PCM-01-16-2025 by Shaw Media

New council member selected for Prairie City

Beth James to fill open seat through 2025

By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer

Two candidates submitted their names for the open Prairie City City Council seat, and at the Jan. 8 meeting the council heard from each person on why they wanted to serve. After learning their motivations for helping to lead Prairie City, the council selected Beth

James.

“I would really like the opportunity to help shape where we are going in the future,”

James said.

James will be taking the seat of former city council member Emily Simmons who resigned from the position at the Dec. 18 special council meeting. She will be sworn in at the Feb. 12 meeting and serve through

December 2025.

“I am relatively new to Prairie City, here just more than 10 years, and I would like to get involved,” James said. “I am more experienced on my side of the table and I’m curious what it is like from that side of the table. I like to be involved in things. I’ve been an election chairperson for almost 30 years because I enjoy being a

part of the process and helping other people with that process. This is something new, a new challenge.”

Along with James, Lisa Brannen put her name in for the seat. A lifelong Prairie City resident, Brannen stated her biggest goal was to get more people involved in city government.

“Coming in here I was expecting a few more outside people and I see nobody,” Brannen said. “I think that is

Mental health, substance misuse among top health needs for Jasper County

Community Health Needs Assessment brings

to light

which issues Jasper County residents and community partners currently find most significant

By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer

Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of articles exploring the results of the Jasper County Community Health Needs Assessment.

Mental health and substance misuse ranked as the highest community health needs in the latest Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) for Jasper County. Jasper County Health Department Administrator Becky Pryor shared the results of the assessment with the board of health at its Jan. 9 meeting.

Along with MercyOne Newton Medical Center, the Jasper County Health Department conducted the overview of the county starting in May 2024. A 43-question survey was

available for citizens to share their personal experiences throughout the month with 373 responses collected in that time.

The CHNA Advisory Committee also held a community town hall meeting in September to gain additional data. At the meeting, 82 local partners convened for a data presentation and prioritization workshop. Attendees were briefed on four different broad health topics based upon the results of primary and secondary data analysis. They included access to medical care, mental health or substance use disorders, active living, healthy eating, and lifestyle, and social, economic and environmental factors.

The participants were able to engage in table discussions following

each presentation and delve further into information made available on the topics. Each group then identified the top two issues related to each need along with submitting individual responses for the top three strengths and top three gaps related to health in Jasper County.

After all data was collected, the advisory committee then ranked the identified significant health needs based on the number of people impacted, impact on vulnerable populations, importance to the community and feasibility of change. MercyOne Newton Medical Center, the Jasper County Health Department and the advisory committee reconvened in December to develop an action plan

important, especially with our younger generation.”

The council discussed the attributes both candidates would bring to the governing body and city and chose James for the opening.

“I might be a fresh eye to what is going on and there might be unique characteristics that I bring to the team,” James said.

The seat will be up for election during the November election this year.

Jasper County obligates remainder of its ARPA funds

Supervisors plan to distribute money to conservation, secondary roads and EMA

By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer

Jasper County officially obligated the remainder of its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds during the Dec. 31 meeting, which effectively distributed more than $900,000 to a number of different causes. The board of supervisors was required to commit its federal relief money to before the start of the New Year.

County Auditor Jenna Jennings said the county received a total of $7.2 million in ARPA funds, which have been spent on numerous projects over the past few years. All of the money has to be spent by Dec. 31, 2026. New guidelines required the county to pass memorandums of understanding to commit funding.

Four memorandums of understanding were passed individually by the board of supervisors, and each one distributed funds to specific projects. Jasper County Conservation received $174,005.10 to construct a second cabin at the Bison Ridge Campground in Mariposa Park for recreational purposes; conservation also received $400,000 to go towards

KNIFF MCCULLA: Small businesses need incentives

By Christopher Braunschweig

Editor’s note: The following story is the final part in a three-part series going over the priorities of lawmakers who represent Jasper County communities. The issues covered do not represent all of what legislators want to accomplish but merely a small handful of what they consider top priorities.

Iowa State Rep. Barb Kniff McCulla of District 37 wants to see the legislature prioritize property taxes and issues affecting education, but as a

and assistance with workforce

small business owner herself she very much has her eyes set on improving businesses, cultivating a strong workforce and bolstering economic development in the state.

Specifically, she wants to provide additional value to other postgrad options besides going to a four-year college. Kniff McCulla said Iowa needs more apprentice -

ships, more workforce options that do not need a four-year education. Small businesses, she said, may be able to take those people on with incentives.

“We’ll teach you and then you work for me for X-amount of years and so forth,” Kniff McCulla said. “…I’d like to work on that with Labor and Workforce.”

As chair of the House Labor and Workforce Committee, she will certainly get a chance to do so. Kniff McCulla said small businesses are the “backbone of America,” and Iowa lawmak-

ers need to make sure those small businesses stay in their small communities and continue benefiting them.

“They thrive, the small business thrive, the people of that area thrive — so it’s very important we keep those small businesses,” Kniff McCulla said. “It’s opportunities for people to own something like that, and that gives people encouragement and opportunities. Those are all really good things.”

But many small businesses, Kniff McCulla said, struggle with property taxes and maintaining a workforce. She

said one solution could be to incentivize 65 and older individuals to work part-time jobs in these industries. Another way to increase workforce is by attracting more people to the state.

“The governor is doing a great job with everything we have going with our taxes that we can get people moving into our state,” Kniff McCulla said, adding that one such couple moved to Pella from Minnesota after seeing the “Freedom to Flourish” slogan on Interstate 35.

KNIFF MCCULLA

Kniff McCulla

Jasper County Health Department

The Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) was presented to the Jasper County Board of Health during its first meeting of the year Jan. 9.

Explorer PCM

Worth Mentioning

Send your event to news@pcmexplorer.com

Events at The Gathering Place

Thursday, Jan. 16

• 9am Focus Group meeting

Monday, Jan. 20

• 10am Video Exercise Class

Tuesday, Jan 21

• 8am Coffee and Prayer

• 1pm Game Time

• 6pm Bingo

Wednesday, Jan. 22

• 1pm Get Fit, Don’t Fall with Amy S.

PCM Food Pantry

The PCM Food Pantry at the Monroe Presbyterian Church, 113 S. Main St. in Monroe, is open 9 a.m. to noon and 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays and 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays.

TOPS

TOPS 1025 meets at 5:30 p.m. every Monday at the First Reformed Church in Prairie City for weigh-in, with meeting to follow. Go to the north side parking lot at the church and enter in the north door. Call 515-994-2200 for information.

Men’s Recovery meeting

Lighthouse Recovery Ministries hosts a Men’s Recovery meeting at 6:30 p.m. each Monday at Grace Alive Church, 703 W. Second St. in Prairie City. Contact Barb at b.miller@lighthouserecoveryia.com with questions.

