Welcome back, Bolts
Cheers to 15 years
By Jamee A.
It’s time to party! Colfax Main Street is turning 15 and is holding an anniversary celebration. Colfax Main Street is hosting the City Lights: 15Year Anniversary Celebration Fundraiser beginning at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 13 on West Howard Street.
“We’re having a dinner in the street featuring a menu from local businesses; we will give a program about Downtown Colfax’s progress during the past 15 years, we will also
host a silent auction of gift baskets from regional businesses to raise money for our program’s projects and activities,” Colfax Main Street Director Stuart Patterson said.
“Then at 8 p.m. the event will transition to a street dance featuring local DJ Jennifer Lamb. We’re going to set up a big long decorated table on the street for everyone to sit at and will be hanging up lights around the street to create a special atmosphere for the dinner as it gets dark.”
The event is a culmination of 15 years of hard work by dozens
Colfax Main Street celebrates 15-year anniversary with celebration event Sept. 13
of people to make Colfax Main Street the great organization it has become. From five different leaders to countless volunteers, it has been a driving force to keep Colfax busy throughout the years.
“It’s always great to gather volunteers, community members, city leaders and business owners to celebrate the progress that has been happening in downtown Colfax,” Stuart said. “This is the first year I’ve been pulled aside by several people who’ve commented that our downtown district has looked the best
BOND ELECTION SCHEDULED
Jasper County calls for a $6.4M bond election this November to pay for a new secondary roads maintenance shop
By Christopher Braunschweig
Supervisors have called for a special election this November in hopes Jasper County residents will agree to a $6.4 million bond to pay for the second phase of the new Liberty Avenue Yard project, which will become the new home for the engineer’s office and the secondary roads department.
According to the resolution included in the board of supervisors agenda, general obligation bonds or capital loan notes would be used for the design, construction, equipment, furnishings and land site improvements for a secondary roads maintenance building. Voters will decide whether it passes on Election Day.
So in addition to voting for the next president of the United States and which two candidates will be on the county board of supervisors for the next four years, Jasper County citizens will essentially vote “yes” or “no” to this proposed project and payment method. The project is currently estimated at
it’s ever looked and I think that is something Colfax can be proud of.”
Starting in 2009, Colfax Main Street worked to address community negativity about downtown Colfax and the deteriorating condition of many of the buildings, Stuart said. Since then the downtown has won several awards for historic preservation and business retention projects, giving Colfax residents a place to now be proud of.
“I think that’s awesome and that’s due to a lot of hard work from the community,”
Stuart said.
Leading the charge the past six years, Stuart has special memories of his time with Colfax Main Street. From revitalizing buildings to community events, he’s been a part of making downtown Colfax a thriving destination location.
“My favorite thing is seeing properties that had been boarded up, sat empty and used as storage when I first started six years ago are now renovated into beautiful and
MAIN STREET | 3
Continuing a legacy
New Baxter High School principal ready to lead
For the first time in more than 25 years, there is a new leader at Baxter High School.
Clay Harrold is taking over as principal and he is excited to continue the rich legacy started by his predecessor Rob Luther.
“I saw Baxter was open and was intrigued,” Harrold said.
“I looked up Baxter’s scores and the conditions for learning scores were through the roof, some of the best in the state. That is measured by students, staff and families, and I was like, ‘Holy cow.’ The culture there was off the charts.”
Originally from Jesup, Harrold has a degree in special education from the University of Dubuque and master’s in curriculum and educational leadership from Buena Vista. In his 21st year in education, he has served as a special education teacher, high school behavior interventionist, seven years as a principal and most recently as a special education consultant with Central Rivers Area Educational Agency.
“I was working for the AEA and that was fine, but there were some changes made at the state level leading me to look at other options for the next year,” Harrold said. “Even living a half hour away in Grinnell, Baxter has a great name. It has a very positive image and I’ve always heard great things about this school and the community.”
Jamee A. Pierson/ Jasper County Tribune New Baxter High School Principal Clay Harrold is excited to continue the great work being done in the district.
million bond election for the second phase
Liberty Avenue Yard project. The project will construct a new secondary roads maintenance shed.
Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune
Teachers at Baxter Community School District and Colfax-Mingo Community School District welcome new and returning students back to class during open house events in each community.
By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune
Pierson Jasper County Tribune
Colfax Historical Society
The Aug. 19 meeting of the Colfax Historical Society was called to order at 7:01 p.m. President Kevin Williams and thanked everyone for attending. Members present were: BJ Williams, Karen Russell, Aaron Bartholmey, Steve and Cindy L. Van Dusseldorp, Stanley Daft, Larry and Charlet Daft, Joyce Jessen, Rachel Wilty, Peggy Dvorak, Chris Smith and Tranquillity Smith, facility manager. Minutes of July 15 were read. Treasurer’s report was presented.
Facility manager gave her report and said she has given tours and has more rentals. Also, a couple of weddings are booked.
Kevin presented a bill for items purchased at Harbor Freight, including furniture movers in the amount of $291.70. Peggy made the motion to pay, Cindy L. seconded, motion carried.
Chris will be helping Kevin with installing the security camera system.
Larry D. has set Saturday, Dec. 14 for the Christmas party, games and refreshments. There will be more discussion in October on this item before it is finalized.
Doug Wilson fixed the leak in our roof.
