A new look
Designs for the new Monroe City Hall and Police Station building presented to city council
By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer
Updated renderings and designs for the new Monroe City Hall and Police Station were shared with city council during the April 14 meeting. The new building will include spaces for city hall staff and move the police station from the fire station to city hall.
“The colors are yet to be determined,” Veenstra and Kimm Engineer Tara Goldsberry said. “It will have parking in the front and on the east.”
The city looks to replace the current city hall building with the new building following a successful bond issue at the November election. Unlike the current building which was purchased by the city and not designed for its current purpose, the new building will be made specifically for the city’s needs.
Features in the new building include three offices, a city council chamber and an entry vestibule, lobby and reception area. It will have a conference room shared by city staff, kitchenettes on both the city hall and police station sides, public and private restrooms and a threecar heated garage. The police station will also have offices, evidence storage and an interview room.
“I’d like to really get going on this after July,” city administrator Kim Thomas said. “We’ll start after July with public meetings and open houses.”
Increased secondary roads spending attributed to significant bridge work
Jasper County is tackling a number of bridge replacement projects in FY26
By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
Jasper County is going to spend a few million dollars more than it normally does for the secondary roads department this coming fiscal year. County Engineer
Michael Frietsch reasoned the almost $2 million jump from last year is in large part due to the amount of bridges damaged in the May 2024 floods.
The county’s secondary roads budget for fiscal year 2026 (FY26) was unveiled and approved at the April 8 board of supervisors meeting. Frietsch walked though the revenues and expenditures with officials during a public hearing and explained the secondary roads department has a lot of bridge work planned.
“We got a lot of bridges in this number, and we got the bridge in Mingo so
that’s definitely causing our expenditures to be higher going into ’26,” he said.
Frietsch noted the secondary roads budget presented to the supervisors only features property tax dollars and Road Use Tax funds, so it does not include the farm-to-market account or any federal moneys. The funds are separated into estimated receipts for current BRIDGES | 3
Learning, growing, gaining
Serving more kids than ever, the Jasper County Youth Track and Field Club looks to have another successful season in 2025
By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer
Three years ago PCM teacher and former track star Bridget Martin had an idea: She wanted to give younger kids the opportunity to learn about track and field before they reached the middle school team.
The idea led to a youth track team for the PCM community and soon expanded the next year to the Jasper County Youth Track and Field Club.
Encompassing all kids throughout the county, the club holds practices at PCM High School and Colfax High School throughout April, May and June, and it gives kids the chance to compete in a wide variety of meets across Central Iowa.
“I’m excited to see the program continue to gain momentum in the county,” Martin said. “There are so many fundamentals to track and field, so to get a head start on those will
be great to watch as these athletes progress into junior high and high school track and field.”
In her first year, Martin had more than 100 kids show up the first day of practice, about double what she anticipated. Since then, the club has only grown.
Any current first graders through 12th graders can join, with the older kids starting after the completion of their school track season. To start, there is a registration fee of $60, which includes a team shirt, uniform and entry fee into three track meets: the Knoxville Little Panthers Relays May 3, IRUN Meet May 11 in Indianola and Pella Track Club/Jasper County Track Youth Track and Field Meet June 13 in Pella.
The coaches suggest running shoes for practice but not basketball shoes, slip-on shoes or sandals. Racing spikes are not
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MAP QUEST
By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
With a huge grin across his face and an old tattered map tucked underneath his arm, Joe Otto was one peg leg and an eye patch away from looking like he was ready to search for buried treasure somewhere in the Seven Seas. For him though the true treasure was the map, but it didn’t lead to a chest of riches. Instead, it was an old drainage district map of Jasper County. Otto requested the board of supervisors lend him the document so that he may digitize it and then turn over
the digital file to the county. Afterwards he will give the map back and that will be the end of it. He didn’t even ask for a fee. Well, not this time at least.
“It’s kind of like at what point does something become historically valuable? This is the map of the Skunk River before it was channelized, so it’s the very last image of what it looked like before it was channelized,” Otto, of Colfax, said. “…I’ve never seen it unrolled but I think it’s like 10 feet long. It’s pretty big.”
Christopher Braunschweig/PCM Explorer
The bridge along F-62 over Elk Creek – classified as Bridge S07 – is going to be replaced next year. The Jasper County Board of Supervisors entered into a federal aid agreement for the bridge replacement project, which is estimated to cost $2 million.
Veenstra and Kimm
The new Monroe City Hall and Police Station building we be in the
Veenstra and Kimm
The new Monroe City Hall will feature a city council chambers along with offices, an entry vestibule, lobby and reception area.
Worth Mentioning
Send your event to news@pcmexplorer.com
Upcoming events at The Gathering Place in Monroe
Thursday, April 24
• 8-11am Playgroup
• 12:30pm TAI CHI for Arthritis and Fall Prevention
• 5pm Acoustic JAMM
Friday, April 25
• 2pm Piano with Jacque Robinson
Monday, April 28
• 10am Video Exercise Class
• 2pm Gamblin Addition by Laura Asman
Tuesday, April 29
• 8-11am Playgroup
• 8am Coffee and Prayer
Wednesday, April 30
• 1pm Get Fit, Don’t Fall with Amy S.
PC Lions Pancake Breakfast
The Prairie City Lions will host its monthly pancake breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. Saturday, April 26 at the Prairie City Community Building. The menu will include pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs and drink. A free will donation will be accepted for the PCM Fine Arts Boosters.
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.
Lighthouse Recovery meetings
Lighthouse Recovery Ministries host a Men’s and Ladies 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.
PC Library offerings each Wednesday
The Prairie City Public Library hosts regular “bring your own craft” times and Storytimes at 2 p.m. Wednesday afternoons. At 4 p.m. Wednesdays, you can read with therapy dogs. There are also book clubs for adults and middle school students.
