Jasper County says alleged embezzled money was collected from
permit fees
Newton woman is accused of writing herself checks over the course of 11 months
By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
Jasper County officials say the money allegedly misused by a former community development employee — who has been arrested and charged with theft and 11 counts of forgery — was not county property tax dollars. The employee has been accused of misusing more than $17,000 collected from permit fees.
In a notice posted by the county on its Facebook page on July 10, the day 31-year-old Shelby Hobbs was taken into custody, it was stated human resources, the county attorney and the sheriff’s office were immediately notified of the alleged misuse, which would be considered embezzlement.
“The board of supervisors, county auditor and county treasurer immediately looked into how this situation could have happened and immediately changed Jasper County’s policies and procedures to help ensure it does not happen
Special election results in for Baxter City Council seats
Council composition to change following election results
By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune
With a 30 percent voter turnout, the citizens of Baxter have seemingly elected two city council members. Dalton Kinzel and Joel Schabilion earned the most votes in the special election held July 9.
According to unofficial results from the Jasper County Auditor’s Office, out of the 229 ballots cast with each voter selecting two of the candidates, Kinzel was the top vote at 188 votes or 43.42 percent. Schabilion came in next at 154 votes or 35.57 percent. The third candidate, Michael Churchill,
received 87 votes or 20.09 percent.
Kinzel will remain in the seat he has filled since being appointed in January. Schabilion will take over the council seat from Churchill who was appointed in May. The seat was vacated at that time
Jasper County Fair awarded $700K grant for youth learning center
Geisler-Penquite Foundation gives fair a space to hold more educational opportunities and events
By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune
Jasper County Fairgrounds has been awarded a generous $700,000 grant from the Geisler-Penquite Foundation to go towards the construction of a new youth learning center, which will host fair projects and other educational opportunities and events throughout the year when fully completed.
According to the press release announcing the grant acquisition, the funds are the result of a partnership between the Geisler-Penquite Foundation and the Jasper County Agricultural Society, which is the entity that owns
Annual Baxter Fun Days brings crowds out to celebrate the community
Christopher Braunschweig/Jasper County Tribune
Geisler-Penquite Foundation, which will go towards the construction of
Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune
Following a special election July 9, Dalton Kinzel and Joel Schabiliion will fill available city council seats for the City of Baxter.
Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune
Cicada Quest video documents the type of cicadas emerging in Iowa
Learn about the 17-year cicada by watching Cicada Quest:
A Symphony of Nature
Are you curious about the cicadas that are emerging in eastern Iowa? Maybe you’ve noticed the notorious buzzing sound they make, or maybe you’ve encountered a swarm of cicadas on your property or local park.
The Integrated Pest Management team with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach produced a short video entitled: ‘Cicada Quest: A Symphony of Nature’ to help answer questions and share interesting information about periodical cicadas. This vision was brought to life by Brandon Kleinke, media production specialist for the team, whose goal was to share the team’s field trip over to eastern Iowa.
In the United States, there are seven species of
periodical cicadas, three of which the Integrated Pest Management team found on their adventure.
The loud noises heard by many from the cicadas are the males singing in order to attract females for mating. After mating the eggs that are laid will result in the hatch of a new brood, that will live underground for 17 years before emerging and repeating the process all over again.
“Viewers can gain an appreciation for how cool the periodical cicada is and how it is a very interesting phenomena to get to witness,” said Laura Iles, director of the North Central Integrated Pest Management Center.
“The next time to see periodical cicadas in Iowa will be in 2031 when Brood III emerges in central Iowa.”
Each year, annual ci-
cadas emerge, but the periodical cicadas are a different genus and only emerge every 13 or 17 years. The periodical cicadas can be loud, but they only last a few weeks as the adults seek out mates and lay eggs.
Don’t be worried about the health of your trees where the cicadas have laid eggs. In areas where
the cicadas emerged, egg laying causes some branch tip dieback, but it is not harmful to the tree’s overall health.
