The Colfax Police Department celebrate with the community at annual National Night Out event
By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune
The park was full with people and activities for Colfax Police Department’s National Night Out event. Crowds gathered for food and fun Aug. 5, along with a bonus of the Colfax Farmers’ Market
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Jury trial determined stand-your-ground defense was not viable in this case
By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune
The Colfax man who was found guilty last month of intimidation with a dangerous weapon and going armed with intent — though he claimed he was standing his ground when he fired a .45-caliber pistol at another man who entered his driveway — was sentenced to five years in prison this past week. Norman Hopkins was of-
ficially sentenced on Aug. 4 by Judge Terry Rickers. His four-day jury trial had concluded in July. Hopkins received a five-year sentence for each charge, which are both considered Class D felonies, but they were to run concurrently. If they ran consecutively, it would have extended to 10 years.
According to court documents obtained by Newton
Jasper County 4-H members take home top prizes for projects selected for the state fair
Rob Sand confronts industrial ag and water quality issues at Newton town hall
‘Growers
and farmers want to do more…we’re not giving them the resources’
By Christopher Braunschweig
Rob Sand thought he had answered an Iowa woman’s question about holding industrial
agriculture accountable for nitrate pollution throughout the state and if he could make hard decisions that could impact his family, whose businesses could be adversely affected. But about
three questions later he realized he didn’t.
So, before he called on anyone else, the Democratic candidate
Rob Sand rejects the ‘moderate’ label, embraces being ‘independent-minded’
Iowa gubernatorial candidate wants to end the ‘lesser-of-twoevils’ system
By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune
Rob Sand has been described by both friend and foe as a “moderate.”
It is a term used by some of his supporters to describe his stances on issues, and it has even been used by opponents as a derogatory. In an interview with Newton News, he firmly rejected the label, describing himself as “independent-minded.”
Admittedly, it was a term I placed upon him, too, when I asked, in a sort of movie trailer-esque way: In a world ruled by political extremes, how can a moderate hope to survive? Despite the
tongue-in-cheek manner in which I inquired, Sand answered sincerely. He swiftly dismissed the label I and others placed upon him.
“I reject pretty much all labels, including the word moderate,” he said. “I’m pretty issue-based and I’m independent-minded. I think what we need to do is actually end the system of ‘the lesser of two evils.’ It’s not necessarily so all the answers belong to any one place, it’s just to actually free people up in both parties.”
He suggested doing so would allow Democrats
Sharon Rose Padgett
Aug. 3, 2025
Sharon Rose (Tomlonovic) Padgett was born on July 26, 1936, in Des Moines to Vincent and Margaret (Markey) Tomlonovic. She grew up on the family farm in Colfax and graduated from Colfax High School in 1954. After school she began working at the First State Bank in Colfax, IA where she had a lifelong career
of 60 years. She passed away on Sunday, August 3, 2025 at Park Centre in Newton surrounded by her family. Sharon was united in marriage to William Padgett on August 20, 1966. To this union two sons, Sean and Eric were born. She was involved in the Colfax Women’s Club, Poinsettia Club, and was also a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Colfax.
Family was special to Sharon. She treasured every extended family get together and enjoyed visiting with friends. Through the years, there were numerous Sunday morning coffee hours at their home as well as Christmas Eve
celebrations. She has a special spot in her heart for her two grandchildren, Luke and Emma, and beamed with pride whenever she had the chance to talk about them.
Sharon is survived by her husband, William. Her sons, Sean and Eric (Kimberly). Her grandchildren, Luke and Emma Padgett; her siblings, Grace (Duane) Brown, Susan (John) Heggen, Nancy (Steve) Thornton, Jim (Mardell) Tomlonovic, and Judy Herold; a brother-in-law, Robert (Virginia) Padgett and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, a granddaughter at
birth, Madeline Padgett, her daughter-in-law, Jennifer Padgett; her siblings, Patricia Daft, Sister Kathleen Tomlonovic, Betty Cronin, Vince Tomlonovic, and Jodi Tomlonovic; a sister-in-law, Rose Nichols; and her brother-in-laws, Chuck Padgett and Bart Padgett. A private family graveside will be held at a later date at the Colfax Cemetery. The family will greet friends on Thursday, August 7, 2025 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at Coburn Funeral Home in Colfax. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Wesley Life Hospice. Condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com.
