DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Thinking of lining up at the mini-mart for a shot at a $1.35 billion Mega Millions jackpot? Maybe you should first dig into your coat pockets or your car’s glove box to make sure you don’t already have a winning ticket from an earlier drawing. As players buy tickets ahead of Friday night’s drawing, lottery officials throughout the country say that every year players miss out on millions in prizes. That’s because some don’t realize they have won, while others decide cashing in isn’t worth the trouble of a small payoff. People nearly always show up for the biggest prizes, but million-dollar payoffs have been waiting for months to be claimed in Texas, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan and Washington state.
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First public hearing for governor’s latest private school scholarship plan
Posted on by Sam Parsons
By O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa)
Hundreds gathered in person and online for the first subcommittee hearing on the governor’s latest “school choice” plan.
Governor Reynolds is proposing state-funded Educational Savings Accounts for low income parents who enroll their children in a private school over the next two years, but in the third year the parents of every Iowa private school student would be eligible for thousands of dollars in state money to cover private school expenses. Arlene McClintock says private school was out of reach when she was growing up and being bullied at school. She’s leading a group called Hispanics Aligned for Choice in Education Reform.
“One of the things that parents want to be able to provide for their kids is a safe learning environment,” she said. “That’s something that I wish that I had had growing up and it’s something that I want to provide for my children.”
The governor’s office estimates when fully implemented, the parents of about 40,000 private school students would be getting at least $341 million in state money annually to cover tuition and other private school expenses. Justin Hollinrake told the senate subcommittee sending that much state money to support private schools like likely weaken schools where his relatives live in rural Iowa.
“Ten years from now, is public school even going to be an option?” he asked. “Will schools even be open? Will private school be the only option?”
The newly-formed House Education Reform Committee will hold a public hearing on the bill on Tuesday at 5 p.m.
(Reporting by Grant Gerlock, Iowa Public Radio)
PACE Alliance Accepting Nominations for Pella Impact Awards
Posted on by Sam Parsons
PELLA — The Pella Area Community and Economic Alliance has begun accepting nominations for their Pella Impact Awards from their membership and from the general public.
AWARD CATEGORIES
Business Impact: A business that has been a leader in their field through product development, marketing, technologies, or employee program. Open to a business or organization.
Community Impact: Open to an individual, organization or business. Through their actions, an event, or give-back program or partnerships has greatly contributed to the quality of life and the betterment of the Pella Community.
Spotlight Pella Award: Open to an individual or business who has brought a positive spotlight on Pella through their marketing, programs, event, products or innovation through regional, state or national recognition. Through their actions others know of the Pella Community.
Heritage Award: Open to an individual, organization or business that, through their work, has significantly impacted how the community, businesses and/or residents share in Pella’s heritage.
Lifetime Servant Leadership Award: The Pella Wellness Consortium’s Lifetime Servant Leadership Award recognizes an individual who has consistently demonstrated servant leadership through contributing to the ultimate health and well-being of the Pella community. This leadership has been demonstrated through seeking solutions for the common good, regardless of personal cost or sacrifice; helping others develop and become stronger people; focusing on the growth and well-being of the community; helping people with a variety of perspectives move in a unified direction, and others realize and reach their potential (in multidimensional ways.)
Nominations will be accepted until Wednesday, January 25, 2023. Nominations will be reviewed by the Chairs of the 5 PACE Alliance Councils.
Recipients of the awards will be recognized at the PACE Alliance Member Breakfast on Friday, February 17, 2023.
For more information, visit the PACE website.
Mahaska Chamber’s First Eggs & Issues Event of 2023 Is Tomorrow
Posted on by Sam Parsons
OSKALOOSA — The Mahaska Chamber & Development Group is hosting their first round of Eggs & Issues for this year tomorrow. This legislative forum will be at Oskaloosa Smokey Row from 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM and will give area residents an opportunity to learn more about the state, county, and local issues. Special thanks to MidWestOne Bank for sponsoring the coffee!
The full list of dates for Eggs & Issues and panel speakers are as follows:
January 14, 2023 – City of Oskaloosa and Mahaska County
January 28, 2023 – Iowa Senate #19 Ken Rozenboom; Iowa House #88 Helena Hayes and Iowa House #37 Barb Kniff-McCulla
February 11, 2023 – Iowa Great Places: Arts & Culture Roundtable
February 25, 2023 – Iowa Senate #19 Ken Rozenboom; Iowa House #88 Helena Hayes and Iowa House #37 Barb Kniff-McCulla
March 11, 2023 – Mahaska Health, EMA
March 25, 2023 – Iowa Senate #19 Ken Rozenboom; Iowa House #88 Helena Hayes and Iowa House #37 Barb Kniff-McCulla
Please reach out to Deann De Groot at the Chamber with any questions about the forum at ddegroot@mahaskachamber.org or by phone 641.672.2591.
