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Local Columns

Slices of Life by Jill Pertler-Late Night TV Guy pays no heed to bedtimes

For the most part, my husband is a rational and logical human being. There is an orderly and predictable pattern to his days. He showers in the morning; brushes his teeth after meals. He rises early and goes to bed at a reasonable hour. He is a reasonable man - for the most part. On occasion, ...

Q&A: Immigration With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley

Q: What needs to be done to fix our nation’s immigration policies? A: By all accounts, the current immigration system is broken. The last major overhaul was adopted 32 years ago in 1986. Unfortunately, the Immigration Reform and Control Act did not live up to its promises. In exchange for ...

By Jim Bonser (jbonser@usa.net)Touring the Skies

Ps. 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. “Greetings, greetings, fellow stargazers!” This was how Jack Horkheimer always opened his show on public television. Like this column, Jack usually stuck to what you could see in the night sky with ...

Tama Co. Economic Development By Heath Kellogg

Are you committed? There is an old joke in which a chicken and a pig are talking and the chicken says, “Let’s start a restaurant.” The pig replies, “Good idea, but what should we call it?” “How about ‘Ham and Eggs’” says the chicken. “No thanks,” says the pig, “I’d be ...

Slices of Life by Jill Pertler-Holding heaven

You forget how tiny they are. And helpless. So utterly, completely helpless. And exhausted. And hungry. And explosive. So literally explosive. Eat, poop, sleep, repeat. Cry, but not often if you are lucky. Babies - of the human variety. They are born helpless and remain dependent on parental ...

Slices of Life by Jill Pertler-A summer for the books

School’s out! Summer stretches out before us like a long and indulgent novel. We pull out shorts, flip flops and bathing suits and stock up on sunscreen and bug spray. We plan for time on the boat, days on the beach, bonfires at night, barbecues in the backyard and the activity I always look ...

Q&A: Farm Bill Update With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley

Q: What’s on the table for renewing the next Farm Bill? A: The Agricultural Act of 2014, more commonly known as the Farm Bill, will expire on Sept. 30. The sweeping farm and food law typically is updated every five years. It sets the legal framework for administering a broad range of public ...

Slices of Life by Jill Pertler- Who are the people in your neighborhood?

Mr. Rogers made the most of his neighborhood. I try to do the same - by walking the different streets in the name of “exercise.” As a bonus, along the way I make interesting and not-so-interesting observations. You can learn a lot by walking the neighborhood, which is completely different ...