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Opinion

Just Jonathan: Jonathan’s guide to being uncomfortable

Local Columns

So often in my life, I find myself uncomfortable. That feeling of your chest closing in, the world staring at you, and your own self-loathing—all surrounding your inward emotions in so many adverse situations. Through my many years of experience, I have developed six methods to combat—and ...

Magic Mike 6XL: Time travel in theory and practice

Local Columns

Time is a construct. Time is a fallacy. Time is an idea created by man and put into practice so that you'd show up 20 minutes early to your doctor's appointment and wait in an uncomfortable chair next to an old lady with a death-rattle cough. Einstein said, "Time is relative," and there is no ...

Letter to the Editor: Feenstra wants to be like Trump?

Letters to the Editor

Randy Veenstra running for governor say he wants to be like Trump. Veenstra when will you pay a porn star to keep her mouth shut like Trump? Veenstra when will you bad mouth fellow republican, governor Reynolds like Trump did? Veenstra when will you declare bankruptcy multiple times like Trump ...

You’ll Figure It Out: Things my dad said AND didn’t say!

Local Columns

First of all, Happy Father's Day to all the Dads. Being a Dad is tough. We're supposed to have all the answers, (we do), and we're supposed to be able to fix anything, (not me). And in the middle of the night, we're supposed to check that mysterious noise out. Haha, I let Deb know from day ...

Magic Mike 6xl: The Paper Ream Out

Local Columns

Two weeks ago, I went to the gas station to get the paper. It was Sunday, and I wanted to do the crossword puzzle. You, as I did, probably assume this would be a rather innocuous, banal task; well, you assume wrong. My indecision between the Gazette and the Register had me purchasing both. I ...

Just Jonathan: The Planner

Local Columns

I have never been the organized apple in the bunch. I wouldn’t call myself disorganized but I certainly have room to improve in that aspect of my life. For many years I would mention to people that I needed a planner. I would even brush off a certain guidance secretary while I was in school, ...

Heather’s Highlights: County Government and You, May 2025

Local Columns

School is out and summertime is welcomed! The Board of Supervisors had a productive and busy month. Laura Wilson has been hired as the new Zoning Administrator/Weed Commissioner. Laura has jumped right into the role and is doing a great job, ensuring the Tama County Zoning Ordinance is ...

A Fair View

Local Columns

Well, I went to the Thursday, May 29, 2025 Board of Supervisors meeting. Tried to point out that the money they say the risk pool gave them doesn't come from taxpayer money. Wrong. Tama County pays dues of over $700,000 a year to the risk pool. Trying to point this out I was told by Supervisor ...

You’ll Figure It Out: My “Hole-in-the-Bucket” List!

Local Columns

I greatly enjoyed Rev. Mike Nodland's article of last week and what a novel idea, the "Anti-Bucket" list. So I commenced thinking of all the silly, goofy and downright stupid things I've tried in my life, I give you MY lists of things I shall never, ever do again. First off, I shall never ...

Letter to the Editor: Loud shout from non-voters

Letters to the Editor

During the last Presidential election the vast majority of eligible voters (a whopping 36%) chose not to vote at all, a visceral scream echoing the current dismay with both our dominant political parties. Only 31% of eligible voters cast their ballot for Democrats, a flailing party whose ...