Election 2025
By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer
City elections in Monroe and Prairie City have both familiar and new faces set to take office.
According to unofficial results for the Nov. 4 city and school board elections, current Prairie City City Council
Member Phil Holland will now serve as mayor and current council member Beth
James retained her seat running unopposed. Doug Duinink will have another term as Monroe’s mayor, and incumbents Andrea Steenhoek and Jennifer St. Peter will be joined by newcomer Hayden Johnston on the Monroe City Council.
Two public measures went before the citizens of Monroe: Continuing the Local Option Sales Tax and a bond referendum to build a new or remodel
City and school board election results in for Monroe and Prairie City
the current city hall building. With 75.11 percent approval, LOST passed 329 votes to 109 opposed. The bond referendum failed to pass with 77.28 percent of citizens voting against the measure.
Funds from the bond would have been used to either build a new city hall building or remodeling the current building. A new building, which would be located at the same place as the current building, would be
Making room for wrestling
PCM adding a new space for wrestling in the old car dealership building
By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer
With participation numbers growing and a new program taking shape, wrestling at PCM is at an all-time high. To help accommodate the grapplers, PCM is converting the former car dealership building, turned storage space at the high school into a wrestling room.
“I’ve had the idea of it for a long time but didn’t say anything until we had the scheduling conflicts,” PCM Facilities Director Rusty Vos said. “I knew we could do it.”
For the first time, PCM will
have its own girls wrestling team for the 2025-26 season.
Previously, girls had wrestled with Colfax-Mingo. The addition made scheduling practices even more of a challenge with limited mat space.
“With adding girls wrestling we were tight on space,” Vos said. “The girls were going to go from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and boy from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m and the little kids after the girls. The little kids program would be done at 9 or 10 p.m. at night. That is a big program, 40 to 50 kids in each grade group.”
Having little kids out that late is not ideal and Vos, who is
also the high school head wrestling coach, knew there had to be a solution. Moving mats to the middle school or elementary schools would be more work than what it is worth because rolling them out and back and also storing them made it more complicated for teachers during the school day. Also, the gym spaces throughout the district will start filling up with basketball practices.
Vos was also feeling the squeeze in the high school wresting room.
“We’re jam-packed. We’re at
Rob Sand discusses rural healthcare issues, OBGYN challenges at roundtable
Gubernatorial candidate met with providers affected by Newton pausing its labor and delivery services
By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand learned something trouble from healthcare providers at a recent roundtable. He learned there is only one hospital delivering babies in the area between Waterloo and Pella and between Des Moines and Iowa City. Up until a year ago there were two. Newton Clinic and Mer-
cyOne Newton Medical Center paused all labor and delivery services in October 2024, leaving many Iowans in the Jasper County area and beyond to turn to UnityPoint Health Grinnell Regional Medical Center. Sand also learned there are only three doctors delivering babies in Grinnell. Dr. Abby Flannagan of Grinnell Regional Medical Center told Sand her hospital is feeling the effects
of the Newton’s loss of services. When Flannagan was first hired about three years ago, doctors had delivered more than 100 babies every year; now, they are expected to deliver more than 300 babies by the end of 2025. In Newton, staff were delivering upwards of 190 babies per year. By the time the services were paused, the hospital was delivering
5,620 square feet and cost an estimated $1.45 million. Renovating the current building would cost an estimated $1.3 million and give the city 5,100 square feet. City staff hoped to move forward with the project as soon as possible in order to avoid ever-rising construction costs.
The PCM School Board will have a new member. Cole Van Ryswyk brought in 543 votes to incumbent Greg Ingle’s 286
votes for the District 2
Current board members Lori Jungling and Ryan Van Der Kamp were reelected having run unopposed.
“I’m looking forward to serving this school district and these communities,” Van Ryswyk said. “We have some challenges to address, but there are so many good things going on at PCM. I’m excited to be a small part in helping shape its future.”
Shaw Media sells Newton News properties to J. Louie Mullen of Eastern Iowa Publications
Local
By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
The Newton News has been purchased by a Wyoming publisher who owns more than 40 weekly newspapers across the country, including a few in Iowa.
