THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2025 • VOLUME N0. 124 • ISSUE NO. 45 • 1 SECTION • 8 PAGES
Serving Colfax • Mingo • Baxter • Western Jasper County
Residents from Colfax addiction recovery center assisted rescue in Polk County Students and staff were on their way to church when they helped turn over vehicle submerged in water By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune Four other cars had already driven past the crash at the intersection of Highway 163 and NE 112th Street this past Sunday, but it was the bus full of students and staff from a faith-based addiction treatment center in Colfax that de-
cided to pull over to the side of the road to check if everyone as OK. And it was a good thing they did. In a moment of pure selflessness, around seven students and a staff member — all recovering from addictions at Sheepgate, a division of Adult & Teen Challenge of
the Midlands — helped lift a flipped and submerged vehicle onto its wheels, allowing law enforcement to free the driver and save him before he drowned. According to crash reports from the Iowa State Patrol, a 2019 Honda Insight driven by a 74-year-old male was traveling southbound on NE 112th Street when it pulled out in front of a 2014 Buick Enclave driven by a 38-yearold male. The Honda was struck and rolled down the embankment and submerged
PARTY ON PARADE!
in water. The other vehicle — carrying four people, including two teenagers — was sent into the median. Sources told Newton News the submerged vehicle was in waist-deep water, the result of a heavy rainstorm the day before. Around the same time law enforcement arrived to the scene and help turn over the vehicle. Mike Hunsberger, president of Sheepgate, said the Polk County Sheriff ’s Office deputy was able to cut the seatbelt and remove the driv-
er from the vehicle. The driver was the only occupant and was unconscious. When he was removed from the vehicle he started gasping for air. He was then life flighted to a hospital. Hunsberger said everyone involved feels good about what they did. “They were just like little kids, excited about being ablate help that guy and see that he started breathing and being told the next day that he RESCUE | 3
Party blowers, party hats, big cakes and candles! The Jasper County Fair knows how to throw a memorable birthday parade
Christopher Braunschweig/Jasper County Tribune Participants and spectators enjoyed the spectacle of the Jasper County Fair Parade on Monday, July 21 in downtown Colfax. The Jasper County Fair celebrated this year with a birthday theme, coinciding with the fair turning 170 years old.
A lifelong passion Jasper County Fair Grand Marshal Doug Woebbeking has taken on almost every role with 4-H and the fair and still loves it as much as when he started By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune For as long as he can remember, 4H has been a part of Doug Woebbeking’s life. From growing up on a farm in Gladbrook to starting his own 4-H club with his kinds and finally becoming Jasper County Fair Board President, Woebbeking has taken on every role and still loves it as much as when he started. For the time, effort and enthusiasm he has given to 4-H and the fair, Woebbeking was named Grand Marshal for the 2025 Jasper County Fair Parade.
“It is quite an honor,” Woebbeking said. Woebbeking has been involved with 4-H ever since he was a kid. His parents were big supporters and it was a staple during his formative years. Following high school graduation, Woebbeking attended Iowa State University where he continued his interest in agriculture by majoring in ag business. He used that degree to begin work in the wholesale fertilizer business. “I’ve been doing that since 1980 and GRAND MARSHAL | 3
Christopher Braunschweig/Jasper County Tribune Karly Spear, 15, of Newton, was named the champion of the Brice Leonard Suprememe Showmanship Contest on July 24 at the Jasper County Fairgrounds in Colfax.
SUPREME EXPERIENCE
Karly Spear named Champion Showman after getting first-place finishes in half of the categories By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune Karly Spear, 15, of Newton, remembered how nervous she felt competing in the BriceShaw Leonard Media Supreme Showmanship Contest at the Jasper County Fair for the very first time. She told herself to have fun and just enjoy the experience along with her fellow competitors, no matter the outcome. est. 1851
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Christopher Braunschweig/Jasper County Tribune Jasper County Fair Parade Grand Marshal Doug Woebbeking greets the crowd during the parade July 21 in Colfax.
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But that was last year. Spear found herself competing in the pavilion again this year. She was confident and sought out the assistance from fellow 4-H’ers on how to present livestock outside her expertise. And it paid off. Not only was she named Champion Showman, she earned top-two finishes in five of the six species shows. In addition to her runner-up finishes
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