JCT-02-01-2024

COLD SNAPPED

By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune

Jasper County and the 98 other counties in the state of Iowa were pummeled by a year’s worth of snow in about a week, but rural residents are so upset with the slow pace of hauling and plowing operations that they have resorted to calling other county departments like the auditor and DMV in order to complain.

Supervisor Brandon Talsma responded to the complaints in a 17-minute video posted on his Facebook page with the comment, “Manners, tempers and patience.” The video has since garnered more than 5,400 views and more than 100 reactions, many of which were sympathetic to the county’s challenges.

In the video, Talsma said during budget hearings on Jan. 15 he received around 27 different emails, texts and calls from individuals calling about snow on gravel roads. He then pleaded with residents to not contact other departments if they do not get through to secondary roads, which has been inundated with calls.

“You’re not the only person in the county. You’re not the only person trying to get a hold of

them. Just simply hang up and try again,” he said. “Please do not start calling the treasurer’s office, the VA, the auditor’s office, emergency management or anybody else because you can’t get through to secondary roads.”

Two or three people in the secondary roads department, he added, cannot respond in an hour’s time to the hundreds of calls they have been receiving since the snowstorms hit Jasper County. Talsma said it is also difficult for him to keep up with the phone calls he is receiving because of budget hearings.

Talsma asked residents to please be patient when it comes to the plowing of secondary roads. He understands that residents are getting irritated and want out of their homes. Secondary roads crews have been working 12-hour shifts trying to get the roads cleared since the storms.

“We haven’t had a snow event like this in quite some time,” he said.

Secondary roads only has so many staff members and resources at their disposal, and the volume of snow, the pace in which it accumulated, the freezing temperatures and the excessively high drifts have only made matters worse for the plowing

It may be cold but rural Jasper County residents are getting hot over snow hauling operations

Traffic drives along Highway 14 between Newton and Monroe while surrounded by snow. Crews working to plow and haul snow prioritized major highways following recent snowstorms before addressing secondary roads, which enraged a number of residents who were trapped by high snowdrifts for several days.

and snow hauling crews. Talsma didn’t mince words:

“We have over 927 miles of gravel road in Jasper County,” he said. “We have over 300 miles of paved routes in Jasper County. Jasper County is 733 square miles. We are the eighth largest county in the state of Iowa. The eighth largest county in the state of Iowa. It’s going to take the guys some time.”

Talsma said he saw a post from Mahaska County that claimed one truck driver spent seven-and-a-half hours to clear a mile-and-a-half of road trying to bust through drifts; Jasper County crews are encountering the exact same conditions. Talsma suggested such conditions are commonplace in the country.

“Living in the country brings a lot of freedom and a lot of pri-

Iowa’s property tax reform law comes at a cost for local governments

By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune

Doug Bishop picked one helluva time to run for mayor of Baxter. In addition to managing his office as the county treasurer and trying to find solutions to his town’s ongoing struggles with EMS service, state laws are making budgeting sessions extra tough for local governments these next few years.

He anticipates Baxter’s city officials will have to make some really hard decisions in the coming months and so forth, and it is in large part because of House File 718. Outcry from property assessments last year forced the Iowa Legislature to pass a bipartisan property tax reform law that have some city leaders on edge.

Newton City Administrator Matt Muckler has repeatedly criticized the law for penalizing city growth. Bishop is not too fond of the law either, and he lobbed his criticisms directly in the faces of Jasper County’s statehouse legislators during a legislative gathering Jan. 20 at Newton Public Library.

State Sen. Ken Rozenboom mentioned in a previous, unrelated topic that most Iowans — including himself — would not like it if the federal government told Iowa how to govern its state. Bishop suggested House File 718 does the same thing, only it is the state telling city and county governments what to do.

“We’re seeing everything first hand everything that you’re talking about,” Bishop said. “I heard you,

Senator, say you don’t want the feds coming down and telling us what we’re going to do with ourselves … but House File 718, the state came down and told us what we could or couldn’t do as far as taxing our citizens.”

Bishop condemned the bill for being a “slammed through, middle-of-the-night deal” to appease citizens over their high property assessments. But Bishop said lawmakers may not have fully understood what they were voting on other than they were going to provide relief for Iowans. As treasurer, he understands that.

“But there has been ramifications since,” Bishop said.

The City of Baxter has a full-time public works director, one police officer, a fire department, a city clerk, a librarian and full-time EMS di-

rector. Bishop said House File 718 is driving down what municipalities can tax their citizens. For Baxter, the only place the city has room to cut is people. But doing so potentially comes at a loss of service.

To make matters even more complicated, the City of Baxter has already combined resources and shares its librarian with the school district. Bishop said what House File 718 has done is taken away the city’s local authority to tax its citizens more to maintain services. To him, the bill needs to be readdressed.

“We need to get back to local control,” Bishop said. “I understand the thoughts of y’all passing it, but we’re in crisis right now in our little town. The bigger ones can absorb it

vacy, but you’re also not going to experience the same level of expedited services or the same level of services as living in a city,” Talsma said. “We also are a lot larger territory with a lot more miles to cover than counties like Johnson, Polk, stuff like that.” Talsma also addressed questions from citizens who wanted

Lawmakers welcome even more feedback about upcoming education bills

Jasper County lawmakers are staying in contact with superintendents, AEA leaders and constituents

By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune

Iowa House Rep. Jon Dunwell has already spent several hours talking about the proposal to reform the Area Education Agencies during a legislative gathering held by the League of Women Voters of Jasper County and now a Newton school board meeting. Even so, he is encouraging even more feedback.

Dunwell has been in contact with the four different superintendents that are part of his district, and he has frequently asked for their feedback. He has also made contact with Dr. Cindy Yelick, the chief administrator of Heartland AEA, and has been having regular conversations with her since the summer about AEAs.

“She’s up at the Capitol almost every day having conversations with legislators,” he said. “You have to remember, what makes this bill very unique is this is the first time

we’ve looked at it. There is a lot of legislation that you think moves quickly and does move quickly because it’s the third or fourth time we’ve looked at it.”

The AEA proposal and its amendment is brand new and will require a lot of extra studying from legislators, many of whom may not even grasp how AEAs or how special education works in public schools. There is a quick learning curve for lawmakers, Dunwell said.

While Dunwell has stated that he does not support the original proposal and is undecided on the governor’s amended proposal, he did tell the audience that he is never against looking for effectiveness and efficiencies, and he suggested decision making should be about the kids and making sure there are outcomes.

“The challenge of looking at a bill like this is: Do these changes actually

Christopher Braunschweig/Jasper County Tribune

Christopher Braunschweig/Jasper County Tribune

From left: Iowa House Rep. Barb Kniff McCulla, Iowa House Rep. Jon Dunwell and Iowa State Sen. Ken Rozenboom speak to constituents during a legislative gathering hosted by the League of Women Voters of Jasper County on Jan. 20 at the Newton Public Library.

Lucille Ann Millburn

Jan. 19, 2024

Obituaries

them all.

Lucille Ann (LuAnn) Millburn, age 91, of Norwalk passed away peacefully at Holland Farms Assisted Living and Memory Care in Norwalk. Visitation for LuAnn will be held Saturday January 27, 2024, at 1 pm at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Colfax, Iowa. A joint Mass said in honor of LuAnn and her husband Francis, who passed away October 24, 2023, will follow at 2 pm after which there will be time for fellowship and light refreshments in the church basement. Internment will take place at a later date.

The daughter of Ernest Boles and Thelma (Furry) Boles, Lucille was born on August 27, 1932. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Carl and three sisters, Carol, Elnore, June and her son, Fran-

cis Jay Millburn and her husband, Francis Leeson Millburn. LuAnn grew up in Randolph, Kansas. After graduating from Randolph High School in 1950, LuAnn entered the United States Air Force, where she served in Washington, DC before returning to her small town where she met the love of her life on a blind date. Francis Millburn was a handsome Army soldier with a heart stealing smile stationed at nearby Fort Riley. They married in 1954 and started an amazing life together in Colfax which included the birth of five children: Kathy (Thomas) Kaldenberg, Francis Jay Millburn, Karen (Randy) Douglas, Patty (Craig) Shissler, and Matthew Millburn. Their family expanded with grandchildren: Matt and Mike Douglas; Dan, Dave and James Shissler; Austin Kazos, Sam Millburn and Mattea Millburn; Sarah Beth Helton and great grandchildren Gavin Peterson, Isaac Oltjenbruns and Daxton Douglas; Bruce, Kathleen and Marilyn Shissler; Scarlett, Lucille and Conrad Shissler. She recognized each of them as unique and loved

LuAnn was active in many community and church organizations including the Colfax Jaycee Ettes, the PTA, the Colfax Centennial and Bi-Centennial Committees, GFWC LaFemme, the Colfax Chamber of Commerce, the American Red Cross, the Colfax Historical Society, the Jasper County Mental Health Board and the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Altar & Rosary.