Shaw Media, a publisher with news products in Iowa and Illinois, had owned Newton News since 1944. The sale was finalized on Nov. 4, and it includes the products made by Newton News, PCM Explorer, Jasper County Tribune and the Jasper County Advertiser. All staff members were able to maintain employment.
J. Louie Mullen, owner of Blackbird, LLC and Eastern Iowa Publications, has been reported to have a “hands-off” style to ownership, telling the Editor & Publisher in November 2022 that he is there more for support, does not micromanage staff and gives management an incredible amount of leeway.
Mullen was introduced to the newspaper industry at a young age. His parents had him and
his brothers work as paper boys for the Sioux City Journal. His experience with news extended further when his father became
Christopher Braunschweig/PCM Explorer
State Auditor Rob Sand, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, speaks with participants in a roundtable on Nov. 5 at the E.J.H. Beard Administration Center in Newton.
seat.
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer
Work is underway to convert the former car dealership building into a wrestling room for the PCM School District.
Newton News,
Jasper County Tribune
Louie Mullen
paper
Worth Mentioning
PCM Food Pantry
The PCM Food Pantry at the Monroe Presbyterian Church, 113 S. Main St. in Monroe, is open 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays and 9 a.m. to noon and 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays.
PCM Clothing Closet
The PCM Clothing Closet, 100 W. Jefferson St. in Prairie City, is open from 9 to 11 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. every Thursday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays.
Blood Drive set for Nov. 15 in Prairie City
Prairie City & Monroe Community Blood Drive will be from 7:15 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 at 300 E. Fifth St. in Prairie City. Schedule your lifesaving appointment by visiting lifeservebloodcenter.org or by calling 800-287-4903.
Upcoming events at The Gathering Place in Monroe
Thursday, Nov. 13
• 10am Patty Richards Show
• 1pm Movement with Sean Friday, Nov. 14
• 2pm Piano with Jacque Robinson
Monday, Nov. 17
• 10am Video Exercise Class
Tuesday, Nov. 18
• 8am Coffee and Prayer
• 1pm Seniors & Kids
Wednesday, Nov. 19
• 4pm “Get Fit, Don’t Fall” with Amy Stephensen
• 5:30pm CPR Training
TOPS
TOPS 1025 meets at 5:30 p.m. every Monday at the First Reformed Church in Prairie City for weigh-in, with meeting to follow. Go to the north side parking lot at the church and enter in the north door. Call 515-994-2200 for information.
Lighthouse Recovery meetings
Lighthouse Recovery Ministries host a Men’s and Ladies Recovery meeting at 6:30 p.m. each Monday at Grace Alive Church, 703 W. Second St. in Prairie City. Contact Barb at b.miller@lighthouserecoveryia.com with questions.
Arts & Crafts Show this weekend
Make plans now to attend the Annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Show Nov. 14-16 in the Varied Industries Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. This is Iowa’s largest show, with more than 300 talented exhibitors from eight states presenting and selling the Midwest’s finest handcrafts. This show is a production of Callahan Promotions, Inc. and offers patrons the chance to enjoy original, affordable arts and crafts. Admission to the show is $8, with anyone 10 and under free. All patrons will receive a 3-day re-entry hand stamp good for the entire 3-day run of
the show. Show hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Parking for the show is always free. For the public’s convenience, a free shuttle bus service will be available on Saturday and will shuttle the public from the northern parking lots to the front of the Varied Industries Building.
For a chance to win $50 Gift Certificates to redeem at the show, visit the facebook page of Callahan Promotions, Inc. Iowa’s Largest Arts & Crafts Shows. For additional show information, call 563-3571986.
YOUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE
Send your event to news@pcmexplorer.com Protect your health with
Primary Health Care offers:
Explorer PCM
Obituaries
Philip Theodore Van Ekeren
Nov. 1, 2025
Philip Theodore Van Ekeren was born to Dirk (Dick) and Edith (Hoagland) Van Ekeren on March 10, 1931 in Monroe, Iowa and died on November 1, 2025 in Newton, Iowa, at age 94.