Kevin said that the Century Link repairman did show up and fix the phone access to our security system.
It was mentioned that we should purchase a storage cabinet in the utility room that can be locked.
Kevin has obtained artifacts from the Jasper County Museum and they will be put in three cases.
Aaron mentioned that the Colfax Library will be having a presentation by author, Linda McCann on “Rosie the Riveters of Iowa” book on Sept. 14
HOWARD ST. CHRISTIAN CHURCH
(Disciples of Christ)
Pastor Tom Burns
Howard & Locust St., Colfax Office - 674-3746
Church Cell - 971-0569
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Adult & Wired
Word Adult Sunday school classes; 10 a.m. Fellowship Time;10:30 a.m. Worship, in person or online via YouTube
MONDAY - Tom’s day off TUESDAY - 9:30 a.m. Coffee Time/Fellowship; 2 p.m. Easy Yoga
WEDNESDAY - 3:30 p.m. After school elementary youth; 6:10 ChiRho and CYF youth supper/ youth group
THIRD SUNDAY of monthMarathon Sunday includes elders, board, potluck and food pantry FIRST MONDAY of monthWIC appointments
IRA UNITED CHURCH
Rev. Michael Omundson
SUNDAY - 9:30 a.m. Church service; 10:15 a.m. Sunday school
Club News
at 10:30 a.m. Karen needed two more volunteers to help on the nominating committee and Peggy and Joyce have volunteered. They are to report back at the October Annual Meeting on Monday, Oct. 21.
Jasper County Museum will be doing the Christmas Tree event again this year and asked if we will participate again. Peggy, Steve and Cindy L. have volunteered for that project.
Kevin stated we have Colfax Mercantile Co. tokens and they will be on sale in the Gift Shop for $15 each.
We will be open the second Saturday of the month on Sept. 14 (from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). The volunteers will be BJ and Kevin. Admission is free.
The last Sunday this year the museum is open will be Sunday, Sept. 1. The volunteers will be Karen and Keith.
Next meeting will be on Monday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. It is open to anyone who would like to attend.
DAR
For its July meeting, Grinnell Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution enjoyed a presentation by Sharon Falck of Grinnell. Falck, a retired home economics teacher, is a member of the local Grinnell quilt guild. For the past 11 years, she has had a special relationship with the Lakota people through the Dakota Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Falck supports Lakota quilters by donating used sewing machines which she has had serviced and repaired. She has donated 81 sewing machines and three sergers in the time she has worked with the Lakota.
To show their appreciation the Lakota have gifted Falck with quilts including a Morning Star quilt. The
Morning Star is an important figure in Lakota ceremonies and represents the direction from which spirits travel to earth. It is a link between the living and the dead thus symbolizing immortality. During the ceremony in which the quilt is gifted to a person, the quilt is draped over one’s shoulders.
Falck discussed the many issues facing Native Americans in our society including stereotypes; the Indian schools that attempted to erase native culture; the numerous missing Native American women; and Bureau of Indian Affairs regulations that are harmful to the Native American population such as a decision which will allow marijuana to be grown on reservations which could be genocide for a population which has addictive personalities.
Falck recommended the book The Land Is Not Empty by Sarah Augustine to further explore these issues.
In conclusion, Falck recommends that when performing mission work, the needs of the population should be your primary consideration.
Church Schedules
(communion first Sunday)
METZ COMMUNITY CHURCH
3253 W. 62nd St. S., Newton Pastor David Rex 641-521-4354
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10:10 a.m. Worship Last Saturday of month - 8 a.m. Men’s Breakfast
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
Colfax Minister, Pastor Cody Dyer Church Office 674-4165
FRIDAY, Aug. 30 - The Cellar following the C-M home football game
SUNDAY, Sept. 1 - 9 a.m. Fellowship; 9:15 a.m. Bible Education Classes; 10:25 a.m. Message by Pastor Cody Dyer; 5 p.m. The Well Youth Group
TUESDAY, Sept. 3 - 3:30 p.m. Women’s Prayer and Coffee
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 4 - 9 a.m. Busy Bee Quilters and Fresh Encounter Prayer; 5:45 p.m. AWANA Family Meal; 6:25 p.m. AWANA Clubs
The church schedule is brought to you by
City-Monroe 515-674-3155 www.coburnfuneralhomes.com
FRIDAY, Sept. 6 - The Cellar following the Colfax-Mingo home football game
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
Grant Funding for Abandoned Wells and Cisterns Available
Unwanted and abandoned water wells are a hazard to our drinking water supplies and pose a real safety hazard to people, animals and equipment or vehicles. Each year in our country, a number of individuals are injured or killed due to falling into old, forgotten wells. It is the responsibility of every property owner to ensure that their properties do not have any wells that pose a hazard to person or groundwater.
Contact Jasper County Environmental Health today to schedule a free assessment at (641) 792-3084
Jasper Community Foundation grants awarded
Dan Skokan, president of the Jasper Community Foundation, announced $125,000 in grant awards were distributed recently to area non-profit organizations. The community foundation receives funds for grant-making and endowment building each year from the state-sponsored County Endowment Fund Program. The grant proposals were received from educational, municipal and non-profit organizations throughout Jasper County.
The Foundation awarded grants that ranged from $900 to $10,000 to new or enhanced, innovative programs that address needs or issues within Jasper County.
