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Pella Police Department Announces Mental Health Co-Responder Team

Posted on by Sam Parsons

PELLA — The Pella Police Department is pleased to welcome Mike Crowe, a Mental Health  Professional, to the Pella Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), partnering with  Pella Police Department Senior Officer Chad Hardman. The Co-Responder Team is the first of  its kind in Pella and all of Marion County.  

Mike Crowe is a veteran first responder and mental health advocate who brings experience in  EMS and fire service, along with a deep commitment to mental health education. Mike and  Senior Officer Hardman will respond to mental health-related calls and provide support to  individuals in crisis. Together, they aim to enhance the department’s ability to handle these calls  with compassion, professionalism, and a focus on long-term solutions, as well as providing  valuable education and resources to the community. 

Mental health-related calls are becoming more frequent, and there is a need for trained  professionals working together to make a difference for the individual and their families. The  program reflects a growing movement toward more integrated approaches to public safety and  behavioral health, emphasizing de-escalation, early intervention, on-going services, and  community-based care. 

“We’re glad to have Mike on board,” said Sergeant Justin Bailey. “Mental health calls can be  complex, and having a Mental Health Co-Responder like Mike alongside a trained officer helps  ensure we are responding with the right resources and approach. This is a positive step for the  department and the community.”  

Luke Combs Considering “Crowd Sourcing” What Goes On His Next Album

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Luke Combs is working hard on his upcoming album, but he’s thinking of enlisting some help to get the project across the finish line. Remember the old days, when record labels told artists what songs go on an album, and in what order, and which songs would be considered singles? Luke’s thinking of doing things another way. In a post on X, the singer posted he may bring in some advisors (meaning, the fans) to help him choose what songs make the album. “Seriously considering ‘Crowd Sourcing’ my next record. Like just put up a bunch of demos and worktapes to see what y’all like best,” he wrote. If you want a voice in the process, you should follow Luke on his socials, if you don’t already.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1954, Johnny Cash married Vivian Liberto in San Antonio, Texas. The couple, who share their daughter, Rosanne, moved to Memphis, where he formed a trio that was signed to Sun Records. The couple divorced in 1967 amid Johnny’s trouble with drug addiction. With the help of June Carter, Johnny beat his addiction and eventually married June in 1968.
  • Today in 1981, “Hank Williams Jr.’s “The Pressure Is On” album was released.
  • Today in 1984, the “Poncho & Lefty” album by Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson was certified platinum.
  • Today in 1989, Merle Haggard’s “His Epic – The First Eleven – To Be Continued” album was certified gold.
  • Today in 1991, the album, “It’s All About To Change,” by Travis Tritt was certified gold.
  • Today in 1991, Reba McEntire’s “My Kind Of Country” album was certified gold.
  • Today in 1991, the “Pocket Full Of Gold” album by Vince Gill was certified gold.
  • Today in 1991, Willie Nelson sold his Colorado ranch for $803,000 to help pay off the back taxes he owed the IRS.
  • Today in 1992, Doug Stone’s “From The Heart” album was released.
  • Today in 1996, Randy Travis’ “Always & Forever” album was certified for sales of 5-million.
  • Today in 1997, the Mayor of New York City declared it to be “Garth Brooks Day” in the Big Apple, as Garth played his historic concert in Central Park. A record 980,000 people showed up to see Garth perform with special guests Billy Joel and Don McLean. HBO’s live telecast of the free concert in New York set a ratings record for the cable network. “Garth Live From Central Park” drew HBO’s largest audience for an original program that year and topped the four major broadcast networks in HBO homes.
  • Today in 2001, Carolyn Dawn Johnson’s debut album, “Room With a View,” arrived in stores.
  • Today in 2002, Garth Brooks’ “Double Live” album was certified for multi-platinum sales of 15-million.
  • Today in 2002, Keith Urban’s “Somebody Like You” video debuted on CMT.
  • Today in 2004, Reba McEntire escorted “Somebody” to #1 in Billboard
  • Today in 2007, Vince Gill, Mel Tillis and Ralph Emery were announced as the year’s Country Music Hall of Fame inductees during a ceremony at the Hall of Fame in Nashville by the Country Music Association.
  • Today in 2014, Songwriters busbee, Nate Cyphert and William Wiik Larsen wrote “H.O.L.Y.” in Los Angeles. In 2016, the song becomes a country hit for Florida Georgia Line.
  • Today in 2015, Luke Bryan’s album, “Kill The Lights,” was released.
  • Today in 2017, Taylor Swift appeared in a Denver courtroom at the start of a trial that pits her against a radio host she accused of grabbing her buttocks backstage at a 2013 concert.
  • Today in 2017, Florida Georgia Line’s 2016 album, “Dig Your Roots,” was certified gold and platinum by the RIAA.
  • Today in 2017, Toby Keith and Kid Rock performed at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, to close the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s week of induction ceremonies. The night’s music included “Red Solo Cup,” “All Summer Long” and “I Love This Bar.”

