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EBF Trio Leads Class 2A All-State Softball Teams

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We continue our look at the All-State Teams in softball from the 2017 season and today Class 2A gets the spotlight.

Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont made a run to the state championship game and finished with a school record 32 wins. The Rockets were rewarded for their outstanding accomplishments with three First Team All-State players and the Coach of the Year.

Senior shortstop Haegen Boyer has been a major piece to the puzzle since her freshman year, and she was named to the First Team. Boyer hit .429 with an on-base percentage of .507. She was among the state leaders in all classes with 15 home runs and 59 RBI.

Boyer is joined on the First Team by fellow senior Claire Jager, who has been the starting catcher for the Rockets for four seasons. Jager had a great year at the plate, hitting .420 with a .507 on-base percentage. She also hit 3 home runs and drove in 34.

Jager had a great year behind the plate as well handling junior pitcher Randie Richmond, who was honored on the First Team. Richmond went 20-6 in the circle with an outstanding 1.16 ERA. Opponents only hit at a .206 clip against her in 2017. Richmond was also dangerous at the plate, as she hit .377 with 4 homers and 27 runs batted in.

Head Coach Tony Fenton had a lot to do with the success these players have enjoyed and he was rewarded for that by being named Class 2A Coach of the Year. 2017 was the second time in four years that EBF made it to the State Softball Tournament and Fenton guided the way with a very different group both times.

A team the Rockets eliminated from the tournament this year also has a duo of First Team All-Staters. Pella Christian had a phenomenal year, winning the large Little Hawkeye Conference outright on their way to a 32-6 overall record.

Their battery of senior pitcher Emma Schnell and senior catcher Elizabeth Van Manen led the way in all facets and were honored as First Team All-State players.

Schnell wrapped up a great career in the circle, finishing 2017 with a 23-5 record, a stellar 1.32 ERA, and a great opponent’s batting average of .168. She also struck out 213 batters in 186 innings while only issuing 22 walks. She also batted .384 with 4 homers and 27 RBI.

Van Manen was successful catching Schnell throughout her career, but really blossomed at the plate this year, leading the Eagles with a .409 average, 12 home runs, and 46 RBI.

There are no area players listed on the Second Team, but Pleasantville junior Andie Sowers made the Third Team. Sowers batted an unreal .490 with 2 homers and 27 RBI. She struck out only three times at the plate in 104 at bats in 2017.

The Class 2A Honorable Mention list is lengthy with players just missing the cut on the three All-State Teams, but a trio of area players were named there as well.

Pleasantville 8th grader Josie Sowers was the lone non-senior to make the list from the area after batting .425 in her first varsity season for the Trojans.

Senior Brooke Mitrisin has been a long time contributor to the Pella Christian softball team and she was named to the Honorable Mention list. She hit .351 with a .400 on-base percentage for the Eagles.

Finally, Pekin senior Kaylee Linder made the Honorable Mention list. Linder hit .484 for the Panthers while striking out only twice in 93 at bats. She also led the team on the basepaths, going 22 for 22 in stolen bases.

Tomorrow, we’ll wrap up our look at the All-State Softball Teams by unpacking the Class 1A list on the No Coast Network.

Arrest Made in House Fire Almost Two Years Later

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On December 25, 2015 at approximately 10 PM, the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office received a call of a house fire at 116 E Main Street in Agency, IA. An investigation was conducted and it was determined that the fire had been
intentionally set and ruled to be an arson.

David Latham was arrested as a result of an investigation by deputies on the evening of August 1, 2017.

Latham, age 47 of Ottumwa, IA. Latham was charged with Arson 2nd – a Class C Felony and Burglary 3rd – a Class D Felony.

Latham is currently in the Wapello County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bond.

Albia, PCM Represented on All-State Softball Teams in Class 3A

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Today, we’ll take a look at the Class 3A All-State Softball Teams.

