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Ottumwa Tax Abatement Deadline is January 25

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OTTUMWA, IA — The City of Ottumwa is accepting applications for property tax abatement until January 25, 2023. The residential and commercial property tax abatement programs are designed to encourage improvements and new development by reducing the additional taxes assessed on the improvement.

The residential tax abatement program is available citywide and reduces property taxes paid on qualifying improvements to residential property. Property owners who have completed improvements to residential property or apartment buildings in 2022 can file an application for residential tax abatement. New construction, additions, and remodeling projects that increase the assessed value by at least 10% are eligible activities. Taxes on the improvements are abated for a specific number of years for qualifying residential projects.

Applications are also being accepted for commercial property tax abatement in the City of Ottumwa. Improvements to new or existing commercial property that increase the assessed value of the property by at least 15% are eligible for tax abatement. Applicants can access a five-year abatement schedule.

The deadline for tax abatement applications is Thursday, January 25, 2023. For additional information, or to receive tax abatement applications, contact the Planning and Development Department, Room 201 at City Hall, visit ottumwa.us or call 683-0606.

Oskaloosa Council Approves New K9, Denies Rezoning Application

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

The Oskaloosa city council met this week for the first time in the new calendar year and were given a presentation from the Oskaloosa Police Department and Lieutenant John Plumb on a possible K9 addition to the department. According to the presentation, the K9, named “Rocky,” has initially tested very well in training motivation and play drive, and would carry an overall annual cost of less than $1,000 if certified. The proposal was approved by the council.

The council also held a public hearing on an application to rezone a property on North B Street from Urban Family Residential to Mixed Use Urban Corridor. The applicants proposed opening an indoor golf simulator on the property, and though they announced that they did not plan to sell alcohol, they did propose the idea of allowing visitors to bring their own.

The Oskaloosa Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended denial of the proposed rezoning, citing several reasons, including that it was inconsistent with the new Plan Osky Comprehensive Plan, which states the subject property and vicinity is recommended for medium density residential future land use (MDR), and that new commercial uses should not be introduced to a residential neighborhood. The commission also said that the change could impact traffic and neighborhood character and would constitute “spot zoning,” or singling out a zoning change for the sole benefit of the owner and contrary to the comprehensive plan. After much discussion, the application was denied by the council.

Blake Shelton Reveals Jimmy Buffet Actually Wrote ‘Barmageddon’ song

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Blake Shelton is the voice behind USA Network’s new show “Barmageddon” theme song but it turns out that he’s not the brains behind it! Shelton shared with Country Now that he originally reached out to Jimmy Buffet to see if he could use “Margaritaville” for his show, but Buffet liked the name “Barmageddon” so much he wanted to make a brand new song based on the title!

“I wrote back I said, ‘Tell Jimmy to write a song for the show, I’ll record it,’” Shelton revealed. “I committed to recording this song before I ever heard it. I figured Jimmy Buffett can pull this off. If anybody in the world can, it’s got to be Jimmy Buffett.”

“Barmageddon” is a new reality competition show, produced by Blake and Carson Daly, and hosted by Nikki Bella. The show has Daly as the bartender and Shelton leading the bar’s house band each episode. The show is filmed at Blake Shelton’s Ole Red Nashville Bar, named after his hit song “Ol’ Red.” That’s one way to make sure your bar stays in business.

