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Local Columns

On the record with Sheriff Schmidt

It’s been a busy last couple of months at the Tama County Sheriff’s Office, and it is about time for an update from me! First off, I want to recognize our staff, especially the deputies. Right now we are short a deputy, and with Deputy Trevor Killian retiring, we’ll be down two. Like a ...

Just Jonathan: Showing Up Matters

There’s something refreshing about coming home for the summer. On Saturday, I moved out of college after having the opportunity to stand on stage during Wartburg College’s commencement ceremony. It was a neat honor and one that I know I’ll remember for years to come. Standing there, ...

One last column

This is my advice from a fellow STC classmate, (class of '69). Here's What I've Learned! **** HERE IS JOHN'S ADVICE **** 1....First & foremost, BE KIND; Be friendly; say things like; please, thank you, I'm sorry, you look so nice today, you did a great job; I'm so proud of you; ...

Just Jonathan: A crazy weekend

There are weekends that leave you exhausted, and then there are weekends that remind you exactly why you do what you do. This past weekend was both. I spent hundreds of miles behind the wheel driving back and forth between college and Tama-Toledo. By the time it was all said and done, I was ...

Magic Mike 6XL: Dixie The Newshound and the Parade Pandemonium

Well, that was a weekend. Dog hair, sweat, and a parade, nothing but the best. The kid, Johnny, and I have wanted to promote the paper in a local event for over a year, but have been unsuccessful. First, the Stoplight Festival got rained out, then we never got around to getting anything ...

Just Jonathan: Mistakes and surprises

As it always is, the newspaper side of my life was very interesting this week. I learned that I’m not able to differentiate fruits and a few unexpected people read my work in this very column! Last week I published a short preview of what’s to come at the Lincoln Highway Bridge Festival ...

Heather’s Highlights: County Government and You, April 2026

Road construction along with dust, gravel, mud, and dust control were the main topics for discussion in April when Highway 63 from the 96/63 junction to Toledo closed on April 20. The Iowa DOT closed the highway to remove the pavement and replace it with asphalt, while making it a “Super 2 ...

On Nature: Climate Change Choice

The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has analyzed a broad range of data on greenhouse gas emissions and the effects on U.S. climate that had been gathered by the scientific community. In their report on this analysis, the Academies stated that the evidence for ...

Magic Mike 6XL: Soliloquy of Vomit

I’ve been sick a lot in my life. A lowered immune system will do that to ya. I’ve learned a thing or two, picked up a tip or trick here and there, and I know how I like to be sick. So, last week, I get really ill. My stomach is hurting like someone shot a cannonball into it. I know I’m ...

Just Jonathan: Facing embarrassment

Over the last few weeks, some embarrassing memories have come up a few times. Now it’s easy to hold a lot of these scenarios in your heart with a little bit of animosity but quite honestly a lot of these stories are hilarious. What better way to deal with embarrassment than publish it for ...