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Musco Unveils New Oskaloosa Facility Expansion

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA — Musco today held an open house and ribbon cutting with its team and key construction partners to preview the 74,000 square-foot office renovation and expansion at the Oskaloosa Downtown Campus. It’s expected to fully open in early August and underscores Musco’s dedication to the team, the community, and a shared future. 

“We’ve been fortunate to call Oskaloosa home for nearly 50 years,” said Musco CEO Jeff Rogers. “This renovation and expansion contribute to a healthy environment for our team and supports future opportunities. I’d like to thank our founders and principal owners, Joe Crookham and Myron Gordin, for their vision and leadership to make this possible.”

Musco’s dedicated team worked with SVPA Architects, Neumann Construction, Garden & Associates, Delong Construction, and the City of Oskaloosa to bring the expansion and remodel to life. The ribbon cutting today was held in the same location as the groundbreaking on September 8, 2023.

The expansion provides opportunities for connection and learning, as well as space to welcome our customers and partners. It includes additional workspace for the team, plenty of conference rooms and collaboration areas, a greenhouse, and a coffee bar. 

The centerpiece of the new entrance is a five-foot LED globe, which features photos and videos of people, projects, and partnerships that make a difference in communities in more than 135 countries around the world. A hometown field experience, reminiscent of a football field, includes a demo of Musco lighting solutions and retired seats from Wrigley Field. Several displays throughout the building highlight partnerships, Musco’s commitment to youth sports, innovations and evolutions in lighting, and projects and community involvement throughout the years. 

The improvements also feature outdoor spaces including a green roof and connectors to the other Musco buildings on the downtown campus. A skywalk over 2nd Avenue West connects the expansion to a 424-space parking garage.

This multi-million-dollar project marks the company’s largest investment in facilities to date. The business continues to refresh and expand workspaces including an office remodel in Muscatine. Musco will also be breaking ground this fall on a new 30,000 square-foot facility for product development and testing to be located at 601 1st Avenue West in Oskaloosa. 

 

Indians Defeat Rockets for 15th Win of the Season

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

The Oskaloosa Indians baseball team traveled to Eddyville on Wednesday night for a late-season non-conference matchup against the EBF Rockets. The Indians entered the contest as the favorites, with a much more experienced squad that had a better record (14-11 compared to 5-21), and they took care of business on the road.

The game began with the Rockets starting strong, as they jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Austin Langstraat reached on a leadoff walk, and he was later driven in by Carter Fisher with an RBI single.

However, Oskaloosa recovered quickly enough. In the third inning, Tyler Edgar reached base with a 1-out double. That was immediately followed by Jake North reaching on a throwing error, which allowed Edgar to score from second base, tying the game at 1-1.

A silent fourth inning preceded productive frames in each of the last three innings for the Osky bats. In the fifth inning, North and Trey Parks recorded RBIs with a single and a sacrifice fly, respectively, to give the Indians a 3-1 lead. They promptly expanded that lead in the sixth inning with three more runs: Jaden DeRonde knocked one in when he reached on an error with the bases loaded, with Tate Peterson and Grady Kool each scoring on the play; then Edgar came through again with a sac fly of his own to plate Maddux Ashman. The Indians would score one more insurance run in the seventh inning when Caden Johnson reached on an error and eventually came around to score on a wild pitch.

All the while, Oskaloosa’s pitching kept the Rockets’ offense quiet. Linus Morrison, Jaden DeRonde, and Tyler Edgar split the pitching duties, with Morrison and DeRonde each delivering three innings and Edgar finishing off with a perfect seventh inning. The trio combined for 14 strikeouts on the night (7 for Morrison, 4 for DeRonde, 3 for Edgar) and only allowed 3 hits and 2 walks. All three pitchers will be available for Oskaloosa’s next game.

The final score was 7-1 in favor of Oskaloosa. The Indians improved their record to 15-11 on the season. Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont dropped to 5-22 with the loss.

Oskaloosa will travel to Fort Madison next Monday for their next game action.

Del Monte, the 139-year-old canned fruits and vegetables company, seeks bankruptcy protection

Posted on by Sam Parsons

BERKELEY (AP) — Del Monte Foods, the 139-year-old company best known for its canned fruits and vegetables, is filing for bankruptcy protection as U.S. consumers increasingly bypass its products for healthier or cheaper options.

