For almost 16 years, or 15.75 years to be exact, director Marie Van Beek has been working to make the Baxter Library its best. She is now getting ready her next adventure: retirement.
With the library being one of the community-school partnerships, Van Beek has seen hundreds of kids come through her room and enjoyed each minute of it.
“I think (my best memories are) mostly the kids. We did a lot of children’s programing and that was always really fun. I did story time for a long time and it was so exciting everywhere you went ‘Miss
Marie, Miss Marie!’ The little kids are so fun,” Van Beek said. “That has probably been one of the most fun things.”
A fourth generation Baxter native, Van Beek graduated from Baxter High School before attending Iowa State University. She was a florist in town for 28 years working with her mother at Karen’s Plant Shop on Main Street. She had been on the library board for many years and served as a volunteer before taking over the head spot in 2008. While it was hard to narrow down the many projects and activities that took place at the library, Van Beek knew one that she was especially proud of.
“Another thing, when they put new carpet in we redesigned the library. We put it into children’s areas and made it more for coming to the library and staying,” Van Beek said. “It has worked really well, it’s really been successful. That was one of my favorite, biggest projects.”
After a cancer scare in the last year, Van Beek decided it was time to take a step back from the library and start the next phase of her life. While she will miss the kids and another favorite activity — unpacking new books — she also exciting to have free time to come as go as she pleases.
“I thought, it’s time,” Van Beek said. “My husband is retired and we
Baxter Librarian Marie Van Beek retiring after almost 16 years
want to do some traveling. We’ve been doing more the past few years.”
Adding to downtown Colfax
Colfax Main Street receives grant to place bike racks throughout downtown
By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune
Colfax Main Street is continuing its work to make downtown Colfax both functional and beautiful with new bike racks. The organization recently received a $4,000 grant from the Jasper Community Foundation to wrap up fundraising for the project.
“Earlier in the year, we fundraised $1,125 through Colfax Bingo and generous donations from community members to apply towards this project,” Colfax Main Street Director Stuart Patterson said. “This grant and previously raised funds will
BIKE RACKS | 3
Jasper County Courthouse to be reappraised
By Christopher Braunschweig
Letter to VA commission condemns past comments
Procedural issues cleared up but veterans demand apologies for Wilson
By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune
Jasper County veterans showed up in tow once again to support veterans affairs administrator Alyssa Wilson but also condemn the commissioner who not only told her to think about veteran suicide rates the next time she decides to not answer a phone call in her office but also threatened to fire another employee.
For the second time this year, the Jasper County Veterans Affairs Commission meeting — which is usually void of guests — was standing room only. It was no secret why they were there. They wanted nothing more than to confront commissioner Ed Spangenburg for what he said to Wilson the month before.
Despite having an agenda item reserved for a veteran’s update from
the May meeting, which was when retired service members first filled the conference room of the county administration building, it would be a long time before veterans would get any answers from their commissioners. Included in the veteran’s update was a letter, which was drafted and delivered to the chair of the commission. While not attached to the packet, it responded to Spangenburg’s comments, saying the suggestion that Wilson be blamed “should anything horrible happen to a veteran whose call is not answered is ludicrous.” Lisa Van Ryswyk, daughter of a Vietnam veteran, is who wrote the letter, a copy of which was sent to Newton News. Van Ryswyk was in
Christopher Braunschweig/Jasper County Tribune
The Jasper County Board of Supervisors agreed to
properly insured.
Jasper County Tribune
Christopher Braunschweig/Jasper County Tribune Alyssa Wilson, administrator of Jasper County Veterans Affairs, works in her office inside the county administration building. A letter in support of Wilson was given to the veterans affairs commission, condemning past comments about her and her work.
“Miss Marie” will be missed by young and old who have grown up at the Baxter Library but she has left it a better place and ready for whatever is next.
Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune
Baxter Librarian Marie Van Beek enjoys her retirement party held Aug. 4 at Giese Park.
Submitted Photo Colfax Main Street members stand with the $4,000 check presented by Jasper Community Foundation to be used for the bike rack project.
Obituaries
Cristen Helene Carlson
July 29, 2024
Cristen Helene (Herbold) Carlson of Harvard, Illinois, born on May 1, 1967, and originally of Mingo, Iowa, passed away from cancer on July 29, 2024.
Cristen was the youngest of eight children born to Gerald E. and M. Celeste (Gavin) Herbold.
Cristen was raised on the family farm where she developed her lifelong love of animals. She graduated from the last class at Mingo High School in 1985. She attended the
University of Northern Iowa to study music and later transferred to Iowa State University where she graduated with a degree from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication and was a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority. After graduation, she started her career in broadcast journalism and later earned her degree in Meteorology. While stationed in Sioux City, Iowa, she met and was united in marriage to Dr. James Carlson, DVM, on April 11, 1999. Together they built a successful veterinary practice in Springfield, Ohio, where they welcomed their two beautiful children, Avery Celeste and George Edward. The family later moved to Harvard, Illinois, where they worked together to
successfully own and operate the Riverside Animal Clinic and Holistic Center in McHenry.
Cristen loved music and had a beautiful singing voice. She trained and showed dogs in her youth and later rescued countless animals. Cristen was devoted to her family and took great joy in watching Avery pursue her dreams in veterinary medicine and watching George play football at Bowling Green State University.
Those left to honor Cristen’s memory are her beloved husband and children, brothers and sisters, sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, and many loving nieces and nephews. She is reunited in heaven with her parents, grandparents, her sister, Cathleen, and many other adored loved ones. There
will be many grateful tails wagging at the end of the Rainbow Bridge to reunite with Cristen and bring her endless joy!
There will be a memorial gathering from 9:30 AM until the 11 AM Memorial Mass on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 15012 St. Patrick Road, Woodstock, IL 60098.
Memorials may be given to the family that will be donated to a charity that is to be determined. Please send the donations in the family’s name to 1112 Front St., McHenry, IL 60050.
Family and friends may sign the online guest book at www.saundersmcfarlin.
net. Call Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home for more information at 815943-5400.
OWLS program on Newton Main Street
Jasper County Conservation Board will host an Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors (OWLS) program on Wednesday, Aug. 14 at the Jasper County Armory/Annex Building in Newton. The public is invited to come for 10 a.m. coffee and a program given by Erin Yeager, director of Newton Main Street.
