JCT-03-28-2024

Firearms in schools

Districts prepare as legislation allowing staff firearms on school grounds moves through the state house

By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer

This legislative session, the Iowa House has approved two bills that would allow teachers permits to carry firearms on school grounds and offer grants to districts to purchase security equipment or trainings for staff, which can be interpreted as an effort by lawmakers to mitigate or deter school violence. Local district leaders are keeping an eye on the work being done at the statehouse and how it could potentially affect their schools.

“This legislation would allow teachers to obtain a permit to carry firearms

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on school grounds. A strict training protocol would be put in place, including in-person training for teachers to obtain the permit,” PCM Superintendent Michelle Havenstrite said. “There are a lot of details that have not been worked out yet so I have a lot of questions, such as: How many teachers can have a permit? Is there a specific type of firearm that will be allowed? Is the training required annually? How long are permits valid?”

Any changes such as this would first go to the school board to let them decide how to proceed, Baxter Superintendent Mickolyn Clapper said. Should the board want to move forward, policies

hoppity Easter is on its way

Easter egg hunts Saturday in Colfax

and Baxter

By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune

The Easter Bunny is hopping over to Colfax and Baxter for fun community events. Both towns will celebrate the spring holiday March 30 with a variety of activities for all ages.

In Baxter, the Easter Bunny is ready to hop to it at an Easter egg hunt at 10 a.m. at Bethany UCC Park, 5627 N. 95th Ave. W. Hosted by the Baxter Easter Committee, everyone is welcome to search for the sweet treats.

Participants must bring their own basket or bag to gather as many goodies as they can.

In Colfax, an Eggstravaganza Children’s Egg Hunt will be held at 11 a.m. at Woman’s Club Park. Sponsored by Colfax Main Street, kids up to 12 years old are invited to hunt for eggs and other goodies at the free event.

The hunt will be divided into age groups: 0-3, 4-7 and 8-12. Children much be accompanied by an adult to participate. Organizers are asking people to park in the First Baptist Church of Colfax parking lot.

By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune

The United Way of Jasper County is hosting six speakers over the coming months as a part of its “Voices of Inspiration” series. Local to the area, the speakers will talk on a variety of topics from accidental beer money fundraisers

and procedures would need to be developed to implement having firearms on school property.

“During this policy development phase, it will be critically important that teacher, parent and community input is solicited and considered,” Havenstrite said.

The legislation comes with a mixed bag of feelings. While having additional firearms on campuses could increase security, it could also build fear for students and staff.

Among the logistics would be continuing to insure the schools. Recent history has shown that insurance companies have been feeling unfavorable when it comes to putting their name on districts with additional firearms on campus.

“It will be critically important to work closely with our insurance carrier

“Positives may include enhanced security measures, quicker response times to potential threats and a greater sense of safety for some individuals,” Clapper said. “Negatives may include increased anxiety or fear among students and staff, the potential for accidents or misuse of firearms and the complex legal and logistical challenges of implementing such policies.”

A night for art

Baxter Fine Arts Night features young artists work in many forms

Young artists are ready to entertain at Baxter’s Fine Arts Night. As an openhouse and family event, artworks from all ages will be on display along with student performances from 4 to 7 p.m. April 5 in the east gym at the school.

“This is visual art’s big celebration of learning and artistic growth, music’s lower-pressure event for getting brave and just a big event to have fun with family and friends,” Baxter K-12 Art Teacher Elizabeth Carter said.

The event will have K-5 art on display with three pieces for each student, including two 2D art displays and one ceramic piece. The middle school will have art deemed “worthy” by the students, and the high school will have a summative presentation by each elective artist.

“You’ll see all sorts (of art). There is something for everyone,” Carter said.

to community action and much more.

“I have had the opportunity to hear some amazing speakers — Civil Rights leader Coretta Scott King, ‘Superman’ actor Christopher Reeves, astronaut Peggy Whitson, local resident Jean Cleere, former presidents and many others,” UWJC Executive Director Jessica Lowe Vokes said. “I left those

events feeling informed, empowered and I have kept many of the things they said close to heart. They are experiences I won’t forget and I wanted to replicate that here.”

Kicking off the series is Carson King, a Prairie City native who found viral fame from a “need beer money” sign at the 2019 Iowa vs Iowa State football

Submitted Photos

game. King raised more than $3 million from people donating to his cause and corporations such as Budweiser and Venmo matching the proceeds to go to the Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City. Since the initial fundraiser, King has

Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune

By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune

Obituaries

Dale Albert Schmidt March 16, 2024

Dale Albert Schmidt, 64, of Colfax, Iowa passed away on Saturday, March 16, 2024. A celebration of life will be held at Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care, in Baxter, on Friday, April 5, 2024, from 5:00 - 7:00

p.m. On Saturday, April 6th from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. food and Old Milwaukee will be served at 1859 N. 99th Ave. East in Newton. A private family burial will be held at a later date. Dale was born in Marshalltown, Iowa to Albert and Esther (Bollhoefer) Schmidt on July 30, 1959. He grew up on a farm north of Newton, Iowa. Dale attended school in Baxter, Iowa and graduated from Baxter High School with the class of 1977. Following school, he worked for a farmer

then became an electrician working in Newton, Marshalltown, and Des Moines. On January 25, 2014, Dale married Tammy Milligan at the Salvage Yard in Newton. He was a member of the IBEW Local 347. Dale enjoyed spending time with his family, hunting but most especially bear hunting, mushroom hunting, fishing, socializing, telling stories, and being ornery.

Those left to cherish his loving memory are his wife Tammy Schmidt; son Josh (Ashley) Warnell; grandchildren Chanse

and Tripp; brother Paul (Chris) Schmidt; nephews Tyler (Lisa) Schmidt and Ethan (Lyndi) Schmidt; and great-nephews Colby, Mason, Dawson, and Hayden Schmidt.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Christopher and Tim Schmidt, and grandson Legend Dean Warnell. Memorial contributions may be directed to his family.

Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care in Baxter have been entrusted with the care of Dale and his family.

67th State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa to showcase young STEM talent

The State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa is gearing up for its 67th annual event, set to take place April 4-5 at Hilton Coliseum on the Iowa State University campus. The fair, a dynamic platform for young minds in grades 6-12 to present their STEM research projects, is set to feature more than 600 participants showcasing more than 480 projects.

