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Local Housing Trust Funds Receive Grants from IFA

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES — The Iowa Finance Authority announced the award of a total of more than $11 million in grants to 26 Local Housing Trust Funds to support local housing initiatives, including initiatives that serve Mahaska and surrounding counties.

The AHEAD Regional Housing Trust Fund, which serves Mahaska, Davis, Jefferson, Keokuk, Wapello, and Van Buren counties, will receive $425,870 and the Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund, which serves Marion, Jasper, Warren, and Boone counties, is set to receive $513,597. In total, the grant awards, which are made available through the Local Housing Trust Fund program, are expected to assist 2,390 families.

“The 2023 Local Housing Trust Fund awards represent the largest amount allocated through the program for local housing initiatives since the program’s inception,” said Iowa Finance Authority Executive Director Debi Durham. “Thanks to the funding increase supported by Governor Reynolds and the Iowa Legislature, the program is able to serve as an invaluable and flexible resource for meeting the important and unique housing needs of each region of the state.”

“The State Housing Trust Fund is a critical financing tool that helps us to advance local housing priorities,” said Scott County Housing Council Executive Director Leslie Kilgannon.  “These funds allow us to provide safe, adequate housing opportunities for our workforce and members of our communities.”

The grant funds will be used for initiatives such as preserving aging housing stock, subsidizing local rental and down payment assistance programs, providing low-interest loans or grants to assist Iowans with home rehabilitation, financing construction of new single-family housing for low-income Iowans and supporting housing for persons with disabilities and homeless assistance programs.

The State Housing Trust Fund was created by the Iowa Legislature in 2003. The awards announced today will leverage an additional $3.2 million in other financing or $.28 for every dollar of Local Housing Trust Fund program funding. Since its inception, the State Housing Trust Fund has provided $112.2 million in affordable housing assistance to benefit more than 35,200 Iowa families, leveraging more than $175 million in other funding resources.

The State Housing Trust Fund helps ensure decent, safe and affordable housing for Iowans through two programs. The Local Housing Trust Fund Program receives at least 60 percent of the SHTF allocation to provide grants for organizations certified by the Iowa Finance Authority as a Local Housing Trust Fund.

The remaining funding goes to the Project-Based Housing Program, which aids in the development of affordable single-family and multifamily housing. The Iowa Finance Authority administers both programs and provides technical assistance to housing-related organizations.

Pella Council Tables Repairs for Bos Landen Conference Center

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

The Pella City Council met this week to discuss proposed repairs to the Bos Landen Conference Center. A public hearing was held on the repairs, which became necessary after a frozen water pipe exploded in the center in 2020. 3 bids were received on the repairs, but while the engineer’s estimate of costs was roughly $750,000, all 3 bids came in at over $1.2 million. With such a high disparity, staff recommended to the council that they table approval of the repairs until the next meeting so they can discuss funding sources for it, and the council followed that recommendation.

The council also approved appointments to the Ad Hoc Committee for Community Center Improvements, which was conceived in October when the council decided to move forward in the process with those improvements. The appointed members were Dave Hopkins, Brenda Huisman, Pati Van Zante, Arvin Van Zante, Amanda Schwerdtfeger, Rhonda Kermode, Mary Robertson, and a representative from the Union Street Players still to be determined.

The next regular council meeting for the city of Pella is scheduled for December 20.

Blake Shelton Talks ‘Rebalancing’ His Life With Gwen Stefani

Posted on by Bob Ballard

With country stardom comes fame and…seeds. Talking to People, Blake Shelton says he and wife Gwen Stefani “go way over-the-top” when it comes to gardening and says, “It’s embarrassing how much we spend on seeds.” He says it’s part of how he and Stefani are putting their family first as he steps away from his seat as a coach on “The Voice,” saying, “

He says he’s now prioritizing time with his wife and her sons with Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, Kingston, Zuma, and Apollo. He says his happiest times are when he’s home in Oklahoma with the family, saying he takes his job as a stepparent seriously. “This isn’t about me anymore and never will be again,” he says.

It’s not just his wife and kids he’s focusing on; he invited his mother Dorothy Shackleford to write and perform a Christmas song with him in 2012, which she turned into a book deal that became a movie series. “Time for Him to Come Home For Christmas” is available to stream now on Peacock.

