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Ottumwa Police Department Makes Traffic Stop, Drug Bust

Posted on by KBOE Administrator

A Thursday morning traffic stop by Ottumwa Police Officer  led to four arrests and a drug bust.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Wesley Alan Simmons, 34, Ottumwa. Simmons was arrested and charged with Driving under Suspension, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and No Seatbelt, all Simple Misdemeanors.

Four of the five occupants of the vehicle were arrested and charged with the following crimes:

Richard Dean Driver, 43, of Centerville, IA, was charged with:

  •  Possession With the Intent to Deliver More Than 5 Grams of Methamphetamine, a Class
    “B” Felony
  • Prohibited Acts Possession of Marijuana (Enhanced), a Class “D” Felony
  • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a Simple Misdemeanor

Shad Shannon Palmer, 43, of Ottumwa, was charged with:

  • Possession With the Intent to Deliver More Than 5 Grams of Methamphetamine, a Class
    “B” Felony
  • Prohibited Acts Possession of Controlled Substance (Enhanced), an Aggravated
    Misdemeanor
  • Unlawful Possession of a Prescription Drug, a serious Misdemeanor
  • Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp, a Class “D” Felony
  • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a Simple Misdemeanor

Heather Beth Murphy, age 27, of 824 S. Lillian, Ottumwa, was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a Simple Misdemeanor.

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Please note the following pursuant to recent Supreme Court rulings: “A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

Oskaloosans Honored With Governor’s Award

Posted on by KBOE Administrator

Nearly a dozen residents and groups from the Oskaloosa area received a Governor’s Volunteer Award from Governor Kim Reynolds and Lt. Governor Adam Gregg during a special recognition ceremony held on October 27 in Ottumwa.

List of recipients from Oskaloosa include: Joshua Buckingham, Karen Hafner, Shirley Kelderman, Janet Masterson, Mary Lue McCartie, Gary Malin (MHP), Mark Neff, and Jamey Robinson for individuals. Group honors were awarded to Mahaska County CERT and the Oskaloosa High School FFA.

“Volunteerism is such an integral part of what it means to be an Iowan,” Gov. Kim Reynolds said. “I’m pleased to honor those who have given of themselves to meet the needs of others.  Their commitment helps improve the lives of those around them and consistently keep our state’s volunteerism rate in the top ten nationally.”

More than 600 awards are being presented this year during ceremonies held at several locations around the state.  It is estimated that more than 31,000 hours of service, with an economic impact of more than $727,000, were served by this year’s honorees during the past twelve months.

“Volunteering is win-win,” Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg said. “Not only does it have a positive impact on the individuals served, but also transforms the individuals giving.  The dedication of those selected for these awards often encourages others to get involved, and I’m happy to recognize them for their important contributions.”

Coordinated by Volunteer Iowa, the Governor’s Volunteer Award program—now in its 34th year—provides an easy way for Iowa nonprofits, charitable organizations, and government entities to honor their volunteers with a prestigious, state-level award.  More information is available at volunteeriowa.org.

 

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A complete list of award recipients and an electronic copy of this news release are available at volunteeriowa.org.  Photographs will be available from this website approximately one week following the ceremony.

About Volunteer Iowa (Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service)

Volunteer Iowa and its partner agencies work with organizations and individuals on three main fronts.  The first is to help agencies develop quality programs that use service as a strategy to fulfill their missions and address Iowa’s greatest areas of need.  The second is to help engage Iowans in their communities by promoting service and expanding the volunteer base.  Finally, the third area of work is to connect individuals with appropriate service opportunities by building the volunteer infrastructure.  More information is available at volunteeriowa.org.

OES Students Meet Iconic, Local Monster Jam Driver

Posted on by KBOE Administrator

Children at the Oskaloosa Elementary School got an opportunity to meet with a special guest on Thursday morning.

Tyler Menninga is an Oskaloosa native who went through the Oskaloosa school system just a few years ago. Menninga is now 20 years old and is a driver for one of the most iconic names in Monster Jam: Grave Digger.

Being one of only nine drivers with Grave Digger, Menninga knew at a very young age that driving a monster truck was what he wanted to do. Speaking to children of all ages at the elementary school, Menninga shared his story about having a dream and vision.

He asked students one simple question: What do you want to do? Answers from students varied from doctor to gymnast, bunny tamer to nurses and even the occasional ‘I don’t know’.

“School taught me a lot about striving for my goals. If I wanted something, I was going to go get it,” said Menninga. “That’s what hard work will teach you.”

