THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2025 • VOLUME N0. 124 • ISSUE NO. 42 • 1 SECTION • 12 PAGES
Serving Colfax • Mingo • Baxter • Western Jasper County
Congregate meals contracts renewed for Monroe and Colfax sites
Putting the ART in HeART Calling all artists, art enthusiasts or anyone looking for a fun time — the inaugural Hillbilly HeART Festival in Mingo kicks off July 12 By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune The City of Mingo is ready to show off a lot of hard work with the inaugural Hillbilly HeART Festival July 12. A celebration of art and community, the festival features a variety of activities throughout the day for everyone in the family from interactive bike art to live music. “The Hillbilly HeART Festival is a passion project spearheaded by Mingo Hometown Pride, our dedicated community board focused on beautification and outreach,” organizer Molly Johnson said. “The initial spark came from Michelle Smith of Mingo Hometown Pride and countless hours of behind-thescenes work, including seeking grants and sponsorships. This free event is truly a testament to the ‘elbow grease, love and time’ contributed by our board members, local community, sponsors and talented local artists.” The event has activities such as a tiny art show and silent auction where people can view
Program director for Senior Nutrition says steady group of people attend meals By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune Two congregate meals sites have had their agreements with Jasper County renewed for another year. Colfax Senior Citizens Center in Colfax and The Gathering Place in Monroe will continue hosting meals, which are provided each weekday at 11:30 a.m. in their respective locations. Kelli Van Manen, program director of Jasper County Senior Nutrition, said there are no changes to the contracts from the previous year. Van Manen told the board of supervisors during the July 1 meeting that both sites
Submitted Photo Kali Smith works on a new mural in Mingo. The community is holding the inaugural Hillbilly HeART Festival July 12 featuring activities for everyone.
mini masterpieces and bid on their favorites and interactive bike art letting people get creative with bikes and paint. The Kids Corner will have hands-on activities aimed at younger artists, and everyone can enjoy live music by Nick Ryan throughout the day. “Our focus on art stems from the belief that it’s a universal language — the perfect way to
welcome visitors, celebrate our community and continue to build a lasting legacy in Mingo,” Johnson said. “The festival is also deeply intertwined with Iowa’s bicycling culture. It coincides with the free, annual Hillbilly Bike Ride along the Chichaqua Valley Bike Trail, which passes right through Mingo.” FESTIVAL | 3
Jasper County secures $500K grant for third phase of F-48 project By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune Jasper County has received another grant for the F-48 West resurfacing project. County Engineer Michael Frietsch told the board of supervisors on July 1 that the secondary roads department secured a $500,000 grant through the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) for the third phase of the F-48
West resurfacing, which stretches from Colfax to Mitchellville. “So we got over $900,000 on the first phase and then we got a half-million on the second phase and another half-million on this one,” Frietsch said. “We’ve got a pretty good amount of grant funding for this project altogether … I got the funding agreement that would basically be for us here.” Currently, crews are
working on the second phase of the F-48 West project from the South Skunk River bridge near the off-ramps of Exit 159 of Interstate 80 to the intersection of Iowa Highway 117 in Colfax. The first phase, from Newton city limits to the South Skunk River bridge, was completed in 2024. In addition to the resurfacing of widening of the road, the third phase of the F-48 West project will replace a bridge and
relocate a nearby curve. The bridge, classified as Bridge O10, is located along F-48 West near West 124th Street South. Frietsch said the bridge will be replaced with twin box culverts. The bridge resides on a curved portion of F-48 West. He proposed the curve be moved northwest, which would make the final product much wider. The county will have to acquire 6.3 acres of
seem to be going well. She was hoping for more growth, but there is a steady group of people. “They really benefit from the programs being held there, so at this time I’d like to stay as is and reevaluate it every year,” Van Manen said. Supervisor Brandon Talsma asked Van Manen if the Colfax site coordinates other events or activities during meal times like The Gathering Place in Monroe. Van Manen said Colfax tries but not like The Gathering Place, which has “really tapped into a lot of resources” to amplify the MEALS | 3
Second phase of the resurfacing project currently under construction right-of-way easement and vacate about 9.2 acres. The project needs a 120-foot corridor. “We’re not going to get anything back from vacating it,” Frietsch said. “We’re going to pay for 6.3 acres. I haven’t calculated it up yet. But, yes, it is going to be costly. It’s going to be a chunk of change … That road is going to get raised up about a foot on that curve, too, in order to get the box culverts to
work.” When the county vacates the old curve, Frietsch said the road surface will be taken out during the construction phase and then crews will restore the ground back to agriculture land. The concrete will likely be hauled off by the contractor to a landfill or reuse it as riprap provided there isn’t any rebar. Existing box culverts located underneath the road also need repaired.
QUEEN OF No horsing around here Meet the Jasper County Equine Senior Cowgirl Queen Addison Kerwin THE CATTLE
Meet the Jasper County Beef Queen Seriah Nolin By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune Tell us a little about yourself: I was born and raised outside of Monroe. My parents built a house on part of my grandparents’ farm when I was a baby. My aunt built a house just over a few hills on the same farm. We have all helped out with my grandparents’ cattle operation for as long as I can remember. I started helping show my grandparents’ cattle at the Iowa State Fair when I
By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune
was seven or eight years old. I joined 4-H when I was nine and began showing cattle, static exhibits like photography and baked goods, and even tested out showing pics that first year at the Jasper County Fair. I have loved the fair ever since. I am currently a part of the Jasper County Farmhands led by my aunt, Jessica Barnett, and the Diamond Trail FFA led by Ms. Peterson and Mr. Warrick. I am heading into my senior
Tell us a little about yourself: My name is Addison Kerwin, I’m from Melbourne and I just graduated from Baxter High School. I am currently a member of the Baxter FFA chapter. I’ve had horses since I was just three years old, through the years I’ve been lucky enough to have over 10 different horses. My current horse Iris Storm Cat aka Ruby is my latest purchase in 2024. What is your favorite part of caring for them? My favorite part of caring for my horses is how calming they are most the time. They really feed off your energy. How do you prepare them to show? Most the time when I’m preparing to show I run around like a chicken with my head cut
BEEF | 3
EQUINE | 3
CONTACT US
Shaw Media est. 1851
Submitted Photo est. 1851 2025 Jasper County Fair Equine Senior Cowgirl Queen Addison Kerwin is a part of the Baxter FFA and has been riding horses since she was three years old.
Newsroom: 641-792-3121, ext. 7 • Advertising: 641-792-3121, ext. 2 Subscriptions/Delivery: 866-979-1053 • Billing: 641-792-3121, ext. 6
est. 1851