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Parking Regulations in Downtown are Slated to Change

Posted on by KBOE Administrator

A topic at many city council meetings within the past two months has been the issue centered around parking in the city, specifically in the downtown square. On Monday, September 5th, the Oskaloosa City Council opened the floor for public comments where five residents stepped forward. 

Each of those that made comments owned businesses around the square and were in attendance at the meeting to share their thoughts about the changes that council intends to make regarding the regulations that are currently in place.

Julie Wells, owner of Julie’s Cafe on S. Market, stepped forward first and addressed her concern with the council.

“We’re concerned with the two-hour parking. The concern that 72-hours, that it would go to if you got rid of the 2-hours, would be too long,” Wells stated while in attendance with her husband Terry.

This is not Wells’ first time addressing the council about their plans to alter the parking regulations. As she has was before the mayor and council members a month ago on August 7.

Other business owners also approached the council: Debbie Sedrel from Merle Norman Cosmetics; Glenda Booy from True Value; Brian Meyers from Brown Shoe Fit; and Jerry Slobe with Timeless Treasures.

“I talked to five business owners today,” Slobe said as he addressed the city council, “and they were all opposed to taking the signs down.”

The aforementioned businesses were Brown Shoe Fit, Taso’s Steakhouse, Big Ed’s BBQ, True Value and MidWestOneThree.

After hearing from the public, the council began the regular agenda. One of the last items in the agenda was the consideration of parking regulations and two-hour central business district parking. The council quickly came to an agreement on the third and fourth piece, but had questions themselves regarding the first and second piece.

Councilman Doug Yates, noted that the decision to enforce or not was a split decision after the community had been surveyed.

Tom Walling had mentioned that the city, “only got five complaints in a year. Yet we heard five complaints tonight, easy.”

The initial idea was to take all of the parking signs down to reduce the number in downtown, however, realized it was too costly and unnecessary. Other questions arose about enforcing the limits and regulations.

City Manager, Michael Schrock, suggested that they do sporadic enforcement. Once or twice a month sometimes more or less to transition to consistently enforcing the limits.

After nearly a half hour discussion on the item, the council came to an agreement after some advice from Police Chief Jake McGee.

“I think two hours is too short, that’s based off my experience from the people that get tickets. ”

With Chief McGee’s experience over the years, he knows that visitors – or the average shoppers – are the ones that normally get ticketed. Because the normal offenders know when enforcement goes out to chalk and the call goes around, most vehicles get moved.

When asked by Mayor David Krutzfeldt, Chief McGee said that most cities around Oskaloosa have three-hour parking rules.

In conclusion, the city council agreed to move the two-hour parking limit to a three-hour limit starting at 9 AM until 5 PM. 

This is, however, only the first reading of the regulation changes. Yates would like the public to voice their thoughts about this change as the next month progresses and the city council finishes the reading of the changes to parking.

Mahaska County Secondary Road Department Employee Struck Building

Posted on by KBOE Administrator

Yesterday morning around 9 AM the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office were called to a farm on Indian Way southwest of Beacon where a tractor had struck a farm building.

Upon deputies arrival, it was discovered that the tractor was owned and operated by the Mahaska County Secondary Roads Department. The driver, an employee with the Mahaska County Secondary Roads Department, was suffering from a medical condition.

The employee was extricated from the tractor and transported to the Mahaska Health Partnership. The individual was then airlifted to Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines listed in critical condition.

Estimated damages from this incident include the tractor at $5,000 and the farm building is estimated at $25,000.

There is no update as of Friday morning on the condition of the employee.

The Oskaloosa Fire Department and the MHP Ambulances assisted during this incident.

Oskaloosa Volleyball Falls on the Road To Grinnell

Posted on by KBOE Administrator

The Oskaloosa volleyball team was back in conference action on Tuesday night, but it didn’t end the way the Indians were hoping as they fell in straight sets on the road to Grinnell, 25-14, 25-23, 25-19.

Oskaloosa was behind the 8-ball early in all three sets, but battled back in the second and third sets to hang around until late. Several attack errors and an outstanding team defensive effort from the Tigers combined to frustrate several of the Indian attackers.

Josie Bunnell would get going late to log a game-high ten kills. Emily Richmond and Baylee Crawford both would have four kills in the match with Emma Kelderman adding three kills. Jolie Yang would serve up three aces for the Indians.