LuAnn managed the downtown business Millburn Decorating for ten years. It was an outgrowth of her interest in interior design, which she studied in books and the multitude of magazines she subscribed to. The culinary arts and entertaining were her companion passions and she loved planning menus and delighting family and friends with her beautifully set tables and delicious foods.

LuAnn loved to travel, and Francis took her to the places she had dreamed of visiting, including Paris and Ireland. She and her daughters made memories together on trips to

Las Vegas, cruises and of course, shopping expeditions which had to include Younkers and lunch. Many summer months were spent at Shell Lake in Minnesota, where she redecorated the rented cabin and accompanied Francis on the boat, fishing for northern pike.

Reading was a source of great satisfaction for LuAnn and rarely was she without a book, newspaper or magazine. Her favorite genre was biographies of strong women from history, and she wasn’t intimidated by thick tomes.

In 2021, LuAnn and Francis moved to Holland Farms in Norwalk, Iowa where they quickly became “the couple that loves each other so much”. Up until her death, LuAnn was unwaveringly polite, with some of her last words being “thank you”. She will be dearly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Memorials may be directed to the Colfax Historical Society Building Fund and AHC (Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood) Foundation “Daxton is one in a million”.

Academic Achievement

Iowa State University AMES — More than 10,800 Iowa State University students have been recognized for outstanding academic achievement by being named to the fall semester 2023 dean’s list. Students named to the dean’s list must earn a grade point average of at least 3.50 on a 4.00 scale while carrying a minimum of 12 credit hours of graded course work.

The following are students listed below are from the local area: Cody Damman of Baxter, Sophie Meyer of Baxter, Adam Shelley of Baxter, Cael Shepley of Baxter, Isaac Ensminger of Colfax, Alexander Faidley of Colfax, Reghan Robinette of Colfax, Kira Warrick of Colfax.

four different times in one phone call.

to know why Jasper County does not have crews running 24-hour snow plowing services.

“Pretty simple: I’d have to tax you for several million dollars a year or more to be able to maintain a crew for situations that might happen three or four times a year. I’ve already got 28 guys that are running 12- to 16-hour shifts,” Talsma said, later noting most counties don’t run 24-hour shifts.

Before wrapping up the video, Talsma asked residents to not “cuss out” county employees. Although he understands why people are upset and going stir crazy, it is not justification to verbally harass employees. Talsma said he also got “f-bombed”

“Our employees should not have to put up with that,” he said. “Please, if you are calling in to them, please mind your manners. Do not cuss at them. Do not yell at them. Do not scream at them. They do have our permission that they do not have to put up with that crap, and they will hang up on you.”

If a resident experiences a medical emergency and lives near an impassable road, Talsma encouraged them to call dispatch.

Crews will coordinate with first responders to make sure they still respond to such calls. Talsma asked residents to not fake a medical emergency, which he claimed someone already attempted.

Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty told Newton News in a follow-up interview that this past weather

Northwestern College ORANGE CITY — Emma Dunsbergen and Kallie Van Kley, students at Northwestern College in Orange City, earned a spot on the academic dean’s list for the fall 2023 semester by earning a grade point average of 3.75 or higher.

event has been “one of the most challenging circumstances we’ve ever had to operate in.” On Jan. 9 and 13, the sheriff’s office advised against travel all around Jasper County.

The secondary roads department has been regularly posting updates and status conditions of the roads and weather on its Facebook page. While messages are able to be shared and response is favorable, the administrator of the secondary roads department’s page has limited who can comment on many of the posts.

As of Jan. 18, the secondary roads department stated in a post it has rented additional equipment to get through the heavily drifted areas of the county. Attached to the post was a photo showing the path left behind by a V-plow after cutting through a drift as high as the operator’s cab.

Farm Couple Getaway provides time to reflect, rest and reset in Decorah

DECORAH — Farm couples who are looking for a chance to review their goals while learning and relaxing in a scenic part of the state should consider attending the Farm Couple Getaway, Feb. 16-17 in northeast Iowa.

This no-cost event is organized by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, with support from the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and ISU Extension and Outreach Winneshiek County.

The getaway will be held at the elegant Hotel Winneshiek in Decorah, with educational sessions led by Larry Tranel and Jennifer Bentley, dairy specialists with ISU Extension and Outreach.

“This event has proven to be a rewarding experience for farm couples who want to take some time to examine where they’re at, where they want to go, and what resources are available to help them accomplish their goals,” said Bentley.

The program provides opportunities for interaction, and couples include all ages and agricultural backgrounds.

The event is aimed at farmers wanting to take advantage of activities to improve farm family communication; work on farm or family goal setting, or farm transitions; or who just would like a weekend away to discuss farm and family issues.

“This was the program we needed to continue down the path of farming,” commented one past participant. Others said the program gave them the chance “to communicate important things with my spouse and other couples.”

This getaway will run from 12:30 p.m. on the first day to 3:15 p.m. on the second day. There is no cost to attend, as food, lodging and other expenses are being paid for by sponsorships. However, there is a $50 per couple deposit to hold each reservation, refundable on the second day of the event.

Couples should register soon, as participation is limited to 10 farm couples. The registration deadline is Feb. 5.

Registration brochures can be obtained from Jenn Bentley, dairy specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, atjbentley@iastate.edu, or at the ISU Extension and Outreach Winneshiek County office, at 563-382-2949. Dairy specialist Larry Tranel is available attranel@iastate.edu, or at the ISU Extension and Outreach Dubuque County office, at 563-583-6496.

Despite Talsma’s video, residents are still concerned about the county’s response to the impassable roads.

Greg Leavens, of Colfax, attended the board of supervisors meeting on Jan. 16 asking what the county was going to do to make secondary roads passable. Talsma did not know what else to tell him other than the county is working on it. Leavens asked if the county is short on employees to work on the roads.

“I know maintainers were on the pavement,” Leavens said. “I don’t understand it. I thought that’s what the trucks were for.”

Talsma responded, “Maintainers run on pavement during a snow event because paved roads are the primary concern.”

Kelli Van Mannen, program director for Jasper County Elderly Nutrition,

had previously praised the secondary roads crews for their work at the start of the meeting. She said if the paved highways are not open, then “it doesn’t do you any good to get the gravel open.”

In the event of a large snowfall, Talsma said maintainers are always going to be running on the highways and roads — so long as it is called for — because they carry more traffic. When those pathways are adequately cleared, the maintainers move to the gravel roads and unincorporated territories.

“They’ve been working 12-hour shifts since last week Tuesday,” Talsma said. “We had 25 or 20plus inches of snow in four days. I mean, my dad who has spent his whole life living in the country, it ain’t the worst one he’s ever seen but it’s the worst one in 20 years. Then it started

getting to subzero temps.”

Frigid conditions made the tall snow drifts extremely hard for plow trucks and maintainers to get through when it wasn’t also gelling up their diesel fuel.

“Every county is doing the exact same thing,” he said. “I’ve been talking with Mahaska County supervisors and they are facing and going through the exact same stuff (we) are. They still don’t think by the end of business today they’re going to have a route open to every single house yet.

“Marion County, which by the way has 300-some less miles of gravel than what Jasper County has, is hoping by noon today they have a path open to all of their houses. And they have 300 less miles of gravel than what we do.” Leavens paused. “Whatever. Thank you.”

Report: Drug deaths up in Iowa, but other signs encouraging

Mark Moran Iowa News Service

New data from the United Health Foundation show a handful of significant and chronic health conditions on the rise across the U.S., with colorectal cancer and drug deaths of particular concern in Iowa.

There is some good news: The new research shows Iowa has a low prevalence of people

Tax Reform

reporting frequent mental distress, less food insecurity than other states, and fewer people avoiding health care because of cost. But it has higher rates of obesity, too few geriatric providers for the aging population, and a growing number of people with diabetes.

Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer of employer and individual for United Healthcare, explained some chronic conditions can be im-

a little bit better. But it’s going to happen there by 2029. Y’all voted for it. Y’all supported. What can you do for us to fix it?”

Iowa House Rep. Jon Dunwell said the bill does sunset in 2029, and it was meant for lawmakers to have another discussion about it prior to the sunsetting to set up the new Iowa property tax bill. Dunwell said he has met with different cities to see what can be adjusted if necessary.

