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Two Ottumwa Residents Arrested Following Sex Abuse Investigation

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OTTUMWA – Two Ottumwa residents were arrested yesterday morning following a sexual assault investigation.

On Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at approximately 10:06 a.m., the Ottumwa Police Department executed a search warrant at 111 N. Ransom in Ottumwa, IA.  The search warrant was regarding a Sexual Assault investigation that was reported to police on December 9, 2025, involving a juvenile male victim and a juvenile female victim when the incidents were reported to have occurred.  As a result of the search on this day the following people were arrested. 

Julio Gaitan-Romero, age 45, of 111 N. Ransom was charged with the following: 

  • Sex Abuse 2nd Degree, a Class “B” Felony, for the abuse of the male victim. 
  • Sex Abuse 3rd Degree, (4 Counts) Class “C” Felonies, for the abuse of the female victim.
  • Identity Theft, a Class “C” Felony, for not using his identification information for employment

Also arrested was Ana Marilia Hernandez Tejada, age 43, of 111 N. Ransom.  She was charged with the following: 

  • Identity Theft, a Class “C” Felony, for not using her identification information for employment

Law Enforcement is still in the process of verifying the identities of each of these individuals.  

Musco Lighting Named Partner of 30th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA — Going into the holiday season, Musco Lighting announced a new partnership with the 30th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America (KPCRAA). The 30th Anniversary KPCRAA will take place May 1-9, 2026, leaving from Sonoma, CA and traveling to Charlotte, NC. This milestone Ride will travel 3,400 miles through 11 states in just nine days.

“To have Musco Lighting join the Ride as a partner for the historic 30th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America is incredible,” said Petty, who founded the Ride in 1995. “My personal history with Musco goes back to the 1992 Winston All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway – the first NASCAR race under the lights at a superspeedway. I know we all remember that ‘One Hot Night.’ I’ve had the privilege of visiting Musco headquarters in Oskaloosa several times to spend time with co-founder Joe Crookham, Charity Riders Jeff Rogers and Kevin Johnson, and the entire Musco team. The family spirit has always made me feel like I was at home in Level Cross, NC, at Petty Enterprises. The way you just feel welcomed when you walk in the door. That’s a special feeling you don’t have just anywhere.”

“This 30th Anniversary Ride is a great way for Musco to give back to youth through Kyle’s charity,” said Musco CEO Jeff Rogers. “With 2026 being Musco’s 50th anniversary, it makes it even that much more special to us.”

The 2024 KPCRAA did a ‘parade lap’ by Musco Lighting headquarters in Oskaloosa, IA. That year, the Ride also visited Musco’s manufacturing in Muscatine, IA. Musco has been part of the KPCRAA since 2018 through the participation of Jeff Rogers and retired Project Manager Kevin Johnson.

Musco is joining longtime KPCRAA partners Coca-Cola, Harley Davidson, Racing Electronics, Prevost, Dodge Law, Wiley X, WinCraft, Blue Emu, Goody’s Powder, Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, Piedmont Moving Systems, SoundOff Signal and Headbands of Hope.

Additional details surrounding the 30th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America will be announced in the coming months, including overnight and fuel stops, celebrity riders, and much more.

Anyone interested in becoming a new rider for the 30th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America should send an email to info@kylepettycharityride.com. Applications for new riders will be distributed early January 2026.

To discuss KPCRAA sponsorship opportunities, please send an email to Morgan Petty at morgan@kylepettycharityride.com

To stay up to date with the latest news about the 30th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America, check out their posts on social media:

For more information about the Ride or to donate, please visit www.kylepettycharityride.com.

Jon Pardi’s Florida Christmas Shows Bring In Big Bucks For Charity

Posted on by Bob Ballard

For the last two weekends. Jon Pardi was bringing the spirit of Christmas (musically) to Florida. His annual “The Christmas Show” was in St. Augustine, Hollywood and Tampa, and in each city, he brought more than just a holiday-centric performance.  Pardi also donated to charities local to each of the cities he played. St. Augustine Youth Services and St. Augustine Art Association, Little Smiles and A Kids Place of Tampa Bay each received donations totaling $40-thousand from Pardi and his wife’s Summer’s Starlight Fund. Talking to “People,” the singer explained, “There’s nothing like bringing Christmas to the stage and turning it into a full-blown party. A cowboy honkytonk Christmas complete with a horn section, all the hits, pyro, and everyone’s favorite holiday songs. And giving back to the communities that support us – that’s what Christmas is all about.” Ho ho ho!