PCM Clothing Closet

The PCM Clothing Closet, on the second floor of the Family Life Center at 105 S. Sherman St. in Prairie City, will be open from 3:30 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday and 2 to 4 p.m. Sundays.

Alzheimers and Dementia Support Group

The Prairie City First Reformed Church hosts an Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Group that meets at 3 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month at the Prairie City First Reformed Church. This support group is for family members and caregivers of those living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Lions Breakfast Jan. 25

Prairie City Lions will host a Pancake Breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25 at the Prairie City Community Building. Proceeds from this monthly breakfast will go to the PCM Key Club.

Time to license your cat and dog in Monroe

Pet licenses in Monroe can now be purchased at city hall and are due by April 1. Cat and dog licenses are $10 for altered animals. Unaltered animals are $20. Rabies shots must be current. Licenses not purchased by April 1 will be subject to an extra $10 fee.

ATV/UTV/Golf Cart Registration is due March 1 at Monroe City Hall. There is no charge, but a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance showing a special rider on your auto policy is required.

Diamond Trail FFA invites you

By Gretchen Uitermarkt Diamond Trail FFA Reporter

The Diamond Trail FFA chapter is gearing up for the 2025 FFA contest season. Chapter members are busy preparing for their Leadership Development Events (LDEs). Examples of these LDEs include chapter program, prepared public speaking, conduct of meetings, ag broadcasting, job interview and FFA creed speaking. Diamond Trail FFA

Verna Violet Ulrey

Jan. 5, 2025

Obituaries

will host their annual LDE preview night open to the public on Jan. 20 at the PCM High School library. They will start at 5:30 p.m.

Members will be showcasing their contests and gaining feedback to better prepare themselves for sub-districts on Feb. 24 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny.

“I can’t wait to see everyones contest, and I’m very excited for sub-districts,” Diamond Trail Sentinel Meredith Chipps said.

Verna Violet Ulrey, age 87 of Monroe, passed away on Sunday, January 5, 2025 at The Cottages in Pella. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 17, 2025, at 10:30 am at First Baptist Church in Monroe. Burial will follow at Silent City Cemetery. The family will greet

friends on Thursday, January 16, 2025 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at Coburn Funeral Home in Monroe. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Activity Fund at The Cottages and checks may be made payable to The Cottages. Memorials may be mailed to the funeral home at Coburn Funeral Home 24 West Howard Street Colfax, Iowa 50054

Attn: Verna Ulrey.

Condolences may be left for the family at www. coburnfuneralhomes.com

The daughter of Fred and Rosa Marie (Tinnermeier) Rethmeier, Verna was born on May 2, 1937

in Newton, Iowa. She lived her childhood on the family farm north of Newton, IA and graduated from Newton High School in 1956. Verna lived most of her adult life in Monroe, IA until 2018 when she moved to Pella, IA until her passing. She was a hardworking single mother of five and although our family did not have much money we could always count on mom to provide our basic needs. Verna was a cook until she retired and a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Ankeny, IA. She liked to spend time with fam-

ily and friends and enjoyed cooking for others, listening to music, and watching her soap operas and western movies. Those left to honor her memory include her children Becky (Gary) Nolin, Casey (Tammi) Ulrey, and Tony (Nicole) Stafford; 15 grandchildren and many great grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her parents, a daughter, Robin Goodman, a son, Scott Ulrey, and her siblings, Ralph, Florence, Glen, Floyd, Robert, Violet, Morris, Myrtle, Donald, Darrell, and her twin brother, Verne.

RSVP offering Tax Assistance Program in 2025

Experienced volunteers with the RSVP Tax Assistance Program are prepared to help you this tax season. Free income tax assistance is available for all mid to low-income clients. The threshold this year is $67,000 and under to qualify for these services. RSVP specializes in helping seniors. There will be appointments available in Newton, Colfax, Kellogg and Monroe.

Newton DMACC

DMACC Daytime Appointments

• 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 4 to Feb. 27 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays

• 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 4 to April 9 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays

DMACC Evening Appointments:

• 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20

• 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 13

DMACC Weekend Appointments:

• 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 15, Saturday, March 1, Saturday, March 22 and Saturday, April 5

Colfax Library: Drop-off/In-

Christopher Braunschweig/PCM Explorer

Bill Harrison of Newton has been a volunteer for Jasper County RSVP’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program for 20 years.

take from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 22 and review/return from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 8 Kellogg Christian Church: Drop-off ONLY appointments are available from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10; you will do review/return at the Newton DMACC site at a later date Monroe at the Gathering Place: Drop-off/Intake from 2 to 6 p.m.

Monday, March 3 and review/ return from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday, March 17

All locations are by appointment only. Call the Iowa State University Extension Office any between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. any Tuesday or Wednesday beginning Jan. 14 to schedule your appointment. Tax-hotline is 641-787724.

2025 Spring Master Gardener training offered Feb. 24 – May 2

The application window is opening Jan. 13 for this year’s spring Master Gardener training cohort, which will be offered in 23 counties or extension regions.

Counties offering spring training are Adair, Black Hawk, Bremer, Cass, Cerro Gordo, Clay, Clinton, Davis, Floyd, Hardin, Jasper, Lucas, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Mills, Mitchell, Monroe, Palo Alto, Wapello, Warren, Washington and Worth.

Iowans wishing to become a Master Gardener volunteer register with an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach county office, participate in online learning modules and complete in-person volunteer orientation organized by their county office.

Applicants have from Jan. 13 to Feb. 14 to apply for the spring session. Training for the spring session begins Feb. 24. Applications for the fall session will be open in July. Learn more about the program online or through your local extension office.

ext. 560

“Prospective Master Gardener volunteers continue to derive satisfaction and excitement from participating in the hybrid Master Gardener training program,” said Alicia Herzog, Master Gardener program manager with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Although the hybrid format began out of necessity, it has become the new norm, making programming accessible to many more participants than we could reach solely through in-person offerings.”

Local extension staff

can help anyone with questions about joining Master Gardener training this year, including details of when and where in-person volunteer orientation will take place in their county or extension region.

Starting this year, non-volunteer participants can complete the course entirely asynchronously, with no in-person meetings required. While the non-volunteer option does not confer the Master Gardener title, which is reserved for volunteers, it allows participants to gain knowl-

edge and access the same high-quality information as Master Gardener students, Herzog explained. Those interested in the non-volunteer option can purchase their spot in the course on the ISU Extension and Outreach Store website between Feb. 17 and March 14. Iowa State has offered Master Gardener training for over 40 years, engaging more than 15,000 people in learning about gardening best practices. For more information, Herzog can be reached at 515-294-3627 oraherzog@iastate.edu.

from the assessment to develop a Community Health Improvement Plan.

“There is a team that worked on all of this, I was a part of that team, and we put in a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this,” board of health chair Julie Smith said. “Becky has put a lot of time into organizing this report. She does a great job. It is very thorough and I do feel like Jasper County has a lot of needs but we also have a lot of resources that people aren’t aware of ... we just need to make sure they know how to get to them.”

MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Ranked first in priority, mental health and substance abuse issues once again top the list for Jasper County. Secondary data indicates there are significantly less mental health providers in Jasper County than in Iowa or the United States.

Additional factors contributing to mental health and substance abuse leading needs are:

• The mental health professional shortage and mental health and substance use treatment and inpatient were two of the top concerns identified at the community town hall.

• More than 30 percent of survey respondents reported fair or poor mental health.

• Mental health was rated the No. 3 priority by survey respondents, and substance misuse was rated fifth.

• Mental health was rated the second highest needed improvement in Jasper County by survey respondents, and substance misuse was rated third

Explorer PCM

highest.

• Almost 80 percent of survey respondents reported knowing someone who talked about/attempted/died by suicide.

• Almost 75 percent of survey respondents reported that they have been personally impacted by substance misuse.

According to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Jasper County has 66.11 mental health providers per 100,000 population, much less than the State of Iowa at 136.69 per 100,000 and the United States at 183.75 per 100,000

Mental health providers include licensed clinical social workers and other credentialed professionals specializing in psychiatry, psychology, counseling, or child, adolescent or adult mental health. Jasper County has 25 providers with a CMS National Provider Identifier.

“This is really alarming to me — lack of healthcare professionals,” Pryor said. “That would be doctors, mid-level providers, nurses, people that need training in order to work. Working with DMACC in Newton we thought would be a great resource to start with. Also, working with the medical schools in Iowa, Des Moines University and Dubuque to try to more providers here.”

With the county, 14.3 percent of adults reported poor mental health in the past month and 18.2 percent of adults aged 18 and older reported having depressive disorder. Both are within 0.12 percent of the state averages. Jasper County’s rate of suicide is 20.8 per 100,000. It is higher than state average of 17.1 per 100,000 and the national 14.5 per 100,000 rate.

Healthy People 2030 has identified

reducing suicide rates as a leading health indicator and said suicide rates have increased in almost every state during the last two decades. This indicator is relevant because suicide is an indicator of poor mental health.

Children’s mental health had themes of access to care — more providers and services — and training and support for school staff.

In Jasper County, it was found 74.2 percent of those surveyed said they have been personally impacted by substance misuse, with 28 percent reporting the issue impacts them a lot or a great deal. Of those affected, alcohol was named as the leading substance abused at 14.09 percent, followed by tobacco products at 9.12 percent, E-cigarettes or vaping at 7.18 percent, marijuana or THC at 7.18 percent, CBD at 5.18 percent and prescription drugs not prescribed to the user at 1.38 percent.

For alcohol consumption in Jasper County, 19 percent of adults report binge or heavy drinking. That number is slightly less than the state at 19.72 percent but exceeds the Healthy People 2030 target of 25.5 percent.

According to the Center for Disease Control, since 2009 an increasing proportion of drug overdose deaths have been caused by opioids, with overdose deaths involving opioids increasing 15 percent from 2020 to 2021. In Jasper County, there were 108 suspected drug overdose visits in 2022.

Jasper County does have a higher than average percentage of addiction and substance abuse treatment providers. The county rates at 31.74 percent per 100,000 population while the state is at 22.38 percent and nation at 28.28 percent.

To address the issue, the county named four objectives to begin work on

during the next couple of years.

1. Increase the number of mental health and substance misuse providers in Jasper County by Dec. 31, 2027. Work to complete this task includes having Capstone Behavioral Health explore options for students and interns, explore opportunities to partner with substance treatment providers, explore recruitment and retention for mental health providers and launch a marketing campaign to recruit providers.

2. Work with the county’s five school districts to increase mental health counselors and substance misuse prevention programs by Dec. 31, 2027. Capstone will work with schools to explore options for mental health services and employee and family resources and school resource officers will work with schools to explore evidence-based prevention programs in schools.

“We know that schools are desperate to have more mental health providers and more education about preventing substance misuse in the schools,” Pryor said.

3. Provide and increase the access and outreach to the distribution of mental health resources to the public by Dec. 31, 2026. The county will coordinate with Jasper County Cares Coalition to launch a social media campaign of available resources and offer materials for the Jasper County Cares Resource Table and online Resource Guide.

4. Promote the Mental Health America screening link by Dec. 31, 2025. The county will activate a media and social media campaign about the screening link, MercyOne Newton will promote the link to providers and Capstone will discuss screening tools including the PHQ9 and GAD7 with Jasper County Cares Coalition.

Property taxes, property taxes, property taxes. It’s what every Iowan is talking about, according to state legislators. Sen. Ken Rozenboom and Rep. Jon Dunwell have also stated property taxes are for sure going to be a priority for the Iowa Legislature and the governor this year. Kniff McCulla echoes those feelings.

“When I knocked doors not only for myself but for (Mariannette) Miller-Meeks and even at the federal level, people were talking about that,” Kniff McCulla said, noting she even knocked doors for Republicans outside her district, and the most frequent topic of conversation was property taxes.

Kniff McCulla said Iowans were telling her their taxes were so high they were not sure they would be able to stay in their own homes anymore.

“When you hear an older, elderly person say that, that really affects not only us as legislators but the family of that person,” she said. “We need to find out if there is a better way, is there something we can do to help that so people don’t have to leave their homes because they can’t afford the taxes on them.”

From what Kniff McCulla has gath-

ered from constituents, there are concerns about whether counties have enough money to do what needs to taken care of. There are counties, she said, that are doing a really excellent job as far as trying to use tax dollars responsibly, but others may be abusing the tax system.

“We need to make sure there is funding there for the priorities,” she said. “…Where can we clean up some things? Just like what we’ve done at the state government level where we combined commissions and boards.”

There isn’t one clear answer to the property tax issue, she added.

“But I look forward to tackling it and helping the people of Iowa,” she said.

Following suit in the governor’s past comments, Kniff McCulla also wants to see lawmakers address cellphones in schools. As a member of the House Education Committee this session, she will very much get a chance to tackle that issue head on. She wants to look at how other states are handling cellphones, too.

“I have not spoken with those schools who tried it during this last session, and I know the governor has,” Kniff McCulla said. “Those who are the heads of the education department have spoken with them too. So I’m not quite sure what that looks like, but I think we need to start somewhere.”

also received $400,000 to go towards the Dana King Ceretti Environmental Education Center for future expansion on programs and services.

The lowest remaining amount obligated was to secondary roads department, which coincidentally received the largest allocation in ARPA funds at $3.4 million. The engineer was provided the remaining $9,014.73, which will go towards the construction of a shop for the first phase of the Liberty Avenue Yard project.

Jasper County Emergency Management was obligated the fourth memorandum of understanding, which set aside $320,000 to go towards enhancing emergency medical services in the county through training programs, equipment, personnel or remodeling the emergency room at MercyOne Newton Medical Center.