Learn more about the Integrated Pest Management team by following the updates to the team website, including additional educational videos about insects found in Iowa.
Learn to Hunt program registration for beginner fur harvesting workshops
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering a program to teach skills needed to trap furbearers to people with little to no trapping experience.
The workshop will feature knowledge and skill building sessions with instructors that will teach the basics of trapping in Iowa.
“For those interested in the tradition of trapping as a means of sourcing fur, this program provides the opportunity to gain the skills and the knowledge it takes to do it all yourself,” said Jamie Cook, program coordinator with the Iowa DNR.
Participants will learn basic strategies for trapping such as proper equipment, trap placement, trapping regulations and steps for preparing hides for trade. Participants are expected to dress appropriately for the weather as a significant portion of the class will be held outdoors.
The workshops will take place on various dates and locations across the state. The course is designed for participants of all ages. Space is limited so be sure to register right away.
For more information and to begin the registration process, visit the link below and search by Trapper Education Class event type: https:// license.gooutdoorsiowa.com/Event/EventsHome. aspx
The program is provided through a partnership with the Iowa DNR and Iowa Trappers Association. It is part of a national effort to recruit, retain and reactivate hunters, anglers and trappers due to the overall decline in hunting and outdoor recreation.
Cattle producers should be alert over HPAI, not alarmed
Amid disease outbreaks, producers should examine their current biosecurity plans
Announcements of High-
ly Pathogenic Avian Influenza should not cause alarm among cattlemen, although this should alert producers to examine their current biosecurity plan, according to a beef specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
Denise Schwab said the announcements are reminders of how any disease can spread to cattle.
“Basic biosecurity practices are essential daily steps for the prevention of all diseases, and cattlemen should always be alert to the potential of disease spread,” she said. “Diseases can be spread by aerosol, direct animal-to-animal contact, oral (through feed or water), reproduction, vector-born (biting or sucking insects), or by vehicles and fomites (shoes, clothes, contaminated feed, needles). Everything we do to prevent this spread reduces the risk of diseases.”
Direct animal-to-animal contact is the most significant risk for disease spread. Here are some management practices to minimize this risk:
• Isolate any incoming animals such as new bulls, purchased replacement heifers,
ing and using sound management practices
purchased feeder calves, or animals returning home from exhibitions for 30 days.
• Maintain good perimeter fences to prevent neighboring bulls from breeding your cows
summer.
Particularly warm days, which can arise as spring gives way to the dog days of summer, can be both uncomfortable and unhealthy. Such days also can prove deadly. Despite that threat, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that heat-related illnesses are preventable. Harmful outcomes also are preventable when people learn to distinguish between heat-related illnesses. Heatstroke and heat exhaustion are easily confused, but the two conditions produce noticeably different symptoms. Recognition of that can help anyone stay healthy or help someone in need as the mercury rises this
Heatstroke symptoms
• Elevated body temperature, typically 103 F or 104 F or higher
• Hot, red, dry, or damp skin
• Fast, strong pulse
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Loss of consciousness
Heat exhaustion symptoms
• Heavy sweating
• Cold, pale and clammy skin
• Fast, weak pulse
• Nausea or vomiting
• Muscle cramps
• Feelings of tiredness or weakness
• Dizziness
• Headache
and keep them in their pasture.
• Prevent nose-to-nose contact between your cow herd and newly purchased cattle.
• Minimize contact with
• Fainting
Anyone experiencing these or other abnormal symptoms on hot days is urged to immediately move to a cool place and seek medical help. The CDC notes that heatstroke is a medical emergency, so individuals who suspect they or someone in their presence is experiencing heatstroke should call 911 immediately. If heat exhaustion is suspected, seek immediate medical help if a person is vomiting, experiencing symptoms that are worsening or sticking around for one hour or longer. More information about heat-related illnesses is available at cdc.gov. TF247136
wildlife when possible, and especially control rodents.
• Obtain the health history of purchased cattle.
• Limit who can access pens, feed storage, mixing areas,
feed bunks and treatment areas.
