It feels like a small town Christmas
Santa heard Christmas wishes all throughout the day at the Monroe Fire Department holiday event Dec. 15
The perfect present
PCM Elementary kids shopped ‘til they dropped at the annual winter gift extravaganza Dec. 13
Jeff Shannon returns to the Monroe City Council
Shannon fills seat vacated by former council member Jean Goemaat
By Jamee A. Pierson
Four candidates submitted their names for the open Monroe City Council seat and at the Dec. 9 meeting Jeff Shannon was selected for the spot. The city council unanimously selected Shannon but were encouraged in the interest in the position.
“I was impressed we got four letters,” council member Andrea
Steenhoek said. “I thought we might get zero or one.”
Shannon is filling the seat previously held by Jean Goemaat. Goemaat resigned at the beginning of November, leaving a year left in her term after originally filling a seat left vacated by another former council member.
“She was actually nice to come in
Veterans affairs administrator fired following investigation by Jasper County
Supporters denounce the commission’s decision after heated exchanges
By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
Alyssa Wilson said she did not have enough time in the day to do her job, but the findings from an internal investigation into the veterans affairs administrator’s working habits say that is because she often arrived late, left early, had extended lunch periods and other breaks and even falsified her timesheets.
In addition to a number of other alleged policy violations that Jasper County uncovered within the past three-and-a-half months — including insubordination and failure to follow proper procedures during home visits — the veterans affairs commission decided in a 4-1 vote to fire Wilson, effective immediately.
Wilson was placed on paid administrative leave on Dec. 5, less than a week before the commission meeting. She had to turn in her keys and remove all personal items from her office. In the meantime, shared benefits coordinator Josh Price answered calls to the veterans affairs office and handled any walk-ins.
The internal investigation report from human resources showed more than 60 instances of Wilson not working a full work day or taking time off.
INTERNAL INVESTIGATION
REPORT MADE PUBLIC
Information about the investigation was shared publicly during the veterans affairs commission meeting on Dec. 11 inside a relatively packed conference room at the
Jasper County Administration Building. Since Wilson was not present to request a closed session, the findings were discussed in an open meeting.
According to a copy of the internal investigation obtained by Newton News, the county alleged Wilson violated a number of working rules, which are divided into classes. If an employee violates Class I rules for the first time, it will not usually result in a discharge. Here are the Class I rules the county alleged were violated:
• Failure to begin work at start time.
• Frequent tardiness, absenteeism or leaving work early without authorized or just cause.
• Working unauthorized hours or violation of working hours, rest periods or lunch periods.
• Leaving employee’s workplace during work hours without authorization.
• Unauthorized extensions of break and/or lunch periods. Jasper County also alleged Wilson violated Class II rules, which are of a more serious nature than Class I. Any violation of Class II rules will result in more serious disciplinary measures, up to and including discharge. Here are the Class II rules the county alleged were violated by Wilson:
• Dishonesty, theft.
• Deliberately falsifying, altering or supplying false information on county records.
• Failure to notify supervisor that the employee will be absent from work.
• Failure to follow the proper procedures or policies of the county.
• Absolute disobedience, insubordination or refusal to comply with reasonable instructors or authorized supervision.
From Aug. 19 until Dec. 5, human resources documented a timeline of instanc-
es where Wilson was completely absent from the office or worked shorter days. Many of these instances were not documented on her timesheet. Although Wilson is a salaried employee, she must still track her work for the county.
REPORT SHOWS PATTERN OF ABSENCES & SHORT WORK DAYS
Excluding the times she was on vacation or in training, Wilson did not work one full week in the office in the entire time she was being investigated.
Jasper County Veterans Affairs is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every weekday in the administration building near the 300 block of West Third Street North. Which means Wilson has roughly 30 minutes for a lunch and eight hours of work each day to reach 40 hours per week.
In those 108 days her work habits were being investigated, human resources indicated Wilson had left early about 15 times and was late to work around four times. The report also classifies many late starts and early departures as a “short day,” of which it was mentioned about 21 times in the report.
The report also said Wilson was “out all day” on 10 occasions in a three-and-a-half month period. That amounts to 80 hours lost. Or two weeks of work.
However, absences can be covered by employers. When Wilson was out all day, she often cited that she was sick or her kids were sick or that she needed to go to a doctor appointment. While commissioners are supposed to be informed of when she will be gone from the office, the report shows they rarely were.
The report also shows Wilson utilized 55 hours of sick time, 52.5 hours of family sick time, 10.5 hours of vacation time and eight hours of floating holiday hours. It is also assumed Wilson did not work on Labor or the Thanksgiving holiday; that adds another 24 hours of holiday time.
In total, that is 150 hours missed in three-and-a-half months, whether it was excused or unexcused. That equates to a little less than four work weeks.
From the time the county started its investigation until human resources notified Wilson she was on administrative leave, approximately 78 work days had passed, which amounts to roughly 624 hours of work. Factoring in sick, vacation and holiday hours, Wilson was missing from the office 24 percent of the time.
IMPROPER CODING & HOME VISIT PROCEDURE VIOLATIONS
In late November, the report found three incidents of improper coding on Wilson’s timesheet. After previously mentioning she would be taking vacation around that time during past commission meetings, she documented 24 hours of sick time instead of vacation time on her timesheet.
Dennis Simon, director of human resources for Jasper County, confronted Wilson on Dec. 2 about the use of three consecutive sick days, and she revealed she had documented it incorrectly and was going to call payroll to check. Simon told Wilson to contact Melissa Hartgers at the auditor’s office to get it corrected.