NFL and ESPN reach nonbinding agreement for sale of NFL Network and other media assets

Posted on by Sam Parsons

BRISTOL (AP) — Ever since the NFL announced it was looking to sell NFL Network and other media assets, ESPN had been seen as one of the favorites to make a deal.

Nearly five years later, a framework is finally in place.

The NFL announced Tuesday night that it has entered into a nonbinding agreement with ESPN. Under the terms, ESPN will acquire NFL Network, NFL Fantasy and the rights to distribute the RedZone channel to cable and satellite operators and the league will get a 10% equity stake in ESPN.

The league and ESPN still have to negotiate a final agreement and get approval from NFL owners. The agreement will also have to undergo regulatory approvals.

“Sometimes great things take a long time to get to the point where it’s right. And we both feel that it is at this stage,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a call with The Associated Press.

Along with the sale of NFL Network, the NFL and ESPN will have a second nonbinding agreement where the NFL will license to ESPN certain NFL content and other intellectual property that can be used by NFL Network and other assets that have been purchased.

“We have been talking about it in earnest for the last few years. But interestingly enough, we started talking about this over a decade ago but nothing really ended up happening. And we got back at it when I came back to Disney after my retirement,” Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a call with the AP.

What ESPN gets

ESPN is expected to launch its direct-to-consumer service before the end of September. The service would give cord-cutters access to all ESPN programs and networks for $29.99 per month. The addition of more NFL programming increases the value.

Many viewers will receive the service for free as part of their subscription to cable, satellite and most streaming services.

“When I came back to Disney and assessed essentially the future of ESPN, it became clear that ESPN had to launch a bigger and more robust and digital or direct-to-consumer product, not only for the sake of ESPN’s business, but for the sports fan,” Iger said. “And obviously, when you start thinking about high-quality sports content, your eyes immediately head in the direction of the NFL because there’s really nothing more valuable and more popular than that.”

NFL Network — which has nearly 50 million subscribers — would be owned and operated by ESPN and would be included in ESPN’s direct-to-consumer product.

The NFL RedZone channel would be distributed by ESPN to cable and satellite operators. However, the NFL will continue to own, operate and produce the channel as well as retain the rights to distribute the channel digitally. ESPN would also get rights to the RedZone brand, meaning RedZone channels for college football and basketball or other sports could be coming in the future.

NFL Fantasy Football would merge with ESPN Fantasy Football, giving ESPN the official fantasy football game of the league.

NFL Network will still air seven games per season. Four of ESPN’s games, including some that are in overlapping windows on Monday nights, would move to NFL Network. ESPN will license three additional games that will be carried on NFL Network.

What the NFL receives (and retains)

The league gets a 10% equity stake in ESPN. Aidan O’Connor, a senior vice president at the Prosek Partners marketing firm, estimates the value of that would be $2.2 billion to $2.5 billion.

ESPN is currently 80% owned by ABC Inc. as an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The other 20% is owned by Hearst. Once the deal is official and approved, the breakdown of ESPN will be 72% ABC Inc., 18% Hearst and 10% NFL.

This isn’t the first time the league has had an equity stake in a digital or communications business. It had that in the past with Sirius Satellite Radio and SportsLine. The NFL could also have equity in the newly formed “Paramount Skydance Corporation,” which owns CBS, due to the league’s partnership with Skydance.

