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MCCB, City of Oskaloosa to Host Public Input Meeting for County Park Planning Tonight

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA — Tonight, the public is invited to participate in a public input meeting focusing on county-wide  park planning from 5:30 -7:30 pm at the Environmental Learning Center which is located at 2342 Hwy 92. Oskaloosa, IA. Landscape Architecture faculty and students from the Iowa State University’s Community Design Lab (CDL) are working with the City of Oskaloosa and Mahaska County to study and assess current park and recreation accommodations in the county and explore the need for future updates to the park system.  The CDL team will be on-hand to gather input from residents about their needs and concerns related to parks and trails in Oskaloosa and throughout Mahaska County. The CDL will provide a variety of interactive activities that will allow participants to share their experiences using the park system and suggest improvements that would encourage greater use of the parks and trails going forward. 

The MCCB says this is a great opportunity to give input on what you would like to see in the future of the park systems. You can bring family and friends and give a few minutes of your time to help shape the future of our community. 

The City of Oskaloosa, Mahaska County Conservation, and CDL have had several meetings leading up to this community engagement and look forward to presenting their findings to the public.

Adrian Beltré, Todd Helton and Joe Mauer elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame

Posted on by Sam Parsons

NEW YORK (AP) — Todd Helton thought back to when he was a kid being coached by his father, Jerry, a minor league catcher in the 1960s.

“When I would go 1 for 3 — and it’s a bad day when you’re young — he’d say 1 for 3 gets you into the Hall of Fame,” Helton said.

Helton, Adrián Beltré and Joe Mauer were voted into Cooperstown on Tuesday, feeling elation and relief when they were rewarded with baseball’s highest honor.

Beltré was a no-doubt, first-ballot choice after batting .286 with 477 homers, 1,707 RBIs and 3,166 hits for four teams over 21 seasons. The third baseman appeared on 366 of 385 ballots (95.1%) cast by members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

Helton made it on the sixth try, voters taking time to warm to statistics inflated by the thin mile-high air of Denver’s Coors Field over 17 seasons, all with the Colorado Rockies. The first baseman got 307 votes for 79.7% after falling 11 short last year when Scott Rolen was elected. Helton started at 16.5% support in 2019.

“I was the most superstitious guy in the world,” Helton said. “I hadn’t been superstitious in 10 years until today.”

Mauer (293, 76.1%) joined Johnny Bench and Iván Rodríguez as the only first-ballot picks who primarily were catchers and at 40 became the youngest living Hall of Famer. He got 293 votes (76.1%), four more than the 75% needed, after batting .306 with 143 homers and 906 RBIs in 15 years, all with his hometown Minnesota Twins.

“Goes by way too fast,” Mauer said.

Beltré, Mauer and Helton will be inducted on July 21 along with Jim Leyland, elected last month by the contemporary era committee for managers, executives and umpires. There are 273 players among 346 people in the Hall, and just 60 of those players were elected on the first try.

Beltré becomes the fifth Dominican-born Hall of Famer after Juan Marichal, Pedro Martínez, Vladimir Guerrero and David Ortiz.

“I’m proud of the fact that I was able to play for a long time and be able to compete at the highest level,” Beltré said. “I’m honored to be in the Hall of Fame. It’s something that I never even dreamed of.”

Reliever Billy Wagner was five votes short at 284 (73.8%) but up from 68.1% last year. He will appear on the ballot for the 10th and final time in 2025, when Ichiro Suzuki and CC Sabathia are newly eligible.

Gary Sheffield got 246 votes for 63.9% in his final appearance on the BBWAA ballot, up from 55% last year and 11.7% in 2015. He is eligible for consideration by the contemporary baseball player committee, which next meets in December 2025.

Beltré, a four-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner, played for the Los Angeles Dodgers (1998-2004), Seattle (2005-09), Boston (2010) and Texas (2011-18). His 2,759 games at third base are second to Brooks Robinson’s 2,870 and his 636 doubles are 11th.

Helton, a five-time All-Star first baseman and the 2000 major league batting champion, hit .345 with 200 homers and 791 RBIs at home and .287 with 142 homers and 547 RBIs on the road.

“Pitchers get hurt — they say you can’t throw in thin air. And then hitters get dinked because they play Colorado,” Helton said. “I’m not embarrassed or anything about my home and road numbers. Going on the road after hitting in Colorado is hard. The ball breaks more and it’s a huge adjustment going through the season.”

Mauer was a six-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove winner and the 2009 AL MVP. An All-Star in six of his first 10 big league seasons and the only catcher to win three batting titles, Mauer moved to first base for his last five years following a concussion on a foul tip off the bat of the New York Mets’ Ike Davis on Aug. 19, 2013, an injury that ended Mauer’s season. Concussion symptoms returned on May 11, 2018, when he had whiplash while diving for a foul ball at Anaheim. He tried to play through it for a week but missed 25 games and retired after the season.

