The American Gothic Performing Arts Festival will host its 6th Annual Spring Trivia Night on Friday, March 23 at the Hotel Ottumwa to benefit the organization’s upcoming summer festival. Competitors may register as a team of 10 or as individuals. Individual competitors will join other individual competitors to create their team of 10. The cost for the event is $25 for single tickets or $250 for a table or team of 10 registering people. The event ticket includes complimentary beer, wine, soda, pizza and snacks (while they last) beginning at 7:00 PM. The trivia competition begins promptly at 7:30 PM. Trivia fans can find registration information online at www.americangothicfest.org or by calling 641-777-9636.
Pre-Annual Bluegrass Show ‘Open Jam Session’
Before the Iowa Theater 16th Annual Bluegrass Show in Bloomfield, Iowa, there will be an open jam session held from 3:00-5:00 PM in the Kay Burchett Room (next to the Iowa Theater). Bring your acoustic instrument and finger foods. Also, bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Davis County Food Pantry. There is no admission fee. Jammers and listeners welcome. Donations accepted. Open to the public.
Iowa Theater 16th Annual Bluegrass Show
The Iowa Theater 16th Annual Bluegrass Show will be held in Bloomfield, Iowa on March 24, 2018 at 7:00 PM at the Iowa Theater. Lori King & Junction 63, The Briggs Family, Jimmie Allison & The Ozark Rounders will be performing. For more information, contact Lori King at 641-799-1442. In case of inclement weather, call ahead before traveling. Adult tickets are $15. Youth tickets (13-16) are $5. Children 12 and under get in free. www.iowabluegrassmusic.com
Ottumwa High School Student Arrested for Carrying Weapons
(OTTUMWA, Iowa) – On Thursday, March 8, at approximately 10:00 AM, Ottumwa Police Department School Resource Officers recovered a 9mm handgun from a student’s backpack at the Ottumwa High School.
The student was identified as Tyler Jordan Tucker, age 16, of 1420 E. Plum, Ottumwa. Tucker has been arrested and charged with Carrying Weapons on School Grounds, a Class “D” Felony.
Due to Tucker’s age and that this particular offense is a weapons violation, Tucker’s charge falls under the jurisdiction of adult court. Tucker was arraigned in Wapello County Magistrate Court and subsequently posted a $5,000 bond and was released from custody.
Please note the following pursuant to recent Supreme Court rulings: “A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”
– This information was sent in a news release by Lt. Jason Bell from the Ottumwa Police Department.
Fruit Tree Pruning & Training Workshop March 21
Fruit producers will have another opportunity to learn how to prune and train fruit trees to maximize fruit production. These techniques will be demonstrated on apple and pear trees growing at the ISU Southeast Research Farm near Crawfordsville on Wednesday, March 21.
Patrick O’Malley, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach commercial horticulturist, will discuss why and how the different types of fruit trees are pruned and trained to maximize annual fruit production. O’Malley presented a similar program in February at the Washington County Extension office to a full house. The workshop on March 21 will be a demonstration.
The workshop will be held at 1:00 pm at the ISU Southeast Iowa Research Farm located at 3115 Louisa-Washington Rd, Crawfordsville. The cost of the workshop is $5.00. If you have questions, contact Johnson County Extension and Outreach at 319-337-2145 or omall@iastate.edu.
Veteran Farmer Conference to be Held in Nebraska
(HASTINGS, Neb.) – The registration deadline is approaching for Answering the Call, a one-day conference for military veterans who are farming or who are interested in farming, on Saturday, March 24, at the Hall Student Union on the campus of Central Community College, 550 Technical Blvd., Hastings, Nebraska.
The event is free; registration is required by March 16. Answering the Call is sponsored by Center for Rural Affairs and Legal Aid of Nebraska.
“The conference is an opportunity for veterans to connect with fellow former service members,” said Cora Fox, policy program associate at Center for Rural Affairs. “Veterans can see firsthand how other veterans have translated the duty and drive of military life into a second career on the farm.”
