THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 2025 • VOLUME N0. 124 • ISSUE NO. 39 • 1 SECTION • 10 PAGES
Serving Colfax • Mingo • Baxter • Western Jasper County
Signed, sealed and delivered Gov. Kim Reynolds signs pharmacy benefit manager reform to the delight of local pharmacies across the state and closer to home at Spring City Pharmacy By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune After weeks of waiting, community pharmacists across the State of Iowa rejoiced as Gov. Kim Reynolds finally signed legislation reforming practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). Senate file 383 introduces comprehensive oversight of PBMs, ensuring greater transparency, accountability and fairness in a system that has operated without adequate regulation and to the detriment of those trying to serve the community — pharmacists. “The passage of SF 383
is truly a lifeline for Spring City Pharmacy and for the patients we serve,” Spring City Pharmacy owner Brad Magg said. “As the only pharmacy in Colfax — and the only locally owned pharmacy left in Jasper County — this new law helps level the playing field with the monopoly of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) who have made it nearly impossible for pharmacies to survive.” With the passage of this legislation, the pharmacy will no longer be reimbursed less than the cost of the drug. They will also be paid a $10.68 dispensing fee for each
prescription, which is the state average of what the overhead costs to fill a prescription. “In simple terms, it gives us a fighting chance to keep our doors open, continue caring for our neighbors and keep local healthcare local,” Magg said. While some opponents claim it will put too much money in pharmacy pockets, feedback from those entities showed without the reform many could be closing their businesses within the next year. “To be clear, this new legislation only provides enough to break even by covering the cost of the goods sold, plus labor
Submitted Photo Community members from Colfax rally at the State Capitol in Des Moines in favor of Senate File 383, legislation reforming pharmacy benefits management for local pharmacies. Gov. Kim Reynolds recently signed the bill putting the legislation into action.
and expenses to fill that prescription,” Magg said. “We’re ecstatic about it and very appreciative, but
A QUEEN IS CROWNED By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune
Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune PCM graduate Meredith Chipps is crowned 2025 Jasper County Fair Queen during a ceremony June 14 in Newton.
Nine girls from across the county took the stage in hopes of being crowned the 2025 Jasper County Fair Queen. The fair, which is celebrating its 170th year, will have a familiar face wearing the queen sash as 2024 Fair Princess and 2025 PCM graduate Meredith Chipps was selected during the ceremony held June 14 at the Newton Community Theatre. “It means so much to me,” Chipps said. “I didn’t want to expect anything at all. I just knew that I was going to go out there and try my best. I knew a goal of mine was to become the princess and I
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knew I wanted to become the queen. I think it is just so special.” Before Chipps was crowned queen, she had the honor of crowning the next fair princess. 2025 Newton graduate Ella Machin was selected for the role just after she was chosen by her fellow candidates as Miss Congeniality. “This is huge. I remember when (Logan Chandler) was fair princess and we hung out all of the time and I looked up to her. I am so excited to be a kind face for people at the fair,” Machin said. “(Being named Miss Congeniality) is such an accomplishment for me. All of these girls are amazing.” The contest saw all nine
girls show off their personalities by explaining what the theme of the fair “Cakes, Critters and Candles — Let’s Celebrate” means to them. From homemade cakes with each layer having a specific memory and meaning from the fair to slide presentations of pictures from fairs past and how it impacted them, the girls shared why that week is one the look forward to each year. The ceremony continued with the girls in their formal wear answering randomly selected questions about the fair. Each candidate gave answers on the spot to questions such as “what would you tell someone who is interested in QUEEN | 3
Jasper County and Marion County to share costs of bridge replacement Engineer estimates counties will pay $100K each for bridge on County Line Road
By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune Protestors this weekend gathered around two main thoroughfares in Newton as part of a nationwide resistance to President Donald Trump — known as the “No Kings” protests — drawing both honks of approval from passersby and spiteful vitriol from MAGA movement supporters driving throughout town. Signs from the demonstration showed an illustration of Trump spraying a bottle of perfume called “Eau de Musk.” Others proclaimed “Resist White Supremacy” and “Rise Up and Fight Fascism.” Another sign referenced a movie quote: “There’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for.”
help pay off the almost $1 million in debt we’ve ac-
Meredith Chipps, who served as princess in 2024, is named the 2025 Jasper County Fair Queen
‘Our democracy has already been overthrown for autocracy’ Nationwide ‘No Kings’ protests sees Iowans gather in Newton to show resistance
we’re still going to have to work our butts off slinging ice cream, greetings cards, band-aids, etc to
By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune Jasper County formed an agreement with Marion County for the replacement of a bridge along the County Line Road, or South 128th Christopher Braunschweig/Jasper County Tribune Avenue, over a branch Protestors display anti-Trump signs during the “No Kings” protest June 14 at the Jasper County Courthouse in Newton. of the South Skunk River. A memorandum of Megan Berryhill, of Newton, the Casey’s gas station. She and understanding was apMedia helped organize the demonstra- others feared for the future of de- Shaw proved this past week by tion on June 14. She did not mocracy. the supervisors, which expect to see many people, but “In my opinion, our democracy splits the costs of the to her surprise almost 100 peo- has already been overthrown for bridge 50-50. ple arrived to the Jasper County autocracy,” she said, referring to County Engineer MiCourthouse. Another group had chael Frietsch said the forward around Highway 14 near PROTEST | 3 bridge — classified as est. 1851
est. 1851
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Bridge S33 — is located south of Galesburg and east of East 84th Street South. The single-span steel beam bridge will span 50 feet and 24.5 feet wide. The bridge will also have a reinforced poured concrete deck set over steel backwall abutments. “A 50-footer should be adequate for that particular location,” Frietsch said. “So we’re looking at about $100,000 our share and Marion County $100,000theirshare.Soit’sgoing SHARE | 3
est. 1851