“This two-day extravaganza promises to be a celebration of innovation, scientific inquiry and the bright future of STEM,” Alexa Groff, Iowa 4-H STEM coordinator and SSTFI director with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, said.

Attendees will have the chance to explore a diverse range of projects, from environmental science to cutting-edge technology, demonstrating the creativity and dedication of Iowa’s youth.

The research experience is core to the mission of SSTFI. According to Groff, the research aspect allows students to gain critical scientific skills needed for postsecondary work. Through participation in the event, students learn about science and engineering processes, problem-solving, and the importance of being able to communicate and defend those findings to others. Participants are asked to prepare a research poster detailing their findings

and the data collected to compete.

Beyond the projects, participants will engage in the unique “Lunch with a Scientist” series, providing an invaluable opportunity to interact with STEM professionals, gain insights into various fields, and foster mentorship connections, Groff said.

The fair also offers educational outreach programs across Iowa State University’s campus, allowing youth to experience hands-on activities and demonstrations from different departments and groups. This interaction aims to spark curiosity, inspire learning and reinforce the connection between science and everyday life.

With over six decades of history and holding the Governor’s STEM Seal of Approval, the SSTFI has become a cornerstone event for the Iowa STEM community. The fair not only encourages scientific exploration but also provides a competitive platform for participants to vie for awards and prizes, recognizing their outstanding contributions to the world of STEM.

The SSTFI is open to the public, welcoming parents, educators and STEM enthusiasts to witness the incredible projects and engage with the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators.

Volunteers needed for Jasper County Hunger Relief

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church will host the Jasper County Hunger Relief (formerly Jasper County Take Away Hunger) meal packaging event on Saturday, April 20 in one-hour slots starting at 9 a.m.

The Jasper County Hunger Relief Board is excited to introduce new packaging assembly line events that package simple nutritious meals that follow safety and health guidelines.

Volunteers are asked to form a team of twelve people for one hour of time and a donation of $35 per person or $420 per team. The donations help cover the costs of the meals packaged for families with food insecurity.

Everyone is encouraged and invited to participate in this community service event. This includes youth groups, service clubs, businesses, church groups, and individuals. Contact Bill Bennett by email at jaspercohunger@gmail.com or by phone at 515-257-6460 to reserve a onehour time slot for your team.

The deadline to register is Sunday, April 14. The meals are primarily distributed locally in the Jasper County area through food banks, blessing boxes, other non-profits and churches.

The State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa is organized through ISU Extension and Outreach 4-H Youth Development with support from the following sponsors: Blue Bunny; Broadcom Foundation; Cargill; Corteva Agriscience; Elder Corp.; Iowa Bio; ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; ISU College of Engineering; ISU College of Human Sciences; ISU Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering; Iowa Renewable Fuels Association; Iowa State University; Loras College; McKee, Voorhees & Sease PLC; NASA Iowa Space Grant Consortium; University of Iowa College of Public Health; and University of Northern Iowa.

For more information on the SSTFI, visit https:// sstfi.org/ or contact your ISU Extension and Outreach county office.

“Join us in celebrating the curiosity, creativity, and scientific achievements of Iowa’s young minds,” Groff said.

A new tickborne syndrome is on the rise

The past decade has seen an uptick, so to speak, in the number of cases of Alpha-gal syndrome, also known as the “red meat allergy.” It’s caused by the Lone Star tick, typically seen in the south-central and southeastern states, that recently has become more established in central states such as Iowa and Missouri and is currently working its way North, with cases even being reported in Minnesota.

With more than 90,000 suspected cases of AGS identified during a study from 2017 to 2022 by the Centers for Disease Control, speculation exists that a continued increase in cases of the syndrome will occur in coming years.

What is Alpha-gal syndrome?

Alpha-gal syndrome is a type of food allergy caused by the bite of a Lone Star tick that can result in a potentially life-threatening allergy to red meat including beef, lamb, pork and venison. Some individuals who develop AGS may have no symptoms, but others may develop an itchy rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or swelling of the eyes, tongue and throat that could lead to difficulty breathing or, worse, anaphylactic shock. Symptoms typically do not occur until two to six hours after the consumption of red meat. These symptoms may also be random, meaning that they may not occur each time someone eats red meat.

It is recommended to consult a health care pro-

Do you have a news tip or comment?

fessional if you experience any type of allergic reaction after consuming red meat. Currently, the only treatment for AGS is to avoid ingesting any form of red meat. Due to the increasing number of AGS cases, it is important to recognize the risk factors for tick bites and take measures to protect yourself from tick exposure.

What increases the likelihood of a tick bite? Tick bites are more common than one may think. The more tick exposures someone has, the more likely they are to obtain a tickborne illness. Ticks are active any time

that the temperature is above freezing and can be present year-round. The CDC reports that the activity of ticks is highest during the warmer months of April-September. The environments that ticks are drawn to are highly grassy, brushy or wooded areas. Individuals who spend more time outdoors such as farmers, hunters or campers are also at an increased risk of exposure. How can I protect myself from getting a tick bite?

The most important method of preventing tickborne illnesses is reducing your chance of obtaining a tick bite. It is also import-

ant to check for ticks and promptly remove any attached ticks after spending time outdoors. The longer ticks are attached to the body, the more likely they are to transmit an infection. Listed below are a few of the more common ways to protect yourself from getting a tick bite: Topically applied insect repellents can play a key role in deterring ticks from the body. Repellents containing DEET 10-30%, permethrin, IR3535 or Picardin are a few examples that can be applied to the outer layers of clothing. Clothing choices can

have a big impact as well. Wearing longer pants, shirts and socks with closed-toed shoes outdoors reduces the surface area for ticks to attach to. A helpful tip is to tuck the bottoms of your pants into longer socks or even loosely duct tape the outside of pants to your socks. Another thing that we may not think about is our furry friends. Pets can spend a lot of time outside and could potentially bring a not-so-friendly tick into the house with them.

What can you do to protect yourself?

