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Attorney General Bird Provides Back to School Safety Tips

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES — As students head back to school, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird reminds Iowans about laws and tips to keep school kids safe.

“Passing a stopped school bus is not only illegal, but also dangerous,” said Attorney General Bird. “Remember to stop for school buses and slow down in school zones. We want to keep kids safe as school starts back up.”

Never Pass a Stopped School Bus

Violations may result in a fine and suspension of the driver’s license. If the bus’s yellow lights start flashing, it means the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Drivers approaching a parked school bus must come to a complete stop at least 15 feet away. Drivers may proceed only when the bus’s red lights stop flashing and its stop arm is lifted.

Follow School Driving Permit Rules

Students driving to school with a permit must follow the permit rules and guidelines, such as travel restrictions for driving to and from school or school activities from a student’s home. School activities must be in the school district the student is enrolled in. Students can drive at any time when accompanied by an adult, but they may drive without an adult only from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Students must take the most direct route to and from school, but they may stop to refuel their vehicle at the nearest gas station on the route.

Watch for Reduced Speed Limits on and Around School Grounds

Speeding is a major cause of school-related crashes. The posted speed limit on school grounds is typically 15 mph, and speed limits are also reduced on nearby roads during school hours.

Be Aware of Surroundings

Students who walk or bike to school should be aware of traffic and other hazards. Students and parents should look both ways before crossing the street and use designated crosswalks whenever possible. Do not enter the street from between parked cars.

Tell Authorities if You See Something Suspicious

All suspicious activity should be reported immediately to school and local law enforcement. This includes if a stranger approaches a child at school or school activities and if suspicious packages or vehicles are identified on school grounds.

Mahaska Chamber and Development to Host Community Meeting on Transformative Transload Facility Project

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA — Oskaloosa residents are invited to a community meeting on August 28 at 8:30 a.m. at the Environmental Learning Center to discuss a transportation development that could enhance the local economy and improve transportation infrastructure. The meeting will present the findings of the Oskaloosa Transload Facility Feasibility Study, conducted by the Mahaska Chamber and Development Group in partnership with Mahaska County and the City of Oskaloosa.

The proposed transload facility would allow goods to be transferred efficiently between trucks and trains. This facility, planned for a 27-acre site adjacent to Innovation Park, is strategically located near major highways, including Iowa Highway 23, US Highway 63, and Interstate 80. The site’s location is ideal for boosting regional freight movement, offering businesses a more economical way to transport goods.
“The fact that we have rail that is well maintained next to our certified site puts us at a huge advantage,” says Deann DeGroot, Director of the Mahaska Chamber & Development Group. “Less than half of the certified sites in the state have rail access.”
The transload facility is part of a broader transportation infrastructure upgrade, including a US Highway 63 bypass around northwest Oskaloosa, and a US 63/IA 23 local connector south of Oskaloosa creating direct, safer, and more efficient route for trucks traveling to and from the Innovation Park. The connector was funded in part by the largest RISE grant award in Iowa’s history. “When you take a look at what we have with road improvements, we are a very strong community for logistics,” comments DeGroot. “We have the opportunity to add jobs and grow our community by having this transload facility.”
The study highlighted several key benefits:
  • Economic Growth: The facility is expected to attract new businesses to Oskaloosa, create jobs, and support the expansion of existing companies. With the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) already expressing interest in the project, Oskaloosa is poised to become a regional hub for freight.
  • Improved Efficiency: Transloading allows for quicker transfer of goods between rail and truck, reducing costs and time for businesses. The facility will also support cross-docking operations, transferring goods directly from inbound to outbound transportation, further streamlining the process.
  • Reduced Traffic and Environmental Impact: By moving freight from trucks to trains, the facility can help reduce road congestion and lower emissions, aligning with statewide efforts to improve transportation efficiency.
The facility is projected to significantly reduce transportation costs for local businesses. “If we invested the initial capital of $3.6 million, it would have a benefit of $31.8 million to our economy,” DeGroot states.
The study is the result of extensive collaboration between the Mahaska Chamber, local businesses, and key partners like the Iowa DOT and UPRR. The project is also part of the broader Mahaska/Oskaloosa Driving Economic Success (MODES) initiative, exploring new roadway corridors around the east side of Oskaloosa to support local industry.
Several potential funding sources have been identified, including state and federal grants, loans, and private partnerships. The project is designed to be scalable, allowing for expansion as demand increases.
At the community meeting, representatives will present the study’s findings, share details about the potential economic impact, and discuss the next steps. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, provide feedback, and learn how they can be involved in this transformative project.
“This is a pivotal moment for Oskaloosa,” said DeGroot. “The transload facility could not only improve our transportation infrastructure but also drive economic growth for years to come. We encourage everyone in the community to attend and learn more about what this project means for our future.”
The community meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 28, at the Environmental Learning Center, 2342 IA-92, Oskaloosa, beginning at 8:30 a.m. All residents are welcome to attend and participate.