“This is new as far as a partner now operating a business that we built, ran and grew,” said Hans Schroeder, the NFL’s executive vice president of media distribution. “It’ll also be a little bit new again with some of the dynamics here, but we’ll continue to balance that in a really arm’s length way where we’ll think about how we manage and work across to all our partners.”

The league will continue to own and operate NFL Films, NFL+, NFL.com, the official websites of the 32 teams, the NFL Podcast Network and the NFL FAST Channel (a free ad-supported streaming channel).

“The moves align with the NFL’s longstanding ambition to reach $25 billion in annual revenue by 2027 — a target first set in 2010, when league revenue stood at approximately $8.5 billion,” O’Connor said. “Financially, the move also signals to investors that ESPN is doubling down on differentiation and content stickiness by offering a scarce and premium product in a crowded marketplace. Intentionally ceding equity to the NFL transforms ESPN from a media licensee into a true platform partner — with few properties rivaling the league in terms of cultural significance, appointment viewing, audience reach, and monetization efficiency.”

No major changes yet

Viewers will likely not see any immediate impacts until next year once everything is approved.

Besides ESPN, the biggest winner in this could be NFL Network, which had seen reductions in original programming the past couple years. “Total Access,” the network’s flagship show since its launch in 2003, ended in May 2024 amid a series of layoffs and cost-cutting moves. “Good Morning Football” also moved from New York, where it had been since its start in 2016, to Southern California last year.

NFL Network moved to a broadcast facility across the street from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, in 2021.

“The thing that’s exciting for us is that we have put a lot into the network. I think it’s been very effective for fans. We know it’s in good hands,” Goodell said. “They’re innovative, they recognize great production and know how to produce it. They will do a fantastic job of operating the network and taking it to another level.”

Iowa’s tornado numbers are thankfully lacking this season

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Ethan Hewett (Radio Iowa)

After last year’s record tornado outbreak, Iowa is having a relatively mild severe weather season this year, according to state climatologist Justin Glisan.

Now that we’re into August and out of what’s considered the peak season for twisters, Glisan says Iowa has seen few tornadoes by comparison this year.

“We started off in April with ten tornadoes when we typically see six, and then you go into May, we had no tornadoes reported, and this is the first May since 2010 in which we can say that,” Glisan says. “Then we had in June and July around 20 tornadoes, very weak.”

During July alone, Iowa had more than 180 severe wind reports, but Glisan says overall, the late spring and summer have provided a reprieve from “widespread” severe weather. A powerful storm that’s now classified as a derecho swept across northern and eastern Iowa last week, with winds peaking at 99 miles an hour. Still, Glisan says severe weather has been much more active in the southern U.S.

“Then we’ve seen some episodic severe weather across the upper Midwest, the northern part of the United States, where another jet stream has set up a polar jet,” Glisan says. “We’re kind of in the middle of those two interfaces, and that’s what’s given us really a lack of severe weather.”

While the traditional peak severe weather season is now behind us, Glisan reminds tornadoes can strike during any season and in any month. He cites December of 2021 as a prime example, when Iowa was hit with a derecho and 63 tornadoes on a single day during the year’s final month.

“We’ve expanded the severe weather season further into fall and earlier in spring,” Glisan says. “So be weather aware, have your weather radio ready to go, have a weather app on your smartphone, have a ‘go bag’ in your house in case you have to evacuate, and even one in your car. We’re talking about severe weather during the warm season, but we also have to think about severe weather in terms of snow storms and ice storms that we see in wintertime.”

Last year, Iowa had more reported tornadoes than ever before — at 125.

$450,000 in State Cost-Share Directed to Water Quality Practices Around 8 Public Iowa Lakes

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES — The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today that nine Iowa Soil and Water Conservation District partners will receive $451,176 in water quality cost-share funding from the Publicly Owned Lakes program to help protect and enhance eight public lakes in Iowa.

Jointly administered by IDALS and the DNR, the Publicly Owned Lakes program provides cost-share funding to landowners for conservation practices on private land within watersheds above public lakes and reservoirs. The funding will support the implementation of targeted conservation and water quality practices, including cover crops, water and sediment control basins, grassed waterways, terraces, grade stabilization structures, and other proven practices. These practices reduce nutrient loss and sediment delivery to Iowa’s public lakes to help improve water quality and protect them for the enjoyment of Iowans and visitors to our state.

