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Marion County sinkhole gets bigger
MARION COUNTY, Iowa — The Marion County sinkhole is becoming a growing eyesore. It first appeared last year, then re-opened in June. Local 5 was there checking out the scene in early June. Back then, the hole didn’t even touch the road. Now, it covers the entire width of the roadway.
Supervisors contemplate lightning strike protection for courthouse
Jul. 3—They say lightning never strikes the same place twice. Well, tell that to the folks at the Jasper County Courthouse. Severe storms rolling through the area in May 2024 and October 2019 resulted in the courthouse being struck by lightning, and both times left lasting effects on the structure and its inner systems. The lightning strike almost five years ago forced offices to close due to ...
SCRAA PAUSES PURSUIT OF REGIONAL AIRPORT
The South Central Regional Airport Agency (SCRAA) has officially paused their pursuit of a regional airport between the cities of Oskaloosa and Pella. On Wednesday, the SCRAA hosted their first meeting in just under four months and passed a resolution notifying the cities of Oskaloosa and Pella that they are “unable to complete the necessary land acquisitions for the proposed regional airport” and that they will not pursue the regional airport “until instructed by the City of Oskaloosa and the City of Pella.” According to the agency, Mahaska County’s withdrawal from the SCRAA no longer makes it possible for them to acquire the remaining land needed for the project.
Jasper County pays more rent at Colfax congregate meals site
Jul. 3—Jasper County last week renewed its contracts with elderly nutrition's congregate meals sites in Colfax and Monroe, which will now both be paid the same amount of rent after The Gathering Place requested an increase a number of months ago. The rent for both facilities is now $400 per month. Kelli Van Manen, program director of Jasper County Elderly Nutrition, said the contract for the ...
Iowa's regional airport project on hold as airport officials haven't purchased land needed
PELLA, Iowa — A massive project to build a new regional airport in Iowa is now on hold. The plan to build the airport between Pella and Oskaloosa has been in the works for more than a decade. Airport board officials voted to pause the project because they hadn't...
South Central Regional Airport Agency votes to pause airport plan
PELLA, Iowa — The South Central Regional Airport Agency voted on Wednesday to pause the planned new airport project, because they cannot buy enough land to construct the project. The agency voted unanimously on a resolution to hit pause. Here is that resolution. “The South Central Regional Airport Agency is unable to complete the necessary […]
IOWA FINANCE AUTHORITY AWARDS MORE THAN $10.6 MILLION IN FEDERAL HOUSING TAX CREDITS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF MORE THAN 400 RENTAL HOMES IN 9 COMMUNITIES
(DES MOINES) – The Iowa Finance Authority Board of Directors today awarded a total of more than $10.6 million in federal housing tax credits to support the construction and rehabilitation of a total of 404 affordable rental homes for Iowans. The awards were made to 10 rental housing projects located in Burlington, Charles City, Davenport, Des Moines, Jefferson, Knoxville, Mount Pleasant, Oskaloosa and Spirit Lake.
Knoxville City Council Approves Downtown Facade Grants
The Knoxville City Council approved more downtown facade grants at their meeting Monday night. These facades are for 110 and 114 West Robinson, 208 S Second , and the 200 Block S 4th Streets. The city council approved a $50,000 addition to the Downtown Façade Grant Program in its FY25 budget. Before approval of the new facade grants, five façade grant applications have been approved by City Council for $42,828. The city matches 50% of the total costs for the facade improvements in their grant program. All of the facade improvement grants will be used by businesses to help improve the overall exterior appearance of the buildings, and business owners will still be investing in the improvements as these grants do not pay the full amount for the projects.
THRIVE Knoxville’s 4th of July Festivities Happening Tomorrow
THRIVE Knoxville’s 4th of July festivities will be taking place tomorrow. Independence Day in Knoxville activities include a Flag raising ceremony at 7:45 am, the Knoxville Police Department Freedom 5K at 8:00 am, a freedom breakfast from 8:00-10:00 am, a bike parade at 10:30 am and fireworks at dusk. The Knoxville City Ordinance does not allow for the shooting of fireworks in city limits. The time that shooting off fireworks is legal is if you have a permit to put on a show, or if you are setting them off in unincorporated areas of Marion County between the hours 6:00-11:00 pm on July 4th. Knoxville Fire Chief Cal Wyman says it’s important to be smart when it comes to fireworks.
Knoxville Public Library Holding a Poverty in Iowa Storytelling
The Knoxville Public Library will be holding a poverty in Iowa storytelling event on Thursday, July 11th. This event will start at 6:30 pm and there will be storytelling and a dialogue with two individuals who have experienced the effects of poverty in Des Moines. They will share their personal experiences and defining moments. This event is provided with support from Humanities Iowa and working with CultureALL, a non-profit with a mission of celebrating diversity and making connections in Iowa communities. Knoxville Public Library Director Roslin Thompson says this program is a good way to show how poverty affects people even right here in Iowa.
SCRAA to Consider Ending Pursuit of Regional Airport in Mahaska County, Resolve Public Complaints Today
The South Central Regional Airport Agency Board is holding two meetings back-to-back today in the Pella Public Safety Complex. The first is a work session with the Iowa League of Cities as it relates to Iowa Code Chapters 21 and 22. The SCRAA Board was found to have violated Iowa’s open meeting laws earlier this year by the Iowa Public Information Board after holding separate committee meetings from the main board without public access or notice.
Central Iowa Regional Transportation Alliance to host Roadway Safety Public Information Meetings in July
The Central Iowa Regional Transportation Alliance will hold a series of public information meetings regarding the regional Comprehensive Safety Action Plan in local communities next week. The plan is being developed as part of the Safe Streets for All program, which aims to prevent deaths and serious injuries for all...
Quality-of-Life Facilities Discussion Focus at Pella City Council Meeting
A lengthy discussion was held about the future of renovations to the Pella Community Center and potential construction of a new rec center at Tuesday’s Pella City Council meeting. The session started with nearly 30 minutes of public comment of a wide range potential rec center patrons speaking largely...
Secretary Naig Makes Stops at Vermeer, Ulrich Meat Market This Week
Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture has resumed closer to normal travel duties following his visits to northwest Iowa to assess the ongoing flooding situation. Mike Naig was at Vermeer Corporation for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers and their visit, and followed that up with a stop at Ulrich Meat Market in Pella on Tuesday. Naig says it’s important for all Iowans to understand the ties agriculture continues to have on communities such as Pella, whether that’s Vermeer’s work in manufacturing agriculture equipment or the sales of meat and other products downtown. Hear more with Naig about the latest with the Iowa Department of Agriculture on today’s In Touch with South Central Iowa.
Pella Art Center Received Support from Atchison Family for New Electrical Workstations
The Pella Community Art Center was able to expand its electrical work stations with support of a former patron and fallen soldier. Director Mary Robertson says J.T. Atchison was a regular student during their after school programs over the years, and the two even rode together in a Tulip Time parade.
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