After graduating from Monroe High School in 1949 he worked locally before enlisting in the US Army during the Korean War, serving as a mountain and cold weather training officer and later in the reserves until his honorable discharge in 1956. Returning to Monroe, he worked for PAG Seeds and the Rock Island Railroad. Phil mar-
ried fellow MHS classmate Berta Wittmer on June 9, 1956 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Des Moines, and they made their home in Monroe until moving to Park Centre in Newton in 2019. A proud and active Forever Dutch alum, he was a member of the Central College class of 1961. His first job out of college was as a management trainee at Employers Mutual Casualty Company in Des Moines (now EMC Insurance). He retired in 1996 as Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary, but remained on the corporate board, serving as Chairman of the Board of Employers Mutual until 2005, as well as on the Hamilton Mutual Board and EMC Foundation afterward. He found great fulfillment handling construction oversight of the new 700 Walnut headquarters on behalf of the company. Over his 59 year affiliation with the company, he cultivated treasured friends and col-
leagues, and was never as happy and challenged as he was when working for EMC.
Phil and Berta valued their small town Iowa roots and were invested in their hometown, the public school, library, Presbyterian church, golf course, senior housing development, and other organizations. He was especially proud of 70 years of continuous membership in American Legion Post 363. A perfect day might include coffee with the boys, a round of golf with dear friends, traveling with family, getting his hands dirty working the land, and a good scotch at the end of the day.
Phil is survived by his wife of 69 years, Berta, their three daughters, Jan Van Ekeren (Kevin Sypolt) of Seabeck, WA, Jo Van Ekeren of Auckland, New Zealand, and Jackie Romp (Bill) of Des Moines, IA; five grandchildren, Philip Sypolt of Boston, MA, Austin Sypolt (Stephanie Sanchez)
of Indianapolis, IN, Ellen Sypolt (Layth Yehyawi) of Chicago, IL, Jack Romp of New York, NY, and Jane Romp of Boston, MA, as well as seven dear nieces and nephews and their families. He was predeceased by his parents, two brothers and a sister and their spouses, Bud and Gen Van Ekeren, Jim and Bert Van Ekeren, and Norma and Don Celania; Berta’s two sisters and brother in law, Bette and Orion Culver, and Perky Callaghan; and two nieces and a nephew.
Graveside services will be held when family members can be present. Memorials may be designated in his name to the Monroe Public Library.
“The very existence of libraries affords the best evidence that we may yet have hope for the future of man.” https://www. monroe.lib.ia.us/contact Online condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com
Grinnell Chapter DAR performs Day of Service
Each year on or around Oct. 11, members of the Daughters of the American Revolution perform a service project in their community to honor the anniversary of the founding of DAR on Oct. 11, 1890. At their Oct. 11 meeting members of the Grinnell Chapter DAR put together 11 shoeboxes for homeless veterans. The shoeboxes are intended to be holiday gifts and included items such as snack crackers and bars, candy, microwaveable mac and cheese bowls, playing cards, calendars, crosswords, sudokus, notepaper, find-a-word puzzles, color books and color pencils. Grinnell Chapter put together 11 boxes out of a state goal of 50 boxes. Regent Linda Hatch delivered the boxes to Jeanne McMillan, DAR State Chair of the Service
for Veterans Committee. The Des Moines Veterans Affairs Community Resource and Referral Center will distribute the shoeboxes on Dec. 4.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible to join. The Grinnell Chapter is named after Josiah B. Grinnell, the founder of the city of Grinnell. Members come from Grinnell, Newton, Montezuma and surrounding communities. For information about membership in DAR, contact Nancy Bender, registrar, 641-236-7065.
TGP offering trip to Des Moines
The Gathering Place in Monroe is offering a day trip to Des Moines to take in Christkindlmarkel and Botanical Gardens Friday, Dec. 5. They trip will leave from the
TGP at 9 a.m. The cost includes the motor coach ride, a ticket for the Botanical Gardens and gratuity. Lunch is your choice at the Market or the Botanical Gardens. Sign up at the Gathering Place or contact Deb at 641-919-5228 by Nov. 19 for more information. There must be at least 25 confirmed participants for the trip.
Locations:
Des Moines
Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
PHC University Medical Clinic
1200 University Avenue, #120 Des Moines, IA
• Free testing for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis
• Free hepatitis C testing (if qualified)
• PrEP (HIV prevention medication)
• PEP (emergency medication for preventing HIV after exposure)
• Help connecting to care & treatment for people living with HIV
• Free condoms, safer sex supplies & supplies for reducing harms of substance use
To make an appointment: Call 515-248-1500
Schedule online at: https://phctheproject.org/free-testing Also, look for Primary Health Care at community events!