Del Monte has secured $912.5 million in debtor-in-possession financing that will allow it to operate normally as the sale progresses.

“After a thorough evaluation of all available options, we determined a court-supervised sale process is the most effective way to accelerate our turnaround and create a stronger and enduring Del Monte Foods,” CEO Greg Longstreet said in a statement.

Del Monte Foods, based in Walnut Creek, California, also owns the Contadina tomato brand, College Inn and Kitchen Basics broth brands and the Joyba bubble tea brand.

The company has seen sales growth of Joyba and broth in fiscal 2024, but not enough to offset weaker sales of Del Monte’s signature canned products.

“Consumer preferences have shifted away from preservative-laden canned food in favor of healthier alternatives,” said Sarah Foss, global head of legal and restructuring at Debtwire, a financial consultancy.

Grocery inflation also caused consumers to seek out cheaper store brands. And President Donald Trump’s 50% tariff on imported steel, which went into effect in June, will also push up the prices Del Monte and others must pay for cans.

Del Monte Foods, which is owned by Singapore’s Del Monte Pacific, was also hit with a lawsuit last year by a group of lenders that objected to the company’s debt restructuring plan. The case was settled in May with a loan that increased Del Monte’s interest expenses by $4 million annually, according to a company statement.

Del Monte said late Tuesday that the bankruptcy filing is part of a planned sale of company’s assets.

Weekly Fuel Report

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES — The price of regular unleaded gasoline dropped 4 cents from last week’s price and is currently averaging $2.99 across Iowa according to AAA.

Crude Oil Summary

  • The price of global crude oil rose this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $0.66 per barrel over last week, currently priced at $65.67.
  • Brent crude oil dropped by $0.37 and is currently priced at $67.40.
  • One year ago, WTI crude sold for $84.09 and Brent crude was $88.28.

Motor Fuels

  • As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.99 across Iowa according to AAA.
    • Prices dropped 4 cents from last week’s price and are down 33 cents from a year ago.
    • The national average on Wednesday was $3.17, down 3 cents from last week’s price.
  • Retail diesel prices in Iowa dropped 3 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.57.
    • One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.56 in Iowa.
    • The current Iowa diesel price is 12 cents lower than the national average of $3.69.
  • The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $1.94 for U87-E10, $2.29 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $2.38 for ULSD#2, $2.63 for ULSD#1, and $1.86 per gallon for E-70 prices.

Heating Fuels

  • Natural gas prices were down 14 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $3.47 MMbtu.
  • We will continue reporting retail heating oil and propane prices in Iowa in October.

Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov.

GTSB to Begin High-Visibility Traffic Enforcement Campaign for 4th of July Today

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES — For many, the Fourth of July is synonymous with fireworks, cookouts, and pool parties. Nationwide, traffic fatalities are also becoming synonymous with the Fourth of July. To help prevent these tragedies previously seen around the holiday, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau is partnering with local law enforcement for a high-visibility enforcement campaign July 3-7. 

Iowa had nine traffic fatalities over the Fourth of July holiday weekend last year, making it the deadliest Fourth of July weekend in over a decade. No matter how you choose to celebrate, be sure you’re staying safe, and never drive impaired. 

“We want people to enjoy the holiday and to celebrate responsibly,” says GTSB Bureau Chief Brett Tjepkes. “Impaired driving endangers everyone, and our law enforcement partners know how to spot an impaired driver and will not hesitate to pull them over. If you’re going to drink, plan for a sober ride ahead of time.”

Need help finding a ride? Designate a sober driver, schedule a taxi or rideshare, or use your community’s sober ride program. 

Through its Decide to Ride program, Doll Distributing is offering a $10 Uber voucher to encourage Iowans to plan ahead and make safe choices. GTSB is supporting the effort by helping raise awareness. Below is a link to the Fourth of July voucher to share with your community. It’s valid statewide beginning 7/3 at 5 pm and ending 7/7 at 2 am.

Decide to Ride Voucher

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau works with city, county, state, and local organizations to develop and implement strategies to reduce death and injury on Iowa roads using federally funded grants.

