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Ottumwa Council Hears Main Street Update, Restructures Airport Staff

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

The Ottumwa City Council met this week and received a presentation from Fred Zesiger, director of Main Street Ottumwa, who updated the council on the current state of Main Street Ottumwa and its priorities.

The board also heard from representatives of the Ottumwa Regional Airport, who requested a minor staff restructure.

This staff restructure was approved unanimously, and the council will also consider adding positions of airport secretary and full-time maintenance at a later date.

The next regular meeting for the Ottumwa City Council is scheduled for December 6.

Area Students Named to Iowa All-State Band, Orchestra, and Chorus

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

The Iowa High School Music Association (IHSMA) unveiled the names that made the cut for Iowa All-State Band, Orchestra, and Chorus. The students who made the cut will perform today through Saturday at the Iowa All-State Music Festival. Our listening area was well-represented, and the names of the students from our area can be found below.

All-State Band

Flute – Penelope Shriver (Pella)

Clarinet – Payton Lyons (Pella)

Clarinet – Erin Mathes (Pella)

Clarinet – Rachael Stratton (Pella)

Alto Saxophone – Eli Ebeling (Pella)

Baritone Saxophone – Tiernan Boggs (Grinnell)

Cornet – Grace VanderBeek (Pella)

Trombone – Jace Recker (Pella)

Tuba – Kyler Nunnikhoven (Pella)

Euphonium – Isaac Boulavong (Pella)

Euphonium – Timo Mobley-Benoist (Grinnell)

All-State Orchestra

Oboe – Anderson Keough (Oskaloosa)

Trumpet – Tyler Mifflin (Pella)

Trombone – Morgan Uitermarkt (Pella)

Percussion – Justin Durr (Grinnell)

Percussion – Isaac Alexander (Newton)

All-State Chorus

Bass – Andrew Katko (Oskaloosa)

Bass – Eli Burrows (Pella)

Bass – Treyton Turnbull (Pella)

Bass – Leo Harris (Ottumwa)

Bass – Roderick Rath (Ottumwa)

Bass – Mason Hatch (Knoxville)

Soprano – Grace Brown (Pella)

Soprano – Ellie Wogen (Pella)

Soprano – Reese Bradford (Ottumwa)

Soprano – Mya Lemonds (Ottumwa)

Soprano – Lydia Singleton (Montezuma)

Alto – Braelyn Ensor (Pella)

Alto – Olivia Hood (Pella)

Alto – Ashley Vanderheiven (Ottumwa)

Tenor – Jorden Held (Pella)

Tenor – Bodie Peters (Pella)

Tenor – Jacob Reitveld (Pella)

The full lists for Iowa All-State Band, Orchestra, and Chorus can be found here.

Poland, NATO say missile landing wasn’t Russian attack

Posted on by Sam Parsons

PRZEWODOW, Poland (AP) — Poland says there is “absolutely no indication” that a missile which came down in Polish farmland, killing two people, was a deliberate attack. The NATO chief made a similar statement. Poland’s president said Wednesday that neighbor Ukraine likely launched the Soviet-era projectile as it was fending off a Russian air assault that savaged its power grid. The missile came down Tuesday, as Russia was savaging the Ukrainian power grid with missiles and exploding drones. Poland said the missile was Russian-made. U.S. President Joe Biden said it was “unlikely” that Russia fired the missile. Three U.S. officials said preliminary assessments suggested it was fired by Ukrainian forces at an incoming Russian one.

Trapping Season Underway in Iowa

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Dar Danielson (Radio Iowa)

The Iowa trapping season is underway, and a DNR expert says the prospects are good. Furbearer biologist, Vince Evelsizer, says there shouldn’t be any trouble finding furs.

“Most of our species of furbearers and Iowa are doing well, the populations are either stable, or increasing slightly,” Evelsizer says. “Examples of that would be things like coons and beavers, even red fox, that sort of thing.” Evelsizer says the only two species that they’re concerned about are foxes and muskrats — which have seen declining populations. He says making a profit from trapping is a little less certain.

“It does look like there continues to be a relatively weak, wild fur market going into this fall and winter. However, some species like bobcats, and beavers, have increased a little bit in value,” he says. Evelsizer says the price of the furs is influenced by several things.

“In general, it has to do with the garment industry, and where supply and demand issues are. Right now, for example, in the past six, eight years, especially China and Russia, were two countries that were the bigger for buyers,” Evelsizer says, “and relations with those two countries in the US has been tense past few years, and that can affect trade on things like wild furs.” He says there’s been around 14 to 15-thousand licensed fur harvesters the past few years.

“When the fur market is weak, it does tend to lead to a lower harvest or effort from our harvesters,” Evelsizer says. “But that being said, there’s still a lot of fur harvesters that go out and do it. You know, your regardless of the fair market value, they go and do it because they love trapping or they love predator hunting or they love running their coon dogs.” Evelsizer says some trappers aren’t concerned about the fur price.