• Clean and disinfect all equipment before using it around healthy cattle.
• Keep a record of all visitors to the operation.
Humans also are disease vectors, Schwab said.
“We control many management practices that can reduce disease spread,” she said. “Our shoes/boots and clothing can move bacteria and viruses, so having separate shoes/boots for the farm, changing after attending public livestock events such as fairs, auctions and field days before doing your chores, and preventing access to livestock areas by outside vehicles can help mitigate risk.”
It’s impossible to prevent all disease spread risks, but producers can minimize the impact by having and using sound management practices within their control. See information on biosecurity practices in the BQA Field Guide or work with your local veterinarian to identify disease risks in your area and mitigation practices to use.
Contact Schwab for more information at dschwab@ iastate.edu or call 319-7219624.
We can stop HIV, Iowa by finding the HIV prevention methods that work best for us!
Find a health care provider to whom you can talk openly about your sexual health.
Practice safer sex.
Make HIV testing part of your journey. Getting tested is the only way to know your status! Get in care. Stay in care.
partners.
Use condoms and choose sexual activities with a lower likelihood of passing on an infection. Learn more at stophiviowa.org
Iowa State University
Cicada on a tree branch.
Embezzlement
Continuedfrompage1
again,” the county stated in its social media post on Facebook. According to the criminal complaints obtained by Newton News, Hobbs allegedly wrote 42 checks to herself over the span of 11 months. The checks were either cashed or deposited into her personal checking account. Authorities say banking records of the county zoning department and Hobbs were compared to confirm. Hobbs made admissions to engaging in this conduct, authorities say.
Other criminal complaints against Hobbs say she utilized the Jasper County Community Development checkbook and signed the checks in the name of her supervisor — community
Special Election
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by former council member Josh Meckley.
The special election took place following a successful petition from Baxter residents following Meckley’s departure. The council had decided to fill the seat by appointment. According to Iowa Code, a petition can be made to hold a special election to fill the seat and one was presented within the timeframe needed. Because another seat on the Baxter City Council was filled by appointment earlier in the year it was also put on the ballot on July 9.
development director Kevin Luetters — without his knowledge and without his permission. Affidavits from Jasper County law enforcement allege Hobbs wrote checks for herself two to six times a month from August 2023 until June 2024. Individual checks ranged from as low as $95.42 to as high as $820. In a single month, the checks totaled between $680 to upwards of $2,417.
Jasper County Sheriff’s Office stated in a July 10 press release that the county attorney’s office requested law enforcement on June 26 to conduct a criminal investigation on a county employee who was suspected of misusing county funds. Investigators found $17,458.41 was utilized for unauthorized expenses.
Hobbs was arrested following the investigation and charged with first-degree theft (Class C felony) and 11 counts of forgery (Class D felony).
County community.”
Continuedfrompage1
the fairgrounds. The fair itself is managed by the nonprofit Jasper County Fair Board.
“It is deeply gratifying to help breathe life into this important fairgrounds revitalization project,” Dan Skokan, president of Geisler-Penquite Foundation Board, said. “This project is in perfect alignment with the Geisler and Penquite families’ educational desires and dreams for the Jasper
Geisler-Penquite Foundation established in 2009 but its roots date to 1969 when the Geisler Penquite Charitable Corporation was created by the Jasper County farm family of John E. and Gertrude Setzer Geisler and their children, Cecil Geisler Penquite and her husband Loren, and Harold Geisler and his wife Mavis.
Since then the distribution of the family’s farm holdings and investments have resulted in grants totaling nearly $9 million to Central College
and 16 Jasper County nonprofits whose missions align close with the family’s values of hard work, diligence, a love for learning and strong adherence to Christian principles.
Jasper County Fair Board’s mission of providing resources, engagement opportunities and support to promote the growth and development of all Jasper County residents — especially youth — and the preservation of the area’s agricultural heritage certainly aligned with Geisler-Penquite Foundation’s values.
