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Local Columns

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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 ...

Just Jonathan: The great grind

Busy, busy, busy, it’s what we all like to say we are. Every year I grow older and still find new ways to maximize my time. Since I got out of school at the end of May, I have been waking up earlier. My once successful night owl schedule is almost nonexistent, replaced by black coffee and ...

Magic Mike 6XL: The Crime of Boredom

The philosopher Bo Burnham once said, "Apathy's a tragedy, and boredom is a crime." That not only perfectly sums up this day and age as a whole, but also my Ma's feelings on the subject. Where my sister and I grew up with the luxuries of today's distractions, my Ma did not. Growing up, Ma ...

Just Jonathan: Memorial Day Reminiscing

As I hope you read from the front page or another online article, Memorial Day 2025 has come and gone. Wikipedia describes memorial day as follows: “Memorial Day (originally known as Decoration Day) is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the military personnel who ...

You’ll Figure It Out!: Happy Memorial Day

Ah, Memorial Day Week-End! The official start of summer. Winter must go, spring must arrive and let the fun times roll. School's out! Wonder who's happier--the students or the teachers? Little League has begun. Swimming lessons and just splashing in the water in general. Fishing, ...