JCT-04-25-2024

Enjoying a ‘Rustic Prom’

Colfax-Mingo students celebrate prom April 20 with a rustic theme

Supervisors approve $20K donation for new building at county fairgrounds

Jasper County Fair Board says structure would ideally hold 200 to 300 people

By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune

The Jasper County Fair Board got a hefty donation this week from the board of supervisors and it will go toward the construction of a new building that officials say would take some pressure off the pavilion, which is the main area to show livestock but has also become a catch-all for several other events at the fair.

Ed Machin and Doug Woebbeking, of the Jasper County Fair Board, asked for a financial contribution during the April 16 board of supervisors meeting. However, they did not ask for a specific dollar amount, saying they did not wish to offend the supervisors and that they would gladly take any donation willing to be given.

“Really there are probably three seasons with any of our buildings out there that have major uses. Of course, we’ll use it (the new building) at the fair. That’s why we’re doing this building,” Woebbeking said, noting it would be equipped with a stage for entertainment and educational uses.

Events like the Quilts of Valor presentation would likely take place at the new building. Woebbeking said the fair just does not have a facility to house 200 to 300 people. The pavilion has been the “band-aid” approach to large events, but the new building would better meet the needs of high volume activities. It could even hold dances or bands on Friday or Saturday nights of the Jasper County Fair. Throughout the winter months the building would be used for storage. Jasper County Fair Board envisions it a multi-use, open side building. From April until September every year it could be used as a community building.

“It’ll basically be a giant tent, a permanent tent,” Machin said.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jasper County Fair Board would rent a tent for specific events. But the rentals “got so ridiculously high” that board members felt it best to let it go. The building would be a permanent fix to the problem. The overall costs of the new building would cost about $138,000.

County says neighbors’ concerns at initial p&z meeting did not pertain to rezoning

By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County

Land that was originally planned to become a Jasper County subdivision with a number of homes built on it has since been consolidated into a single parcel, and now, following board action last week, it has been rezoned from rural residential to agricultural to better accommodate the owner’s farming prospects.

The 16.72-acre parcel is owned by Matthew Allen of Kellogg, and it is located east of Baxter and north of Newton. The lot has an unusual, 10-sided shape to it. Kevin Luetters, director of community development, said the lot used to be subdivided and there were possibly going to be houses built there.

“Nothing ever really happened,” Luetters said to the board of supervisors on April 16. “The

road never got built. So it was kind of a floundering subdivision. Mr. Allen bought the property and had (an auditor’s office employee) consolidate the parcel to remove the subdivided lines and make it into one parcel.”

Currently, the parcel is zoned rural residential but Allen wants to rezone it to agricultural. Allen said he purchased the property some years ago, but he did not realize “somebody had been in there and scalped the property down” and removed a lot of the soil. His dream is to build a home and shop on the land.

Allen wants a more private residence but he also wants to farm the land. While it is not a substantially large lot, he does want to grow corn and hay, and he wants to raise one calf and one hog every year or yearand-a-half. Since it is so few livestock, he argued it

would not cause too bad a smell for his neighbors.

“I don’t think we’re asking much at all for getting this rezoned,” Allen said. “…From what I hear from Kevin, I cannot go in there and put corn in, I cannot put hay in, I cannot have a pig, a cow or whatever for butcher. I’m limited. This is one of the main reasons why I’m wanting to do this.”

Luetters said for Allen to have a lot of animals on his property he would need a conditional use permit. Supervisor Brandon Talsma said that just because it is zoned rural residential does not stop Allen from seeding it into a hay field or pasture, suggesting the rezone may not be needed.

“I’m just not seeing the benefit between residential to agriculture in this situation. Just because it’s zoned residential doesn’t mean it can’t — I mean I

Serving Colfax

Mingo

Baxter

Western Jasper County

Tribune

Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune

Baxter Federated Garden Club

Baxter Federated Garden Club met on April 11. Ten members were present and seven guests.

Program Presentation was given by Angie Rumer the owner of Rumer Blooms a cut flower farm between Pella and New Sharon.

Meeting called to order by co-president Macy Lisk. What flower color scheme are you planting this year was the roll call question?

Secretary report – No corrections were made to the March minutes that were emailed to members.

Treasurer report was given by treasurer Janet Damman.

Correspondence/Announcements

Macy announced that Earth Day is April 22 and Arbor Day is April 26.

Old and New Business

Several members enjoyed attending the Knoxville Garden Gala.

Spring clean up day will be April 27. Members who can help are to meet at 9 a.m. at the Restland Cemetery.

Flowers for the Main Street

Planters have been ordered through Flower Court Garden Center. Four trays of red wave petunias, one tray of white wave petunias and 27 spikes for were ordered. We will be planting the planters on May 11 at 9 a.m.

Macy passed around the watering sign up sheet to water the planters through the summer months.

Garage Sale will be June 1 at Barb Berry’s garage. Sale starts at 8 a.m.

Macy reported that the president district meeting was about our upcoming district meeting. Our district meeting will be June 3 at 9 a.m. at the Knoxville Sprint Car Museum. Our club will be providing breakfast and Grace be -

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 monthWIC appointments

IRA UNITED CHURCH

Rev. Michael Omundson

SUNDAY - 9:30 a.m. Church

Club News

fore lunch. A sign up sheet will be passed around for members to donate breakfast items for this meeting. Our Club will receive $1.00 for each ticket sold to the district meeting for serving the breakfast. All clubs need to bring a silent auction item. Macy shared the criteria for the auction items. We are also to bring labeled potted plants that are priced to sale. All proceeds will go to the district treasury. Macy went over all the costs that goes into putting the district meeting together and the donations funded by our district.