Roger Zaabel, president of
the Jasper County Fair Board, said there is a lot of pride taken in fairgrounds facilities, but the board is often limited on funds.
“So to have the Geisler-Penquite Foundation see the value in our efforts and generously award us a grant of this magnitude is humbling,” Zaabel said. “This investment will help us transform the physical layout of the fairgrounds and, more importantly, show our youth that we are investing in them.”
Currently, the plan is to have the Geisler-Penquite Youth Learning Center built and ready by the 2025 Jasper County Fair.
Geisler-Penquite Foundation recently made headlines for partnering with Jasper Conservation Connection — the friends group for Jasper County Conservation —to fully fund a $700,000 Geisler-Penquite Land Stewardship Lab for the second phase of the upcoming environmental education center project.
Funds will go towards the creation of an outdoor recreation center and prairie production lab, which will include a greenhouse, a prairie production and seed cleaning area, a classroom, an indoor archery range, public restrooms and a public use area for canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, skis and snowshoes.
Christopher Braunschweig/Jasper County Tribune Jasper County said in a Facebook post that the alleged embezzled money was collected from permit fees.
Christopher Braunschweig/Jasper County Tribune Funds the Jasper County Fair received from the Geisler-Penquite Grant will be used to create more places for youth to show what they have worked on.
98-year-old Vern Dorothy of Mt. Pleasant throws out first pitch
On June 20, 98-year-old Vern Dorothy of Mt. Pleasant, a World War II Navy veteran, threw out the first pitch at a Burlington Bees baseball game. The crowd, with more than polite applause, cheered wildly as the stadium sound system struck up “Anchors Aweigh.” It’s the third year in a row for Vern throwing out the first pitch at a Bees game.
It all started four years ago when Mark Kimzey, of Kimzey Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant, decided he’d rather do something different for his staff instead of the traditional Christmas party. A long-time Bees fan, he thought, “Why not reserve the Hall-ofFame Suite at the stadium and bring my staff over for a Bees game? It beats the heck out of a Christmas party any day.”
After a year or so of doing this, Bees’ management asked Mark if he’d
like to throw out the first pitch. Mark declined but said that he knew someone who would be better suited for the honor. He suggested Vern Dorothy.
Vern and his wife, Carolyn, were longtime, part-time staff at Kimzey Funeral Home. Carolyn helped out at funerals as a visitation hostess, and Vern performed maintenance work. In fact, Mark Kimzey credits Vern as the reason the funeral home is still standing. Vern can repair anything.
Vern comes by his maintenance abilities naturally. In addition to working at the Dexter Company in Fairfield
Complaining
By Bryan Golden
Is complaining an effective strategy for solving problems? Will complaining improve your situation? Do others enjoy listening to you complain? The answer to all three questions is no. Then why do people complain?
There are a number of reasons a person complains. He or she may be looking for sympathy, assistance, support, or just letting off steam. There are also people who are habitual whiners who are never satisfied or content.
In the case of sympathy, there is an erroneous assumption that if enough other people feel sorry for them, it will somehow improve the complainer’s situation. All that will be accomplished is that others will grow tired of their moaning and give them a wide berth. Everyone has their own problems and very few people want to spend their discretionary time listening to the tales of woe of others.
Sympathy seekers tend to dwell on their problems rather than seeking solutions. When potential solutions are presented, they invariably find fault with and summarily dismiss them. These complainers seek attention and monopolize conversations. They look for opportunities to show how their plight is worse than everyone else’s.
Spending time with sympathy seekers can be draining. They are consumed with their own situation and show little or no interest in other people. Regardless of how good you may feel, a gripe session with a sympathy seeker will depress your mood. Some complainers are looking for assistance in solving a problem. In this case they are interested in advice that will lead to a solution. The danger here is that they will indiscriminately seek guidance from anyone. In their attempt to overcome an obstacle, they will try virtually any remedy offered without considering the qualifications of the source.
Following bad advice can exacerbate a problem. Advice seekers that jump from one bad suggestion to another will become frustrated as they fail to solve their problem. The result is the erroneous conclusion that their situation has no solution.
