The indoor pools at the Beach Ottumwa will reopen Saturday, April 7 at 11 AM. Recent improvements include new overhead indoor LED lighting, painting of the indoor pools, and new concrete on the outdoor concession deck.
‘Experience Mahaska’ at Penn Central Mall This Sunday
(OSKALOOSA, Iowa) – Penn Central Mall will host “Experience Mahaska Community Activities & Events Expo” event in the Mall on Sunday, April 8. The event is designed to be an interactive introduction of all of the incredible clubs, activities, events and organizations available right here in the Mahaska County community. The event is open to the public and will be held at Penn Central Mall on Sunday, April 8th. Nearly 45 entities that offer “things to do” for all ages in the community will host stations from 1PM – 4PM.
The community is invited to attend and experience activities that are available right here in their community with hands-on, interactive stations that are creative, fun and unique.
Come walk the MCRF trail, checkout a racecar from Eddyville Raceway Park, see the KBOE/KMZN booth, play a spin the wheel trivia game with Hy-Vee and earn the chance to win Fuel Saver points, take an indoor “test ride” on a bike from Bobzilla’s Bicycle Werks and do much much more at the Experience Mahaska Events Expo.
“I am excited to see the community working together to get the word out about what’s happening in Mahaska County,” stated Mike Gipple, Mall manager. “It has been fun connecting with entities and clubs to be a part of this great event. In addition, we are incredibly thankful to MCRF and the Mahaska Co. YMCA for their assistance in making this unique event happen.”
Penn Central Mall will provide a sheet with descriptions and introductions of the stations at the event.
UnityPoint Health Receives Inspired Award
(GRINNELL, Iowa) UnityPoint Health® – Grinnell Regional Medical Center underwent a cultural climate change in early 2015 by educating GRMC staff using materials from Values Coach, Inc. Then in February 2018, GRMC employees received the Joe Tye Inspired Award for exhibiting excellence in both values and culture.
“GRMC is just the third hospital in America to receive this award,” says Joe Tye, CEO of Values Coach, Inc. “And a trailblazer for many more to follow.”
GRMC welcomed 27 team members to become Certified Values Coach Trainers and also team-taught The Twelve Core Action Values to their fellow GRMC employees. Each employee has completed the two-day values course, and all new hires complete the course as part of new employee orientation. The twelve core action values are woven into every job description and account for 50 percent of every performance evaluation.
The Values Team at GRMC meets regularly to discuss ways to enhance organizational culture and operational effectiveness. More than 20 new projects were launched under the guidance of this team.
As a demonstration of how this program has changed the lives of their staff, GRMC collected more than 50 stories from employees. These will be published in a book for employees in May.
In its most recent patient satisfaction survey results from fourth quarter 2017, GRMC ranked in the 95 percentile for the question “would you recommend the hospital?” GRMC also received the top score for overall hospital rating. All of these accomplishments factored into GRMC’s receipt of the award.
“Our staff is truly amazing. The board of directors and GRMC administration wanted to invest in our employees and their satisfaction, both personally and professionally,” says Doris Rindels, interim GRMC CEO. “The Core Value program enriches our employees’ lives and creates a greater culture here at GRMC for our patients. It’s had a positive impact on our organization.”
-This information was provided in a news release sent from staff at Grinnell Regional Medical Center.
Mahaska County Wind Farm Now Complete
(MAHASKA COUNTY, Iowa) — MidAmerican Energy Company has announced that it has completed two new wind farms in Iowa that add 338 megawatts of wind generation capacity, with one of those farms located in Mahaska County.
According to a news release sent by MidAmerican, the Beaver Creek Wind Farm in Boone and Greene Counties as well as the Prairie Wind Farm in Mahaska County are now in operation. The 168-megawatt Prairie Wind Farm began generating electricity in the Fall 2017, with the final four megawatts put into service Jan. 2018.
Construction started in the spring of 2017, following approval by the Iowa Utilities Board in 2016.
“We’re committed to providing reliable service and outstanding value to our customers, and wind energy accomplishes both,” says Mike Fehr, vice president of resource development at MidAmerican Energy. “Wind energy is good for our customers, and it’s an abundant, renewable resource that also energizes the economy.”
The release states that MidAmerican Energy anticipates that renewable generation will equate to more than 90{99cd714f394079a7f0ed2eb1518dd31342ff3ceb5b6c267c3ad8acd5b5a7d66b} of its customers’ annual retail electricity usage by 2020.
By Hailey Brown, KBOE/KMZN
East Main St. Reconstruction Project (Ottumwa)
The City of Ottumwa will be holding a public information meeting in regards to the East Main Street Reconstruction Project. The meeting will be an open house format and will take place at the City Hall Council Chambers on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 from 5:00 P.M. to 6:30 P.M. Representatives from the City of Ottumwa and JEO Consulting Group will be available to answer any questions you may have in regards to the project.