In total, $903,019.83 was obligated to these causes. All four memorandums of understanding were passed in 3-0 votes from the supervisors. Jennings said once memorandums of understanding are passed they cannot deviate from the plan, or else the money will be reclaimed by the federal government.

Christopher Braunschweig/PCM Explorer Stakeholders, staff and supporters of Jasper County Conservation gather Oct. 7 for a ceremonial groundbreaking at the site of the future environmental education center in Newton.

Veterans and violence:

Chicken or egg?

By Thomas L. Knapp

“I need to cleanse my mind of the brothers I’ve lost,” Master Sergeant Matthew Alan Livelsberger (U.S. Army) allegedly wrote in an explanatory note on his phone before shooting himself inside a Tesla Cybertruck packed with fireworks and gas tanks set to detonate outside a Las Vegas casino, “and relieve myself of the burden of the lives I took.” I say “allegedly” because, as is often the case, we’re only getting details and

YOUR VIEW

versions of the story that the government and its law enforcement agencies choose to release. Those details and versions are at best incomplete and at worst not necessarily true. But I consider that particular sentence the elephant in the room. The rest of the released content indicates a kind of fuzzy political motive, but Livelsberger’s personal life and mental health also seem to have been unraveling in various ways leading up to the incident.

Yes, incident — not, really, an “attack.”

Based on what’s been publicly released about his Special Forces experience and skill set, if he’d wanted to create a true mass casualty event, he wouldn’t likely have ended up killing only himself (and inflicting allegedly minor injuries on seven others).

While the whole thing clearly didn’t amount to a “cry for help” — he no lon-

Ginnie’s Crock-Pot Peanut Cluster Diet

Didja make a New Year’s Resolution to lose weight? Here’s a diet you might wanna try. I call it Ginnie’s Crock-Pot Peanut Cluster Diet. Actually it’s not Ginnie’s recipe. It came from Bethany Hinkle, of Hinkle Auto Sales, right up the road from us. A couple of years ago we stopped in to wish the Hinkles a Merry Christmas, and Bethany had all these peanut clusters laid out for customers and family. I love peanut clusters. And, as we were to find out, these were homemade peanut clusters, by Bethany, in her crock-pot. I had never heard of such a thing. Neither had Ginnie. They were outrageous!

Well, it wouldn’t do but Ginnie had to have the recipe (yeah!) and she got right to work making Crock-Pot Peanut Clusters. I pigged out of course, so much so that Ginnie had to make a second batch. Poor me!

It wasn’t until this year that, quite by accident, I discovered that if I substituted a hand full of peanut clusters for a meal, that I actually lost weight — about a pound a day. Glory be to God in Heaven! Nothing like having your peanut clusters and eating them too! I could enjoy a great chocolate treat (I’m a chocoholic), feel full and satisfied, skip a meal (usually lunch) and watch the scales creep downward, instead of the other way, which is usually the case during the holiday season. I’m calling it “Ginnie’s (or Bethany’s) Crock-Pot Peanut Cluster Diet.” It could revolutionize diets as we know them, and cause all these expensive fad diets and exercise machines that crop up this time of year, to run for cover. No more suffering. Enjoy yourself and lose weight!

I know I’ll be hounded to death for the recipe, so here it is, in all its glory and unpretentious splendor: Ginnie’s or Bethany’s Crock-Pot Peanut Clusters: 1 – 16 oz jar salted peanuts; 1 – 16 oz jar unsalted peanuts; 1 – 4 oz bar German sweet chocolate; 1 – 12 oz bag milk chocolate chips; 1 ½ package white almond bark; 1 – 11 oz bag butterscotch chips; 1 – bag Heath toffee chips; 1 – 3 ½ oz Hershey bar. Place all ingredients in order listed in a 6 quart crock-pot. Heat on Low for 1 ½ hours. Stir. Heat for another ½ hour. Using tablespoon or cookie scoop, place mounds of candy on sheets of waxed paper or parchment. Makes about 120 clusters. Store in air-tight containers near a bear trap to keep wandering hands out or, in case of dieting, let’m go for it!

There, I’ve done my good deed for humanity for the Holidays. I’ve offered you a taste sensation plus a weight loss secret. It don’t get no better’n that! If you want to sample the Crock-Pot Peanut Clusters before you crocko-lock, Ginnie’s making a second batch, or stop in at Hinkle Auto Sales on Hwy 34 east of Mt. Pleasant. Bethany and Chris have Holiday goodies for everyone, like Santa spreading cheer all over the world. Contact Curt Swarm at curtswarm@yahoo.com.

ger needs, or could use, help — it was definitely a cry of some kind rather than an attempt to kill others.

Back to that elephant in the room: More than one in four American “mass shooters” come from military backgrounds, while only 7 percent or so of the general population has that kind of experience and training.

On the same weekend as the Las Vegas explosion, army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar killed 14 and injured dozens in a New Orleans rampage using a truck.

Timothy McVeigh received the Bronze Star as a Bradley Fighting Vehicle gunner in Desert Storm before going on to commit the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.

Does military “service” make one more likely to engage in violent conduct?

Or does a proclivity for such conduct cause future mass shooters to seek out

such “service?”

Maybe it’s a bit of both. Maybe there are other factors. But the correlation seems strong enough to believe there’s a connection of SOME kind.

While the whole subject is likely too complex to admit of simple solutions, the problem can clearly at least be reduced at one end — by creating fewer people who find themselves mentally twisted and morally haunted by the experience of killing other people.

Preferably, none of those people at all.

But even just adopting a sane foreign policy that doesn’t entail decades of needless war without end, and significantly cutting the head count of the U.S. armed forces to match, would be a good start.

Thomas L. Knapp is director and senior news analyst at the William Lloyd Garrison Center for Libertarian AdvocacyJournalism

YOUR VIEW

What are you doing for others?

To honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Jasper County RSVP is planning a Walk-A-Thon on MLK Day, January 20th. Our Walk-A-Thon is called Walk for Hope and we will raise money and collect goods for Discover Hope here in Newton. Discover Hope offers hope and restoration to those struggling with addiction. RSVP members

Once again

Once again one can’t ignore “this immigration thing” which the Republicans rode to the White House: it is most bizarre. If one were to read the Wall Street Journal only casually, one would quickly understand that immigration is and always has been America’s key to success. We don’t have enough engineers to run our tech industry and we don’t have enough labor to turn pigs into pork.

The Wall Street Journal is not some leftwing rag spewing discontent. One interesting problem that keeps occurring in its pages is the issue of dwindling numbers in China and Japan — for instance. It is clear

will walk the halls of DMACC on that morning at 10 a.m. If you are interested in sponsoring a walker or contributing needed items, please drop off donations to the Iowa State Extension Office in the DMACC Building any time between now and Jan. 20. Our address is: 550 N. Second Ave. W., Newton. Checks can be made out to Discover Hope. Items that Discover Hope needs include: cleaning supplies, non-perishable food items, heavy duty paper plates, bowls, napkins, coffee and

that a country can not sustain itself economically with a dwindling number of citizens, not only in production but in consuming. What many do not realize, or refuse to, is that a modern economy can not sustain itself with a diminishing population.

