It’s a nightmare no matter who you are – average people like you and me or a superstar like Carrie Underwood. The entire Fisher family was at their home in Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee when a fire broke out Sunday that spread from a UTV to the garage itself. The family and their pets all escaped without injury, and one reason was that firefighters were able to use a 10-thousand gallon water tank Carrie and husband Mike Fisher had installed on their property. Williamson County (Tennessee) Fire Rescue did share pictures from the emergency call, while Underwood’s people said of the fire that it was “quickly contained and there was no fire damage to the primary residence, and the family and their pets were unharmed.”
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This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1915,P. Carter married Sara Dougherty in Virginia, starting the country music dynasty that produced June Carter and Carlene Carter.
- Today in 1941, Gene Autry records “You Are My Sunshine” at the CBS Studios in Hollywood
- Today in 1977, “Lucille” by Kenny Rogers peaked at #5 on the pop singles chart and topped the U.K. singles chart.
- Today in 1993, Aaron Tippin’s hit single, “Working Man’s PhD,” entered the country charts.
- Today in 1994, Neal McCoy scored his second #1 hit with the single, “Wink.”
- Today in 1996, Marty Stuart released his album, “Honky Tonkin’s What I Do Best.”
- Today in 1997, Ty Herndon’s album, “Livin’ In A Moment,” was certified gold.
- Today in 1997, CMA Entertainers of the Year, Brooks & Dunn, played a special show for their fan club at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. In keeping with tradition, both Kix and Ronnie stuck around to meet and sign autographs for attendees — even though there were over 2,000 of them. In typical fashion, the guys weren’t content with stopping until they’d taken care of everyone there. They started signing at 9 pm and wrapped things up at 5 am the following morning.
- Today in 1998, a memorial for former Oak Ridge Boy Steve Sanders was held at the McKendree United Methodist Church in Nashville. Sanders had taken his own life a week earlier at his home in Cape Coral, Florida.
- Today in 2011, Tim McGraw stopped his show at the Gorge Amphitheater in Washington to kick out a male audience member for mistreating a woman.
- Today in 2012, Kip Moore’s “Beer Money” single hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2013, Danielle Bradbery was crowned the winner of “The Voice” on NBC. A member of Blake Shelton’s team, she sang “I Want Crazy” with guest Hunter Hayes. Florida Georgia Line performed “Cruise” in a guest appearance with Nelly.
Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report
Posted on by Sam Parsons
DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.
“Summer officially begins this week, and Iowans can expect temperatures that match the season. After the frustrating planting delays, crops seem to be catching up nicely,” said Secretary Naig. “Both corn and soybeans will continue to benefit from the forecasts indicating unseasonable warmth with above average chances for rain through the end of June.”
The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.
Crop Report
Despite some isolated rain showers, warm temperatures and mostly dry weather resulted in 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 16, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Primary field activities were finishing up corn and soybean planting and re-planting. Other field activities included cutting hay and spraying crops.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 12 percent short, 77 percent adequate and 10 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 14 percent short, 75 percent adequate and 9 percent surplus.
Corn emergence is nearing completion at 95 percent. Corn condition rated 74 percent good to excellent. Eighty-six percent of the soybean crop has emerged, almost 2 weeks behind last year and 1 day behind the 5-year average. Soybean condition rated 74 percent good to excellent. Oats headed reached 74 percent, 2 days behind last year but 1 week ahead of the average. Nineteen percent of oats were turning color, 6 days ahead of last year and 13 days ahead of the 5-year average. Oat condition rated 81 percent good to excellent.
The State’s first cutting of alfalfa hay reached 89 percent complete, 6 days behind last year. Hay condition rated 80 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 75 percent good to excellent. Some cattle feedlots remain muddy.
Central College Recognizes Outstanding Faculty
Posted on by Sam Parsons
PELLA — Central College presented five faculty members with distinguished awards for their outstanding leadership with students and among peers.
- Ellie DuPre, professor of biology, received the Frank W. Moore Faculty Award for promoting student learning in the natural sciences division through teaching and/or service over time.
- Nicole Palenske Ladner, associate professor of biology, received the Huffman Award for Outstanding Support of International Education. This award recognizes the contributions made by Donald and Maxine Huffman to Central’s programs in international education.
- Brian Roberts, professor of art and a Class of 1992 Central graduate, received the Hutch Bearce Community-Building and Faculty Leadership Award for community building and mentorship or leadership.
- Mark Thomas, associate professor of philosophy, received the Dr. John Wesselink Award for scholarship with a direct impact on teaching.