Monroe City-Wide Garage Sales sign-up before
April 25
Monroe City-Wide Garage Sales are scheduled for Saturday, May 3 and registrations are available at City Hall, Monroe Post Office, Monroe Foods or online at www.monroeia.com. Cost is $5 to advertise on the map and the deadline for signing up is Friday, April 25.
Spring Clean-up in Monroe
Monroe Spring Clean-up day is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7. For a list of unacceptable items, visit www.midwestsanitation.com.
Explorer PCM
Diamond Trail FFA attends state
Submitted by Diamond Trail FFA Public Relations Team
On April 14-15, the Diamond Trail FFA chapter went to the 97th Iowa FFA Convention. Gretchen Uitermarkt, Carter Dudley, Seriah Nolin and Tristen Valcore competed in Agricultural Communications and received Gold and sixth place in state. “It was a fun challenge because it was our chapter’s first year participating in this contest, but we’re really proud of how we did,” Carter Dudley said.
Kaleb DeVries, Rebecca DeVries, Ajla Alicic and Brock Bar-
nett competed in Farm Business Management and earned a Gold rating. Kailyn Padget, Rylee DeHaai and Wayde Uitermarkt created a Chapter Exhibit Display about the Diamond Showdown (a sheep and goat show hosted by Diamond Trail FFA) and earned Gold. Rebecca DeVries competed in Ag Broadcasting and received Silver. “Even though the fire alarms went off and we had to evacuate the building right before I performed, I still had a lot of fun and definitely recommend the contest!” De Vries said.
Sabrey VanSickle and Alexandra Sutton competed in the greenhand quiz and both received Bronze. Gus Nolin competed in Chapter Quiz and received Silver. Diamond Trail also had nine members receive their Iowa Degree. Those members were Ajla Alicic, Kaleb DeVries, Carter Dudley, Micheal Miranda, Seriah Nolin, Gretchen Uitermarkt, Tristen Valcore, Cody VanDerHart, and Clayton Wales. Members were also able to attend the career fair, observe various contests and attend general sessions.
Upcoming activities at NSNWR
Free Spring Wildflower
Photography Walk
Join photographer Mike Cox for a guided photo walk at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 26 at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. Stroll the 1/2-mile Oak Savanna trail and discover spring ephemerals. These are the first wildflowers that bloom in the oak savanna. Discover how to take stunning photos as you enjoy the spring weather. Take in the beauty of wildflowers and wildlife. Any type of camera is fine for this program, including cell phone cameras.
The program will start at the Oak Savanna Trailhead. This trail is a ½-mile loop with a gravel surface. The trail has several gradual inclines. The parking lot has a restroom. We recommend wearing pants and sturdy walking shoes. Bring a refillable water bottle and insect repellent as well.
Volunteer Trail Maintenance Training at NSNWR
Staff at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge will offer training on trail maintenance and invasive plant removal from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 3. Volunteers will learn about the refuge, trail maintenance procedures, tools and safety. A lunch break will be provided. The afternoon session will involve going out into the field and working along the walking trails and parking lots.
Explore Iowa’s tallgrass prairie and oak savanna and see the native wildlife while lending a helping hand. Volunteers must sign a volunteer agreement. A volunteer under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian fill out and sign the form. Volunteers aged 16 or older are permitted to use hand tools.
Volunteers need to wear pants, a long-sleeved shirt
and sturdy closed shoes for fieldwork. Bring a refillable water bottle and insect repellent is recommended. Free Bird Watching and Bagels Program
Join in on a fun introduction to bird watching at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge at 8 a.m. May 10. May is a great time to get outside to see the spring bird migration. Take a guided walk along the Oak Savanna Trail loop. Free loaner binoculars will be available for checkout. Participants can enjoy free bagels and coffee at the visitor center after the walk. This event targets birdwatchers of all skill levels, ages 8 and older. Meet at the Oak Savanna Trailhead.
The Oak Savanna Trail is a ½-mile loop with a gravel surface and gradual inclines. A restroom is available at the parking lot. We recommend wearing pants and sturdy walking shoes. Bringing a refillable water bottle and insect repellent is also advised. Contact Nancy Corona to register or get more information on any activities at the refuge at nancy_corona@fws.gov or call 515-994-3400.
What first-time homeowners should know
First-time homeowners may direct the bulk of their attention to decorating the interiors of their homes upon moving in, but the work extends outside as well. Tending to a lawn is a responsibility worth taking seriously, as the American Society of Landscape Architects reports a well-groomed landscape can increase resale value by anywhere from 15 to 20 percent. Fertilizing can ensure a lawn grows in lush, green and healthy, but firsttime homeowners may want to know a few things prior to taking a spreader for a spin for the first time.
• Identify what the lawn needs before purchasing fertilizer. No two lawns are the same, and that’s something to keep in mind when shopping for fertilizer. Even neighboring proper-
ties may have different soil needs, so it’s imperative that homeowners identify any nutrient deficiencies prior to fertilizing. A simple, inexpensive soil test can reveal what a lawn needs, and such results can help homeowners pick the right fertilizer for their properties.
• Get a handle on nitrogen needs. First-time homeowners will undoubtedly come across fertilizers promising to address nitrogen needs in a lawn, but it’s important to avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen. Nitrogen is absorbed quickly, particularly when homeowners remember to water each day after fertilizing. So it’s easy to add too much nitrogen, which can lead to the development of thatch that ultimately blocks sun-
light, nutrients and water, thus leading to weaker roots and a lawn that looks nothing like the lush, green carpet homeowners are aiming for. Homeowners concerned about overdoing it with nitrogen can utilize a slow-release fertilizer that gives the lawn time to absorb nutrients and break them down.