All submitted grant proposals were reviewed by the Jasper Community Foundation Board. The 25 organizations receiving funding through this program are:
City of Mingo — $2,500
City of Monroe — $2,400
Economic Dev Corp — $8,000
Hometown Pride — $5,000
Arboretum — $8,000 Lynnville Sully Comm Education Foundation — $5,000
Community Foundation — $6,000
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 month6:30 p.m. Theology on Tap at Bea’s Place on Main Street Check us out on Facebook and baxtercongregational.com
CORNERSTONE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP
1000 E. 12th St., Newton Rev. Josh Farver, pastor Phone 641-792-4650
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10:15 a.m. Worship
WEDNESDAY - 6:30 p.m. Prayer Meeting and Bible Study; Youth Group
HERITAGE WORD OF LIFE ASSEMBLY OF GOD 102 Second St. NW, Mitchellville Pastor Dave Adams 515-967-3330
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Bible classes; 10 a.m. Worship service; 6 p.m. Evening service
WEDNESDAY - 7 p.m. Evening activities
LUTHERAN CHURCH OF HOPE Capitol II Theatre in Newton SUNDAY - 9:30 a.m. Livestream Worship Service
Health screenings help to identify diseases and chronic conditions before symptoms occur. The CDC recommends:
Scan here to learn more about hepatitis B screening recommendations— Or visit https://cdc.gov/hepatitis-b/testing/ We can stop HIV, Iowa— by staying up-to-date on recommended screenings!
Scan here to learn more about HIV screening recommendations Or visit https://cdc.gov/hiv/testing/
Scan here to learn more about hepatitis C screening recommendations— Or visit https://cdc.gov/hepatitis-c/testing/
Talk to your healthcare provider about getting screened! Forgot if you’ve had a screening? Ask them to check your records!
Screenings are important because HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C don’t always have noticeable signs or symptoms. Some people should be tested more often—visit the web resources below to learn more!
Submitted Photo
Sharon Falck was gifted this Morningstar quilt by Lakota quilters to thank her for her work with them.
useful spaces. Some of those properties I played a role in making sure the historic exterior was preserved correctly or I’ve helped find a good buyer for the property,” Stuart said.
“I’m also very proud of local business owners and volunteers who put a lot of effort into making sure there are fun and engaging activities for the
community to participate in. Events are always a lot of work and some of these community members put in several volunteer hours to make sure residents and visitors have a good time and positive experience in our town.”
Another feather in his cap is the addition of art to the downtown. An area that was virtually void of eye-catching pieces now boasts many features that accentuate the best of what Colfax has to offer.
“We really didn’t have much
public art until a few years ago. I’ve got to help design barn quilts and design the metal sculpture in the city’s new pocket park,” Stuart said. “Some of my most recent favorite memories are seeing those public art pieces get installed.”
Programs like Main Street can be vital to the continued growth of small, rural Iowa communities, and Colfax is no exception. It has given community members an outlet for their creativity and a place to
show how much they love the city and want it to grow.
“The Main Street Approach, framework provided by Main Street America and Main Street Iowa, helps our community organize itself for success, improves the design of our community, promotes our business district and enhances the economic base of our community,” Stuart said. “I believe downtown Colfax would not have achieved what it has if there wasn’t an organized effort of concerned
SHERIFF’S OFFICE
$6,224,080.
Similarly to how Jasper County pitched its bond referendum proposal for the new administration building a few years back, supervisors say the bond will not raise the county’s property taxes. The bond for the administration building was for $3.6 million and passed with 64 percent approval in March 2021.
Officials say the county can accomplish this due to its low debt. The resolution approved by supervisors on Aug. 20 states the property taxes of a home with an actual value of $100,000 is estimated not to exceed $10.41. But changes in other levies may cause the actual annual increase in property taxes to vary.
Newton News previously reported other projects besides the second phase of the new engineer’s office were included in the bond vote. However, it was explained by supervisor Brandon Talsma that spending thresholds for those projects did not exceed past the point where a vote of the people was needed.
“The reason it’s at $6.4 million is because, once again, with Ahlers & Cooney we reached out to them multiple times, we do
not have to include those smaller projects on it,” he said. “We can include those projects as part of a larger bond issuance but not part of this bond issuance that we need approval for.”
Other projects initially mentioned in those early discussions include a training facility for the sheriff’s office, maintenance shops at Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve and Mariposa Park and an outdoor archery range and classroom components for the upcoming environmental education center.
While those projects are still being planned, they will not appear on the ballot. Only the bond request for the secondary roads project will be considered.
The total estimated cost for all projects is $7.5 million.
SECONDARY ROADS SHOP
For almost 100 years, the secondary roads shop has been located about 1.5 miles inside the city limits of Newton. According to the bond project communications on the Jasper County website, the main building was constructed in the 1930s and then an extension was added in the 1980s.
The proposed shop is located on a county road outside city limits and near Interstate 80, which the county says would elimi-
to schedule a test or with any questions at 641-792-3084.
nate the delay of navigating through city streets and allow for quicker response times. Staff say the current shop is in need of more space but is in deteriorating conditions.
Which ultimately limits secondary roads on the type of equipment that can be pulled into the bays. For instance, due to their weight, bulldozers and track hydraulic excavators are restricted to areas without basement underneath. The ceiling in the main shop is also too low to extend dump truck bodies for repairs. Equipment only continues to get larger in height and width, making the current shop more obsolete as time goes on.