Menninga was accompanied by his mother and grandmother who shared stories of when Tyler was growing. When he was a young boy, possibly 2 or 3, he sat in the nosebleeds at Monster Jam with his grandfather and watch the guys work below. Tyler used to piece together ramps and jumps in his grandmother’s home using couch cushions and pillows. As Tyler dragged a backpack stuffed with monster cars that he would play with – noises and all – according to his mother and grandmother.

Menninga’s late grandfather seemed to have a passion for monster trucks that transferred over to him. “When he was a little boy, he said he was going to be a monster truck driver. He was saying that since he could talk,” said his mother and grandmother.

Growing up, Menninga really only drove All Terrain Vehicles and did off-road racing. Menninga went to work for Adam, Dennis’s son, on Grave Digger while he was still in high school. He didn’t get his start on Grave Digger, however, he actually drove Blue Thunder at the beginning of his career. Menninga is coined as the youngest Grave Digger driver… ever.

Menninga loves competing in the freestyle events “because we can go out there for a whole minute and do whatever we want.”

The tour that Menninga is currently a part of has been to Mexico City, Mexico and Peoria, Illionis already. After their weekend in Cedar Rapids, Menninga and Team Digger will head to Puerto Rico, Jackson, Miss., and Macon, GA.

Puerto Rico is a stop Menninga is by far his favorite. But what about a country this Grave Digger driver would love to freestyle in? Menninga says Australia because the tour is a month long and the team doesn’t have to go home between shows.

Grave Digger is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, as is Dennis Anderson. The ‘Father’ of Grave Digger.

“Guys, come check it out in Cedar Rapids,” said Menninga. “It’s going to be a good show!”

Duchow Hired as BBBS Program Manager

Posted on by KBOE Administrator
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mahaska County is pleased to announce that Robbyn Duchow has been hired as Program Manager.  She will start Monday, October 30th, at her office in the Mahaska YMCA.

Duchow lives in Oskaloosa and comes from the Iowa Department of Public Health, where she ran a statewide tobacco use prevention program.  She had been involved with youth prevention programs since high school, so she has a lot of experience working with diverse groups in community outreach.

The advisory board is excited to hand over the reins to Duchow and is confident she will do an amazing job helping launch BBBS Mahaska.
Duchow will receive a lot of training and support from BBBS Johnson County over the coming months, as well as continued oversight from the local advisory board. Although BBBS has received some requests to apply to be a mentor or mentee, and the best estimate for when they will begin accepting those applications is February. It is the intent of the organization to give Duchow enough time to learn about the BBBS model and build a solid foundation.
“Remember, we don’t just want to make matches.  We want to make effective, long-term matches that will do real good for the kids involved.”

PELLA ADVANCES TO VOLLEYBALL REGIONAL FINAL; OSKY, EBF ELIMINATED

Posted on by KBOE Administrator
Four area teams were in action in regional semifinal action Tuesday night.
Pella and Osky battled in Class 4A Region 4 and it was all Lady Dutch from start to finish. Oskaloosa held their own during the first set before slipping late to drop it 25-20. Pella would stroll through the next two sets as they found their footing. They would win the second set 25-14 and the third set 25-8.
Pella was led by Emily Holterhaus, who would get 19 kills to lead all players. Josie Bunnell had eight kills for Osky, who ends their season with a record of 13-21.
Pella moves into the Region 4 Final next Monday where they will face Bondurant-Farrar. Pella is 32-6 on the season and one of their losses came against Bondurant-Farrar in the B-F Tournament back on August 26th. That match will be in Pella on Monday, October 30th at 7 PM.
Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont hosted Davis County in a matchup between two South Central Conference teams in Class 3A Region 8. EBF had beaten DC in the regular season in both of their matchups without dropping a set, but Tuesday night was different. Davis County would pull off the road upset in four sets (25-21, 25-19, 23-25, 25-23). EBF’s season comes to an end with a record of 21-16.
Finally, Ottumwa went on the road and faced a tough Waukee squad and came up short in straight sets (25-10, 25-18, 25-10). Ottumwa finished their season with a 19-20 record.
More volleyball action will be on tap on the No Coast Network on Thursday as Montezuma plays in the Class 1A Region 4 Semifinals against North Tama. You can hear that on 104.9 FM KBOE, kboeradio.com, and the KBOE mobile app with the pregame show starting at 6:45 PM for the 7 PM first serve.

ALICE Training Opportunity for Oskaloosa Businesses

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ALERT is when you first become aware of a threat. The sooner you understand that you’re in danger, the sooner you can save yourself. A speedy response is critical. Seconds count.

LOCKDOWN might require you to barricade the room. Prepare to EVACUATE or COUNTER if needed. If EVACUATION is not a safe option, barricade entry points into your room in an effort to create a semi-secure starting point.

