Chris Umscheid

TIFFIN– Elizabeth, a seventh-grader at the Clear Creek Amana (CCA) Middle School summed up why she and several other students eagerly crowded behind tables of food, donned plastic gloves and served breakfast to a group of veterans.
“They helped for us, so we’d like to help out for them.”
Veterans and their families filled the commons area in the school Monday, Nov. 12, for the annual Springmier Community Library Veterans Celebration, which featured breakfast including casseroles, rolls, breakfast pizza, oatmeal and biscuits and gravy.

IOWA CITY– A long awaited comprehensive access center for behavioral emergencies and mental health crisis in Johnson County, the Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center (BHUCC), took another step toward becoming a reality as the board of supervisors received an update on the various studies being performed ahead of finalizing purchase of land for the facility.
Matt Miller, the project manager with Hart Frederick Consultants P.C., reported on the pre-purchase progress during a Wednesday, Oct. 31, work session of the supervisors.

OXFORD– The Veterans Memorial in Oxford stands for all who have honorably served in the armed forces of the United States. Like many veterans, it has seen good times and bad, and has stood in the face of adversity.
But Oxford’s memorial has lost some of its luster and Oxford American Legion members have banded together to raise funds for a new one.
The current memorial replaced a wooden monument which bore the names of Oxford’s veterans placed some 25-30 years ago, possibly even 40, depending on who you ask.

Photo: North Liberty City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tempore Chris Hoffman delivers remarks ahead of a toilet paper “ribbon cutting” Thursday, Oct. 18, at the North Liberty Waste Water Treatment Plant.

SWISHER– Small towns have a reputation as being quiet, and the little community of Swisher, in the northwest corner of Johnson County, is no exception. However, after recent actions by the city council, it’s gotten even quieter.
The council voted unanimously on Sept. 10 to discontinue sounding the town’s outdoor warning siren daily at 6 p.m., a tradition dating back to the 1970s.