- Jim Zaffiro, professor of political science, received the David Crichton Memorial Teaching Award for excellence in teaching that challenges and shapes the intellectual development in students.
These faculty members were honored during the annual faculty recognition ceremony in April to celebrate the collective teaching, scholarship, creativity and leadership and as well as the end of another academic year.
As Central closed out the academic year, Mary E.M. Strey, vice president for academic affairs, recognized the faculty retiring and who were each granted emeritus status by the Central College Board of Trustees.
- Tom Linton, associate professor emeritus of mathematics and computer science.
- Samuel Mate-Kodjo, professor emeritus of Spanish.
- Jim Zaffiro, professor emeritus of political science.
Mahaska County Board of Supervisors Approves 28E Agreements, Reimbursement Agreements
Posted on by Sam Parsons
By Sam Parsons
The Mahaska County Board of Supervisors met yesterday morning and approved 28E agreements for Police Protection Services with the cities of Beacon and Keomah Village. The agreements lend the services of the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Department to those cities with the county receiving money in return.
The board also approved reimbursement agreements with Union Pacific Railroad for the cost to review both the Southeast Connector Project and the bridge replacement project on County Road G29, each of which encroach upon their railroad right-of-ways. The combined reimbursement totaled $90,000.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1975, B.J. Thomas found his way to the top of the Billboard country chart with one of country music’s longest song titles: “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song.”
- Today in 1983, Bill Monroe was a guest at the White House, along with Frank Sinatra, as president Ronald Reagan recognized Monroe as the only living American credited with originating an American music form.
- Today in 1992, the album, “No Fences,” by Garth Brooks was certified for multi-platinum sales of 8-million.
- Today in 1993, Johnny Cash began four days of recording in producer Rick Rubin’s living room in Los Angeles, backed only by his own guitar. It marked the start of work on Cash’s “American Recordings” album.
- Today in 1997, Lonestar’s “Crazy Nights” album was released.
- Today in 1997, Ricochet released “Blink of An Eye” and Lila McCann released her debut album, “Lila.”
- Today in 2000, the Grand Ole Opry radio show, carried since 1925 on WSM radio in Nashville, Tennessee, began webcasting the Opry program.
- Today in 2001, the new $37-million Country Music Hall of Fame opened in downtown Nashville. On hand were Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, George Jones, Emmylou Harris, Diamond Rio, Martina McBride, Bill Anderson and ribbon-cutters Charley Pride, Brenda Lee and Kitty Wells.
- Today in 2002, Elvis Presley was back at #1 on the U.K. singles chart for the first time since shortly after his death in 1977. That means he broken the quarter-century-long stalemate with the Beatles for the most chart-topping singles in British history. The remix of his 1968 song, “A Little Less Conversation,” was also the first remix of any Elvis recording, which was sanctioned by his estate.
- Today in 2005, Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying,” which was written by Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman, won Single Record and Song of the Year during the 40th annual Academy of Country Music awards.
- Today in 2006, Kenny Chesney kicked off a five-week run at Billboard #1 with his song, “Summertime.”
- Today in 2010, Taylor Swift received the Hal David Starlight Award as the Songwriters Hall of Fame inducted David Foster, Jackie DeShannon, Leonard Cohen and Sunny Skylar.
- Today in 2013, Thomas Rhett’s “It Goes Like This” video debuted on CMT, as did Zac Brown Band’s “Jump Right In.”
- Today in 2015, Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn began a Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace.
- Today in 2016, Garth Brooks attended the Tennessee funeral of Mike Chapman, who played bass on many of his hits, including “Shameless,” “Friends In Low Places,” “The Thunder Rolls” and, appropriately, “The Dance.”
- Today in 2016, Jon Pardi’s album, “California Sunrise,” was released.
- Today in 2016, Garth Brooks’ 2007 album, “The Ultimate Hits,” was certified nine-times platinum by the RIAA.
- Today in 2019, Meghan Linsey got engaged to Tyler Cain in Alaska during a video shoot. The lovebirds eloped to Hawaii in January 2022.
- Today in 2020, Rosanne Cash, Rodney Crowell and Scotty McCreery play a livestream benefit for Music Health Alliance, joined by Steve Wariner, Jordan Davis, Keb’ Mo’, Sara Evans, Craig Morgan and Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires.
- Today in 2021, Brad Paisley was honored as Father of the Year by the National Father’s Day Committee.
- Today in 2021, Carly Pearce was officially invited by Dolly Parton to join the Grand Ole Opry. She was inducted the following August.