Apart from issues of stolen time, the county alleged Wilson did not follow proper procedures when conducting a home visit on Oct. 30. Price asked Wilson if she wanted him to go with her to the home visit since commissioners stated they wanted two people there and that she inform the sheriff’s office before leaving.
Wilson said a social worker would be present, so she did not need him. Simon followed up with Lt. Brad Shutts of the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office and found that Willson had not contacted dispatch to notify them she was conducting a home visit. No call was logged providing any
Wilson
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer
Kids were excited to see Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Prairie City Holiday Shindig Dec. 15
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer
Explorer PCM
Events at
The Gathering Place
Ann
Prairie City Church of the Breth-
ren will host a Christmas Children’s Program at 9:45 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 22. Everyone is welcome to come worship and watch their hard work during their play.
A Christmas Eve Service will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24. Worship with the congregation at a candlelight service as they celebrate the birth of the Savior. The service will last about an hour.
Donations to Old Settlers Committee
The Old Settlers Committee is seeking donations for the 2025 Old Settlers Celebration. Donations will be used for the purchase of Christmas lights for the park and new chairs and tables for upcoming events. Monetary donations can be dropped off at Salon Essence, Monroe City Hall or mailed to the committee at P.O. Box 93 in Monroe, IA 50170.
Christmas brings plenty of smiles
Christmas programming at Church of the Brethren Help Santa make Christmas merry and bright for Jasper County Kids by donating to St. Nicks Christmas Club. We Are in Need of Monetary Donations
Name
and fill a position,” council member Jen St. Peter said.
“She had experience on the council.”
When considering who should take over the seat, the council favored those who had experience serving
previously. With budgeting decisions coming up, having a new member with no prior knowledge would be more challenging both for the council and one-year member.
“With it being just a one year spot, I would like to have someone that has experience with the council and the city,” council member Jen St. Peter said. “I feel like my first year I didn’t know a lot.” Shannon previously served one term on the council but was still working fulltime and decided against a second term. Now, he is retired and is excited about another opportunity to help lead the city.
“I was on the council for four years. I enjoyed it,” Shannon said. “I grew up here, Monroe is my home.” Shannon was sworn in at the meeting by mayor Doug Duinink and will serve the remainder of Goemaat’s term through 2025. The seat will be up for election in the 2025 November election.
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer
Monroe Mayor Doug Duinink, right, congratulates Jeff Shannon, left, who was selected to fill the open Monroe City Council seat for the upcoming.
the sort.
The investigation sustained the allegations against Wilson and concluded she violated Jasper County’s policies and procedures. No disciplinary action was noted, but the report said “it appears there is significant concern with Ms. Wilson’s ability to follow established procedures.”
Furthermore, the report stated the number of deficiencies identified between timesheets and the reasons for Wilson’s absences, tardiness or leaving early “shows intentional action to deceive the payroll system or proper utilization of accrual of vacation and/or stick time.”
Improperly documenting absences is perceived as theft of time from employers. According to the report, theft of time is “a major concern” of Jasper County. Simon’s report also noted Wilson failed to follow established protocol in notifying dispatch for when arriving or department a veteran’s residence for a home visit.
Simon did not provide a disciplinary recommendation in his report, leaving the decision up to the commission.
“Disciplinary action is language taken straight from the county policy. Based on the severity of the infractions and the frequency, discipline can basically result in anything from nothing up to separation,” Simon said. “That will be up to the commission to determine.”
COMMISSIONERS UPHOLD FINDINGS IN THE REPORT
Fred Chabot was the only member of the Jasper County Veterans Affairs Commission to vote “no” on the motion to fire Wilson. Prior to that he even suggested a more “balanced” disciplinary action and made a motion that she be suspended without pay for two weeks. The motion died without a second.
While Chabot was willing to give Wilson a second chance in large part due to the amount of good she did for veterans in Jasper County, he was not shy in voicing his displeasure with the work habits outlined in the investigation. Chabot counted 63 instances where Wilson did not work a full work day or had time off.
“I would have looked to have been notified 63 times,” he said. “I took a look at both the text messages that I received from Alyssa Wilson and also email messages that I received from Alyssa Wilson with regard to those absences. I have no text messages from Alyssa Wilson … and I received only 14 emails.”
From what Chabot could see, there was a “gross abuse” of expected work hours. In the past threeand-a-half months, Chabot said it is apparent Wilson is not working an eight-hour workday and it is clear she is not working the expected number of hours for every pay period.
“There is a minority of days over that period of time, based on communications I’ve received, of her informing the commission in advance of taking sick leave or vacation time,” Chabot said. “There are many instances of her taking sick time or vacation time where the commission was simply
Explorer PCM
not notified.”
Jerry Nelson, chair of the Jasper County Veterans Affairs Commission, said it is difficult to ask supervisors to allow for additional help when the administrator is not working the required time. In the past, there have been complaints lobbed at the office when veterans visited in person only to be met with closed doors.
It becomes even more frustrating for the commission since the state’s allotment for Wilson only amounts to 30 hours. Jasper County covered the other 10 hours to allow the administrator a 40-hour work week to better serve individuals coming to the veterans affairs office.
“We’re not getting 40 hours,” Nelson said.
Chabot added there has been a “constant drumbeat” from Wilson about not having enough time to serve Jasper County veterans.
“I took on the goal of coming up with data to present to the county supervisors in terms of overtime work … as a way to justify the need for a full-time veterans services officer in our office,” Chabot said. “That was a constantly drumbeat that there was simply not enough hours to serve our veterans.”
