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57th Annual Art on the Square Celebrates Creativity with an “Out of this World” Experience

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA — The Oskaloosa Main Street program welcomed artists, families, and visitors from across the region to the 57th Annual Art on the Square on Saturday, June 13, around Oskaloosa’s beautiful downtown square. This year’s theme, “Out of this World,” inspired a day filled with art, imagination, and community engagement.

The festival featured 29 artists showcasing a variety of artistic mediums, from painting and woodworking to fiber arts and blacksmithing. Visitors also enjoyed numerous children’s activities provided by community partners including Oskaloosa Public Library, Book Vault, Fine Arts and Cultural Events of Mahaska County (FACE), Iowa State University Extension and Outreach of Mahaska County, and the Uplifting Puppet Company.

One of the highlights of the day was the 2nd Annual Art on the Square Puppet Parade hosted by Uplifting Puppet Co. Due to windy conditions and the threat of rain, the parade was relocated indoors to Penn Central Mall, where participants proudly showcased their creative, space-themed puppet creations along with a 14-foot green space alien and 5-foot-wide spaceship.

Another popular feature of this year’s festival was the Window Art Walk, which included participation from 30 downtown businesses. Coordinated by Amy Brainard of Mahaska Communications Group (MCG), the project invited elementary students from area schools to submit artwork inspired by the “Out of this World” theme. Selected designs were transformed into colorful window displays throughout downtown, creating an interactive art experience for residents and visitors alike.

Art on the Square also recognized outstanding artists through its annual awards program.

Honorable Mention Awards
  • Mike Tygart, Sigourney, Iowa – Woodworking
  • Ron Struve, Oskaloosa, Iowa – Blacksmith Designs
  • Natalia Butler, Keytesville, Missouri – Knitted Fashions
  • Meg Prange, Russell, Iowa – Fabric Art
Second Place Awards
  • Two-Dimensional Category: Tasha King, Iowa City, Iowa – Mixed Media
  • Three-Dimensional Category: Sue Burnham, Oskaloosa, Iowa – Needle Felting and Fabric Art
Best of Show Awards
  • Best of Show – Two-Dimensional Art: Abbi Starcevic for her nature and landscape paintings created with oils and acrylics
  • Best of Show – Three-Dimensional Art: Doug Adams, Fairfield, Iowa, for his hand-twisted wire trees mounted on live-edge wood
  • Best of Show – Emerging Artist: Emily McKeag, Oskaloosa, Iowa – for her acrylic paintings of semi-realistic imagery.

“Oskaloosa Main Street extends its sincere appreciation to the artists, volunteers, sponsors, community organizations, participating businesses, and visitors who helped make the 57th Annual Art on the Square a success,” said Executive Director Angella Foster. “Festivals like Art on the Square showcase the creativity, collaboration, and community spirit that make downtown Oskaloosa such a special place.”

Jelly Roll Files For Divorce From Bunnie XO

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Music’s most unlikely marriage is now heading towards its most unexpected breakup. Jelly Roll has reportedly filed for divorce from his wife, Bunnie XO. “TMZ” reports that Jelly filed the papers at a Tennessee courthouse last month. It’s reported the divorce was a mutual decision and a “private family matter.” The two have had a tumultuous relationship; they met in 2015 at one of Jelly Roll’s early shows when he was a struggling musician; Bunnie was working as a high-end escort at the time. After a year of dating, they married, though briefly split two years later after the singer had an affair. Jelly Roll has two children from previous relationships: 18 year-old Bailee Ann, for whom Bunnie is a stepmother, and 9 year-old Noah, who still lives with his biological mother though is also close with Bunnie.

“TMZ” also reports that, just as the news has gone public, things are moving quickly. Photographers snapped pics of a huge moving van parked in front of the couple’s Tennessee house yesterday, though it’s not clear who’s leaving and who’s staying. And, just hours before the news broke last night, Bunnie posted a cryptic message about “getting her sparkle back” alongside a lingerie pic on her Instagram Stories.