Those meetings are also helping him prepare for a more long-term property tax bill. The challenge Iowa has is its complex property tax system, Dunwell said. But he pushed back against some of the faults against the bill, saying it was passed with almost unanimous bipartisan support in both the House and Senate.

Only one person voted against it.

“Property taxes concern people. They saw their assessments go up. We already have a mechanism in government that drops that down; it’s called the rollback So your next tax bill you were maybe taxed on 52-some percent of your home’s taxable value … because the assessments went up so high,” Dunwell said.

House File 718 made it so the taxable assessed value of a city or county went up more than 3 percent, 2 percent of that growth had to be used to drop the levy.

create those things?

Does it create more effi-

proved.

“These are generally conditions that can be well controlled, with the appropriate lifestyle modifications and treatment from your physician,” Randall pointed out. “Generally, these are conditions that someone will live with long term.”

Most remarkably in Iowa, deaths attributed to drugs increased 87 percent in the most recent reporting period, and

“It does get to be a challenge if you’re a city growing at 3.1 percent,” Dunwell said. “You could have used those dollars. Instead, what happens is they now have to go toward, basically, a 1.1 percent growth. I met with some larger cities and I’m meeting with my smaller cities in the next month to have a confab.”

Dunwell added it is a struggle to have a mechanism that drops the rollback down and then another mechanism that drops it further. But the House representative said the piece he fought for in the bill was a provision for truth in taxation, which he suggested is giving more local control and increases transparency

“What I ultimately want to see in property taxes is you get a statement prior to the approval of the budget and prior to approval of the levy that says, ‘Here’s what you paid last year in taxes, the proposed combined levy and if that’s approved here’s what you would pay, here’s all the public meetings,’” Dunwell said.

There is a way around House File 718. But it’s a complicated one that requires the will of the voters to officially authorize through a referendum.

“We’re going to get more input on that, and the idea on that sunset is to actually write a new bill going forward,” Dunwell said.

Bishop said the 65-and-older and veterans tax credits were not backfilled, and he cautioned that if lawmakers have not heard from their county supervisors yet

ciencies or make it more effective? Are we seeing greater outcomes when it comes to special ed?”

Dunwell said. “…One of the things I keep saying to the governor and staff

is begin with rural in mind.”

Larger school districts have more flexibility in terms of spending as opposed to the more rural school districts, like Baxter, Lynnville-Sully and Prairie City-Monroe. Dunwell said bills like this garner a lot of emails. He encouraged the practice but asked that people include where they are from.

“It makes a tremendous difference because we get some that are just from all over the place,

poverty is up 27 percent.

Seven chronic conditions are on the rise nationally, including in Iowa. They include arthritis, asthma, cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression and diabetes. Randall noted while the new data is concerning for many states including Iowa, there are some bright spots.

“The number of mental health professionals in our

they will soon. According to Bishop there was a trigger in the bill for rural services — which Dunwell confirmed — and the cap was leveled off of last year’s askings. Which could pose problems for more conservative counties who kept tax levies low and did not take in more money than they had to. In a follow up interview with Newton News, Jasper County Supervisor Brandon Talsma confirmed there have been some complications with the rural services levy.

Typically, Jasper County plays a balancing act with three major funding sources: rural, general and general supplemental. While some things can be paid for via a singular levy, others can be paid for with a mixture of funds. The balancing act the county plays thus changes from year to year depending on a number of factors.

Coupled with the county’s practice to alter its levies so that it is taking in the same amount of property tax as previous years despite high assessments, the levies often alter from year to year. High reserves and good fiscal management have provided Jasper County the luxury of some wiggle room in past budgets.

Talsma said that has changed during this year’s budget sessions. House File 718 established a new hard cap for the county’s rural levy, so it can only take in funds from the levy used for the last certified budget. In this case, the rural services levy would be set at roughly $3.05. In the past it could go as high as $3.95.

so knowing you’re from Newton or Pella or wherever it happens to be is extremely helpful,” Dunwell said. “They’ve been very thoughtful, and they provide a great context, typically, of what’s going on in the services AEAs provide.”

As well as the impact those services have the lives of families, kids and teachers. It has been quite the experience the past 13 days, Dunwell added.

“I anticipate the next month or month-and-a-

country increased 7 percent,” Randall outlined. “The number of dental professionals increased 7 percent. The percentage of uninsured decreased 7 percent. Occupational fatalities went down. Smoking is now the lowest it’s been.” While still too low, the data show the number of geriatric providers is up 19 percent in Iowa, a state whose seniors rank 20th most healthy in the country.

“So the problem is now the county found out we don’t have the wiggle room we thought we did,” Talsma said. “This could potentially cause an issue.”

The county’s road deputies and maintainer salaries come out of the rural services levy, while their benefits come out of general supplemental. But with union contracts solidifying required pay increases year to year, the county may struggle to find that wiggle room supervisors were relying on.

Even so Talsma stressed the county is not terminating any employees or programs, but House File 718 does limit what Jasper County can do.

“It changes the picture for what we can do going forward,” Talsma said, adding he is hoping the Iowa Legislature will make some corrections to House File 718.

Bishop claimed if the City of Baxter miraculously grows by about 15 houses this year, the city cannot even capture that growth. It feels like cities have been “bushwhacked,” he said. If lawmakers have not been receiving phone calls from their county supervisors, Bishop suggested they will soon.

“So we are where we are. We’re never going to be doing any better, even if our citizens say I’d like to have a school resource officer, because if the answer is the only way to a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun, then we can’t even tax to put a guy with a gun in our schools,” Bishop said. “We’re in trouble.”

half to be filled with it,” he said. “People always ask me, ‘What do you think is going to happen, Jon?’ I think some grand compromise is going to be reached. You don’t unveil a bill like this without anticipating some sort of compromise or something coming out.”

To contact Barb Kniff McCulla, the House representative of District 37, email her at her home email bkniff@klkconstruction.com or her legislative email at barb. kniffmcculla@legis.iowa. gov or call 515-281-3221.

To contact Ken Rozenboom, the Senator of District 19, email him at his legislative email ken. rozenboom@legis.iowa. gov or call his general capitol phone line at 515281-3371.

To contact Jon Dunwell, the House representative of District 38, either email him at his legislative email jon.dunwell@ legis.iowa.gov or at his home email jdunwell@ me.com or call the general capitol phone line at 515281-3221.

Celebrate your new baby in the Newton News! Email birth announcements to: newsroom@newtondailynews.com

Celebrate your new baby in the Jasper County Tribune! Email birth announcements to: news@jaspercountytribune.com

In the 2022 NFL draft, Quarterback Brock Purdy, from Iowa State University, was selected the very last pick—number 262—by the San Francisco 49ers. The last pick of the NFL draft over the years has been colorfully, or cruelly, dubbed, “Mr. Irrelevant.” Purdy would be the third-string quarterback for the 49ers, behind Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo.

However, both Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo went down with injuries. Mr. Irrelevant stepped into the game for Garoppolo in week 13 against the Miami Dolphins, completing 25-of-37 passes for 210 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, for a 33-17 win. Purdy became the first Mr. Irrelevant to throw a touchdown pass in a regular season game. People began to take notice. Kyle Shanahan, coach of the 49ers, named Purdy the starting QB for the remainder of the 2022 season. On Dec. 11, 2022, Purdy became the only QB in his first career start to beat the famous (infamous?)

From Washington, DC Curt Swarm Empty Nest

Tom Brady, in a 35-7 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 49ers sent out a tweet calling Purdy “Mr. Relevant.”

In this, his inaugural season, Purdy won all five of his regular season starts, leading the 49ers to the second seed in the NFC playoffs. With Purdy at the helm, the 49ers won their first two playoff games against the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys, leading to the NFC Championship against the Philadelphia Eagles. Unfortunately, Purdy injured his right throwing arm. Purdy’s backup, Josh Johnson, entered the game but immediately went down with a concussion. Purdy re-entered the game but was limited to handing the ball off. The 49ers lost to the Eagles 31-7. It’s tempting to speculate that, if Purdy hadn’t become injured, the 49ers may have won the game and wound up in the Super Bowl against the KC Chiefs.

During the off-season, speculation swirled as to whether Kyle Shanahan

This week, we witnessed Americans from tiny towns and big cities come together on the National Mall in celebration of the gift we all share –life. During this year’s March for Life, thousands gathered to focus on our desire to extend love and care for both the mother and child during pregnancy and in the years after.

Sen. Joni Ernst

This mission reminds me of the heroic work of pregnancy care centers and maternity homes that stand at the forefront of this fight. These centers serve as the bedrock of families across the nation, providing parents with compassionate support and resources like housing, transportation, education, and health care.