VETERANS SUPPORTIVE OF WILSON ARE NOT HAPPY
Commissioner Kat Thompson recalled one of the first things Wilson said to her in one of their initial meetings together was that there isn’t enough time in the day to do her work. But she also told the newest member of the county veterans affairs commission that she was looking for a new job.
By Thompson’s calculations, there were 45 hours unaccounted for where Wilson was paid regular hours to be absent. Again, Simon said that is theft of time.
Chabot said several veterans have spoken very favorably and positively about the help Wilson has given them in seeking benefits. The commissioner wanted to make an impression on Wilson that this set of behaviors has to stop, which is when he suggested a two-week suspension without pay.
Other commissioners were not as willing to give Wilson a suspension. Nelson said any disciplinary action less than termination would not be sufficient. Nevertheless, Thompson wanted to take time to hear from the veterans in the room who either support Wilson or do not support her.
“What I’m trying to not
have happen is we all look at this one-sided piece of paper and not get another side of it,” Thompson said.
Since Wilson was not there to defend herself, Thompson did not feel right making any action without at least some word from her supporters. Of which many were in attendance. Nelson was hesitant to the idea of opening up discussion for fear many would have a bias. Thompson did not care if they were for or against her.
Veterans in the audience called it a “witch hunt,” and they accosted the commissioners for even considering firing Wilson.
Randy Wagner, a veterans and a former commissioner for veterans affairs, recommended Wilson be counseled before the commission thinks about firing someone who is “doing a good job.” Thompson said as a taxpayer she would like the veterans affairs administrator, whose salary is tax dollars, to come to work.
“It doesn’t do me any good if they’re only here 60 percent of the time,” she said.
When Thompson asked Wagner what he would do if he was still on the commission, he said he would counsel her.
“If she does it again, she’s going to be looking for a new job,” Wagner said. Thompson added, “She told me she was looking for a new job.”
EVIDENCE IS ‘INDISPUTABLE’ BUT WORKLOAD WAS DIFFICULT
Other veterans took a more calm approach and held back their attacks on the commission. They said the commission is justified in firing Wilson, but they also saw the value she brought in helping veterans get their benefits. They agreed she should be held accountable, but they appreciated her efforts.
“I’ve seen her at nursing homes. I’ve seen her at funerals. And I’ve also had phone calls after hours from her on her personal phone,” one veteran said. “…She probably she should have documented everything that she did. You can’t be lazy when you’re accountable to somebody.”
Veterans lamented that Wilson had been told by commissioners to properly follow procedures, but they said she has also done a lot of good for veterans.
Nelson said, “I don’t disagree with you. She has done a lot. She is very talented at doing claims.”
John McMahon, a Vietnam War era veteran, argued Wilson’s workload has been difficult being the only person in the office certified. Most of the
duties rested on her shoulders. McMahon said she carried that load for quite a long time. He hoped the commission considered her trying to handle everything on her own.
“It takes a load and it takes an effect on a person to try and do their job effectively for each and every veteran that she comes in contact with,” Wilson said.
“I have positive thoughts about her, and, yes, the evidence you presented is indisputable but I hope to goodness you look at the load she been under.”
EXPECTATIONS SHOULD BE MADE UPFRONT
On multiple occasions
Simon said he talked to Wilson about keeping the commission informed on her whereabouts, and he encouraged her to create a text group that would have all five members. That way she would only have to send one message. Based on his findings that did not occur regularly.
Nelson said, “It was hit and miss initially, and then it turned into none.”
If the commission does decide to fire Wilson, Wagner suggested the next person to fill her seat be clearly informed of what is expected of them. Still, he thought Wilson just needed to be thoroughly counseled. Commissioner Ed Spangenburg held up an employee handbook that both he and Wilson had to sign.
“It clearly states that you are to report to your supervisor if you are going to miss work, take vacation, sick time, unpaid leave — you have to have permission,” Spangenburg said. “She signed this just as well as I did and every member on this commission.”
Wagner was unrelenting, and he again reiterated the next department head of veterans affairs be told up front what is required of them.
“And that they’re going to be spied on by the county and by you guys and ladies,” Wagner said. “Keep an open mind now. Because we’re going to be watching you guys. I think, personally, you all should be replaced. My personal opinion. You’re not being fair to an employee who is doing her job.”
Thompson argued Wilson is not doing her job if she doesn’t come to work. Wagner called the commission hard-headed and accused them of not considering all that she has done for veterans. Wagner said every veteran in the room would stand up and defend Wilson for the help she has given them.
“What about the veterans that came and she wasn’t here?” Thompson
asked. ARGUMENTS ESCALATE, EMOTIONS RUN HIGH
While the veterans in the audience certainly seconded the motion from Chabot to suspend Wilson without pay — quite literally, in fact — the rest of the commission did not. When the motion was first introduced, another veteran in the audience spoke out against her. Fermin Iturbide said he came to the office three times.
All three times she wasn’t in the office, he said. Iturbide added that it was good she helped veterans, but he expected all 2,000 or so of the veterans in the county to be provided assistance. When Iturbide was in the service, he said excuses to not come to work were not put up with.
“We leave no man behind,” Iturbide said. “How many in the 45 hours that are unaccounted for, how many did she miss?”
Iturbide then questioned if any veterans killed themselves as a result of them not getting in contact with the veterans affairs office. Other veterans did not appreciate the sentiment. Many of them had expressed their displeasure when a similar comment was said at a past meeting by a commissioner.
No one is responsible for another person’s decision to kill themselves by suicide. When the audience told Iturbide to “not play that game,” he reacted in anger and told them he had lost people he cared about to suicide. The commission quickly tried to pivot away from the conversation.