Yeager will talk about the many projects that have happened through this program to preserve Newton’s downtown history and invest in Newton’s future.
The OWLS is a conservation program that encourages seniors to stay active and learn new things about the natural world. Contact the Jasper County Conservation Board office at 641-7929780 for more information.
Alzheimer’s disease blood tests could improve diagnosis in primary care
As highly accurate blood tests for Alzheimer’s disease are moving closer to use in physician’s offices, new research suggests that they may revolutionize the accuracy of diagnosis and provide a cleaner, quicker path to research participation and treatment, according to data reported today at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) 2024, in Philadelphia and online.
Dementia is often underdiagnosed— and if it is diagnosed by a clinician, many
people nonetheless are unaware or uninformed of their diagnosis, according to the 2024 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report. Blood tests for Alzheimer’s are demonstrating in research that they could significantly improve a clinician’s accuracy and confidence, provide greater accessibility and a platform for enhanced communication.
A large study, reported for the first time at AAIC 2024, shows that blood tests can do a better job of accurately detecting Alzheimer’s than both prima-
ry care doctors and specialists who were using traditional diagnostic methods. In the study, a blood test was around 90 percent accurate in identifying Alzheimer’s in patients with cognitive symptoms seen in primary care and at specialized memory care clinics. In the research study, it outperformed primary care physicians, who were 63% accurate when not using the blood test, and specialists, who were 73 percent accurate when not using the blood test.
Blood tests that show the most prom-
ise for identifying Alzheimer’s-related changes in the brain assess phosphorylated tau (p-tau) protein, an Alzheimer’s biomarker that can build up before patients show signs of cognitive impairment. Increases in the specific marker p-tau217 over time correlate with worsening cognition and brain atrophy. The p-tau217 test also predicts the likelihood of amyloid plaques in the brain, which are another biomarker for Alzheimer’s and the target for recently approved treatments.
Produce growers should take time to review cleaning and harvesting procedures
Specialist provides tips to help meet federal food safety requirements
Midsummer is the perfect time for produce growers to review their cleaning and harvesting procedures to minimize the risks of foodborne illnesses and maximize their farm efficiency.
In a recent article for the Acreage Living Newsletter, Teresa Wiemerslage, field specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, highlights the main points to consider when reviewing your cleaning and harvesting procedures.
The Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule states that producers must clean and
sanitize all food contact surfaces, equipment and tools used, as frequently as reasonably necessary.
Producers must also inspect and maintain all non-food-contact surfaces of equipment and tools used during harvesting, packing and holding as frequently as reasonably necessary to protect against contamination of covered produce.
The article provides proactive steps farmers should take, including basic hygiene and restroom use, keeping harvest totes and packaging clean, keeping vehicles and equipment clean, and keeping good re -
cords.
“The easiest way to keep your packhouse clean is to keep the dirt out,” Wiemerslage said. “The practices you use in the field can either increase or decrease the amount of cleaning you need to do at the end of the day.”
The article also explains how to keep a cleaning and sanitization log, and offers sample logs and Standard Operating Procedures.
Other articles in the current Acreage Living Newsletter include “Preparing for Weaning to Optimize Health and Performance,” “Feeding
Producers must inspect and maintain all non-food-contact surfaces of equipment and tools used during harvesting, packing and holding as frequently as reasonably necessary to protect against contamination of covered produce.
Management of Horses,” “How to Garden for Pollinators, Bees, Butterflies, and Beneficial Insects,” “Veraison Impacts on Grapevine Diseases,”
and “Iowa Resources under USDA’s Heartland Regional Food Business Center.”
Acreage Living is published every other month
by the small farm sustainability team with the Farm, Food, and Enterprise Development program with ISU Extension and Outreach. markobe/stock.adobe.com
Quarry Springs Park plans updates with grant
The Colfax Park and Recreation Auxiliary Board, Inc. is a recipient of a 2024 Jasper Community Foundation Grant. The board received $4,500 which will be used to help offset the costs for 40 new picnic tables for Quarry Springs Park to be placed in the new RV campground area.
Volunteers at Quarry Springs Park are in the process of finishing off the RV stalls and adding more amenities including planting grass and trees, assembling and placing the picnic tables from this grant, and building a bathroom/shower house in the fall. It is expected Mid-American Energy will inspect the electrical components that have been connected and in-
Submitted Photo
The Colfax Park & Recreation Auxiliary Board, Inc. is the recipient of a Jasper Community Foundation grant for $4,500. Pictured from left: Colfax Mayor David Mast, board president Doug Garrett and board VP Kim Seebeck.
stall meters within the next week.
Camping reservations can be made online through the Quarry Springs Park website
at https://www.quarryspringspark.com. Contact the board with any questions at quarryspringspark@gmail. com or call 515-478-6272.
Price joins International Cultural Exchange Services
ICES looking for host families to welcome exchange students into their families for 2024-25 school year
International Cultural Exchange Services (ICES) welcomes Sydney Price as a new local coordinator.
“I went to school here at Colfax-Mingo. I moved here with my parents in 2008 and graduated in 2012. I moved out of Colfax but stayed around the area until recently when I moved back to Colfax in March. I am married to my husband, Zachary, and we have six kids. We live hectic lives, but enjoy them here. We enjoy spending time as a family, watching movies and cooking together.
Price is excited for this new opportunity to work with international high school students and the local families who host them and feels that having exchange students in our local schools and communities increase mutual understanding and improves relationships between countries. Price will be working with families and schools in Colfax and in the surrounding area.
Price is currently looking for families that would like to host for the school year of 2024. Exchange students live as a member of the host family — not a guest or boarder. They participate in family activities, follow host family rules and help with chores. Students have their own medical insurance and spending money to cover all personal expenses; host families provide room and board and loving parental guidance to the student.
As the local coordinator, Price is available to answer questions, give advice and provide general support to students and host families throughout the experience. For more information about hosting or working with ICES, contact Sydney Price at sprice@icesusa.org.
ICES is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting a peaceful world by increasing international awareness and understanding through cultural sharing experiences.