A few extra tips for preventing tick bites in the summer include yard care. Since ticks like to reside in grassy, bushy or wooded areas, it can be helpful to keep the grass in your yard shorter and remove sticks or leaves that may be visible.

For additional tips on preventing tick bites, visit the Centers for Disease Control, United States Environmental Protection Agency or the National Pesticide Information Center website databases.

Talking to your local veterinarian about safe tick repellents for pets is a way to reduce their risk in addition to your family’s chance of a tick bite.

Metro Photo

Alpha-gal syndrome is caused by the bite of a Lone Star tick that can result in a potentially life-threatening allergy to red meat including beef, lamb, pork and venison.

Baxter Community School District audit summary released

Nolte, Cornman & Johnson P.C. released an audit report on the Baxter Community School District in Baxter.

AUDIT FINDINGS:

Nolte, Cornman, & Johnson P .C. reported two findings found on pages 58-60 of this report. The findings

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS: The District’s revenues totaled $7,176,988 for the year ended June 30, 2022, a 9.34% increase from the prior year. Expenses for District operations for the year ended June 30, 2022 totaled $6,678,921, a 0.17% decrease from the prior year. The increase in revenues is due primarily to an increase in unrestricted state grants and property tax revenues. The decrease in expenses is due primarily due to a decrease in instruction expenditures.

Firearms

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regarding the fiscal impact of this decision,” Havenstrite said. “The two districts (Spirit Lake and Cherokee) that allowed teachers to carry handguns quickly discontinued this practice as the increase in insurance cost was prohibitive.” Currently, the schools have many practices in place to address school violence. At PCM, the

school is working on prevention to address the multi-faceted issues.

“So much time and energy is spent on the ‘response’ to a school violence issue. While I believe this is important, I wish more energy and time would go into the conversations about prevention,” Havenstrite said. “We have implemented a Classroom Clinic to provide our students with easier access to mental health counseling. We have hired student advocates to assist parents and families

Fine Arts

Continuedfrompage1

There will also be a few students showing their skills at cosplays, and there will be an open mic for student performances.

“We decided an open mic (with some planning) with the couches and comfy chairs from the common areas would be less scary to soloists and small groups than a full audience. We have so many talented kids. Some are just nervous with big crowds. We put it together and saw kids get brave and spontaneously sing or play instruments in solos, du-

County Treasurer Doug Bishop would like to remind Jasper County residents that the second half property tax and mobile home taxes are due and need to be paid on or before Monday April 1st 2024 due to last day of March being a Sunday. Payments can be made at the office from 8:00 until 4:30 daily. Credit card and E-check payments can also be made online at www.iowatreasurers.org. Payments mailed and postmarked before April 2nd will be accepted without penalty. There is also a convenient drop box on the East side of our new office building at 315 W 3rd St N. If you have any questions, please call the Treasurer’s office at 641-792-7731.

connect with needed resources. We have implemented CSTAG — which is a threat assessment protocol”

The district has also started programs such as Leader in Me and Restorative Circles in each building to improve relationships between students and staff.

Using the governor’s safety grant, the district replaced doors, door knobs, added cameras, fencing and improved the alarm system among other additions.

“We have also in-

address issues such as a lack of segregation of duties and certified budget.

Nolte, Cornman & Johnson P.C. provided the District with recommendations to address each of the findings.

Both of the findings discussed above are repeated from the prior year. The Community School District’s Board of Education has a fiduciary responsibility to provide oversight of the Community School District’s operations and financial transactions. Oversight is typically defined as the “watchful and responsible care” a governing body exercises in its fiduciary capacity.

creased training with our admin team, crisis teams and staff. We have been working closely with the Jasper County Emergency Director. He is guiding the administration in training staff. We will be conducting intruder drills in collaboration with him so that he can observe and provide feedback,” Havenstrite said. “We will conduct Blank Shooting Drills in our buildings for staff only before the year ends. Additionally, we are working to get training in place to have

ets, small-groups. It was a ‘you had to be there’ feeling, like this was something really special the artistic and musical kids will remember for life,” Carter said. “Loads of us have a song we sing in the car or the shower and fantasize about singing for someone else, and this made that possible.”

Activities like make-n-take art for bead bracelets, shrinky-dink keychains and more will be set up, and snacks will be available for sale. The academic decathlon team will also be hosting rounds of trivia for those interested.

“We really wanted the art show to become something that included more groups and more excitement for Baxter’s families,” Carter said.

Carter wanted to pump up attendance for the event, which was originally just a visual art show. She decided to add some action and gained inspiration from her own wedding.

Getting help is the first step to getting better.

If someone you love has a problem with gambling, they likely feel powerless to control it. 1-800-BETS OFF can help.

A copy of the audit report is available for review on the Auditor of State’s web site at https://auditor.iowa.qov/ audit-repo.

every employee in PCM be CPR and First Aid trained by the start of the 2024 school year.”

At Baxter, staff has been trained on emergency procedures and Stop the Bleed training along with emergency evacuation drills. In the past, the district had a sharing agreement with the City of Baxter for the police chief to also serve as the school resource officer.

“We have added school counselors to help students who are struggling,” Clapper said. “Us -

ing the governor’s school safety grant dollars we are adding additional cameras and locks to our building, as well.”

Work doesn’t stop in districts to address school violence. Many avenues work to build relationships to help both students and staff with what they are needing.

The districts will continue to work, and should the legislation pass the Senate and be signed into law, use the best of what is given to keep protecting everyone within the school walls.

“Inspired by my 2021 wedding’s open mic music, Ms. Flanegan and I wanted to bring some low-pressure musical performances to our annual visual art show in-house,” Carter said.

The elementary kids also get a sneak peek at the displays before it is opened to family and friends.

“The elementary kids do a walkthrough in the afternoon so they all get to see their friends’ and siblings’ work. They love to see things they recognize like the Baxter logo, video game scenes, movie and TV characters and so many more things they relate to,” Carter said. “They are often surprised by something ‘really good’ or unique that the high school kids came up with. We feel like we can really celebrate the hard work Baxter Bolts artists do all year. They are so proud, they often do this little giggle and even jump up and down. We love to see the joy.”

Now an annual tradition, the night brings together kids, family members and the community to see the great work being done by young, talented artists in Baxter.

