PCM-01-18-2024

Recent snowfall could help drought conditions for farmers

While added winter moisture

go for topsoil

can be beneficial, the state has a long ways to

to be at adequate level

By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer

Mother Nature has made her presence known after dropping more than a foot of snow from Jan. 8 to 13 and causing the temperatures to plummet below zero for daily highs. While a change in the forecast closed schools and gave snow plow businesses their first real run of the season, it also brought much needed moisture to the soil the state so deeply depends on.

The State of Iowa has been in a drought, with some areas in extreme drought conditions, going on four years. According to Greg Wandrey, Iowa Corn Growers Association Di-

rector of Sustainability, more than 97 percent of the state is in some level of drought. “Many places in the drought-stricken areas of the state are more than 10 inches of rainfall short of longtime averages. Rainfall in Iowa averages 32 to 34 inches per year with less in the northwest and more in the southeast,” Wandrey said. “Not many areas of the state have been near the average the past few years.”

Going back to data from November 2020, Wandrey said the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship listed topsoil moisture condition rated 12 percent very short, 28 percent short, 58 percent adequate

KNIFF MCCULLA:

Legislature should help citizenship process of immigrants who want to work

State representative’s priorities for 2024 legislative session strive for improving workforce and economic devel-

By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer

Editor’s note: The following is the final piece in a series of three articles going over Jasper County lawmakers’ prioritiesforthe2024legislativesession.

For this year’s legislative session, Iowa House Rep. Barb Kniff McCulla’s priorities of workforce and economic development almost fully align with her role on the five committees she serves: commerce, economic growth and technology, health and human services, labor and workforce and ways and means.

Kniff McCulla was only just appointed to the labor and workforce committee this legislative session. As a small business owner, she knows workforce is a constant challenge, and she told Newton News that perhaps it was that experience that earned her a spot on that committee.

“I don’t know they must have flagged that and said, ‘OK, if you’re so interested in that we’re putting you on that!’ So we need to bring more workforce to this

particular state,” Kniff McCulla said. “We’re just so short, and every industry I’ve spoken with agrees. That’s really going to be my drive here this next year.”

Specifically, Kniff McCulla wants to allow the legalization of immigrants who really want to work. From what she has gathered speaking with immigrants, they tell her if they can get into a legalized system somehow — which she acknowledged could be more a federal problem than a state problem — they will work.

“They say, ‘We want to work. We want to be part of the United States. We want to be part of the dream.’ And there are some of those individuals out there,” she said. “It’s not all, you know, coming across the border that are horrible, that are causing issues. We gotta close the borders but that’s a federal piece.”

Kniff McCulla clarified it is going to take some heavy vetting to ensure they have individuals “that truly want to be United States citizens.”

“There are people out there are willing and able to work and want to work and would love to come to the United States,” she said. “But right now we’ve got such a mess going. And what’s taken centerstage

KNIFF MCCULLA | 3

and 2 percent surplus. The subsoil moisture condition rated 20 percent very short, 33 percent short, 46 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

A year later, the conditions bounced back with topsoil moisture levels rated 3 percent very short, 20 percent short, 74 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 7 percent very short, 29 percent short, 62 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. The following year did not have as good results with moisture levels plummeting. In 2022, topsoil moisture condition rated 23 percent very short, 33 percent short,

DROUGHT | 3

Official appointments made for the City of Monroe

By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer

At the start of each year the Monroe City Council reviews the appointments for council members and city staff. At the Jan. 8 meeting, the council members, including new members Andy Algreen and Butch Umble, found where they would specialize for the upcoming year.

Appointments by mayor Doug Duinink include mayor pro tem Andrea Steenhoek, water and sewer all council members, streets, Algreen, general Steenhoek, park and cemetery Jen St. Peter, public safety, police and fire department Umble and Jean Goemaat along with Monroe Police Chief Nick Chambers.

Local boards also were named for the upcoming year including the board of adjustment, planning and zoning board and library board.

Board of Adjustment: Sherri Breckenridge, Jeremy St. Peter, Melissa Van Der Hart, Charles Burns, Richard Aalbers and Gary Munson

Planning and Zoning Board: Patty Duinink, Nick Steenhoek, Marcia Schnug, Kathy Van Veen, Brian Briles, Donita Breckenridge and Cary Diekema

Library Board: Rebecca VerHeul, Janet Rankin, Mary Sellers, Nicky Tapps and Stacie McCoy

911 representatives are Rob Wilson and Tyler Jenkins with alternates Chambers and Duinink

Caldwell and Brierly, PLLC was named the city attorney and the PCM Explorer and Newton News are the official papers of the City of Monroe. Leighton State Bank and IPAIT are the depositories for 2024.

