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Iowa Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program Receives Funding Boost, Duration Extension

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has received an additional $2.9 million for utilization in the Iowa Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program (ILFPA). The statewide program launched in June of 2022 to facilitate the purchase and distribution of Iowa grown and produced food for use by underserved communities.

The program, which also received an extension through May of 2025, is funded through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) via the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act. Iowa originally received approximately $2.7 million, and the extension adds an additional $2.9 million, bringing the total to over $5.6 million in program funding. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has an operating agreement with Iowa Valley Resource Conservation and Development (Iowa Valley RC&D), which will continue to lead project management and ensure successful program implementation.

“Given the rising consumer interest in local foods, I love that we can build connections between Iowa farmers and Iowa consumers while also strengthening supply chains,” said Secretary Naig. “The Iowa Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program establishes the foundation for longer term partnerships that will create new markets for farmers, increase access to nutritious food and help our community members who are food insecure.”

During the first phase of the program, $684,456 in food value was paid to farmers and producers in the state, including nearly $393,193 to socially disadvantaged farmers.

ILFPA is expected to benefit at least 300 Iowa farmers. With a reach of 2,000 food distribution sites through partnerships with 16 distributors, including food hubs, food banks, and the Meskwaki Nation, the decentralized emphasis allows local specialists to meet the community’s needs through the implementation plans they design for their area.

To learn more about the program or how to participate, visit www.iowalfpa.org or https://iowaagriculture.gov/ILFPA.

Spring Concert by Forrest McCurren to be held at Ottumwa Public Library

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OTTUMWA — The Ottumwa Public Library is hosting singer and song writer Forrest McCurren on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 6 pm.

Forrest McCurren comes from the heart of the heartland, where the foothills of the Ozarks meet the Big Muddy: The Middle-of-Missouri. Blazing his own trail while stylistically tipping his hat to the songwriting giants of the past, McCurren wields the magic of lyricism to cast a light on the many intricacies of everyday life set against vignettes of Middle America. Tackling topics such as: wise words from waitresses, heartbroken high school football standouts, and tattooed trailer park lovers, McCurren writes songs for good people that got bad grades in school, are drunk on dreams, and still trying to figure out if life is sour or sweet.

“We are happy to welcome Forrest to Ottumwa,” Sonja Ferrell Director of the Ottumwa Public Library said.

Call the library 641-682-7563 with questions.

Kirkville Man Arrested for Sex Abuse, Incest

Posted on by Sam Parsons

KIRKVILLE — The Wapello County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Kirkville man on charges of sex abuse and incest.

In February 2023, The Wapello County Sheriff’s Office received information pertaining to an alleged sexual abuse that had occurred in Kirkville, Iowa. Investigators opened an investigation.

On April 27th, 2023, a search warrant was executed at a residence in Kirkville, Wapello County, Iowa. Items believed to be of evidentiary value were seized from the residence.

On May 10th, 2023, Seldon James Currier (70) was arrested and booked into the Wapello County Jail. Currier was booked into jail on the charges of: Sex Abuse 2nd Degree (Class B Felony) and Incest (Class D Felony). Currier was released from the Wapello County Jail after posting $25,000 cash or surety bond.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Sheriff: Louisiana man shot child playing hide and seek

Posted on by Sam Parsons

STARKS, La. (AP) — A Louisiana man faces aggravated assault and battery charges after firing a gun at children who were playing hide and seek outside his home, wounding a 14-year-old girl, according to the local sheriff’s office.

The girl suffered a gunshot wound to the back of the head early Sunday, and was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office said in a statement posted on social media Monday.

David Doyle, 58, remained in the Calcasieu Parish Correctional Center on Tuesday morning. Jail records show Doyle’s bond was set at $300,000 and that he has been assigned a public defender, according to a jail staffer.

Neither an attorney at the public defender’s office in Calcasieu Parish, nor the local district attorney immediately returned phone calls seeking more information.

Investigators learned that several children were playing hide and seek in the Starks community and were hiding on the neighbor’s property.

Doyle told detectives that he got his gun when he saw shadows outside his home and shot at people he saw running away, unknowingly hitting the girl, officials said.

It’s the latest in a series of recent shootings sparked by seemingly trivial circumstances.

Doyle was arrested and charged with aggravated battery, four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm and illegal discharge of a firearm, the sheriff’s office said.

Consumers are Warned of a Vehicle Sales Scam

Posted on by Sam Parsons

ANKENY, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Investigation & Identity Protection and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird are warning the public to be aware of a fraudulent vehicle sales scam.

A criminal entity, using the website https://pettymotors.com/, has been attempting to impersonate Petty Motors, Inc., a licensed and legitimate car dealership in Knoxville, Iowa.

If you have had dealings with a company you believe to be either Petty Motors or Petty Motors, Inc. please contact the dealership at (641)891-8980 to verify the authenticity of your interactions.

Contact the Iowa DOT’s Bureau of Investigation & Identity Protection at invbureau@iowadot.us or the Iowa Attorney General’s Office Consumer Protection Division at (515)281-5926 to confirm legitimacy or to report any interactions believed to be fraudulent.

Mahaska Health Honors Mahaska County’s First Responders

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA — On Saturday, May 6th, Mahaska Health had the honor of celebrating Mahaska County first responders. Mayor David Krutzfeldt declared the first Saturday of May to be Mahaska County First Responder’s Day, a day to celebrate the brave men and women who tirelessly serve and protect Mahaska County and the Oskaloosa community.

