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Excessive Heat Warning Remains in Effect until Wednesday Night

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA — An excessive heat warning went into effect on Sunday for much of the southern half of Iowa and remains in effect through 9pm on Wednesday (8/23).

The National Weather Service indicates that heat index values over the next few days will peak between 105 and 115. Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities. The long duration of the heat can be particularly hard on the very young, the elderly and those with medical conditions.

The NWS says you should take precautions, particularly those vulnerable to the heat. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.

Man Dies in Accident Near Sigourney

Posted on by Sam Parsons

SIGOURNEY – A 2 vehicle crash on Friday night resulted in the death of a Sigourney man.

The Iowa State Patrol reports that at around 10pm on Friday night, 31-year-old Samuel Dereus of Prairie City was driving westbound on Highway 92 near 285th street in a Chevrolet pickup truck when the vehicle crossed the centerline and hit a Chevrolet pickup truck driven by 74-year-old Franklin Morris of Sigourney in a head-on collision. When responders arrived, Morris was pronounced dead at the scene and Dereus was flown to the University of Iowa by Aircare.

The accident remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol, who was assisted on the scene by the Keokuk County Sheriff’s Office, the Sigourney Fire Department, the Keota Fire Department, Keokuk County EMS, and University of Iowa Aircare.

Trump cancels press conference on election fraud claims, citing attorneys’ advice

Posted on by Sam Parsons

NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump now says he won’t be holding a news conference next week to unveil what he claims is new “evidence” of fraud in Georgia’s 2020 presidential election — even though no fraud has ever been substantiated — citing the advice of lawyers as he prepares to face trial in two criminal cases that stem from his election lies.

No compelling evidence of the wide-scale fraud Trump alleges has emerged in the two-and-a-half years since the election in Georgia or elsewhere, despite Trump’s baseless claims. Republican officials in the state have long said he lost fairly and three recounts there confirmed President Joe Biden’s win.

“Rather than releasing the Report on the Rigged & Stolen Georgia 2020 Presidential Election on Monday, my lawyers would prefer putting this, I believe, Irrefutable & Overwhelming evidence of Election Fraud & Irregularities in formal Legal Filings as we fight to dismiss this disgraceful Indictment,” Trump wrote on his social media site Thursday in announcing his reversal.

Trump had announced that he would be holding the event hours after a Georgia grand jury voted to charge him and others late Monday in what they allege was a sweeping conspiracy to illegally overturn the results of the 2020 election and stop the peaceful transition of power.

He had said he would use the “major News Conference” at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club Monday morning to release what he claimed was an “almost complete” report that would exonerate him.

Federal and state election officials and Trump’s own attorney general have said there is no credible evidence that the election was tainted. The former president’s allegations of fraud were also roundly rejected by courts, including by judges Trump appointed.

In Georgia, the state at the center of his latest indictment, three recounts were conducted after the election — each of which confirmed his loss to Biden.

Advisers have long urged the former president to spend less time airing his grievances about the 2020 election as he runs for reelection and more time focused on his plans for the future. While such rhetoric animates his loyal base, it alienates more moderate and independent voters and is also often criticized in interviews by longtime Trump supporters, who say they feel it’s time to move on.

But the cases against him have dramatically raised the stakes. The federal judge overseeing the election conspiracy case brought against Trump in Washington last week warned him that there are limits to what he can publicly say about evidence in the investigation as he campaigns for a second term in the White House.

The judge said that the more “inflammatory” statements are made about the case, the greater her urgency will be to move quickly to trial to prevent witness intimidation or jury pool contamination.

“I will take whatever measures are necessary to safeguard the integrity of the case,” she said.

Still, Trump has made clear that he sees the cases brought against him in Georgia and Washington as an opportunity to try to relitigate his false claims.

Trump’s renewed attacks on the integrity of Georgia’s vote this week drew swift criticism from state’s Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, whom Trump had tried to lobby as part of his efforts to overturn his loss in the battleground state.

“The 2020 election in Georgia was not stolen. For nearly three years now, anyone with evidence of fraud has failed to come forward – under oath – and prove anything in a court of law,” Kemp wrote on X, the site formerly known as Twitter.

Former Vice President Mike Pence, whom Trump had tried to pressure to unilaterally overturn the results of the election and who is now challenging Trump for the Republican nomination, echoed that message.