Source: People

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1962, Flatt & Scruggs perform at New York’s Carnegie Hall. The concert is recorded for later release as an album.
  • Today in 1982, Marty Robbins died of a heart attack at the age of 57. Marty had at least one hit on the U.S. country singles chart every year between 1956 and 1982. In fact, he recorded 500 songs in his lifetime – 18 of them went gold – including the first #1 hit of the 60’s, “El Paso.”
  • Today in 1983, “The Very Best Of Conway Twitty” album was certified gold.
  • Today in 1986, the album “Willie Nelson’s Greatest Hits (& Some That Will Be)” was certified double-platinum.
  • Today in 1994, Mark Chesnutt and his wife, Tracie, welcomed their son, Waylon Nelson.
  • Today in 1995, Aaron Tippin hit #1 with “That’s As Close As I’ll Get to Loving You.”
  • Today in 1997, Trisha Yearwood presented Garth Brooks with the Artist Achievement Award at the “Billboard” LeAnn Rimes also took home four trophies, including Artist of the Year and Country Artist of the Year.
  • Today in 2000, Tim McGraw’s “Greatest Hits” CD entered its second week at #1 on “Billboard’s” Top Country Albums chart.
  • Today in 2003, Chris Cagle’s self-titled sophomore album went gold.
  • Today in 2003, Brad Paisley’s “Mud On The Tires” album rolled to gold certification.
  • Today in 2004, “CMT Homecoming: Jimmy Carter In Plains” premiered, which featured a Willie Nelson concert that was taped in the former president’s hometown.
  • Today in 2005, Brad Paisley, Gretchen Wilson, and Jerry Douglas each received four Grammy Award nominations.
  • Today in 2005, Brad Paisley’s “When I Get Where I’m Going” video, featuring Dolly Parton and Scott Hamilton, premiered on CMT.
  • Today in 2012, Keith Urban received the Harmony Award from the Nashville Symphony at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
  • Today in 2012, Marty Stuart celebrated his 20th anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Also appearing on the show? His wife, Connie Smith, as well as Charley Pride, Old Crow Medicine Show and songwriter Brandy Clark.
  • Today in 2014, Jason Aldean’s album, “Old Boots, New Dirt,” went platinum.
  • Today in 2015, cover girl Miranda Lambert addressed her divorce from Blake Shelton as “Cosmopolitan” magazine hit newsstands. “It’s about living in the moment and feeling every tinge of pain,” she offered. “Then waking up the next day going, ‘All right, I’m going to ride my ponies. I’m going to have a girls’ night.’ That’s where I am.”
  • Today in 2017, Luke Bryan’s “What Makes You Country” album was released. The same day? The Walker Hayes album, “boom,” also dropped.
  • Today in 2018, Eric Paslay and his wife, Natalie, welcomed their daughter, Piper Lily Paslay, in Nashville.
  • Today in 2018, Jake Owen hosted his 12th annual benefit at the Indian River County Fairgrounds in Vero Beach, Florida, joined by Joe Diffie, Chris Lane and Morgan Wallen. Surprise guest Colt Ford teamed with Owen on “Dirt Road Anthem,” and golfer John Daly gets backup help from Owen, Wallen and Diffie on Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door.”
  • Today in 2018, Toby Keith received the Harmony Award from the Nashville Symphony during the Symphony Ball at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. He performed “Should’ve Been A Cowboy,” “God Love Her,” “American Soldier” and the movie song, “Don’t Let The Old Man In” with the orchestra.
  • Today in 2018, Gretchen Wilson performed “Here For The Party” and “Redneck Woman” during Alice Cooper’s Christmas Pudding benefit concert at the Celebrity Theater in Phoenix. Also on the bill? Johnny Depp, Larry The Cable Guy, Sebastian Bach and two members of Blue Oyster Cult.
  • Today in 2019, Dolly Parton appeared on screen with Danica McKellar and Niall Matter as the Hallmark Channel debuts “Christmas At Dollywood.” The soundtrack includes Parton’s recordings of “Winter Wonderland,” “Joy To The World” and “Hard Candy Christmas.”
  • Today in 2019, Chris Young, Chase Rice, Russell Dickerson and LANCO were among the acts playing the acoustic 10 Man Jam at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth, with funds marked for a local food bank.
  • Today in 2019, Blake Shelton and his mother, Dorothy Shackleford, were the executive producers as the Hallmark Channel debuted a new special, “Time For You To Come Home For Christmas,” starring Alison Sweeney and Lucas Bryant.
  • Today in 2019, Linda Ronstadt received a Kennedy Center Honor in Washington, D.C., hailed by Emmylou Harris and Don Henley. Carrie Underwood covered “Blue Bayou” and “When Will I Be Loved,” and Trisha Yearwood performed “You’re No Good.” Other honorees include Earth, Wind & Fire, Sally Field and “Sesame Street,” who was saluted by Thomas Rhett.
  • Today in 2020, Darius Rucker was officially welcomed as an investor in the Nashville Stars, a group of athletes and businessmen attempting to bring major baseball to Music City.

