JCT-06-26-2025 by Shaw Media

Serving Colfax • Mingo • Baxter • Western Jasper County

Tour de Success

First Tour de Colfax bike ride and scavanger hunt make for fun event showcasing the Mineral City

cyclist Cathy Dietrich said. “There were some killer hills, but I got to see parts of Colfax that I had never seen before.”

Almost 40 cyclists took to the streets of Colfax for the first Tour de Colfax on a steamy and breezy summer morning. Sponsored by Colfax Main Street, the bike ride and scavenger hunt on June 21 was said to be a success, according to several happy riders following the tour. “It was great, it was fun,”

Dietrich along with some family and friends were among the 35 riders that explored the Spring City, taking photos along the way and learning about both new and historic sites in Colfax.

The 7.5-mile route started at Mineral Springs Park and featured stops at the Col-

Bohannan makes third run for Iowa’s 1st Congressional District

Democratic candidate announces her campaign for the 2026 election cycle

By Christopher Braunschweig

History shows that just because a candidate makes multiple attempts to win an election doesn’t mean they can’t eventually pull through.

U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks lost a number of times to Dave Loebsack before winning Iowa’s 1st Congressional District seat in a close 2020 election. Now her past Democratic challenger, Christina Bohannan, is attempting the same thing for the 2026 election cycle, provided she is the favorite in the primary.

On June 17, Bohannan announced her campaign to take on Miller-Meeks once again. In a press release, her campaign said Bohannan nearly defeated Miller-Meeks in 2024 — less than 800 votes decided the election — and that the Democrat “outworked, outraised and outmatched her.” Bohannan said, “Mariannette Miller-Meeks has had three terms in Congress – three chances

Open seat will serve through December 2025

fax-Mingo High School, former Hotel Colfax building, the Colfax Country Club Golf Course, Lewis Park and Kelly Field at the Colfax Sports Complex. The tour ended where it started, but by the time cyclists returned, the band, Bob Pace and the Power, was in full swing and food trucks lined the

The City of Baxter is looking for a new city council member following the resignation of council member Dalton Kinzel at June 9 meeting. Kinzel said in a letter to the city that “the position would be better filled by an individual who had more time to dedicate to the city.”

The open seat is set to serve through December 2025. The position will be on the November ballot. At the June meeting, Baxter Mayor Doug Bishop asked the public to trust the council in appointing a candidate to the vacancy rather than holding a costly special election. Should the city

HIDDEN MINGO GEM

A new mural tucked away off of North Station Street features a flower lined trail, the latest art piece in Mingo

Jasper County Tribune

By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune

Bohannan

Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune

The newest mural in Mingo features artwork by Jayda Graham and was sponosred by IMT Insurance and the Jasper County Arts Connection.

Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune Those interested in the open Baxter City Council seat can contact Baxter City Hall for more information.

Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune

Cyclists take off while participating in the Tour de Colfax after a stop at the Colfax-Mingo High School. Each stop featured a landmark for the city and an opportunity for riders to take a fun photo, which, when put together, would spell COLFAX, IOWA.

Bank Iowa scholarships include area recipients

Each year, Bank Iowa awards $1,000 scholarships to commendable high school students across the state. This year’s Spirit of Chandy scholarship award recipients totaled 19 seniors in Iowa high schools. Local winners of the 2025 Spirit of Chandy scholarship winners include Alyssa Clements of Colfax-Mingo School District, who plans to attend Drake University and Lola Rivera of Newton Senior

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-

High School, who plans to attend Grand View University.

The Spirit of Chandy scholarship honors Bank Iowa co-founder Harry Barr’s daughter, Chandy Barr Clanton, who passed away in 2009. Students are selected based on academics, character, leadership, honors/awards received and participation in school and community activities, including swimming, biking, running and flying — activities Chandy was passion-

ate about.

As part of the application process, students were encouraged to listen to Chandy’s story and complete an essay describing their personal strengths, as well as their education and career goals.

“It’s impossible not to feel inspired when you read the stories and get a glimpse into the goals driving our next generation of leaders,” Bank Iowa President/ CEO Jim Plagge said.

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 22 - 9 a.m. Fellowship; 9:15 a.m. Bible Education Classes; 10:25 a.m. Message by Pastor Cody Dyer; 5 p.m. “The Well” Youth Group

MONDAY, June 23 - 6 to 8 p.m. Vacation Bible School

TUESDAY, June 24 - 6 to 8 p.m. Vacation Bible School

WEDNESDAY, June 25 - 9 a.m. Busy Bee Quilters and Fresh Encounter Prayer; 6 to 8 p.m. Vacation Bible School

THURSDAY, June 26 - 6 to 8 p.m. Vacation Bible School

The church schedule is brought to you by Coburn FUNERAL HOMES Colfax-Prairie City-Monroe 515-674-3155 www.coburnfuneralhomes.com

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

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)

Send items to news@jaspercountytribune.com

THURSDAY

• AMVETS meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Thursday of month at the Colfax Fire Station.

• Mingo Park & Recreation regular meeting meets at 6:30 p.m. the last Thursday of month at City Hall

SUNDAY

• Colfax Historical Society Museum is open from 2 to 4 p.m. every Sunday through Labor Day.

MONDAY

• C-M Food Pantry meets at 6:30 p.m. the last Monday of month at the Food Pantry

• Colfax Park Board meets at 6 p.m. the last Monday of month in the library meeting room

TUESDAY

• Mingo Library Board meets at 5 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month (public meeting)

• Baxter American Legion meets at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of month at the Baxter Community Building

WEDNESDAY

• Colfax Farmers Market is open from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Mineral Springs Park

• Hominy Ridge 4-H Club meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of month in the Baxter School Cafeteria

• Colfax Public Library Board of Trustees meets at 5 p.m. the first Wednesday of month in the downstairs meeting room.

