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Oskaloosa High School Baseball Field Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to be Held Next Week

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA, IOWA — Oskaloosa Schools announces the completion of renovations aimed at elevating the safety and playability of its baseball diamond. A Chamber Diplomats’ ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new high school baseball diamond is scheduled for Tuesday, May 21, at 5:15 p.m., before the Varsity double-header home game. Initially scheduled for May 13, the ceremony had been postponed due to rain.

The renovations include more than 115,000 sq. ft. of synthetic turf, new backstops, bullpens, fencing, automated sports broadcasting technology, and an upgraded LED lighting system. These enhancements, made possible through partnerships with Musco, Iowa Sports Turf, Veenstra Construction, and others, signify the district’s commitment to providing top-notch facilities for its students.

Pleasantville Chiropractor Arrested for Fraud

Posted on by Sam Parsons

PLEASANTVILLE — A chiropractor based in Pleasantville was arrested this month on a warrant for fraud.

The Iowa Insurance Division says that on May 1, 46-year-old Theodore Richard Liautaud Jr. of Knoxville was arrested and charged with one count of insurance fraud presenting false information, tampering with records, and theft in the 3rd degree.

Authorities say an investigation began in May of 2023 after the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau received a complaint against Liautaud, who owned Hut-Liautaud Family Chiropractic in Pleasantville. The complaint alleged that Liautaud had been billing his patients’ insurance providers for dates of services that had not taken place during a period of roughly 20 months from October 2021 to May 2023.

Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.

Caitlin Clark’s WNBA debut helps ESPN set viewership record for league game on network

Posted on by Sam Parsons

NEW YORK (AP) — ESPN’s broadcast of the Connecticut Sun’s game against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever had the highest viewership for a WNBA game on the network.

The Sun’s 92-71 win over the Fever in Clark’s WNBA debut on the league’s opening night on Tuesday drew an average of 2.1 million viewers on ESPN2, ESPN+ and Disney+, including a high of 2.3 million viewers between 7:45 p.m. and 7:59 p.m. That topped ESPN’s previous mark of nearly 1.5 million viewers for a Phoenix Mercury-Connecticut Sun game on May 22, 2004, in Diana Taurasi’s rookie season.

The second game between Phoenix and the two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces averaged 464,000 viewers, with the two games averaging 1.28 million — a 192% increase over the league’s average last year for broadcasts on ESPN.

Clark set the NCAA all-time scoring record at Iowa last season and she was a big reason why a record 18.9 million viewers tuned in to the national championship game, which her Hawkeyes lost to unbeaten South Carolina. Clark’s arrival to the WNBA has already been a big boost for the league. The WNBA draft had record viewership, and three teams have already moved their games to bigger arenas to keep up with the demand for tickets to watch her play.

Feeding America study finds Iowa food insecurity getting worse

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Pat Powers and Natalie Krebs (Radio Iowa)

Feeding America’s latest annual study shows that the hunger problem in Iowa is getting worse. Food Bank of Iowa CEO Michelle Book says the new “Map the Meal Gap” report covers 2022.

“Twenty-22 is higher, the highest it’s been since 2017, food insecurity in the state of Iowa. But we also know that in addition to what these numbers reflect with 2022 that we’ve seen a 30 percent increase year over year in ’23 and ’24,” Book says. The report shows nearly 11 percent of Iowans and 15 percent of Iowa children aren’t getting enough food.

“Appanoose County is the highest level of food insecurity according to the Map the Meal Gap at nearly 15 percent of the population. Wappello County, where Ottumwa its, comes in a near second at about 14.2% or 5,000 residents in Wappello County being deemed in need of food assistance,” she says. Other counties facing food insecurity issues are Crawford, Lucas, Clarke and Des Moines counties.

Book says Iowa’s wages are not keeping up with the cost of living. “The last thing they spend money on is food at the grocery store, they’ve got to keep a roof over their head. They’ve got to keep an operating vehicle. They’ve got to pay the utilities at the end of the day there’s just not enough money for food,” Book says. The complete report can be found on line at FeedingAmerica.org

Central RED Welcomes Alumnus and Iowa’s Lieutenant Governor

Posted on by Sam Parsons

PELLA — The Central RED Society members will meet Iowa’s Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg on Thursday, May 23.

Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. and the program begins at 6 p.m. in the Boat, Moore, Weller Rooms, Maytag Student Center. The cost is $15, and a cash bar is available.

How did Gregg become Lieutenant Governor for the state of Iowa? From Central College and Drake Law School to BrownWinick Law in Des Moines to the State Capital, it has been quite a journey. Gregg will share past experiences and how they have helped to prepare him for working in state government. He’ll share what have been the triumphs and disappointments along the way and what a typical day looks like for him.

Gregg graduated from Central in 2006, majoring in political science and history. He earned a J.D. at Drake Law School in 2009. Currently serving as Lt. Governor of Iowa, Prior to his recent appointment, Gregg previously served as State Public Defender, responsible for administering Iowa’s indigent defense system. He was an advisor to Iowa Governor Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds and an attorney at BrownWinick law firm in Des Moines.