Spangenburg moved on by making a motion to terminate Wilson due to the theft of time and other allegations. The motion was seconded by Thompson.
The audience was less than enthused.
“They had their minds made up before this even started.”
“They don’t give a (expletive) about us.”
“Two of you are happy now aren’t ya?”
“Merry Christmas.”
“I hope you all resign.” In a follow-up with Newton News, Wilson provided little comment other than she was a salaried employee who worked numerous events on nights and weekends and would work in the evenings. In her mind, she never stopped working and her veterans always came first. She said she has always done what is best for vets.
“I’m going to miss them and I’m sorry this happened to them,” she said. “It has been an honor and a privilege to work with all of them.”
Opinion
Cancer free — celebrate!
The great news on Dec. 4, I’m cancer free! It was the day of my fourth infusion with the immunotherapy drug, Keytruda. The first thing on the agenda was a full-body PET/CAT scan. I was pretty sure it was going to show that I was cancer free — I could feel the health in my body — and I was right. The doc confirmed what I was feeling, and I had the pleasure of ringing the bell. Praise God!
However, I have to continue the infusions for one year as an insurance against the cancer returning. I can handle that. The doc spread the infusions out from every three weeks, to six weeks (by doubling the dose), so that means I have seven to eight infusions to go. Doable.
I credit the early cure to (1) early detection; (2) drinking aronia juice daily; (3) outstanding doctors, starting with
The right to
Great River Medical Center in Burlington and extending to the University of Iowa; and (4) prayers, well-wishes, cards and gifts from so many people, even strangers. It started with a red splotch (called a lesion) on my forehead. I thought it was an old-man liver mark, but Ginnie made me go to the dermatologist in Burlington. They did a biopsy, which revealed a neuroendocrine carcinoma.
Burlington sent me to Iowa City. In the mean time, while waiting for the appointment in Iowa City, about a month, Ginnie and I started drinking aronia juice daily. By the time we got to Iowa City the lesion had disappeared, which sort of baffled the doctors. But they did a PET scan and some cancer was located in a lymph node in my neck. The
die is part of the right to life
By Thomas L. Knapp
In late November, by a vote of 330 to 275, the British House of Commons supported a bill which will “allow” doctors to assist terminally ill patients, facing prognoses of death within six months, in ending their own lives.
Responses in the United Kingdom and elsewhere range from gratitude to outrage.
Oddly, much of the outrage comes from supporters of a “right to life” who oppose abortion and, when they’re consistent, capital punishment.
Consistency would also dictate recognition of your personal rights of ownership over your life.
Decreeing that you may not be killed in the womb, or by another person, but that your rights end if you want to end it all, is a claim that you are property without inherent rights.
The “right to life” these advocates assert is, in this context, no different than a “right” to not have their cattle stolen or their slaves escape. It’s not about the opinions of the cattle or the slaves. It’s about exercising ownership rights over the cattle and the slaves.
The basis of any plausible “right to life” — or any other right — is self-ownership. It’s your life. You own it. It’s yours to do with as you wish, so long as you don’t infringe the equal rights of others. It’s also yours to end, when and how you wish,
so long as — again — you don’t violate others’ rights with the way you end it.
There are obvious areas of reasonable disagreement on when that’s true or not, such as in cases of diminished mental capacity due to youth, dementia, etc. But there’s no reasonable argument for conditioning your exercise of that right on the arbitrary whims of government.
Maybe you’re terminally ill and don’t want to face your final moments in pain.
Maybe you’re IN pain that’s incurable, intolerable, and unlikely to cease.
Maybe the love of your life died and you don’t relish living out years or decades in your partner’s absence.
Maybe your situation has you believing that your continued existence will impose undue hardships on people you love. Those are all reasons. Maybe “good” reasons. But your reasons don’t have to be “good” for the decision to remain, by right, yours and yours alone. Maybe you flipped a coin. Perhaps your religious beliefs say that you’ve reached your permissible lifespan. Your call.
If you don’t possess the right to end your life, you possess no rights at all.
Thomas L. Knapp is director and senior news analyst at the William Lloyd Garrison Center for Libertarian Advocacy Journalism.
cancer had spread from my forehead to my neck. The docs were now calling it Merkel Cell Carcinoma, which is sort of rare.
The first infusion of Keytruda made me sick, so sick that I stopped drinking the aronia juice, thinking the aronia juice and Keytruda might be fighting each other. By the second and third infusion, the ill side effects stopped.
The doctors at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics are beyond excellent, they are some of the best in the world. Ginnie and I had no problem putting our complete trust and faith in them. The proof is in the pudding — four months from Stage III Cancer to cancer free.
The well-wishing, support and cards we received from so many people were overwhelming and much appreciated. Of the many gifts and notes we received, I’ll mention one. The ladies of our church made Ginnie and me each a hand made prayer quilt, tied with prayer knots. I’m a prayer warrior. I can lean back in my recliner with the prayer
quilt over my lap, finger a prayer knot, and pray for someone. The sensation of God’s power and peace are comforting. Everything will work out. Ok, so how do we celebrate being cancer free? I’m an Iowa State grad — don’t hold that against me. Iowa State played in the Big 12 Championship against Arizona State at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX on Dec. 7. We went. We had never been to anything like this, and it was time we went. Iowa State got thrashed, but we still enjoyed going anyway, and being in the awesome Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium. Ginnie has relatives living in the Dallas/ Ft. Worth area, and we were able to visit with them also, cancer free. Yippee! Aronia berries have the highest concentration of anti-oxidants and anti-inflamatories of any berry in the world. If you would like more info on aronia berries and where you can purchase the juice and powder, go to www.linngrovearonia.com. Tell’m Curt sent you. Contact Curt Swarm at curtswarm@ yahoo.com
By Bryan Golden
True holiday spirit
Among other things, the holidays are a time of giving and receiving gifts. The question most often asked of people is, “what did you get?” Much less frequently asked is, “what did you give?” Invariably, the inquiries concern material gifts. Purchasing a gift can certainly be thoughtful and a wonderful gesture, especially when it’s backed up by your actions.
