THURSDAY, DEC. 18, 2025 • VOLUME N0. 124 • ISSUE NO. 13 • 1 SECTION • 8 PAGES
Serving Colfax • Mingo • Baxter • Western Jasper County
A chilly Christmas in Baxter Community members brave the cold to attend the annual holiday event Dec. 12
Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune Horse and carriage rides, a lighted parade, town Christmas tree lighting and many more events helped kick off the holiday season in Baxter.
Sheriff’s office launches app to improve transparency By Christopher Braunschweig Newton News Jasper County Sheriff ’s Office has launched a free app allowing citizens access to jail records, offender registries and an easier way to submit crime tips. Sheriff Brad Shutts told Newton News the purpose of the app was to increase transparency and communication between the department and county residents. Instead of having to navigate the county’s website for specific sheriff ’s office information, residents can find just about everything they want on the app. “Sometimes people’s phones wouldn’t be compatible with the forms online, so this makes it a little easier,” Shutts said, noting the app launched in November. “There’s a lot less information you have to put in for submitting a tip. So you don’t have to jump
through as many hoops. And there is a cost savings to that.” The app is downloadable via Google Play and the Apple App Store by searching “Jasper County Sheriff IA.” In addition to the offender registry map and inmate information, the app also notifies users of sheriff sales and hirings at the sheriff ’s office and gives residents a head start on obtaining weapons permits. Keeping residents informed of the goings on at the sheriff ’s office is important to Shutts, and he views the app as a wise investment in the long run. “People like to know what we’re doing,” Shutts said. “They find it interesting, especially if they see something online or on social media. A lot of people like to know who is in our jail. It’s just a nice way to give everybody the information that a lot of people call and ask for. It’s on their phones, right at their fingertips.”
Christopher Braunschweig/Jasper County Tribune Jasper County Sheriff Brad Shutts shows off the new app available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play. The app allows users information about individuals currently in jail and gives them an offender registry map of their area. It also streamlines crime tips.
Veterans affairs will continue to hold monthly coffee meets with veterans ‘Coffee & Camaraderie’ encourages vets to get out and socialize with other vets By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune For three hours on a Tuesday morning in the middle of November, veterans showed up to West Side Java to enjoy a cup of coffee and conversation. People could come and go as they pleased. At times the little coffeehouse was packed to the brim with veterans. Organizers say the event attracted about 100 veterans. They fittingly called it
“Coffee & Camaraderie.” Jasper County Veterans Affairs Director Ray Maxey said the department will be hosting the event regularly on the third Tuesday of the month. The next event is 9 a.m. Dec. 16 at West Side Java. Veterans can attend at no cost. Maxey said the purpose of the event was to get veterans out of the house and engaged. “To get them socializing with each other,” Maxey said. “Jasper County has a lot of CONTACT US
Shutts says the app contains information that is frequently requested by citizens
veterans. So we’re just trying to make sure — especially with some of our older veterans — that they are engaged, have somewhere to go, something to do and come out with other people that talk the talk and walk the walk.” Josh Price, veterans affairs assistance coordinator, said having events like this helps promote good mental health for veterans, and it is a way for them to see they are VETERANS | 3
Jasper County to auction off used secondary roads, maintenance equipment Purple Wave will host auction and reimburse county for the successful sales By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune Following the success of a Purple Wave-hosted auction of surplus secondary roads equipment earlier this year, the Jasper County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Dec. 9 decided to move ahead with yet another auction for old equipment no longer used by two departments. Nicole Williams, assistant to the engineer, presented the Purple Wave agreement to the board of supervisors
at their meeting this week. She said the secondary roads department is selling its belly dump trailer while the maintenance department is selling a semi-trailer and a mower. When the auction has concluded, two checks will be made to the county for the equipment: one to the engineer’s office and the other to maintenance. The board of supervisors approved the agreement in a 3-0 vote.
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