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1964, Glen Campbell made his first concert appearance with The Beach Boys, standing in for an ill Brian Wilson last minute at the Sam Houston Coliseum in Houston.
  • Today in 1966, Jack Greene’s “There Goes My Everything” began a seven-week run at #1 on the Billboard country singles chart.
  • Today in 1966, Elvis Presley proposed to long-time girlfriend Priscilla Beaulieu at Graceland Mansion.
  • Today in 1971, Grand Ole Opry member Little Jimmy Dickens married Miss Mona Evans.
  • Today in 1978, Alan Jackson proposed to his girlfriend, Denise Jackson, who already had the same last name.
  • Today in 1983, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Band traveled to #1 on the Billboard charts with “Houston (Means I’m One Day Closer To You).”
  • Today in 1986, Kix and Barbara Brooks had their first child, Molly Brooks.
  • Today in 1988, Keith Whitley checked in at #1 on the Billboard country chard with “When You Say Nothing At All.”
  • Today in 1993, Denise Jackson surprised her hubby, Alan Jackson, with the first car he had ever owned, a 1955 Ford Thunderbird, after tracking it down.
  • Today in 2001, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill took their baby, Audrey, home from Nashville’s Baptist Hospital, 18 days after her delivery. The baby was born eight weeks premature.
  • Today in 2006, Mark Willis and Darryl Worley concluded a concert tour of the Middle East with comedian Al Franken. The trek took them to Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan.
  • Today in 2011, Wynonna Judd and Highway 101 drummer Cactus Moser got engaged. They were married the following June.
  • Today in 2016, Kellie Pickler and her husband, “More Than A Memory” songwriter Kyle Jacobs, arrive in Baghdad, Iraq, as they launch their 11th USO tour.
  • Today in 2016, Kacey Musgraves and her now-husband Ruston Kelly got engaged. They married the following October. In late 2019, tongues started wagging that the couple was on the outs. And while they pushed back to a degree, the rumors became real when they filed for divorce in July 2020 and finalized the split by September.

H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: ADELAIDE

Posted on by Bob Ballard

This week’s H&S Feed and Country Store Pet of the Week is “Adelaide”, a lovely grey tabby who has been at the shelter since September. Adelaide is a mellow gal who loves attention and gets along great with adults and kids, as well as other pets.

Adelaide is fully vaccinated, vetted, spayed and microchipped and ready to go!

And since Adelaide is the Pet of the Week, her adoption fee is only $30 this week!

If you’d like to set up an appointment to meet Adelaide or any of the pets at Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter, visit https://www.stephenmemorial.org/ and fill out an adoption application.

Check out our visit about Adelaide with Izzy from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:

Powerball jackpot soars to $1.7 billion after another night with no big winner

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES (AP) — The Powerball jackpot has jumped to an eye-popping $1.7 billion, after the 46th drawing passed without a big winner.

The numbers drawn Monday night were 3, 18, 36, 41, 54 and the Powerball 7.

Since Sept. 6, there have been 46 straight drawings without a big winner.

The next drawing will be Christmas Eve on Wednesday, with the prize expected to be the 4th-largest in U.S. lottery history.

Powerball’s odds of 1 in 292.2 million are designed to generate big jackpots, with prizes growing as they roll over when no one wins. Lottery officials note that the odds are far better for the game’s many smaller prizes. There are three drawings each week.

The estimated $1.6 billion jackpot goes to a winner who opts to receive 30 payments over 29 years through an annuity. Winners almost always choose the game’s cash option, which for Monday night’s drawing would be an estimated $735.3 million.

