Residents from Colfax addiction recovery center assisted rescue in Polk County
Students and staff were on their way to church when they helped turn over vehicle submerged in water
By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune
the Midlands — helped lift a flipped and submerged vehicle onto its wheels, allowing law enforcement to free the driver and save him before he drowned.
And it was a good thing they did.
In a moment of pure selflessness, around seven students and a staff member — all recovering from addictions at Sheepgate, a division of Adult & Teen Challenge of
Four other cars had already driven past the crash at the intersection of Highway 163 and NE 112th Street this past Sunday, but it was the bus full of students and staff from a faith-based addiction treatment center in Colfax that decided to pull over to the side of the road to check if everyone as OK.
According to crash reports from the Iowa State Patrol, a 2019 Honda Insight driven by a 74-year-old male was traveling southbound on NE 112th Street when it pulled out in front of a 2014 Buick Enclave driven by a 38-yearold male. The Honda was struck and rolled down the embankment and submerged
PARTY ON PARADE!
in water. The other vehicle — carrying four people, including two teenagers — was sent into the median. Sources told Newton News the submerged vehicle was in waist-deep water, the result of a heavy rainstorm the day before. Around the same time law enforcement arrived to the scene and help turn over the vehicle.
Mike Hunsberger, president of Sheepgate, said the Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputy was able to cut the seatbelt and remove the driv -
er from the vehicle. The driver was the only occupant and was unconscious. When he was removed from the vehicle he started gasping for air. He was then life flighted to a hospital.
Hunsberger said everyone involved feels good about what they did.
“They were just like little kids, excited about being ablate help that guy and see that he started breathing and being told the next day that he
Party blowers, party hats, big cakes and candles! The Jasper County Fair knows how to throw a memorable birthday parade
A lifelong passion
Jasper County Fair Grand Marshal Doug Woebbeking has taken on almost every role with 4-H and the fair and still loves it as much as when he started
By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune
For as long as he can remember, 4H has been a part of Doug Woebbeking’s life. From growing up on a farm in Gladbrook to starting his own 4-H club with his kinds and finally becoming Jasper County Fair Board President, Woebbeking has taken on every role and still loves it as much as when he started. For the time, effort and enthusiasm he has given to 4-H and the fair, Woebbeking was named Grand Marshal for the 2025 Jasper County Fair Parade.
“It is quite an honor,” Woebbeking said.
Woebbeking has been involved with 4-H ever since he was a kid. His parents were big supporters and it was a staple during his formative years. Following high school graduation, Woebbeking attended Iowa State University where he continued his interest in agriculture by majoring in ag business. He used that degree to begin work in the wholesale fertilizer business.
“I’ve been doing that since 1980 and
Karly Spear named Champion Showman after getting first-place finishes in half of the categories
By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune
Karly Spear, 15, of Newton, remembered how nervous she felt competing in the Brice Leonard Supreme Showmanship Contest at the Jasper County Fair for the very first time. She told herself to have fun and just enjoy the experience along with her fellow competitors, no matter the outcome.
But that was last year. Spear found herself competing in the pavilion again this year. She was confident and sought out the assistance from fellow 4-H’ers on how to present livestock outside her expertise. And it paid off. Not only was she named Champion Showman, she earned top-two finishes in five of the six species shows. In addition to her runner-up finishes
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Christopher Braunschweig/Jasper County Tribune
Participants and spectators enjoyed the spectacle of the Jasper County Fair Parade on Monday, July 21 in downtown Colfax. The Jasper County Fair celebrated this year with a birthday theme, coinciding with the fair turning 170 years old.
Christopher Braunschweig/Jasper County Tribune
Jasper County Fair Parade Grand Marshal Doug Woebbeking greets the crowd during the parade July 21 in Colfax.
Christopher Braunschweig/Jasper County Tribune
Karly Spear, 15, of Newton, was named the champion of the Brice Leonard Suprememe Showmanship Contest on July 24 at the Jasper County Fairgrounds in Colfax.
Tony Lee Audas
July 9, 2025
Tony Lee Audas was born to Don and Patty (Simmons) Audas on May 28, 1964 in Newton, Iowa. Tony passed away on July 9th 2025 surrounded by his loved ones at home, Colfax, Iowa.
Obituaries
Tony was a union roofer 25 plus years in Iowa. He loved all animals and spending time with family and friends. He is survived by his
wife Elizabeth Audas; Children: Tony (Brittany) Audas and Jessica Audas; Grandkids: Lizzy, Brooklyn, Carly, Daymein, Renee, Emilie, Mackenzie, Ollie, Tucker and Paislee, Alisa & Adrien; parents: Lewis & Patty Mitchell; siblings: Jae(Dan) Cavin, Don Audas, Shelly Audas, Andrea (David) Summers, Angela Au-
das, Kim (Denny) Schutty, Lisa (Guy) Winchell; along with many nieces and nephews and other family members and friends. Tony was preceded in death by his father Don Audas, his sister Mindy Ostrander; as well as his maternal and paternal grandparents. Celebration of life at a later date.
Managing weather-related problems in the vegetable garden
Warm temperatures and heavy rainfall can significantly affect the growth and yield
of home vegetable crops
Not all problems in the vegetable garden are caused by insect pests or diseases. Hot temperatures and heavy or inconsistent rainfall can lead to deformed fruit and low yields. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach horticulture specialists discuss common weather-related issues in the vegetable garden and offer tips for managing them.