• MEDCO meets the first Wednesday of month

• Baxter City Library Board meets at 7 p.m. the first Wednesday of month at the Baxter Library

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 baxtercongregational.com

CORNERSTONE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP

1000

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

Submitted Photo

Alyssa Clements is pictured with Bank Iowa Retail Branch Manager Toni Forck.

Baxter Council

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have to hold a special election, he said it would cost taxpayers $3,000 to $4,000.

Those interested in serving can fill out an application at www.baxter-iowa.com/sites/default/files/uploads/ permits-applications/city-of-baxter-council-interest-application-2025. pdf and return it to city hall or email it to city@baxter-iowa.com. The applications are due by 4 p.m. July 9 with the selected candidate to be appointed at the July 14 meeting. At the meeting, the selected individual will take the oath of office and be seated on the council.

The city is poised to start an important and exciting phase with the listed start of Baxter’s first comprehensive plan and capital improvement plan in nearly 30 years. The community-driven road map will work to plan infrastructure improvements such as roads, stormwater and utilities, set recreation and public space priorities, and attract state, federal and private grants, guide future land use and development, prepare for business and housing opportunities, support community beautification efforts and preserve Baxter’s smalltown charm with smart growth strategies.

For more information about the opening or how to apply, contact Baxter City Hall at 641-227-3120 or city@ baxter-iowa.com.

Bohannan

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to do right by the people of Iowa. Instead, she has taken over $4 million from corporate special interests and done nothing but vote their way. And she has put partisan politics over Iowans again and again.

Tour de Colfax

Continuedfrompage1

street. Participants and volunteers alike enjoyed the concert in the shade and a successful event.

“People have been saying it was fun and they are having a good time doing it,” Colfax Main Street Director Stuart Patterson said. “With the shade and the breeze it didn’t feel

From cutting billions of dollars from Medicaid in the Trump Administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill, to siding with DOGE’s cuts to Social Security and enabling unelected, un -

accountable billionaires like Elon Musk, Bohannan said the Republican congresswoman has forgotten about her constituents.

“It’s time someone put Iowa first,” Bohannan said.

Bohannan went on to say Miller-Meeks needs to explain “why she keeps putting Washington special interests

too bad. The concert is in the shade and we wanted people to come out.”

Those who took photos at the variety of stops and shared them with organizers were entered into a contest for best photo of the event. The more creative the riders got the better with the goal of having fun always top priority.

Looking at future events, Patterson said the volunteers who helped make the ride a reality will review the day and see if adding it to the

first.” The Democratic challenger claimed Miller-Meeks supported Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, repeatedly voted for cost-increasing tariffs and is a member of the DOGE Caucus.

Bohannan previously worked as an engineer and taught at the University of Iowa College of Law for 20 years. She

yearly lineup makes sense for the organization.

“This is our first one that we have done. We’ll get together and assess how it went,” Patterson said. “We are always trying to figure out different fundraisers ... and instead of having a boring fundraiser drive we wanted to try to do something that went along with the new bike racks we put in downtown and something that would get people around the community.”

also worked as an elected legislator for the Iowa House, defeating a 20-year incumbent in District 85. Bohannan is running for Congress because she believes in a government that works for the people.

In May, another Democrat announced he would be running for Iowa’s 1st Congressional District. Bob Krause, a former legislator who also tried running for U.S. Senate, announced his campaign with the slogan “Flip The House With Krause.” Krause said Miller-Meeks votes “like Trump’s rubber stamp.” Travis Terrell, a Democrat from Johnson County, also announced

his bid for Iowa’s 1st Congressional District race. His campaign page on Facebook notes he is a working-class, New Deal Democrat fighting for healthcare, fair wages and a government that serves other working-class people and not billionaires. In addition to Miller-Meeks likely running for the seat, fellow Republican and former primary challenger David Pautsch announced in February that he would also be running for the seat. Pautsch touts himself as a MAGA Republican. He has been critical of Miller-Meeks, saying she is not conservative enough.

Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune

Left: Cyclists get take a look at the new football field and gym facility at the Colfax-Mingo High School during a stop on the Tour de Colfax. Right: Kids excitedly wait for their cool treat at the end of the Tour de Colfax route in Mineral Springs Park.

Cancer anniversary

Like a lot of people, I’d had some squamous cell carcinomas removed from my scalp. But in June, 2024, a red splotch, about the size of my fist, appeared on my forehead. It looked like a birthmark. I went to dermatology. After a biopsy they told me the red splotch was a neuroendocrine carcinoma, and referred me to the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics.

About this time a farmer buddy gave me some aronia berry juice and told me to drink it daily. I did. It’s high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. By the time we arrived at the U of I, the red splotch, they called it a lesion, had all but disappeared. The docs were sort of flabbergasted.

But they did some biopsies and changed the diagnosis to Merkel Cell Carcinoma, caused by exposure to UV sunlight. The cancer had spread to

Curt Swarm Empty Nest

lymph nodes in my neck, like water flowing downhill. Let this be a lesson in the need for sunscreen and wearing a hat.

The treatment seemed simple, too simple. Instead of chemotherapy, I was to get infusions of an immunotherapy drug, Keytruda. Immunotherapy boosts the body’s immune system to fight the cancer cells and is supposed to be easier on the patient than chemotherapy. In rare cases immunosuppressants can also attack body organs. Ginnie and I thought Keytruda would be the ticket.

