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This day in Country Music History

  • Today in 1952, Hank Thompson took over the #1 position in the Billboard country chart with “The Wild Side Of Life.”
  • Today in 1962, Johnny Cash played prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York, supporting on the bill by George Jones, Tompall & The Glaser Brothers and The Carter Family.
  • Today in 1975, Gary Stewart received his only #1 single in Billboard with one of the greatest country titles of all-time, “She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinkin’ Doubles).”
  • Today in 1984, Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless The U.S.A.” was released.
  • Today in 1986, The Judds topped #1 in Billboard with “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Old Days).”
  • Today in 1989, Dwight Yoakam’s album, “Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc. Etc.,” was certified platinum.
  • Today in 1993, fire heavily damaged Mickey Gilley’s theater in Branson, Missouri.
  • Today in 1994, the album, “Ten Feet Tall And Bulletproof,” album by Travis Tritt was released.
  • Today in 1994, Lorrie Morgan’s “War Paint” album was released.
  • Today in 1994, right before John Berry was about to have surgery to remove a brain tumor, he found out that his single “Your Love Amazes Me” had become his first #1 hit.
  • Today in 1994, Willie Nelson was arrested on drug possession charges in Hewitt, Texas, after a police officer found him asleep in his car with a marijuana cigarette in the ashtray. The case was later thrown out of court, the cop was fired, and Willie was…um…on the road again!
  • Today in 1995, Reba McEntire became the first woman in 15 years to be named Entertainer of the Year at the 30th annual Academy of Country Music Awards, broadcasted live on NBC-TV from Los Angeles’ Universal Amphitheatre. She also reclaimed Top Female Vocalist.
  • Today in 1997, Barbara Mandrell launched her own jewelry line on the QVC cable TV channel. The “Country Sentiments” line of earrings, rings, bracelets and necklaces range in price from $20 to $125.
  • Today in 2000, LeAnn Rimes debuted the song, “I Need You,” on NBC-TV’s “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”
  • Today in 2000, Faith Hill appeared in “Here’s To You Charlie Brown: 50 Great Years!,” the landmark television tribute to the late “Peanuts” creator, Charles Schulz. Faith started working on the project while Charles was still alive and had hoped to meet him. Unfortunately, he passed away before the meeting could take place, but she was told by the show’s producers that the late artist was thrilled that she was participating in the event. In the special, Faith serenaded Charlie Brown about girl trouble with “Poor, Sweet Baby,” a song from 1983’s “Snoopy: The Musical.”
  • Today in 2005, Dierks Bentley’s “Modern Day Drifter” album arrived in stores.
  • Today in 2008, Carrie Underwood was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, welcomed by Garth Brooks. She performed “Last name,” “All-American Girl” and “Jesus, Take The Wheel.”
  • Today in 2013, Randy Houser’s “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” video debuted on CMT.
  • Today in 2016, Cole Swindell sang “You Should Be Here” at the top of One World Trade Center in New York…becoming the first artist to perform there since it opened.
  • Today in 2016, Lauren Alaina admitted in a “Time” magazine interview that she had bulimia in her teens.
  • Today in 2017, George Strait threw a party at RCA Studio A in Nashville to introduce his Codigo tequila to the market. Guests included Kix Brooks, Chase Rice and Martina McBride.
  • Today in 2017, Vince Gill was on hand as Nashville Mayor Megan Barry declared Ryman Auditorium Day as the former home of the Grand Ole Opry celebrates its 125th
  • Today in 2017, Scotty McCreery self-released his single, “Five More Minutes.” It went on to become his first #1 hit!
  • Today in 2018, Chris Stapleton’s “Traveller” album went triple-platinum.
  • Today in 2019, Alison Krauss + Union Station got a gold single from the RIAA for “When You Say Nothing At All.”
  • Today in 2021, Old Dominion’s Matthew Ramsey was briefly hospitalized after he fell off a ladder while replacing a light bulb. He suffered a cracked rib, a collapsed lung, plus minor scrapes and bruises. His warning to fans on Twitter: “be careful out there & get someone to hold ur ladder.”
  • Today in 2021, Jimmie Allen played a benefit for the family of a slain Delaware police officer at Bottle & Cork in Dewey Beach.

Utah author of book on grieving death charged with murder

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — After her husband died last year, she wrote a children’s book on grief. Now she’s charged with his murder.

