Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024
Vol. 6, No. 8
PCMExplorer Local People. Local Stories.
Bands united
The PCM High School and Middle School Bands come together for performance at final home football game
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer The three stationary speed cameras located in Prairie City were denied a permit for use following state legislation limiting speed cameras use earlier this year.
SHUT DOWN
Speed cameras use denied in Prairie City by IDOT By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer
Republicans lose the bells and whistles and get serious at trapshoot Fundraiser emphasizes the tight races between Dunwell, Trump, Miller-Meeks By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer The Jasper County GOP Trapshoot was uncharacteristically restrained this year apart from the fiery speeches from guests like U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who fought back against new ads from her opponent, and former acting U.S. Attorney General Matt Whittaker, who lobbied for another Trump presidency. Sure, folks fired off rounds of trap and skeet, and many seemed to be having a good time doing it in between chats with candidates or their representatives. But the energy was surprisingly low for an event that has attracted nearly every major Republican candidate and helped ramp up enthusiasm amongst the ranks. In the past, guests like a “fired up” Gary Leffler took an extreme approach. Leffler, who ran an un-
Christopher Braunschweig/PCM Explorer U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks participates in the Jasper County GOP Trapshoot on Sept. 21 in Newton. Miller-Meeks is in a tight race with Democratic challenger Christina Bohannan.
successful primary for Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District seat two years ago but is most famously known for his American Flag-decorated tractor, featured signs and enlarged dollar bills demonizing Democrats. The trapshoot has hosted Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and former Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, numerous state-
house legislators and council members and supervisors, presidential candidates and even a former contestant on “The Apprentice.” Still, even without special guests the trapshoot has always managed to gather Republicans in one space for an exciting start to the day. Perhaps it was the change in GOP | 3
An often controversial piece of equipment in Prairie City is no longer allowed to be used. In a letter from the Iowa Department of Transportation on Sept. 30, the city’s permit application to continue using speed cameras was denied after speed camera use was legislated in House File 2681 earlier this year. “We are disappointed by the DOT’s decision,” Prairie City Mayor Chad Alleger said. “From our understanding of how the bill was written, we should have been approved”. In the denial letter, systems operations division director Dave Lorenzen said the three fixed cameras located on Highway 163 and South State Street across from Prairie City Elementary were deemed “not necessary.” The city was instructed to “cease using all systems at those locations until the city obtains a permit to operate” them from the IDOT. “The city may choose to reapply for a permit at a later date,” Lorenzen said. “However, since the city is not being issued a permit at this time, the earlier the
IDOT could issue a permit for any new location or for previously denied location is July 1, 2026.” According to House Fire 2681, section 321P, the IDOT may approve or disapprove the application for a permit based on the department’s determination that a system is appropriate and necessary and the least restrictive means to address the critical traffic safety issues at a location. For existing systems, an application had to be submitted with a list of system locations, justification for placement of the systems and use of the systems. That is the application that was denied by the IDOT causing the city to cease using the speed cameras as of Oct. 1. “The use of this system had greatly reduced the number of speeding vehicles coming through the area by the school and on the highway which has made the roadways safer to all using them,” Prairie City Police Chief Kevin Gott said. “While the total volume of traffic has remained basically the same, the number of vehicles traveling greater than 10 miles over the limit has CAMERAS | 3
County removes all but one temporary stop sign after Hwy 14 reconstruction Engineer says sign need at S. 96th Ave. W. and W. 16th St. S. intersection By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer Construction of Highway 14 between Monroe and Newton has concluded, which means several of the temporary stop signs placed at various interactions around the Monroe and Reasnor areas have been removed. However, the county engineer Michael Frietsch felt it was best to keep one set of signs permanent. As a result, the Jasper County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 24 approved a resolution adding a stop sign on the eastbound South 96th Avenue West at the intersection of West 16th Street South. Frietsch said there are sight distance issues and warrants a stop control at the T-intersection. Stop signs have since been removed from the following intersections: • Rosebud Avenue and South 112th
A publication of est. 1851
Avenue West • West 24th Street South and South 104th Avenue West • West 16th Street South and South 104th Avenue West • West Eighth Street South and Rodeo Avenue West • West Eighth Street South and South 112th Avenue West • West Eighth Street South and South 104th Avenue West • South 104th Avenue West and Rifle Street Back in April, Frietsch said these roads were receiving heavy amounts of traffic after Highway 14 South closed due to construction. The posted detours guided motorists through Prairie City and Colfax, but many had learned to take gravel roads when traveling north from Monroe to access areas like Newton.
Screenshot from Beacon Jasper County has decided to keep a stop sign on South 96th Avenue West at the intersection of West 16th Street South. The county engineer said there are sight distance issues that warrant a stop control at the T-intersection.
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