Archive for July, 2009

One person sustained life-threatening injuries in a vehicle-related accident Thursday evening on highway 14 just south of the mile-long bridge. Officials on-scene told KNIA/KRLS News that a female patient was transported by Mercy-One Helicopter to Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, with an unknown condition. The name of the individual has not yet been released. Knoxville Fire & rescue, Knoxville Township Fire Department, Marion County Sheriffs Deputies and the Iowa State Patrol all responded to the scene, with assistance from the Marion County Dispatch Center. In a completely separate incident about ten-minutes later Thursday night, emergency crews responded to a single-vehicle rollover accident at 1306 Oregon Street just south of town, with one-person refusing to be transported. Both cases remain under investigation. KNIA/KRLS News brings you the most up to date information as it becomes available.

Progress continues at the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, as the Chamber has paid its past due taxes and is current on all past due bills. Thats according to Chamber of Commerce Board president James Washington. He says the Chamber progress is the result of continued city financial support, the addition of new and existing members and good business decisions made by the Board. Washington says the Chamber has many goals for the future, and is currently focused on preparing for the Knoxville Nationals, getting volunteers to help with parking, the Pancake Feed, Bizarre Bazaar, and many other events.

Bids have been let for one of two planned projects on Lake Red Rock. John Holt with the Army Corps of Engineers tells KNIA/KRLS news that plans and specifications have been made available for contractors to view and submit bids for concrete and riprap work at the North Tailwater area of the dam. Bidding will be closed on September 1st. The project is expected to cost between $500,000 and $1 million dollars.

Construction continues on South Fifth Street. Knoxville Public Works Director Jeff May says the contractor plans to start removing the pavement and stripping topsoil on South Fifth Street from South Street through the intersection of Montgomery Street starting Monday and lasting two to three days. May says work will then start on installing new utilities, which will require the intersections of South Fifth and Washington Street and Montgomery Street to be closed. The intersections of South Street, Jefferson Street, Madison Street and Cronkhite Street at South Fifth will also remain closed at that time.

The Noteables, a traveling jazz band made up of members of the U.S. Air Force, will make a tour stop in Pella Friday. Tour manager Mike Schmaus tells KNIA/KRLS News the audience can expect a wide variety of jazz styles, complimenting their patriotic theme. The Noteables perform at a free concert at twelve noon Friday on the Tulip Toren in downtown Pella.

The Marion County Board of Supervisors discussed a request Thursday from Nancy Tegeler to consider contracting with her on using her substance abuse treatment program in Knoxville. The county currently uses Capstone Behavioral Healthcare for both substance abuse and mental health services, and the supervisors say they will review information on Tegelers program, with more information expected at a later date

Thursday night Pella firefighters responded to a fuel leak on Highway 163, south of Pella. Shortly after 7:30 p.m., a semi hit a piece of metal on the roadway, rupturing one of its fuel tanks. The semi came to a stop in the eastbound off ramp of Exit 42, which was blocked to traffic for around forty minutes while firefighters cleaned up the spill. Pella Police and Ambulance assisted at the scene.

The Union Street Players performed to a full house in the Joan Kuyper Farver Auditorium Thursday for the opening night of their production of The Sound of Music. The popular Rodgers and Hammerstein musical has proven to be a hot entertainment ticket in Pella, with very few tickets left for the remaining performances Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday afternoon. Call 620-9107 for more information on tickets.

Parade float applications are available for the 49th Annual Knoxville Nationals Parade at the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce. Thats according to Melinda OField with the Chamber. She says vehicles, especially convertibles, are needed to the parade, and the deadline to turn in a float application is this Friday. Those interested can stop by the Chamber, or call 828-7555 for questions or more information.

Central College has until the end of the year to raise an additional $1.9 million dollars in new gifts and pledges in order to receive a grant from The Kresge Foundation. The college was recognized by The Kresge Foundation last year with a capital challenge grant of $850,000 to help Central complete funding for the new education and psychology building. To date, Central has raised $6.25 million dollars for the new facility.

Another unseasonably mild evening made for another perfect night for Thursdays in Pella, which featured a racing theme. Several types of race cars were on display, along with remote control cars and Matchbox car races on a giant blue track. Music by the Lynnville-Sully Dixieland Band provided a backdrop early in the evening, with a performance by Amy Steenhoek closing out this weeks Thursdays in Pella.

A rock quarry mine in Marion County is benefiting from stimulus dollars. Jay Johnson is the sales manager for Durham Mine in Marion County, among other operations in Iowa and Nebraska. He says the funds helped secure three large projects for the mine, which has increased both worker hours and output.

Senator Chuck Grassley announced Wednesday that the Fleenor Manufacturing company in Pella has received a $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. The grant will fund the construction, field testing, and preparation for the commercialization of a prototype tub grinder that will reduce the consumption of fuel in the recovery of woody biomass. Grassley states that This is a nice example of a small, Iowa business working to help lessen our dependence on foreign oil.

For the first time in months, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has climbed above 9,000. Iowa State Investment Officer Joe Cunningham says the numbers will help bring back confidence to investors, adding that drops and increases are natural in any market conditions. Mark Ellingson is the owner and a registered representative with VSR Financial Services in Pella. He says the significance of the Dow Jones average rising above nine thousand provides and emotional lift for investors.

A Pella company was recognized by Governor Chet Culver Wednesday morning for their contributions to the environment. The Vermeer Corporation was one of just three businesses or organizations in Iowa to be presented with the Environmental Excellence Award, which is intended to honor organizations with comprehensive environmental ethics and commitment.