First Responders in Iowa Receiving Checks From Dakota Access Pipeline

Posted on October 20, 2017October 20, 2017 by Rick Watts

The company that built the Dakota Access oil pipeline that runs diagonally across Iowa, from the northwest to the southeast is making donations to emergency responders in every county the pipeline crosses in Iowa and three other states.

Mike Futch, vice president of Energy Transfer Partners, explains the motive.

“In recognition of our dedication and our commitment to operate our pipelines in a very safe and regulatory-compliant and reliable manner, one of the things that’s very important to a system like that is a very close working relationship with first responders and emergency responders,” said Futch.

The pipeline crosses 18 counties in total in Iowa and also carves a path across Illinois and North and South Dakota. The news conference was held in South Dakota and Futch says they want to be good corporate partners with every county the pipeline touches.

In Iowa, the total donation is $360,000 to units in 18 counties. The total donation in the four states adds up to one-million dollars as the pipeline covers 50 counties in all.

The Dakota Access Pipeline crosses through Jasper, Mahaska, Wapello, Keokuk, Jefferson, Van Buren and Lee counties in Southeast Iowa. Each will receive a check for $20,000.

Jamey Robinson, EMA/911 Administrator in Mahaska County, said his office has identified potential areas for projects. Potential projects include active shooter equipment and simulation, rehabilitation equipment during extreme hot or cold, search and rescue equipment, and lastly, equipment to safely remove debris from infrastructure, such as saw assets.

Chuck Fry, vice president for liquid pipelines at Energy Transfer, says the pipeline passing through Iowa is now fully assembled and carrying petroleum.

“Operationally, it can run at full capacity but it’s not fully subscribed by shippers yet,” Fry says.

The company is also giving the state of North Dakota 15-million dollars for protest-related expenses.

REAP Will Hold Public Assembly for Mahaska and Surrounding Counties

Posted on October 3, 2017 by Rick Watts

Iowa’s Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) assembly comes to southern Iowa on October 18th, giving Iowans the opportunity to discuss their vision for outdoor recreation, soil and water enhancement, historical resources and land management and more.

Each assembly represents a region of counties and participants are required to attend the region for the county in which they reside.

The REAP meeting is Oct. 18, from 6:30-8:00 PM, at the lodge at Lake Keomah State Park, 2720 Keomah Lane, Oskaloosa, for residents of Davis, Jefferson, Keokuk, Mahaska, Van Buren and Wapello counties.

“These meetings are a great opportunity for us to meet with Iowans one-on-one and hear their ideas for their parks, trails, museums and other amenities,” said Chuck Gipp, director of the DNR. “Participation from community members is essential for all of us to work together to enhance our recreational opportunities in our state.”

REAP assemblies are locally led meetings where issues can be brought forth and voted upon. Iowans can discuss the program, recommend changes and discuss impacts in their area. Delegates may also be selected from the local meeting to attend the REAP congress in January at the State Capitol in Des Moines.

“REAP benefits every single county every year in one way or another, either through improved water quality, by preserving our historical assets or providing outdoor recreation,” said Tammie Krausman, DNR REAP coordinator. “It has and will continue to have a significant impact on the quality of life for all Iowans.”

Construction Slated to Begin on Old Highway 102

Posted on September 28, 2017 by Rick Watts

Beginning at 7:30 AM next Monday October 2nd, Mahaska County will be doing pavement repair, widening and overlaying Old Hwy 102/G-5T.

The project will begin north of the South Skunk bridge, south of 155^th street and proceed north and easterly to a point approximately 1320 east if the intersection of County Roads T-33 and Old Hwy 102 or G-5T.

The second section of the project will begin at the intersection of T-22 and G-5T and proceed north to the south City Limits of Peoria.

The project is scheduled to be completed in 30 working days which is the 13^th of November weather permitting. The project is intended to keep one lane open for traffic through the use of flaggers and pilot cars. The possibility of complete closure time will be kept to a minimum.

We ask those that commute on this road to allow for extra time to deal with the one-lane traffic or the detour route is down Hwy 63 from New Sharon to Hwy 92 in Oskaloosa then west to Hwy 163 and back to Pella.

The lane widths during this work will make it unsuitable for wide loads, so using the detour is advised. Mahaska County asks for your patience as we complete this project so as to try to get project completed earlier.

If you have any questions you can call me at my office at 641-672-2897.

