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Jasper County once again dealing with potential health risks from Canadian wildfires smoke
By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune
For several years, the State of Iowa has occasionally been blanketed by smoke from Canadian wildfires increasing health risks for residents. Jasper County has not been left out, with hazy skies becoming the norm from dawn until dusk.
In recent days, the Iowa Department
of Natural Resources issued a statewide Air Quality Alert. It was found that the Air Quality Index could reach the red or unhealthy category.
During that time, the DNR recommended people avoid long or intense outdoor activities and take frequent breaks until the air quality improves. Sensitive groups including people with respiratory illness or heart disease, children, teenagers, the elderly and outdoor workers were advised to take extra precautions.
According to the American Lung Association (ALA), Canada and the United States have experienced an increase in the frequency and intensity of wildfires, along with a greater risk for health effects from smoke. Even though the
Fish weren’t flying out of the water, but kids still caught their fill at the annual Quarry Springs Park Fishing Derby
fires are thousands of miles away, the smoke can travel and remain potent, causing health issues for youth through senior citizens.
“Catastrophic wildfires are impacting the lung health of people in all parts of the U.S. and Canada,” President and CEO of the American Lung Association Harold Wimmer said. “We are not only seeing an increase in the frequency and devastating impact of fires, but they are also dispersing dangerous smoke and particle pollution across a larger area.”
In 2023, Canada faced its worst wildfire year ever with large fires affecting all 13 provinces and territories. Although there were fewer fires in 2024, it still ranked among the top six wildfire seasons in the past 50 years. The U.S.
Jasper County acquires concrete for bridge replacement along N. 107th Ave. W.
Supervisors approved the less than $15K bid, keeping bid under day labor limits
By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune
The Jasper County Board of Supervisors approved less than $15,000 worth of concrete that will be poured onto a new bridge deck along North 107th Avenue West over Clear Creek. County Engineer Michael Frietsch said the bridge — classified as Bridge D05 — will be about 120 feet long when fully completed.
Purchasing the concrete was an attempt to stay below the day labor limit of less than $15,000, Frietsch said. Only one bidder submitted an estimate for the structural concrete. The board of supervisors awarded the contract to Manatt’s Inc. for $14,800.50, giving the county about 90 cubic yards of poured concrete.
“Our estimate, the engineer’s estimate, was $15,750, so they were underneath our estimate a little bit,” Frietsch said. “Overall, that’s pretty good and that will put them under contract and not count against our
day labor limit so we can avoid getting hand slapped by the (Iowa Department of Transportation).”
Progress of the bridge work is coming along.
“Should be setting the beams here on it pretty quick here actually, so we’re getting real close to pouring the deck probably next month,” Frietsch said.
Newton News previously reported about Bridge D05 in August 2024 and March 2025. Last year, the county paid for geotechnical services on the bridge to determine the underlying soil conditions. Allender Butzke Engineers conducted the geotechnical services to Bridge D05 for $6,000.
Earlier this year, the county had to acquire permanent easements in order to move forward with the bridge replacement. Since the steel beam, single-span bridge will be raised about two feet higher, Frietsch decided to try and get a 30-foot strip of additional right-of-way on both sides of the bridge.
also experienced a rise in wildfires, with 64,897 in 2024, up from 56,580 the previous year. Of note, wildfires have increased in Hawaii and areas of the Midwest and East Coast where they are not typically found.
In 2025, Canada began its wildfire season with fewer fires; however, the U.S. has already experienced devastating fires in Southern California, including the state’s second and third most destructive fires, as well as significant blazes in Texas, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Florida and South Carolina, the ALA said. While certain populations have a harder time with the smoke, it poses serious health hazards for anyone who
$4.33M for economic development, $800K for conservation and sheriff’s office
By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune
While it certainly wasn’t as flashy or energetic as a livestock auction, the county’s live bond sales for the rail park and other miscellaneous projects did
break up the monotony of the Tuesday morning board of supervisors meeting, even more so when both sets of bids for the true interest costs came in under estimate.
Two bond sales were up for bid: $4.33 mil-
lion for the rail park, and $800,000 for conservation and sheriff’s office projects. Jon Burmeister of PFM Financial Advisors walked county officials through the bidding
Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune
Big or small, kids were excited to reel in any fish during the annual Quarry Springs Park Fishing Derby throughout the morning on June 7 in Colfax.
Obituaries
John William Borts
June 6, 2025
John William Borts, age 90, of Colfax, Iowa, passed away on June 6, 2025, surrounded by his family at home. John’s family will greet friends for visitation on Wednesday, June 11, at Coburn Funeral Home in Colfax from 5:00 - 8:00 PM. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 12, at the Colfax United Methodist Church at 10:30 AM. Following the service a burial will be held at Colfax Cemetery with Military Honors. The family will host a luncheon at the Methodist Church
following the burial. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family for a memorial to be determined. Cards can be sent to “Coburn Funeral Home, Attn: John Borts, 24 W Howard St, Colfax, Iowa 50054.” The son of Russell Borts and Claudine (Webb) Moore, John was born on June 8, 1934, in Colo, Iowa. He grew up in the Colfax area. John graduated in 1952 from Colfax High School. On March 9, 1956, he married the love of his life, Alice Cross at the Colfax United Methodist Church and together built a beautiful life and family for 69 years. John spent his adult life proudly serving his country in the Army and in the Army National Guard for 30 years, retiring with the rank of Command Sergeant Major. He worked at Maytag and retired af-
ter 40 years. John was highly involved in athletics and other community activities. He participated in football, basketball and track & field at Colfax High School. He also joined the Colfax Boxing Club as a teenager. Boxing is the sport that he had great success in and became well-known for. His boxing accomplishments included 6 Iowa Golden Gloves Boxing Championships. He would later join the U.S. Army Boxing Team while stationed in Europe. He traveled Europe and had an undefeated record beating many of the other European national champions and winning a European International Tournament. He is an inductee into the Iowa Amateur Boxing Association Hall of Fame. John was also a member of the Army track team
where he had great success as a hurdler winning all but one race. His community involvement included assisting the local track teams with hurdles, high jump and pole vault. He was the race starter for the high school track meets. He coached Little League baseball including his son’s teams for many years. He was a member of the football sideline chain gang for 50 years. He was recognized by the Iowa High School Football Coaches Association and University of Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz for his distinguished service. He coached at the local boxing club helping to prepare boxers for the annual Golden Gloves. He was a Colfax City Council member. He was a United Methodist Church Sunday School teacher, a choir member and a lay minister. In John’s retirement
years, he stayed busy as a plumber and electrician with George and Leroy Dickerson as well as volunteering as a repairman at Trainland USA with his long time friend Red Atwood. Although John was very involved in the community, his family was always his highest priority. As a family member you could count on John being at your sporting event. He went from watching his children play to seeing his grandkids play and even his great grandkids. An energetic man who was very outgoing and never met a stranger. John was a family man through and through. His family recalls memories of fixing cars with their Dad after a long day at work, talking about sporting memories, working on fixing up their houses, and his unwavering support through-
out the years. He loved to mow the lawn, watch western movies and sing old folk songs. Those left to honor John’s memory include his wife, Alice (Cross) Borts; his children, John (Deanna) Borts, Tony (Carol) Borts, Lynda (Dave) Stanford, Joyce (Mike) Sharp, and Jeff (Barb) Borts; his brother, George (Elaine) Moore; a sister-in-law, Linda Cross; a step brother-in-law, Gary Tilton; 11 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding John in death were his parents, Russell Borts and Claudine (Earl) Moore; parents-in-law, Leanna and Gale Tilton; a sister-inlaw, Donna (Joe) Hadsall; a brother-in-law, Wayne Cross; and his siblings Doris Mae (Morris) Weikert and LeRoy (Barb) Borts.
