JCT-01-18-2024

State shares outside firm’s finding on local public health

Four models show different levels of control local public health entities would maintain; no changes planned in the near future

By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune

Following the statewide consolidation of Public Health and Human Services to a single agency in 2022, Health Management Associates, a healthcare consulting firm from Minnesota, began conducting a review of the delivery of health and human services (HHS) in Iowa. During the Jan. 11 Jasper County Board of Health meeting, administrator Becky Pryor highlighted some areas where county residents may be affected by the firm’s recommendations.

would have to be with another neighboring county. Also, this isn’t saying they are doing anything yet, these are all just recommendations made by this company.”

“I see a theme within this that the recommendations come down to them recommending 10 to 15 regions comprised of counties that are by each other and they need to have a population of 50,000 or more,” Pryor said. “We have a population of 37,000 to 38,000 people. That means we

After really digging into the almost 200 page document, Pryor found a table that assessed different states in the county and how they do public health. It ranged from having a local county board of health to the state having control of public health. On the side of more control, the firm has a regionally administered centralized governance model based on Arkansas. In this model, HHS would provide administrative, policy, managerial direction and support and Local Public Health Agencies (LPHAs) would be organizationally a part of HHS. Other features include the establishment of a local presence in each

New Orleans or bust

Colfax-Mingo Band and Choir headed south for spring break performance

By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune

The Colfax-Mingo Band and Choir are headed to the Big Easy for spring break. Almost 40 people will head south to take in the Crescent City and put on a show it won’t soon forget.

“These trips are truly once in a lifetime opportunities for some of our students,” C-M 5-12 Band Director Michelle Grant said. “I look forward to them every time because it’s a chance for students to make some lifelong memories with their classmates.”

The group will head out March 9, arriving the next day to begin the adventures. They will visit the Audubon Aquarium and Mulate’s for dinner and dancing the first day in New Orleans. March 11 begins with a step into history at the National World War II Museum.

In the afternoon the group will go for a walk on the wild side at the Audubon Zoo before heading to view Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World where they will see gigantic jovial jester, fiercely realistic alligators and a gorgeously exciting Marilyn Monroe with skirt flying. They will get to see some of the most awesome floats ever built for Carnival — the Orpheus 140-foot triple-tandem sea monster “Leviathan” and the 240-foot quintuple-tandem “Captain Eddie’s S.S. Endymion,” with tens of thousands of fiber optic lights.

That evening the band and choir take the stage at Toulouse Street Wharf on the dock of the Steamboat Natchez. The group will then get to enjoy a ride of the boat for a dinner jazz cruise.

The next morning everyone will head to Destrehan Plantation where they can view an original

KNIFF MCCULLA: Legislature should help citizenship process of immigrants who want to work

State representative’s priorities for 2024 legislative session strive for improving workforce and economic development

By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune

Editor’s note: The following is the final piece in a series of three articles going over Jasper County lawmakers’ priorities for the 2024 legislativesession.

pointed to the labor and workforce committee this legislative session.

As a small business owner, she knows workforce is a constant challenge, and she told Newton News that perhaps it was that experience that earned her a spot on that committee.

edged could be more a federal problem than a state problem — they will work.

document signed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison dated 1804. The “Jefferson Document” assigned a handful of men, including the plantation’s first owner — Jean Noel Destrehan — to the Orleans Territorial Council, a body formed after the Louisiana Purchase to help ease the cultural transition of the Orleans Territory into an American representation democracy.

Lunch will take place at the French Market before heading to the New Orleans Jazz Museum at Old US Mint then St. Louis Cemetery #2. At the cemetery, the group will go on a Voodoo Cemetery Tour and learn about the past and present of this fascinating city viewed through St. Louis Cemetery #1 (established 1789) with one of New Orleans’ top-rated guides.

Recent snowfall could help drought conditions for farmers

While added winter moisture can be beneficial, the state has a long ways to go for topsoil to be at adequate level

By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune

For this year’s legislative session, Iowa House Rep. Barb Kniff McCulla’s priorities of workforce and economic development almost fully align with her role on the five committees she serves: commerce, economic growth and technology, health and human services, labor and workforce and ways and means.

Kniff McCulla was only just ap-

“I don’t know they must have flagged that and said, ‘OK, if you’re so interested in that we’re putting you on that!’ So we need to bring more workforce to this particular state,” Kniff McCulla said. “We’re just so short, and every industry I’ve spoken with agrees. That’s really going to be my drive here this next year.”

Specifically, Kniff McCulla wants to allow the legalization of immigrants who really want to work. From what she has gathered speaking with immigrants, they tell her if they can get into a legalized system somehow — which she acknowl-

“They say, ‘We want to work. We want to be part of the United States. We want to be part of the dream.’ And there are some of those individuals out there,” she said. “It’s not all, you know, coming across the border that are horrible, that are causing issues. We gotta close the borders but that’s a federal piece.”

Kniff McCulla clarified it is going to take some heavy vetting to ensure they have individuals “that truly want to be United States citizens.”

“There are people out there that are willing and able to work and want to work and would love to come to the United States,” she said. “But right now we’ve got such a mess going. And what’s taken centerstage

Mother Nature has made her presence known after dropping more than a foot of snow from Jan. 8 to 13 and causing the temperatures to plummet below zero for daily highs. While a change in the forecast closed schools and gave snow plow businesses their first real run of the season, it also brought much needed moisture to the soil the state so deeply depends on.

The State of Iowa has been in a drought, with some areas in extreme drought conditions, going on four years.

According to Greg Wandrey, Iowa Corn Growers Association Director of Sustainability, more than 97 percent of the state is in some level of drought.

“Many places in the drought-stricken areas of the state are more than 10 inches of rainfall short of long time averages. Rainfall in Iowa averages 32 to 34 inches per year with less in the northwest and more in the southeast,” Wandrey said. “Not many areas of the state have been

Submitted Photo

The Colfax-Mingo Band and Choir will head to New Orleans for a performance in the “Big Easy” during spring break.

Kniff McCulla

Legislative gatherings for Jasper County begin Jan. 20

Cathi Fouts, member of Grinnell-Jasper League, has made arrangements with area legislative elected officials to present Legislative Gatherings, the third Saturday of January, February and March, with the first gathering to be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 20 at the Newton Public Library. The public is invited to hear from their elected leaders.

This month’s attendees will be Senator Ken Rosenboom, District 19, Representative Barb Kniff-McCulla, District 37, and Representative Jon Dunwell, District 29. Representative Kniff-McCulla will not be available for February and March gatherings.