FSA Announces Disaster Area in 38 Counties

Posted on September 28, 2017 by Rick Watts

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting Administrator Steven J. Peterson today announced that physical loss loans are available for 10 counties in Iowa, due to four separate disaster events. Farm operators who have suffered major physical losses caused by excessive rain, flash flooding, flooding, hail, high winds, lighting and tornadoes that occurred from June 22 through August 18, 2017, may be eligible for emergency loans.

For the June 22 disaster event, an Administrator’s Physical Loss Notification has been issued for Butler and Franklin counties as the primary damaged area.

Additionally, 10 Iowa counties are contiguous to this designated disaster area, making these producers also potentially eligible for programs based on this designation. The contiguous counties are: Black Hawk, Bremer, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Floyd, Grundy, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin and Wright.

For the June 28 disaster event, an Administrator’s Physical Loss Notification has been issued for Fremont, Jones, Linn, Marion, Page and Taylor counties as the primary damaged area.

Additionally, 20 Iowa counties are contiguous to this designated disaster area, making these producers also potentially eligible for programs based on this designation. The contiguous counties are: Adams, Benton, Buchanan, Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Lucas, Mahaska, Mills, Monroe, Montgomery, Polk, Ringgold, Union and Warren.

For the Aug. 10 disaster event, an Administrator’s Physical Loss Notification has been issued for Clinton County as the primary damaged area.

Additionally, four Iowa counties are contiguous to this designated disaster area, making these producers also potentially eligible for programs based on this designation. The contiguous counties are: Cedar, Jackson, Jones and Scott.

FSA’s low interest emergency loans may be made available to any applicant with a qualifying loss in the counties named above. Approval is limited to applicants who suffered severe physical losses only.

Physical loss loans may be made to eligible farmers and ranchers to repair or replace damaged or destroyed physical property essential to the success of the agriculture operation, including livestock losses. Examples of property commonly affected include essential farm buildings, fixtures to real estate, equipment, livestock, perennial crops, fruit and nut bearing trees, and harvested or stored crops and hay.

Producers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans for physical losses.

Please contact FSA for more information on loan eligibility and the application process. FSA office information is available at offices.usda.gov. Additional FSA disaster assistance program information is available at disaster.fsa.usda.gov.

Mahaska County Election Candidates Have Been Announced

Posted on September 26, 2017September 28, 2017 by Rick Watts

* Indicates an incumbent.

Barnes City

Councilmember (elect 3) – Four Year Term ending 2021

*Gene Davis

*Jeffrey Innis

Beacon

Mayor – Two Year Term Ending 2019

No Candidate

Councilmember (elect 5) – Two Year Term Ending 2019

*Ron Kauffman

*Darrell Rust

*Cecil D. Smith

*Dwight Teeter

*Richard Thomas

Fremont

Councilmember (elect 3) – Four Year Term Ending 2021

*Yvonne Gabby Evans

*J.J. Howrey

Kenneth A. Long

Brenda Swearingen

Keomah Village

Mayor – Two Year Term Ending 2019

*Clark T. Johnson

Councilmember (elect 3) Four Year Term Ending 2021

*Larry Boyer

*Craig Coen

Kay Swafford

Leighton

Mayor – Two Year Term Ending 2019

*Keith Beintema

Councilmember (elect 5) – Two Year Term Ending 2019

*Charles Bogaard

*Daniel Gleason

*Steve Nieuwsma

*Kim Sytsma

*Henry Van Roekel

New Sharon

Councilmember (elect 3) – Four Year Term Ending 2021

Thomas J. German

*Keri Lamberson

Jeffrey D. Long

*Kenneth Ward

Oskaloosa

Mayor – Two Year Term Ending 2019

*David Krutzfeldt Jeff Lorentzen

1 st Ward Councilmember (elect 1) – Four Year Term Ending 2021

Diane Ottosson

3 rd Ward Councilmember (elect 1) – Four Year Term Ending 2021

*Doug Yates

Councilmember – At-Large (elect 2) – Four Year Term Ending 2021

Wyndell Campbell

Charlie Comfort

*Scottie Stamos Moore

Wyatt Russell

*Tom H. Walling

Rose Hill

Mayor – Two Year Term Ending 2019

*Kyle Morgan

Councilmember (elect 5) – Two Year Term Ending 2019

*Jake Dannels

Carli Hahn

*Terry Lowe

*Janet Martin

Channa McMillian

Aaron Molyneux

University Park

Mayor – Two Year Term Ending 2019

*George Toubekis

Councilmember (elect 3) – Four Year Term Ending 2021

David Brown

*Sarah Kargol

*Stephen Kelly

*Colleen Platt

Councilmember (elect 1) – Unexipred Term Ending 2019

*Harry David Graham

Wells Retiring from Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office

Posted on September 18, 2017September 20, 2017 by Rick Watts

The Mahaska County Board of Supervisors met in regular session in the morning of September 18.

