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Active Shooter Drill Scheduled for Wednesday

Posted on by KBOE Administrator

On November 22, 2017, members with the Oskaloosa Police, Oskaloosa Schools, and Mahaska County Emergency Management, will come together at the Oskaloosa High School to review and exercise the active shooter response plans of each entity. This exercise will take current standards that are in place and see how well they work in a controlled environment. The goal is to test current plans, evaluate the plans, and update them as needed. There will be no school this day for a teacher in-service, so no students will be participating. Due to the nature of this
exercise, members from the public and media will not be allowed onsite without prior authorization.

If anyone has specific questions please contact the following:
Oskaloosa Police
Jake McGee-Chief
641-672-2557

Oskaloosa Schools
Russ Reiter – Superintendent
641-673-8345

Mahaska County EMA
Jamey Robinson – EMA/911 Administrator
641-672-1209

North Mahaska, Grinnell Highlight Area Girls’ Basketball Teams in First Rankings

Posted on by KBOE Administrator

Basketball season is getting underway in the coming days for the girls and there are a handful of teams from the listening area that are in the initial rankings from the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.

In Class 1A, three teams from the South Iowa Cedar League were named. North Mahaska is a big surprise at #4 after a stellar 16-7 season last year with mostly freshman leading the way. Head Coach L.E. Moore and the Warhawks have state tournament experience but after a few down years, this year’s team will have high expectations to try to make it back with still a young core learning together.

Also in the Class 1A rankings are Montezuma and Lynnville-Sully. Montezuma went 17-7 last season under Cory Nikkel and will start this season at #9 under new Head Coach Janel Burgess. Their rivals from Lynnville-Sully had a great year last year, finishing 21-3. The Hawks start the year ranked #12.

In Class 4A, a couple of Little Hawkeye Conference teams made the list. Grinnell will start the year ranked 4th after a 19-5 season. The Tigers return several key players to that team for Head Coach Trent Edsen. Pella will also be a factor in the LHC, as they are ranked 10th after finishing 20-5 last season. Head Coach Jerod Garland will have to replace a couple of senior leaders, but there’s still plenty of talent for the Lady Dutch.

There are no area teams ranked in Class 2A, 3A, or 4A.

The No Coast Network will be releasing a full Game of the Week schedule later this week for the basketball season. The Game of the Week will air on 104.9 FM KBOE and kboeradio.com on Fridays throughout the season. Oskaloosa Basketball will be on 99.5 FM/740 AM KMZN and radiokmzn.com with video on MCG Channel 7 for most games, beginning on November 28 as the Indians travel to play Fairfield with the broadcast starting at 6 PM.

Juveniles Start Fire in William Penn Gymnasium

Posted on by KBOE Administrator

On Saturday November 11, 2017 at approximately 12:37 p.m. the Oskaloosa Police Department and Oskaloosa Fire Department were dispatched to 201 Trueblood Avenue at William Penn University in reference to a smoke report.

William Penn Security contacted the Mahaska County 911 Center and advised that the old upper basketball gymnasium was full of smoke. William Penn Security activated the smoke alarms and the building was evacuated.

Upon emergency services arrival at the scene it was discovered that a fire had been deliberately set in a return air vent located at the north east corner of the gymnasium. The fire was extinguished by emergency personnel and shortly thereafter persons were allowed to return into the building.

On Tuesday November 14, 2017 the Oskaloosa Police Department charged two twelve year old male juveniles from Oskaloosa with Arson in the Second Degree. Both juveniles have been referred to Juvenile Court Services as required by law.

Arson in the Second Degree is a class C felony punishable by up to ten years in a state penitentiary. At the time of this release the Oskaloosa Police Department has not received an estimate for damages from the Arson reported on November 11, 2017.

It should be noted a criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Ottumwa Resident Sentenced for Scamming Insurers

Posted on by KBOE Administrator

 Cletus Abongwa Ngwa, 34, of Ottumwa, Iowa, was sentenced in United States District Court in Des Moines, Iowa on September 15, 2017, to an 18-month prison sentence with 3 years’ supervised release and ordered to pay joint restitution in the amount of $260,043 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud.

Ngwa, along with his co-conspirator Venancia Amora Rodriguez, 47, of Ottumwa, defrauded two private insurance companies by filing fraudulent foreign death claims for three of Rodriguez’s family members who were alleged to have died in the Philippines.

The prosecution was the result of a collaborative effort of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau.  The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.  

“These fraudulent acts are intolerable,” Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen said. “I greatly appreciate the hard work of our Fraud Bureau, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Attorney to help bring these individuals to justice.”

“The FBI is committed to helping protect hard working citizens and corporations from fraudulent activity,” FBI Omaha Field Office Special Agent in Charge Randall Thysse said. “We are committed to investigating these matters and apprehending those who commit such crimes.”