Source: Country Now

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1980, actor George Burns hit the country charts with “I Wish I Was 18 Again.”
  • Today in 1982, the “Christmas” album by Kenny Rogers was certified gold and platinum.
  • Today in 1982, Juice Newton’s album, “Juice,” was certified platinum.
  • Today in 1994, the album, “Honky Tonk Angels,” featuring Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn was certified gold.
  • Today in 1994, Alan Jackson’s video, “Livin’, Lovin’, And Rockin’ That Jukebox” was certified gold.
  • Today in 1995, Jeff Foxworthy’s album, “You Might Be A Redneck If …,” was certified platinum.
  • Today in 1995, Faith Hill’s debut album, “Take Me As I Am,” went platinum.
  • Today in 1995, Wade Hayes released his debut album, “Old Enough To Know Better.”
  • Today in 1999, Shania Twain’s “You’re Still The One” received GRAMMY noms for Record and Song of the Year, while “Come On Over” was up for Album of the Year. The Dixie Chicks were finalists for Best New Artist. It was the first time country acts made each of the top four Grammy categories in one year.
  • Today in 2007, Jo Dee Messina began her first USO tour: she performed for American G.I.s in Italy over a five-day period.
  • Today in 2009, James Otto had shoulder surgery for a torn rotator cuff and bone spurs.
  • Today in 2010, Carrie Underwood’s song, “Cowboy Casanova,” went gold.
  • Today in 2013, Maren Morris moved to Nashville.
  • Today in 2015, Maddie & Tae’s single, “Fly,” went gold. The same day, Blake Shelton’s single, “Neon Light,” did, too!
  • Today in 2016, Maren Morris’ debut single, “My Church,” hit the airwaves.
  • Today in 2016, LoCash member Preston Brust and his wife, Kristen, welcomed daughter Love Lily Brust in Nashville.
  • Today in 2016, a day after stealing two pair of boots from Kacey Musgraves’ car, a thief was arrested at Lucchese in Nashville when he tried to return the boots for $900, using a receipt with her name on it.
  • Today in 2017, Blake Shelton unveiled plans to open a new entertainment venue, Ole Red, in two locations – Nashville and Tishomingo, Oklahoma – in conjunction with Ryman Hospitality.
  • Today in 2018, Jamey Johnson and Alison Krauss performed “Go Rest High On That Mountain” and Randy Owen sang “Angels Among Us” during a funeral for producer Rick Hall at the Highland Park Baptist Church in Muscle Shoals. Also participating were Mac Davis, Randy Houser, John Paul White and Shenandoah’s Marty Raybon.
  • Today in 2021, Clay Walker and his wife, Jessica, welcomed son Christiaan Michael Walker in Houston. Little Christaan is the couple’s fifth child – Clay has two adult daughters by his previous marriage.
  • Today in 2021, Random House Kids released “C Is For Country,” a children’s book written by Lil Nas X.

Indians Swept by the Dutch

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

The Oskaloosa Indians took part in their first girls and boys basketball action of the new calendar year last night in a highly anticipated rivalry matchup with the Pella Dutch.

The girls game was handled by the Dutch from the early going. The Indians entered the game short-handed; junior Kassie Johnson and freshman Loghan Edgar were both out of the rotation due to ankle injuries, forcing the Indians to make do with only 7 players.

Turnovers continued to plague the Indians as they struggled to move the ball around against Pella’s full court press, which exhausted the Indians and their shallow bench. A pair of backcourt violations and another pair of backcourt time violations were emblematic of the issues the Indians had in a night where little seemed to go their way. Sophomore Dasia Foster had another double-double and senior Presley Blommers put up 14 points, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Indians in the game as they fell 62-42.

The boys game saw a different story arrive at a similar conclusion. The Indians began the game with bountiful energy and a back-and-forth first quarter saw the Indians hold a 16-15 lead. Midway through the second, Osky appeared to be finding their groove, establishing a 26-21 lead over Pella.

It was at this point that disaster struck for Oskaloosa; an 18-0 run by Pella followed, extending into the third quarter. After leading by 5, Osky was outscored 30-7 in roughly the following 12 minutes of action. This massive run by the Dutch, led by the scoring success of players including Luke Hardman and Romon Hugan and consistent winning with regard to rebounds, doomed the Indians and any efforts they made to come back into the game. Those efforts were staved off until the end, with Pella securing the win, 62-44.

The Osky girls fall to 3-5 on the season; the boys are now 1-7. Both squads will venture to Newton this Friday to face the Cardinals in another round of Little Hawkeye Conference hoops.

