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Local Columns

Heather’s Highlights: County Government and You

February was a very busy month for us Tama County Supervisors. We didn’t just get our feet wet but jumped right in! We started the month by finding out that we could not make payroll because the General Basic Fund was getting extremely low and that the Budget approved last year by the prior ...

When You Are Tired and Discouraged

31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. -Isaiah 40:31 (ESV) In the New International Version of the Bible, it says, “but those who hope in the Lord ...

A Fair View

After the February 24 Tama County Board of Supervisors meeting, it is clear that Supervisor Curt Hilmer does not want to be bothered with calls on his COUNTY cell phone even if you are an employee of the county. He will only answer calls from his district and does not care about any other area. ...

On the Record with Sheriff Schmidt

I am fortunate to have a great team of deputies, jailers, and office staff, but I want to take a moment to emphasize just how vital Chief Deputy Joe Quandt has been during these initial weeks of my time as Sheriff. There’s so much that happens behind the scenes at the Sheriff’s Office that ...

A Fair View

I feel it is important to let Tama County citizens know some of the things going on with the new Board of Supervisors. As part of a Feb. 14 Sun Courier newspaper article titled “Tama County HR manager fired; supervisors confront ‘budget crisis’” summarizing the Feb. 3, 2025 board ...

Dengler Domain: Microcosm

What I love about rural America is how it is a microcosm of society. Everything is done on a smaller scale, and it shows how society works. When these small towns dot the landscape, they are each unique and self-reliant communities. While they lack chain stores, restaurants, and other ...

Dengler Domain: The System

Senate Study Bill 1051 has entered the state legislature. Proponents for this bill say it prevents litigators from bringing frivolous lawsuits which have racked up millions of dollars to cancer patient lawsuits. Opponents say the bill makes it harder to bring these lawsuits, thus helping shield ...

Baby It’s Cold Outside

With the sub arctic temperatures and the wicked winds from the west it feels like Winter has finally shown its ugly head. Many people are asking how long until spring shows up and when can I put my snow blower away for good. Unfortunately, I cannot answer that question and I don’t believe ...

Dengler Domain: Small Businesses

The United States was built on the back of small businesses, be it farmers or small merchants. When financial and political power is spread between many, this makes a healthier democracy. As Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis said, “We must make our choice. We may have democracy, or we ...

On Nature: Climate change warnings

In 1979, when Jimmy Carter was President, the National Academy of Sciences convened a panel to look into recent studies that indicated that emissions of carbon dioxide could warm the planet. They concluded, “If (atmospheric) carbon dioxide continues to increase, … climate change will result ...