State shares outside firm’s findings on local public health

Four models show different levels of control local public health entities would maintain; no changes planned in the near future

By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer

Following the statewide consolidation of Public Health and Human Services to a single agency in 2022, Health Management Associates, a healthcare consulting firm from Minnesota, began conducting a review of the delivery of health and human services (HHS) in Iowa. During the Jan. 11 Jasper County Board of Health meeting, administrator Becky Pryor highlighted some areas where county residents may be affected by the firm’s recommendations.

“I see a theme within this that the recommendations come down to them recommending 10 to 15 regions comprised of counties that are by each other and they need to have a population of 50,000 or more,” Pryor said. “We have a population of 37,000 to 38,000 people. That means we would have to be with another neighboring county. Also, this isn’t saying they are doing anything yet, these are all just recommendations made by this company.”

After really digging into the almost 200 page document, Pryor found a table that assessed different states in the county and how they do public health. It ranged from having a local county board of health to

the state having control of public health.

On the side of more control, the firm has a regionally administered centralized governance model based on Arkansas. In this model, HHS would provide administrative, policy, managerial direction and support and Local Public Health Agencies (LPHAs) would be organizationally a part of HHS. Other features include the establishment of a local presence in each county staffed by state employees. Local boards of health would be eliminated, but each county would appoint a county health officer to enhance local input, engagement and collaboration. HHS would create 10 to 15 multi-county administrative districts accountable for the effective, efficient and equitable allocation and use of public health resources and for ensuring foundational public health services and capabilities are available in all parts of the state. The firm found advantages of the least local control model are it ensures more consistent public health service levels across the state, has the potential to generate efficiencies/eliminate duplicative efforts, potentially allows quicker response to emerging challenges and needs and is the simplest option.

Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer

Recent snowfalls will hopefully help the drought conditions in Iowa with more than 97 percent of the state in some level of drought.

Kniff McCulla

Worth Mentioning

Send your event to news@pcmexplorer.com

Events at The Gathering Place

The Gathering Place in Monroe will host a PCM School Coffee Break at 9 a.m. Jan. 18.

It’s a family Bingo night at TGP from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23.m

“Get Fit, Move More!” at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24.

Live Music Jamboree will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25.

Piano with Jacque Robinson is scheduled from 2 to 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26 at The Gathering Place. Saturday, Jan. 27, enjoy a Chili Cook-off and Silent Auction from 6 to 8 p.m.

Free Bird Watching and Bagels

Brave the cold to enjoy an introduction to the world of bird watching from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. The program will start with a quick lesson on binocular usage and bird watching tips-and-tricks, followed by a walk along one of the trails. Free loaner binoculars will be available for check-out and free bagels and hot chocolate will warm participants up after the walk. This event is geared for bird watchers of all skill levels, ages 8 and older.

Meet at the visitor center lobby at 8 a.m.

Free Photo Editing Class

Join photographer Mike Cox for this free indoor photo editing session from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge visitor center. Learn tips and tricks that will help you bring your photo captures to life. Cox will cover file formats, various editing programs, data management, basic photo editing and exporting photos utilizing Adobe Lightroom.

For additional information or to register for any programs at NSNWR, contact nancy_corona@ fws.gov or call 515-994-3400.

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.

Womens Recovery meeting

Lighthouse Recovery Ministries has a Women’s Recovery meeting at 6 p.m. each Wednesday at the Grace Alive Powerhouse, 701 W. Second St. in Prairie City. Contact Barb at b.miller@lighthouserecoveryia.com with questions.

Time to renew registrations

ATV/UTV/Golf Cart registration in Monroe are due March 1 at city hall. A valid driver’s license and proof of insurance showing a special rider on your auto policy must be provided.

Lions to host monthly breakfast

Prairie City Lions Club is hosting its monthly pancake breakfast at 7 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27 at the Prairie City Community Building. Menu includes pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs and drink. This month’s proceeds will support the PCM Backpack Program.

Legislative gatherings for Jasper County begin Jan. 20

Cathi Fouts, member of Grinnell-Jasper League, has made arrangements with area legislative elected officials to present Legislative Gatherings, the third Saturday of January, February and March, with the first gathering to be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 20 at the Newton Public Library. The public is invited to hear from their elected leaders.

This month’s attendees will be Senator Ken Rosen-

boom, District 19, Representative Barb Kniff-McCulla, District 37, and Representative Jon Dunwell, District 29. Representative Kniff-McCulla will not be available for February and March gatherings. Local citizens will have an opportunity to meet and chat with these legislators and get first-hand news about the work this season brings as well as ask questions.