He also had three knee operations.

“I feel effects of some of those things like that,” he said.

Voters included an average of seven names per ballot, up from 5.86 last year, and 24.4% of the voters checked the maximum 10 candidates, an increase from 13.9%. Just 10 eligible voters failed to return ballots.

Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramírez again lagged, hurt by suspensions for performance-enhancing drugs. Rodriguez received 34.8% and Ramírez 32.5%.

Among other first-time candidates, Chase Utley (28.8%) and David Wright (6.2%) will remain on next year’s ballot.

José Bautista, Bartolo Colon, Adrián González, Matt Holliday, Victor Martinez, Brandon Phillips, José Reyes and James Shields all were under 5% and will be dropped.

It’s freezing, but that ice may not be safe for fishing

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Matt Kelley (Radio Iowa)

With the brutal cold Iowa’s endured this month, our ponds and lakes have developed thick sheets of ice that are providing excellent venues for ice fishing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and more.

Joe Larscheid, chief of fisheries at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says ice forms at different rates on each body of water, depending on the size and water depth, and he stresses that no ice is ever 100-percent safe.

“Parts of lakes where the snow got swept off the lakes because of the wind, we’re able to produce some really good ice, but anywhere there’s still snow cover, the ice isn’t going to be as thick,” Larscheid says. “This current weather we’re having, especially in southeast Iowa with rain and warm temperatures, it’s going to really weaken conditions.”

Larscheid says new ice is usually stronger than old ice, while river ice is 15-percent weaker than lake ice. The DNR recommends a minimum of four inches of quality ice for fishing and at least five inches for snowmobiles and ATVs. While he likes six inches of ice, Larscheid says many parts of Iowa are reporting it even thicker.

“There’s eight to 10 inches, even 11 inches in some northern Iowa Lakes, and those are the safer locations to be at, but again, even in those lakes with good solid ice, there’s places that are weak,” Larscheid says. “Rocky points, around bridges and things like that, and where there’s snow piled up. A drift of snow can really make for some weak ice underneath the snow.”

He recommends anglers test the ice thickness frequently and to trust your instincts — if the ice doesn’t look right, don’t go out. Ice with a bluish color is safer than clear ice, and Larscheid says to avoid slushy or honey-combed ice, and stay away from dark spots on the ice. So how do you know where to go?

“What I would recommend is, talk to local bait shops, talk to some local anglers, get on our website, look at the fishing reports and we have current ice conditions,” Larscheid says. “Be careful. Look at the thickness and judge if it’s getting weaker. When you’re fishing on a warm, sunny day, I would be a little more cautious than if you’re making ice on a cold day.”

The DNR’s Fishing Report is released every Thursday, with dozens and dozens of ice thickness reports.

Other tips from the agency:

  • Don’t go out alone. If the worst should happen, someone will be there to call for help or to help rescue.
  • Let someone know where you are going and when you will return.
  • Bring along these basic items to help keep you safe: hand warmers, ice cleats to help prevent falls, ice picks (wear around your neck) to help you crawl out of the water if you fall in, a life jacket, a floating safety rope, a whistle to call for help, a basic first aid kit and extra dry clothes including a pair of gloves.

Bank Iowa Supports Arts in Mahaska County

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA — Bank Iowa has committed $15,000 to Fine Arts and Cultural Events (FACE) of Mahaska County to sponsor the Oskaloosa Art Gallery over the next three years. The donation is part of Bank Iowa Foundation’s focus on supporting organizations that make communities better places. 

The gallery exhibits the work of professional artists and students from Iowa and as far away as New York. Photography, paintings, fiber arts, ceramics, multimedia, and digital art have been featured, providing a variety of experiences for visitors. Art camp students also delight in showing their creations to family and friends in this unique space. The gallery is open to the public at no charge.  

FACE is a non-profit organization that also offers art classes and activities where individuals from preschool children to senior citizens can develop and explore their creativity – along with a sculpture workshop, ceramics studio, public art, and a venue for concerts and open mic nights. 

To kick off the 10th anniversary of the art center, FACE is hosting a free reception at the gallery located at 115 1st Ave West in Oskaloosa for Des Moines based artist, performer and activist, Leo Bird on Wednesday January 24th from 5-7pm with a special performance following at 7:15pm. THE WORDS HE CANNOT SAY is an immersive art experience that provides autism awareness and education. 

Chris Young Got Arrested for Disorderly Conduct in Nashville

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Chris Young got arrested in Nashville on Monday night.  He was drinking at the Tin Roof bar when agents from the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission came in to check IDs and license cards.

For some reason, Chris had a problem with that.  He started questioning the officers, and recording them.  When they left, he followed them to the Dawg House, which is the bar next door.