The day will begin at 9 AM with networking and an opportunity to connect with agriculture and veterans services organizations. Nebraska Sens. Sue Crawford, of Bellevue, and Tom Brewer, of Gordon, will open the conference, followed by a presentation by Brad Dirksen, of the Nebraska Department of Education, on veteran on-the-job training and apprenticeship opportunities.
Attendees may then attend a session on farm and ranch diversification. Speaking will be Lt. Col. Anthony and Mariel Barreras of Barreras Family Farm, Tyler Peters of Farm Credit Services, and Krista Dittman of the Center for Rural Affairs Advisory Board.
Following lunch, attendees will be able to attend panel sessions. Agritourism and ecotourism will be the topics of conversation with Karen Kollars and Alex Duryea, of the Nebraska Tourism Commission. Brent Hoops, an Army veteran and owner of Good Earth Farms, Shanda Spurgeon of the Natural Resource Conservation Service, and Greg Reisdorff of the Farm Services Agency will host a panel discussion on conversation practices and operation diversification. The conference will conclude with round table discussions and networking.
“There is a camaraderie in agriculture that is similar to life in military service,” Fox said. “This conference seeks to foster the network of veterans in farming and ranching and encourage them to share experiences and ideas as they grow and diversify their operations.”
Spots are filling quickly. Registration is open to residents of any state. For more information and to register, call 402-687-2100 ext. 1012 or visit www.cfra.org/AnsweringTheCall.
Additional support for Answering the Call is provided by the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Credit Services of America Working Here Fund, Nebraska Tourism Commission, and Central Community College Veterans and Military Resource Center.
Next ‘Eggs & Issues’ to Feature Area Directors
(MAHASKA COUNTY, Iowa) – Eggs & Issues, a forum hosted by the Oskaloosa Area Chamber and Development Group, will again be held at Smokey Row in Oskaloosa this Saturday, March 10 at 8:30 AM.
The panel for this week’s Eggs & Issues will consist of Executive Director of MCDG Tom Flaherty, Main Street Director Emily Brown, and Oskaloosa Area Chamber and Development Group Director Ann Smith. According to a news release from the OACDG, the three will share updates about what is going on in Mahaska County and Oskaloosa. After the three are done sharing their respective updates, questions from the public will be welcomed by special moderator Andy McGuire. Free coffee will be provided by MidWest One Bank.
The final Eggs & Issues for 2018 will be Saturday, March 24 at Smokey Row from 8:30 – 9:30 AM. The panel will consist of anyone who is running for an elected office in the community, county or district.
Those interested in participating in the final Eggs & Issues who would like a seat on the panel, email Ann Smith at asmith@oacdg.org or call the OACDG at 641-672-2591.
Women, Wine & Whiskey
A Women, Wine & Whiskey luncheon and workshop will be held by the Ottumwa Area Chamber of Commerce at the Bridge View Center on Friday, May 4, 2018 from 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM. Women’s Panel to include: Mary Stewart, running for a local state and senate seat; Sheri Lock, local philanthropic; Stevie Nelson-Witt, former military intelligence and Colorado Highway Patrol; and Meliha Cavkusic, Executive Director of the Ottumwa Housing Authority.
Ottumwa Man Arrested for Burglary, Resisting Police
On Tuesday, March 06, 2018, at approximately 3:23 AM, officers responded to 317 S. Milner, Ottumwa, on a possible burglary in progress call. Officers located a male suspect inside the basement area of the residence. The male refused to identify himself to police but was later identified as Christopher Garrett Allen, age 27, of Ottumwa.
Allen was arrested and charged with Burglary in the 2nd Degree, a Class “C” Felony and Interference with Official Acts (3 Counts), all simple misdemeanors.
Please note the following pursuant to recent Supreme Court rulings: “A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”
– This information was provided in a news release from the Ottumwa Police Department on March 6, 2018.
CANCELLED – City of Ottumwa Fishing Derby
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has cancelled the trout stocking that was originally scheduled for Saturday, March 24. The weather forecast in the upper part of the state predicts heavy rain/snow with high winds. For safety reasons, the trucks carrying the trout will not be on the road. A news release will be sent out at a later date if it is rescheduled.