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Eric Church Announces His New Whiskey Brand

When Eric Church sang “Drink In My Hand,” he wasn’t kidding – he enjoys a good drink now and then. To that end, the country star announced yesterday that he was entering into a new business partnership that plays directly into that.

“You all know that I love whiskey. I write about it in my songs. I share it with you all on stage and now I’ve had the opportunity to create a whiskey from start to finish that celebrates taking chances and doing things the unconventional way. Through this creative spirit, I’m proud to announce to you – Whiskey Jypsi. As my most loyal fans, we’ve set aside a presale allotment specifically for you… Lives are made for chances, EC.”

Apparently the whiskey is not your bottom-shelf variety – with the website placing the price point at a stout $199.99 per bottle. According to the company, “Whiskey JYPSI Legacy Batch 001 is the first in a series of exclusive, limited releases featuring rare and complex blends of aged whiskeys. Blending three distinct whiskeys, each at different stages of development from 4 to 20 years old, creating unexpectedly rich layers of aroma and flavor – not generally found in spirits.”

Premium Choir Choir members can register for presale to order Legacy Batch 001 via a link in the announcement email to receive a separate preorder link on May 16th. Non-Premium Choir Choir members can sign up for the Whiskey JYPSI email list to receive a preorder link the following day on May 17th. You can find more information about other batches and details on the company on their website.

Source: WhiskeyRiff

This day in Country Music History

  • Today in 1983, Alabama’s album, “The Closer You Get,” was certified gold and platinum simultaneously.
  • Today in 1986, Dolly Parton opened her Dollywood amusement park in Tennessee.
  • Today in 1993, the “Some Gave All” album by Billy Ray Cyrus was certified for sales of 7-million.
  • Today in 1994, Alan Jackson and Garth Brooks were the big winners at the 29th annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Los Angeles. Garth skipped the show to be in Nashville with his then-wife, Sandy, as she gave birth to the couple’s second child, August Anna. She was born the night Garth received the ACM’s Entertainer of the Year award for the fourth consecutive year. That same night, “We Shall Be Free” was named Video of the Year.
  • Today in 1994, the “Rhythm, Country and Blues” album was certified gold and platinum.
  • Today in 1996, John Michael Montgomery hit #1 with “Long As I Live.”
  • Today in 1997, Travis Tritt, Bill Anderson, Stonewall Jackson and others attended the 50th anniversary celebration for the Ernest Tubb Record Shops in downtown Nashville.
  • Today in 2000, Faith Hill’s “The Way You Love Me” video made its worldwide debut on CMT’s “Delivery Room.” Other videos premiering included the Kinleys’ “She Ain’t The Girl For You,” “One Voice” from Billy Gilman and Sonya Isaacs’ “Since I Gave My Heart Away.”
  • Today in 2000, in an incident that no one has ever been able to truly explain, Roseanne Barr crashed the party that Lonestar’s record company hosted following the ACM Awards show. Lonestar and their friends were busy celebrating their ACM Single of the Year award for “Amazed,” so it’s not surprising that it took some time before anyone noticed that someone had walked away with the trophy presented to the record label. A few days later, Roseanne admitted that she hid the award under her jacket as she left the celebration at the ritzy Posto Restaurant in Los Angeles. She followed her confession by sending the trophy to Nashville, where it was placed on display at the record label’s office.
  • Today in 2002, Chely Wright was among “People” magazine’s annual “50 Most Beautiful.” She was the only country singer.
  • Today in 2003, Buddy Jewell became the first “Nashville Star.”
  • Today in 2006, Ricky Van Shelton wrote an open letter to fans announcing his retirement from the road, assuring fans he and his wife, Bettye were in good health, he said they “need to be close to our families” in Virginia.
  • Today in 2007, Taylor Swift picked up a gold single for her debut, “Tim McGraw.”
  • Today in 2010, water from the Cumberland River flooded Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House peaking more than two feet above the venue’s stage. The Opry moved to other locations for four months.
  • Today in 2013, Keith Urban made a surprising appearance during The Rolling Stones’ show at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, joining the band while playing “Respectable.”
  • Today in 2014, Kacey Musgraves performs “Follow Your Arrow” at the GLAAD Media Awards in New York, following an introduction by Chely Wright.
  • Today in 2017, the video for “Craving You,” by Thomas Rhett featuring Maren Morris, hit the airwaves.
  • Today in 2017, Toby Keith covered “MacArthur Park,” while Dwight Yoakam played “Wichita Lineman” at Carnegie Hall in New York during a salute to Jimmy Webb. A fundraiser for Alzheimer’s, the show also featured Ashley Campbell, Judy Collins, Art Garfunkel, Amy Grant, Graham Nash, and Johnny Rivers.