‘Tuition Tracker’ helps Iowa’s rural college-bound students
Mark Moran Iowa News Service
For Iowa students thinking about attending college in the fall, an interactive online “Tuition Tracker” can help them figure out some of the costs ahead of time.
The tool can be especially useful to people attending college for the first time. The Tuition Tracker lets a student calculate the “real costs” by seeing not only the published tuition but the cost of other needs, showing them what they might end up actually paying.
Andrew Koricich, executive director of the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges at Appalachian State University, said a tool like this can be helpful for students in rural areas.
“Whenever you have rural students, many of whom are still going to be the first in their families to go to college, maybe coming from communities where
Bike Racks
help us purchase nine sculptural bike racks for downtown Colfax”
The bike racks will be shaped like Victorian penny farthing bicycles and bright in color. They will serve a dual purpose of functional public art sculptures.
“We hope to have the racks
there aren’t a lot of folks with college experience, tools like the Tuition Tracker can be really important,” Koricich explained.
installed by the end of this summer or early fall,” Patterson said.
A newly adopted part of the program, Colfax Main Street is adopting “transformation strategies” to “create a vibrant, walkable downtown district through improving the downtown streetscape and pedestrian amenities.”
“We hope these bike racks will add a useful amenity to Downtown Colfax and will also encourage alternative modes of
The tool also allows students to compare college costs using their household income, seeing what people like them have paid in the past and what to expect
transportation to our business district to reduce the amount of vehicle traffic in the downtown,” Patterson said. “We hope it encourages ‘greener’ living and healthy activities for Colfax residents.”
Adding the colorful bike racks is just another way Colfax Main Street has worked to make the downtown great. From the addition of beautiful flowers to the pocket park by city hall and sponsoring the farmer’s market each week, the
if they decide to enroll. It was developed by the online education publication The Hechinger Report.
The latest Tuition Tracker update also shows historical data, such as student retention and graduation rates. Koricich acknowledged no matter how accurate the data, many factors can affect the actual price of college and it could sometimes be lower than what the tracker reflects.
“It is a very complicated thing that includes a lot of variables,” Koricich noted. “You can have state grant programs that may not be reflected in the net price, even though any in-state student attending that institution will receive that grant.”
Koricich recommended doing additional research, including visiting the website of each school the student is interested in to get the most up-to-date information. Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.
on the board when the courthouse was last appraised. It was a new practice back then, and Simon said many historical buildings were provided assessments for
better price coverage in replacement costs.
Jasper County will have to pay Valuations Northwest, a more than 45-year-old professional appraisal company, a
flat-rate fee of $2,500 for the evaluation. Marshall County will also be utilizing the services of the appraiser, and it will be splitting travel expenses 50-50 with Jasper County.
“After the Marshalltown incident and they got their courthouse back open, they are bringing Valuations Northwest in to reassess that property,” Simon said. “Bobby Shomo is the agent for Marshalltown and he’s also our agent linked to ICAP. We discussed bringing them back to look at our courthouse.”
Simon said it is “essential” for the county to take a look at the courthouse and ensure the structure has the proper insurance coverage.
“What did Bobby say? They were around $40 million on their’s or something? I mean it’s just astronomical,” Simon said.
Supervisor Brandon Talsma did not have a problem with the appraisal and he saw it as a benefit to have structure reassessed.
Stevenson said, “I think we need to do it. We need to have the proper coverage. Because I think Marshalltown got in a bit of a jam because of that.” Talsma added, “They did. They were way under-insured on that cost. And that’s one of the things they found out. I’d hate to end up in the same scenario.”
organization is working hard to make Colfax a thriving com-
munity that is a destination location.
Adobe Stock
The Hechinger Report’s Tuition Tracker allows students to calculate the likelihood of successfully completing their degree on time, a factor affecting affordability.
Stand with Israel, bring American hostages home
Today, eight of our fellow citizens are still being held in Gaza by the ruthless terror regime that wants nothing more than the death and destruction of Israel and the United States.
I’ve met with the families of our American hostages numerous times – on the ground in Israel and in our nation’s capital. They long for the day when they can embrace their loved ones again, and say two simple, yet remarkably comforting words: welcome home.
In the days following Oct. 7, President Biden vowed that Israel would have the full support of the United States. He pledged that we would “not stand by and do nothing… Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.” In a message to the families of the hostages, he swore that the United States would pursue every option to bring them home.
Has that been the case? Anyone looking at the situation today would say no.
From Washington, DC
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst
When Prime Minister Netanyahu recently arrived on U.S. soil, not a single Biden-Harris administration official was there. Instead, Israel’s own ambassador shook the prime minister’s hand. Furthermore, the current vice president of the United States, Kamala Harris, who serves as the president of the Senate, refused to preside over Netanyahu’s joint address to Congress, something he was invited to do by her fellow Democrat, Leader Chuck Schumer, and Speaker Mike Johnson.
The risk-averse and indecisive Biden-Harris administration has failed time and time again to stand solidly by our ally, Israel.
They’ve refused to place an emphasis on freeing our American hostages,
The first major presidential candidate to support marijuana
By Paul Armentano
Like most Americans, Vice President Kamala Harris has evolved on marijuana.
In 2010, when she was San Francisco’s district attorney, Harris urged voters to reject a proposed ballot initiative to legalize the adult-use marijuana market. At the time, Harris’ position aligned with that of most California voters, 54 percent of whom ultimately decided against the measure.
But not long after, Harris — and most Americans — changed their stance.
In 2016, Californians reversed course and passed Proposition 64 legalizing marijuana statewide. And in 2019, Harris — then California’s junior U.S. senator — sponsored legislation to end the federal prohibition of cannabis. That same year, Gallup pollsters reported that some two-thirds of Americans believed that “the use of marijuana should be legal” — up from 46 percent in 2010. Today, public support for legalization stands at 70 percent.
As vice president, Harris has repeatedly stated that Americans should not be incarcerated for marijuana use. She’s championed the Biden administration’s efforts to pardon low-level marijuana offenders and to loosen certain federal cannabis restrictions.
And as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, she’s the first major party candidate to have ever called for the plant’s legalization and regulation.
Harris’ trajectory from marijuana legalization skeptic to proponent mirrors that of many Americans. Like most voters, her views on cannabis softened following the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes. As district attorney of San Francisco, Harris pledged not to prosecute people who either used or sold medical cannabis.