Powerball tickets cost $2, and the game is offered in 45 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

How to (and how not to) care for your trees during an Iowa winter

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Matt Kelley (Radio Iowa)

Yesterday marked the first full day of winter, though Iowa’s already seen plenty of snowfall in the weeks since Thanksgiving.

Aaron Steil, a consumer horticulture specialist at the Iowa State University Extension, says some homeowners may be concerned about their trees and other plants being damaged by the snow, especially if their limbs are sagging.

“Most of the time, plants do a pretty good job of shedding that snow off all on their own,” Steil says, “but if you do have a younger plant, or an evergreen that seems to be very weighed down by snow, you can go out and brush it off using your hand or a broom.”

If you want to clear that snow off yourself, he says there is a right way — and a wrong way — to go about the process.

“Just make sure you do it in an upward motion instead of a downward one,” he says, “so that you don’t stress branches that are bending down even more.”

Steil says ice can do infinitely more damage to young plants than snow, however, he says you need to resist the urge to try to remove ice from their frozen boughs and limbs.

“You’re likely to do more damage than good. If you try to go out and remove ice from shrubs and trees in your landscape, you can go out and maybe prop something up with a board, if you’re really worried about it,” Steil says. “Otherwise, trying to break it off or throwing hot water on it to try to melt it off, all of those always do more damage than help.”

The best thing you can do for an ice-coated tree, he says, is to leave it alone and let the sun warm it up.

Fairfield Man Faces Multiple Charges after Rollover Accident

Posted on by Sam Parsons

FAIRFIELD – A Fairfield man was arrested after being involved in a rollover accident in which authorities say he was driving under the influence.

According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, on Thursday, December 18, at approximately 8:37pm, a deputy observed a white passenger car traveling at a high rate of speed on 2nd St heading south towards Burlington Ave. The Deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop at Main St and Burlington Ave, but the vehicle failed to stop, continuing eastbound on Burlington Ave at a high rate of speed.

The vehicle proceeded north onto D St, failing to stop at two different stop signs, before it eventually crashed into the Evergreen Cemetery at D St and Stone Ave. The vehicle rolled and it came to a rest on its top.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as 20-year-old Keagen Kopp of Fairfield. He was arrested following the accident and charged with Operating While Intoxicated – 1st Offense, Eluding, Driving While Revoked, and Reckless Driving. He has since been released on a $5000 bond.

Newton Man Arrested for Burglary

Posted on by Sam Parsons

NEWTON – A Newton man was arrested over the weekend for allegedly breaking into a residence while armed.

The Newton Police Department says that on Sunday morning, at around 7:44am, officers responded to a residence in southwest Newton after a resident reported finding a man inside her home who was not authorized to be there. The man was known to the resident and was believed to be armed with a firearm. The man made statements that the resident described as “concerning,” leading them to leave the home and call police while the man remained inside the residence.

Police arrived, established a perimeter, and began negotiations with the man. The Newton Police Department SWAT Team, Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, and crisis negotiators responded to assist. Roughly 90 minutes after the initial call, the man voluntarily exited the home and was taken into custody without incident.

The man was later identified as 39-year-old Jesse Lundin of Newton. He was transported to the Jasper County Jail and charged with 2nd Degree Burglary, a class C felony, as well as 2nd Degree Harassment, a serious misdemeanor. 

‘The Road’ Crowns Its Winner

Posted on by Bob Ballard

“The Road” has crowned its winner. CBS’ live country music singing competition narrowed down its field of twelve to a single artist: Adam Sanders. Sanders was among the final three to perform at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville for the series finale, with Channing Wilson as the runner-up and Cassidy Daniels in third. After proving his mettle in a series of live shows opening up for Keith Urban, Daniels took home every aspiring country singer’s dream: a cash prize of $250-thousand, a slot at Stagecoach 2026, a performance at the Red Bull Jukebox show at The Pinnacle in Nashville next year, and (perhaps most important), a recording contract. Before appearing on the show, Sanders cut his teeth writing hit songs for other country stars, including Cole Swindell’s “Ain’t Worth The Whiskey” and Dustin Lynch’s “Hell of a Night.” He’s also written songs for Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley and Scotty McCreery.

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