“We are fortunate to have some beautiful public lakes in our state that significantly enhance the quality of life for many Iowans and provide valuable recreational opportunities and wildlife habitat,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. “Through collaborative efforts with public and private partners, farmers, and landowners, we’re improving water quality and ensuring these lakes remain vibrant and healthy destinations. These conservation investments reflect our ongoing commitment to preserving Iowa’s valuable natural resources for future generations to come.”

“Investing in Iowa’s public lakes is always a sound decision,” said DNR Director Kayla Lyon. “These invaluable assets offer numerous recreational opportunities, improving the well-being of countless Iowans. They also are vital economic drivers and strengthen community ties. These efforts, strengthened by the crucial cooperation of landowners within the watershed, are fundamental to ensuring these important resources remain healthy and accessible”

Each year, a percentage of the funding IDALS receives for soil conservation cost-share goes toward protecting the water quality of publicly owned lakes in Iowa. Local Soil and Water Conservation Districts submit applications, which DNR uses to establish a priority list of watersheds above significant public lakes. Private landowners are then eligible to receive additional cost-share for practices that improve water quality. These resources complement additional efforts by the state and other public and private partners to enhance and protect water quality in Iowa lakes and other surface water.

The following lakes were selected for cost-share funding this year:

Casey Lake

Black Hawk County Soil and Water Conservation District

Tama County Soil and Water Conservation District

$7,012.50

 

Lake Geode

Des Moines County Soil and Water Conservation District

$84,000

 

Lake Icaria

Adams County Soil and Water Conservation District

$42,750

 

12 Mile Lake

Union County Soil and Water Conservation District

Adair County Soil and Water Conservation District

$45,000

 

3 Mile Lake

Union County Soil and Water Conservation District

Adair County Soil and Water Conservation District

$133,793.19

 

Lake Miami

Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation District

$10,222

 

Pleasant Lake

Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District

$53,398.31

 

Hawthorn Lake

Mahaska County Soil and Water Conservation District

$75,000

Andy Holmberg Wins Special Election for Oskaloosa City Council Seat

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

The city of Oskaloosa held a special election yesterday for their vacant at-large city council seat. After all of the votes were tallied last night, Andy Holmberg was named the winner.

A total of 673 Oskaloosa residents cast votes for the election. That’s just over 10% of the number of registered voters in the city. 448 of those votes, or 66.6%, went to Holmberg. In second place was Nicholas Ryan, who garnered 169 votes, or 25.1%. In third was Manny Garcia, who received 56 votes, or 8.3%. There were no write-in votes cast.

The election concludes a race that began in May, when former Oskaloosa city councilmember Charlie Comfort announced his resignation. The Oskaloosa city council appointed Holmberg to fill the vacancy left by Comfort in their meeting on June 2; however, in the days that followed, a petition was received by the city requesting a special election. Holmberg, Ryan, and Garcia were three of the five people who initially applied to fill the seat via appointment, and they were the only names on the ballot for last night’s special election.

The seat will be back up for election in November.