However, the most valuable presents are those that aren’t sold in stores. When you give your love, your time, help someone in need, aid another in solving a problem or overcoming an obstacle, you give something priceless.
The true spirit of the holidays is giving. When you give, you receive. You can get anything in life you want by helping enough others get what they want. But only if you give without expecting anything in return. The impact of giving isn’t limited to just the holiday season, it’s something that has value all year.
The power of giving is often underestimated. When you give unconditionally, you don’t just impact the recipient; you start a chain reaction. By brightening the life of one person you
also affect all those who they then touch.
No gesture of giving or kindness is too small. Holding the door open at a store, helping someone carry groceries to their car, letting another car in front of you, saying please and thank you, and saying hello to a stranger you pass on the sidewalk, are some of the many things you can do daily.
For family and friends, your time is one of the most precious gifts you can offer. Are you there for others when they need you? Do you offer a hand without being asked? Do you help out when asked?
Too often, people get caught up in their own desires, thus losing sight of the needs of others. A person who tries to get through life by looking out for himself or herself first is invariably frustrated. Often this person views life as a competition to determine who can accumulate more.
On the other hand, those who are concerned for the well-being of others are happier, more content, and more satisfied. By giving without expecting, they in turn receive the things they need.
Giving is a simple concept that works every time it is applied. There will be people who don’t appreciate
what you do, but it doesn’t matter. You are giving without anticipating anything in return. Besides, there will be many more who are thankful for your efforts.
If you don’t treat others well, buying a gift won’t compensate for your behavior. The recipient might like what you give them but it won’t make up for your actions. You can’t bribe someone to forgive the way you treat them with a present.
The best gift you can receive is the joy of making someone else happy. Being unselfish is a wonderful way to live. When you give with no ulterior motives, your actions are seen as genuine. Should you expect something in return, your behavior is always suspect. We all know people who do nice things only when they want something in return.
Make giving a daily routine. Don’t start and end with the holiday season. Every day is a good day to do something nice. When people feel good due to your actions, you can’t help but feel happy yourself. And that is priceless. The most significant action you can take is having a positive impact on the lives of others.
Contact Bryan Golden at Bryan@ columnist.com
Nearly half of older Americans can’t afford basic needs
By Sherlea Dony
I worked hard my whole career and retired feeling secure. Then I lost every last dime in a scam. I was left with $1,300 a month in Social Security benefits to live on in an area where monthly expenses run about $3,700.
I’m a smart woman, but scams against older Americans are increasing in number and sophistication. Whether through scams, strained savings, or costs of living going up, half of older Americans — that’s 27 million households — can’t afford their basic needs. And suddenly I became one of them. The experience has taught me a lot about the value of a strong social safety net —
and why we’ll need to protect it from the coming administration.
I was ashamed and frightened after what happened, but I scraped myself up off the floor and tried to make the best of it.
I’d worked with aging people earlier in my career, so I was familiar with at least some of the groups who could help. I reached out to a local nonprofit and they came through with flying colors, connecting me to life-saving federal assistance programs.
I was assigned a caseworker, who guided me through applying for public programs like the Medical Savings Plan (MSP), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), subsidized housing, Medicare Part D, and Medicaid.
It’s hard to describe my relief at getting this help.
Before receiving the MSP, I’d been paying for medications and health insurance — which cost about $200 — out of my monthly Social Security check. With MSP, that cost is covered. I also found an apartment I liked through subsidized housing, and I have more money for groceries through SNAP. Now it’s easier to afford other necessities, like hearing aid batteries and my asthma inhaler.
But I’m worried about the incoming administration’s plans to cut programs like these, which have helped me so much. They’re proposing slashing funding and imposing overly burdensome work and reporting requirements. Studies show
that requirements like these can cause millions of otherwise eligible people to lose critical assistance.
President-elect Trump has also indicated that he favors increased privatization of Medicare, which would result in higher costs and less care. And his tax promises are projected to move up the insolvency date of Social Security.
All told, the federal budget cuts the incoming Republican majority in Congress has put forward would slash health care, food, and housing by trillions over the next 10 years, resulting in at least a 50 percent reduction in these services. And they plan to divert those investments in us into more tax cuts for the nation’s very wealthiest.
I want lawmakers of each party to know how important these social investments are for seniors and families. Older Americans — who’ve worked hard all our lives — shouldn’t be pushed out onto the streets, forced to go without sufficient food or health care due to unfortunate circumstances. We have the tax dollars — the question is whether we have the political will to invest in seniors, workers, and families, or only for tax cuts for the very rich. If we do the latter, that’s the real scam.