Complainers in search of advice must be very selective in whom they approach. Only those who have successfully solved similar problems or who have appropriate expertise should be sought out. When the right person is identified, they should be asked for advice directly rather than complaining to them.
Perhaps a complainer is looking for support. They may be overwhelmed by unexpected events or overloaded with responsibilities. This type of complainer is likely looking for help rather than advice. If you are so inclined, offer to lend a hand. Even when they are helped out, some complainers always wind up in another crisis situation. Helping them out again will only improve their situation temporarily. Without a change in strategy, they will soon become immersed in another crisis.
Complainers who are incessant whiners find fault with virtually everything. They complain about their lives, other people’s lives, the weather, politics, religion, society, etc. Everything they comment on is flawed. All of life is tainted. Their glass is always half empty and probably leaking. These people are not happy unless they are unhappy.
Whiners will never be satisfied. They don’t want sympathy, solutions, or help. They just want to complain. These people will never change and their minds are closed to new ideas. Your only option is to limit exposure to their griping.
Complaining is unproductive and destructive. If you have problems, find solutions. If you need help, ask. Occasional complaining to seek understanding or let off steam is ok. But don’t make it a way of life or a topic of every conversation.
Contact Bryan Golden at Bryan@columnist.
for 45 years, he and his wife Carolyn farmed for 48. Farmers of that ilk were part mechanic, carpenter and general handyman.
Growing up on the farm, Vern went to live with his father when he was 12. He attended Taylor #2 Country School until the eighth grade, then transferred to Stockport for high school.
Vern walked to the country school, as did the teacher. She lived close to the school so that she could walk. There were no snow days in those days.
Upon graduation from high school, Uncle Sam was waiting. The Navy took Vern, and he was off to boot training in Idaho. After boot camp, he was assigned to the USS Marshall, a Fletcher Class Destroyer based out of San Diego. However, the war was winding down, and the Marshall sailed to New Orleans and Vern went to Guam. After a leave for his grandmother’s funeral, it was back to California and then Olathe, Kansas where he was discharged. Vern and a friend hitchhiked across Missouri dragging their sea bags. He eventually made his way to Fairfield.
Vern knew a young lady in Birmingham. He asked her for a date. She said she already had one, but would tell the
guy she was sick. They went to a movie in Fairfield, and the first person they ran into was the other guy.
Vern and Carolyn bought a farm, were married 74 years, and had two children, Joy and RV (Robert Vern). Joy actually attended the same country school, Taylor No. 2, as did Vern. Vern, and Carolyn’s brother built a house for Vern and Carolyn at 300 N. Jackson St. in Mt. Pleasant, where they lived until moving into Arbor Court Retirement Home.
Carolyn recently passed away on March 10. In June they would have been married 75 years. The staff at Arbor Court were going to have a ceremony where Carolyn and Vern renewed their wedding vows. Vern was going to wear a tux. Carolyn would have liked that.
Vern’s dad lived to be 101, and Carolyn’s dad also lived to 101. Vern’s goal is to catch’m and maybe surpass’m. At the Bees’ game, the players formed a tunnel with their arms, and Vern passed through it. He thinks he’d like to throw out the first pitch at least one more year.
Contact Curt Swarm at curtswarm@yahoo.com
Corporate America’s new euphemisms for gouging
We should pay attention to corporate America’s fluctuating wordplay, for their frequent contortions of language disguise ploys to dupe, confuse, and rip off us hoi polloi — i.e., their customers.
For example, here’s a mouthful that’s been gaining popularity among manufacturers of food products: price pack architecture.
It’s a bit of gobbledygook meant to obscure the profiteering practice of ever so quietly shrinking the size and contents of their packages — without lowering prices. Economists dubbed this “shrinkflation,” but that too clearly implied gouging. Thus, corporate image-makers invented the incomprehensible nonsense phrase of PPA to cloak their anti-consumer trickery.