Grinnell had a very balanced offensive strategy. Junior Macy Harris led the way with nine kills in the game. Kiana Kies was a great option down the stretch for the Tigers, logging seven kills and two aces. Hope Nelson had six kills and Nicole Popp had five for the victors.

The win moves Grinnell to 4-3 overall and 1-1 in the Little Hawkeye Conference. They will next be in action next Tuesday, September 12th, on the road against Newton.

Oskaloosa falls to 3-7 overall on the season and 0-2 in Little Hawkeye Conference play. The Indians are back in action this Saturday against several teams at the Southeast Polk Tournament. Their next conference game will be next Tuesday, September 12th, at home against Dallas Center-Grimes. You can hear that game starting around 7 PM on 99.5 FM and 740 AM KMZN with a live video stream with the help of the Oskaloosa Video Production program on radiokmzn.com and MCG Channel 7 in Oskaloosa.

In other volleyball scores in the area Tuesday night:

Albia 25-25-25, Centerville 20-20-14
Central Lee, Donnellson 25-25-25, Cardinal, Eldon 17-11-13
HLV, Victor 22-26-25-25, Lynnville-Sully 25-24-19-19
Pekin 25-25-25, Louisa-Muscatine 16-12-11
Pella 25-15-25-23-15, Pella Christian 20-25-18-25-9
Southeast Polk 25-25-16-23-15, Ottumwa 14-21-25-25-6
EBF 22-25-25-25, Clarke 25-22-18-10

Blakesburg C-Store Robbed, Twice Within a Month

Posted on by KBOE Administrator

In the early morning hours of July 30th, and then again on August 31st, the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office investigated two separate burglary reports from the C-Store located in Blakesburg.

Throughout the course of the separate investigations, Law Enforcement personnel had reason to believe the same individual had committed both burglaries at the C-Store. During the burglaries the main items stole were a large quantity of cigarettes.

On September 1st, the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search warrant at a residence in Blakesburg. During the search warrant Deputies seized numerous items believed to be of value in the criminal prosecutions of the burglaries. Also seized during the search warrant was a large quantity of cigarettes.

During the investigation the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office has sent several seized/collected items to the Iowa DCI Laboratory.

 

This criminal charge is an accusation and the Defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

YMCA Will See A Modern Upgrade in Facilities

Posted on by KBOE Administrator

The Mahaska County YMCA has been serving the Oskaloosa and the Mahaska County area since 1896. It’s been housed at the current location for the last 50 years at 414 N Third Street. Recently, the YMCA along with the City of Oskaloosa and the Oskaloosa Community School Board have sought out to improve facilities by relocating and building.

The current building has 42,000 square feet and is equipped with a weight room, cardio studio, gymnasiums, exercise rooms, racquetball courts and a 4-lane 25-yard pool. Plenty of activities that are held at the Mahaska County YMCA include after school programs, various weight, dance or aerobic classes and youth sports.

In addition to the occupied building on Third Street, they provide early childhood services in the former Webster School building and the Kids Corner Child Care building. The YMCA operates the largest early child care program in the community and is the administrative leader in the 4-year old preschool partnership program.

All three of the buildings combined, the facility maxes out at around 74,000 square footage. With the capacity that the YMCA’s after-school program is at they are overflowing with families and children on a waiting list to get on.

“With this project wrapping up the conceptual design,” Michael Schrock, City Manager, said. “The next phase of the project is schematic design.” To move into this phase fully, money needs to be spent.

Within the schematic design includes meeting with financial advisories and attorneys to lock in the 28E agreement, said Schrock.

The new host site of the YMCA will be located on Green Street near the Lacey Recreation Complex. The projected cost of the new facility is set currently at $19.65 million, and square footage is set around 60,000.

Tom Richardson, School Board President, questioned how they would manage to operate efficiently using 15,000 less square feet.

The lack of adequate space, aging facilities and increasing maintenance have all proven to be difficult to keep up with. With the restraint on expanding and adding membership, the YMCA has not been able to generate enough revenue to sustain the facility, repairs and operational development.

“We don’t know if we can afford a two floor facility,” continued Schrock. “We are more interested in providing the right amount of square footage and amenities.” As the list of the desired amenities were read off to the board members , Schrock added, “There’s a whole laundry list, actually.” The essential amenities, however, include the gymnasiums, aquatics and child care.

The amenities that are noted in the conceptual massing plans include a gymnasium, youth gym, locker rooms, aquatics, community or multi-purpose room, kids zone, playground, and a child care center. Future expansion on intended areas will be possible with the conceptual design of the building.