Kouri Richins was arrested on Monday in Utah and is accused in charging documents of poisoning her husband with a lethal dose of fentanyl at their home in Kamas, a small mountain town near Park City.

Prosecutors allege that Richins called authorities in the middle of the night in March 2022 to report that her husband, Eric Richins, was “cold to the touch.” The mother of three told officers that she had made her husband a mixed vodka drink to celebrate him selling a home and then went to soothe one of their children to sleep in their bedroom. She later returned and upon finding her husband unresponsive, called 911.

A medical examiner later found five times the lethal dosage of fentanyl in his system.

In addition to the murder charge, Richins also faces charges involving the alleged possession of GHB — a narcolepsy drug frequently used in recreational settings, including at dance clubs.

The charges — which are based on officers’ interactions with Richins that night and the account of an “unnamed acquaintance” who claims to have sold her the fentanyl — come two months after Richins appeared on local television to promote “Are you with me?” a picture book she wrote to help children cope after the death of a loved one.

For a segment entitled “Good Things Utah,” Richins called her husband’s death unexpected and described how it sent her and her three boys reeling. For children, she said, grieving was about “making sure that their spirit is always alive in your home.”

“It’s — you know — explaining to my kid just because he’s not present here with us physically, doesn’t mean his presence isn’t here with us,” she told the anchors, who commended her for being an amazing mother.

Richins’ attorney, Skye Lazaro, declined to comment on the charges.

State to spend millions on Honey Creek Resort

By O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa)

The Iowa Legislature has approved spending six million dollars on the Honey Creek Resort in southern Iowa. The state-owned resort, which opened in 2008, has a hotel and dozens of cabins, an indoor waterpark and a golf course.

Republican Representative Jacob Bossman of Sioux City said state officials who signed an agreement with another company to manage the facility agreed to finance deferred maintenance projects. “It was a situation we found ourselves in that wasn’t ideal, but it a state-owned facility,” Bossman said. “It’s fallen into disrepair.”

The roof and parts of the foundation of the main lodge, where the hotel and indoor water park are located, need to be fixed. Some of the hotel rooms and cabins will be updated.

“Not super happy about that, but that is an obligation the State of Iowa has…to get Honey Creek back up to standards and make is an operational facility again,” Bossman said.

Republican Representative Austin Harris is from Moulton, which is not far from the resort. He said the new management company has local ties.

“It’s a great asset to the people of Appanoose County and southern Iowa,” Harris said. “It’s had a rough go over the past decade or so, but I think with the new management that we’ve got in there. They’re from the area. They have the local support. Community leaders, business owners, the local community college is really stepping up to make this thing work this time…A lot of folks are really excited — as if it was a brand new resort — about what the opportunities will be in the future.”

Achieva Enterprises took over management of the facility last month. The company’s founders own land in Appanoose County and plan to keep Honey Creek open year round. The state-owned facility has struggled financially since it opened 15 years ago and the state has periodically tried to sell the property, which sits on the shore of Lake Rathbun.

Lemonade Day Ottumwa is This Weekend

OTTUMWA — May 13th marks the arrival of Lemonade Day, an annual event hosted by Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress (GOPIP). This year, 20 lemonade stands will be set up throughout Ottumwa and Agency, featuring 30 young entrepreneurs in grades 3-5.

The event is a chance for the community to come together and support these young business owners in their efforts. The stands will be open for business from 9:30am-12:00pm, and everyone is encouraged to visit and show their support.

A message from our Lemon Head Paul Katsion, “Lemonade Day does find the entrepreneurs of our community, that is true. Equally true, is that an activity like this develops entrepreneurs we didn’t have before. It is exciting to watch these young students develop such advanced skills and see “the light go on”.”

Lemonade Day is an excellent opportunity for children to learn about business and entrepreneurship, and we are thrilled to see so many young people taking part. We hope to see you out there supporting these hardworking kids!

To view the map of Lemonade Stands visit:

lemonadeday.org/ottumwa

Racing and Gaming Administration Launches Investigation into University of Iowa

By Sam Parsons

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Administration has launched a formal investigation into the University of Iowa’s athletics department after reports of potential violations regarding sports wagering.