Mahaska County Sheriff Russ Van Renterghem approached the board to request a change of payroll for Deputy Trevor Wells, who has decided to retire and be removed from the county payroll on September 22.

Wells began his double decade long run in law enforcement following a few years spent in the United States Marine Corps.

Wells graduated from Oskaloosa High School in 1986, he was then a part of the Persian Gulf war during Operation Desert Storm with the Marine Corps.

Once Wells returned, he worked in the Mahaska County Jail in 1991 as a jailer for four years. From Mahaska County Jail, Wells moved to the position of police officer in Albia for a year and returned back to Mahaska County to be a sheriff deputy in 1996 where he has been since.

Wells ran for Mahaska County Sheriff in 2016 where we faced three other candidates for Mahaska County Sheriff. His opponents included Russ Van Rentergherm, who won the election and took seat as Mahaska County Sheriff.

Those of us from KMZN want to thank you, Trevor Wells, for your 26 years of service and dedication to Oskaloosa and Mahaska County.

A reception in Sheriff’s Wells’ honor will be held on Friday, October 6th in the Lower Level of the Mahaska County Law Enforcement Center from 1 to 4 PM. The public is invited and welcomed to attend.

Mahaska County Sheriff’s Still Looking for Wanted Suspect

Posted on September 12, 2017September 12, 2017 by Rick Watts

Early in the morning on August 11th, the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call near Hickory Avenue, close to the intersection of 278th Street. The call was for a single vehicle that had ended up on its roof in a drainage ditch creek.

The 2004 Dodge pickup, driven by 35-year-old Nathan Edward Burk of Bloomfield, was a complete loss.

While investigating this accident, deputies discovered in excess of one-fourth pounds of a substance that was believed to be marijuana. Burk was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Deliver – Class D Felony. Members of the M.I.N.E. Drug Task Force assisted in the investigated.

Burk was taken to the Mahaska County Jail and booked on the drug charge. Later in the day, Burk posted a $5,000 cash bound and was released.

Deputies also seized three-fourths pounds of methamphetamine, along with various drug paraphernalia. Upon the completion of the investigation, Burk was later charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver – Class B Felony – and Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp – Class D Felony.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Burk in regard to the later charges.

As of this date, Burk has not been located or arrested. He is also wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant, issued in Marion County, for Probation Violation.

If you have any information about Nathan Burk, call the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office at 641-673-4322 during business hours ( 8 AM to 5 PM) or 641-673-8403 for after hours.

** Information was provided by the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office

The Mahaska County School Candidates Have Been Released

Posted on August 10, 2017 by Rick Watts

Running for Board Director in District #2 is Shelly Herr, who is currently incumbent and District #4 is Arvin DeBeof, also incumbent. For District #5, the candidate is Margaret A. Ratcliff.

Two candidates for School Board Director District #5 is Tom Richardson, incumbent, and Lynette Stream.

At-Large candidates include Carl Drost, incumbent, and Kym Life.

The Indian Hills Community College Director District #1 is Beth A Danowsky, incumbent.

All positions will be filled after the School Election scheduled for September 12, 2017 and each will have a term ending in the year 2021.

Oskaloosa Fire Department Holds Dedication Ceremony

Posted on August 3, 2017 by Rick Watts

The header photo displays the generations at the Oskaloosa Fire Station where the youngest and oldest firefighter ‘cut the ribbon’ at the conclusion of the ceremony.

The last dedication of the Oskaloosa Fire Station occurred in 1909, Mayor Lewis Bacon led the ceremony over a hundred years ago.

Historical pieces can be found throughout the new fire house.

Our hometown fire station holds the title of second oldest standing fire station west of the Mississippi; the first going to a fire house in Davenport that was commissioned around the year 1904. The Okaloosa Fire station is unique in another way as well, it is the only one in Mahaska County that is staffed 24/7.

In November 2014, it was voted and approved to reconstruct and renovate the existing fire station. Upon completion, there are four bays to house trucks and emergency vehicles.