BILLY RAY CYRUS ACCUSES WIFE OF RUNNING UP HUGE CREDIT CARD BILL
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Billy Ray Cyrus claims in court docs that his estranged wife Firerose charged $96,986.05 on his credit card between May 23 and June 7 (that’s over 6K a day over 16 days). The filing claimed Firerose spent the money via 37 unauthorized charges.
She allegedly used his business American Express card, which he says she was never approved to handle. Cyrus asked a judge to grant an emergency restraining order to prevent his ex from using that card and others. He also requested that she be ordered to pay the money back.
Firerose fired back in her own filing, saying she’s had access to several of his cards since they moved in together in 2022 and that she never had any limit. She also said she should be able to use their martial money while they’re still legally wed to support her established lifestyle.
Firerose also claims almost half of that money Billy Ray wants paid back has already been refunded.
Residents and communities preparing for heat wave that will envelop Midwest and Northeast next week
Posted on by Sam Parsons
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Things are about to heat up in much of the U.S. with dangerously hot temperatures in the Midwest and Northeast next week, prompting health officials to urge people to make plans now to stay safe.
The heat wave follows an earlier-than-usual one in the Southwest last week, which saw triple-digit temperatures in cities like Phoenix, where there were 645 heat-related deaths last year.
Last year the U.S. had the most heat waves — abnormally hot weather lasting more than two days — since 1936. In the South and Southwest, last year was the worst on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The next heat wave will ramp up Sunday in the center of the country before spreading eastward, the National Weather Service said, with some areas likely to see extreme heat in reaching daily records. The heat wave could last all week and into the weekend in many places.
Here are some things to know:
What areas will see extreme heat?
There will be areas of extreme heat — when there’s little or no overnight relief — from eastern Kansas to Maine, according to a National Weather Service heat risk map. Heat will build over the Plains states on Sunday, where there will be extreme heat by Monday that spreads eastward into the Great Lakes states and Northeast.
Temperatures will be in the mid- to high-90s in many areas and likely will be at daily records in the Ohio Valley and Northeast, with the dew point making some areas feel as hot as 105 degrees Fahrenheit (41 degrees Celsius), the weather service said.
It’ll be the Detroit metro area’s worst heat wave in 20 years or more, with temperatures forecasted in the mid-90s and heat indices around 100 F (38 C) starting Monday and potentially lasting into the weekend, National Weather Service meteorologist Steven Freitag said. There’s a chance the area could see its first 100-degree day since July 2012.
Although nighttime temperatures will dip into the 70s, providing some relief, the duration of the heat can have a cumulative and potentially dangerous effect on the body, Freitag said.
What are the dangers of extreme heat?
Heat-related illness can be deadly if not recognized and treated early, and often starts with muscle cramps or spasms, experts say. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke could follow.
Young children and infants, pregnant women, the elderly and people with chronic medical conditions are especially vulnerable, as are those who can’t get around well or who live alone.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion may include heavy sweating and fatigue; a weak pulse; skin that’s cool, pale or clammy; and headache, dizziness, nausea and fainting. The person should be moved to an air-conditioned space and offered sips of water. Loosen their clothing and apply cool, wet cloths or put them in a cool bath. Seek medical help if they vomit.
A person suffering heat stroke may experience headache, confusion, nausea, dizziness and a body temperature above 103 F (39.4 C). They also may have hot, red dry or damp skin; rapid pulse and faint or lose consciousness. The CDC advises people to call 911 immediately and, while waiting for help, use cool cloths or a cool bath and move them to an air-conditioned space, but do not give them anything to drink.
How can you stay safe?
Stay indoors in an air-conditioned space and limit outdoor activities, experts said. If you don’t have air conditioning, find out if your community will open cooling centers. But even those with air conditioning should plan ahead in the event of a power outage, said Freitag, from the National Weather Service. Limit outdoor activities to the morning or, better yet, don’t go outside, he said.
Other tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
1. Drink plenty of water and take a cool shower or bath.
2. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing, and use your stove and oven less.
3. Check on friends and relatives, especially those without air conditioning.
Communities also can prepare by opening cooling centers in places like schools and libraries. Some also send text messages to residents or have hotlines that people can call for help.
In Franklin County, Ohio, the office on aging is distributing fans to residents 60 and older, spokeswoman Kristin Howard said.
And some businesses whose employees work outside say they will start earlier to avoid the worst heat.
