TAG SEARCH RESULTS FOR: ""

Mahaska County Board of Supervisors Approves New Lease Agreement for Law Enforcement Center

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

The Mahaska County Board of Supervisors held a regular meeting yesterday morning and formally approved a new lease agreement with the city of Oskaloosa for the Mahaska County Law Enforcement Center. The agreement replaces the old 28E agreement between the county and the city, which had been in effect since 1996. The board approved measures to terminate the old 28E agreement and replace it with a lease agreement; the old 28E agreement required the city to pay $35,000 a year, plus a share in operating and maintenance costs. The new lease agreement requires the city to pay a flat $50,000 a year. Board chair Mark Groenendyk and Oskaloosa City Manager Shawn Metcalf both thanked those who worked on the language of the agreement and said that it will streamline the process in future years.

The next regular meeting for the Mahaska County Board of Supervisors will be held on August 18.

Knoxville Man Arrested for Threat of Terrorism

Posted on by Sam Parsons

KNOXVILLE — A Knoxville man was arrested last night after police say he made threats of violence at the Knoxville Walmart.

On Monday, August 4, 2025, at 8:24 p.m., Knoxville Police Officers were dispatched to Walmart for a report of a potential threat. Officers along with Marion County Sheriff’s Deputies arrived as employees were evacuating the store. Officers met with store management where evidence was collected, store video was reviewed, and the store was searched.

During the investigation officers learned the suspect had discarded playing cards in the store with hand-written messages threatening violence. Officers were able to identify the suspect and vehicle using modern-day law enforcement technology after store video showed the suspect exiting the store, entering a vehicle, and subsequently leaving the area.

Using information gathered during the investigation, deputies went to 207 Cinder Ave. in Harvey, IA where they located the suspect and vehicle. Officers created and were issued a search warrant for the vehicle, home, and suspect. The search warrant was executed shortly after and more evidence was gathered.

As a result of the investigation, 44-year-old William David Kisling was arrested. Kisling is charged with Threat of Terrorism, a Class D felony and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor.

The Knoxville Police Department was assisted by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Knoxville Fire & Rescue, Marion County Emergency Management, and Walmart staff.

Jeffrey Epstein’s former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, is transferred to a prison camp in Texas

Posted on by Sam Parsons

WASHINGTON (AP) — Jeffrey Epstein’s former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, has been moved from a federal prison in Florida to a prison camp in Texas as her criminal case generates renewed public attention.

The federal Bureau of Prisons said Friday that Maxwell had been transferred to Bryan, Texas, but did not explain the circumstances. Her attorney, David Oscar Markus, also confirmed the move but declined to discuss the reasons for it.

Maxwell was convicted in 2021 of luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by the disgraced financier, and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. She had been held at a low-security prison in Tallahassee, Florida, until her transfer to the prison camp in Texas, where other inmates include Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes and Jen Shah of “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.”

Minimum-security federal prison camps house inmates the Bureau of Prisons considers to be the lowest security risk. Some don’t even have fences.

The prison camps were originally designed with low security to make operations easier and to allow inmates tasked with performing work at the prison, like landscaping and maintenance, to avoid repeatedly checking in and out of a main prison facility.

Prosecutors have said Epstein’s sex crimes could not have been done without Maxwell, but her lawyers have maintained that she was wrongly prosecuted and denied a fair trial, and have floated the idea of a pardon from President Donald Trump. They have also asked the U.S. Supreme Court to take up her case.

Trump said Friday night that no one has asked him about a clemency for Maxwell.

“I’m allowed to do it but nobody’s asked me to do it,” he told Newsmax in an interview broadcast Friday night. “I know nothing about it. I don’t know anything about the case, but I know I have the right to do it. I have the right to give pardons, I’ve given pardons to people before, but nobody’s even asked me to do it.”

Maxwell’s case has been the subject of heightened public focus since an outcry over the Justice Department’s statement last month saying that it would not be releasing any additional documents from the Epstein sex trafficking investigation. The decision infuriated online sleuths, conspiracy theorists and elements of Trump’s base who had hoped to see proof of a government cover-up.

Since then, administration officials have tried to cast themselves as promoting transparency in the case, including by requesting from courts the unsealing of grand jury transcripts.

Maxwell, meanwhile, was interviewed at a Florida courthouse over two days last week by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and the House Oversight Committee had also said that it wanted to speak with Maxwell. Her lawyers said this week that they would be open to an interview but only if the panel were to ensure immunity from prosecution.

In the Newsmax interview, Trump said he did not know when Blanche would disclose to the public what he and Maxwell discussed during the interviews.

