News

Farm-to-Market System to see slight modifications

Published by admin on Wed, 01/22/2025 - 7:10am

   Jones County’s Farm-to-Market (FM) System is being slightly modified due to the upcoming Landis Road Bridge Replacement Project.

   During the Jan. 14 Jones County Supervisors meeting, County Engineer Derek Snead presented an updated resolution to modify the system.

   Currently, Landis Road is part of the FM System from County Road X-40 east and northerly to Highway 64. Also part of the system are 80th Street and 170th Avenue.

JCED helps to bring outside funding, big projects to Jones Co.

Published by admin on Wed, 01/22/2025 - 7:10am

     It’s been quite a year for Jones County Economic Development (JCED).

   During the Jan. 14 Jones County Board of Supervisors meeting, JCED Executive Director Derek Lumsden provided the board with an update on projects he’s been a part of in 2024 and what’s ahead for 2025. Lumsden also made his Fiscal Year 2026 funding request from the county, $50,000.

   Two big projects JCED has taken on was fiber connectivity throughout rural Jones County and affordable housing.

ECI, Coalition make FY26 funding request of the county

Published by admin on Wed, 01/22/2025 - 7:08am

     Two outside entities made presentations to the Jones County Board of Supervisors during their Jan. 14 meeting to request Fiscal Year 2026 funding.

   Tracy Achenbach with the East Central Iowa (ECI) Housing Trust Fund requested a slight increase from FY25, that of $4,832. Last year, the county appropriated $4,349.

   Jennifer Husmann with the Jones County Safe and Healthy Youth Coalition sought $5,000 from the county.

   It’s the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) that certifies the Housing Trust Fund.

Rep. Bradley sworn into office

Published by admin on Wed, 01/22/2025 - 7:07am

     On Monday, Jan. 13, Rep. Steven Bradley (R-Cascade) was sworn into the Iowa House of Representatives on the first day of the 91st General Assembly. The swearing-in ceremony was followed by opening remarks by Speaker of the House Pat Grassley, outlining some of the priorities of the Legislature for the 2025 session.

Ernst names Boomerang Corp. Small Business of the Week

Published by admin on Wed, 01/22/2025 - 7:07am

     U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, announced her Small Business of the Week: Boomerang Corporation of Jones County. Throughout the 119th Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties.

Koelker, Bradley offer insights on ’25 legislative session

Published by admin on Wed, 01/15/2025 - 8:23am

     This week marks the start of the 91st Iowa General Assembly. The 2025 Iowa Legislative Session began on Monday, Jan. 13.

   Jones County is served by Sen. Carrie Koelker of Dyersville and Rep. Steve Bradley of Cascade.

   Koelker has been elected Assistant Majority Leader again this session. She will be serving on the following committees:

   • Commerce as vice chair

   • Transportation, Capital, Rebuild Iowa’s Infrastructure Budget as chair

Supervisor Vacancy Committee plans to appoint

Published by admin on Wed, 01/15/2025 - 8:22am

     The Jones County Supervisor Vacancy Committee, made up of County Auditor Whitney Hein, Treasurer Amy Picray, and Recorder Sheri Jones, voted during their Jan. 8 meeting to proceed with appointing someone to fill the Supervisor District 4 seat on the Jones County Board of Supervisors.

   Ned Rohwedder stepped down, effective Jan. 3. There are two years left of the four-year term.

Herman urges funding for Community Services to continue to serve the public

Published by admin on Wed, 01/15/2025 - 8:21am

     There seemed to be some confusion concerning what services Community Services provides residents of Jones County, and what services Iowa Primary Care Association (PCA) would provide as the leader of the state’s behavioral health system.

   In late December, Lucia Herman, Community Services director, met with the Jones County Supervisors about the drastic changes to the state’s MHDS regions, as well as the behavioral health districts.

Picray seeks to remove salary gap for elected officials

Published by admin on Wed, 01/15/2025 - 8:19am

     Senate File (SF) 2442, a state law, dissolved all county Compensation Boards, whose job it was to recommend salaries for elected officials. In November, the Jones County Supervisors voted to formally dissolve the Jones County Comp Board.

   Following the Dec. 17 board meeting, the supervisors preliminarily met with all county elected officials to discuss the duties performed by their respective offices and salary recommendations.

Council approves Casey’s signage at former Karde’s 151

Published by admin on Wed, 01/15/2025 - 8:18am

     Karde’s 151, a BP-branded truck stop south of town has been sold to Casey’s General Store.

   During the Jan. 6 Monticello City Council meeting, the council approved updating the signage, rebranding it as “Casey’s.”

   Three different signs were approved:

   • A 57-foot 9-inch pole sign near the Highway 151 ramp

   • A 25-foot-plus sign at the corner of S. Main Street and 190th Street

Subscriber Login