“Giving our passionate music/artist kids the limelight for one night, showing off all the delightful things the littles do and showing the young ones what is possible as they grow as artists (is my favorite part),” Carter said. “Seeing them so excited is just the best, the energy vibrates with creative joy and love for the art of children and teens! As crazy as the world feels these days, this is a bright spot in our reality, here in our community. Hearing teachers, parents, and kids react so positively to it all is so good to hear, too.”

It’s a free, confidential, 24/7 resource that can help you and your loved one find an experienced treatment professional. Call 1-800-BETS OFF today to get help for them — and you.

Shining a light on secret spending

Bureaucrats were busted trying to bamboozle taxpayers by hiding the shocking price tag of a pork project pushed by former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and President Biden. A scathing new audit calls the scheme to bury a San Francisco area subway’s true costs a “breach in transparency.” The six-mile extension was initially sold to the public for $4.7 billion. But after securing billions of taxpayer dollars from Washington, the amount nearly tripled to $12.8 billion — more than $2 billion per mile. While digging taxpayers into a hole, shoveling hasn’t even started on this money pit. It was scheduled to be completed by 2026, but now won’t be done until 2037. Maybe.

Cone of shame

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst

Rather than canceling this project that is billions over budget and more than a decade behind schedule, Biden and his Transportation Secretary are treating it “as one of their top transit projects in the country,” putting taxpayers on the hook for nearly half of its runaway costs. Folks, I wrote a law to expose gravy trains like this so we can bring them to a squealing halt before they take taxpayers for a ride. But the Biden Administration is refusing to comply with that law, knowing it would hold the president accountable for all of his embarrassing billion-dollar boondoggles. The same is happening with other transparency laws I authored, requiring price tags on projects funded by the Pentagon and the Small Business Administration. Biden and his bureaucrats are choosing to keep taxpayers in the dark. It’s disappointing to deliver such a dim report during Sunshine Week, the annual celebration of the public’s right to know what the gov-

Like master, like dog. I have lipomas all over my body. Especially on my forearms. They’re embarrassing. I think I have them on my forearms because of all the knocks and bruises I took playing high school football. I was a lineman. Forearms are an integral part of blocking, or they were back in the days when holding was enforced.

I’ve had some of the larger lipomas removed. There was even a huge one on the top of my foot where the shoestring knot of my running shoe rubbed. When wearing sandals, the lipoma glowed like a beach ball. People, especially women, would comment, “Eww, what’s that?” I got tired of it and had the lipoma removed. I limped around for a week, and it became infected and had to be drained, twice. I was almost sorry I had the lipoma removed. One time a lipoma formed at the spot where a phlebotomist drew blood from my arm. The lipoma was the size of a golf ball. I had it removed. It left a scar. The next time I had blood drawn, the phlebotomist asked what that scar was, like it was a “track mark.” Good grief.

My dad and brother had lipomas, so I guess it runs in the family. I’ve asked the doc numerous times what causes them. I just get a blank look that says, “If you wanna see some people with real problems, buster, come with me on my morning rounds.” So I shut up.

Buddy, our (my) dog has lipomas all over his body, also. A couple of years ago, the vet removed a big one that was rubbing under Buddy’s front leg. Recently, Buddy developed a huge lipoma on his belly that was so big, it was rubbing on the floor. I thought it was a hernia. It made him look fat. We talked it over with the vet. Buddy is going on 14. We didn’t wanna put Buddy through any kind of surgery that was going to hasten his death. We love Buddy. The vet assured us that Buddy could handle the surgery, even at his age. So we went ahead with it.

Ye gads. The vet removed three lipomas from Buddy’s belly — two small ones and that big one that was dragging on the floor, plus a cyst on his foot. The vet said there were more lipomas he wasn’t going to mess with. I counted the stitches. There were over 20 that I could see. The vet said there were more internal stitches. Poor Buddy! Right away, Buddy got sick and was throwing up. The antibiotic the vet prescribed for Buddy was making him sick. So we stopped the antibiotic. Buddy got so lethargic that I thought he was dying. I rushed Buddy to the vet. The vet looked at Buddy’s stitches and said he was licking them. Out came “The Cone of Shame.” Poor Buddy! Along with a change of medication, Buddy came home. He got sick again — in the “Cone of Shame.” Another trip to the vet. He had a fever. We were told to put Buddy on a bland diet — rice and chicken breast. Buddy liked that. He got used to his “Cone of Shame” and was getting around pretty good. I felt so sorry for him, though. Those stitches were driving him nuts, but the “Cone” kept him from licking or chewing on them. The stitches started looking a lot less angry. The big day of the stitches removal finally arrived — three weeks after surgery. Ginnie said, “If he gets another lipoma, we’re leaving it alone.” I had to agree. Buddy sailed home, stitches free, and no “Cone of Shame.” He thanked us by getting in the cat food. There’s a lesson in all this for me, I think. If people ask me one more time what those bumps on my arms are, I’ll just say, “It’s better’n having a ‘Cone of Shame’ around my neck to keep me from chewing on the stitches.” That’ll shut’m up, by golly. Contact Curt Swarm at curtswarm@yahoo.com

ernment is doing. I know sunlight is the best disinfectant because I’ve stopped billions of dollars of wasteful spending by shining a bright light on it. We defunded China’s notorious Wuhan Institute of Virology, ended subsidies to institutions in Russia, and forced Biden to recollect billions of dollars of delinquent small business loans. We all know there is wasteful spending everywhere you look in Washington, but Biden wants to keep you in the dark because we can’t stop what we can’t see. That is why USAspending.gov, a searchable public website containing all government grants, contracts, and other expenditures, is taxpayers’ most valuable tool for spotting and then stopping Washington waste. In fact, thanks to USAspending.gov, I have learned the shady organization that shipped more than one million taxpayer dollars to the Wuhan Institute for dangerous experiments on bat coronaviruses just received more dollars from the Department of Defense to do more research on “highrisk pathogens.” You better believe this is on my hit list to target for taxpayer savings!

