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A US-Russian crew of 3 arrives at the International Space Station

MOSCOW (AP) — NASA astronaut Jonny Kim and two Russian crewmates arrived at the International Space Station on Tuesday on board a Russian spacecraft.

A Soyuz booster rocket lifted off as scheduled from the Russia-leased Baikonur launch facility in Kazakhstan to put the Soyuz MS-27 carrying the trio in orbit. They docked at the station just over three hours later.

Kim and Russia’s Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky are scheduled to spend about eight months at the space outpost.

NASA said Kim will conduct scientific investigations and technology demonstrations to help prepare the crew for future space missions and provide benefits to people on Earth. A native of Los Angeles, Kim is a U.S. Navy lieutenant commander and dual-designated naval aviator and flight surgeon.

Kim, Ryzhikov and Zubritsky are joining NASA astronauts Don Pettit, Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s astronaut Takuya Onishi and Russian cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin, Ivan Vagner and Kirill Peskov on the space outpost.

Iowa’s spring turkey season is here

DES MOINES — A mild winter followed by timely spring rains has Iowa forests and woodlots leafing out ahead of spring turkey season, possibly tipping the playing field in favor of the gobblers, after a record harvest of more than 16,000 birds in 2024.

The first of Iowa’s four regular spring turkey seasons opens on April 14.

“We are greening up ahead of schedule,” said Jim Coffey, forest wildlife research biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “For anyone hunting second season or later, it could be a jungle out there.”

Winter turkey flocks are breaking up and birds are spreading across the landscape. Turkey production has been above the five-year average for three of the past four years, providing good numbers of birds, especially two-year-old jakes.

“Jakes will usually respond to calls more easily than toms and have been known to come in in groups – if a group of jakes come in, make sure you have a clean shot at one bird,” Coffey said.

Although Iowa has set spring turkey harvest records twice since 2020, Coffey said it’s important to remember that historically, only one in five hunters will tag a bird.

“Success should be determined by time spent outside, watching the sunrise as the timber comes alive around you, the experience in the woods, not by bagging a turkey,” he said. “Spring turkey hunting is a close, intimate sport, where the excitement is happening in less than 30 yards. And with the early leaf out this year, it could be even closer.”

To improve the chances of bagging a turkey, Coffey said hunters should go through their equipment to make sure it all works and gear still fits before hiking into the timber on opening morning. He also said that the ticks are already out so plan accordingly.

Iowa’s first of four turkey seasons opens on the second Monday in April each year, and this year, that’s the middle of April, aligning turkey hunting with mushroom hunting season.

“If we get rain and a little heat – it should be a good year for mushroom hunting – which also means we need to be aware of other people in the woods – hunters need to identify their bird, make sure it has a beard, and what’s beyond it,” Coffey said.

One final tip, Coffey said don’t overlook Iowa’s smaller woodlots, as they are typically good places to hunt.

Successful hunters are required to report their harvest by midnight of the day after it is recovered by going online at www.iowadnr.gov, calling the toll free phone number printed on the tag, at any license vendor during regular business hours, by texting your registration number to 1-800-771-4692 or through the Go Outdoors Iowa app.

“Best way for turkey hunter to help with conservation is to report your harvest,” he said.

Youth-only season is April 11-13

Youth turkey season is designed to provide a strong mentoring experience for the youth hunter. It is restricted to Iowa residents only.

“Turkey hunting is an intimate sport and mentoring is a way to learn from other’s mistakes,” Coffey said. “With only about one-in-five hunters tagging a turkey, failure is part of the process. A successful hunt should be gauged on the adventure and experience of being in the woods not placing a tag on a bird.”

Youth tags are sold through the end of youth season on April 13. Youth tags are valid for youth season and each of the four regular seasons until filled or when the season four closes on May 18.

Licenses are not sold after the youth season closes.

2025 spring turkey season dates

  • Youth Season, residents only, age 15 and younger – April 11-13
  • Season 1 – April 14-17
  • Season 2 – April 18-22
  • Season 3 – April 23-29
  • Season 4 – April 30 – May 18

The youth season license is good until filled, but it must be purchased before the youth season closes.