Ames
2nd Wednesday of the month 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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
Submitted Photo Linda Hatch delivers shoe boxes for homeless veterans assembled by Grinnell Chapter members.
Explorer PCM
IMPACT accepting applications for LIHEAP
IMPACT Community Action Partnership is taking applications for the 2025–26 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that began Oct. 1 and runs through April 30, 2026. Those eligible to apply in October include households with elderly members age 60 or older, or a family member who is disabled. Applications for all other income-eligible households will begin Nov. 1. Families in Boone, Jasper, Marion, Polk or Warren counties interested in applying for
Wrestling
Continued from page 1
the point in our wrestling room now that when I have the high school and middle school together, because they practice together, I have almost 50 kids in there,” Vos said. “I have to separate practices, and we make it work, but it is tight.”
The new space will have room for one full mat plus extra spaces along the sides. Converting the building is also a hands-on learning experience for students in the district.
“Mustang Construction kids are helping for half days or full days. When we were doing the walls I had five kids
Sand
LIHEAP should visit www.impactcap.org/energyassistance, to apply online or schedule an appointment by phone or in person. Families may also call 515-518-4770 to schedule an appointment or request an application to be mailed to them. Applicants will need to provide some form of identification, a copy of their most recent heating and electric bill, social security or I-94 cards, and proof of gross income for all household members for either the past 30 days, the most recent 12
here helping me all day,” Vos said. “It’s really good for those guys. A couple of them had a little experience but most hadn’t worked on anything before. At least they understand things a little bit more.”
The space has restrooms, a changing room and plans for a waiting room for parents.
He is also installing double doors to help keep the cold air out when people are walking in.
“Tearing everything out, that was a chore,” Vos said.
“This building was built in the 1960s. It was past due to do something with it.”
Vos plans to get the HVAC in this week and then they have to wait for the wall pads to get in to complete the work. He’s hoping to have it open in about three weeks.
Continued from page 1
an average of around 100 babies per year. However, rural healthcare issues extend beyond the lack or removal of vital services. Flannagan noted residency spots just aren’t there.
“It’s not that we don’t have people that want to do this job — because there is — it’s we don’t have residency spots,”
Sale
Continued from page 1
publisher of a newspaper in Wyoming. Soon, even
months or for the previous calendar year.
LIHEAP assistance is based on household income and size, dwelling, fuel type, and other factors. Eligibility income maximums for participation are established according to the Federal Poverty Levels (FPL). Annual income maximums for LIHEAP are set at 200 percent FPL and are listed below: Household
$108,300
*For households with more than eight members, add $11,000 for each additional member. **All income will be annualized.
The program is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Com-
munity Access and Eligibility Division, Community Action Agencies Unit, and has been established to help qualifying low-income Iowa homeowners and renters pay for a portion of their primary heating costs. This program is not designed to pay a household’s total energy cost. The program will provide supplemental assistance based on several factors. Those factors include total household income, household size, dwelling type, and type of heating fuel, among others.
she said. “We don’t have anyone to train. We don’t have anyone to pay them. It is only going to get worse because these older generations are going to retire and there’s no one coming up to replace them.”
Flannagan and her wife both practice medicine in Grinnell. When her wife finally started her family practice, two people retired and two people left. Suddenly, she was the only family medicine doctor in town. Flannagan said her wife took on 800 to 900 patients for an en-
Mullen was called on to write stories.
Purchasing the Newton paper and its accompanying weeklies is as much of a personal choice as it is a business
choice for Mullen.
“I’ve been coming to Newton since before I can remember,” he said.
“I have family here, so it was a real treat to be given the opportunity to
tire year because there was no help.
“When I was practicing in Des Moines I had every resource available to me … Here I have no one,” Flannagan said. “I’m lucky if even half of my patients qualify for WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) or can even figure out how to get it done without some sort of help.”
Listening to the pressures faced by health care providers like Flannagan helped Sand to reflect on the idea of how
purchase the paper.”
When seeking out new opportunities, Mullen first looks at the community itself.
