Iowa tragically lost two young women — Mollie Tibbetts and Celia Barquin Arozamena — recently. The stories have not only shaken our state, but they have made their way around the world. While their lives should be fondly remembered and not politicized, our communities must look at the ...
In light of the past two months in Marshalltown, annual community celebrations mean more than ever. Oktemberfest and Marshalltown High School’s homecoming have always been about pride for our city, but this year it means a little bit more. The celebrations come just more than two months ...
Since human beings first learned to cultivate the soil, harvest time has had extraordinary significance. In earlier centuries, good crops meant prosperity and security. They signaled that the winter months just ahead could be faced without fear of starvation. In 21st-century Iowa, harvest ...
No doubt many eyes are on Moscow after the revelation recently that an attempt to hack into the Democrat National Committee’s computers was thwarted. Coming two years after Russian hackers stole information from the DNC database, the new attempted electronic B&E does raise questions ...
Pope Francis took precisely the correct attitude in his letter responding to a grand jury investigation of sexual abuse by priests in Pennsylvania. “The missive admitted that too many in the Roman Catholic church “showed no care for the little ones; we abandoned them.” Since it was ...
Thousands of American families are awaiting bittersweet news in the wake of what, for them, was much more than a new chapter in the long history of tension between our country and North Korea. They want to know simply this: Are our loved ones’ remains among those returned recently by the ...
Before Donald Trump took office as the President of the United States, he hinted at an ominous relationship with journalists while campaigning in Iowa. We figured singling out one of the state's lead political reporters as "the worst" and banning members of the newspaper media from a campaign ...
Ready or not, local kids will go back to school in mid-August. From kindergarten to senior year of high school, good schooling is fundamental to a child’s success as an adult. Of course, life circumstances also play a role in that success, especially when it comes to household income. When ...
There are few American microcosms more prolific than hard working people breaking their backs at all hours of the day to produce products that are essential to the U.S. economy. Marshalltown is a great example of a city with a variety of industries such as manufacturing, innovative engineering, ...
July 19, 2018 will be a day for Marshalltown history books. On that day, an EF-3 tornado destroyed some of the most important parts of our town: homes, local businesses, large employers and city buildings. The city will never be the same. The beautiful drive down Main Street is forever ...
Thursday’s devastating tornado that plowed through Marshalltown left behind a wide swath of destruction and MIRACULOUSLY, no known deaths. However as bad of a storm as it was, it never touched what Marshalltown has always been known for – hard work, pride and innovation. No sooner than ...
Pigs raced. Kids showed livestock. Audience members cheered, clapped and danced. Cooks grilled up and perfected a variety of dishes. Even the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture made an appearance. From new events to old traditions, the Central Iowa Fair again made its mark. The fair is reflective ...
Backing hometown sports teams is second nature to most people. Supporting Iowa’s agricultural economy and the state’s manufacturers should become equally common. There are important reasons to opt for purchases at or through local merchants whenever possible. The same goes for championing ...
We should renew our commitment to the heritage of 1776. Whether you spend this Fourth of July picnicking, swimming, boating, enjoying a parade, attending a community celebration, watching a fireworks display or just plain loafing, there should be at least a brief time to pause and reflect on ...
College and university officials throughout the country ought to be asking themselves whether sexual abuse scandals such as those at Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan State universities could occur at their institutions. Those answering in the negative may want to search their souls about why ...
It has been nearly six years since Marshalltown was confronted with the devastating news of the drownings of four young children. On June 19, 2012, near the Center Street dam on the Iowa River, 10-year-old Andres Favela-Lopez went missing after going for a swim with friends. After a search, ...
Summertime... It’s the time of year Iowans think about family vacations, great weather, outdoor activities and tornadoes. Tornadoes can destroy buildings, flip over mobile home and cars, create dangerous flying debris and ruin an entire town in a few minutes. A tornado, by definition, ...
Primary Election Day in the Hawkeye State is Tuesday. To make voting as convenient as possible, many states allow registered voters to cast ballots over a period of weeks in advance the official Election Day. Here in Iowa early voting is underway. Ballots can be cast at county auditors' offices ...
The Times-Republican has been providing news coverage important to Central Iowa readers for more than 160 years. Before the internet. Before television. Before radio. Even before the Civil War. The newspaper has been around for a long time telling the story of Marshalltown and Central ...
Monday is Memorial Day. For many people, it is a time to welcome the summer season by taking advantage of a three-day holiday weekend to spend relaxing time with friends and family. It is important, however, not to forget what this day is truly about. Beginning soon after the Civil War, a ...