“In my own life, I have had loved ones and close friends who relied on medical marijuana to relieve their suffering and even prolong their lives,” she acknowledged. Many Americans had similar experiences — which is why nearly 20 states approved medical cannabis access between 1996
and 2011, almost all by voter initiative.
But it wasn’t until 2012 that voters gave the green light to outright legalization. That year, voters in Colorado and Washington became the first to approve measures regulating the adult-use cannabis market. By 2016, the total number of legal states had risen to nine.
Today, 24 states — home to more than half of the U.S. population — have legalized marijuana.
How has America reacted to this real-world experiment? For Harris, living in a legal state likely influenced her transition from a one-time critic into a staunch advocate. That’s been the case for many others too. In states like California and Colorado, a greater percentage of voters back legalization now than they did when the laws were initially enacted.
Further, no state has ever repealed its marijuana legalization laws. That’s because these policies are working largely as voters and politicians intended — and because they’re preferable to cannabis criminalization.
State-level legalization has led to a drastic reduction in low-level marijuana arrests and prosecutions. It’s significantly disrupted the illicit marketplace, and it’s led to the creation of over 400,000 full-time jobs. Taxes from regulated cannabis sales have generated over $20 billion in state revenue. And contrary to some critics’ fears, marijuana legalization and regulation has not led to any increase in cannabis use by young people. But while Americans’ attitudes have shifted over the years, federal marijuana policies have largely remained static.
In Congress, far too many politicians remain wed to the sort of “Reefer Madness” view that most voters have long since abandoned. Like Harris did, they also need to evolve their views on cannabis to more closely align with current scientific and public consensus. Those who refuse to adapt do so at their own political peril.
PaulArmentanoisthedeputy director for NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
and most certainly to demonstrate the strong leadership necessary to do everything in their power to bring them home. Instead, the president and vice president have prioritized scoring cheap political points with their left flank over the lives of our fellow Americans and our allies.
Sending a signal to Hamas that America is not serious about securing the release of her people, the Biden-Harris White House has taken more and more options off the table –slow-rolling arms necessary for more precise terror targeting, withholding intelligence from our Israeli counterparts, and refusing to maintain all diplomatic and military options to bring our hostages home. Hamas leaders rightfully fear U.S. strength and leadership when it’s actually wielded.
Let’s not forget who we’re dealing with. Hamas is a brutal regime owned and operated by Tehran, which under this administration has profited greatly, to the tune of $80 billion in oil revenues. They can smell fear a mile away. And right now, the Biden-Harris administration reeks of it.
While Israel’s military rightly shoulders much of the burden of waging war against Hamas, the U.S. military and
intel operators can play a role in our efforts to save the American captives. This is, in fact, already the case—our drones fly over Gaza to collect intelligence on the location of the hostages, and our special forces provide technical support to Israeli hostage rescuers. As things stand today, Iranian proxies know that even if the worst happens to the American hostages, the Biden-Harris administration is not prepared to hold them accountable for their crimes. But that must change.
With hostage negotiations at a critical phase, the administration must actually put all options (back) on the table to maximize pressure on Hamas. Now is the moment we redouble, not withdraw, our support for Israel and its military.
Families have been ripped apart. Mothers and fathers and sons and daughters are counting the days until their loved ones are freed. But for now, they’re left asking: when is enough, enough? What is the threshold for how long an American must be held hostage for the Biden-Harris White House to act?
Joni Ernst, a native of Red Oak and a combat veteran, represents Iowa in the United States Senate.
YOUR VIEW
Hoping to receive fair treatment and financial security in golden years
I am affected by both the GPO and WEP. After the Medicare deduction, I receive $107 per month due to this unfairness. I am 77 years old. Please change this before it’s too late for me.
I have dedicated over 36 years of my life as [public service career]. As I approach retirement, I had always hoped for a secure and comfortable future. However, the unfair impact of the Windfall Elimination Pro -
Brandon Talsma, chair 4309 W Fourth St. S. Newton, IA 50208
641-526-3142
btalsma@co.jasper.ia.us
SHARE YOUR VIEW
vision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) has left me facing unexpected financial challenges during my retirement.
Having devoted my career to public service, I knew that my pension would be a vital component of my retirement income. Yet, the reduction in my Social Security benefits due to the WEP and GPO has taken a toll on my financial stability, leaving me with far less than what
I had anticipated. This unjust double-dipping penalty has left me questioning the recognition of the contributions made by public servants like myself. The Social Security Fairness Act presents an opportunity to rectify these inequalities and provide hardworking public servants with the retirement benefits they rightfully deserve. It seeks to eliminate the WEP/ GPO, ensuring that individuals like me, who have paid into both Social Security and their pension systems, receive fair treatment and financial security in our golden years. Deborah Sevier Knoxville
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
Letters to the Newton News 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 newsroom@newtondailynews.com or Newton News, P.O. Box 967, Newton, Iowa 50208
the news this past spring when her father, Kenneth Van Veen, was denied disability claims by the federal government, who also told him and his family there was no record of his service.
Her father died on March 9 without being formally recognized by the government for his military service during the Vietnam War. Van Ryswyk said in her letter that Wilson had been working with her dad for months, helping to navigate through the federal bureaucracy of the disability claim process.
“From August (2023) to February (2024), I know Dad met with Alyssa in person no less than four times for the appeal paperwork required for each erroneous claim denial, and I’m sure he called a minimum of once per month to check on the status of the claim,”
Van Ryswyk said in the letter.
She also learned Van Veen had stopped in the office every Friday to see if there were any updates on his claim. Wilson attempted to get his claim expedited due to his terminal illness. Van Ryswyk eventually took over and called or emailed no less than six times in a two-week period.
Even after he dad’s death she continues to meet with, call or email Wilson at least once per week to continue the process with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Van Ryswyk highlighted this process to illustrate that the 86 missed calls that Spangenburg accosted Wilson for are not 86 individual vets.
“…The VA denied my dad’s disability claim four times, and it was only through Alyssa’s help and diligence that the appeals were even filed,” Van Ryswyk said. “Dad very likely would have given up after the first denial, but Alyssa pushed him to appeal because Dad deserved to receive those benefits.”