Imogene Mae White
June 6, 2025
Imogene (Jean) Mae White, the daughter of Theodore L. and Emma Mae (Bell) Weyers, was born December 15, 1933, Northeast of Monroe, Iowa. She attended country school in Buena Vista Township in Jasper County, Iowa. On January 2, 1957, Jean was united in marriage with Lloyd Nathaniel White in Newton, Iowa. She worked briefly at Newton Manufacturing before she began farming with Lloyd south
HOWARD ST. CHRISTIAN CHURCH (Disciples of Christ)
Pastor Josh Burns 101 N. Locust St., Colfax Cell - 515-779-3148
SUNDAY - 10 a.m. Fellowship;10:30 a.m. Worship, in person or online via YouTube
MONDAY - Pastor Josh day off TUESDAY - 9:30 a.m. Coffee Time; 2:30 p.m. Chair Yoga
WEDNESDAY - 3:30 p.m. After school elementary youth; 6:15 ChiRho and CYF youth supper; 7:30 p.m. Youth Group
THIRD SUNDAY - 8 p.m. Elders meeting, Board meeting after church; Collect for Food Pantry
FOURTH SUNDAY - Potluck Dinner
FIFTH SUNDAY - Potluck Breakfast
FIRST MONDAY - WIC appointments
FOURTH & FIFTH TUESDAY - 3 p.m. Table of Grace
IRA UNITED CHURCH Pastors Doug Cupples and Phil Butler
SUNDAY - 9:30 a.m. Church ser-
of Monroe. Jean enjoyed attending special events at Lynnville Heart of Worship to watch her granddaughter. Other activities she enjoyed included deer and turkey hunting, fishing, mushroom hunting, playing cards, cruising the farm on her Ranger, calling family and friends to chat and spending time with family, especially her granddaughter.
Jean died on Friday, June 6, 2025, at Newton Village Healthcare Center. She was 91 years old. Jean was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lloyd on September 29, 2009; her sister, Helen Springer; brother, Carl (and his wife, Marilyn) Weyers; brother, Carroll Weyers; and brothers-in-law, Chuck Shampine and Bill Hoover. Those left to honor Jean’s
Church Schedules
vice; 10:30 a.m. Sunday school Communion first Sunday METZ COMMUNITY CHURCH 3253 W. 62nd St. S., Newton Pastor David Rex 641-521-4354
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10:10 a.m. Worship Last Saturday of month - 8 a.m. Men’s Breakfast
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, Colfax Minister, Pastor Cody Dyer Church Office 674-4165
SUNDAY, June 15 - 9 a.m. Fellowship; 9:15 a.m. Bible Education Classes; 10:25 a.m. Message by Pastor Cody Dyer, TUESDAY, June 17 - 3:30 p.m. Women’s Prayer and Coffee; 6:30 p.m. Gospel of John Bible Study, WEDNESDAY, June 18 - 9 a.m. Busy Bee Quilters and Fresh Encounter Prayer, THURSDAY, June 19 - 4 p.m. VBS Kickoff Set-Up; 5 p.m. VBS Kickoff Event with Freedom for Youth
SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH
Newton, Iowa
SATURDAY - 4 p.m. Mass
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Mass
COLFAX FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
S. Locust & W. Division St. Office - 674-3782
Rev. Phil Dicks pastor
SUNDAY - 10:30 a.m. Sunday School; Family Worship with Father’s Day Celebration
HOPE ASSEMBLY OF GOD
126 E. Howard Rev. Paul Avery, pastor Church: 674-3700 hopeassemblyofgod@yahoo.com
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10 a.m. Worship
WEDNESDAY - 7 p.m. Evening Service
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
CATHOLIC CHURCH
302 E. Howard St., Colfax Fr. Marty Goetz
515-674-3711
SUNDAY - 11 a.m. Mass
MINGO UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Rev. Phil Dicks
515-689-4926
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Worship service (Sunday school not meeting at this time)
memory include her daughters, Barbara (Randy) Clark and Denise White-Staecker (Dennis Staecker); her granddaughter, Katie Staecker: her sisters, Thelma Shampine, Mary Hoover, Kay (Roland) Law, Janet (Steve) Foster; a brother-in-law, Chuck Springer; a sister-in-law, Edna (Jim) Saltzman and many nieces and nephews.
ASHTON CHAPEL
8887 W. 122nd St. N., Mingo
Pastors: Larry Craig & Mark Eddy
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10 a.m. Worship
BETHANY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 5627 N. 95th Ave. W., Baxter 641-227-3402
Pastor Chris Hayward
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday School
(Sunday after Labor Day to second Sunday in May); 10 a.m. Sunday Worship. First Sunday communion. All are welcome. baxterbethanyucc.org
EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH
BAXTER
Mike Mclintock, Pastor
SUNDAY - 9:15 a.m. Sunday School; 10 a.m. Worship; 6 p.m. Awanas
WEDNESDAYS - 1st & 3rd - 6:30 p.m. Mens Bible Study 2nd & 4th - 6:30 p.m. Men’s and Womens Bible Study
THURSDAYS 10 a.m. - Womens Bible Study
BAXTER
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
218 S. Main, Baxter Pastor Ben Spera Church: 641-227-3382
SUNDAY - 10 a.m. Worship
WEDNESDAY - 6 p.m. Bible Study
THIRD THURSDAY of month6:30 p.m. Theology on Tap at Bea’s Place on Main Street Check us out on Facebook and
A visitation with the family will be held from 6:00 pm until 7:30 pm, Friday, June 13, 2025, at the Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton. A private family graveside service will be held at 11:00 am, June 14th. Memorials may be designated in Jean’s name to Hospice of the Midwest and may be left at the funeral home or with the family.
baxtercongregational.com
CORNERSTONE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP
1000 E. 12th St., Newton Rev. Josh Farver, pastor Phone 641-792-4650
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10:15 a.m. Worship
WEDNESDAY - 6:30 p.m. Prayer Meeting and Bible Study; Youth Group
HERITAGE WORD OF LIFE
ASSEMBLY OF GOD 102 Second St. NW, Mitchellville Pastor Dave Adams 515-967-3330
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Bible classes; 10 a.m. Worship service; 6 p.m. Evening service
WEDNESDAY - 7 p.m. Evening activities
LUTHERAN CHURCH OF HOPE Capitol II Theatre in Newton SUNDAY - 9:30 a.m. Livestream Worship Service
MITCHELLVILLE CHRISTIAN DISCIPLES OF CHRIST
210 Third St. NW, Mitchellville Text/Voicemail 515-519-0206 SUNDAY - 10 a.m. Coffee Time; 10:30 a.m. Worship Time, in person or via YouTube Live at 1040 am WEDNESDAY - 5:30pm W.O.W Youth Group with supper provided Visit mitchellvillechristianchurch. org and follow us on Facebook
breathes it. Smoke contains tiny particles — some
and
lung health.
the lungs and even enter the bloodstream — that
Bond Sales
process and the actual bond transaction, which was voted on later in the meeting when bids were verified.
Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. was the winning bidder in both bond sales. Jasper County was able to secure a 4.86 percent interest rate for the $4.33 million bond, of which five financial institutions submitted bids. For the $800,000 bond, the county acquired a 3.91 percent interest rate from a pool of four bidders.