Pella CSD One of Eight Iowa School Districts to Receive Therapeutic Classroom Grant

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES — The Iowa Department of Education awarded over $2 million in competitive grants to eight school districts to establish therapeutic classrooms for learners whose emotional or behavioral needs impact their ability to be successful in their learning environment.

“Therapeutic classrooms across Iowa provide vibrant, safe and healthy learning environments that best support students’ individual cognitive and behavioral needs,” said Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow. “We commend this year’s awardees and their community partners for their leadership and commitment to modeling best practices in skill building, stress and trauma coping, mental health treatment, and crisis prevention and intervention.”

The districts awarded a Therapeutic Classroom Incentive Grant for the 2025-26 school year are:

  • Bondurant-Farrar CSD
  • Cedar Rapids CSD
  • Cherokee CSD
  • Davenport CSD
  • Durant CSD
  • Keokuk CSD
  • Pella CSD
  • Spencer CSD

The Therapeutic Classroom Incentive Grant was established through state legislation signed into law in 2020 and is part of a statewide effort to increase mental health supports for children, youth and families. Now in its fifth round of funding, the awardees may use the grants to establish new classrooms or enhance critical components into current classrooms or programs that are being developed as therapeutic classrooms. Therapeutic supports include such things as skill building, support to cope with stress and trauma, mental health treatment and crisis intervention and follow-up.

In determining awards, priority was given to competitive district applicants that had applied previously and not received an award and to new district applicants that scored competitively. Additional consideration was given to ensure representation across small, medium and large districts. Applicants collaborating with other agencies to provide the therapeutic classrooms across Iowa’s Behavioral Health Districts were also prioritized.

Proposals submitted by the eight awarded districts will serve over 150 pre-K through grade 12 students, establish 17 new therapeutic classrooms and will expand mental health supports for youth across eight counties located in five of the state’s Behavioral Health Districts.

Grants will be distributed this fall for district implementation during the 2025-26 school year.

More information about Therapeutic Classroom Incentive Grants is available on the Iowa Department of Education’s website.

Lululemon files lawsuit against Costco, claims company is selling ‘dupes’ of some of its products

Posted on by Sam Parsons

SANTA ANA (AP) — Lululemon has filed a lawsuit against Costco that accuses the wholesale club operator of selling lower-priced duplicates of some of its popular athleisure clothing.

Lululemon Athletica claims in its lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California that Costco has “unlawfully traded” on its reputation, goodwill and sweat equity by selling unauthorized and unlicensed apparel that uses knockoff, infringing versions of its patents.

Lululemon alleges that Costco is known to use manufacturers of popular branded products for its private label Kirkland brand, but that the company and the manufacturers don’t tell consumers of the connection between them for many of the Kirkland-branded products. Because of this, Lululemon claims this leads at least some shoppers to believe that Kirkland-branded products are made by the authentic supplier of the “original” products. Lululemon claims Costco doesn’t try to dispel the ambiguity.

“As an innovation-led company that invests significantly in the research, development, and design of our products, we take the responsibility of protecting and enforcing our intellectual property rights very seriously and pursue the appropriate legal action when necessary,” a Lululemon company spokesperson said in a statement.

Some of the products Lululemon says Costco is making duplicates of include its popular Scuba hoodies, Define jackets, and ABC pants.

Lululemon claims one of the duplicates that Costco sells is the Hi-Tec Men’s Scuba Full Zip, with the lawsuit showing a screenshot image of Costco’s website showing the item priced at $19.97. Lululemon sells several men’s jackets that cost more than $100 each.

Costco, based in Issaquah, Washington, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.

Lululemon is requesting a jury trial and wants Costco to stop selling the products that it considers to be duplicates. It is also seeking an unspecified amount in monetary damages.

Lulemon was in a similar legal dispute with Peloton in 2021. Two years later the companies announced a five-year partnership that included Lululemon becoming the primary athletic apparel partner to Peloton.

Iowans encouraged to report wild turkey sightings in July and August

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is looking for help with the annual wild turkey production survey.  During the months of July and August wild turkey sightings are recorded to estimate this year’s nesting rates and nest success.