“Some folks are interested in the meat, you know, things like a beaver, for example, can be actually very good eating,” he says. Trappers don’t have to sell their furs this year — Evelsizer says they can keep them for one year and see if prices go up before they have to sell. He says there is one more beginning trapper event for the year this Saturday in St. Charles. It’s for beginner trappers of all ages and you can sign up on the Iowa DNR ‘s website to register.

Fremont Man Dies in Crash on Hwy 23

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA — A rural Fremont man died yesterday as a result of injuries sustained in a crash on Highway 23.

Yesterday morning, at approximately 5:30am, the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the 3000 block of Highway 23 in reference to a 2 vehicle accident. Upon deputies’ arrival, it was discovered that 22 year-old Morgan Sanders of rural Fremont, Iowa, had passed away as a result of injuries received in this accident.

Sanders was driving a 2008 Ford Mustang. The other vehicle involved in this accident was a 2013 Toyota Tundra pickup driven by 29 year-old Ethan VanDeKieft of Oskaloosa. VanDeKieft was uninjured during this accident.

The preliminary results of the accident investigation indicate that Sanders, who was traveling northbound, lost control of his vehicle due to the snowy conditions, and began sliding sideways down the highway. Sanders’ vehicle slid into the southbound path of VanDeKieft’s vehicle. The investigation into this accident is ongoing.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted during this incident by members of the Iowa State Patrol, Mahaska Health Partnership Ambulance Service, the Cedar Township Fire Department, the Mahaska County Dispatch Center, and the Oskaloosa Police Department.

Pella Council Moves Forward with Timberview Development

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

The Pella city council met last night and held public hearings related to their proposed Timberview Urban Renewal Plan. According to the staff report, the development is intended to help facilitate additional housing in the city of Pella and has an estimated total value of $16.1 million, projected to result in approximately $296,000 in annual property tax revenues. City administrator Mike Nardini referenced a housing assessment done by Marion County as one of the key pieces of evidence that this additional housing was needed.

The council unanimously approved the Urban Renewal Plan, a five-year TIF extension agreement to ensure that the developer recoups their investment into public infrastructure, and a development agreement with Pella Timberview, LLC for phase 1 of the project, which will include 36 lots (12 attached zero threshold/patio type homes and 24 detached standard market rate units).

The next regular council meeting for the city of Pella will be held on December 6.

Iowa HS Volleyball All-District Teams Released; Osky’s Maleah Walker Makes the Cut

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

The Iowa Girls Coaches Association unveiled its all-district volleyball teams for the 2022 season. Here are the teams that featured players from our area:

