A night that was supposed to be filled with games, drinks, food and fun has been canceled. The Colfax Main Street Game Night fundraiser, planned for July 12, has been called off due to low
team registration.
“Unfortunately, due to a low amount of team registrations, our organization team has decided to cancel the Game Night Fundraiser Party,” Colfax Main Street Director Stuart Patterson said.
The event has teams of six ages 21 and over, or 18 or older for non-alcohol
Lack of teams causes Colfax Main Street to call off Game Night fundraiser
participants, completing a 550-piece puzzle, eating a large Georgioz pepperoni pizza and drinking a case of Busch Light beer over the span of four hours. Whoever got it done first would win their entry fee of $300 back with second place winning half of their registration fee back.
Supervisors open to supplemental wage increase for union workers
Dialogue between county and union re-established, MOU to be drafted by staff
Jasper County union employees who have contracts negotiated by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2840 and Public Profes-
Christopher Braunschweig/ Jasper County Tribune
From left: AFSCME Local 2840 President Craig Keith and AFSCME Union Representative Adam Swihart speak to the Jasper County Board of Supervisors during a past meeting at the Jasper County Courthouse.
sional and Maintenance Local 2003 (PPME) may yet see a supplemental wage increase, which was first attempted back in spring this year.
When union representatives first reached out to
The funds raised would be used towards Colfax Main Street projects.
“If you have registered a team, please check your email for registration reimbursement information,” Patterson said.
Any questions about the reimbursement can be directed to colfaxmainstreet@gmail.com.
NEWTON RADIO STATIONS LOSE LOCAL VOICES
By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune
Editor’snote:Thisisparttwoof atwo-partseries.
THE VOICES WE LOST:
JOE SWANSON
Joe Swanson spends the first half of his days with his kids, but by early afternoon he leaves the house to find a quiet corner in the Newton Public Library to apply for jobs. At the radio stations, he was primarily the commercial production director, but he worked in many other on-air capacities during his 15-year stay. He had only stepped away from radio for about a month many years ago when he worked at a local credit union. It wasn’t a total loss. If any-
thing, the change in job only reinforced his love of radio. Swanson started out as an intern in 2008. He soon transitioned the gig to a full-time job. It was exactly what he wanted.
At the time of his termination, Swanson had two, four-hour shows each weekday on KCOB and Energy 106.7. He worries these programs might be the last time he is ever on air. His radio career may be over. Unlike Grout, who has worked at several different stations over the years, Swanson stayed put.
But he hasn’t given up looking for radio jobs. He’s applied to a few already.
“I don’t know what’s going to
By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune
By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune
Obituaries
Joan Mary Jones
July 5, 2024
Joan Mary Jones, age 88, of Newton, formerly Colfax, passed away on July 5, 2024. A visitation will be held for Joan on Wednesday, July
10, 2024, from 10:00 – 11:00 AM at Coburn Funeral Home in Colfax, Iowa. The funeral will follow, starting at 11:00 AM. Following the funeral, burial will be held at McKeever Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate that any donations be directed to Traditions Memory Care in Newton. A luncheon will be held at the Howard Street Christian Church in Colfax following the graveside service, and all
Bonnie Lea Ferguson
July 2, 2024
are welcome to attend. If you are unable to attend the service and would like to send a card, please address it to, “Attn: Joan Jones, Coburn Funeral Home, 24 W Howard St, Colfax, IA 50054.” Online condolences may be left at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com.
Joan was born September 6, 1935, in Grinnell, Iowa to Alfred & Cecil Locker. Joan was united in marriage to Norman Jones on April 26, 1952. Over the years, they were blessed with four boys: Norm, Ron, Chuck, and Mike. The couple settled in Colfax in 1959. Joan & Norman moved to an acreage northwest of Colfax in 1987. After Norman’s passing, Joan moved to Newton. Joan held numerous jobs through the years; waitressing at truck stops in Altoona & the old Hilltop Diner in Colfax. In 1967, Joan started working at Maytag in 1967 and
retired from there after 25 years in 1992. Throughout the years, Joan also used her fantastic sewing skills to create a variety of clothes for those who needed them. Her greatest joy was creating dresses & dance costumes for friends and family. Joan spent many a summer day at Rock Creek fishing with her sisters, Lois & Phylis. Joan looked forward to the Sunday Des Moines Register arriving so that she could tackle that week’s crossword puzzle. Joan was the happiest hosting or attending family gatherings. Fawning over her grandchildren was especially close to her heart.
Joan was preceded in death by her father Alfred Locker, mother Cecil Vaughn (Locker), son Robert (at birth), husband Norman, sister Lois Innis, and brother Ed Locker. Joan is survived by brother Robert
(Sandy) Locker of Fridley, Minnesota, sister Phylis Dean of Grinnell, sister Connie Locker of Grinnell, brother Ray (Karen) Vaughn of Ave Maria, Florida, Jackie (Vaughn) Butcher of Fuquay Varina, North Carolina, stepsister Linda Beth Templeton of Newton. Sons Norman (Sandy) Jones of Newton, Ron (Peg) Jones of Newton, Chuck (Jenny) Jones of Milo, and Mike (Jerri) of Newton. Joan’s grandchildren are Jennifer Bisom (Jeff) of Knoxville, Krissy (Nick) Merfeld of Milo, Nick Jones of Newton, TJ (Schantelle) Jones of Indianola, Alex Jones of Newton, Brian Jones of Newton, Amanda Scott of Bessimer, Michigan, and Lucas Knie of Newton.