• Apply evenly. Even application is an important component of successful fertilizing. Many find it easier to apply fertilizer evenly when using a spreader with a granule fertilization product. Spray fertilizers can work as well, but first-timers may find it difficult to apply products evenly when spraying. When using a spreader, read fertilizing packaging instructions carefully to ensure the spreader is on the right
setting when starting. If the setting is not correct, you may end up spreading too much or too little fertilizer.
• Fertilize more than once. The lawn care experts at Lawn Doctor® note that strategic applications across the seasons will increase the chances a lawn comes in lush and green. Fertilizing more than once between spring and fall is a necessity no matter which type of grass is in the yard, but the timing may vary depending on grass type and local climate. Consult with a local lawn care professional to determine when and how often to fertilize.
Fertilizing a lawn can produce a home exterior homeowners can be proud of, even if they have little or no experience with lawn maintenance.
— Metro Creative
Track
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mandatory but can be used during competitions.
The kids need to bring a water bottle to each practice marked with their name. The practices are not mandatory and the coaches do not need to be informed if a child will not be in attendance.
“We are trying to provide opportunities for parents to know more and be able to take the reigns a little bit. We are going to help when we can but we can’t commit to going to meets every weekend, all summer,” Martin said. “I wanted to take the approach of being pretty low-key.”
Bridges
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The coaches have a list of meets available but they will not be in attendance at all of them. Kids can attend whichever ones and however many they would like. The coaches will give information on how to sign up and also which meets they will be attending to parents and guardians. Through the process, the coaches just hope to meet their mission of providing a positive environment for student athletes to gain track and field experience, build self-confidence, make new friends and develop a lifelong enjoyment of the sport.
“I think a big thing for me is to see the future of track and field be successful,” Martin said. “It is exciting to send sixth graders
year and the next year, and prior actual receipts.
The actual receipts from prior years only feature the first prior year (FY24) and the second prior year (FY23).
According to those receipts, secondary roads has revenues of more than $19 million in FY23 and more than $20 million in FY24. It is estimated the county took in more than $18 million in FY25.
For now, it is estimated the secondary roads department in Jasper County will have more than $19 million in revenue in FY26.
“As you can see, revenues are not really increasing much at all,” Frietsch said.
It is important to note the secondary roads department often has $7 million to $10 million in its starting balance
when starting a new fiscal year.
When it comes to expenditures, the secondary roads department is seeing a steady increase from year to year. In FY23 and FY24, the department spent more than $10.5 million and more than $10.6 million. It is estimated the county spent more than $11.2 million in FY25, which is this current year.
However, expenditures are seeing a noticeable jump in FY26. Budget documents show an estimated $13.6 million is planned to be spent this next fiscal year.
“That expenditure is accounting for us cashflowing the bridge in Mingo,” Frietsch said. “So that’s one of the reasons why that’s high. And then we’ve got a lot of bridge work that we got to do for the bridges that were damaged back last May as well that need to be replaced.”
Map
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Supervisor Brandon Talsma pointed to the rolled up map sitting across from Otto in the board room. Talsma remarked that it was a “pretty cool map,” and he marveled at its handdrawn etchings. He said the engineer’s office might have unrolled the map at the least once in recent years.
Otto heard stories from the museum that the drainage district maps used to hang on the walls of the courthouse 40 or 50 years ago. At the time, the channeling of the Skunk River was the biggest infrastructure project Jasper County had ever seen. Otto estimated the channeling was conducted in the 1910s.
So what made Otto want to seek out these old drainage district maps? Well, in addition to his interests as a historian,
he was curious after speaking with a man in Reasnor who is doing some work on oxbow restoration with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.
What did it used to look like?
Where can I find that out?
These were questions the man asked Otto, and he knew just where to look — so long as it still existed.
Otto contacted the auditor’s office and found out, yes, the drainage maps do exist.
“It doesn’t take me much to take it to Des Moines and find a digitization company with a scanner to do it,” Otto said. “I would do it all for free. I mean if this is something you’re wanting, like if you see value in this down the line for other things, maybe we can talk about money down the road for other things.”
For now, Otto thinks it is “just a cool map” that should be preserved.
“Right now I’m just an inter-
ested citizen,” he said. Supervisors had no problem with Otto borrowing the district map, which has by and large outlived its original purpose but more so now exists as a historic record. At the meeting, Otto took a quick peek of the map. He was surprised it wasn’t made with blueprint paper, which is considerably more delicate.
“It’s definitely more than paper,” Otto said, feeling the edges of the map. “There’s like threads in it and stuff … But basically the engineer at the time was named Willard Byers. I think he was from Monroe. He just walked the river in the winter time. He had his notes, went back to his drafting table and drew the map.”
Otto realized it was the first he had ever been able to see the map in person.
“This is kind of a treat for me!” he said. “…At the end of the day, it’s an old map, it’s got an interesting image on it.”
Jasper County Youth Track and Field Club is
the sport of track and field in a fun, low-key environment.
The PCM
Swinging into the Season
Libby Witers Staff Writer
The PCM Boys Varsity Golf competed in the Dutch Masters two-day tournament on April 18 and 19 on Easter weekend. The golf meet was hosted in Pella, which seventeen other teams were involved in, including PCM, on Friday and Saturday. On Friday, the tournament was at 11 a.m. for the boys, and on Saturday, 8:30 a.m. at the Bos Landen Golf Course both days. On Dutch Masters day one, PCM finished the day in 13 place out of all the teams with 341 points. Dutch Master, day two: the boys finished with 334 points, completing that day place. Finishing the tournament, PCM ended with 675 points, landing them in twelfth. For individual results, Charlie Ford summed up the day in 22nd place out of 101 with 86 points on day one and 79 on day two; Pete Kiernan in twenty-seventh with 86 on day one and 80 on day two; Tate Tangeman in fifty-second with 83 on day one and 93 on day two; Parker DeHaai and Wyatt Vannoy in sixty-second on day one, with 86 for DeHaai and 90 for Vannoy on day two; Easton VanVeen in sixty-fourth with 86 on day one and 92 on day two; and Jeffery McDanel ended in sixty-seventh with 94 on day one and 85 on day two. Junior, Charlie Ford is proud of his team this season and all they have accomplished. “I am looking forward to our home meet at Gateway to see how our team places.” Ford said. His goals for the forthcoming season are to try and qualify for state and place well overall as a team.
