If you want to understand a place, the U.S. Census is a good place to start. Every ten years, it freezes a community in time, counting every person who calls it home. But here’s the thing—numbers only tell part of the story. In small-town Iowa, the real truth lies between the lines, in the ...
This has been an unprecedented summer. In the last few months I have had experiences that I never imagined possible. The first being the office. So, back in 2023 me and the kid (thats Just Jonathan to those of you familiar with page four of the Chronicle) started with the paper. However, the ...
August is here and we are in the home stretch of summer. July has been very eventful for the Tama County Board of Supervisors. We appointed three new members to the Board of Adjustment and one new member to the Zoning Commission. I welcome the new members who’ve been appointed and am ...
Well, it’s that time again. The sun is setting a little earlier, the cicadas are screaming a little louder, and I am — well, reluctantly — dragging out the storage bins. Because on Aug. 16, I move back to Wartburg College. Whether I’m emotionally ready or not. (I’m not.) To be ...
Some could call it a herculean feat. Some could call it an act of superhuman endurance. Some could call it a fat asthmatic man walking briskly up a hill and back. All would be correct. Okay, so I covered the Cruise with the Blues parade today. Easy right? No big deal? Go across town and ...
I'm sure most remember that show hosted by none other than Art Linkletter. Wonder why we never see re-runs of this. It was hilarious. Well, since school is just around the corner, I thought it would be interesting to read about some funny things kids have said and done---all in a school ...
It’s been a couple months since I’ve written one of these, and I appreciate everyone’s patience. Things have been busy, and while that’s not an excuse, I know how important it is to stay in touch with the people we serve. When I took office, I said I would keep the public in the loop, ...
As I mentioned last week, I recently took a trip to California. I was stationed in the Monterey Bay area, visiting my roommate and one of my closest friends, Chris. Longtime readers know Chris — he’s been a recurring figure in this column — and this time, he’s the catalyst for the ...
The term 'derecho' has been thrown out a few times this week. I don't know. I'm writing this at 5 a.m. Wednesday morning, so maybe that's all the noise I hear outside. Either way, I remember the first derecho, you know the one I'm talking about. It has become like the JFK assassination; ...
I am a full on adult now. The big 21, the last age that really matters in the grand scheme of things. None of this kid or child stuff now, just me and the world: A life of freedom, with unlimited potential and difficult decisions to make. Oh, did I mention I’m writing this as I sit in ...