Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025
Vol. 6, No. 23
PCMExplorer Local People. Local Stories.
4 things to know from the January Monroe City Council meeting By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer
1. City council approved to give The Gathering Place of Monroe $2,400 to provide congregate meals. The meals were previously provided at Monroe City Hall but moved to The Gathering Place in 2024. The dollar amount doubled from the previous year when the council approved $1,200. The new amount will continue the 28E agreement between the city and
the local meeting center. 2. Due to an increase in costs for carnival rides at Monroe Old Settlers, city council approved $8,500 to be used to fund the activity. The main reason for the cost increase was insurance costs for the provider. Previously, Joe’s Old Fashioned Fun Carnival Rides charged $5,000 to provide rides during the community event. Representatives from the Old Settlers Committee said this is the first rate increase in
decades. Also, unlike other communities, the carnival provider allows Monroe to sell wristbands ahead of the celebration weekend and keep those profits. Committee members also said they have researched other ride providers but prices were much higher and most of them are already booked that time of year. 3. Engineering costs associated with the city hall CITY COUNCIL | 3
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer Along with replacing the roadway with asphalt on Westview Street, the project includes reconstructing the curb and gutter with cement concrete.
Congrats D.A.R.E. grads PCE fifth graders receive their D.A.R.E. certificates from instructor Detective Dylan Blackford
Healthcare provider shortage high priority for county Jasper County at about half of the state average for providers, less than half compared to the U.S. By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer D.A.R.E. Instructor Detective Dylan Blackford presents the graduation certificate to PCE fifth graders during an end-of-progam event Jan. 17 at the PCM Middle School Auditorium.
Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of articles exploring the results of the Jasper County Community Health Needs Assessment. Coming in as the second highest priority for Jasper County, shortage of healthcare professionals in not a new issue for the area. From OB services no longer being offered at MercyOne in Newton to more than 85 percent of Jasper County residents receiving healthcare services outside of the county in the past two years, the Commu-
nity Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) shined an even brighter light on the growing problem. “This is really alarming to me,” Jasper County Health Department Administrator Becky Pryor said. According to the assessment conducted over the past eight months by MercyOne Newton Medical Center and the Jasper County Health Department, secondary data indicates there are significantly less primary care providers in Jasper County than in Iowa or the United States. PROVIDERS | 3
Stay active outdoors in the winter by ice fishing Jasper County Naturalist Greg Oldsen shares some tricks of the trade and how to stay safe while out on the ice By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer As the temperature outside falls into single digits, anglers who do their fishing when water is frozen are just getting warmed up. Ice fishing is a seasonal favorite that gives enthusiasts a chance to continue casting their rods, even if it looks a little different, and reel in “the big one” even when it isn’t sunny and warm. “Ice fishing is a great way to get outdoors through the winter months,” Jasper County Naturalist Greg Oldsen said. “One main attraction that many ice anglers share is the ability to access areas of a pond or lake on foot. Those without a boat/canoe/kayak during the open water season are limited to fishing from the bank, but during ice season you can explore as much of the water body as your feet will allow.” Like most outdoor activi-
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wheelers, five to seven inches is considered safe, and seven to nine inches is needed for side-by-sides. “Ice conditions can vary drastically throughout a water body so it is important to check ice thickness as you move throughout the day,” Oldsen said. “When we start getting into late season ice, thawing and refreezing can impact the holding capacity of ice. Four inches of cloudy/ honeycombed ice is not as safe as fresh clear ice so, again, check as you go.” Finding a spot to fish can depend on how much work a person wants to do. Oldsen said both ponds and lakes can produce quality fish but a Metro Creative benefit of ponds is the smaller Fishing doesn’t have to just be a warm-weather activity. Ice fishing gives anglers a chance to cast amount of water a person has their line even when the temperature drops. to cover to find the fish. That means there is more time to ties there are safety protocols and regulations set for open ommended for foot traffic on fish and hopefully more luck to follow and ice fishing has water fishing. According to the bodies of water. For those bringing them in. several important ones, in- Oldsen, four inches of clear looking to use motor vehicles cluding all of the same rules ice is the minimum depth rec- such as snowmobiles and four ICE FISHING | 3 CONTACT US Newsroom: 641-792-3121, ext. 7 • Advertising: 641-792-3121, ext. 2 Subscriptions/Delivery: 641-792-5320 • Billing: 641-792-3121, ext. 6
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