Join photographer and refuge volunteer Mike Cox for a guided walk at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. Explore summer prairie and its wildlife through your lens. The program is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug.
HOWARD ST. CHRISTIAN CHURCH (Disciples of Christ)
Pastor Josh Burns 101 N. Locust
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 service; 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.
16. No matter your skill level, Cox will share useful photography tips. These will help you capture the beauty of nature and prairie wildlife. All types of cameras are welcome — including cell phones.
It is recommended participants wear pants and sturdy closed shoes. Also, bring insect repellent and drinking water. Contact nancy_corona@fws. gov or call 515-994-3400 to register and for information.
Men’s Breakfast FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, Colfax Minister, Pastor Cody Dyer Church Office 674-4165 SUNDAY, Aug. 17 - 9 a.m. Fellowship; 9:15 a.m. Bible Education Classes; 10:25 a.m. Message by Pastor Cody Dyer
TUESDAY, Aug. 19 - 3:30 p.m. Women’s Prayer & Coffee; 6:30 p.m. Gospel of John Bible Study
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 20 - 9 a.m. Busy Bee Quilters and Fresh Encounter Prayer; 6:30 p.m. AWANA Registration Night/ Fun Night
THURSDAY, Aug. 21 - 6:30 p.m. Men’s Group
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; Today is Food Pantry Sunday
schedule
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; 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 & 3rd6:30 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 month
- 6:30 p.m. Theology on Tap at Bea’s Place on Main Street Check us out on Facebook and baxtercongregational.com
CORNERSTONE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP
1000 E. 12th St., Newton Rev. Josh Farver, pastor Phone 641-792-4650
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10:15 a.m. Worship
WEDNESDAY - 6:30 p.m. Prayer Meeting and Bible Study; Youth Group
HERITAGE WORD OF LIFE
ASSEMBLY OF GOD
102 Second St. NW, Mitchellville Pastor Dave Adams 515-967-3330
SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Bible classes; 10 a.m. Worship service; 6 p.m. Evening service
WEDNESDAY - 7 p.m. Evening activities
LUTHERAN CHURCH OF HOPE Capitol II Theatre in Newton
SUNDAY - 9:30 a.m. Livestream Worship Service
MITCHELLVILLE
CHRISTIAN DISCIPLES OF CHRIST
210 Third St. NW, Mitchellville Text/Voicemail 515-519-0206
SUNDAY - 10 a.m. Coffee
Time; 10:30 a.m. Worship Time, in person or via YouTube Live at 1040 am
WEDNESDAY - 5:30pm
W.O.W Youth Group with supper provided Visit mitchellvillechristianchurch.org and follow us on Facebook
Send items to news@jaspercountytribune.com
THURSDAY
• Baxter Garden Club meets at 7 p.m. second Thursday of month, March to December, at the Baxter Community Building
SUNDAY • Colfax Historical Society Museum is open from 2 to 4 p.m. every Sunday through Labor Day.
MONDAY • Colfax Historical Society meets at 7 p.m. the third Monday of month at the museum
TUESDAY • Baxter Masonic Lodge meets at 7:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of month • Baxter Chamber of Commerce meets at 6 p.m. the second Tuesday of month at city hall • Colfax American Legion Post 175 meets at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of month at the Colfax Senior Citizens Center
WEDNESDAY • Colfax Farmers Market is open from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Mineral Springs Park
There is no definitive age when a child may need to get eyeglasses. However, the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus notes that children’s visual systems are still developing during the first 12 years of their life, and during this period wearing glasses can be important for normal vision development. Glasses can help straighten crossed or misaligned eyes, bolster weak vision caused by differences in vision between a child’s eyes, and even protect the stronger eye.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children begin vision screening around age 3 and receive annual screenings each year at ages 4, 5 and 6. After that, screening is recommended when children turn 8, 10, 12, and 15.
Of course, parents who begin to suspect their children are having trouble with their vision are urged to take the child to an ophthalmologist once such suspicions arise. Some notable signs include inexplicable declines in academic performance, children sitting closer to the television than they once did and children’s own remarks regarding their vision if they say anything at all. — Metro Creative
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joining in, to celebrate the relationship between local law enforcement and the community.