Local citizens will have an opportunity to meet and chat with these legislators and get first-hand news about the work this season brings as well as ask questions.

Activities scheduled at NSNWR

Free Bird Watching and Bagels

Brave the cold to enjoy an introduction to the world of bird watching from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. The program will start with a quick lesson on binocular usage and bird watching tips-and-tricks, followed by a walk along one of the trails. Free loaner binoculars will be available for checkout and free bagels and hot chocolate will warm participants up after the walk. This event is geared for bird watchers of all skill levels, ages 8 and older.

Meet at the visitor center lobby at 8 a.m. Free Photo Editing Class

Join photographer Mike Cox for this free indoor photo editing session from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge visitor center. Learn tips and tricks that will help you bring your photo captures to life. Cox will cover file formats, various editing programs, data management, basic photo editing and exporting photos utilizing Adobe Lightroom.

For additional information or to register for any programs at NSNWR, contact nancy_corona@fws.gov or call 515-9943400.

What to expect after a mass shooting

People of all ages have been affected by the news and social media information about last week’s school shooting in Iowa. Such events can cause a variety of reactions including grief, sadness, trouble sleeping and difficulty concentrating on schoolwork or home responsibilities, according to David Brown, behavioral health state specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

“Because such events also erode our sense of safety and wellbeing, a person may lose their sense of security, or may feel fearful, numb or helpless,” Brown explained.

Such reactions cannot be resolved by a simple fix, so the National Center for

PTSD offers the following advice.

• Take care of your needs. Maintain a routine that helps you get seven to nine hours of sleep, exercise, and eat regular, nutritious meals.

• Talk and listen to others. It sometimes helps to talk to other people who share your values and experiences.

• Find social support. Social support plays a critical role in helping people manage trauma and adversity. Connect with those you feel closest to or reach out to others who have had similar experiences.

• But talk when ready. Those impacted by adverse events sometimes do better when they are given space. Respect each

other’s desire not to talk, if that is what they want. Give them space and check back later.

• Give it time. Being resilient is defined by bouncing back from adversity. However, this does not mean that you will never feel the impact of a traumatic event. Learning to manage your experiences and feelings is a continual and potentially lengthy process.

• Reinforce ideas of safety and security. Share with others what the community and schools are doing to increase safety.

“If adverse reactions continue or at any point interfere with your, a friend or a family member’s ability to function at home or at school, or if you are worried,

you can find local mental health professionals by going to www.iowamhdsregions.org/,” Brown said. Consider calling the Iowa Concern Hotline. This resource from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offers confidential assistance and referral for stress, legal questions and financial concerns. Iowa Concern can be contacted toll-free at 1-800-447-1985 or at https:// www.extension.iastate.edu/iowaconcern/. The National Center for PTSD offers resources to the public following a mass shooting. Key fact sheets are available about what to expect following a variety of traumatic situations.

near the average the past few years.”

Going back to data from November 2020, Wandrey said the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship listed topsoil moisture condition rated 12 percent very short, 28 percent short, 58 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. The subsoil moisture condition rated 20 percent very short, 33 percent short, 46 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

A year later, the conditions bounced back with topsoil moisture levels rated 3 percent very short, 20 percent short, 74 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 7 percent very short, 29 percent short, 62 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. The following year did not have as good results with moisture levels plummeting. In 2022, topsoil moisture condition rated 23 percent very short, 33 percent short, 43 per-

cent adequate and 1 percent surplus. The 56 percent short to very short topsoil moisture rating was the highest percentage of short to very short to close out the season in a decade when 72 percent fell into the short to very short categories. Subsoil moisture condition rated 30 percent very short, 35 percent short, 34 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

To wrap up 2023 conditions remained serious with topsoil moisture rated 22 percent very short, 45 percent short, 33 percent adequate with no surplus.

Subsoil moisture condition rated 33 percent very short, 40 percent short, 26 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

“As you can see, the drought intensified since 2020 and 2021 the last two years. State moisture averages don’t tell the whole story though,” Wandrey said. “The timing of rainfall is also very important. For example, a farmer may have had below average rainfall for the year but they got rain during critical times during the growing season and produce a good crop. I talked to farmers

U.S. Drought Monitor

who had tremendous yields in 2023 with very little rainfall but the rains came at the right times. On the other hand, farmers that did not get that critical rainfall did not fare as well.”

Dry springs can help farmers get their crops in the ground in time but timely rain is needed at key growth stages throughout the season, Wandrey said. That can determine if the crop will be poor, average or good for the year.

To help the overall topsoil conditions, copious amounts of snow can benefit drought levels, al-

though additional factors matter such as when the snow hits the ground, if it will do future crops any good.

“While snowmelt can be helpful in the spring, the key is whether the ground is thawed enough to absorb some of the melting snow. If the ground is frozen, the snowmelt may run off the field,” Wandrey said. “Practices like notill and cover crops will hold the snow in the field until it melts in the spring.”

Farmers also have additional tools to combat the variable weather conditions. Wandrey said pieces like precision ag equipment and choosing seed varieties that can produce high yields in tough conditions help farmers control their own destinies.

“Iowa farmers are an optimistic bunch and look forward to the next growing season just like a baseball team looks forward to the upcoming baseball season. Hope spring eternal,” Wandrey said. “However, every farmer wants Mother Nature to be a good partner throughout the growing season.”

Winter safety tips for people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia

Winter weather conditions — colder temperatures, snow, ice and early darkness — can be potentially dangerous and even life-threatening for over 66,000 people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia in Iowa. For their nearly 100,000 caregivers, the stress and challenges to keep their loved ones safe during this time can be overwhelming. By preparing in advance, caregivers can make a big difference in keeping their loved one with Alzheimer’s and other dementia safe. The Alzheimer’s Association offers these tips to keep people living with dementia safe during the winter months:

• Be prepared. Winter storms can be dangerous. Check weather conditions regularly and have emergency plans in place.

• Bundle up. Help the person living with Alzheimer’s dress warmly for winter weather conditions by wearing dry, loose-fitting layers and covering exposed skin.

• Prevent slips. Balance and mobility can be a challenge for a person living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Assume all surfaces are slick; assist the person by taking smaller steps and slowing down, so they can match gait and

speed to a safer level.• Take advantage of the daylight. Winter months bring decreased sunlight and shorter days. Visual perception can be a challenge for those living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, and can cause increased confusion or disorientation in dark or shadowy environments both inside and out.

