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Sen. Chuck Grassley Visits Sigourney for Q&A

Posted on by Sam Parsons

On Friday, Iowa senator Chuck Grassley held a community Q&A at Barn Wired in Sigourney, and answered questions on topics ranging from education to health care to the student debt crisis. One of the topics Senator Grassley discussed was the ongoing debate about capping insulin prices. Grassley explained that his opposition to a bill passed by the Democrats that would have capped insulin prices at $35 was related to a lack of language regarding pharmaceutical benefit managers, or PBMs.

Grassley is running for his eighth term in the US senate this year and is currently opposed by Democrat Mike Franken. Most recent polling data showed Grassley having roughly an 8 point lead in the race.

Oskaloosa Loses Lead Late to Fall in Season Opener

Posted on by Sam Parsons

A picturesque late summer night was marred by injuries and a late-game slump for the Oskaloosa Indians as they opened up their 2022 football season on Friday against Ottumwa.

The Indians were the first to crack the scoreboard. After the two teams traded punts to open the game, Osky was set up with a short field and junior quarterback Trevor Willett, making his first career varsity start, heaved a 33 yard pass down the numbers to senior wide receiver Waylon Bolibaugh, who made a circus catch, and two plays later hit junior AJ Lawrence with a quick pop pass and he scampered 13 yards into the end zone. Junior kicker Carter Christensen tacked on the PAT to make it 7-0 in the first quarter.

From there, the injuries started piling up for the Indians. Late in the first quarter, the team lost starting nose tackle Merrick Smith and middle linebacker Wyatt Grubb. Neither returned to the game.

Injuries were one negative trend for the Indians; special teams miscues were another. In the 2nd quarter, the Indians’ defense again stymied the Bulldogs’ offense, but a muffed punt set the Bulldogs up with excellent field position and a few plays later, senior running back Abaya Selema took a pitch 38 yards to the house to tie the game at 7-7.

Oskaloosa would answer with enthusiasm as they then embarked on a 7-play, 65 yard drive capped off by a quick pass to the flat from Willett to sophomore Jake Greenhalgh, who turned upfield and took it to the end zone to retake the lead 14-7. The Indians held on to that lead entering the half, at which point they had outgained the Bulldogs 207 yards to 94.

The start of the second half seemed like the beginning of the Indians’ bout to run away with the game, as they forced a 3-and-out and promptly scored on their first possession of the half with a 23 yard touchdown run courtesy of junior running back JT Baker. A bright moment quickly turned dark, however, when Baker injured himself celebrating with a teammate in the end zone. He would return to the game for a few plays, but exited the game again and did not re-enter. The score turned sour even further when the Indians missed the extra point to hold the score at 20-7. This, unfortunately, would prove to be a meaningful miss.

Oskaloosa still led by 13 entering the fourth quarter, but Ottumwa was still in the game for as long as the big play threat in Selema was still around, and indeed, following an Oskaloosa fumble deep in Ottumwa territory, Selema burst into the secondary and glided 81 yards down the field for his second score of the night. A successful PAT made the game 20-14 with 9:19 left.

The Indians weren’t able to sustain a drive offensively, and were forced to punt the ball back to the Bulldogs with exactly 8 minutes left. On their own 30 yard line, the Bulldogs’ offense understood the assignment: they melted away nearly all of that time on a textbook 12-play, clock-killing drive that saw several third down conversions. With 19 seconds left in the game, senior fullback Cooper Derby got behind his blockers and plunged into the end zone from 2 yards out to tie the game. Kicker Juan Valdes made the pivotal extra point and the Bulldogs shocked the Indians, 21-20.

Ottumwa (1-0) hosts Fairfield next week. Oskaloosa (0-1) will hope to collect their first win at Knoxville.

Oskaloosa Passing

Trevor Willett: 18/30, 239 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT, 1 sack, 4 yards lost, 0 fumbles

Waylon Bolibaugh: 1/1, 35 yards

Ottumwa Passing

Tanner Schark: 3/10, 39 yards, 1 sack, 9 yards lost, 0 fumbles

Oskaloosa Rushing

Domanic Piersel: 10 carries, 42 yards

JT Baker: 5 carries, 39 yards, TD

Ottumwa Rushing

Abaya Selema: 12 carries, 171 yards, 2 TD

Cooper Derby: 11 carries, 30 yards, TD

Luke Graeve: 3 carries, 19 yards

Koby Chantalavanh: 6 carries, 15 yards

Tanner Schark: 4 carries, 11 yards

Oskaloosa Receiving

Waylon Bolibaugh: 8 rec, 117 yards

AJ Lawrence: 7 rec, 85 yards, TD

Jake Greenhalgh: 2 rec, 26 yards, TD

Wyatt Grubb: 1 rec, 11 yards

Ottumwa Receiving

Abaya Selema: 1 rec, 16 yards

Javen Rominger: 1 rec, 15 yards

Luke Graeve: 1 rec, 8 yards

Oskaloosa Sacks

Tatum Westercamp 1.0

Powell’s Jackson Hole speech will stir speculation on rates

Posted on by Sam Parsons

JACKSON HOLE, Wyoming (AP) — When Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell delivers what will be his most closely scrutinized speech of the year Friday, investors and economists will be turning over his remarks for any clues about how fast the Fed may continue to raise its short-term interest rate — and for how long. With inflation hovering near a four-decade high — almost 9% — Powell will likely stress that the Fed is determined to bring it down to its 2% target, no matter what it takes. The Fed’s rate hikes may well defeat inflation in time. But fear is growing that they may cause a recession in the process. Powell’s remarks will kick off the Fed’s annual economic symposium at Jackson Hole.