Joan was surrounded by 18 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. Joan had many nieces and nephews that were very close to her heart.
Help stop aquatic hitchhikers
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds all boaters and anglers to check for unwanted hitchhikers on their boats and equipment to help protect Iowa lakes and streams.
Aquatic invasive species move from one water body to another by hitchhiking on boats, in bait buckets and on other equipment used in the water. They can create serious problems for Iowa waters and negatively impact the quality of outdoor recreation experiences.
“Aquatic invasive species can reduce native species and make lakes and rivers unusable for boaters, anglers and swimmers, “said Kim Bogenschutz, aquatic invasive species coordinator for the Iowa DNR.
These invasive species often grow quickly and spread fast when brought to another lake or stream due to a lack of natural predators or competitors.
Boaters and anglers can help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species to new water bodies by cleaning, draining and drying their boats and equipment after each time on the water.
CLEAN any plants, animals, or mud from your boat and equipment before you leave a waterbody.
Bonnie Lea (Eatwell) Ferguson passed away on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at the age of 87, at Courtyard Estates in Bondurant where she resided for the last 6 years. Services will be held on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Coburn Funeral Home in Colfax. The family will greet friends on Tuesday from 1:00 - 2:00 pm at the fu-
neral home. Burial will take place at McKeever Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Suncrest Hospice or Courtyard Estates in Bondurant. She was born on October 8, 1936, to John and Florence (Rollings) Eatwell in Mingo IA. She was the 7th child out of 8 children. She graduated from Mingo High School where she loved to sing and play basketball in 1955. She married her high school sweetheart, Richard (Dick) Ferguson on May 22, 1957. To this union there were 3 children born: Michael, Debra, and Charles. After high school and before getting married, she worked briefly at
Bankers Life, now known as Principal. During her early years of marriage, Bonnie was a farm wife, housewife and a stay-athome mom. She would help Dick on the farm, raise a large garden and chickens. She would can or freeze everything she could out of the garden. She raised the chickens for the eggs, and she also raised chicks for a hatchery. When the children got older, she went to work for the Farmers Supply Store, Colfax IA. She worked as an accounting clerk for 30 plus years, finally getting to retire.
Bonnie loved to garden, raise all kinds of flowers, watch the birds when sharing breakfast
with Dick, and travel with a camper. She and Dick took many vacations with a camper, first with the kids and then later with friends.
Bonnie is survived by Mike (Laurie) Ferguson and Deb (Greg) Wing. Four grandchildren, Rick (Ashley) Wing, Megan (Justin) Aguiniga, Jennie (Bret) Fernau, and Tori (Matt) Christian, and 10 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dick, a son, Chuck, both parents, her 7 siblings, and twin great grandsons.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Courtyard Estates and Suncrest Hospice for all the care and love they gave Bonnie.
DRAIN water from all equipment (motor, live well, bilge, transom well, bait bucket) before you leave a waterbody.
DRY anything that comes into contact with water (boats, trailers, equipment, boots, clothing, dogs). Before you move to another waterbody either: Spray your boat and trailer with hot or high-pressure water; or Dry your boat and equipment for at least five days.
Never release plants, fish or animals into a water body unless they came out of that waterbody and always empty unwanted bait in the trash.
It is illegal to possess or transport aquatic invasive species or to transport any aquatic plants on water-related equipment in Iowa. Signs posted at public accesses identify infested waters and remind boaters to stop aquatic hitchhikers.
Iowa law also requires boaters to drain all water from boats and equipment before they leave a water access and to keep drain plugs removed or opened during transport. It is also illegal to introduce any live fish or plants, except for hooked bait, into public waters.
Learn more about aquatic invasive species, including a list of infested waters in the current Iowa Fishing Regulations or at www.iowadnr.gov/ais.
How to safeguard your vision when spending time outdoors
The great outdoors beckons billions of people across the globe every day. There’s much to be gained from spending time outdoors. According to the American Psychological Association, exposure to nature has been linked to improved attention, lower stress, improvements in mood, and reduced risk of psychiatric disorders.
With so much to gain from spending time in the great outdoors, it’s no wonder so many people embrace opportunities to get outside. When doing so, it’s important that individuals take proper precautions, such as wearing sunscreen and staying hydrated. But it’s equally important to protect your eyes before soaking up some springtime and summer sun.
• Purchase prescription sunglasses, if necessary. Sunglasses are vital to protecting the eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. If you wear prescription eyeglasses indoors, then you should also wear prescription sunglasses when spending time outside. Even contact lens wearers may want to invest in prescription sunglasses for those times when they’re engaging in physical activity outdoors. Sweat makes its way into the eyes when exerting oneself outdoors, and
that can make contacts uncomfortable. Airborne allergens like pollen also can make contacts less comfortable when outside, and prescription sunglasses can help people avoid such discomfort while protecting the eyes from UV rays.
• Wear a hat or visor. Hats and visors also help to protect the eyes from UV rays. The National Eye Institute recommends wearing sunglasses even on cloudy days, but it’s easy to forget them when leaving home or the car on an overcast morning or afternoon. Hats or visors can serve as a safety net on cloudy days when you forget to bring your sunglasses.