In a news release, the University said that as part of the investigation, they have “received information” about a total of 111 individuals, including 26 student-athletes from the baseball, football, men’s basketball, men’s track and field, and men’s wrestling teams, as well as one full-time employee in the University’s athletics department. They said that the “vast majority” of the individuals are student-staff, former student athletes, or those with no connection to UI athletics, and that the list does not include any current or former coaches.

The University says they are fully cooperating with the investigation and have alerted the NCAA of potential violations. They have also hired outside counsel to assist in the investigative process.

Keith Urban’s Car Is Up For Sale – But It’ll Cost You

A car previously owned by Keith Urban – and featured on “Jay Leno‘s Garage” – is up for sale, if you’re in the market for a nice Italian sports car.

The car in question is a 2014 Pagani Huayra. There were only 100 of this particular model made, making it a rarity based on that alone. Add to that the fact that it was owned by a celebrity and has just over 6K miles on it, and doesn’t even have a price tag attached (you have to call the dealer to discuss price), and you know it’s going to cost someone quite a bit.

So how much will this car cost someone? While the website doesn’t mention a price, a quick Google search indicates that cars of the same make and model have sold for over $2M. Time to break the piggy bank.

Source: duPont Registry

This day in Country Music History

  • Today in 1975, John Denver’s single, “Thank God I’m A Country Boy,” topped the country charts.
  • Today in 1989, Keith Whitley was found dead of alcohol poisoning in his Nashville home. Sadly, his career had just hit an all time high. He was survived by his wife, Lorrie Morgan.
  • Today in 1989, Dwight Yoakam scored his first platinum certification for the album, “Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc.”
  • Today in 1989, after dropping out of Northeast Louisiana University, Tim McGraw moves to Nashville. On his first day in town, he heard “Indian Outlaw,” which was destined to become his first hit. He also met songwriter Craig Wiseman, who ultimately wrote several future hits for Tim.
  • Today in 1992, Brooks & Dunn’s “Neon Moon” hit #1 on the Billboard country singles chart.
  • Today in 1994, Billy Ray Cyrus’ wife, Leticia (aka Tish), gave birth to the couple’s second child – Braison Chance – in Nashville.
  • Today in 1997, the “Academy Of Country Music-101 Greatest Country Hits” album was certified platinum.
  • Today in 2000, Steve Wariner’s album, “Faith in You,” was released. The project featured “Katie Wants a Fast One,” Steve’s duet with Garth The Judds’ album, “Judds Reunion: Live” and Craig Morgan’s “Something To Write Home About” also hit stores.
  • Today in 2001, after nine long years, Toby Keith hollered a resounding, “How do you like me now!?,” as he accepted his very first Academy of Country Music award in the Album of the Year category. He also won in the Top Male Category. Other winners included Dixie Chicks as Entertainers of the Year, Faith Hill as Top Female Vocalist with Lee Ann Womack and Sons of the Desert winning in the Vocal Event, Single and Song of the Year categories. Brooks & Dunn snagged Top Duo honors while Rascal Flatts scored their first ACM in the Top New Vocal Duo or Group category. Other special moments included Glen Campbell presenting Kenny Rogers with the Career Achievement Award and a stunned Barbara Mandrell accepting the Pioneer Award. Prior to the invitation to join her sister, Louise, on stage — Barbara had no idea that she was going to receive the honor.
  • Today in 2002, Vince Gill and his wife, Amy Grant, had about 300-thousand reasons to be happy. The happy couple raised $300,000 with the help of their famous friends at the 10th annual Vinny Pro-Celebrity Golf event, The event, which took place at the Legends Club of Tennessee, wrapped up that week and has raised nearly $3-million since 1993 for Tennessee Junior Golf and youth programs across Tennessee.
  • Today in 2005, barefoot Kenny Chesney married actress Renee Zellweger in the Virgin Islands. Zellweger filed for an annulment four months later claiming “fraud.” While the gossip columns went nuts, Chesney later explained that the term was simply a legal technicality.
  • Today in 2010, Blake Shelton proposed to Miranda Lambert in the woods near her home in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. They married in 2011…and surprised the world when they announced they were divorced in 2015.
  • Today in 2012, Lyle Lovett and Sheryl Crow performed “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again” for President Barack Obama at the White House as Burt Bacharach and Hal David were honored with the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. The same night, Lee Ann Womack offered up “I Hope You Dance” for numerous politicians and their spouses at the Washington Hilton in an event honoring first lady Michelle Obama.
  • Today in 2013, Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” was certified quadruple-platinum by the RIAA. On the same day, Josh Turner’s single, “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” went platinum and Miranda Lambert’s “Famous In A Small Town” went gold.
  • Today in 2014, Hunter Hayes played 10 concerts in 10 cities in a 24-hour period, beginning with a “Good Morning, America” performance in New York City, which included his performance of “Invisible.”
  • Today in 2015, Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush” kicked off a 13-week run at the top of the “Billboard” country singles chart.
  • Today in 2016, Josh Turner’s “Hometown Girl” hit the airwaves.
  • Today in 2016, Keith Urban threw out the ceremonial first pitch and announced the starting lineups in Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium. The New York Mets defeated the Dodgers, 4-2.
  • Today in 2016, The Library of Congress announce the establishment of the Marty Stuart Collection, which was made up of hundreds of hours of audio-visual material amassed by Stuart. Included is footage from the Grand Ole Opry, “The Johnny Cash Show” and “The Marty Stuart Show,” plus home movies of Lester Flatt’s band.
  • Today in 2017, Josh Abbott had a first date in Texas with Taylor Parnell…who became his wife 14-months later.
  • Today in 2017, “Women’s Wear Daily” reported that the Federal Trade Commission had written letters to a number of celebrities – including Luke Bryan and Lucy Hale – warning them that they need to indicate a financial relationship when they advertise products online.
  • Today in 2017, Sturgill Simpson snagged three nominations to lead the list of finalists in the Americana Honors & Awards – Artist of the Year; Song of the Year, for “All Around You”; and Album, for “A Sailor’s Guide To Earth.”
  • Today in 2017, Maren Morris performed “I Could Use A Love Song” as a musical guest on NBC’s “The Voice,” featuring celebrity coaches Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani.
  • Today in 2018, Florida Georgia Line held a benefit for Hurricane Irma victims at the San Carlos Theater in Key West. They shared the stage with Morgan Wallen and RaeLynn.
  • Today in 2018, Chris Stapleton made a surprise appearance during Justin Timberlake’s concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The pair duet on “Tennessee Whiskey.”

