THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2024 • VOLUME N0. 121 • ISSUE NO. 37 • 1 SECTION • 8 PAGES
Serving Colfax • Mingo • Baxter • Western Jasper County
Forever a Bolt
After 28 great years, Baxter High School Principal Rob Luther calls it a career
Wild winds wallop Jasper County Severe weather hits Colfax, Mingo and western Jasper County in early morning storm May 24
Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune Uprooted trees took down powerlines after storms rolled through the morning of May 24 in Colfax. Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune A principal, a coach and many more titles along the way, Baxter Principal Rob Luther is retiring after 28 years serving the district.
By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune If there was ever a “Mr. Bolt,” it is Rob Luther. For almost 30 years, Luther has led not only the high school as principal but
the football team as a coach, making him a certified fixture in the community. Having been in Baxter since 1998, Luther walked through the doors for his final last day of school May 24, marking the end
of a memorable career. A Maxwell High School graduate, Luther attended Missouri Southern State University where he played basketball and LUTHER | 3
By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune In what is starting to feel like an endless cycle, Jasper County residents were once again cleaning up from a severe weather event that rolled through in the early hours of May 24. The storm, which uprooted trees, inverted
power lines and left a layer of debris to be picked up, came just days after torrential rains caused flooding in the streets and pushed rivers out of their banks. “The recent severe weather has significantly impacted the west side of Jasper WEATHER | 3
Honoring those who gave it all Colfax holds Memorial Day Ceremony to honor the fallen
Jasper County sheriff Republican candidates Q&A Jeremy Burdess Age 51 Hometown: Colfax 1. Introduce yourself to Jasper County voters and tell us why you’re running. My name is Jeremy Burdess and I am a lifelong resident of Jasper County, having grown up and lived most of my life in Colfax. I have been in law enforcement for the past 14 years. I spent 10 years with the Jasper County Sheriff ’s Office serving in a number of different roles there. The last two years I have been the chief of police for the City of Colfax. I am running for Jasper County sheriff because I believe the sheriff ’s office and the communities of Jasper County need a fresh perspective, new ideas and a sheriff that will prioritize proactive policing to provide its citizens with a safe place to live and work. The ALS program has grown into a program that is extremely beneficial to the communities in Burdess our county. Due to the growth of the program it is my opinion that the program needs to be operated as its own entity and not run through the sheriff ’s office. I believe that a focus group comprised of county officials and EMS leaders throughBURDESS | 2
Tracy Cross
Brad Shutts
Age: 40 Age: 47 Hometown: Baxter Hometown: Grinnell 1. Introduce yourself to Jasper County voters and tell 1. Introduce yourself to Jasper County voters and us why you’re running. tell us why you’re running. My name is Tracy Cross, I am a fifth generation JasI am Brad Shutts, a lieutenant with the Jasper per County resident. The Cross family homesteaded County Sheriff ’s Office. I am a 28-year veteran of law outside of what is Baxter today in 1857. I am married to enforcement with 22 of those years with the Jasper Jennifer Cross and have three daughters who will be the County Sheriff ’s Office where I have been involved in fourth generation to graduate from Baxter. My faith, numerous roles and responsibilities. I am running for family, and Jasper County are the three most importJasper County sheriff with a strong passion for law ant things me. We are very involved in our church and enforcement that began as a young child who grew our community. After spending up in a law enforcement family, my adult career as a tradesman, with my father serving as a depI was called into law enforcement uty sheriff for 29 years. I strive in 2015 to serve a bigger purpose to serve the Jasper County comand calling. I started as a police munity every day and will conofficer in Baxter in 2015, and in tinue to support and stand for 2017 I became a Deputy at the the freedom and liberties of all Jasper County Sheriff ’s Office. Jasper County citizens. Through hard work, consistency, 2. What do you feel the role of and dedication, I was promoted the county sheriff ’s office should to Sergeant in 2020. I am currentespecially when considering Cross Shaw be, Shutts Media ly the team leader for the Central the addition of the ALS program? Iowa Regional Tactical team, Jasper County EmergenThe sheriff by Iowa law is the 2nd highest law ency Services Honor Guard Member and Treasurer, overforcement official in the county following the county see the Sheriff ’s Office field training program, and was attorney. The sheriff is a representative of the courts a handler of retired K9 Deputy Nuke. and is responsible for the execution of the orders of est. 1851
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