According to Aaron Steil, consumer horticulture extension specialist, high temperatures, particularly those above 90°F during the day or 75°F at night, can cause blossom drop in crops such as tomatoes, peppers and green beans. Flowers may fail to form or fall off before pollination, leading to reducedyields.
“Temperatures above 85°F can delay ripening in vegetables like tomatoes, peppers and eggplant, causing fruit to remain green longer. Cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and peas often stop growing altogether,” said Steil. “While soil is typically cooler than the air temperature, if it exceeds 86°F, potato tubers stop forming. Heat also causes incomplete or poor pollination in vine crops like cucumbers and squash, resulting in misshapen produce.”
Flavor is also affected by hot weather. Cucumbers may taste bitter, and crops like melons and carrots may have reduced sweetness as sugars are used at a higher rate in
the heat, Steil noted. Managing heat stress in crops is challenging, but Steil recommends deep weekly watering when conditions are dry to reduce plant stress and promote deep, resilient roots. Adding a layer of mulch helps lower soil temperatures and reduces water lost to evaporation.
Heavy or inconsistent rainfall can also cause problems in the vegetable garden.
“Tomatoes, particularly large-fruited varieties, may crack from rapid growth, especially under high temperatures and direct sunlight,” said Steil. “Cabbage heads can split after heavy rainfall as excess water creates internal pressure from quick uptake.”
Inconsistent rainfall can lead to
blossom end rot in tomatoes, peppers and summer squash. This begins with a brown or black spot on the fruit’s blossom end (bottom) because of a calcium deficiency. “The deficiency is caused by wide fluctuations in soil moisture, which impairs calcium uptake by the roots, he said. “Secondary infections follow, causing the fruit to rot.”
While rainfall cannot be controlled, consistent soil moisture can reduce these issues. During dry periods, water deeply once a week. Mulch can also help reduce evaporation from the soil surface. If fruit shows signs of blossom end rot, discard it. Damaged produce with no signs of decay is still edible, but ensure it is used or processed quickly, as it will not store well.
Bite back at mosquitoes in the yard
Mosquitoes are winged pests no one wants to have around, except for bats and other animals that eat them for dinner. The World Mosquito Program says mosquitoes can spread a number of nasty diseases, including malaria, dengue, West Nile virus, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika. Pet owners likely are aware that mosquito bites can transmit diseases like heartworm.
Vector Disease Control International says mosquitoes are some of the most adaptable and successful insects on Earth. Although male mosquitoes only live for six or seven days as adults, females with an adequate food supply can live up to five months or longer. Adult female mosquitoes lay an average of 50 to 200 eggs at one time, ensuring the population continues to thrive. Unless people take adequate precautions, mosquitoes can be anything from a nuisance to a real danger. Controlling mosquitoes around the home helps improve health and comfort. These strategies can help.
Eliminate standing water
Mosquitoes require stagnant water sources in order to reproduce. Regularly emptying, scrubbing and turning over items that can hold water can help control populations. This includes flower pots, tires, bird baths, and any other vessels that can hold water. For those with ponds or water features on their properties, circulating the water with a fountain or pump can prevent mosquito breeding. Introducing fish that eat mosquito larvae also can help.
Sow the right plants
Mass Audubon says certain scented plants help to repel mosquitoes. Incorporating them around outdoor living areas can keep mosquitoes at bay. Such plants include lemon balm, eucalyptus, marigold, garlic, sage, lemon verbena, scented geranium, catmint nepeta, lemongrass, and others.
Tidy the yard
Mosquitoes love to hide in tall grass and debris. Mowing the lawn and addressing weeds or other natural litter can help deter mosquitoes from hanging around.
Replace outdoor lights
Opt for yellow-colored lights outdoors, which are less likely to attract mosquitoes and other flying insects.
Turn on a fan
When entertaining outdoors, use a box fan to blow toward people, which will make it harder for mosquitoes to fly and land on people since they tend to be weak flyers.
Professional mosquito control services
Sometimes it may be necessary to call in the professionals to treat yards to control mosquitoes, particularly at homes that abut streams or other natural areas where a large number of mosquitoes can be found. Treatment solutions often include products that are both safe for people and their pets. Season-long applications will help tame the number of mosquitoes throughout the duration of the warm weather.
Mosquitoes are a part of warm weather, but they don’t have to compromise the comfort of outdoor living spaces.
Monroe’s annual 5K registration
Registration is still open for the MAMM 5K during Monroe’s Old Settlers weekend until 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2. Registration for the 5K is $25 and current PCM students may run for free, $12 if they would like a t-shirt. Online registration is available at https://www.runreg.com/12972 Award categories start for both
male and female in the following age categories: ages 9 and under, ages 1014, ages 15-19, ages 20-29, ages 30-39, ages 40-49, ages 50-59, ages 60-69 and ages 70 & up. First, second and third medals will be awarded in each age category, as well as a personalized PR board for the Overall Male and Overall Female winners.
Online registration for this event closes at 5 p.m. July 31. After online registration closes, use day of race registration, cash or check only on the morning of the race.