“It is great to get out, interact with the community and let them know we are the good guys and we are here to help them,” Colfax Police Chief Jeremy Burdess said. “I like having the interaction with community members and getting to know them on a one-on-one basis so when they see me in town they can call me by name.”
Officers were flipping burgers and serving up salads while kids enjoyed the bounce house and everyone in the park got to hear tunes from the live band. Burdess started this event in Colfax three years ago when he took over as chief and finds it to be a great way to see the citizens in an informal, relaxed setting.
It is also a great way to continue
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News, the intimidation with a dangerous weapon conviction requires Hopkins to carry out a mandatory sentence of five years without parole.
The court decided to waive the mandatory minimum sentence due to it being Hopkin’s first offense.
The court also found that sufficient mitigating circumstances exist for Hopkins and that he has no prior criminal record and is an honorably discharged Vietnam War veteran. The State of Iowa, represented by Jasper County Attorney Scott Nicholson, did not resist the waiver of the mandatory minimum sentence.
Hopkins will carry out his
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to build relationships with kids in the community.
“I go into the school, teach DARE, so when the kids see me they say ‘Hey, chief,’” Burdess said. “Just adding that personal touch.”
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. It started more than 40 years ago in 1984 as a way to enhance the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. It also provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
Events throughout the country feature block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and much more. On hand in Colfax was the Colfax Police Department, Jasper Coun-
sentence at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center. His sentence may be reduced from the maximum because of statutory earned time, work credits and program credits. He may be eligible for parole before the sentence is discharged, subject to restrictions.
Also, Hopkins was fined a total of $2,050.
Hopkins was found guilty of displaying a dangerous weapon in a threatening manner during an altercation with Ryan Doty, of Altoona, back on June 5, 2024. The incident saw both men arrested and charged. Hopkins was also charged with two counts of assault but was found not guilty of those offenses.
Newton News previously reported that at about 4:50 p.m. June 5, 2024, the sheriff’s office received a call about
for governor took a moment to go back and give her and everyone else at the Newton town hall a full answer. Sand acknowledged that while he did address the family part, he did not respond to parts about water quality and agriculture.
“I don’t know whether you’re going to like my answer. Here’s my answer: It’s not an area today that I feel really comfortable with the facts on that I can have a strong opinion on,” Sand said. “But I want to hear from people like you and I’m going to listen to people from all walks of life in Iowa.”
Sand added people listened to they can live with solutions where nobody gets everything they want but everybody gets something they want.
“We have a political system where people don’t listen,” Sand said. “And as I was sitting here, because I listened to your question, I realized I don’t want you to walk away from here being like, ‘He kind of dodged my question. He sort of answered the last part but he didn’t answer the first part.’
“I don’t want you to think that’s my approach.”
As a born-and-raised Iowan who grew up trout fishing in northeast Iowa, Sand wants others to enjoy those same kinds of activities he did. It is the birthright of every Iowan, he said. More farmers want to participate in conservation programs, Sand said, but there is not enough money dedicated to fulfilling those requests.
Many at the town hall agreed, including an audience member who identified himself as a commissioner of the Jasper County Soil and Water Conservation District. He noted there are also not enough people to
ty Emergency Management and the Colfax Fire Department along with a variety of city officials and community leaders.
gunshots fired at an individual during a domestic altercation. Hopkins fired several rounds from his Glock pistol at Doty, who arrived to the residence in a blue Ford truck.
Hopkins claimed he was acting in self-defense. In Iowa, individuals are justified in using reasonable force when a a person reasonably believes that such force is necessary to defend oneself or another from any actual or imminent use of unlawful force. However, the state argued he was not acting in self-defense.
Doty had made threats to the mother of his children, who happened to be staying with her mother and step-father, Hopkins, at the time. Doty eventually entered the property driving his truck, but he was not justified in doing so since there was a no-con-
implement, engineer and facilitate these conservation programs.
“I do think that growers and farmers want to do more. But oftentimes we aren’t allocating resources to it,” Sand said. “If you have not enough people to do it but people are ready to say, ‘Yup, come on my land and do this’ and we’re not giving them the resources to get it done, that’s a problem and it’s also frustrating.”
