Features

Staffing With Love looks to revolutionize care for those with special needs

Published by admin on Thu, 06/06/2024 - 2:05pm

     Last summer, sisters Tina Ries and Barbara Decker came together with an idea… They wanted to establish an organization that truly catered "to positively impacting people with disabilities by making thoughtful decisions about how to help them live their best lives."

   In November 2023, Staffing With Love was created, securing its own 501(c)3 non-profit status.

   Ries' son, Billy Hughes, 38, was born with Fragile X syndrome, which is a male genetic intellectual disability.

Conservation, Every Child Reads offers ‘Summer Challenge’

Published by admin on Wed, 05/29/2024 - 9:30am

     Every Child Reads Jones County, Jones County Conservation, and Friends of Jones County Conservation & Nature Center are coming together to offer an exciting family-fun program this summer.

   The “Jones County Wild for Reading Storywalk Summer Challenge” kicks off June 1 and runs through Aug. 31.

2023 GJCF Queen encourages applicants for ’24

Published by admin on Wed, 05/29/2024 - 9:25am

     My name is Emily Meyer and I have had the honor of representing the Great Jones County Fair as the 2023 Queen.

   Ever since I can remember, the GJCF has been a part of my summer. As a little girl, I looked up to the fair queen, while my dad watched the cattle show I would watch the queen handing out the ribbons. At home I would turn the living room into a show ring and practice handing out ribbons myself, wearing my mom’s old beef queen crown. On July 18, little Emily’s dreams came true when my name was announced as the 2023 GJCF Queen.

Library kicks off Summer Reading on June 3

Published by admin on Wed, 05/29/2024 - 9:13am

     The Monticello Public Library will kick off the Summer Reading Program (SRP) on Monday, June 3.

   The SRP runs through July 31.

   "Once August hits, the summer starts to slump off," said Monticello Librarian Penny Schmit. "And we want to get all of the prizes out in time so people can pick them up and enjoy them before school starts."

   The theme for the 2024 SRP is: "Read, Renew, Repeat." The program is designed for all ages and highlights the idea of conservation.

F&M Bank hosts annual ‘Have Lunch With Us’

Published by admin on Wed, 05/29/2024 - 8:47am

     On May 14, football players from Anamosa High School assisted with set up for the F&M Bank “Have Lunch With Us” event. The students arrived early Tuesday morning to help set up tables and chairs in the parking lot next to the bank. The students returned early that afternoon and, after joining other guests for lunch, took the tables and chairs down.

   To show their appreciation, F&M Bank donated $300 to the Anamosa Football Team.

Folken, Ries retire from MCSD

Published by admin on Wed, 05/22/2024 - 2:30pm

     As the 2023-34 schoolyear comes to a close this week, the Monticello Community School District (MCSD) bids farewell to two long-time staff members: Elementary Principal Denny Folken, and Doug Ries, eighth-grade science and seventh/eighth-grade GTT (Gateway to Technology) teacher.

Denny Folken

   At the end of this school year, Folken will have completed his 21st year with the MCSD.

   Folken started working for the MCSD in 2003.

Monticello fifth-graders enjoy School of the Wild

Published by admin on Wed, 05/22/2024 - 2:29pm

Migrant Inclusion Group seeks tutoring volunteers

Published by admin on Wed, 05/22/2024 - 2:26pm

     The Jones County Migrant Inclusion Group invites the public to attend an informational session at the Monticello Public Library (205. E. Grand St.) on Tuesday, June 4, from 9 to 10 a.m. to learn about tutoring non-English-speaking adults in Jones County.

   There will be a conversation with Grant Wood AEA Consultants Liz Medina and Lynn Tiemann about the resources and techniques available to assist non-English-speaking adults with English proficiency.

   If you have any questions, reach out to Mary Melchert via Facebook.

Students of the month: Val Cupples, Lena Lippstock and Nevaeh Norton

Published by admin on Wed, 05/22/2024 - 2:11pm

     Each month, Monticello High School nominates a student who exhibits positive behavior, as part of an initiative called PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports). The students support the school's characteristics of Respect, Responsibility, Caring, Safety, and Integrity.

   MHS announced the final Student of the Month for the 2023-24 school, and it's not only one student who gets honored, but three.

Scotch Grove Church plans Memorial weekend service

Published by admin on Wed, 05/22/2024 - 2:01pm

     The Scotch Grove Country Church, located on 95th Avenue in rural Scotch Grove, invites the public to attend a special Memorial weekend service on Saturday, May 25, at 4 p.m.

   The non-denominational church will be welcoming special guest speaker Andy McKean of Anamosa. The McKean family spans several generations within the former Scotch Grove Presbyterian Church.

Subscriber Login