US national parks are receiving record-high gift of $100M

Posted on by Sam Parsons

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The official nonprofit organization of the National Park Service is set to receive the largest grant in its history, a $100 million gift the fundraising group described as transformative for the country’s national parks.

The National Park Foundation, which Congress created in the 1960s to support national parks, will receive the donation from Indianapolis-based foundation Lilly Endowment Inc. The park foundation described the gift on Monday as the largest grant in history benefiting U.S. national parks.

The money will be used to address the needs of the country’s more than 400 national park sites, said Will Shafroth, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation.

The foundation hopes to announce the first round of grants stemming from the donation later this year, Shafroth said.

Exactly how the money will be utilized remains to be seen, but one of the foundation’s priorities is restoring coral reefs at Biscayne National Park in Florida, Shafroth said, while another priority is the restoration of trout species in western national parks. Those are among the foundation’s recent investments.

In addition to funding initiatives that protect fragile ecosystems and species, Shafroth said the money will also be used to create opportunities for young people to visit national parks.

“This grant will allow us to supercharge our efforts to ensure our national parks are for everyone, for generations to come,” he said.

The system’s hundreds of units include national parks, memorials, monuments, historic sites and other locations. It includes iconic national parks such as Yellowstone National Park in Montana and Yosemite National Park in California, as well as beloved sites such as the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. It also includes preserved areas that are less accessible to many people, such as Buck Island Reef National Monument in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The National Park Foundation is in the midst of its “Campaign for National Parks,” a $1 billion fundraising effort to support parks. Lilly Endowment made the gift to support that effort, said N. Clay Robbins, chair and CEO of Lilly Endowment.

“We believe the National Park Foundation’s campaign will enhance the programming in and promote the future vibrancy of our country’s marvelous system of parks, monuments and historic sites,” Robbins said.

AAA: With a busy travel weekend ahead, Iowa gas prices hold steady

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Matt Kelley (Radio Iowa)

The last holiday of summer is just ahead and tens of thousands of Iowans will hit the road for the Labor Day weekend. AAA-Iowa spokesman Brian Ortner says the record-breaking summer travel season will wrap up with what’s anticipated to be another exceptionally busy holiday for get-away vacations.

“The Labor Day weekend is up 9% compared to last year, and the good news is that the cost of travel domestically is down 2%,” Ortner says, “so it’s great for consumers, and great to see people back out on the roads and taking that last summer trip.”

Since most Iowa kids are already back in school, regional road trips tend to be the most popular Labor Day option for families. Because of that, Ortner says other vacationers see this as an opportunity to travel the world, with the expectation of smaller crowds at popular sites.

“Domestic airfares are 2% less compared to last year,” Ortner says. “Hotels are up a little bit compared to last year, about 7% but that balances out if you’re renting a car, which is 16% cheaper this Labor Day holiday compared to last year.”

