PCM-03-14-2024

Explorer PCM

Geetings leaving PCM Elementary

District looking for new administrator after three years

Donita Geetings, who has served as PCM Elementary Principal for three years, has announced she will be leaving at the end of the school year.

The Science of Reading

PCM Elementary holds event to stress the importance of early childhood reading

After three years at the district, elementary principal Donita Geetings is leaving PCM. Geetings said in an email she submitted her resignation as of March 6.

“I want you to know this may be the most challenging letter I have ever written,” Geetings said. “I want to share with you that I will be sending my letter of resignation to the school board.”

Coming from Ankeny where she served as an instructional coach for seven years, Geetings

has worked as principal of both elementary schools, striving to make a unified experience for children in Monroe and Prairie City.

“I deeply care about every single student and I have been blessed to be their principal. There is no greater job in the world,” Geetings said. “Our students are simply amazing and they have bright futures ahead.”

Geetings will continue at PCM through the remainder of the school year. The district will once again be looking for a new administrator to lead the elementary schools after hav-

ing the past two principals for three years each.

“I assure you I will be 100 percent committed to your children for the remainder of the school year,” Geetings said. “Thank you for welcoming me into your community. You need to know you have the most committed teachers around. They will continue to forge ahead and provide nothing but the best for every student.”

The PCM School Board will have to decide how to fill the position, which previously had been two separate principal roles for Monroe and Prairie City.

ELECTION 2024

Brad Magg to run for Iowa House District 38

Owner of Goldie’s, Colfax city council member says Iowa is ‘far better’ than what lawmakers are turning it into

By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune

Iowa House Reps. Kniff McCulla and Dunwell submit re-election papers

Republicans want to continue their work for Districts 37 and 38

Brad Magg, a city council member in Colfax and the owner of Goldie’s Ice Cream Shoppe in Prairie City and a number of concession stands at the Iowa State Fair, is running for the Iowa House District 38 seat currently held by Republican Jon Dunwell. Magg told Newton News he will be running as a Democrat.

In addition to owning Goldie’s, which won best tenderloin by the Iowa Pork Producers Association in 2009, Magg is the founder of Magg Family Catering and co-owner of Spring City Pharmacy. He also helps manage The Bacon Box, The Snack Box and G-Pop’s Candy Box concession stands at the State Fair.

As a lifelong Jasper County resident, Magg said that while his classmates in Colfax were eager to leave their hometown he saw the potential of his community and planted his roots, but not without trying to convince them to stay. Although they didn’t listen back then, he said many have reached out the past few years.

“They want to move back to town,” Magg said. “I’m happy we’ve got our community to that point and help build it back up, but sadly now a lot of my friends are wanting to leave the state because they don’t think they’re welcome here or it doesn’t align with the way they want to raise their family.”

Magg still believes in Iowa’s potential and that the state and Jasper County are “far better” than what lawmakers are trying to turn it into. Which is why Magg feels inspired to run for House District 38, which covers nearly all of Jasper County apart from Monroe and Prairie City.

Magg told Newton News in a phone interview March 7 that lawmakers elected to the statehouse need to focus on Iowa issues and the issues that affect the state’s individual communities. Although Magg said he has had a decent rapport with Dunwell, he also expressed frustration over the lawmaker’s decision making.

“What Mr. Dunwell is doing doesn’t quite represent the values that I think the constituents in the district have,” Magg said. “…I’ve had some great conversations with him over issues these past few years and it’s just become pretty apparent it falls on deaf ears.”

Specifically, Magg said he shared with Dunwell his concerns over last

Both of the Republican lawmakers representing Jasper County in the Iowa House — Rep. Jon Dunwell of District 38 and Barb Kniff McCulla of District 37 — announced in press releases this past week that they have filed for re-election. Dunwell was first elected in 2021; Kniff McCulla joined the House in 2022.

to the people of my district and acts as their voice in the statehouse,” Dunwell said. “I have had the honor of working on many important issues to move our state forward and I look forward to the opportunity to ask the voters for another term.”

After winning a special election in 2021 to fill the seat of Rep. Wes Breckenridge, who resigned a year before his term ended, Dunwell reclaimed his spot in the statehouse in 2022. Prior to his work in the statehouse, Dunwell served as vice president of two financial services companies.

In a March 8 press release, Dunwell said it has been a great honor to represent his constituents in Iowa House District 38, which covers most of the northern half of Jasper County, including Newton, Baxter, Colfax, Lynnville, Mingo and Sully. Dunwell is also assistant majority leader of the Iowa House.

“Since I was first elected I have strived to be a representative that listens

Dunwell is also a licensed and ordained pastor with the Christian & Missionary Alliance, a certified speaker, trainer and coach. In the statehouse, Dunwell serves on the Local Government, State Government, Transportation, Judiciary, Environmental Protection and International Relations committees.

Currently, Dunwell lives in Newton with his wife Christie; they have two sons, Addison and Bryce.

Speaker of the Iowa House Pat Grassley said he appreciates Dunwell’s hard work to represent his district well. No one works harder, he said.

“He is known for being extremely engaged with his community members,

By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune

Dunwell

Kniff McCulla

Magg

Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer

By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer

Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer

Worth Mentioning

Send your event to news@pcmexplorer.com

Events at The Gathering Place

Congregate Meals are served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday at The Gathering Place.

Every Monday at 8 a.m. The Gathering Place will host Coffee & Devotions with Pastor Ann.

The Gathering Place will host BINGO beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 19.

“Get Fit, Move More!” with Amy S. at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 20 at The Gathering Place. Join Jacque Robinson for Piano at 2 p.m. Friday, March 22 at TGP.

Attend the Patty Richards Country Music Show from 7 to 9 p.m. March 22 at The Gathering Place. Bring finger food and your dancing shoes, $5 admission.