It was reported that trees for Geise Park will be purchased around April 15.

Mallory made a motion to make painted rocks with the after school program at the Library on April 24 from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. Janet seconded it. Macy will get the rocks, the library has the paint. This will count as a Children’s project for the club.

Mallory will be getting more Baxter Garden Club brochures printed as we are almost out.

Members and guests enjoyed a snack provided by Macy.

Next meeting May 9 at the Baxter Community Building.

Colfax Historical Society

The April 15 meeting of the Colfax Historical Society was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by president Kevin Williams and he thanked everyone for attending. Members present were: BJ Williams, Karen Russell, Steve and Cindy L. Van Dusseldorp, Stanley Daft, Larry Daft, Rachel Wilty, Peggy Dvorak and facility manager Tranquillity Smith. Minutes of the March 18 meeting were read. Treasurer’s report was presented. Facility manager Tranquillity distributed her report to all the members present. She thanked us

for the use of our building for her father-in-law’s funeral reception. She also said her husband, Chris, would be willing to help with the installation of the security camera system, so he will get in contact with Kevin.

Aaron will be helping Joyce, Peggy, Deb and Cindy L. with learning the Past Perfect Program. Dianie Dafflito will also be willing to help as she works at the Jasper County Museum.

Further discussion was held of annual events and those mentioned were: Mineral Springs Day, a possible program in September or October by Michael Huston who is extremely knowledgeable about many aspects of the Civil War, including Iowa’s involvement, uniforms, prisons and he is a reenactor, Election Day Soup Supper on Nov. 5, Christmas movie with Larry D. in charge.

Kevin submitted an application for the endowment type grant by the Geisler-Penquite Foundation Grant.

Larry D. bought a mower to be used by him to mow our property this year. Thank you very much, Larry!

Peggy and Cindy L. have volunteered to audit the 2023 books.

We will be open the second Saturday of the month on May 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The volunteers will be Kevin and BJ from 10 a.m. to noon and from noon until 2 p.m. will be Don and Joyce. Admission is free.

We will have the museum open on Sundays now from 2 to 4 p.m. and ending on Sunday, Sept. 3. The next Sunday open is Sunday, May 26 with Kevin and BJ volunteering to be there.

Next meeting will be on Monday, May 20 at 7 p.m. It is open to anyone who would like to attend.

Church Schedules

service; 10:15 a.m. Sunday school (communion first Sunday)

METZ COMMUNITY CHURCH

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

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

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Colfax Minister, Pastor Cody Dyer Church Office 674-4165

SUNDAY, April 28 - 9 a.m. Fellowship; 9:15 a.m. Bible Education Classes; 10:25 a.m. Message by Pastor Cody Dyer

TUESDAY, April 30 - 3 p.m.

Women’s Prayer and coffee

WEDNESDAY, May 1 - 9 a.m. Busy Bee Quilters and Fresh Encounter Prayer

SATURDAY, May 4 - 7 a.m. Men’s Breakfast/Bible Study 9 a.m. Women’s Ministry

The church schedule is brought to you by

SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH

Newton, Iowa

SATURDAY - 4 p.m. Mass

SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Mass

COLFAX FIRST UNITED

METHODIST CHURCH

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

Rev. Phil Dicks pastor

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

HOPE ASSEMBLY OF GOD

126 E. Howard Rev. Paul Avery, pastor Church: 674-3700 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)

Disc golf course to receive updates

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

• 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

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

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 & 3rd6:30 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

MONDAY, April 22 - 5 p.m. Pancake & Sausage Supper, free will offering at the door.

SUNDAY - 10 a.m. Worship

WEDNESDAY - 6 p.m. Bible Study

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

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

SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10:15 a.m. Worship WEDNESDAY - 6:30 p.m. Prayer Meeting and Bible Study; Youth Group

HERITAGE WORD OF LIFE

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

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

WEDNESDAY - 7 p.m. Evening activities

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

Submitted Photo Danae Edwards, left,

Colfax-Mingo Prom 2024

Machin said corporate sponsors are lined up to hopefully cover 50 percent of the costs.

Supervisors Brandon Talsma asked if the fair board felt confident the county’s financial contribution would help kickstart the fundraising process.

Machin and Woebbeking said it would.

Seeing the value of the Jasper County Fair and its impact on the area youth and families, Talsma felt very comfortable offering the board $20,000 on the spot using Local Option Sales Tax funds from fiscal year 2024. Talsma consulted with deputy auditor Teresa Arrowood to make sure the funds were there.

“I’m confident enough in the budget we just certified as well

Rezoning

Continuedfrompage1

know that piece isn’t fit for it but if you want to farm all 17 acres of it just

as the current fiscal year we’re sitting in. The Local Option Sales Tax really hasn’t been too touched for the current fiscal year,” Talsma said. “I think we can go ahead and squeak a monetary contribution for this project this year.”

said. “There are a lot of kids all throughout the county and outside of Jasper County that participate in that event every single year, and I’ve seen the demand that is placed on the current pavilion.”

Cupples reiterated he is not comfortable with it, but it had nothing to do with the amount or the county fair. He also suggested the money could be spread over a few years.

“You’re very diligent, Brandon, on keeping that budget tight,” Cupples said.

current fiscal year the county is financially sound, Talsma added. Cupples said he was still uncomfortable. When pressed by Stevenson about what would make him more comfortable, Cupples could not say.