“This is not a victimless crime as the cost fraud is ultimately paid for by consumers through increased insurance premiums,” Iowa Insurance Division Fraud Bureau Chief Jared Kirby said. “Given the amount of fraud that occurs, it is absolutely critical to progressively investigate and prosecute the perpetrators for these insurance fraud offenses to deter future violations.”

Rodriguez was previously sentenced in United States District Court in Des Moines on May 24, 2016, to a 24-month prison sentence with 3 years’ supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $260,043. This sentence followed Rodriguez’s February 19, 2016, guilty plea to mail fraud for her role in the fraud scheme.

“We are proud of the hard work that our team and federal and state partners put into procuring this kind of successful outcome in this case,” SAC Thysse said. “This should send a clear message to anyone who commits these acts they they will be caught and they will face justice.”

The investigation conducted by Federal and State law enforcement authorities concluded that Rodriguez had claimed to Standard Insurance Company, an Oregon-based insurer, that her 17-year-old son died of dengue fever on June 5, 2014, while visiting the Philippines.

Approximately three months later, Rodriguez claimed to the same insurer that her 49-year-old husband had died on August 15, 2014, of a heart ailment while visiting the Philippines. 

On March 6, 2015, Rodriguez claimed to Minnesota Life, a Minnesota-based insurer, that her 15-year-old son had died as a result of drowning at a city pool in the Philippines.

During the investigation, it was determined that all three of these individuals were in fact still alive. It was discovered that Mrs. Rodriguez, who was originally from the Philippines, utilized her connections to pay people to acquire fictitious Philippine government documents, which she submitted to the insurance companies to support her claim.

Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-242-5304 or online at https://iid.iowa.gov/reporting-insurance-fraud.

Statesmen Wrestling Falls 24-21 to Waldorf

Posted on by KBOE Administrator

Oskaloosa–The William Penn wrestling team came up a bit short in its first dual meet of the year, falling 24-21 to Waldorf Tuesday.

WPU (0-1) won two matches and received additional points from two forfeits, but could not put away the Warriors (1-1) at home.

The evening began with Jeremy Andujar (Sr., Tampa, Fla., Biology) earning six points for a forfeit at 125 points.  John Altieri (Jr., Warwick, R.I., Sociology), wrestling up a weight class, then pushed the advantage to 9-0 by holding off Edwin Youngdell 19-13 in the 133-pound match.

Waldorf trimmed the deficit to three with back-to-back wins, but Joe Eads (Fr., Morrison, Ill., Biology) extended the edge to nine once again with a forfeit at 157 pounds.

The visitors claimed the 165-pound matchup, but 174-pounder Jason Beebe (Fr., Oskaloosa, Iowa) put the Statesmen ahead 21-9 with a fall over Dominick Fadden in 3:17.

Unfortunately, the Warriors closed with victories in the final three bouts, including a decision at 285 pounds to secure the dual meet win.

Next Up: William Penn travels to Minneapolis, Minn. Saturday to compete in the Augsburg Invitational.  The tournament begins at 9 a.m.

125–Jeremy Andujar (WPU) won by forfeit (6-0)
133–John Altieri (WPU) won by decision over Edwin Youngdell, 19-13 (9-0)
141–Taylor Lehman (WU) won by decision over Tyshon Cannon, 8-3 (9-3)
149–Jonathan Halk (WU) won by decision over Kionte Crocker, 7-6 (9-6)
157–Joe Eads (WPU) won by forfeit (15-6)
165–Dereck Samudio (WU) won by decision over Johnny Hopper, 5-2 (15-9)
174–Jason Beebe (WPU) won by fall over Dominick Fadden, 3:17 (21-9)
184–Griffin Thorn (WU) won by forfeit (21-15)
197–Dallas Knoop (WU) won by fall over Sheldon Rodriguez, 5:55 (21-21)
285–Jacob Pinedo (WU) won by decision over Chris Rodriguez, 7-0 (21-24)

Three Local Towns Recognized As Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant Recipients

Posted on by KBOE Administrator

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) today awarded $933,300 in Main Street Iowa Challenge Grants to 14 communities around the state. The grants will benefit local improvement projects such as façade upgrades and restoration, upper floor rehabilitation, building stabilization and repairs and remodeled spaces for expanding downtown businesses.  The announcements were made during a ceremony held at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.

“The Main Street Iowa Challenge grants have proven to be catalysts for the revitalization of Iowa’s historic main streets,” said IEDA Director Debi Durham.  “These projects demonstrate the ongoing financial commitment the people of our state – both our elected officials and private citizens – have made to the revitalization of our historic downtown districts. Rehabilitated downtown buildings create opportunities for new business and new residences in the core of our communities.”

