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Local Columns

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 ...

I remember…

Hi! John Sheda here and this is probably my last article here in the Tama News. I hope y'all enjoyed reading my old days living in Chelsea. As you know, I'm a '69 graduate, (barely) of STC and will always be a Trojan at heart. Here are just a few of the things "I remember." Just three TV ...

Just Jonathan: A week between worlds

Some of my favorite weeks of the year are the ones when classes finally pause. Last week was one of those rare stretches where I could settle into my own rhythm and spend time in my happy place. From laying low to a three-day track bender, it felt like a week where I actually got things ...

Magic Mike 6XL: Reduce, Reuse, Return to Sender

Trash is interesting. The things we throw away. One day it's a treasured memento or one of life's essentials, and the next day it's in a bag on the street. I’m not above grabbing something good if I see it thrown out on the curb. The best time for this is, of course, City Cleanup. Everyone ...

Just Jonathan: An unexpected lesson

Being able to overcome adversity is something I’ve always valued. I’ve prided myself on being solution-oriented, someone who can navigate challenges and come out steady on the other side. But every once in a while, something catches you off guard—not because you can’t handle it, but ...

Magic Mike 6XL: Dixie The Duchess

Most places I go anymore people ask about one thing: Dixie. Our new dog. So, I thought I’d give a small update. Dixie has settled into the house like the Queen in Buckingham Palace. She has made it hers, and she is spoiled. Not only does she have her favorite spot, sitting in the window ...

Just Jonathan: At the Whims of It All

In my life as both a college student and a part-time community journalist, I often find myself at the whims of everything around me. This week, college has been a blur of finals, finals, and more finals—deadlines, expectations, and the constant feeling of being pushed from one thing to the ...

Magic Mike 6XL: The Lint Geyser

Last week I made a grave mistake. In my Magic Mike from last week, I told a story about my Ma mistaking a dog for a deer. My Father has joked about and brought this up every day since its publication. Ma walks into the house, and my Father would go, “See any deer wearing collars?” My Ma, ...

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

Happy Spring! The month of March was filled with weekly budget sessions as well as union negotiations for Tama County. This takes several hours of time but is critical to ensure the best decisions are made with Tama County taxpayer dollars. The County has been discussing the possibility of ...