“I always try to find independent communities
he wants to make sure Iowa is a more welcoming state. At the end of the day, Sand said a vast majority of Iowans want someone there to deliver their babies.
“We were talking here to a female doctor who talked about her wife. And so who do we want to have in Iowa? My answer is: everybody … I think it’s important we not just talk about being a welcoming Iowa, but actually quit with the culture wars and just be focused on actually solving real problems for people.”
when I’m looking at an opportunity. The community needs to have a vibrant school, medical and business mix,” he said. “Your paper is just a reflection of your
community and personality. Newton and Jasper County deserve to have that in perpetuity.”
Thank you to all who donated to the Monroe/Reasnor United Fund. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. ~ The Committee
Carrie Vander Weerdt, general manager of the Newton News, said, ““I’m excited for the opportunities that this new ownership brings. I’m looking forward to the possibilities ahead, and I’m ready to work as a team to take our papers to the next level.”
Jamee A. Pierson, editor of the Newton News, said, “I am excited for this new chapter in the Newton News story. We will continue to strive to bring the best product to our readers and be a trusted source for all community members.”
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer
The wrestling room will help provide additional space for each wresling program to practice including high school and middle school boys, the new girls wrestling program and the youth program.
The PCM
Mustang Construction builds new wrestling room
The PCM High School Mustang Construction class this semester has begun to tackle a project that will have a lasting impact on the school’s wrestling program: building an additional wrestling room. The need for a second wrestling space became clear after the girls’ wrestling program officially formed, as well as the middle school program taking off over the past couple of years.
“Since we have a girls’ wrestling team now, we have to have more room,” Joe Shaver explained. “Our wrestling room already has the boys team and the youth program, so Rusty [Vos] thought we might as well use the space we have and make another room so everyone has enough room to practice.”
The renovation process has involved several steps. The class first hired someone to remove all the glass from the old space. Then the students removed the aluminum and steel framing before beginning the wall construction. The group worked in small sections, building and sheeting each wall before insulating the interior. One of the challenges that came along with this project was dealing with the old foundation. “Putting the walls up was definitely the hardest part,” Shaver said. “They’re heavy, and we had to use the skid loader to lift and wedge the walls into place.”
But, the day-by-day process hasn’t been so easy either. “We had to wait for the guys to tear out all the glass, so the five of us could build the walls, and we’re putting in
TimCrowder’sMustangConstructionstudentsIzaacBagby,Addy
insulation. Then after that, we’re really gonna work on the inside and try and get it done before we do the siding of the building,” said junior Addy Covington.
The wrestling room has multiple uses for boys and girls alike. “It’s just kinda like a separate space,” Covington said. “So, whether or not the little kids are going to be there, or if the boy’s team needs to practice there, or vice versa. It’s just an extra area to actually have practice without overlapping with time.”
Construction students hope to have the interior finished before it snows and winter weather sets in, just in time for wrestling season.
PCM HS nears opening night for upcoming musical
Zach Richards Staff Writer
‘You’re a good man, Charlie Brown,’ the name of the upcoming PCM high school musical. This year the program has decided to switch things up and have two casts - A & B - of students who will perform two nights each over the span of four days. Both have the same six leading parts with different actors, the ensemble however will stay the same between the two casts.
Michelle Grob is one of the adults putting this performance together, she was a musical teacher at the previous school she was at and is excited to share it with the community.
“So first of all let’s look a little bit at the older generation… we grew up with Peanuts, the comic strip, these are characters we know… those of us who grew up with Peanuts as kids, this is a really neat way to experience them again,” said Grob.
Grob explains how she believes that the people who experienced Peanuts in the comic strip every Sunday when
they were younger are able to experience that again in a real life example. She continues “For those of us who are a little bit younger, we maybe only know the Christmas special and the great pumpkin… and I’m hoping for those who are going to come that are a little bit younger that this is going to maybe even be their first introduction into the world of Peanuts.”
Grob invites anyone to come, hoping that the people who grew up with the comic strip will see the same comedic energy put on a stage, or for the people who have never experienced it before to come and gain an appreciation and love for it that she has.
Carter Dudley is a senior this year at PCM and is proud of how the pieces are coming together. He is playing the role of Charlie Brown for cast B.