“We just approved the budget and we’re slapping 20 grand on top of it,” he said.

“I know,” Talsma said. “That’s why I’m sitting here speaking with the utmost confidence.

Talsma said he knows where it is coming from. Supervisor Denny Stevenson had no problem with the contribution if Arrowood was comfortable the money is there.

“I think the fair is one of the better return on investment that we have,” Talsma

Supervisor Doug Cupples was hesitant, saying he wanted to know for sure and make sure the board knows where the money is coming from.

because it’s zoned residential doesn’t mean you wouldn’t be able to farm all 17 acres,” Talsma said.

Supervisor Denny Stevenson asked if Allen would encounter any problems if he decided to

build a house on a parcel with agricultural zoning. Luetters said Allen would be able to build a house with that zoning designation.  During the supervisors meeting there was no op -

I know we can accommodate the current fiscal year budget, especially with a Local Option Sales Tax allocation. Both Teresa and I have the utmost confidence that we can do this allocation for the year.”

In the next two years it might be different story, but for the

position from neighbors. But they did attend the initial planning and zoning commission meeting. Since then no one has reached out to the county for further comment or concern. But super-

But Stevenson, Talsma and Arrowood said that is not true, especially considering the board of supervisors only approved the FY25 budget and the money would be coming out of the current FY24 budget. Arrowood said the check would be written this fiscal year using Local Option Sales Tax.

“We’re fine,” she said. The motion to allocate $20,000 of Local Option Sales Tax to the Jasper County Fair Board passed in a 2-1 vote, with only Cupples voting no.

visor Doug Cupples at first suggested the board not waive the subsequent readings.

Supervisor Denny Stevenson consulted Luetters about the comments from neighbors. Luetters said a lot of concerns were expressed that did not pertain to the rezone; he was not sure if the concerns had been resolved with Allen, particularly an issue that involved the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

“(The DNR) will send me a letter clarifying there was no violations in

any shape or form,” Allen said. “The east neighbor accused me of letting a bunch of water run down into their pond, which I claimed at the zoning meeting that I tried to get a tiling person to come in … he never got over to get it done.”

Since the supervisors felt the neighbors’ concerns were not relevant to the rezone, they went ahead and waived the second and third readings in a 3-0. Then they approved the proposed rezone in a 2-1 vote, with only Talsma voting no.

Christopher Braunschweig/Jasper County Tribune

The Jasper County Fair Board on April 16 was given $20,000 by the county board of supervisors. The funds will be paid out of FY24 Local Option Sales Tax and will go towards a new building at the fairgrounds.

Iowa has become a border state under the Biden Administration

The current surge in illegal immigration and the trafficking of dangerous substances such as fentanyl has become a national emergency that has directly impacted Iowa. The numbers are startling; Iowa currently houses more than 50,000 illegal immigrants, and since President Biden took office, over 9 million individuals, including 1.8 million “got-aways,” have crossed our borders. This influx surpasses the population of 36 different states, including our own. However, the crisis extends beyond just numbers. Alongside the surge in illegal immigration, we’ve witnessed a disturbing increase in crime, particularly the trafficking of fentanyl. In just the first four months of 2024, the DEA

YOUR VIEW

An interesting article appeared in the opinion pages of the Des Moines Register on Sunday, April 7, and something one might ought to pay attention to (if one were ever to read a newspaper which doesn’t often appear to be the case). After all, newspapers still attempt, and I say ‘attempt’ guardedly, to give us some notion of what is happening, not only in our immediate surroundings, but planetarily.

The comment was made that for every 100 positions available for employment here in Iowa, only 67 people are available to fill those 100 positions. Now this brings me to several issues. First, for the working people of Iowa, this is good news — the fewer people available to work, the better the pay should be. Secondly, this by itself lends support to Governor Reynolds decision to send troops and officers to the border to keep all those people who are looking for jobs from coming to Iowa. You would never have thought, would you, that our governor would actually want to help the working person of Iowa. As they say Who Knew? As long as we have more jobs than people, our McDonald’s and Walmart employees might actually have some confidence that a person who will work for even less will not take their low-income, no-benefit jobs. The ar -

has seized a staggering 17.9 million fentanyl pills (even more went undetected) - enough to potentially eliminate every Iowan five times over.

The impact of this deadly drug has already been devastating. In 2023 alone, over 112,000 Americans, including nearly 500 Iowans, fell victim to fentanyl. These numbers are expected to rise in 2024. Every death represents a family shattered, a community grieving, and a future extinguished. This is why we need to take urgent action. Fentanyl has plagued our state for far too long. I grew up near the border; I know firsthand that illegal immigration is a challenge that our country has long

ticle was also discussing the problem with people finding employment while on probation for some criminal infraction.

Apparently, the Iowa House has passed a bill allowing a person to reduce his or her time on probation if employed. Having long understood the purpose of probation: first, ensuring that the probationer will do what he or she is told for an extended period of time and second, to become a “productive member of society” — the encouragement of employment by probationers seems to be contradictory in its effects. Sending troops to the border decreases the labor supply while granting early release from probation for working non-sustaining, low-paying jobs increases the labor supply. Seems to me we are a little confused here. We either want fewer employees or we don’t. Which is it? Confusion seems to be the order of the day. Maybe if we would read a newspaper once in a while (which started this conversation), we might be able to give some intelligent thought to these issues which apparently are causing a great deal of angst amongst the general population. Since I am not referencing the particular reader of this article, who obviously reads a newspaper occasionally, I am not insulting anyone unnecessarily.