A fundraiser for Thelma’s Chicken for The Gathering Place. Ordering will end April 1. Drive-thru pickup from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 4.

Blood drive in Prairie City

A Prairie City and Monroe Community Blood Drive, sponsored by the Prairie City Lions Club, will be from 7:15 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the First Reformed Church - Fellowship Hall, 300 E Fifth St. in Prairie City. Call: 800-287-4903 or visit lifeservebloodcenter.org. Appointments are encouraged.

Mulligan Stew Supper in Colfax

A Mulligan Stew Supper will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Catholic Church in Colfax. The menu includes stew, Irish soda bread, salad, dessert and drink. Free will offering.

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.

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.

American Legion Auxiliary

The Monroe American Legion Auxiliary meet at 6:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month at the Legion.

Community Meal Wednesday

A Community Meal will be served beginning at 5 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month at the Monroe United Methodist Church. All are invited to share our free meal and fellowship.

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.

GriefShare at FRC in Prairie City starting March 20

First Reformed Church in Prairie City will begin a new session of GriefShare from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 20. If you have experienced the death of a loved one and are looking for support, healing and hope, you are welcome to attend. The 13-week program consists of discussion; informative videos presented by Christian counselors, authors, pastors and others who share their stories and found hope through faith. In addition, each participant will receive a workbook containing five daily exercises each week as well as other resources. There is a $15 registration fee (scholarships available). Whether your grief journey has just begun or you’ve been walking this path for a long time, GriefShare can help, For more information or to register, contact Mary Lemmertat 515-205-0835 or at hope2you@aol.com. Begin your journey from Mourning to Joy with GriefShare.

Lions Club breakfast March 23

The Prairie City Lions Club is hosting a pancake breakfast at 7 a.m. Saturday, March 23 at the Prairie City Community Building. Menu includes pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs and drink. Proceeds from the freewill donation will support PCM Cub Scout Pack 348 this month.

Remove flowers from Silent Cemetery

The City of Monroe announces flowers must be removed from Silent City Cemetery in Monroe by April 15 or risk being mowed.

Explorer PCM

Linda Kay Snetselaar

March 2, 2024

Obituaries

September 2, 1966, she was united in marriage to Alton Gene Snetselaar.

Linda Kay Snetselaar, age 76 of Altoona, and formerly of Prairie City, passed away on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 11:00 am at the Altoona

Lisa L. Leedom

March 7, 2024

Lisa L. Leedom, age 54 of Monroe passed away on Thursday, March 7, 2024 with her children by her side at the Comfort House in Pella.

The daughter of Clarence and Coleta (Miller) Templeman, Lisa was born on March 21, 1969 in Guthrie Center, Iowa. Lisa was the eighth of nine

Kelley Reeves McGowan

March 8, 2024

Methodist Church. Burial will take place at Waveland Cemetery in Prairie City. The family will greet friends on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at Coburn Funeral Home in Prairie City. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family in loving memory of Linda. Condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com

The daughter of Marion and Wanda (Sarver) Tysseling, Linda was born on August 16, 1947 in Oskaloosa, Iowa. She graduated from Prairie City High School in 1965. On

Linda and Gene made their home in Prairie City on the farm from 1966 until the early 1990′s then moved into Prairie City until they moved to Altoona in 2015. She worked with her husband at Prairie Ag Supply until her retirement in 2011. Linda enjoyed baking, sewing, and cross-stitching, but most of all she loved to spend time with her beloved family. Linda was a member of the Altoona Methodist Church. Those left to honor her memory include her

children, Mindy Annette (Mark) Deere, Scott Alan (Malin) Snetselaar, and Kevin Michael (Tracy) Snetselaar; grandchildren, Haley Deere and her fiance, Erik Witzig, Jacob Deere, Denise Snetselaar and her fiance, Malin Dahlstrom, Alexandra Snetselaar, Ellie Snetselaar and Brady Snetselaar; three great grandchildren, Jacoby Snetselaar and Noah and Saga Snetselaar and siblings Duane (Char) Tysseling, Shirley (Dan) Grasso and Mary (Jim) Wood. Preceding Linda in death were her parents, husband in 2023 and a brother, Nelson Tysseling.

children. Lisa was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, sister and friend. Lisa enjoyed phone calls with family and friends, getting her nails done, and beach vacations. Those left to honor her memory include her

in-laws and aunts Ramona Van Baale, Bonnie and uncle Frank Sloan, uncle Clarence Frazier & of course Troika & Keva.

husband, Jim Kluthe; children, Crystal (Ryan) Arguello and Cody (Loni) Leedom; grandchildren Ty, Kamryn, and Zay Arguello, Keith Moko and Emma Leedom; first husband of 25 years, Eric Leedom; step-children, Brandi (Nick) Fruh, Sara Kluthe, and Hunter Kluthe; and step-grandchildren, Rowdy, Roper, Mazie, Waylon, Scarlet, and Willow. Also remembering Lisa are her siblings,

cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Preceding Lisa in death were her parents, multiple siblings, and a step-grandchild (Montana). A celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2024 from Noon - 3:00 pm at the Gathering Place in Monroe. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Lisa’s family and condolences may be left at www. coburnfuneralhomes.com.

neighbors.

Kelley Reeves McGowan, born in Pella Iowa November 17, 1969, passed away in her home surrounded by family on March 8, 2024. She was preceded in death by her mother Elaine Van Wyk Reeves; her grandparents Ben & Irma Nelle Van Wyk, Guy & Hazel Reeves; uncles and aunts Phyllis Frazier, Ralph & Joan Van Wyk, Jerry Van Baale; nephew Zeke Reeves and Reggie & Hutson. She is survived by her husband John D. McGowan, her father Guy B. Reeves, brother Chris Reeves, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins,

Kelley was always an animal lover, she would help her dad feed the baby pigs and sheep. In high school she was involved in drama & speech team, yearbook staff, newspaper staff, softball and National Honor Society. She graduated as valedictorian and made lifelong friends.

