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Local Columns

We Must Not Retreat in Defeat

In our small quiet life in Iowa communities, it is easy to look at the shifting culture around us and feel a sense of unease. The values that once anchored our nation seem to be drifting away, leaving many to wonder how we should respond. The answer is not found in anger or withdrawal, but in ...

Front and Back with Ray Rannfeldt: Oct. 1, 2026

1. The Reinbeck History Museum is about 90% complete and is open upon request until a more permanent schedule can be established. It spans 1876-1976 and is located at the back of the CEC. It’s free. 2. The flowers on Main Street were beautiful this year. Five watering teams kept them in top ...

Heather’s Highlights: County Government and You, September 2026

September was a very wet month, and we are all very appreciative of a dry forecast for October. Harvest season could be interesting this year. The Board of Supervisors signed a contract to hire an Engineer in Tama County, with a start date of Oct. 5. Thanks to everyone who assisted during ...

Pastor’s Column: The Principles of True Success

Blessed is the man [person] who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law [instruction] of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that ...

Dengler Domain: Rain Before Harvest

Rain, rain, go away, come again another day. Some may say farmers are like Goldilocks with the weather where it is too wet or too dry, farmers must deal with the consequences. Coming off several dry years, this year has felt like living in the Amazon rainforest. Before this deluge of rain in ...

Dengler Domain: Taking Advantage

With harvest around the corner, fertilizer decisions are possibly being made by farmers. With fertilizer in front of corn, nitrogen is being applied. Without access to ample supply of manure, synthetic nitrogen is needed. Who is the go to? CF Industries. According to Farm Action, CF Industries ...

Laity Reflection: How Do We Know the Bible is True?

Some of us have grown up knowing about the Bible all of our lives and because we grew up in a Christian family that valued it, we have taken for granted that it was true. Others of us have only casually known about the Bible and may see it as a bunch of stories about Jesus and nothing more. I ...

Heather’s Highlights: County Government and You, August 2026

August is now behind us, school is back in session, and I’ve completed my first month as Chair of the Tama County Board of Supervisors. In August the Board approved an updated Employee Handbook. Department heads were invited to meet with our HR department over the last few months for ...

Pastor’s Corner: Enter The Narrow Gate

We live in a world that celebrates the idea that "all roads lead to heaven," but the teachings of Jesus being the only way to heaven remain counter-cultural. Today, many religions demand a grueling checklist of charitable deeds, rituals, or moral perfection to earn God's favor. Yet, the ...

On Nature: New Climate Technologies

Our climate keeps heating up with dire effects, but our governmental leaders seem incapable of finding solutions to get us out of this mess that we have caused. One possible way out is to find new technologies that reduce the emission of carbon dioxide that is driving climate change. Almost ...