Richard E. H. Phelps II Mingo

Refusing to allow investigations into bullying, harassment and

assaults?

Since the beginning of this year, the Iowa Department of Education has removed information on their web site, based on 2023 Iowa approved legislation, regarding rights, the filing process, and the form for families to file complaints for bullying, harassment and assaults. And now a county attorney refuses to allow law enforcement to even investigate documented evidence of this activity.

faced. However, the scale at which it is happening today is unprecedented. President Obama’s Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson once said that 1,000 people coming across our border in a day is a crisis. We now have over 5,000 people coming across our border daily. Many of them have a criminal record or even contagious diseases, but we process them without knowing their background. Under President Trump, we used to have strong policies such as ‘Remain in Mexico’, which required migrants seeking asylum to remain in Mexico until their immigration court date, but President Biden revoked it.

Fortunately, House Republicans have taken action to address this crisis by introducing and passing H.R. 2 - a landmark border and immigration

bill. This comprehensive legislation allocates resources to strengthen border security, including the construction of 200 miles of additional border wall and the expansion of Border Patrol personnel to 22,000 agents. Moreover, it enhances screening protocols to prevent individuals from exploiting our immigration system and bolsters enforcement measures to uphold the rule of law. These provisions are not merely symbolic; they are essential for our safety and security. By fortifying our borders and empowering law enforcement, we can slow down illegal crossings and disrupt the flow of illicit drugs into our communities. The passage of H.R. 2 represents a critical step forward in addressing the Biden Border Crisis and protecting all Americans. I urge the Senate to bring H.R. 2 back to the table so we can begin securing our border, stopping the influx of fentanyl and preventing people on the terror watch list from entering our country.

Saigon, now officially known as Ho Chi Minh City, has a metropolitan population of 12 million people, with six-to-seven million motor bikes, and few-and-far-between traffic lights. You won’t see policemen on the streets, and no homeless people. It reminds you of Times Square with lights, skyscrapers, and buses. It’s a clean city, and you can walk around by yourself. You have to be a little careful of pickpockets, but that’s about it. Vietnam is such a tourist attraction that it doesn’t have enough tourist guides to handle the demand. It’s the Year of the Dragon.

Ken and Patty Madden of Crawfordsville recently returned from a two week vacation in SE Asia. Ken served as an Intelligence Officer in Thailand next door to Vietnam, collecting intelligence on the Vietnam war. He left knowing that Saigon was about to fall, and that someday he would like to visit Vietnam on his own dime.

lady said, “Thank you for saving our country.” Ken has grown used to being thanked back home for his service, although for years no thanks were given. But for thanks to be given by a civilian from a country the U.S. gave up on, well, he was sort of speechless. He would have to put some thought into the “why” of the statement.

But he didn’t have too much time to think. Another person in the tour, recognizing the Hawkeye cap Ken was wearing, said, “Go Caitlin.”

Ho Chi Minh’s body is in a mausoleum in the capital city. He only takes visitors three days a week, in the mornings. The timing wasn’t right for Ken and Patty’s tour group.

There’s over 105 million people in Vietnam. It’s one of the largest countries, population wise, in the world, even though it’s the size of New Mexico. Ken tried to imagine 105 million people in New Mexico.

would evaporate. They had whole divisions in those tunnels. They came out of the tunnels to attack Saigon during the Tet Offensive. The tour guide asked if anyone could spot an opening to a tunnel. No one could. The guide walked over to a bush, and there it was. One of the smaller men in the tour crawled into a tunnel. Ken was too large.

In Hanoi, the tour visited the sight where John McCain was captured. There’s a small stone carving of McCain on his knees in cuffs along the lake where he crashed. They don’t want the U.S to forget the capture of a US Senator. In Cambodia, the tour group visited Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest religious site in the world. It was built as a Hindu temple in the 12th Century and later changed to Buddhist. The temple sits on 400 acres inside a mote.

This begs the question of just how damaged these attorneys are when they clearly fail to care about the welfare of our children? This means families are going to have to use federal laws to address these issues in Iowa. Civil rights laws and ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) have information for families who have been frustrated by the lack of caring of attorneys with regard to the rights and well-being of our children.

The government has three nono’s. (1) You cannot question the Communist Party of Vietnam or the government. (2) You cannot say anything bad about Ho Chi Minh. He is considered the father of the country or “Uncle Ho.” (3) You cannot disparage China. The control is subtle, and people pretty much “go along to get along.”

Sue Atkinson Baxter

Patty Madden’s favorite attraction was Ha Long Bay, known for thousands of towering limestone islands topped by rain forests. They rode sand pans, water buffalo carts and cruised the Mekong River Delta. A dragon that puffed smoked was a colorful sight. With the reluctance of tourists to go to China, people are flocking to SE Asia. The food is great. Better get used to chopsticks. Contact Curt Swarm curtswarm@yahoo.com Wondering

Ken and Patty were taken aback when Ken was purchasing a wallet from a street-side vendor. The

SHARE YOUR VIEW

Just north of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) are the Cu Chi Tunnels--several hundred miles of tunnels that the Vietcong dug to hide and live in. Anytime the Americans tried an offensive, the Vietcong

Letters to the Jasper County Tribune will be edited for libel, grammar and length and should not exceed 400 words. We reserve the right to shorten letters and reject those deemed libelous, in poor taste or of a personal nature. Include your full name, address and a daytime phone number for verification. Signed columns as well as letters to the editor and editorial cartoons represent the personal opinion of the writer or artist. Submit letters to news@jaspercountytribune. com or Newton News, P.O. Box 967, Newton, Iowa 50208.

