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Local Columns

On the Record with Sheriff Schmidt, April 2025

If there is one thing that continues to stand out to me, it is how lucky I am to work alongside such great people. The staff at the Sheriff’s Office make my job easier every single day, and I cannot thank them enough. But it goes beyond just our office. Across the board, Tama County is filled ...

Heather’s Highlights: County Government and You, April 2025

April has been a great month of warmer temperatures and finally some much needed rain! The budget development process is now behind us for the year, but we will continue to monitor it as the year progresses. Our Supervisor meetings are running smoothly and the agendas are still very full. You ...

A Fair View

Editor's Note: Chris Behrens submitted his resignation as interim Tama County Zoning Administrator/Weed Commissioner on Wednesday, April 30. His resignation is set to be addressed during a Friday, May 2 meeting of the Board of Supervisors. Well, our Board of Supervisors has done it again. ...

Dengler Domain: Mr. Dengler Goes to Washington

When you have an issue, you go straight to the source. This is what I did recently by taking a trip to Washington D.C. I went to receive advocacy training and advocate for family farms at the expense of the Iowa Farmers Union (IFU). Done through their national organization, this was the first ...

A Fair View

Well, it is Monday April 21. Our great Tama County Board of Supervisors just proved Tama County citizens are not in their best interest. Zoning Administrator Bob Vokoun was on the agenda today and ended up giving his notice of resignation effective May 1, 2025. Our wonderful Board accepted his ...

Jesus Promised Us A Helper

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26 In the Book of Acts Chapter 1:8 “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my ...

A Fair View

Just want to get this out to the public: Unless those who have contracts with Salt Creek Wind and residents who are OK with turbine development start coming to the Board of Supervisors meetings, TCAT (Tama County Against Turbines) and this board are going to DICTATE what farmers can do with ...

Heather’s Highlights: County Government and You, March 2025

March has come and gone and we are now in the home stretch of the FY 25-26 budgets being approved. The Board of Supervisors and Auditor have spent over 40 hours in the office working on the budget, as well as several hours at home to ensure a balanced budget. We’ve reviewed each line item to ...

On Nature: Embrace the night

It is no secret that if you live in a city or town, you see fewer stars. The reason for this is that light escapes from where it is needed and forms a dome of light overhead. Although not obvious, this waste light brightens the night sky far into the country. Only a few places are far enough ...

A Fair View

After reading the article in the newspaper the weekend of March 29, I would say the Tama County Board of Supervisors should rethink their position on wind and solar instead of trying to dictate to farmers what they can and can't do on land they OWN. With what they say we have for a budget ...