But folks, there is a big problem. Once again, Biden is hiding billions by not dis-

closing the details about the dollars his deputies are doling out using loosely defined deals referred to as “other transaction agreements,” or OTAs. The use of OTAs by the government is growing “significantly” and over $40 billion in OTAs have not been reported to USAspending.gov, according to the Government Accountability Office. This means less transparency and less accountability of secret sweetheart deals. The Treasury Department, which is responsible for running the website, “does not believe agencies should report OTA spending to USAspending.gov,” despite the law stating that all “federal financial assistance and expenditures” totaling $25,000 or more should be included. It seems pretty clear to me! With Washington adding $1 trillion to the national debt every three months, we really need to review the receipts they’re hiding and request refunds. To do that, I am introducing the Stop Secret Spending Act, mandating that OTAs be disclosed on USAspending.gov and that the public be informed of any other secret Washington spending schemes.

Joni Ernst, a native of Red Oak and acombatveteran,representsIowainthe United States Senate.

Protecting IVF & reproductive freedom

By Jennifer Konfrst Iowa House Democratic Leader

Recently in the House, Representative Heather Matson of Ankeny bravely told her story of struggling with infertility and using in-vitro fertilization (IVF) to become a mom. She knows personally how critical it is to protect this option for Iowans who want desperately to become a parent, and she’s concerned about legislation that passed the Iowa House this week.

The controversial bill, which is making national headlines, would make changes to how Iowa law defines a “person.” In this case, anyone causing death or injuries to an “unborn person” — defined in the bill to begin from the moment of fertilization — could be jailed for life, without the possibility of parole.

While a word change seems simple, doctors and legal experts are weighing in because the bill is so broadly written, it could have wide-ranging consequences, including a halt on fertility treatments like IVF and some forms of birth control.

The concern comes on the heels of a court ruling on a similar law in Alabama. In the court ruling just a few weeks ago, the Alabama Supreme Court essentially concluded that every fertilized egg frozen

Brandon Talsma, chair 4309 W Fourth St. S. Newton, IA 50208

641-526-3142

btalsma@co.jasper.ia.us

in an IVF lab was a person. The ruling immediately paused IVF treatments for some families while creating chaos for other families, providers, and fertility clinics. House Democrats continue to work to protect IVF — and we understand the consequences if we don’t. As Rep. Matson questioned, “What can we realistically expect of doctors when it comes to the practice of modern fertility treatments with the court ruling in Alabama and a bill that changes Iowa Code from ‘human pregnancy’ to ‘unborn person’? What a tragedy it would be for all Iowans if what has come to pass in Alabama comes to pass here because, as written, this bill does not explicitly protect IVF.”

Instead of listening to colleagues like Rep. Matson about the potential consequences of the bill, the GOP lawmaker running the bill here in Iowa just dismissed every legitimate question brought up by anyone else. He wasn’t willing to even acknowledge — let alone work together - that the poorly written bill could be improved.

It’s why Iowans are so frustrated with politics these days.

It’s no secret the special interest groups that want to ban all abortion and take away more reproductive freedom from Iowans are among the most powerful at

the State Capitol. They’ve gotten many bills passed over the last several years to roll back reproductive rights with the centerpiece of their agenda — a near total abortion ban — on hold as it’s reviewed by the Iowa Supreme Court. They will stop at nothing to ban all abortion, even if it means Iowans trying to start a family with IVF get caught in the crosshairs. The truth is that a strong majority of Iowans want lawmakers to protect reproductive freedom, not destroy it. They believe everyone deserves the right to make their own health care decisions and politicians have no place interfering in someone else’s decisions about when to start a family. I couldn’t agree more. Until GOP lawmakers can answer some basic questions and prove it won’t impact IVF or birth control, I think the bill should be shelved.

The one bit of good news is the bill has yet to be approved by the Iowa Senate and time is running short. Iowans who support reproductive freedom should let their Senator know where they stand before it’s too late.

There’s still time to put people over politics.

State Representative Jennifer Konfrst of Windsor Heights serves the 32nd District in the Iowa House and is the Iowa House Democratic Leader

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

Curt Swarm Empty Nest

Yard and Garden: Planting and growing onions

With spring upon us, it’s time to think about planting in home gardens. In Iowa, onions are a popular addition to the vegetable garden as they are easy to grow and take up little space. In this article, horticulturists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach answer questions about growing onions.

What is a suitable planting site for onions?

Onions perform best in welldrained, slightly acidic, fertile soils in full sun. The planting site should receive at least six hours of direct sun daily. Heavy soils can be improved by incorporating organic matter, such as compost, into the soil.

Planting onions.While some sources claim onions are “light feeders,” onions require higher fertility levels than most other vegetables. Apply about two pounds of all-purpose garden fertilizer, such as 10-1010, per 100 square feet and till into the soil before planting. Four to five weeks after planting, side-dress with additional fertilizer. Sprinkle one pound of an all-purpose garden fertilizer per 100 feet of row. Place the fertilizer in a narrow band about 2 to 3 inches from the base of the onion plants.

When planting, space rows 12 to 15 inches apart with plants 4 to 6 inches apart when grown for mature storage onions, and closer (1 inch apart) when grown for green onions. Since onions do not create a canopy of foliage, they do not compete well with weeds. Gardeners can also plant three to four onions in a cluster, spacing the clusters 6 to 12 inches apart, making it easier to weed with a hoe between plants rather than hand pulling.

Which onion cultivar should I plant?

When considering onions for a home garden, the suggested onion cultivars in Iowa include:

‘Blush’ (brownish pink skin, globeshaped, excellent storage).

‘Candy’ (yellow-brown skin, globeshaped, short-term storage).Harvested young onions.

‘Patterson’ (yellow-brown skin, globe-shaped, excellent storage) .

‘Redwing’ (deep red skin, globe-

shaped, excellent storage).

‘Red Zeppelin’ (deep red, globeshaped, excellent storage).

‘Sierra Blanca’ (white, globeshaped, short-term storage).

‘Stuttgarter’ (light brown skin, flattened globe, excellent storage, from sets).

‘Walla Walla’ (yellow-brown skin, flattened globe, short-term storage).

‘Yellow Sweet Spanish’ (yellow-brown skin, globe-shaped, short-term storage).

Onions rely on photoperiod or day length to determine when bulb development begins. Short-day cultivars meet their photoperiod requirement and begin to form bulbs earlier in the growing season than long-day cultivars. Intermediate (or day-neutral) cultivars meet their requirement between short and longday cultivars.