• Avoid rubbing your eyes. Whether it’s airborne allergens or debris, things can get into the eyes when spending time outdoors. In such instances, your first instinct might be to rub your eyes. However, University of Utah Health notes that rubbing your eyes can be very dangerous and increase risk for illness. Virus droplets can attach to hands and enter the body through the conjunctiva, a thin layer of tissue that lines the inner eyelid. This can cause infection in the eye. Dust and dirt on relatively clean but unwashed hands also can enter the eyes upon rubbing them, potentially leading
to irritation and infection. So it’s best to avoid rubbing eyes when they feel irritated and opt for eye cleaners and eyelid wipes instead.
• Keep your hands clean. Though it’s best to avoid touching your eyes with your hands, doing so is an instinctive response for many people. Frequent hand washing can keep hands free from bacteria and dust that can enter the eyes after they are touched or rubbed. No one
knows how clean or dirty surfaces outside their own homes are, and surfaces outside may be particularly dirty or dusty. Frequent hand washing reduces the likelihood that dirt and debris will find its way into your eyes.
When the great outdoors beckons, individuals can take various steps to protect their eyes from damage and infection.
— Metro Creative
Union
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discuss the subject, the meeting got heated with the board of supervisors. Disagreements over past concessions and who reached out to who first threatened to stymie the union’s request. But recent comments from supervisors indicate there is still an open dialogue.
Radio
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happen going forward,”
Swanson told Newton News in a phone interview. “There’s also a part of me that thinks: ‘Well, maybe another job like that won’t happen.’ And that will have been it. So I guess I was fortunate to have been able to do that for about 15 years.”
Swanson recalled a liner played on air — “Maybe it’s still playing, I don’t know” — that referred to KCOB as the hometown station. It was something staff took a lot of pride it. As did listeners, as it turns out. Swanson felt like the radio stations were an integral part of the Newton and Jasper County communities.
“We had the football games and the basketball games, and our news director/play-by-play guy, Randy, did the first game here at the new baseball diamond,” he said. “We had wrestling reports, state track, community events — all that stuff. And we had the weekly ‘Proud to Know Newton’ show.”
For as much as the radio station reported on hard news and local government action, it always went out of its way to support and promote positivity within the community. Unsure of what the radio stations will do going forward, Swanson is doubtful that local content will return, especially with no on-air staff.
Local content extended far beyond news reports, play-by-plays and commentary. Swanson often worked one-onone with businesses for radio ads, and it is those interactions he may miss the most. It was a way for him to get to know the people of his community as they learned the ropes of a commercial production.
“Somebody from the business would come in and I’d help them out,” Swanson said. “I would
Supervisor Brandon Talsma said during the July 2 work session that he wanted to see if his fellow elected officials were interested in continuing the conversation with the union about a 2 percent supplemental wage package. Talsma said a 2 percent raise for all union employees could amount to less than $200,000.
“I want to say that was high,” Talsma said of his initial $189,000 estimate. “It might
record them and produce their ads. So I got a chance to work with a lot of people and getting to know people a little bit. I had a good working relationship going with a bunch of them. But I also enjoyed being on the air.”
Although Swanson has worked in radio less than Grout and Van Roekel, he knows all too well how quickly and how suddenly they can be taken off the air. Layoffs were always something Swanson worried about. But no matter how prepared he may have felt, the news was always going to come as a shock.
“It’s like when’s the other shoe going to drop? You hear about it and you hope it’s not going to happen and you start to think, ‘Oh, maybe we’re doing OK. It’s not going to happen for us any time soon. Maybe they won’t get rid of everybody when it finally does happen,’” he said. “It was always in the back of my mind.”
THE VOICES WE LOST: RANDY VAN ROEKEL
Randy Van Roekel works harder than any newsman in Jasper County. In addition to reporting on every single city council, school board and supervisors meeting, he provided play-by-play commentary for sports in the Newton Community School District. When he wasn’t on air, he was working other part-time jobs. For almost three decades Van Roekel reported local news at KCOB. His official title was news director, but he wore many hats at the station. Van Roekel had been in radio almost as long Grout. His first radio gig was in 1984 in Macon, Mo. He then worked as the news director at an Illinois radio station in 1985.
By 1996, he was back home in Iowa and doing what he does best for the Newton radio stations. He has worked a total of 40 years in radio.
“It’s the only thing I’ve ever done,” Van Roekel said. “I was an only child,
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only be $150,000 or something now that I think about it. So we’ll just say $140,000 to $180,000. One of the things I think we can accomplish by doing this is … bridge the gap (between union and non-union wage scales).”
Talsma also did not think highly of the union contract negotiated for employees. But there are individuals who have union positions that are not dues-paying members of the union. Nevertheless, they are locked in to
so I kind of entertained myself and talked to myself and stuff. I was always good at writing. Growing up when we had writing assignments the teacher would pick out my writing and read it to the class and embarrass the heck out of me.”
When Van Roekel enrolled in broadcasting school, he had every intention of being a radio DJ. But his instructors insisted he had a natural delivery for a news voice. They also told him it pays more. Well, that sealed the deal. News it is. And as news director he was his own boss a lot of the times, which he liked.