Police: 8 killed in Texas mall shooting, gunman also dead

ALLEN, Texas (AP) — A gunman stepped out of a silver sedan and started shooting people at a Dallas-area outlet mall Saturday, killing eight and wounding seven others — three critically — before being killed by a police officer who happened to be nearby, authorities said.

Authorities did not immediately provide details about the victims at Allen Premium Outlets, a sprawling outdoor shopping center, but witnesses reported seeing children among them. Some said they also saw what appeared to be a police officer and a mall security guard unconscious on the ground.

The shooting, the latest eruption of what has been an unprecedented pace of mass killings in the U.S., sent hundreds fleeing in panic. Barely a week before, authorities say, a man fatally shot five people in Cleveland, Texas, after a neighbor asked him to stop firing his weapon while a baby slept.

A 16-year-old pretzel stand employee, Maxwell Gum, described a virtual stampede of shoppers. He and others sheltered in a storage room.

“We started running. Kids were getting trampled,” Gum said. “My co-worker picked up a 4-year-old girl and gave her to her parents.”

Dashcam video that circulated online showed the gunman getting out of a car and shooting at people on the sidewalk. More than three dozen shots could be heard as the vehicle recording the video drove off.

Allen Fire Chief Jonathan Boyd said seven people including the shooter died at the scene. Nine victims were taken to area hospitals, but two of them died.

Three of the wounded were in critical condition in the evening, Boyd said, and four were stable.

An Allen Police officer was in the area on an unrelated call when he heard shots at 3:36 p.m., the police department wrote on Facebook.

“The officer engaged the suspect and neutralized the threat. He then called for emergency personnel,” it added.

Mass killings are happening with staggering frequency in the United States this year: an average of about one a week, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.

The White House said President Biden had been briefed on the shooting and the administration had offered support to local officials. Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who has signed laws easing firearms restrictions following past mass shootings, called it an “unspeakable tragedy.”

Fontayne Payton, 35, was at H&M when he heard the sound of gunshots through his headphones.

“It was so loud, it sounded like it was right outside,” Payton said.

People in the store scattered before employees ushered the group into the fitting rooms and then a lockable back room, he said. When they were given the all-clear to leave, Payton saw the store had broken windows and a trail of blood to the door. Discarded sandals and bloodied clothes lay nearby.