“Everyone has worked so hard, the scenes are going a whole lot smoother and it’s looking really good,” explained Dudley.
Dudley expressed how it was
stressful at first with two casts and a new director this year (Michelle Grob) but over the past week and a half he has really seen the wheels turning and each part being put into place.
“If you can come watch both casts, cause it will be two different shows. You should come because it’s such a fun comedic musical, all these kids including myself have worked so hard on this. It would be great if you came and supported,” shared Dudley.
Both Grob and Dudley hope to see the community show up and support the hard work everyone has been doing behind the scenes, each saying it is something new and fun PCM has never done before.
Notes: The musical will be performed Friday, November 14, 2025 7-9pm, Saturday, November 15, 2025 7-9pm, and Sunday, November 16, 2025 2-4pm and 7-9pm. Buy your tickets at: gobound.com/ia/schools/pcmmonroe/tickets
A Note-Worthy Night: PCM’s first concert sets the tone for the year
Skyler Jennings Staff Writer
PCM High School’s music programs, band and choir, held their first concert of the year on the evening of Nov. 4, 2025. the jazz choir, who captivated the audience with their rendition of the uplifting piece titled “They Say It’s Spring.”
Following this start, the marching band took center stage, showcasing their show, which had previously earned a Division I rating at the IHSMA Marching Band State Contest. A brief transition allowed the band members to transition seamlessly into their concert band piece, “Critical Mass,” which is as intricate arrangements and dynamic energy.
The choir segment began with a spirited selection that filled the gym with a holy sound, drawing smiles and applause from the audience. However, as the performance continued a striking contrast emerged with the introduction of the somber composition, “O felix anima,” a haunting piece that dates back to the 17th century. The mood shifted further as the choir delivered “Ballad to the Moon,” a piece that demanded both vocal prowess and emotional depth. The performers skillfully as this was a challenging composition, leaving a lasting impression on the concert. Choir director Thomas Riordan took a moment to discuss the new choir robes donned by the Wiggins family, expressing gratitude for their generous contribution for making the new robes possible.
The grand finale of the concert was titled, “Let the River Run.”
This uplifting and vibrant song filled the venue with a sense of hope and inspiration, leaving the audience with a lasting feeling of joy as the night came to a close.
Heartland Monroe 641-259-2157 800-659-2157 Heartland Prairie City 515-994-2651 800-383-0723 Feed Warehouse 515-681-8152
Call us for grain bids or have them sent directly to your cell phone!
Hi, it’s MaKenna. I’m going to be graduating a semester early. I don’t know how I did it. At the end of my junior year I asked if I could graduate early and even though we had our doubts about it, it’s finally here and I’m finally doing it. Here I am taking seven classes and being able to kick butt and graduate.
After graduation, I plan to work and attend the online school, Penn Foster, to be a veterinary assistant. This will take one year and requires 100 hours of clinic time. I don’t anticipate having any problems being accepted. I have done everything needed in order to have the opportunity to attend. The only thing left is to save up money to be able to attend.
I’m really looking forward to it and I think it’s going to be a lot of fun, I’ve always wanted to be a veterinary assistant for as long as I can remember.
A few years back, it was picture day and I was walking home from school and when I got into my driveway I saw a dead mouse. My mom was standing outside watching my every move. I went to pick up that mouse and brought it to show my mom. You can imagine that she wasn’t too happy. But I was very curious and wanted to learn more.
Then a year or two after that ,I had a pet hamster who sadly developed a tumor. So, me being the kid I am, got an exacto knife and made sure everything was cleaned properly and eventually cut open the tumor. The hamster did live for another week. I really enjoy helping animals in need.
I have always been an animal lover. When I was a little kid I would be outside and find baby animals. I could catch them, and bring them inside. Every little animal I brought inside I had to have my picture taken and keep it for a little bit but I would always return it at the end of the day.
I have always loved animals the way I love my family. I will do everything in my power to make them happy, content, and loved. I’m hoping everything works out at Penn Foster and am able to do what I love while helping animals in need.
Ella Greaves
Staff Writer
MaKenna VanHaaften Staff Writer
PCM football ends season with quarterfinal loss to visiting Wilton
MONROE
— It was the tale of two halves for the PCM football team during its Class 2A quarterfinal matchup with Wilton on Nov. 7.
