THURSDAY, NOV. 21, 2024 • VOLUME N0. 124 • ISSUE NO. 10 • 1 SECTION • 8 PAGES
Serving Colfax • Mingo • Baxter • Western Jasper County
COMMON THREAD OF CIVIL SERVICE WWII veteran and his Iowa Air National Guard grandson surprised with Quilts of Valor By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune Ethan Opfer knew about the surprise in store for his grandfather Lawrence Opfer, a World War II veteran, but he didn’t know there would be a second surprise. He had planned to present a handmade Quilt of Valor to his unsuspecting grandpa to acknowledge his service. Ethan did not expect to receive a quilt of his own. “I knew about my grandpa getting one and was told about helping present it and everything, and then I kind of looked over and saw them pulling another quilt out of the bag,” Ethan said. “So then I was like, ‘What’s going on?’ Then mom and dad walked on out. I was not expecting that one by any means.”
Draped in fabrics of red, white and blue, their multi-generational service was celebrated with a standing ovation during a Veterans Day ceremony at Colfax-Mingo High School. Lawrence smiled graciously when he was given his quilt, but his smile grew wider when he saw his grandson wearing the same colors. “Boy I tell you that was wonderful to get that,” Lawrence said. Lawrence served the U.S. Navy Air Corps/U.S. Navy from June 15, 1944 until June 9, 1946. He went to flight training school at Doane College in Crete, Neb. and St. Mary’s College in San Francisco, Calif. As the war was coming to an end, Lawrence decided he would transfer to the Navy. VALOR | 3
Christopher Braunschweig/Jasper County Tribune From left: Lawrence Opfer and his grandson Ethan Opfer get a standing ovation after receiving their Quilts of Valor simultaneously during a Veterans Day ceremony in Colfax-Mingo Jr./Sr. High School. Lawrence served the U.S. Navy Air Corps/U.S. Navy during World War II, and Ethan served the Iowa Air National Guard.
Jasper County EMA launches new smartphone app Emergency notifications and other info can be accessed on Jasper Ready By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune Want to know what to expect from the latest severe weather event in Jasper County? Well, now, there’s an app for that. Jasper County Emergency Management Agency has announced the release of a new, custom smartphone application. According to the press release, the Jasper Ready app will serve as an innovative way for Jasper County EMA to connect with residents and visitors by providing information quickly and efficiently. Developed by myEMAapp.com, a brand of OCV, LLC, which is a company that specializes in mobile app development for emergency management agencies and public safety organizations across the United States, the Jasper Ready app provides quick access to items of public interest. In addition to providing the most up-to-date emergency alerts, the app is loaded with preparedness materials for all types of emergency situations, from floods and home fires to chemical emergencies and even nuclear explosions. There is also a county directory and a link to make an anonymous report of a school threat. Users can also report storm damage and develop their own preparedness plans that includes a checklist of what to bring. There is also a link to submit volunteer applications and current weather forecast information in Jasper County. After downloading
Bohannan campaign wants recount, MillerMeeks campaign cries ‘election deniers’ All 20 counties, including Jasper County, would have to recount IA-01 race, which looks to be decided by 802 votes By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune The Democratic challenger for Iowa’s 1st Congressional District seat is calling for a recount in all 20 counties, including Jasper County. Christina Bohannan’s campaign announced on Nov. 14 their intentions to issue a full recount of the congressional district race. The results collected
by the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office currently shows U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, the Republican incumbent, leading by just 802 votes. In a statement released by Bohannan’s campaign manager, Jindalae Suh, the race was described as “razor-thin.” This is not the first time this congressional district was decided by such close RECOUNT | 3
‘SNAP, SNAP’
Baxter High School debuting ‘The Addams Family’ musical at 7 p.m. Nov. 22 and 23 at BHS East Gym
Jasper Ready The Jasper Ready app is free to download on the App Store and Google Play. The application provides emergency alerts to users and allows them to make their own preparedness plan. There is also an abundance of resources available in the app.
the app, users can decide if they want notifications, too. “Over 80 percent of people in the United States own and use smartphones as their primary means of CONTACT US
communication,” OCV Partner and CRO Kevin Cummings said. “Mobile apps offer agencies a better way to
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