Winter safety tips for people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia

Winter weather conditions — colder temperatures, snow, ice and early darkness — can be potentially dangerous and even life-threatening for over 66,000 people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia in Iowa. For their nearly 100,000 caregivers, the stress and challenges to keep their loved ones safe during this time can be overwhelming. By preparing in advance, caregivers can make a big difference in keeping their loved one with Alzheimer’s and other dementia safe.

The Alzheimer’s Association offers these tips to keep people living with dementia safe during the winter months:

• Be prepared. Winter storms can be dangerous. Check weather conditions regularly and have emergency plans in place.

• Bundle up. Help the person living with Alzheimer’s dress warmly for winter weather conditions by wearing dry, loose-fitting layers and covering exposed skin.

• Prevent slips. Balance and mobility can be a challenge for a person living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Assume all surfaces are slick; assist the person by taking smaller steps and slowing down, so they can match gait and speed to a safer level.• Take advantage of the daylight. Winter months bring decreased sunlight and shorter days. Visual perception can be a challenge for those living with Alzheimer’s or other

dementias, and can cause increased confusion or disorientation in dark or shadowy environments both inside and out.

• Prevent wandering. Wandering is one of the most frequent and challenging problems that caregivers face and can be extremely dangerous in colder conditions. Shorter days during winter months can also increase the risk of “sundowning.” Monitor closely for agitation or restlessness as day transitions into night. The Alzheimer’s Association offers these tips to combat sundowning.

• Buddy up: An Alzheimer’s Association survey says a whop -

ping 84 percent of caregivers said they would like more support in providing care for someone with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, especially from their family. It can be hard for caregivers to find time to complete simple tasks outside of the home. Don’t hesitate to ask others for help with errands, grocery shopping or with snow/ice removal. More safety tips can be found by visiting the Alzheimer’s Association website. The Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline also provides reliable information and support to all those who need assistance. Call the helpline tollfree anytime at 1-800-272-3900.

Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs receive 2018 Farm Bill one year extension

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that agricultural producers can now enroll in the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2024 crop year. Producers can enroll and make election changes for the 2024 crop year. The deadline to complete enrollment and any election change is March 15.

On Nov. 16, President Biden signed into law H.R. 6363, the Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2024 (Pub. L. 118-22), which extended the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115334), more commonly known as the 2018 Farm Bill, through September 30. This extension allows authorized programs, including ARC and PLC, to continue operating.

by-crop protection, or ARC-Individual (ARC-IC), which protects the entire farm. Although election changes for 2024 are optional, producers must enroll through a signed contract each year. Also, if a producer has a multi-year contract on the farm it will continue for 2024 unless an election change is made.

If producers do not submit their election revision by the March 15, 2024, deadline, their election remains the same as their 2023 election for commodities on the farm. Farm owners cannot enroll in either program unless they have a share interest in the cropland.

the fall of 2024.

Crop Insurance Considerations ARC and PLC are part of a broader USDA safety net that also includes crop insurance and marketing assistance loans.

Producers are reminded that ARC and PLC elections and enrollments can impact eligibility for some crop insurance products.

Producers on farms with a PLC election can purchase Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) through their Approved Insurance Provider; however, producers on farms where ARC is the election are ineligible for SCO on their planted acres for that crop on that farm.

Unlike SCO, the Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) is unaffected by an ARC election. Producers may add ECO regardless of the farm program election.

Covered commodities include barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium grain rice, safflower seed, seed cotton, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat.

2022 Crop Year Payments

Since knowing is so important, we joined other newspapers in Iowa and publish our public notices online.

“Having the Farm Bill extension in place means business as usual for Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage program implementation for the 2024 crop year— nothing has changed from previous years,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “These programs provide critical financial protections against commodity market volatilities for many American farmers so don’t delay enrollment. Avoid the rush and contact your local FSA office for an appointment because even if you are not changing your program election for 2024, you still need to sign a contract to enroll.”

2024 Elections and Enrollment

Producers can elect coverage and enroll in ARC-County (ARCCO) or PLC, which provide crop-

This fall, FSA issued payments totaling more than $267 million to agricultural producers who enrolled in the 2022 ARC-CO option and the ARC ARC-IC option for covered commodities that triggered a payment. Payments through the PLC option did not trigger for the 2022 crop year. ARC and PLC payments for a given crop year are paid out the following fall to allow actual county yields and the Market Year Average prices to be finalized. These payments help mitigate fluctuations in either revenue or prices for certain crops. Payments for crops that may trigger for the 2023 crop year will be issued in

Upland cotton farmers who choose to enroll seed cotton base acres in ARC or PLC are ineligible for the stacked income protection plan (STAX) on their planted cotton acres for that farm.