“The Georgia election was not stolen and I had no right to overturn the election on January 6th,” he said this week.

Trump, the first former president in U.S. history to be indicted, is also facing criminal charges in Florida over his handling of classified documents and his alleged efforts to obstruct the investigation, as well as in New York in connection to hush money payments made to women during his 2016 campaign.

Iowa’s Unemployment Rate Unchanged in July

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES, IOWA – Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 2.7 percent in July but remains down from 2.8 percent one year ago. The state’s labor force added 2,700 new workers in July, increasing Iowa’s labor force participation rate to 68.8 percent. That is up from 68.2 percent a year ago and equals the participation rate in March 2020.

Meanwhile, the U.S. unemployment rate decreased to 3.5 percent in July from 3.6 percent the month before.

The total number of working Iowans increased to 1,694,300 last month. The July figure is 1,300 higher than June and 22,900 higher than one year ago. The number of unemployed Iowans increased to 47,700 in July from 46,300 in June.

“Iowa’s labor force participation increased for the fifth straight month, although we do see signs that some businesses are being cautious with hiring amid prolonged national economic uncertainty,” said Beth Townsend, Executive Director of Iowa Workforce Development. “Over 65,000 job opportunities still exist in our state, and Iowa Workforce Development stands ready to help connect Iowans to these great opportunities. We can also help employers who are looking for workers by connecting them with valuable tools and resources that will help them develop their talent pipelines.”

Seasonally Adjusted Nonfarm Employment

Iowa’s businesses are up 14,400 jobs relative to last year. In July, Iowa businesses shed 5,300 jobs, lowering total nonfarm employment to 1,585,400. Following a June downward revision, this loss is now the third consecutive monthly drop in payroll with monthly losses being evident in both service and goods producing industries. Professional and business services has pared jobs for four consecutive months and, along with leisure and hospitality, led all other sectors in jobs shed this month. Private industry employers are responsible for most of the increase (+11,700), although government entities advanced by 300 this month and now rest up 2,700 jobs over the past twelve months.

Accommodations and food services shed the most jobs in July (-2,000). Much of the loss was due to restaurants reigning in employment this month. The loss follows a smaller decline of 700 jobs in June. Arts and entertainment also shed jobs in July (-300), snapping a string of gains over the prior three months. Administrative support and waste management pared 1,200 jobs in July and fueled a decline of 2,000 jobs for professional and business services. Professional, scientific, and technical services shed 700 jobs this month and has shed 2,800 since March. Trade, transportation, and utilities lost 900 jobs and is now down 1,400 jobs over the past three months. Both transportation and warehousing along with retail have been a drag on employment recently. Conversely, job gains were small in magnitude in July and included education and health care (+400) and information (+200).

Compared to last year, total nonfarm employment has gained 14,400 jobs. Of those gains, education and health care has gained 10,100 jobs with a slight majority stemming from health care and social assistance. Leisure and hospitality industries are up 3,900 jobs and has been lifted by arts and entertainment (+2,500). Smaller increases occurred in manufacturing (+1,700) and construction (+1,300). Job losses have been heaviest in professional and business services (-6,400) with administrative support and waste management fueling much of the decline.

Mahaska Health facilitates Mobile Food Pantry in Oskaloosa

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA — Mahaska Health team members and community volunteers work together at the Southern Iowa fairgrounds on the second Monday of each month to lead the Food Bank of Iowa mobile food pantry. This initiative helps families in need of food assistance across the state of Iowa. 

As a Food Bank of Iowa partner, Mahaska Health facilitates the Oskaloosa mobile food pantry and, with the help of loyal volunteers, consistently serves over 170 meals each month. Those interested in benefiting from the mobile food pantry can fill out the Food Assistance Eligibility form provided by the Food Bank of Iowa at https://foodbankiowa.org

“Oskaloosa Mobile Food Pantry fills a need within our community, supporting many individuals in their time of need. Our team is honored to partner with the Food Bank of Iowa to serve members of our community”, shared Paula Falconer, Mahaska Health Community Relations Coordinator 

Thank you to the Food Bank of Iowa, dedicated volunteers, the Southern Iowa Fairgrounds, and Mahaska Health team members that make this community service possible. If you have questions regarding volunteering for Mahaska Health, please contact volunteer coordinator, Kim Langfitt at 641.672.3342 or klangfitt@mahaskahealth.org

ATV/UTV Crash in Cedar Results in Fatality

Posted on by Sam Parsons

CEDAR – A 2 vehicle crash in rural Mahaska County last night resulted in the death of a 16-year-old.