Central RED (Ready to Engage and Discover) is a volunteer-driven, lifelong learning and social organization with an abiding partnership with Central alumni and friends who wish to share knowledge, talents and experiences.

No affiliation with Central is required to join. For more information and to make a reservation, contact Mary Benedict by email at benedictm@central.edu or by phone at 641-628-7641.

Ottumwa PD Investigator Recognized for Victim Services

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OTTUMWA — On May 13, 2024, Ottumwa Police Investigator Jeremy Tosh was recognized by the United States Attorneys’ Offices for the Southern and Northern Districts of Iowa.  Investigator Tosh was selected as a recipient of the Law Enforcement Victim Service Award.  This award is presented to law enforcement officers in Iowa who go beyond the call of duty to help crime victims.  This award is presented as part of Iowa’s celebration for victim services by a law enforcement officer.  

Investigator Tosh was recognized in a ceremony at the Federal Building in Des Moines.  The case leading to this recognition involved multiple immigrant victims and the conviction of two defendants in federal court for various tax and fraud related offenses.     

Sun shoots out biggest solar flare in almost 2 decades, but Earth should be out of the way this time

Posted on by Sam Parsons

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The sun produced its biggest flare in nearly two decades Tuesday, just days after severe solar storms pummeled Earth and created dazzling northern lights in unaccustomed places.

“Not done yet!” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced in an update.

It’s the biggest flare of this 11-year solar cycle, which is approaching its peak, according to NOAA. The good news is that Earth should be out of the line of fire this time because the flare erupted on a part of the sun rotating away from Earth.

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured the bright flash of the X-ray flare. It was the strongest since 2005, rated on the scale for these flares as X8.7.

Bryan Brasher at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center in Boulder, Colorado said it may turn out to have been even stronger when scientists gather data from other sources.

It follows nearly a week of flares and mass ejections of coronal plasma that threatened to disrupt power and communications on Earth and in orbit. An ejection associated with Tuesday’s flare appeared to have been directed away from our planet, although analysis is ongoing, Brasher noted.

NASA said the weekend geomagnetic storm caused one of its environmental satellites to rotate unexpectedly because of reduced altitude from the space weather, and go into a protective hibernation known as safe mode. And at the International Space Station, the seven astronauts were advised to stay in areas with strong radiation shielding. The crew was never in any danger, according to NASA.

Wet fields slow corn and bean planting

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Dar Danielson (Radio Iowa)

Planting progress was slowed again last week by wet conditions.

The U.S.D.A. crop report says there just two days suitable for field work due to the rain. The amount of corn planted went from 47 to 57%, which is now one week behind last year after being just two days back the week before.

Soybean planting moved from 30 to 39% complete. Been planting had been two days behind last year and is now one week behind last year’s pace.

Deadline Approaching for Century and Heritage Farm Applications

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES — The June 1 deadline for eligible Iowa farm owners to apply for Century or Heritage Farm recognition is quickly approaching, and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is encouraging farm families to apply today.

The program, which was created in partnership by the Department and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, honors families who have owned their farms for 100 years and 150 years, respectively. This is the 48th year of the Century Farm Program, which started in 1976 as part of the Nation’s Bicentennial Celebration. To date, more than 21,000 farms from across the state have received this distinction. This is the 18th year of the Heritage Farm Program and more than 1,800 farms have been recognized since this program began in 2006.

The completed applications must be postmarked or received by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship by June 1, 2024, in order to be included in the August 15 ceremony held during the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

To apply, download and complete the application found on the Department’s website and return it to:

Century and Heritage Farm Program

Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Wallace State Office Building

502 E. Ninth St.

Des Moines, IA 50319

You may also request an application from Kelley Reece, coordinator of the Century and Heritage Farm Program, at 515-281-3645 or kelley.reece@iowaagriculture.gov.

To search for previous Century and Heritage Farm recipients, visit the database on the Department’s website. Photos from past recognition ceremonies are also available on the Department’s Flickr website.

Primary Candidate Forum for Mahaska County Board of Supervisors Set for Tomorrow

Posted on by Sam Parsons
OSKALOOSA — The Mahaska County Central Committee is hosting a candidate forum for the Board of Supervisor race between Incumbent Mark Groenendyk from the Leighton area, and challenger Brandon Terpstra of Richland Township.  This race will be decided in the June 4th primary, to choose a Republican candidate for the November ballot.
This event will be held on Thursday, May 16th, at the AEA Extension Building, 212 North I Street, Oskaloosa, at 7 p.m. The Extension Building is right behind Summers Car Credit on A Ave. The auditorium is entered from the south side of the building.
Prepared questions will be asked by the moderator, County Attorney Andrew Ritland, and afterwards, questions will be taken from the floor.
More information is available at https://mahaskagop.net/

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