The majority of vacationers over Labor Day will be traveling by motor vehicle, and while electric cars are becoming more common, most cars, trucks and SUVs still run on gasoline. Ortner does -not- expect any major jumps in gas prices in Iowa before the weekend.

“Gas prices, thankfully, have remained steady, hovering around that $3.20 cent per gallon average across the state, and even with the popularity of summer road trips, gas demand is down,” Ortner says. “Daily driving habits have changed post-pandemic, tempering price spikes.”

Gas prices vary widely across Iowa. The most expensive fuel is reported in Dubuque at $3.45 a gallon, while Sioux City has the cheapest gas at $2.98.

Montezuma, Pella Among 137 Iowa Schools to Receive Grants to Purchase Local Food

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will provide $2,000 grants to 137 participating school districts or schools to purchase meat, eggs, produce, dairy and other local foods from area farmers. Launched in 2022, Local Food for Schools (LFS) pairs school lunch programs with a local food hub to connect to area farmers.

This latest and final round of Iowa LFS will run from August through December of 2024. The 137 public school districts or private schools – which includes the school districts of Lynnville-Sully, Montezuma, Newton, and Pella – are all participants in the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs. 17 schools are new to LFS for this round of funding. Through the first two rounds, more than $1.7 million has been awarded to 162 Iowa schools, and more than 110 farms and food businesses have sold products to schools through the program.

“With another school year off and running, I’m excited to see more connections being made between school lunch programs and local farmers,” said Secretary Naig. “These grants provide yet another way that we can assist our schools with providing fresh and nutritious meals while also fortifying supply chains and building market demand for Iowa farmers. Because of Choose Iowa and programs like Local Food for Schools, many Iowa farmers are building long-term capacity to serve larger buyers like schools. As a result, these established connections between schools, food hubs and farmers can continue on well into the future.”

Through strategic partnerships and collaborative efforts, the program facilitates direct relationships between schools, food hubs and farmers. To find out more information about LFS or how to participate as a vendor, visit the Farm to School and Early Care Network website.

The Iowa LFS program is managed by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship with strategic contributions from the Iowa Department of Education, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, and Iowa Valley Resource Conservation & Development. It is funded in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture – Agriculture Marketing Service.

Mahaska County Now Accepting Absentee Ballot Requests

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA — Mahaska County is now excepting Absentee  Ballot Requests. You may call the Auditor’s Office at 641-673-7148 or stop in the office  Monday through Friday 8:00AM – 4:30PM to request an Absentee ballot. The deadline to  request an Absentee Ballot is Tuesday, October 21 at 5:00PM. The first day the office will mail  Absentee ballots will be October 16, 2024. 

Babe Ruth’s ‘called shot’ jersey sells at auction for over $24 million

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DALLAS (AP) — The jersey Babe Ruth wore when he called his shot during the 1932 World Series, hitting a home run to center field, sold at auction early Sunday for over $24 million.

Heritage Auctions said the New York Yankee slugger’s jersey went for a record-breaking $24.12 million after a bidding war that lasted over six hours when it went on the block in Dallas. The buyer wishes to remain anonymous, Heritage said.

The amount that the jersey sold for topped fellow Yankee Mickey Mantle’s 1952 rookie card, which the Dallas-based auction house sold for $12.6 million in 2022.

Chris Ivy, Heritage’s director of sports, calls the jersey “the most significant piece of American sports memorabilia ever offered at auction.” He said in a news release that it was clear from the bidding that ”astute collectors have no doubt as to what this Ruth jersey is and what it represents.”

“The legend of Babe Ruth and the myth and mystery surrounding his ‘called shot’ are united in this one extraordinary artifact,” Ivy said.

Ruth’s famed, debated and often imitated “called shot” came as the Yankees and Chicago Cubs faced off in Game 3 of the World Series at Chicago’s Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 1932. In the fifth inning of the heated game, Ruth made a pointing gesture while at bat and then hit the home run off Cubs pitcher Charlie Root.