The grants are administered through IEDA’s Iowa Downtown Resource Center and Main Street Iowa programs. The funding will be distributed in the form of matching grants to the selected Main Street programs. The estimated total project cost of the 14 bricks and mortar projects is over $2.7 million.

“Each project must provide at least a dollar-for-dollar cash-match.  In total, these projects will leverage three times the state’s investment into bricks and mortar rehabilitation. These projects will also have a significant economic impact within each district and have a direct impact on each community’s downtown revitalization efforts,” explained Main Street Iowa State Coordinator Michael Wagler.

The Challenge Grant program is funded through an appropriation from the Iowa Legislature.  Since the first appropriation in 2002 through 2016, approximately $6.8 million in state and federal funds have leveraged over $45 million of private reinvestment. Over the life of the program, 138 projects in 49 Main Street Iowa commercial districts across the state have received funding.

The Oskaloosa Area Chamber and Development Group was included on the list of 14 communities to be honored. Specifically, the Dixon Block Apartment on 111 High Avenue East. The IEDA Grant received totals to $75,000. That grant along with $137,500 matched amount from Iowa Economic Development means the OACDG receives $212,500.

The Chariton Area Chamber and Main Street was also recognized for the Exchange Block Restoration. The restoration received $75,000 from IEDA Grant which was matched by $80,000 for a total of $155,000.

Ottumwa Main Street received theirs for  105-107 East Main Street Façade improvements. The IEDA Grant was marked at $47,800 with an Iowa Economic Development match of $47,800 for a total of $95,600.

Photos of recipients will be available at iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/MainStreetIowa after November 20, 2017.  For more information about the Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant program, contact Michael Wagler, State Coordinator, Main Street Iowa, at 515.348.6184 or mainstreet@iowaeda.com.

William Penn University to Host ‘Cards for Jacob’

Posted on by KBOE Administrator

William Penn University will be hosting two consecutive “Cards for Jacob” nights during the men’s basketball games at home this weekend. The first game is slated for Friday, November 17th at 7:00 PM against Lincoln Christian and the second contest on Saturday, November 18th against Wright State Lake will begin at 2:00 PM. Both games will take place in Penn Gymnasium on William Penn University’s Oskaloosa campus.

About Jacob

Jacob Thompson is a 9-year-old from Maine. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 High-Risk Neuroblastoma.  The doctors aren’t sure that Jacob will make it to Christmas, so for his last wish, Jacob requested to have Christmas Cards sent to him from all around the country. William Penn University would like to invite anyone planning to attend the games this weekend, to bring along a card for Jacob.

“William Penn will be sending all of the cards that we receive to Jacob on Monday morning,” said Joe Reagan, Director of Corporate Relations at William Penn University.

Those unable to attend may still send a card to Jacob by sending it to the following address:

Jacob Thompson

c/o Maine Medical Center

22 Bramhall Street

Portland, ME 04102

“We look forward to helping Jacob celebrate his last Christmas with cards from Oskaloosa, Iowa and William Penn University,” said Reagan.

CASA Celebrating 20th Anniversary In Ottumwa

Posted on by KBOE Administrator

In 2016, over 300 children in Jefferson, Mahaska and Wapello counties were in foster care placement, and many more were at risk in their homes. Only a small number of those children had the benefit of a Court Appointed Special Advocate.

Specifically, Ottumwa area businesses and organizations are asked to support efforts to recruit and engage new CASA volunteers in Ottumwa.

Advocates and volunteers with CASA are ordinary people who have decided to volunteer their time and talents to ensure children who are already victims of abuse or neglect, are not further impacted by the system intended to protect them.  After receiving extensive pre-service training, the advocate receives an order from the court to represent a child in court proceedings and allows the advocate access to information.  The advocate meets with their assigned child or sibling group monthly and gathers information from everyone involved with that child such as caregivers, therapists, teachers and other providers.  Advocates prepare a Report to the Court for each hearing involving the child.

This Thursday in Ottumwa, Mayor Tom Lazio alone with Associate Juvenile Judge William S. Owens, and Aprile Goodman – Court Appointed Special Advocate Coordinator. Along with other CASA volunteers or members, Kayla Eckerman, Deb Pumphrey, and Jim Hennessey, will welcome all to the  20th Anniversary of the Court Appointed Special Advocate program in Ottumwa. This event is being held at The Hub in Ottumwa on November 16th, starting at 4:30 PM.

CASA Advocates serve as a consistent presence in the life of their assigned child and remain assigned to the case until successful case closure. For more information or an application to apply to be a CASA Advocate, visit the Iowa Child Advocacy Board.

 

Newton Company Finds New Venture For Additional Jobs

Posted on by KBOE Administrator

A company that makes wind blades in central Iowa will begin manufacturing bus bodies as well, adding hundreds of jobs. T-P-I Composites started producing wind blades in Newton nearly 10 years ago. Now, Newton Development Corporation Executive Director Frank Liebl says they’ll be making composite bus bodies for California-based Proterra Incorporated.