That’s because being pro-life means recognizing the joint responsibility of a mother, father, and society at large to protect and nurture each and every child from the moment that it is created throughout his or her life. To truly change our culture, communities must go all in on life and wrap around families who are struggling.

As I travel throughout the state of Iowa, I am inspired by the life-affirming message of hope at resource centers and adoption facilities. Each and every day, these folks provide a roadmap to how we can truly achieve a society that respects the inherent dignity of each and every one of us and makes sure no mother faces the challenge of parenthood alone.

To support their work, I am leading the fight to safeguard taxpayer dollars for women’s health care by redirecting them from Planned Parenthood, the nation’s single largest provider of abortion, and instead using them to support other eligible entities, like community health centers, which provide important health care services but do not offer abortions.

In addition to supporting healthy families, my bill ensures Iowa taxpayers are not forced to fork out billions of dollars for an organization that violates the consciences of many Americans. To prevent this, the historically bipartisan Hyde Amendment has protected hard-earned taxpayer dollars from funding abortions. I’m dedicated to continuing this tradition to ensure Iowans do not have to foot the bill – literally – for abortions.

As a mom and soon-to-be grandma, I know it takes a village at every age and every stage to support a family. To help parents with little ones, I’m also working to increase the availability of affordable, high-quality childcare by allowing small, non-profit childcare providers, including religiously affiliated non-profits, to participate in Small Business Administration loan programs.

This week, I’m encouraged that many dedicated Americans came together during the March for Life, united by one message: life matters. We are stronger when we can tackle the challenge of pregnancy and parenthood by leaning on friends and family to get us through. It’s a precious thing when a child is brought into this world, something so valuable that a community must unite around mother and child, committed to protecting that life.

Joni Ernst, a native of Red Oak and a combat veteran, representsIowaintheUnitedStatesSenate.

Week 3

As week three has come to an end at the Capitol, the Governor’s AEA bill has certainly been the main attraction. Iowa’s AEAs (Area Education Services) provide support for children with disabilities, special education, general education services, and media, and technology. Currently, there are 9 AEAs regionally located and governed by a regional board. On Tuesday of our first week, Governor Reynolds unveiled her broad plan for restructuring the AEAs in her State of the State address with her proposed bill becoming available

to the legislature on Wednesday. As I reviewed the initial bill, I concluded that I could not support the bill as is. As the Governor heard from educators, the public, and the legislature, she offered forth an amendment, adding back most of the AEA services that had been cut. Her plan allows each school district to have greater choice in who provides the needed services to their stu-

would keep Purdy as the 49ers starting QB. But Shanahan saw something in Purdy that very few professional athletes, or anyone for that matter, have: calmness under pressure. After successful surgery on Purdy’s arm, Shanahan named Purdy the starting QB for the 2023 season over Sam Darnold and Trey Lance.

Purdy has not let Shanahan or fans down. Purdy has led the 49ers to the top spot in the NFC playoffs. Not only that but, contrary to Purdy naysayers, he is in strong contention with two others for the NFL MVP. (Huh, Mr. Irrelevant.) The other two in contention for NFL MVP are his teammate, running back Christian McCaffrey, and Ravens’ QB, Lamar Jackson.

Being humble, Purdy wants his teammate, Christian McCaffrey, to be MVP. Once again, naysayers are quick to point out that Purdy is surrounded by superstars on the 49ers’ team.

Purdy supporters argue that, “True, Purdy is surrounded by great players, but so has been every other NFL MVP.” Great people make great people. For the last pick in the 2022 NFL draft to be in contention for NFL MVP, it is nothing

short of miraculous.

Being an Iowa State grad, I have followed Iowa State football for quite some time. In my day, Iowa State was in a conference known as the Big 8. Incredibly, Big 8 teams, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Colorado finished one, two and three, respectively in national standings when I was in college. Match that SEC and Big 10!

So it goes without saying that I am Brock Purdy’s number one fan. As a writer and local newspaper columnist, I would like nothing better than to have my column published nationally and have the opportunity to write Brock Purdy’s life story. I have messaged him to that effect. Of course, I haven’t heard back. I imagine I am in a long line of writers who would love to write “The Brock Purdy Story.” Brock, if you are reading this, I want to write your life story, and have my column carried nationally. These are dreams I have, and they’re no more farfetched than Brock Purdy, Mr. Irrelevant, from Iowa State University, being considered for NFL MVP.

Contact Curt Swarm at curtswarm@yahoo.com

Calling for the release and safe return of all hostages held by

In a kibbutz in southern Israel, there is a community of almost 400 people. It is a close community that knows all too well the dangers of living in a war zone due to its location near Gaza.

But on October 7th, nothing could have prepared the Kibbutz Nir Oz community for the merciless surprise attack by Hamas terrorists. According to reports, 38 people were killed and 75 were abducted.

As we enter the fourth month of the Israel-Hamas War, the number of Israeli and American hostages looms, and Americans remain held captive by Hamas.

Stories like the massacre of Kibbutz Nir Oz are heartbreaking, and earlier this month, I witnessed the ravaged community first-hand as I joined Senator Joni Ernst on the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional Delegation to Egypt, Israel, Qatar, and Bahrain.

Being in the Middle East during this time was important to not only dovetail my work to safeguard Jewish communities here at home through my resolution to establish a commission to combat antisemi-

dents. Furthermore, it places the AEAs underneath the Iowa Department of Education and moves the boards to an advisory role. The amendment is still being drafted.

As I review the current proposal, I’m continuing my due diligence. I am reviewing the correspondence I have received, engaging in conversations with educators, meeting with AEA chiefs, asking questions of the Governor and her staff, connecting with the Director of Education, and bringing my four School Superintendents into the conversation.

As I prepare to review the Governor’s proposed amendment, here are my questions.

Our District

U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks

tism, but it was also essential to go directly to the region and advocate for the Americans that are held captive by Hamas.

While in the region, we heard from family members, released hostages, and we also heard from leaders on the global stage about the escalation of crimes committed by Hamas against women and potential paths toward the immediate release of American — and all — hostages.

In Israel, we met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. We met with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, and Intelligence Director Abbas Kamel in Egypt and discussed the crucial role that Egypt plays in the effort to release hostages held by Hamas.

In Qatar, we urged Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrah-

1. We need to begin with the “rural” in mind. How does this help my rural districts? If larger districts leave an AEA, will it reduce services to the smaller districts?

2. What specifically are the positive outcomes/benefits the proposed plan will bring to our students and staff? How will it raise test scores? Will it provide more boots on the ground, better quality of services, or easier access to services?

Hamas

man bin Jassim Al Thani to call for the return of the six American hostages, and our delegation met with Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa in Bahrain to discuss the US-Bahrain strategic relationship while working to bring hostages home.

We also had an opportunity to visit Iowans stationed in the region to thank them for their service.

Overall, our high-level meetings with leaders in the region were productive, and our tour of the Kibbutz Nir Oz was eye-opening.

This bipartisan and bicameral Congressional Delegation trip made it clear that our efforts abroad are linked to our efforts here in the US. Therefore, I will remain committed to calling for the safe return of all the hostages held by Hamas, and I will continue to work to establish the commission to combat antisemitism and ensure that our Jewish communities in the United States are protected.

Mariannette Miller-Meeks currently represents Iowa’s First DistrictintheUnitedStatesHouse ofRepresentatives.

3. What are the benefits to placing the AEAs directly underneath the Department of Education? Why is this accountability better than the existing accreditation standards? Will the regionality of the AEAs be lost?

4. What are the specific services that will no longer be available from the AEAs? Why shouldn’t they be offered by the AEAs?

Bottomline, I’m all for creating greater accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness. And I’m not afraid of change and the short-term disruption it can create. We always need to be seeking how we can do things better, especially when it comes to our students. But before we initiate those changes, we need to clearly understand the benefits and outcomes. We are still taking that journey in the Iowa House. Let’s keep the conversation going.

Representative Jon Dunwell

State House

Growing Together mini-grants awarded to 32 Iowa counties

Funds will help support food security and healthy eating across Iowa

By Katie Sorrell, Alicia Herzog Iowa State University

In the midst of record-setting food pantry usage throughout the state, Growing Together Mini-Grants will provide fresh produce and nutrition education to pantries in 2024 through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s SNAP-Education program.

A total of 32 projects are being funded, with the goal of increasing food security and promoting healthy food access and nutrition education. This year, the Growing Together Iowa project will expand to five new counties. Jasper County is among the counties receiving the grant with plans to enhance the DMACC garden with apple trees and fencing modifications to donate produce to the Food Pantry of Jasper County and DMACC Newton Campus Food Pantry. The project will offer educational opportunities for food pantry clients, including container gardening workshops

and garden tours.