Burmeister said Jasper County was shooting for an interest rate below 5 percent for both bonds. The county will then borrow the money to finance projects.
“So you’re seeing the making of the cake, so to speak,” Burmeister said. “The county sent out what they call their official statement to the municipal bond market,
The American and Canadian Lung Associations have three areas that can help protect residents from the harmful health impacts of wildfires. They include:
• Awareness: Raising
and we invited all underwriters in the United States to bid on the county’s bonds. We confirmed Aa2 from the rating agency.”
Financial institutions from Wisconsin, Illinois and Tennessee participated in the bidding process. The bids were received at 9:30 a.m.
Other true interest cost bids for the $4.33 million bond include:
Pipe Sandler & Co. for a 4.94 percent interest rate, BOK Financial Securities Inc. for a 4.98 percent interest rate, FHN Financial Capital Markets for a 5.04 percent interest rate and Northland Securities Inc. for a 5.19 percent interest rate.
The other bids for the $800,000 bond include: Northland Securities Inc. for a 3.97 percent interest rate, Bernardl Securities Inc. for a 4.12 percent interest rate and Bankers’ Bank for a 4.24 percent interest rate.
Burmeister said, “This competitive bid process provides the county with the lowest costs for
greater awareness about the health impacts that wildfire smoke has on everyone, especially higher-risk communities and groups, through online resources, media stories, social media and more.
borrowing. We have five different underwriters and 30 different banks, and we’re trying to find those investors that will provide the county with the lowest cost of borrowing. Each day that changes.”
Supervisors approved the bond sales in a unanimous vote.
However, the rail park is going to need additional funds after another partner in the project — Alliant Energy — dropped out. In response, the county and Iowa Interstate Railroad decided to split that third partner’s portion, which will require the county to secure another bond sale.
To kickstart that process, the board of supervisors set a date for a meeting to authorize another loan agreement. The meeting will take place at 9:30 a.m. June 24 at the Jasper County Courthouse. This time the loan will be for $1.95 million.
Altogether, the county will be investing $6,280,000 into the rail park.
• Education: Educating the public on steps people can take to protect themselves from wildfire smoke before, during and after a wildfire smoke event.
• Advocacy: The American Lung Association is advocating for the use of prescribed fires in some circumstances, and both organizations are advocating for ways to address one key factor making wildfires worse: climate change.
2025 Iowan of the Day
Nominate your outstanding Iowan for recognition at the State Fair
The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation and Cookies BBQ Food Products are currently seeking 10 individuals to be recognized for the Iowan of the Day award at the 2025 Iowa State Fair. Recognize an outstanding individual in your life who exemplifies the qualities associated with Iowa-integrity, dependability, sense of community and a strong work ethic by nominating them today.
Each of the 10 Iowan of the Day winners are awarded a day of recognition at the 2025 Iowa State Fair, Aug. 7-17, including four Iowa State Fair admission tickets, an introduction on the Anne & Bill Riley Stage, four Grandstand concert tickets on their day of recognition, use of the Iowan of the Day golf cart, VIP parking, accommodations at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown and $200 cash. Nomination forms can be found online at www. BlueRibbonFoundation.org/events/iotd and must be submitted to the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation by July 1. Nominations from 2022, 2023 and 2024 will be reconsidered. All nominees must currently reside in Iowa.
The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Since its inception in 1993, the Foundation has generated more than $200 million for renovation and preservation of the historic Iowa State Fairgrounds. For more information, contact the Blue Ribbon Foundation at 1-800-450-3732 or Info@BlueRibbonFoundation.org.
File Photo
Each of the 10 Iowan of the Day winners are awarded a day of recognition at the 2025 Iowa State Fair, Aug. 7-17.
Summer reading
If you liked “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman, which was made into the movie “A Man Called Otto” starring Tom Hanks, you’ll no doubt take a shine to “The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 83¼ Years Old” translated by Hester Velmans. The main differences are the “Ove” book takes place in Sweden and involves an old man living in a type of retirement village, whereas the “Groen” book takes place in the Netherlands and involves an old man in a nursing home. But if you’re the “Accidental Tourist” like me, Sweden-Netherlands, they’re all one-and-the-same. Pompous of me, I know.
Hendrik Groen decides to keep a journal while being a resident (“inmate”) of a nursing home, to keep himself occupied and his mind active. His wife has dementia, doesn’t recognize him, and is in a different mental institution. He doesn’t have any children and has no visitors. He
Curt Swarm Empty Nest
finds that keeping the journal helps him relax and accept life in the nursing home with a grain of salt. The journal becomes the family he doesn’t have, if you will. “Once I have committed something to paper, I can distance myself from it a bit, and then I’m less insufferable. That’s a lot nicer for the people around me too.” (I’ve noticed the same effect for my writing also.)
“The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen” is full of geriatric humor and wit, laced with end-of-life insight. “Today is World Alzheimer’s Day. What are you supposed to do with that? Try to remember it?”
Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease, next to falls, is their biggest fear. Pointedly, Hendrik Groen’s story of surviving in the nursing home revolves around, like the earth revolving around the sun, a close female friend he meets in the nursing home. His friend progresses through the stages of
Yes, you can join a union — no, you don’t have to join a union
By Thomas L. Knapp
“Sixteen million workers were represented by unions in 2024,” Jim Miller writes in the San Diego Union-Tribune . “However, there were millions more who would have joined a union but couldn’t.”
Miller goes on to lament the failure of “pro-union” legislation in Congress, as well as the Trump administration’s attacks on unions in general and government employee unions in particular. But, unfortunately, his op-ed goes of the rails with that very first sentence.
There’s nothing to stop you from joining a union, whether you’re employed in a unionized workplace or not. There’s no law against it, and although some unions have their own exclusionary rules — the American Federation of Teachers (Miller’s organization) only offers “associate” membership for students, workers whose employers don’t contract with AFT, etc. — if a particular union won’t accept your membership application, chances are good that another (for example, Industrial Workers of the World) will.
You’re also never required to join a union. Don’t want to be a union member? Don’t take a job in a union workplace.
“Problem” solved.
As to getting your employer to enter into a labor contract with the union of your choice, that’s a different matter.
Under the National Labor Relations Act, the government controls the process. A certain number of workers have to request an election. If a majority of employees vote yes, all of the employees HAVE to join the union, or find somewhere else to work, and the employer HAS to “negotiate in good faith” toward a contract.
The NLRA wasn’t written to benefit union workers. They were doing just fine already. The NLRA
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benefits two groups:
First, union bosses. If you can require 100 people to pay dues because 51 of them said yes, the money rolls in ... and under the NLRA, you only have to worry that the workers will go on strike (and draw down the union’s relief funds) between contracts.
Second, employers. The NLRA forbids “wildcat” strikes (that is, striking while a contract is in effect), as well as boycotts and “sympathy strikes” (Workplace A going on strike and workers at Workplace B refusing, in solidarity, to unload trucks from Workplace A).
Union bosses got a more reliable source of revenue; employers got workplaces that wouldn’t shut down over labor disputes other than at contract expirations.
Workers? Well, they got screwed.
From the late 19th century until the 1930s, union membership and workplace unionization increased organically and unions fought hard for their members.
Once the NLRA went into effect, the numbers went up, plateaued, then began shrinking. And no wonder. Why would union officials fight hard for workers if that might result in strikes costing them dues revenues? Better to invest their time into “organizing” new workplaces with new dues-payers.