YOUR VIEW
This convoluted codeword also allows the tricksters to brag openly about their cleverness to their Wall Street investors. Here’s Coca-Cola’s CEO, for example, doing corporate-speak to bankers in February: “We are leveraging our revenue growth management capabilities to tailor our offerings and price pack architecture to meet consumers’ evolving needs.”
English translation: Consumers will need to pay us more for less Coke. You could almost hear the
Guns, guns, guns
Clearly, the lucidity of our congresswoman, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, is unparalleled. She has once again uncovered and enunciated the evils of “not having a gun.” Guns are important. Protection is important. Self-defense is important. One would almost think we were all living under an interstate overpass at the mercy of illegal truckers and other sorts of riff-raff from overseas here on work visas and such.
And Biden is responsible — we know this for certain. He has in his employ “unelected bureaucrats” who are determined to take our guns. Not only that, but they, the “unelected bureaucrats,” want to make gun owners criminals, especially disabled veterans. All this has presumably been ferreted out from the leakage of secret bureaucratic memos and other arcane sources.
Apparently the new issue is the stabilizing brace which can be attached to “legally-purchased firearms.” Being none too familiar with this particular device, I had to google it. The stabilizing brace is now considered by the ATF to be an SBR. Once again, I was required to google the terminology. An SBR is a short-barreled rifle which apparently has historically caused some concern with the folks at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
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bankers weep for joy over Coke’s sneaky scheme to stiff its customers. Perhaps you’ve wondered what big-time corporate CEOs actually do to rake in their exorbitant salaries, now averaging more than $8,000 an hour! Well, there it is: The CEO’s main job is to keep workers’ pay low, monopolize markets, and constantly invent slick ways to squeeze another dime from each consumer’s pocket.
It’s not honest work, but it does pay well. Coca-Cola’s CEO James Quincey, for example, hauled in $25 million in pay last year. That’s 1,800 times more than the annual income of the typical Coca-Cola worker, who will now pay more for a sip of Coke, thanks to Quincey’s “price pack architecture.”
This new interpretation by the ATF, according to our representative, will create millions of new criminals — formerly law-abiding gun owners. As I have stated previously, I am always in favor of more criminals being a criminal defense attorney so I will have to come down on the side of the ATF on this one. After all, business is business. So I say to Rep. Miller-Meeks, let it go will you; let the government turn these disabled veterans into criminals needing representation.
The representative references Final Rule 2021R-o8F effective Jan. 31, 2023. Apparently, the significance of this rule has just become apparent to Ms. Miller-Meeks. Better late than never. So if I’m not mistaken, all these disabled veterans Ms. Miller-Meeks referenced have been criminals since Jan. 31, 2023. I must have missed it. Either that or they all get charged in federal court which I try to avoid; but you think you would hear about it someplace. Surely all these disabled veterans getting charged criminally for having an SBR would hit the news somehow.
In conclusion, once again thanks are owed to our elected officials for keeping on top of these issues and informing the public of the insidious efforts of these “unelected bureaucrats” to not only take our firearms, but to make more criminals.
Richard E. H. Phelps II Mingo
Curt Swarm
Empty Nest
Jim Hightower
Another View
Health care professionals urge caution in Iowa heat
Mark Moran Iowa News Service
Health care experts are reminding Iowans to be careful in the summertime sun.
From sunburns and bike safety to water accidents and sports injuries, they remind people sometimes virtual care is available and reduces the time to see a provider.
Dr. Donna O’Shea, chief medical Officer of population health for UnitedHealthcare, said the company provides various tips to staying safe in the sun but reminds Iowans it is important to pay close attention to danger signs when outside for an extended period of time in Iowa’s sometimes sweltering summertime heat and high humidity.
“There is such a condition as overheating and heatstroke,” O’Shea said. “It’s important to recognize those signs early. The signs of overheating do include headaches, nausea or dizziness. And it can be especially important to watch children because their internal cooling systems aren’t fully developed yet.”