Once outside, Payton saw bodies.

“I pray it wasn’t kids, but it looked like kids,” he said. The bodies were covered in white towels, slumped over bags on the ground.

“It broke me when I walked out to see that,” he said.

Further away, he saw the body of a heavyset man wearing all black. He assumed it was the shooter, Payton said, because unlike the other bodies it had not been covered up.

Tarakram Nunna, 25, and Ramakrishna Mullapudi, 26, said they saw what appeared to be three people motionless on the ground, including one who appeared to be a police officer and one who appeared to be a mall security guard.

Another shopper, Sharkie Mouli, 24, said he hid in a Banana Republic store during the shooting. As he left, he saw what appeared to be an unconscious police officer lying next to another unconscious person outside the outlet store.

“I have seen his gun lying right next to him and a guy who is like passing out right next to him,” Mouli said.

Stan and Mary Ann Greene were browsing in the Columbia sportswear store when the shooting started.

“We had just gotten in, just a couple minutes earlier, and we just heard a lot of loud popping,” Mary Ann Greene told The Associated Press.

Employees rolled down the security gate and brought everyone to the rear of the store until police arrived and escorted them out, the Greenes said.

Eber Romero was at the Under Armour store when a cashier mentioned that there was a shooting.

As he left the store, Romero said, the mall appeared empty, and all the shops had their security gates down. That is when he started seeing broken glass and people who had been shot on the floor.

Video shared on social media showed people running through a parking lot amid the sound of gunshots.

More than 30 police cruisers with lights flashing were blocking an entrance to the mall, with multiple ambulances on the scene.

A live aerial broadcast from a news station showed armored trucks and other law enforcement vehicles outside the mall.

Ambulances from several neighboring cities responded.

The Dallas office of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also responded.

Allen, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of downtown Dallas, has roughly 105,000 residents.

Don’t go fishing in Iowa without one of these

By Matt Kelley (Radio Iowa)

Warmer weather is finally here and Iowans who love to fish are getting out on — or beside — their favorite bodies of water, casting lines and seeing what they can catch. Nate Carr, a state DNR conservation officer from Eldora, says besides your fishing pole and the tackle box, there’s one other important thing you should bring along.

“If you’re 16 or older and you’re fishing in public water, you’re required to have a fishing license,” Carr says. “All that goes to help promote and manage the fisheries that we do have. There’s a lot of work from our fisheries bureau that goes towards surveying lakes, trying to understand how our population is doing, and how to best manage that body of water.” Fishing regulations do change from year to year, and Carr says you’ll want to keep up or risk getting a fine.

“Depending on where you’re fishing, length limits and daily limits, you may see some differences whether you’re fishing in the river or a lake,” Carr says. “So it’s a good idea to find yourself a fishing reg booklet for 2023.” He says you don’t need to look far to get the full rundown of state fishing regulations.

“Honestly, one of the easiest ways to come across that is, just to go on our website — iowadnr.gov — and you can search ‘fishing regs’ and download a copy to your phone or your laptop or whatever you have handy,” he says.

The annual Iowa Free Fishing Weekend is scheduled for June 2nd through the 4th.

Mahaska County Master Gardeners Hosting “Learn About Herbs” Presentation May 18

OSKALOOSA — Lois Harris and Veronica Grim, Mahaska County Master Gardeners will be sharing information on growing herbs on Thursday, May 18, beginning at 12 pm (Noon).

The event is free and open to the public.  Registration is not required to attend, but appreciated.  Inclement weather will postpone the event.  If in doubt, please call 641-673-5841, check local media, our website, and the Iowa State University  Extension and Outreach-Mahaska County or Mahaska County Master Gardener Facebook pages.

Mahaska County Master Gardeners are celebrating their twentieth year.  The local program organized after the county held their first training.  The educational volunteer program, sponsored by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, provides current, research based, home horticulture information and education to the citizens of Iowa through programs and projects.  Master Gardeners receive horticulture training, and volunteer to promote a mission of education and service.  The program is open to anyone 18 or older with an interest in gardening and a willingness to use their knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to make a positive impact on their local community.

More information about this and other horticulture events can be found at the Mahaska County Extension Office; 212 North I Street; Oskaloosa Phone 641-673-5841; and www.extension.iastate.edu/mahaska/yardgarden.htm. 

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