The Taft-Hartley “right to work” amendments only made things worse, allowing states to forbid both employers and unions from entering into “exclusive” labor contracts. Can unions make a comeback? Sure — but only if the NLRA, including Taft-Hartley, is repealed and government gets its nose out of labor matters.
Thomas L. Knapp is director and senior news analyst at the William Lloyd Garrison Center for Libertarian Advocacy Journalism
Letters to the Jasper County Tribune will be edited for libel, grammar and length and should not exceed 400 words. Include your full name, address and a daytime phone number for verification. Signed columns as well as letters to the editor and editorial cartoons represent the personal opinion of the writer or artist. Submit letters to news@jaspercountytribune.com or Newton News, P.O. Box 967, Newton, Iowa 50208.
Alzheimer’s Disease, with Hendrik looking after her. Like Ove’s attachment to Saabs, Hendrik becomes interested in old people’s means of transportation, namely a mobility vehicle called a Canta. He buys one and, not satisfied with its 3 mph, has it souped up. Of course he gets himself into all kinds of trouble. Here in the US, we have golf carts and UV’s buzzing to the Post Office and grocery store, plugging up parking lots and confusing drivers on the streets. In the Netherlands it’s the Canta.
I won’t say that “The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen” is a must read for all seniors. Being a senior myself at 76, and having just recovered from cancer, except for the side effects of treatment, the book hits a little too close to home. I did ask myself a couple of times, “Do I want to be reading this?” But I’m glad I did. Ginnie asked me what I was cackling about while I was reading it. I read her some passages, and now she is reading it, and cackling, and reading me passages.
“The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen” is
the first book of a trilogy. So, if you’re looking for something that will last through the dog days of summer, Hendrik Groen may be your ticket, depending on how fast or serious a reader you are. I’m going to put off books two and three for a while: “On the Bright Side: The New Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 85 Years Old” and “Two Old Men and a Baby.” I’ll switch writing styles and read some Anne Tyler. After all, she’s written over 20 books, which includes a Pulitzer Prize winner. That should keep me busy for awhile, not necessarily out of trouble.
Ginnie’s father, Paul Harvey (no kidding), is turning 98 on Sunday the 15th this coming June. He resides in assisted living. Being an avid reader, I think I’ll buy him the hard bound copy of “The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen” for his birthday. He may enjoy it or he may not. If we see him driving a Canta to church or the barber shop, we’ll know he liked it. If he disowns me from the family, we’ll know he didn’t. Happy summer reading.
Contact Curt Swarm at curtswarm@ yahoo.com
Putting Iowans first
For the last four years, we saw our southern border turned into a glorified turnstile with a record flood of illegal immigrants and drug trafficking by murderous cartels.
Iowans are unfortunately all too familiar with the dangers of open borders.
In 2016, as Iowan Sarah Root drove home from a college graduation party, she was struck and killed by an illegal immigrant driving drunk. Before her family could even lay Sarah to rest, her killer was released on bail and fled to Honduras.
Like most Iowans, I was heartbroken for Sarah’s family and outraged that the system had failed to deliver justice. For the last decade, I led the fight in Washington to pass my Sarah’s Law to close the loophole that allowed her killer, Edwin Mejia, to escape.
Unfortunately, my efforts fell on deaf ears in the Biden administration and Democrat-controlled Senate. The Biden administration even took Mejia off the most wanted list, essentially giving up on pursuing him and delivering justice to the Root family.
That all changed when Donald Trump returned to the White House and Republicans regained control of the Senate.
Earlier this year, I proudly shepherded Sarah’s Law through
From Washington, DC
Congress to become the law of the land when it was part of the first law President Donald Trump signed this year. Now, any illegal immigrant who seriously injures an American will be detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
After years of inaction by the Biden administration, the Trump administration quickly located Edwin Mejia in Honduras and secured a deal to extradite him to America to face justice.
Last week, during a Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem assured me that, in the Trump administration, Sarah’s story did not fall on deaf ears. Secretary Noem detailed that, in addition to delivering justice to the Root family, this deal set a precedent as the first homicide extradition by Honduras and established an important relationship between our two nations going forward.
I thanked Secretary Noem for her work to finally carry out justice, and she also shared more ways the Trump administration is reversing
course from the disastrous Biden years and putting Iowans first. In addition to securing the southern border, the administration is also securing the integrity of our elections.
After a highly concerning report last fall that over 2,000 Iowa voters were non-citizens, I demanded answers from the Biden administration to ensure that only Americans are allowed to vote in our elections. It’s just common sense, folks! Thankfully, Secretary Noem assured me that, after the Biden administration refused to act, the Trump administration is building upon my work to ensure that illegal immigrants are not able to vote in our elections. With DOGE, the Department of Homeland Security created a single database to verify the citizenship of voters in every state and launched a pilot program allowing states to quickly and efficiently clean up voter rolls for secure elections.
I am proud to lead this return to common sense in Washington.
The days of radical, leftwing policies have been replaced by secure borders, secure elections, and prioritizing the safety and security of U.S. citizens.
Joni Ernst, a native of Red Oak and a combat veteran, represents IowaintheUnitedStatesSenate.
By Jim Hightower
The right wing routinely demonizes family-friendly policies of liberals as “social engineering.”
But look out! Here come those same politicians, putting on MAGA hardhats and firing up their political bulldozers to push one of the most arrogant and intrusive social schemes imaginable. They intend to re-engineer the American family! These “pronatalists” want families to conform to a Christian Nationalist family structure — specifically, a dominant man married to a subservient stayat-home woman, having beaucoup children. Not a couple of kiddos but six, 12, or more!
For example, extremist MAGA senator Josh Hawley has become a cheerleader for a federal policy to entice women to quit work, stay home, and have more babies. He proposes a tax credit of $5,000 per child, gushing that this would cause working families to exclaim, “Oh, my gosh, we can actually raise our kids.”
Well, “gosh” right back at you, Josh!
Just giving birth can cost more than $5,000 — and raising a child is multiples above that every year. So, you want to take away a mom’s job and her income and add thousands in costs to the family budget — in exchange for a government tax credit?
The slickest loan sharks aren’t
that diabolical. Oh, wait. Right-wing pronatalists have another government incentive to jack-up birth rates. Incredibly, Trump officials have proposed a “National Medal of Motherhood” for women who have six or more children.
Wow, what should that medal look like? And when and where should it be worn? Also, will unmedaled women be socially ostracized?
If right wingers actually wanted to help families, they’d be backing family-level wages, free child care, and Medicare for all. Everything else is political BS. Jim Hightower is a radio commentator,writerandpublicspeaker.
of grievances.
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst
Baxter baseball off to best start in program history
By Troy Hyde Sports Editor
BAXTER — Cael Wishman hit the first batter he faced with the first pitch he threw against Clarksville on June 6.
That was his only blemish until the fourth frame for the Baxter baseball team, and his career-high 11 strikeouts helped the Bolts down the Indians, 15-1, during an Iowa Star Conference cross-division matchup.
The Bolts claimed their sixth straight win and are now 7-1, which is the best start to a season in program history.
“I think the last two seasons were pretty good, but this one feels really nice,” Baxter junior Cody Spurgeon said. “We’re at the top of the South Division through the first rotation for the first time. We have a lot of energy, play together and try our best.”
Wishman had a no hitter through three innings and he struck out eight of the first 10 batters he faced. He fanned the side in the second, third and fourth, too.
The Baxter junior walked the leadoff batter in the fourth and Jacob Johnson came around to score on Camden Behrends’ RBI double. But Wishman (1-1) earned his first win of the season after allowing one earned run on one hit, one walk and one hit batter.