WCEMA Receives Future Ready Iowa Grant for Internship Inititative

OTTUMWA — Wapello County Emergency Management has been awarded a Future Ready Iowa  2023 Summer Youth Internship Program award in the amount of $98,565 to administer the Supporting Rural EMS through an Internship Initiative on behalf of the Wapello County Board of Supervisors, who have partnered with Davis and Van Buren Counties and the City of Centerville to provide this opportunity for our youth.

Priority will be given  to at-risk youth who meet specific criteria, such as being a first-generation college  student, a high school dropout, a child or parent in a single-parent family, or from an  underrepresented ethnic population, amongst other possible criteria. The Initiative will  provide an opportunity for 16 participants, aged 17-24 from the counties of Appanoose,  Davis, Van Buren, and Wapello to complete a paid internship to become Emergency  Medical Technicians.

There is a desperate need for certified EMS professionals in these  counties as well as statewide and a “grow our own” approach to filling this need will  help find these individuals. During the summer paid internship, participants will take a  state-approved EMT course through Indian Hills Community College, while completing  healthcare exploration, and course lab and clinical hours at area ambulance services,  fire-based EMS services, and hospitals. Interns will also receive information on furthering  their education in healthcare, particularly in EMS by continuing to the Paramedic level, as well as soft skills needed to be successful in a job and career.

Look for more  information on the Initiative as well as the application on the website, www.wapelloready.org.

Scott Tjeerdsma Named Next Pella Middle School Principal

PELLA — Pella Community School District is excited to announce the hiring of Scott Tjeerdsma for Pella CSD Middle School Principal. Scott, a long-time staff member at Pella Schools and the current Dean of Students at Pella Middle School, has accepted the role as the leader of Pella Middle School beginning with the 2023-2024 school year. 

Scott is married to Julia Tjeerdsma and has three children, Henry (7th grade), Evelyn (5th grade), and Miles (Kindergarten). Along with serving as the Dean of Students and Athletic Director, Scott has served the Pella Community School District as a math, special education, and fourth grade teacher, along with various coaching positions.  

 

I’m humbled by the opportunity to serve as principal at Pella Middle School. I am eager to continue to work with a fantastic staff and build on the solid foundation established by Mr. Manning.  I look forward to partnering with parents and the Pella community to continue to make Pella Middle School a place where all students can thrive.”

– Scott Tjeerdsma, 

Pella Middle School Principal

“We are very pleased that Scott has accepted this new role as Middle School Principal. Scott has been a critical part of the leadership team at the Middle School building for the last 12 years. We look forward to partnering with him in his new position as the district continues to work with students, staff, and parents to support learning in the Middle School building.”

– Greg Ebeling, 

Superintendent of Pella Schools

Why First Republic failed. Are other banks to follow?

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — First Republic Bank has become the second large regional bank with assets over $200 billion to fail in just a few weeks. Like Silicon Valley Bank, which was seized by the government on March 10, First Republic catered to a wealthy clientele, which helped it grow deposits rapidly but may have also contributed to its undoing. The bank’s business model left it susceptible to a sudden rise in interest rates.

Since the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank — and Signature Bank the same weekend — investors have wondered who’s next. First Republic quickly rose to the top of that list, but investors and analysts worried about banks such as Comerica and KeyCorp, which also had large numbers of accounts with deposits above the federally-insured level of $250,000.

Here are some things to know about the collapse of First Republic Bank.

WHY DID FIRST REPUBLIC FAIL?