Web-Based Decision Tools

Many universities offer webbased decision tools to help producers make informed, educated decisions using crop data specific to their respective farming operations. Producers are encouraged to use the tool of their choice to support their ARC and PLC elections.

More Information

For more information on ARC and PLC, producers can visit the ARC and PLC webpage or contact their local USDA Service Center. Producers can also make elections and complete enrollment online with level 2 eAuth.

Metro Photo

The Alzheimer’s Association offers tips to keep people living with dementia safe during the winter months.

This weekend at NSNWR

43 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. The 56 percent short to very short topsoil moisture rating was the highest percentage of short to very short to close out the season in a decade when 72 percent fell into the short to very short categories. Subsoil moisture condition rated 30 percent very short, 35 percent short, 34 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

To wrap up 2023 conditions remained serious with topsoil moisture rated 22 percent very short, 45 percent short, 33 percent adequate with no surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 33 percent very short, 40 percent short, 26 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

“As you can see, the drought

Kniff

Explorer PCM

intensified since 2020 and 2021 the last two years. State moisture averages don’t tell the whole story though,” Wandrey said. “The timing of rainfall is also very important. For example, a farmer may have had below average rainfall for the year but they got rain during critical times during the growing season and produce a good crop. I talked to farmers

at this particular point in time is the mess that we got coming in to the United States down at the border.”

So the challenge lawmakers face is how to best fast-track the process. Kniff McCulla knows she needs employees and several other companies do too, including trucking companies, warehousing companies and underground infrastructure companies.

“We need those people,” she said.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STILL NEEDED IN IOWA

Kniff McCulla wants to ensure the state government continues to make Iowa strong through its economy. It’s a big piece of who we are, she said, and who we can become. Kniff McCulla believes there are opportunities to draw from the surround-

who had tremendous yields in 2023 with very little rainfall but the rains came at the right times. On the other hand, farmers that did not get that critical rainfall did not fare as well.”

Dry springs can help farmers get their crops in the ground in time but timely rain is needed at key growth stages throughout the season, Wandrey said. That can

ing states and lead by example.

“Getting some of those small businesses that are fed up, like with what’s going on in Minnesota, and bring those individuals and small businesses and say, ‘Hey, check us out! Look what we’re doing for small business. Look what we’re doing for personal income taxes. Look what we’re trying to do for property taxes,’” she said.

Economic development is always needed in Iowa. Kniff McCulla said the state needs its small businesses, large businesses and entrepreneurs to thrive. If the economy is not growing and remains stagnant, then it’s going backwards, she said. As a result, people will not come to Iowa.

“It will deteriorate,” she said. “We need to make sure we have small businesses in place, and Main Street, for instance. Pella, Iowa is vibrant. And that’s what we need to instill in some of these communities that have opportunities. How do we continually make small businesses thrive? What do we need to do for them?”

Disadvantages include the potential to lose current local partnerships, individual county needs may not be a priority, the loss of county funds currently devoted to public health activities and the elimination of local boards of health and current LPHAs not consistent with the majority of stakeholder feedback during town halls and group interview and significant expansion of state workforce required.

“They still want local people in the county serving but it all says 10 to 15 regions,” Pryor said. “It really talks about eliminating the board of health and it would appoint a county health officer in each county.” The second model based off of Nebraska and Idaho would again establish 10 to 15 regional health districts but they are governmental entities that are not state agencies or units of county government. The districts

are required to maintain a local presence in each constituent county, are the governing body for local public health and the only governmental entity eligible for Iowa’s Essential Public Health Services funding.

Local boards of health will again be eliminated, but district governing boards will be comprised of members appointed by the constituent counties.

Districts may employ staff and contract for services, counties could be required to financially contribute to the districts and the districts would be accountable for the effective, efficient and equitable allocation and use of public health resources and for ensuring foundational public health services and capabilities are available in all parts of the state.

Advantages include the model ensures more consistent public health service levels across the state, the potential to generate efficiencies/eliminate duplicative efforts and potentially allows quicker response to emerging

challenges and needs. Disadvantages found were the potential to lose current local partnerships, but less so than the first option, smaller counties in the districts with larger counties may feel their needs are not a priority and the elimination of local boards of health and current LPHAs not consistent with the majority of stakeholder feedback during town halls and group interviews.

The third model based on Minnesota was found to be the most complex and would require counties to join a regional health district, subject to geographic and population size criteria for each district. The districts would be required to maintain a local presence in each constituent county, the governing body for local public health and the only governmental entity would be eligible for Iowa’s Essential Public Health Services funding, the counties could choose to retain local boards of health and LPHAs; district governing boards comprised of members appointed by the constituent counties, local

determine if the crop will be poor, average or good for the year.