“I think he just wants to make sure that innocent people aren’t hurt, but you’d have to speak to him about it,” Trump said.

In a letter Friday to Maxwell’s lawyers, Rep. James Comer, the committee chair, wrote that the committee was willing to delay the deposition until after the resolution of Maxwell’s appeal to the Supreme Court. That appeal is expected to be resolved in late September.

Comer wrote that while Maxwell’s testimony was “vital” to the Republican-led investigation into Epstein, the committee would not provide immunity or any questions in advance of her testimony, as was requested by her team.

FY 2025 Results: Iowa Lottery Proceeds to State Causes Exceed $86 Million

Posted on by Sam Parsons

CLIVE, Iowa — The Iowa Lottery released its latest annual results on Friday, with its sales, proceeds to state causes and prizes to players all meeting, and slightly exceeding, budget projections for fiscal year 2025 despite low jackpot levels overall in signature national lotto games.

“The Iowa Lottery team is proud to deliver on the lottery’s promise to responsibly generate revenue for important state causes, such as the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund,” said Iowa Lottery CEO Matt Strawn. “Thank you to our hard-working team of Iowans, nearly 2,500 retail partners, lottery players, and community stakeholders for contributing to a successful year.”

Strawn noted that while the Iowa Lottery’s annual budget targets for sales and proceeds were exceeded for fiscal year 2025, they trailed the record-breaking sales results of fiscal year 2024 – a year that witnessed a record of five separate lotto game jackpots exceed $1 billion.

The Lottery’s Preliminary Results

The preliminary figures released Friday show that the Iowa Lottery generated $86.1 million in proceeds to state causes in the fiscal year that ended June 30.

Annual lottery sales in FY 2025 totaled $434.9 million, while prizes to players totaled $283.5 million. Lottery sales commissions to the local businesses across the state that sell tickets totaled $28.3 million. All are in the Iowa Lottery’s Top 10 results for those categories.

The unaudited results show that Iowa Lottery sales in FY 2025 were 4.1 percent ahead of budget projections, but down 11.2 percent from the previous year’s record total of $489.9 million. Lottery proceeds to state causes in FY 2025 were 11.8 percent ahead of budget projections, but down 19.3 percent from the previous year, while prizes to players decreased 9.3 percent from FY 2024’s total. Lottery sales commissions to Iowa businesses decreased 11.5 percent from the previous year.

Katie New, chair of the Iowa Lottery Commission, noted multiple positives for the lottery during the year, including annual operating expenses that were below budget projections.

New, the controller at Ellipsis Iowa, also noted that the lottery delivered strong statewide visibility for awareness messages highlighting Problem Gambling Awareness Month and the help available in Iowa for those seeking information about gambling disorders.

“The Iowa Lottery’s ongoing demonstration of integrity and social responsibility carries great impact for me as a citizen Commission member,” New said. “The lottery team’s focus goes beyond the numbers to responsibly produce results.”

The Factors Involved

The lottery’s FY 2025 results reflected two main factors: a slight decrease in scratch-ticket sales, which have always been closely tied to broader external economic factors, and the relative lack of giant jackpots in the Powerball® and Mega Millions® games.

The timing of giant jackpots and when they will occur can’t be predicted. But in FY 2024, the Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots collectively climbed five times to more than $1 billion (three in Powerball and two in Mega Millions). That occurred only once in FY 2025, in Mega Millions. Sales in both games are largely jackpot driven, so FY 2025 sales in Powerball were down 51 percent from the prior year, while Mega Millions annual sales were down 29 percent from the previous year.

Sales of scratch games, the Iowa Lottery’s leading product, were down 4 percent from the previous year and accounted for about 67 percent of the lottery’s overall sales in FY 2025.

That, in turn, had an impact on lottery proceeds. In a year like FY 2025 when scratch tickets sell particularly well, lottery proceeds may be a smaller percentage of total sales because scratch games have a smaller profit margin than lotto games like Powerball. But while sales in lotto games can vary greatly with their jackpots from week to week and month to month, sales of scratch tickets are more stable over time.

