Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024
Vol. 6, No. 6
PCMExplorer Local People. Local Stories.
Homecoming royalty
Steep embankment slopes to be fixed for Neal Smith road project
Meet the 2024 PCM Homecoming Court
Supervisors approve $15K supplemental agreement for proposed stabilization By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer PCM Homecoming Court 2024: Back Row — Seniors Tate Birkenholtz, Riley Graber, Kaden Clark, Jake Winters and Adrien Robbins. Middle Row — Seniors Stella Stravers, Rebecca DeVries, Addison Shannon, Madeline Burkett and Addison Steenhoek. Front Row — Juniors Charlie Ford and Seriah Nolin, Sophomores Ivan Shannon and Ali Hilsabeck and Freshmen Evan Wendt and Libby Winters.
The search is on
Supervisors this past week approved a supplemental agreement for the first phase of the road stabilization project near Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, which would ultimately add more soil material to fix embankment slopes that Jasper County Engineer Michael Frietsch said were not up to standards. “We realized we had some embankment slopes
that were too steep for meeting clear zone requirements … We needed 10,000 yards of soil material for fixing those embankment slopes out there,” he said. “We identified one borrow area out there that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife would give us about half of what we needed.” The rest of the soil work would be furnished by a contractor. Frietsch said it helps the county meet requirements. In order to NSNWR | 3
Community stakeholder survey available as PCM starts looking for a new superintendent By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer The search is underway for a new superintendent for the PCM Community School District. A survey is now available for stakeholders to give opinions on what is needed and wanted in a superintendent for the district. “Your feedback regarding what ‘desired qualifications are most important for this position will ensure
the new hire is a good fit for both the school district and community,” Interim PCM Superintendent Art Sathoff said. “The search team will produce a general report based on the information gathered in this survey. The report will be shared with the board to advise them on what priorities the district and community stakeholders are looking for in a new leader.” The survey is available at https:// docs.google.com/forms/d/e/
1FAIpQLSffhJIUSNG0ukAJ-baDAKSN7Z8IgL57gsrmfconpKaCB2kjYQ/viewform or to request a paper copy contact Sathoff at asathoff@pcmschools.org or board secretary Becky Vasseau at bvasseau@pcmschools.org. To begin, the survey asks participants to identify which group they best fit into from options including student, support staff, teacher, SUPERINTENDENT | 3
Christopher Braunschweig/PCM Explorer Jasper County will be using more than $2.27 million in federal funds to stabilize roads leading to the Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge.
A look at Jasper County health Department shares annual report with Board of Health By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer The 2024 Annual Report for the Jasper County Health Department shared successes and work accomplished throughout the past fiscal year. From more than $162,000 in grant funding to coming in more than $46,000 under budget, the strong but mighty team leading the health department put in the work to help educate and care for Jasper County citizens. “The vision is healthy residents and communities in Jasper County,” Jasper County Health Department Administrator Becky Pryor said.
Throughout the past year, the department has once again worked to fulfill its purpose of protecting and improving the health of Jasper County. It has worked to connect with patients and those in need through Jasper County Cares, at meetings, with its resource guide, through referrals, social media, the county website, emails and events. Throughout the past year, the department has done 212 immunizations with 7,236 audits, including at schools. Other areas the department has worked includes emergency preparedness, opioid education, mental health, substance mis-
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer A packed room took part in a town hall meeting for the Jasper County Health Department Sept. 10. The input gathered will be used to create a Targeted Health Improvement Plan that addresses gaps and utilizes existing strengths.
use, homelessness, transportation, safety wellness, childcare and staffing improvements. One way the department is connecting with the public is through the resource guide, now available on the county website.
GET YOUR GLOW ON
The resource guide is a detailed list of resources available to Jasper County residents. “I feel like this is something that has been evolving,” Pryor said. “If someone comes in constantly updating it. We’re
trying to make it as user-friendly as possible. We want it to be the best and everyone has been really great at looking at it.” To get the word out, the department has had 2.5 million impressions whether through social media or traditional media. It is also a member of the Jasper County Cares Coalition — a group that consists of numerous health, human services, nonprofits, law enforcement, health care, schools, etc. that serve Jasper County and aims to strategically address the health, safety and well-being of the community by connecting resources, programs, awareness and advocacy. “We feel like we really do that HEALTH | 3
Kids light up the night during the PCM Elementary PTO Glow Run Sept. 19
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer
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