Walk-up registration on the day of the race is from 6:45 to 7:30 a.m., and cost on the day of the race is $28. T-shirts should be available the morn-
Church Schedules
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-
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
SATURDAY, Aug. 2 - 7:30 a.m.
Men’s Breakfast/Bible Study
SUNDAY, Aug. 3 - 9 a.m. Fellowship; 9:15 a.m. Bible Education Classes; 10:25 a.m. Communion Service; Message by Pastor Cody Dyer
TUESDAY, Aug. 5 - 3:30 p.m.
Women’s Prayer & Coffee; 6:30 p.m. Gospel of John Bible Study
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 6 - 9 a.m.
Busy Bee Quilters and Fresh Encounter Prayer
THURSDAY, Aug. 7 - 6:30 p.m. Men’s Group
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 with Holy Communion
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; Today is Food Pantry Sunday
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)
ASHTON CHAPEL
8887 W. 122nd St. N., Mingo
Pastors: Larry Craig & Mark Eddy
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school;
ing of the race! The race starts and ends at 117 W. Marion St. in Monroe. Kid’s races on the square follow the race, along with other family activities at Monroe’s Annual Old Settler’s event. Questions about the event? Contact volunteer race director Phyllis Peter at 515-577-3912.
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
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,
Iowa State University
Tomatoes are showing signs of blossom end rot this time of year.
was in stable condition in the hospital,” Hunsberger said. “It’s just amazing for them to be a part of that and that they were the ones who stopped.”
Sheepgate is a faith-based recovery program that has centers across Iowa and Nebraska for both men and women who are struggling with life-controlling addictions. It is a residential program, so individuals live on
different properties. The men traveling on the bus were from the men’s center in Colfax.
Addiction oftentimes robs people of opportunities, Hunsberger added, and at worst it does so by death or incarceration. Recovery puts people on a path where better and more fulfilling opportunities present themselves. Thanks to recovery, these individuals were confronted with an opportunity to save someone’s life.
“It’s pretty incredible,” Hunsberger said.
I’m still working today,” Woebbeking said.
Following college graduation, he also got married and moved to Newton. Since 4H had always been a part of his life, once he had kids, he knew he wanted to continue the involvement with them.
“I have two kids and when they were old enough to be in 4-H I started my own club, Lucky 7s,” Woebbeking said. “I got a bunch of families involved that weren’t familiar with 4-H but friends with my kids. There were seven families and that is where we got Lucky 7s.”
These years working with the kids were some of the best for him. Even though they could be challenging — teenagers aren’t always excited about hard work — he loved every minute of it.
“When my kids were in 4-H, those were the best years. They showed cattle, pigs and sheep,” Woebbeking said. “I see families bringing their livestock now and I think, ‘Wow, I did all of that.’ The weeks before fair, walking the pigs and cattle, washing the cattle, I don’t have to do any of that anymore. It could be very trying,
it is all about parenting, but reminding them this is what it is all about. The reward is fair.”
During the next phase of his 4H journey, Woebbeking got involved with the fair board. He was ready to move on from leading a club and saw the board as a way to continue giving back and growing the fair and its offerings.
“I got on the fair board and was on it for 18 years. I am still very much involved. I helped with a couple of projects. The last few years I helped bring the inflatables,” Woebbeking said. “Each fair board member has an agenda and my agenda has always been about the youth. I never really got involved with being a livestock superintendent, I was more of the other side, which I always enjoyed. It is about the kids. We wouldn’t have this county fair if it wasn’t for the kids. The kids make the fair, so that is what we need to focus on.”
Now, Woebbeking is still involved, helping fundraise and as a grandfather to the newest 4H members. He is always excited for his kids and now grandkids to attend the fair knows it is because of their great experience that they make their way back each year.
“I think there are still great memories coming down the road,” Woebbeking said.
Healthy Kids Iowa Starts With Healthy hoices!
for the horse and dairy categories, Spear secured first place for beef and sheep and tied for first place in goat alongside Claire Kucera. She was close to securing a top-two finish for the swine show, but was inched out by this year’s Reserve Champion Showman, Grace Guy.
Looking back on the contest, Spear told Newton News she will be taking with her the experience and knowledge she gained from showing the different animals.
“In the past two years, I’ve had some animals that maybe weren’t perfectly behaved, so it’s just learning to keep my composure and work hard at it,” Spear said, acknowledging that try-
ing to keep animals like pigs in line for the judges can be difficult. “If you get a bad one it can be kind of hard getting them to go.”
Guy, 17, of Newton, had also previously competed in the contest. Like Spear, she felt much more prepared this time around than she did a few years ago.
“Last time, I came in dead last,” Guy said. “It was humbling to say the least. I think this time I knew what I was doing. I had a little bit more experience under my belt. I kinda knew what to expect, and I think my confidence level has gone up in that big span of three years just from showing my species. That’s been great.”
Her placement in this year’s contest shows just how much Guy has progressed and improved. Contributing to her Re -
serve Champion win were her three, top-two placements in swine, beef and sheep. Guy felt pretty happy with that turnout, especially considering she only shows dairy cattle.
“So to sit there and go, ‘OK, I got second behind the person who won that this week’ — it was pretty cool,” Guy said.