The big question with this project is the price tag, but the bigger question is how will this almost 20 million dollar project be funded. The revenue generated from a 20-year local sales tax referendum, portions of a one-cent infrastructure tax from the Oskaloosa Community Schools, grants, and various donations will pay for the construction of the YMCA.  The need to fundraise and secure two to three million dollars in grants or other sources is imminent.

As Schrock thumbed through possible slides of what different components of the YMCA facility will look like, all board members in attendance seemed to be in agreeance that they would like to see a conservative yet modern approach to the appearance of the new building.

By building a new facility, the YMCA has the opportunity to grow and expand internally. Membership units is an important part to their livelihood. A membership unit could be an adult, couple, family, senior, college, or youth members.

YMCA Board Member, Debbie Guild, shared the prospective growth that the Mahaska County YMCA is hoping to see. Having new facilities built with amenities the YMCA would expect to see 1,025 new memberships. “In the first year, we could see a member growth of 500 units…,” Guild said. “That’s 50 percent in the first year, 30 percent in the second and 20 percent in the third.”

“I think there’s a sense in the community that this, at least to my friends, that this project has died. so i just ask us all to try to spread this to your peer groups and help reignite enthusiasm for it again,” said Guild.

The City of Oskaloosa, the Oskaloosa Community School District and the YMCA Board will all look towards Gro Development to revise the conceptual plan and establish the schematic design documents, as well as bid letting and general contractor selection.

Arrest Made In Downtown Ottumwa Shooting

Posted on by KBOE Administrator

New Information:

On Wednesday, August 30, 2017, around 2:00 PM, officers from the Ottumwa Police Department’s Emergency Response Team assisted in a search warrant execution at 630 N. Fellows, Apt. 206, Ottumwa, in relation to this incident.

On August 30, 2017, Emmanuel Brazil Smith, age 29, of 630 N. Fellows, Apt. 206, Ottumwa, was arrested and charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm, a Class “D” Felony, stemming from the shooting incident in downtown Ottumwa on August 20th .

The investigation into this incident is ongoing.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Original Information:

On Sunday, August 20, 2017, shortly after 1 AM, the Ottumwa Police Department received a call of shots fired in the 300 block of E. Main Street.

Members of the Ottumwa Police Department responded to area and checked the parking area to the south of the 300 block of E. Main. During this investigation officers recovered approximately 25 empty shell casings from two different calibers of ammunition. It was also determined that vehicles and buildings in the area had been damaged by the gunfire. The Ottumwa Police Department has not received any reports of injuries as a result of this incident.

Simple Call to Action Tweet and William Penn Responds

Posted on by KBOE Administrator

The University of Houston head basketball coach Kelvin Sampson pioneered an initiative asking colleges and universities across the country for their assistance.  schools across the nation in collecting T-shirts for victims of the devastating flood in Houston, Texas.

In light of Hurricane Harvey, University of Houston are hoping schools will send t-shirts, shorts, socks and shoes to help those who have lost everything.

William Penn answered that call. Athletic Director, Nik Rule, stated by Friday morning the university had rounded up over 1,000 articles of clothing to send to the University of Houston. Those articles filled 22 boxes that will be shipped out later today.

 

These boxes of donated clothing will soon make their way to Texas to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey.

“The number-one thing I see in the students and faculty of William Penn is compassion. This opportunity to serve those in the Houston area who are going through the unthinkable is a chance for us to rise up as a campus community and show our commitment to service to those near and far,” said Nik Rule.

College students and their families in Texas will receive clothing from William Penn and dozens of other schools across the country.

“At William Penn University, our mission of open hearts and open minds isn’t simply a set of goals we hope to achieve. It’s who we are at our very core. It’s the belief that every individual has value,” said William Penn President John Ottosson.

Coach Sampson tweeted this photo Thursday evening:

If you would like to help by making a donation, contact Joe Reagan, Director of Corporate/Foundation Relations at William Penn University, call 641-673-1047.

Oskaloosa High School Gym Remodel Project Set To Begin

Posted on by KBOE Administrator

The Oskaloosa Community School Board met on Monday, August 28 to discussion to new gym remodel. The initial board meeting was to approve the plans and specifications of the gym remodel. Carl Drost spoke of the details that the project manager has put in to the notes and plans of the remodel as he requested to read the plans prior to the meeting. All on the board felt as though the manager and the company would be working with the school’s and children’s best interest in mind.

