EDDYVILLE — Though the weather was warm Eddyville created a winter wonderland with their ‘Christmas on the River’ event Friday evening.

The community kicked off the celebration with the lighting of the town’s Christmas tree. It was planted just this year but members of the audience said they were excited to see the tree grow over time.

The Friends of the Eddyville Public Library provided free ornaments for attendees to hang on the tree as they sang carols.

“The best part about this event was that every single business wanted to be a part of it,” said Friends member Sandy Richards.

The President of Friends Sharon Pullen was also present to oversee the lighting. She was pleased with the turn out and was impressed with out and was impressed with the way that everyone in the the way that everyone in the community pulled together to community pulled together to put on this event.

“This turned out to be a perfect night to have this wonderful gathering.”

After the tree lighting people were invited to enjoy a carriage ride around the town while enjoying the performances by carolers. Meanwhile the American Legion was hosting a soup supper while other businesses like Blush Boutique and Eddyville Market offered additional refreshments.

There was also a craft show at the EBF Administration Building. The local children got a special visit from Santa. He showed up to the festivities in one of the town’s firetrucks along with members of the Eddyville Fire Department.

The idea for ‘Christmas on the River’ came about after the success of the town’s 157th anniversary celebration over the summer.

Volunteer Fran Katko said that the town started organizing the event back in September. Everyone involved in the event got together about three event got together about three times but there were many times but there were many smaller organizing events go smaller organizing events go on.

“Anything we can do that involves the family and kids involves the family and kids in the community is a successful event.”

Story provided by Neal Querio

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Republican Party of Iowa says it has confirmed all of its precinct locations for next year’s presidential caucuses.

The party announced Thursday that caucuses will take place in 1,681 locations throughout the state on February 1st. Party officials say they have opened three regional offices for the first time to help organize.

Party Chairman Jeff Kaufmann says he wants to ensure a smooth and successful caucus to help preserve Iowa’s first-in-the-nation status.

Iowa Democratic Party Communication Director Sam Lau says Democrats have finalized more than 90 percent of their precinct locations and posted them on the party’s website.

OSKALOOSA — The future of the Country Life facility has been a topic of discussion for Mahaska County Board of Supervisors in recent months. With the facility closing its doors at the end of November, supervisors wrestled with the idea of tearing down the “dilapidated” structure or selling the facility as is.

Jon Nelson, of Central Reformed Church, approached the board in November regarding the possibility of transforming the facility into transitional housing for those in need.

“The Pastors Association met and were talking about the need in this community,” said Nelson. “People are always coming to us for food cards or help, so we began discussing different places in town where we could create some housing.”

Nelson and the church’s Director of Outreach Andy Baker took a trip to Country Life and felt “it would be a wonderful place for transitional housing or
a shelter.” The idea would bring different nonprofits, churches and other stakeholders together to create something that would greatly benefit those experiencing financial hardships.
“I was part of building a transitional housing ministry like this in Orange City where I was a couple of years ago, and it has worked out very effectively since its creation,” said Nelson during the meeting. “Orange City is a rather affluent small town, yet the abandoned hospital we used served around 22 women and children, so you could really think of what could happen in this community where you see a little bit more of a predominant need for something like this.”

After a meeting with community stakeholders, the organization decided to no longer “pursue the old Country Life site for transition housing,” according to Baker, who cited eroding infrastructure as the reason for discarding the idea.

Although area churches are no longer looking at creating this type of large-scale temporary housing, Baker says those in need will still find aid within the community.

“Beginning in 2016, the new Behavioral Health Region our county is a part of (South Central Behavioral Health Region) will have significant programs and funding available to help with housing. Most importantly, they will be in a position to not only assist in emergency housing situations but also over the long-term through a permanent sustainable housing program,” Baker said before adding: “This program will assist people over the long term with housing in a traditional apartment rather than in a shelter or specialized housing center. This will address many of the needs we have been seeing in terms of homelessness in the community.”

Even with the funding and program offered through the Behavioral Health Region, there will still be gaps in coverage, which will largely affect individuals who have not been diagnosed with a behavioral health issue or refuse to seek treatment.

Baker says that proves there is still a need for additional housing assistance, just on a smaller scale than the Country Life facility. “That is a 60-bed facility, and we are seeing the need perhaps being a four-unit type complex,” said Baker. “So, there is still significant work to be done in terms of homelessness and emergency housing in our county, but the efforts of the new South Central Behavioral Health District are going to be a huge step in the right direction.”

For more information the South Central Behavioral Health District’s efforts, contact Heather Gross, community services director for Mahaska County, at gross@mahaskacounty.org.

Story provided by Danielle Lunsford