LETTER SAYS PROBLEM ISN’T
LOCAL VA OFFICE
Van Ryswyk went on to defend Wilson, saying she cares about the veterans she serves in Jasper County and that she needs further assistance.
“She knows their names, their stories. And she cares about each one of them,” Van Ryswk said. “To suggest that she would be to blame should anything horrible happen to a veteran whose call is not answered is ludicrous! Alyssa needs more help in that office. She needs support from the commission.”
The letter ends with a call to action. Van Ryswk said what Wilson and all the veterans need most is a federal veterans affairs depart-
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
ment that properly funds and resources the programs they put in place. She recalled how frustrating it felt to have her father’s claims denied again and again.
Even more so when the feds could not confirm Van Veen was even in Vietnam, despite his certificate of discharge including a notation that he was awarded a service medal. Following her dad’s death, Van Ryswyk and her siblings were told the decision to deny the claims was “clearly and unmistakably erroneous.”
“Just think, if the VA had properly approved Dad’s very first claim, that would have eliminated hours of work filing appeals, at least 20 less phone calls and emails and eight less in-person meetings for one veteran,” she said. “We are still fighting to get the VA to pay Dad’s claim.”
The issue isn’t Wilson, she added, or shared benefits coordinator Josh Price or even the Jasper County office.
“The issue is the VA,” Van Ryswyk said. “And to suggest that the office would run more efficiently if they would just answer all those calls is ridiculous.”
VETERANS DEMAND COMMISSION ISSUE APOLOGY
Although a number of local veterans were ready to speak up to the commission during public comment, the person they wanted to talk to most had to leave after the meeting ran too long. Spangenburg said he had to attend an honor walk and could not stay for the remainder of the meeting, so he excused himself.
But it still did not stop veterans from confronting the commission with their complaints, even outside of the public comment section. Some demanded Spangenberg issue Wilson a sincere, public apology after telling her to think about veteran suicide rates when deciding not to answer calls.
Other guests at the meeting thought it was also wrong of Spangenburg to say he will make a motion in one year to fire Price for not being enrolled in trainings. At the June meeting, Spangenburg frequently cited Iowa Code that states Price could be terminated if he is not certified within 12 months of employment.
Jerry Nelson, chair of the Jasper County Veterans Affairs Commission, later said Spangenburg apologized to Price for that comment.
But he has not apologized to Wilson.
Nelson explained that Spangenburg’s intention was to emphasize the need to get Price certified within the right time. Wilson’s mother, who attended the meeting, called Spangenburg a bully. Nelson defended him, saying that he is a passionate person who suffers from post-traumatic stress
disorder.
“Sometimes he reacts a little differently than some of us,” Nelson said.
INPUT FROM THIRD PARTY
PUTS SOME CONCERNS TO REST
Input from guest Patty Hamann, who is president of the Iowa Association of County Commission Veteran Service Officers, about the shared benefits coordinator position and other procedural solutions helped quell some veterans concerns. It certainly gave commissioners a little hope.
Commissioner Fred Chabot appreciated her “bringing an end to the bickering that has gone on over past months.” Hamann was eventually brought up to speed about the past few meetings, and while she was dismayed to hear about the comments she wanted to give Spangenburg the benefit of the doubt.
“I know where you’re taking it from because you’re all very defensive of Alyssa, and I’m very happy for that,” Hamann said. “But I also want you to know that–Did it drive the point across? Did it get his point across for ho important it is to have the office staff and people in place that can do things? It did.”
Supervisor Doug Cupples attended the July meeting, and what he saw was passion from both sides. He suggested the commission and veterans are vying for the same purpose: to do what’s right for veterans. Cupples, too, said Hamann cleared up so much for everybody.
Dennis Simon, human resources director for Jasper County, said as an outsider the efforts to improve transparency and communications with the board of supervisors is going to solve a lot of issues.
Newton News previously reported that the board of supervisors adjusted the budget to show the salary and benefits of the shared benefits coordinator position is getting 50 percent of its funding through veterans affairs. Hamann recommended this, saying it would allow the position to better help veterans.
Specifically, it would allow the shared benefits coordinator to access trainings and further expand upon what he would be allowed to do in the office.
Commissioner Marta Ford has been on the veterans affairs commission for a long time, and she said the governing body is invested in veterans.
“We’ve been on vacation and called into a meeting,” she said. “I was in the hospital and I called in from my hospital bed. This group is invested.”
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
• Baxter City Council meets at 6 p.m. the second Monday of month at City Hall
• Colfax City Council meets the second Monday of month at city hall
• Colfax Country Club meets at 7 p.m. the second Monday of month
• Mingo American Legion Auxiliary meets at 1 p.m. the second Monday of month
• Mingo City Council meets at 6 p.m. the second Monday of month
TUESDAY
• Colfax Farmers Market is open from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Mineral Springs Park
• Baxter American Legion meets at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of month at the Baxter Community Building
• Baxter Masonic Lodge meets at 7:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of month
• Baxter Chamber of Commerce meets at 6 p.m. the second Tuesday of month at city hall
• Colfax American Legion Post 175 meets at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of month at the Colfax Senior Citizens Center
WEDNESDAY
• C-M Athletic Booster Club meets at 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of month in the high school
Affordable health screenings in Newton
Residents living in and around the Newton area can learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and other chronic, serious conditions with affordable screenings by Life Line Screening. Immanuel Baptist Church, 1300 N. Fourth Ave. E. in Newton, will host this event Aug. 20.
Screenings can check for:
• The level of plaque buildup in your arteries, related to risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke and overall vas -
Church Schedules
CHURCH
METZ COMMUNITY CHURCH
cular health.
• HDL and LDL Cholesterol levels
• Diabetes risk
• Kidney and thyroid function, and more Screenings are affordable and convenient. Free parking is also available.
Special package pricing starts at $159, but consultants will work with you to create a package that is right for you based on your age and risk factors. Call 1-877237-1287 or visit our website at www.lifelinescreening.com. Pre-registration is required.
IRA UNITED CHURCH
Rev. Michael Omundson
schedule
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, Aug. 11 - 9 a.m. Fellowship; 9:15 a.m. Bible Education Classes; 10:25 a.m. Message by Pastor Cody Dyer
TUESDAY, Aug. 13 - 3:30 p.m. Women’s Prayer and Coffee; 6 p.m. Trustee meeting
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 14 - 9 a.m.
