After reading the March 20 Times-Republican column “Coronavirus is the Chinese virus” by Ben Shapiro and March 21 Ask Augustine section by Dr. Paul A. Tambrino both employed selective memories. Regarding Shapiro, Leonard Pitts latest March 22 column “viruses do not carry passports” ...

Greetings to all of you from the new remote site of the Gutekunst Public Library! In the last week, we’ve ceased curbside service out of consideration for our staff and patrons, turned down the heat and buttoned up the building, and sent Rosie the Cat to live with library board member Buffi ...

losed, we intend to keep you informed about what’s going on at the Y and ways that you can stay strong and healthy during this unprecedented time. Check the Y’s social media channels and website for daily updates. Our management staff is in the office 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through ...

As a longtime resident of Marshalltown it is very concerning to see the “Panic Buying/Hoarding” that is taking place not only in our area but almost everywhere in the United States. I have sent emails to several public leaders suggesting that they publicly speak out against this idiotic ...

In the Wednesday, March 4 Times-Republican, Vision Marshalltown was featured with the headline, “Promoting Growth.” The four areas of growth mentioned were: downtown, education, housing, pride and reputation. All ambitious and worthy goals. Since its inception our town has been blessed ...

In my experience people generally do better when they know what lays before them. Unfortunately, we haven’t heard much from our leaders lately. Chuck Grassley did advise us to listen to experts, not politicians, regarding the pandemic. Too bad he left out the part about politicians listening ...

One of the benefits of living to an older age is you live through different styles of music. Most mornings I wake up humming or singing some song of long ago. My wife accuses me of making up a tune and putting my own words to it. That is only true if I forget a word or two but the music truly ...

You may have seen other letters or editorials regarding a proposal by the city to build an extension of South Fifth Avenue past the west side of the Iowa River Hospice Home. I want to join the chorus opposing this proposal. Our award winning hospice facility is of huge benefit to Marshalltown ...

I’ve been reflecting on the Goals, Mission Statements and Values Statements of the City of Marshalltown and it’s utilization of these in dealing with various entities, including Iowa River Hospice and the proposed South Fifth Avenue extension. I present the following points for ...

The editorial published on March 3, “Socialists don’t understand business,” by Laura Hollis was a trivial and tired diatribe aimed at scaring right-wing leaning folks into fearing Bernie Sanders because of the word, socialism. Her audience does not understand the distinctions between ...

Iowa River hospice holds a special place in my heart and that will never change. Five years ago my mom was admitted to the Iowa River Hospice Home. At the time I had no idea where the hospice house in Marshalltown was located. I walked in blind. I had never been to a hospice house I had no ...

I am the fire chief of the Le Grand Volunteer Fire Department. The department, and all the proud public servants that make up Marshall County rural fire agencies, have been trying to upgrade its outdated and dangerous land mobile radio system for years. My peers and I were disappointed after ...

It wasn’t too long ago a Main Street business was complaining about train noise for his rentals. Now I see in the paper where a developer wants to build a 94-unit rental complex right next to railroad tracks. I sure hope there was nothing under the table that the city will take care of ...

People go to Iowa River Hospice to die in a beautiful, tranquil setting with loving family members and care givers at their side. The City of Marshalltown wants to destroy that peaceful setting by extending Fifth Avenue south past Iowa River Hospice within spitting distance of the back door ...

I applaud Iowans for having dared to choose progressive Democrat candidates. In this country, we’ve been voting ‘cautious center’ for so long in hopes of attracting sensible moderates from both sides and it simply hasn’t worked. The far right has now built big momentum, even consuming ...

Thank you Iowa for making the 2019 Iowa State Fair a record-breaker in so many ways. And thank you, too, for your support of the Blue Ribbon Foundation, that, for the past 27 years has put your generous donations to work preserving barns and buildings across the Fairgrounds. From the first fair ...

This could be you or your loved one, in need of care in a peaceful, tranquil setting when facing your last days. You or your loved one had hoped to remain at home, but that’s no longer possible. You know that in Marshalltown there’s care available in a peaceful tranquil setting; you know ...

On behalf of the Marshalltown High School Band students and parents, we would like to thank the many people of the community and surrounding area for their generous support of the pasta dinner fundraiser held on Jan. 28. We served hundreds of people that night and the proceeds raised will ...

I applaud the Marshall County Supervisors for taking a critical look at the demands being made by emergency responders to finance E-911 communication system improvements (“Immediate Action Needed on Rural E-911 System,” Marshalltown T-R, Feb 5, 2020). While I understand and appreciate the ...

In my years of living in this community there have been six times when I needed immediate care; I was blessed to have it available. A couple of weeks ago I sat in a wheelchair waiting for an orderly to take me from my hospital room to our waiting car. Memories flooded to those times of need and ...