Oskaloosa City Council Approves New Commercial and Industrial Urban Revitalization Plan

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

The Oskaloosa City Council held a regular meeting last night and conducted a public hearing for the city’s new Commercial and Industrial Urban Revitalization Plan. City staff said that the plan is intended to encourage rehabilitation, redevelopment, and economic development in designated commercial and industrial areas. It establishes multiple revitalization areas throughout the city, including industrial parks and selected commercial corridors. Property owners within these designated areas may apply for temporary tax abatements on the value added by eligible commercial or industrial improvements, subject to program requirements and limitations. The plan was approved in a 6-0 vote by the council.

The council also swore in two new police officers to the Oskaloosa Police Department: Drake Baarda and Gideon Vande Kieft. 

The next regular meeting for the Oskaloosa city council is scheduled for July 6.

Authorities Won’t Pursue Criminal Charges Following Investigation into Former PCM School Resource Officer

Posted on by Sam Parsons

JASPER COUNTY – Authorities have finished an investigation involving a former school resource officer at the Prairie City-Monroe School District and concluded that there was not enough evidence to pursue criminal charges.

According to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, on April 3, 2026, they were contacted by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office regarding information received concerning alleged inappropriate communications between PCM School Resource Officer (SRO) Carter Reichmann and a former PCM student during the time when Reichmann was employed by the Monroe Police Department and assigned as the SRO for PCM. Investigators subsequently obtained information containing communications that had occurred between March 2024 and June 2024 when the student was 17 years old.

During the course of the investigation, interviews were conducted with the reporting victim, witnesses, and Reichmann. Search warrants were obtained and records were seized from social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat, and they were reviewed and analyzed.

The investigation confirmed that Reichmann communicated with the student through various social media applications and that interactions occurred outside of his role as an SRO. Authorities say that evidence reviewed by investigators also identified communications and exchanges that raised concerns regarding professional boundaries between an SRO and a student. Additional witness statements corroborated the existence of communication between Reichmann and the student and described comments and interactions that were perceived as inappropriate.

The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office says that investigators consulted with the Iowa Attorney General’s Office regarding the facts and evidence developed, and that following their review, it was determined that, while concerns exist regarding the professional conduct, boundaries, and potential violations of school district or law enforcement agency policies, the evidence does not establish probable cause to support criminal charges for grooming, sexual exploitation by a school employee, or any other criminal offense under Iowa Law. As a result, no criminal charges will be filed, and law enforcement considers the investigation to be closed unless additional information or evidence is received.

Oil and gas supplies could take months to return to normal after Iran deal, energy experts say

Posted on by Sam Parsons

NEW YORK (AP) — High oil and gasoline prices and energy supply problems won’t be solved overnight, despite an agreement to end the Iran war and open the Strait of Hormuz announced Sunday.

It will likely take months before energy companies can resume operations to the point of meeting the world’s demand, according to energy experts. The slow pace of the process of shipping and refining crude oil, and doubts about the security of traveling through the strait mean the effect won’t be seen immediately, they said.

Ships loaded with crude oil have been stranded in the Persian Gulf for more than three months, unable to safely travel through the waterway, through which about a fifth of the world’s oil and gasoline supplies typically traveled before the war began.

“It’s going to take time for people to feel comfortable and for insurance to be in place … particularly to get people on the ground to restart some of these assets,” said Daniel Evans, global head of fuels and refining research at S&P Global Energy.

Still, oil prices slipped early Monday after the deal was announced.

Brent crude, the international standard, was down $3.45 at $83.89 per barrel. U.S. benchmark crude oil lost $4.03 to $80.85 per barrel.

Those prices are still well above the roughly $70 per barrel where oil was trading before the war started.

As the higher prices unwind, ships that have been stranded will have to exit the strait, and then new tankers will have to come in to be loaded, Evans said.

“To bring a ship in, you need to be confident that you’ve got a big enough window of safety to bring it in, load it and move it out,” he added.