• Prevent wandering. Wandering is one of the most frequent and challenging problems that

caregivers face and can be extremely dangerous in colder conditions. Shorter days during winter months can also increase the risk of “sundowning.” Monitor closely for agitation or restlessness as day transitions into night. The Alzheimer’s Association offers these tips to combat sundowning.

• Buddy up: An Alzheimer’s Association survey says a whopping 84 percent of caregivers said they would like more support in providing care for someone with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, especially from their family. It can be hard for caregivers to find time to complete simple tasks outside of the home. Don’t hesitate to ask others for help with errands, grocery shopping or with snow/ice removal. More safety tips can

be found by visiting the Alzheimer’s Association website. The Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline also provides reliable infor-

mation and

File Photo

Visitors will be introduced to the world of bird watching Saturday at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge with instructions on binocular usage and bird watching tips-and-tricks, followed by a walk along one of the trails.

Metro Photo

county staffed by state employees. Local boards of health would be eliminated, but each county would appoint a county health officer to enhance local input, engagement and collaboration. HHS would create 10 to 15 multi-county administrative districts accountable for the effective, efficient and equitable allocation and use of public health resources and for ensuring foundational public health services and capabilities are available in all parts of the state.

The firm found advantages of the least local control model are it ensures more consistent public health service levels across the state, has the potential to generate efficiencies/eliminate duplicative efforts, potentially allows quicker response to emerging challenges and needs and is the simplest option.

Disadvantages include the potential to lose current local partnerships, individual county needs may not be a priority, the loss of county funds currently devoted to public health activities and the elimination of local boards of health and current LPHAs not consistent with the majority of stakeholder feedback during town halls and group interview and significant expansion of state workforce required.

“They still want local people in the county serving but it all says 10 to 15 regions,” Pryor said. “It really talks about eliminating the board of health and it would appoint a county health officer in each county.”

Kniff McCulla

Continuedfrompage1A

at this particular point in time is the mess that we got coming in to the United States down at the border.”

So the challenge lawmakers face is how to best fast-track the process. Kniff McCulla knows she needs employees and several other companies do too, including trucking companies, warehousing companies and underground infrastructure companies.

“We need those people,” she said.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

STILL NEEDED IN IOWA

Kniff McCulla wants to ensure the state government continues to make Iowa strong through its economy. It’s a big piece of who we are, she said, and who we can become. Kniff McCulla believes there are opportunities to draw from the surrounding states and lead by example.

“Getting some of those small businesses that are fed up, like with what’s going on in Minnesota, and bring those individuals and small businesses and say, ‘Hey, check us out! Look what we’re doing for small business. Look what we’re doing for personal income taxes. Look what we’re trying to do for property

The second model based off of Nebraska and Idaho would again establish 10 to 15 regional health districts but they are governmental entities that are not state agencies or units of county government. The districts are required to maintain a local presence in each constituent county, are the governing body for local public health and the only governmental entity eligible for Iowa’s Essential Public Health Services funding.

Local boards of health will again be eliminated, but district governing boards will be comprised of members appointed by the constituent counties. Districts may employ staff and contract for services, counties could be required to financially contribute to the districts and the districts would be accountable for the effective, efficient and equitable allocation and use of public health resources and for ensuring foundational public health services and capabilities are available in all parts of the state.

Advantages include the model ensures more consistent public health service levels across the state, the potential to generate efficiencies/eliminate duplicative efforts and potentially allows quicker response to emerging challenges and needs. Disadvantages found were the potential to lose current local partnerships, but less so than the first option, smaller counties in the districts with larger counties may feel their needs are not a priority and the elimination of local boards of health and current LPHAs not consistent with the majority of stakeholder feedback during town halls and group interviews.

The third model based on

taxes,’” she said.

Minnesota was found to be the most complex and would require counties to join a regional health district, subject to geographic and population size criteria for each district. The districts would be required to maintain a local presence in each constituent county, the governing body for local public health and the only governmental entity would be eligible for Iowa’s Essential Public Health Services funding, the counties could choose to retain local boards of health and LPHAs; district governing boards comprised of members appointed by the constituent counties, local boards of health could be allowed to retain local ordinance powers for specified functions (e.g., control of public health nuisances), districts may employ staff, contract for services, and delegate to constituent counties, must meet geographic and population size criteria designed to create 10 to 15 districts and be accountable for the effective, efficient, and equitable allocation and use of public health resources and for ensuring foundational public health services and capabilities are available in all parts of the state.

Model 3 advantages are it ensures more consistent public health service levels across the state, has the potential to generate efficiencies/eliminate duplicative efforts and potentially allows quicker response to emerging challenges and needs. Along with being the most complex, disadvantages are the potential to lose current local partnerships, but less so than the first two option, smaller counties in districts with larger counties may feel their needs are not a priori-

Economic development is always needed in Iowa. Kniff McCulla said the state needs its small businesses, large businesses and entrepreneurs to thrive. If the economy is not growing and remains stagnant, then it’s going backwards, she said. As a result, people will not come to Iowa.

“It will deteriorate,” she said. “We need to make sure we have small businesses in place, and Main Street, for instance. Pella, Iowa is vibrant. And that’s what we need to instill in some of these communities that have opportunities. How do we continually make small businesses thrive? What do we need to do for them?”

Iowa also needs large corporations.They, like small businesses, give back to the community and make community, Kniff McCulla said.

“We need to have that piece,” she said. “It’s not only about where we live but where we work and where we play. That whole piece that comes together is what makes Iowa special and small town Iowa a great place to live.”

TRANSPARENT GOVERNMENT & OPEN CONVERSATIONS

Kniff McCulla wants a smaller government, and through that she believes it will lead to a more open and transparent government. She likes the progress al-

ty and negotiation of affiliation agreements between counties and RHDs would be needed and could be complex. The final and most local control option is based in Indiana and would maintain Iowa’s current home rule governance structure but HHS would provide technical assistance and financial incentives to promote LPHA consolidations and cross-jurisdictional sharing (CJS) arrangements. Features of this model are it maintains local control; counties retain authority for designating local presence/offices, LPHAs choosing to consolidate are required to maintain a local presence in each constituent county, LPHAs choosing to accept financial incentives would be held accountable for delivering (including through consolidations or CJS arrangements) the state-defined foundational public health services and functions and HHS would provide technical assistance and supports to LPHAs under a regional structure, comprised of 10 to 15 regions, including technical assistance in formulating CJS arrangements.