Kelley received both her undergrad and graduate degrees from Northeast Missouri State, now called Truman State in Kirksville Missouri. She was a lil sis for Sigma Tau Gamma, involved in the speech pathology organization, and worked at the Golden Spike after turning 21. She made lifelong friends that did girls weekends 1-2 times per year.

Kelley moved to Cape Girardeau in 1994 “for a year or so.” She worked

as a speech-language pathologist at Saint Francis Medical Center her entire career. She valued the relationships she built with both patients and co-workers.

In her time in Cape she went on several mission trips (Paraguay, Mexico, Russia) and she led or coled small groups for many years and was involved in the church creative and drama teams. There she grew relationships who encouraged and supported her walk with Jesus.

In 2005 she married her best friend John and was able to do more travelling (Jamaica, Australia, New Zealand, Morocco, Spain, Utah, Costa Rica, & Mexico). Kelley enjoyed golf trips with friends and took the opportunity to find unique tourist attractions like the Coon Dog Cemetery & the Giant Tree House. She lived in a neighborhood with the best and most caring

Kelley LOVED volunteering at Southeast Missouri Pets which also provided the opportunity to make more friends who shared her love for animals. She fell in love every single time she volunteered and sometimes even fostered her new loves at home, she just wanted to make a difference in their lives.

Kelley loved her family on both sides – her parents, her brother, plus nieces and nephews and at the end of the day was always content to be at home with her husband and her dogs. Celebration of life April 13 at one o’clock at LaCroix Church, 3102 Lexington Ave., Cape Girardeau, Mo., and April 27 at United Presbyterian Church in Monroe, IA. In lieu of flowers or plants please consider adopting a yucky old cat or an amazing dog in Kelley’s honor or make a donation to Southeast Missouri Pets.

Free bison story time Friday

Enjoy learning about bison through this free educational story time presented by Denise Bean, youth services librarian for the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 15 at

Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. All ages are welcome to participate in this program. Contact madison_zink@fws.gov or call 515-994-3400 to register and to get additional information.

For information visit https:// www.fws.gov/refuge/neal-smith or Facebook at https://www.facebook. com/NealSmithNWR. Specific questions can be directed to Nancy Corona at nancy_corona@fws.gov or 515-994-3400.

ACU announces 2024 scholarship contest

Advantage Credit Union will be awarding three scholarships for the 202425 school year. One $2,000, one $1,000, and one $750 scholarship will be awarded. Applicants must be a graduating high school senior entering a two-year, fouryear, or technical school in the 2024-25 school year. Applicants must also be a member in good standing of Advantage Credit Union for at least six months prior to application deadline. Candidates must submit a business-style resume

not to exceed two pages in length and answer the following essay question in 500 words or less:

As cooperative community organizations, one of the principles at the heart of the credit union movement is concern for community. What does community mean to you? How have you served your communi-

ty, and how do you see your credit union working in your community? Consider sharing personal examples and experiences. Submissions are due Friday, March 22. Submissions will be accepted in-person at Advantage Credit Union or via mail if postmarked by March 22. Mailed submissions should be sent to:

ACU Scholarship Contest, 121 W. Third St. N., Newton, IA 50208.

Advantage Credit Union membership is open to everyone who lives or works in Jasper County or 18 counties in Central Iowa. For additional info, call Advantage Credit Union at 641-7925660 or email info@acuiowa.org.

+ Colfax

Van Zee Team receives top real estate award

Farmers National Company, the nation’s leading farm and ranch management and brokerage company, announced the Van Zee Team was recently presented with the Farmers National Company President’s Circle Award for their outstanding efforts in real estate sales.

John and Eric Van Zee, real estate sales agents with Farmers National Company, received the company’s top award for real estate sales in 2023. John began working with Farmers National Company in 2000, and Eric began working with Farmers National Company in 2019.

John can be contacted at 641-521-0151 or by email at JVanZee@FarmersNational.com. Eric can be contacted at 515-9712633 or by email at EVanZee@FarmersNational.com.

Securing STOP THE BLEED educational license

The Department of Defense’s STOP THE BLEED (STB) Program aims to empower the public to effectively address traumatic injuries involving severe bleeding until first responders arrive. The Jasper County Emergency Management Agency has been granted a STOP THE BLEED educational license.

It’s estimated that more than 30,000 lives could be saved annually with widespread access to this essential STOP THE BLEED training. Organizations licensed to deliver DoD-approved STOP

work.”

Magg

Continuedfrompage1

Eric Van Zee it passed.

Re-election

Continuedfrompage1

serving her constituents. Iowa House District 37 covers portions of Jasper, Mahaska and Marion Counties. Kniff McCulla is seeking her second term in office after winning her first election two years ago and ousting incumbent Jon Thorup in the primary.

“I am honored to serve as representative for House District 37,” Kniff McCulla said. “Since I was first elected, we have progressed on key issues that I am passionate about: issues such as protecting life, defending freedoms, and working to improve our small business climate in Iowa.”

Kniff McCulla is the owner of KLK Construction, which celebrates 45 years of business this week. She has served on numerous community boards and recently held the position of Commissioner of the Iowa Telecommunications and Technology Commission.

In the statehouse, Kniff McCulla is the vicechair of the Ways and Means Committee and also is a member of the Commerce, Economy Growth and Technology, Health and Human Services and Labor and Workforce committees.

“It increased costs for the city, the school, the county by thousands and thousands of dollars in order to do the same thing in a more complicated manner,” Magg said. “People still don’t fully understand or can get an explanation from the state on how this is supposed to be done.”

In the end, Magg argued the law will actually cost residents more as a result. Lawmakers were so excited to call it a tax cut, but in actuality they just made it worse, he claimed.

As a city council member for 14 years, Magg said he is a big believer in local control and has never lobbied to raise taxes when budgeting.