Grand Ole Opry Holding Special Events To Celebrate Dolly’s Birthday Next Week
Posted on by Bob Ballard
The Grand Ole Opry is having two special shows on January 21st to celebrate Dolly Parton’s 77th birthday. Even though she won’t be there in person, they’re going to have a whole lot going on to honor the star. Events include live performances by Chapel Hart, The Fairfield Four, Caitlyn Smith, Marty Stuart, and Chris Young. The event will also be donating a portion of the ticket sales to the Opry Trust Fund in her honor.
The Opry will have a lot of other fun stuff going on too like “77 Hours of Dolly” giveaways on their social media, birthday cupcakes, a big birthday card for fans to sign, a Dolly impersonator for photo opportunities, and even signature Dolly drinks at the bars.
Tickets are available at www.opry.com/full-calendar.
Source: The Tennessean
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1968, Johnny Cash recorded the live album, “Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison” in California – he remade “Folsom Prison Blues” in the process. Also on hand – June Carter, The Carter Family, Carl Perkins and The Statler Brothers.
- Today in 1978, the “Waylon Live” album by Waylon Jennings was certified gold.
- Today in 1981, country movie music scores big at the GRAMMYs, as the “Urban Cowboy” soundtrack scored four nominations.” Roadie” songs get three, and “Honeysuckle Rose” picks up two. Sissy Spacek gets a nomination for her performance of “Coal Miner’s Daughter”
- Today in 1990, Keith Whitley hits #1 on the Billboard country chart with “It Ain’t Nothin'”
- Today in 1992, George Strait’s “Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind” album was certified platinum.
- Today in 1994, Clint Black’s fourth album, “No Time To Kill,” went platinum.
- Today in 1994, Alan Jackson hit #1 with the single, “Gone Country.”
- Today in 1995, Joe Diffie’s album, “Third Rock from the Sun,” went platinum.
- Today in 1995, the “Lead On” album by George Strait was certified gold and platinum simultaneously.
- Today in 1996, Faith Hill was at #1 on the Billboard country singles chart with “It Matters To Me”
- Today in 1996, Martina McBride made her first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry since becoming a member the previous November. Terri Clark made her Opry debut the same evening.
- Today in 1997, Brooks & Dunn’s album, “Borderline,” went double platinum.
- Today in 1997, Toby Keith’s “Blue Moon” album went gold.
- Today in 1999, the album, “Who I Am,” by Alan Jackson was certified quadruple platinum.
- Today in 2002, the first episode of “CMT Crossroads” aired, pairing a country act with a non-country performer. In this inaugural show matched “Passionate Kisses” songwriter Lucinda Williams with Elvis Costello.
- Today in 2006, Big & Rich’s “Comin’ To Your City” album was certified gold and platinum simultaneously.
- Today in 2010, Trace Adkins signs a recording deal with Toby Keith’s Show Dog-Universal Music during a press conference at BMI in Nashville.
- Today in 2012, Jake Owen broke his collarbone skiing in Crested Butte, Colorado, forcing the cancellation of several concerts.
- Today in 2015, Brad Paisley’s “Crushin’ It” hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2017, Dierks Bentley took his annual polar plunge for New Year’s nearly two weeks late. Penalizing himself for his tardiness, he stayed in the 38-degree water for 13 minutes.
- Today in 2018, Billy Currington was thrown into panic when he received an official cell phone alert warning of an in-bound ballistic missile. The alarm, it was soon discovered, was the result of human error.
- Today in 2020, Darius Rucker’s version of “Wagon Wheel” was certified eight-times platinum.
- Today in 2020, Brooks & Dunn, Kane Brown and Brett Young topped the bill as Bobby Bones hosted his annual Million Dollar Show to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Surprise acts included Sawyer Brown, Old Dominion, Lindsay Ell and Sam Hunt, who performed “Kinfolks” and “Body Like A Back Road.”
- Today in 2020, Josh Gracin and his wife, Katie, welcomed their son, Luka Roman Gracin, in Nashville.
- Today in 2020, Jordan Davis picked up a double-platinum certification from the RIAA for his song, “Singles You Up.” The same day, Luke Bryan’s single, “That’s My Kind Of Night,” was certified quintuple-platinum.
- Today in 2021, moments after Donald Trump became the first president to be impeached twice, he presented Toby Keith and Ricky Skaggs the National Medal of Arts in the East Room of the White House.