Osky GBB Suffers First Loss of the Season at Mount Pleasant

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

The Oskaloosa Indians girls basketball team made the solo trip to Mount Pleasant yesterday and were dealt their first loss of the season by the Panthers.

In the first half, the Indians were unable to muster much offensively as shots were not able to find the bottom of the bucket. Senior point guard Presley Blommers entered the game with 39 points over the Indians’ first two games, but only managed one point in the first half as the Indians trailed 21-9 at the break.

Things would come alive for Blommers and company in the third quarter. Blommers connected on three shots from 3-point range, with junior Lydia Van Veldhuizen also knocking down a trey as the Indians rallied back to tie the game at 24-24 with less than a minute left in the 3rd. However, the 3rd quarter would end on a sour note when Panther senior Andrea Lopreato drew a foul on a 3-point shot at the buzzer and drilled all 3 of her free throws to make it 27-24 entering the fourth. Lopreato had a monster night for Mount Pleasant, scoring 24 points (8/9 FT) and collecting 17 rebounds (unofficial).

From there, the Panthers were able to stave off the comeback effort from the Indians and re-established control of the game. Blommers connected on another late 3-pointer to give her 14 points in the 2nd half, but the Panthers, led by Lopreato, stayed one or two steps ahead for the entirety of the fourth quarter and left with their first victory of the season, 41-32 over Oskaloosa.

Oskaloosa (2-1) will visit #10 Indianola on Friday in a girls/boys doubleheader. Coverage on KBOE will begin at 6pm.

Oskaloosa Stats

(Rebound totals are unofficial)

Presley Blommers: 15 points, 1 rebound

Dasia Foster: 8 points, 8 rebounds

Lydia Van Veldhuizen: 5 points, 8 rebounds

Hannah Nelson: 4 points, 7 rebounds

Evelyn Adam: 2 rebounds

Loghan Edgar: 1 rebound

Mount Pleasant Stats

Andre Lopreato: 24 points, 17 rebounds

Kate Schimmelpfennig: 11 points, 3 rebounds

Alex Scott: 4 points, 3 rebounds

Andi Scott: 2 points

Hailey Parrott: 2 rebounds

Abby Carthey: 1 rebound

Speedier drug approvals hit slowdown as FDA faces scrutiny

Posted on by Sam Parsons

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration is slowing its use of a pathway that expedites the approval of promising drugs. The downturn comes as the agency’s accelerated approval program comes under new scrutiny from Congress, government watchdogs and key agency leaders. Increasingly, the FDA is asking drugmakers to remove unproven uses from older drugs that haven’t delivered on early results. And drugmakers seeking accelerated approval for new medicines are facing tougher hurdles at the agency. Legislation pending in Congress would codify those standards. Many experts support the measures as a way to claw back unproven drug uses after a recent boom in accelerated approvals.

New Resource and Support for Iowa’s Nonprofits Launches Statewide

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES — The newly formed Iowa Nonprofit Alliance is launching and opening its member portal to all Iowa nonprofit organizations on Thursday, December 8.

The launch is starting with a Press Conference.

Thursday, December 8, 2022, 10-11 am
Mainframe Studios
Small conference room
900 Keosauqua, Des Moines, IA

Speakers include:

  • Matt Unger, INA Board Member

  • Siobhan Spain, Mainframe Studios ED

  • Suzanne Heckenlaible, Foundation executive director and vice president of public affairs at Delta Dental

  • Adam Lounsbury, Volunteer Iowa

  • Ras Smith, INA Board member

  • Paul Thelen, INA Board member

BACKGROUND

Iowa is one of a handful of states that does not currently have a statewide nonprofit association. In 2019, a small group of nonprofit leaders determined the feasibility of establishing one. An assessment of over 200 Iowa nonprofits reflected that there was a significant need statewide support. A board was formed, and an application was submitted to gain nonprofit status. After several years of research, hard work, and preparation the INA is now ready to start accepting memberships. The Iowa Nonprofit Alliance is dedicated to supporting Iowa’s 23,000 nonprofit organizations through education, advocacy, and networking. As a member of INA, members will get access to a slate of services and benefits.