The annual celebration recognizes the selfless dedication of 911 Dispatchers, Police department, Sheriff’s office, Firefighters, Paramedics, EMTs, Emergency Management, Community Emergency Response Team Members, and Volunteers. 

Mayor Krutzfeldt’s proclamation is a fitting tribute to the first responders, who put their lives on the line to protect the community and its residents. In addition, the Five Hawgs food truck served first responders and their families and the Mahaska Health EMS Team, followed by a group photo of all attendees.

Mahaska County First Responder’s Day is an opportunity for Mahaska County to recognize and appreciate the critical work of the first responders and come together to show gratitude and support for the people who keep them safe. Through this proclamation, Mahaska County honors the heroes in the first responder community and their families, who provide unwavering support and make significant sacrifices for the greater good.   

Ottumwa School Board Discusses High School Renovation

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

The Ottumwa Community School Board met last night and discussed the renovation plan for Ottumwa High School. 

Superintendent Mike McGrory said that the renovation involves 3 phases, with the first phase beginning this summer. The first phase includes construction of the school’s new Competition Gym as well as fine arts improvements and renovations for the wrestling room, 15 classrooms during the summer, and 5-10 more classrooms during the next school year. It’s expected that Phase I construction will wrap up by fall 2024. Meanwhile, Phase II construction will entail extensive remodeling for other departments, including fine arts, Science, FCS, CTE, PE, the Library, and the main office, guidance office, attendance office, and elevators.

McGrory said that the competition gym has an estimated cost of $10.5 million and that further renovations to the high school are estimated to cost $15-20 million. He said that the tentative completion date for all construction will be sometime in the summer or fall of 2025.

The next regular meeting with the Ottumwa Community School Board will be held on May 22.

Oskaloosa School Board Moves Forward with Baseball Field Improvements

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

The Oskaloosa Community School Board met last night and received a presentation from their Homeschool Assistance Program (HSAP). The district has supported its HSAP since 2017 and 136 students were enrolled in the program this year.

The board also awarded the contract for their baseball field renovation project. The project includes work to address drainage issues as well as overall cosmetic improvements. The contract was awarded to Iowa Sports Turf in the amount of over $1.2 million dollars and work is expected to start at the conclusion of baseball season in July.

Utah author of book on grieving death charged with murder

Posted on by Sam Parsons

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — After her husband died last year, she wrote a children’s book on grief. Now she’s charged with his murder.

Kouri Richins was arrested on Monday in Utah and is accused in charging documents of poisoning her husband with a lethal dose of fentanyl at their home in Kamas, a small mountain town near Park City.

Prosecutors allege that Richins called authorities in the middle of the night in March 2022 to report that her husband, Eric Richins, was “cold to the touch.” The mother of three told officers that she had made her husband a mixed vodka drink to celebrate him selling a home and then went to soothe one of their children to sleep in their bedroom. She later returned and upon finding her husband unresponsive, called 911.

A medical examiner later found five times the lethal dosage of fentanyl in his system.

In addition to the murder charge, Richins also faces charges involving the alleged possession of GHB — a narcolepsy drug frequently used in recreational settings, including at dance clubs.

The charges — which are based on officers’ interactions with Richins that night and the account of an “unnamed acquaintance” who claims to have sold her the fentanyl — come two months after Richins appeared on local television to promote “Are you with me?” a picture book she wrote to help children cope after the death of a loved one.

For a segment entitled “Good Things Utah,” Richins called her husband’s death unexpected and described how it sent her and her three boys reeling. For children, she said, grieving was about “making sure that their spirit is always alive in your home.”

“It’s — you know — explaining to my kid just because he’s not present here with us physically, doesn’t mean his presence isn’t here with us,” she told the anchors, who commended her for being an amazing mother.

Richins’ attorney, Skye Lazaro, declined to comment on the charges.

State to spend millions on Honey Creek Resort

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa)

The Iowa Legislature has approved spending six million dollars on the Honey Creek Resort in southern Iowa. The state-owned resort, which opened in 2008, has a hotel and dozens of cabins, an indoor waterpark and a golf course.

Republican Representative Jacob Bossman of Sioux City said state officials who signed an agreement with another company to manage the facility agreed to finance deferred maintenance projects. “It was a situation we found ourselves in that wasn’t ideal, but it a state-owned facility,” Bossman said. “It’s fallen into disrepair.”

The roof and parts of the foundation of the main lodge, where the hotel and indoor water park are located, need to be fixed. Some of the hotel rooms and cabins will be updated.

“Not super happy about that, but that is an obligation the State of Iowa has…to get Honey Creek back up to standards and make is an operational facility again,” Bossman said.

Republican Representative Austin Harris is from Moulton, which is not far from the resort. He said the new management company has local ties.

“It’s a great asset to the people of Appanoose County and southern Iowa,” Harris said. “It’s had a rough go over the past decade or so, but I think with the new management that we’ve got in there. They’re from the area. They have the local support. Community leaders, business owners, the local community college is really stepping up to make this thing work this time…A lot of folks are really excited — as if it was a brand new resort — about what the opportunities will be in the future.”

Achieva Enterprises took over management of the facility last month. The company’s founders own land in Appanoose County and plan to keep Honey Creek open year round. The state-owned facility has struggled financially since it opened 15 years ago and the state has periodically tried to sell the property, which sits on the shore of Lake Rathbun.

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