Breaking News

Letters to Editor

An outside perspective from a mayor’s point-of-view

To the editor: I'm Kurtis Bower, the current mayor of Roland, Iowa, and a Story County resident. You might be thinking, "What's his interest in our issues if he doesn't live here?" I campaigned to be a state representative in the Iowa House of Representatives, and during the campaign process, I got to know so many of you and I care about all of you. I find it amazing that many of you take an interest in your local governments and the processes that they undertake. I can tell you that as a sitting mayor of a small town, whenever you discuss money, it is often an unpleasant, but ...

Supports use of electric cars

To the editor, As communities across the country grapple with rising fuel costs, air pollution, and the growing impacts of global warming, one solution is becoming increasingly clear — the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. Electric cars offer a cleaner, more sustainable alternative to gasoline-powered vehicles. By producing zero tailpipe emissions, they reduce air pollution and improve public health, especially in urban areas where smog and poor air quality disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. When you factor in that EVs cost roughly 50% less to fuel, and ...

Tipping should be for good service, not automatic

To the editor: Tipping used to be something people did to reward good service. Now it feels like it’s being requested everywhere, all the time, no matter what kind of service is actually provided. I recently ordered a coffee through an app. Before I had even driven to the window or received my drink, the app was already asking me for a tip. How am I supposed to judge the service before the transaction has even happened? Another example was at Casey’s Arena in Des Moines. I grabbed my own slice of pizza, filled my own drink, and checked myself out at a self-service kiosk. Yet ...

Questions Webster City ordinances as Home Owners Association

Letter to the editor: I am sure that when I bought my property that Richard D. Gregory was the only name on the title and that pays the taxes and the bank. I was not informed that Webster City had a Home Owners Association. I thought I could use the property for hobbies, storing wood for my fireplace and parking trailers for that purpose. Suddenly administrators and councilmen think that they and their anonymous big nose friend should decide what happens on a property that they don’t own. If I park a trailer on my land whether it’s grass, gravel, cement or asphalt, if it kills ...

Iowa nice or Iowa ice?

Letter to the editor: Funny how Republicans are all for the Second Amendment. Then boom, all the sudden it’s, “He’s got a gun, he’s got a gun!” Like it’s a bad thing. I’m asking, “Which is it?” Of the two white U.S. citizens murdered in Minnesota, one was an unarmed woman and one was a man with a gun. The man had the gun legally and was not brandishing it like they LIED ABOUT! You can clearly see that with your own eyes. The man was protecting a woman the ICE agents ASSAULTED and shoved down into the snow. Of the two victims, the woman was shot four times and the ...

Pruismann endorses Klaver for District 55

To the editor: I’m proud to endorse Beau Klaver for Iowa House District 55. Beau understands people. Especially Hamilton County people. He understands our communities, our values, and the day to day concerns of the constituents he’s asking to represent. District 55 needs someone willing to put in the work, answer the calls, and stay connected to the people back home. I believe Beau is that person. We cannot lose our voice. He has my vote and I hope you join me. At the same time, I believe Kurtis Bowers still has an important place in the fight for Iowa and district 55. His ...