Girls Tennis Q&A
Kylie Lewis:
Q: Why did you want to join the team?
A: ‘I wanted to join tennis because it seems like fun”
Q: What is something you’re nervous or excited about going into the new season?
A: ‘I’m excited to have the experience and learn’
Hannah Minteer:
Q: What are you hoping to learn or get out of this season?
A: “Learning a new sport, getting to spend time with my friends before I move for college.”
Q: What is one goal you have for yourself as a player?
A: “Learn the rules a bit more because it’s my first year ever doing it so I need to learn the ins and outs of tennis.”before, so it’s a good learning experience.
April Students of the Month
Kaden Clark
Nickname: Clarky Parents: Angie & Jacob Clark
Rylee Parsons Newspaper Editor
Future Plans: Attend Upper Iowa University & Play Football
Extracurricular Activities: Football, Track, Wrestling, Soccer, FFA, 4H, Boy Scouts, & ELP
Favorite Classes: Calc
Advice for Underclassmen: “Turn in work and don’t procrastinate” Best High School Memory: “Going to state in football and wrestling” Dream Job: Physical Therapist
Pete Kieran: Matt & Molly Kiernan
Employer: USSSA Baseball & Drew Weyers
Future Plans: Attend ISU & Major in Ag Business
Extracurricular Activities: Golf, Basketball, & FCA
Favorite Classes: Stats & Any Kind of History
Advice for Underclassmen: “Time flies; enjoy the small things like going out to eat with friends”
Best High School Memory: “Playing Kickball during WIN my senior year” Dream Job: Run a big Ag company
Trap Shooting, “Shoots” the Season off
Libby Winters Staff Writer
The PCM Trap Shooting Sports Club had a meet at the Jasper County Gun Club on Sunday, April 13. There are 5 teams that went: JV singles, intermediate singles, JV doubles, varsity handicap, and JV handicap. We interviewed a few of the shooters on the team. First we asked Rylan Edgington why he shoots. “I think it is fun to shoot, and it has always been something different to try than a lot of other sports here,“ said Edgington. We also asked how competitive the sport itself is. “It is really kind of relaxing because you can put pressure on yourself, but also everyone is always nice about it and encouraging,” stated Edgington. Lastly, we asked what some challenges he faces, and he replied, “ When you have a bad round, just kind of bounce back from that and realize that it is not the end of the world if you did not shoot the best.” Next we asked Brycen Gilje some questions about how the season is going so far. The first question we asked was, what are competitions like? “You are going to be waking up really early and then traveling to Newton to the trap house so you can get set up, and then you usually start at 10 A.M. and usually go to 3 o’clock,” replied Gilje. We also asked him what skills are needed to do trap shooting. “ Patience, a quick reaction time, and the ability to learn from your mistakes.” Make sure to go support the Trap Shooting Team at their next meet!
Kenna Grier Staff Writer
Kambrey Rochon:
Q: Why did you want to join the team?
A: “I thought it would be a good fill-in for track, because I was going to do this, but I thought tennis would be more fun, and I’ve never done it before, so it’s a good learning experience.”
Q: What is something you’re nervous or excited about going into the new season?
A: “I’m excited to have the experience of being on a team again because I haven’t done a team sport in a while.”’
Pyer Haines:
Q: What are you hoping to learn or get out of this season?
A: “Hopefully be as good as one of the other girls on the varsity team whom we think highly of.”
Q: What is one goal you have for yourself as a player?
A: “Getting better at my serves, they get into the box sometimes, but not fully, so working on getting better at my serves and the aim.”
You may have heard about the Masked Mustang segment in Thunder TV, our school’s broadcast channel. Masked Mustang is when I pick someone, student or faculty, randomly, and they put on the PCM mascot, Thunder. We then put it all in a video and air it with Thunder TV, and whoever watches it gets to guess who is behind the mask. Masked Mustang was created by the PCM journalism class. After talking about new ideas for Thunder TV, we came up with the idea of Masked Mustang. We wanted to get more and more students involved in Thunder TV and not always just the same faces on; we wanted to get to know them too. I was talking to my advisor, and I brought up the idea of the Masked Singer TV show, and I wanted to incorporate it into PCM. It took a few times to get everything all worked out. There was a lot of planning and work going into it so we could make sure it was running smoothly. It took about two weeks to figure everything out. The end result is amazing, though. The steps of making Masked Mustang are actually really simple. I’ll send out a Google Form that I have put together asking questions most people would know about them, then I look at the periods that they are free, and I email them a time and date that would work for both of us. We meet in the office, and we think of a place to film them in Thunder. Then we go to the place where they would like to be filmed or stay in the office. That’s where it gets just a little awkward. They put on Thunder, and I tell them to act alive and act like they are talking for about 30 seconds; they will take the head off and say who they are. I always make sure to thank them for doing it, and then I go back to my computer and look at the Google Form and put their answers in sentences on a Google Doc. After this is complete, I start the editing process. I hop on my phone and get onto CapCut, a video editing app, and get the video I just filmed and put it into the template that my advisor made. I then select text, hit “text to audio,” and then I just copy and paste their answers into the little space, get the text lined up with their part of the video, and then I watch it a few times to make sure it is good. Then I will download it to my phone and then put it in Google Drive. Our Thunder TV editor will put in the episode for the week, and the public gets to know someone in the high school. In the future we are hoping to expand Masked Mustang to more than just the high school and incorporate middle school and elementary Mustangs as well!