Albia was a big surprise, upsetting their way to the Class 3A State Championship Game in Fort Dodge. Two of their players made First Team All-State.

Lead-off batter Hannah Isley had a great junior year, and that was rewarded with a First Team nomination. Pitcher Jena Lawrence progressed quickly as a freshman, and she also found herself on the top squad.

Isley batted .466 and hit 11 home runs this year. Lawrence was lights out in the pitching circle, striking out 253 batters in just 143 innings of work. She also hit over .400 at the plate and walked more times than she struck out.

Joining the two Lady Dees on the First Team was PCM senior Jayci Vos, who led the Mustangs in most offensive categories, including hitting near .500.

On the Second Team, Albia freshman Alex Beard and PCM senior Kayla Jennings were honored. Beard had a phenomenal season, leading the Lady Dees with 17 doubles and 39 RBI. Jennings was the second best hitter for the Mustangs and was the ace pitcher for a team who fell just shy of a regional final.

There were no area players listed on the Third Team.

We’ll dig into the Class 1A and 2A All-State lists later this week as we move forward with our wrap up of the summer sports season.

Sales Tax-Free Weekend is Coming Up

Posted on by KBOE Administrator

The statewide Tax-Free Weekend is happening on August 4th and 5th. This annual event takes place on the first Friday and Saturday of the month of August.

The exemption of sales tax applies to each article priced under $100.00; regardless of the number of items sold during a customer’s purchase. Clothing includes any piece of wearable apparel, however, there are numerous items that this broad description does not include:

Watches, jewelry, umbrellas, handkerchiefs, sporting equipment, any special clothing, or footwear designed for athletic or protective use; things not considered appropriate for everyday use.

Businesses open on these days are required to participate in the holiday. So that means, Oskaloosa residents, you’re in luck! Stores in the Penn Central Mall will be participating. Even though JcPenney’s is closed [as of July 30], that still leaves Maurices and Liberty Gifts. Along with other various apparel businesses in Oskaloosa like Brown’s Shoe Fit and Shoe Dept. 

Burn Ban now in Effect for Mahaska County

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** UPDATE **

Effective August 21, 2017 at 9:00 AM, the burn ban for Mahaska County has been lifted. The request was submitted per Oskaloosa Fire Chief, Mark Neff’s request. All open burning is allowed again after the previous burn ban was put into effect.

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All of Mahaska County has been placed under an open burning ban effective Tuesday, August 1, 2017 beginning at 3:00 PM. The burn ban will remain in place until further notice.

Recreational fires within a burn ring will still be permitted within campgrounds and in areas meeting minimum requirements.

Mahaska County joins Wapello, Crawford, Buena Vista, and Plymouth counties. Wapello and Mahaska are the only two counties in southeast Iowa included on the burn ban within the state.

If you have questions, please contact the Oskaloosa Fire Department at 641-673-3541.

Five Honored in Class 4A and 5A All-State Softball Teams

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Last week, the All-State Softball Teams were released by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, and there are athletes from all five classes that were honored in our listening area.

We’ll start by breaking down the lists from the large schools in Class 4A and 5A.

Oskaloosa finished in third place at the state tournament this year and several players were a big part of that success.

Perhaps the most important player for Oskaloosa softball once again was pitcher Alexis Groet, who was named First Team All-State once again, and finishes her high school career as a five-time All-State player for Head Coach Jay Harms.

She is joined by fellow senior Aubrey Miller, who was named to the Second Team after five successful seasons at the plate for the Indians. Freshman Ava VandeWall finished a great year as one of the best hitters in the Osky lineup and she was named Third Team All-State.

The trio of Osky players were the only ones from Class 4A in our listening area.

As for Class 5A, Ottumwa is the only team in our listening area and a pair of Bulldogs were named as All-State players.

On the Second Team, sophomore Morgan Greiner made the list after a great season for Head Coach Frank Huston. She is joined by freshman Kacy Nickerson, who was named to the Third Team.