Van Roekel got to do what he does well naturally for so long. In the community, he has an impeccable reputation for his news abilities. He tells it like it is, they say. He gets right down to business, they say. He’s accurate and unbiased, they say. He’s a true professional, they say.
Without him on the air, listeners feel disconnected and less informed.
So many people depended on him, and they never once expected he would pack up and leave, let alone removed entirely by the claws of corporate overheads. Van Roekel was never going to leave a small market like Newton unless he was made to. The small market is where he thought he would thrive and be safe.
“It was a shock,” he said. “People always asked me, ‘Don’t you want to go to a bigger market?’ No! Because your future really isn’t in your hands … Our decision here came from somebody in Portland that’s never met me and has no idea what I do. It’s just strictly financial.”
It was the mom-andpop stations that he was always interested in being a part of. But the industry shifted. Years back, before the COVID pandemic, all these little stations were being bought by large broadcasting groups. Ever the professional, Van Roekel doesn’t blame the small stations for accepting their offers.
“They were offered a lot of money, more so than what the station was actually worth,” Van Roekel said. “And that happened all across the nation. All these big stations and companies bought all these small
“I
that same contract. Talsma said the supplemental wage increase will help those workers.
If the supervisors were in consensus, Talsma said the auditor’s office and Dennis Simon of human resources could work up a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to have the wage increase go into effect July 27. Supervisor Doug Cupples suggested the supervisors tried to discuss this once before to no avail.
Talsma said, “I think there was
people up. The same day we got canned, other stations in Iowa and Missouri closed, too.”
While the Newton stations are primarily powered by satellite content, they are still operational at the offices in the 1800 block of North 13th Avenue East, not too far from what the old Maytag factories are. Van Roekel found it ironic that his mom, who worked in those same buildings, was let go the same way he was.
Only they were about seven blocks and several years apart from each other.
“She worked there 37 years,” he said. “They just called her up and said, ‘Get your things. We got a guy who will come and walk you to the door.’ It was just like that. It was over. Here, we got called in and told the corporation was deciding to go a different way with the small markets and eliminating all local stuff.”
Van Roekel might still see the inside of a radio studio in the near future. At least, that’s what he wants. Working the Newton market was a privilege, he said, and it was his hope to finish his career here on his own terms. He is disappointed it did not get to work out that way. So now his plans have changed.
“It was a privilege to do what I did here in the community for so long,” Van Roekel said. “I said this on the radio all the time, I appreciate people for listening. They allowed me, by listening, to do what I like to do. I hate to think that what I’ve done for 40 years might be over.”
COMMUNITY DOES NOT UNDERSTAND OR AGREE WITH DECISION
Craig Armstrong, economic development specialist for the City of Newton, was hoping the city’s Proud to Know Newton radio show would reach its 500th episode. Following Alpha Media USA’s decision last month, that is no longer going to happen. Armstrong was on episode 477. Twenty-three shows to go.
The host of Proud to Know Newton would regularly bring special guests for a small segment to either promote that specific individual or the work that they do. Sometimes Armstrong brought on city staff, oth-
a break down in communication between county and union people sitting up in Des Moines.”
Supervisor Denny Stevenson said it is the right thing to do, but he still struggled with it for a couple different reasons. But to him it certainly can’t hurt retention to provide a supplement wage package. In the end, supervisors were in consensus to have an MOU be drafted and considered for approval in the near future.
er times he spotlighted community members or organizations within the community.
“It was very positive, community-based programming that talked about hidden or not-as-apparent good things happening in the community,” Armstrong said. “Things that really deserved a little spotlight on their work via government via nonprofit or a business that is doing something remarkable.”
Armstrong learned of the radio station losing its on-air personalities through Grout’s Facebook post. Before he could even comprehend it, he received a call from the radio station’s general manager telling him the news. He was shocked and saddened at not only the loss of jobs but the loss of community radio.
“This is just a corporate, national radio station with a stick in Newton, Iowa,” he said. “It no longer is a community radio station. I feel really sorry for Ron McCarthy because he was unfortunately the unwilling executioner in this situation. He had to deliver the news to staff, who he had worked with for years.”
Armstrong suggested the loss of local radio staff is deeper than people realize. The radio station, he said, is no longer connected socially to the community.
“Whatever is on the satellite is what’s coming in and that’s what is going to be heard on all the stations that Alpha Media owns here in Newton and in Grinnell,” he said.
“The radio is our connection to each other when you think about it. It’s an identify for the community and enhances what the community is including.”
Newton Superintendent Tom Messinger said the district had a strong partnership with the radio station. Many people sought out the playby-play commentary of school sports. Messinger said the district relies on local media sources to get information out to people and to highlight its accomplishments and struggles.
“It is a huge blow to lose the local programming through our radio station,” he said. “The people that work at that radio station are some of the finest I’ve worked with and they’ve never
been anything but supportive of the school district. They look for ways to help the school district get information out.”
Never did the radio station ask for everything in return from the school district, Messinger added. While he acknowledges he may be a little biased, he does not understand Alpha Media’s decision. He does not understand how someone from so far away can think losing local programming can be good for the community.
“That shows me they’re not concerned about the community,” he said. “Our local radio station is concerned about the community and about the school district. And that is greatly going to be missed.”
Perhaps things could change. Armstrong said there are people inside and outside the community that are thinking through what can be done to preserve local radio or even create a new station. But he said those same people are aware there are a number of hoops to jump through. It won’t be easy.