For this model, advantages are it maintains current local partnerships, incentivizes/promotes more consistent public health service levels across the state, efficiencies and quicker response to emerging challenges and needs and it is able to maintain/ incentivize county. For disadvantages, the firm found some counties may not respond to incentives to fully deliver foundational public health services and functions leaving some areas of the state under served, HHS retains the challenge of supporting and coordinating and collaborat-

ready made in the state, but she would still like less government intervention. She also advocated for cleaning up old laws “that don’t even pertain to today’s economy.”

Iowa is on the path toward better transparency, she added. Kniff McCulla also advocated for a shift in perspective, something that would not take legislative action. She said there are so many opportunities to do good in the state, but it takes input from individuals with differing ideas.

“We all have to have the right mindset and listen to each other and have the opportunity to each view and say what it is we’d like to do, and not necessarily, totally, 100 percent discount the other guy,” she said. “I think when we have conversations with one another that brings out ideas (you don’t think about at first).”

Kniff McCulla said although she might not agree with everything that is being said, she is willing to listen and consider there might be a side she missed.

“I want to be a good listener coming up this next session and make sure we’re putting laws in the books that make sense and are good for not only my region but also as a state,” she said. “I’ve been to so many conferences and talked to legislators across the different states. It’s amazing how much we all think alike.”

ing with a large number of local public health units and it would be potentially less able to achieve efficiencies and eliminate duplicative efforts.

“It’s a home rule model and maintains the local control in the county but with the 10 to 15 regions,” Pryor said. “They say in the recommendations the HHS adopt 10 to 15 regions with population more than 50,000. They did specifically name a few counties that are accredited including Cerro Gordo which only has a population of 42,409, very similar to us. We’re actually the 17th largest county in the state.”

She said there would have to be a lot of Iowa code and staffing changes along with a whole new structure to make this happen. Currently, Pryor was told this would not happen in Iowa this legislative session.

“There is no HHS legislation for the 2024 legislative session directly impacting local public health,” Regional Community Health Consultant at Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Heather Bombei said. “HHS has recognized the feedback through the HMA report to take time, as well as feedback from local public health and other partners to advance additional HHS system development efforts.”

While there is no current efforts to make changes to Health and Human Services in Iowa, Pryor said the uncertainty is hard.

“When we are looking at planning for the future, it does make it very hard to know what to do,” Pryor said. “I am just doing what we have done in the past and trying to make the best of it. It is just hard.”

Band

Continuedfrompage1A

Hear humorous, tragic and inspiring stories of numerous legendary New Orleanians including the tomb of Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau and learn about the mysteries of Voodoo.

Dinner will feature a cooking demonstration as well at the New Orleans School of Cooking. Located in a renovated molasses warehouse built in the early 1800s in the heart of the French Quarter, the group will get to dine on chicken and andouille gumbo along with chicken creole and traditional bread pudding.

The final day the group will have time to explore the French Quarter and Jackson Square before taking in a private concert at Preservation Hall. The evening will be capped with a group dinner and live jazz at Palm Court Jazz Café before beginning the trek home.

“(I am looking forward to) the memories and opportunities for the students,” Grant said. “It’s awesome to explore a new place with them and the students truly get to enjoy exploring the areas and trying new things, from food to swamp tours, with their friends.”

With the trip only a couple of months away, the group is doing their best to raise funds to pay for the adventure. While the C-M Music Boosters are doing their part to help, additional dollars are needed to help send everyone on their way.

To help the kids attend the trip, people can donate to the music department through its venmo: https://venmo.com/u/ColfaxMingoMusic. Checks or cash can also be dropped off at the school designated to the trip fund.

“If you would like to donate directly to a student, include their name in the description box when donating,” Grant said. “If you would like to donate to everyone’s trip, indicate that in the description box. We don’t want to turn anyone away due to the financial stress.”

Not the first trip the department has gone on, Grant said they travel every other year alternating long and short trips.

“We have previously traveled to New York and Disney World for long trips. For short trips we have traveled to St. Louis, Nashville and Chicago,” Grant said. “It’s also fun for me to travel with the seniors on their final spring break and make some final memories with them. I get a little teary-eyed thinking about it and past trips that have been a blast with seniors because it’s their last ‘big thing’ before they graduate.”

Books’n Movies for 2024

Larry McMurtry might be my favorite author of all time. He wrote “Last Picture Show,” “Lonesome Dove” and a slew of other books, movie scripts and essays. So, when a new biography of him came out, “Larry McMurtry: A Life” by Tracy Daugherty, I had to read it, and I highly recommend. BTW: McMurtry was an avid letter writer, and these letters are still around. Thus the material for McMurtry’s biography was readily available. In this day-and-age when letter writing is passe, and people are using email or social media to communicate with friends and lovers — material that is here today and gone tomorrow — how will biographies be written in the future? It’s a concern I have. Will AI be able to access this cyberspace material? Hmm.

McMurtry’s biography got me hankering to read “Horseman, Pass By” for which the movie “Hud” starring

Curt Swarm Empty Nest

Paul Newman, was made, which got me hankering to see the movie “Hud” again. It’s been 50+ years since I saw it. “Hud” is available on Amazon Prime. It amazes me that a sub-character in the book, “Horseman, Pass By” is the main character of the movie, “Hud.” But Paul Newman couldn’t be a minor character.

With “Hud” out of my system, Ginnie and I were able to settle into our winter mode of reading, watching movies and eating popcorn. There are some great movies out.

“Maestro,” directed by and starring Bradley Cooper, is the story of conductor Leonard Bernstein. You can find it on Netflix. Ginnie and I were a little bored with “Maestro,” or more accurately, Bradley Cooper. Cooper trying to imitate Bernstein’s voice by talking through his nose, was awkward. So, on to the next movie.

“The Color Purple” is out in theaters. It’s a remake of the original, “The Color

MLK would have been 95 this year; let’s make his dream a reality

By Dedrick AsanteMuhammad, Chuck Collins

This January marks what would have been Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 95th birthday. Nearly a century after the late civil rights leader’s birth, it’s a good time to reflect on the work still to be done.

Just more than 60 years ago, in his famous “I Have A Dream” speech at the 1963 March on Washington, King declared: “We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so we’ve come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.”

Sixty years on, as our report “Still A Dream” highlighted late last year, there’s been some progress. The African American community is experiencing record low unemployment, record highs in income and educational attainment, and has seen a massive decline in income poverty since the 1960s.