Iowa has escaped the deadly heat which had more than 36 million Americans under a warning in recent days, but temperatures are expected to reach
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends drinking 8 ounces of water every 15 to 20 minutes when doing strenuous activity outside, which translates to 24 to 32 ounces per hour.
into the mid-90s next week with higher humidity.
O’Shea reminded people medical assessment for a variety of injuries is also available virtually, 24/7.
She noted virtual care can be crucial in the state’s rural areas where people often can’t make it quickly to an urgent care facility or for helping decide if they need care for less serious conditions. And it’s available 24/7.
“If it’s related to hydration or heat stroke, if you’re able to keep fluids down, virtual care can help
you determine how much, how long to wait before you go to the emergency room,” O’Shea said. “Same thing even for sunburns or bike safety. Do I need to go in? Do you think I need stitches? We don’t think about that.”
O’Shea also reminded people to watch kids around water since drowning is the number one cause of death for children between the ages of one and four. The state health department said it is the leading cause of death by unintentional injury of young children in Iowa.
Mobile Education Exhibit returns, available for reservations
After a brief hiatus, the Iowa DNR is excited to announce the return of our Mobile Education Exhibit - an incredible way to learn about how your everyday activities impact the environment and what you can do to reduce your impact through changes to consumption and management of energy, food, water and waste.
The Mobile Education Exhibit is an all-inclusive, mobile experience which uses interactive kiosks and informative displays to show how what you do at home affects the environment. It features different rooms found in a typical home and highlights the things you can do in each space to lessen your impacts at home and on Iowa’s natural resources.
“We are thrilled to reopen reservations and share the exhibit with Iowans once again,” said Amy Wilken, the DNR’s Land Quality Program Planner. “We’re excited for Iowans to rediscover this interactive, handson approach to learning about the environment and being a positive steward of our natural resources through small changes at home.”
The exhibit is equipped with touch screen computer games, flat screen TVs and interactive displays showcasing topics such as sustainability, recycling, household hazardous materials, and water and energy conservation. The mobile education exhibit can easily accommodate 20 to 25 persons at a time, and is
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
The
Community Calendar
Send items to news@jaspercountytribune.com
THURSDAY
• Mingo Men’s Club meets at 7 p.m. the third Thursday of month at the Mingo Community Center
SUNDAY • Colfax Historical Society Museum is open from 2 to 4 p.m. every Sunday through Labor Day.
MONDAY
• Baxter School Board meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Monday of month
TUESDAY
• Colfax Farmers Market is open from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Mineral Springs Park
• C-M Education Foundation Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of month in Central Office
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
Iowa artist to ‘Paint the Park’ and perform 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.
available year-round for reservations.
Young children and adults can see several examples of how simple exercises like unplugging your electronics when not in use or replacing leaky faucets can have a huge impact not only in your home, but on the environment.
The best part? You don’t have to worry about getting it there, because we will bring the exhibit to you! Contract Transport, Inc in Des Moines transports the trailer before and after events. The exhibit can be powered via the onboard generator, and can also be plugged in (220V, 60 amp). It is also handicapped accessible, heated and air conditioned so it can be used everyday, in
every season.
Science teachers, environmental educators, recycling coordinators, event managers, community leaders and solid waste professionals are encouraged to use the exhibit for their events. The exhibit is also a wonderful tool for use at fairs, promotional events, and conferences.
To request the exhibit, fill out the online reservation form. Applications are accepted throughout the year. Please register as soon as possible to reserve the exhibit for your event (Note: Delivery and pick up will be on weekdays only). A deposit of $500 is required to secure your reservation and will be refunded upon return and inspection of the exhibit.
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 21 - 9 a.m. Fellowship; 9:15 a.m. Bible Education Classes; 10:25 a.m. Message by Pastor Cody Dyer; 11:30 a.m. Potluck Dinner; 12:45 p.m. Quarterly Business meeting
MONDAY, July 22 - 6:30 p.m. Jasper County Fair Parade
TUESDAY, July 23 - 3:30 p.m. Women’s Prayer and Coffee
WEDNESDAY, July 24- 9 a.m.