The No. 2 Mustangs led 10-0 after one quarter and improved the margin to 17-0 at halftime, but the Beavers rallied with a big second half during a 21-17 road win.
The Beavers locked up their second straight trip to the semifinals following a 13-point fourth quarter.
Lewis Daye Jr. put the Mustangs (9-2) in front with a touchdown run in the first quarter and Dominic Witt’s career-best 41-yard field goal made it 10-0.
Chase Wagaman added a short TD run in the second to build the lead to 17-0.
It was 17-8 after three, but Wilton (9-2) got within three on a TD with 7:19 to play and then scored the game-winning touchdown with 1:36 left.
Wagaman finished 15-of-22 through the air for 160 yards and one interception and Daye Jr. rushed for 92 yards and one TD on 25 carries.
Wagaman added 51 rushing yards and one TD on 12 carries and
Easton Morris ran for 38 yards on 12 carries and caught two passes for 17 yards.
The Mustangs ran for 181 yards but averaged only 3.7 yards per carry.
Gavin Steenhoek led the receivers with 85 yards on five catches.
Jaden Houser grabbed a career-best six passes for 38 yards and Ivan Shannon’s only catch went for 18 yards.
Daye ran for 1,097 yards this fall, which ranks 10th in 2A. Steenhoek’s 848 receiving yards are currently fourth.
The defense was led by Jax Strait’s 10 tackles, while Trent Nickelson totaled a career-best 9.5 tackles and two tackles for loss.
Mason Hjortshoj contributed 6.5 tackles, Harrison Brinegar tallied six tackles, Braedyn Lester pitched in five tackles, Evan Jones had four tackles and Keegan Fenton, Wagaman and Shannon all produced three tackles.
Wagaman snagged two interceptions and Steenhoek had one. Wagaman currently leads 2A with eight picks and Steenhoek’s seven ranks second.
Witt booted three touchbacks on his four kickoffs, made both of
his PATs and connected on his fifth field goal of the season, which ranks tied for first in 2A. His 65 touchbacks lead the class.
Gunner Edwards led Wilton with 192 passing yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.
Noah Gray ran for 80 yards and one TD on 13 carries, Hayden Hill added 68 yards on 13 carries and Bryer Putman caught five passes for 121 yards and two scores.
Gray, Hill and Thatcher Murguia all had 10 tackles to lead the Beaver defense.
Wilton takes a seven-game win streak into the 2A semifinals. The Beavers were in the 1A semifinals last season.
Five Mustangs earn all-HOIAC volleyball honors
This year’s PCM senior volleyball class endured a 1-6 conference record as freshmen back in 2022.
Three years later, the Mustangs climbed all the way up to third place in the Heart of Iowa Activities Conference, and that improvement helped five Mustangs earn all-conference volleyball honors recently.
Senior Tori Lindsay and sophomore Libby Winters were firstteam selections, senior Jorja Teeter landed on the second team and senior Addi Hudnut and sophomore Peyton Lathrum were honorable mention selections.
All-conference recognition is based on statistics inside conference play only. Lindsay, Hudnut, Teeter, seniors Seriah Nolin, Lillian Humpal and Claire Van Wyk and junior Addyson
Pederson also were named to the academic all-conference team.
To be considered for that squad, athletes must be a junior or a senior with a grade point average of 3.25 or better.
Nolin also earned academic all-state honors. To be eligible, athletes must be a senior who have a GPA of 3.85 or better and an ACT score of 27 or better or rank in the top 5 percent of their class.
Lindsay earned first-team all-conference as the Mustangs’ starting setter. She ranked second in the HOIAC with 207 assists and added 16 kills, three blocks, 59 digs and 11 aces and finished 100-of-101 in serves, which led the league at 99 percent.
Winters was PCM’s top hitter. She ranked tied for fourth in the HOIAC with 85 kills, eighth with 12 blocks, tied for 10th with 74 digs and added five assists and 13 aces.
Winters ranked sixth in the conference with a kill efficiency of .245 and she was 86-of-103 in serves.
Teeter ranked ninth in the league with a kill efficiency of .215 as one of PCM’s hitters. She ranked 10th with 16 aces and chipped in 46 kills, 57 digs, eight blocks and two assists. She was 74-of-82 in serves.