Early on, I noticed I was feeling sick with nausea and diarrhea. Thinking the aronia juice might be interacting with the immunotherapy, I stopped drinking the aronia juice.

I also had the foresight to ask the doctors for an antidepressant, and I’m glad I did. I have never used an antidepressant, but sensed this immuniza-

No war with Iran!

By Phyllis Bennis, Khury Petersen-Smith

Israel’s attack on Iran opens a huge danger of escalation in the Middle East.

Israel has a long history of attacking Iran — including bombing Iranian facilities, assassinating Iranian leaders and scientists, launching cyberattacks, and more. Iran has on occasion struck back, including launching strikes on Tel Aviv in this latest back and forth.

But this latest assault is more dangerous than previous rounds of violence. It holds the prospect of full-scale war between the two strongest military forces in the region — and potentially the United States too.

For decades, Congress and multiple administrations have guaranteed billions of dollars in military aid to Israel every year — an amount that’s skyrocketed since Israel’s attack on Gaza, which the International Court of Justice and other authorities have called a genocide. In 2024 alone, for example, U.S. taxpayers paid 40 percent of Israel’s entire military spending.

So while it’s not yet clear how much the U.S. knew or approved of Israel’s attack on Iran, there’s no question that Washington’s longstanding military and economic support made it possible. That alone is enough to make the U.S. complicit in Israel’s illegal war — and worryingly, a target of Iranian retaliation, especially with so many U.S. military facilities nearby.

There are about 40,000 U.S. troops stationed across the Middle East, and now the U.S. is sending two additional destroyers to the coast of Israel. Iran has already retaliated against Israel. If Tehran also makes good on a threat to attack U.S. targets in the region, or if the U.S. decides to help Israel escalate its attacks, there’s a real risk the U.S. could become directly involved — perhaps including airstrikes or troops on the ground.

Because the U.S. government has long supported Israel, there’s a lot about Israel you simply don’t hear very often in the United States. For one thing, there is only one nuclear weapons state in the Middle East — and that’s Israel, not Iran.

Israel reportedly maintains at least 90 nuclear weapons, but it’s the only nuclear power in the world that refuses to confirm or deny its arsenal. While Iran has enriched uranium, it has no nuclear weapons and — despite Israeli claims — does not have a program to create one.

In the U.S., we hear a lot of negative messaging about Iran. And like any government, Iran’s has policies and practices that can be legitimately criticized.

But we should be clear that, when it comes to life and politics in the Middle East, it’s Israel that remains the main destabilizing force. Just in the last two years, Israel has attacked and occupied new swathes of territory in Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and is carrying out a genocide in Gaza. It has also bombed Iraq and Yemen.

Now Israel’s government is raising the level of instability to a new level, directly confronting Iran.

U.S. support for these policies has led to enormous suffering across the Middle East. And now it may be directly endangering Americans as well, something the American people seem to understand. In one recent poll, 60 percent of Americans — including over half of Trump voters — oppose the U.S. getting more involved in the fighting between Iran and Israel.

As in Gaza, Americans bear a particular responsibility to try to stop this fighting, for the simple reason that our government is supplying Israel’s weapons and preventing any accountability for how they’re used.

Our message needs to be clear: No war with Iran! Middle East experts Phyllis Bennis and Khury Petersen-Smith co-direct the New Internationalism Project at the Institute for Policy Studies.

tion treatment was going to be a long slog, like hiking the Appalachian Trail. I would need something to help me get through the depression that comes from a long-term illness.

Then I got really sick, with constant diarrhea, nausea, dizziness and shortness of breath. The Keytruda had attacked my colon, giving me colitis. Ugh. I was cancer free, but sicker than a dog eat’n grass.

In one bad bout, I was so short of breath, I called my oncologist and was told to get to the ER. I did. The ER did a CT scan and found one tiny blood clot, a pulmonary embolism, in one lung. It was so tiny that there was debate as to whether it was a clot or an “artifact.”

Such strange lingo in the halls of medicine. The docs decided it wasn’t worth prescribing a blood thinner as they normally would have done.

The diarrhea, nausea, shortness of breath and dizziness continued, in fact it got really bad. Once again, I was very short of breath and sent to the ER. Another CT scan, with imaging, was done. This time a whole bunch of small blood

clots, or pulmonary embolisms, were found in both lungs. Uh, oh. A blood clot passing to the heart can be fatal. Passing to the brain can cause a stroke. That’s where I am today, one year from the first diagnosis of cancer. I’m taking Eliquis to thin my blood and deal with the blood clots. Hopefully, this will solve the shortness of breath. However, I still have colitis and nausea. Doctors are working on a solution and I have confidence it will be resolved. A valid conclusion is that the cancer treatment was harder on me than the cancer, or the cure is worse than the cause. I try not to think in this manner because I have no idea how bad the cancer could have gotten without treatment. The cancer could have spread through my entire body. I also don’t know if aronia berry juice may have been more effective, with less side effects, than the immunotherapy. These are thoughts looking back, which is pain. Vision is looking forward. I have my books, poetry and God to protect me.

Contact Curt Swarm at curtswarm@ yahoo.com

At this point, a nuclear Iran is probably the least bad option

By Thomas L. Knapp

As I write this, US president Donald Trump seems deep in his usual dither. Trump, according to the Wall Street Journal, “told senior aides late Tuesday [June 17] that he approved of attack plans for Iran, but was holding off to see if Tehran would abandon its nuclear program.”

So, OK, we’re used to that: Tariffs! Wait, no tariffs! Wait, reduced tariffs! Mass deportations! Wait, not farm workers, maids, and waiters! Wait, them too!