Fans give millions to Damar Hamlin’s toy drive for kids

Posted on by Sam Parsons

BUFFALO, NY — Damar Hamlin’s goal was simple: He wanted to raise $2,500 online to buy toys for needy kids. It took about two years. Then came Monday, when the Buffalo Bills safety was critically injured and needed his heart restarted on the field in a chilling scene during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He instantly became one of the biggest stories in sports, and thousands of people found his GoFundMe page. The result was roughly $5.5 million donated in the first 24 hours after his injury. And the number is climbing.

To view the GoFundMe page, click here.

National survey finds drugs in the systems of many Iowa drivers in accidents

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Natalie Krebs (Radio Iowa)

A new study finds more than 45% of seriously injured drivers in Iowa had at least one drug in their system.

Tim Brown is the director of Drugged Driving Research at the National Advanced Driving Simulator at the University of Iowa. Brown says the study will help better direct messaging to prevent people from driving impaired, but it shows all drivers should be aware of other motorists around them.

“Your best bet is to be defensive and be aware of what else is going on,” Brown says. “If you see a vehicle that’s behaving oddly, you want to give it space and you don’t want to be in that zone around it if something bad happens.” The top drugs found in Iowa drivers were alcohol and cannabinoids — from products that come from cannabis plants.

Brown says one alarming trend revealed in the study was the increase in prescription drugs found. “Many, many medications out there do great things for treating disease states,” Brown says, “but they’re not safe to drive with and I think people just forget that.” The study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration screened people involved in traffic crashes for drugs at seven Level One trauma centers nationally, including the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. It tested seriously injured drivers for drugs from August 2020 to July 2021.

Mahaska County Board of Supervisors Holds Organizational Meeting

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

The Mahaska County Board of Supervisors met this morning and had their annual organizational meeting. Mark Groenendyk was re-elected as board chair while Steve Wanders was elected as board vice chair.

The board also discussed and considered the hiring of a part time “School Resource Officer” for the North Mahaska School District. According to Sheriff Russell Van Renterghem, the agreement would likely last for roughly 3 years and the school district would cover 100% of the cost for the officer within the district. North Mahaska Superintendent Angela Livezy was on hand to explain why the district has felt the need to add an SRO.

The board ultimately did not take action after the discussion, with the Sheriff’s Office holding a budget meeting later this month to discuss the potential impacts of the potential agreement.

Ottumwa City Council Approves Greater Ottumwa Park Master Plan

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

The city of Ottumwa held its first council meeting in the new calendar year last night and received a presentation on the proposed Greater Ottumwa Park Master Plan. According to the presentation, the plan is meant to provide a long-term vision for buildout of the park as a public amenity. Community Development Director Zach Simonson introduced the presentation and told the council that approval of the plan didn’t necessarily mean a commitment to everything in it.

The plan includes the optimization of the placement and positioning of the ballfields in the area as well as parking spaces, as well as improvements to other amenities like Beach Ottumwa, playground, and dog park. The plan was approved unanimously.

Wynonna Judd Cancels NYE Performance Due To Severe Vertigo

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Wynonna Judd was scheduled to perform with Kelsea Ballerini during Nashville’s New Year’s Eve live concert special, but a last-minute health issue forced her to cancel! Judd has revealed that she suffered from an episode of vertigo and was unable to take the stage. Judd apologized to her fans on Instagram for letting them down and expressed her disappointment at not being able to perform with Ballerini.

“I am on the bus struggling with an extreme bout of vertigo, and am unable to perform. ???????? Nashville, I am absolutely heartbroken and so sorry to have let you all down tonight. Kelsea, I look forward to stepping onstage with you in February, better than ever!!!!” Judd said on Instagram.

The two singers will have another chance to perform together soon, as Ballerini is the special guest at three of the “Judds’ 2023 Final Tour” dates in February. The Tour is an all-star party featuring a rotating cast of country music’s most prominent women, with Ballerini, Little Big Town, Tanya Tucker and Brandi Carlile all joining as guest performers as well.

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