Thursday, May 30, 2024
Vol. 5, No. 41
PCMExplorer Local People. Local Stories.
Future Wild winds wallop western Jasper County track stars
Severe weather hits Prairie City, western Jasper County in early morning storm May 24
PCM Elementary students compete at Track and Field Day May 23
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer Uprooted trees, power line poles inverted and hanging in the sky and destroyed structures are just some of the damages a severe storm caused in Prairie City in the early morning of May 24. According to the National Weather Service, winds gusts up to 75 miles per hour swept through the area causing widespread power outages and significant damage across the community.
By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer 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 County,” Jasper County Emergency Management Director Jamey Robinson said. “We understand the inconvenience and difficulties posed by this WEATHER | 3
Honoring those who gave it all Monroe, Prairie City hold Memorial Day Ceremories to honor the fallen
Jasper County sheriff Republican candidates Q&A Jeremy Burdess
Tracy Cross
Brad Shutts
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 Burdess 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 our county. Due to the growth of the program it is my
Age: 40 Hometown: Baxter 1. Introduce yourself to Jasper County voters and tell us why you’re running. My name is Tracy Cross, I am a fifth generation Jasper County resident. The Cross family homesteaded outside of what is Baxter today in 1857. I am married to Jennifer Cross and have three daughters who will be the fourth generation to graduate from Baxter. My faith, family, and Jasper County are the three most important things me. We are very involved in our church and our community. After spending my adult career as a tradesman, I was called into law enforcement in 2015 to serve a bigger purpose and calling. I started as a police officer in Baxter in 2015, and in Cross 2017 I became a Deputy at the Jasper County Sheriff ’s Office. Through hard work, consistency, and dedication, I was promoted to Sergeant in 2020. I am currently the team leader for the Central Iowa Regional Tactical
Age: 47 Hometown: Grinnell 1. Introduce yourself to Jasper County voters and tell us why you’re running. I am Brad Shutts, a lieutenant with the Jasper County Sheriff ’s Office. I am a 28-year veteran of law enforcement with 22 of those years with the Jasper County Sheriff ’s Office where I have been involved in numerous roles and responsibilities. I am running for Jasper County sheriff with a strong passion for law enforcement that began as a young child who grew up in a law enforcement family, with my father serving as a deputy sheriff for 29 years. I strive to serve the Jasper County community every day and will continue to support and stand Shutts for the freedom and liberties of all Jasper County citizens. 2. What do you feel the role of the county sheriff ’s office should be, especially when considering the addition of the ALS program?
BURDESS | 2
CROSS | 3
SHUTTS | 2
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