Sand told participants in the Newton town hall on Aug. 6 that he is listening. Subsequent town halls that same day saw Iowans ask similar questions. And he provided a similar answer: He is listening to and creating a plan to address water quality issues in the state.
“The heart of your question is: Do you have the guts to stand up to people? Well, I’ve certainly pissed off a lot really popular people in Des Moines over the years,” Sand said, adding that he refused to even provide the Democratic National Convention with “all the records of wrongdoing by Gov. Kim Reynolds.”
Regarding his family’s ties to the agriculture industry, Sand prefaced that a lot of misinformation has been shared about The Laurisden Group. His wife serves as CEO. The Laurisden family has also donated millions of dollars to his campaigns. Some have donated to Republicans like Gov. Kim Reynolds.
Sand agreed that The Laurisden Group’s companies do have ties to agriculture. A few often companies make soup stock and soup product. Others make pet food or immune system supplements that get fed to baby pigs. Sand said that bottom line is he is going to do what is right.
He also acknowledged that his inlaws have given him a lot of support in all of his campaigns, but he also wanted to note the grassroots support as well. His in-laws, he added, are decent people who are “very frustrated with the direction of the State of Iowa in a way that haven’t been for a long time.”
The event is just another way for barriers to be broken down between citizens and officers. It helps to make a smoother experience for
tact order placed against him.
Local authorities charged Doty with two counts of violation of a no-contact order at the time of the incident, which are simple misdemeanors. He was also charged with an arrest warrant for first-degree harassment, an aggravated misdemeanor. The state claimed Hopkins knew or should have known Doty would be arriving. Jasper County Attorney Scott Nicholson argued that when Doty appeared on the property, Hopkins was standing at the top of the long driveway. The state said Hopkins started firing his weapon into Doty’s truck. Two shots pierced the windshield on the driver’s side. Doty slammed on the brakes and ducked down. Doty shifted the truck in reverse and used his backup
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and Republicans to do things the people actually want and put the people in charge of elections.
Sand condemned parties seemingly pulling the strings of elections.
“You have to join a private club in order to participate in elections that your tax dollars pay for,” Sand said. “And we wonder why everything is so partisan.”
Even so, Sand later acknowledged that he is also part of one of those private clubs. He reasoned that until the current political system is changed so that voters do not have to feel like they are picking the lesser of two evils, he has to pick a party to have any chance on the ballot.
“Anyone who has been in the ballot booth as a voter and has looked at a third-party candidate and thought, ‘Well, gee, I’d like to do that but I’d be throwing my vote away,’ could appreciate why a candidate would look at that and say, ‘Well, gee, I’d be throwing my candidacy away,’” Sand said.
Although he is registered as a Democrat, his campaign is already attracting the attention of Republicans and Independents. He welcomed them all at a recent town hall in Newton, and he condemned the political practice of demonizing
everyone when the call is put out for help and the faces responding are familiar from a positive interaction.
camera to try and navigate his way down the driveway. He missed a curve in the driveway and high centered his truck in a bed of rocks near a drainage ditch. The state argued Hopkins continued to walk down the driveway, firing the gun at Doty and his truck. Unable to move his truck, Doty flees the scene on foot along a gravel road to get away from Hopkins. The state argued Hopkins continued to walk all the way to the truck and fire rounds toward Doty. Hopkins claimed in the trial he was standing his ground and defending himself and his family, justifying his actions. However, the state argued Doty never even got out of the truck and questioned how Hopkins could assess the threat if he never exited the vehicle.
the other party in order to earn support. People are fed up with it, he said.
“I’m fed up, too,” Sand told Newton News. “And I’ve been fed up.”
Whether someone was a Democrat or a Republican did not mean much to him when he was prosecuting individuals as assistant attorney general, and it hasn’t mattered to him when investigating fraud and government waste as state auditor these past five years either.
“We’ve both criticized Democrats and Republicans in the auditor’s office,” Sand said. “I think a lot of people are sick of politics. And they want someone who is not focused on redder or bluer, but focused on better and truer. And that’s the idea of the campaign.”
