Indoor Pools Open at Beach Ottumwa

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

Posted on April 4, 2018 by Rick Watts

(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.

Color for a Cause During ‘Chalk the Walk’ in Oskaloosa

Posted on April 3, 2018 by Rick Watts

(OSKALOOSA, Iowa) – William Penn’s Digital Communication program is teaming up with FACE (Fine Arts and Cultural Events) and the United Way of Mahaska County to present the 5th annual Chalk the Walk fundraiser. This event will be held on the Oskaloosa downtown square on Saturday, April 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This year, Chalk the Walk will be a free-will donation with all proceeds going to the United Way of Mahaska County to support Operation Backpack. Individuals are welcome to join in, flood the sidewalk with color, and family friendly illustrations.

“This year our goal is to get as many people as possible to come to the square and make it as colorful as possible,” said Director of William Penn’s Digital Communication Program, Matt Wagner. “I’m proud of the students who continue to run with the event and make it better every year.”

Operation Backpack is a program which helps provide local children with essential school supplies that are needed to help them excel in their education. Members of Oskaloosa and the surrounding area are invited and encouraged to join in on the fun, leave their mark, and give back to the Oskaloosa community.

-This information was provided in a news release sent on behalf of William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

UnityPoint Health Receives Inspired Award

Posted on March 5, 2018March 5, 2018 by Rick Watts

(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.”

Pictured (L – R): Todd Linden, former GRMC president and CEO; Janet Lacey, Josey Van Weelden and Julie Buck, members of the values committee; Doris Rindels, interim CEO of UnityPoint Health® – Grinnell Regional Medical Center, and Joe Tye. **Photo provided by GRMC.**

-This information was provided in a news release sent from staff at Grinnell Regional Medical Center.

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.

Mahaska County Wind Farm Now Complete

Posted on February 22, 2018 by Rick Watts

(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% of its customers’ annual retail electricity usage by 2020.

By Hailey Brown, KBOE/KMZN

Two from Newton Facing Theft Charges After Investigation

Posted on February 16, 2018February 16, 2018 by Rick Watts

(JASPER COUNTY, Iowa)–On Monday, Feb. 12, after a lengthy investigation, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office was able to arrest two subjects for multiple thefts and related charges.

Charles Loudermilk, age 49, of Newton, was one of the two subjects arrested. Deputies had an active arrest warrant for Loudermilk, as well as additional charges of burglary. Deputies attempted to stop Loudermilk, but he tried to flee, driving through a ditch. Deputies used legal intervention and stopped Loudermilk. The vehicle Loudermilk was operating was reported stolen in Jasper County on Dec. 24, 2017. Inside the vehicle, Deputies recovered a firearm. Loudermilk was taken into custody and transported to the Jasper County Jail.

A second vehicle in the area attempted to elude deputies. The vehicle was eventually stopped in the 6800 block of Cone Street. The driver, identified as Kristen Miller, age 34, of Newton, was also arrested and transported to the Jasper County Jail.

During the last several months, numerous burglaries were reported by residents of Jasper County. Vehicles, construction equipment, trailers, tools, horse tack and other personal items were reported stolen.

Based upon information developed during the investigation, a search warrant was executed Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018 at a residence in Reasnor, in Jasper County. During the search, Deputies recovered stolen property from some of these reported burglaries. The property recovered was valued at approximately $125,000. Deputies have identified some of the owners of the property. Property reported stolen from Poweshiek County was also recovered at this location. Additional follow up is being conducted in identifying all of the property recovered.

Loudermilk was charged with: Theft 1st Degree (property in excess of $10,000) – Class C Felony Theft 2nd Degree – possession of stolen vehicle – Class D Felony Possession of firearm by a felon – Class D Felony.
Loudermilk is being held on No Bond. He is also being held on a previous five year prison sentence (Iowa Department of Corrections), after he failed to turn himself in to authorities.

Miller was charged with: Theft 2nd degree – Class D Felony Carrying Weapons – Aggravated Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana – Serious Misdemeanor Possession of a Controlled Substance (2 counts) – Serious Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia- Simple Misdemeanor. Miller had a bond set by a judge at $5,000.

Follow up investigation continues and additional criminal charges against the subjects are pending. Information from the public, along with assistance from the Newton Police Department and MINE EAST Task Force, allowed investigators to focus on these two subjects.

Anyone with additional information in reference to this investigation or reported burglaries is encouraged to contact the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.

Criminal charges against both subjects are merely allegations and they should be considered innocent until proven guilty.

– This information is from a news release provided by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department.

Bussey Man Charged with Sexual Abuse, Possession

Posted on January 19, 2018 by Rick Watts

The following is a news release sent to KMZN Radio from the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office:

On Friday, Jan. 19, at approximately 8:00 AM, members of the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 1000 block of 300th Street, in rural Mahaska County, regarding an assault.

As a result of the investigation into this matter, Sheriff’s Officials arrested 57-year-old Douglas Wade Pettyjohn of 507 3rd Street, Bussey, Iowa. Pettyjohn was charged with 1 count of Sexual Abuse in the 3rd Degree (a class C felony) and 1 count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (a simple misdemeanor).

Pettyjohn was taken to the Mahaska County Jail where he was incarcerated. He will make his initial appearance in the Mahaska County District Court on Jan. 20, 2018. The victim of his assault was an adult female.

** A criminal charge is merely an accusation and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Pedestrian Struck by Patrol Car in Monroe

Posted on January 5, 2018January 5, 2018 by Rick Watts

(MONROE, Iowa)– On Jan. 4, at approximately 6:38 PM, a Jasper County Sheriff’s Deputy was involved in a car/pedestrian accident at Casey’s Store, located at 201 E Ralph St. in Monroe, Iowa.

According to a news release sent by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department, Deputy Nick Aldrich was operating a patrol car in the east parking lot when he struck a person who was walking in the lot.

Monroe Fire and EMS were requested and the patient was transported to an area hospital for treatment.

The Iowa State Patrol has been requested to investigate the accident. There were no other injuries or damage to vehicles reported at the time the news release was sent out to local media.

Subject Arrested in Sexual Assault Case in Fremont

Posted on February 13, 2017 by dev@anthro.is

On Sunday, February 12^th, 2017, at approximately 3 PM, deputies from the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to 218 North Kennedy Street, Fremont, Iowa, regarding the complaint of a Sexual Assault with had allegedly occurred earlier in the day at this location.

The victim (an adult female) was taken to the Mahaska Health Partnership Hospital where she was treated for an undisclosed injury and then released.

During the investigation into this report, deputies located and arrested 41-year-old Chad Michael Crosby (of 218 North Kennedy Street) within the Fremont City Limits. Crosby was charged with one count of Domestic Abuse Causing Injury (a serious misdemeanor) and one count of Sexual Abuse in the 3^rd Degree (a class “C” felony). Crosby was incarcerated in the Mahaska County Jail.

Crosby made his initial appearance in the Mahaska County Magistrate’s Court on Monday, February 13, 2017. Crosby’s bond was set in the amount of $15,000 for the above two charges. After posting bond, Crosby was released from custody.

As a reminder, a criminal charge is merely an accusation and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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By Hailey Brown, KBOE/KMZN

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