INFORM is to continue to communicate information in as real time as possible, if it is safe to do so. Armed intruder situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly, which means that ongoing, real time information is key to making effective survival decisions. Information should always be clear, direct and in plain language, not using codes. If the shooter is known to be in an isolated section of a building, occupants in other wards can safely evacuate while those in direct danger can perform enhanced lockdown and prepare to counter.

COUNTER is a strategy of last resort. Counter focuses on actions that create noise, movement, distance and distraction with the intent of reducing the shooter’s ability to shoot accurately. Creating a dynamic environment decreases the shooter’s chance of hitting a target and can provide the precious seconds needed in order to evacuate.

EVACUATION to a safe area takes people out of harm’s way and hopefully prevents civilians from having to come into any contact with the shooter.

This comprehensive and hands-on training opportunity is going to be available to businesses in Oskaloosa in mid-November.

If you or your business would like to participate in this event please register by November 3 by contacting the Oskaloosa Chamber at 641.672.2591 or email with total number of participants.

The Chamber will announce the date, time and location by November 3.

If you have any questions please contact the Chamber office.

Brooklyn Farmer Running for Secretary of Agriculture

Posted on by KBOE Administrator

Craig Lang, a Poweshiek County dairy farmer who has served as president of the Iowa Farm Bureau Financial during one of its most-challenging eras, said today he will run for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture in 2018 to help lead the state to resolve the pressing issues of water quality, soil loss and a stagnant rural economy.

“We’re all in this together, as Iowans, and I believe our best opportunity for success is by working together to get things done,” said Lang, a former president of the State Board of Regents. “We can be doing a lot more for our state if we bring together the public and private sectors, rural and urban, business and farm interests, our public universities and private colleges to achieve all three goals: cleaner water, healthy soils and a stronger rural economy. “One way to achieve better health in the soil and improve the economy is by working to create more diversity in Iowa agriculture.”

Lang, who has been farming nearly four decades, will seek the Republican nomination for the post held by Bill Northey since January 2007. He will make a formal announcement tour at a later date. Northey, a Republican in his third term as agriculture secretary, received Senate Agriculture Committee confirmation Thursday as a U.S. Department of Agriculture undersecretary.

The Lang family, which includes Craig’s brother, father and two sons, who are the family’s sixth generation of farmers, milk 650 cows, farm 1,200 acres and run a cow/calf beef operation.

While vowing to bring together diverse groups to bolster Iowa’s agriculture sector, Lang also promised to encourage and stand up for all farmers and agribusinesses. “The fact is, there are groups that want to attack production agriculture, particularly our livestock and poultry growers, and I’ll be a strong and supporting voice to make sure we set the record straight.”

Lang was one of the longest serving leaders of both the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, where he served as president from 2001 through 2011, and the FBL Financial Group, where he served as chairman of the board for a concurrent term. He also was chairman of the Grow Iowa Values Fund and, under Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, vice chair of the Iowa Economic Development Board.

In addition to being a family farmer, Lang is president of The Prairie Strategy Group, a company engaged in identifying and solving complex challenges in food production, policy and logistics. Lang is recognized nationally and internationally as a consultant for rural economic development, consensus and opportunity building.  While working with the Ministry of Agriculture on agriculture bio-technology in China, Lang signed the first-ever non-governmental organization memorandum of understanding with the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology on behalf of the Iowa Farm Bureau.

Lang and his wife, Mary, have four grown children and seven grandchildren.

Three Muscatine Residents Busted for Meth Dealing

Posted on by KBOE Administrator

Late last week, three Muscatine residents were sentenced to over 8 years in prison. Danielle Graves, 35, Nathan Wagner, 36,  and Charles Rhoades, 39, were sent to prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Graves and Rhoades were ordered to serve three years of supervised release following their imprisonment, Wagner was ordered to serve five years.

On May 31, 2017, Rhoades pled guilty to methamphetamine conspiracy charges arising from individuals transporting methamphetamine from Des Moines to Muscatine and distributing it in southeast Iowa. The plea agreement stated that Rhoades distributed approximately seven grams of methamphetamine and also possessed with the intent to distribute over 100 grams of methamphetamine during a traffic stop in Nichols. Rhoades and Graves were arrested in December of 2016 after the traffic stop and charged with controlled substance violation, a Class B Felony, as well as failure to affix drug stamp. Rhoades will face 106 months in prison.

On June 2, 2017, Graves and Wagner pled guilty to methamphetamine conspiracy charges; they distributed approximately 25 to 30 pounds of methamphetamine from Des Moines to Muscatine. The conspiracy involved the defendants’ agreement to distribute the methamphetamine throughout the Muscatine area and the surrounding communities. Graves is sentenced to 135 months in prison and Wagner faces 300. Wagner was also previously arrested for three possession-related charges after an arrest warrant was issued in 2013.