Around 50,000 turkey licenses will be purchased this year. Hunters may purchase two turkey tags, with at least one for season four. Shooting hours are one half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Putzier Defends NAIA POW Award

OSKALOOSA — Breck Putzier (Sr., Minneapolis, Minn., Exercise Science) was again a menace around the opposing goal, and for his efforts he was chosen as the NAIA Men’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week award Tuesday.

The senior collected his third national honor of the year (sixth of his career) after leading WPU (7-3, 6-0 Heart) to two Heart of America Athletic Conference wins last week.

The senior started his week with five goals and four assists last Tuesday versus Missouri Valley.  He also managed four ground balls and three caused turnovers.

Last Friday, he tacked on five goals and eight assists against Columbia, while also tallying five ground balls.

For the year, Putzier leads WPU in goals (42), assists (50), and points (92).  He has also produced 36 ground balls and 12 caused turnovers.  The senior has tallied at least one goal and one assist in every game this year, and has hit the double-digit mark in points four times (high of 15).

Putzier leads the NAIA in assists and points, while also sitting second nationally in goals.

William Penn has won three national awards in 2025.

Friends of Mahaska County Conservation Awarded Grant from McWane Foundation

OSKALOOSA — Friends of Mahaska County Conservation has been awarded a grant from the McWane Foundation.  This grant for $80,000 will be used for the Mahaska County Conservation All-Inclusive Nature Playscape and Community Area.

The McWane Foundation supports programs, initiatives and organizations that benefit the communities where McWane, Inc. has a presence.  Oskaloosa-based Clow Valve Company is a proud part of the McWane, Inc. organization.  McWane waterworks products, including those manufactured at Clow Valve, play a critical lifesaving and life sustaining role across our nation’s infrastructure, providing clean, safe water as well as fire hydrants to protect communities.

These funds will allow Friends and Mahaska County Conservation Board to build this Nature Playscape that will provide local surrounding communities with an outdoor imaginative experience that has natural climbing features, a mammoth play sculpture, a log traverse, staggered trails and various other outdoor educational adventures.  Groundbreaking is planned for April 2025.

North Mahaska Announces Two Coaching Hires for Fall

NEW SHARON — North Mahaska is excited to announce the hiring of two new coaches to lead the Warhawk athletic programs this fall. Jana Boonstra will take over as head coach of the cross country team, while Bryan Shutts will lead the football program.

Activities Director, Carrie Kral quotes, “Our new hiring process for coaches is extensive and thorough. We are involving staff, administration, community members, and event student athletes to comprise our interview panels. Our new activities department motto is: “Warhawk Strong! Compete with heart, lead with integrity.” 

“We are seeking out leaders who embody the values of NM and is committed to fostering both athletic and personal growth in student-athletes. I am thrilled to welcome both coach Boonstra and coach Shutts to our coaching staff. Their passion for developing student-athletes and commitment to our school’s values make them great additions to our athletic community.”

Boonstra, the new cross country coach, brings a knowledge and passion to running that is exciting. We are eager to see her build on the team’s success and foster a competitive and supportive environment for student-athletes. Her passion for running runs deep within their family, and we are excited to watch her develop the program. 

“I have long been passionate about cross country, as an athlete, parent, and devoted fan of the sport,” states Boonstra. “I am excited about the opportunity to lead and cultivate an encouraging, positive, and competitive environment for North Mahaska Cross Country.”

On the football side, Shutts steps in as the new head coach, after being a defensive coordinator with the Warhawks Football program the past two years. His experience within the program, deep understanding of the team culture, and established relationships with student-athletes and families make him an ideal fit for this leadership role. 

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to accept the position of head football coach at North Mahaska,” states Coach Shutts. “I am excited to teach our young men leadership skills, life lessons, and the pursuit of excellence through their experience in the North Mahaska football program.”

Mega Millions tickets rise to $5, but the lottery promises more giant jackpots

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Mega Millions players will get slightly better odds and should start seeing more billion-dollar jackpots, but at a cost — literally — with tickets for the multistate lottery jumping in price to $5.

