Hearing for McGinnis set for Monday
A 39-year-old Knoxville resident charged with murder in the first degree has a conference/hearing date set Monday. Marion County courthouse documents report Steven Dean McGinnis motion to suppress statements made to law enforcement is set Monday afternoon. McGinnis is charged in the September, 2008 shooting death of Knoxville resident Robert Ohl.

Central College Holds Community Service Day
About 800 Central College students, faculty and staff are expected to participate in Community Service Day this year. Thats according to Director of Community-Based Learning Cheri Doane. Members of the Central College community had 65 different projects to choose from this year. Doane says this includes everything from outdoor work at youth shelters to environmental stewardship projects at places like the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. Volunteers will also help remove trash at from Lake Red Rock and help with preparations for Tulip Time. The Central College Community Service Day is April 21.

City Council to Review Ordinances at Bi-monthly Meeting
The Knoxville City Council will consider the second reading and waiving the third readings for multiple ordinances at their bi-monthly meeting Monday evening at 6:15 in city hall. Separate ordinances include amending provisions for peddlers, solicitors, and transient merchants, provisions pertaining to the electrical code and electricians. The council will also consider a first reading amending an ordinance requiring golf carts operated on city streets to have liability insurance, among other issues.

Pella set to Flush Water Main System
City of Pella residents can expect to see fire hydrants spouting water in the coming days. The city will flush the water main system by opening fire hydrants throughout town. The Public Works Office tells KNIA/KRLS News that this helps to clear out buildup and circulate chlorine into dead-end water mains. Public Works notes that during this process residents may notice cloudy water. They also suggest that residents avoiding doing laundry as cloudy water can stain clothing. The city flushes the water main system every spring and summer.

Suspects Arrested in Melcher-Dallas Burglary
Two suspects were arrested earlier this week in connection with a reported February burglary in Melcher-Dallas. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office tells KNIA/KRLS News that Knoxville resident Jeffrey Dean Rankin and Rodney Lee Cormeny of Newton have both been charged with 3rd Degree Burglary after allegedly stealing money, checks, commemorative coins, and documents in February from D&S Grocery in Melcher-Dallas.

Site Plan to be Considered for Pella Applebee’s
The Pella Community Development Committee recently approved a design permit for the new Applebees Restaurant. Architect Rodger Brooks told the committee that the building should be able to seat 187 people. As far as a construction timeline, Brooks said work might be able to start within 60 days of site plan approval. The Planning and Zoning Commission will consider the site plan at a meeting April 27.

Mahaska Rural Water Systems Recieves Funds
The unincorporated Marion County town of Tracy comes one step closer to the construction of a wastewater treatment facility. Sources tell KNIA/KRLS News Mahaska Rural Water Systems is receiving $1.2 million in loan and grant funds to assist in constructing a network of sewer service lines and a lift station, which would serve 112 homes by eliminating odor and sewage in area yards and ditches.

Pella Community High School Addition Ahead of Schedule
The addition to the Pella Community High School is ahead of schedule. Superintendent Mark Wittmer says the contractor, Jensen Builders, got an early start on the project and benefited from good weather. The approximately $1 million project includes a technology area, two regular classrooms and two family consumer science rooms. In addition, one classroom is being converted into a science lab.