- Today in 2021, Tennessee State Rep. John Windle introduced a bill to create a statue of Dolly Parton to reside at the Capitol in Nashville. As “humbled” as she was about the suggestion, Dolly later asked that the legislation be dropped – noting, “With all that is going on in the world, I don’t think that putting me on a pedestal is appropriate at this time.”
MEET THE H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: “WALLEYE”
Posted on by Bob Ballard
This week’s H & S Feed & Country Store Pet of the Week is “Walleye”, a sweet 9 month old Domestic Shorthair/Mix kitty with gorgeous eyes and a loving disposition. She’d make a great furry best friend for any family, and gets along well with kids. Walleye is fully vetted, vaccinated, and would love to meet you!
If you’d like to set up an appointment to meet Walleye or any of the pets at Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter, visit https://www.stephenmemorial.org/ and fill out an adoption application.
Check out our visit about Walleye with Shanna from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:
Eric Church Announces 27-Show ‘The Outsiders Revival Tour’
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Eric Church is going on tour this summer, with his newly announced “The Outsiders Revival Tour”, starting June 22nd! The first leg of the tour kicks off in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and ends in Tampa Florida on September 30th. Church announced the tour to Church Choir, his fan club, last night. The tour will be completely outdoors, with more than a dozen other artists set to join him on different dates of the tour like Whiskey Myers, Cody Jinks, and Ashley McBryde.
Church told his fan club that he always wants to bring new experiences to the tours and this is the first time they’re doing an outdoor summer tour. Tickets go on sale on Friday, January 20th on Ticketmaster.com, while Church Choir members get a head start and are able to purchase tickets Tuesday the 17th.
Fans have been waiting expectantly for news like this. Before the tour was announced Church was teasing it on his social media, posting a video clip that incorporated snippets of his own music and some of the opening acts.
Check out the tour dates HERE!
Source: Billboard
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1992, Garth Brooks rose to #1 on the Billboard country singles chart with “Unanswered Prayers”
- Today in 1993, Marty Stuart earned his first-ever gold album for “This One’s Gonna Hurt You.”
- Today in 1993, the video, “Reba In Concert,” was certified platinum.
- Today in 1996, Tim Rushlow of Little Texas became the proud father of daughter, Bailey Nicole.
- Today in 1998, Shania Twain inducted the Mamas & the Papas into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York.
- Today in 1999, “The Very Best Of John Denver” was certified gold and platinum.
- Today in 2006, Sugarland’s appearance on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” was marked by the absence of original member Kristen Hall. It was seen as a sign of her departure, which the group announced days later.
- Today in 2009, Lady Antebellum’s “I Run To You” was released.
- Today in 2014, a Yoplait ad featuring Eddie Rabbitt’s “I Love A Rainy Night” had its first airing on TV.
- Today in 2017, Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman and husband Stephen announce they’d adopted daughter, Dolly Grace Schlapman. She joined their other daughter, Daisy Pearl, who was born in 2007.
- Today in 2018, Carrie Underwood’s “The Champion” hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2018, Florida Georgia Line earned a gold single from the RIAA for “Smooth” and Justin Moore’s single, “Somebody Else Will,” also went gold.
- Today in 2019, Chris Stapleton sang “Whiskey River” to launch the A&E taping of “Willie: Life & Songs Of An American Outlaw” at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The lineup included Eric Church, George Strait, Emmylou Harris, Sturgill Simpson, Lyle Lovett, Alison Krauss and Jamey Johnson.
- Today in 2019, Tom T. Hall and John Prine were announced as 2019 inductees in the Songwriters Hall of Fame, part of a class that included Cat Stevens, Missy Elliot,t and Jack Tempchin.
- Today in 2020, Tanya Tucker welcomed surprise guest Billy Ray Cyrus to duet on “Old Town Road” in a concert at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Tucker’s guests also included Billy Joe Shaver, Lee Ann Womack, Johnny Rodriguez, Dennis Quaid, Jamey Johnson and Margo Price, who joins Tucker on “Love Me Like You Used To.”
- Today in 2021, the Jimmie Allen/ Brad Paisley single, “Freedom Was A Highway,” hit the airwaves. The same day, Tim McGraw & Tyler Hubbard’s single, “Undivided,” was also released.
Going home: Bills’ Hamlin released from Buffalo hospital
Posted on by Sam Parsons
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Bills safety Damar Hamlin has been released from a hospital in Buffalo nine days after he went into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated during a game at Cincinnati. Hamlin went home home after spending two days undergoing tests at Buffalo General Medical Center. He was transferred to Buffalo after spending last week at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where the 24-year-old experienced what doctors called “a remarkable recovery.” Neither doctors nor the Bills disclosed the results of the tests Hamlin had. Doctors said he will continue his rehabilitation with the Bills.
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