“If a group of local investors, for instance, with a heart for local radio, could put together an investor group or an investor pool to purchase those stations from Alpha Media and get them back into local control, we would be back in business, so to speak,” Armstrong said. PEOPLE WERE LISTENING TO LOCAL VOICES
There is an existential fear common among those working in radio. It is a dark, ruminating thought that often pervades their minds while they’re on the air. They do their best to ignore it, but when they’re all alone in that studio the fear rears its ugly head and whispers into their ear: Is anybody actually listening?
It’s a terrible thing for a being to question whether their time and effort has been truly wasted. Even more so when it is something they love to do. Passion is not a wild, undying fire. If left unattended — and it will at some point — the light will go out, and all that will be left is cold, dark silence.
To keep passion alight, it takes hard work and a great deal of courage. It is likely the Newton radio staff asked themselves that horrible question from time to time. If the community support and outcry of their termination is any indication, then they have their answer. And the answer is as gratifying as it is unfortunate. Indeed, they were listening.
Celebrating 248 years of the Red, White and Blue
As we come together this July 4th to honor the enduring spirit of America, a nation forged in the fires of revolution and fortified through generations of perseverance and patriotism, let us take a moment to acknowledge how far we have come as a nation.
In 1776, our Founding Fathers de -
clared independence from oppression, laying the grounds for a country where individual freedom comes above all else.
Since that historic day, America has made remarkable strides. We’ve weathered wars that tested our resolve and emerged stronger. From the battlefields of Gettysburg to the shores of Normandy, American courage has secured a lasting freedom.
From the Industrial Revolution to the Digital Age, American innovation
Election 2024: Did the first presidential debate tell us anything we didn’t already know?
By Thomas L. Knapp
Joe Biden and Donald Trump are both old men. We already knew that. Neither’s brain can be honestly characterized as hitting on all the key cognitive cylinders. We already knew that.
They’re both compulsive liars. We already knew that.
Did listening to the two geezers argue about their golf handicaps in CNN’s June 27 “presidential debate” tell us anything we didn’t already know about them? Nah.
On the particular night in question, Biden came off as more dazed/ confused and Trump as more fever-dreamy/ hallucinatory but in any given week we can expect each of them to display characteristics of both mental status sets.
They’re both decrepit. They’re both deranged. They’re both demented. They’re both dishonest. Neither adds up (or seems to have ever previously added up) to much beyond the sum of those characteristics.
Even if someone, anyone, could plausibly be “qualified” to “serve” as president of the United States, neither of these two would come close to making the list. If sanity, competence, and morals were the criteria, we’d be safer picking a random name from the Elizabeth Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane’s patient roster than choosing between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how one looks at it, we don’t have to worry about
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“qualifications” -- because it’s impossible for anyone to be “qualified.”
If you don’t believe me, maybe you’ll believe Abraham Lincoln: “No man is good enough to govern another man without that other’s consent.”
In 2020, only about 47 percent of Americans voted for president of the United States.
About 90 million weren’t allowed to vote. How can they have been said to have “consented” to be ruled by the winner?
Another 82 million chose not to vote. How can they be said to have “consented” to be ruled by the winner?
As for the 158.5 million Americans who DID vote, they hardly displayed unanimity. Can those who voted for Donald Trump, Jo Jorgensen, Howie Hawkins, et al. really be said to have “consented” to be ruled by Joe Biden?
Biden only knocked down 51.31 percent of votes actually cast ... and because so many Americans chose not to vote or were forbidden to vote, fewer than one in four Americans could plausibly be said to have “consented” to his rule.
This time around, instead of arguing over which incompetent liar should rule us, let’s start thinking about how to do away with a system that allows anyone to rule us at all.
Thomas L. Knapp is director and senior news analyst at the William Lloyd Garrison Center for Libertarian Advocacy Journalism
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
has led to breakthroughs that have improved lives and allowed us to become the world’s largest economy.
So, whether it’s flying the first plane, landing a man on the moon, or inventing the internet, which has connected the entire world together, America continues to set the standard for achievement by pushing boundaries and surpassing milestones nobody thought could be achieved.
In Iowa, we live by the values that define us as a nation. From sunrise to sunset, Iowa’s farmers are hard at work to feed, fuel, and clothe the nation. Their toughness and dedication to helping others mirrors the spirit of all Americans who love their country, embrace opportunity and overcome all obstacles
to build a better future.
As we celebrate our achievements, we must also defend the principles that have made America exceptional. We face challenges both at home and abroad that threaten our freedoms and way of life. It is through vigilance, unity, and a commitment to our founding principles that we will preserve the American Dream for future generations.
This 4th of July, let us also remember to honor our veterans, first responders, and all who selflessly serve our country and communities. Let us stand together as proud Americans, united in our love for country and vow to continue upholding the values that have made America what it is today.
The
Supreme Court’s immunity ruling gives Trump King George III’s power
By Mitchell Zimmerman
If you hadn’t read the news in four years — or just arrived from another galaxy — the Supreme Court’s de facto grant of immunity to Donald Trump for his alleged federal crimes might sound almost reasonable.
There are “unique risks,” six right-wing justices warned, that if a president were required to answer criminal charges, his energies would be “diverted.” He might become “unduly cautious,” less willing to take “bold and unhesitating action.”