When it comes to making Iowa better, Sand suggested Iowa isn’t winning the race in economic growth or personal
income growth, but it is winning the race in cancer growth. It is issues like these that are driving his campaign for governor, and that can be supported by anyone “from any part of the political spectrum.”
Sand said voters agree with him that both the Democratic Party and Republican Party “do not solve enough problems to deserve their share of the monopoly.”
Ideally, he would like Iowa’s state government to be as good as Iowans are.
“You walk around the state, no matter where you go, the vast majority of people want to get along, they want to have a good time, they want to do the right thing, they want to be productive members of society, they want to be kind,” Sand said. “Our politics represents those things less and less often.”
the pretty balloons!
All the pretty balloons reminds me of the title of Cormac McCarthy’s book, “All the Pretty Horses.” Going to the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Indianola was never a bucket list item, but when Ginnie and I were trying to decide what to do on my birthday, going to the balloon festival seemed like a fun thing to do. It was!
Ginnie researched and had it all figured out. She bought our inexpensive gate tickets online and knew that flying times were either early morning or evening when winds die down. We went for the evening show and it’s a good thing we did. It had rained that morning and there was no flying. In fact, it had rained every morning so far, and there had been no morning flying. Ginnie just about passed out from the heat and humidity, but we found a shady spot between two food ven-
Curt Swarm Empty Nest
dors, where there was a breeze, so she got cooled off. One of the food vendors gave her a cloth full of ice to put on her neck, and that helped. People were so friendly at the Balloon Festival.
Speaking of which, one friendly volunteer was real interested in where we were from and that it was our first time there. She also found out it was my birthday. You might know it, over the PA system, in the middle of all the goings on, came, “Curt Swarm from Mt. Pleasant is 77 today and it’s his first time here! Let’s have a round of applause!” Geesh!
We learned all kinds of things. Before the event gets underway, the balloon crews release little black balloons, called “pibals,” filled with helium to check the directions and speeds. We also learned that wind speeds and di-
What do you say when you talk to yourself?
By Bryan Golden
You have just completed a major work project before the deadline. Having worked diligently and spending your own time, you’re proud of the results and can’t wait to impress your boss. You show him the project and he immediately begins to criticize it and you. The criticism is completely unwarranted. What do you say to yourself? “I’ve failed again” or “He must be having a bad day, I know I did an excellent job”?
You’ve thought of an innovative idea for a business that you really believe in. Excitedly, you tell your spouse who finds only faults with your idea. He tells you it’ll never work. Seeking another opinion, you confide in one of your closest friends. She has nothing positive to say either. What do you say to yourself? “Why can’t I ever come up with good ideas” or “I know my concept is good, I’m going to go with it”?
You’re a volunteer at a civic organization. You make a suggestion for a fundraiser and the president of the organization tells you it’s a bad idea that won’t work. What do you say to yourself? “It’s no problem if they don’t like my ideas, I’ll still help anyway I can” or “If they don’t like my suggestion, they can do it themselves”?
You help your neighbor move some furniture. Several months later, you ask them for help carrying some heavy items to the dumpster. He tells you he’s too busy and doesn’t have time. What do you say to yourself? “Fine, last time I help him or anyone else” or “No big deal, I’ll ask one of my other friends to help”?
There’s a job opening where you work. The position is something that you always wanted to do. It’s a great opportunity and would be a promotion. You’re not sure if you have enough experience. What do you say to yourself? “I’ll apply, I’ve got nothing to lose” or “Why bother applying, I’ve got no chance”?
You can probably relate to one or more of these illustrations or have experiences that are similar in nature. Comments of all sorts are volunteered by everyone; friends, family, coworkers, bosses, acquaintances, and even strangers. People are constantly giving you their unsolicited opinions. There’s nothing you can do, it’s human nature. What’s important is what you say to yourself, not what others say to you. Without discrimination, your brain believes whatever you tell it and immediately goes to work figuring a way to make the statements happen. Your mind processes your self-talk 24 hours a day. Don’t say to yourself phrases you don’t want to come true.
