THURSDAY, SEPT. 26, 2024 • VOLUME N0. 124 • ISSUE NO. 2 • 1 SECTION • 8 PAGES
Serving Colfax • Mingo • Baxter • Western Jasper County
Royal
Meet the 2024 Baxter Homecoming Court
County attorney reinforces campaign sign laws Nicholson says it’s illegal to post signs on properties without owner consent
Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune Seniors Carter Smith, Perrin Sulzle, Grant Anderegg, Cade Robinson, Abigail Meyer , Cadence Spurgeon, Emie Tuhn and Josslynn Travis along with elementary members Maren Plunket and Wesley Black fill out the 2024 Baxter Homecoming Court.
Here to represent C-M announces 2024 Homecoming Court
Christopher Braunschweig/Jasper County Tribune Jasper County Attorney Scott Nicholson spoke during this past board of supervisors meeting about campaign sign laws. He said unless candidates have the expressed permission of a property owner, they cannot lawfully post campaign signs on properties.
By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune
Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune Students named to Colfax-Mingo’s Homecoming Court are Freshmen Cam Cunningham and Madison Forschler; Sophomores Liam Smith and Vivian Burns; Juniors Wyatt Thornton and Selma Metz; and Seniors Isaiah Baucom, Lily Arndt, Jashawn Fleming, Devan Chadwich, Shane Hostetter, Ava VanMaaren, Harrison Rhone, Karmylia Snyder, Xavier Woods and Shae Wilkins. Also on the court are foreign exchange students Laila Kwaskiewicz and Emma Strauch.
It is a crime to place campaign signs on properties without the expressed permission of the property owner. Jasper County Attorney Scott Nicholson emphasized this fact after receiving reports from citizens and law enforcement of signs supporting local candidates showing up on their properties. “So I’m here to remind everybody that if you’re going to place a campaign sign in private property, you have to have the permission of the owner
that private property,” Nicholson said. “Unfortunately, if you don’t, and you are prosecuted, it’s a serious misdemeanor. It’s not even a simple (misdemeanor).” Nicholson gave this advice at the Sept. 17 supervisors meeting. He did not reveal the names of the candidates whose signs he received complaints about. Other than the presidential election, the signs could have likely been in regards to one of the candidates in the supervisors race between incumbent SIGNS | 3
A look at Jasper County health Department shares annual report with Board of Health By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune The 2024 Annual Report for the Jasper County Health Department shared successes and work accomplished throughout the past fiscal year. From more than $162,000 in grant funding to coming in more than $46,000 under budget, the strong but mighty team leading the health department put in the work to help educate and care for Jasper County citizens. “The vision is healthy residents and communities in Jasper County,” Jasper County Health Department Administrator Becky Pryor said. Throughout the past year, the department has once again worked to fulfill its purpose of protecting and improving the health of Jasper County. It has worked to connect with patients and those in need through Jasper County Cares, at meetings, with its resource guide, through referrals, social media, the county website, emails and events. Throughout the past year, the department has done 212 immunizations with 7,236 audits, including at schools. Other
areas the department has worked includes emergency preparedness, opioid education, mental health, substance misuse, homelessness, transportation, safety wellness, childcare and staffing improvements. One way the department is connecting with the public is through the resource guide, now available on the county website. The resource guide is a detailed list of resources available to Jasper County residents. “I feel like this is something that has been evolving,” Pryor said. “If someone comes in constantly updating it. We’re trying to make it as user-friendly as possible. We want it to be the best and everyone has been really great at looking at it.” To get the word out, the department has had 2.5 million impressions whether through social media or traditional media. It is also a member of the Jasper County Cares Coalition — a group that consists of numerous health, human services, nonprofits, law enforcement, health care, schools, etc. that serve Jasper County and aims to strategically address the health, safety and well-being of the community by connecting resources, programs, awareness and advocacy. “We feel like we really do that at the Jasper County Cares Coalition,” Pryor said. “We’re doing events, social media, celebrate wins and doing gaps of service. We think it
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Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune A packed room took part in a town hall meeting for the Jasper County Health Department Sept. 10. The input gathered will be used to create a Targeted Health Improvement Plan that addresses gaps and utilizes existing strengths.
is a huge strength. The meetings are unbe- 79.1 years compared to the state age of 78.7 lievable, we overflow the room.” years. Pryor also shared a snapshot of where Currently, the county has a shortage of Jasper County is according to the Iowa De- primary care physicians, which can lead partment of Health and Human Services. to disparities emerging. There is not a Shaw From life expectancy to access toMedia care and shortage of dental care providers in Jasper social, economic and environmental fac- County. tors, it is a look into where Jasper County is Residents have experienced on average compared to the rest of the state. 4.4 poor mental health days per month, Jasper County makes up a little more the same number as the state. Poor mental than 1 percent of the state’s population at 37,764 people. It has a life expectancy of HEALTH | 3 est. 1851
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