Despite all that, the check for racial economic equality is still bouncing. Without intervention, we found it will take centuries for Black wealth to catch up with white wealth in this country.

The 1960s were years of crucial economic progress for African Americans, even as the Black Freedom struggle faced assassinations and government suppression. In 1959, when King was 30, 55 percent of African Americans lived in income poverty. By what would have been his 40th birthday in 1969 (a year after his assassination), that poverty rate had dropped to 32 percent.

Yet this substantial progress still wasn’t enough to bridge the radical and ongoing racial economic divide between Blacks and whites. And since then, progress has slowed.

Compared to the political and economic progress of the 1960s, the 21st century has been much less fruitful — even as the country saw its first African American president and a national recognition of police brutality through the Black Lives Matter protests. From 2000 to 2021, there was only a 3 percentage point decline

in Black poverty (22.5 percent to 19.5 percent).

One modest area of progress: the unemployment rate for African Americans is no longer twice that of whites. Since 2018, Black unemployment has reached record lows of 5 and 6 percent, except during the 18-month recession caused by COVID-19. But as of 2021, Black unemployment was still about 1.8 times that of white unemployment. The racial wealth divide was created by federal policies and national practices like segregation, discrimination, redlining, mass incarceration, and more. So it will require federal policy and national practices to close the divide.

And just as massive federal investment was necessary to develop the white American middle class, so too is it essential for a massive federal investment to bridge racial economic inequality.

Investing in affordable housing and programs designed to strengthen homeownership for African Americans will be essential. Other important policies include investments like a national baby bond program targeted at African Americans, national health care, and breaking up the dynastic concentration of wealth that’s made our country more unequal for all Americans.

Going 60 years without substantially narrowing the Black-white wealth and income divide is a policy failure. In this election year, policies that can finally bridge the Black-white divide should be at the forefront of our national debate.

Making a dream into a reality is challenging work, but it’s something our country has the resources to attain. The national celebration of Dr. King’s 95th birthday should be a time to rededicate ourselves to this work.

Dedrick AsanteMuhammad is the chief of Race, Wealth, and Community at the National Community Reinvestment Coalition

Chuck Collins directs the Program on Inequality and co-edits Inequaity.org at the Institute for Policy Studies Economic Equality

Purple” starring Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey, only this time it’s a musical. Outstanding! I may have to see “The Color Purple” again. As Ginnie says, “Bring a box of tissue.”

“Boys in the Boat” directed by George Clooney is well worth seeing. It had slipped my mind that I read the book years ago, so it was like discovering something I once knew, but forgot. (This is a common problem for seniors; our brains shrink, and memory diminishes with age.) “Boys in the Boat” is a must see feel-good movie, loosely based on the true story of the University of Washington rowing crew, in the Depression Era 1930s, who quite literally show the country and world what can be accomplished when everyone pulls together.

“Ferrari” is the surprise GREAT movie of the year. I was expecting something like “Ford v Ferrari.” Not! Starring Adam Driver, Penelope Cruz and Shailene Woodley, “Ferrari” is about the people involved with the 1,000 mile brutal auto race across Italy, called Mille Miglia. In 1957, bankruptcy looms over company founder and philanderer Enzo Ferrari. He decides to risk it all on the iconic test of man,

machine, and emotion. Fasten your seat belt, auto racing in Italy is like bull fighting in Spain: blood is shed in the streets. I’d rate “Ferrari” up there with “The Color Purple” as the best movies of the season. Which reminds me, I believe “The Color Purple” will be Best Picture of the year. But we have more of ‘24. Ginnie and I watched five movies in five days — three in the theater and two by streaming. Extravagant? Sure. But tis the season, and when you have the empty nest, you can do what you wanna do. (Ginnie enjoyed eating popcorn for supper.)

The current book I’m reading is “Teddy and Booker T., How Two American Icons Blazed a Path for Racial Equality” by Brian Kilmeade. Teddy, of course, is Teddy Roosevelt and Booker T. is Booker T. Washington. I’ve read plenty of history about Teddy Roosevelt, but not that much of Booker T. Washington. It’s very educational. 2024 is shaping up to be a year of books, movies and politics. We can control what we read and watch, but politics? Aaargh! Contact Curt Swarm at curtswarm@yahoo.com

Governor’s budget

Last week, Governor Reynolds unveiled her proposal for next year’s state budget. A key request is significant new funding for K-12 education. The Governor’s proposed Fiscal Year 2025 General Fund budget spends $8.9191 billion starting July 1, 2024. This is an increase of $367.1 million or 4.29 percent over the adjusted FY 24 budget of $8.552 billion. Her budget proposes the following.

Raising starting teacher salaries to $50,000 with a minimum salary level of $62,000 for teachers with 12 years in the classroom. She also provides $10 million from the state’s American Rescue Plan funding to create the Merit Teacher Incentive Fund.

Her budget includes a 2.5% Supplemental State Aid increase for Schools (SSA) for the next school year, taking the per pupil amount to $7,826, which is $191 higher than the FY 2024 level. Finally, it provides $5 million in grants to help support new or high-performing charter schools.

For Medicaid, it provides an additional $75 million. Nearly half the money is expected to

YOUR VIEW

Brandon Talsma, chair 4309 W Fourth St. S. Newton, IA 50208 641-526-3142 btalsma@co.jasper.ia.us

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Statehouse Notes

pay for increase in costs through the managed care contracts. The proposed budget completes the transition of the Glenwood State Resource Center and provides additional funds to expand access to community-based services. Case management services receive an increase, as would some provider groups.

The state’s judicial branch, corrections, and public safety agencies get an additional $24.2 million in the new fiscal year. The courts will receive an increase of $3.7 million while the Department of Corrections gets an $11.8 million boost. Funding to the Department of Public Safety rises by $4.6 million.

The Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund proposes spending a record-setting $293.2 million in Fiscal Year 2025. The utility project at the Woodward State Resource Center will be sped up along with full funding for an expansion of the State Med-

ical Examiner’s office in Ankeny, renovations at the Civil Commitment Unit for Sexual Offenders at the Cherokee Mental Health Institute, and $10 million for a renovation of the Lucas State Office Building. Finally, it includes an increase in funding for major maintenance of state buildings.