Master Gardener volunteers plant donation gardens with partners, support their community with plant-a-row programs to get more produce into food pantries, and glean fresh produce from farmers markets and home gardeners. All produce is donated to local food pantries, food banks and other food distribution sites with accompanying nutrition education materials.

Growing Together mini grants have been funded by the United States Department of Agriculture’s SNAP-Education since 2016. This year, additional funding for Growing Together Iowa is provided by Iowa Total Care, a managed care organization that provides healthcare services and Iowa state-sponsored health insurance plans.

In 2023, projects donated more than 103,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to 100 food pantries and distribution sites serving 82,000 Iowans. More than 2,300

volunteers, including 286 Master Gardener volunteers, contributed time to the gardens.

“Fresh fruits and vegetables are often the most requested item at food pantries,” Katie Sorrell, extension education specialist and project coordinator for Growing Together, said. “Growing Together directly meets this need while creating opportunities for nutrition education and community volunteerism.”

“Growing Together Iowa

gardens are impactful projects that show volunteers how vital their efforts are in local communities,”

Alicia Herzog, statewide master gardener coordinator, said. “We know how taxed local food pantries are and the Master Gardener program is honored to play a role in helping our neighbors secure fresh produce.”

For more information, Katie Sorrell can be reached at ksorrell@ iastate.edu.

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

• Colfax Country Club meets at 7 p.m. the second Monday of month

• Mingo American Legion Auxiliary meets at 1 p.m. the second Monday of month

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

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

• Baxter School Board meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Monday of month

• C-M Food Pantry meets at 6:30 p.m. the last Monday of month at the Food Pantry

• Colfax Park Board meets at 6 p.m. the last Monday of month in the library meeting room

TUESDAY

• Colfax Farmers Market is open from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Mineral Springs Park

• Mingo Library Board meets at 5 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month (public meeting)

• Baxter American Legion meets at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of month at the Baxter Community Building

• Colfax Farmers Market is open from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Mineral Springs Park

• Baxter Masonic Lodge meets at 7:30 p.m. the

Certified enrollment for 2023-24 holds steady; 16,757 ESA participants enrolled at Iowa accredited nonpublic schools

The Iowa Department of Education announced 2023 fall certified enrollment numbers for public school districts, accredited nonpublic schools and certified participation in the Students First Education Savings Account program for the 2023-24 school year.

Public school district certified enrollment was 483,699, down only approximately one-half percent (0.57 percent) from last year, as projected from population patterns. Certified enrollment at Iowa accredited nonpublic schools was 36,195, up from 33,692 last year, an increase of 7.4 percent. A total of 16,757 participants used their Students First Education Savings Account (ESA) at an ac -

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 monthMarathon 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; 10:15 a.m. Sunday school

schedule

credited nonpublic school as of the Oct. 1 certified enrollment date.

Certified enrollment count is a snapshot in time, taken on the first day of October every year or the following Monday if the first falls on a weekend. Certified enrollment is used to determine funding for public schools and differs slightly from the actual headcount of students enrolled. Certified enrollment in October of any given year drives funding for the next fiscal year. Fall 2023 numbers will be used to determine public school funding for the 2024-25 school year.

Approximately 33.7 percent of the 16,757 student participants who used an ESA at an Iowa accredit-

ed nonpublic school for the 2023-24 school year did not previously attend a nonpublic school. About 12.7 percent of the student ESA participants previously attended a public school. Close to 21 percent of the student ESA participants were entering kindergarten students.

• 2,135 ESA participants attended an Iowa public school last year.

• 3,513 ESA participants were entering kindergarten students.

A breakdown of public school districts that have ESA participants who reside within their district boundaries is as follows:

• 19.7 percent of districts (n=64) had no ESA students

living within their district boundaries.

• 40.6 percent of districts (n=132) had 1-10 ESA students living within their district boundaries.

• 28 percent of districts (n=91) had 11-99 ESA students living within their district boundaries.

• 11.7 percent of districts (n=38) had 100 or more ESA students living within their boundaries.

State enrollment projections from May 2022, prior to the passing of the ESA program, show a downward trend in public school enrollment starting in the 2023-24 school year and continuing through at least 2026-27.

The number of partici -

Church Schedules

(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

FRIDAY, Feb. 2 - 7 p.m. AWANA T&T Bible Quiz, Bondurant FEderated Church

SATURDAY, Feb. 3 - 7:30 a.m. Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study; 9 a.m. Women’s Ministries

SUNDAY, Feb. 4- 9 a.m. Fellowship; 9:15 a.m. Bible Education Classes; 10:25 a.m. Communion Sunday, Message by Pastor Cody Dye

MONDAY, Feb. 5 - 6 p.m. Deacon/ Deaconess Meeting

TUESDAY, Feb. 6 - 3 p.m. Women’s Prayer and coffee; 6:30 p.m. Wom-

en’s Bible Study

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 7 - 9 a.m. Busy Bee Quilters and Fresh Encounter Prayer; 5:45 p.m. AWANA Family Meal; 6:25 p.m. AWANA Clubs

SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH Newton, Iowa

SATURDAY - 4 p.m. Mass

SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Mass

COLFAX FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

S. Locust & W. Division St. Office - 674-3782

Rev. Phil Dicks pastor

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

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 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

pants using their ESA account differs from the total number of applications that were approved by the Sept. 30 program close date. Some participants withdrew prior to the Oct. 1 certified enrollment date and others had an approved ESA but did not use it. Certified enrollment for 2023-24 by public school district and accredited nonpublic school, including the number of ESA students by resident school district, is available on the Education Statistics page of the Department’s website under Public School Certified Enrollment Summary by District 2023-2024 and 20232024 Nonpublic Schools Certified Enrollment.

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 Check us out on Facebook and baxtercongregational.com

CORNERSTONE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP

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

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

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

HERITAGE WORD OF LIFE

ASSEMBLY OF GOD

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

SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Bible classes; 10 a.m. Worship service; 6 p.m. Evening service WEDNESDAY - 7 p.m. Evening activities

LUTHERAN CHURCH OF HOPE Capitol II Theatre in Newton SUNDAY - 9:30 a.m. Livestream Worship Service

Iowa State University

Growing Together Mini-Grants will help support food security and healthy eating across Iowa.

Two Tigerhawks clinch spots in girls wrestling tournament

By Troy Hyde Sports Editor

DES MOINES — Emma Cook missed most of the season with an injury, Lily Webster’s arm was in a sling about 10 days ago and Devan Chadwick missed about a month with another injury.

Emmalyn Buchman also sustained an injury late in the season.

On top of that, the Colfax-Mingo girls’ wrestling team lost a pair of starters to transfer with about two weeks left in the season.

It’s been kind of a roller coaster year for the Tigerhawks, but their season was extended on Jan. 26 after both Cook and Webster clinched return trips to the state tournament.

“I’m grateful we were able to get to this point in the season,” C-M head girls’ wrestling coach Erin Hume said. “It’s been an up-and-down year. The weather hasn’t cooperated and we had some kids deal with injuries.

“It is only two wrestlers making it through, and we wanted more, but some teams wish they could even get two. I’m happy we got two girls through and they did what they needed to do.”

Both Webster and Cook were joined in the semifinals by the squad’s lone senior in Arlo Steck.

Four Tigerhawks finished in the top six in all, but only the top four in each weight class at each regional advanced to this week’s state meet in Coralville.

For Colfax-Mingo, that will be Cook and Webster, who were second and third, respectively in their weights. Cook, who finished fourth at 235 pounds last season, was 2-1 at that weight. She won her first two matches by pin in the first period before losing in the finals to a familiar opponent in sixthranked Reese Baxter (30-2) of Raccoon River Northwest.

“I have been working for this since I had surgery,” Cook said. “It feels good to get back there. I’m about where I expected to be after coming back, but I still have a ways to go.”

Webster (34-6) had one of the tougher brackets in Region 4.

The 100-pound weight class featured top-ranked and defending state champion Katie Biscoglia (45-0) of Raccoon River Northwest and fifth-ranked Siera Becker (27-2) of Indianola.

Webster ended up third after going 3-1 with three pins. Two of those wins came against West Des Moines Valley’s McKenzie Brennecke, who Webster (34-6) pinned in the first period in both the quarterfinals and the thirdplace match.

Baxter boys continue dominance over rival North Tama

TRAER — Eli Dee stayed hot from outside, four Bolts scored in double figures and the Baxter boys’ basketball team used a strong first quarter to grab momentum during a 74-51 win over North Tama on Jan. 26.

The Bolts led 24-7 after one quarter and cruised from there during the Iowa Star Conference South Division play.