There, the TABC conducted another routine compliance check, but when they tried to leave, Chris blocked their exit, and even put his hands on one of the agents.  Things escalated from there, so they hauled him to jail.

In addition to disorderly conduct, Chris was charged with resisting arrest and assault on an officer.  Cops say his eyes were “bloodshot and watery” and he was slurring his speech.

Chris was released yesterday morning on $2,500 bond, and he’s due back in court February 16th.

(Here’s his mugshot.)

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1953, Hank William’s “I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive” was #1 on the charts, several weeks after his death.
  • Today in 1981, Dolly Parton’s “9 To 5” reached the top of the Billboard country chart.
  • Today in 1994, George Strait’s “Pure Country” becomes a triple-platinum album.
  • Today in 2003, as Joe Nichols sung “Brokenheartsville” at the Grand Ole Opry, a woman threw a green bra onto the stage. Supposedly, this makes history as the first time an undergarment has ever been thrown onto a stage during a performance.
  • Today in 2006, Josh Turner’s “Your Man” album was released.
  • Today in 2010, Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett, and George W. Bush all attended the NFC Championship Game at the Superdome in New Orleans. The Saints won in overtime against the Minnesota Vikings.
  • Today in 2015, Blake Shelton performed “Neon Light” and “Boys ‘Round Here” as the musical guest on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” but he was also the host!

School Delays and Bus Route Changes, 1/24/24

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

Icy road conditions have led to some area school districts announcing changes to their schedules and bus routes.

2 Hour Delay

Albia (buses hard surfaces only)

Centerville (buses hard surfaces only)

Chariton (buses hard surfaces only)

Davis County (buses hard surfaces only)

Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (buses hard surfaces only)

Grinnell-Newburg

Knoxville (buses hard surfaces only)

Lynnville-Sully (buses hard surfaces only)

North Mahaska (buses hard surfaces only)

Moravia (buses hard surfaces only)

Pella Public

Pella Christian

Sully Christian

Wayne (buses hard surfaces only)

Buses Hard Surfaces Only

BGM

Melcher-Dallas

Newton

Oskaloosa

Ottumnwa/Seton Catholic

PCM

Pleasantville

Twin Cedars

Grammys 2024: From how to watch the music-filled show to who’s nominated, here’s what to know

Posted on by Sam Parsons

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The 2024 Grammy Awards are fast approaching — and it is never too early to plan your viewing experience.

The 66th annual Grammy Awards will take place Sunday, Feb. 4, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Most of the awards are handed out before that during the Premiere Ceremony, which the Recording Academy will stream live Feb. 4 ahead of the telecast, which starts at 8 p.m. Eastern.

Here’s what you need to know about watching the 2024 Grammys, including how to stream and where you can see music’s biggest stars walking the red carpet.

WHO’S HOSTING THE GRAMMYS?

The Grammy-nominated comedian Trevor Noah will once again host, marking his fourth consecutive year on the job.

Noah is also up for a Grammy this year, receiving his second nomination for best comedy album.

He’s also a newly-minted Emmy winner, with his final season of “The Daily Show” taking home the award for outstanding talk series at Monday’s show.

HOW CAN I WATCH THE GRAMMYS?

The main show will air live on CBS and Paramount+ beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern. Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers can also watch live and on demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will be able to stream the Grammy Awards the day after the ceremony.

The Grammys can also be watched through live TV streaming services that include CBS in their lineup, like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV and FuboTV.

WHO’S NOMINATED THIS YEAR?

SZA enters the Grammys with a leading nine nominations. “Kill Bill,” her revenge anthem cloaked in an R&B ballad, earned her nods for record of the year, song of the year, and best R&B performance. “SOS” is also up for album of the year and best progressive R&B album. The 2024 ceremony is the second time SZA has been nominated for record, album, and song in the same year.

Victoria Monét and Phoebe Bridgers have the second-most nominations, with seven. Six of Bridgers’ are with her band boygenius. Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish, Brandy Clark, Jon Batiste and producer Jack Antonoff also earned six.

Monét is the only leading nominee also up for best new artist, in a category that is rounded out by Gracie Abrams, Fred again.., Ice Spice, Jelly Roll, Coco Jones, Noah Kahan and The War and Treaty.

WHO IS PERFORMING?

The first two rounds of performers announced include Grammy award winners and current nominees Eilish, Rodrigo, and Dua Lipa as well as Burna Boy, Luke Combs, and Travis Scott.

More performers have yet to be announced.

Eilish has seven Grammys and is up for six this year. Lipa and Rodrigo both have three Grammys; Lipa is nominated for two awards and Rodrigo is nominated for six.

Both Scott and Combs may become first-time winners at the 2024 Grammy awards; Scott has ten career nominations to his name; Combs has seven. Burna Boy won the award for best global music album in 2021 for “Twice As Tall”; he also has 10 career nominations.