Photographs included on the county website show cracks, exposed rebar and other deteriorations in the current office. It also includes a photo of the vintage 1935 Caterpillar Model 22, which is featured as a decorative piece outside the current engineer’s office along the 900 block of North 11th Avenue East.
The Model 22 is 9 feet long, almost 5 feet wide and more than 4.5 feet tall. It weighs more than 3 tons. Whereas a 1998 Caterpillar D5 is more than 11 feet long, more than 7 feet wide and almost 10 feet tall. It weighs nearly 13 tons.
TRAINING FACILITY
Following the closing of the Jasper County Animal Rescue League a number of years ago, Jasper County took possession of the building in 2023 and conducted law enforcement training in the space. From there the sheriff’s office recognized an opportunity to create a training facility for all first responders in Jasper County. The goal of this facility would be to allow first responders a safe environment to learn and train on the most current standards. Currently, the building is being used for training at a minimal standard. The sheriff’s office wants to add classroom space, restrooms and a training room with movable walls.
Additional renovations could also allow the advanced life support program to expand even further by providing housing for the ambulance, medical and training equipment and an office space. It would also allow for more EMS training opportunities and even CPR and basic medical classes for citizens.
By the end of 2023, a firearms range was added to the north side of the property. The county proposes the classroom and firearms range can be used for hunter safety courses and even law enforcement lead classes for citizens.
Baxter’s reputation spreads far and wide, in part because of the long tenure of the recently retired high school principal. Harrold knows the seat he has to fill but said the experience has been great so far and he is looking forward to the start of the year and beginning to put his experience into action.
“My dad used to joke, ‘You never want to be the man following the man.’ Well, I’m the man following the man,” Harrold said. “Mr. Luther has been extremely supportive through the entire process. He has been so helpful ... He was open from the beginning that he wanted it to be a positive and smooth transition. I’m very thankful for his support and every-
individuals working to make downtown Colfax a clean, attractive, well-preserved place for businesses to conduct business and for people to visit.”
To help celebrate Colfax Main Street, tickets are available for $40 each, $75 per couple or $300 for a table. They can be purchased at Spring City Pharmacy, Bank Iowa, Colfax City Hall and the Colfax Main Street office or online on our website at www.colfaxmainstreet.com. The deadline to purchase tickets is Sept. 6.
CONSERVATION PROJECTS
Four projects are planned for Jasper County Conservation. The first is classroom components — tables, chairs, projectors, whiteboards, laptops, microscopes, iPads, display furs and aquariums — for the environmental education center, which is going to be located on 40 acres of landed southeast of Newton.
Another component project at the nature center is the archery range, and bonds would help pay for the range itself and equipment, including a backstop berm, parking lot, backstop netting, a shooting shelter, target stands, targets, bows, bow stands and arrows.
The current maintenance shop at Mariposa Park, which is a detached garage, is dilapidated and no longer able to serve its purpose. Conservation has noted it needs to be replaced. The bond would fund the demolition of the old shop and build a new structure with an office for park staff.
In addition, a concrete pad and septic system would be established for a park host to be located at the shop in order to make Mariposa Park more accessible and user-friendly during the busy camping season. It would also provide 24-hour
thing he has done here. It didn’t happen by accident and it’s a testament to him and the whole community.”
One thing that drew him to the community was the shared values and philosophies he felt with the district. It wasn’t going to be a leap to join the school, it already felt familiar, like he’d been there for years.
“I’ll definitely be assessing out of the gate. This is kind of what I think and what my experiences are compared to what has been going on,” Harrold said. “A lot of things I have done in past, the philosophical side of things, really do match a lot that been going on. I felt like my core education values and philosophies in leadership really aligned extremely well to what has been happening here.”
One area he is especially excited about is the Capturing Kids Hearts initiative the school his been using.
“The Capturing Kids Hearts ini-
staff located directly in the park.
Another shop is planned at the Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve. The current shop is more than 50 years old. After the derecho in 2020 and the hailstorm in 2023 — coupled with a rusty roof and rotting interior — the structure needs replaced. The bond would build a new shop within the same footprint, GIVE YOUR FEEDBACK TO JASPER COUNTY Jasper County plans to hold numerous in-person and virtual town hall meetings leading up to the bond vote on Election Day. There will also be an open house for the secondary roads maintenance shop to close out the town hall meetings from 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 29 at 4800 Liberty Avenue.
Zoom meetings will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 10, 24 and Oct. 8, 22. In-person meetings are scheduled at 6:30 p.m. for the following dates:
• Aug. 29 in the Prairie City Community Building, 503 S. State St.
• Sept. 19 in Lynnville City Hall, 308 East St.
• Oct. 10 in Baxter Community Building/City Hall, 203 S. Main St.
• Oct. 17 in Jasper County Admin Building, 315 W. 3rd St. N., Newton.
• Oct. 24 in Amboy Grand Building, 220 High St., Kellogg.
tiative that they’ve had here, that’s phenomenal work. It truly does make a difference,” Harrold said. “Having a background and belief system align to something as powerful as that is awesome.”
As the school year kicks off, the new principal is looking forward to having his building filled with students and staff excited for the start of the year. He is hitting the ground running and ready to continue the great work underway at Baxter.