Tell yourself things that help rather than hurt you. You want to be saying things such as I can do this, I am capable, I’m a good person, I can learn what I need to know, I can make it work, and good things will be happening. Whatever it is that you say to yourself, you are right. Occasionally, I have a student tell me that he or she can’t do something. I tell them if that’s the way they feel, they are right. But if someone says, “I can do it,” they are also right. Remarking “I can’t do this” is different than saying “I need help” or “I don’t understand.” Asserting, “I can’t” is a final conclusion rather than making an effort to seek a solution. Be aware of and monitor what you say to yourself. Don’t tell yourself anything that’s not going to help and assist you in achieving a positive outcome. Always engage in positive self-talk.
Contact Bryan Golden at Bryan@columnist. com or visit www.DareToLiveWithoutLimits. com
rections are different the higher up you go. Balloon pilots are called “aeronauts” and the balloon itself is called an “envelope.” Envelopes range in cost from $30,000 to $40,000. The youngest aeronaut there was 16, the minimum age to be licensed to pilot a hot air balloon. His parents had given him the balloon for Christmas, and he came close to winning the event we watched. The basket for the balloons competing in the event hold from one to three people. There were three large balloons reserved to give people rides. The baskets for these balloons can hold up to 15 people. Cost, $250 each. Rides are reserved way in advance. In case you’re wondering, it’s legal for a hot air balloons to land on anyone’s property. At 6:00 pm the green flag came out, meaning that conditions were good to fly, and the event was on. This event involved a tall white pole in the middle of a field. The pole had a ring on top of it. The object of the competition was for the balloonists to fly as close
to the pole as they could, and grab the ring. The first balloonist to grab the ring would receive a $500 prize. Other points were awarded for the pilot tossing a bean bag as close to the pole as he or she could. Points were totaled at the end of the nine-day event to determine the overall winner, as well as second, third and so-on place. Balloonists who place at the state meets are eligible to go to the National Balloon Classic in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The hundred-or-so pretty balloons floating up over the rise behind us, to descend on the skinny pole with a ring on top, was a sight to behold, like an eighth wonder of the world. Brad Craig, from Carlisle, in his balloon, “Cheetah” was the first to grab the ring, and that was after about three-fourths of the balloonists had tried and failed. We will go again next year. Ginnie says we are going to go for a balloon ride.
Contact Curt Swarm at curtswarm@yahoo.com
America’s `Do Nothing Congress’ investigation failures under Trump
By Steve Corbin
The month of August is widely recognized as the ideal time for relaxation and rejuvenation. America’s 435 House of Representatives started their summer recess on July 25 while our 100 Senators’ recess began on Aug. 4; everyone will return to D.C. on Sept. 2.
This four to five-week respite should give our elected delegates time to reflect on their achievements since President Donald Trump’s 2.0 administration started on Jan. 20. And hopefully the break with give our legislators time to consider how they’ve come up short in representing their 340 million constituents by honoring the principles of the U.S. Constitution, which they took an oath to uphold and defend.
Congress’s job description
The 535 members of Congress’s job are to make laws, represent the people (versus their party), oversee the executive branch and conduct investigations. Every legislator takes a pledge to bear allegiance to the Constitution as the supreme law and act without personal or political evasion.
Salary, fringe benefit and employment sidebar
Let’s reflect on a couple work-related matters that have occurred in the past 29 weeks since Trump 2.0’s administration started. During this time period, the average adult has labored for 145 days with an average annual salary of $66,622 and a 31 percent fringe benefit package. Meanwhile, our 100 Senators and 435 Representatives have shown up to the Capitol 109 and 97 days, respectively, with an annual salary of $174,000 plus 61.9 percent fringe benefits (Congress.gov).
Quite the disparity exists between our aristocrat legislators and America’s proletariat working class.
119th Congress accomplishments
Multiple research-oriented searches revealed the most prominent accomplishments by our
lawmakers since Jan. 20 are GOP dominated and defined in two areas: 1) the Republican Party has secured power of the Senate and Hous deliberations, which permits them to make laws, oversee the executive branch and control the nation’s purse strings and 2) passage of the “Big Beautiful Bill” will have a significant effect on federal taxes, credit and deductions but is projected to increase federal deficits by $3.4 trillion over the next 10 years.