Wishman also had two hits, one walk, three runs and one steal to lead the Bolts offensively.
“You just have to shake it off and make an adjustment,” Wishman said after hitting the first batter of the game. “I was trying to sit on the off speed for most of their lineup, but the fast ball was there, and I
commanded it well.”
The first five Bolts reached base and scored in the first inning. Hayden Burdess reached on an error, Spurgeon, Wishman and Liam Trent all walked and Jace Bottorff had an RBI fielder’s choice.
Trent’s walk delivered the first run of the game, Wishman scored on a wild pitch, Aiden Johnson produced an RBI sacrifice fly and Cole Frasher’s RBI ground out made it 5-0.
Baxter led 9-0 after two innings but needed only three hits to get there.
In the second, Spurgeon was hit by a pitch, Wishman singled and then took second on an error and Trent walked again to load the bases.
Bottorff’s RBI sacrifice fly made it 6-0, Wishman scored on a wild pitch and Trent was plated on a Clarksville error. An RBI ground out from Colton Moffit completed the four-run frame.
Spurgeon was hit by a pitch with one out in the third but his pinch runner, Nolan Hill, was retired at third on a fielder’s choice by Trent.
After Wishman singled with two outs, he moved to second on the fielder’s choice and then stole third before Trent swiped second on a double steal.
Bottorff walked to load the bases and Johnson came through with an RBI on a bases-loaded walk. Trent scored on a wild pitch and then Moffit delivered a two-run single in front of back-to-back hits by Damman and Blake Maxwell.
The hit from Maxwell produced the first RBI of his varsity career. His twin brother Brecken Maxwell delivered his first career varsity RBI in the fourth.
Pair of freshmen lead C-M baseball to road win over English Valleys
NORTH ENGLISH — Career nights from a pair of Colfax-Mingo freshmen and a breakthrough performance on offense led the Tigerhawk baseball team to its first win of the season on June 4.
Colfax-Mingo registered its third straight win over English Valleys after scoring four in the third and seven in the sixth during a 14-1 road win in South Iowa Cedar League play.
The Tigerhawks out-hit the Bears 12-2 and English Valleys committed nine errors. Colfax-Mingo has outscored English Valleys 30-1 during its threegame win streak.
Chase Trotter posted a career-best four hits, three doubles, three runs and four RBIs to lead the Tigerhawks at the plate and Wyatt Jay struck out a career-high 11 batters over six innings.
Trotter also stole one base. He leads the Tigerhawks (1-6, 1-6 in the SICL) with five runs and seven total bases this summer.
Alex Teed collected two hits, a double, two runs and one RBI and he was hit by a pitch.
Kyle Wood doubled, scored two runs and stole two bases and was hit by a pitch, Fisher Grove tallied one hit, two runs, two RBIs and one walk and Camden Cunningham walked once, scored two runs and stole two bases.
Cunningham has a team-best six walks this summer. Jadyn Patten, Jay, Owen Ament and Maverick Harter all had one hit. Patten scored two runs and walked once, Ament finished with one RBI and one steal and Harter scored one run. Ayden Sloan registered one RBI.
Jay (1-0) tossed a six-inning complete game and struck out 11 while walking one and hitting one. He surrendered one unearned run and allowed two hits.
“I thought we’d struggle offensively and with the glove coming into the season, but those have been bright spots,” Baxter head baseball coach Jeremy Moffit said. “We put the ball in play and don’t strike out a lot.
“We’re fielding it a lot better. Our strikeouts are up from our pitchers, but when they do put it in play, our fielding percentages are better.”
The fourth inning started with Hill reaching base on a dropped third strike. He went to second on a balk and then scored on Brecken Maxwell’s RBI single.
The Bolts, who scored their fifth straight win over Clarksville, outhit the Indians 8-2 and the visitors committed four errors.
Moffit collected two hits and three RBIs and Damman added two hits and one walk. Damman is batting .556 in nine at-bats this summer.
Damman also relieved Wishman in the fifth and allowed one hit and struck out two in his one inning.
Spurgeon finished with one walk and two runs and he was hit by two pitches. He leads the team with eight hit by pitches this summer. His career total is 18 hit by pitches and the single-season school record is 14.
“I do stand pretty close to the plate, but I’m up there to get on base any way I can,” Spurgeon said. “I’m not trying to get hit, but it also doesn’t faze me if I do.”
Trent walked twice, scored three runs and stole two bases, Johnson walked twice, scored one run and had two RBIs and Bottorff walked once, scored two runs and totaled two RBIs.
Bottorff leads the team with 10 RBIs, while Wishman has a teammost three home runs, 12 runs, 19 total bases and seven steals.
“It’s been all right,” Wishman said. “I’ve had a few unlucky line outs, but I think I’m hitting it pretty well. I’m just trying to stay consistent and trying to barrel it up.”
Brecken and Blake Maxwell both had one hit and one RBI in their pinch-hit at-bats, Frasher totaled one RBI and Burdess, Hill, Derek Rominger and Tate Schnathorst all scored one run. Miles McCord stole one base.
Baxter 11, GMG 1
BAXTER — Trent had three hits, Colton Moffit stayed unbeaten on the mound and the Bolts used a seven-run first inning to down GMG on June 2.
Cael Grove had one of English Valleys’ two hits and took the pitching loss. The Bears (0-5) fell to 0-5 in the SICL.
North Mahaska 13, Colfax-Mingo 1 COLFAX — The Tigerhawks were limited to two hits and committed three errors during a 13-1 home loss to North Mahaska during SICL action on June 5. Colfax-Mingo trailed 2-1 after one, but the Warhawks plated two in the second, one in the third and eight in the fifth to end the game early.
Sloan had one hit and one run to lead the C-M offense and Teed had the other hit. Cunningham, Jace Lewis and Xavier Woods all walked and Cunningham and Woods each stole one base.
The Tigerhawks struck out eight times at the plate. Cunningham (0-3) took the pitching loss after allowing six runs — five earned — on seven hits and two walks over 4 1/3 innings. He struck out three. Patten surrendered one unearned run on two hits and one walk in 1/3 of an inning and Sloan didn’t get an out but allowed six earned runs on three hits and three walks.
Luke Boender led North Mahaska (4-5, 4-2) with three hits and two RBIs and Hunter Wemli had two hits, two runs and two steals.
Jack Kelderman struck out eight and allowed two hits and one earned run over five innings.
Sigourney 16, Colfax-Mingo 0
SIGOURNEY — Hunter Sellers tossed a no-hitter and struck out 10 batters for Sigourney on June 6 and the Savages downed Colfax-Mingo 16-0 during SICL play.
Jasper County Tribune
Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune Colfax-Mingo sophomore Jace Lewis, right, receives the ball from the pitcher for an attempted pick-off play at first base during a home game this season.
C-M BASEBALL | 7
Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune
Baxter junior Cael Wishman struck out a career-high 11 batters against Clarksville on June 6. The Bolts downed the Indians 15-1 in non-conference action.
Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune
Baxter senior Jace Bottorff puts the ball in play against Clarksville on
Baxter softball can’t hold lead against L-S, gets first win
By Troy Hyde Sports Editor
BAXTER — When Lynnville-Sully head softball coach Jordan Ely took over the program in January, everyone on the Hawks’ roster was a pitcher until they weren’t.
When the dust settled, junior Kate Harthoorn was left standing and she’s taken over the role of starting pitcher for the Hawks this summer.
While things haven’t been perfect, Harthoorn was strong against Baxter on June 5.