First Republic grew rapidly through deposits from wealthy individuals and companies. It used those deposits to make large loans, including jumbo mortgages, when interest rates were at historically low levels in hopes of then convincing customers to expand into more profitable products like wealth management.

Many of the bank’s accounts had deposits well north of the federally-insured $250,000. Once Silicon Valley Bank went under, clients pulled their money, fearful their deposits were in danger. First Republic said last week that depositors had withdrawn more than $100 billion, most of it during a few days in mid-March.

“Too many (First Republic) customers showed their true loyalties were to their own fears,” wrote Timothy Coffey, an analyst with Janney Montgomery Scott, in a note to investors.

What’s more, the large loans on First Republic’s books dropped in value as the Federal Reserve rapidly raised interest rates last year. So, if the bank tried to sell the loans to raise capital, it would do so at a loss. Similar circumstances had doomed Silicon Valley Bank.

First Republic planned to sell off unprofitable assets, including low interest mortgages that it provided to wealthy clients. It also announced plans to lay off up to a quarter of its workforce, which totaled about 7,200 employees in late 2022. But those plans were seen as too little, too late, by analysts.

By the middle of last week, it became clear government intervention in First Republic was necessary. Treasury officials asked banks to submit bids for First Republic, and bankers and regulators worked through the weekend to find a way forward.

WHAT BANK OR BANKS ARE NEXT?

For now, analysts expect the banking system will be spared any more large bank failures, saying the problems at Silicon Valley, Signature Bank and First Republic were unique to those companies.

Other midsize banks suffered large withdrawals of deposits and were forced to borrow from federal programs to shore up their balance sheets, but none were hit as hard as First Republic.

For example, Comerica, based in Dallas, said deposits fell by $3.7 billion after March 9 and the company borrowed $13 billion from federal programs “to provide a buffer in excess of normal operating levels.” Still the company earned $324 million in the first quarter, down slightly from the fourth quarter, but up from $189 million in the year-ago quarter.

Comerica shares dropped 37% in the week after Silicon Valley Bank failed, but have remained steady since. On Monday, the shares slipped almost 2%.

Shares of most midsize banks fell Monday, but the drops were moderate compared to the steep double-digits losses for many of them on March 13.

The trading “suggests little or no spillovers — consistent with the notion that there is no surprise” with the seizure of First Republic, said Krishna Guha at Evercore ISI.

WHAT HAPPENS TO FIRST REPUBLIC STOCKHOLDERS?

First Republic’s stock traded at $115 on March 8, then plummeted in the following days and weeks and closed Friday at $3.15. About $20 billion in market value has been wiped out. Trading in the stock was halted before U.S. markets opened Monday.

JPMorgan Chase, which has agreed to buy the deposits and most of the assets of First Republic, stressed that it is not assuming any of First Republic’s corporate debt or preferred stocks.

After a bank’s failure, bondholders are among the last to get paid — stockholders are at the very end of the line. The FDIC does not give estimates on how likely any creditor is to get repaid.

But the agency did say that its deposit insurance fund, which banks pay into, could take a $13 billion estimated loss as a result of First Republic’s failure.

While conditions could change over time, that likely leaves nothing left over for investors to recoup. Stockholders at Silicon Valley Bank and Signature were wiped out.

The outcome was just fine with one interested observer.

“While depositors are being protected, shareholders are losing their investments,” said President Joe Biden during a Rose Garden event focused on small businesses, when asked about the bank seizure. “Critically, taxpayers are not the ones who are on the hook.”

Bill to address violent student behavior sent to governor

By O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa)

The Iowa legislature has unanimously approved a bill that requires K-12 schools to have discipline policies for students who are violent or disruptive.

“It creates more structure for what schools must include in their discipline policies for threats of violence or incidents of violence,” says Senator Lynn Evans, a Republican from Aurelia who’s a former superintendent, “while still giving the school leeway to adjust based on the specific situation.”