Both champions agree they put more work into this year’s contest after competing in it previously.
“My dad always says, ‘You get what you put into it.’ And I think this year I really took that to heart and I put a lot into it,” Guy said. “I worked with as many kids as I could and I tried to stack as much experience as I could right in there. Thank you to everybody who put it on. This was great.”
Sheepgate
Residents and staff from Sheepgate, a faith-based addiction recovery center, assisted in the rescue of a man whose car was flipped over and submerged in water after a collision along Highway 163.
Fighting fentanyl and protecting Iowans
Fentanyl is killing more Americans than any other drug in history. Under Joe Biden, this deadly drug was flooding across our open border, poisoning our communities, and taking lives at record pace. In 2023, more than 74,000 Americans died from synthetic opioid overdoses, many of them young, many of them unknowingly. In
Iowa, overdose deaths involving fentanyl continue to rise, leaving heartbreak and devastation in their wake.
This crisis demands action, which is why I’ve made it my mission to fight back and protect Iowans.
Last week, President Trump signed the HALT Fentanyl Act into law, a bill I proudly helped introduce and champion in the House as an original cosponsor. This law gives law enforcement the authority they need to seize deadly fentanyl analogues and finally close the loopholes traffickers have
been exploiting. But stopping fentanyl on the streets is only one piece of the puzzle, we have to stop it online too. That’s why I reintroduced the Cooper Davis and Devin Norring Act, a bipartisan, bicameral bill to crack down on fentanyl sales on social media. Too many young Americans have died after unknowingly purchasing counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl from platforms like Snapchat. This bill requires social media and communication platforms to report illicit fentanyl activity to law enforcement. If a drug dealer is targeting kids online, platforms should not be turning a blind eye, they should be turning them in.
These bills are part of a broader
mission to defeat this crisis. I was also proud to support President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, which included the strongest border security funding in American history, because we can’t stop fentanyl if we don’t stop it at the border. The bill funds border security agents, surveillance, fencing, and the tools needed to keep this poison out of our communities.
Every parent deserves to know their child will come home safe. Every American deserves protection from a crisis that was unleashed by a reckless open-border agenda. As a physician, I’ve seen the toll of addiction. As your representative, I’m committed to stopping it.
We’re fighting back. We’re saving lives. And we’re just getting started.
Over the past decade since my fellow Iowans sent me to Washington to make the big spenders squeal, I’ve been exposing waste, fraud, and abuse almost too insane to believe.
eration.
This week, I was proud to see some of that work deliver a win for Iowa taxpayers. Both the Senate and House passed the first Trump rescissions package to claw back $9 billion in wasteful foreign aid and funding for partisan propaganda masquerading as public broadcasting.
As a result of my years of oversight, I found that the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, is a rogue bureaucracy, operating with little accountability and even, sometimes, at odds with our nation’s best interests.
I uncovered countless examples of USAID’s questionable spending, including Ukrainian “economic assistance” that spent $203,000 to send models to fashion weeks, $148,000 on a pickle maker, a dog collar manufacturer fetched $300,000, and a custom carpet manufacturer rolled up $2 million.
That was just the tip of the iceberg for USAID’s world tour of waste.
$20 million was awarded to Sesame Workshop, which produces Sesame Street, to create content for Iraq, $2 million went toward promoting tourism to Lebanon, a nation the State Department warns against traveling to due to the risks of terrorism and kidnapping, and $67,000 was being spent to feed edible insects to children in Madagascar.
Perhaps the biggest head scratcher was the over $800,000 sent to China’s notorious Wuhan Institute of Virology to collect coronaviruses.
What exactly was our international development agency developing at China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology?
If the CIA, FBI, and other experts are correct that the COVID virus likely originated from a lab leak, your tax dollars may have had a hand in a oncein-a-century pandemic that claimed the lives of millions.
There’s no shortage of other questionable USAID projects, but thankfully the rescissions package is ending this deep state op-
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The foreign assistance programs that do advance American interests are now being administered under the watchful eye of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
This includes projects caring for orphans and people living with HIV.
Imagine how much more good work like this could be done with the dollars that instead financed fashion shows, supported Sesame Street programs in Iraq, or ended up in China’s Wuhan Institute.
Overseas projects without merit are being ended and the tax dollars that were paying for them will be refunded.
Taxpayer subsidies to public broadcasting will also be cancelled.
Too often, these programs are partisan propaganda. You don’t have to take my word for it.
A National Public Radio (NPR) senior editor recently confessed “It’s true NPR has always had a liberal bent.”
He admits the organization has ZERO Republicans in editorial positions. NPR and PBS have a right to say whatever they want, but they don’t have a right to force hardworking Iowans to pay for it.
Defunding this nonsense is causing a lot of squealing from the big spenders in Congress.
Washington insiders are more upset at this effort to stop wasteful spending than at the misuse of tax dollars.
With our national debt now exceeding $37 trillion, the real question we should be asking isn’t, “why is government spending being scrutinized?”
But rather, “why did it take so long?”
If we are ever going to get serious about our debt crisis, Congress needs to pass a rescissions bill like this every week.
I will continue leading the fight to make DOGE a lifestyle in Washington and put taxpayers first.
Joni Ernst, a native of Red Oak and a combat veteran, represents Iowa in the United States Senate.