Busy Bee Quilters and Fresh Encounter Prayer
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 ser-
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 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.
Programs at the Colfax Public Library
Tuesday, July 30, 10:30-11:30am — Park & Read at Mineral Springs Park. Bubbles & games, snack and read books
Friday, Aug. 2, 7-9pm — Pool Party at Colfax Pool. Free swimming, snacks and drawing for grand prizes Thursday, Aug. 8, 10:30-11:30am — Books & Badges Story Time with Police Chief Burdess. Listen to stories, fun learning activities and snack
vice (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
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
Adobe Stock
BAXTER FUN DAYS 2024
Tigerhawk softball ends season after loss to W-G
WOODWARD — The Colfax-Mingo softball team scored first during its Class 2A Region 4 postseason opener on July 8.
But the Tigerhawks couldn’t keep pace with host Woodward-Granger during a 14-2 road loss.
Colfax-Mingo was out-hit
16-3 and committed two errors. The game was tied at 2-all after one but W-G plated four in the second and eight in the third to end the game early.
Dakota Allen doubled and Olivia Rausch singled in the first inning. Both runners scored on Brooklyn Yanske’s two-run single.
Brianna Freerksen and Sydney Veasman both walked and Freerksen stole one base. Yanske (1-10) took the loss in the circle after allowing eight runs — seven earned — on nine hits and one walk. She struck out one in two innings.
Freerksen pitched the third but got only two outs. She surrendered six unearned runs on four hits and one walk. Both outs came by way of strikeout. Woodward-Granger (11-13) was led by Riley McCaulley, who had three hits, three runs and four RBIs. Hayden Thomas added three hits, two runs, two RBIs and two steals. The Hawks lost, 12-0, to 2A No. 6 Regina Catholic (20-13) on July 10 in Iowa City. The Tigerhawks retired at 2-18.
Hy-Vee, IndyCar announces extension for annual event at Iowa Speedway
Fast start not enough for Baxter softball in regional loss
CONRAD — The Baxter softball team had a lead after the first inning of its Class 1A Region 5 opening-round game against BCLUW on July 8.
But the Bolts couldn’t slow down the Comets during a 17-5 season-ending road loss. BCLUW took a lead with a six-run second and then ended the game early with a nine-run fourth.
BCLUW out-hit the Bolts 12-1 and won the game despite committing six errors. The Comets also downed BGM 4-1 in the quarterfinals on July 10 but lost to No. 13 Clarksville, 4-3, in the semifinals on July 12. The Bolts retired at 0-20.
Briah Mortensen had Baxter’s only hit and added one RBI. Emie Tuhn walked twice and scored one run, Kendall Brummel had two RBIs and Avery Wonders scored one run and stole two bases.
Gwen Tichy walked once and scored one run, Myah Johnston walked once and Lillian Grunstead and Blaire Jutting each scored one run. Holly Zahurones (0-4) took the pitching loss after allowing 12 runs — 10 earned — on nine hits, three walks and two hit batters in 2 1/3 innings.
Jutting spun one inning and allowed four earned runs on one hit and three walks and Wonders got one out and allowed one unearned run on two hits. The Bolts committed two errors.
Sarah Garber led BCLUW (15-17) with three hits and two runs. Klayre Gallentine added two hits and two RBIs.
Olivia Rausch
Colfax-Mingo sophomore
Olivia Rausch led the Tigerhawk softball team with 18 runs this season. She also finished with 17 hits, 18 total bases, seven walks and 11 stolen bases. She batted .283 and had an on-base percentage of .358.
Jasper County Tribune
Allen Freerksen
Jasper County Tribune
Tuhn
Mortensen
$3.00. 641-275-7600 Newton location FOR SALE: Electric Staple Gun$15 00. Wire Cat shape basket W/ handle - $8 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 FOR SALE: Mid 90's Saturn engine @ Trans-axel (low-low mile) $100, obo.
