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Support for John Worden

John, after I’ve followed & supported you from Feb of 2023, it is almost impossible to believe a public library director can yield such power & control over a supposedly ‘public-represented’ board of trustees. I feel the Marshalltown city fathers would ‘roll over in their graves’ if they knew such a public humiliation & unfairness was happening as our current city council & mayor quietly watches, even though it is their responsibility to put a stop to such a shame happening to our community.

How I lost my house without knowing about it

A suspicious laggard sauntered up the steps outside my house at 409 N 9th St carrying a piece of paper and a blue roll of masking tape. He plastered a homemade eviction notice onto my front door. The stranger didn’t represent the sheriff or any government official: rather the note appealed to the authority of a Waterloo-based lawyer, soliciting on behalf of a mysterious entity, ACC in Des Moines, who claimed to be the new homeowner. I took the crooked note about as seriously as I would’ve an old letter from Ed McMahon or an email from a Nigerian prince. But, later that day, when out ...

MPL Boardroom Antics pt. 8

Editor, “blankets” (Call Number GN Thompson) is a book available at MPL. Summary according to MPL “Loosely based on the author’s life, chronicling his journey from childhood to adulthood, exploring the people, experiences, and beliefs that he encountered along the way.” “Quaint, meditative and sometimes dreamy, blankets will take you straight back to your first kiss.” “blankets” review by author Matthew Hughstun. “Implied molestation, child abuse, child negligence, scenes showing the difficulties of mental retardation and family life, drug use, violence, ...

Thanks for your support of the MHS band pasta dinner

On behalf of the MHS Band parents and students, I would like to sincerely thank the many people of our community and surrounding area for their generous support of our pasta dinner fundraiser on Feb. 17, 2026. Thank you to all of the students, parents, and volunteers for your efforts to make this event such a tremendous success! Additionally, numerous businesses and individuals supported this effort through food and monetary donations. Thank you to our patron ticket supporters including Barilla, Solution Tree Service, Linda Holvik, Patrick Konarig, Hometown Veterinarian, HyVee, ...

Proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern will benefit communities

Dear Editor, Marshalltown is home to a diverse economy rooted in advanced manufacturing, agriculture, and food processing. Global companies such as Emerson, Lennox, and JBS, along with countless small businesses and family farms across central Iowa, depend on efficient, reliable freight rail to move products to customers and markets across the nation and world. Freight rail is not just a cornerstone of Iowa’s economy, it is the backbone that connects our businesses, sustains jobs, and supports growth in our communities. Union Pacific has long been an essential transportation ...

Last to leave Marine

My friend John was “promoted to glory” on Feb. 15. My wife and I were just out in California and a group of us took time to have lunch with him. You wouldn’t know John if I just told you his full name but I will share that he was the “last to leave” during the Fall of Saigon on April 30,1975. Master Gunnery Sergeant John Valdez was the “Top” NCO for the Marine Security Battalion at the American Embassy. A tough but fair “Gunny” and combat veteran, he was in charge of the Leathernecks at the Embassy and Tan Sun Nhut Airbase. My boyhood friend and fellow Eagle Scout, ...