Thursday, July 18, 2024
Vol. 5, No. 48
PCMExplorer Local People. Local Stories.
Join the PCM Marching Band for a day
New event gives community members a chance to see what being a Marching Mustang means
Jasper County says alleged embezzled money was collected from permit fees
Newton woman is accused of writing herself checks over the course of 11 months By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
ly invite you to ‘Join the Marching Mustangs for A Day,’” PCM Band Director Timarie LaFoy said. “(Come) learn the ins and outs of all things Marching Band.” Held on the final day of the high
Jasper County officials say the money allegedly misused by a former community development employee — who has been arrested and charged with theft and 11 counts of forgery — was not county property tax dollars. The employee has been accused of misusing more than $17,000 collected from permit fees. In a notice posted by the county on its Facebook page on July 10, the day 31-year-old Shelby Hobbs was taken into custody, it was stated human resources, the county attorney and the sheriff ’s office were immediately notified of the alleged misuse, which would be considered embezzlement. “The board of supervisors, county auditor and county treasurer immediately looked into how this situation could have happened and immediately changed Jasper County’s policies and procedures to help ensure it does not happen again,” the county stated in its social media post
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Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer The community has a chance to be a part of the PCM High School Band at the Join the Marching Mustangs for A Day from 11 a.m. to noon July 19 at the high school football field.
By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer For the first time, the public can join the PCM Marching Mustangs for a day. From 11 a.m. to noon, July 19 at the high school football field, the public is invited to join
the high school marching band to learn about what it takes to put on the half-time performances at each home football game and compete in marching competitions across the state. “On behalf of the PCM Marching Mustangs, I would like to cordial-
Work to start on potential changes to Monroe City Hall A remodel of the current building or a complete rebuild are options on the table By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer The Monroe City Council is moving forward with a proposal to begin work on changes to city hall. The council approved a $8,000 contract with Veenstra & Kimm, Inc. for professional architectural design services associated with a proposed addition and remodel of the current city hall building.
“I think there is a need for it,” council member Andrea Steenhoek said. “I’d like to see it happen while I’m on council.” The scope of the design includes updating the existing building facade, roof, entry and floor plan usage. A preliminary concept will have offices for city hall staff, a protected reception/ clerk office, a kitchenette and council chambers to accommodate five council members and 30 citizens. The de-
sign would have the police department moving to the building, adding three offices for the MPD, an interview room, evidence room, kitchenette/ break room, an entry vestibule, shared restrooms and a three-car garage with storage. The police department section will also have a separate entrance to operate outside of city hall hours. “A lot of people haven’t been in the police station. I would like the public to see what Nick deals with. There isn’t
much room,” Steenhoek said. Phase one of the proposal would be to complete an inventory site visit, programming for needs an space utilization, providing preliminary site layout, floor plans, exterior elevations views, rendering and estimated costs for construction and a meeting with city staff and council. In phase two, after a final design is selected the firm will work to CITY HALL | 8
Jasper County Fair awarded $700K grant for youth learning center Geisler-Penquite Foundation gives fair a space to hold more educational opportunities and events By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer Jasper County Fairgrounds has been awarded a generous $700,000 grant from the Geisler-Penquite Foundation to go towards the construction of a new youth learning center, which will host fair projects and other educational opportunities and events throughout the year when fully completed. According to the press release announcing the grant acquisition, the funds are the result of a partnership between the Geisler-Penquite Foundation and the Jasper County Agricultural Society, which is the entity that owns GRANT | 3
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Christopher Braunschweig/PCM Explorer Jasper County Fair was awarded a $700,000 grant from the Geisler-Penquite Foundation, which will go towards the construction of a new youth learning center.
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