Seed funding for the Iowa Nonprofit Alliance is provided by Alliant Energy, Delta Dental Foundation, and an anonymous donor.

Learn more on our website at iowanonprofitalliance.org.

Iowa 4-H Scholarship Applications Now Open

Posted on by Sam Parsons

AMES — Are you an Iowa 4-H’er planning to attend college? The Iowa 4-H Foundation knows it’s not easy to finance a college education, and we know that many Iowa 4-H’ers can use help achieving their educational goals. Consider applying for an Iowa 4-H Scholarship, funded by donors through the Iowa 4-H Foundation.

Designed to encourage Iowa 4-H members to continue their education beyond high school, our current scholarship program offers over 90 scholarships worth more than $100,000. Scholarships range in value from $250 to $5,000. Read more about the scholarships here.

Iowa 4-H members are eligible to apply for 4-H scholarships if they meet individual scholarship requirements (i.e. designated college and/or major program of study, county of residence, 4-H event participation, etc.)  Applicants must enroll as a full-time student (minimum of 12 credit hours) to receive scholarship awards. Only ONE application form is needed for all Iowa 4-H scholarships. Eligible Iowa 4-H youth may apply for more than one scholarship, however, only one scholarship per individual will be awarded per academic year.

To be eligible for any of the Iowa 4-H Foundation Scholarships 2 letters of recommendation are required – one from an Extension staff member or 4-H volunteer and one from a school/college academic advisor or teacher. College undergraduates may submit both letters from academic advisors.

All 4-H scholarship applications are due March 1, 2023, 11:59 p.m.

Oskaloosa Lighted Christmas Parade Award Winners

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA — “Christmas Canvas” took place Saturday evening in downtown Oskaloosa beneath the beautiful Painting With Lights Display. Oskaloosa Main Street and the Mahaska Chamber have unveiled the full list of prize winners from the parade and the decorating contests that went along with it:

In the Non-Profit Category 1st place goes to Gateway Church of the Nazarene and 2nd place to St. Mary’s Knights of Columbus.

In the Profit Category 1st place goes to Musco Lighting with 2nd place to a first-time entrant Red Neck Rally.

The Judges Choice went to Mandi’s School of Dance.  The Children’s Choice went to the William Penn University Theatre.

Additional awards given in connection with the Main Street Lighted Christmas Parade events were for store window and home decorating. The 1st Place Window Display went to Crouse’s House of Flowers on the south side of the Oskaloosa Square.

Many homes were decorated for the Home Decorating Contest. Prizes were funded by MidAmerican Energy and Southeast Iowa Regional Board of Realtors with several other sponsors helping with other logistics. Those winners are as follows:

Griswold Award – Terry Fisher – 1202 J Avenue East

Most Festive – Jeff, Virginia, Jeremy Pierson – 1502 South 7th St.

Best in Show – Jim & Karen Powell – 1226 North Market St.

Best Use of Lights – Laura Brehm – 2404 McMullin Dr.

Best Use of Color – Matt & Brenna Fjeld  – 161 Highland

Interested in going for a ride around town to view all the brilliant entries?  A map with full list of addresses can be found on the Mahaska Chamber and Development Facebook page or at  https://tinyurl.com/2lugw5bj

Naomi Judd’s Family Dropping Suit To Keep Death Investigation Sealed

Posted on by Bob Ballard

The family of Naomi Judd filled a petition in Tennessee court to seal the police reports and recordings from the investigation into her death, which included interviews with the family, but now they’re asking to dismiss their lawsuit. The family originally argued that public release of the details would cause “significant and irreparable harm.”

According to reports, the family wants to dismiss the lawsuit in part because journalists aren’t requesting photos or body cam footage from inside the home. The motion to dismiss also mentions a new bill that would keep death investigations private. The filing was made on behalf of Larry Strickland, Naomi’s husband, and her daughters Ashley and Wynonna Judd.

Source: People

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