Central College president to retire 
Central College will begin searching for their next president starting in April. Central announced Thursday that Dr. David Roe will retire in June 2010. Sources say the board of trustees will name a Presidential Search Committee in early April. Roe, a retired Air Force Brigadier General and former insurance industry executive, became Central’s 20th president in 1998.

Knoxville man faces drug charge 
A 44-year-old Knoxville man was charged Wednesday with two counts of delivery of a schedule II controlled substance, cocaine, and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. Marion County Sheriff Ron Goemaat says Larry Darnell Muldrew was arrested by officers with the Sheriff’s Office, Knoxville Police Department, South Central Iowa Drug Task Force, Mid-Iowa Narcotic Enforcement Drug Task Force, and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. Muldrew was taken to the Marion County Jail with bond set at $105,000.

Knoxville woman injured in crash 
A 51-year-old Knoxville woman was transported to Mercy Hospital via helicopter Tuesday after the car she was driving ran off of T-15 in Monroe County and went into a ditch. The Iowa State Patrol says Madonna Clark’s condition was not immediately available. 

Applebees submits preliminary plans for new restaurant 
Plans for an Applebee’s near the Wal-Mart in Pella are taking shape. Planning and Zoning Director George Wesselfhoft says the company has submitted preliminary architectural plans. He says those plans are currently being reviewed by the Community Development Committee. According to Wesselhoft, once formal plans are submitted the next step would be a site plan and architecture review, a process that can take as little as a month.

Knoxville receives federal housing dollars 
Knoxville is already seeing some of the federal dollars from the economic recovery package. Sources say the Knoxville Low Rent Housing Agency received over $105,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD. The amount was part of the over $7.6 million awarded to public housing agencies across the state.

Legislature considers new rules for sharing the road with bicycles 
A bill under consideration in the state legislature creates new rules for sharing the road with bicycles. Marty Doane is the owner of Iowa Bike and Fitness in Pella. He says drivers need to be aware of bicyclists on the roadways. He says motorists and bicyclists should show each other respect, by bicyclists riding defensively and motorists giving riders enough space. 

Historic Preservation Commission seeks grant 
The Knoxville Historic Preservation Commission applied for a grant to help supply paint for sprucing up downtown Knoxville businesses. Commission co-chair Carolyn Formanek says the group applied for the grant from Keep Iowa Beautiful for a half block of downtown Knoxville between His & Hers Fitness to the This, That and the Other Consignment Shop, and should know by mid-April if the grant is awarded.

Dance teams to perform Saturday night in Pella 
Dance teams will show of their skills at the Pella Forte performance Saturday night. Pella varsity coach Melissa Wimmer says the theme of the show is “Lights, Camera, Action.” Several teams will perform including Pella varsity, junior varsity and the Central College squad. The show begins at 7:00 p.m. at the Pella Community High School. Admission is $5. 

Camera Club heads to Chicago 
The Knoxville High School Camera Club is heading to Chicago Friday through Sunday for their annual club trip. Thats according to Mary Ann Emerick with the Camera Club. She says the groups annual trips have included Kansas City or St. Louis, and usually include a dinner theatre and always include an art museum. Emerick says club members work through the school year to earn money for the trip. 

Central hosts Stringfest 
Some high school orchestra students will be at Central College today for the annual Stringfest. This gives students the opportunity to perform side-by-side with the Central College Community Orchestra. A concert is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Douwstra Auditorium and is free and open to the public. This year’s participating schools include Pella, Indianola, Newtown, Oskaloosa and Des Moines Roosevelt.