War on Iran, though, isn’t so much a matter of changing his mind as whether he’s out of his mind. It’s an evil and risky proposition with no moral or practical up side, and a trigger far more difficult to un-pull than tariffs or deportations. That he’s even considering it makes a strong case for his removal from office via the 25th Amendment.

If there’s any lesson to learn from two decades of US and Israeli pressure on Iran to shut down a non-existent “nuclear weapons program,” starting with economic sanctions and leading inevitably to Israeli airstrikes and open war on

Reject foreign aid rescissions

Growing up in a farming community, I learned the value of hard work, helping neighbors, and doing what’s right — even when no one’s watching. Those values are what inspired me to join Save the Children Action Network. I believe in protecting children, whether they live down the road or across the globe.

Helping kids around the world isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s also the smart thing. The U.S. for-

the apt date of Friday the 13th, it’s that an Iran with nuclear weapons just might be the best option if the goal is to calm down the Middle East.

Iraq’s Saddam Hussein gave up his nuclear ambitions, after which the US invaded and occupied his country and killed him.

Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi gave up his nuclear ambitions, after which NATO invaded and occupied his country and killed him.

North Korea’s Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un saw their nuclear ambitions through to downsidestesting and fielding a nuclear arsenal, after which those who might have otherwise supported invading and occupying North Korea and killing its ruler cooled their jets. Not really “peace,” but clearly a better option than open war.

On the subject of nuclear weapons, the Iranian regime has proven itself not just compliant, but obsequiously so, through decades of broken promises and renewed lies about its ambitions, only throwing up its hands and saying “fine, we’ll enrich uranium to weapons grade purity” after multiple broken promises by, among others, Donald Trump, and only to get

eign aid budget supports families in need overseas by purchasing food grown right here at home. These investments create a ripple effect that supports American farmers, strengthens rural economies, and boosts our agricultural exports.

But now, Congress is considering a rescissions package that would eliminate more than $8 billion in critical foreign aid — including food assistance and farming support that helps families feed themselves. These cuts won’t make America safer or stronger. In fact, they’ll do the opposite: making the world more unstable, disease outbreaks harder to contain, and markets for U.S. goods

its opponents to start holding up THEIR end of the 2015 “Iran nuclear deal.”

The Iranian regime, a theocracy, even observes a religious proscription on building nukes per a fatwa from its “Supreme Leader.”

In return, the Iranian regime got a narrow range of responses, from economic isolation to open war.

Fatwas are merely legal rulings on points of Islamic law. Their authors might reverse themselves. Ali Khamenei should.

If the Pakistani regime announced a gift of three nuclear-armed Shaheen III missiles to the Iranian regime, with one put immediately under Iranian operational control until the others can be moved to and sited in Iran, the war would likely come to a screeching halt.

Mutual Assured Destruction has its downsides reset, but at this point it seems like the best option for cooling down US/Israeli war fever and seeking a re-set based on honest dealing instead of threats. Thomas L. Knapp is director and senior news analyst at the William Lloyd Garrison Center for LibertarianAdvocacyJournalism

harder to access. Foreign aid is one of the most effective tools we have for building a safer, healthier world — for all children, including our own. These programs save lives, reduce poverty, and promote global security, all while benefiting our local communities. We can’t afford to turn our backs on children and families in need. I urge our Iowa Legislators to reject the proposed foreign aid rescissions. Let’s continue to lead with compassion, strength, and a commitment to doing what’s right — even when it’s not easy.

Jessi Balk,Bondurant Save The Children Action Network

Colfax Historical Society

The June 16 meeting of the Colfax Historical Society was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by president Kevin Williams, who thanked everyone for attending. Members present were: BJ Williams, Karen Russell, Aaron Bartholmey, Steve and Cindy Van Dusseldorp, Larry and Charlet Daft, Stanley Daft, Peggy Dvorak, Don and Joyce Jessen, Rachel Wilty, Kathy Mathews and Chris and Tranquillity Smith. Minutes of the May 19 was read. Treasurer’s report was presented.

The facility manager Tranquillity Smith reported we have two weddings scheduled.

The Dave Baker program on coal mines will take place at our facility in the evening on June 24 at 7 p.m. Refreshments will be available and the museum will be open. Those donating cookies are: Peggy, Karen, Charlet, BJ and Cindy L.

Aaron received the LaFemme Women’s Club past records for our museum.

Kevin gave us more information from Josh on the Eagle Scout Project, such as design, fundraising, donations

and they will be starting to work on it the first week in July.

Aaron will be obtaining a new 4 x 6 American flag. Joyce will be getting more information on the two large bricks.

We discussed the possibility of the naming of the football field in honor of Joe Laws. He played football at Colfax High School, University of Iowa and Green Bay Packers.

Sunday, June 22, will be open from 2 to 4 p.m. with Charlet and Larry Daft volunteering. Sunday, June 29 will be open from 2 to 4 p.m. with Don and Joyce Jessen volunteering. Sunday, July 6 we will be open from 2 to 4 p.m. with Kevin & BJ volunteering. Saturday, July12 will be open from 10 to noon with Kevin and BJ volunteering and with Charlet and Larry Daft volunteering from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, July 13 will be open from 2 to 4 p.m. with Tranquillity and Chris volunteering. Admission is free. This summer we will be open every Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. with volunteers available.

Club News

A big thank you to all of our Volunteers that help in so many ways!

The next meeting will be on Monday, July l4 at 7 p.m. It is open to anyone who would like to attend.

Baxter Garden Club

The June 12 meeting of the Baxter Garden Club was called to order at approximately 6:35 p.m.