Busy Bee Quilters and Fresh Encounter Prayer
SUNDAY - 9:30 a.m. Church service; 10:15 a.m. Sunday school (communion first Sunday)
SACRED HEART CATHOLIC
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
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
Eight Bolts land on all-conference baseball team
Sophomore Colton Moffit led the Iowa Star Conference South Division in pitching starts, earned run average, innings pitched and strikeouts and he ranked in the top six in opponents’ batting average against.
All of that helped Moffit earn Player of the Year honors in the conference and he was joined by three other Baxter baseball players on the all-conference first team.
Senior Ben Richardson, junior Perrin Sulzle, sophomore Cael Wishman and Moffit all earned first-team recognition. Eighth-graders Hayden Burdess and Liam Trent and junior Aiden Johnson were second-team selections and sophomore Cody Spurgeon was the honorable mention pick.
All-conference honors are based on statistics inside conference play only.
The Bolts finished in a tie for second in the South Division with a league record of 8-7. Moffit was 5-1 and led the conference with an ERA of 1.27. His 67 strikeouts and 44 innings also led the league and he made a conference-most nine starts. The five wins ranked second in the conference.
Moffit walked 17, ranked sixth in the Iowa Star South with an opponents batting average against of .199 and his .972 fielding percentage also ranked eighth in the league.
At the plate, Moffit batted .275 and had an on-base per-
centage of .356. He finished with 11 hits, two runs, four RBIs, five walks and 11 total bases.
Richardson was a first-team infielder after ranking fifth in the conference with a .400 batting average.
He had an OBP of .431, led the conference with 22 hits and tied for third with four doubles and 26 total bases.
Richardson also led the Bolts and tied for the conference lead with 20 runs and added six RBIs, three walks and 10 steals. His fielding percentage was .922.
Sulzle was a first-team outfielder. He ranked fourth in the conference with a .408 batting average and was second in the league with an OBP of .532.
His 17 runs ranked fifth in the conference and he was tied for third in the league with 20 hits, 26 total bases and four doubles.
Sulzle also ranked tied for fifth in the conference with six hit by pitches, tied for ninth with seven walks and sixth with 14 stolen bases.
He added 10 RBIs and his fielding percentage was .917.
Wishman was a first-teamer at utility.
He ranked fourth in the conference with an OBP of .509 and ranked tied for 10th with a batting average of .366.
Wishman’s 17 RBIs tied for the league lead and his 13 runs ranked ninth, his three doubles tied for ninth and his 23 total
bases were seventh.
Wishman also ranked fifth with nine walks and tied for ninth with five hit by pitches. He added 15 hits, nine steals and had a fielding percentage of .917.
Burdess was a second-team catcher.
He led the Bolts and ranked second in the conference with a .444 batting average. His .500 OBP was fifth and his 20 hits ranked tied for third.
Burdess added 10 runs, nine RBIs, five walks, 20 total bases and 10 steals and his .977 fielding percentage ranked sixth in the conference.
Johnson’s second-team selection came as an infielder. He tied for fourth in the conference with 14 RBIs and tied for ninth with three doubles and seven walks.
Johnson batted .255, had an OBP of .339 and finished with 12 hits, four runs and 15 total bases and his fielding percentage was .840. Trent was a second-team outfielder after ranking third in the conference with an OBP of .527, fourth with 10 walks and tied for sixth with 12 RBIs. He also tied for 10th in the league with a .366 batting average and finished with 15 hits, 11 runs, 17 total bases, three steals and four hit by pitches and his fielding percentage was .857.
Spurgeon made nine starts and took 23 at-bats but tied for the conference lead with nine hit by pitches. He batted .222 but his OBP
Collins-Maxwell; Cael Keller, sr., BCLUW; Colin Teske, jr., GMG. Outfielders — Perrin Sulzle, jr., Baxter; Kayler Morris, so., North Tama; Josef Dvorak, jr., Collins-Maxwell.
Bracewell leads three Tigerhawks on all-SICL baseball squad
Colfax-Mingo senior Cael Bracewell was one of the best players in the South Iowa Cedar League this summer.
He ranked in the top 10 of several offensive and pitching categories and was rewarded with a first-team all-conference selection recently.
Colfax-Mingo had three all-conference representatives in all. Earning honorable mention recognition were seniors Joe Earles and Donnie Baucom.
All-conference recognition is based on statistics inside conference play only. The Tigerhawks were 7-7 in league play.
Lynnville-Sully head coach Scott Alberts was named SICL Coach of the Year after leading the Hawks to their third straight conference championship.
Bracewell earned his firstteam nod as a pitcher but was one of the best hitters in the conference, too.
Bracewell was 4-1 and his
earned run average of .71 ranked third in the league.
He led the SICL with 82 strikeouts and ranked second with only four walks in 39 2/3 innings.
His four wins tied for third in the conference, he ranked fourth with an opponents batting average against of .123 and his fielding percentage was .968.
At the plate, Bracewell batted .410 and ranked fifth in the SICL with an OBP of .596.
His 18 runs ranked tied for eighth and he was tied for fourth with six doubles, third with two
triples and tied for second with three homers.
Bracewell ranked fourth in the league with 35 total bases, tied for third with six hit by pitches and tied for fourth with 12 walks. He also led the team with 16 hits and 10 steals and tied for the team with 11 RBIs.
Earles tied for ninth in the SICL with 11 walks. He batted .333 and had an OBP of .480.
Earles added 12 hits, nine runs, two doubles, 14 total bases and four steals and his 11 RBIs tied for the team lead.
Baucom batted .275 and had an OBP of .341.
He finished with 11 hits, three runs, two doubles, five RBIs, three walks and 13 total bases.
Baucom’s fielding percentage was .824.