But if you’ve followed even a shred of news, you know this reasoning is utterly unhinged — and dangerous. The risk the right-wing majority refuses to consider is that a president might “boldly” and “unhesitatingly” try to overturn our constitutional democracy.
The real danger isn’t that an “unduly cautious” president will worry too much about being charged with crimes. The danger is that a faithless president can use the enormous powers of the presidency to overturn an election he lost. That’s what nearly happened after the 2020 election — a matter the majority says not one word about.
Nonetheless, the six hold that when a president is performing “core constitutional powers” — engaging in actions which the Constitution says he can do — he is totally immune to criminal prosecution.
In the oral argument of the
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641-526-3142
btalsma@co.jasper.ia.us
case, Trump’s attorneys were asked about the seemingly absurd notion that a president would be immune to prosecution if he officially ordered the assassination of a political rival. They didn’t dispute it. And now the Supreme Court just adopted that absurd theory.
Similarly, a president would now enjoy “absolute immunity” from prosecution if he told the attorney general, “Forge evidence that my opponent sold secrets to China and arrest him for treason.” He could freely sell national secrets to Russia. Auction pardons. Or assassinate unfriendly judges.
Where does this outrageous theory come from? Not the Constitution.
The six right-wingers’ ruling has no basis in law or logic — and turns the lessons of our history upside down. The Constitution includes no language granting the president immunity from criminal charges, and the Founding Fathers were dead set against an all-powerful executive.
The Founders considered it a feature, not a fault, that under the proposed Constitution the president would be restrained. They maintained the president wouldn’t pose a threat to liberty because he wouldn’t be above the law, unlike the King of England. As Alexander Hamilton wrote, former presidents who’d committed crimes during their presidency would thereafter be “liable to prosecution and punishment in the ordinary course of law.”
The conservative majority of the Supreme Court acknowledged, in theory, that a president is not 100 percent above the law. Even Trump’s own lawyers conceded the point. Nonetheless, the six ignored Trump’s concessions and will now require his federal criminal trial to go through a time-consuming process to assess the immunity claims. That will delay the trial until after the election — which could give Trump the power to fire all of the prosecutors and dismiss the charges against himself if he wins.
Why would the conservative justices do all this to protect Trump? So they can continue to impose their extremist views on America.
The extremists currently enjoy a six-three Supreme Court majority. But Justice Thomas is 76 and Justice Alito is 74. Their seats could become vacant in the next four years and potentially flip. By protecting Donald Trump from prosecution, they’re trying to secure the succession at the Supreme Court — to make sure the right wing maintains its power.
The upcoming election could determine whether the far-right majority is flipped on its head — or paves the way for a deeper assault from extreme judges and politicians. Mitchell Zimmerman is an attorney, longtime social activist, and author of the anti-racism thriller Mississippi Reckoning.
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
Farmland Leasing and Management workshops to address setting fair cash rents
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is conducting twelve in-person farmland lease meetings in Central Iowa in early August. Meeting sites include Adel, Altoona, Ames, Boone, Grinnell, Grundy Center, Indianola, Knoxville, Newton, Marshalltown, Oskaloosa and Toledo. Participants will also receive a 100-page Farmland Leasing Arrangements booklet.
The discussion will focus on various methods to determine a fair 2025 cash rental rate and the importance of good landlord/ tenant communications. According to the May 2024 Annual Cash Rental Rates for Iowa Survey, File C2—10, the cash rental rates for Iowa farmland, rates remained the same as the 2023 statewide average at $279 per acre.
The Newton in-person meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8 at the Newton DMACC Campus, 600 N. Second Ave. W. Patrick Hatting, farm management specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will facilitate the twohour meeting. Participants of the in-person meetings will receive a 100-page Farmland Leasing Arrangements booklet and meet-
ISU Extension and Outreach will conduct
in Central Iowa in early August. Meeting
Grinnell, Newton and Marshalltown,
discussion will focus on various methods to determine a fair 2025 cash rental rate and the importance of good landlord/tenant communications.
ing handouts designed to assist landowners, tenants and other agri-business professionals with issues related to farmland ownership, management and leasing arrangements.
Early registration is required at least two days before the in-person meeting. Contact the ISU Jasper County Extension at 641-
said due to changes in state law the bond issuances can only be held on the November ballots, which gives the county four months to communicate its plan to taxpayers. So when it comes time to choose a president, citizens will also be voting yes or no for the individual projects.
Although it is estimated the combined total of the bond referendums to be about $7.5 million, the prices sought for each project have not been set at this point. Talsma said the reason the county can afford a bond issue while still not raising taxes is due to the upcoming drop in the debt service levy.
“Same thing we had with the administration building. We have an opportunity to bond for some long-term projects instead of seeing a spike
in our capital projects levy to continue to maintain facilities,” Talsma said. “…We got debt coming off the books. We’re at a point in time we can tackle another large capital project.”
The bond issues were discussed during the work session following the regularly scheduled board of supervisors meeting on July 2. But with consensus from the supervisors, it is likely the request will appear on a future agenda so that the county can begin planning outreach events and a communications plan. Included in the second phase of the Liberty Avenue Yard is the construction of the new secondary roads offices and shop building, which would relocate staff from the current engineer’s office. Equipment has outgrown the current facility, and work has already been completed at the new site next to the sheriff’s office.