Scan here to learn more about staff writer
MaKenna VanHaaftan!
8 10am Patty Richards Show at TGP 11:30am Congregate Meals at TGP 12:30pm TAI-CHI for Arthritis at TGP 5:30pm Community Potluck at TGP 4:30pm V, B/G TR at W. Mashall 9 11:30am Congregate Meals at TGP 2pm Piano with Jacque Robinson at TGP 4:30pm JH, B/G TR at Saydel 5:30pm JV, B Soccer vs Chariton at PCM 7pm V, B Soccer vs Chariton at PCM
7 Monroe Clean Up Day Monroe Trash & Recycling Day 11:30am Congregate Meals at TGP 1pm Get Fit, Don’t Fall at TGP 6:30pm Monroe Fire Dept. Meeting 6pm Bingo at TGP 9am V, G Golf at Lincoln Valley Golf
Polk 5:30pm JV, B Soccer at Green County 7:15pm V, B Soccer at Greene County 6 8am Prayer and Coffee at TGP 9:30am Supervisors, Jasper County Courthouse 9:30am Peg’s Plants & Pots at TGP 11:30am Congregate Meals at TGP 1pm Game Time at TGP 6pm Mon American Legion 9am V, B Golf at Lincoln Valley Golf 4:30pm JH, B/G TR at Eddyville Blakesburg Fremong 5:30pm Cheer/Tumbling Practice at MS
17 10am V, B BB at Pella Christian
16 11:30am Congregate Meals at TGP 7pm Patty Richards Country Show V, G Golf Regionals Round 1 TBD 7pm V, G SB vs Grinnell at PCM
15 11:30am Congregate Meals at TGP 9am Focus Group at TGP 12:30pm TAI-CHI for Arthritis at TGP 4pm V B/G TR 2A District meet at PCM 5:30pm V, B Soccer at Albia 7:30pm JV, B Soccer at Albia 7pm MS Spring Concert TBD
14 Monroe Trash 11:30am Congregate Meals at TGP 1pm Get Fit, Don’t Fall at TGP 6:30pm PC City Council 6:30pm Monroe Fire Dept. Meeting V, B Golf Sectionals TBD 6:30pm Vaccalaureate and Senir Awards Night at PCM
13 8am Prayer and Coffee at TGP 9:30am Supervisors, County Courthouse 11:30am Congregate Meals at TGP 6:30pm Mon Legion Auxiliary 6:30pm Kiwanis, Mon City Hall 5:30pm Cheer/Tumbling Practice at MS 7pm HS Band & Choir Spring Concert TBD
12 10am Video Exercise Class f11:30am Congregate Meals at TGP 5:30pm PC Park Board Monroe City Council 7pm PC Ambulance, PC City Hall 4:30pm V, B/G TR at Pella HS 5:30pm JV, B Soccer vs Boone at PCM 7pm V, B Soccer vs Boone at PCM
20 8am Prayer and Coffee at TGP 9:30am Supervisors, Jasper County Courthouse 11:30am Congregate Meals at TGP 1pm Game Time at TGP 2pm Carbohydrates/Diabetes Class with ISU at TGP 6pm Bingo at TGP 6pm PC Planning and Zoning 5:15pm JV, B BB at Perry 7:30pm V, B BB at Perry 5:30pm Cheer/Tumbling Practice at MS 6:30pm 8th Grade Orientation at HS
19 10am Video Exercise Class 11:30am Congregate Meals at TGP 6pm School Board at ME 7pm PC Ambulance, City Hall MS Band/Choir to Adventureland V, B Soccer Districts TBD 3:30pm JV2, B BB at W. Marshall 5:15pm JV, B BB at W. Marshall 7:30pm V, B BB at W. Marshall 7:30pm Cheer Open Gym at MS
McDanel putts during a tournament last week. McDanel led the
PCM boys win Des Moines Christian Golf Invitational
URBANDALE — Jeff McDanel shot 2-under-par on the back nine, carded 10 pars over the course of his 18-hole round and earned medalist honors at the Des Moines Christian Boys Golf Invitational on April 17.
All six Mustangs finished in the top 20 and PCM won the tournament with a 319. Easton Van Veen joined McDanel in the top six of the final standings.
PCM was seven shots clear of host Des Moines Christian (326) and the rest of the eight-team field included Coon Rapids-Bayard (329), Panorama (332), Earlham (334), Greene County (368), Treynor (382) and Hampton-Dumont/ CAL (390).
McDanel won the tournament with a 2-over-par 74 at Jester Park Golf Course. His career-best 18-hole score included splits of 40 and 34, and he registered three birdies on the back nine.
Van Veen finished sixth with a 79. He shot 37 on the front nine, including a birdie on No. 2.
Charlie Ford and Trent Nickelson both shot 83 as the final counting scorers. Ford’s back nine was a 39 and he birdied the No. 11. Nickelson’s career-best 18hole score featured birdies on No. 9 and No. 10.
Pete Kiernan and Tate Tangeman had non-counting 86s. Kiernan birdied the No. 11. Des Moines Christian’s Parker Osthus was the runner-up medalist with a 76. He shot 37 on the front nine and registered two birdies.
Mustangs finish third at B-F Invitational ALTOONA — Ford, Van Veen and
McDanel all finished in the top 10, but the Mustangs came in third against a tough field at the Bondurant-Farrar Invitational on April 14.