“It is the most dramatic moment in World Series history, and it may be the most dramatic moment ever in all of baseball,” said Michael Gibbons, director emeritus and historian at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum in Baltimore.

The Yankees won the game 7-5 and swept the Cubs the next day to win the series.

That was Ruth’s last World Series, and the “called shot” was his last home run in a World Series, said Mike Provenzale, the production manager for Heritage’s sports department.

“When you can tie an item like that to an important figure and their most important moment, that’s what collectors are really looking for,” Provenzale said.

Heritage said Ruth gave the road jersey to one of his golfing buddies in Florida around 1940 and it remained in that family for decades. Then, in the early 1990s, that man’s daughter sold it to a collector. It was then sold at auction in 2005 for $940,000 and remained in a private collection until being consigned to Heritage this year.

There’s been debate for decades over whether Ruth really called the shot. But Gibbons said there’s home movie footage of the game that shows Ruth pointing, though it’s not clear whether he’s pointing at the pitcher, center field or toward the Cubs bench. Regardless, he said, Ruth, who had a history of making predictions, clearly “said something’s going to happen on the next pitch and he made it happen.” And, he said, Ruth himself said he’d called the shot.

“We think certainly that he did call his shot,” Gibbons said.

News reel footage shows Ruth rounding the bases after the home run and making a pushing out gesture toward the Cubs bench, as if to say “I gotcha,” Gibbons said.

The “called shot,” was an extraordinary moment from a man Gibbons called “the standard-bearer for all of Major League Baseball.”

“He was always uplifting, he was something very positive for this country to root for,” Gibbons said. “Then he caps it all off by calling his shot.”

Iowa Association of Realtors report finds home prices, inventory up

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa)

The latest data from the Iowa Association of Realtors shows home prices are up by more than 6% last month compared to July of last year.

From July of 2023 to July of this year, there was a 2.7% increase in the total number of homes sold in Iowa and the median price was 15,000 higher. However, from June to July, pending home sales declined about 2%.

The president of the Iowa Association of Realtors said inventory “is the bright spot” in Iowa’s housing market. There was a nearly 5% increase in the number of homes listed for sale in July of this year compared to July of 2023. A total of about 7700 Iowa homes were on the market in July. That’s 22.6% percent more than July of last year.

Heat Advisory In Effect This Afternoon

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES — The late-summer heat wave that began over the weekend isn’t going away early this week.

The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a Heat Advisory for portions of southeast Iowa today – including Appanoose, Mahaska, Marion, Monroe, and Wapello Counties – from 1pm to 8pm. And the National Weather Service in the Quad Cities issued an Excessive Heat Warning for portions of southeast Iowa, including Keokuk County, from 11am to 8pm.

Heat index values of anywhere from 105 to 115 are expected in the listening area today. Little relief from the heat is anticipated Monday night with temperatures only dropping into the mid to upper 70s. Another day of oppressive heat is forecast on Tuesday.

The NWS says you should drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.

Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Mahaska Chamber to Celebrate 100 years as a Chamber of Commerce

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA — The Mahaska Chamber & Development Group is celebrating 100 years of being a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce—August 30, 1924 to August 30, 2024.  There will be an open house on Friday, August 30, from 8 am to 2 pm at the Mahaska Chamber office located at 222 1st Ave. East, Oskaloosa, 2nd floor.  Come when you can, leave when you must, enjoy refreshments and share memories.  The Diplomats will host a celebratory ribbon cutting photo at 8 am.

The local Chamber of Commerce was first organized as the Oskaloosa Board of Trade on July 7, 1882, a mere 142 years ago. The name was changed to the Commercial Club on April 4, 1911, and finally became a Chamber of Commerce on January 1, 1920.  Then on August 30, 1924, the “Mahaska County Chamber of Commerce” officially became an organization member of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America and we continue to be a member today.