According to the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa State Patrol, last night at around 7:17pm, a 4-wheeler ATV driven by a 19-year-old male and an off-road side-by-side UTV driven by a 16-year-old female were both going eastbound on Soho Circle in Cedar when the vehicles collided in the roadway. There were two 16-year-old passengers in the UTV.

The collision caused the UTV to overturn, ejecting a 16-year-old male passenger. The UTV then overturned onto the youth. Life-saving measures were taken at the scene of the accident; however, the 16-year-old male passed away from his injuries and was declared dead at the scene.

The names of the people involved in the accident have not been released, and the accident remains under investigation. The Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by members of the Cedar Township Fire and Rescue, the Iowa State Patrol, the Mahaska Health Ambulance Service, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

US women’s national team coach Vlatko Andonovski resigns after early World Cup exit, AP source says

Posted on by Sam Parsons

SYDNEY (AP) — U.S. women’s national team coach Vlatko Andonovski has resigned, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The move comes less than two weeks after the Americans were knocked out of the Women’s World Cup earlier than ever before.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the move had not been officially announced. An announcement was expected Thursday.

The four-time champion struggled through the World Cup. A victory over Vietnam to kick off the group stage was followed by draws against Netherlands and Portugal — barely enough to get the team into the knockout stage.

The Americans played well in the round of 16 against Sweden but ultimately fell on penalties after a scoreless tie. The U.S. scored just four goals over the course of the tournament.

The United States had never finished worse than third at previous World Cups.

The 46-year-old Andonovski was named coach of the United States in October 2019, taking over for Jill Ellis, who led the United States to back-to-back World Cup titles. He finished 51-5-9 during his time with the team, and was 3-2-5 in major tournaments.

Following the match against Sweden, Andonovski said he wasn’t thinking about his future with the team — only his young players. Fourteen players on the roster were appearing in their first World Cup, and 12 of them had never played in a major tournament.

“We spent four years together. They got their first caps with me, they got their first national team call-ups with me,” Andonovski said. “We spent tough times, good times. I don’t want to see them like that. That’s all I think about.”

The United States also finished with a disappointing bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Afterward, Andonovski turned his attention on developing young players ahead of the World Cup. Some of the players who emerged were Sophia Smith, last year’s U.S. Soccer player of the year, and Trinity Rodman.

The United States was bitten by injuries in the run-up to the tournament, losing key players. Mallory Swanson injured her knee during a friendly in April, and captain Becky Sauerbrunn couldn’t recover from a foot injury in time.

Promising young forward Catarina Macario tore her ACL playing for her club team Lyon last year and also wasn’t ready to play in the World Cup.

The World Cup was challenging for many elite teams because of the ever-growing parity in the women’s game. Germany, Brazil and Canada, the winners in Tokyo, also got knocked out early. Sunday’s final between England and Spain in Sydney will give the tournament a first-time winner.

Andonovski was head coach of Seattle’s OL Reign in the National Women’s Soccer League when he was hired. During his seven years in the NWSL, he led the now-defunct FC Kansas City from the league’s inception in 2013 until the club folded in 2017, winning two league titles.

Andonovski, a native of Skopje, Macedonia, played for several teams in Europe before embarking on a professional indoor soccer career in the United States.

His predecessor on the U.S. team, Ellis, led the Americans to World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019. Over the course of her five-year tenure, they lost just seven matches.

“What I would hope in this (hiring) process (is) that it’s robust, it’s diverse. It has to be,” Ellis said Thursday in Sydney. “This is a critical hire. And I think it has be the right person.”

The timeline to find a replacement is relatively short. The United States has already qualified for the 2024 Olympics in France. Before that, the team has a pair of exhibition matches against South Africa on Sept. 21 in Cincinnati and Sept. 24 in Chicago.

Lawmakers suggest new rules for Iowa Veterans Fund grants

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa)

A group of lawmakers is recommending that new guidelines be developed for grants from the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund. The grants are for things like car or home repairs or medical expenses.

During a meeting of the Administrative Rules Review Committee, Republican Senator Mike Klemish of Spillville said there could be different metrics than just income and asset tests, so the grants can address true emergencies. “I would recommend formulating a rubric which gives you some flexibility in how you score those applications,” Klemish said.