The Governor’s budget documents also revealed the final appropriation numbers for spending on Supplemental State Aid and Education Savings Accounts for the 2023-2024 school year. Education Savings Accounts ended up spending $127.9 million in FY 24, which is $20.5 million higher than the LSA estimate when the bill was passed. Supplemental State Aid ended up being $13 million higher than what was estimated during the 2023 legislative session. These two figures are why the adjusted FY 2024 budget is $33.5 million higher than the amount approved last May.

With the release of the Governor’s budget proposal, the legislative work of formulating next year’s state budget begins. Budget subcommittees commence their deliberations starting on Wednesday, January 17.

How to contact your elected officials Jasper County Supervisors

Doug Cupples, vice chair 1205 S. 20th Ave. W. Newton, IA 50208 641-521-8725 dcupples@co.jasper.ia.us

Denny Stevenson 110 Railroad Street Kellogg, IA 50135 641-521-8553 dstevenson@co.jasper.ia.us

Rep. Jon Dunwell

Consider these tips before filing your tax return

By Barb Wollan Iowa State University Human Sciences Extension and Outreach

Many Americans look forward to a significant income tax refund each year and may be eager to file their tax returns as quickly as possible. Before rushing to your computer or your tax preparer, consider these tips from Barb Wollan, a human sciences specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

“Filing your tax return too early creates the risk that you may not have included all the necessary information on your return,” Wollan said.

It is not uncommon for people to file early and then a month later receive an extra W-2 or 1099 form that they had forgotten they should expect. Most income documents do not have to be mailed until Jan. 31 and some investment income documents are allowed to be mailed even later. Wollan urges consumers to be cautious about filing their return before Feb. 1 or even Feb. 8 because they may receive more documents after those dates.

“If you choose to file in late January or early February, think carefully about every job and every type of income you had in 2023. It is easy to forget about a short-term or seasonal job that you left eight to10 months ago,” Wollan said.

Each year the IRS sets a date when it will begin receiving tax returns electronically, typically around Jan. 20, Wollan noted. Seeing your tax preparer before that date does not get your return submitted early.

Africa Studio/stock.adobe.com

Barb Wollan, Iowa State University Human Sciences Specialist, urges consumers to be cautious about filing their return before Feb. 1 or even Feb. 8 because they may receive more documents after those dates.

Filing a paper return is not an advantage because paper returns are always much slower to be processed.

“These days, the only people who should file a paper return are those with unusual circumstances that prevent them from filing electronically,” Wollan said.

In addition, the IRS is legally prohibited from issuing any tax refunds that contain the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit until Feb. 15. In many situations, refunds over $1,000 include one of those credits, so they will not be issued until that date. Taxpayers filing earlier gain only a slight advantage in timing: they may be first in line, but they still need to wait until Feb.15 at the earliest for their refunds to be issued.

Some tax firms may offer what they call a quick refund, by which they pay the money to you as a loan the day after your return is submitted. Then, when the IRS pays the actual refund, it is paid directly to the tax firm as repayment of the loan. This usually involves a fee, and it also involves real risks.

Volunteers are ready to help this tax season

Experienced volunteers with the RSVP Tax Assistance Program of Jasper County are prepared to help you this tax season with free income tax assistance for those over 60 years of age and clients on low or fixed incomes.

Newton DMACC appointments are available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 30 through Feb. 29 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays as well as March 5 through April 11 each Tuesday and Wednesday; Thursday evenings from 5 to 7 p.m. March 7 and March 21; from 11 .m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 16.

Colfax Library drop-off ONLY appointments are available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9. All locations are by appointment only. Call the Iowa State University Extension Office any Tuesday or Wednesday, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 9 to schedule your appointment on the tax-hotline at 641-787-7241. In addition to photo IDs and social security cards, clients must bring last year’s tax return or a tax transcript to their appointment. Transcripts can be obtained from the IRS. Current returns will NOT be prepared without this information.

HOWARD ST. CHRISTIAN CHURCH (Disciples of Christ)

Pastor Tom Burns Howard & Locust St., Colfax Office - 674-3746 Church Cell - 971-0569

SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Adult & Wired

Word Adult Sunday school classes; 10 a.m. Fellowship Time;10:30 a.m. Worship, in person or online via YouTube

MONDAY - Tom’s day off TUESDAY - 9:30 a.m. Coffee Time/ Fellowship; 2 p.m. Easy Yoga

WEDNESDAY - 3:30 p.m. After school elementary youth; 6:10 ChiRho and CYF youth supper/youth group

THIRD SUNDAY of month - Marathon Sunday includes elders, board, potluck and food pantry

FIRST MONDAY of month - WIC appointments

IRA UNITED CHURCH

Rev. Michael Omundson

SUNDAY - 9:30 a.m. Church service;

Community Calendar

Send items to news@jaspercountytribune.com

MONDAY • BEDCO meets at 5:30 p.m. the first Monday of month

• Colfax Cub Scouts Pack 345 meets at 7 p.m. the first Monday of month in the C-M High School Cafetorium

• Colfax Planning & Zoning meets at 7 p.m. the first Monday of month at the library

• Baxter City Council meets at 6 p.m. the second Monday of month at City Hall

• Colfax City Council meets the second Monday of month at the Colfax Fire Department

“If your tax refund was calculated incorrectly, or if part or all of your refund is held back by the IRS to cover some debt you owe – such as back taxes, back child support or other debts – then the tax firm will require you to repay the loan,” Wollan said.

People who meet guidelines for amount and types of income may qualify to have their tax return prepared and filed for free at a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site by IRS-certified volunteers. To find a free site near you, call 211 or search the IRS website for VITA.

Wollan said there also are options that allow you to prepare your own tax return (federal and state) for free if your income is below about $70,000. Email centraliowavita@gmail.com to learn how to access the same software used at VITA sites, with support for answering tax law questions also provided. Or go to www.irs. gov and search for FreeFile to access software that you can use for free.

UnityPoint Health hosts welcome to Medicare Seminar Jan. 23

UnityPoint Health is hosting a free Welcome to Medicare seminar at the hospital from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23.

The seminar is presented by UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown and state of Iowa’s Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP). It’s free to the public and is intended for everyone with questions about Medicare, especially those approaching Medicare age and their family members.

The seminar will cover Medicare Parts A & B, prescription drug benefits (Part D), Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Supplement Insurance, while

helping people identify Medicare fraud, errors and abuse. The seminar will be held in Conference Rooms 2 and 3, which are inside the clinic addition. Attendees should park and use the “Clinic Entrance” on the north end (right side) of the hospital located at 51 UnityPoint Way (just southwest of the intersection of Highways 30 and 14).