119th Congress shortcomings
Several legal experts and non-partisan public interest groups have raised serious concerns regarding potential overreach, violation of the law and abuses of power by President Trump that suggest congressional investigations. They include:
1. Trump signed multiple Executive Orders (EO) directing agencies to pause or redirect funds that were explicitly appropriated by Congress. Such actions violate the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act, which prohibits the president from unilaterally withholding congressionally allocated funds. Congressional response: nothing.
2. Mr. Trump fired 17 Inspector Generals in the first week of 2.0 without providing the required 30-day notice and case-specific reasons to Congress, as mandated by law. Congressional response: silence.
3. President Trump issued a series of EO’s asserting powers that contradict or bypass federal statutes, such as border enforcement, birthright citizenship and instructing the Department of Justice not to enforce TikTok’s ownership. Congressional response: sound of crickets.
4. Trump signed EO’s to place independent agencies – such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Communications Commission and Federal Trade Commission – under his control and shutting down USAID, bypassing congressional intent and defunding programs authorized by law. Congressional response: nada, nil and naught.
5. In March, President Trump issued an EO that many think undermines the independence of the electoral process, intervening where only Congress and the 50 states have constitutional authority. Congressional response: diddly-squat.
6. Trump’s personal business entanglements and refusal to place assets in a blind trust violate the Emoluments Clauses of the Constitution, which our Congressional delegates have taken an oath to uphold. Congressional response: zip.
Congress’s failure to act is alarming
To date, a multitude of recommendations have been made by constitutional experts, independent think tanks and freelance guest columnists urging Congress to take legislative, oversight and accountability reforms during the Trump 2.0 administration.
Back in Feb., Gallup noted only 29 percent of Americans approved of Congress. Not surprisingly, today only 23 percent of Americans approve of the way Congress is handling its job (news.gallup.com).
If any employee ignored worksite legal issues, abused the authority of their job and received a 23 percent approval rating, they wouldn’t remain on the payroll very long.
But, Congress’s do nothing behavior – since Jan. 20 -- is more alarming as their inaction risks normalizing executive overreach, enables unchecked presidential power, ignores laws, weakens democracy and most assuredly reveals an autocratic dictatorship is not coming to America, it is here!
Research is replete: The members of Congress have failed their oath of office to uphold the nation’s legal foundation, oversee the executive branch and conduct investigations.
Congress: when you go back to work on Sept. 1, re-read your oath of office, uphold the constitution and do your job without personal or political evasion! Contact Steve Corbin at Steven.B.Corbin@gmail.com
Lynnville-Sully senior Carson Maston and Baxter junior Colton Moffit ranked in the top five in pitching wins, starts, strikeouts and total pitches this past summer.
The duo headlined a pair of all-district squads as seven area players were recognized by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association recently.
Maston also was named a first team all-state pitcher in Class 1A by the IHSBCA on August 8. Moffit and junior teammate Cael Wishman were first-team selections in the 1A Central District and Maston earned firstteam honors in the Southeast District.
Four of Maston’s teammates — Lannon Montgomery, Terran Gosselink, JD Richards and Jack Bowlin — all were second-team choices.
Moffit (9-2) and Maston (9-1) were first-team all-district pitchers. Both hurlers tied for fourth in 1A with nine wins.
Maston ranked second in 1A with 117 strikeouts, third with 1,055 pitches, tied for fourth with 12 starts and tied for eighth with 61 1/3 innings.
Maston posted an earned run average of 1.71 in his final season, opponents batted .129 against him and his fielding percentage was .975.
Moffit’s 70 1/3 innings, 119
strikeouts and 1,128 total pitches led 1A and he finished tied for second with 13 starts. He finished with an ERA of .90 and opponents batted .156 against him.
Moffit’s fielding percentage was .990 and Wishman had a fielding percentage of .970.
Wishman, who made the all-district squad as a catcher, batted .411, had an on-base percentage of .494 and tied for third in 1A with five home runs.
Wishman added 30 hits, 25 runs, five doubles, 24 RBIs, nine walks, 50 total bases and 16 steals and he was hit by four pitches. He also struck out only two times in 73 at-bats, which ranked tied for second in the class.
Bowlin also earned his all-district honor as a pitcher. He was 5-0 with an ERA of 2.68. He started five of the nine games he pitched in, opponents batted
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.142 against him and he fanned 53 batters in 31 1/3 innings.