South Iowa Cedar League Baseball Final Standings Team Conference Overall
Lynnville-Sully 15-0 29-3
Sigourney 13-1 21-5
BGM 9-5 18-8
Iowa Valley 9-5 13-9
North Mahaska 8-7 12-15
Belle Plaine 7-7 11-11
Colfax-Mingo 7-7 8-12
Keota 5-9 10-11
Montezuma 4-11 5-13
HLV 2-13 2-14
English Valleys 0-14 0-18 Coach of the Year Scott Alberts, Lynnville-Sully All-Conference First Team Pitchers — Cael Bracewell, sr., Colfax-Mingo; Lucas Sieck, sr., Lynnville-Sully; Caden Clarahan, jr., Sigourney. Catchers — Corder Noun Harder, sr., Lynnville-Sully; Boston York, sr., HLV. Infielders — Carson Maston, jr., Lynnville-Sully; Tanner Waterhouse, sr., Keota; Caleb Haack, jr., Iowa Valley; Max Henstorf, sr., HLV; Cole McKay, jr., Sigourney; Beau Burns, so., BGM. Outfielders — CJ Nikkel, sr., Lynnville-Sully; Reid Molyneux, sr., Sigourney; Isaac Bruns, jr., Sigourney; Dominic Coleman, sr., BGM. Utility — Cole Kindred, sr., Keota; Jack Kelderman, jr., North Mahaska. Second Team Pitchers — Chase Clarahan, fr., Sigourney; Nate Hoover, sr., Belle Plaine; Cael Coburn, jr., BGM. Catchers — Will Sankot, so., Belle Plaine; Mason Maschmann, sr., BGM; Layne Peska, fr., Iowa Valley. Infielders — Jaiden Richards, so., Lynnville-Sully; Kieran Sacora, sr., BGM; Mason Hoyt, fr., Iowa Valley; Jake Moore, sr., Sigourney; Nolan Kriegel, fr., Iowa Valley. Outfielders — Terran Gosselink, jr., Lynnville-Sully; Lannon Montgomery, jr., Lynnville-Sully; Dane Smith, fr., Iowa Valley; Lucas Nunnikhoven, jr., North Mahaska; Garrett Watts, sr., Montezuma. Utility — Blake Van Wyk, sr., Lynnville-Sully; Ty Ayers, sr., English Valleys. Honorable Mention Joe Earles, sr., Colfax-Mingo; Donnie Baucom, sr., Colfax-Mingo; Davis Utech, sr., Lynnville-Sully; Jack Bowlin, so., Lynnville-Sully; Tucker Wright, jr., BGM; Dakota Heishman, jr., BGM; Ty Alcott, jr., Belle Plaine; Rhett Parrott, sr., Belle Plaine; Levi Molyneux, jr., HLV; Cole Fontinel, sr., HLV; Owen Bral, jr., Iowa Valley; Dawson Smith, sr., Iowa Valley; Blake Baker, 8th, Keota; Evan Vittetoe, sr., Keota; Luke Moore, sr., English Valleys; Landen Montross, sr., English Valleys; Jack Erselius, sr., Montezuma; Luke Erselius, so., Montezuma; Nolan Andersen, sr., North Mahaska; Nate Sampson, sr., North Mahaska; Brady Clark, jr., Sigourney; Lincoln Power, fr., Sigourney.
Three Tigerhawks earn all-conference softball recognition
Colfax-Mingo’s softball season started out bumpy after former head coach Bryan Poulter was brought back to the program with only a few days to go before the Tigerhawks’ first game. From there, a young roster struggled to keep up in the South Iowa Cedar League. But three players were named to the all-conference squad recently.
Sophomore Brianna Freerksen led the way with a second-team selection, while sophomore Olivia Rausch and freshman Dakota Allen earned honorable mention recognition. All-conference recognition is based on statistics inside conference play only. Colfax-Mingo was 1-14 in league play.
Freerksen led Colfax-Mingo with a batting average of .349 and an OBP of .481 in her first season as a Tigerhawk. Her 11
walks led the SICL and she finished with a team-best 15 hits. Freerksen added nine runs, seven RBIs, 16 total bases and four steals and her fielding percentage was .904. As a pitcher, she was 1-7 with an ERA of 5.36. Her 54 strikeouts in 49 2/3 innings tied for fifth in the SICL. Rausch batted .286 and had an OBP of .352. She led the Tigerhawks with 14 runs and tied for seventh in the SICL with 11 stolen bases. She also tallied 14 hits, three
RBIs, five walks and 15 total bases and her fielding percentage was .909. Allen batted .250 and had an OBP of .365. Her three doubles and 11 RBIs led C-M and she tied for fifth in the SICL with five hit by pitches. She finished with 11 hits, 11 runs, six walks and 14 total bases and her fielding percentage was .773.
South Iowa Cedar League Softball Final Standings
Team Conference Overall Iowa Valley 4-10 11-14 Keota 2-12 2-15 Colfax-Mingo 1-14 2-18 Coach of the
Shelly Striegle, Sigourney All-Conference First Team Pitchers — Carly Goodwin, sr., Sigourney; Kennedy Axmear, sr., English Valleys; Hailey Jack, sr., HLV. Catchers — Josephine Moore, jr., Sigourney; Izzie Kriegel, jr., Iowa Valley. Infielders — Ava Fisch, jr., Sigourney; Ayla Hall, jr., HLV; Delaney Hall, sr., English Valleys; Regan Grewe, jr., North Mahaska; Lydia Kriegel, jr., Iowa Valley. Outfielders — Addy Schaull, sr., HLV; Aubrey Achenbach, fr., English Valleys; Ryanne VanDee, jr., BGM; Madison VanZee, sr., Montezuma. Utility — Alexy Conover, sr., Lynnville-Sully; Taylor Johnson, 8th, Belle Plaine. Second Team Pitchers — Laila Morrison, sr., BGM; Izzy Sankot, sr., Belle Plaine; Jocelyn Pinkerton, 8th, North Mahaska. Catchers — Taylor Mikesell, jr., English Valleys; Jacey Reineke, sr., Belle Plaine. Infielders — Ava Brummel, fr., Lynnville-Sully; Erin Dawson, sr., Sigourney; Lily Randall, jr., HLV; Ada Mews, sr., English Valleys; Olivia Rideway, fr., North Mahaska; Mya Smothers, fr., Montezuma. Outfielders — Peyton Sharp, fr., Lynnville-Sully; Amiya Smallwood, sr., Sigourney; Ella Grieder, sr., Belle Plaine; Kaylia Shipman, fr., North Mahaska; Cloe Snook, jr., Montezuma; Ella Read, sr., Iowa Valley. Utility — Brianna Freerksen, so., Colfax-Mingo; Raegan Molyneux, jr., HLV; Kayla Readshaw, jr., North Mahaska; Sydnee Burgess, fr., Montezuma. Honorable Mention Olivia Rausch, so., Colfax-Mingo; Dakota Allen, fr., Colfax-Mingo; Morgan Jones, sr., Lynnville-Sully; Kate Harthoorn, so., Lynnville-Sully; Dani Aller, jr., Sigourney; Ella Bruns, 8th, Sigourney; Raelene Hawkins, so., HLV; Erilea Kupka, 8th, HLV; Dakota Pedersen, sr., Iowa Valley; Skyler Hoyt, fr., Iowa Valley; Ellen Cook, jr., Montezuma; Kamryn Schmidt, fr., Montezuma; Jeryn Kalinay, sr., BGM; Emy Minnaert, 8th, BGM; Ava Gehrking, fr.,
Baxter’s Tuhn, Brummel land on all-conference softball team
Junior Emie Tuhn tied for 10th in the conference in fielding percentage and freshman Kendall Brummel ranked in the top 10 in stolen bases during conference play this past summer.