How to contact your elected officials Jasper County Supervisors

Brandon Talsma, chair 4309 W Fourth St. S. Newton, IA 50208 641-526-3142

btalsma@co.jasper.ia.us

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

C-M girls dominate field events, claim first meet title

COLFAX — The Lynnville-Sully girls track and field team won seven times at the Colfax-Mingo Coed Invitational on April 15. But the host Tigerhawks were 1-2 in four events, doubled up in nine of them and finished at the top of the standings for the first time this season. Colfax-Mingo won its home coed meet with 194 points, while Lynnville-Sully scored 177 in second. Martensdale-St. Marys (123), Colo-NESCO (90) AND Meskwaki Settlement School (28) completed the five-team field.

The Hawks had two more wins than their conference rival Tigerhawks, but C-M piled up 10 runner-up finishes and edged Lynnville-Sully 18-16 in top-three finishes.

A lot of C-M’s points came in field events. The Tigerhawks finished 1-2 in the long jump, shot put and discus and doubled up in the high jump, too.

Trinity Smith and Olivia Rausch went 1-2 in the long jump. Both had career-best leaps as Smith won with a mark of 15 feet, 10 inches and Rausch was second with a jump of 15-6.

Emma Cook won the shot put with a throw of 28-5 and Lexie Aller was the runner-up with a toss of 27-5 1/2.

Lily Arndt won the discus with a career-best throw of 80-4 1/2 and Aller was second with a career-best heave of 73-9.

Teams can only score points for the first two finishers in each event, but Arndt (25-1 1/2) finished fourth in the shot put and Britney Keeney (70-4) was fourth in the discus.

Katelyn Steenhoek and Grace Hunsberger both had career-best marks of 4-10 in the high jump. They were second and fourth, respectively.

In the 100 hurdles, Lily Webster and Arlo Steck went 1-2 and Evalyn Anderson finished fifth. Webster won the race with a career-best time of 18.25 seconds, Steck finished second in a career-best 18.42 and Anderson posted a career-best time of 20.78.

Smith and Steck were 2-3 in the 400 hurdles. Smith finished in a career-best 1 minute, 19.97 seconds and Steck posted a career-best time of 1:23.38.

Rachael Uecker posted a career-best time of 30.6 to place fourth in the 200 and Rausch (14.83) was fifth in the 100.

Addie Schroeder (13:28.11) and Shae Wilkins (13:47.34) were 4-5 in the 3,000 and Schroeder (6:02.89) ended up fifth in the 1,500.

The Tigerhawks won the shuttle hurdle relay and were second in the 4x100, 4x200, sprint medley and distance medley relays.

Webster, Cadence Linn, Smith and Steck won the shuttle hurdle relay in a season-best 1:15.32.

The 4x100 team of Rausch, Linn, Charlotte Donahue and Webster finished second in a season-best time of 56.84 and the 4x200 relay team of Rausch, Uecker, Donahue and Smith took second in a season-best 2:01.28.

The sprint medley relay team of Webster, Donahue, Linn and Claire Hunsberger posted a season-best time of 2:09.55 to place second and Victoria Woods, Steenhoek, Mallory Sipma and Schroeder finished second in the distance medley relay in 5:10.72. Colfax-Mingo was third in both the 4x400 and 4x800 relays.

In the 4x400, the foursome of Ueck-

er, Claire Hunsberger, Woods and Sipma finished in a season-best 4:54.57.

The 4x800 relay team of Uecker, Claire Hunsberger, Woods and Sipma posted a time of 12:30.79.

Aller, shuttle hurdle relay team lead C-M at Martensdale-St. Marys MARTENSDALE — Lynnville-Sully won three different types of events on April 18. Foreign exchange student Helle Augustinussen won the long jump and the Hawks were victorious in both a sprint relay and a distance relay during the Martensdale-St. Marys Coed Invitational. Lynnville-Sully registered 14 topthree finishes in all and that led the Hawks to a runner-up finish in the team race.

Six wins propel Tigerhawk boys to team victory at home coed

COLFAX — Winning is not everything, but it sure can be a lot more fun when it happens.

The Colfax-Mingo boys track and field team found that out on April 15 during its home coed meet.

The Tigerhawks won six events, registered 18 topthree finishes and scored a season-high 183 points at the top of the standings.

That was 62 points in front of runner-up Colo-NESCO (131) and the rest of the five-team field included Martensdale-St. Marys (118), the Bondurant-Farrar junior varsity (89) and Meskwaki Settlement School (70).

Xavier Woods had three of the six wins.

He won the 400-meter hurdles with a career-best time of 57.98 seconds. That currently ranks 12th in Class 2A. Woods also won the 110 high hurdles in 16.38 and

grabbed a win in the high jump with a leap of 5 feet, 10 inches. The Tigerhawks, whose roster goes 12 deep, doubled up in nine events.

Sullivan Wilkins grabbed an individual win in the 800. He posted a time of 2 minutes, 14.92 seconds.

Davion Long (12.73) and Izaiah Lewis (career-best 13.44) finished 2-4 in the 100, Long (career-best 25.23) and Cody Heisler (career-best 27.24) were 3-5 in the 200 and Fisher Grover (58.51) and Wilkins (1:01.02) were 3-4 in the 400. Owen Ament gave the Ti-

Bracewell leads C-M golfers at Belle Plaine, Nevada

BELLE PLAINE — Career-best scores from Cael Bracewell, Luke Allen and Joe Earles helped the Colfax-Mingo boys golf team to a runner-up finish during a road South Iowa Cedar League triangular on April 15.

