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Central College Hosts Unique Black History Month Activities

Posted on by Sam Parsons

PELLA — Central College will celebrate Black History Month through a series of educational and service programs on campus throughout February.

Black History Month will kick off with “Dr. King on Our Campus: Community, Controversy, and How History Is Made.” Beth McMahon, associate professor of library science, and Lori Witt, Kenneth J. Weller Distinguished Professorship of the Liberal Arts and associate professor of history, will lead this program, 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, Boat-Moore-Weller rooms, Maytag Student Center.

“Liberation & Love: Spoke Word Poetry” with Caleb “The Negro Artist” Rainey will be 11 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8. He will share his life, lessons and love through his captivating, powerful poetry. Having grown up in the Midwest and traveled the country performing his work, he will bring his experiences to the stage in a way that helps all understand how liberation and love belong in our lives.

The Traveling True Black History Museum will bring a unique experience to Central and Pella titled “A Tribute to the African-American Journey.” The exhibit will feature over 1,000 artifacts including original documents from historical figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, President Barack Obama and other influential African-American leaders. The museum is meant to preserve the history and educate others about African-American contributions to the world. The exhibit will be open to the Central community and public 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, Boat-Moore-Weller rooms, Maytag Student Center.

The Civil Rights Transit Display will return to the Maytag atrium Feb. 12-16. The bus installation showcases inspirational civil rights stories such as Rosa Park’s historic protest.

The Zuzu African Acrobats will perform 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25, in Douwstra Auditorium. Originating in Mombasa, Kenya, the Zuzu African Acrobats perform traditional acrobatics set to high-energy beats, all wrapped up in a cultural experience that is representative of the coastal regions of Kenya. The group has appeared on America’s Got Talent and performed at Superbowl LIII. The public is welcome to attend.

Martin Luther King Day activities at Central were canceled due to weather. Those programs have been scheduled throughout the semester. View the schedule.

Other activities for students include:

  • Service projects that support community nonprofits.
  • A Black History Month literature display in Geisler Library.
  • Celebrating Black historical figures and accomplishments with a cup of coffee from the Global Cafe at Geisler, throughout the week of Feb. 5-9.

Oskaloosa Police Department Shares 2023 City-Wide Crash Data

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

The Oskaloosa Police Department shared 2023 year-end car crash data for the city yesterday.

Police say that citywide crashes were down 21.8% last year from the 9-year average from 2014-2022, and down 25.3% from 2022 alone.

Crashes on A Avenue in particular saw a pronounced decrease. The Osky PD says that A Ave crashes were down 51.1% in 2023 compared to the 9-year average from 2014-2022.

And crashes on the E-W corridor were down 23.5% in 2023 compared to the previous 9-year average.

David Rubenstein has a deal to buy the Baltimore Orioles for $1.725 billion, AP source says

Posted on by Sam Parsons

BALTIMORE (AP) — Carlyle Group Inc. co-founder David Rubenstein has reached an agreement to buy the Baltimore Orioles for $1.725 billion, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday night because the agreement had not been announced. Rubenstein, a Baltimore native, would take over as the team’s controlling owner, and he’s assembled an investment team that includes Ares co-founder Michael Arougheti.

The Angelos family has been in control of the Orioles since 1993, when Peter Angelos purchased the team for $173 million. Angelos’ son John is the team’s current chairman. The team recently reached a deal on a new lease extension at Camden Yards. Maryland officials approved that long-term agreement after months of negotiations.

The deal extended the lease for 30 years, with an option to end it after 15 if the team does not receive approval from state officials for development plans next to the ballpark.

Prior to forming Carlyle in 1987, Rubenstein practiced law in Washington. From 1977-81, he was a deputy assistant for domestic policy to President Jimmy Carter. After graduating from Duke in 1970, he attended University of Chicago Law School.

The sale agreement, which requires approval from major league owners, was first reported by Puck.

The Orioles are coming off a 101-win season and their first AL East title since 2014. With young stars like Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson — and another top prospect on the way in Jackson Holliday — the future looks as bright as it has in a while for a team that hasn’t won a World Series since 1983.

One sore spot with fans is the club’s payroll, which has remained low, and it’s been another quiet offseason for the team so far. If the new ownership group is able to keep Baltimore’s young core together, the Orioles could have a lengthy window of contention.

When Peter Angelos first took control of the Orioles, they had recently started playing at Camden Yards, the downtown venue that revolutionized the way baseball parks were built. The Orioles spent aggressively, at least for a little while, and won the division in 1997 with future Hall of Famers Cal Ripken, Roberto Alomar, Mike Mussina and Harold Baines.