“North bay is longer than the others […] it’s longer to accommodate an aerial truck, with the aging buildings downtown, I believe it’s only a matter of time before we may see the need to use it,“ said Mayor David Krutzfeldt.

By maintaining the integrity of the original and historic buildings within Oskaloosa while upgrading them to modern standards, it allows for the longevity of the structure.

Lockers of the currently employed firefighters at the station.

Mayor Krutzfeldt said, “It [the fire station] along with the others [recently renovated buildings] stands as a testimony of how people working together for a common purpose can create the great things that will last far longer than we will. “

Fire Chief Mark Neff was full of emotion during his ceremony speech. After sixteen months of construction, it was only three weeks ago that all the firehouse equipment was all under one roof. Two-thirds of the equipment was located inside the old water department building.

Chief Neff graciously thanked: citizens of Oskaloosa; the mayor and council; Will Downing, Architect; DDVI, Inc; Oskaloosa Herald; Jennifer Main, Edward Jones; Musco Lighting; Oskaloosa Glass and Millwork; New Sharon Fire Department; and finally the staff at the Oskaloosa Fire Department.

“Fire house is a symbol of our community. This is your firehouse, we are just the key holders,” stated Fire Chief Mark Neff.

Home Base Iowa Builds Roots in Mahaska County

Posted on July 25, 2017 by Rick Watts

It was made official yesterday, Oskaloosa and Mahaska County have become a Home Base Iowa Community. This initiative was put forward by Governor Terry Branstad and Major General Tim Orr. “As a veteran, I think it’s a great opportunity,” said Henry Van Weelden, Mahaska County Board of Supervisors, Vice Chair.

Weelden began the ceremony with his remarks about Oskaloosa and Mahaska County being the perfect fit for a program like this. Last week at the Mahaska County Board of Supervisors meeting, Dave Swenson an Economic Representative from ISU. Weelden stated Oskaloosa is a micropolitan, a city between being big and little. Noting that, “we stand out on top. Retail sales are up, population is up.”

At last week’s board meeting, Swenson provided the board, and public, statistics about the economy within the city of Oskaloosa.

One interesting topic that Swenson touched on was the inflow and outflow of workers in Oskaloosa. There is an estimated 6,877 payroll jobs in Oskaloosa since 2014. Only twenty-nine (29) percent of the workers were residents of Oskaloosa, forty-seven (47) percent were from Mahaska County. More people that reside within the city limits actually work outside of the city, roughly 3,800. Only 2,015 residents that live in Oskaloosa stay in Oskaloosa to work.

By bringing veterans and transitioning service members into the Oskaloosa communities, not only able to create jobs in the city but retain employment of these service men and women through this program.

Oskaloosa Mayor Krutzfeldt spoke yesterday of this newly instated program. “But know this, Oskaloosa wants and needs veterans. Not only because we want to grow our population, but because we know veterans are the right kind of people to have as citizens in Oskaloosa.”

Mayor Krutzfeldt continued to say that veterans are the right kinds of people to have in Oskaloosa. Today’s veterans have history of great work ethic, look for better ways to get job done, they’ve been asked to do more and do it faster, and work with others as a team. They show loyalty, determination, passion and patriotism.They take care of their neighbors, as well as their properties.

Some of the appeals Oskaloosa has for veterans are:

Low interest loan from the Mahaska County Revolving Loan Fund.
City of Oskaloosa – 0% first time homebuyer loan for anyone who hasn’t lived in Mahaska County in the last three (3) years.
The three hotels in town have deep discounts for those looking to visit or here for a short extended stay.
Bank Iowa discounting closing costs on residential loans by $500, free year of lockbox and discounting commercial loans.
The Chamber is offering a free one year of membership.
The Mahaska County YMCA is offering a one year free family membership.
Mahaska Young Professionals (MYP) is offering a one year free membership.
Mahaska County Recreation Fund is offering a free 15-mile trail ride to view Oskaloosa form the outside.
Free transportation around Oskaloosa when riding the Oskaloosa Rides bus.

“These are the folks that can develop our community.” Mayor Krutzfeldt said, “So while Oskaloosa is thankful to be designated as a Home Base Iowa community, please understand we do so understanding the community is the great beneficiary here.”

For more information about the Home Base Iowa program visit www.homebaseiowa.gov.

For any questions about the Home Base Iowa program within Oskaloosa or Mahaska County, contact Deann DeGroot with the Mahaska County Agricultural and Rural Development (MCARD)

Phone: (641) 672-2591

E-mail: mcard@mahaskacounty.org

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