Local Restaurant Set to Close

Posted on January 8, 2018January 8, 2018 by Rick Watts

On The Green Restaurant in Oskaloosa will be closing the doors for good on Jan. 13, 2018, according to a news release sent to KMZN. However, 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.

Massages Have Merit During Cold Weather

Posted on January 5, 2018 by Rick Watts

Editor’s Note: This is a news release that was shared with KMZN from Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

(MAHASKA COUNTY, Iowa) – The cold and flu season is well upon us, when the weather gets cooler and germs are more prevalent. A massage to boost the immune system would be a good way to stay healthy, energized and reduce stress.

According to the American Massage Association, medical studies have found that massage may boost the body’s immunity. Several studies have measured the stress hormone called cortisol in subjects’ saliva before and after massage sessions, and found dramatic decreases. Cortisol, which is produced when you are stressed, kills cells important for immunity, so when massage reduces your stress levels and hence the cortisol in your body, it may help you avoid getting a cold or another illness while under stress.

Mahaska Health Partnership Licensed Massage Therapist Michelle Hynick said studies have also found that massage relieves stress by lowering blood pressure, relaxing muscles and increasing endorphins. “Massage is great for relaxation,” Hynick said. “It improves mental outlook, promotes relaxed states of mental alertness and enhances calm and creative thinking. I think many of us could use some relaxation after the holiday season.”

Hynick explained that massage techniques move the blood through the body which brings oxygen-rich blood to tense and/or sore muscles, which help them heal and rejuvenate. The squeezing and pulling techniques of massage also flush lactic acid from the muscles which improves circulation of lymph fluid that carries metabolic waste away from muscles and internal organs.

Recent scientific research also proves that massage therapy increases immune function, decreases stress levels and reduces recovery time in many medical conditions including:

Allergies
Depression and Anxiety
Arthritis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Asthma and Bronchitis
Circulatory Problems
Insomnia
Sports Injuries
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ)
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Musculo-Skeletal Disorders

“Another great benefit of massage is relief of tension-related headaches,” Hynick explained. “Massage has been proven to decrease occurrences of headaches, sleep disturbances and distress symptoms. It allows people to maintain a level of relaxation and stress-relief, reducing the chances of stress induced migraines.

“While some people still consider massage a luxury, research continues to prove it also has many important health benefits,” Hynick said. “Massage can help you maintain physical, mental and emotional well-being, especially when it is part of your wellness routine.”

MHP Massage Therapy offers a variety of massage options and extended hours. It is staffed by Hynick and Licensed Massage Therapist Esther Rose. For more information or to schedule a massage, call MHP Massage Therapy at 641-672-3181.

Nature Crafts & Cocoa

The Mahaska County Conservation Board is inviting you to a program that is sure to bring out the crafty and creative side of you! Laura DeCook, the MCCB naturalist, will demonstrate how to create some very simple crafts using things found at home and right outside in nature. So bring your family and friends out to the conservation center for some fun and fellowship. Whatever you make, you will take home! Refreshments will be served. This FREE activity is for all ages.

Please call MCCB at 641-673-9327 to reserve a spot and craft supplies. Registration deadline will be Jan. 10.

The Russell Wildlife Area is located at 2254 – 200th St., New Sharon, IA which is four miles north of Oskaloosa on Hwy 63 and one mile east on 200th Street.

Kellogg Under Boil Advisory in Jasper County

Posted on January 3, 2018 by Rick Watts

(KELLOGG, Iowa)—A break in a small water main in the 300 block of High Street Tuesday afternoon caused the City of Kellogg to lose water pressure for about an hour.

Loss of pressure can allow bacteria to enter the water distribution system.

The city completed repairs about 8 p.m. Jan. 2, but is advising residents to boil water as a precaution. Bring all water used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth or preparing food to a boil, let it boil for one minute and let it cool before using. Or, use bottled water. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.

Tap water can be used for bathing and similar purposes.

The city will collect and test four sets of water samples, taken 24 hours apart, to determine when the water is safe and the advisory can be lifted.

For more information, call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 for general guidelines on ways to reduce risks of infection.

First Christian Church Community Blood Drive

First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa will host a community blood drive from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Monday, Jan. 22 inside the fellowship hall, located at 815 N 11th St.

To donate, please contact Sue & Gene DeBruin at 641-673-4272 or 641-673-7303 or visit www.bloodcenterimpact.org and use code 5022 to locate the drive.