After that, Baltimore didn’t make the postseason again until 2012, when the Orioles began a renaissance under manager Buck Showalter. They eventually had to rebuild again, losing at least 108 games in 2018, 2019 and 2021 — a streak interrupted only by the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

Even as the team posted the best record in the American League last year, there were ominous signs, such as a New York Times piece in which Angelos was quoted as saying: “When people talk about giving this player $200 million, that player $150 million, we would be so financially underwater that you’d have to raise the prices massively.”

A sale must be approved in a vote of at least 75% by the 30 major league teams. The sales approval process typically lasts several months.

Summit Carbon announces partnership with ethanol producer

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Dar Danielson (Radio Iowa)

Summit Carbon Solutions is partnering with a company that operates 17 ethanol plants in Iowa and South Dakota.

Summit says it is partnering with POET and its 12 facilities in Iowa and five in South Dakota to capture, transport, and store 4.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. A statement from Summit says this partnership with the largest bioethanol producer in the world will lead to new market opportunities for producers.

The announcement comes as Summit awaits a decision by the Iowa Utilities Board on a permit for a proposed 688-mile carbon pipeline that runs through Iowa. A statement from the Sierra Club says the IUB needs to halt its deliberations and assess the implications of this new partnership between Summit and POET.

Farmers, Ranchers Now Can Make USDA Farm Loan Payments Online

Posted on by Sam Parsons

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that most farm loan borrowers will be able to make payments to their direct loans online through the Pay My Loan feature on farmers.gov in early February. Pay My Loan is part of a broader effort by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to streamline its processes, especially for producers who may have limited time during the planting or harvest seasons to visit a local FSA office; modernize and improve customer service; provide additional customer self-service tools; and expand credit access to assist more producers.  

“Farmers and ranchers have responded to some difficult challenges over the last few years and their time is a precious commodity,” said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small. “Having the option to conduct business online is essential, and the Pay My Loan feature allows customers to take care of business seamlessly. The online payment feature is just one of many ways the Farm Service Agency is modernizing its Farm Loan Programs and enhancing the customer experience for this incredibly hardworking group.”  

On average, local USDA Service Centers process more than 225,000 farm loan payments each year. Pay My Loan gives most borrowers an online repayment option and relieves them from needing to call, mail, or visit a Service Center to pay their loan installment. Farm loan payments can now be made at the borrower’s convenience, on their schedule and outside of FSA office hours.  

Pay My Loan also provides time savings for FSA’s farm loan employees by minimizing manual payment processing activities. This new service for producers means that farm loan employees will have more time to focus on reviewing and processing new loans or servicing requests. 

The Pay My Loan feature can be accessed at farmers.gov/loans. To use the payment feature, producers must establish a USDA customer account and a USDA Level 2 eAuthentication (“eAuth”) account or a Login.gov account. This initial release only allows individuals with loans to make online payments. For now, borrowers with jointly payable checks will need to continue to make loan payments through their local office. 

FSA has a significant initiative underway to streamline and automate the Farm Loan Program customer-facing business process. For the over 26,000 producers who submit a direct loan application annually, FSA has made various improvements including:  

  • The Online Loan Application, an interactive, guided application that is paperless and provides helpful features including an electronic signature option, the ability to attach supporting documents such as tax returns, complete a balance sheet, and build a farm operating plan. 
  • The Loan Assistance Tool that provides customers with an interactive online, step-by-step guide to identifying the direct loan products that may be a fit for their business needs and to understanding the application process.  
  • A simplified direct loan paper application, which reduced loan applications by more than half, from 29 pages to 13 pages.

“Best of Red Rock 2023” Announced

Posted on by Sam Parsons

KNOXVILLE — Marion County Development unveiled their “Best of Red Rock 2023” honorees yesterday.

Ten different top 10 lists were announced, along with separate categories including “The Great 10 Foodie Favorites,” “4 Ways to Experience,” “3 Great Places to Stay,” and “5 Ways to Pamper Yourself.”

Here is the list of winners:

#1 Dining – Liberty Street Kitchen, Pella

#1 To See and Do – Cordova Observation Tower, Otley

#1 Wedding & Meeting Spot – Sun Valley Barn, Pella

#1 Must-See Photo Spot – Lake Red Rock at Sunset

#1 Souvenir – Dutch Letters

#1 Event – Pella Tulip Time

#1 Bar – Atlantic & Pacific Pub, Knoxville

#1 Recreation – Volksweg Trail, Pella

#1 Free Thing to Do – Big Rock Park, Pella

Complete Top 10 Lists are available here.

Toyota urges owners of old Corolla, Matrix and RAV4 models to park them until air bags are replaced

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DETROIT (AP) — Toyota and General Motors are telling the owners of about 61,000 older Corolla, Matrix, RAV4 and Pontiac Vibe models to stop driving them because their Takata air bag inflators are at risk of exploding and hurling shrapnel.