Rains help drought conditions in some parts of state

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Matt Kelley (Radio Iowa)

Drought is lessening in parts of Iowa, but it’s getting worse in others. The new map detailing how drought is impacting Iowa shows slight changes from last week, with moderate drought levels rising, while severe and extreme drought levels stayed the same.

The map from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows patches of red — representing extreme drought — in five western Iowa counties: Cherokee, Monona, Plymouth, Sioux and Woodbury. Statewide, 66 counties are now in some form of drought. That’s down from 67 counties last week.

Producers are strategizing for harvest as drought can slow corn’s conversion of nitrates to essential proteins, making it potentially toxic to animals that eat corn silage or stalks. Iowa State University Extension beef specialist Chris Clark says silage goes through fermentation, which will remove more nitrates, plus, he says it’ll also replace feed for animals that farmers couldn’t get from dry pastures.

“When we’re harvesting that silage, one thing we want to do is to make sure we don’t cut it or harvest it immediately after a rain,” Clark says. “Nitrates are water soluble and often you see quite an influx of water and nitrates into the plant after a rain.”

Clark says there’s a lot more nitrates in the lower part of the cornstalk, so he recommends producers raise their choppers and leave at least a foot of the corn stalk in the field. “When you do that, you’ll get lesser yield but actually greater nutritional value on a percentage basis,” Clark says, “because we’re leaving the more un-digestible part of the plant unharvested.”

Clark recommends testing for nitrates and harvesting drought-impacted corn as corn silage instead of grain because that’ll take more nitrates out.

H&S Feed’s Check-R-Board Days Happening Tomorrow

Posted on by Sam Parsons

Tomorrow, H&S Feed’s Check-R-Board Days event is happening from 8am-3pm. Owner Byron Eekhoff posted a video to social media outlining the free event and what’s going on there.

Luke Farland will be performing live music from 10am-1:30pm and the free lunch served by My Eatzz and Amos Flava will be served from 11-1. More info on Check-R-Board Days can be found on the H&S Feed Facebook page.

Student loan forgiveness could affect more than 40 million

Posted on by Sam Parsons

WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 40 million Americans could see their student loan debt reduced — and in many cases eliminated — under President Joe Biden’s long-awaited forgiveness plan. Biden’s announcement Wednesday was a historic but politically divisive move in the run-up to the midterm elections. Fulfilling a campaign promise, Biden is moving to erase $10,000 in federal student loan debt for those with incomes below $125,000 a year, or households that earn less than $250,000. He’s canceling an additional $10,000 for those who received federal Pell Grants to attend college. It’s seen as an unprecedented attempt to stem the tide of America’s rapidly rising student debt. But it also faces nearly certain legal challenges.

Police warn drivers to stop for school buses or face fines

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Radio Iowa Contributor

With many schools back in session this week, public safety officials around the state are reminding citizens of the penalties associated with school bus violations. In the state of Iowa, penalties were increased in 2012 for passing a school bus with its stop sign extended in the aftermath of the death of 7 year old Kadyn Halverson of Kensett, Iowa, as she tried to cross the road to get on a school bus. It will now cost first time offenders a fine of 250 to 675 dollars along with an automatic 30 day suspension of their drivers license. Second time offenders will see a harsher punishment, with fines going up to 315 to 1875 dollars and the automatic suspension going up to 90 days.

The Iowa Department of Transportation has information showing when you should stop for a school bus on its website.

Pella PD Hosting Citizens Public Safety Academy

Posted on by Sam Parsons

The Pella Police Department announced that they will be hosting their Citizens Public Safety Academy in September and there are a few days left to sign up. The Citizens Public Safety Academy will incorporate components from the Pella Police Department, as well as the Pella Fire Department and Pella Community Ambulance. This class is free to attend. Classes will be held on Wednesday evenings at 6 P.M. beginning September 7th. To register, or for more information, contact the Pella Police Department at 641-628-4921.

United Way of Mahaska County to Host Bingo Ball Fundraiser September 9

Posted on by Sam Parsons

United Way of Mahaska County has a couple of big events right around the corner. In addition to the Day of Caring, they are set to host their Bingo Ball Fundraiser next month. Director Michela Friesen spoke with us about what the fundraiser entails.

Bingo Ball will be held at Penn Central Mall in Oskaloosa on Friday, September 9, beginning at 6pm. Tickets are $30 for individuals, $55 for couples, and $200 for a full table of 8 people, and they can be purchased in advance at the United Way office. More info on Bingo Ball and sign-ups can be found on the United Way of Mahaska Facebook page.

Uvalde school board to consider firing district police chief

Posted on by Sam Parsons

UVALDE, Texas (AP) — Uvalde’s embattled district police chief is set to face becoming the first officer to lose his job over the slow and bungled law enforcement response to one of the deadliest classroom shootings in U.S. history. The Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District board will make their decision Wednesday in a rescheduled meeting from July on Pete Arredondo’s future, three months to the day after a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers while hundreds of police officers waited in the hallway of Robb Elementary and outside the campus. Meanwhile, questions remain as Uvalde students are set to begin a new school year September 6.

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