Dee made 6-of-9 from 3-point range, scored 24 points and grabbed three rebounds to lead the Bolts.

“I’m really excited to be going back and to see all the hard work I put in pay off,” Webster said. “I worked on my top position and that definitely helped me out today. There’s still some work to do with my shots.”

The next best finisher was Steck, who finished fifth at 125. Steck finished 3-2 with two pins and a medical forfeit.

One loss came in the semifinals and then Steck (25-9) fell 6-5 in a consolation match.

The Tigerhawk junior lost in the semifinals to Becker, who then was pinned by Biscoglia in the finals.

TIGERHAWKS | 8

Baxter wrestlers spoil Colfax-Mingo’s Senior Night

By Troy Hyde Sports Editor

COLFAX — The Baxter boys’ wrestling team has featured about seven grapplers most of the season. But that hasn’t stopped the Bolts from being competitive in most of the duals they’ve participated in.

And they nearly came up with a sweep against a pair of South Iowa Cedar League teams on Jan. 23.

Baxter finished 8-2 in contested matches for the night and it resulted in a split against Colfax-Mingo and Iowa Valley. The Bolts spoiled the Tigerhawks’ Senior Night following a 44-18 win after falling short, 33-30, against Iowa Valley.

“We’ve had seven guys all season basically,” Baxter head boys’ wrestling coach Dwight Gliem said. “They are the hardest nosed seven wrestlers you could ask for. If we had seven more guys, we’d be at state duals without a doubt.”

The Bolts’ roster features a pair of ranked wrestlers in Ayden Beck and Aiden McFadden and two-time state qualifier Callyn Bishop.

sion to move Beck down to 120 was simple.

“His walking weight is 122 pounds,” Gliem said about Beck. “Those guys at 126 probably have a walking weight of 132. He’ll tell you the strength from 126 to 120 is big. So we think we can compete better at 120 when it comes to state.”

The Bolts now have eight wrestlers in the varsity lineup after Skyler Stoll rejoined the roster recently after starting the season at Lynnville-Sully.

Baxter was 4-0 in contested matches against the Tigerhawks. Besides Beck’s 4-0 win over Fitch, Bishop (190) and McFadden (285) both won by fall and Jack Anderson scored a 17-2 technical fall at 144.

Stoll (150), Ruger Kincaid (157), Alex Dille (113) and Koltin Hurd (132) all took forfeits. There were three double forfeits in the dual.

Treyton Travis added 16 points, eight rebounds and four steals, Perrin Sulzle chipped in 14 points, seven rebounds, three assists and four blocks and Ben Richardson registered 11 points, three rebounds and three assists. Stadan Vansice scored three points.

The Bolts (11-3, 9-0 in the conference) shot 54 percent from the floor, made 9-of-17 from 3-point range and connected on 15-of-29 from the freethrow line.

Josh Dostal led North Tama with 19 points.

The Redhawks (6-9, 6-4) shot 36 percent from the floor, made 6-of-22 from 3 and canned 7-of10 from the foul line. The hosts turned the ball over 18 times.

Baxter 91, Meskwaki Settlement School 41 BAXTER — Baxter stayed unbeaten in Iowa Star Conference South Division play following a 91-41 home win over Meskwaki Settlement School on Jan. 23.

Baxter led 25-10 after one and scored 25 more points in the second, 24 in the third and 19 in the fourth.

Dee put in a career-high 26 points and added five rebounds and four assists. He was 6-of11 from 3-point range. Travis finished with 19 points, nine rebounds, a career-best 12 assists and eight steals.

Beck recently went from being ranked at 126 pounds in Class 1A to now sitting at No. 7 at 120. He went head-to-head against Colfax-Mingo’s Cason Fitch in the night’s final dual and downed the Tigerhawk 4-0. He led 2-0 after one period and 4-0 after two.

head boys’ wrestling coach Stacey Rice said. “There’s not a doubt in mind he’ll wrestle better the next time. Will it be enough? I don’t know. Beck’s a good kid. He comes in and works out with us some.”

“The good thing is Cason usually wrestles better the second time around,” Colfax-Mingo

The 120-pound weight class in 1A features three former state champions. But the Bolts’ deci-

Colfax-Mingo’s wins came by accepted forfeits from John McGill (175), Donnie Baucom (215) and James Cherveny (132).

McGill, who is ranked second at 165, bumped up to 175 to try to get a match against Bishop, but the Bolts moved Bishop up to 190 to face Allan Bregar.

SPOILS | 8

Epps leads Baxter girls at regional wrestling tournament

MASON CITY — The Baxter girls’ wrestling season came to a close on Jan. 27 at super regionals.

The Bolts entered four wrestlers and Ahlyvia Epps had the best finish for the day. Unfortunately, she lost the fourth-place wrestle back to decide a state berth. No other Bolt was in the top six.

Cainan Travis matched a career-best with 16 points and had six rebounds and two steals and Sulzle chipped in 12 points, eight rebounds, six assists and four steals. Richardson tallied eight points, two rebounds and three assists, and Logan Rainsbarger collected six points, three boards and two steals.

The Bolts shot 53.4 percent from the floor, made 8-of-20 from 3 and connected on 5-of-13 from the foul line.

Baxter finished 21st in the 24-team standings with 25 points. Cedar Falls won the Region 7 championship with 309 points and Waverly-Shell Rock (252.5), West Delaware (168), South Tama County (166.5) and Charles City (154) completed the top five.

Epps finished fifth at 105 pounds. She was 3-3 with three pins. She started 0-1, won back-to-back matches and then locked up a wrestle back with a win in the fifth-place match. Johnelle Gliem was 1-2 at 125, Hope Good finished 1-2 at 235 and Zoey Gliem ended up 0-2 at 135.

Baxter handed out 28 assists and grabbed 19 offensive rebounds. Meskwaki Settlement fell to 1-14 and 0-11 in the conference.

North Mahaska 62, Baxter 50 BAXTER — The Bolts couldn’t overcome a strong second half by North Mahaska and the Warhawks rallied from a five-point halftime deficit to down Baxter 62-50 in non-conference play on Jan. 22.

BAXTER BOYS | 8

Jasper County Tribune

Jasper County Tribune

Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune

Baxter’s Ahlyvia Epps, top, led the Bolts girls’ wrestling team at the regional tournament on Jan. 26. She was fifth in her weight class, but the top four finishers advanced to the state tournament.

Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune

Baxter junior Koltin Hurd, left, won his only contested match by fall against Iowa Valley and took a forfeit against host Colfax-Mingo during a road triangular on Jan. 23.

Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune

Colfax-Mingo junior Emma Cook, top, qualified for the girls state wrestling tournament after placing second at the Region 4 tournament at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines on Jan. 26.

Baxter wrestlers down CR-B at home quad

Jasper County Tribune

BAXTER — Five of the eight wrestlers in Baxter’s lineup won all three of their matches during a home quadrangular on Jan. 25.

The Bolts were 11-6 in contested matches in the three duals but went 1-2 for the night because they had an 8-4 disadvantage in forfeits in the two losses.

The dual win was a 41-6 triumph over Coon Rapids-Bayard, but the Bolts lost two close ones to BGM (38-34) and HLV (36-30).

Baxter was 4-1 in contested matches against CR-B and held a 3-0 advantage in forfeits. There were six double forfeits.

Anderson

The contested wins against the Crusaders came from Ruger Kincaid at 157, Aiden McFadden at 285, Ayden Beck at 120 and Jack Anderson at 144. Kincaid, Beck and Anderson all won by fall, while McFadden’s win was 15-0.

The forfeits were accepted by Skyler Stoll (150), Callyn Bishop (190) and Alex Dille (113).

In the loss to BGM, the Bolts were 5-2 in contested matches but surrendered five of the six forfeits.

Stoll, Kincaid, McFadden and Anderson all won by fall, while Beck was a 16-4 winner.

HLV was 3-2 in contested matches in the Bolts’ final dual. Both teams took three forfeits and there were three double forfeits.

The contested wins from Baxter came by fall from Kincaid and Bishop and McFadden, Beck and Anderson all took forfeits.

Kincaid was 3-0 with three pins, Anderson finished 3-0 with two pins and Bishop was 3-0 with two forfeits.

Class 1A No. 12 McFadden and ninth-ranked Beck also won all three of their matches and Stoll was 2-1.

Three champs lead C-M boys to seventh at SICL tournament

VICTOR — Three champions highlighted the day for the Colfax-Mingo boys’ wrestling team on Jan. 27, but the Tigerhawks had an up and down day at the South Iowa Cedar League tournament.