In March, the House voted to require in-school suspensions any time a student is removed from a classroom due to violent behavior. Last month, the Senate adjusted the bill giving schools more latitutde, but requiring escalating discipline for students who are disruptive or violent. The House has now approved those changes and sent the bill to the governor. Representative Brook Boden, a Republican from Indianola, says lawmakers are responding to teachers, support staff, parents and administrators.

“We listened and we developed language here that will provide the support in education for all the parties,” Boden says, “making sure that we provide the tools needed to ensure that we have environments in which children can learn.”

The bill will allow educators to report incidents of classroom violence or the destruction of school property to the State Ombudsman for investigation. Representative Sharon Steckman, a Democrat from Mason City, is a retired teacher who suggests the bill is a good first step to addressing the problem. “I think this bill has come a long way,” Steckman says. “We’ve done lots of negotiating on this. I still think we have a lot more work to do on it.”

Senator Molly Donahue, a Democrat, is a teacher from Cedar Rapids who backs the bill. “It protects our teachers, it protects our kids,” Donahue says. “It makes sure that there’s some clarity around behavior in the schools.”

A report from the Iowa Department of Education indicates there were nearly 2000 assaults in Iowa schools during the last school year. Over 1100 incidents of property damage were reported.

Borings into Marion County sinkhole could answer questions about origin

By Dar Danielson (Radio Iowa)

Marion County is hoping borings taken by the state Ag Department will help them figure out what caused a big sinkhole there.

Public information officer, Emily Feagins, says that work could yield some answers sometime this week. “We’re hoping that the borings will give us a little bit more information as to what’s in the holes, you know, how far the borings went down into the ground, at what angles,” she says. “And then obviously, you know, what those borings are pulling up when they go down into the ground. So what’s underneath the surface that we can’t see.”

She says there are some theories about the cause. “One of three things. It’s either natural, coal, or lime related,” Feagins says. The last measurements taken show the sinkhole had grown to roughly 35 to 40 feet in diameter and 20 feet deep. “It started in a farm field and then it’s kind of gone into the county right of way,” she says.

Marion County Sheriff Jason Sandholdt is asking for people to stay away from the area. Feagins says she understands why people are interested — they just don’t want anyone getting hurt. “It’s a major attraction. And, you know, it would almost be considered a tourist attraction at this point in time, but the area’s still not safe,” Feagins says. “We still don’t know the extent of what’s causing this sinkhole, if it could expand, so our biggest thing is just making sure that people stay away from their for their safety.”

Feagins says the good news is the sinkhole opened up in an area where there were no animals that would have fallen in.

Oskaloosa City Council Meeting Features Proclamation Signings, Discussions on Vacant Buildings, Animal Control

By Sam Parsons

The Oskaloosa City Council met last night and swore in the city’s first police chaplain to the Oskaloosa Police Department. Guy Almon, an Oskaloosa resident for over 30 years who has worked informally with local first responders since March 2020, will be joining the Police Department on a volunteer basis to provide emotional, moral, and spiritual support to officers, staff, and their families.

The council also received a presentation on a proposed vacant buildings ordinance. In September of last year, the council had an initial discussion on the idea, and the proposed ordinance would include several parameters, including the need to register any building that is vacant for 180 days or more, a registration and inspection fee of $90 per year, and a requirement that owners of vacant buildings describe their future plans with it.

Indoor storage would not count as occupancy unless directly authorized by the city’s zoning department and vacant lots would also be exempt.

A formal ordinance wasn’t up for consideration, so no action was taken, but it’s expected that the council will consider a final version of the ordinance in May or June.

Additionally, there was a discussion on animal control at Edmundson Park, specifically regarding Shelter C, also known as the “cat shelter.” City officials expressed concern over the state of the shelter, saying that the shelter has been used by a group of cat supporters to “take care of a ‘colony’ of feral cats,” which has included the dumping of wet and dry cat food over all surfaces of the shelter. They added that while it has been reported in the past that there was an agreement between the city and the group taking care of the cats, they have not been able to find a written record of it, adding, “The city would like to express that we care for these animals, and do not want to see any harm come to them. However, we must keep the public’s best interest in mind. So, we have asked that the shelters be removed, and the cats be relocated. We are giving the public one week to have the area cleaned and the cats relocated.”