This matter was investigated by the Muscatine County Drug Task Force, the Des Moines Police Department, and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

Smith To Be Named Chamber Director

Posted on by KBOE Administrator

The Mahaska Health Partnership Executive Board and Leadership Team met Monday evening to discuss business as usual. As the reports rounded the table, Jacky Bresnahan, Director of Human Resources, informed the board of various hires and resignations.

Bresnahan had gone through the listing of new hires, including a  Polysomnographic Technologist, and the listing of 13 other open jobs. She also noted that the Community Wellness Coordinator, Ann Smith, had given her resignation.

“We are looking at what that would look like, are we or are we not going to replace that at this time,” said Bresnahan.

She continued on to notify the board that Smith will be moving on to be the new Chamber Director.

“We are very excited to have Ann on board as the Chamber Director. She is an excellent communicator, and has proved herself to be driven and diligent in her work. She will undoubtedly be an asset to our organization,” said Carri Vander Ree, OACDG Board President.

Executive Director. Smith will be responsible for leading the Chamber’s efforts in community development, membership, tourism and events. Smith will fill her position on November 6.

Smith most recently served as the Mahaska Health Partnership’s Community Wellness Coordinator where she was heavily involved in community events and outreach ensuring wellness is an important part of the community. Smith graduated from Pekin High School and holds a BS in health sciences with an emphasis in Health and Wellness from William Penn University. Ann has a son, Ezekiel, in Newton. In her free time Smith enjoys drinking good coffee, reading European history, hiking, cooking and visiting with family and friends.

 

MONTE, PEKIN, AND PC ADVANCE TO REGIONAL SEMIFINALS

Posted on by KBOE Administrator
Monday night was a full night of postseason volleyball in Class 1A and 2A and three area teams kept their state tournament dreams alive.
In Class 1A Region 4, the Montezuma Bravettes swept Grand View Christian in three sets (26-24, 25-23, 25-18). Grand View Christian battled back late in all three sets, but Monte was able to hold off the Thunder with a balanced offensive attack. The Bravettes were led by junior Riley Gatton, who finished with 16 kills.
Montezuma will now face off against #8 North Tama in Traer on Thursday in the Region 4 semifinals. Monte enters at #11 in the final IGHSAU rankings. That game can be heard on 104.9 FM KBOE and kboeradio.com starting around 6:45 PM on Thursday evening. First serve is at 7 PM.
Region 6 saw BGM get ousted in straight sets. The Bears were beaten on the road by Iowa Valley in Marengo by scores of 25-5, 25-12, 25-9. BGM’s season ends with a record of 4-25.
In Class 1A Region 7, English Valleys battled hard in Victor but eventually fell in straight sets to HLV (25-15, 25-14, 25-21). EV ends their season with a record of 12-15.
Class 1A Region 8 included Moravia, but the Mohawks were dominated by New London on the road in straight sets (25-5, 25-7, 25-7). Moravia finishes 2017 with a 13-15 record.
In Class 2A Region 4, Pleasantville was eliminated at the hands of Des Moines Christian in straight sets (25-11, 25-7, 25-11). The Trojans end their season with a record of 6-14.
Class 2A Region 5 produced two winners from our listening area. Pekin took out Sigourney in straight sets in a game heard on 99.5 FM/740 AM KMZN and 97.1 FM KMYQ. The Panthers moved on with scores of 25-17, 25-20, 25-16. Sigourney’s season finishes with a record of 11-17.
Pekin will now face Pella Christian, who upset Van Meter on the road in four sets. The Eagles won the first, second, and fourth sets in a tight matchup. The final scores were 25-21, 25-19, 20-25, 28-26. Pekin and PC will now play at Pella High School at 7 PM on Thursday night in the regional semifinals.
The action doesn’t stop as Class 3A, 4A and 5A play their regional semifinals Tuesday night.
Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont will host Davis County in a matchup between South Central Conference opponents in Class 3A Region 8. John Hirl and Tony Fenton will be on the call on 104.9 FM KBOE and kboeradio.com. Pregame show will start around 6:45 PM for the first serve at 7 PM.
Oskaloosa will be in action in the Class 4A Region 4 semifinals against #9 Pella. This matchup is a rematch between two Little Hawkeye Conference schools. You can hear all the action with Emery Songer on 99.5 FM/740 AM KMZN and radiokmzn.com with the pregame show starting at 6:40 PM with the first serve at 7 PM.
In Class 5A Region 5, Ottumwa travels to face Waukee at 7 PM.
Be sure to stay up to date on all postseason volleyball action on kboeradio.com and radiokmzn.com.

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