Opinion

President stays on sidelines after school kids are shot

Published by admin on Wed, 09/10/2025 - 12:22pm

Even the best salesman would struggle explaining away the reasons for the latest contradiction from the president of the United States.

He believes crime in Washington, D.C., is so out of control that 2,000 National Guard soldiers and federal agents need to keep residents and visitors safe. His order came eight days after teenagers attacked Edward Coristine, a member of Elon Musk’s federal government efficiency initiative, on a Washington street while trying to steal his car.

No mow: Leave milkweed alone to help monarch butterflies

Published by admin on Wed, 09/10/2025 - 12:22pm

About this time of the year, every year, I like to remind home and landowners and land managers of the importance of delayed mowing and cutting of milkweed plants. 

Letter: Monticello Lions slate Sept. 9 blood drive

Published by admin on Wed, 09/03/2025 - 3:04pm

To the editor,

The Monticello Lions Club will be assisting at the Red Cross blood drive on Tuesday, Sept. 9. The blood drive will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Monticello Berndes Center at the Jones County Fairgrounds.

Individuals who are at least 17 years of age (16 years with written parental permission), weight at least 100 pounds and are generally in good health may be able to donate blood.

To make an appointment call Nicole at (563) 275-0597 or visit redcrossblood.org and search sponsor code: MonticelloIA.

Letter: Thoughts on Dillon Military Bridge for community and county leaders

Published by admin on Wed, 09/03/2025 - 3:03pm

To the editor,

As a former Jones County property owner, I feel qualified to comment and honor European immigrants guided by the Dillion Trail – those passing through and those, like my wife's family, still living in Jones County. 

I’m disappointed to read news that a lawsuit is needed to decide the merits of saving or removing the Dillion bridge; built in 1887, almost fifty years after Dillon plowed his furrow from Dubuque to Iowa City. 

Understanding your community is one step to helping it grow

Published by admin on Wed, 09/03/2025 - 3:02pm

One of my favorite quotes from the first “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies has stuck with me since my first watches ages ago:

“Wherever we want to go, we’ll go. That’s what a ship is, you know. It’s not just a keel and a hull and a deck and sails; that’s what a ship needs. But what a ship is … what the Black Pearl really is … is freedom.”

It's time for government to learn why ‘more light, less darkness’ needed

Published by admin on Wed, 09/03/2025 - 3:02pm

Government regulates business to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public. That is the theory behind enacting and enforcing regulations, and it is a commendable mission.

But, too often the regulators seemingly do not want the people they are supposed to protect to know which businesses fall short of the minimum expectations spelled out by these regulations. The regulators seemingly do not want people to know when and how businesses fail to meet the baseline standards.

Farmers Market Report

Published by admin on Wed, 09/03/2025 - 2:59pm

It’s September which means it’s almost the end of this farmers market season. Better make sure to save some time this month to stop in!

Letter: Express coverage appreciated

Published by admin on Wed, 08/27/2025 - 11:03am

To the editor,

To all at the Monticello Express: I look forward to Wednesday’s mail delivery knowing that my Express will be in my mailbox. 

The information and articles are so well “Expressed” in words that make a reader feel that the reporter enjoys the topic or event being presented. 

Who’s watching city hall? In some places, nobody

Published by admin on Wed, 08/27/2025 - 11:03am

If it seems like the local news you read and watch doesn’t cover the breadth of issues, and doesn’t cover them as well as they used to, you’re not imagining it.

A new study details a shocking decline in the number of journalists covering local news today, compared to 20 years ago.

Letter: Help Monticello’s tree canopy by applying for Tree Board grant

Published by admin on Wed, 08/20/2025 - 1:13pm

To the editor,

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