The Hawks got off to a slow start, but piled up 12 hits and used three crooked numbers to down the host Bolts, 12-5, in six innings during non-conference action.
“We are learning to believe in our abilities and our talents,” Ely said. “The last few years have been go out and play softball. This year, they are getting instruction and are learning how to play the game. It’s all new for them so it will take some time. They are doing a great job and getting better and better with each game.”
Baxter led 1-0 after one. The Bolts scored an unearned run in the first inning, but L-S countered with three in the third and pulled away with four in the fifth and five in the sixth.
The Hawks out-hit Baxter 12-6 to overcome five errors. The Bolts also committed three errors as four of the 18 runs scored were unearned.
“We’ve improved attitude-wise as we play more games,” Baxter head softball coach Cory Beals said. “The pitching has struggled, but we’re improving I think. We just need to be more confident.”
Beals also is in his first year as head softball coach at Baxter. He starts multiple eighth-graders and only three juniors and seniors were in the starting lineup against L-S.
The Hawks defeated the Bolts for the sixth straight time. And it took a small rally to do it.
Baxter’s Madison Jochems reached on an error in the first inning and then took second on Lillian Grunstead’s single. Both players stole a base to move into scoring position and Jochems stole home to put the Bolts on the board.
Baxter’s Camden Moffit was hit by a pitch to begin the bottom of the fourth. She stole second but was injured shortly after when she dove back to second base after a line out to third.
Beals said after the game she dislocated her shoulder and is out for the rest of the season. Myah Johnston scored on Klaire Shanks RBI double as Moffit’s pinch runner.
“We were in this game until Camden got hurt,” Beals said. “That changed what we were going to do as a team. We had to move kids around. I think it shocked some of our kids, too, because she’s one of our leaders.”
The Bolts (1-8) plated three in the bottom of the sixth but needed four to avoid the new eight-run mercy rule.
Mallory Bottorff singled to begin the sixth and then went to second on an L-S error. Caydence Sulzle’s RBI single and Shanks’ two-run double trimmed the margin to 13-4. Wonders reached on an error that allowed Sulzle to score, but Harthoorn got the next two batters out to end the game early.
“We’re not giving up. We just have to get some consistent hitting,” Beals said. “We can hit there but not in other places. We also have too many base running errors. We’re still learning some stuff.”
Shanks led the Bolts with three hits, one double and three RBIs and Grunstead, Bottorff and Sulzle all had one hit.
Sulzle finished with one run and one RBI, Bottorff scored one run and stole one base, Grunstead and Emileigh Beals swiped one base and Jochems stole two bases and scored one run. Moffit was hit by a pitch and
stole one base and Huffaker scored one run.
Wonders took the pitching loss after allowing nine runs — eight earned — on nine hits, two walks and two hit by pitches. She struck out two in 5 1/3 innings.
Katt Wing got two outs in the circle but not before surrendering four runs — three earned — on three hits.
“We’re going to try to be positive with every game,” Beals said. “I think we can get to five or six wins this year. I know they can do it. They just need to get some confidence.”
Baxter 10, Colo-NESCO 7
MCCALLSBURG — Wonders registered her first career varsity pitching win and had three hits at the plate against Colo-NESCO on June 4.
And the Bolts used a five-run sixth to rally past the Royals, 10-7, during a road Iowa Star Conference South Division contest.
It was a back-and-forth contest that saw Baxter score first but trail 2-1 and 7-4. The Bolts tied the game at 2-all with a run in the third and added single runs in the fourth, fifth and seventh. The five-run sixth came with Baxter trailing 7-4.
Wonders headlined the victory with three hits, one triple, one run, one RBI and two steals.
Wonders also earned the pitching victory after allowing seven earned runs on 13 hits and two walks in seven innings. She struck out three.
Beals finished with three hits, two runs, one RBI and four steals, Grunstead totaled two doubles, one RBI and one steal and Moffit tallied two hits, one double, three RBIs and one steal.
Sulzle finished with two hits and one steal, Shanks had two hits and one run and Jochems tallied one hit, one walk, two runs and three steals.
Bottorff posted one hit and one run, Elsie Hauser scored one run and the Bolts (1-8, 1-4) stole 12 bases.
Baxter out-hit the Royals 16-13 and Colo-NESCO (2-4, 1-4) committed nine errors.
Jadyn Niemeyer and Haylee Jackson each had three hits to lead the Royals, while Molly Angell finished with two hits, two runs and four steals.
GMG 9, Baxter 0
BAXTER — The Bolts were limited to one hit during a 9-0 loss to GMG on June 2.
The Wolverines broke open a scoreless game with a four-run fourth and a five-run fifth in the Iowa Star Conference South Division game.
Bottorff had the Bolts’ lone hit and Huffaker walked once.
Wonders started in the circle and allowed three earned runs on five hits and two walks. She struck out seven in 3 1/3 innings and took the loss.
Jochems surrendered one earned run on one hit and one walk and she struck out one in 2/3 of an inning.
Blaire Jutting tossed one inning and allowed five earned runs on one hit and five walks. She fanned two.
Riah Boege struck out 12 and allowed no runs and just one hit in five innings in the circle. GMG (33, 3-2) also got two hits from Taelyn Smith.
Clarksville 23, Baxter 0
BAXTER — The Bolts were nohit by Class 1A No. 2 Clarksville on June 6, and a pair of crooked numbers led the Indians to a 23-0 road win on June 6.
Clarksville out-hit Baxter 22-0, and the Bolts committed five errors and struck out 10 times at the plate.
Jutting allowed two earned runs on five hits and two walks in two innings in the circle and Wonders surrendered 12 runs — four earned — on seven hits, three walks and one hit batter in 1 2/3 innings.
Jochems also pitched, surrendering eight runs — five earned — on four hits, two walks and one hit batter in 1/3 of an inning.
Kara Bohlen led Clarksville (8-0) with four hits, one home run, three runs and five RBIs.
Bolts finish 0-2 at HLV/TC tournament
VICTOR — The Bolts lost twice at the HLV/TC tournament on June 7. Baxter fell 13-0 in four innings against the host Warriors and Hillcrest Academy downed Baxter 11-1 in five.
Jochems tallied two hits and two steals against HLV/TC and Sulzle had the other hit. Savannah Frasher was hit by a pitch.
Wonders and Jutting split the four innings in the circle. Wonders allowed eight runs — seven earned — on nine hits and one walk and Jutting surrendered five runs — two earned — on one hit, four walks and one hit batter and she struck out one.
Ema Roberts led HLV/TC (7-1) with three hits, three runs and three steals.
The Bolts committed four errors in each game.
Jochems finished with two hits, one run and one steal against Hillcrest.
Grunstead had two hits, doubled and tallied one RBI and Frasher had the other hit.
Jochems took the pitching loss after allowing seven runs — six earned — on five hits, two walks and four strikeouts.
Shanks got two outs in the circle but not before allowing four earned runs on three hits, two walks and one hit batter. She struck out one.
Malia Yoder led Hillcrest Academy (3-4) with two hits, three RBIs and two steals.
C-M softball falls to trio of SICL rivals
NORTH ENGLISH — The Colfax-Mingo softball team scored first but couldn’t hold down English Valleys during a 17-7 loss on June 4.
The Tigerhawks and Bears each scored once in the first and Colfax-Mingo led 2-1 in the third, but the hosts plated 10 runs in the bottom of the third and ended the game early due to the mercy rule.
Colfax-Mingo was out-hit 11-5 and there were a combined nine errors in the South Iowa Cedar League game.
