The Ottumwa Courier held an online vote beginning on Thursday, June 1st until Thursday, Jun 15th to determine The Best of Southern Iowa 2017 in multiple categories.

For the category of Best Radio Station of Southern Iowa, KBOE was nominated and was announced the winner!

KBOE was up against 98.7 KMGO and 101.5 KISS FM on the ballot.

The Ottumwa Police Department has conducted an investigation involving 5 female victims who reported being sexually assaulted by the same suspect.

On Friday, June 23, 2017, officers from the Ottumwa Police Department and the Southeast Iowa Inter-Agency Drug Task Force executed a search warrant and arrest warrant at 753 N. Green Street, Apt. C, in Ottumwa, in reference to this investigation.

Armando Leyva, age 35, of 753 N. Green, Apt. C, Ottumwa, was arrested and charged with the following offenses:

 Kidnapping in the 1 st Degree, a Class “A” Felony

 Sexual Abuse in the 2 nd Degree, a Class “B” Felony

 Sexual Abuse in the 3 rd Degree, 3 Counts, all Class “C” Felonies

 Assault With the Intent to Commit Sex Abuse, an Aggravated Misdemeanor

Leyva is being held in the Wapello County Jail with a $157,000 cash only bond. This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with additional information relating to these assaults are encouraged to contact the Ottumwa Police Department Investigations Unit.

Please note the following pursuant to recent Supreme Court rulings: “A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

As the July 4th holiday approaches, the Oskaloosa Fire Department and Oskaloosa Police Department would like to remind the public of some general rules and safety guidelines regarding the use and discharge of Consumer Grade Class I and Class II fireworks. What are Class I and II fireworks? Attached with this release are some pictures differentiating the types of fireworks that are now sold in Iowa.

Oskaloosa Municipal Code Chapter 8.04-Fireworks allows for the sale of Consumer Grade Class I and II fireworks within the corporate city limits of Oskaloosa by a licensed and insured fireworks retailer during the specified time frame to individuals 18 years of age or older as stated in the State of Iowa Code.

Oskaloosa Municipal Code Chapter 8.04-Fireworks does not allow for the discharge of any Consumer Grade Class I or II fireworks to be discharged within the City of Oskaloosa corporate limits. Violations of the provision can result in a simple misdemeanor charge with a scheduled fine of $250 in addition to court costs.

No person under the age of 18 is allowed to have in their possession or discharge Class I or Class II fireworks in the State of Iowa.

Any fireworks described as a novelty such as sparklers, snakes, and snap pops are allowed to be used.

Further clarification regarding firework sales and permitted use can be answered within Oskaloosa Municipal Code Chapter 8.04-Fireworks which is available for public viewing on the City of Oskaloosa website www.oskaloosaiowa.org and clicking on the City Code link or by calling the Oskaloosa Fire Department at 641-673- 3541 extension 2.

The Oskaloosa Fire Department and the Oskaloosa Police Department hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable 4th of July holiday.