THURSDAY, SEPT. 18, 2025 • VOLUME N0. 124 • ISSUE NO. 52 • 1 SECTION • 8 PAGES
Serving Colfax • Mingo • Baxter • Western Jasper County
Participants get active at the 2025 Paddle Skedaddle Before the temperature got too high, competitors took to the land and water at Quarry Springs Park for the annual event
Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune A crowd cheers on the participants who first kayaked through the waters before either starting the run themselves or tagging a teammate to make the trip around the park on Sept. 14 for the 2025 Paddle Skedaddle at Quarry Springs Park in Colfax.
A generous gift for the community of Baxter Deutsch family donates more than $200K to make the Geise Park shelter house a reality By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune
Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune The community celebrated the Deutsch Family Shelter House at Geise Park Sept. 13 in Baxter with food, activities and fellowship.
Thanks to a very generous donation, hard work and determination by the community and a belief that a dream can become reality, the Deutsch Family Shelter House at Geise Park is now open for the citizens of Baxter to use and enjoy. A event was held Sept. 13 to celebrate the completion of the project and all those who put in hours of work to make it come to life.
Marie Van Beek, daughter of Rich and Karen Deutsch, spoke about how the project was formed, what the community of Baxter meant to her parents and why they wanted to give back. “My parents, Rich and Karen Deutsch loved Baxter,” Van Beek said. “Rich was on the city council and helped develop and volunteer on the first ambulance crew and was the fire chief for many years. Both of my parents were also entrepreneurs here and we were fortunate to make great SHELTER | 3
Jasper County intends to donate $320K to ER project Knowing $5M renovation is progressing, supervisors sign statement of gift intent By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune Jasper County has officially signed its statement of gift intent for the emergency room project at MercyOne Newton Medical Center. Jamey Robinson, director of Jasper County Emergency Management Agency, told the board of supervisors that he spoke with the chief operating officer at the hospital to make sure the project was progress-
ing and ensure the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds would not go to waste. “Things are progressing,” Robinson said at the Aug. 26 board of supervisors meeting. “One of the things (MercyOne Newton COO Chad Kelley) asked about was a statement of gift intent to be completed and submitted just so they have some official records saying, yes, we do plan on giving you $320,000.” Robinson noted the hospital
wants to recognize the county and the board of supervisors for their donation of ARPA funds towards the project, such as a plaque in the new emergency room. Robinson also noted that by approving the statement of gift intent, the county is not writing a manual check at the moment. Jasper County EMA will continue working alongside MercyOne Newton to make DONATION | 3
Christopher Braunschweig/Jasper County Tribune MercyOne Newton Medical Center is progressing in its emergency room renovation project.
Jasper County Sheriff’s Office launches community outreach program By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune Jasper County Sheriff ’s Office has launched a new program that leaders say will strengthen partnerships and trust between law enforcement and the community, and all the while enhancing support services all across the county. Sheriff Brad Shutts said connections with businesses, schools and residents are vital. In a news release from the sheriff ’s office on Sept. 10, it was announced the Community Outreach and Field Support Services Program was being devel-
oped. The program reflects the sheriff ’s office’s commitment to proactive engagement, trust-building and responsive service. The program is made possible through generous donations from community members and local partners in Jasper County. The sheriff ’s office said these actions are a reflection of the shared commitment of Jasper County residents and law enforcement o building a safer and more connected community. According the program’s mission statement, outreach and field support services will help public safety through engagement. The sheriff ’s office strives
CONTACT US
Building relationships is vital in order to provide the best services to citizens
to provide compassionate support, re- tivities to hosting Halloween events at sponsive resources and collaborative the sheriff ’s office. partnerships that address the needs of Field support services consists of ofresidents. It does this by fostering open fering compassionate, responsive assiscommunication. tance during emergencies, crises and Three key areas will be focused on community needs. Shutts said a big by the program: community outreach, example of field support services is the field support services and partnership partnerships with Crisis Canines of the development. Midlands and the therapeutic qualities Community reachShaw consists Media of rela- the dogs can have on residents and first tionship building through events, ed- responders. ucation and ongoing engagement with Partnership development involves colresidents of all ages. Sheriff Brad Shutts laborating with schools, local organizaexplained in a follow-up with Newton tions and service providers to connect News that these events can be anything from the annual Nation Night Out fesOUTREACH | 3 est. 1851
est. 1851
Newsroom: 641-792-3121, ext. 7 • Advertising: 641-792-3121, ext. 2 Subscriptions/Delivery: 866-979-1053 • Billing: 641-792-3121, ext. 6
est. 1851