This week I voted for a large increase to our schools. House File 2613 increases funding by 3%. This increase amounts to $146.7 million more dollars than in FY24 and brings our total state investment … more

Durant elementary currently has one of the largest kindergarten classes it has seen in years. This is a result of open enrollment into the district, 25 out of the 51 current kindergartners are open … more

“Why did that happen?” “Something to do with the mail.” “I liked it the way it was.” When the founding fathers prepared to plat our town in 1854, … more

If you have never read the books by Patrick McManus, you should, and you will laugh out loud sometimes.   He tells of his childhood exploring the mountains, forests and waters of Idaho.   … more

Most people will tell you good health is important. Many take good health for granted. I’ll be the first to admit, I was one of those, despite the fact I’ve had a lot of eye problems … more

August 20, 1874, on a hot and dusty day, a blaze started at Reed and Dow’s grain elevator on Railroad Street.   First a spark and the whole complex began to burn.   The fire was born, … more

This week I will explain my continued opposition to the AEA bill.   Before I get into the why I oppose it, I want to acknowledge an opinion that has been nearly unanimous – there is room … more

This week we are beginning to discuss legislation to further address school safety. The tragic shooting at Perry High School brought school safety to the top of our legislative agenda. We have … more

Following the first in series, “A Year on Ladybug Farm,” this book resumes the story of three women, Cici, Bridget and Lindsay, who buy a dilapidated farm and mansion.   Friends for … more

How can you have it both ways?   That is what Rep. Miller Meeks wants.   She and House Republicans demanded border security measures before funding Ukraine and Israel with arms. They … more

"Did you see them?" "No. Is it true?" "Yes, I saw some of them." Mastodon bones were discovered by a farmer, on his land a short distance south of the Wilton corporation line. It was … more

In 1865, the attention of the people of Wilton was first called to the importance of building in their village a Seminary of Learning.   Work commenced on the building to be Wilton College. … more

This week we passed a substantial bill refocusing and reforming our Regent Universities. Finding skilled labor is one of the most frequent problems I hear about back home and so refocusing our higher … more

A guide to the weird, wonderful and obscure, tells about things and places in Iowa you never knew existed and information for some that you did. This book has colored photos and would be a great … more

This week we took action on two major pieces of legislation – combating illegal immigration and fighting against eminent domain abuse.   Eminent Domain – As a reminder I have … more

Last week we passed a very robust education package dealing with school funding, raising teacher salaries, and the AEA’s. I was very clear about my position on the AEA bill when I wrote … more

What sporting event in 1948 turned Wilton Jct. into a ghost town? Why, the girls’ basketball team while playing for the state title, as one of the Sweet Sixteen.     Supporters … more

Laura Ingalls Wilder. You hear that name and think “Little House Books.” This book tells you of Laura’s life, which lasted 90 years, beginning in the Big Woods of Wisconsin, … more

The place to be on Saturday nights in the late 1940s and 1950s was downtown in Wilton Junction. Farmers came to town, town people gathered. Why? The band was playing, and there was shopping … more

As the director of emergency management for Cedar County, two of my core duties are to plan for any disaster that might affect Cedar County, and to work to reduce the effects of those disasters upon the residents of Cedar County. Many of the disaster plans for our county include some facet of medical response. Knowing that “… the state of emergency medical services in Cedar County, in the present state, does not appear to be sustainable, long-term, under the current model” deeply concerns me. more