Sherlea Dony is a retired American Sign Language interpreter, consultant on access services for students who are deaf and hard of hearing, and copy editor
The PCM
Boys Basketball Season Kicks off
As the PCM boys basketball season kicks off, senior Kaleb DeVries reflects on how the team has been preparing for the season. To start off the year, he stated that ”the first two weeks of practice, we installed our new defense and offense, and then when we got closer to games, we did a lot of scrimmaging to get ready for games.” There were also open gyms twice a week over the summer that were available for players to practice during the off season. Even with all that preparation, it doesn’t compare to a real game. DeVries stated,Our first game was a little bit rough,” and it took a bit of time to get in their groove, but as the season has progressed, the boys have gotten much better each game they’ve played. Junior, Alex Wendt, shares his motivation for playing basketball, saying, “My parents encouraged me to play basketball because they thought I would enjoy it, and they enjoyed playing when they were younger.” Over the course of the season, Wendt has scored over thirty points and wants to keep going. Some of his goals for this year are ”a winning record, for sure, and to make a run at the playoffs.” To reach those goals he is “trying to get better every game, little by little.” The boys’ varsity team has already gotten over 200 points scored and is well on their way to beating last year’s record of 1300 points. Be sure to go support the boys basketball team on Friday, November 20.
Meet a Mustang
Rylee Parsons Newspaper Editor
Grace Taylor (11)
Amy Taylor & Jon Taylor
Extracurricular Activities: Speech, Fall Play, & Student Government
3 Words to Describe Her: Kind, Creative, &
Favorite Class: Band & Chemistry
Favorite Quote: “All lights turned off, can be turned on” - Call Your Mom by Noah Kahan
Best High School Memory: “Making it to All-State for Speech with Carter Dudley” Dream Job: Radiology Technologist
Favorite Book: The Song of Achilles
Favorite Show: Chicago Med
Favorite Musician: Noah Kahan
Micheal Miranda (11)
Nickname: Mikey
Parents: Miguel & Grace Miranda
Extracurricular Activities: FFA
3 Words to Describe Him: Smart, Hilarious, & Nice
Favorite Class: Vet Science
Favorite Quote: “Today you are you, that is truer than true, there is no one alive that is youer than you” -Dr. Seuss Best High School Memory: “When we go on FFA activities and we are in the suburban”
Dream Job: President
Favorite Book: Percy Jackson
Boys Wrestling Starting off 2024 Season Hot
Peyton Lathrum & Libby Winters Staff Writers
The boy’s varsity wrestling team has started their season off strong and continues with a home meet on Tuesday, December 10. The quad, which had Sigourney, Pleasantville, and Pella, went well for the Mustangs. Pcm crushed the meet and won the quad. Wrestlers Kaliber Fry, Harrison Brinegar, and Kaden Clark all went 3-0 for the night. Bentlee Sloan, Zach Richards, and Tucker Wheeler finished the night 2-1. This night was especially special because two PCM wrestlers got their 100th varsity win. Senior Kaden Clark and junior Tucker Wheeler achieved that on Tuesday. An exciting end to the meet, it was the 3rd duel, and the score was tied 27-27. Junior Harrison Brinegar was up and sealed the win with a victory, which put PCM on top with a final score of 32-27. “Starts with practice, just working hard every day, getting better by little bits at a time,” Clark says about how he will improve this season. Morris expresses his desire to enhance his shot-making skills and increase his ability to execute takedowns. Kaliber Fry states, “I’m feeling pretty good about this season, and I’m currently ranked in the state,” which is a great start for Kaliber and the team this wrestling season. The Mustangs will continue their season with their next meet being tonight at Roland-Story High School and the duels beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The Crimson Cup Opens Its Doors Again
REMINDER:
PCM will have no school Monday, Dec. 23 - Friday, Jan. 3. Classes will resume Monday, Jan. 6. Have a great winter break, Mustangs!
Abby Bradbury Staff Writor
Here at PCM, a coffee shop has opened in the high school cafeteria for the second year. The Crimson Cup has been open since the spring of 2023. The shop, “The Crimson Cup,” is being run by a new high school club this school year, Distributive Education Clubs of Iowa (DECA). DECA is a business club. They are running The Crimson Cup to get competitions, buy curriculum, and go to conferences. DECA adds to our school’s clubs. At PCM, having clubs for everyone is important. DECA is a club that we didn’t have anything like before. DECA is also selling bundt cakes to raise money. The DECA members are working hard to progress. Coming back to The Crimson Cup, they sell hot and iced coffees and iced lotus drinks before school and during periods 1 and 2 of the school day. Lotus drinks are fruity energy drinks aimed towards the non-coffee lovers of PCM. Everything at The Crimson Cup is affordable for the students and staff, with the lowest item, being priced at two dollars and the most expensive at three dollars and fifty cents.
My name is Libby Winters, and I’m a freshman at PCM. This is my first year in journalism. I will be talking about my favorite movies and why they are the best movies ever. If I had to choose a favorite genre of movies, it would have to be thriller. I can’t say that I have an overall favorite thriller movie, but I do have a top 3. The Hunger Games is definitely in the running; it’s so entertaining and will never get old. The Hunger Games is also an awesome series; it has 5 movies in total. I think the plot is amazing and so entertaining to watch. Usually when I watch a series of movies, the first one is always the best, then the rest are not as good, but with Hunger Games, every single movie is good. One of my next favorite thriller movies would be Twisters with Glen Powell. This movie is fairly new, and it is honestly so exciting to watch. While I was watching, I felt like I was always on the edge of my seat; there also was a little bit of romance, which was a nice touch. Twisters had great casting, and I think the actors were perfect for their roles. Drama was also a part of this film, and watching this with my family was so fun. The movie had its points where it was nice and calm, and then it went to more fast-paced and scary. With this movie, the tornadoes/ twisters are not real, but they are very realistic, and you can’t even tell they are fake, which was so cool. Although there are so many more awesome thriller movies, my next pick would be Murder Mystery. Murder Mystery is a thriller and a comedy. This movie has two of the best actors, in my opinion, Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, who were cast perfectly for this serious/ comedy as well. I think this is a type of movie you can watch at any time with anyone. Murder Mystery is also a mystery movie and has lots of unanswerable questions, and you should always feel invested. There are a lot of plot twists, and in my opinion, the ending is one of the best parts. I love to watch all of these movies, and they are all family friendly. I feel that watching a movie with your friends and family makes the experience a lot more fun!