“When you get this sort of heat, any outdoor activities has to be a short duration (preferably) … in the early morning hours,” said Freitag. “But otherwise, there really shouldn’t be any outdoor activity with physical exertion during the peak of the day.”
County officials seek changes in Iowa property tax caps
Posted on by Sam Parsons
By O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa)
The president of the Iowa State Association of Counties says county officials are hoping the state legislature makes changes in the 2023 law that capped property tax assessments.
Barry Anderson, a Republican from Greenville, is a member of the Clay County Board of Supervisors. “It kind of ties local government’s hands,” he said during a recent appearance on “Iowa Press” on Iowa PBS, “and so I guess that’s where I want to hopefully work with legislation over this coming year to clean up some things, maybe look at how it affects different counties different than other counties.”
Under the law, county officials must abide by limits on the general property tax levy as well as the levy for rural services. “I understand that we don’t want property taxes to just run rampant,” Anderson said, “but I hope that everybody also understands…wages, roads and bridges, all kinds of expenses continue to grow.”
Officials in about a dozen counties say their county’s share of money from the state’s Road Use Tax Fund will be reduced because of the new property tax calculations. Anderson said he hopes discussions with state lawmakers can be less adversarial, so changes can be made in 2025.
“We have to, at the local level, be better at coming to the table and coming up with ideas of how to work through these things,” Anderson said, “but we have to also hopefully have legislators at the statehouse that are willing to come to the table at the statehouse and ask us: ‘How is this going to affect you?’”
The 2023 state law says if the total assessed value of property in a county grows by more than 3%, some of the excess revenue must be used to reduce that county’s main property tax levy. In 2024, lawmakers reduced the required property tax cut in counties where growth in property tax assessments was under 6%.
Urban Conservation Tour to Be Held
Posted on by Sam Parsons
OSKALOOSA — Mahaska County office of Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) along with the Mahaska County Master Gardeners will host a local Urban Prairie Field Day Tuesday, July 9, beginning at 5:30 pm at the NRCS – Oskaloosa Service Center 2503 Todd Street, Oskaloosa. Please park in the parking lot and on side streets. Other stops for the field day include Watson Library planting at William Penn and the Oskaloosa Public Library. The event is free and open to the whole family and includes a summertime treat at our last stop.
The field day will include a welcome and remarks from Myriam Lafreniere Landry, from the Mahaska Soil and Water Conservation District. She will highlight the urban prairie plantings that have been completed since 2021 in Oskaloosa area including planting specifics, and costs and funding. The native planting at the site was completed in 2021. Amy Bouska, IDALS Urban Conservation Team will talk about different conservation practice and their benefits on water quality at this stop.
Prairies once stretched across Iowa and the Midwest. Once 85% of Iowa was covered in prairie, today less than 1% remain. Native plants and wildlife thrived creating the ecosystem which created the rich productive soil that dominates and defines Iowa. Prairies, and specifically prairie plants, are part of our heritage as Iowans. Native plants include many types of grasses and forbs which offer many advantages to the introduced landscapes which dominate many local/urban settings. This advantages will be discussed at the stops of the field day.
The field day agenda will continue with a visit to the WPU Pollinator Garden at approximately 6 pm. This planting at William Penn University is on the north side of the Penn Activity Center (PAC) and west of Watson Library. Parking is available in the PAC parking lot. This planting was completed in June of 2021. Kevin Andersen, IDNR Wildlife Specialist, till talk about the importance of native plants for pollinators and how backyards can support wildlife.
Specific of each location’s plantings will be discussed as we visit the sites, including their costs including funding. Cost share assistance is available to individuals or groups for potential projects with REAP funds. NRCS personnel will provide information about the cost share program.
The final stop for the field day will be at the Oskaloosa Public Library at approximately 6:30 pm, this planting was completed in 2023. Due to construction, the library parking lot is accessible from Market and Third Street West only. Marion Gaughan, Library Director will explain how the project came to be planted. Green Iowa, Americorp members, will be on hand to give an update on the existing plantings and planned projects. Pam White, Mahaska County Master Gardener, and board member of Iowa Prairie Network will identify plant species and provide growing tips. This organization is a grass roots, volunteer, organization that is dedicated to the preservation of Iowa’s prairie heritage.
The event is free and open to the whole family, but reservations are suggested to ensure adequate summertime treats. RSVP to Carla Ackley at 641-673-3476; NRCS-Oskaloosa Service Center or email carla.ackly@ia.nacdnet.net. Inclement weather will postpone the event to Wednesday July 10. If in doubt, please check local media and event organizers, as well as the organization’s Facebook pages.
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