Our first speakers were Baxter residents Natalie Moorman and Ed Schmidt. Natalie presented results from the spring Vision Grant group. There will be a group at Fun Days asking opinions on local transportation and recreation as well. Ed Schmidt requested our consideration in helping with upgrades at the sports complex. New trees, schrubs, perennials and concrete are needed. Jerry Ratliff from Jasper County Conservation shared updates on the new county Nature and Educational Center under construction, updates at Mariposa Park, Ashton Park and other areas. Ten members answered roll call: “What is your favorite Jasper County Park?”

Macy read minutes from May 8 special meeting. Janet presented treasurer’s report. Old/New Business

The garage sale went very well with generous donations from community members and club members. Barb Berry will sent thank you notes to non-members donating items. Items not sold were donated to the Well in Newton and a few placed curbside for the taking. The planters are doing well in general. Both cemetery and welcome sign beds need attention before the WHO Tractor Ride comes to town. More black mulch is needed. Deb Hansen offered natural wood mulch available also. Yard of the Month signs are in place in three yards. Peggy Smith and Diane Halter chose the three and are watching for next three yards. We will decorate Peggy’s golf cart for Fun Days parade the Thursday night before the event. The sign may be “Flower Power”. HyVee floral will donate 50 carnations to be handed out to older ladies and club will purchases candy for the children. Peggy has a contact that has a children’s activity with a foam machine.

We voted to pay $250 towards the cost. Peggy made the motion with Cindy Brunner, seconded. Macy will present this activity to Bethany Church in hopes they will donate the remainder of costs. District meeting in Knoxville went well with many positive comments on the breakfast items our club served. Beth made a list of items needed for next year’s breakfast. Both speakers at district meeting were interesting, plant sales, and lunch were good. Next year will be in Osceola. Macy attended State Meeting at Kirkwood in Cedar Rapids. Attendance has improved this year. She gave several updates from the meeting. Beth discussed contacting the State Treasurer of Garden Club getting a new copy of non-profit status. Copies will go to all officers. Peggy’s birthday is July 14. Next meeting is July 17. We will meet at city hall and carpool to Brunner Vineyard at 5:30 p.m. Baxter Country Stores graciously donated cookies for our meeting. Peggy Smith provided drinks and table service. Adjourn 8:35 p.m.

C-M baseball can’t hold lead against rival Iowa Valley

COLFAX — Kyle Wood had three hits, and the Colfax-Mingo baseball team scored the second most runs this season, but the Tigherhawks fell behind early and couldn’t recover during a 13-9 loss to Iowa Valley in South Iowa Cedar League action.

The Tigerhawks tied the game at 2-all in the second, but Iowa Valley used a three-run third and a four-run fourth to pull away for good on June 16.

Colfax-Mingo, which was out-hit 21-8 in the game, scored twice in the fourth and fifth and drew closer with a three-run sixth, but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.

Wood led the Tigerhawks (1-11, 1-10 in the SICL) with three hits, one double, four runs and two RBIs and was hit by two pitches.

Wood leads C-M with seven runs, 10 total bases and two hit by pitches and is batting a team-best .421.

Alex Teed finished with one hit, two runs, two walks and one steal, Camden Cunningham had one hit, one RBI, one walk and one steal and Jace Lewis pitched in one hit, two RBIs and two walks.

Ayden Sloan and Wyatt Jay both had one hit and one run, Fisher Grove scored one run and stole one base, Parker Metzger walked once and Wyatt Carpenter was hit by a pitch.

Ryder Duchene walked twice, was hit by one pitch and totaled three RBIs. He’s one of three Tigerhawks with four RBIs.

Jay (1-3) took the pitching loss after allowing seven runs — five earned — on 11 hits and one walk with five strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings.

Lewis surrendered four earned runs on seven hits and struck out one in three innings and Duchene got two outs but not before allowing two earned runs on three hits and two walks.

Owen Bral led the Tigers with three hits, two runs and four RBIs and he got the pitching win.

The all-time series is tied at 5-5 since 2016. Iowa Valley (7-6, 6-5) won back-to-back games in the series for the first time though.

Colfax-Mingo’s baseball game against HLV/TC scheduled for June 18 was postponed due to rain and will be made up at 11 a.m. on June 26 in Victor.

Lynnville-Sully 17, Colfax-Mingo 3

COLFAX — Class 1A No. 3 Lynnville-Sully scored at least one run in every inning, and Colfax-Mingo committed nine errors and struck out 13 times at the plate during an SICL baseball game on June 20.

The Hawks led 6-3 after four but blew the game open with two runs in the fifth and sixth and put their hosts away with a seven-run seventh during a 17-3 victory.

Lynnville-Sully led the conference contest 1-0 after one, 3-0 after two and 4-1 after three. Both teams scored twice in the fourth.

JD Richards led the Hawks (15-2, 11-1 in the SICL) with three hits, three runs, two RBIs and two walks.

Richards (2-0) earned the win on the mound, too, after tossing four innings in relief of Brody Borg, who made his first career varsity start and appearance on the mound.

The Tigerhawks were limited to four hits. Cunningham’s first career varsity homer highlighted the offense. He also had two RBIs.

Sloan finished with one hit, one RBI, one walk and one steal, Chase Trotter tallied one hit, one run and two steals and he was hit by a pitch and Jay totaled one hit and one run.

Teed drew his team-leading 10th walk and Duchene also walked once.

Cunningham (0-5) took the pitching loss after allowing four runs — none earned — on two hits and three walks with three strikeouts in three innings.

Jay tossed three innings and surrendered eight runs — four earned — on four hits, one walk and two hit batters with four strikeouts in three innings.

Lewis got two outs. He allowed three earned runs on one hit and two walks. Sloan pitched 1/3 of an inning and gave up two runs — one earned — on one hit, one walk and one hit batter.

