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Absentee ballots now available for Blkesburg election
Ballots are now available for absentee volting at the Wapello County Auditor's office in the courthouse for voting in the February 14th Blakesburg Special City election.
Four residents are running to fill two 4 year terms on the city council. They are Larry J. Benge, Alan Bettis, Gina Fisher, and Gordon Riley. Three candidates are running to fill a a two year vacancy on the City Clouncil. They are Gary Chidester, Brenda Lee Hopkins and Vickie S. Willey.
Votes may be cast at the Auditor's office 2nd floor of the Wapello County courthouse through February 14, 2012 from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. for the City of Blakesburg. If you wish to have the ballot mailed, you have until 5:00 p.m. on Friday February 10, 2012 to have the written request to the auditor's office. Absentee ballots mailed must be postmarked by midnight February 13th or hand delivered to the Auditor's office by the voter or the voter's designee before the polls close on election day.
For furhter information, contact the Wapello County Auditor's office by calling 641-683-0020 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Bow Hunters reduce the city's deer herd by 66
The City of Ottumwa's deer herd has been reduced by 66 following completion of the 7th annual deer season for bow hunters. During the season, 36 hunters registered with the police department to participate in the program. 58 does, 4 bucks and 4 button bucks for a total of 66 deer were harvested. Two hunters qualified for buck tags for next year's season.
The deer hunting program was started in the fall of 2005 as a means to reduce the deer population in the city. Since then, a total of 612 deer have been harvested from within the city limits through the program. The start of the city's 2012/13 deer season for bow hunters will be announced next summer.
Busy week for City Council
The Ottumwa city Council will be working a little over time this week as it holds not one but two meetings.
When it meets in regular session Tuesday evening, it will hold a public hearing on plans specifications, form of contract and estimated cost of remodeling the Central fire station. If there are no objectors at the hearing, the council is expected to approve a resolution authorizing remodeling of the facility.
Also during Tuesday's meeting, the council will hold a public hearing on plans, specificatiions, form of contract and estimated cost of reconstruction of Wildwood Drive. If there are no objectors at the hearing, the council is expected to approve a resolution to proceed with the project.
Under the consent agenda, the council is expected to approve a contract with J&M Displays Incorporated to conduct the city's annual fireworks display in Ottumwa Park at a cost of 75-hundred dollars.
The meeting gets under way at 6:30 in the council chambers of City Hall.
Wednesday evening the city council will hold a special meeting with City Administrator Joe Helfinberger and Jeff Schoot from the Institute of Public Affairs of the University of Iowa to identify and prioritize the City of Ottumwa's overall goals and objectives for the next two years.
Grant Funding available from the Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation
The Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation has announced it will begin its 2012 Bright Ideas Community Enrichment Fund grant cycle February 1st.
Last year the foundation awarded $150,000 in grants to 10 nonprofit organizations in Wapello County.
Funded projects includes the areas of health, public safety, social services, animal welfare, housing, and shelter, recreation, and sports and community development.
Partnering with organizations in our nonprofit community is an important priority for the Legacy Foundation says Kelly Genners, the foundation's director of community, leadership and grant making. She says "we have demonstrated this by our commitment to provide $450,000 in responsive grant funding in 2012". Three grant rounds will be held during the year each providing $150,000 in support.
Applying organizatioins must be an IRS designated 501(c)3 not for profit organization providing services in Wapello County. Applicants must complete and submit the online application by midnight on February 29th to be eligible. Before beginning the online application process, applicants are encouraged to view the instructional video and review the grant checklist found at www.orlt.org.
Qualifigying orgnaizations have have furhter questioins cal call Genners at 641-455-5260 for more information.
Iowa senate approves funds for Department of Corrections
A State Senator from southeast Iowa is among supporters to address prison staff shortages...........something he considers a threat to public safety.
8.5 million dollars in additional funding has been approved for that department. Fraise says the funds will address urgent needs at prisons and community based corrections facilities across the state.
The bill will provide over 1.6-million dollars in district 46 with 1.2-million dollars going towards the Iowa State Penitentiary in Ft. Madison and 400-thousand dollars to the Mt. Pleasant Correctional facility.
Fraise said that he hopes the House acts quickly so Governor Branstad can sign the legislation to resolve issues and help keep citizens safe.
Mahaska County Supervisor found guilty on theft charges
A Mahaska County District court jury has found Supervisor Henry "Willie" Van Weelden guility of first degree theft, felonious conduct in office and tampering with documents.
The verdict was reached last Friday after the jury deliberated for about three hours. Following a week of testimony, the prosecution and defense attorneys presented closing arguments Friday morning.
Van Weelden was charged after he placed his wife Bonnie on the county's health insurance coverage after he was re-elected in November of 2008. She was covered initially after Van Weelden was elected in 2001. She was removed from the policy in 2004 and then restated in early 2009 after VanWeelden was reelected.
District Court Judge Paul Miller has not yet set a sentencing date pending completion of a pre-sentencing investigation.
Oak Ridge Boys to perform in Ottumwa
John Deere Ottumwa Works and South Ottumwa Savings Bank are proud to announced the legendary Oak Ridge Boys will perform one show at Bridge View Center Saturday March 24th at 7:30 . Reserved seat tickets for this big show go on sale Friday February 3rd at 10:00 a.m. at the Bridge View Center Box Office and all Ticket Master locations. You can charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or online at ticketmaster.com.
VenuWorks the Iowa based company awarded the management contract for BVC worked closely with Stonebridge Productions to secure this date for the citizens of Ottumwa and Wapello County.
As one of the most distinctive and recognized sounds in the music industry, the four-part harmonies and upbeat songs of the Oak Ridge Boys have spawned dozens of County hits and a Number one Pop smash.
Jon Bonsall, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban comprise one of Country's truly legendary acts. The Oak Ridge Boys' string of hits includes the pop chart topper Elvira, as well as Bobbie Sue, Dream on, Thank God for Kids, American Made, I gues it Never Hurts Somtimes, Fancy Free, Gonna Take A Lot of River and many others.
Oskaloosa man arrested on sexual abuse charge
An Oskaloosa man was arrested over the weekend on charges of sexual abuse. Sheriff deputies identified the man was 20 year old Joseph Smith. He was arrested Sunday on two counts of sexual abuse in the 3rd degree...........a class C felony.
He is being held in the Wapello County Jail on a $20,000 bond.
Several injured in car/school bus crash
A number of people including several students were injured Monday afternoon following a car/school bus accident at the intersection of 135th Place and Oregon Street in Marion County.
The Iowa State Patrol says a car driven by 19 year old Kendra J. Dorn of Oskaloosa was eastbound on Oregon Street. At the sametime, a school bus driven by 53 year old Annette R. Pitt of Knoxville was southbound on 135th Place. As the Dorn car approached 135th Place, Dorn began to brake and slow down, than run through a stop sign. As the car entered the intersection it collided with the school bus causing the Dorn car to go under the school bus.
Injured in the crash was Dorn, the driver of the school and several studlents aboard the bus.
The students were taken to the Knoxville Hospital for treatment of injuries. The driver of the bus was airlifted to Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines.
Dorn was charged with failure to obey a stop sign and to yield the right of way.