Ottumwa finished one win away from the State Softball Tournament in Fort Dodge, but the future is bright for the Bulldogs with two underclassmen leading the way.

Later this week, we’ll look at the Class 1A, 2A, and 3A All-State Teams from the IGHSAU as we continue to wrap up our coverage from the summer sports season.

Fleeing Pursuit in Linn County Ends in Crash with Patrol Car

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The Washington Police Department reports a police chase has resulted in the arrest of two men from the Linn County area.  On July 30th, the Washington Police Department was investigating a report of harassment which was received after 3 PM that afternoon. At approximately 4:18 PM a Washington Police Department officer located the suspected vehicle.

An attempt was made to stop the vehicle in conjunction with that report in the city of Washington with assistance from other units. The vehicle refused to stop and a pursuit ensued.  The pursuit lasted for approximately 15 minutes, stop sticks were deployed and it ended in the city of West Chester.

During the pursuit, the suspect vehicle threw a weapon from the vehicle, collided with on-coming traffic at Highway 92 and Ivy Avenue. The chase finally concluded by colliding with a patrol car in the city of West Chester.  No one was injured in any of the accidents.

Jeremy Ryan Mirkes, 20, of Marion was taken into custody and charged with Carrying a Weapon, Felony Eluding, Driving while Revoked, Reckless Driving, Careless Driving (110 in a 55 mph zone), and Failure to Maintain Control.  In reference to the original harassment complaint, Mirkes was also charged with Armed with Intent (a Class D Felony) and Harassment 1st degree.

Zackary Todd McElroy, 22, of Cedar Rapids was charged with Aiding and Abetting, Carrying a Weapon, Possession of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana 3rd offense), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. McElroy was also wanted on two Linn County warrants for Failure to Appear Adjudication of Guilt and Sentencing on the original charges of Theft 2nd, Operating a Vehicle without the Owner’s Consent, and Theft 3rd Degree.

Two female subjects (one a juvenile) were also in the vehicle and were released without any charges.  Assisting with the pursuit were officers from the Keokuk County Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Natural Resources, the Iowa State Patrol, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Moore’s Towing of Washington also responded to retrieve the vehicle.

Information from a press, Washington Police Department.

Several Area Baseball Players Honored on Class 1A and 2A All-District Teams

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Today, it’s time to take a look at who excelled on the baseball diamond in Class 1A and 2A and earned All-District nominations from the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association.

In Class 1A, all of our honorees fell into the Southeast District.

On the First Team, Twin Cedars senior pitcher Trace Embray made the team after going 7-2 in 2017. Embray wraps up an impressive career that began as an important piece to an undefeated championship team in 2014.

Joining him on the First Team is a pair of Moravia Mohawks, also out of the Bluegrass Conference. Junior Tucker Babbitt batted .419 and was named as the First Team 3rd baseman, while Mateo Varese hit .403, went 5-2 on the mound, and was listed as a utility player on the top squad.

To wrap up our area players on the First Team, three players representing three different schools out of the South Iowa Cedar League were honored. Sigourney’s Avery Moore and BGM’s Keegan James were both outstanding this season and both were listed in outfield spots, while Lynnville-Sully’s Tyler Van Zante had a good all-around year at the plate and on the mound en route to being named to a utility player spot.

On the Second Team, there is a huge chunk of players from the area.

Pekin leads the way with four honorees. Senior pitcher Garrett Greiner, sophomore shortstop Tanner Bainbridge, senior outfielder Jake Huff, and junior utility player Torell Washington all were named to the Second Team for the Panthers.

Moravia, Sigourney, BGM, and Lynnville-Sully had more honorees on the Second Team as well.

Moravia’s junior pitcher Griffin Cosgrove went 5-0 on the mound and was nominated to the second squad.

The Sigourney duo of sophomore catcher Carson Crawford and sophomore outfielder Mac Conrad also made the cut for the Savages who reached a district final.