Looking through the minutes of the Board of Directors’ meetings from 1924 you’ll see that many of the same projects and developments are still viable today.

Jan. 9, 1924 “…Discussion of the industrial situation followed and it was agreed that this organization should devote all of its time, if necessary, to securing additional factories…”

Industrial development was a priority.  It was agreed that before the campaign to recruit new factories was launched, existing Oskaloosa factories should be interviewed to see if they could be aided in any way. As we celebrated the completion of the Oskaloosa Innovation Park certified site in 2023, we continue to partner with site selectors for industrial growth. We also complete annual business retention and expansion visits with our existing industries, which includes over $200 million in expansions for our local industries from 2023 to 2026.

Jan. 9, 1924 “…Be it resolved that the Chamber of Commerce notes with approval the action of the Board of Supervisors in starting a gravelling project and hopes that it is only the beginning of a larger movement looking toward the surfacing of the roads…”

In 1924, area farmers would drag the roads in their areas so that automobiles and farm equipment could get around.  With the new Iowa gasoline tax now in force, chamber committee members, local farmers and the Iowa Good Roads Association worked to make sure Mahaska County roads would be the best possible.

April 2, 1942 – The Chamber’s Annual Meeting: The speaker was Dr. C.W. Wassam of S.U.I., and he spoke on the topic, “Oskaloosa’s Problem in 1924.” “… Dr. Wassam stated that Oskaloosa’s greatest problem was that of selling Oskaloosa to those who lived in the city…”

Even today amongst many of our committees we continue to discuss how to best ‘tell our story’ and promote our community. One publication that is completed today is the Mahaska County visitors guide which showcases many hidden gems and attractions across the county.

May 21, 1924 “…Be it resolved that the Board of Directors of the Mahaska County Chamber of Commerce do protest this action as being entirely against the best interests of our city as a whole, and do hereby request that the City Council rescind the above mentioned action…”

The Chamber strongly opposed the City Council’s decision to conduct a test to see if motor buses could be used for transportation in lieu of the present street cars! (A year later, the Chamber would drop its opposition.)  As June rolled around, other serious questions arose. Should the Express Office close on holidays? Can head lettuce be grown in Iowa to diversify our agriculture?  On September 24, 1924, Mr. Calvin B. Brown of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce came to Oskaloosa with the following recommendations for the Board which included suggestions on finances, cooperation with farmers, and industrial expansion.

Oct. 22, 1924 “…Mr. Alsop expressed appreciation of the merchants for the gravel project approved by the City Council for the Beacon road…”

This first-of-its-kind cooperation between farmers, the City and County and the Chamber almost didn’t come to fruition. A gravel road was built from the Eveland Bridge through Beacon and all the way into town where it connected with the paved portion of South D Street. The City, County and farmers had all graveled their portion of the project, but Beacon could not come up with enough money for their portion. The Chamber board stepped in and voted to provide the money needed to complete the new road before winter.

The community in 1924 was just as dedicated to building a better Mahaska County as they are today. They were involved in industrial development, retail trade, transportation, agriculture, education, tourism and legislative relations. They worked to improve rural and urban relationships and worked to provide jobs for our young people.

There are similarities between the developments of 1924 and today, but that doesn’t mean that progress hasn’t been made. Improving and growing Mahaska County is an ongoing process.

As our ancestors worked together to finish the gravel road through Beacon into Oskaloosa, the Mahaska Chamber has continued in the same manner for the last 100 years.  There was and is a willingness by many to do what needs to be done. “Community growth thrives when people come together, supporting and uplifting one another, creating a stronger, more connected environment for everyone.”  Deann DeGroot, Executive Director stated. “Thank you to our incredible staff, Board of Directors, wonderful membership, committee chairs and volunteers for your time and efforts within the Mahaska community. We hope you will join us in celebrating on Friday, August 30, 2024.”

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