Archive for June, 2009

A 33-year old Marion County resident, who pled guilty to
conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, was sentenced
to up to 10 years in prison last week at the Marion County
Courthouse. Court documents report Jeremy Dewane Garrison
was also sentenced to up to 5 years in prison for
possession of marijuana, third offence, with all sentences
to be served concurrently. Garrison was also ordered to
pay a total of $3,000 in fines. Garrison and three others
were arrested last year during a traffic stop while in a
vehicle reported to be stealing anhydrous ammonia in Otley

A two vehicle collision north of Pella Wednesday evening
left one person with minor injuries. The incident occurred
at the intersection of Highway T-14 and 228th Place.
Marion County Sheriff's Deputy Matt Boender told KNIA/KRLS
News on the scene that one person was taken by personal
vehicle to Pella Regional Health Center. The Pella Police
Department, Marion County Sheriff's Department, Pella Fire
Department and Pella Ambulance all responded to the scene.

A Knoxville resident who moved to Ireland on a Knoxville
Rotary Scholarship is walking across the state to support
hospice services in Sub-Saharan Africa. Jennifer Tuite
formerly Jennifer Blair, and her husband Michael are
continuing their walking journey from the Missouri to
Mississippi Rivers. Among those housing the couple
locally are Will and Susan Prather. Susan says part of
Jennifer and Michael's route takes them down Pleasant
Street through the Knoxville Square, where they'll take a
rest and meet supporters and friends at the Knoxville
Hospice of Central Iowa from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday.
Prather says this is a great opportunity for local
residents to welcome back the couple to Knoxville as they
continue their hospice fundraising efforts across the
state.

Police are investigating reports of graffiti in downtown
Pella. Lieutenant John Van Haaften with the Pella Police
Department says both private and public property was
damaged during the overnight hours Tuesday. Markings could
be found on everything from the doors on the back of the
Tulip Toren to the sides of business vehicles. Van Haaften
says anyone with information is encouraged to contact the
Pella Police Department at 628-4921.

The Knoxville Historic Preservation Commission begins a
project for sprucing up the downtown Thursday. Commission
co-chair Carolyn Formanek says a half block of downtown
Knoxville between His & Hers Fitness to the This, That and
the Other Consignment Shop will be painted in historic
downtown pallet colors. The commission received a $4,400
grant to help supply paint for the project. Larry
Formanek, chair of the Knoxville Self-Supported Municipal
Improvement District, or SSMID Committee, says they are
providing half of the cost of the project. Formanek says
the Knoxville Rotary Club is providing the labor for this
revitalization project.

Organizers are hoping families come and enjoy the first
Thursdays in Pella of 2009. The theme is "Saluting Pella's
Families." Jodi Bokhoven is one of the organizers and says
the event includes an assortment of activities such as a
bicycle rodeo, games in honor of Kinship's 20th
anniversary, and a performance by the Pella Community
Children's Choir followed by the Pella City Band.
Activities start at 6:00 p.m. in downtown Pella. The
KNIA/KRLS Big Red Radio will be on hand to serve as an
information center for the event.

The mayor of Marysville—who pled guilty to one count of
prescription drug violations—was sentenced to up to 10
years in prison last week, which was suspended. Court
documents report Sherri Pettyjohn was instead placed on
probation for to up to three years, and must pay a $1,000
fine plus court costs. Law enforcement charged Sherri
Pettyjohn in January after pursuing reports of false
prescriptions being given at multiple pharmacies.

Parents need be involved in their child's online life.
That's the message from local internet safety advocate Pam
Bettger as area students begin their summer vacation. She
says families should set ground rules and expectations for
internet usage. With the popularity of social networking
sites such as MySpace, Bettger says parents need to be
mindful of who their child's online friends are and to
make sure profiles are set to private.

The Knoxville Fire Department is having its annual open
house Saturday morning at the Fire Station. Chief Mike
Roberts says the event begins at 8 a.m. with a pancake
breakfast, and residents are invited to see the fire
station and talk with firefighters. At 9 a.m. a medical
evacuation helicopter is set to land near the station with
another helicopter at 10:30 a.m. The Police Department
will also be at the event displaying police equipment and
a squad car for the public.

The Pella High School softball team plans to honor the man
who helped build their new press box and concession stand
before their home opener tonight versus South Tama. Jill
Veenstra was one the parents involved with the project.
She says a dedication ceremony is planned for Jamie
Brillhart, who battled terminal cancer during the project
and passed away before the facilities were complete.
Veenstra notes that the Brillhart family will be in
attendance for the ceremony.

After weeks of training, Knoxville's K-9 Police Dog became
a fully-certified for drug detection over the weekend.
Knoxville Police Chief Dan Losada says the K-9, "Knox",
now has the official paperwork to be used on the streets
when needed for narcotic detection. Losada says "Knox"
will also be used for patrol, finding missing or hiding
subjects, and other activities keeping the community safe.

General Motors filed for bankruptcy this week.  But despite national reductions, both of Marion County’s GM dealerships will continue selling the company’s cars.  Tom DeVore of Devore Motors in Knoxville says they received an acceptance letter from General Motors, and are in a good position to serve the community.  Craig Ford of Pella Motors in Pella says they’ll continue to sell GM vehicles, and changes for GM will mean a stronger company in the future.  Both dealerships also will continue to sell Chrysler vehicles.  Chuck Vander Wal of Ulrich Ford says although he never thought he would see GM file for bankruptcy, the action is having car companies considering options and strategies they otherwise might not have looked at.     

The four-way stop at Washington Street and West Third will
be replaced with stoplights later this year. The Pella
City Council awarded a construction contract for the
project to Voltmar Inc. of Decorah at their meeting
Tuesday. According to city officials, the total estimated
cost of the project is expected to be about $137,000 with
much of that covered through federal funds and a state
grant. The new stoplights could be installed late summer
or early fall.

Knoxville High School senior Kaurie Kincaid finished third at the Iowa high school state meet in girls golf yesterday.  This is the fourth straight year Kincaid has earned all state honors.

Local airport managers are concerned about the impact potential new user fees could have on the general aviation industry. Pella Municipal Airport Manager Shane Vande Voort says this would create a cumbersome bureaucracy that would force aviation costs skyward. Dan Van Donselaar is manager of the Knoxville Municipal Airport. He says the possibility of raising fees for passengers to check their flights, or charging landing or ramp fees would hurt local aviation more than larger metropolitan airports. 

There are 16 nominations for the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.  Ballots will now be distributed to Chamber members with their affiliates, and those ballots need to be returned by 5 p.m. June 16^th.  Nine board members will be elected from the current nominations.  For a complete list of chamber board nominees, visit our Web site at kniakrls.com and click on “Today’s News”. 

A portion of West Third Street will be closed for fire hydrant repairs. According to the Pella Public Works Office, West Third from Washington to Franklin will be closed to all through traffic. The Public Works Office says the work should be completed by the end of the day Thursday, provided there are no complications.

Six retiring staff members of the Knoxville schools bid farewell to the district during a special event held Tuesday at the high school.  Among those retiring are Lew Brent, Peggy Johnson, Mary Ann Olivier, Ernie Rankin, Mark Mahoney, Stan Petersen, and Sue Siedschlag. Superintendent Dr. Randy Flack says the district wishes the retirees the best in their future endeavors.