Snow Emergency Declared Around Region
(MAHASKA COUNTY, Iowa)–As a result of severe weather in the region, KBOE is keeping track of a list of towns and cities in the area which have declared a snow emergency as well as sports relatedFor a full listing of school delays, cancellations, and closings, click here.
- Oskaloosa Senior Center is closed today.
- The City of Oskaloosa has declared a Snow Ordinance to take effect at 9:00 PM on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018 until 6:00 AM on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018. Parking on all City streets is prohibited to allow City crews to plow. When this notice becomes effective, the police department will be issuing parking tickets and/or towing vehicles left on the street at the owner’s expense. As a reminder, all property owners are responsible for clearing the sidewalks along their property after the snow has stopped.
- The City of Ottumwa‘s Snow Emergency Ordinance will be placed into effect at 7 PM on Friday, February 9. Residents are reminded that while the Snow Emergency is declared, no parking is allowed on streets designated as “Snow Routes” until the emergency is lifted. Snow Routes are marked with square blue signs showing a white snowflake.
- The Knoxville Snow Ordinance is in effect. Parking is prohibited on ALL City streets while in effect. It will remain in effect until the storm ends AND the streets are plowed curb to curb. Violators may be cited and towed.
- Sigourney has declared a snow emergency effective at 8:00 PM on Friday, Feb. 9 until 6:00 AM on Sunday, Feb. 11.
To stay current on weather-related school delays and cancellations, visit the Closings & Delays page on our website.
By Hailey Brown, KBOE/KMZN
Local Man Charged with Attempted Murder
The following is a news release sent to KBOE on behalf of the Oskaloosa Police Department:
(Oskaloosa, Iowa)–On Friday Jan. 5, 2018 the Oskaloosa Police Department obtained an arrest warrant charging Deon Damon Freeman, age 26, of Oskaloosa, Iowa with attempted murder. The defendant was later located at his residence and taken into custody on this charge. The charge of attempted murder stems from an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the reported December 19, 2017 shooting that occurred at the intersection of Pella Avenue and Green Street in Oskaloosa. During the shooting the defendant advised police officers that he fired six rounds from his handgun into the back of another vehicle that was occupied by two individuals.
The defendant was taken to the Mahaska County Jail and released into their custody with a $100,000 cash only bond. Attempted Murder is a class “B” felony punishable by up to 25 years in a state penitentiary.
This investigation is ongoing and further charges are pending.
Criminal charges are merely an accusation and the defendant is innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
On the Green to Close
On The Green Restaurant in Oskaloosa will close its doors for good on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, according to a post on the business Facebook page. Although the date has been set, guests are highly encouraged to keep checking the On the Green Facebook page in case that date changes.
“The Oskaloosa Golf Board will explore options for the building so it continues to provide value to visitors, families and businesses in the community,” said Frank Hansen, President of Oskaloosa Golf.
While On The Green may be closing, Friends of Oskaloosa Golf will continue to operate the golf course as a public facility through the 2018 golf season. In lieu of a restaurant/bar being open in time for golf season, the news release stated that Friends of Oskaloosa Golf will have a liquor license for beer and wine and offer “pro-shop and on the deck” food specials.
Wapello County Sheriff’s Log
The following is a press release provided by the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office, located in Ottumwa, Iowa. All charges are mere accusations and those arrested and/or charged are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017
• At 3:44 AM, Myles Dawayne Davis Sauer, 26, of 10582 194th Ave in Ottumwa, Iowa was arrested at E 2nd & Adams Street, Ottumwa. Sauer was arrested and charged with Violation of Restraining Order and on an Outstanding Warrant for FTA/Pretrial (THEFT).
• At 12:55 PM, Ryan Richard Reed, 21, of 210 N Caldwell in Ottumwa, Iowa was arrested at the Wapello County Law Center in Ottumwa on (2) Counts Pretrial Release Revocation.
No Coast Network Announces Basketball Game of the Week Schedule
By Emery Songer
KBOE/KMZN Sports Director
(OSKALOOSA, Iowa) – The basketball season is here and eight doubleheaders will be featured on Friday nights throughout the season as a part of the Game of the Week on 104.9 FM KBOE and kboeradio.com.
December 1st is when the action starts with Sigourney at English Valleys in a South Iowa Cedar League matchup.
The SICL will be featured several times throughout the season, including December 8th, when Montezuma travels to face North Mahaska.
The last doubleheader before the Christmas Break is Knoxville at Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont in a matchup of South Central Conference foes.
After the new year, it’ll be right back to the SICL for BGM at Sigourney on January 5th.
The following week highlights a rivalry in the South Central Conference with EBF on the road to face Davis County.
January 19th will showcase two small schools in Keokuk County as Keota hosts Tri-County.
The rematch between North Mahaska and Montezuma will be on the air on January 26th in Monte.
Finally, EBF is at Lynnville-Sully in a non-conference doubleheader on February 2nd.
All games begin at 6 PM and the pregame show will start around 5:45 PM on 104.9 FM KBOE and kboeradio.com.