“Any time a new year rolls around, but especially being at a new place, getting to meet the students, getting to know the people and getting into the daily routines is exciting,” Harrold said. “I liked my position last year but I’m looking forward to having that home base, having that school you can truly be a part of. That means a lot to me and I’m really looking forward to that. Let’s go!”
Empowering Iowa small businesses to support America
Innovation should not just come from Washington when it is thriving right here in the heartland. In Iowa, small businesses make up 99 percent of businesses and employ more than 50 percent of the workers in our state.
While these businesses have been put through the wringer by inflation and the unrelenting tsunami of regulations, Washington has punished them in a much less obvious way over the last 15 years — by squeezing them out of selling to the biggest consumer in the country: the federal government. Since Fiscal Year 2008, the number of small businesses competing for federal government contracts has been cut in half.
YOUR VIEW
From Washington, DC
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst
When I became the top Republican on the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee last year, I immediately set out to reverse this concerning decline. I found one of the biggest obstacles was wacky government jargon and quickly introduced the ACCESS Act to streamline the process and make it more accessible for small businesses to
Concerned for the state of our union
Recently, while driving around Newton, I counted over 100 flags being flown. Last weekend, I drove to central Missouri and I was surprised by how many flags were being flown and on display. I think this might be a sign of the concern for the state of our union. Our society and country is a mess. We cannot continue down the current path and survive!
This is our generation and we are responsible to be responsive and respond. Thank God for our Founding Fathers, who risked everything to pass on to us a form of government like no other on earth. It is worth defending: Defending our borders; defending the millions of babies murdered in and out of the womb; and defending young children from sexual mutilation. Our insane open-border policies have bankrupted many states’ education, housing, feeding, providing medical aid, etc. These services will destroy many, many services for our own citizens in time. We are trillions of dollars in debt and counting. Known rapists, murderers, child molesters, drug dealers, human traffickers and terrorists are coming in alarming numbers.
It’s high time the silent majority — we Christians, along with our pulpits-wake up, stand up, and speak up. Let’s not be like Germany and allow another holocaust!
Historians agree, if the clergy in Germany would have banded together in opposition to Hitler in the ‘30s, the holocaust would never have happened.
I also heard on TV the other night a recent survey shows eight in 10 believe the church has lost its influence it once had. If so, God help us!
Clayton Newell Newton
SHARE YOUR VIEW
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
SPEAK OUT
How to contact your elected officials Jasper County Supervisors
Brandon Talsma, chair 4309 W Fourth St. S. Newton, IA 50208 641-526-3142 btalsma@co.jasper.ia.us
Doug Cupples, vice chair 1205 S. 20th Ave. W. Newton, IA 50208 641-521-8725 dcupples@co.jasper.ia.us
Denny Stevenson 110 Railroad Street Kellogg, IA 50135 641-521-8553 dstevenson@co.jasper.ia.us
compete. This commonsense bill promotes job creation and supports communities right here in Iowa.
After all, Iowa small businesses are not just mom-and-pop shops. They operate as trailblazers of invention, bringing vital technologies that support our national defense to bear.
Opening the door for these small businesses to compete in the federal marketplace is about providing the government access to the latest cutting-edge technologies and ensuring a robust defense industrial base to protect our nation. It also ensures tax dollars are used more efficiently.
A steady presence of new firms creates the necessary competition to keep costs low and forces Washington bureaucrats to be good stewards of tax dollars, instead of just doling out contracts to the same few companies year after year.
My advocacy is not limited to the halls of Congress. The best way to ensure the federal government under-
stands how to work with small businesses is by sitting down and meeting with them.
This month, I hosted my second annual Entrepreneur Expo in Ames to get federal agencies out of the D.C. bubble and into the heartland.
The event was a roaring success, as hundreds of attendees were able to hear from 75 speakers from 40 different state and federal agencies about how their businesses can compete and win.
Reversing the rapid decline in the federal marketplace won’t happen overnight, but I am confident that we have momentum on our side to unleash entrepreneurship in Iowa and across this country.
Small businesses power our states, and it is long past time we remove barriers and equip them to support and supply the federal government.
Joni Ernst, a native of Red Oak and a combat veteran, represents Iowa in the United States Senate.
Seniors paying more under the Biden-Harris Administration
When I became a doctor and took the Hippocratic Oath, I promised to refrain from causing harm or intentionally hurting people. And when I was elected to office, I promised to fight for and protect the needs of Iowans.
Meanwhile, remember that Democrats promised they would bring down healthcare costs for Americans, especially seniors. Since the Biden-Harris Administration took office, Medicare Part D premiums have skyrocketed, increasing by 57 percent. They are about to go up again, and seniors need to be prepared.
More than 650,000 Iowans depend on Medicare. This year, they had 22 Part D plans to choose from — that’s less than half the number that was available in 2007. Some saw their Medicare Part D premiums — the monthly amount paid for health coverage — increase as much as 119 percent from last year. Nationally, the average increase was 21 percent.
The bad news doesn’t stop there. Premiums are expected to go up by another 50 percent or more in 2025! That means in just a few months, some Iowa seniors, many on a fixed income, will be spending almost $200 a month on healthcare premiums alone.
So, how did a law that was supposed to lower healthcare costs end up causing them to skyrocket? When my Democratic colleagues wrote the inaccurately named Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), they moved more than $100 billion out of Medicare, promising that any savings from the law would make
up for the loss. But they knew it wasn’t true, so they added gimmicks to distract from the fact that it would be years, maybe never, before Americans saw any real savings. The problem with gimmicks is they don’t solve the problem.