This basic attribute of modern capitalism will eventually kill us all as the planet runs out of the means to sustain it, but in the meantime, in order to prosper, a society has to increase consumption not decrease it. If you don’t have the people to buy the stuff you make, you won’t make it and the people who make it will not have employment.

People without anything want to come to the United States; they do not flock to China or Japan who need the employable very much. We

disposable coffee cups, and miscellaneous items like batteries and ziplock bags. Dr. King’s famous quote “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?” reminds us that service to others helps make a better life for all — including ourselves. Looking forward to seeing RSVP members for a walk for hope on Jan. 20, and we would love to have community support of the event. Sarah Patterson Newton

have an “immigration problem” for the very simple reason that we don’t have an “immigration problem,” but we have found a way to sell “the immigration problem” to the American public. This is possible only because the American public has no knowledge of what is happening beyond their own ken and don’t want to know apparently. We are all immigrants and if you still want to consider America as the greatest country in the world you have to admit that immigrants did it and are still doing it. None of our proposed efforts to throw millions of people out of this country makes any sense and it will become apparent rather quickly if current promises are fulfilled.

Richard

E. H. Phelps II Mingo

The PCM

PCM Girls Merge with Colfax-Mingo Wrestling

This year’s 2024-2025 girls’ wrestling season for Colfax-Mingo has been doing great and is continuing to do great. This past Saturday, January 11, the Colfax girls team participated in a tournament in Ogden. Colfax-Mingo placed 7 out of 27 teams in the tournament as a whole to end the one-day tournament. Colfax has had a total of 11 tournaments this year’s season. The record of the girls in duals is 10-5 overall. Saturday’s tournament, Colfax brought a total of 11 girls to wrestle for the varsity team. That included all of the freshmen: Emma Byer, Karoxia Snyder, and Hadley Millang. The lone sophomore, Jozlyn Wells. Juniors Lily Brenner, Emmalyn Buchman, and Brianna Freerksen. Seniors Devan Chadwick, Emma Cook, Karmylia Snyder, and Lily Webster. Among all of those wrestlers, 3 of them are from PCM High School. Millang has gone 26-8 wrestling 145 throughout the season; Byer is 18-6 competing in 170, and Wells is 12-5 wrestling 135. “I would say to keep improving myself, do better, and keep it up,” freshman Alana Wells said about what her goals for the upcoming season are. The wrestling team has gotten a little more than halfway through their season and is continuing to compete. “I want to qualify for state,” Millang said. She has competed in wrestling for 3 years, starting her wrestling career in her 7th-grade year; she also mentions that she wants to continue her wrestling career throughout her remaining years in high school. This year’s qualifying state date is January 31, on a Friday, starting at 4 p.m. The date for the State Wrestling Tournament for high school girls is the 6th and 7th of February, on a Thursday and Friday. The girls have a total of 4 meets left before they make their way to the qualifying rounds. The Colfax-Mingo team hosts their first home meet on January 21. The team hosts for opposing teams Martensdale St. Mary, Albia, and Odgen. The meet starts at 6 p.m. for both JV and varsity girls.

Get to Know Robotics

There are many clubs offered at PCM High School, but one club specifically is not talked about enough. Robotics is a club where students create and program a robot to complete a certain objective that they are given that year. In the past the team has had major success, reaching the World Championships in Houston, Texas. Although those experienced members have graduated, this year’s team is eager to finish the year strong. The 2024-25 team has ten members, filled mainly with sophomores and freshmen, and only three upperclassmen. High school S.T.E.M. and engineering teacher Mr. West is the leader of the team. “It’s really challenging, and to see the robot do all the things it can do can be really amazing,” said West on what makes robotics so special. “The things that our robotics students do are pretty high-level stuff.” The team has competed in five competitions already this year. Each year, they must program their robot to achieve a new objective and then test their robot’s ability to complete the challenge in the weekly competitions. “This year our challenge is to pick up small plastic cubes with a claw,” West said when asked about the objective, “and then we have to lift it up and put it in higher baskets… or we have to clip it onto a pole.” The goal of each competition is to score as many points as possible while trying to improve your score weekly. “One of the most challenging things is trying to brainstorm how we want to do the challenges on the field,” junior Mason Gilje said. “We want to be able to do the most-scoring ones, but also be able to do them efficiently.” Robotics is a great way for students interested in technology to work with others and challenge themselves. “Getting to meet people with similar interests and getting to work with other people in the robotics and computers field,” said sophomore Emmet Kimball when asked about the best part of robotics. “Getting to take that effort and work and going to a competition to see actual results,” Kimball added. Robotics’ next competition is on January 18th at Lakewood Elementary School from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The meet will be their 6th and final competition until the Robotics League Tournament on February 1st, also at Lakewood Elementary from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Kenna Grier Staff Writer

January Students of the Month

Addison Shannon

Parents: Seth & Jodie Shannon

Employer: Main Street Markt

Future Plans: Attend Kirkwood Community College for Dental Assisting & Hygiene

Extracurricular Activities: Dance & Track

Three words that Describe her: Understanding, Empathic, & Hardworking Favorite Classes: Anatomy & Physiology Advice for Underclassmen: “Prepare as much as you can in high school to make college easier on yourself but don’t forget to enjoy being a highschooler”

Best High School Memory: Every Homecoming Dream Job: Anything that involves a flexible schedule to enjoy life outside of work

Meet PCM’s New Foregin Exchange Student

Kayla VanderLinden Staff Writer

Asema Ibraimova is a foreign exchange student from Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia, and is currently staying with the Hicks family. She is particularly excited “to actually be able to gain an American experience and be able to be part of school and other activities.” Her struggles so far while being in America are “making friends and school.” Something she has been loving in America so far is the food. Her favorite food here is fast food, specifically ‘McDonald’s and Chick-fil-A.”