Long-day and intermediate-day onion cultivars are the best choice for gardeners in Iowa and other northern areas. The amount of onion foliage present at bulb initiation is important. More foliage means more food available to produce bigger bulbs. Short-day cultivars generally produce small bulbs in northern areas because of the small amount of foliage present when the bulb forms. Long-day and intermediate-day cultivars can produce more foliage before bulb initiation starts, so they produce larger bulbs. Intermediate-day cultivars may produce slightly smaller bulbs than long-day cultivars since they will begin bulb initiation slightly earlier in the season.

Which planting method is best when growing onions?

Onions can be grown from transplants, sets, or seeds. Gardeners typically select their planting method based on cost, use, availability and ease of planting.

Growing onions from plants is the preferred planting method for many home gardeners. Onions sold as plants are typically sold in bundles of small bulbs with green leafy growth on top. This method is easy, but the selection of specific cultivars available at garden centers can be limited.

Growing onions from sets (small bulbs) is easy. However, onion sets are typically sold as red, white or yellow onions, so specific onion cultivars are usually not available. Since the cultivar is unknown, the flavor, use and keeping quality of onions grown from sets vary considerably.

Growing onions from seeds is the most difficult planting method for most home gardeners, though it is the least expensive. Challenges include poor germination rates and long lead times, as transplants must be started early to be ready to plant in the garden in early to mid April. However, specific onion cultivars are readily available by seed, providing more variety. Onion seed typically loses vigor quickly, and new seeds should be purchased each year.

What is the proper way to plant onion plants?

Plant onion plants or transplants as soon as the ground can be worked in spring, typically from early April to early May. Select healthy green transplants and plant them 1 to 1½ inches deep.

What is the proper way to plant onion sets?

Before planting sets, separate the bulbs into two size groups – those smaller than a penny in diameter and those larger than a penny. Though it might be counterintuitive, planting larger sets can result in a greater number of onion plants flowering, limiting the bulb’s size. Sets smaller than ½ to ¾ inches in diameter will have the best chance of developing into mature onions and yielding well. Use the larger sets for

Community Calendar

Send items to news@jaspercountytribune.com

THURSDAY

• AMVETS meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Thursday of month at the Colfax Fire Station.

• Mingo Park & Recreation regular meeting meets at 6:30 p.m. the last Thursday of month at City Hall

MONDAY

• Baxter Community Blood Drive will begin at 1:30 p.m. Monday at 203 S. Main St. Schedule an appointment at lifeservebloodcenter.org or call 800-287-4903.

• 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

TUESDAY

• 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

WEDNESDAY

• Hominy Ridge 4-H Club meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of month in the Baxter School Cafeteria

• Colfax Public Library Board of Trustees meets at 5 p.m. the first Wednesday of month in the downstairs meeting room.

• MEDCO meets the first Wednesday of month

• Baxter City Library Board meets at 7 p.m. the first Wednesday of month at the Baxter Library

green onions. Plant sets as soon as the ground can be worked in spring, from early April to early May. Sets should be planted at a depth of 1 to 1½ inches. What is the proper way to plant onion seeds?

For the best success, start onion seeds indoors in a well-drained growing medium approximately eight to 10 weeks before you intend to plant them outdoors. Provide bright light and moderate to cool temperatures (55-65 degrees Fahrenheit) for best growth. When the seedlings become 5 inches tall, clip them back to 4 inches with scissors. Trimming the tops is sometimes done two times or more before planting. Plants given this

City of Colfax audit report

Roof, Gerdes, Erlbacher, PLC, Certified Public Accountants, Des Moines, released an audit report on the City of Colfax.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS:

The City’s receipts totaled $5,466,042 for the year ended June 30, 2023, a 52 percent increase from the prior year. Disbursements for the year ended June 30, 2023 totaled $4,839,476, a 3 percent increase from the prior year. The increase in receipts is primarily due to an increase in bond and note proceeds received during the year. The increase in disburse -

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

ments is due to increased debt service costs.

AUDIT FINDINGS:

Roof, Gerdes, Erlbacher, PLC, PLC reported 10 findings related to the receipt and disbursement of taxpayer funds. They are found on pages 37 through 43 of this report. The findings address issues such as a lack of segregation of duties, the preparation of financial statements, disbursements exceeding budgeted amounts and noncompliance with the sinking fund requirements for the revenue bonds and notes.

Roof, Gerdes, Erlbacher, PLC provided the City with

“haircut” often become more stocky and vigorous at planting. Harden or acclimate the onion seedlings outdoors for several days before planting them in the garden. Early April to early May is the best time to plant onion seedlings in the garden. When planting, place the roots and the lower white portions of the plants below ground level.

Onion seed can also be sown directly in the garden as soon as the ground can be worked in spring (early April to early May). Plant seeds in rows and cover the seeds with one-half to three-quarters inch of soil. When the seedlings are 2 to 4 inches tall, thin the planting. A full season of growth is needed for mature onions.

recommendations to address each of the findings. Ten of the 10 findings discussed above are repeated from the prior year. The City Council has a fiduciary responsibility to provide oversight of the City’s operations and financial transactions. Oversight is typically defined as the “watchful and responsible care” a governing body exercises in its fiduciary capacity. A copy of the audit repott is available for review on the Auditor of State’s website at Audit Reports Auditor of State.

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, March 29 - 7 p.m. Good Friday Communion Service

SUNDAY, March 31, Easter - 9 a.m. Fellowship; 9:15 a.m. Bible Education Classes; 10:25 a.m. Message by Pastor Cody Dye

TUESDAY, April 2 - 3 p.m. Women’s Prayer and coffee

WEDNESDAY, April 3 - 9 a.m.

Busy Bee Quilters and Fresh En-

counter Prayer; 5:45 p.m. AWANA

Family Meal; 6:25 p.m. AWANA

Clubs

SATURDAY, April 6 - 7:30 a.m.

The church schedule is brought to you by

Colfax-Prairie City-Monroe 515-674-3155

www.coburnfuneralhomes.com

Men’s Breakfast/Bible Study; 9 a.m. Women’s Ministry

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

THURSDAY, March 28 - 7 p.m.