That helped both Bolts earn a spot on the Iowa Star Conference South Division all-conference softball squad.
Tuhn was a second-team outfielder and Brummel was the team’s honorable mention choice.
All-conference honors are
based on statistics inside conference play only. The Bolts finished 0-13 in league games. Tuhn batted .200 and had an on-base percentage of .273. She led the Bolts with six hits and finished with one run, two RBIs, three walks and seven total bases. Her .930 fielding percentage ranked tied for 10th in conference play. Brummel batted .172 and had an OBP of .250. She tied for ninth in the league with nine steals and scored a team-most eight runs.
Brummel added five hits, three walks and five total bases and her fielding percentage was .897.
Iowa Star Conference South Division Softball Final Standings
Baxter trio lands on 1A Central District baseball squad
Baxter sophomore Colton Moffit tied for the second most starts in Class 1A as the Bolts’ top pitcher this summer.
Sophomore Cael Wishman ranked in the top 20 in the class in batters he threw out trying to steal and junior Perrin Sulzle led the Bolts in total bases and steals and tied for the team lead in hits and runs.
The Baxter trio helped the Bolts tie for a school record 10 wins and all three were named to the 1A Central District squad recently.
Sulzle earned his spot as a first-team outfielder, while Moffit grabbed one of the first-team utility spots. Wishman was a second-team catcher.
Sulzle ranked second on the Bolts with a .390 batting average and his on-base percentage was .478. His 37 total bases and 21 steals led the squad and his
30 hits and 24 runs tied for the team lead.
He also finished with 14 RBIs, seven walks, five doubles and six hit by pitches and his fielding percentage was .943. Moffit was 6-3 as the Bolts’ ace pitcher. His 13 starts ranked tied for second in 1A and his earned run average was 2.04. Moffit struck out 88 batters in 61 2/3 innings and opponents batted only .207 against him. His fielding percentage was .953 and he added 14 hits, seven RBIs, eight walks and 14 total bases at
the plate.
Wishman threw out nine batters trying to steal a base, which ranked tied for 16th in 1A. His fielding percentage was .912.
At the plate, Wishman batted .357 and had an OBP of .506. He led Baxter with 12 walks and two homers and added 20 hits, 17 runs, five doubles, 19 RBIs, 33 total bases, seven hit by pitches and 11 steals.
The 1A Central District first team also included BCLUW’s Calvin Zoske and Ankeny Christian Academy’s Eli Christensen.
The second team featured Colo-NESCO’s Drew Banks, BCLUW’s Cael Keller, North Tama’s Josh Dostal and Kayler Morris and four players from Madrid.
Coach of the Year Troy Houge, Collins-Maxwell All-Conference First Team Pitcher — Erica Houge, sr., Collins-Maxwell. Catcher — Callie Swanson, sr., BCLUW Infielders — Haylee Merryman, so., Collins-Maxwell; Emma Pasquariello, sr., Collins-Maxwell; Sarah Garber, jr., BCLUW; Gabby Seda, so., North Tama. Outfielders — Jayden Peters, fr., Collins-Maxwell; Cypress Erickson, so., Collins-Maxwell; Molly Angell, jr., Collins-Maxwell.
Utility — Klayre Gallentine, jr., BCLUW; Annabelle Nessa, sr., Colo-NESCO. Second Team Pitcher — Adelyn Sienknecht, sr., North Tama. Catcher — Addy Hochstetler, so., North Tama. Infielders — Vivian Kahler, sr., Collins-Maxwell; Harper Rausch, fr., North Tama; Rylee Upchurch, sr., Colo-NESCO; Morgan Bergman, jr., BCLUW. Outfielders — Emie Tuhn, jr., Baxter; Hannah Kimberley, sr., Collins-Maxwell; Cassie Nason, jr., BCLUW; Gabby Velasco, jr., North Tama; Faith Dvorak, jr., North Tama. Honorable Mention Kendall Brummel, fr.,
C-M’s Bracewell scores first team all-district honor
Colfax-Mingo senior Cael Bracewell led the entire state with 126 strikeouts this season. He also tied for 10th in Class 2A in on-base percentage and ranked in the top 15 of four other categories. Because of his abilities as both a pitcher and a hitter, Bracewell earned first-team honors as a utility player on the 2A Central District squad.
Bracewell led the Tigerhawks in several categories this summer. His .610 OBP ranked tied for 10th in 2A, while his three triples and three homers tied for 12th and 14th, respectively. He also led Colfax-Mingo with a .418 batting average and his 23 hits, 25 runs, 10 doubles, 19 walks, 13 steals, eight hit by pitches and 48 total bases also were team highs. He added 14 RBIs. As a pitcher, Bracewell’s 126 strikeouts came in 60 1/3 innings, which ranked tied for eighth in 2A. His 11 starts tied for fourth and he finished 5-2 with an earned run average of 1.16. Opponents batted only .119 against him and he walked 12 and hit four batters. His fielding percentage was .980 as he committed just one error.