HOW CAN I WATCH THE RED CARPET?

E! will host its “Live from the Grammys Carpet” show with its mix of fashion coverage and celebrity interviews.

The Associated Press will also stream a three-hour red carpet show with interviews and fashion footage. It will be streamed on YouTube, Twitter and APNews.com.

WHAT’S NEW WITH THE GRAMMYS IN 2024?

In June, the Recording Academy announced that the Grammys would add three new categories to its 2024 award show: best pop dance recording, best African music performance, and best alternative jazz album.

The new best African music performance category will highlight “regional melodic, harmonic and rhythmic musical traditions,” according to a Recording Academy press release, including genres like Afrobeat, Afro-fusion, Afro Pop, Afro-House, South African Hip-Hop, and Ethio Jazz. Before the addition, those artists would compete in the best global music performance category, first introduced in 2022.

Another notable change: the Academy announced “only human creators” could win the music industry’s highest honor in a decision aimed at the use of artificial intelligence in popular music.

“Here’s the super easy, headline statement: AI, or music that contains AI-created elements is absolutely eligible for entry and for consideration for Grammy nomination. Period,” Recording Academy CEO and President Harvey Mason jr. told AP at the time. “What’s not going to happen is we are not going to give a Grammy or Grammy nomination to the AI portion.”

Moviemakers launch crowdfunding campaign for all-Iowa-made suspense thriller

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Matt Kelley (Radio Iowa)

Independent filmmakers in Iowa are appealing to the public for help in getting a movie made in several locations in the state with an all Iowa-cast and crew.

Co-director Jake Daniels, founder of Mediaverse Studios in Marengo, says the feature-length film is to be called “Operation: Crimson Night.” It will follow a team of soldiers working for a shadow organization who are sent to find and kill a creature that escaped from its containment area in a small town in Romania.

“It’s kind of a mystery and kind of a suspenseful thriller, but there’s also a lot of character-driven aspects to it,” Daniels says. “When we see these kind of movies, we basically just see the action and shoot ’em up stuff, but what we’re trying to create is something that’s more character-driven and has a little bit more heart, and leans more to the horror than the action.”

Daniels says filmmakers don’t need to go to Hollywood, Atlanta or New York to create quality entertainment, as there’s exceptional talent and creativity thriving within the state of Iowa.

“The goal of this is mostly to show the film industry that Iowa is here and we are making really good movies,” Daniels says, “and while we have a small budget, we’re able to make it look like something way larger. We’re hoping for film festival releases and then eventually, we’re going to try to get it onto some streaming platforms.”

Daniels says he’s also planning for screenings of the film in Iowa theaters. The crowdfunding campaign effort via the website Indiegogo is seeking $7,500 as seed money to make this movie a reality.

“We have all of our own cameras and lighting and we’re actually building some sets at our studio, so we’re able to eat a lot of the costs that way ourselves,” he says. “The funding is basically going to the cast and crew to get them fed, get them paid a little bit, and then hopefully on the back end, if we get good distribution, then all that money will go back to the cast and crew.”

It’s hoped the movie will be shot in May and June in locations around Des Moines, Mason City and at the studio in Marengo. Learn more at: www.indiegogo.com/projects/operation-crimson-night.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1969, Elvis Presley recorded the song “Suspicious Minds” at the American Studios in Memphis.
  • Today in 1987, “Whoever’s in New England” by Reba McEntire became a gold album.
  • Today in 1990, the album “Killin’ Time” by Clint Black became a platinum album.
  • Today in 2005, Big & Rich’s Big Kenny Alphin married his wardrobe stylist Christiev Carothers, whom he met on the video shoot of Gretchen Wilson’s “Redneck Woman.”
  • Today in 2008, Carrie Underwood won four awards at the second annual CMT Online Awards.
  • Today in 2011, at the AFC Championship Game, the Steelers beat the New York Jets 24-19. Martina McBride sung the national anthem, and Joe Nichols and Hank Williams Jr. performed at halftime.
  • Today in 2013, Brantley Gilbert and Chris Young guest starred on ABC-TV’s “Nashville.” The episode’s music included Jack Ingram’s “Barefoot and Crazy,” along with songs by Thomas Rhett and Edens Edge.
  • Today in 2017, Big & Rich earned a double-platinum single from the RIAA for “Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)” and a platinum one for “Lost In This Moment.”
  • Today in 2018, Lari White died of cancer in Nashville. Married to songwriter Chuck Cannon, she earned three Top 10 hits in 1994-1995, had a role in the Tom Hanks movie, “Cast Away,” and co-produced hits for Billy Dean and Toby Keith.
  • Today in 2018, the World Wildlife Fund launched a campaign to battle the poaching of snow leopards with the Rascal Flatts song, “I Won’t Let Go,” providing musical support.

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