Participation is easy – just note the date and county in which the turkey was seen, if it was an adult female or adult male – males have beards on their breast – and if and how many poults (baby turkeys) were present. The survey is available online at www.iowadnr.gov/turkey, then click on Wild Turkey Survey. There is also an identification guide on documenting wild turkey broods on the survey webpage, that provides tips on how to determine males from females, and different flock scenarios with poults of different ages.

Annual population surveys conducted by the DNR are an important component of managing the wild turkey. Turkey populations can fluctuate annually across all regions of the state.  All participation is appreciated.

Secretary Naig to Present the Kaldenberg Family with the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will present the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award to the Tim and Cindy Kaldenberg Family of Monroe County on Thursday, July 3. The presentation will take place during a ceremony, beginning at 11 a.m., at their family farm near Albia.

Tim and Cindy Kaldenberg purchased their first farm in 1995, creating their own legacy of multigenerational family farmers. Today, Kaldenberg Farms also includes their son Layne, his wife Ashley, and their child Troy, who represents the family’s eighth generation of farmers. Their daughter, Lauren, works for U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley in Washington, D.C., and remains deeply connected to the family’s agricultural legacy. Tim’s parents, Tom and Twilah Kaldenberg, are also involved in the operation. The farm grows corn, soybeans, and hay and raises cattle, including both a cow-calf and feedlot enterprise. Layne and Ashley also operate Kaldenblooms, a flower farming business.

“The Kaldenbergs exemplify leadership by promoting and supporting agriculture both locally and globally,” said Secretary Naig. “Tim will claim they are no more deserving of this award than any of their neighbors, but that humble and hardworking outlook is exactly what makes farm families like theirs so special. They strive to do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do. They take good care of their livestock, they believe in conservation, and they give back to their community in so many ways. I am pleased to present them with the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.”

Because they believe in enhancing soil health and protecting water quality, the Kaldenbergs have long prioritized environmental stewardship. They’ve utilized cover crops since 2001, serving as an early adopter of the practice and a good example for others. Today, they seed rye and triticale on their crop acres and utilize no-till to minimize soil disturbance and reduce erosion. They use soil testing to closely monitor soil health. They only apply nutrients at pre-plant, planting, or foliar nutrition when needed, allowing them to precisely feed the crops the right amount at the right time to help maximize crop potential. They have installed terraces and buffer strips and have planted numerous trees to aid in conservation efforts. Their cattle graze cornstalks and stockpiled hay fields in the fall, and they grow hay on acres less suited for row crop production to minimize erosion. In recognition of their environmental stewardship efforts, the family received the 2015 Soil and Water Conservation Achievement Award from the Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation District.

The Kaldenberg family is committed to exceptional animal care, utilizing innovative technologies such as the Performance Beef Analytics software to monitor feed efficiency and rate-of-gain. They deploy camera monitoring equipment during calving season to keep a watchful eye on their expectant mothers and baby calves. They are Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certified, ensuring their cattle receive high standards of care throughout their lifecycle.

The Kaldenbergs are deeply engaged in their community and within Iowa agriculture. Tim serves on the Monroe County Cattlemen’s Board, the Monroe County Farm Bureau Board, and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors. The family is active in the Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Monroe County Cattlemen, and Monroe County Farm Bureau. Tim has been a passionate advocate for Iowa agriculture on the global stage, participating in trade missions to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Colombia. Through his advocacy, he has helped promote and build strong international demand for Iowa-produced beef, pork and other commodities and products.

The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award is made possible through a partnership with the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF), The Big Show on WHO Radio and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Now in its 21st year, this award recognizes Iowa livestock farmers who take pride in caring for the environment and their livestock while also being good neighbors. It is named in memory of Gary Wergin, a long-time WHO Radio farm broadcaster who helped create the award.

Legacy Fields in Ottumwa Now Open for Reservations

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OTTUMWA — The City of Ottumwa Parks and Recreation Department is now taking reservations for the Legacy Fields Soccer Complex. Legacy Fields is currently scheduled to open for play in September. Reservations must be done in person at the Parks and Recreation office, located at 1302 North Court Street. The rental fee for the soccer complex is $20 per hour per field. Rental forms are available at www.ottumwa.us/legacyfields and in the Parks and Recreation office. For questions, contact the City of Ottumwa Parks and Recreation Department at (641) 683-0687. This project would have not been possible without the Ottumwa Legacy Foundation.

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