BGM had a trio of nominations. Senior catcher Dylan Shafbuch, senior 3rd baseman Eric Weiss, and junior utility player Kyle Doty all made the second team.

Rounding out our listening area athletes in Class 1A is a tandem of Lynnville-Sully upperclassmen. Senior outfielder Caden Dunsbergen and junior utility player Elijah Collins have starred in multiple sports for the Hawks and that continued on the diamond with Second Team All-Southeast District honors in 2017.

In Class 2A, only three area players made lists, and all three were listed in different districts.

The lone First Team honoree is Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont junior KJ McCrea, who was listed as the Southeast District shortstop after batting .436 this season.

In the Central District, PCM junior pitcher Noah Henkenius went 6-1 and was named to the Second Team, while Pleasantville’s sophomore catcher Cael Lester hit .429 en route to being named to the Second Team of the Southwest District.

It was an extremely successful baseball season for our listening area, and that was directly reflected by the amount of players that were named by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association as All-District athletes.

Addition To Be Expected at Lacey Complex Later This Year

Posted on by KBOE Administrator

Wednesday marked the quarterly board meeting for the Mahaska Community Recreation Foundation. The board welcome guests from Mahaska County Farm Bureau to announce exciting news.

MCRF board member, Carl Drost, introduced a partnership between Farm Bureau and the MCRF for an installation of a picnic area east of the football stadium for community use. At the start, MCRF received a grant from Mahaska County Community Foundation for $10,400 to initialize the project. Upon receiving the grant, Drost visited with Farm Bureau who enjoyed the project and wanted to get involved.

The project grew when the Mahaska County Farm Bureau added $20,000 to make a long-lasting shelter for the picnic area.  “This is an exciting project and good for the rec groups and  good use of the facilities,” stated Drost. He brought plans and pictures to share with the board as well as a sample of the durable roof material to be used. “This is a good project for the community and we [Farm Bureau] want to be involved in  the community,” stated Steve Wanders, President of Farm Bureau.

Don Vos, a Farm Bureau Board Member, weighed in on the decision for the shelter and picnic area. Noting that his grandchildren, who use the complex, sees it as a good opportunity for kids that utilize the complex as a location to rest between games.

The ground for the picnic area was previously graded when Drost hosted a volunteer  “Dozer Day”  and will make a good spot for teams to eat lunch and warm up for their upcoming games. MCRF President John Pothoven thanked the Farm Bureau on behalf of MCRF stating how tremendous it was for the Farm Bureau to give to this project in cooperation between rural and urban for the community to use.

Joe Crookham, MCRF Treasurer, added, “That’s the way we build a community, thank you to those who make it happen.”  The completed picnic area is planned to be installed yet this year.

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The picnic tables and shelter will reside just east of the football field, across the street. As of Friday, July 28, the land has been flattened, marked and staked in preparation of the construction.

 

 

 

 

Billy Ray Cyrus Celebrates ’25 Achy Breaky Years’ on SiriusXM

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Internationally renowned superstar Billy Ray Cyrus is celebrating ‘25 Achy Breaky Years’ this weekend on SiriusXM’s Prime Country Ch. 58. Hosted by Billy Ray Cyrus’ longtime friend Storme Warren, Cyrus opens up about his journey from Flatwoods, Kentucky to achieving worldwide success as a singer, songwriter, actor and producer. The ‘25 Achy Breaky Years’ special also includes an exclusive acoustic performance.

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of “Achy Breaky Heart,” which hit No. 1 on Hot Country Songs and peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, Cyrus re-recorded and released a Muscle Shoals edition on iTunes. 

“When the song was released 25 years ago, the world was very divided. Perhaps 25 years later it might be even more divided so through the magic of a little song, people can come together for just a moment to dance and sing and celebrate life, that’s all that matters,” Cyrus said. 

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