The Tigerhawks shot 196 in second, while HLV was the winner with a 172. Host Belle Plaine shot 221 at the Belle Plaine Country Club.

Bracewell finished fifth with a career-best 45, Allen was sixth with a career-best 48 and Shane Hostetter finished ninth with a 50.

The other counting score came from Earles, who carded a career-best 53. Jared Lewis (58) and Cason Fitch (59) had non-counting scores.

HLV’s Peyton Roth was the medalist with a 36 and Levi Molyuneux shot a 43 as the runner-up medalist.

Tigerhawks take third at road triangular NEVADA — Bracewell turned in a 46, but the Tigerhawks struggled in a road triangular at Indian Creek Golf Club.

Host Nevada shot 155 in first, North Polk came in second with a 178 and Colfax-Mingo took third with a 213.

Bracewell led the Tigerhawks with his 46 and that tied him for eighth overall. Earles carded a 52, Lewis turned in a 57 and Fitch had a 58 as the final counting score.

Allen and Hostetter both shot non-counting 61s.

Nevada’s Kyle Kingsbury was the meet medalist with a 36. The Cubs placed all six golfers in the top seven.

Nevada’s Luke Hassell and North Polk’s Ty Haisman carded 39s with Hassell grabbing runner-up medalist honors.

C-M girls finish second at SICL triangular

BROOKLYN — Full results were unavailable at press time, but Colfax-Mingo’s girls golf team finished second during a road SICL triangular on April 18.

Belle Plaine won the meet with a 211. Colfax-Mingo shot 236 in second and host HLV was third with a 250 at Brooklyn Victor Country Club.

Belle Plaine was led by Jacey Reineke’s 45 and Denisyn Adams’ 52. Ashlyn Rhinehart led HLV with a 56.

gerhawks a 1-3 finish in the 800 as he was third in a career-best 2:27.32. Wilkins (5:33.22) and Ament (5:47.89) were 3-4 in the 1,600, Ament (12:46.64) and Kyle Wood (career-best 13:10.57) finished 3-4 in the 3,200 and Wyatt Thornton (19.06) was second in the 110 high hurdles to give C-M a 1-2 finish.

BROOKLYN — Hudson Bethards turned in a career-best 18-hole score and four Bolts made their 18-hole debuts on April 18, but the Baxter boys golf team placed fourth in the five-team BGM Invitational.

Host BGM won the tournament with a 321 at the Brooklyn Victor Country Club. Colo-NESCO (327) was six shots back in second and the rest of the field included Waterloo Christian (335), Baxter (380) and Melcher-Dallas (440). Bethards turned in a career-best 92 to lead the Bolts, while Carter Smith shot a 94. Stadan Vansice and Treyton Travis each shot 97s as the final counting scores.

Perrin Sulzle (106) and Cade Robinson (107) had non-counting scores. It was the 18-hole varsity debuts for Smith, Travis, Sulzle and Robinson. Full results were unavailable at press time, but Waterloo Christian’s Drew Wagner and Calvin Rowenhorst shot 77 and 80, respectively.

Jasper County Tribune

Jasper County Tribune

Bethards

Jasper County Tribune

Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune

Colfax-Mingo sophomore Davion Long, center, and sophomore Izaiah Lewis (6) finished 2-4 in the 100-meter dash at the Colfax-Mingo Coed Invitational on April 15.

Jasper County Tribune

Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune

Colfax-Mingo junior Trinity Smith helped the Tigerhawks win the shuttle hurdle relay and she also won the long jump at the team’s home meet on April 15. The Tigerhawks claimed their first team championship of the season.

C-M GIRLS | 7

C-M BOYS | 7

Baxter boys finish third, girls 12th at Bill Miller Invitational

VAN METER — Despite winning just one event at the Bill Miller Invitational on April 15, the Baxter boys track and field team still placed third in the final team standings thanks to eight top-three finishes.

Max Handorf claimed the Bolts’ only win of the night, but Baxter was second three times and third four times and that helped them score 86.5 points to edge Pleasantville for third.

PCM won the meet championship with 135 points, while Des Moines Christian (115.5) also hit triple digits in second.

The rest of the top five were Baxter (86.5), Pleasantville (84) and host Van Meter (79). There were 12 teams in attendance.

The Baxter girls were missing six athletes for the meet, but Camryn Russell set a new career-best mark to win the long jump and also had the Bolts’ lone second-place finish.

Van Meter won the girls meet championship with 126 points, while Carlisle (114), Interstate 35 (89), Des Moines Christian (65) and Panorama (61) completed the top five. Baxter was 12th in the 13team field with 27 points.

Handorf’s win came in the 3,200-meter run. He won the race in 10 minutes, 27.85 seconds, while Matt Richardson was fourth in 10:53.38.

The duo also was third in the 800 and 1,600, respectively. Handorf’s 800 time was clocked in 2:14.33 and Richardson completed the 1,600 in 4:44.53.

Treyton Travis was the runner-up in the 400 in a career-best 55.64 seconds, Logan Jones finished second in the 400 hurdles with a career-best time of 1:00.73 and Carter Smith took second in the discus with a throw of 136 feet, 5 inches.

Logan Rainsbarger grabbed a third-place finish in the 110 high hurdles. He posted a time of 16.37.