Lynnville-Sully has won 11 straight games over Colfax-Mingo.

Four-run seventh helps Baxter baseball rally past rival Spartans

BAXTER — A four-run seventh inning rallied the Baxter baseball team past rival Collins-Maxwell on June 20.

Colton Moffit fanned 12 batters over seven innings and Liam Trent’s RBI double pushed the Bolts to a 4-3 win over the Spartans during Iowa Star Conference South Division play.

It was Baxter’s third straight win and the victory snapped a two-game skid against Collins-Maxwell.

The Bolts, who improved to 5-1 in the ISC South, claimed their 11th win of the season, which sets a new school record after posting back-toback 10-win seasons in 2023 and 2024.

Collins-Maxwell, which defeated Baxter 6-0 back on May 27, scored twice in the fourth and once in the fifth to take a 3-0 lead. Baxter out-hit the Spartans 7-6 and committed two errors.

Trent doubled twice and had two RBIs, James Esqueda doubled and scored in the seventh and had two RBIs and Hayden Burdess collected two hits.

Moffit doubled, Cael Wishman had one hit, Cody Spurgeon walked once and Derek Rominger walked, scored one run and stole one base.

Jace Bottorff reached on an error and scored in the seventh and Nolan Hill was plated in the seventh, too.

Moffit (6-0) earned the pitching win after allowing three runs — one earned — on six hits and two walks. He fanned 12.

He lowered his earned run average to .99 and has 73 strikeouts over 42 1/3 innings this summer.

The Spartans (5-9) were led by Cooper Wierson, who doubled at the plate and pitched into the seventh inning and fanned 13 on the mound.

Baxter 12, Rockford 0 ROCKFORD — Wishman set a new school record on the mound, seven Bolts had at least one hit and Baxter shut out Rockford, 12-0, on June 18.

The Bolts scored five runs in the first and plated three in the seventh for the easy win in Iowa Star Conference cross-division action.

Wishman reached base three times at the plate and struck out a school-record 16 batters on the mound.

Rockford went down swinging 18 times in the game and was limited to only three hits. The Bolts finished with 10 hits, nine walks and 11 stolen bases.

Aiden Johnson, Colten Damman and Burdess all had two hits to lead the Baxter offense. Johnson doubled, scored one run and had three RBIs, Burdess doubled, scored one run, had one RBI, walked once and stole two bases and Damman walked twice, scored four runs and stole three bases.

Wishman finished with one hit,

one run, two RBIs, one walk and three steals and he was hit by one pitch.

Moffit doubled, had one RBI, walked once and scored one run, Bottorff totaled one hit, one run and was hit by one pitch, Esqueda had the other hit and drove in two runs and Trent walked once, stole one base and had one RBI.

Tate Schnathorst walked once, scored one run and stole one base, Cole Frasher and Hill both walked once, Alec Robinson scored one run and stole one base and Blake Maxwell scored one run.

Wishman earned the win on the mound after allowing no runs, three hits, two walks and one hit batter. His school-record 16 strikeouts came in only six innings and he totaled just 99 pitches.

Trent tossed the final inning and fanned two.

Rockford (0-13) was led by Alex

Havaranek, who finished with two hits, one walk and two steals. He was the only Warriors’ player to not strikeout.

Baxter 8, Montezuma 7

BAXTER — The Bolts overcame an early deficit and scored all eight of its runs in the final two frames during an 8-7 non-conference victory over Montezuma on June 17.

The Braves led 1-0 after one and went up 2-0 in the sixth before the Bolts scored five in the sixth to take a lead.

Montezuma went back in front with a five-run seventh, but the Bolts won it with three runs in the bottom of the seventh.

Eight Bolts had at least one hit and Baxter out-hit the Braves 11-5. Moffit, Damman and Esqueda all had two hits to lead the offense.

set a new school record for wins in a season after defeating Collins-Maxwell in conference play. BASEBALL | 7

C-M softball falls to pair of SICL foes

COLFAX — The Tigerhawks were plagued by four errors in the field and Colfax-Mingo’s softball team struck out 16 times at the plate during a 5-1 loss to Iowa Valley on June 16.

Brianna Freerksen had two of the team’s five hits, but the Tigerhawks lost the South Iowa Cedar League game after falling behind 5-0. C-M scored its only run in the bottom of the seventh.

Freerksen doubled and scored one run, Dakota Allen doubled and had one RBI, Kinley Johannes had one hit and one walk, Callie Rathje singled and Emma Cook and Isabella Cushatt were both hit by one pitch.

Freerksen (2-6) pitched all seven innings in the circle and took the loss after surrendering five runs — two earned — on seven hits and three

walks with two strikeouts in seven innings.

Lydia Kriegel led Iowa Valley (510, 5-7 in the SICL) with two hits and one run at the plate and struck out 16 and allowed one earned run on five hits in the circle.

Michaela Schachtlie added three hits and three steals and Olyvia Grant finished with two hits, two RBIs and two steals for the Tigers.

Iowa Valley outhit Colfax-Mingo 11-5, and the Tigerhawks (2-11, 1-10) committed four of the game’s five errors.

Colfax-Mingo’s SICL game against HLV/TC scheduled for June 18 was postponed to 11 a.m. on June 26 in Victor.

Lynnville-Sully 13, Colfax-Mingo 1

COLFAX — A fast start powered Lynnville-Sully to an early finish

against Colfax-Mingo on June 20.

The Hawks plated nine runs in the first inning and downed the Tigerhawks 13-1 in four innings during an SICL contest.