One of those gimmicks is lowering the cost Iowa Medicare beneficiaries pay out-of-pocket for prescription drugs. Next year, the new out-of-pocket maximum for drugs is going from $3,300 down to $2,000.
That sounds great, but someone has to pay for the $1,300 difference. It was supposed to be the insurers, but they are passing the cost onto beneficiaries through higher premiums. Insurers knew the out-of-pocket cap would kick in next year, so they started raising premiums this year.
Another gimmick is a 6 percent limit on premiums. Democrats would have you believe that everyone on Medicare would be protected from double-digit premium increases from insurers, but the reality is that the cap only applies to a portion of the premium related to basic benefits, not the actual premiums plans charge for coverage.
Knowing the political fallout from this flawed approach, the Biden-Harris Administration announced a demonstration to buy
down premiums in 2025. They propose to spend billions more from Medicare to cover up their mistake, not to change the law, but to dodge the political hit coming in October when seniors start to shop for plans and see massive premium increases.
Had Democrats simply not raided Medicare in the first place, this new raid on Medicare wouldn’t have been needed. Now, taxpayers will pay billions more for the flawed law’s impact on costs.
One simple solution Congress should enact now is to stop using Medicare as a piggy bank. Those so-called “savings” from the IRA are not going back into the system. Instead, they are being used to fund Democrats’ pet projects like financing a Travis Kelce movie, solar panels, or tax breaks on Chinese-built electric cars.
Iowans deserve better; that’s why I am working to fix the law, end these misappropriations of funds taken out of Medicare, and provide better care and lower costs for seniors in our state.
Correcting this sleight-of-hand maneuver will take time, so Iowa seniors need to prepare right now for October 1. That’s when they will start shopping for their 2025 Medicare plan and could see another increase in costs due to the Inflation Reduction Act. What we need to do now is ensure that leaders live up to the promise of the Hippocratic Oath and do no harm through another raid on Medicare to fund programs outside of Medicare.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks
Our District
Baxter football rallies past Springville in season opener
By Troy Hyde Sports Editor
BAXTER — Perrin Sulzle threw for more than 2,300 yards, ran for 512 and scored nearly 40 touchdowns last fall as the starting quarterback of the Baxter football team.
It turns out, Sulzle is pretty good at catching the football, too.
After one game of the 2024 season, the Bolts’ decision to move Sulzle to a different position looks promising.
And his all-around dominance helped Baxter rally from a 17-point second half hole on August 23 during a 58-49 home win over Springville.
“I introduced the idea to coach Luther and he was on board,” Sulzle said about the conversation to change positions. “We had Eli, who was really good on JV the past few years. I think we trusted him to make plays so that’s why everyone involved was comfortable with the switch.”
Eli Dee made plenty of plays against the Orioles, too. The junior quarterback threw for 346 yards and five TDs and caught a touchdown pass on offense while also snagging two interceptions on defense.
The Bolts trailed 14-6 after one quarter, went into halftime down 28-18 and back-to-back turnovers in the third led to a 41-24 deficit.
But Sulzle was too good down the stretch. The Bolts outscored Springville 28-8 in the fourth and Sulzle caught a TD pass and ran for two more in the quarter.
Baxter head football coach Rob Luther moved Sulzle back to quarterback late in the game as the Bolts were completing their rally and trying to finish off the victory.
“Perrin was a dawg. This was Eli’s first varsity start, and we are happy with about 90 percent of it,” Luther said. “He showed some moxie. He threw some completions under pressure. But it’s nice to give teams that package with Perrin back there to show them something different.”
Both teams scored on their first two possessions of the game. Dee’s 17-yard TD pass to Stadan Vansice tied the game at 6-all and a 23-yard TD strike to Sulzle brought the Bolts within 14-12 early in the second quarter.
Dee’s first interception came on Springville’s third possession, but the Bolts fumbled the ball back to the Orioles on their next drive.
That’s when Mason Hoy sprinted 55 yards to paydirt to extend the visitor’s advantage to 22-12.
Then, Springville continued to get pressure on Dee on Baxter’s next possession. Pressure on the first play forced an incompletion and more pressure two plays later led to an interception.
The Orioles (0-1) started at the Baxter 9-yard line and scored in two plays despite committing a holding penalty on the first play of the drive. That put Springville in front 28-12.
“We got our rears kicked in the first half,” Luther said. “They were physical in every place more than us and won the line of scrimmage. We were in trouble for a long time.”
The Bolts (1-0) were able to score just before halftime. They started their possession at their own 15-yard line. Cael Wishman began the drive with a 14-yard run and Sulzle finished it with a 39-yard TD catch from Dee.
The possession also featured at 13-yard grab from Sulzle on third and 13.
The Bolts trailed 28-18 at halftime, and they failed to convert all three of their 2-point conversion attempts.
Baxter kept its momentum in the third when they got with-
in four following a six play, 40yard drive. On third and seven, Dee hooked up with Vansice for 33 yards.
That set up Sulzle’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Dee on a wide receiver reverse pass.
Springville went back up 11 on its next drive though. Hoy got loose for 36 yards on the first play from scrimmage and then scored from 2 yards out three plays later.