“So the thought that the state has to come in and tell us we have to tax less without giving any support or guidance on how to do that just doesn’t make any sense and it only made the situation worse,” Magg said. “He (Dunwell) clearly doesn’t understand how some of the tax structures

THE BLEED courses play a pivotal role in the program’s success.

The Stop the Bleed Coalition is dedicated to supporting the STOP THE BLEED campaign by facilitating collaboration and cooperation among the numerous individuals and organizations committed to training and equipping the nation to mitigate the loss of life due to traumatic bleeding.

Licensed by the U.S. Department of Defense, the Coalition provides various DoD-approved services and products to the burgeoning STOP THE BLEED com-

Magg also has concerns about the status of the public education system in Iowa. It is disheartening, he said, to see extremely talented teachers, who truly care about their students, leaving the profession. Meanwhile, he said, the state is focusing its efforts on book bans.

“I don’t know the last time I saw a child actually reading a paper book,” he said. “If we’re worried about students getting their minds corrupted we should probably take the phones out of their pockets and focus on that. The amount of time, energy and money spent on this issue isn’t going to make a positive difference.”

Magg said there is no reason lawmakers cannot work together to focus on the common good rather than pushing personal agendas “for friends in high places.” Another issue that is important to Magg is healthcare. When he looks around the county, he is distressed to see a lack of doctor’s offices in smaller towns. Newton is the only community unaffected, but Magg finds it absurd

munity and the public. STOP THE BLEED stands as a vital public health initiative garnering support from both public and private sector entities and individuals dedicated to preserving lives. Jasper County Emergency Management Agency now stands among the ever-growing public-private partnerships driving the campaign forward.

Any business or organization is encouraged to reach out if they want to learn this life-saving skill. Email em@jasperema-hls.org or call 641-792-7555.

the other incorporated territories in House District 38 do not have their own. It is partly why he was so passionate about saving the pharmacy in Colfax and maintaining Spring City Pharmacy’s presence in the community. He believed if the pharmacy was lost it would likely not return. Magg said the health care system is not only broken it is a “dumpster fire next to a propane tank.”

Magg said 40 percent of independent pharmacies in Iowa are expected to close this year. While getting prescriptions through the mail can be beneficial, he argued that when people need an antibiotic they do not or should not have to wait two days for it to be delivered.

“Keep in mind that Sudafed products like Mucinex D cannot be sold without a pharmacist there to sell it to you,” he said. “So when you want high-powered allergy or sinus medication, you won’t be able to buy it anymore. The Walgreens and those kinds of pharmacies are also closing faster than independents.”

lawmakers who may be considering some type of bipartisan legislation to help. Magg said he spoke with about 12 different Republican lawmakers a few weeks ago at the statehouse.

“I spoke with Mr. Dunwell a fair amount, and he has been the least excited and least compassionate about the struggles facing Iowa and rural Iowa in general,” he said. “This isn’t good. People won’t be able to live here anymore without basic medical care.”

Which is only fueling Magg’s decision to run for office.

“I’m sick of the partisanship and the games that are being played wasting valuable resources that are doing nobody any good,” he said.

Alex Cleverley, chair of the Jasper County Democratic Party, said in a statement to Newton News that Magg would be a wonderful leader for House District 38, and she is excited to see a young public servant step up to the plate and give county voters a voice in the legislature.

Try out the New

Coupled with drastic cuts to local governments and a “complete lack of support” for public schools, Magg questioned if there will be anything left for rural Iowans.

“Every town is just going to have a Dollar General and maybe a post office if they’re lucky,” he said.

“Brad is a natural leader who wears many hats. He brings a great deal to the table, which I think voters can get behind and support,” she said. “Our current representative seems to be a little tone deaf when it comes to constituents’ needs here in Jasper County. It’s disappointing leadership.”

Magg has been passionate about restoring pharmacies, and he has shared his thoughts with

To Magg, Jasper County is great and has always been great.

“But I think we’re very close to losing that status,” he said. “…If no one pays attention or actually tries to fix the problems we’re dealing with, let alone trying to plan to be prepared for the future, then we’re not going to be great and it’s not going to be a great place to move to or raise your family or retire.”

John Van Zee

Maple Hill is famous

Maple Hill, the home I grew up in, is featured in the I-80 Rest Area in Jasper County, Iowa! I couldn’t believe it. I stopped at the rest area before I reached Newton. I was going to see my friend Phil. We grew up together, played football, baled hay, and both of us, at one time or another, lived at Maple Hill—me until I graduated from High School, Phil, later in life when he was in med school. Maple Hill was owned by his grandfather, Ulrie. It was so named because it was a large, 13-room, two-and-a-half story farm house, with double decker porches, sitting at the top of a hill that was covered with maple trees, just west of Monroe. Some of my fondest childhood memories take place at Maple Hill, and here I was looking at a picture of it on the walls of the Jasper County, I-80, Rest Area. Phil and I stacked hay in that

barn. Iowa is well known for its Interstate Rest Areas, and each of them has its own theme. On I-380, between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, there is the rest area featuring Iowa’s famous artist, Grant Wood. In Western Iowa, where there are a lot of wind turbines, there is the Wind Turbine Rest Area. Near Des Moines there is the rest area with the soil-erosion theme. Etc. If you’re a tourist passing through, Iowa intends to not only provide you with rest and relief, but education as well.

To have Maple Hill featured as the theme for a rest area in the county of its origin, well, I’m flabbergasted. I knew Maple Hill was sorta well known, but not that well known. A lot of people have called Maple Hill their home. In fact, one of the later owners of Maple Hill claimed it was haunted. The house

Week Nine: Education and social media

was even featured one Halloween Night on national television because of its reputation for being haunted. Did Phil or I realize it was haunted when we lived there? Nope.