PCM shot 314 at the par 71 Terrace Hills Golf Course. Gilbert and Nevada both turned in 308s, but the Tigers won the tournament due to a better fifth score.
The Mustangs edged North Polk (315) for third and the rest of the field featured South Hamilton (335) and host Bondurant-Farrar (365).
Ford finished fourth with a career-best 74. He posted a 35 on the back nine and his round included a birdie on No. 11 and an eagle on No. 16.
Van Veen was sixth with a 77 and McDanel took 10th with an 80. Van Veen carded back-to-back birdies on No. 11 and No. 12 and McDanel’s round featured a birdie on No. 1 and an eagle on No. 16.
The final counting score came from Tangeman, who shot an 83. Kiernan (87) and Finn Wilson (87) had non-counting scores.
Wilson, who was making his 18-hole varsity debut, birdied the No. 9 hole.
Nevada’s Parker Rodgers earned medalist honors with a 7-under-par 64. He had five birdies and two eagles.
Gilbert’s Ryan Lynch finished second with a 69. His round featured four birdies.
Notes: The Mustangs competed in the Dutch Masters Classic at Bos Landen Golf Course on April 18-19. PCM shot 341 and finished 13th in the 16-team field on April 18 and fired a 334 and took 10th on April 19. Individual results for the Mustangs were unavailable at press time.
PCM boys score season-high output at Panther Relays
KNOXVILLE — Riley Graber moved into the top 10 in the 200-meter dash, the shuttle hurdle relay team is now ranked in the top five of Class 2A and the PCM boys track and field team registered six wins and placed second at the Panther Relays on April 17.
The Mustangs scored a season-high 143 points but couldn’t keep up with 3A Knoxville in the standings.
The host Panthers won the meet championship with 189 points and the rest of the top five featured Woodward-Granger (98), Belmond-Klemme (91) and Pella Christian (89). Southeast Warren (73) and the Knoxville JV (22) completed the seven-team field.
Three of the six wins came in relays. PCM won the shuttle hurdle, distance medley and sprint medley relays, Alex Wendt swept the throwing events and Graber won the 200 dash in a career-best time.
Lewis Daye, Finn Wilson, Tad Wilson and Graber won the sprint medley relay in a season-best time of 1 minute, 38.43 seconds.
The shuttle hurdle relay team of Jaden Houser, Jake Winters, Adrien Robbins and Gavin Van Gorp won the race in a season-best 1:00.87, which ranks fourth in 2A.
Finn Wilson, Wyatt Heater, Joey Ferneding and Rylan Edgington won the distance medley relay in 4:02.02.
The 4x100 relay team also was second. The foursome of Daye, Tad Wilson, Robbins and Heater finished the race in 44.78.
That time was not good enough to clinch a spot in the Drake Relays, but PCM’s season-best time of 44.09 did lock up its spot.
The qualifying quartet was Evan Jones, Tad Wilson, Robbins and Graber, but Daye will replace Jones at Drake due to injury.
Graber’s winning time in the 200 was clocked in a career-best 22.53, which ranks eighth in 2A. Tad Wilson finished fourth in 23.67.
The Mustangs also doubled up in the 400, 110 high hurdles, 800, shot put and discus.
Wendt won the shot put with a toss of 46 feet, 1 1/2 inches and took the discus gold with a heave of 131-2.
Harlan Shannon (125-6) was the runner-up in the discus and Hayden Shannon (41-5) placed third in the shot put.
Van Gorp (15.82) and Winters
(16.06) finished 3-4 in the 110 high hurdles, Carson Hansen (55.38) and Gavin DeRaad (58.59) were 3-6 in the 400 and Landon Ridgeway placed fifth in the 100 with a career-best time of 12.62 seconds.
Coby DeRaad set a new career-best time in the 800. He was the runner-up in 2:04 and Joe Shaver placed fifth in 2:14.64. Finn Wilson (18-8 3/4) placed fourth in the long jump and Owen Osterhaus ended up fifth in the 1,600 in a career-best 5:15.99.
Graber leads PCM to second at Pella Christian
PELLA — Graber is the new school record holder in the 400, Tad Wilson set a new career-best time in the 200 and four victories propelled the Mustangs to a runner-up finish at the Pella Christian Invitational on April 15.
The Mustangs scored 130.5 points in second. Only 3A Pella (252) was better as the Dutch won the meet championship.
The rest of the eight-team field included Lynnville-Sully (81), Pella Christian (76), Pleasantville (55), Iowa City Regina (45.5), Centerville (44) and Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (35).
The Mustangs won the 4x400 relay with a season-best time and Graber, Kash Fischer and Wendt all posted career-best performances in winning the 400, 800 and shot put, respectively.
Graber won the 400 and set a new school record with a time of 49.33. The previous record was 49.74, which was set by Jordan Van Roekel in 2011. Graber’s 49.33 also qualified him for the Drake Relays. The time ranks ninth in the state. Joey Ferneding was fourth in the 400 in 55.73
Fischer won the 800 in a career-best 2:03.46. Coby DeRaad (2:08.57) and Shaver (2:14.66) went 4-7. PCM also doubled up in the 200, 110 high hurdles, long jump and shot put. Wendt won the shot put with a career-best toss of 46-6 1/2 and Hayden Shannon (43-3) placed fifth. Van Gorp (20-5 1/4) and Finn Wilson (19-9 1/4) finished 3-6 in the long jump, Van Gorp (15.46) and Winters (16.22) came in 3-5-in the 110 highs and Tad Wilson and Robbins ended up 4-6 in the 200 with career-best times of 22.96 and 23.53, respectively. Osterhaus came in fourth in the 3,200 in 11:19.88, Daye (11.54) finished sixth in the 100 and Hansen was seventh in the 400 hurdles in 1:03.21.