There were also several proclamations signed at the meeting by Mayor Dave Krutzfeldt. The city commemorated National Police Week, National First Responder Day, and Preservation Month.

Luke Bryan Announces Next Single From Stagecoach Stage

Luke Bryan used his performance at last weekend’s Stagecoach Festival to give the crowd a bit of news before anyone else heard it – he told the audience the name of his next single, how they can hear a snippet and when the whole thing drops.

“If you go on TikTok, I put it on my TikTok. Y’all’ll hear a sample of it tonight. It’s uploading tonight if y’all want to hear a little piece of it,” he said.

The song, titled “But I Got A Beer In My Hand,” drops in its entirety this coming Friday.

 

This day in Country Music History

  • Today in 1985, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson released the “Highwayman” album.
  • Today in 1988, the album, “Remembering Jim Reeves and Patsy Cline,” was released.
  • Today in 1989, the “Killin’ Time” album by Clint Black and the “Something Inside So Strong” album by Kenny Rogers were released.
  • Today in 1994, Garth Brooks won two honors – Entertainer and Video of the Year – at the 29th Academy Of Country Music awards on NBC, though he wasn’t in Los Angeles to receive them. His wife, Sandy, gave birth to August Anna that night in Nashville.
  • Today in 1996, Travis Tritt’s “Greatest Hits – From the Beginning” went platinum.
  • Today in 1998, backstage at the Grand Ole Opry Loretta Lynn made the announcement that she intended to return to college and get a degree.
  • Today in 1998, Shania Twain was at #1 in Billboard with “You’re Still The One.”
  • Today in 2000, Collin Raye released his album, “Tracks,” while Chad Brock’s “Yes!” hit stores.
  • Today in 2000, Faith Hill and hubby Tim McGraw confirmed plans to perform their hit single, “Let’s Make Love,” at the upcoming ACM Awards. Their subsequent performance absolutely sizzled.
  • Today in 2002, highly anticipated CBS-TV special, featuring Clint Black, Lonestar, Celine Dion and others, was taped in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida aboard the U.S.S. Harry Truman. The show, titled “Rockin’ In The USA,” aired the following Memorial Day weekend.
  • Today in 2007, Taylor Swift’s debut single, “Tim McGraw,” went gold.
  • Today in 2009, Clint Black was fired by Donald Trump during an episode of the NBC-TV series “The Celebrity Apprentice.”
  • Today in 2010, water from the Cumberland River floods Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House, peaked more than two feet above the venue’s stage. The Opry moves like a nomad to other Nashville locations for the next four months.
  • Today in 2011, Lady A’s single, “Just A Kiss,” hit the airwaves.
  • Today in 2013, Alan Jackson performed “He Stopped Loving Her Today” to close George Jones’ memorial at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House. Other participants include Randy Travis, Brad Paisley, Barbara Mandrell, The Oak Ridge Boys, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, Ronnie Milsap, Charlie Daniels, Travis Tritt and Kenny Chesney.
  • Today in 2014, Carrie Underwood wrote “Something In The Water” with Chris DeStefano and Brett James in a Tennessee cabin, weaving in an “I Saw The Light” reference and a section of “Amazing Grace.”
  • Today in 2016, Maren Morris underwent a tonsillectomy.
  • Today in 2017, Sara Evans headlined a George Michael tribute at City Winery in Nashville. A benefit for the Unlikely Heroes organization, the show also featured Cassadee Pope and songwriters James Slater, Shane Stevens and Desmond Child.
  • Today in 2017, Vince Gill and his daughters, Jenny and Corrina Gill, performed the national anthem before an NHL playoff game at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The Predators edged the St. Louis Blues, 2-1, for a crowd that included Kix Brooks, Brothers Osborne, Joe Don Rooney and Carrie Underwood.
  • Today in 2019, Wynonna Judd and Cactus Moser participated in a National Day of Prayer event at the White House in Washington, D.C., where Judd reveals she intended to work with president Donald Trump’s administration on criminal justice reform. Unable to remember her name, Trump refers to her as the “one with red hair.”

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