The price for playing Mega Millions more than doubled for drawings starting with Tuesday’s, but lottery officials are betting that the swollen jackpots they’re expecting will catch the public’s attention and lead to an accompanying surge in sales

“People really want big jackpots,” said Joshua Johnston, the Washington state lottery director who heads the Mega Millions game. “We expect to see a sales lift on this.”

How is Mega Millions changing?

The biggest change is the ticket price hike from $2 to $5. Lottery officials expect that jump to increase revenue from the twice-weekly game, enabling them to improve the odds of winning the jackpot from 1 in 303 million to 1 in 290 million.

The higher ticket price also means the jackpot can start at $50 million, rather than the previous $20 million, and that the grand prize is expected to grow more quickly. Each time there isn’t a big winner, the jackpot will jump by a larger amount. Officials expect it will more frequently top the $1 billion threshold that draws extra attention — and bigger sales.

Under the new rules, prizes for tickets not matching all six numbers also will increase, with non-jackpot winners now guaranteed at least $10. Each ticket also will include a randomly assigned multiplier that can increase the prize by up to 10 times, a previous add-on feature that cost an extra $1. The multiplier doesn’t apply to a jackpot.

Why is the game changing?

The new rules have two main goals: to address what the industry calls “jackpot fatigue” and to differentiate Mega Millions from Powerball, the other lottery draw game played across the country.

Jackpot fatigue is the phenomenon under which prizes must grow to enormous amounts before most players will take note and buy a few tickets. These days, a $300 million prize that once drew lines at mini-marts barely registers.

With the new rules, officials expect those average winning jackpots to climb from about $450 million to $800 million, Johnston said. And they believe that even lottery fatigue is no match for the more frequent billion-dollar prize.

“When you get to a billion people are like, ‘Whoa, that’s a whole lot of money,’” Johnston said.

Lottery officials said there is a clear correlation between bigger jackpots and higher sales, but not everyone who plays is swayed by the bigger pots.

Sandie Yeaman, of Omaha, Nebraska, expressed puzzlement at the connection.

“I’d be satisfied with $1 million, and so would others,” she said. “One person winning $50 million is ridiculous.”

How rare is a $5 ticket price?

Mega Millions will be the country’s most expensive lottery draw game, where random numbers are selected to determine a winner.

Still, that price is far less than scratch tickets offered by some states. In Texas, for example, some scratch tickets cost $100 each.

Outside the U.S., the El Gordo Christmas lottery in Spain limits the number of tickets sold and charges 20 euros (nearly $22) for a partial ticket and 200 euros (nearly $220) for a full ticket.

The higher Mega Millions price left Saeedith Williams, of East Point, Georgia, unsure if he’ll keep buying several tickets per week. “Maybe I’ll buy one ticket a week now that it’s $5 a ticket,” he said.

What about Powerball?

After the new rules are implemented, the two lottery games that once were remarkably similar now will have some key differences.

The biggest contrast will be the cost, as Powerball will stick with its $2 tickets — $3 in Idaho and Montana where they require a special prize bundle.

With that smaller ticket price will come smaller minimal prizes, starting at $4, or less than half the lowest Mega Millions prize. But Powerball players will still be able to pay an extra dollar for “Power Play,” a random multiplier that, as in Mega Millions, can increase all but the grand prize.

Powerball drawings will continue to be three times a week — Monday, Wednesday and Saturday nights — while Mega Millions will hold drawings on Tuesday and Friday.

The changes will bring the two games’ jackpot odds a little closer, with Powerball jackpot odds of 1 in 292.2 million just a bit worse than the new Mega Millions odds.

Remind me, what’s the point of all this?

For players, it’s a chance to spend a little money on a dream of incredible riches while acknowledging the reality that it almost certainly won’t happen.

For the 45 states plus Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands where Mega Millions is played, the game raises money for a variety of services, such as education scholarships. Local lottery agencies run the game in each jurisdiction and decisions about how the profits are divvied up are written into state law.

Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.

“Each spring brings a renewed sense of optimism for the growing season ahead,” said Secretary Naig. “The initial weather outlooks for the first half of April are leaning warmer and drier, which will make farmers eager to get the planters rolling as soon as field conditions are ready. Thankfully, the drought situation across Iowa is improved compared to last year because of the more active weather pattern we experienced throughout March.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.