To help the overall topsoil conditions, copious amounts of snow can benefit drought levels, although additional factors matter such as when the snow hits the ground, if it will do future crops any good.

“While snowmelt can be helpful in the spring, the key is wheth-

Iowa also needs large corporations. They, like small businesses, give back to the community and make community, Kniff McCulla said.

“We need to have that piece,” she said. “It’s not only about where we live but where we work and where we play. That whole piece that comes together is what makes Iowa special and small town Iowa a great place to live.”

TRANSPARENT

GOVERNMENT & OPEN CONVERSATIONS

Kniff McCulla wants a smaller government, and through that she believes it will lead to a more open and transparent government. She likes the progress already made in the state, but she would still like less government intervention. She also advocated for cleaning up old laws “that don’t even pertain to today’s economy.”

Iowa is on the path toward better transparency, she added. Kniff McCulla also advocated for a shift in perspective, something that would not take legislative

boards of health could be allowed to retain local ordinance powers for specified functions (e.g., control of public health nuisances), districts may employ staff, contract for services, and delegate to constituent counties, must meet geographic and population size criteria designed to create 10 to 15 districts and be accountable for the effective, efficient, and equitable allocation and use of public health resources and for ensuring foundational public health services and capabilities are available in all parts of the state.

Model 3 advantages are it ensures more consistent public health service levels across the state, has the potential to generate efficiencies/eliminate duplicative efforts and potentially allows quicker response to emerging challenges and needs. Along with being the most complex, disadvantages are the potential to lose current local partnerships, but less so than the first two option, smaller counties in districts with larger counties may feel

er the ground is thawed enough to absorb some of the melting snow. If the ground is frozen, the snowmelt may run off the field,” Wandrey said. “Practices like notill and cover crops will hold the snow in the field until it melts in the spring.” Farmers also have additional tools to combat the variable weather conditions. Wandrey said pieces like precision ag equipment and choosing seed varieties that can produce high yields in tough conditions help farmers control their own destinies.

“Iowa farmers are an optimistic bunch and look forward to the next growing season just like a baseball team looks forward to the upcoming baseball season. Hope spring eternal,” Wandrey said. “However, every farmer wants Mother Nature to be a good partner throughout the growing season.”

action. She said there are so many opportunities to do good in the state, but it takes input from individuals with differing ideas.

“We all have to have the right mindset and listen to each other and have the opportunity to each view and say what it is we’d like to do, and not necessarily, totally, 100 percent discount the other guy,” she said. “I think when we have conversations with one another that brings out ideas (you don’t think about at first).” Kniff McCulla said although she might not agree with everything that is being said, she is willing to listen and consider there might be a side she missed.

“I want to be a good listener coming up this next session and make sure we’re putting laws in the books that make sense and are good for not only my region but also as a state,” she said. “I’ve been to so many conferences and talked to legislators across the different states. It’s amazing how much we all think alike.”

their needs are not a priority and negotiation of affiliation agreements between counties and RHDs would be needed and could be complex.

The final and most local control option is based in Indiana and would maintain Iowa’s current home rule governance structure but HHS would provide technical assistance and financial incentives to promote LPHA consolidations and cross-jurisdictional sharing (CJS) arrangements. Features of this model are it maintains local control; counties retain authority for designating local presence/ offices, LPHAs choosing to consolidate are required to maintain a local presence in each constituent county, LPHAs choosing to accept financial incentives would be held accountable for delivering (including through consolidations or CJS arrangements) the state-defined foundational public health services and functions and HHS would provide technical assistance and supports to LPHAs under a regional structure, comprised of 10 to 15 regions, including technical assistance in formulating CJS arrangements.

For this model, advantages are it maintains current local partnerships, incentivizes/promotes more consistent public health service levels across the state, efficiencies and quicker response to emerging challenges and needs and it is able to maintain/ incentivize county. For disadvantages, the firm found some counties may not respond to incentives to fully deliver foundational public health services and functions leaving some areas of the state under served, HHS retains the challenge of supporting and coordi-

nating and collaborating with a large number of local public health units and it would be potentially less able to achieve efficiencies and eliminate duplicative efforts.

“It’s a home rule model and maintains the local control in the county but with the 10 to 15 regions,” Pryor said. “They say in the recommendations the HHS adopt 10 to 15 regions with population more than 50,000. They did specifically name a few counties that are accredited including Cerro Gordo which only has a population of 42,409, very similar to us. We’re actually the 17th largest county in the state.”

