Most Iowans continue to reel under the tragedy of the Perry school shootings. Strength of Perry. The rash of mass shootings has spread to our rural area of Iowa. We do not doubt the community of Perry and those surrounding Perry with close ties will recover with strength and resilience. As typically happens with a mass shooting, there will be…
Read MoreCategory: Opinion
View from my window
January 2024 I will begin by offering heartfelt sympathy and support for our friends, family, and neighbors in the Perry community as they grieve in the aftermath of the recent shooting tragedy. May we not forget. May we not return to our normal activities. Rather, may we use our voices and seek action to secure changes in policies and values…
Read MoreCapitol Roundup
~by State Sen Jesse Green, 24th Senate District January 12, 2024 Greetings once again from the Golden Dome. I hope you have had a blessed 2024 so far! We have had a historic few years at the Capitol. As we enter into a new session, I would first like to reflect on where we have come from and where we…
Read MoreGoing to the game on the 15th?
~a column by Colleen O’Brien The reason we need such a big and getting bigger government is that the citizens of this country need protection from the greedy corporate hierarchy that is always trying to get away with cheating their customers – tobacco, for example; Pharma; the food industry – Cheerios cost $6 for a 12-ounce box of exotic ingredients…
Read MoreReynolds’ Condition of the State address
Governor Kim Reynolds, January 9, 2024 Below are her remarks as prepared for delivery: “Madam President, Mr. Speaker, Lt. Governor, legislative leaders and members, justices and judges, my fellow Iowans: “Last week, the unthinkable happened in Iowa when shots were fired in the halls of Perry High School, taking the life of 11-year-old Ahmir Jolliff, and injuring seven others. “Our…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Double check a penicillin allergy
To the editor, Have you been diagnosed with a penicillin allergy? If so, you are among one in 10 Americans with this information included in their medical records. Unfortunately, the reality is an estimated 90- 95 percent of these individuals do not have such an allergy. In fact, a true penicillin allergy is actually quite rare. For the last several…
Read MoreA time to mourn
~guest commentary by Eric Coop, shared by The Scranton Journal The 1960s folk-rock group, The Byrds, said it best in their song, Turn, Turn, Turn, which in turn quotes from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. “To everything turn, turn, turn, There is a season turn, turn, turn, And a time to every purpose under Heaven.” Since the tragic shooting at Perry High School…
Read MoreWhat happened in Perry could happen anywhere, including here
I feel compelled to write about the fatal shooting at Perry High School Jan. 4. When I heard of the shooting, my first thought was, “Oh, please, don’t let the shooter be Latino.” I hadn’t lived in Jefferson long when I learned of a general attitude that Jefferson is somehow superior to Perry. People don’t often say aloud the source…
Read MoreSimple requests for the 2024 legislative session
With the 2024 legislative session just days away, PRO Iowa 24* is making a few simple requests of our governor and legislators: 1.Gov Reynolds, comply with the law and save taxpayers money. In 2023 the Iowa Supreme Court unanimously ruled you violated Iowa’s public records law, causing us citizens to fork over $174,000 in attorney’s fees to settle three lawsuits.…
Read MoreSenior care remains on the front pages, for all the wrong reasons
Every day, we come across Iowa stories depicting instances of elder neglect or abuse: cases where gangrene leads to amputations, narratives of individuals choking on their saliva, and accounts of people left freezing outside in the cold of winter. A federal report shows Iowa as 49th AMONG THE STATES with a ratio of nursing home inspectors to care facilities. The…
Read MoreLetter to the editor: ‘Thanks’ from the Elks
Letter to the Editor: I would like to thank the Jefferson businesses that contributed prizes to the Jefferson Elks annual Christmas Dinner. Without your support, we couldn’t do this for the Bingo after the meal. We would also like to thank all the volunteers that gave up their Christmas Day to prepare, serve and clean up. Thanks also to the…
Read MoreView from My Window – Summer food program for kids
~a column by Mary Weaver I hope you had a joyous Christmas, and the year 2024 will be a positive one for you and your loved ones. Many of us did not see the impactful news release given on Friday afternoon, Dec. 22. Our children and grandchildren were gathering that afternoon at our home for our family’s Christmas weekend. The…
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