Oil tankers also move slowly, he explained. It takes months to travel from the strait to distant countries, deliver the crude oil to a refinery for processing and then arrive at its final destination.

In addition, some producers in the Middle East paused extracting oil from the ground, known as a shut-in, when they ran out of storage space. Restarting those operations can be a slow process.

Countries such as Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, where there are alternate pipelines or routes besides the Strait of Hormuz to deliver oil, may be among the quickest to resume production, said Alan Gelder, senior vice president of refining, chemicals and oil markets at Wood Mackenzie, an analytics firm.

“But places like Iraq could be much more challenged because they’ve had a much bigger shut-in, their fields are more difficult … it may well take about a year before they get back,” he said.

Investment in the energy system, which can take years to see the results, ground to a halt after the strait’s closure, Gelder said. So it will take time for this capital to restart.

Countries that shut in oil production won’t want to restart until they know there is a stable, durable strait, and that a ceasefire will last more than 30 or 60 days, said Daniel Sternoff, senior fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University.

“We don’t know what open means or what the speed of evacuation of trapped material is going to be,” he said.

Iowa Environmental Council says state clean water proposal has ‘no substance’

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Dar Danielson (Radio Iowa)

The Iowa Environmental Council says the clean water proposal approved in the last days of the legislative session does nothing new.

IEC Senior Director of Policy and Programs Kerri Johannsen says the plans touts hundreds of millions of dollars spent on water quality. “This was really a last minute response to a public outcry, but there really was no substance to this proposal,” she says.

Johannsen says the bill did not fund the state-of-the art University of Iowa real time water monitoring system, and instead gives money to the DNR for monthly testing. She says the DNR does not provide clearly understandable data from its testing.

Johannsen says this plan doesn’t get everyone involved. “We’re deploying funding for conservation on a voluntary basis, not targeted on a specific as needed basis,” she says. Johannsen says we need to understand where practices are going to have the most impact to deploy them there. “That targeted sort of conservation approach would really help make a bigger impact with the same amount of dollars potentially than the way that we’re doing it right now,” Johannsen says.

Johannsen says a lot of what’s included in the nutrient reduction strategy are a lot of edge of field practices. “We know that in-field practices have a double benefit, which includes both decreasing the inputs that are going on the land, and by doing that also decreasing the money that farmers are having to spend on those inputs,” she says.

Johannsen made her comments in a conference call with reporters.

Wapello County Announces Disaster Assistance Resources Following Severe Weather on June 11, 2026

Posted on by Sam Parsons

WAPELLO COUNTY, IA — Following the severe weather that took place on June 11, 2026, Governor Kim Reynolds has issued a disaster proclamation for Wapello County as requested by Wapello County Emergency Management of the Wapello County Board of Supervisors. This proclamation activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and the Disaster Case Advocacy Program.

Disaster Assistance for Residents

Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program

  • Grant Amount: Qualifying households may receive up to $7,000.
  • Eligibility: Grants are available to households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Household members are citizens or legally residing in the United States.
  • Covered Expenses: Funds can be used for home or car repairs, replacement of personal property or food, and temporary housing expenses that are not covered by insurance or met by another assistance program.

Disaster Case Advocacy Program

  • Eligibility: There are no income requirements for this program, and no cost.
  • Services: Case advocates work directly with residents to create personalized recovery plans and provide guidance and referrals to necessary services.

How to Apply Online

Residents can find applications for the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and further details on the Disaster Case Advocacy Program by visiting the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management website at homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/assistance.

Mahaska Health Invites Community to 7th Annual Men’s Health Event and Tractor Ride

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA — In recognition of Men’s Health Month, June, Mahaska Health is hosting its 7th annual Men’s Health Screening Event and Tractor Ride. 

The event will take place on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the Mahaska Health Fairgrounds. From 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, Mahaska Health will provide free health screenings and educational resources. Tractors will be on display at the Fairgrounds during the health fair, with the annual tractor ride departing at 10:00 am.