She said there would have to be a lot of Iowa code and staffing changes along with a whole new structure to make this happen. Currently, Pryor was told this would not happen in Iowa this legislative session.

“There is no HHS legislation for the 2024 legislative session directly impacting local public health,” Regional Community Health Consultant at Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Heather Bombei said. “HHS has recognized the feedback through the HMA report to take time, as well as feedback from local public health and other partners to advance additional HHS system development efforts.”

While there is no current efforts to make changes to Health and Human Services in Iowa, Pryor said the uncertainty is hard.

“When we are looking at planning for the future, it does make it very hard to know what to do,” Pryor said. “I am just doing what we have done in the past and trying to make the best of it. It is just hard.”

Books’n Movies for 2024

Larry McMurtry might be my favorite author of all time. He wrote “Last Picture Show,” “Lonesome Dove” and a slew of other books, movie scripts and essays. So, when a new biography of him came out, “Larry McMurtry: A Life” by Tracy Daugherty, I had to read it, and I highly recommend. BTW: McMurtry was an avid letter writer, and these letters are still around. Thus the material for McMurtry’s biography was readily available. In this day-and-age when letter writing is passe, and people are using email or social media to communicate with friends and lovers — material that is here today and gone tomorrow — how will biographies be written in the future? It’s a concern I have. Will AI be able to access this cyberspace material? Hmm. McMurtry’s biography got me hankering to read “Horseman, Pass By” for which the movie “Hud” starring Paul Newman, was made, which got

Curt Swarm Empty Nest

me hankering to see the movie “Hud” again. It’s been 50+ years since I saw it. “Hud” is available on Amazon Prime. It amazes me that a sub-character in the book, “Horseman, Pass By” is the main character of the movie, “Hud.” But Paul Newman couldn’t be a minor character.

With “Hud” out of my system, Ginnie and I were able to settle into our winter mode of reading, watching movies and eating popcorn. There are some great movies out.

“Maestro,” directed by and starring Bradley Cooper, is the story of conductor Leonard Bernstein. You can find it on Netflix. Ginnie and I were a little bored with “Maestro,” or more accurately, Bradley Cooper. Cooper trying to imitate Bernstein’s voice by talking through his nose, was awkward. So, on to the next movie.

“The Color Purple” is out in theaters. It’s a remake of the original, “The Color Purple” starring Whoopi Goldberg

MLK would have been 95 this year; let’s make his dream a reality

By Dedrick AsanteMuhammad, Chuck Collins

This January marks what would have been Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 95th birthday. Nearly a century after the late civil rights leader’s birth, it’s a good time to reflect on the work still to be done.

Just more than 60 years ago, in his famous “I Have A Dream” speech at the 1963 March on Washington, King declared: “We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so we’ve come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.”

Sixty years on, as our report “Still A Dream” highlighted late last year, there’s been some progress. The African American community is experiencing record low unemployment, record highs in income and educational attainment, and has seen a massive decline in income poverty since the 1960s.

Despite all that, the check for racial economic equality is still bouncing. Without intervention, we found it will take centuries for Black wealth to catch up with white wealth in this country.

The 1960s were years of crucial economic progress for African Americans, even as the Black Freedom struggle faced assassinations and government suppression. In 1959, when King was 30, 55 percent of African Americans lived in income poverty. By what would have been his 40th birthday in 1969 (a year after his assassination), that poverty rate had dropped to 32 percent.

Yet this substantial progress still wasn’t enough to bridge the radical and ongoing racial economic divide between Blacks and whites. And since then, progress has slowed.

Compared to the political and economic progress of the 1960s, the 21st century has been much less fruitful — even as the country saw its first African American president and a national recognition of police brutality through the Black Lives Matter protests. From 2000 to 2021, there was only a 3 percentage point decline

in Black poverty (22.5 percent to 19.5 percent).

One modest area of progress: the unemployment rate for African Americans is no longer twice that of whites. Since 2018, Black unemployment has reached record lows of 5 and 6 percent, except during the 18-month recession caused by COVID-19. But as of 2021, Black unemployment was still about 1.8 times that of white unemployment. The racial wealth divide was created by federal policies and national practices like segregation, discrimination, redlining, mass incarceration, and more. So it will require federal policy and national practices to close the divide.

And just as massive federal investment was necessary to develop the white American middle class, so too is it essential for a massive federal investment to bridge racial economic inequality.

Investing in affordable housing and programs designed to strengthen homeownership for African Americans will be essential. Other important policies include investments like a national baby bond program targeted at African Americans, national health care, and breaking up the dynastic concentration of wealth that’s made our country more unequal for all Americans.