The Orioles got the ball back after recovering an onside kick, but Dee snagged another interception near the goal line that went for a touchback.
“We practiced those all week,” Dee said. “One of those picks I should have just knocked down. It was fourth down near the end zone.”
Unfortunately for Baxter, Springville forced another turnover on the Bolts’ next possession and turned a fumble into a 25-yard touchdown return by Conlin Rouse, who caught a 49yard touchdown pass in the first half.
That gave the visitors their biggest lead of the night at 4124 with 6:26 to play in the third.
It was mostly all Baxter from there though. After a big return by Maddux Tuhn on another onside kick attempt, the
Bolts needed just two plays to score. The drive ended with Dee throwing an 8-yard TD pass to Sulzle, who caught the ball after it was first deflected by an Oriole defender.
Baxter’s defense forced another turnover on Springville’s next possession. That miscue came after the Orioles returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown, but it was called back due to a penalty.
After a pair of first downs, Baxter’s Aiden Johnson ended the Orioles’ possession when he recovered a Hoy fumble near midfield. The run would have been another first down had Springville maintained possession. Unlike in the first half, Baxter turned turnovers into points in the second half. And an 11play, 50-yard drive ended with a 4-yard touchdown pass from
Dee to Sulzle.
Baxter was aided by an offsides penalty on third and three, Sulzle grabbed an 11-yard catch on third and 10 and Wishman got another first down on a 10yard run during the possession.
Springville turned the ball over again on its next possession.
The fumble came on the Orioles’ first play from scrimmage and Jack Anderson was there for the recovery.
“They got that onside and had all of the momentum at that point,” Dee said. “We had to persevere after that. The line stepped up, the defense stepped up in the second half and Perrin made some big plays.” Baxter converted another turnover into points after it marched 50 yards in six plays. The drive started with an incomplete pass and a false start. After a six-yard run by Cainan Travis and another incomplete pass that was almost picked off, Dee went back to Sulzle on fourth and eight and the duo hooked up for 19 yards.
Wishman capped the possession with a 5-yard touchdown run and Dee hit Robinson near the sideline in the end zone for the 2-point conversion. Wishman ran for 29 yards on three carries.
It was the team’s second straight conversion after missing on their first four of the game. It also gave the Bolts their first lead of the contest at 46-41.
“It was four touchdowns to three at halftime,” Luther said. “The difference was the extra points they were getting and we weren’t. Some of that is on me. We had the wrong personnel on one and I made just a bad play call on another.
“We may have gotten to 50 percent. We pride ourselves on that stuff. We’ve had a lot of success with those. We don’t even practice kicking the ball there. If you take seven, we’ll go for eight and make you chase us. We weren’t very good on them tonight. We have to get better.” The lead was short-lived though. Springville answered the Bolts’ go-ahead score with a 7-play, 58-yard TD drive of its own.
The Bolts were flagged for five offsides penalties in the game and two came on the Orioles’ second-to-last possession. The first one improved a third down and seven to a third and two and the Orioles went four yards on their next play for the first down.
Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune
Baxter senior Perrin Sulzle (7) runs after the catch during the first half of the Bolts’ 58-49 come-from-behind win over Springville on August 23. Baxter trailed 41-24 in the third before rallying.
Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune
Baxter senior Jack Anderson, right, makes a tackle near the line of scrimmage during the Bolts’ victory over Springville on August 23. Anderson finished with five tackles and one fumble recovery in the win.
Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune
Baxter junior Eli Dee tosses the ball to senior Cainan Travis (20) during the first half of the Bolts’ win over Springville on August 23.
After a high snap resulted in a 9-yard loss, Hoy went 12 yards on second down and three on third. But another offsides penalty on fourth and four moved the sticks and Hoy scored from 35 yards out one play later.
“I don’t know that I can say anything that can be printed in the paper,” said Luther when asked about the offsides penalties. “We will address that on Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday. They will bring their track shoes. You can say that.
“Outside of the big Hoy run after we jumped on fourth and four, I felt like we played really solid on defense. We just played football in the second half. But it felt like we were never going to stop them in the first half.”
The Bolts answered Springville’s drive with a final go-ahead score. After Vansice dropped a pass on first down, he hauled in a 22-yard catch on the exact same play on second down.
Cade Robinson scampered 18 yards on a counter play after that to set up the Bolts inside the 10-yard line. Robinson finished with 19 yards on two carries and grabbed two catches for 10 yards.
Sulzle then moved back to quarterback and ran nine yards in three plays for the game-winning TD. The 4-yard touchdown run came with 2:34 to go. Luther and the Bolts elected to keep the ball away from Hoy on the ensuing kickoff, but the shorter kick gave the ball to Springville on the 27-yard line.
The Baxter defense was superb on the Orioles’ possession though. Vansice opened the drive with a tackle for loss on first down and then Wishman stopped Hoy for negative yardage on third down.
Dee then made another play defensively when he batted the ball down on fourth and 11.
Baxter tried to run the clock out. It used Sulzle at quarterback again, but the first three runs of the drive resulted in just three yards.
With 8 seconds left, Sulzle got loose on fourth and seven and scored on a 28-yard run as time expired.
“The intensity picked up. We flipped the switch after a talking to at halftime,” Sulzle said. “We made some changes defensively, and it came down to just winning the one-on-one battles. We got pushed around in the first half but turned things around in the second.