Best score in six seasons nets PCM girls win in road quad
PLEASANTVILLE — Annie Ford and Gretchen Uitermarkt both shot career-best scores and finished at the top of the standings on April 17 during a road quadrangular at Pleasantville.
The Mustangs turned in their best team since 2019 and won the meet by 12 strokes.
PCM shot a winning score of 194 at Pleasantville Golf & Country Club. Carlisle was second with a 206, the host Trojans carded a 214 in third and Melcher-Dallas did not have enough golfers for a team score.
Ford and Uitermarkt both shot a career-best 46, but Ford won a card back to earn medalist honors. Emilyn Davis (50) and Seriah Nolin (52) had the other counting scores in sixth and ninth, respectively.
Brelee Berger (53) and Meredith Chipps (career-best 55) turned in non-counting scores.
Carlisle’s Mira Heidemann finished third with a 47 and Pleasantville’s Emily Roe carded a 48 in fourth.
Mustangs finish second at home quadrangular MONROE — PCM’s five golfers were separated by four strokes on April 15 during the team’s home quadrangular at Gateway Recreation Golf Course.
But Nevada was just too good at the top of the standings, and the Mustangs’ 217 was good enough for runner-up on their home course.
Nevada shot a 186 to win it, while Pleasantville had a 249. Saydel did not have enough golfers for a team score.
Ford led the Mustangs with a 53, while Berger and Nolin each carded 54s. The final counting score came from Davis, who turned in a 56. Chipps returned to the lineup and had a non-counting score of 57. The Mustangs were missing Uitermarkt because of state FFA.
Nevada’s Lauren Schmidt earned medalist honors with a 46. Addison Lawler posted a 46 as the runner-up medalist and the Cubs grabbed the top four scores in the standings.
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Graber Wendt
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PCM senior Jeffery
Mustangs to a win at the Des Moines Christian Invitational on April 17.
Troy Hyde/ PCM Explorer
PCM freshman Annie Ford won medalist honors with a career-best 46 at Pleasantville Golf & Country Club on April 17. She joined teammate Gretchen Uitermarkt at the top of the standings, and the Mustangs won the road quad with their best team score since 2019.
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Two first-place finishes lead PCM girls to third at Iowa Valley
MARENGO — The PCM girls track and field team won a pair of events, Katelynn Fagg and Lexi Fagg finished 1-2 in the long jump and the Mustangs placed third at the Ruth Ahrens Invitational on April 14.
PCM’s nine top-three finishes helped secure 91 points in the final standings.
That was two points back of HLV/TC (93) and Williamsburg won the meet with 176 points.
The rest of the eight-team field featured English Valleys (69), host Iowa Valley (43), North Mahaska (40), Montezuma (24), the Williamsburg JV (18), Sigourney (14) and Belle Plaine (13).
The Mustangs won the shuttle hurdle relay and Katelynn Fagg grabbed the other victory. PCM also was second three times and placed third four times.
Katelynn Fagg won the long jump with a career-best leap of 16 feet, 6 inches and Lexi Fagg was second with a mark of 15-6.
PCM also doubled up in the 1,500-meter run and 400 dash. Lexi Fagg (1:06.92) and Paiten Rumbaugh (1:08.72) went 3-5 in the 400 and Ali Hilsabeck (5:40.09) and Darbey DeRaad (5:56.68) finished 4-5 in the 1,500.
One of the second-place finishes came from Tori Lindsay in the 100 hurdles. She was clocked in 18.25 seconds.
Bailey Wheeler (2:41.29) also was fourth in the 800, Scarlett Mosher placed fourth in the shot put with a career-best toss of 33-2 and Ila Keuning (91-10 1/2) took sixth in the discus.
The winning shuttle hurdle relay team included Kylie Tuller, Ryan DeVore, Lillian Humpal and Lindsay, and they posted a time of 1 minute, 15.73 seconds.
The distance medley relay team finished second with Peyton Lathrum, Jorja Teeter, Abi Teeter and Lila Milani. They finished the race in 4:35.31.
The 4x400 relay team of Abi Teeter, Katelynn Fagg, Libby Winters and Milani took third in 4:33.15
and the 4x800 relay team of Wheeler, DeRaad, Hilsabeck and Raegan Vannoy finished third in 11:27.98.
Stella Stravers, Kyra Naeve, Lexi Fagg and Katelynn Fagg placed third in the sprint medley with a time of 2:05.10.
Mustangs finish fifth at Panther Relays
KNOXVILLE — PCM piled up a plethora of third-place finishes during the Panther Relays on April 17.
The Mustangs were held out of the win column, Katelynn Fagg grabbed the only silver medal for the night and PCM scored 77 points in fifth place.
Pella won the meet championship with 229 points. Knoxville (96), Ottumwa (86) and Pella Christian (82) completed the top five and the rest of the eight-team field featured Des Moines Christian (64), Van Meter (41) and Belmond-Klemme (23).
Katelynn Fagg finished second in the long jump with a leap of 15-6, while Keuning (92-4) took third in the discus and Abi Teeter and Jorja Teeter placed third in an individual event.
Abi Teeter’s third came in the 800 as she posted a career-best time of 2:30.17. Jorja Teeter’s career-best time of 1:11.97 netted her third in the 400 hurdles.
The other two individual top-five finishes came from Hilsabeck and Mosher. Hilsabeck finished fourth in the 1,500 in a career-best 5:31.74 and Mosher (29-6) and Keuning (28-0 1/2) were 4-6 in the shot put.
Lindsay, DeVore, Humpal and Jorja Teeter finished third in the shuttle hurdle relay in a season-best 1:11.48, which ranks 14th in Class 2A.
April 14.
The Mustangs’ season-best time of 3:30.89 in the 4x400 relay now ranks seventh in 2A. That quartet included Coby DeRaad, Fischer, Robbins and Graber.