Parents: Mark & Cheryl Kimball

Employer: Hy-Vee

Future Plan: Go to UNI with an undecided major Extracurricular Activities: Marching Band, Jazz Band, Speech, Theater, & ELP

Three words that describe him: Curious, Empathic, & Passionate

Favorite Classes: Calculus & Band

Advice for Underclassmen: “Practice mindfulness as often as you can” Best High School Memory: Sitting with the band during home football games

Dream Job: To work at an art museum

As we start this new year, it has hit me that I am going to be starting my senior year this year; something I have dreamed of ever since I started school. When you’re young, you look up to the seniors in all different kinds of ways, seeing them as these giants who are so close yet so far from their adulthood, who have their entire lives in check. Now that it’s almost my turn to fill that senior role, I don’t feel we are this way at all. We’re so close to going in our own directions with just over a year left with one another, but one day we will all be on a different path. Some will choose an in-state college; others will go out of state. Some will go straight into work, and others will take a second to really think about what they want to do for the rest of their lives. Think about it: most of us at the ages of 19, 18, or 17 will be making a decision that is setting us up for our entire adulthood. I personally, at 16, am so lost at just the idea of adulthood… buying a house, insurance, a “real” job, and eventually starting families of our own. My personal plan for the future that could change in the next year is to attend college somewhere down south while playing softball. I’ve played softball for as long as I can remember, and it has given me so many different opportunities all throughout my life that I would not have been able to nor would I want to experience any other way. My reason for wanting to go down south for college is that I want to be able to experience life outside of the Midwest. After growing up here and spending the first 18 years of my life in one state, I want to be able to see more of the world than what is just offered in Iowa or surrounding states. I have always told myself that there is an entire world out there, not just the town you grew up in. I hope for my senior year that I can enjoy and soak in the final memories I’ll have for my high school journey, but I also hope that I don’t dwell too much on the “lasts” of high school because, in the end, this is just the beginning!

4:30 p.m.- JV

p.m.-

7:30 p.m.-

Skyler Jennings Staff Writer

Maximilian (Max) Kimball

Peyton Lathrum & Libby Winters Staff Writers

Scan here to learn more about newspaper editor Rylee Parsons!

The team huddles together before their first matches of the night! Photo Cred: Colfax-Mingo Instagram

Big second half powers PCM girls past Montezuma

MONTEZUMA — Addison

Steenhoek made a school-record seven 3-pointers and the PCM girls basketball team dominated on the glass during a 59-44 road win over Montezuma on Jan. 9.

The Class 3A No. 11 Mustangs led by four at halftime but a big second half lifted the visitors to the non-conference victory over the 1A No. 7 Bravettes. PCM, which defeated Montezuma for the first time in the Bound era, outscored the Bravettes 34-23 in the second half and won the rebounding battle 38-19.

Steenhoek matched a career high with 26 points and added four rebounds, three assists and three steals. She was 7-of-12 from 3.

Kyra Naeve added 11 points and seven rebounds, Tori Lindsay chipped in eight points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals and Libby Winters collected seven points, seven boards, two assists and two steals.

Naeve was 4-of-4 from the free-throw line, while Lindsay made 3-of-4. Lila Milani registered four points, four rebounds and four steals and Rebecca De

Vries pitched in three points, three rebounds, two steals and two blocks off the bench.

The Mustangs shot 40.4 percent from the floor, made 9-of-22 from 3 and connected on 12-of-18 from the foul line. They committed 16 turnovers.

Montezuma (7-4) shot 28.8 percent from the floor, made 9-of-32 from 3 and buried 5-of-7 from the foul line.

Claire Erselius scored 15 points to lead Montezuma, which turned the ball over 17 times. Ellen Cook chipped in eight points, six rebounds and four assists.

Roland-Story 54, PCM 42 STORY CITY — Winters

scored a career high for points, but PCM committed 19 turnovers and lost the battle on the boards during a 54-42 road loss to 3A No. 9 Roland-Story on Jan. 7.

The Mustangs trailed by four after one and went into halftime down by 12 points. The two teams played even in the second half of the Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference contest.

Winters put in a career-best 21 points and added six rebounds, four steals and two blocks.

It was the ninth time the PCM freshman scored in double figures this season.

Lindsay tallied seven points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals, Steenhoek chipped in seven points, two rebounds and three assists and Milani collected seven points

and two rebounds.

Naeve grabbed two boards and swiped three steals and De Vries pulled down two rebounds.

The Mustangs (10-2, 6-1 in the HOIAC) shot 37.5 percent from the floor, made 3-of-16 from 3 and connected on 9-of12 from the foul line. Roland-Story (10-2, 7-1) out-rebounded PCM 33-17. The Lady Norse have won three straight games in the series and 14 of the past 15.

Alyssa Jones put in 19 points to lead Roland-Story, while Riley Johnson added eight points, four assists and four steals. Claire Truesdell collected 10 points and five boards.

The Lady Norse shot 42.3 percent from the floor, made 8-of-24 from 3 and committed 16 turnovers.

Wheeler, Clark lead PCM to second at home tourney

MONROE — Tucker Wheeler got some redemption, Kaden Clark won all three matches by pin and the PCM wrestling team used two championships and one runner-up finish to place second at its home tournament on Jan. 11.

The Mustangs rallied with a strong final round to edge the Indianola junior varsity by a single point at the Mustang Invitational.

“It was good to have a couple champions in there,” PCM head wrestling coach Rusty Vos said. “There are always going to be matches we wish we could have back, and that was the case today. I think we started wrestling well about halfway through the day.

“We had a really good consolation round to allow us to win some medals and score some points.”

Wheeler and Clark both won individual titles, Kaliber Fry fell to a ranked wrestler in his finals match, Sawyer Bouwkamp earned a place in the third-place match and five PCM grapplers competed in the fifthplace match as PCM scored 158 points in second.

The Southeast Polk JV used its 22 wrestlers to win the tournament. The Rams scored 246.5 points at the top of the standings.

The Mustangs (158) edged the Indianola JV (157) for second and the rest of the top five featured Pleasantville (146) and Iowa Falls-Alden (144.5).

The remaining top 10 in the 13-team field included South Tama County (144), Des Moines East (141.5), Panorama (117.5), Central Decatur (116) and Chariton (96).

Class 2A No. 7 Wheeler (304) was 4-0 for the day at 157 pounds. He won his first three matches by technical fall and then handed 1A No. 5 Zane Mullenix of Pleasantville his first loss of the season in the finals.

Mullenix (24-1) downed Wheeler in a match earlier this season, but the Mustang junior controlled the rematch from the opening whistle and won 7-2. He had a takedown taken away late in the first period but led 4-1 after two and added another takedown in the third.

“I didn’t have a great match the last time we wrestled,” Wheeler said.

“So I was focused this time on wrestling hard, doing my moves, controlling the match and not letting it get into my head that I lost.

“For him, I’m sure it’s a big loss. For me, it’s a big win but mainly because I wrestled the best I could, and I know I got better today.”

Class 2A No. 4 Clark (29-2) was not the No. 1 seed for the tournament. That was a surprise to Clark, but it also made

him wrestle better.

He was 3-0 for the day with three pins. His first two matches did not get out of the first period and he pinned Panorama’s Joel Cooper (16-7) in the second period to win the 285-pound title. Clark scored two takedowns before securing the pin. Cooper was the No. 1 seed

because he was a state qualifier last season.

“It’s just another obstacle in the way of my ultimate goal,” Clark said. “It was a quality win for me though. It’s motivating for me to know that I can beat someone who has qualified for state. It feels good to know that I’m on the right track. I still

need to get better in that room though.

“This is an ‘easy’ tournament compared to some of those other ones we’ve been in. It feels good to win in front of my home crowd though.”