AAA Iowa Reports 144% Boost in Service Calls From Iowans on Tuesday

Posted on December 28, 2017 by Rick Watts

As temperatures fall, the number of problems with our vehicles often rises. Cold weather is especially hard on car batteries and when they die, your car is stuck. Many Iowans tried to go back to work on Tuesday morning after a long holiday weekend and discovered their engines wouldn’t turn over. Gail Weinholzer, at AAA Iowa, says the bitter cold snap took a toll.

“We saw a 144% increase in Iowa for service calls yesterday,” Weinholzer says. “The #1 issue was batteries, followed closely by lockouts and tire issues.” Many Iowans who made it to work without too much trouble went back to the parking lot at the end of the day to find their vehicles were dead in their tracks and they needed a jump — or a new battery entirely.

“Whether they just decided to head back to work and needed to start their car and even those folks who’d gone to work yesterday,” she says, “we had a significant bump in that late afternoon time frame as well.” Cars that were left outside during the holiday weekend were likely covered with snow and had frosty windows. While it’s natural to start the engine, flip on the heater and defroster, then go outside to scrape the windshield, that process can be a recipe for trouble.

Weinholzer says, “The other thing, along with checking your battery, you want to make sure when you warm up your car, you don’t actually lock your keys in it.” Dangerous wind chills are predicted for much of Iowa this Friday night and into Saturday, with indices plummeting into the 20s and 30s below zero.

Community Blood Drive in Oskaloosa

The Oskaloosa Area Association of Churches Community Blood Drive will be held on Monday, January 8 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. It will be held at the Central United Methodist Church, in the fellowship hall, located at 201 N. Market in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

To donate, contact Suzy DeJong at 641-672-2564 or visit www.bloodcenterimpact.org and use code 5067 to locate the drive.

USDA Invests $40M in Rural Infrastructure

Posted on December 15, 2017 by Rick Watts

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today highlighted U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) investments in Fiscal Year 2017 that will help construct or improve infrastructure and boost economic growth in rural communities.

“USDA is focused on improving rural America’s infrastructure,” Perdue said. “Investments such as the ones I’m highlighting today will improve the quality of life, create jobs, grow our economy and foster prosperity in rural areas.”

In Fiscal Year 2017, USDA used funding from the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program to invest more than $40 million in 31 projects to repair, enhance or build infrastructure. These investments were for projects such as surface transportation, aviation, ports, water and storm water resources, energy production and generation, and electricity transmission. They will benefit nearly 265,000 residents.

The investments are supporting projects in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont and Wyoming.

Below are some examples of infrastructure projects that Rural Development funded in the Midwest throughout FY 2017:

Iowa: The city of Lamoni received $313,940 to dismantle, transport and rebuild a used hanger large enough to house six small jets or midsize turbo prop aircraft; expand the taxiway and apron; expand the existing runway; and acquire land in order to expand the runway an additional 4,000 feet at the city’s airport.

Illinois: The Village of Energy received $251,000 to resurface 3,950 feet of the west side of College Street – the major east-west road through the town. This project will make extensive road repairs for safety and to attract more businesses while providing an essential community service to approximately 1,100 residents in the village.

New Sharon Community Blood Drive

New Sharon will host a community blood drive from 1:30 to 6:30 PM on Wednesday, December 27 at 106 W. High St., inside the City Park Building. All presenting donors will be entered into a drawing for 2 movie tickets, popcorn, and drinks! Also, all presenting donors will receive a voucher for choice of gift card or long-sleeve shirt.

Appointments: To donate, please contact Carol & Duane Renaud at (641)660-0069 or visit www.bloodcenterimpact.org and use code 5059 to locate the drive.

Iowa Leads Nation In High School Graduation Rates

Posted on December 12, 2017 by Rick Watts

Iowa once again leads the nation in the percentage of high school students who graduate.

Iowa Department of Education director, Ryan Wise, says 91.3-percent of students in the class of 2016 completed high school within four years in Iowa and a national report says that the best in the country. The 2016 graduation rate in Iowa was up three-tenths of a percent from the year before and is up three percentage points during the last six years.

The national graduation rate is about seven percent lower at 84.1-percent. New Jersey was the only other state to top 90 percent — at 90.1.

Wise says the graduation rate is just one measure of success as the state has work to do to ensure all the graduates are prepared to succeed beyond high school.

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