HOWARD ST. CHRISTIAN CHURCH (Disciples of Christ)
Pastor Tom Burns Howard & Locust St., Colfax Office - 674-3746 Church Cell - 971-0569
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Adult & Wired
Word Adult Sunday school classes; 10 a.m. Fellowship Time;10:30 a.m. Worship, in person or online via YouTube
MONDAY - Tom’s day off TUESDAY - 9:30 a.m. Coffee Time/Fellowship; 2 p.m. Easy Yoga
WEDNESDAY - 3:30 p.m. After school elementary youth; 6:10 ChiRho and CYF youth supper/ youth group
THIRD SUNDAY of month
- Marathon Sunday includes elders, board, potluck and food pantry
FIRST MONDAY of monthWIC appointments
IRA UNITED CHURCH
Rev. Michael Omundson
Community Calendar
Send items to news@jaspercountytribune.com
THURSDAY
• Baxter Garden Club meets at 7 p.m. second Thursday of month, March to December, at the Baxter Community Building
SATURDAY
• Colfax Historical Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the second Saturday of the month. Admission is free.
SUNDAY
• Colfax Historical Society Museum is open from 2 to 4 p.m. every Sunday through Labor Day.
MONDAY
• Colfax Historical Society meets at 7 p.m. the third Monday of month at the museum
TUESDAY
• Colfax Farmers Market is open from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Mineral Springs Park
THURSDAY
• Mingo Men’s Club meets at 7 p.m. the third Thursday of month at the Mingo Community Center
792-6433 to pre-register on or before Monday, Aug. 5 before noon.
The $20 per individual fee with one book is payable at the door.
For a list of meetings statewide, check the ISU Extension calendar for a meeting time for the county you want to attend at www. extension.iastate.edu/agdm/info/ meetings.html.
Conservation is in need of a shop building at Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve and another at Mariposa Park. Talsma also proposed a portion of the bond could pay for the outfitting of the classrooms in the upcoming state-of-the-art nature center, which staff say is projected to break ground this year.
The former Jasper County Animal Rescue League building is being transformed into a local training facility for law enforcement, and it is proposed the bond issue help pay for the remodel and a location for the advanced life support (ALS) program, a small break room, an office and ambulance storage.
“Instead of phasing those projects in to the tune of $250,000 or $300,000 a year over the next couple fiscal years, we could could lump them in with this bond issuance and get them all knocked out at the same time as well,”
Talsma said. “We would be looking at about 3.8 percent on the high side of interest.”
Still, Talsma was adamant the county can take on the bonds without increasing the debt service levy or taxes. Talsma said if every project passes on the bond issue, it will be paid off entirely in 10 years. Supervisor Denny Stevenson was in support of the idea, particularly the new yard site for secondary roads.
“This has been a long time coming,” Stevenson said. “I was glad to see you guys get that started. I think it absolutely needed to be done. Because of the way we’ve done it around here, we’ll get these projects done without costing the taxpayers tons and tons and tons of money. I mean, they’re paying for it.”
Supervisor Doug Cupples agreed.
“I think we need to put it on the agenda,” Cupples said. “Let’s get it going.”
Iowa artist Chad Elliott to ‘Paint the Park’ and perform live music at NSNWR
The Friends of Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge will host Iowa artist and Americana songwriter Chad Elliott as part of his ‘Paint the Park’ series July 18. Elliott has invited parks across Iowa to host a live painting and live music event in their natural spaces. He will paint a piece inspired by the unique landscape of the prairie restoration at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge and perform a concert behind
Church Schedules
SUNDAY - 9:30 a.m. Church 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, July 14 - 9 a.m. Fellowship; 9:15 a.m. Bible Education Classes; 10:25 a.m. Message by Pastor Cody Dyer
TUESDAY, July 16 - 3:30 p.m. Women’s Prayer and Coffee; 6 p.m. Trustee meeting
WEDNESDAY, July 17- 9 a.m. Busy Bee Quilters and Fresh Encounter Prayer
The church schedule is brought
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, Today is Food Pantry Sunday
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 & 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
the Refuge’s Visitor Center. The public is invited to stop by during the day to see him working, take a walk, admire blooming wildflowers and look for bison and elk. Concert attendees are welcome to bring their own chairs or blankets for seating beginning at 5 p.m. with music starting at 6 p.m. Outside food and non-alcoholic beverages may be brought to the event. The Prairie Point Nature Store will be open.
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
LUTHERAN CHURCH OF HOPE Capitol II Theatre in Newton SUNDAY - 9:30 a.m. Livestream Worship Service
Photo by Michael Krabbenhoeft
farmland lease meetings
sites will include Altoona,
among others. The
Photo by Roger D. Feldhans
Iowa artist Chad Elliott to perform at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge July 18.
Colfax-Mingo senior Cael Bracewell struck out nine and allowed just two hits, but the Tigerhawks lost 2-0 to Woodward-Granger in the Class 2A District 13 quarterfinals on July 6.
C-M baseball ends season after loss to Woodward-Granger
OGDEN — Cael Bracewell had two of the team’s three hits at the plate and struck out nine on the mound, but the Colfax-Mingo baseball team’s season ended on July 6 following a 2-0 loss to Woodward-Granger in the Class 2A District 13 quarterfinals at Ogden High School.