Travis tied for fourth in the high jump with a leap of 5-6 and Smith placed fourth in the shot put with a toss of 41-4 1/4.

The Bolts were third in the 4x400 relay, fourth in the 4x800 and fifth in the distance medley.

team of Russell, Grace Anderegg, Wonders and Kendall Brummel placed fifth in a season-best time of 2:04.76.

Russell scores career-best time at Newton

Rainsbarger, Cody Samson, Jones and Cainan Travis completed the 4x400 relay in 3:47.84.

The 4x800 relay team of Samson, Jones, Handorf and Richardson posted a time of 9:17.89 and Treyton Travis, Rainsbarger, Samson and Richardson completed the distance medley relay in 4:02.11.

Russell won the girls’ long jump with a career-best leap of 16-2. That currently ranks 13th in Class 1A.

She also was the runner-up in the 100 hurdles with a time of 16.55. Avery Wonders placed sixth in the high jump with a leap of 4-10.

The Bolts’ sprint medley relay

NEWTON — The Newton Coed Invitational featured girls track and field teams from ADM and Pella, who are both ranked in the top four of the 3A power rankings on Bound. That presented plenty of challenges for Baxter, but the Bolts squads saw some success on April 18.

The Cardinals finished third in the final team standings and the Mustangs and Bolts were highlighted by a 1-2 finish in the 100-meter hurdles.

Newton was held out of the win column but scored 81.5 points because it posted four top-three finishes and piled up a plethora of fourths, fifths and sixths.

The lone area win came from PCM’s Morgan Karr and Baxter’s Russell gave the area a 1-2 finish in the 100 hurdles.

ADM won the meet championship with 194 points, while Pella (101), Newton (81.5), Pella Christian (69) and Oskaloosa (58.5) completed the top five.

The rest of the 15-team field included Grinnell (56), PCM (45),

CIU girls shut out Rams, boys edge Eagles

JEFFERSON — Baxter’s Ashlyn Finch scored two goals, Colfax-Mingo’s Cassidy Smith made three saves and the Central Iowa United girls soccer team posted its second shutout win of the season during a 4-0 road victory over Greene County on April 18.

Central Iowa United scored twice in each half during the Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference match. It took 23 shots and put 18 of them on goal.

Colfax-Mingo’s Bianca Lane added one goal and Colfax-Mingo’s Lilyan Hadsall dished out one assist in the win.

Addison Turner scored the fourth goal and Haylee Merryman tallied one assist.

Greene County (0-7, 0-1) took eight shots and Lucy Vander Linden made 14 saves. The Rams have been shut out six times this season.

Central Iowa United improved to 3-5 and 1-1 in the conference.

Knoxville 3, Central Iowa United 1

STATE CENTER — Finch added to her teamhigh goal total on April 15, but Central Iowa United struggled in the second half during a 3-1 home loss to Knoxville.

The match was tied at halftime as Finch scored her team-best sixth goal of the spring. Knoxville scored twice in the second half to claim the win though.

Mailey Short dished out the assist on Finch’s goal and Smith had nine saves in 80 minutes at goalie. Smith now has 80 saves this spring, which ranks 10th in Class 2A.

Central Iowa United totaled 16 shots and placed nine of those on goal.

Payton Horn had two goals and Ella Breazeale made 11 saves in 80 minutes at goalie to lead Knoxville. The Panthers (3-4) took 10 shots and placed eight on them on goal.

BOYS

Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (40), Knoxville (21), Ames (12), Baxter (10), Saydel (9.5), South Tama County (7), Newton JV1 (5.5) and Newton JV2 (3).

Karr had an impressive night for PCM. She won the 100 hurdles in 15.56, while Russell finished second in a career-best 16.09. Karr’s best time of 15.55 ranks third in Class 2A, while Russell now has the fourth best time in 1A.

Richardson, Smith move into top 15 in 1A

NEWTON — With qualification for the Drake Relays coming down to the final stretch, track and field teams from all over the state were hoping one last night would push them into next week’s annual event.

While no area boys team improved their standing on April 18, there was plenty to celebrate at the Newton Coed Invitational.

The Cardinals mostly put their focus on relays and are now in the top 10 in the 4x200 in 3A, while PCM turned in season-best times in three different relays.

Baxter also attended the meet and Matt Richardson and Carter Smith put together career-best performances to move into the top 13 of their respective events in 1A.

In the end, ADM ran away with the meet title.

The Tigers, who are ranked No. 1 in the Bound Power Rankings, scored 151 points at the top of the standings.

Newton and PCM found their way into the top five, but Nevada scored 96 points in second and Grinnell totaled 88 in third. The Cardinals (77) edged the Mustangs (70) for fourth.

The rest of the 13-team field featured Pella Christian (54), South Tama County (42), Baxter (39), Ames (35), Bondurant-Farrar (34), Knoxville (17), Oskaloosa (13), Perry (12) and Saydel (12).

Richardson and Handorf scored double points for Baxter in both the 1,600 and 3,200.

Richardson won the 3,200 in 10:07.31 and Handorf finished fourth in 10:16.62. Their best times in the event both rank in the top 10 in 1A.

They also went 4-5 in the 1,600. Richardson’s career-best time of 4:38.74 set a new school record and is now 13th in 1A.

Handorf posted a career-best time of 4:44.09 and now sits 21st in 1A.

Smith set a personal-best throw in the discus and now ranks 11th in 1A with a toss of 143-9 1/2. That was good enough for third.