Hudnut was PCM’s starting libero. She ranked third in the HOIAC with 99 digs and was second with 27 aces. Hudnut added 15 assists and three kills and she was 89-of-106 in serves.
Lathrum was one of PCM’s middle hitters. She ranked sixth in the league with 16 blocks and tied for seventh with 19 aces.
Lathrum also totaled 46 kills and 19 digs and finished with a kill efficiency of .143. She was 94-of-111 in serves.
Tori Lindsay, sr., PCM; Libby Winters, so., PCM; Miley Geise, jr., Roland-Story; Brookelyn Jondle, jr., Roland-Story; Caitlyn Flattebo, sr., Roland-Story; Rachel Borwick, sr., Nevada; Kaitlyn McGaffin, sr., Nevada; Hanna Fouch, so., Greene County; Tessa Skartvedt, jr., South Hamilton.
Second Team
Jorja Teeter, sr., PCM; Maddi Lucas, jr., Roland-Story; Chloe Koch, sr., Nevada; Jadyn Melohn, sr., Nevada; Lila Osterson, sr., Greene County; Emma Lammers, so., South Hamilton; Maiah Murphy, sr., Grand View Christian; Addie Hackett, sr., Grand View Christian; Riley Randall, sr., West Marshall. Honorable Mention Addi Hudnut, sr., PCM; Peyton Lathrum, so., PCM; Karsyn Lande, so., Roland-Story; Alli Janes, sr., Roland-Story; Ady Muhlbauer, so., Nevada; Kenna Dunson, so., Nevada; Natalee Baugh, sr., Greene County; Bellah Johnson, jr., Greene County;
South
Claire Hewitt, sr.,
Hamilton; Sara Scheller, sr., South Hamilton; Morgan Pelham, sr., Grand View Christian; Chloe Cox, so., Grand View Christian; Arya Wertz, sr., West Marshall; Olivia Henderson, jr., West Marshall; Charity Parnell, sr., Perry; Yamilet Gonzalez, sr., Perry; Ryleigh Sevedge, sr., Saydel; Ruby Thompson, jr., Saydel.
PCM Explorer
Pederson
Humpal
Nolin
Teeter
Lathrum Winters
Van Wyk
Hudnut
Lindsay
PCM Explorer
Photo by Jamie Steenhoek
PCM sophomore Lewis Daye Jr. scores a first-quarter touchdown against Wilton on Nov. 7. Daye finished with more than 1,000 rushing yards this season.
Photo by Jamie Steenhoek
PCM senior Trent Nickelson, left, made a career-best 9.5 tackles and two tackles for loss in the Mustangs’ season-ending loss on Nov. 7.
Photo by Jamie Steenhoek
PCM seniors Braedyn Lester, left, and Evan Jones combine for a tackle against Wilton on Nov. 7. The Class 2A No. 2 Mustangs lost the quarterfinal game, 21-17, despite leading 17-0 at halftime.
FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase Call 1-855-954-5087 today to schedule a free quote. It's not just a generator. It's a power move SAFE STEP. North America's #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-844-376-4154
SMALL ENGINE REPAIR, SALES, AND SERVICE Sell Toro, Scag, and Exmark Service many other brands as well Prairie Ag Supply. 12372 Hwy 163 W. Prairie City 515-9943200
WANTED: GOLD and silver jewelry and coins. Local buyer 40+ years. Call Paul at 641-521-4912
FOR SALE mens size 44 carhart insulated coveralls with snap on hood. Worn once. Like new $65 Please call 515-971-9276
FOR SALE: Air PurifierMedify Air Model: MA-40. Bought October 22 2020 for $274.98. Selling for $137. Used for a shore time during Covid. Have manual Tupperware Pressure cooker: $45. Like new Have operating manual Picture of Amalfi Coast on Mediterranean. Picture measures 40 ½ inces wide and 30 ½ inches in length $25 Please call 641-840-5073 and ask for Kathy
FOR SALE: Char-Lynn hydraulic motors w/1” shaft (2 & 4 bolt) never used ½ price. 1200x12” turf tire mounted on 6 bolt wheel, pr-$200 or all