Post Malone Serial Stalker Arrested

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Post Malone has proven many times he’s more than willing to meet fans, but this is a bit much. A woman was arrested at Posty’s home in Utah on Monday for allegedly jumping in front of the singer’s car as he tried to leave his property. Cherish Christine Gomer was arrested and booked on two third-degree felony charges: suspicion of stalking and violation of a permanent criminal stalking injunction. It’s the fifth time this year that Gomer has been arrested on charges of stalking Malone, but the first time she’ll face felony charges. She is currently being held without bail.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1979, Kenny Rogers’ single, “She Believes In Me,” was certified gold.
  • Today in 1988, George Strait topped the charts with the single, “Baby Blue.”
  • Today in 1993, Wynonna’s self-titled album was certified triple platinum.
  • Today in 1993, Mark Chesnutt hit #1 on the charts with the single, “It Sure Is Monday.”
  • Today in 1999, the movie soundtrack album for “The Runaway Bride” debuted at #1 on the “Billboard” soundtrack chart, selling 79,000 copies its first week of release. One reason for the CD’s success was that it featured hit singles by the Dixie Chicks and Martina McBride. As a matter of fact, a representative from the record label that released the project said that the achievement proved that country artists and pop artists can exist side by side on a soundtrack and be successful.
  • Today in 1999, Lonestar’s single, “Amazed,” began its fifth week at the top of “Radio & Records’” country chart. The achievement broke the previous record set by a group – Alabama had previously spent four weeks at #1 with “Jukebox on My Mind.”
  • Today in 2002, Cledus T. Judd’s album, “I Stold This Record,” was certified gold.
  • Today in 2002, Phil Vassar’s “American Child” album arrived in stores.
  • Today in 2002, Kenny Chesney joined a hundred-or-so friends, publishers, songwriters and others gathered in Nashville at ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) to recognize Kenny and his chart-topping smash, “The Good Stuff.”
  • Today in 2002, Dixie Chick Natalie Maines tees off on Toby Keith’s “Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue” in the Los Angeles Daily News: “It’s ignorant, and it makes country music sound ignorant… You’ve got to have some tact.” Their mutual war of words continued for ages.
  • Today in 2003, John Mellencamp joins Kenny Chesney to tape an episode of “CMT Crossroads” in Nashville, where the set list includes “Young,” “R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A.” and “Folsom Prison Blues.” Radney Foster hosts
  • Today in 2004, Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan launch their first joint concert tour, playing minor league baseball parks, beginning with at stop at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, New York
  • Today in 2008, Taylor Swift filmed her “Love Story” video in Nashville
  • Today in 2011, the Oak Ridge Boys were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. They sang “Bobbie Sue,” “Elvira” and an a cappella “Amazing Grace” on their big night.
  • Today in 2014, Florida Georgia Line countersues the producers of the Country Explosion music festival for more than $200,000. The concert execs previously filed a $15-million suit against the duo, alleging they were defamed when the duo’s tour manager told other booking agents about a check that failed to clear the bank.
  • Today in 2016, Steven Tyler debuted at #1 on the Billboard country albums chart with “We’re All Somebody From Somewhere.”
  • Today in 2016, Kenny Chesney’s concert at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, includes a surprise guest: Sammy Hagar, who played “I Can’t Drive 55.”
  • Today in 2017, Vince Gill performed two songs during the funeral for former Notre Dame head coach Ara Parseghian in South Bend, Indiana.

Oskaloosa City Council Splits Vote on 8th Ave West Reconstruction Project; Approves New Lease Agreement for Mahaska County Law Enforcement Center

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

The Oskaloosa City Council held a regular meeting last night and held a public hearing revisiting the 8th Avenue West Reconstruction Project. Plans for the project were initially rejected by the council in their meeting on July 7 after property owners expressed opposition to the addition of sidewalks, saying that they were unnecessary for a dead-end road with no immediate sidewalk connections, in addition to citing concerns that the sidewalk would take a significant portion of the property owners’ front yards and leave no room for driveway parking. The project was brought back to the agenda after a vote on July 21.

City staff said that they are planning a project to connect the sidewalk along South M Street to the recreational trail next calendar year, pending the completion of this project, and that the sidewalks were designed to fit entirely within the existing right-of-way. The estimated project cost is $192,138.

At the public hearing, three property owners who reside on 8th Avenue West spoke, two of whom expressed concerns about the project, and one of whom expressed support.

After a lengthy discussion by the council, the vote on the plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated cost was split down the middle by the council, 3-3. Council members Joe Caligiuri, Abu Ibrahim, and Bob Drost voted “yes.” Council members Ronda Almond, Andy Holmberg, and Lisa Ossian voted “no.” As a result of the split vote, the matter will be revisited at the city’s next council meeting.

The council also approved a new lease agreement with Mahaska County for the Mahaska County Law Enforcement Center. The lease agreement replaces the old 28E agreement and requires the city to pay a flat $50,000 annual rental fee. The length of the lease agreement is 5 years. The agreement was approved unanimously by the council and was also approved by the Mahaska County Board of Supervisors earlier in the day.

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