Samson (54.73) had the final top-three finish as he was third in the 400.

Central Iowa United 3, Pella Christian 2

PELLA — Colfax-Mingo’s Austin Lane scored one goal and delivered one assist and Baxter’s Ben Richardson tallied a goal as the Central Iowa United boys soccer team rallied past Pella Christian on April 15.

Central Iowa United scored three second-half goals during a 3-1 non-conference road win

Austin Lane scored his seven goal of the season and dished out his third assist, while Richardson scored his goal of the year.

Andrew Tollefson added his team-best eighth goal and Lucas Barnes made eight saves in his 80 minutes in goal.

Central Iowa United (3-6) took 15 shots and put eight of them on goal.

Perry 5, Central Iowa United 2 PERRY — Class 2A No. 10 Perry grabbed an early advantage with a four-goal first half and that was enough for the Bluejays during a 5-2 home win in HOIAC play on April 18.

Lane and Tollefson each scored a goal for Central Iowa United, and Aiden Downs dished out one assist. Barnes also made nine saves in 80 minutes.

Jacobo Cerna-Gomez scored three goals and dished out one assist for Perry, which improved to 6-3 and 2-0 in the conference.

Central Iowa United’s boys dropped to 1-3 in the conference.

Trinity Smith

Colfax-Mingo junior Trinity Smith led the Tigerhawk girls track and field team to the meet title at the team’s home coed meet on April 15. She won the long jump with a career-best leap of 15 feet, 10 inches and then helped C-M win the shuttle hurdle relay.

Jasper County Tribune

Jasper County Tribune

Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune Baxter senior Treyton Travis competes in the high jump earlier this season. He placed fourth in the event at Van Meter last week and also took second in the 400-meter dash.

Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune

Baxter senior Jo Harder competes in the shot put during a home meet

this season.

Richardson

C-M Boys

Continuedfrompage5

Lewis scored a third-place finish in the 400 hurdles with a time of 1:07.75 and Thornton placed fourth in the long jump with a leap of 16-11.

Isaiah Baucom was the runner-up in the shot put with a career-best toss of 36-10 and Nate Endersbe placed fifth in the discus with a career-best heave of 79-1 1/2.

Colfax-Mingo won two relays and finished second in two others.

The 4x800 relay team featured Thornton, Wilkins, Wood and Grove and they won the race in 10:14.1. Baucom, Heisler, Ament and Wood won the distance medley relay in 4:26.42.

The Tigerhawks were second in the 4x100 relay. They finished the race in a season-best 49.23 seconds with Baucom, Lewis, Grove and Long. Long, Thornton, Grove and Woods took second in the 4x400 relay in 3:53.08. The sprint medley relay team of Baucom, Asher Knutson, Heisler and Lewis were third in 1:52.63.

Woods leads Tigerhawks at Martensdale-St. Marys MARTENSDALE — Lynnville-Sully and Colfax-Mingo were held out of the win column at the Martensdale-St.

Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune

Colfax-Mingo sophomore Kyle Wood helped the Tigerhawks win the 4x800 and distance medley relays at the team’s home coed meet on April 15.

Colfax-Mingo scored 183 points for the team title, too.

Marys Coed Invitational on April 18.

But the Hawks grabbed a pair of silver and bronze medals and scored 50 points in fifth place.

Woods had the Tigerhawks’ only top-six finishes as Colfax-Mingo scored 19 points in eighth.

Madrid won the meet title with 174.5 points. The rest of the top five included Oakland Riverside (112), Pleasantville (89) and Interstate 35 (76.5). Host Martensdale-St. Marys (34) and Nodaway Valley (29) rounded out the eight-team field.

Woods placed second in the 400 hurdles with a time of 1:00.59. He also took third in the high jump with a leap of 5-8 and took sixth in the 400 with a career-best time of 55.97.

C-M Girls

Continuedfrompage5

The Hawks trailed meet champion Interstate 35 by just three points and Colfax-Mingo was sixth in the seven-team field.

Interstate 35 won the meet with 125 points, while L-S (122), Des Moines Christian (91), Nodaway Valley (80), host Martensdale-St. Marys (75), Colfax-Mingo (66) and Wayne (20) completed the seven-team field.

Colfax-Mingo scored 66 points without a victory.

Its shuttle hurdle relay team was second and Aller also grabbed a silver medal in the shot put.

Colfax-Mingo was led by Aller in the shot put as she was second with a ca-

reer-best throw of 30-7 3/4. Cook gave the Tigerhawks double points with a sixth-place finish and a throw of 27-5 1/4.

The Tigerhawks’ shuttle hurdle relay team of Webster, Anderson, Smith and Steck finished second in 1:18.99.

Smith scored a pair of top-four finishes as she was third in the 400 hurdles in a career-best 1:17.15 and fourth in the long jump with a leap of 14-3 1/4.

Steenhoek and Grace Hunsberger both cleared 4-6 in the high jump. Steenhoek was third and Grace Hunsberger placed fourth in the event. The final top-five individual finishes came from Linn, Dakota Allen and Schroeder. Linn was fourth in the 100 with a career-best 14.39, Allen placed fourth in the 100 hurdles in a career-best 18.89 and Schroeder took fourth in the 1,500 with a time of 5:49.46.

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Troy Hyde/ Jasper County Tribune

Colfax-Mingo sophomore Grace Hunsberger, right, hands the baton to sophomore Evalyn Anderson during a relay at the team’s home meet on April 15. The Tigerhawks scored 194 points on the night and won their first team championship of the season.