DeVries prepares for a free-throw during thier first home vicotry against Saydel
Photo by: R. Parsons
Piper Clark Website Editor
PCM wrestlers score pair of sweeps to stay unbeaten
PERRY — The Mustangs had disadvantages in forfeit wins in each of their two duals on Dec. 12, but a dominating effort on the mat led the PCM wrestling team to a 2-0 night during a Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference triangular.
PCM edged host Perry, 4236, thanks to a 5-3 advantage in pins and cruised past Saydel, 50-16.
The Mustangs were 8-1 in contested matches against Saydel and six of those wins were by pins from Kaliber Fry (126), Sawyer Bouwkamp (190) Kaiden Valore (215), Bentlee Sloan (138), Easton Morris (144) and Finn Wilson, who made his season debut at 175 pounds.
Fry, Morris and Wilson all ended their matches in the first period, Class 2A No. 5 Kaden Clark (285) got an 8-0 win by major decision and Tucker Wheeler (157) won by a 16-4 major decision.
It was Clark’s first non-pin contested win this season, and he improved to 14-0 with 12 pins.
Saydel (1-4, 1-1 in the HOIAC) had a 2-1 advantage in forfeits and there were double forfeits at 106 and 113. Zach Richards accepted a forfeit for PCM (8-0, 2-0) at 150.
Fry, Richards, Wheeler, Bouwkamp and Clark all won by fall against Perry (0-5, 0-2). Clark needed 30 seconds to end his match, while Bouwkamp and Fry scored first-period falls, too.
Harrison Brinegar (165) and Wilson (175) accepted forfeits and there was a double forfeit at 106.
Class 2A No. 12 Fry (13-1) was 2-0 with two first-period pins. He’s got five wins by pin and five more by technical fall this season.
Bouwkamp (9-4) also won twice by fall, and Clark, Wilson, Richards and Wheeler (12-3) were 2-0 for the night, too.
Mustangs go unbeaten in home quadrangular MONROE — The Mustangs started fast twice and rallied for a win in the other dual during a
home quadrangular on Dec. 10.
PCM finished 19-10 in contested matches and overcame six forfeits in wins over Sigourney/Keota, Pella and Pleasantville. The Mustangs defeated S/K 40-29, handed the Dutch a 32-27 defeat and edged Pleasantville 38-33.
Clark went 3-0 with three pins at 285, Fry was 3-0 with three technical falls at 126 and Brinegar finished 3-0 with two pins at 165. Wheeler (157), Jeffrey McDanel (175), Valcore (215), Sloan (138) and Richards (150) all went 2-1. Both of Valcore’s wins came by pin.
Clark and Wheeler also reg-
istered their 100th career victories in the team sweep.
The Mustangs went 7-3 in contested matches and were 0-2 in forfeits against Sigourney/Keota (3-3). Brinegar, McDanel, Valcore, Clark and Sloan all won by fall and Wheeler and Fry scored technical falls.
PCM led 29-6 in the dual and started 27-0 against Pleasantville. The Mustangs rallied from down 15-0 and 21-6 to Pella.
The Mustangs were 6-4 in contested matches and gave up the only forfeit in the dual against Pella (3-7). Wheeler and Clark both won by first-period fall and Fry, Sloan and Richards
each scored technical fall victories.
In the win over Pleasantville (5-2), PCM was 7-3 in contested matches and gave up all three forfeits. Brinegar, Valcore, Clark, Richards and Bouwkamp all won by fall, while Fry won 17-2 and McDanel was a 9-5 winner.
Wheeler, who is ranked fourth in 2A at 157, lost 11-7 to Pleasantville’s Zane Mullenix, who is ranked seventh in 1A at 144. McDanel’s lone loss for the day came against Pella’s Logan Bruxvoort, who is ranked fifth in 3A at 175.
PCM boys score come-from-behind win over Perry
PERRY — Gavin Van Gorp equaled a career high for points, Chase Wagaman posted his first career double-double and the Mustangs rallied from an early hole to down Perry on Dec. 10.
The Mustangs trailed by 10 at halftime, but a dominant second half pushed PCM to a 73-58 road win during Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference play.
“The guys were able to lock in and adjust in the second half,” PCM head boys basketball coach Tony Ford said.
It was PCM’s fourth straight win over Perry, and the Mustangs are 6-1 against the Bluejays since 2021. Perry led 19-18 after one quarter and took a 38-28 lead into halftime.
But the Mustangs won the third 17-8 and dominated the fourth 28-12 to win by double digits.
Van Gorp finished with a career-high 29 points and grabbed six rebounds and Wagaman collected a career-high 14 points, a career-best 15 rebounds and three assists.
Cutler VandeLune also reached double figures with 15 points and he had two boards. Kaleb DeVries posted four rebounds, six assists and two steals, Kash Fischer collected five points and two rebounds and Alex Wendt pitched in four points, three boards and two assists.
Gavin Steenhoek grabbed two rebounds and the Mustangs shot 51 percent from the floor. PCM made 10-of-23 from 3-point range, connected on 9-of-12 from the free-throw line and out-rebounded Perry 35-26. PCM committed 16 turnovers.
Perry was led by Owen Myers, who finished with 18 points, four rebounds and three steals. Geren Kenney added 14 points, four rebounds and five assists and Gustavo Drahos scored 13 points. The Bluejays (3-1, 2-1) shot 39.6 percent from the floor, made 5-of-17 from 3 and connected on 11-of-14 from the foul line. Perry turned the ball over 13 times.