Colfax-Mingo brought seven wrestlers to the tournament and three of them were crowned champions but the other four grapplers won a combined two matches as the Tigerhawks placed seventh in the 10-team standings.

Iowa Valley won the SICL championship with 172 points, while the rest of the top five included Belle Plaine (159), BGM (158.5), North Mahaska (155) and Sigourney-Keota (107).

Host HLV (98) finished sixth, Colfax-Mingo scored 90 points in seventh and the rest of the top 10 were English Valleys/Tri-County (54), Lynnville-Sully (49) and Montezuma (41.5).

State-ranked John McGill and Cason Fitch and Teagan Dybevik all won SICL titles at their weight classes for Colfax-Mingo.

Fitch was 3-0 with two first-period pins. He downed North Mahaska’s Charlie Goemaat, 6-2, in the finals and is now 34-6 this season.

McGill, the second ranked wrestler in Class 1A at 165, was 3-0 with three pins. He improved to 38-1 on

the season. Dybevik (19-9) won both of his matches by fall at 285. He pinned Iowa Valley’s Garrett Hoyt in the finals. The other top-six finishers were

James Cherveny (126), Allan Bregar (190) and Nathan Endersbe (215), who all placed sixth. Cherveny and Bregar each won a match by fall, while Endersbe was 0-3 and Tate Carlson finished 0-2 at 175.

Slow starts plague Baxter girls in pair of losses

TRAER — A rally in the fourth quarter for the Baxter girls’ basketball team fell short against North Tama on Jan. 26.

The Bolts trailed by 13 points heading to the final period and got their deficit into single digits but fell to the Redhawks, 46-40, during Iowa Star Conference South Division play.

It was North Tama’s first win over Baxter in girls basketball since the two teams started playing twice a year back in 2017.

North Tama led 8-3 after one quarter and outscored the Bolts 1714 in the second and 15-10 in the third. Baxter won the fourth 13-6.

Emie Tuhn led the Bolts with 13 points, six rebounds, six assists and seven steals.

Denver Sulzle matched a career high with 12 points and added three rebounds and four steals, while Rilynn Titus collected six points and three blocks.

Kendall Brummel registered five points, four rebounds and two assists and Lydia Pierce scored four points.

Baxter (2-12, 2-7 in the conference) shot 33.3 percent from the floor, made 7-of-21 from 3 and canned 7-of-12 from the free-throw line. The Bolts were plagued by 23 turnovers.

Rylee Ridout led the Redhawks with 16 points and 15 rebounds. North Tama (6-9, 4-6) shot 37 percent from the floor.

The Redhawks out-rebounded the Bolts 35-15. They also turned the ball over 24 times.

Meskwaki Settlement School 59, Baxter 46 BAXTER — A slow start and 32 turnovers plagued Baxter during a

Allen’s career high not enough for C-M girls against Belle Plaine

COLFAX — Dakota Allen put in a career best for points, but the Colfax-Mingo girls’ basketball team couldn’t find the win column against Belle Plaine on Jan. 25. The Tigerhawks committed a season-low eight turnovers but were plagued by a tough shooting night during a 35-21 home loss in South Iowa Cedar League play.

Allen put in 12 points, grabbed three rebounds and swiped three steals to lead the Tigerhawks, while Grace Allen chipped in four points and four steals.

Mallory Sipma had five rebounds and two assists, Victoria Woods grabbed two boards and dished out four assists and Katelyn Steenhoek pulled down four rebounds.

Colfax-Mingo (0-16, 0-12 in the SICL) shot 19.6 percent from the floor.

Belle Plaine (3-10, 2-7) led 12-4 after one quarter and outscored C-M 11-5 in the second. The two teams played to a 12-all second half.

Class 1A No. 10 Montezuma 51, Colfax-Mingo 8 COLFAX — The Tigerhawks managed four or less points in all four quarters, turned the ball over 30 times and shot just 15 percent from the floor during a 51-8 loss to Montezuma in SICL play on Jan. 26.

The Class 1A No. 10 Bravettes led 11-0 after one and never looked back. It was 24-2 at halftime.

Grace Allen led the Tigerhawks six points, three rebounds and two steals, Dakota Allen grabbed five rebounds and Steenhoek corralled four boards.

Sipma had three rebounds and Selena Lopez grabbed two boards.

Ellen Cook led Montezuma with eight points, four rebounds and five steals.

The Bravettes (15-2, 11-2) made 10 treys and turned the ball over just eight times.

Lynnville-Sully 54, Colfax-Mingo 9

SULLY — Lynnville-Sully jumped out to an early lead and forced 33 turnovers during a 54-9 home win over Colfax-Mingo on Jan. 23.

The 1A No. 12 Hawks led 22-4 after one and outscored the Tigerhawks 9-0 in the second, 9-4 in the third and 14-1 in the fourth.

Dakota Allen led the Tigerhawks with five points and five rebounds, Steenhoek grabbed nine boards and Woods pulled down four rebounds.

Grace Allen and Brooklyn Yankse each had two rebounds and Sipma swiped two steals.

Colfax-Mingo shot 12.5 percent from the floor and committed 33 turnovers.

Ava Brummel led L-S with 11 points, four rebounds and four steals.

The Hawks (15-3, 11-2) shot 37.5 percent from the floor, made 6-of-19 from 3 and connected on 6-of-13 from the foul line.

home loss to Meskwaki Settlement School on Jan. 23.

The Bolts closed the gap with a big third quarter, but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback during a 59-46 victory in Iowa Star Conference South Division play.

Meskwaki Settlement led 29-9 after one quarter. Baxter outscored the Warriors 21-6 in the third, but the visitors extended their lead with a 13-6 advantage in the fourth.

Tuhn led the hosts with 26 points, eight rebounds and five assists. She was 5-of-13 from 3-point range.

Sulzle put in 11 points, Titus registered five points and seven rebounds, Brummel added six rebounds and four assists and Avery Wonders grabbed five boards. Pierce corralled two rebounds.

The Bolts shot 39.5 percent from the floor, made 8-of-26 from 3 and connected on 4-of-10 from the foul line. They were out-rebounded 4128.

Sia Bear led the Warriors (9-6, 7-4) with 18 points, six rebounds and eight steals and Dorothy Bear chipped in 14 points, seven boards and five assists.

Meskwaki Settlement shot 32 percent from the floor, made 7-of-28 from 3 and connected on only 4-of18 from the foul line. The Warriors committed 22 turnovers.

West Central Valley 42, Baxter 21

STUART — The Bolts did not score in the first quarter and never recovered during a 42-21 non-conference road loss to West Central Valley on Jan. 25.

Baxter trailed by 21 at halftime but outscored the Wildcats 17-15 in

the second half.

Tuhn led the Bolts with 15 points, two rebounds and six steals. Wonders tallied four points and four rebounds, Brummel chipped in six points and two steals and Sulzle grabbed two boards and swiped two steals. Hannah Huffaker corralled two rebounds.

The Bolts had a tough shooting night, making only 10.7 percent of their shots from the floor and connecting on 2-of-20 from 3. They also hit only 13-of-25 from the foul line and turned the ball over 28 times.

West Central Valley (6-8) led 16-0 after one and won the second 11-4.

North Mahaska 75, Baxter 20

BAXTER — A 29-0 advantage in the first was all Class 2A No. 12 North Mahaska needed during a 75-20 non-conference road win on Jan. 22.

The Bolts were plagued by 18 percent shooting from the floor and were out-rebounded 37-11.

North Mahaska added to its lead with an 18-8 advantage in the second and a 20-6 surplus in the third.

Tuhn finished with 12 points, four rebounds, three assists and four steals.

Titus scored five points, Brummel had four rebounds and two steals, Sulzle grabbed two rebounds and Hannah Huffaker blocked two shots.

The Bolts made 4-of-23 from 3 and turned the ball over 16 times.

North Mahaska (13-3) was led by Breckyn Schilling, who finished with 10 points, six rebounds, seven assists and four steals.

The Warhawks shot 51.6 percent from the floor, made 4-of-12 from 3 and connected on 7-of-12 from the foul line.

Baxter sophomore Eli Dee is averaging 10.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game through his first five games of the season. His best games since returning from an injury were the 26 points he scored against Meskwaki Settlement School and the 24 he put in against North Tama.

Eli Dee

Tuhn

Jasper County Tribune

Jasper County Tribune

D. Allen

Jasper County Tribune

Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune

Colfax-Mingo freshman Allan Bregar, right, battles a wrestler from Iowa Valley during the team’s conference dual with the Tigers on Jan. 23. Bregar finished sixth at the conference tournament on Jan. 27.

Tigerhawks

The medical forfeit came in the fifth-place match, but the Tigerhawk senior was not awarded a wrestle back.