The Tigerhawks are 8-2 against English Valleys since 2016, but the Bears have won two in a row in the series.
Brianna Freerksen led the Tigerhawks with two hits, three runs and three steals. Her seven runs lead the squad.
Kinley Johannes tallied one hit and two walks, Emma Cook had one hit, one run and one RBI and Dakota Allen was hit by a pitch and drove in two runs.
Katelyn Steenhoek had the other hit, Isabella Cushatt walked once and Callie Rathje walked and scored one run.
Brooklyn Yanske had one RBI, Londyn Alanis scored one run and stole one base and Mia Frangopol scored one run.
Freerksen (0-5) took the loss in the circle after allowing 11 runs — 10 earned — on nine hits, one walk and three hit batters in 2 2/3 innings. She struck out four.
Yanske threw 1 1/3 innings and allowed six earned runs on four hits and she struck out one.
North Mahaska 8, Colfax-Mingo 0 COLFAX — The Tigerhawks were limited to two hits and they committed three errors during an 8-0 home loss to North Mahaska on June 3.
Colfax-Mingo got both hits in the fifth, but it was not enough to get on the scoreboard in the SICL game.
Steenhoek and Cook had the hits, Freerksen walked twice and stole two bases, Cushatt walked twice and Allen drew one walk.
Yanske (0-2) took the pitching loss after surrendering eight earned runs on nine hits with one strikeout in four innings. Allen tossed one inning and struck out two.
North Mahaska (8-2, 5-1) scored twice in the first two innings and plated three in the fourth.
Sigourney 7, Colfax-Mingo 3 SIGOURNEY — Colfax-Mingo had more errors (4) than hits (2) but drew eight walks during a 7-3 loss to Sigourney on June 6. The Savages plated all seven of their runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings during the SICL game. Yanske had two hits, three RBIs and one walk to lead the Tigerhawks. She has a team-best five RBIs this summer.
Cushatt walked twice and scored one run, Freerksen walked three times and Johannes had two walks and one run. Cook drew one walk. Cushatt leads C-M with nine walks.
Freerksen tossed seven innings and allowed seven earned runs on six hits and three walks. She struck out three.
Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune Baxter junior Klaire Shanks runs down a short fly ball from her shortstop position during the team’s home game against Lynnville-Sully on June 5. Shanks led the Bolts with three hits and three RBIs in the 13-5 loss.
Jasper County Tribune
Best Start
Baxter needed only five innings to down the Wolverines as it won the Iowa Star Conference South Division contest, 11-1, at home.
The Bolts led 7-0 after one and then scored two runs in the third and fourth. GMG’s run was scored in the top of the fourth.
Baxter out-hit the Wolverines 10-3 and the visitors committed three errors.
Trent finished with three hits, two runs and one RBI, Burdess registered two hits, one run and three RBIs and Wishman collected one hit, one run and one steal and he was hit by one pitch.
Damman finished with one hit, one run, one walk and one steal, Frasher collected one run, two RBIs and one steal, Johnson chipped in one hit and one run and he was hit by one pitch and Colton Moffit added one hit and two RBIs.
Bottorff tallied one hit and one RBI, Hill scored one run and stole one base, Schnathorst scored two runs and McCord crossed home plate once.
Colton Moffit earned the win on the mound after striking out five and allowing no runs, no hits, no walks and no hit batters in three innings. He needed 35 pitches to get through three frames.
Wishman pitched two in-
nings and surrendered one earned run on three hits and one walk. He struck out five.
Joaquin Williams led GMG (1-6, 1-4) with one hit, one RBI and one stolen base.
Baxter 6, Colo-NESCO 2 ZEARING — Colton Moffit tied a school record with 15 strikeouts, and a five-run sixth inning pushed the Bolts past Colo-NESCO on June 4.
Baxter led 1-0 through three and trailed 2-1 after five before rallying for a 6-2 road victory during Iowa Star Conference South Division action.
C-M Baseball
Continuedfrompage5
Class 1A No. 4 Sigourney scored four
“I was gassing guys up pretty well and the overhand curveball was moving pretty well to get a lot of chases,” Colton Moffit said. “The umpire wasn’t calling the high strikes, but I think I did well hitting the low spots.”
The Royals are 10-9 against Baxter since 2009, but the Bolts have won six straight in the series.
They out-hit Colo-NESCO 5-2 and the Royals committed four errors at Duane Newton Field.
Colton Moffit struck out 15 batters and allowed two runs — one earned — on two hits
runs in the first and six each in the second and third to end the game early. Sigourney (8-0, 4-0) defeated the Tigerhawks for a seventh straight time. Teed walked and stole one base to lead C-M at the plate, while Jay walked once. The Tigerhawks committed four errors.
and one walk in seven innings. He totaled 111 pitches and improved to 4-0 with an earned run average of .61.
He’s fanned 39 batters in 23 innings this season.
Colton Moffit’s 15 strikeouts ties him with Carter Nelsen for the most in a single game in program history. Moffit thinks he’s been better this year than he was last year as an all-district pitcher. He still has eight total pitches from two different slots.
Burdess led the offense with one hit, one run, one RBI, one walk and one stolen base.
Bottorff added one hit and two RBIs and he was hit by one pitch, Frasher had one hit, one run and two RBIs and Spurgeon collected one hit and one walk and was hit by a pitch.
Damman chipped in one hit, one run and one walk, Wishman walked once, scored one run and stole one base and Johnson, Colton Moffit and Trent all drew one walk. Moffit’s four walks are tied with Burdess for the team lead.
Johnson added one RBI, Trent scored one run and Hill scored one run and stole one base.
Jonas Porter led the Royals (3-5, 1-4) with one hit and two RBIs.
Baxter 8, Twin Cedars 7
BAXTER — Wishman slugged his third homer of the season, Trent collected two hits and Hill and Johnson combined to strike out nine batters during the Bolts’ 8-7 non-conference
Lewis allowed nine runs — six earned — on four hits, four walks and one hit batter over 1 1/3 innings. He struck out one.
Patten got two outs but not before surrendering four earned runs on four hits and one walk with one strikeout.
win over Twin Cedars on June 5.
Baxter scored all eight of its runs in the first two innings and then held on for the home win.
“It’s been great,” Wishman said. “We all show up every day with a lot of energy, and we’re all just having a lot of fun.”
Twin Cedars (3-5) plated two in the second, two in the fifth and three in the seventh but came up one run short.
Wishman added two runs and two RBIs to his team-best third homer. He also leads the team with 19 total bases.
Trent and Spurgeon both scored two runs, Spurgeon added one hit was hit by a pitch and Bottorff collected one hit and two RBIs.
Colton Moffit, Damman, Frasher and James Esqueda all had one hit, Moffit and Esqueda scored one run and drove in another, Damman posted two RBIs, Frasher walked once and Burdess walked twice and stole one base. Rominger also drew one walk.
Burdess is now tied with Moffit for the team lead with four walks.
McCord also stole one base and eight of the Bolts’ nine hits were singles.
Hill (2-0) earned the pitching win after allowing four runs — three earned — on six hits and three walks in 4 1/3 innings. He struck out six.
Johnson registered his first career varsity save after surrendering three earned runs on three hits, one walk and one hit batter in 2 2/3 innings. He fanned three.
Trotter allowed three runs — two earned — on two hits, two walks and two hit batters in one inning. Sellers’ no-hitter came in four innings. He gave up two walks in the complete-game shutout. He also had one hit, two runs and two RBIs at the dish.
Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune
Baxter senior Aiden Johnson puts the ball in play against Clarksville on June 6. Johnson walked twice, scored one run and had two RBIs in the Bolts’ 15-1 win.
DOES YOUR basement or crawl space need some attention? Call
Auditor. Motion by Nearmyer seconded by Cupples to adopt Resolution 25-72, a hiring resolution certifying the following appointments to the Auditor for payroll implementation: DEPA RTMENT: Sheriff's Office POSITION: Jailer
EMPLOYEE: Jimena Mundo PAY RATE: $21.01
RA NGE/STEP: Hire-In Union Scale as of 7/27/24
EFFECTIVE DATE: 05/28/25
YEA: CUPPLES NEARMYER
TALSMA A complete copy of the resolution is on file in the Office of the Jasper County Auditor. Motion by Cupples, seconded by Nearmyer to adopt Resolution 25-73 approving the request from the Jasper County Sheriff's Office to create a permanent full-time School Resource Officer position.
YEA: CUPPLES NEARMYER
TALSMA A complete copy of the resolution is on file in the Office of the Jasper County Auditor. Motion by Cupples seconded by Nearmyer to adopt Resolution 25-74 approving the request from the Jasper County Sheriff's Office to create a permanent full-time Patrol Deputy position.
YEA: CUPPLES NEARMYER
TALSMA
A complete copy of the resolution is on file in the Office of the Jasper County Auditor. Motion by Nearmyer seconded by Cupples to approve the only bid from Manatt's in the amount of $14,800.50 for the concrete for bridge D05.
YEA: CUPPLES, NEARMYER, TALSMA Motion by Nearmyer, seconded by Cupples to adopt Resolution 25-75 fixing the date for a Public Hearing on the proposal to enter into a Development Agreement with Iowa Interstate Railroad, LLC with a recommended date and time of June 17 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in the Jasper County Board of Supervisors Room
YEA: CUPPLES NEARMYER
TALSMA A complete copy of the resolution is on file in the Office of the Jasper County Auditor. Motion by Cupples, seconded by Nearmyer to approve the contract declarations and execution for the Paul Coverdell Grant for Medicolegal Death Investigation course
YEA: CUPPLES NEARMYER
TALSMA Motion by Nearmyer seconded by Cupples to approve a temporary liquor license for Baxter Fun Days for July 9, 2025, to July 13 2025.
YEA: CUPPLES NEARMYER
TALSMA Motion by Cupples seconded by Nearmyer to adopt Resolution 25-76 approving transfer order #1549 in the amount of $453,015.00 from the Amended JC 28E Subfund to 2015 (2007) TPI Refunded fund.
YEA: CUPPLES NEARMYER
TALSMA A complete copy of the resolution is on file in the Office of the Jasper County Auditor. Motion by Cupples, seconded by Nearmyer to adopt Resolution 25-77 approving transfer order #1550 in the amount of $450,997.67 from the General Fund to Various Funds
YEA: CUPPLES, NEARMYER TALSMA A complete copy of the resolution is on file in the Office of the Jasper County Auditor. Motion by Cupples seconded by Nearmyer to adopt Resolution 25-78 approving transfer order #1551 in the amount of $230,055.00 from 2023 Legacy Plaza Capital Project fund to 2023 Legacy Plaza Debt Service fund.
YEA: CUPPLES, NEARMYER, TALSMA A complete copy of the resolution is on file in the Office of the Jasper County Auditor. Motion by Cupples seconded by Nearmyer to approve the Board of Supervisors Special meeting minutes for May 20, 2025.
YEA: CUPPLES NEARMYER
TALSMA Motion by Cupples seconded by Nearmyer to approve the Board of Supervisors minutes for May 20, 2025.
YEA: CUPPLES NEARMYER, TALSMA There were no Board Appointments. Motion by Cupples seconded by Nearmyer to adjourn from the regular meeting and enter into a work session. YEA: CUPPLES NEARMYER TALSMA Mike Frietsch discussed the
AGREEMENT WITH IOWA INTERSTATE RAILROAD, LLC, AND THE HEARING THEREON PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that the Board of Jasper County in the State of Iowa, will hold a public hearing on June 17, 2025, at 9:30 A.M. in the Supervisors Room County Courthouse, 101 1st Street N, Newton, Iowa at which meeting the Board proposes to take action on the proposal to enter into a Development Agreement (the "Agreement") with Iowa Interstate Railroad, LLC (the "Railroad"). The Railroad is party to two option agreements with land owners ("Purchase Options") to purchase land located within the Jasper Rail Park Urban Renewal Area, as defined and legally described in the Agreement ("Development Property") and the Railroad intends to purchase such land and prepare it for development as a rail park in order to increase the availability of rail-served industrial sites for employers in the County. The Agreement proposes that the County will contribute $5,750,000 to the Development Property Escrow Account (the "County Contribution") in support of the Railroad's purchase of the Development Property under the terms and following satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the Agreement. It is contemplated that the County's Contribution will be reimbursed by the Railroad with a portion of the net sales proceeds from the sale of the Development Property to thirdparty industrial businesses locating in the rail park. A copy of the Agreement is on file for public inspection during regular business hours in the office of the County Auditor, Courthouse, Jasper Iowa At the above meeting the Board shall receive oral or written objections from any resident or property owner of said County to the proposal to enter into the Agreement with the Railroad. After all objections have been received and considered, the Board will at this meeting or at any adjournment thereof take additional action on the proposal or will abandon the proposal to authorize said Agreement
This notice is given by order of the Board of Supervisors of Jasper County in the State of Iowa as provided by Sections 331.301(5) and 331.305, Code of Iowa Dated this 27th day of May, 2025 Jenna Jennings County Auditor, Jasper County in the State of Iowa (End of Notice) June 12 NOTICE OF MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF JA SPER COUNTY, IOWA ON THE MATTER OF THE PROPOSED AUTHORIZATION OF A LOAN AGR EEMENT AND THE ISSUAN CE OF NOT TO EXCEED $1,950,000 TAXABLE GENERAL OBLIGATION URBAN RENEWAL CA PITAL LOAN NOTES OF THE COUNTY (FOR UR BAN RENEWAL PURPOSES), AND THE HEARING ON THE ISSU AN CE TH EREOF PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that the Board of Supervisors of Jasper County, State of Iowa, will hold a public hearing on the 24th day of June, 2025, at 9:30 A.M. in the Board of Supervisors Room Jasper County Courthouse, 101 - 1st Street North, Newton, Iowa, at which meeting the Board proposes to take additional action for the authorization of a Loan Agreement and the issuance of not to exceed $1,950,000 Taxable General Obligation Urban Renewal Capital Loan Notes, for urban renewal purposes, to provide funds to pay the costs of aiding in the planning, undertaking, and carrying out of urban renewal projects under the authority of Chapter 403 and the Urban Renewal Plan for the Jasper Rail Park Urban Renewal Area, including acquisition of property for use as a rail park (the "Project") Principal and interest on the proposed Loan
Fire Service Director John Halferty discussed the proposed volunteer pay schedule. Wagoner discussed the City owned lots at 2 & 6 N. Elm and 28 Kelly Street and advised the potential buyer Berkey Homes has asked for modifications to the development agreement. Council asked that Berkey either attend a meeting to discuss or provide a written document of the proposed changes Mayor Mast and Wagoner discussed whether it would be beneficial for the city to vacate the alley on S. Montgomery St and deed to the adjacent homeowners The alleyway is impassable and not being mowed by the homeowners which is their responsibility per City Code Council