My phone buzzed. It was Cindy. “What’s wrong?” she wanted to know.
I was in the emergency room at Great River Medical Center in West Burlington. I had just been told I had bilateral pulmonary embolisms, i.e., blood clots in both lungs, lots of them. The physician assistant who told me let me hold his hand. It was comforting. “You’ll be on blood thinner the rest of your life,” he said.
How had Cindy known that something was wrong? Our friendship goes way back. I always knew Cindy was highly perceptive and sensitive, but not that she had special powers, like a cat.
She visited Ginnie and I in the hospital the next day. She said that an alarming urge had suddenly come over her the night before that she needed to call me. She’s glad she did. So am I. Her prayers lifted me up.
Wow! I’ve heard of extra-sensory phenomena, but never been directly involved with it. Cindy is a special person. She claims to have a direct pipeline to God. I believe her. She knew I needed prayers.
While I was in the hospital, late at night, with sounds echoing down the hallway, bed pans clanging, I dreamed that I was playing football with my old high school buddies who had died: Scott, Jimmy, Phil, John, Ernie, Dave, OP; even some I hadn’t gone to high school with: Joel Boy, Ric, Gary, Casey, Steve,
OPINION
Strengthening election security
In my role as Jasper County Supervisor, I work every day to ensure that our county government runs efficiently and meets the needs of our residents. Our leaders in Washington must do the same. That’s why I am calling on Congress to include robust election security funding in this year’s appropriations bill.
Securing American elections should be a goal that all elected leaders work toward. During Pres-
Gonzo. We were having fun, dirt under our fingernails, a couple of bloody noses and jammed fingers. High school football was one of the happiest times of my life. There wasn’t anyone on the opposing team. It was just us, old friends, having a good time, yukking it up. It was a happy dream, and I woke up knowing everything was going to be okay.
I have five specialists working on me: an oncologist, pulmonologist, gastro-enterologist, cardiologist and hematologist. I dreamed about them also. They were all operating on me, surrounding the surgical table, mumbling, wearing white gowns and masks. One of them reached into my knee with his gloved fingers, and pulled out a bone chip.
“Ah, ha,” they said.
I don’t have a knee problem, but I see the dream as meaningful. The key just has to be found. They’ll find it. BTW: If you’re wondering how my Medicare Advantage Plan is doing, it’s working like a champ. No problems.
When Ginnie and I went to Colorado for a week, so I could visit old friends, we had Cindy pet-sit. She checked in on Buddy and Stormy, fed and watered them, and let Buddy out to do his
ident Trump’s first term, Congress allocated roughly $400 million for election infrastructure in fiscal years 2018 and 2020. As Congress starts this year’s appropriations process, I hope they will follow the lead from the first Trump administration and include $400 million once again.
Counties like ours work hard to deliver the same level of election security and access as larger, better-funded areas, but we can’t do it alone. To meet those expectations, Congress must provide consistent and meaningful federal funding that supports election offices in communities of every size.
duty, even taking him for walks. Cindy knows that Stormy, our tomcat, likes to sit on my lap and knead. She left special instructions for Stormy on how to care for me, and to let her know if I’m having problems, telepathically. Cindy is tuned in to the feline wavelength. Ginnie is also taking great care of me and, of course, I enjoy all the special attention. She cooks my favorite foods. In conjunction with the Prednisone and lack of exercise, I’m gaining weight. My cheeks are puffy and my belly’s sticking out. I’m so short of breath I can’t do anything physical, like mow the lawn, spray the Japanese Beetles, or work in the garden. It’s growing up in weeds. I’m gonna mow the whole thing off. I’ve also had to swallow my pride and use a cane to walk. The doc said I should use a walker. But that would really injure my pride. Pride commeth before the fall, literally.
I’m a lucky guy. My mind is clear. I can sit in my recliner, read, write, gaze out the window, be productive and creative, watch the Nightly News and Caitlin Clark, without being short of breath. I have a bank of friends who pray for me, like making a deposit in the Hereafter. Whatever is His Will—even the suffering, for it pushes me closer to God. Acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. Contact Curt Swarm at curtswarm@yahoo.com
For our elections to remain secure, we need federal lawmakers like Representative Hinson to advocate for increased funding for election infrastructure. With her continued leadership, we can return to the $400 million investment made during President Trump’s first term and give Iowans the reliable, trustworthy elections they expect and deserve. I urge Congress to act and stand with the American people to deliver the resources needed to strengthen our elections for years to come.
Thad Nearmyer Monroe
Beals leads two Bolts on all-conference softball squad
Emileigh Beals led the Baxter softball team in hits, runs, steals and total bases in conference play this past summer.
The Bolts eighth-grader just hopes to keep getting better the next few years, and she was recognized with a second team all-conference honor recently.
The Iowa Star Conference released its all-conference softball teams after Clarksville won the Class 1A state championship on July 25. All-conference recognition is based on statistics inside conference play only.
BCLUW won the ISC South Division with a 14-2 conference record and Collins-Maxwell sophomore Jayden Peters was the South’s player of the year.
Baxter sophomore Camden Moffit was limited to only five games in conference play due to an injury but was the Bolts’ honorable mention choice.