The other finalist was Fry, who was 2-1 with two technical falls at 120. Fry (26-7) is ranked No. 12 at 126, but he lost 10-2 to 1A No. 8 Tommy Booth (24-0) of Pleasantville in the 120 final.

Bouwkamp was fourth at 165, while Bentlee Sloan, Zach Richards, Harrison Brinegar and Finn Wilson all placed fifth at their respective weights. Kaiden Valcore took sixth at 215.

Bouwkamp (13-9) was 3-2 with two pins at 165, Sloan (16-11) finished 4-2 with three technical falls and one pin at 132 and Richards, Brinegar and Wilson all were 3-2 with two pins at 138, 150 and 175, respectively.

Richards (16-8) was coming off a win over a state-ranked wrestler on Jan. 9. One of his two losses on Jan. 11 came against eventual champion and 1A No. 12 Blake Rowson (23-2) of Pleasantville.

“He wrestled well early. That win over (2A No. 10) Kinnick Geers (of West Marshall) on (Jan. 9) was a great win, too,” Vos said. “He got down to 138 for the first time today. He looks pretty good and will just keep getting better.”

Valcore finished his day 3-3 with two pins at 215. The Mustangs entered 13 wrestlers in the tournament and the other four — Charlie Sitzmann (126), Gus Nolin (165), Abdulvahid Mamasaliev (190) and Hayden Shannon (285) — all went 0-2.

The biggest challenge for the Mustangs over the holiday break was getting back into shape after taking a required five days off from practice.

“You always have to get back into shape over the break because you lose a few days of practice,” Vos said. “We have to take five full days off so that puts us behind a bit. We have to wrestle hard right away and not worry about the technical stuff. We have to get the cardio and conditioning back as quickly as possible.”

Wheeler’s win over Mullenix could have been much worse as he couldn’t quite finish a few of his shots throughout the match. Vos was happy with how much Wheeler attacked on his feet.

“I want to finish my shots a little quicker,” Wheeler said. “I got in a lot of shots that I didn’t finish today. I should have scored more points than I did. There was one takedown near the edge of the mat that was close.”

Vos said Clark got a confidence-boosting win in the finals, but was caught out of position a few times during the match.

“He has to make sure to stay in position,” Vos said. “He got tossed on the edge of the mat there once. That was close, and you can’t do that when it gets to crunch time.

“He told us it was good that he took a few lumps at the Osage tournament. He got knocked down some but was able to reset and can hopefully finish the season strong. He’s been working hard in the room and is getting there.”

West Marshall 49, PCM 23 MONROE — PCM dropped its second Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference dual on Jan. 9 after it gave up three forfeits at the lightest weights in the lineup and went 5-6 in contested matches against West Marshall. The Class 2A No. 20 Trojans also scored bonus points in all six of their contested wins and dumped the Mustangs 49-23 on the road.

West Marshall, which is ranked No. 4 in the 2A tournament rankings, improved to 8-0 for the season and 5-0 in the conference. PCM dropped to 9-2 and 3-2 in the HOIAC.

Steenhoek Winters

By Troy Hyde

PCM Explorer

Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer

PCM junior Zach Richards, top, won twice by fall at 138 pounds at the Mustang Invitational on Jan. 11. Richards was 3-2 for the day and placed fifth.

Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer

PCM senior Kaden Clark reacts to his win over 2024 state qualifier Joel Cooper of Panorama in the 285-pound championship match on Jan. 11. Clark was 3-0 with three pins for the day.

Troy Hyde/PCM

PCM alum Peterson takes over Grand View football program

DES MOINES — Former PCM Mustang and Monroe native E.J. Peterson spent the last six seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Grand View University football program.

And after helping the Vikings grab their second NAIA title last month, Peterson has been elevated to the head coaching role.

Peterson replaces Joe Woodley, who took over the Drake University football program after leading the Vikings for the past six seasons.

“As a Hall of Fame player, a highly accomplished assistant coach and one of the most successful defensive coordinators in NAIA football history, E.J. has consistently demonstrated excellence both on and off the field,” Grand View Vice President for Athletics Troy Plummer said.

“His deep connection to Grand View, unmatched work ethic and proven leadership make him the ideal candidate to guide our program into an exciting new chapter.

Peterson has earned this opportunity, having dedicated himself to the success and tradition of Vikings football.”

Peterson, a 2011 Grand View graduate, takes the helm at Grand View after helping guide the Vikings to a perfect 14-0 season and their second national championship in program history earlier this month.

Along the way, the team solidified its dominance by defeating the last three NAIA national champions on their path to the title.

“I never would have thought in a million years I would be in this position, but when the opportunity came up and knowing the guys we have, the school we are at and the people who mean so much to me, it’s very special and I’m excited,” Peterson said.

As defensive coordinator, Peterson was instrumental in shaping one of the most dominant defenses in NAIA history.

This past season, the Vikings led the nation in several key categories, including total yards allowed (219.9 per game), passing yards allowed (146.9), rushing yards allowed (73.0), and points per game allowed (8.4).

In postseason play, Grand View’s defense surrendered only five touchdowns across four games and limited opponents to a mere 22 percent success rate on third down.

Peterson will begin his role as head coach immediately. He previously spent six seasons at McPherson College as the school’s defensive coordinator, linebackers coach and strength and conditioning coordinator.

“My vision is very similar to what we’ve done offensively and defensively,” Peterson said. “Coach Joe (Woodley) and Coach Mike (Woodley) put a lot of tradition in that I believe in. I’ll find my own way of doing things, but I will mostly stick to what we’ve been doing.”

Peterson has been a defensive coordinator at the collegiate level for the past 10 seasons. His Viking defense posted four shutouts in 2024, and he’s guided 18 shutouts in six seasons as the leader of the Grand View defense.

Peterson’s also coached 10 defensive All-Americans, coached in two NAIA national championship games and helped the Vikings go undefeated in the past six regular seasons.

As a player, Peterson was first team all-conference twice and was an all-American and the Heart of America Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2010. He also played professionally for the Iowa Barnstormers and was inducted into the Grand View Hall of Fame in 2021.

Peterson recently named Jordan Knock as the team’s offensive coordinator and Tyler Martin will take over as the team’s defensive coordinator.

Peterson will work a lot with the defense he led the past six seasons, but Martin will call the plays.

“It’s been a lot of meetings and getting up to speed on what the processes are of being head coach,” Peterson said about how his role has changed since being named head coach. “We’ve spent a lot of time finalizing the staff, too. We have one more spot on defense to fill.”

Junior John Argo earned Heart

of America Defensive Player of the Year this past season under the guidance of Peterson.

“I think Coach Peterson taking over is going to be great for this team and the program, not only does he bring incredible coaching and football knowledge, but as a former Grand View player, he truly understands what it takes to be successful here,” Argo said. “He’s been in our shoes and wouldn’t ask us to do anything he hasn’t done himself. Coach Peterson is the kind of leader guys want to follow and play for because he embodies what it means to be a football guy through and through.”