“We just believed in each other. One of our words this year is ‘mudita.’ It means having authentic enjoyment in someone else’s success. Every time I score a TD, I celebrate someone else for helping me make the play. We just appreciate each other and the hard work started to pay off in the second half.”
Hoy finished the game with 223 yards and three scores on 25 carries. That’s a big part of why Luther elected to kick the ball away from him late in the game.
“We didn’t want the ball in Hoy’s hands. We hadn’t tackled him all night,” Luther said. “They just kept falling on those short kicks so we’re happy with them starting at the 26 or so. We just didn’t want 9 touching the ball.
“They ran the ball well. They were physical at the point of attack and they will win a lot of football games this year. It was just perseverance. This group of kids believe in themselves and never think they are out of it. That really showed late. We had a lot of confidence late.”
Sulzle finished 2-for-2 through the air for 23 yards and one TD. He also rushed for 40 yards and two TDs on eight carries and had 10 catches for 132 yards and four scores.
Vansice grabbed 10 catches for 189 yards and a touchdown and Travis ran for 18 yards and gained 15 yards on three catches. The Bolts rushed for 125 yards on 31 carries.
Vansice led the Bolts with seven tackles on defense, while Wishman had 6.5 tackles and two tackles for loss. Travis also
had 6.5 tackles, Trevor Hamilton collected six tackles and Anderson tallied five tackles and recovered a fumble. Sulzle chipped in 5.5 tackles and Dee had the two picks.
Springville ran for 289 yards and averaged 8.3 yards per carry. Braden Jordan passed for 58 yards and a TD, ran for 35 yards and two scores and led the Orioles with 12.5 tackles. Rouse
caught the 49-yard TD pass and added nine tackles.
Notes: The Bolts were without three-year starter and returning all-district lineman Carter Smith for the game. He suffered an injury during fall camp and could miss a few more weeks. Luther said he’s a big miss for the team, especially on offense. “We are hoping for CR-B. That would be two more weeks,” Luther said. “It’s already been two and a half. It happened in camp. He’ll brace up. He’s a tough kid. We’ll see how it goes. It’s a long season. I would hope he’s for sure back for St. Edmond.” … Smith is not the only Baxter player battling injury. Anderson played the game with a cast on one hand, Hamilton took a helmet to the kneecap in the contest and Travis and Vansice also are not at 100 percent right now. … Sulzle said he didn’t expect to take snaps at quarterback in the game. “Those are fun,” Sulzle said about the two completions on the wide receiver reverse passes. “It was a little bit holding my breath because I didn’t know if I should take the glove off or not. It was really sweaty under there so I left it on. The first one was an iffy pass that Eli made a great catch on. The second one was better and he was able to get a good run after the catch.”
Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune
Baxter junior Stadan Vansice grabbed 10 passes in the Bolts’ come-from-behind win over Springville on August 23.
Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune
Baxter senior Cainan Travis, left, breaks a tackle against Springville on August 23.
by Talsma to approve the Westlaw 3-year Contract for the County Attorney's Office in the amount of $1,509.35/month effective January 1, 2025, for the first year and then $1,584.82/month for year 2 and finally $1,664.06/month for the 3rd year YEA: CUPPLES & TALSMA Motion by Cupples, seconded by Talsma to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between Jasper County, Daniel Runner, and David Runner for a storm sewer crossing public rightof-way on E. 116th St N. and N. 107th Ave. E.
YEA: CUPPLES & TALSMA Motion by Cupples seconded by Talsma to approve a standard agreement for professional services with Allender Butzke Engineers Inc. in the amount of $7,900.00 for geotechnical exploration on Bridge D05 replacement located on N. 107th Ave. W. over Mud Creek
YEA: CUPPLES & TALSMA Motion by Cupples seconded by Talsma to approve a standard agreement for professional services with Allender Butzke Engineers Inc. in the amount of $6,000.00 for geotechnical exploration on Bridge M03 replacement located at S. 24th
Ave. W.
YEA: CUPPLES & TALSMA Motion by Cupples, seconded by Talsma to accept the only bid from Oden Enterprises, Inc. in the amount of $122,264.68 for steel superstructure to replace Bridge C05.
YEA: CUPPLES & TALSMA Motion by Cupples seconded by Talsma to accept the only bid from Oden Enterprises, Inc. in the amount of $122,264.68 for steel superstructure to replace Bridge K15.
YEA: CUPPLES & TALSMA Motion by Cupples seconded by Talsma to accept the only bid from Oden Enterprises, Inc. in the amount of $377,388.70 for steel superstructure to replace Bridge D05.
YEA: CUPPLES & TALSMA Motion by Cupples, seconded by Talsma to approve plans for project STP-S-C050(144)-5E-50 HMA resurfacing with milling on F-48 W. from IA117 to Bridge N03.
YEA: CUPPLES & TALSMA Motion by Cupples, seconded by Talsma to approve claims paid through August 13 2024
YEA: CUPPLES & TALSMA Motion by Cupples seconded by Talsma to approve Board of Supervisors minutes from August 6, 2024.
YEA: CUPPLES & TALSMA Motion by Cupples seconded by Talsma to appoint Chet Williams to the Civil Service Commission.
YEA: CUPPLES & TALSMA Motion by Cupples seconded by Talsma to adjourn the regular meeting and enter into a work session.
August
CUPPLES & TALSMA
for