The urgent warning Monday covers certain Corolla compact cars and Matrix hatchbacks from the 2003 and 2004 model years, as well as the RAV4 small SUV from 2004 and 2005. Also covered are about 11,000 Pontiac Vibes from 2003 and 2004, which are essentially the same as the Matrix and were made at the same California factory. Most of the vehicles are in the U.S.

“If the air bag deploys, a part inside is more likely to explode and shoot sharp metal fragments, which could cause serious injury or death to the driver or passengers,” Toyota said in a statement.

The recalled RAV4s have Takata driver’s air bags while the Corolla and Matrix models have them on the passenger side. The Corolla and Matrix also are under a separate recall because their air bags can be deployed without a crash, the company said.

Both companies said owners should contact a local dealer instead of driving the cars in for repairs. Dealers will provide options such as mobile repair, towing the car to a dealer, or vehicle pickup and delivery.

Owners can go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter their 17-digit vehicle identification number to see if their cars are affected.

Takata used volatile ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion to inflate air bags in a crash. But the chemical propellant can deteriorate over time when exposed to high temperatures and humidity. It can explode with too much force, blowing apart a metal canister and spewing shrapnel.

At least 26 people have been killed in the U.S. by Takata inflators since May 2009, and at least 30 have died worldwide including people in Malaysia and Australia. In addition, about 400 people have been injured. The exploding air bags sent Takata of Japan into bankruptcy.

The potential for a dangerous malfunction led to the largest series of auto recalls in U.S. history. About 100 million inflators were recalled worldwide.

The 2024 edition of RAGBRAI will be the hilliest in history

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Matt Kelley (Radio Iowa)

This summer’s 51st running of the statewide bicycle ride will take a southern route.

Organizers say it’ll be the hilliest RAGBRAI ever, with more than 18,000 feet of climb, including daily climbs for cyclists of at least 3,000 feet.

Perhaps to compensate, the ride will also be 434 miles, making it the eighth shortest route.

Running July 21st through the 27th, RAGBRAI will start in Glenwood this year and end in Burlington, with overnight stops in Red Oak, Atlantic, Winterset, Knoxville, Ottumwa and Mount Pleasant.

Last year, ride organizers footed the bill for each overnight town’s musical performances, but this year, RAGBRAI will instead be giving each town $50,000 to spend, including to book their own entertainment.

Around-the-Clock Fitness: Mahaska County YMCA Unveils 24-Hour Fitness Access

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA — The Mahaska County YMCA is thrilled to announce an exciting expansion in service that reflects our commitment to fostering a healthier and more accessible community. Starting February 1, the YMCA will introduce 24-hour access to its facilities, allowing members to embrace flexible fitness routines tailored to their busy lives.

This progressive initiative aims to accommodate diverse schedules, providing opportunities for early birds, night owls, and everyone to engage in wellness activities at their convenience. The extended hours offer access to state-of-the-art cardio equipment, selectorized machines, and cable-cross machines, ensuring that the YMCA remains a cornerstone of health and well-being in our community.

“We are excited to enhance the accessibility of our facilities, enabling our members to pursue their fitness goals at any hour that suits their lifestyle,” says Barry Martin, CEO at the Mahaska County YMCA. “This 24-hour access initiative reflects our dedication to promoting a healthier and more inclusive community for all.”

Members can expect a seamless transition to the extended hours, with the same commitment to safety, cleanliness, and excellent service that the new Mahaska County YMCA is known for. The round-the-clock access aligns with the YMCA’s mission to empower individuals and families to lead active, healthy lives.

For more information about the 24-hour access and other programs, please visit mahaskaymca.org  or contact Katy Greene, Membership & Marketing Director, at 641.673.8411.

Mahaska Health Welcomes Dr. Van de Voort to the Pediatric Team

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA — Mahaska Health, Oskaloosa’s leading healthcare organization, is thrilled to announce the arrival of Board-Certified Pediatric provider Dr. Holly Van de Voort to its esteemed team of healthcare providers.

With a passion for education in pediatric care, Dr. Van de Voort brings her expertise as a medical school professor to help Mahaska Health patients and their families make informed healthcare choices. She is committed to ensuring the health and development of every child in her care – from infancy to adolescence. 

Dr. Van de Voort completed her medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia, went on to complete her residency training in pediatrics at the Medical College of Georgia ‘Children’s Medical Center,’ and continued with Fellowship training at the American Academy of Pediatrics. She has been actively practicing pediatrics for 20 years, earning the reputation of a truly compassionate physician.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Van de Voort to our medical team, where compassionate care meets excellence in Pediatric care,” shared Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Breon. “Dr. Van de Voort brings a fresh perspective and a wealth of knowledge to our practice. As we continue expanding our services, we look forward to the positive impact she will have on families in our community.” 

Parents and caregivers seeking expert pediatric care for their children can now schedule appointments with Dr. Van de Voort at Mahaska Health. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 641.672.3360 or visit mahaskahealth.com/pediatrics.

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