So I met up with Phil and we lunched. It was our intention to drive around and look at the farms where we grew up and reminisce about old times. We would drive by the farm where he grew up, and we would attempt to find Maple Hill. About 10 years ago Maple Hill was moved to a new location. (CNN covered the move. Would the ghosts go with it?) It was the owner’s intention to restore Maple Hill to its original stately, pre-Civil War, Southern Mansion-style elegance. However, the owner ran out of money, we heard, and the restoration was never completed. In fact, the house had been vandalized, the copper stripped from it, and was in rather bad condition. I wasn’t even sure if I could find Maple Hill. I had a rough idea of where it was, having seen where it was moved 10 years ago, but my memory was sketchy. So we drove around on back country roads west of

Monroe, and talked about old times. Here was our drinking spot. Here was a favorite parking place. Here’s where I wrecked Dad’s truck.

I took a chance with a gravel road where I thought Maple Hill might be. We drove and drove, up hill, down hill, around a bend. No Maple Hill. It’s big enough we should be able to see it if we were close. Nothing. All of a sudden, there it was! Maple Hill still stands, stately, and looking worse for wear, but she is there, waiting for some much needed TLC. Any house that is featured in an Iowa Interstate Rest Area needs to be looked after and cared for. The home where I grew up is memorialized for posterity. I’m shocked, pleased and humbled.

Gazing at Maple Hill again, Phil and I took a step back. We didn’t wish to change anything, but to feel some of the old feelings twice. Maple Hill, you were good to us. Now you belong to everyone.

Contact Curt Swarm at curtswarm@yahoo.com

On Thursday, the Iowa House voted to raise starting teacher’s salaries to $47,500 for the 2024-25 school year and to $50,000 for the 2025-26 school year. $47,500 would make Iowa’s starting teacher pay 12th in the nation and $50,000 would make Iowa fifth. With Iowa having the fifth lowest cost of living among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, Iowa’s starting teachers would have more purchasing power than almost any other state. The House also voted to increase the minimum wage for education support staff, often referred to as “para-educators,” to $15 per hour. The legislation provides $14 million to cover the additional cost. To address School Districts’ concern about the impact of the new starting salaries upon existing salary schedules, the House voted to allocate an additional $22 million in Teacher Supplemental Support. Furthermore, the House voted to raise the Governor’s proposed State Supplemental Aid from 2.5 percent to 3 percent, giving schools more flexibility in dealing with their salary needs. These additional allocations are recurring. All-in-all, the Iowa House has voted to provide more than 4.5 percent additional funding for Iowa’s public schools. I am so thankful to the Governor for starting this conversation. I’m hoping the Senate will keep it going.

In a bipartisan manner, the House also passed a bill to help parents and kids navigate the ever-changing world of social media. As social media has become more popular, we’ve seen the mental health of children decline. It negatively impacts our kids’ self-esteem, resulting in cyberbullying, and exposing our kids to inappropriate content. It’s tough for parents to keep up with all the new trending social media apps. HF 2255 requires social media apps to get parental permission before anyone under the age of 18 can create an account on their platform. Under this bill, it would be against the law for social media companies to gather data on kids without permission from parents. Ultimately, this bill puts parents back in the driver’s seat when it comes to their kids’ data and the impact social media can have on their mental health. Let’s keep the conversation going!

YOUR VIEW

Just tell me why

Millions of American don’t seem to care that Donald Trump was convicted of sexual assault or that he is a liar, a bully, dishonest in his business dealings, that he encouraged his followers to storm the United Stataes Capitol to try and stop Congress from certifying election results — injuring hundreds of police officers, watching this for three hours, making no attempt to stop their assault — a derelic-

SHARE YOUR VIEW

tion of duty.

Millions of Americans don’t seem to care that Donals Trump referred to those buried in a U.S. military cemetery as losers. It seems that regardless of what Donals Trump says or does, millions will still be Trumpers. It seems very possible that if givens a choice, millions of Americans would choose Donald Trump over democracy. Why?

Bob Halferty Newton

Letters to the PCM Explorer will be edited for libel, grammar and length and should not exceed 400 words. We reserve the right to shorten letters and reject those deemed libelous, in poor taste or of a personal nature. Include your full name, address and a daytime phone number for verification. Signed columns as well as letters to the editor and editorial cartoons represent the personal opinion of the writer or artist. Submit letters to news@pcmexplorer.com or P.O. Box 967, Newton, Iowa 50208

Lowering costs & raising wages

By Iowa House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst

It was the busiest week of the legislative session so far. The House sent over scores of bills to the Iowa Senate but it’s unclear how many of those will move ahead given the inter-party battle between the Governor and GOP legislative leaders.

House Democrats kicked off the week introducing some new ideas and bills in our People Over Politics agenda. The goal is to get the session re-focused on improving the lives of Iowans instead of just playing politics.

It’s no secret Iowans are frustrated with politics these days and just want to see elected officials get something done instead of stoking the flames of partisanship. While the root cause of their frustration is often hard to pinpoint, the most common theme I hear is folks just can’t seem to get ahead. So many Iowans are struggling to make ends meet and their paychecks simply aren’t keeping up with the rising costs of healthcare, food, child care, and utility bills.

At the same time, people are watching those at the top - the wealthy and corporations - rolling in billions of profits. There are now 756 billionaires in America who just keep getting richer. In 1989, the CEO-to-worker pay ratio was 59-1 and today it is 3991. Corporate profits are at record highs as they continue to increase prices on real people while the

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

641-526-3142

btalsma@co.jasper.ia.us

CEOs and shareholders pocket the extra cash. It’s no wonder Iowans are frustrated and feel like the system is just rigged against them.

It won’t happen overnight, but we’ve got to start bringing some balance back to people and hold corporations accountable. Here are five simple ideas the Iowa Legislature can do right away to help Iowans pay their bills and provide some economic stability for people.