Richards earned all-district recognition as a second baseman. He batted .381, had an OBP of .500 and led the Hawks with 33 runs and 20 steals. He added 32 hits, three doubles, 22 RBIs, 15 walks, 35 total bases and he was hit by six pitches.
Montgomery earned all-district honors as an outfielder. He batted .386, registered an OBP of .486 and ranked 13th in 1A with 38 RBIs.
He also totaled 32 hits, 31 runs, 46 total bases, 19 walks, six doubles, two homers and eight steals. His fielding percentage was .962.
Gosselink grabbed all district as a utility player. He batted .400, finished with an OBP of .520 and led the Hawks with three triples and 14 hit by pitches and led 1A with 276 putouts.
August 26
Volleyball
Baxter at Belle Plaine triangular, 5 p.m.
August 28
Volleyball Baxter at Martensdale-St. Marys, 7:30 p.m.
Cross Country Baxter, Colfax-Mingo at Collins-Maxwell, 4:30 p.m.
August 29
Football
Colfax-Mingo at Clarke, 7 p.m.
Collins-Maxwell at Baxter, 7 p.m.
August 30
Volleyball
Baxter at Colfax-Mingo tournament, 9 a.m.
September 2
Volleyball
Baxter at Lynnville-Sully, 5:30 p.m.
Cross Country Baxter at Woodward-Granger, 4:30 p.m.
September 4
Volleyball
Collins-Maxwell at Baxter, 7:30 p.m.
Cross Country Colfax-Mingo at Ottumwa, 4:15 p.m.
September 5
Football BGM at Colfax-Mingo, 7 p.m.
Baxter at Southeast Warren, 7 p.m.
September 6
Cross Country Baxter at Central College, 9 a.m.
FOR SALE: 12” porter cable dove-tail machine, will do blind & thru dovetail & finger joints like new-$125, obo 8 gal sp & s w/2 handles $80, obo. Dark blue swivel rocker, like new, $50 Walnut duouble bedroom suite, dresser, chest and bookcase head board. $200 excellent condition. Please call 641-521-5368.
September 9 Volleyball Colfax-Mingo at BGM, 7:30 p.m.
Girls Swimming Williamsburg at NCMP, 5:30 p.m.
September 11
FOR SA LE: 3 shelf unitNew. W-18”, H-36” $25. Please call 641-521-8450
FOR SALE: Cedar Chest. $50.Please call 641-5218450.
FOR SALE: Michael Kors purses: $30 Banana Republic Jeans size 6 and two pair of 26 waist, like new $5 each Copper waterfall fountain 5 ft tall: $15. Please call 641-840-5073 and ask for Kathy
FOR SALE: Pride Legend 3-wheel scooter. New battery Drives nice $500 Call 641-781-0898
FOR SA LE: TUFF Country Long Control arms upgrade kit for 1994-1999 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 models. Comes with rebuilt trac bar. Valued at $1,400 Will sell for $550. Please call 641791-1995.
FOR SALE: TV Stand, gray wood new. $25. Please call 641-521-8450.
515-975-5980
FR EE: EGG cartons Call 641-781-0898.
• Free hepatitis C testing (if qualified)
• PrEP (HIV prevention medication)
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bus with ~140,000 miles. For questions, please contact Julie McWhirter at jmcwhirter@baxter.k12.ia.us. If interested, please send bid to Baxter CSD c/o Julie McWhirter, Business Manager, PO Box 189, Baxter,
Volleyball
Baxter at Valley Lutheran, 7:30 p.m.
Keota at Colfax-Mingo, 7:30 p.m.
Cross Country Baxter, Newton JV at Colfax-Mingo, 4:30 p.m.
Geise Park in Baxter
reservations/information: https://www.baxter-iowa.com/news/geise-park-
Des Moines
Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
PHC
2nd Wednesday of the month 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• PEP (emergency medication for preventing HIV after exposure)
PHC Medical Dental Clinic 3510 W. Lincoln Way Ames, IA Marshalltown
1st Monday of the month 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
PHC Medical Dental Clinic 101 Iowa Ave., W, #102 Marshalltown, IA
