blocks per game at 1.1. Krampe’s 19 made 3s also ranked fifth.
Koehler ranked 10th in both total points (96) and assists (23) this past conference season. Her 8.7 points per game ranked 10th and she ranked 11th in assists per game at 2.1.
Koehler also averaged 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game while ranking fourth with 23 made 3s.
Brummel finished her sophomore season with 76 rebounds, 22 assists and 34 steals in conference play, which ranked seventh, 11th and eighth, respectively.
She averaged 4.8 points per game and ranked ninth in the division in rebounds per game at 6.3, 12th in assists per game at 1.2 and 10th in steals per game at 2.8.
Baxter senior Emie Tuhn spent her final season on the hardwood chasing down a lot of school records her older sister Elie set when she finalized her basketball career a few seasons back.
And when Emie Tuhn’s career ended, she capped it all off with an allstate honor that matched her sisters.
Emie Tuhn finished her Bolts’ career with school records in career points, career made 3-pointers, career assists and career steals and her single-season school record 84 made 3s helped her to a Class 1A second team allstate honor by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association, which released its all-state squads to the public on March 11 at 12:01 a.m.
Tuhn was a four-year starter for
“Looks like a great district,” Lynnville-Sully head football coach
Mike Parkinson said. “It should be tough, but I’m glad we have some SICL schools in there.”
Baxter will be part of Class 8-man District 7 along with Melcher-Dallas, Montezuma, Moravia, Southeast Warren, Twin Cedars and Wayne, which drops down to 8-man after going 5-4 in Class A last season. The Bolts are coming off a 3-5
the Bolts and her 1,290 career points are the most in school history.
Freshman Kamdyn Krampe is on pace to be a four-year starter at Baxter and her strong first season helped her join Tuhn on the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association’s 1A Region 8 squad.
Tuhn’s 18 points per game ranked 18th in 1A but she ranked just 52nd in shot attempts per game. She also averaged 5.0 rebounds and 3.4 steals per contest and ranked 22nd in 1A in assists per game at 4.0.
The school-record 84 3s she dropped led 1A and her 3.7 made 3s per game ranked first in 1A and was the second-highest in the 5-on5 era.
Tuhn also ranked 17th in 1A in 3-point percentage at 36 and buried 70 percent of her free throws. Her school-record 259 career made 3s
season. The only team which faced Baxter the past two seasons was Montezuma, which is 3-1 against the Bolts since 2021. The Braves (10-2) defeated Baxter 55-44 last season.
Baxter has never faced Wayne or Southeast Warren. And the last meeting between the Bolts and Moravia ended in a 36-21 Baxter win in 2020.
The Bolts have had no issues against Melcher-Dallas (2-8) or Twin Cedars (0-9) since 2019.
Baxter’s last two meetings against the Sabers resulted in wins of 82-6 and 72-0, but Twin Cedars defeated the Bolts 66-64 in 2018.
Melcher-Dallas downed Baxter
rank in the top 15 all-time regardless of class.
Her 1.88 assist to turnover ratio this season ranked 17th in 1A. She scored 411 points, which passed her sister Elie for most in a single season in school history and ranked 17th in 1A.
Tuhn also has the career school record in both assists and steals at 314 and 285, respectively. She overtook her sister Elie’s career steals record, too.
Krampe’s all-region honor came after the Bolts’ freshman averaged 14.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.6 steals per game in 23 starts. She also buried 29 shots from downtown.
Tuhn and Krampe helped Baxter improve its win total by 10 games this season.
The Bolts lost to state qualifier and No. 8 Gladbrook-Reinbeck in the regional semifinals.
The IPSWA all-state teams include eight players on the first team, eight on the second and eight more on the third.
52-0 in 2018, but the Bolts have since registered wins of 64-0, 68-0 and 74-3.
“We’ve played Melcher-Dallas and Twin Cedars in a previous district cycle,” Hasselbrink said. “Montezuma has become a common foe over the years, which has led to some great battles and they bring back some top-end talent.
“We have some previous exposure to Southeast Warren as Coach Rowlands brings his team to our annual 5-on-5 event every year. Unknowns to us are Moravia and Wayne, but it looks like Wayne had a solid team in Class A last year. So we expect them to be tough, and Moravia has had some success in 8-man as well.”