Beals started 14 of the team’s 15 games and batted .341 and had an
on-base percentage of .357. Her 14 hits, eight runs, 16 total bases and 14 steals led the Bolts, and she added two doubles, three RBIs and one walk.
Beals had a fielding percentage of .980. She committed just one error in 51 chances. Moffit batted .182 in her five conference games. Her OBP was .357, and she finished with two hits, three RBIs, three walks, three total bases and two steals.
Iowa Star Conference South Division Softball
Final Standings
Team Conference Overall
BCLUW 14-2 20-8
Collins-Maxwell 12-4 15-10 GMG 8-8 11-10 North Tama 3-12 5-14 Baxter 2-13 2-23
Colo-NESCO 1-15 4-22
Coach of the Year
Megan Yantis, BCLUW Autumn Sash, GMG
Player of the Year
Jayden Peters, so., Collins-Maxwell
All-Conference
First Team
Pitcher: Jayden Peters, so., Collins-Maxwell.
Catcher: Skyler Murty, fr., GMG.
Infielders: Raegan Crawford, sr., BCLUW; Haylee Berryman, jr., Collins-Maxwell; Gabriella Seda, jr., North Tama; Jadyn Niemeyer, sr., Colo-NESCO.
Outfielders: Eden Ladehoff, fr., BCLUW; Cypress Erickson, jr., Collins-Maxwell; Cassie Nason, sr., BCLUW. Utility: Klayre Gallentine, sr., BCLUW; Riah Boege, fr., GMG; Addison Hochstetler, jr., North Tama.
Second Team
Pitcher: Annabelle Heller, sr., Colo-NESCO.
Catchers: Emileigh Beals, eighth, Baxter; Cerra Muntz, sr., Colo-NESCO.
Infielders: Morgan Bergman, sr., BCLUW; Callahan Coffelt, eighth, Collins-Maxwell; Violet Seda, so., North Tama; Harper Rausch, so., North Tama.
Outfielders: Grace Farnsworth, jr., BCLUW; Faith Dvorak, sr., North Tama; Molly Angell, sr., Colo-NESCO.
Honorable Mention
Camden Moffit, so., Baxter; Allison Ward, sr., BCLUW; Adaline Kane, fr., Collins-Maxwell; Landrey Harris, eighth, Colo-NESCO; Taelyn Sash, eighth, GMG; Gabby Velasco, sr., North Tama.
C-M’s Freerksen, Cook score all-conference softball recognition
Lynnville-Sully sophomore Peyton Sharp ranked in the top 10 in five offensive categories.
Senior Alaina Roberts got on base 44 percent of the time and laced five doubles for the Hawks softball team.
Both players were named first team all-conference in the South Iowa Cedar League recently.
The SICL did not have a state qualifying team, but Sigourney won the league title with a record of 15-1.
Joining Sharp and Roberts on the all-SICL softball team were second-team selections Kate Harthoorn, Jakeira Hay and Olivia Norrish and honorable mention picks Sophia Squires and Ava Brummel.
L-S sophomore Addison Collum also received a Golden Award, which goes to players in the league who had the chance to be an all-conference player had it not been for an injury.
Junior Brianna Freerksen and senior Emma Cook were the honorable mention selections for Colfax-Mingo. All-conference recognition is based on statistics inside conference play only.
Freerksen ranked eighth with 30 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings as one of C-M’s pitchers. She led the Tigerhawks in several offensive categories, including batting average (.341), OBP (.491), hits (14), runs (16), doubles (4), walks (11) and total bases (18).
Freerksen also totaled five RBIs and had a .985 fielding percentage. She committed one error in 66 chances, which tied for third in the league. Cook batted .176 and posted a .364 OBP. She finished with six hits, three runs, six RBIs, eight walks, six total bases and she was hit by two pitches. Her fielding percentage was .943.
South
Wyatt Jay
Freshman Wyatt Jay led the Colfax-Mingo baseball team with 12 hits, 10 runs, three doubles, one triple and 17 total bases. He also finished with five RBIs and 10 walks, had a .974 fielding percentage and struck out 52 batters in 31 2/3 innings.
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Colfax-Mingo’s Jay, Cunningham land on all-SICL baseball team
Lynnville-Sully senior Carson Maston was one of the best pitchers in all of Class 1A this past season.
Coach of the Year
Shelly Striegel, Sigourney Golden Award
Addison Collum, so., Lynnville-Sully
All-Conference
First Team
Pitchers: Josephine Moore, sr., Sigourney; Regan Grewe, sr., North Mahaska; Lily Randall, sr., HLV/TC. Catchers: Izzy Kriegel, sr., Iowa Valley; Taylor Mikesell, sr., English Valleys.
Infielders: Alaina Roberts, sr., Lynnville-Sully; Ayla Hall, sr., HLV/TC; Kara Minaret, sr., BGM; Dani Aller, sr., Sigourney; Maddie Doonan, jr., North Mahaska; Olivia Ridgeway, so., North Mahaska; Olivia Grant, eighth, Iowa Valley; Anna Luers, fr., English Valleys.
Outfielders: Peyton Sharp, so., Lynnville-Sully; Ryanne VanDee, sr., BGM; Chloe Snook, jr., Montezuma; Kinsley Clubb, eighth, Sigourney.