In the specifications it noted that someone, like an architect, would go to construction meetings and do walk-throughs of the property during construction. Drost had a different idea in mind.

“I would love to do it, if I’m still on the board that is,” Drost continued. “Someone needs to be there everyday.”

Even School Superintendent, Russ Reiter, agreed that it would be helpful to have a faculty walk through and encouraged members of the board to view the changes being made occasionally.

“We would encourage any and all board members to walk through whenever they want as long as they have their hard hat and show your presence.”

The tentative schedule for the remodel has many of the outside structural changes scheduled for this fall while the smaller, more cosmetic like alterations — such as painting or patching — will be completed in the spring. An estimated completion date was noted on or around the 15th of April.

JUSTIN MOORE STARTS TOUR

Posted on by KBOE Administrator

Justin Moore announced that he will launch his “Hell on a Highway Tour” on October 13 in Monroe, Louisiana. The PLATINUM-selling entertainer will hit over 40 cities across the US with Dylan Scott opening for Moore.

“Hell On A Highway Tour” is Moore’s fourth headlining tour, having just wrapped up his “American Made Tour” with Lee Brice back in April and will span seven months, taking the Arkansas native from coast to coast.

HELL ON A HIGHWAY TOUR:
Nov. 4 Moline, Ill. — iWireless Center

2018
Mar. 9 Kearney, Neb. — Viaero Event Center
Mar. 15 Park City, Kan. — Hartman Arena
April 20 Cedar Falls, Iowa — McLeod Center

The news is announced on the heels of Moore seventh #1 single “Somebody Else Will,” which hit the top of the Mediabase and Billboard Country Airplay Charts. This is the second chart-topper from his fourth studio album KINDA DON’T CARE (The Valory Music Co.) which also marks his third #1 debut on the Billboard Country Albums chart. His highly-anticipated third single from the album is the title track which Sounds Like Nashville said “…hits the twang factor in fine fashion.” “Kinda Don’t Care” impacts Country radio on September 19.

William Penn Soccer Enjoys Big Night at Waldorf

Posted on by KBOE Administrator

Forest City–Raunice Butler (Jr., Nassau, Bahamas, Physical Education) took advantage of a huge penalty to lift the William Penn women’s soccer team to a 2-1 overtime victory over non-conference foe Waldorf Tuesday.

The Statesmen have now won back-to-back games to start the year for the first time since 2003 (4-0 start); the 2005 squad also started 4-0-1 with a tie in its opener.

Mariah Voight (Jr., La Mesa, Calif., Sociology/Psychology), who guided the navy and gold with four shots, put one away at the 28:03 mark to get WPU on the board first.  It is her first goal of 2017.

The visitors remained on top until late, but the Warriors (1-3) managed to knot the contest in the 81st minute and forced extra play.

Overtime did not last long, though, as just 1:34 in, Butler tracked down a ball inside the box and collided with Waldorf’s goalkeeper, resulting in a penalty on WC.  Butler then lined up for the game-winning penalty kick and drilled it into the netting to give her team the win.  The junior managed three shots as part of a 14-8 edge overall.  She now has two goals this fall.

Riley Ludwig (Jr., Big Bear City, Calif., Psychology) notched three saves in Tuesday’s triumph.

 

The Statesmen men’s soccer team bombarded Waldorf with two goals in the first nine minutes of play Tuesday and held on to claim the 2-0 non-conference victory.

William Penn (1-0-1) earned the shutout despite being outshot 24-9, including facing a 16-5 shot deficit in the second half.

Diego Navarro (Fr., Madrid, Spain, Mechanical Engineering) got the visitors on the board just 3:47 into the night when he finished off a pass from Juan Salazar (So., Buga, Colombia, Exercise Science).

Exactly five minutes later, Steve Lee (Jr., Camberley, England, Exercise Science) knocked home his second goal of the year to double the advantage.  Joey Messina (So., New London, Wis., Information Technology) assisted on the score.

The defense, led by goalkeeper Caleb Pipes-Goulsbra (Sr., Lincoln, England, Exercise Science), took over from there and kept the Warriors (1-2) exasperated all evening.  Pipes-Goulsbra recorded nine saves (seven in the second period) in the victory.

Next Up: William Penn soccer returns to Oskaloosa Sunday to host Cardinal Stritch in non-conference action at noon for a doubleheader.

 

 

Story by Wade Steinlage, Sports Information Director at William Penn University

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