Republican Representative Megan Jones of Sioux Rapids, chair of the panel, said the “bright line tests” of a veteran’s income and assets are causing problems. “Maybe there need to be different qualifiers or different processes by which these funds are distributed,” Jones said.

The Iowa Veterans Commission ran out of money when it raised income and asset tests for the grants and the governor used pandemic relief funds to address the deficit. Fund managers are recommending grants again be limited to veterans at no more than 200% of the federal poverty level who have no more than $15,000 in assets that could be quickly converted into cash.

“So in other words we don’t have somebody sitting there with $20,000 available in their bank account or available to support a requirement and then they come to us for $5000 to repair their vehicle,” Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs Commandant Todd Jacobus said. “If you have that amount of money available, then you don’t necessarily have an emergency that the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund should cover.”

Jacobus told the committee veterans are “keenly aware” of the grants are limited to low income veterans and removing these restrictions would likely prompt “a flood” of applications. “Somebody who has $50,000 in the bank, I guarantee you they are going to submit an application to get additional funds from the state,” he said.

Senator Nate Boulton, a Democrat from Des Moines, said the Education Savings Accounts Republicans established to cover parents’ private school expenses will soon have no income or asset limits and this program for veterans should abandon its plan to limit who qualifies. “I think this is one that just needs to go back to the drawing board,” Boulton said, “and shouldn’t go any further.”

According to the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs, there are 185,000 veterans living in Iowa and 6% of them are at or below the federal poverty line.

Central RED Hosts Speakers on Wildfires and Travel

Posted on by Sam Parsons

PELLA — Central College’s Central RED Society will present “Flying for Wildfire Fighters” with Donald Todd and “Travels on Seven Continents” with Philip Larson on Tuesday, Aug. 22, in the Dave and Ardie Sutphen Common Room, in Graham Annex on Central’s campus.

Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. with the presentation beginning at 6 p.m. Cost is $15, and a cash bar will be available. Membership in Central RED is required to attend.

Todd, a 1964 Central graduate, was in the U.S. Air Force from 1964 to 1970 and a professional pilot and flight instructor for 36 years. Todd will share his experiences concerning air support for wildfire fighters in Alaska and Nevada.

Larson is a member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America and past president of the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers. He will present a photo program showing some of his world travels.

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. Members pay $20 annually to join Central RED.

No affiliation with Central is required to join. For more information, visit central.edu/red or contact Mary Benedict at benedictm@central.edu or 641-628-7641.

Two Charged with Numerous Crimes Following Investigation in Pella

Posted on by Sam Parsons

PELLA — 22-year-old Natalie Erickson and 33-year-old Julia Nelson, both of Minnesota, were charged following an investigation of alleged criminal activity. On Tuesday, August 15th, 2023, Officers were notified by a local bank drive-up that Nelson and Erickson were attempting to gain access to an account using a stolen ID and debit card. The bank teller observed the vehicle’s passenger wearing a wig to appear as the person on the ID; finding this suspicious, the teller contacted the account holder and found those items had been previously stolen. The vehicle left the bank without receiving money. Officers located the vehicle shortly after it left the bank and made a traffic stop near the 2100 block of Idaho Drive in Pella.

Officers immediately detected an odor of illegal drugs coming from the vehicle. A vehicle search was conducted, and officers found evidence of identity theft, including several driver’s licenses, Social Security Cards, and debit/credit cards that did not belong to Erickson or Nelson. Officers located three wigs in the vehicle, including the wig as described by bank staff. Officers found illegal drugs, including marijuana and methamphetamine, as well as drug paraphernalia. Officers found that the Iowa license plate on the back of the vehicle did not belong to the vehicle and had been taped over the actual Ohio plate. During the investigation, Erickson and Nelson provided false information to the Officers regarding their identity.

Natalie Erickson is charged with the following:

• Identity Theft and Fraudulent Practices 3rd degree, Aggravated Misdemeanors

• Possession of Marijuana & Possession of Methamphetamine, Serious Misdemeanors

• Harassment of a Public Official, Theft 5th degree, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Simple Misdemeanors

Julia Nelson is charged with the following:

• Identity Theft and Fraudulent Practices 3rd degree, Aggravated Misdemeanors

• Harassment of a Public Official, Theft 5th degree, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Simple Misdemeanors

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