Utility: Lydia Kriegel, sr., Iowa Valley; Mya Beck, fr., BGM.
Second Team
Pitchers: Kate Harthoorn, jr., Lynnville-Sully; Cara Arment, fr., BGM; Jesslyn Aller, eighth, Keota.
Catchers: Jakeira Hay, sr., Lynnville-Sully; Emy Minnaert, fr., BGM. Infielders: Ema Roberts, sr., HLV/TC; Ava Gehrking, so., English Valleys; Elyse Lyle, fr., Keota; Kayla Reedshaw, sr., North Mahaska; Devyn Smallwood, fr., Sigourney; Mya Smothers, so., Montezuma.
Outfielders: Olivia Norrish, sr., Lynnville-Sully; Aubrey Achenbach, so., English Valleys; Kaylia Shipman, so., North Mahaska; Mallory Hauschilt, fr., Iowa Valley. Utility: Ellen Cook, sr., Montezuma; Erilea Kupka, fr., HLV/TC; Taylor Johnson, fr., Belle Plaine.
Honorable Mention Emma Cook, sr., Colfax-Mingo; Brianna Freerksen, jr., Colfax-Mingo; Sophia Squires, sr., Lynnville-Sully; Ava Brummel, so., Lynnville-Sully; Kylie Arment, jr., BGM; Macey Heishman, jr., BGM; Allison Hoover, fr., Belle Plaine; Denisyn Adams, sr., Belle Plaine; Addison Achenbach, so., English Valleys; Kaylynn Caster, fr., English Valleys; Abbi Tharp, fr., HLV/TC; Raegan Molyneux, sr., HLV/TC; Michaela Schachtlie, jr., Iowa Valley; Maggie Kriegel, eighth, Iowa Valley; Cameron Haifley, fr., Keota; Lainey Swenson, sr., Keota; Vivian Cook, so., Montezuma; Kamryn Schmidt, so., Montezuma; Lydia Howell, fr., North Mahaska; Kylie Van Weelden, so., North Mahaska; Ella Bruns, fr., Sigourney; Kiley Cavin, eighth, Sigourney.
But his numbers at the plate also warranted a first team all-conference selection, and Maston led a large contingent of Hawks on the team that was released by the South Iowa Cedar League after L-S lost in the opening round of the state baseball tournament.
Maston was joined on the all-SICL first team by L-S senior Lannon Montgomery and junior JD Richards.
Senior Terran Gosselink and juniors Gavin Olea and Jack Bowlin were second-team selections and junior Matthew Mintle and sophomore Trace Carlson were the honorable mention choices.
Colfax-Mingo’s freshmen duo of Camden Cunningham and Wyatt Jay also earned honorable mention recognition.
The Hawks’ lone loss in SICL play came against state-ranked Sigourney, 8-7.
All-conference honors are based on statistics inside conference play only.
Jay and Cunningham led the Tigerhawks both on the mound and at the plate.
Jay ranked fourth in the conference with 47 strikeouts and 10th with 28 innings pitched.
He batted .262, had an OBP of .392 and registered nine runs, three doubles, four RBIs, 16 total bases and nine walks. His fielding percentage was .965.
Cunningham ranked sixth in the SICL with 43 strikeouts as a pitcher.
He batted .216, had an OBP of .375 and finished with eight runs, two doubles, one homer, six RBIs, eight walks, eight steals and 15 total bases and he was hit by two pitches. South
Pitchers: Carson Maston, sr., Lynnville-Sully; Chase Clarahan, so., Sigourney; Jackson Bueller’s, so., BGM. Catchers: Tucker Wright, sr., BGM; Wade Sankot, jr., Belle Plaine.
Infielders: JD Richards, jr., Lynnville-Sully; Cole McKay, sr., Sigourney; Beau Burns, jr., BGM; Mason Hoyt, so., Iowa Valley; Ty Alcott, sr., Belle Plaine.
Outfielders: Lannon Montgomery, sr., Lynnville-Sully; Isaac Bruns, sr., Sigourney; Lincoln Power, so., Sigourney; Dane VanMersbergen, jr., North Mahaska. Utility: Caden Clarahan, sr., Sigourney; Luke Ersileus, jr., Montezuma. Second Team
Pitchers: Gavin Olea, jr., Lynnville-Sully; Landon Conrad, so., Sigourney; Finn Callahan, fr., BGM.
Catchers: Terran Gosselink, sr., Lynnville-Sully; Layne Peska, so., Iowa Valley.
Infielders: Jack Bowlin, jr., Lynnville-Sully; Brady Clark, sr., Sigourney; Lucas Nunnikhoven, sr., North Mahaska; Nolan Kriegel, so., Iowa Valley; Will Sankot, jr., Belle Plaine; Blake Baker, fr., Keota.