Two Webinars Will Examine Impact of Excessive Farm Heat on People and Produce

Posted on by Sam Parsons
AMES, Iowa – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Farm, Food and Enterprise Development team is holding two webinars in August that will explore the role of intense heat on farmers and growers, as well as their crops.
“Heat exposure is an increasing problem for agricultural workers, and can negatively impact their health and mental state,” said Alex Van Alstyne, food business extension specialist with Iowa State. “By addressing these issues, our goal is to protect the health of workers who bring food to our tables and offer guidance for small-scale growers on how to protect their crops.”
Both webinars are available at no cost to those who wish to attend. Read more information on each event below.
Heat-Smart: Protecting People from Field Heat Stress
This one-hour webinar will discuss the impact of field heat stress on agricultural workers’ physical and mental health and offer actionable strategies to protect them from its dangers.
The virtual webinar, which will be presented by Brandi Janssen, clinical professor in occupational and environmental health at the University of Iowa, is set for Aug. 5 from noon to 1 p.m.
Four key topics will be discussed:
  • Heat Burden: Trends Over Time, Increasing Night Heat, and Humidity
  • Effects on Human Health: Death Rates, Heat Illness, and Chronic and Acute Effects
  • Effects on Mental Health: Emerging Evidence and Workplace Consequences
  • Interventions and Strategies for Agriculture
To attend this webinar, please register online.
Heat-Stressed Harvests: Protecting Crops and Produce in Rising Temperatures
Another heat-related webinar will focus on how to protect growing and harvested produce from extreme heat. This webinar is ideal for small-scale and diversified vegetable and fruit growers, farmers market producers and anyone interested in improving produce quality and resilience during hot weather.
The webinar will take place on Aug. 19 from noon to 1 p.m. and will be presented by Suzanne Slack, assistant professor and extension fruit crop specialist at Iowa State.
Small-scale growers can expect to learn about relevant topics for their practice, including:
  • Basic Plant Physiology and Heat Response
  • Understanding Heat Units
  • Produce Heat Stress and Mitigation Strategies
  • Cooling Methods for Small-Scale Growers
  • Storage and Transport Considerations
To attend this webinar, please register online.
For more information on these webinars, visit the Heat-Smart and Heat-Stressed Harvests event sites or contact Alex Van Alstyne at alexv@iastate.edu or 515-294-3041.

Single Vehicle Accident Results in Death of Area HS Student

Posted on by Sam Parsons

PLEASANTVILLE – A single vehicle accident in Warren County on Saturday afternoon resulted in the death of an area high school student.

According to traffic records, on Saturday afternoon at around 3:37pm, a 2007 Ford Focus driven by 16-year-old Isabella Ashford of Pleasantville was traveling eastbound on Highway 5 when it left the road near 200th Avenue. The driver overcorrected and lost control of the vehicle, causing it to enter the ditch sideways. The vehicle rolled at least one time, coming to a rest on the driver’s side.

A passenger in the front seat was pronounced dead at the scene by authorities. The passenger was identified as Donald McCormick, a Pleasantville High School junior. He was 16 years old. Traffic records show McCormick was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

Ashford was wearing a seatbelt and was transported to Blanks Children’s Hospital in Des Moines for treatment of undisclosed injuries.

Pleasantville Community School District superintendent Tony Aylsworth issued a statement on the district’s social media announcing McCormick’s passing, stating “We extend our sincerest condolences and sympathies to the McCormick family, as well as Donald’s friends, classmates, teachers, directors, coaches, and all who knew him.”

“Donald was a valued member of our school community, and his loss is and will be felt deeply by all of us. We recognize that this news may bring about a range of emotions. Counselors and additional grief support staff will be available in the PHS Events Center starting Monday to meet with students and staff who may need someone to talk to. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for support during this difficult time,” the statement continued.

A vigil for Donald McCormick will be held tomorrow evening at the Pleasantville High School Events Center. From 5-7pm, adults, pastors, counselors, and therapy dogs will be present to offer additional grief support. From 7-8pm, a candlelight vigil will be held where people can share stories if they wish.

Hulk Hogan’s cause of death was a heart attack, medical examiner says

Posted on by Sam Parsons

CLEARWATER (AP) — Professional wrestler Hulk Hogan ‘s death last week was caused by a heart attack, according to a Florida medical examiner’s report released Thursday.

Hogan, 71, whose real name was Terry Bollea, previously had leukemia and atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm, the report from the District Six Medical Examiner said.

To honor the “Hulkster,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said, flags will be flown at half-staff at all official buildings Friday, which he declared “Hulk Hogan Day in Florida.”

“He was a true Floridian through and through,” the Republican governor wrote in a memo Thursday.

Hogan was pronounced dead at a hospital less than 90 minutes after medics arrived at his home in Clearwater to answer a call about a cardiac arrest on the morning of July 24, police said. The report said the cause of death was “natural.”

“He had been dealing with some health issues, but I truly believed we would overcome them,” Hogan’s wife Sky Daily posted on Instagram.

“This loss is sudden and impossible to process,” she added. “To the world, he was a legend… but to me, he was my Terry.”