Pella Christian 62, PCM 57 PELLA — Five players scored at least eight points and the Mustangs only turned the ball over nine times, but PCM couldn’t quite get over the hump against Pella Christian on Dec. 9.
The Mustangs trailed by four after one and were outscored by
four in the final frame during a 62-57 non-conference road loss. PCM won the two middle quarters 32-29. “We couldn’t overcome Pella Christian winning the boards, but we were right there,” Ford said. “I’m really happy with how we are getting better every game.”
DeVries led the Mustangs with 11 points, five rebounds and five assists and VandeLune added 11 points and two rebounds. Fischer had nine points, nine rebounds, two steals and two as-
Wendt tallied eight points and nine rebounds and Van Gorp finished with eight points,
Submitted Photo
PCM junior Tucker Wheeler, back row left, scored his 100th career victory during the Mustangs’ home quadrangular on Dec. 10. The Mustangs are unbeaten in duals this season.
Submitted Photo
PCM senior Kaden Clark, center, celebrates his 100th career victory with his parents Jacob and Angie Clark during the team’s home quadrangular on Dec. 10.
sists,
four boards and two assists. Wagaman registered five points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals, Jake Winters tallied two rebounds, two assists and two steals, Pete Kiernan scored three points and Steenhoek had two boards.
PCM Explorer
Photo by Jamie Steenhoek
PCM senior Gavin Van Gorp (1) put in a career-best 29 points against Perry on Dec. 10. The Mustangs rallied past the Bluejays in Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference play. PCM
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IHSAA determines sites for state baseball
BOONE — Locations for the next four years of the Iowa High School Athletic Association’s State Baseball Tournament are set following extensive planning for the upcoming 2025 postseason and beyond.
The split site tournament will head west this summer to Sioux City and Carroll, then return to Cedar Rapids and Carroll from 2026 through at least 2028.
“Thanks to a great team effort, our state baseball tourna-
ment will continue to be showcased at first-class facilities with outstanding hosts,” IHSAA executive director Tom Keating said.
Sioux City’s Lewis & Clark Park will host Class 4A and 3A for the 2025 tournament. The 3,800-seat stadium is home to the minor league Sioux City Explorers and will host the IHSAA event on a one-year agreement.
Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids became a state baseball site in 2024 for the first time since the 1970s and will
host 4A and 3A again as part of a three-year arrangement starting in 2026. MLB scheduling has the Cedar Rapids Kernels playing at home during the IHSAA tournament week in 2025.
Carroll will remain home for 2A and 1A as part of a four-year agreement, running from 202528.
“Our sincere appreciation goes out to these communities and ballparks for hosting these tournaments,” IHSAA baseball administrator Andy Umthun said. “We’re excited state baseball will visit Sioux City for the first time, and we know returning to Carroll and Cedar Rapids also will provide great experiences for our schools and student-athletes.”
State-ranked Mustangs cruise past Bluejays
PERRY — Tori Lindsay scored a season-high 19 points, the Mustangs controlled the boards and the PCM girls basketball team remained unbeaten following a 55-27 road win over Perry on Dec. 10.
The Class 3A No. 9 Mustangs won the Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference game after leading 19-5 after one quarter and outscoring the Bluejays 21-9 in the third. It was PCM’s fifth straight win over Perry. The Mustangs are 6-1 in the series since 2021.
Lindsay added four rebounds, two assists and four steals to her game-high 19 points. Addison Steenhoek added 10 points, three rebounds and four assists.
PCM Boys
CONTINUED FROM 6
and connected on 8-of-15 from the foul line.
Landon Fransman led the Eagles (3-0) with 11 points and 15 rebounds and Gilbert Flagel contributed 14 points and seven boards.
Kyra Naeve chipped in nine points, four rebounds, two assists and four steals, Libby Winters collected six points, seven boards, two assists and three steals and Rebecca De Vries contributed four points and five boards off the bench.
Bailey Wheeler posted three points and two rebounds, Holly Wood swiped two steals, Lillian Knapp pulled down four rebounds and Lila Milani grabbed two boards.
The Mustangs (6-0, 3-0) shot 42.3 percent from the floor, made 5-of20 from 3-point range and connected on 6-of-10 from the free-throw line.
PCM turned the ball over 14 times and out-rebounded Perry 37-28.
Lily Myers led Perry (3-2, 2-1) with 13 points and 16 rebounds, but the Bluejays shot only 22.5 percent from the floor, made 2-of-16 from 3 and committed 23 turnovers.
Pella Christian sunk half of its shots from the floor but was only 2-of-15 from 3 and 6-of-21 from the foul line.
The Eagles out-rebounded the Mustangs 44-39.
Electrical Project Coordinators
• Communicate with Project Manager to identify and resolve problems.
• Keep project information updated.
• Support and coordination with management on multiple projects.
• Results-driven to meet deadlines.
• Willing to learn how to read blueprints and specifications.
The 2025 tournament will mark the first IHSAA team championship to ever be played in Sioux City. The IHSAA’s Board of Control approved the four-year proposal in November, pending coordination with the American Rivers Conference to utilize their MiLB reserved dates in Cedar Rapids. The ARC Presidents Council confirmed the agreement on Dec. 9, shifting rights for the 2026 dates from the NCAA Division III conference to the IHSAA.
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PCM Explorer
The Mustangs shot 34 percent from the floor, made 7-of-29 from 3
Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer PCM sophomore Lila Milani passes the ball to a teammate during a home game earlier this season.