The tractor ride will begin at 10 am heading south out of the Fairgrounds to drive past the two Skilled Nursing Facilities. The first stop is the Oskaloosa Care Center just after 10 am and the next drive will be at Crystal Heights Care Center. 

During the event, guests will be offered free screening opportunities, including:

  • Cholesterol tests
  • Blood pressure checks
  • Sleep assessments
  • PSA testing

Preventative screenings play an important role in helping individuals identify potential health concerns before symptoms develop. The free screenings provided at the event are one way that men can be proactive about their health and learn what other routine screenings may be recommended for them.

“The Men’s Health Event and Tractor Ride is a unique opportunity to combine community, tradition, and preventative care,” shared Dr. Eric Miller, Mahaska Health Family Medicine Physician and Accountable Care Medical Director. “Screenings can provide valuable insights into your health. We hope men in our community take advantage of the free screenings available throughout the morning.” 

Mahaska Health encourages current patients and the public to connect with friends and neighbors, showcase their tractors, and receive insights into their health. For more information and to register for the event, visit mahaskahealth.org/tractorride or call 641-676-7420. 

CMA Fest TV Special Performer Lineup Announced

Posted on by Bob Ballard

The highlights of CMA Fest are coming to TV, and the lineup for the three hour special has been announced. Hosted by Riley Green alongside “Good Morning America” co-host Lara Spencer, the glimpse at what was this year’s CMA Fest will feature performances and appearances by Bailey Zimmerman, Blake Shelton, The Band Perry, Brothers Osborne, Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson, Deana Carter, Ella Langley, Fetty Wap, Florida Georgia Line, Gretchen Wilson, HARDY, Jason Aldean, Jelly Roll, Jordan Davis, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan, Michael McDonald, Molly Tuttle, The Red Clay Strays, Ricky Skaggs, Riley Green, Russell Dickerson, Shaboozey, Shay Morgan, Stephen Wilson Jr., Tim McGraw, Tucker Wetmore and Zach Top. “CMA Fest presented by SoFi” will air Thursday, June 25 at 8/7c on ABC and will stream the next day on Hulu.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1969, “Hee Haw” with Roy Clark & Buck Owens premiered on CBS TV. Despite its popularity, the show was soon canceled, but thrived in syndication for over 20 more years.
  • Today in 1974, “Annie’s Song” by John Denver entered the Top 40 chart.
  • Today in 1982, the albums, “Always On My Mind” and “Greatest Hits (& Some That Will Be),” by Willie Nelson were certified platinum.
  • Today in 1983, Loretta Lynn’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter” album was certified gold.
  • Today in 1984, the “Deliver” album by the Oak Ridge Boys was certified gold.
  • Today in 1986, Exiles’ “Greatest Hits” album was released.
  • Today in 1990, the “Full Access” video by Hank Williams Jr. was certified gold.
  • Today in 1991, Minnie Pearl performed in Joliet, Illinois, in what turned out to be her final show. She suffered a stroke two days later.
  • Today in 1993, Jeff Foxworthy’s “You Might Be A Redneck If …” album was released.
  • Today in 1998, Billy Ray Cyrus crushed the competition in balloting for the 32nd Annual TNN/Music City News Awards. He took home five awards including male artist of the year, album of the year (“Cover to Cover”), single of the year and song of the year (“It’s All the Same to Me”) and video of the year (“Three Little Words”). Neal McCoy was named Entertainer of the Year.
  • Today in 2001, Jamie O’Neal made her first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.
  • Today in 2004, Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying” video debuted on CMT.com
  • Today in 2010, Kellie Pickler got engaged to Kyle Jacobs – they married New Year’s Day, 2011.
  • Today in 2012, Blake Shelton’s video for “Over” first aired on CMT.
  • Today in 2013, Dwight Yoakam performed “Streets Of Bakersfield,” “Fast As You” and “Act Naturally,” adding a country thread to the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee.

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