Lynnville-Sully out-hit the Tigerhawks 11-5 and snapped a four-game skid. Colfax-Mingo is 11-10 against the Hawks since 2016, but L-S has won the past five meetings.

The Hawks won the first meeting this season 12-10 back on May 30. Jakeira Hay, Olivia Beyer and Emma Johnson all had two hits to lead the Hawks.

Hay laced two doubles and produced two RBIs, Beyer scored two runs and stole two bases and Johnson doubled, scored two runs and contributed two RBIs. Hay leads the Hawks with nine doubles.

Colfax-Mingo scored its run in the third but couldn’t avoid the four-inning mercy rule.

Official statistics for the Tigerhawks were unavailable at press time.

Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune Colfax-Mingo freshman Chase Trotter fields the ball in front of the plate and throws out a Baxter runner at first base during a road game earlier this season.

Jasper County Tribune

Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune Baxter junior Cael Wishman catches a pop fly in front of home plate during a home game earlier this season. The Bolts

Jasper County Tribune

Freerksen Allen

Sports Calendar

June 26

Softball

Colfax-Mingo at HLV/TC, 11 a.m.

Baseball Lynnville-Sully at Baxter, 5 p.m.

Colfax-Mingo at HLV/TC, 11 a.m.

June 27

Softball

Colfax-Mingo at Belle Plaine, 5:30 p.m.

Baxter at GMG, 5 p.m.

Baseball

Colfax-Mingo at Belle Plaine, 5:30 p.m.

Baxter at GMG, 7 p.m.

June 28

Softball

Colfax-Mingo at Marshalltown, 9:30 a.m.

June 30

Softball

English Valleys at Colfax-Mingo, 5:30 p.m.

Colo-NESCO at Baxter, 5 p.m.

Baseball English Valleys at Colfax-Mingo, 5:30 p.m.

Colo-NESCO at Baxter, 5 p.m.

July 1

Softball

Baxter at Ogden, 7 p.m.

Baseball BGM at Baxter, 5 p.m.

July 2

Softball

Ankeny Christian Academy at Baxter, 5 p.m.

July 3

July 5

Colfax-Mingo vs.

at Collins-Maxwell, 5 p.m.

Softball Central City at Baxter, 1 p.m.

Softball

Continuedfrompage6

Montezuma 10, Colfax-Mingo 0

MONTEZUMA — The Bravettes scored their third straight win over Colfax-Mingo after scoring one run in the first, two in the second, four in the third and three in the fourth during a 10-0 home win on June 19.

The Tigherhawks were limited to two hits in the SICL loss. Kamryn Schmidt and Leah Urfer had two hits and two RBIs to lead the Montezuma (4-8, 4-7) and Vivian Cook scored two runs. Urfer also got the pitching win.

Official statistics for the Tigerhawks were not available at press time.

Baseball

Continuedfrompage6

Slow start plagues Baxter softball in trio of Iowa Star Conference losses

BAXTER — Jayden Peters spun a no-hitter in the circle and had four RBIs at the plate, and Collins-Maxwell continued its dominance against the Baxter softball team on June 20.

The Spartans used a pair of three-run innings to grab a lead and then scored seven runs in the third to end the night early during a 14-0 road win in Iowa Star Conference play.

Collins-Maxwell is 16-0 against the Bolts since 2018. The Spartans had six hits, eight steals and one error, while Baxter committed two errors.

Hannah Huffaker walked and stole one base and Lillian Grunstead reached on an error and stole one base to lead the Bolts’ offense.

The Spartans (10-6, 8-3 in the Iowa Star Conference) led 3-0 after one inning and 6-0 after two. Peters finished with two hits and four RBIs at the plate and struck out five while allowing no runs and no hits in the circle.

Rockford 14, Baxter 3 ROCKFORD — Klaire Shanks had two hits and two RBIs, but the Bolts fell behind early and couldn’t recover during a 14-3 road loss to Rockford on June 18.

The Warriors led 3-0 after two and then scored seven runs in the second to make it 10-1.

Baxter added two runs in the third, but Rockford ended the game early with a four-run fourth.

Shanks had Baxter’s only two hits and one of those was a double and she scored one run.

Grunstead was hit by a pitch and scored one run, Mallory Bottorff, Madison Jochems and Blaire Jutting all walked once and Emileigh Beals scored one run.

Avery Wonders took the loss in the circle after allowing 10 earned runs on seven hits, three walks and one hit batter in 2 2/3 innings. She fanned two.

Jutting got two outs but not before surrendering seven runs — three earned — on one hit and four walks with two strikeouts.

The game ended with one out in the bottom of the fourth. Rockford (6-10, 4-9) out-hit the Bolts 8-2, and the Bolts committed the game’s only error.

Briella Hinrichsen totaled three hits and five RBIs.

Damman doubled, scored one run and had three RBIs, including the game winner. Moffit had one RBI and walked once and Esqueda contributed one RBI and one steal.

Trent, Bottorff, Schathorst, Burdess and Spurgeon all had one hit. Trent scored two runs and walked once, Bottorff and Schnathorst posted one hit, one run and one RBI each and Spurgeon added one run and one walk.

Burdess stole one base, Wishman walked once and scored one run and Robinson scored one run.

Hill tossed the first six innings but took the no decision after allowing three earned runs on two hits, four walks and four hit batters. He fanned six in six innings.

Damman got two outs in the seventh but not before allowing four earned runs on three hits, one walk and one hit batter with one strikeout.

Johnson (1-0) got the final out to earn the win. He gave up no runs and surrendered one hit.

Montezuma (4-7) got one hit and three RBIs from Isaac Wedgewood and Easton Hudnut tallied two hits and one run.