Maundy Thursday Service

FRIDAY, March 29 - 7 p.m. Good Friday Service

SUNDAY - 10:30 a.m. Easter Sunday Family Worship

HOPE ASSEMBLY OF GOD

126 E. Howard

Rev. Paul Avery, pastor Church: 674-3700 hopeassemblyofgod@yahoo.com

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

WEDNESDAY - 7 p.m. Evening Service

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

CATHOLIC CHURCH

302 E. Howard St., Colfax Fr. 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

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

Adobe Photo

Colfax-Mingo, Baxter girls win twice at Tigerhawk Indoor Relays

GRINNELL — Baxter’s Camryn Russell won a pair of events to lead the Baxter girls track and field team on March 21, while host Colfax-Mingo also claimed two wins at their home indoor meet at Grinnell College.

No team scores were kept for the Tigerhawk Indoor Relays and medals were awarded to the top three relay teams and top five individuals as well as all JV winners.

Colfax-Mingo’s wins came from Katelyn Steenhoek in the high jump and Addie Schroeder in the 1,500-meter run.

Steenhoek matched her career best with a leap of 4 feet, 10 inches. Grace Hunsberger also was sixth in the event with a career-best jump of 4-8. Schroeder and Shae Wilkins finished 1-5 in the 1,500. Schroeder’s win-

ning time was clocked in 5 minutes, 56.66 seconds and Wilkins posted a time of 6:24.96.

The Tigerhawks were second in the shuttle hurdle relay. The team of Lily Webster, Cadence Linn, Evalyn Anderson and Arlo Steck posted a time of 44.5 seconds.

The 4x800 relay team of Mallory Sipma, Rachael Uecker, Wilkins and Shroeder came in third in 11:45.40. That was a season-best time by 19 seconds.

Russell opened her night with a leap of 14 feet, 9 1/2 inches to win the long jump and then went 10.08 seconds to grab a win in the 60 hurdles.

Avery Wonders had the next best finish as she was third in the high jump with a career-best leap of 4-8. Gwen Tichy placed fifth in the 800 with a time of 2:52.36.

Rainsbarger, relays lead Baxter boys at Tigerhawk Indoor Relays

GRINNELL — Logan Rainsbarger scratched on his first three attempts in the long jump on March 21.

But his final leap was a new career-best mark and his win was part of a big night for the Baxter boys’ track and field team at the Tigerhawk Indoor Relays.

Rainsbarger, Matt Richardson and Max Handorf were part of four individual wins and the Bolts also finished first in the 4x800-meter and distance medley relays at Grinnell College.

Colfax-Mingo was highlighted by a pair of runner-up finishes from Xavier Woods and the Tigerhawks’ 4x800 relay team also was second.

No team scores were kept for this meet and medals were awarded to the top five individuals and top three relays. JV winners also were given medals.

Rainsbarger’s win in the long jump came on a personal-best leap of 19 feet, 8 inches.

His second win came in the 60 hurdles and that time was clocked in 8.79 seconds.

Richardson and Cody Samson went 1-3 in the 800.

Richardson posted a winning time of 2 minutes, 12.57 seconds. Samson’s time was clocked in 2:19.62.

The final individual win came from Handorf in the 1,600. He won the race with a time of 4:58.59.

The 4x800 relay team opened the track events with a win. The

team of Samson, Handorf, Logan Jones and Richardson posted a winning time of 8:55.48. Richardson also anchored the distance medley relay team. He rallied the Bolts to a win as the trio of Cade Robinson, Treyton Travis and Jones helped him register a time of 3:54.31.

That would have been the second-best time all of last year. Baxter was third five times. Travis had two of them as he was third in the high jump with a season-best leap of 5-8 and third in the 200 with a time of 25.27 seconds.

Carter Smith’s career-best throw of 39-10 netted him third place in the shot put.

Robinson, Rainsbarger, Travis and Jones teamed up for the final third-place finish as they ran the 4x60 relay in 30.72. Woods led host Colfax-Mingo with a pair of runner-up finishes. He was second in the high jump with a leap of 5-10 and posted a time of 9.06 to take second in the 60 hurdles.

The Tigerhawks’ 4x800 relay team was second with Fisher Grove, Izaiah Lewis, Owen Ament and Sully Wilkins. They posted a time of 9:37.94. Wilkins also was fourth in the 800 with a time of 2:26.04 and Ament finished fifth in the 1,600 in 5:33.68.

Jasper County Tribune

Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune

Baxter junior Matt Richardson won the 800-meter run and anchored the Bolts to wins in the 4x800 and distance medley relays at the Tigerhawk Indoor Relays on March 21 at Grinnell College.

Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune

Colfax-Mingo junior Isaiah Baucom, right, passes the baton to sophomore Sully Wilkins during a relay race at the Tigerhawk Indoor Relays on March 21 at Grinnell College.

Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune

Baxter freshman Max Handorf, right, won the 1,600-meter run and ran on the Bolts’ winning 4x800 relay team at the Tigerhawk Indoor Relays on March 21 at Grinnell College.

Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune

Baxter senior Morgan Ratliff, right, hands the baton to sophomore Johnelle Gliem during a relay at the Tigerhawk Indoor Relays on March 21 at Grinnell College.

Jasper County Tribune

Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune

Colfax-Mingo freshman Katelyn Steenhoek matched a career-best leap of 4 feet, 10 inches to win the high jump on March 21 at the Tigerhawk Indoor Relays on the campus of Grinnell College.

Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune

Baxter sophomore Camryn Russell won the 60-meter hurdles and the long jump at the Tigerhawk Indoor Relays at Grinnell College on March 21.

seconded by Stevenson to close the Public Hearing 2025 Secondary Roads Budget YEA: TALSMA STEVENSON, CUPPLES Motion by Cupples seconded by Stevenson to approve the 2025 Secondary Roads Budget YEA: CUPPLES, STEVENSON, TALSMA Engineer Mike Frietsch presented plans for the Quicksilver Project No FM-C050(138)-55-50. Motion by Cupples seconded by Stevenson to approve the plans for Quicksilver Project No

FMC050(138)-55-50

YEA: STEVENSON, TALSMA CUPPLES Engineer Frietsch also presented plans for Poplar Avenue Project No FM-C050(139)-55-50. Motion by Cupples seconded by Stevenson to approve the plans for Poplar Avenue Project No FMC050(139)-55-50 YEA: CUPPLES, TALSMA STEVENSON Motion by Stevenson seconded by Cupples to set Public Hearings for: Vacation of Alley Right-of-Way adjacent to PIN 023238001 on Main Street in Ira, Iowa Vacation of Alley Right-of-Way adjacent to PIN 023238002 on Main Street in Ira, Iowa Vacation of alley Right-of-Way adjacent to PIN 023238003 on Main Street in Ira, Iowa Recommended dates & times for all: March 26th April 2nd, & April 9th, 2024, at 9:30 am in the Jasper County Board of Supervisors Room YEA: TALSMA CUPPLES STEVENSON Motion by Cupples seconded by Stevenson to approve the Hourly Non-Bargaining Pay Plan 20242025. YEA: STEVENSON, CUPPLES, TALSMA Motion by Cupples seconded by Stevenson to approve the Salaried Non-Department Head Pay Plan 2024-2025. YEA: TALSMA STEVENSON, CUPPLES Motion by Stevenson seconded by Cupples to approve the Revised Wage Policy. YEA: CUPPLES, TALSMA STEVENSON Motion by Cupples, seconded by Stevenson to set Public Hearing for Ordinance #40D Jasper County Building Regulations, with recommended dates & times: March 26th, April 2nd, & April 9th, 2024, at 9:30 am in the Jasper County Board of Supervisors Room YEA: STEVENSON, CUPPLES, TALSMA Motion by Cupples seconded by Stevenson to approve the easement with IRUA for a new waterline at Mariposa Campground.

YEA: TALSMA STEVENSON, CUPPLES Motion by Cupples, seconded by Stevenson to adopt Resolution 24-25, Expressing Support for Improvements to the Water Distribution System in Sully, Iowa & Support for a Community Project Funding Application.

YEA: STEVENSON, TALSMA CUPPLES A complete copy of the Resolution is on file in the office of the Jasper County Auditor. Motion by Cupples, seconded by Stevenson approving Resolution 24-26, Department Head Salaries for 2024-2025.

YEA: CUPPLES, TALSMA STEVENSON A complete copy of the Resolution is on file in the office of the Jasper County Auditor. Motion by Cupples seconded by Stevenson to approve claims paid through 03/12/2024.

YEA: TALSMA CUPPLES

STEVENSON Motion by Cupples seconded by Stevenson to approve the Board of Supervisors Minutes for March 5, 2024. YEA: STEVENSON, TALSMA CUPPLES There were no Board

Appointments. Motion by Cupples seconded by Stevenson to take a 5-minute recess

YEA: STEVENSON, TALSMA

CUPPLES Motion by Stevenson seconded by Cupples to come out of recess YEA: TALSMA CUPPLES

STEVENSON Motion by Stevenson, seconded by Cupples to open the Public Hearing Fiscal Year 2025 Jasper County 5-Year Secondary Roads Program

YEA: CUPPLES, STEVENSON, TALSMA Engineer Mike Frietsch presented the 5-year plan. Motion by Cupples, seconded by Stevenson to close the Public Hearing Fiscal Year 2025 Jasper County 5-Year Secondary Roads Program

YEA: TALSMA, CUPPLES, STEVENSON Motion by Cupples, seconded by Stevenson to adjourn the Tuesday March 12, 2024 meeting of the Jasper County Board of Supervisors Teresa Arrowood, Deputy Auditor Brandon Talsma Chairman March 28 Jasper Co Payments

Tax breaks aging taxpayers may be eligible

Growing older comes with many perks for those who are open to exploring the benefits. In addition to senior discounts on movies, meals and more, moving into one’s golden years could offer some breaks when it comes to taxes and finances.

It is always best to go over tax- and financerelated plans with an accountant or certified financial planner to figure out what is in your best interest. However, generally speaking, here are some potential age-related tax perks.

Increase retirement savings

Older individuals can contribute more to employer-sponsored retirement accounts and Roth or traditional individual retirement accounts (IRAs), according to AARP. For 2023, the contribution limit for employees who participate in 401(k) and 403(b) programs, most 457 re-

tirement savings plans and Thrift Savings Plan through the U.S. Federal Government can increase their contributions to $22,500 — a jump of $2,000 from last year. Those over age 50 can maximize contributions even more, up to a total of $30,000.

Larger standard deduction

The Balance Money says for tax year 2022, people age 65 or older can add an extra $1,750 to the standard deduction they’re eligible for if they are unmarried and not a surviving spouse. Those who are married and file joint returns can add $1,400. For tax year 2023, those amounts go up to $1,850 and $1,500. In addition, the standard eligible deductions increased. Most older taxpayers feel the bigger standard deduction plus the extra standard deduction is more than any itemized deductions they

can claim and choose this option when filing their returns.

Reduce taxable income

The ability to contribute more to tax-defered retirement accounts enables older adults to reduce their taxable incomes. This, in turn, reduces the amount that needs to be spent on income taxes.

Changes in filing threshold

According to The Arbor Company, which oversees senior living communities, the filing threshold is the income that must be made before being required to file a tax return. Typical taxpayers

who are either employees or retired and drawing pensions or Social Security find the threshold increases over age 65. Single filers over age 65 do not need to file returns if their incomes are $14,050 or under. Married filers over age 65 have a threshold of $27,400. If primary or sole income comes from Social Security or a pension, those over age 65 may not have to file returns at all.

Elderly or disabled tax credit

Differing from deductions, a credit for taxpayers is available to people age 65 or older or retired

persons on permanent and total disability who receive taxable disability income for the tax year, according to the Internal Revenue Service. In addition, this credit is for those who have an adjusted gross income or the total of nontaxable Social Security, pensions, annuities, or disability income under specific limits. The eligibility levels change from year to year. Credits range from $3,750 to

$7,500. These are some of the tax breaks American seniors can expect when filing their income tax returns. Speak with an accountant and financial planner about other perks that come with aging. Individuals also can visit www.irs.gov for further information.

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