Chadwick (19-16) finished sixth at 115 after going 3-3 with three pins. Her losses were 3-2 and 5-0.

Kaydence Andersen did not place in the top six but was 2-2 with two wins by decision at 190 and Cadence Linn and Buchman (22-9) both earned a win apiece at 130 and 170, respectively.

The other two Tigerhawks who competed were Brianna Freerksen and Lillie Jones, who both were 0-2 at 135 and 145, respectively.

“All of the girls wrestled really well today,” Hume said. “It just happened to be that Lily and Emma are the two who advanced.

“(Andersen) wrestled really well and helped us placed 10th. It was a good day. I’m happy.”

The nine Colfax-Mingo wrestlers scored 91 points, and the Tigerhawks finished 10th in the 25-team field.

Region 4 was one of the tougher regionals in the state

Spoils

Continuedfrompage6

“Wrestling can be more mental than physical,” Gliem said about the decision. “We are trying to keep the mental aspect of this thing going.”

Baxter was edged by Iowa Valley despite going 4-2 in contested matches.

There were two double forfeits and the Tigers had a 4-2 advantage in forfeits.

Anderson opened the dual with a win by fall at 144. Stoll followed with a 7-2 win at 150 and then Bishop scored a 13-7

Baxter Boys

with Raccoon River Northwest and Southeast Polk, who finished first and second, respectively, with 269 and 251 points.

The rest of the top five included West Marshall (188.5), West Des Moines Valley (161), Anamosa (112) and Des Moines Public Schools (112).

Completing the top 10 were Mid-Prairie (110), Gilbert (100) and Indianola (92).

“I haven’t looked at the other regionals,” Hume said. “We had to show it up no matter where we went.

“For the most part, we wrestled well, wrestled hard and I’m happy with how we competed up and down our lineup.”

The second Iowa Girls High School State Wrestling Championships begins at 10 a.m. on Feb. 1 at Xtreme Arena in Coralville.

Cook (5-4) will be the No. 6 seed in the 235-pound bracket.

victory at 175.

Dille and Beck took forfeits before Hurd won his match by fall at 132. The difference in the dual came down to heavyweight and 11th-ranked McFadden was edged 3-2 in the bout.

“We shouldn’t have lost that dual,” Gliem said. “If it goes to criteria, we would have won.

“Aiden was wrestling not to lose instead of wrestling to win. He gets this way at this point of the season sometimes. But he’ll

The hosts were plagued by 18 turnovers, a 3-of-20 performance from 3 and a 42-30 disadvantage in rebounds.

She will face 27th-seeded Amelia Sirola (13-13) of Okoboji/HMS in the opening round.

Webster is the 14th seed at 100. She opens the tournament with 19th-seeded Lauren Watson (36-8) of Ankeny. Watson defeated Webster 5-4 in the first tournament of the season back on November 18.

“The goal is to place like freshmen year and not get beat out in the blood round like last year,” Webster said.

Notes: It was unknown from the start of the season when and if Cook was going to be released to wrestle this winter. “From the doctor’s standpoint, I wasn’t supposed to be cleared,” Cook said. “We were able to move up some appointments and push it a long to be able to get back out there before the season ended.”

… Webster said the arm injury she sustained late in the season still bothers her. “It hurt a little bit in the Becker match,” Webster said. “It will hurt no matter what though.”

C-M girls win another SICL title THORNBURG — Webster collected the team’s lone conference title but seven other Tigerhawks finished second as Colfax-Mingo edged BGM for the South Iowa Cedar League

turn it up at districts.”

Stoll, Bishop, Dille, Beck, Hurd and Anderson all finished 2-0. Dille accepted two forfeits, while Anderson won once by pin and once by technical fall.

“These guys give 100 percent effort from the start of practice to the end,” Gliem said. “They are pedal to the metal the whole time.”

Colfax-Mingo was 1-6 in contested matches in its 48-12 loss to Iowa Valley. That one win came from McGill, who scored a first-period pin at 165.

Fitch also took a forfeit at 120, but the Tigerhawks had a 3-1 disadvantage in forfeits.

While the score got out of

Treyton Travis posted another double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds. Dee had 12 points, Sulzle tallied nine points and seven boards and Cainan Travis registered five points, five rebounds, six assists and two steals.

Richardson finished with six points, two rebounds and three assists and Vansice tallied three points and four boards.

The Bolts shot 40.4 percent from the floor and made 5-of-13 from the foul line.

championship on Jan 22.

Colfax-Mingo’s 10 wrestlers scored 120 points, while BGM’s 11 grapplers totaled 119 points. Iowa Valley scored 100 points with six wrestlers. The rest of the seven-team field featured English Valleys/ Tri-County (69), North Mahaska (52), Sigourney/Keota (46) and Belle Plaine (9). Webster won the 100-pound bracket with a pair of decisions over Iowa Valley’s Kylie Loffer. Webster won 2-0 and 5-0 to claim her second straight SICL title.

Steck, Freerksen, Lily Brenner, Jones, Buchmann, Anderson and Cook all finished second at their weights, while Chadwick and Linn placed third.

Steck was 2-1 with two pins at 125 and Buchman was 3-1 with two pins at 170.

Freerksen and Brenner both went 1-1 at 135 and 145, respectively. Brenner’s win was by pin.

Linn (130), Jones (155), Andersen (190) and Cook (235) all went 0-2, while Chadwick wrestled five times and finished 3-2 with three pins.

Two of Chadwick’s pins came in the first period and both of Cook’s losses came against thirdranked Breanna Peach of Iowa Valley.

hand, Colfax-Mingo did lose a few close matches. Bregar gave up two points in the closing seconds and lost 10-8, while Jermaine Cross fell 3-2 at 285.

“Our effort was good, but we still have a lot of young kids,” Rice said. “Take John out of our lineup, and we are young experience-wise from top to bottom. Even Cason is just a sophomore.”

Rice said a few guys from Colfax-Mingo’s lineup were missing, which prevented them from strategically bumping around to get better matchups.

McGill was the only Tigerhawk to go 2-0, and he’s now 38-1 on the season. His career victory total rose to 162.

The Warhawks (11-5) were 4-of-25 from 3. They shot 38 percent from the floor.

Asher DeBoef led the visitors with 16 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and seven steals and Nolan Anderson added 18 points, 12 rebounds and four assists.

State-ranked Hawks too much for C-M boys

Jasper County Tribune

SULLY — A 30-point first quarter got the Hawks off on the right foot and they never looked back during a 7424 home win over the Colfax-Mingo boys’ basketball team in South Iowa Cedar League play on Jan. 23.

Lynnville-Sully led 30-2 after one, shot 63 percent from the floor and claimed its eighth consecutive victory over the Tigerhawks.

Colfax-Mingo got seven points from Joe Earles and Xavier Woods contributed five points, three rebounds and two assists.

Brandon Kite tallied six points and two assists, Konner Dalton chipped in three assists and three steals and Kaden Dalton registered two rebounds and two steals.

Isaiah Lewis scored four points and Harrison Rhone dished out two assists.

The Tigerhawks (4-10, 3-8 in the SICL) shot 29.7 percent from the floor, made 2-of-12 from 3-point range and missed both of their free throw attempts. They also turned the ball over 20 times.

Miller led the Hawks with 22 points, four rebounds, three assists and four steals.

Lynnville-Sully (16-1, 13-1) was 8-of-20 from 3 and 8-of-18 from the foul line.

The Hawks turned the ball over 12 times.

McGill

Webster Steck

if staff leaves employ Custodians are in the buildings late and can verify if the buildings are clear What are we doing; How often is the plan reviewed and practiced? Training was done recently with staff. This will happen yearly going forward. We are adjusting when the doors will be open. We are working toward minimizing threats, but we also want students to be comfortable. What we need to prevent school incidents is not the same as having secure entrances but they are related. What will we do in the future: We need to address swatting The government gave money for safety so we had to complete a vulnerability assessment We are addressing some of the main things that they identified Lighting, is an item that can be updated to help with safety We are also improving camera coverage in the buildings Law enforcement can have access to our cameras Our IT has fixed the WiFi so that calls will work at the high school We are working on getting a visi tor management system such as Raptor Our district has monthly meeting with law enforcement in our county How are we addressing mental health? We have a community liaison that helps with that TeamMates is getting started so that students have mentors. One option that our di strict is discussing is having an SRO. The role of an SRO is not enforcement but to build positive relationships with students. Finding the right person is critical to success. There are operational sharing dollars available for this position. Is an SRO the answer or should we be looking at a counselor? Staff safety is another reason to have an SRO. We