Boone County Republican co-chair and local builder Todd Rasmussen on Jan. 31 announced he is running for the Iowa Senate District 24 seat. Rasmussen has spent the last 34 years in commercial and residential construction. Todd and his wife Amy live in Boone where they home school their son at Boone HSAP. Their daughter resides in eastern Iowa. He served…
Read MoreCategory: Opinion
Letter to the editor – Sue Richardson, in support of Iowa caucus
Dear Editor: It was disheartening for me to hear the press coverage about the Iowa caucuses. The national media claimed the caucus was a disaster which is not true for the people who attended them. It may be true for the news agencies who are paying their staff to stay in Iowa causing additional expenses, but the media frenzy was…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Ted Herrick in support of Sean Sebourn
To the Editor: On Tuesday, March 3rd, the city of Jefferson will hold a special election to fill a city council vacancy created when Matt Gordon was elected mayor last November. There is no doubt about it; we are very lucky to have the candidates we do. All of the folks who have expressed interest in this position would do…
Read MorePolitics, the word in any language that brings out the beast
~a column by Colleen O’Brien I had a great time one recent evening talking Italian food versus American food, with Italians. They liked hamburgers, steaks, French fries. But they preferred their own pasta to baked potatoes; Italian wine to all others—South American, Portuguese, Spanish and French being above California; gelato compared to ice cream, which they think simply isn’t as…
Read MoreGOP leadership weighs in on delay in Dem caucus reporting
DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Sen. Chuck Grassley and Sen. Joni Ernst released the following joint statement regarding Iowa’s presidential caucuses: “Iowa’s unique role encourages a grassroots nominating process that empowers everyday Americans, not Washington insiders or powerful billionaires. The face-to-face retail politics nature of Iowa’s caucus system also encourages dialogue between candidates and voters that makes our…
Read MoreQ & A: Iowa caucuses 2020
~by Sen Chuck Grassley Q. What makes the Iowa caucuses unique? A: Nearly 50 years ago, Iowa launched its first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses and has retained this prominent position since 1972. Every four years, the Hawkeye State becomes the launching pad to the White House as candidates kick-off their campaigns for the presidency, meeting with Iowans in living rooms, diners, schools…
Read MoreMayor Pete woos voters in Jefferson
With less than a week until the Iowa caucuses, Democratic candidate Pete Buttigieg* visited Jefferson Wednesday morning. He spoke with about 120 persons, including middle school students who had walked to the event at History Boy Theatre. Buttigieg was introduced by Shelly Thornton of Jefferson, who explained she chose him from the wide field of candidates when she realized “he…
Read MoreAndrew Yang visits Jefferson, talks about Freedom Dividend and career training
About 100 persons were on hand Sunday when Andrew Yang, candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, spoke at History Boy Theatre in Jefferson. It was Yang’s second appearance in Jefferson since announcing his candidacy more than a year ago. He spoke Feb. 1, 2019, to about two dozen people at the Milwaukee Road depot. His message hasn’t changed much since…
Read MoreHonor
~a column by Colleen O’Brien “One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one President, and nine Supreme Court justices equate to 545 human beings out of the 300 million who are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.” ~Charlie Reese, former columnist, Orlando Sentinel Newspaper Despite the soaring words of Adam Schiff regarding the dream…
Read MoreJerry Behn not seeking re-election; his son will run for the seat
State Senator Jerry Behn announced Jan. 24 he will not run for re-election. Behn, a Republican, has served Iowa’s Senate District 24 for 23 years. His son Chad Behn on Jan. 27 announced his intention to run for the seat. “Living and farming in this area for many years, I know what rural communities have to offer and know what…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – George Naylor in support of Sanders
Dear Editor, Our country is in grave danger. Not because we have a scary president that’s being impeached. The question now and for many years is whether or not our citizens have confidence in our elected president and representatives? Are these politicians dedicated to the common good as required by our constitution, or are they, as I believe, dedicated to…
Read MoreReynolds launches Iowa Governor’s School Safety Bureau
DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds, the Iowa Department of Public Safety and the Department of Education announced Jan. 21 the formation of the Iowa Governor’s School Safety Bureau. This Bureau will focus solely on providing the needed resources and expertise to assist Iowa’s 327 school districts and law enforcement partners to keep students, faculty and staff safe. The announcement…
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