NAIA Player of the Year and Heart of America Conference Player of the Year Jackson Waring is happy to have Peterson leading the Vikings for his final season as the starting quarterback.

“Having Coach Peterson take over means a lot to me and the team,” Waring said. “He’s been a huge part of our success, and knowing he’ll be leading us for my final season gives me even more confidence in what we can accomplish. Coach Peterson’s passion, leadership and understanding of what it takes to win at Grand View makes him the perfect choice. I’m excited to finish my college career playing for a coach who knows this program inside and out and pushes us to be our best every single day.”

Peterson grew up in Monroe and graduated from PCM in 2007. He and his wife Abby have two children, 6-year-old Luke and 3-yearold Jess.

The Grand View football roster currently has one player from PCM. Joel Greiner is a sophomore from Monroe.

CONTINUED FROM 6

Fry got the Mustangs on the board with a 7-6 win at 126. Sloan also won 14-8 at 138, Richard scored a win by fall at 144 and Wheeler was a 19-3 technical fall winner at 157. Richards’ win at 144 came against 2A No. 10 Kinnick Geers.

The final victory came from Clark at 285. He needed just 58 seconds to score a win by pin.

The Trojans registered two pins, three technical falls and one major decision to win the dual with ease. They also took forfeits at 106, 113 and 120.

West Marshall’s five ranked wrestlers include the No. 1 at 106 and the No. 2 at both 120 and 150.

PCM boys fall to HOIAC rival Roland-Story

STORY CITY — The PCM boys basketball team led after one quarter but couldn’t overcome Roland-Story’s big second period during a 55-44 road loss on Jan. 7.

The Mustangs led by three after one and outscored the Norse 36-31 in every quarter but the second. Roland-Story grabbed an advantage with a 24-8 surplus in the second and never trailed again in the Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference contest.

Kaleb DeVries led PCM with nine points, five rebounds, eight assists and two steals.

Cutler VandeLune tallied 12 points and three steals.

Chase Wagaman finished with eight points and six rebounds, Gavin Van Gorp registered seven points and two boards and Jake Winters grabbed seven rebounds.

Kash Fischer returned to the lineup and scored three points and Kevin Thomas grabbed three rebounds.

PCM (4-6, 3-4 in the HOIAC) shot 37 percent from the floor, made 7-of-20 from 3-point range and sunk 3-of-6 from the free-throw line.

Both teams turned the ball over 16 times, but Roland-Story out-rebounded the Mustangs 32-24 and shot 46 percent from the floor. Luke Thoreson led the Norse (3-7, 3-5) with 18 points and nine rebounds.

Montezuma 67, PCM 55

MONTEZUMA — The Mustangs couldn’t overcome a slow start on Jan. 9. The Braves led by six after one and never trailed again during a 67-55 non-conference home win.

PCM won the fourth 15-4, but it was too little and too late. The Mustangs were outscored 17-12 in the second and 24-12 in the third.

Wagaman led PCM with 13 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Van Gorp added 13 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Alex Wendt tallied seven points and six boards, Fischer chipped in six points, two rebounds and four assists and DeVries registered three points, seven boards and five assists.

VandeLune scored eight points, Thomas posted three points, five rebounds and two assists and Joe Shaver grabbed three rebounds.

The Mustangs shot 36.7 percent from the floor, made 9-of-27 from 3 and turned the ball over only eight times. They also had 17 assists on 22 field goals.

Brady Boulton led Montezuma with 18 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds and three steals. The Braves (10-1) shot 45.6 percent from the floor, made 9-of-28 from the foul line and committed nine turnovers.

Gavin Van Gorp

1.1 assists and 1.1 steals per contest. Van Gorp finished with 13 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals in last week’s road game against Montezuma.

PCM Explorer

DeVries

VandeLune

By Troy Hyde PCM Explorer

Photo by Doug Wells/Grand View Athletics

PCM alum E.J. Peterson was named head football coach at Grand View University recently. The Monroe native spent the past six seasons as the Vikings’ defensive coordinator.

Peterson

Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer PCM junior Harrison Brinegar, left, was 3-2 with two pins and placed fifth at 150 pounds at the team’s home tournament on Jan. 11.

Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer PCM junior Tucker Wheeler, right, defeated Class 1A No. 5 Zane Mullenix of Pleasantville, 7-2, in the 157-pound final at the Mustang Invitational on Jan. 11.

Explorer PCM

Classifieds

Iowa farmland values show stability with some deviations

Farm Credit Services of America releases benchmark farmland values report analyzing market trends and regional variances

Farmland values in Iowa remain stable according to the latest Benchmark Farm Value Trends Report issued by Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica). While sales activity has slowed, cropland is showing pockets of strength.

“While the market remains stable overall, there are instances of significant deviations in sales prices, both above and below expectations,” Tim Koch, FCSAmerica executive vice president of business development, said. “Prices above expectations are anomalies and don’t represent the broader trend.”

“While many of today’s buyers are well-positioned financially and capable of exceeding expected prices, most sales remain flat,” Koch added. “Buyers are increasingly cautious with their working

capital, waiting for the right opportunities. This selectivity is driving a reduction in sales, with buyers focusing on high-quality, strategically located land.” Interest rates are not expected to have a significant impact on the market, according to Koch. “Margins and availability of capital will play a more crucial role in influencing buyer behavior.”

Addressing pastureland trends, Koch said: “The pastureland market has strengthened in some areas, driven by profitability of the cow-calf sector. However, rising prices may lead some buyers to reduce herd sizes rather than expand their holdings, reallocating those funds to options with higher earning potential.”

State-by-State Comparisons

Over the last six months, the average

of the benchmark value changes ranged from -2.8 percent to 5.7 percent with an overall average of 0.9 percent. The 12-month value changes ranged from -5.1 percent to 9.5 percent with an overall average of 1.6 percent. The major factors affecting the agricultural real estate market are lower commodity prices, profitability in the cattle market and limited supply of real estate for sale. Farmers and ranchers continue to be the predominant buyers.

*The chart above shows the average change in values by state based on FCSAmerica’s twice-a-year appraisals of 63 benchmark farms.

Above is a state-by-state summary of benchmark values for cropland and pastureland over the past six and 12 months.

Iowa: Cropland values decreased -3.4 percent over the past six months and -6.9 percent over the past 12 months. Nebraska: Over the last six months, cropland values decreased -0.6 percent and -0.2 percent over the last 12 months. Pastureland values saw a modest increase of 0.4 percent over 12 months. South Dakota: Values for cropland increased 2.5 percent over the past six months and 3.6 percent over the past year. Pastureland in the state showed the strongest growth across the Associations, rising by 10.4 percent over six months and 21.6 percent over 12 months. Wyoming: Cropland values were stable over the past 6 months and increased 4.4 percent over the past year. Pastureland values rose by 1 percent over 12 months.

For more information on this report and land values, visit www.fcsamerica. com/resources/learning-center/latest-land-values.