Riceville 4, Baxter 1

BAXTER — Moffit fanned 14 batters over seven innings, but the Bolts lost to Riceville in extra in-

Riceville 16, Baxter 3

BAXTER — The Bolts scored first but gave up nine runs in the second and lost 16-3 in five innings to Class 1A No. 15 Riceville on June 16.

Baxter plated two of its three runs in the first inning but trailed 16-1 before scoring once in the fifth.

Beals, Bottorff and Shanks finished with two hits each to lead the Bolts.

Beals doubled twice, scored one run, had one RBI and stole one base, Bottorff scored one run

and totaled one RBI and Shanks doubled.

Huffaker had one hit and was hit by one pitch, Caydence Sulzle registered one run, one RBI and one walk, Jutting walked once and Savannah Frasher stole one base.

Wonders started in the circle and took the loss after allowing nine runs — zero earned — on seven hits and one walk in 1 2/3 innings.

Jutting tossed the final 3 1/3 innings and allowed seven runs — four earned — on three hits

Colten

earlier this season.

nings on June 16.

Baxter scored the tying run in the fourth, but the Wildcats plated three in the top of the eighth and won the Iowa Star Conference cross-division game, 4-1, in eight. Baxter out-hit Riceville 8-5 and both teams committed one error.

Rominger had two hits to lead the offense, while Trent, Spurgeon, Wishman, Moffit, Esqueda and Bottorff tallied one hit each.

Rominger tripled, had one RBI and stole one base, Spurgeon walked twice, Wishman and Moffit both doubled, Esqueda scored one

run and stole one base, Trent swiped one bag and Bottorff walked once. Moffit threw the first seven innings but took the no decision. He surrendered one earned run on three hits, one walk and one hit batter and fanned 14. He threw 89 pitches. Wishman pitched the eighth and took the loss after allowing three unearned runs on one hit and one walk with two strikeouts.

Aidan Elbert led Riceville (11-9) with two hits, two runs and one stolen base. Asher Ebert got the pitching win in relief.

and seven walks with one strikeout.

The Bolts had seven hits at the plate but were plagued by five errors.

Riceville (17-6, 10-3) was led by Shayla Greeley, who finished with two hits, two walks and two steals.

Moravia 13, Baxter 2 MONTEZUMA — The Bolts scored first but fell behind after the first inning and allowed a pair of four-run frames during a 13-2 loss to Moravia at the Bravette Classic hosted by Montezuma on June 21.

The Mohawks out-hit the Bolts 13-3, and Baxter committed three errors.

Grunstead doubled and had one RBI, Beals finished with one hit, one run and one RBI and Shanks had the other hit.

Jutting and Frasher each walked once, scored one run and stole one base.

Wonders took the pitching loss after allowing eight runs — six earned — on 12 hits, one walk and six hit batters. She struck out two in 3 2/3 innings. Jochems got one out in the circle and surrendered four runs — two earned — on one hit and two walks.

Lyla Taplin led Moravia (620) with three hits and three RBIs and was the winning pitcher.

Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune Baxter freshman

Damman throws a pitch during a home game

Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune

Baxter sophomore Avery Wonders pitches to the plate in a home game earlier this season. The Bolts lost to Collins-Maxwell, Rockford and state-ranked Riceville in Iowa Star Conference action last week.

Jasper County Tribune

Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune

Baxter senior Hannah Huffaker puts the ball in play during a game earlier this season.

Trees for Kids grant applications due Aug. 22

The popular Trees for Kids grant program is accepting applications through Aug 22.

Grantees can be awarded up to $2,500 to purchase trees and mulch. All trees for this program must be planted on public

community grounds (park, community center, public school, etc.) Youth are required to be engaged in the process, most often helping to plant the trees on site.

“Planting trees is a fun way to connect kids to nature, build on their sense

of wonder and explore the benefits trees provide at their school and in their community,” Chip Murrow, urban forestry program specialist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources said. Studies show trees planted around

schools and in neighborhoods give youth increased levels of concentration, lower levels of aggression, lower levels of obesity and fewer symptoms of ADHD. To apply for the grant, visit: www.iowadnr.gov/urbangrants.

How to handle fireworks safely this holiday season

Warm weather generally translates to more time spent outdoors. That means more barbecues, days spent poolside, trips to the beach, and even camping excursions. This time of year also inspires people to celebrate. What better way to signal the party has started than with fireworks?

Fireworks traditionally are part of large celebrations, such as national holidays or grand opening events. Many individuals also take it on themselves to set off fireworks during block parties or other neighborhood gatherings. Though fireworks are awe-inspiring, they’re also dangerous, which is why it’s best to leave them to the professionals.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that fireworks-related injuries and deaths in the United States have risen by roughly 25 percent in the last 15 years. In 2021, nine people died in accidents involving

When you don’t know who to turn to, Your Life Iowa is here for you 24/7 no matter where you live in the state. Whether its substance use, gambling, or mental health. No judgment. Just help.

fireworks, and 11,500 were injured.

“The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to watch the professional displays,” said Alex Hoeh-Saric, chair of the CPSC.

Three-quarters of fireworks injuries occur the weeks before and following the July 4th holiday in the United States. The Canadian Government indicates two-thirds of all fireworks-related injuries in Canada occur between May and August, with nearly one-third happening on days surrounding Victoria Day and Canada Day.

Fireworks can injure any part of the body, but burns to the hands and fingers, trunk, and arms are the most commonly affected areas. Injuries to the eyes, including blindness, also may occur.

Sparklers are not necessarily safe, either. The CPSC reports that 1,100 injuries result from sparklers each year.

As fireworks become widely available, it’s imperative