Hogan was perhaps the biggest star in WWE’s long history, known for both his larger-than-life personality and his in-ring exploits. He was the main draw for the first WrestleMania in 1985 and was a fixture for years, facing everyone from Andre The Giant and Randy Savage to The Rock and even WWE co-founder Vince McMahon.

Hogan’s daughter Brooke Bollea Oleksy, better known by her stage name Brooke Hogan, memorialized her father in a recent social media post.

“I am so grateful I knew the real version of him. Not just the one the world viewed through a carefully curated lens,” she wrote on Instagram.

Funeral plans have not yet been publicly announced.

Attorney General Bird Warns of Ticket Scams Ahead of Iowa State Fair

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES — As our great Iowa State Fair approaches and concerts and shows are scheduled in venues all over the state, Attorney General Brenna Bird is reminding Iowans to be cautious when purchasing event tickets.

Digital tickets and purchases are now prevalent, leading to an increased risk of ticket scams. Scammers will often create counterfeit tickets or duplicate a ticket and sell them to more than one person. Purchasing tickets through third parties like social media and paying for them via gift cards, wire transfers, or peer-to-peer payment apps such as Venmo or ApplePay heightens the possibility of being scammed.

“The state fair serves as a great reminder to stay cautious when purchasing event tickets,” said Attorney General Bird. “Scammers prey on the excitement of people who are eager to see a favorite artist, event, or show, so it’s important to be extra cautious and double-check ticket sources.”

How to protect yourself from ticket scams:

  • Purchase tickets directly from the venue
  • Verify website address when buying tickets from name-brand sites such as Ticketmaster or StubHub
  • Be skeptical of tickets being sold on social media
  • Be skeptical of sellers that want payments via gift cards, wire transfers, payment apps, or cryptocurrency
  • Be skeptical of sellers that want to negotiate the price
  • Pay with secure payment methods such as credit cards
  • Examine the ticket details for errors

If you think you have been targeted by a ticket scam, contact the Iowa Attorney General’s office at 888-777-4590 or file a complaint online here.

City of Ottumwa Designated as Thriving Community

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OTTUMWA — The City of Ottumwa has been designated as a 2026 Iowa Thriving Community by the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) and Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). The IFA and IEDA has recognized Ottumwa as a forward-thinking community, demonstrating best practices in planning, financial support, targeted development, leadership, and employer engagement. Ottumwa’s investment in community assets is also part of this designation. We did not achieve this honor alone. The City collaborated with Indian Hills Community College, the Ottumwa Community School District, the Legacy Foundation, Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress, JBS, and others to obtain this designation. Being named a 2026 Iowa Thriving Community provides valuable scoring advantages for the Federal Housing Tax Credit, Workforce Housing Tax Credits, HOME, and Community Catalyst programs while gaining state and national visibility as a model for successful housing strategies. This all means Ottumwa becomes more attractive to developers, creating a better community for everyone. With the state’s help, we can move forward on our goals of meeting the community’s housing needs.

Mahaska Health’s 13th Annual Run in the Sun to be Held Tomorrow

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA — Mahaska Health is set to host the annual 5K/2K Run in the Sun supporting Hospice Serenity House and caregivers in their mission to provide personalized, compassionate care to patients and their families. The 14th annual Run in the Sun event will begin at 7:00 am on Saturday, August 2nd, 2025, at the Statesmen Community Stadium in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The race begins at 8:00 am. The event also includes family-friendly post-race activities. Community members in Oskaloosa and the surrounding counties are welcome and encouraged to participate.

Participants can choose a 5k run or 2k walk. Registration for both options is $25, with the 5k run including a timing chip. All participants will receive a Run in the Sun T-shirt. Free children’s activities, including a Kid’s Fun Run, face painting, Sno-Biz treats, and inflatables will be available during the post-race activities. Groups and individuals of all ages are welcome to join in the fun. Friends and family are encouraged to cheer on the runners and show support through donations.

“Participants in this event make a difference in the lives of many,” shared Dr. Zacharjasz, Mahaska Health Family Medicine Physician and Hospice Medical Director, “Run in the Sun is a great opportunity to unite as a community to help others. We are very grateful to our volunteers, participants, and sponsors for making it possible to better support those in our care through this event. We look forward to seeing everyone on race day!” 

The annual Mahaska Health Foundation Run in the Sun supports the Mahaska Health Foundation and Hospice Serenity House in continuing to provide individualized, compassionate care to families who need it most. For information on registration, packet-pickup, race day schedule, and other details, visit: mahaskahealth.org/run2025.

NEWSLETTER

Stay updated, sign up for our newsletter.