Class 1A South Central

Alivia Ruble, Southeast Warren, 12th grade

Anna Weathers,  Ankeny Christian Academy, 10th grade

Carley Craighead, Ankeny Christian Academy, 10th grade

Jalayna Shipley, North Mahaska, 12th grade

Jalie Baumfalk,  Murray, 12th grade

Jayda Chew, Murray, 12th grade

Jillian French, Twin Cedars, 11th grade

Karagyn Minnaert, BGM Brooklyn, 10th grade

Katie Quick, Ankeny Christian Academy, 10th grade

Lexi Clendenen, Southeast Warren, 9th grade

Lydia Kern, Southeast Warren, 9th grade

Macey Nehring, Ankeny Christian Academy, 10th grade

Olivia Maddux, GMG Garwin, 10th grade

Rylee Dunkin, Twin Cedars, 12th grade

Sophie Lyle, Twin Cedars, 12th grade

Sydney Andersen, North Mahaska, 10th grade

Taylor Lumbard, Diagonal, 12th grade

Teryn Shields, Murray, 12th grade

Coach of the Year: Michele Quick, Ankeny Christian Academy

Class 1A Southeast

Abby Korschgen, Burlington Notre Dame, 12th grade

Bradie Buffington, Winfield Mount Union, 12th grade

Brooke Mueller, Holy Trinity Catholic, 12th grade

Brookelyn Hemsley,  Sigourney,  12th grade

Caitlin Jensen, North Cedar, 12th grade

Ella Kissel, WACO, 12th grade

Ellianna Manning, New London, 12th grade

Emily Hemphill, Wapello, 11th grade

Emma Nye, New London, 12th grade

Gabby Deery, Burlington Notre Dame, 12th grade

Grace Bean, Belle Plaine, 12th grade

Grace Coble, WACO, 12th grade

Janessa Blomme, HLV Victor, 12th grade

Keetyn Townsley, Winfield Mount Union, 12th grade

Mandy Chizek, Belle Plaine, 12th grade

Mary Kate Bendlage,Holy Trinity Catholic, 11th grade

Natalie Burden, New London, 12th grade

Presley Myers, Holy Trinity Catholic, 10th grade

Coach of the Year: Mike Davis, Burlington Notre Dame

Class 2A Central

Abby Teske, South Hardin, 10th grade

Ava Salvo, South Hardin, 10th grade

Chloe Huisman, Pella Christian, 10th grade

Danika Park, Pleasantville, 11th grade

Delainey Murphy, Grand View Christian, 11th grade

Ellie Anderson, South Hardin, 12th grade

Emily Goodner, Manson-NW Webster, 12th grade

Emily Roe, Pleasantville, 10th grade

Kelly DeMeulenaere, Grand View Christian, 12th grade

Kylie Hoben, Grand View Christian, 12th grade

Mersadez Richter, ACGC, 11th grade

Olivia Sturgis, Manson-NW Webster, 12th grade

Sydney Brandmeyer, Grand View Christian, 10th grade

Coach of the Year: Janessa Murphy, Grand View Christian

Class 2A Southeast

Abby Bence, West Burlington, 12th grade

Ava Czarnecki, Lisbon, 11th grade

Haley Steffener, Mediapolis, 11th grade

Hanna Wagenbach, Mediapolis, 11th grade

Iva Senio, West Branch, 12th grade

Kali Nelson, Lisbon, 12th grade

Kate Shafer, EBF, 10th grade

Madelynn Falco, West Branch, 10th grade

McKenna Marlow, West Burlington, 12th grade

Molly Shafer, EBF, 10th grade

Peyton Robinson, Lisbon, 12th grade

Reese Naeve, Regina Iowa City, 9th grade

Sophia Armstrong, West Burlington, 12th grade

Sydney Wagner, Regina Iowa City, 11th grade

Taylor Drayfalh, Wilton, 12th grade

Whitney Klyn, EBF, 12th grade

Coach of the Year: Gladys Genskow, EBF

Class 3A Southeast

Abby Matt, Van Meter, 12th grade

Ava Schubert, Assumption, 12th grade

Ava Shepard-Harris, Assumption, 12th grade

Avary Calonder, Tipton, 12th grade

Brooklyn Buysse, West Liberty, 12th grade

Dakota Mitchell, Mid-Prairie, 12th grade

Ella Groenewold, Mid-Prairie, 12th grade

Ellie Schubert, Assumption, 10th grade

Jovi Evans, Mid-Prairie, 12th grade

Landry Pacha, Mid-Prairie, 12th grade

Maggie Johnson, Assumption, 11th grade

Makayla Morrison, Central Lee, 12th grade

Monica Morales, West Liberty, 12th grade

Sophia Young, Davis County, 12th grade

Sophie Buysse, West Liberty, 12th grade

Sophie Waber, Albia, 12th grade

Coach of the Year: Sherry Evans, Mid-Prairie

Class 4A Southeast

Addy Janssen, Dallas Center-Grimes, 11th grade

Annalise Buxton, Burlington, 10th grade

Aspen Nelson, Indianola, 10th grade

Brittany Bacorn, Knoxville, 11th grade

Brynn Bishop, Indianola, 11th grade

Grace Dehmer, Norwalk, 11th grade

Katie Scheckel, Pella, 9th grade

Kaylee Koudelka, North Polk, 11th grade

Lauren McGriff, Carlisle, 12th grade

Makayla Howard, Clinton, 12th grade

Maleah Walker, Oskaloosa, 12th grade

Noelle Sutcliffe, Norwalk, 11th grade

Tiana Gehling, North Polk, 12th grade

Coach of the Year: Kent Halstead, Indianola

World Population hits 8 billion, creating many challenges

Posted on by Sam Parsons

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — The United Nations says the world’s population is reaching the 8 billion mark on Tuesday. The projection came in a U.N. report released in July that said much of the growth expected between now and 2050 is coming from just eight countries. Half of those are in sub-Saharan Africa: Nigeria, Congo, Ethiopia and Tanzania. The U.N. says that populations in the region are growing at 2.5% — more than three times the global average. Still, experts say the bigger threat to the environment is consumption, which is highest in developed countries not undergoing big population increases. The report also said that India is expected to overtake China next year as the world’s most populous country.

Corn harvest down to final 5%

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Dar Danielson (Radio Iowa)

The corn harvest is heading down the final stretch.

The U.S.D.A. report finds 95% of the corn had been combined by Sunday. That is 8 days ahead of last year and 12 days ahead of the average.

Farmers in northeast and south-central Iowa have the most work left — with more than 10 percent of their corn still in the fields.

The report found the soybean harvest was virtually complete at 97% two weeks ago.

Pella School Board Reviews Designs for Jefferson Intermediate/Middle School Project

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

The Pella Community School Board met last night and received a presentation from Neumann Monson about the current state of their High School HVAC, Tennis Complex, and Early Childhood Center projects, and also reviewed possible designs for their planned project for the Jefferson Intermediate and Middle School complex.

The High School HVAC project is already substantially completed and after change orders, the budget for it came out to roughly $3.75 million; the Tennis Complex is slated to be completed in spring of 2023 and is projected to cost about $4.3 million; and the Early Childhood Center remains in the planning phase.

The Jefferson Intermediate and Middle School project is currently projected to cost roughly $22.5 million and entails the construction of a new building in between the schools that will support the 6th grade level as well as music classes, along with some renovations to both schools and the parking lots. No action was taken, but the next phase of the project will be design development, which is expected to be finished this year, with the aim for construction to be complete by September-October 2024.

The board also approved a new bus driver incentive program to implement a $2,000 bonus to new bus drivers with the school district who meet certain criteria. 

The Pella Community School Board will hold their next regular meeting on November 28.

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