Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025
Vol. 6, No. 1
PCMExplorer Local People. Local Stories.
A CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON
Inaugural Prairie City Co-Ed Softball League a home run, plans for second year underway By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer PLAY BALL! Six teams with players from Prairie City, Monroe and surrounding communities came together each Sunday to enjoy a little slow-pitch softball thanks to the Prairie City Parks and Recreation Department. “My favorite part of this entire experience was seeing the excitement each week from everyone that played,” Prairie City Parks and Recreation Director Scott Steenhoek said. “I’m so grateful the City of Prairie City was able to offer this new recreational activity in our community. Having it come from a simple idea, planning and organizing it for almost a year prior, then having it come to a successful event was very rewarding for me.” The teams came together for five
Making his mark
weeks of league play before taking part in a season ending tournament on Aug. 3. Even with the unpredictable weather, no games were delayed or canceled throughout the season. The tournament seeding was determined by league play with the top two seeds receiving a bye in the first round and games continuing to award a third place team. Team GVO, lead by Zach Findlow, came in to the tournament undefeated and came away with the championship. Monroe Fishing Team placed second with Steenhoek’s and Saints coming in third. “Feedback was very positive with everyone responding they plan to play next year or are still interested,” Steenhoek said. “General feedback from the players over the season was Submitted Photo so many of them had a fantastic time Prairie City Co-Ed Softball League champions Team GVO. Front row: Maci Dejong, Bo SOFTBALL | 3
Clymer, Zach Findlow, Mikey Thul and Bryce Wignall. Back row: Lisa Findlow, McKenzie Waddell, TJ Findlow, Camryn Wignall, Zach Waddell and Wyatt Green.
Jasper County purchases hardware to print absentee ballots in-house
Jasper County 4-H Hall of Fame inductee Ed Machin is hands-on making a difference at the fairgrounds
By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer Ed Machin has made an impact on the Jasper County Fair nobody can miss. From infrastructure to serving as a board member and helping his own children with their animals and projects, Machin is a well-deserving selection for the 4-H Hall of Fame. “I didn’t see it coming,” Machin said. ‘I’ve done a lot of work there, though, and I enjoy doing it.” From fourth grade through high school, Machin built his foundation in 4-H. He continued his passion for 4-H, FFA and the fair when his children HALL OF FAME | 3
County auditor says new equipment can cut costs in half every election cycle By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer Ed Machin receives his award at the Jasper County 2025 4-H Hall of Fame selection during the ceremony Aug. 17 at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines.
UNVEILING KRAMER PARK
Jasper County Conservation names park where nature center resides after board member Carol Kramer, honoring her more than 30 years of dedication to project
The Jasper County Auditor’s Office will be obtaining new hardware to print off absentee ballots in-house during elections rather than ordering them out of state. Supervisors approved the new piece of hardware called “Ballot on Demand” for a total of $8,825, which includes a warranty license, maintenance and support fees. Jasper County Auditor Jenna Jennings said the hardware would only print absentee ballots, which is what many other offices do around the state. Typically, the County Auditor’s Office has ballots printed and shipped directly from Omaha. Election Day ballots will still be printed and shipped this way. At the last general election, Jennings said about 27,500 ballots were ordered at a cost of 27 cents each. Coupled with other fees, that totals to about $9,400. “We think we can cut the costs in about half with every election that we are printing our own,” Jennings said. “We think it also
would be nice to have that as a safeguard if we get low on our stock. And we’re always trying to hit that fine line of getting as close to zero left in the office at the end of the day.” But the Jasper County Auditor’s Office also wants to make sure it has enough in case more citizens show up to vote. Jennings argued the more than $8,000 price tag of the hardware will pay for itself over time. She said the auditor’s office went through 8,237 absentee ballots during the 2024 election. “We’re seeing an uptick in absentee voters as we continue to go through the years,” Jennings said. Election Systems & Software’s Ballot on Demand system includes a printer, laptop and BOD software. According to the company’s website, the system automates and streamlines ballot production and distribution, offering flexible options for on-demand ballot printing needs. Security features include a physical and system access controls, audit logs, encryption, validation and digital signature and system application controls.
Christopher Braunschweig/PCM Explorer Carol Kramer and daughter Katy Kramer Lee smile after unveiling the sign to Kramer Park. The park is named after Carol and her late husband Frederick “Fritz” Kramer, who have been lifelong advocates and supporters of Jasper County Conservation and its pursuits to build a nature center.
By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer Carol Kramer always envisioned a better home for Jasper County Conservation, but she
A publication of est. 1851
never expected to see part of it named after her and her late husband. For as long as Kramer has been a member of the Jasper County Conservation Board, she has
dreamed of having a nature center that served as a hub for staff and an educational experience for the many families and children who PARK | 3
Christopher Braunschweig/PCM Explorer Poll data is sealed in blue bags on Election Day. The Jasper County Auditor’s Office recently purchased new hardware to print absentee ballots in-house, which could cut down on costs.
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