Penn Central Mall will welcome Gilworth Furniture to their family of stores in mid-July.

“We’re pleased to announce this newest addition to the Penn Central Mall family,” said Mike Gipple, Mall Manager. “We’ve been in conversations with Gilworth, since April, when they stopped in the Mall office to inquire about available space.  From the beginning, it was clear that Gilworth Furniture would be a great addition to our family of stores, based on the positive, straight-forward approach they took in our conversations,” said Gipple.

The Oskaloosa community and the surrounding area really needed a store for the home and Penn Central Mall is glad to provide one through Gilworth Furniture.

“We feel strongly that the folks in and around Oskaloosa will really like the name-brand furniture, beds, financing options, competitive pricing and free delivery that Gilworth Furniture will offer,” said Chris Myers, owner.

With stores already in Centerville and Ottumwa, Iowa and Trenton, Missouri, Gilworth was looking to expand in a community where they’ve enjoyed visiting over the years.  The store in Penn Central Mall will feature 8,000 square feet of home furnishings and be located in the east hall.

“When deciding where to expand our business, we looked at the close to 20 new home starts, the demographics, and the number of recent business openings in Oskaloosa.  We realized that Oskaloosa is a growing, sustainable community. We’ve had the opportunity to watch the community develop as we’ve brought our children here for sporting events and we’re excited about the direction Oskaloosa is going.  We just want to be a part of the positive community development here,” said Myers.  Myers further stated, “Oskaloosa is a regional shopping destination and our store will only strengthen the retail pull.”

“The Penn Central Mall family is excited to have Gilworth Furniture opening a location in Oskaloosa,” said, Sara Kirby, Maurices Store Manager.  “We think Gilworth Furniture will appreciate being located in this area because of the loyal customer base here in a growing community,” said Kirby.

On June 28, 2016 at 2:56 pm, the Ottumwa Police Department received a report of a shot fired in the 900 block of Center Avenue in Ottumwa. Upon officers arriving at the scene they were advised that a domestic disturbance had taken place at a residence located at 902 Center Avenue between a father and his step-son. The disturbance continued outside the residence. During the incident the step-son later identified as Ryan Lawrence Gillen, age 20 of 902 Center Avenue, fired one round from a handgun toward his step-father. Gillen then fled the area on foot. Officers were unable to locate Gillen at that time.

At 9:07 pm, a Wapello County Deputy Sheriff located a vehicle driven by Gillen in the 400 block of Hamilton Street. Gillen was taken into custody at that time and charged with Going Armed with Intent, Carry Weapons, Assault with Use of Firearms and Reckless Use of a Firearm.

Gillen is currently being held in the Wapello County Jail on $5000 bond.

Over this past weekend, the Oskaloosa Police Department and the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office has received several calls for service involving the theft of high value yard and garden ornaments. The Oskaloosa Police Department is asking for the publics help in these theft cases. Currently the Oskaloosa Police Department has taken reports of two brass horse heads mounted on black cast iron posts and a large cast iron dinner bell painted silver with "Oskaloosa" stamped on it.

The Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office has taken several other theft reports of yard and garden ornaments including a large cast iron eagle that was stolen valued over $10,000. If you have any information regarding these incident’s please contact the Oskaloosa Police Department at 641-673- 3201 or the Mahaska County E-911 Center 641-672- 2557 for after hours reports.