Outfielders: Cael Coburn, sr., BGM; Chance Hoyt, so., Iowa Valley; Ashton Galindo, sr., Keota; Broox Stockman, jr., Montezuma. Utility: Jack Kelderman, sr., North Mahaska; Hunter Sellers, fr., Sigourney. Honorable Mention Matthew Mintle, jr., Lynnville-Sully; Trace Carlson, so., Lynnville-Sully; Wyatt Jay, fr., Colfax-Mingo; Camden Cunningham, fr., Colfax-Mingo; Dakota Heishman, sr., BGM; Ashton Kalinay, jr., BGM; Derek Kressley, so., Belle Plaine; Mason Walter, so., BGM; Colton Mikesell, so., English Valleys; Cael Grove, jr., English Valleys; Peyton Roth, sr., HLV/TC; Levi Molyneux, sr., HLV/TC; Zavier Pedersen, fr., Iowa Valley; Owen Bral, sr., Iowa Valley; Brennan McGuire, so., Keota; Chase Haifley, jr., Keota; Gavin Wilcox, fr., Montezuma; Easton Hudnut, so., Montezuma; Ryan Groom, jr., North Mahaska; Jaxon VanderVeer, jr., North Mahaska; Ike Molyneux, so., Sigourney; Solon Yates, jr., Sigourney.
Jasper County Tribune
Beals Moffit
Jasper County Tribune
Freerksen Cook
Jasper County Tribune
Jay
Cunningham
Iowa recruits local businesses in anti-human trafficking effort
By Mark Moran Iowa News Service
State officials in Iowa are recruiting local businesses to report suspected cases of human trafficking. It is an ongoing effort but highlighted this year as part of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Iowa reported 166 cases of human trafficking to the National Human Trafficking Hotline in the 2024 data, the most recent.
Paul Pate, Secretary of State, said the state’s rural setting often belies the notion human trafficking only happens in states with bigger cities and added it is a serious issue in the Hawkeye State.
“We do have trafficking in Iowa,” Pate pointed out. “As a former mayor of Cedar Rapids, I like to think our communities and our state is one of the best, and it’s a great place to live. But until it’s great for everybody, our work isn’t done and, yes, there is trafficking and it’s right here in River City, as they say.”
Pate noted the Iowa Businesses Against Trafficking initiative has grown to more than 850 members across nearly all 99 counties and more than 350,000 employees are encouraged to report tips if they suspect they see human trafficking happening.
Beyond businesses reporting suspected cases of human trafficking, Pate pointed out residents of local communities are just as important in seeing the signs and stepping in if they suspect it.
“Whether you’re in Polk County,
Scott County or Allamakee County, it’s everywhere,” Pate emphasized. “The only way we’re going to beat this is, we need to have everybody be more aware of what it is, help the eyes and ears, almost like a neighborhood watch program, making sure we’re looking for some of the symptoms.”
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons was established by the United Nations in 2013 to raise awareness and promote action against human trafficking of all kinds.
Why walking is a perfect exercise for seniors
Aging changes the human body in myriad ways. But even with those changes, seniors’ bodies have many of the same needs as the bodies of their younger counterparts.
Exercise is one thing the human body needs regardless of how old it is. But some exercises are better suited for particular demographics than others. Walking, for example, is an ideal activity for seniors, some of whom may be surprised to learn just how beneficial a daily stroll can be.
• Walking strengthens bones and muscles. The Mayo Clinic notes that regular brisk walking strengthens bones and muscles. Intensity is important when looking to walking to improve muscle strength. A 2015 study published in the journal Exercises and Sports Sciences Reviews found that achieving a 70 to 80 percent heart rate reserve during workouts
lasting at least 40 minutes four to five days per week can help build muscle strength.
GoodRx defines heart rate reserve as the difference between your resting and maximum heart rate, so it’s important that seniors looking to walking to build muscle strength exhibit more intensity during a workout walk than they might during a recreational stroll.
• Walking helps seniors maintain a healthy weight.
Overweight and obesity are risk factors for a host of chronic illnesses, including diabetes and heart disease.
The Mayo Clinic notes walking can help seniors keep pounds off and maintain a healthy weight. In fact, SilverSneakers® reports that a 155-pound person burns around 133 calories walking for 30 minutes at a 17-minutes-per-mile pace. A slight increase in intensity to 15 minutes per mile can help that same person burn an
additional 42 calories.
• Walking lowers seniors’ risk for various diseases. It’s long been known that walking is a great way for seniors to reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease.
In fact, a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society noted in 1996 that walking more than four hours per week was associated with a significantly reduced risk of being hospitalized for cardiovascular disease. How significant is that reduction? A 2023 report from the American Heart Association indicated people age 70 and older who walked an additional 500 steps per day had a 14 percent lower risk for heart disease, stroke or heart failure.
In addition, the Department of Health with the Victoria State Government in Australia reports walking also helps seniors reduce their risk for colon cancer and diabetes.
• Walking boosts mental
health. Researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health note that replacing one hour of sitting with one hour of a moderate activity like brisk walking can have a measureable and positive effect on mental health. The researchers behind the study, which was published in the journal Psychiatry in 2019, saw a 26 percent decrease in odds for becoming depressed with each
major increase in objectively measured physical activity. Walking can benefit all people, but might be uniquely beneficial for seniors. Walking is free, which undoubtedly appeals to seniors living on fixed incomes, and it’s also a moderate intensity activity that won’t tax seniors’ bodies. Such benefits suggest walking and seniors are a perfect match.
Andrew Cope, DO Family Practice
Nicole Ferguson, DO Family Practice
Luke Perrin, MD Family Practice
Tara Gravenstine, MD Family Practice