Only one of the Hawks’ runs were earned as the Tigerhawks were plagued by two errors. Bracewell allowed just two hits in the loss.
Woodward-Granger scored one in the third and one in the fifth to advance. The Hawks (11-14) advanced to play No. 4 Van Meter (286) on July 9.
Bracewell led off the fourth inning with a triple, but the next three Tigerhawks went down on strikes. Colfax-Mingo (8-12) struck out 13 times at the plate.
Bracewell had a two-out infield single in the sixth and then stole second but was stranded.
Joe Earles collected the other hit. He singled in the seventh but was stranded on third base. The Tigerhawks did not walk in the game.
Bracewell ended the season with a team-best .418 batting average and had a team-high .610 on-base percentage. He also stole a teammost 13 bases.
The Tigerhawk senior allowed
Hyde/Jasper County Tribune Colfax-Mingo senior Joe Earles singled in his final prep at-bat on July 6 during the Tigerhawks’ season-ending 2-0 loss to Woodward-Granger.
one earned run on two hits and two walks in his final pitching start. He struck out nine, kept his earned run average at 1.16 and dropped to 5-2.
Bracewell finished with a statebest 126 strikeouts in 60 1/3 innings, which ranked as the seventh most in Iowa.
Colfax-Mingo’s non-conference game against Colo-NESCO scheduled for July 2 was canceled due to weather.
East Marshall 4, Colfax-Mingo 3, 8 innings
LE GRAND — Bracewell had the team’s only hit and fanned 12 batters on the mound, but East Mar-
shall rallied past the Tigerhawks with a pair of late runs during a 4-3 non-conference game on July 1.
The Tigerhawks took a 3-1 lead with a three-run fifth, but the Mustangs plated single runs in the fifth, seventh and eighth to edge their visitors in extra innings.
East Marshall had a 2-1 advantage in hits and both teams committed two errors.
Bracewell was chased with two outs in the sixth after running out of pitches. He allowed two runs — one earned — on no hits, four walks and one hit batter in 5 2/3 innings.
Camden Cunningham (1-5) took the loss on the mound after surrendering two runs — none earned — on two hits and two walks. He struck out two in 1 2/3 innings.
Bracewell had one hit, one run, one RBI and one walk to lead the offense. He leads the Tigerhawks with 25 runs, 19 walks and 48 total bases.
Kaden Dalton, Konner Dalton, Wyatt Jay, Alex Teed, Earles and Cunningham all walked once.
Konner Dalton stole one base and Logan Exley and Xavier Woods each scored one run. The Tigerhawks struck out 13 times at the plate.
East Marshall (14-15) was led by Jacob Farrington, who finished with one hit and two RBIs. The Mustangs struck out 15 times.
Slow start plagues Baxter baseball in season-ending loss to Madrid
Jasper County Tribune
URBANDALE — The Baxter baseball team couldn’t recover from a slow start on July 6 during the Class 1A District 14 quarterfinals at Northview Park.
Cael Wishman clubbed a solo home run in the sixth inning, but that was all the Bolts could muster during a 14-1 season-ending loss to Madrid.
The Tigers scored twice in the first and third, once in the second and sixth and pushed across eight runs in the seventh during the win.
The Bolts were out-hit 11-8. Wishman’s homer led the way and Ben Richardson and Hayden Burdess both doubled.
Colton Moffit collected one hit and one walk and the other hits came from Liam Trent, Colten Damman, James Esqueda and Cody Spurgeon.
Baxter (10-13) tied a program record for wins in a season but ended the year with five straight losses.
Moffit (6-3) took the pitching loss after allowing 10 runs — six earned — on eight hits, two walks and one hit batter. He struck out five in 6 1/3 innings and used all of his 110 pitches.
Aiden Johnson relieved Moffit but couldn’t get an out and surrendered four earned runs on four hits and two walks.
Nolan Hill got the final two outs and struck out one. He did not allow a hit or a run.
Madrid was led by Jayce Fuson, who had three hits, three runs and two steals. Gavin Bridgewater had two hits and two runs.
The Tigers (13-16) advanced to play top-seeded Ankeny Christian Academy (16-8) on July 9 at Northview Park in Urbandale. The Eagles downed Panorama, 4-1, in their quarterfinal contest.
Baxter’s home game against Belle Plaine scheduled for July 2 was canceled due to weather.
Joe Earles
Colfax-Mingo senior Joe Earles finished his final prep season with a .304 batting average and an on-base percentage of .438. He led the Tigerhawks with 15 singles and 15 RBIs and added 19 total bases, 11 runs, 17 hits and 13 walks.
Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune
Jasper County Tribune
Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune
Colfax-Mingo eighth-grader Camden Cunningham, left, tags out Woodward-Granger’s Shaefer Hanson trying to steal second base during the team’s 2-0 district loss on July 6.
Troy
Troy Hyde/ Jasper County Tribune
Baxter junior James Esqueda makes a leaping catch in right field during the early stages of the Bolts’ district loss to Madrid on July 6.
FOR SALE: Mid
00. concrete Heart shapebasket - $15.00. Metal tree shape decor$10 00. 50" Shepherd Hook$10 00. 8" Round Cast Plant Holder - $15.00. Please call: 792-8017, Newton