The sprint medley relay team of Daye, Tad Wilson, Graber and Ferneding placed second in 1:41.26 and Robbins, Winters, Houser and Van Gorp took second in the shuttle hurdle relay in 1:01.49.
The 4x800 relay team of Coby DeRaad, Hansen, Shaver and Fischer finished third in 9:03.26.
Mustangs win team title at East Marshall
LE GRAND — Van Gorp was part of three wins, the Mustangs placed at least third in six relays and PCM registered 13 top-three finishes to win the Mustang Relays on
PCM scored 119.5 points at the top of the standings. Host East Marshall was second with 101 and the rest of the top five included English Valleys (94.5), South Tama County (94) and Hudson (76).
The 12-team field also featured Belmond-Klemme (65), Aplington-Parkersburg (63), HLV/TC (33), Montezuma (29), AGWSR (25.5), Vinton-Shellsburg (24.5) and Gladbrook-Reinbeck (8).
Van Gorp won the long jump with a leap of 20-2, posted a winning time of 15.48 in the 110 high hurdles and anchored the shuttle hurdle relay team to victory.
Robbins, Winters and Houser joined Van Gorp in the shuttle hurdle relay, and the quartet won the race in 1:02.43.
Graber (22.6) and Tad Wilson (23.24) also went 1-2 in the 200, Fischer (4:55.16) and Coby DeRaad (5:11.92) collected a 2-4 finish in the
The 4x400 relay team of Katelynn Fagg, Rumbaugh, DeRaad and Lexi Fagg secured a season-best time of 4:24.36 in third.
The distance medley relay quartet of Katelynn Fagg, Lexi Fagg, DeRaad and Wheeler finished third in 4:43.75.
Mustangs face tough field at Pella Christian
PELLA — PCM faced another tough field at the Pella Christian Invitational on April 15, and the Mustangs scored 75 points in fourth.
PCM grabbed a pair of second-place finishes and four bronze medals helped it secure a spot in the top five.
Pella won the meet championship with 202.5 and host Pella Christian (101) edged Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (100) in second place.
The rest of the eight-team field included Grinnell (59), Lynnville-Sully (58.5), Iowa City Regina (52) and Pleasantville (47).
Lexi Fagg had the lone individual second-place finish. She grabbed the silver medal in the long jump with a career-best leap of 15-10.
The 4x800 relay also was second.
The foursome of Abi Teeter, Wheeler, DeRaad and Rumbaugh posted a time of 10:46.35.
The 4x200 relay team of DeVore, Winters, Lathrum and Naeve placed second in 1:58.13 and Lindsay, DeVore, Humpal and Jorja Teeter joined forces to take third in the shuttle hurdle relay in 1:14.84.
The other bronze-medal finishes came from Keuning (94-4) in the discus and Abi Teeter (5:17.26) in the 1,500.
Hilsabeck also was fourth in the 3,000 with a career-best time of 12:16.31 and Jorja Teeter took fourth in the 400 hurdles in 1:13.78.
Wheeler’s career-best 2:39.69 in the 800 put her fifth, Winters (4-4) tied for sixth in the high jump and Lexi Fagg (1:06.34) and Katelynn Fagg (career-best 1:06.60) were 6-7 in the 400.
Mosher (29-11) also secured seventh in the shot put.
1,600 and Winters (16.3 for third) and Houser (17.06 for fifth) joined Van Gorp in the top five in the 110 highs.
Osterhaus (11:41.97) was the runner-up in the 3,200, Mason Hjortshoj took sixth in the discus with a career-best throw of 104-2 and Kaden Clark (38-5 1/2) placed sixth in the shot put.
The 4x100 relay team of Robbins, Winters, Houser and Daye finished second in 45.74, the sprint medley relay team of Daye, Tad Wilson, Graber and Ferneding took second in 1:43.32 and the quartet of Hansen, Shaver, Kolby Clark and Edgington finished second in the 4x800 relay in 9:37.81.
In the 4x200, the team of Ferneding, Heater, Danson Drake and Ridgeway placed third in a time of 1:41.4 and the 4x400 relay team of Hansen, Gavin Steenhoek, Trigg Steenhoek and Shaver crossed the finish line in third in 3:50.3.
Nevada, Perry too much for PCM soccer
NEVADA — Kaden Clark made 10 saves, but the Nevada boys soccer team scored three times in the first half and downed PCM, 4-0, during Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference play on April 15.
Gavin Egeland scored twice to lead the Cubs, which improved to 4-2-1 and 2-0 in the conference.
Perry 7, PCM 0
MONROE — Perry opened conference play with a 7-0 win over PCM on April 17.
The Bluejays scored four times in the first half before putting away the Mustangs with three goals in the second half.
Matt Wing registered 12 saves for the Mustangs, which fell to 1-5-1 and 0-3 in the HOIAC. Perry improved to 3-2-2 overall and 1-0 in the conference.
Chariton 4, PCM 1
CHARITON — Cameron Gibson and Cahde Querrey both had one goal and one assist, and Chariton used a three-goal first half to down PCM, 4-1, on April 10.
The Chargers (5-0-1) stayed unbeaten and scored their sixth straight win over the Mustangs in the non-conference contest.
Chariton, which had 23 shots and 18 shots on goal, led 3-1 at halftime.
Dylan Beyer scored the Mustangs’ goal in the first half.
PCM 2, Grand View Christian 2
DES MOINES — The Mustangs couldn’t hold a 1-0 halftime lead on April 8. PCM added a goal in the second half, but Grand View Christian rallied for a 2-2 draw at Cownie Soccer Complex during HOIAC action.
Official statistics for PCM were not available at press time. The Thunder are now 2-2-2 and 1-0-1 in conference play.
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