Registration is required by Jan. 15. Call 641-754-5399 to reserve a spot and visit unitypoint.org/ patients-and-visitors/billing-and-financial-information/ financial-assistance to learn more about SHIIP.

County requirements for signup to evaluate animal confinement sites

The Iowa DNR would like to remind counties interested in evaluating construction permits for proposed animal feeding facilities that they must adopt a construction evaluation resolution.

On average, 88 counties pass a resolution each year, allowing them to review construction permit applications required for larger confinement facilities.

County boards of supervisors may approve the resolutions at any time, but must submit resolutions between Jan.1 and 31.

Producers in counties that file the resolutions must meet additional standards in their con-

struction permits. They must earn points on a master matrix by choosing a site and using practices that reduce effects on the environment and the community.

The Master Matrix development, submittal and approval process allows applicants and county supervisors to discuss options for site selection, facility type and management. The county submits a recommendation to the DNR on the permit application after reviewing the master matrix items the applicant selected.

Counties that participate in the master matrix process may accompany DNR on site visits to pro -

Church Schedules

10:15 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, Jan. 21- 9 a.m. Fellowship; 9:15 a.m. Bible Education Classes; 10:25 a.m. Message by Pastor Cody Dye

TUESDAY, Jan. 23 - 3 p.m. Women’s Prayer and coffee; 6:30 p.m. Women’s Bible Study

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 24 - 9 a.m. Busy Bee Quilters and Fresh Encounter Prayer; 5:45 p.m. AWANA Family

The church schedule is brought to you by

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. Sunday School; Family Worship

HOPE ASSEMBLY OF GOD

126 E. Howard

Rev. Paul Avery, pastor Church: 674-3700

SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10 a.m. Worship; 6 p.m. Evening services

WEDNESDAY - 6 p.m. Bible study

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

CATHOLIC CHURCH

302 E. Howard St., Colfax Fr. Ron Hodges

515-674-3711

SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Mass

DAILY MASS - 8 a.m.

MINGO UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Rev. Phil Dicks

515-689-4926

SUNDAY - 9:45 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

posed locations. The county board of supervisors may also appeal the DNR’s preliminary approval of a permit to the Environmental Protection Commission.

Send resolutions to Kelli Book at DNR, 502 E. Ninth St., Des Moines, IA 50319-0034 or email Kelli.Book@dnr.iowa.gov. Signups in January apply to permit applications DNR receives from February 2024 through January 2025. For historical information on counties that adopted resolutions, check for Master Matrix information on the DNR’s animal feeding operations construction permit webpage.

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,

Colfax-Mingo boys down HLV to earn road wrestling split

VICTOR — Colfax-Mingo’s John McGill and Earlham’s Ryan Stiles faced off for a third time this season, and the Tigerhawk senior was better than ever in winning the rubber match during a road triangular hosted by HLV on Jan. 11. Colfax-Mingo split the two duals, scoring a 39-18 win over South Iowa Cedar League rival HLV and losing 57-19 to the previously-ranked Cardinals of Earlham.

When McGill faced Stiles on Saturday at PCM, it was a No. 2 vs. No. 3 matchup. The situation was similar in the latest meeting, but McGill moved up to second after the win over Stiles in the championship match of that tournament.

The third and maybe final match of the season between the two grapplers went to McGill and the latest matchup ended in a 15-4 major decision for the Tigerhawk senior.

Earlham got the better of Colfax-Mingo overall though as the Cardinals were 4-3 in contested matches and had a 6-1 advantage in forfeit victories.

The other contested wins for the Tigerhawks came from newly-ranked Cason Fitch at 120 and Donnie Baucom at 215. Fitch, who is now ranked 12th in Class 1A at 120, won 6-2 and Baucom scored a win by fall. Isaiah Baucom was given a forfeit at 190.

The Tigerhawks were 3-1 in contested matches against HLV and had a 4-2 surplus in forfeit wins. There were four double forfeits.

Against the Warriors, McGill and Isaiah Baucom both won by fall, while Kyle Wood (144) won 5-3. Fitch, James Cherveny (126), Tate Carlson (175) and Jermaine Cross (285) all accepted forfeits.

McGill improved to 33-1 after a 2-0 night, while Fitch is now 29-5 and Isaiah Baucom moved to 2215.

C-M girls lose twice at road triangular

ALTOONA — Emmalyn Buchman and Hannah Wells got the only contested wins, but it was a tough day on the mat for the Colfax-Mingo girls’ wrestling team on Jan. 11.

The Tigerhawks competed in a triangular at Southeast Polk and lost 60-6 to the host Rams and fell 75-3 to Raccoon River-Northwest.

Colfax-Mingo was 1-8 in contested matches in each dual and gave up eight forfeits total. Buchman got a win by pin at 170 pounds against Southeast Polk and Wells won by 10-5 decision at 155 in the loss to Raccoon River-Northwest.

There were two double forfeits in the Tigerhawks’ dual with the Rams, but Southeast Polk accepted three forfeits in the win. Raccoon River-Northwest was given five forfeits in its win over Colfax-Mingo.

Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune

Colfax-Mingo junior Isaiah Baucom, top, battles an opponent in a tournament earlier this season. Baucom was 2-0 during a road triangular hosted by HLV on Jan. 11.

Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune

Colfax-Mingo senior Donnie Baucom wrestles in a tournament earlier this season. The Tigerhawks split their road triangular on Jan. 11, defeating conference rival HLV and losing to Earlham.

Jasper County Tribune

Jasper County Tribune

Buchman

Weather hinders area sports events

Jasper County Tribune

The winter storms that went across the state of Iowa this past week wrecked most of the activities scheduled in the area.

Some of the games from Jan. 11 took place as scheduled, but Newton’s basketball games with Albia were postponed.

Newton’s Little Hawkeye Conference basketball games against Norwalk scheduled for Jan. 9 were postponed to Jan. 22.

The Cardinal girls were scheduled to face Des Moines Hoover on Jan. 13 and that game also was postponed. Newton was slated to host PCM on Jan. 15, but that game has been postponed to Jan. 18. That will be varsity only with a tip off at 6 p.m.

The Newton bowling teams were scheduled to host Clarke on Jan. 9, but that head-to-head matchup was canceled and will not be made up.

The Cardinal bowlers also did not have their matchup with Pella on Jan. 13 as that one was postponed.