Crop Report
Much of the State experienced cooler than normal temperatures and much needed rain showers leaving Iowa farmers with 3.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 6, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Minimal fieldwork was done during the week, but some producers were able to plant oats, apply anhydrous, and dry fertilizer.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 6 percent very short, 22 percent short, 68 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 10 percent very short, 34 percent short, 55 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Oats seeding reached 20 percent complete, 8 days behind last year but 2 days ahead of the 5-year average. Oats emerged reached 2 percent.

Calving was in full swing with reports of mud in some areas.

Mahaska County Board of Supervisors Approves 28E Agreements for SE Connector, Police Protection Services

By Sam Parsons

The Mahaska County Board of Supervisors held a regular meeting yesterday morning and approved a 28E Joint Public Service Agreement between Mahaska County and the City of Oskaloosa for the Southeast Connector Project. Supervisor Chuck Webb said that there were some minor changes to the agreement recently, and all parties involved signed off on them.

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Webb said that the Osky city council had already formally approved the agreement on their end, and that the agreement was also green-lighted by the city attorney and city manager. The agreement was approved by the board unanimously.

The board also discussed police protection services with the city of Keomah Village. The city agreed to pay $5,928 for police protection for the upcoming fiscal year instead of the originally-proposed $14,990. The revision came after a lengthy discussion at the board’s previous regular meeting in which Keomah Village councilmember Mark DeJong approached the board with numbers that he said showed that charging nearly $15,000 would have been disproportionate relative to what other small cities in the county were paying. The board approved the revised number on a 2-1 vote, with board member Chuck Webb being the lone dissenting vote.

The next regular meeting for the Mahaska County board of supervisors is scheduled for April 21.

Jay North, TV’s mischievous Dennis the Menace, dies at 73

LAKE BUTLER, Fla. (AP) — Jay North, who starred as the towheaded mischief maker on TV’s “Dennis the Menace” for four seasons starting in 1959, has died. He was 73.

North died Sunday at his home in Lake Butler, Florida, after battling colon cancer, said Laurie Jacobson, a longtime friend, and Bonnie Vent, who was his booking agent.

“He had a heart as big as a mountain, loved his friends deeply. He called us frequently and ended every conversation with ‘I love you with all my heart,’” Jacobson wrote in a tribute on Facebook.

North was 6 when he was cast as the smiling troublemaker in the CBS sitcom adaptation of Hank Ketcham’s popular comic strip that took place in an idyllic American suburb.

Often wearing a striped shirt and overalls, Dennis’ mischievous antics frequently frustrated his retired next-door neighbor George Wilson, played by Joseph Kearns. Dennis’ patient parents were played by Herbert Anderson and Gloria Henry.

The show ran on Sunday nights until it was canceled in 1963. After that it was a fixture for decades in syndication.

Later, North appeared on TV in shows including “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,” “The Lucy Show,” “My Three Sons,” “Lassie” and “The Simpsons,” and in movies like “Maya” (1966), “The Teacher” (1974) and “Dickie Robert: Former Child Star” (2003).

North is survived by his third wife, Cindy, and three stepdaughters.

Iowans are warned that customer support scams are on the rise

By Matt Kelley (Radio Iowa)

Iowans are being reminded to steer clear of popups or emails that claim your computer or phone is infected with a virus.

Lisa Schiller, a spokeswoman for the Better Business Bureau, says her office is seeing more and more of these customer support scams lately.

“It’s something that works,” Schiller says. “It works for the con artist, and so they’ll continue to perpetuate that they are a person or a business that they are not in order to gain your money, your trust, your personal information.”

The bogus warnings about viruses may look very authentic, but Schiller says it’s all a ploy to gain access to your computer or phone.

“They’re casting a wide net, is what they’re doing and reeling in whoever and whatever they can,” she says.

One new wrinkle is an increase in scams targeting Apple users. Scammers have a new tool that can be used to access Apple accounts through Safari, so iPhone and iPad users should also be vigilant for popups and unwanted apps.

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