Thursday Aug. 1, 2024
Vol. 5, No. 50
PCMExplorer Local People. Local Stories.
41-year-old Des Moines area man killed in head-on crash in Jasper County
Sheriff’s office said 62-year-old Monroe man survived with minor injuries By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer A 41-year-old Des Moines area man is dead after his vehicle collided head on with another vehicle just before noon on July 24 along Jasper County
Highway S-74 South, the sheriff ’s office said in a press release. Authorities also said the accident remains under investigation. Michael Croy was driving northbound near the 5100 block of the county road when, for
unknown reasons, his vehicle went left of center and struck an incoming vehicle driven by Karl Peters, 62, of Monroe, who was traveling southbound. Dispatchers were notified of the accident at 11:29 a.m. Peters’ vehicle ended up in
the west ditch. Croy’s vehicle was still on the roadway. Croy was pronounced dead at the scene. Peters sustained minor injuries from the accident. Iowa State Patrol was contacted to assist the sheriff ’s office by providing a technical accident investigator.
In addition to the Jasper County Sheriff ’s Office, the Newton Police Department, Jasper County Emergency Paramedics and Jasper County Emergency Management Agency staff responded to the accident. Jasper County Roads Department assisted with closing the roadway during the investigation.
From behind the fence PCM softball parents share how it feels to watch their kids on the biggest stage
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer Jasper County Fair Princess and PCM Senior Meredith Chipps rides with her junior fair princess Avery Cartwright in the Prairie City Prairie Days parade July 27.
PCM’s county fair princess PCM Senior Meredith Chipps earned the title of Jasper County Fair Princess and had a week at the fair like no other By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer Between caring for, preparing, showing and animals, the day is busy from sunrise to far past sunset for 4-H and FFA kids at the county fair. For Jasper County Fair Princess Meredith Chipps the week got even busier with additional responsbilities of the
crown. But she wouldn’t have it any other way. Chipps shared why she wanted to try for fair queen and what it means to her to earn the title of princess. Why did you want to try for fair queen? I wanted to try for fair queen because ever since I was little I always looked up to the queen and princess so, I hope that I can be that for
some little girl now. What did you think of the process? I really enjoyed the process. I thought that the way that everything was set up really made the girls feel comfortable with each other and become friends! What is a fun memory you made? I would say a fun
PATRIOTIC PARADE! Jasper County Fair celebrates parade in red, white and blue fashion in downtown Colfax
Christopher Braunschweig/PCM Explorer Wait, is that a second Independence Day parade? Nope! It’s the Jasper County Fair Parade celebrating this year’s theme of Stars, Stripes and County Fair Nights on July 22 in downtown Colfax.
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PRINCESS | 3
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer Watching from behind the fence can bring a variety of emotions for parents. From nerves to pride, one thing is true: they love watching their kids.
By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer It may seem like the players of the field feel the most pressure and stress at the ballpark as they work to score runs and record outs. But the parents sitting just outside of the fence are right with their kids, holding their breath with each pitch, celebrating every run and ready to be there at the end — win or lose.
“Oh gosh, that is hard. I’m confident that my blood pressure was very high during these last few weeks of the season. It wasn’t that I was stressed about the girls ‘winning’ (although we all love to win), it was more about wanting the girls to feel that they played their best and handled what they could control,” Tammy Steenhoek, catcher Addi Steenhoek’s SOFTBALL | 3
UNDER THE SEA SUCCESS Prairie Days 2024 had kids playing in foam, racing across the grass and much more during the 4-day event
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer Great weather gave way to a fantastic weekend at Under the Sea in PC — Prairie City Prairie Days 2024. Kicking off July 25, the four-day event had something for everyone, from a foam cannon to evening entertainment and a park full of great food.
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