Going 60 years without substantially narrowing the Black-white wealth and income divide is a policy failure. In this election year, policies that can finally bridge the Black-white divide should be at the forefront of our national debate.

Making a dream into a reality is challenging work, but it’s something our country has the resources to attain. The national celebration of Dr. King’s 95th birthday should be a time to rededicate ourselves to this work.

Dedrick AsanteMuhammad is the chief of Race, Wealth, and Community at the National Community Reinvestment Coalition

Chuck Collins directs the Program on Inequality and co-edits Inequaity.org at the Institute for Policy Studies Economic Equality

and Oprah Winfrey, only this time it’s a musical. Outstanding! I may have to see “The Color Purple” again. As Ginnie says, “Bring a box of tissue.”

“Boys in the Boat” directed by George Clooney is well worth seeing. It had slipped my mind that I read the book years ago, so it was like discovering something I once knew, but forgot. (This is a common problem for seniors; our brains shrink, and memory diminishes with age.) “Boys in the Boat” is a must see feel-good movie, loosely based on the true story of the University of Washington rowing crew, in the Depression Era 1930s, who quite literally show the country and world what can be accomplished when everyone pulls together.

“Ferrari” is the surprise GREAT movie of the year. I was expecting something like “Ford v Ferrari.” Not! Starring Adam Driver, Penelope Cruz and Shailene Woodley, “Ferrari” is about the people involved with the 1,000 mile brutal auto race across Italy, called Mille Miglia. In 1957, bankruptcy looms over company founder and philanderer Enzo Ferrari. He decides to risk it all on the iconic test of man, machine, and

emotion. Fasten your seat belt, auto racing in Italy is like bull fighting in Spain: blood is shed in the streets. I’d rate “Ferrari” up there with “The Color Purple” as the best movies of the season. Which reminds me, I believe “The Color Purple” will be Best Picture of the year. But we have more of ‘24.

Ginnie and I watched five movies in five days — three in the theater and two by streaming. Extravagant? Sure. But tis the season, and when you have the empty nest, you can do what you wanna do. (Ginnie enjoyed eating popcorn for supper.)

The current book I’m reading is “Teddy and Booker T., How Two American Icons Blazed a Path for Racial Equality” by Brian Kilmeade. Teddy, of course, is Teddy Roosevelt and Booker T. is Booker T. Washington. I’ve read plenty of history about Teddy Roosevelt, but not that much of Booker T. Washington. It’s very educational.

2024 is shaping up to be a year of books, movies and politics. We can control what we read and watch, but politics? Aaargh!

Contact Curt Swarm at curtswarm@yahoo.com

Governor’s budget

Last week, Governor Reynolds unveiled her proposal for next year’s state budget. A key request is significant new funding for K-12 education. The Governor’s proposed Fiscal Year 2025 General Fund budget spends $8.9191 billion starting July 1, 2024. This is an increase of $367.1 million or 4.29 percent over the adjusted FY 24 budget of $8.552 billion. Her budget proposes the following.

Raising starting teacher salaries to $50,000 with a minimum salary level of $62,000 for teachers with 12 years in the classroom. She also provides $10 million from the state’s American Rescue Plan funding to create the Merit Teacher Incentive Fund.

Her budget includes a 2.5% Supplemental State Aid increase for Schools (SSA) for the next school year, taking the per pupil amount to $7,826, which is $191 higher than the FY 2024 level. Finally, it provides $5 million in grants to help support new or high-performing charter schools.

For Medicaid, it provides an additional $75 million. Nearly half the money is expected to

Statehouse Notes

Rep. Jon Dunwell

pay for increase in costs through the managed care contracts. The proposed budget completes the transition of the Glenwood State Resource Center and provides additional funds to expand access to community-based services. Case management services receive an increase, as would some provider groups.

The state’s judicial branch, corrections, and public safety agencies get an additional $24.2 million in the new fiscal year. The courts will receive an increase of $3.7 million while the Department of Corrections gets an $11.8 million boost. Funding to the Department of Public Safety rises by $4.6 million.

The Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund proposes spending a record-setting $293.2 million in Fiscal Year 2025. The utility project at the Woodward State Resource Center will be sped up along with full funding for an expansion of the State Med-

ical Examiner’s office in Ankeny, renovations at the Civil Commitment Unit for Sexual Offenders at the Cherokee Mental Health Institute, and $10 million for a renovation of the Lucas State Office Building. Finally, it includes an increase in funding for major maintenance of state buildings.