First, let’s give Iowans some more say in the workplace. Everyone deserves fair wages, respect and safety on the job. Instead of politicians trying to strip away the rights of workers (it’s happening in Iowa again this year as well), it’s time to protect collective bargaining in Iowa’s Constitution to guarantee workers have a say in the workplace. It’s just a matter of fairness.

Second, Iowans should all have the tools they need to start planning for a secure retirement when they enter the workforce.

It’s a critical piece to ensure they stay and work in Iowa and invest those dollars back in our communities after retirement. The new bill we offered this week requires employers that do not offer a retirement plan to automatically enroll all employees in a retirement account in the Iowa Retirement Savings Plan Trust. It’s a simple idea that sets more people up for long-term financial security.

Some other ideas we intro -

duced earlier this session that would immediately ease the strain on the pocketbook of Iowans, includes raising the minimum wage, expanding Iowa’s sales taxfree holiday to two weeks, and making childcare more affordable for Iowa families.

Instead of working together on any of these bills that would actually make a difference, GOP leaders in the House had other plans - more politics.

In an attempt to appease the Governor, leaders pushed through a bill to gut AEAs and reduce special education and mental health services for kids. On the heels of the Perry school shooting just a few months ago, they passed a bill to arm teachers. Instead of making Iowa a welcoming place for all, they approved a bill that weaponizes religious beliefs to permit discrimination. They even let an out-of-state special interest group dictate what should be taught in our social studies classrooms, instead of trusting Iowa teachers. They’ve just gone too far. I won’t lie, it was a tough week at the State Capitol for so many Iowans, including me. I’m just as frustrated with all the politics as Iowans are.

But the way out of this mess has never been more clear: put people over politics.

State Representative Jennifer Konfrst of Windsor Heights serves the 32nd District in the Iowa House and is the Iowa House Democratic Leader

How to contact your elected officials Jasper County Supervisors

Doug Cupples, vice chair 1205 S. 20th Ave. W. Newton, IA 50208 641-521-8725

dcupples@co.jasper.ia.us

Denny Stevenson 110 Railroad Street Kellogg, IA 50135

641-521-8553

dstevenson@co.jasper.ia.us

BOYS TRACK AND FIELD

Shuttle hurdle win guides PCM to eighth at ISU indoor

AMES — The PCM boys’ track and field team is posting times and distances during the indoor season that compare to some of their best performances all of last year.

The Mustangs used nine top-10 finishes in their latest meet to score an eighth-place team finish during Class 2A competition at the Iowa Track Coaches Association’s Indoor Championships on March 7.

Gavin Van Gorp, Griffin Olson and Evan Jones all were inside the top seven in three different individual events and four relays placed in the top 10 at Iowa State University.

The Mustangs’ shuttle hurdle relay team claimed the lone win. The foursome of Olson, Jaden Houser, Adrien Robbins and Van Gorp won the race in 34.45 seconds. Olson, Robbins and Van Gorp all were part of last year’s 2A state championship team.

Van Gorp finished third in the long jump to lead the individual events. His best leap was marked at 20 feet, 9 inches. Olson and Van Gorp finished seventh and 11th, respectively, in the 60-meter hurdles.

Olson qualified with the fifth-best time of 8.62 seconds but ran 8.88 in the finals to place seventh. Van Gorp finished the race in 8.93.

Jones turned in a seventh-place finish in the 60 dash. He was sixth in the preliminary race with a time of 7.34 but his 7.33 in the finals dropped him to seventh.

Carter Burns also competed in the 60 and was 33rd with a time of 7.71.

Jones and Chase Wagaman had 10thplace finishes in the 200 and high jump, respectively.

Jones posted a season-best time of 23.74 seconds in the 200 and Wagaman registered a career-best mark of 5-11 in the high jump.

Wagaman got 5-5, 5-7 and 5-11 on his first attempt and cleared 5-9 on his second attempt.

The top relay finish came in the 4x800. The Mustangs posted a season-best time of 9 minutes, 2.38 seconds with Riley Graber, Joe Shaver, Kolby Clark and Gabe Nessa. That would have been the second fastest time last season.

Olson, Jacob Wendt, Graber and Coby DeRaad turned in a time in the 4x400 relay that would have been the fastest last season. They finished 10th with a season-best 3:40.27.

The 4x100 relay was ninth with Burns, Trigg Steenhoek, Gavin Steenhoek and Jones. They posted a season-best time of 45.82.

PCM scored 21 points in eighth. Spirit Lake won the 2A boys’ meet with 60 points, while Mediapolis (54) and Shenandoah (36) were next.

Mustangs open indoor season at Dickinson Relays

CEDAR FALLS — Van Gorp posted a mark in the long jump on March 4 that would have clinched a state berth last season.

It also was the best leap of his career. And his fifth-place finish at the Dickinson Relays inside the UNI-Dome led PCM during its indoor opener.

The Mustangs posted six top-30 finishes in all. Van Gorp and Olson were top

has been opened for about eight months. It’s a 24-7 gym located in Ankeny and was recently voted “Best Gym” in Des Moines by City

Former PCM standout

flexing muscles on biggest stage

20 in the 60 hurdles. Van Gorp’s career-best leap was marked at 21-1 1/2. It was a state qualifying mark by several inches last season. Olson made the finals in the 60 hurdles. He was 15th in the preliminary round with a time of 8.65 seconds and then moved up to 12th in the finals with a time of 8.67.

Van Gorp placed 20th in the event and his time was clocked in 8.86.

The next best finish came from Wagaman. He was 23rd in the high jump with a mark of 5-8. He hit 5-0, 5-2, 5-4, 5-6 and 5-8 all on his first attempt.

Olson and Gabe Hobbs competed in the 200. Olson was 35th with a career-best time of 24.19. Hobbs finished 60th in 24.71.

Jones finished 50th in the 60 dash. His time was clocked in 7.35.

