Archive for June, 2009

A deer-car accident occurred immediately west of Knoxville
on highway 5/92 Friday morning, resulting in one subject
being transported to Pella Regional Health Center with
unknown injuries. Knoxville Fire & Rescue, Knoxville
Township Fire Department, Knoxville Deputies, Marion
County Sheriff's deputies, and Knoxville Police Department
all responded to the scene.

Knoxville has good-quality water, according to an annual Consumer Confidence report. Steve Inskeep, general manager of Knoxville Water Works, says the reports shows all tested elements have safe, compliant levels, including levels of chlorine, nitrate and sodium.  He says results from the report were sent out to customers earlier this year. The Marion County Rural Water District purchases their water from Knoxville, among other areas, and also report good-quality water. The 2008 report is available at the Rural Water District office, and residents can have one sent to them by calling 641-842-3304.

A local professor of economics sees signs of economic optimism. Professor Brian Peterson with Central College in Pella says inflation is still relatively stable and unemployment is rising at a slower than expected rate. Iowa’s unemployment rate has remained substantially below the national average, which stood at 9.4 percent in May. The latest figures from Iowa Workforce Development had unemployment at 5.1 percent statewide in April and 5.8 percent in Marion County.

There has been some recent misunderstanding about the
actual date ballots for the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors need to be turned in. The Chamber
tells KNIA/KRLS News ballots need to be returned to the
Chamber by 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 16th. Nine board members
will be elected.

A celebration to mark Lake Red Rock's 40th anniversary
begins tonight with a performance of "Romeo and Juliet" by
the Pella Shakespeare Company. Showtime is at 7:00 p.m. at
Cordova Park. The anniversary event was organized by the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Marion County Development
Commission and Red Rock Lake Association. Activities
resume Saturday morning with registration for the 5k
Walk/Run beginning at 6:30 a.m. and the pancake breakfast
at 7:30 a.m. at Cordova Park.

One of Senator Tom Harkin's aides, Amy Campos, will hold a
"Listening Post on Health Reform" this morning from 9 to
10 in the classroom at Knoxville Hospital & Clinics.
Sources tell KNIA/KRLS news that residents are encouraged
to attend the event, share concerns, and ask questions
regarding health reform legislation.

Families and their four-legged friends had plenty to do
during Thursdays in Pella last night. It was "Pet Night"
in downtown Pella. The event featured dog races, contests,
a petting zoo and exotic animals courtesy of the Pella
Wildlife Company. This was the second Thursdays in Pella
of the season. Next week is "Making a Difference Night,"
which is sponsored by the Christian Opportunity Center.

Members from the Knoxville Historic Preservation
Commission and Knoxville Rotary Club continue to spruce up
part of the downtown. Commission co-chair Carolyn
Formaneck says members are painting the half block between
His & Hers Fitness to the This, That and the Other
Consignment Shop in historic downtown pallet colors. The
commission received a $4,400 grant to help supply paint
for the project.

Pet owners can take some simple steps to keep their dog or
cat healthy during the summer months. Dr. Christie Carlo
with Tri-County Veterinary Clinic in Pella says animals
are susceptible to heat-related ailments. She says pets
need to have enough water to stay hydrated and available
shade to stay cool. For long-coated dogs, Carlo says an
air-conditioned area may be necessary.

A federal transition to digital television takes place
today, and Marion County residents with analogue sets can
still purchase a converter unit so they continue to work.
Both Radio Shack stores in Knoxville and Pella tell
KNIA/KRLS News that there are plenty of digital-to-analog
converter boxes available.

Plans are coming together for the Pella Fourth of July
celebration. The planning committee met Thursday afternoon
at the Pella Chamber of Commerce office. Festivities will
again include games in Central Park, an afternoon parade,
evening entertainment on the Tulip Toren and fireworks.
Merlyn Vander Leest is in charge of the parade. Anyone
interested in being in the parade can contact Vander Leest
at 628-2189.

Around 3,000 residents in the Pleasantville area were
without power for part of the evening yesterday in Marion
and Warren counties. Marion County Emergency Management
Coordinator Jeff Anderson says crews quickly worked to
restore power, with most residents with power by
mid-evening yesterday.

Wildlife officials are hoping the pheasant population will
rebound this year after a tough 2008. The Iowa DNR
predicts that pheasant numbers could increase 20 to 40
percent this year due to a milder winter and a slightly
warmer spring. Marion County Conservation Officer John
Mertz says the pheasant population has also benefited from
fewer heavy rains, which can easily harm eggs and young
chicks.

3M Co. in Knoxville has added an additional 24 temporarily
positions through the end of the third quarter this year,
amid increasing demand world-wide. That's according to
Greg Couves, 3M plant manager. The Knoxville plant
specializes in production of industrial tapes for diapers
and automobiles, among other products.

Pets are invited to Thursdays in Pella this week. Carol
Floden is one of the organizers of "Pet Night." She says
it's one of the more popular themes each year. According
to Floden, activities will include contests, dog races,
animal displays and a petting zoo. The Pella Wildlife
Company will also have some exotic animals available for
viewing. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. in downtown Pella.

Ninety-five Iowa National Guard troops from the 3654th
Maintenance Co. in Knoxville are undergoing training as
part of an annual exercise in South Dakota. That's
according to Lieutenant Colonel Greg Hapgood with the Iowa
National Guard. He says the yearly Golden Coyote training
program will test the Knoxville troops on basic and
advanced solider skills, including land navigation and
combat operations, among others. Hapgood says the troops
are expected to complete their training in late June.

Shakespearian theatre has returned to Pella. The Pella
Shakespeare Festival opened last night on the Central
College campus with an 80-minute version of "Romeo and
Juliet." Another performance will be held tonight at 7:00
p.m. on the east side of the Central College chapel near
the lower entrance. Pre-show entertainment begins at 6:30
p.m. with jugglers, ribbon dancers and more. The Pella
Shakespeare Festival continues through Sunday.

Road work on 135th Place south of English Creek is set to
begin Monday, after part of the road collapsed earlier
this year. The Marion County Engineer's Office says the
road remains closed, and the project could take two to
three weeks, weather permitting. KNIA/KRLS brings you the
most up to date road information.