The Governor’s budget documents also revealed the final appropriation numbers for spending on Supplemental State Aid and Education Savings Accounts for the 2023-2024 school year. Education Savings Accounts ended up spending $127.9 million in FY 24, which is $20.5 million higher than the LSA estimate when the bill was passed. Supplemental State Aid ended up being $13 million higher than what was estimated during the 2023 legislative session. These two figures are why the adjusted FY 2024 budget is $33.5 million higher than the amount approved last May.

With the release of the Governor’s budget proposal, the legislative work of formulating next year’s state budget begins. Budget subcommittees commence their deliberations starting on Wednesday, January 17.

How to contact your elected officials Jasper County Supervisors YOUR VIEW

Brandon Talsma, chair 4309 W Fourth St. S. Newton, IA 50208

641-526-3142

btalsma@co.jasper.ia.us

SHARE YOUR VIEW

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

Strong second quarter lifts PCM past GVC

Troy Hyde thyde@shawmedia.com

MONROE — Grand View Christian outscored the PCM girls’ basketball team in three of the four quarters on Jan. 11.

But a significant advantage in the second was all the Mustangs needed during a 57-51 home non-conference victory.

Addison Steenhoek scored a career-high 26 points and PCM overcame a short bench because it outscored the Thunder 14-3 in the second.

“We battled through a short bench with injuries to get a win tonight,” PCM head girls’ basketball coach

Sami Allison-Rodriguez said. “It was a tough week of weather cancellations and no practice. We found a way to win, and I’m proud of the kids for that.”

Grand View Christian (3-7) led 14-13 after one quarter and outscored the Mustangs 34-30 in the second half.

Steenhoek led the home team with a career-best 26 points and she added two assists and two rebounds. She was 4-of-7 from 3-point range and 4-of-5 from the freethrow line.

Tori Lindsay added 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals and Rebecca De Vries tallied six points and nine rebounds.

Lila Milani chipped in five points, three assists and two rebounds, Jorja Teeter tallied four points and six boards and Claire VanWyk registered three points, three rebounds and two assists off the bench.

PCM (9-4) did not have key reserve Elle Davis for the game and Teeter left in the third with an injury and did not return.

The Mustangs, who improved to 3-0 against GVC since 2018, shot 37 percent from the floor, made 6-of17 from 3 and connected on 11-of-17 from the foul line. They turned the ball over only 11 times.

BOYS BASKETBALL

State-ranked Earlham edges Mustangs

EARLHAM — PCM answered Earlham’s first-quarter advantage with a strong second period. But the Mustangs couldn’t respond enough from a strong third by the Cardinals and Class 1A No. 4 Earlham escaped its non-conference home contest with a 56-52 win during boys’ basketball action on Jan. 11.

Earlham led 16-10 after one quarter and outscored PCM 18-11 in the third after the Mustangs rallied to tie it at halftime.

The visitors won the fourth 1613, but it was not enough to complete the comeback.

The Cardinals are now 4-0 in games decided by five points or less and 7-0 in games decided by single digits.

Jacob Wendt led PCM (6-7) with 15 points and 11 rebounds, but no other Mustang scored in double figures.

Cutler VandeLune tallied nine points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals, Kaleb DeVries added seven points, four rebounds and three assists and Gavin Van Gorp and Jack Jungling each registered six points and four boards.

Pete Kiernen put in five points and Alex Wendt posted five rebounds and two steals.

The Mustangs shot 43 percent from the floor, made 7-of-28 from 3-point range and out-rebounded the Cardinals 33-21.

The difference in the game though came with turnovers and free throws.

Earlham (10-1) committed just

12 turnovers and was 11-of-17 from the free-throw line, while PCM finished with 17 turnovers and made only 1-of-7 from the

PCM senior Jack Jungling had six points and four rebounds in the Mustangs’ loss to Earlham on Jan. 11. Jungling is shooting 60 percent from the floor this winter and averages 6.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, which rank third and second on the team, respectively.

Jack Jungling

foul line. The Cardinals shot 46.5 percent from the floor and connected on 5-of-16 from 3.

Tanner Morrison led the hosts with 10 points, five rebounds and six assists. Jeret Petersen added 12 points, four rebounds and three assists for the Cardinals and Kallia Nicholson put in a team-best 13 points.

Troy Hyde thyde@shawmedia.com

Photos by Stephanie Stock

Above: PCM junior Addison Steenhoek (14) made four 3-pointers and scored a career-high 26 points during the Mustangs’ home win over Grand View Christian on Jan. 11. Left: PCM freshman Lila Milani, right, scores two in the lane against the Thunder. The Mustangs used a big second quarter to dispatch the Thunder in the non-conference contest.

Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer

PCM senior Jacob Wendt, left, had a double-double against state-ranked Earlham on Jan. 11, but the Cardinals escaped with another narrow win at home.

Explorer PCM