The Mustangs competed in three relays and posted top-40 finishes in the 4x200, 4x400 and 4x800. In the 4x800, the Mustangs were 28th with Carson Hansen, Graber, Shaver and DeRaad. They finished in 9:03.93.

The 4x200 team of Burns, Wendt, Hobbs and Jones took 29th in 1:39.53. Justin Johnston, Graber, Brevin DeRaad and Gavin DeRaad finished 36th in the 4x400 with a time of 3:55.06.

GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD

Mustangs score four top-10 finishes at Iowa State indoor

(48) were second and third, respectively.

AMES — Morgan Karr and Abi Teeter were part of two top-10 finishes, Karr made another statement in the 60-meter hurdles and the PCM girls’ track and field team finished 12th against Class 2A competition at the Iowa Track Coaches Association’s Indoor Championships.

PCM placed five events in the top 15 at Iowa State University on March 8.

Karr’s win in the 60 hurdles was clocked in 9.34 seconds. She posted a 9.53 to qualify with the fastest time during the preliminary round.

Karr anchored PCM’s shuttle hurdle relay team which was made up of all sophomores.

The foursome of Tori Lindsay, Jorja Teeter, Lillian Humpal and Karr finished fifth in 42.05 seconds.

The Mustangs also were fifth in the 4x800 relay.

The team of Abi Teeter, Lila Milani, Addison Steenhoek and Bailey Wheeler finished in a season-best 10 minutes, 44.45 seconds.

That would have been the team’s second-fastest time last season.

PCM’s other top-10 finish came from Abi Teeter in the 1,500 run.

She was eighth in the 2A girls’ race with a career-best time of 5:19.26.

Karr leads Mustangs at Dickinson Relays CEDAR FALLS — Karr made an early statement, Abi Teeter already has a career-best in the 800 and PCM posted a strong time in the 4x400 relay during the annual Dickinson Relays at the UNIDome on March 5. Karr led the Mustangs with a third-place finish in the 60 hurdles. She was fourth in the preliminary round with a time of 9.63 and moved up one spot in the finals with a time of 9.41.

Jorja Teeter also competed in the event and placed 48th with a time of 10.73. Barrett tied a career-best leap in the high jump. She finished 13th with a mark of 5-0.

She cleared 4-2, 4-6 and 4-8 on her first attempt, got 4-10 on her second try and went over 5-0 on her third and final attempt. The next best individual finish came from Abi Teeter. She was 26th in the 800 with a career-best time of 2:35.75.

Lexi Fagg finished 31st in the long jump. Her best leap was marked at 14-8 3/4.

The Mustangs also grabbed some impressive finishes in relays.

PCM ‘s 4x400 relay team of Jorja Teeter, Milani, Fagg and Tiffani Koonce placed 16th.

Their time of 4:31.9 would have been their third fastest last season.

If someone would have told Ashley (Van Gorp) Wilson five or six years ago she would have owned her own gym as an adult, she would have believed them. If you also told her she’d own multiple world records in powerlifting, that’s where the disbelief comes in.

“I wouldn’t have believed you. I didn’t know what powerlifting even was back then,” Wilson said.

“I knew I was strong, but I never would have guessed I would have even one world record let alone breaking it multiple times.” Wilson was a four-year state qualifier in track and field at PCM. She also started multiple seasons on the Mustangs’ volleyball team. Her volleyball career moved to Grand View University, where she played for the Vikings for two seasons.

Ayla Barrett also placed 13th in the high jump with a leap of 4 feet, 7 inches and Jorja Teeter took 29th in the 60 dash with a time of 8.79 seconds.

The Mustangs scored 19 points in 12th.

Mid-Prairie won the 2A girls’ portion of the meet with 50 points.

Tipton (49) and Clarinda

The 4x800 relay team of Koonce, Milani, Wheeler and Steenhoek ended up 22nd with a time of 11:05.11. Stella Stravers, Ryan Bennett, Addison Shannon and Lindsay posted a time of 2:03.25 in the 4x200 relay. That placed them 55th.

Karr

A. Teeter

By Troy Hyde PCM Explorer

By Troy Hyde PCM Explorer

Olson Jones

Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer

Ashley Wilson’s gym, Iron Chapel Barbell,

View.

By Troy Hyde PCM Explorer

Sports E

While a student at Grand View, Wilson became the assistant to the director of the wellness center. In that role, she oversaw all of the student interns, led group fitness classes and was involved in all the staff and faculty nutrition meetings.

“I learned a lot from that. Took a bunch of internships,” Wilson said. “I dabbled in lifting with Anthony, but it was nothing serious at that point.”

Then came COVID-19. And being shut down for a long period of time forced her and her husband Anthony to work out in a private facility.

While working out with Anthony and “Dr. Z” and his wife, becoming a powerlifter became more realistic.

“When we were shut down, I couldn’t work,” Ashley Wilson said. “So all four of us started working out at Dr. Z’s gym. We worked out every day and it quickly expedited into powerlifting.”

Six weeks into her journey, Wilson was hitting 315 pounds on deadlift. At 147 pounds, she now holds the world record of 507.

She’s done seven true powerlifting competitions in her career so far. That’s deadlift, squat and bench press.

Wilson competed in three competitions in each of her first two years and is coming off her seventh career competition in early March. Her first competition was on Feb. 12, 2022, in Des Moines, and she’s planning to do four total in 2024.

“It started with deadlift. That was my focus,” Wilson said. “I did some smaller, local unsanctioned meets and won them. Then I got the state record that was 300-something. And now I hold the world record at 507.

Before COVID, I had no idea this would be my future.”

Wilson has traveled to Kansas City, Missouri, and Virginia for competitions.

The North Americans took place in St. Louis. And in 2022 she was named best lifter, which is based off a DOT score.

“It basically compares your lift total with how much you weigh,” Wilson said.