The Newton-Colfax-Mingo-Pella boys’ swim team was scheduled to compete in a meet at Fort Dodge on Jan. 13, but it was canceled and will not be made up.

The Cardinal girls wrestling team did compete on Jan. 11 but the Jan. 9 meet at Dallas Center-Grimes and the Jan. 13 tournament at Pella both were postponed.

Colfax-Mingo’s basketball teams were supposed to play Sigourney on Jan. 9, but that was doubleheader has been rescheduled for Feb. 1.

The Tigerhawk boys’ varsity game against Tri-County slated for Jan. 12 was postponed to Feb. 6.

Colfax-Mingo made a few changes for the upcoming week, too. The Tigerhawks’ home basketball games

against West Central Valley scheduled for Jan. 15 have been postponed to Feb. 8.

Baxter also had events hampered by weather. The Bolts boys’ wrestling team was scheduled to host a dual on Jan. 9, but that was postponed.

The Bolts also did not go to WACO on Jan. 13 as that tournament was postponed. The makeup date of Feb. 3, however, does not work for Baxter as it already has an event scheduled for that day.

The Baxter basketball teams had three games affected by weather last week.

The Bolts were scheduled to host Earlham on Jan. 8, but those games were postponed. Their conference games against Colo-NESCO slated for Jan. 9 are being made up on Jan. 19.

Baxter’s varsity doubleheader

Troy Hyde/ Jasper County Tribune

Colfax-Mingo freshman

Dakota Allen (5) drives to the hoop during a game earlier this season. Weather wiped out the last few Tigerhawk basketball games. The team returns to the floor against BGM on Jan. 19 in Brooklyn.

against Collins-Maxwell slated for Jan. 12 was postponed to Jan. 29.

PCM’s girls basketball game against Oskaloosa scheduled on Jan. 8 was canceled and will not be made up.

The Mustang basketball teams also were slated to play at Greene County on Jan. 12, but that varsity doubleheader was postponed to Jan. 29.

The PCM wrestling team’s triangular against South Hamilton and Greene County scheduled for Jan. 11 was postponed and the Mustangs’ tournament on Jan. 13 at Perry was canceled and won’t be made up.

The Lynnville-Sully basketball teams’ varsity doubleheader against Belle Plaine scheduled for Jan. 12 was postponed to Feb. 1.

The Hawk wrestlers did compete on Jan. 11, but their tournament at Centerville scheduled for Jan. 13

er. Board is working on the

accreditation process. Auxiliary Park Board - No Report. Jones moved to approve the consent agenda. Magg secon ded roll call, motion carried unanimously a. Minutes: Regular Meeting 1211-2023; Special Meeting 12-222023.

dated 126-2023 b. Resolution No 1-8-2024#1 Ap-

Bills and

Transfers c. November Financial Reports from City Clerk/Treasurer Magg introduced and moved for the adoption of Resolution No 18-2024#2 "A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING TAX ABATEMENT APPLICATIONS: NANCY WEBB - 626 S. HASTINGS AVENUE." Snyder seconded roll call, reso lution carried unanimously Poulter introduced and moved for the adoption of Resolution No 18-2024#3, "A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL?S RULES AND PROCEDURES AS PRESENTED." Magg seconded, roll call resolution carried unanimously Magg introduced and moved for the adoption of Resolution No 18-2024#4 "A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 2024 INVESTMENT POLICY AS PRESENTED." Small seconded, roll call, resolution carried unanimously Jones introduced and moved for the adoption of Resolution No 18-2024#5 "RESOLUTION APPROVING THE MAYOR?S 2024 BOARD AND COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS AS PRESENTED WITH THE FOLLOWING CHANGES: BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

Greg Huff (filling Term). Dec. 2027 LIBRARY BOARD Aaron Bartholmey Dec. 2029 Tammy Wicket Dec. 2029 Snyder seconded, roll call, resolution carried unanimously Poulter introduced and moved for the adoption of Resolution No 18-2024#6 "RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 2024 FEE SCHEDULE AS PRESENTED WITH CHANGES NOTED BELOW: Building permit fees are doubled if permit is not acquired prior to starting project. Ambulance Rates BLS Emergency (A0429) $626.31 ALS Emergency E (A0427) .$743.75 ALS 2 (A0433) $1,076.48 Non-Transport Not reimbursed. $225.00 Mileage (A0425) $13.41 Library Fines - Replacement cost of unreturned library

(books DVDs games) Library Room Rental - No

Only available to organizations engaged in education,

or

Sales, solicitation or later sales, order placement, or fundraising in the room is prohibited except for events that benefit the library Jones seconded roll call, resolution carried unanimously Small introduced and moved for the adoption of Resolution No 18-2024#7 "RESOLUTION SETTING THE MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT RATE TO EQUAL THE IRS RATE OF $.67 PER MILE FOR THE YEAR 2024. Snyder

Deputy Director

A complete job description and applications are available online at https://www.jasperia.org or at the Jasper County Human Resources Office located at 315 W 3rd St N in Newton.

Application must be completed and returned to the Jasper County Human Resources Office no later than 4:00 PM on Friday, February 2, 2024, to be eligible for the position

Drug testing and comprehensive background check will be conducted on selected candidate EOE

• Support vision zero policy to eliminate recordable incidents or injuries

• Prep equipment for mechanical repairs, clear, lockout/tagout and assist with repairs as needed

• Monitor operating equipment (pumps, valves, pressure/temperature readings, fans and chemical treatment systems) designed to control the variables of the biodiesel process

• Learn to operate the biodiesel master control system including operations of the main master control, process production, along with recording data and system reports on a timely basis

• Learn to perform various quality control functions Jasper County EMA is accepting applications to fill the fulltime position of Deputy Director. Salary range: $55,000 to $65,000 based on qualifications and experience. Position will assist the Director in the event of a disaster within Jasper County or surrounding Counties (tornado, derecho, flood, winter storm, loss of power, pandemic, etc.) State of Iowa Paramedic certification preferred, but at minimum, State of Iowa EMT-B or equivalent medical training required. Other requirements: valid Iowa driver’s license, experience in emergency planning, Incident Command, System, and National Incident Management System required. Other duties include but not limited to develop and coordinate County-wide EMS programs and related services, promote partnership with local organizations (EMS & Fire), Grant writing, Public Safety Instructor, analyze needs and provide County-wide training, coordinate and evaluate scenarios/drills for public safety, assist with maintaining County’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, assist Director coordinating field and Emergency Operations Center activities.