 “Fortunately, for Newton, TPI decided to open a second facility. They’ll be leasing about 100,000 square feet at the former Maytag Plant Two,” Liebl says.

The supply agreement requires TPI to provide Proterra with up to 3,350 bus bodies over a five-year period. The Newton bus manufacturing operation is expected to be up and running in the first half of next year with 75-to-100 employees.

“Eventually, the plan calls for three-year employment numbers that will exceed 350,” Liebl says.

T-P-I currently employs nearly 1,100 people in Newton at the plant that makes wind blades. Liebl says the bus bodies will be taken by semi to Proterra factories in South Carolina and California to be finished out. Proterra designs and manufactures battery-electric vehicles.

Oskaloosa PD, FTC Urge Customers To Be Cautious This Holiday Season

Posted on by KBOE Administrator

‘Tis the season to be jolly, but it’s also the season to be cautious about spending your hard-earned money and avoiding the heartache of having your gifts stolen from your car or home! Following these tips can help keep the “happy” in your holidays.

  • While shopping, keep your wallet or purse with you at all times. In a matter of seconds, an unattended purse or wallet can be taken. While carrying your purse or wallet, keep it close to your body and keep all zippers and flaps closed.
  • Place your purchased items in a sack so people cannot see what you have while you are shopping or walking to your car. Place your items in the trunk or in the vehicle where they are not visible. Always make sure your car is locked.
  • Whenever you leave your residence, make sure all the doors are locked. This would include times when you are in the backyard or away from doors that are not visible to you.
  • Locking the doors to residences and vehicles will greatly reduce the amount of thefts and burglaries.

With some effort, you’ll find great shopping deals. But it also takes effort to make sure you know exactly what you’re buying, whether the deal you found is truly a good one, and the rules for returns.

Before you buy, make sure it’s a good product at a good price from a good seller. Is it a quality product or something that’s simply cheap? Cheaper isn’t always a better bargain! What do you know about the retailer – is this a store or website you trust? They’re there to make the sale, but are they also willing to provide service? Before you buy, check around and make sure it’s really a good product and a good deal.

  • Take your ads with you. If you’re headed to a store, take the store’s ad with you. Make sure the product and price match the ad.
  • Always keep receipts and paperwork! Most stores will not make refunds without a receipt, and many won’t exchange without a proof of purchase. If you really think you need a service contract and end up paying for one, be sure to save the paperwork. (Find out more about service contracts at www.FTC.gov).
  • Returns and layaways: Make sure you know a store’s policy on returns or layaways before you make a purchase. Remember, there is no state law that requires stores to give a refund, exchange, or credit for merchandise that is returned or taken off layaway (unless the store advertises that it accepts such returns, or unless an article is defective or was misrepresented.) Also keep in mind that Iowa’s three-day- right-to- cancel law only applies to door-to- door sales, or sales made away from a seller’s usual place of business. In short, most refund policies are up to individual retailers.
  • Buying online: Be sure to shop with reputable companies. Make sure the seller lists an address or toll-free number, just in case you have a problem. Be sure purchases are refundable in case you are not satisfied. Get all details on shipping and handling fees, refund and return policies, and complaint procedures. Print out and keep records of your purchase. Use only “secure” websites (secure websites utilize an https:// prefix for their website address, with the “s” signifying that it’s secure). Pay by credit card – avoid using a debit card or check, so you can dispute the bill and withhold payment if necessary. Be wary of online classified ads and auctions, and avoid providing financial information directly to classified ad sellers.
  • Mail orders: If you order gifts by mail, by telephone, or through a website, you have certain protections. Federal law requires the seller to ship your purchase within 30 days, unless the offer or ad specifies a later date. If there is a delay, the seller must notify you, allow you a chance to cancel your order, and send a full refund if you choose to cancel. Don’t send cash or use your debit card – a credit card gives you the most safeguards
  • Gift certificates and gift cards: If you’re thinking of buying a gift certificate or gift card, check the retailer’s policy. Find out if the retailer will give a credit or cash return if the purchase price is less than the value of the gift certificate, and any other terms the store places on the certificates. Money on a gift card cannot expire for at least five years from
    the date of purchase, or from the last date you loaded any additional funds onto the card. Retailers can charge inactivity fees only after a card has been inactive for at least one year, and they can charge you only once per month. The card’s expiration date must be clearly disclosed on the card, and fees must be clearly disclosed on the card or its packaging.

For more information, you may contact the Oskaloosa Police Department at 673-3201. You may also file a complaint or get more information by contacting the Iowa Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, Hoover Building, Des Moines, Iowa 50319. Call 515-281- 5926,  or outside Des Moines call, toll-free, 1-888- 777-4590. Their website is www.IowaAttorneyGeneral.gov.

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