Like with wrestling, powerlifting has weight classes. Wilson competes at 148 pounds, but the other weight classes are 98, 114, 123, 132, 165, 181, 198 and 220.

It’s getting harder and harder for Wilson to stay at 148, but she still has a few more goals to achieve before moving up to 165.

“I have specific goals I want to hit at this weight class and when I go up, it’s going to be hard to come back down,” Wilson said. “I want to achieve everything I want to achieve in this class before I move up.

“A couple of the records at the next weight class are lower than mine right now. The fun part about powerlifting is not knowing what the limit is because there really is no limit.”

Ashley Wilson met Anthony at Grand View University.

Anthony played football for the Vikings for two seasons before a knee injury ended his career early.

He also was a thrower on the GVU track and field team for

four years.

Both Wilsons now compete in powerlifting. But when they aren’t competing, they are working in their gym, Iron Chapel Barbell, which opened about eight months ago.

It’s a 24-7 gym that’s open to the public and located in Ankeny, where the married couple of three years now reside.

“Based on a quote that Anthony likes,” Ashley Wilson said when asked where the name came from. “’Iron sharpens Iron as one person sharpens another.’ I really like that quote now as most of my life is centered around iron weights.

“We wanted to use Iron in the name and Iron Chapel sounded cool. We added Barbell to signify we are a strength gym. We are not a powerlifting gym. We are a strength gym.”

Owning her own gym was

Ashley’s goal even back in high school. She started her career as a personal trainer at Prairie Life in West Des Moines. Her and Anthony both moved on to Lifetime after that.

Due to their non-compete clause with Lifetime, the Wilsons could not build a gym close by, but a lot of their original clients travel to Ankeny and work out at Iron Chapel Barbell.

“Most of my 22 clients are from West Des Moines and Waukee and they drive out here,” Ashley Wilson said. “I have very few Ankeny people.” They trained their clients out of their basement after leaving Lifetime and before Iron Chapel Barbell was completed.

Iron Chapel Barbell has already been named “Best Gym” in Des Moines by City View. And the Wilsons finished 1-2 in the voting for “Best Trainer”

with Anthony taking the spot.

“I’m either training my clients on how to be stronger or training myself to get stronger,” Ashley Wilson said. “It’s my entire life right now.”

At 148 pounds, Ashley currently holds world records in deadlift (507), squat (407) and total (1,113.4), which is the number of all three lifts added together.

She’s set the world record in deadlift and total multiple times and set the world record in squat a few times.

Her 198 pound bench press also is a national record. She set that in her latest competition and currently holds the national record in bench, squat, deadlift and total and she’s broken those records about 12 times.

“I haven’t broken a world record for bench yet. I’m on the hunt for a bigger squat, too,” said Ashley Wilson, who is drug tested before every competition.

“Years ago, people would have said there’s no way a natural female is going to deadlift 500 pounds. There was no chance. And now there’s quite a of a few of us who do it. Breaking those barriers is exciting.”

The bench press world record for the 148-pound weight class is around 240. Wilson

wants to eventually squat 500 pounds, too.

“I think that’s doable,” Wilson said. “I went 407 in my opener at this last meet. I’ve squatted 455 in the gym. I like being an athlete.

“Stopping volleyball in college, and starting my career in fitness and wellness, I was missing that void of competition.” She plans to compete in another competition in Las Vegas in June.

If she finishes in the top six in the world on a DOT score regardless of weight class, she makes the Team USA roster and could compete in the Worlds in the fall.

“That’s not official, yet, but I am No. 1 ranked right now,” Wilson said. “If you would have asked me two years ago if I would be deadlifting 500 pounds, I would have said there’s no chance. When I hit 315, I thought that was the most I would be able to do. Then when I hit 405, I thought there’s no way I can do more than that. Now, I think I can get 550.

“There are not very many drug-tested women in the world, regardless of weight class, who can deadlift over 500 pounds.”

Submitted Photo

Ashley Wilson currently holds the squat world record for her weight class. She owns three world records in all.

Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer

Ashley Wilson’s gym, Iron Chapel Barbell, recently won “Best Gym” in Des Moines by City View. Iron Chapel Barbell, located in Ankeny, is where Wilson trains clients and trains herself for powerlifting competitions.

Submitted Photo

Former PCM standout Ashley Wilson has been married to Anthony for three years. The couple met at Grand View University and are now owners of Iron Chapel Barbell, a 24-7 gym in Ankeny.

Explorer PCM

Classifieds

EL IMINATE GUTTER cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debrisblocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today 20% off Entire Purchase. Plus 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-855-9131560.

GUN SHOW: March 22-24, 2024 The Woodsmith Store, 10320 Hickman Rd Clive, Ia Fri 4-9pm, Sat. 9am-5pm, Sun. 9am-3pm $10 Good for all weekend (under 14 FREE) Large selection of GUNS and AMMO for sale! More info: 563-608-4401 FREE PARKING.

POLICE OFFICER: Indianola Police Department is taking applications for the positions of Police/Patrol Officer. Obtain applications by visiting https://indianolaiowa. applicantpro com/jobs choose Police Officer. Deadline 5/10/2024 EOE

PR EPARE FOR power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator Act now to receive a FREE 7-Year warranty with qualifying purchase Call 1-855-954-5087 today to schedule a free

Prairie Ag Supply, Prairie City, IA, is actively hiring a full-time person to perform all areas of accounting and office management.

Position Summary:

• Process accounts payable, accounts receivable, invoicing and deposits.

• Prepare and process bi-weekly payroll, quarterly and yearend payroll-related tax filings.

• Reconcile accounts for monthly statements. Qualifications:

• Knowledge of accounting system and procedures in a small office environment.

• Payroll knowledge and proficiency in MS Office (Word and Excel).

• Strong communication and customer service skills.

resume to:

Explorer PCM