Hospital holding healthy heart event 
Knoxville Hospital & Clinics is holding its annual Love Your Heart: A Guide to a Healthy Heart event Tuesday from 6 to 9 a.m. in the hospital lobby. Hospital spokesperson Katrina Nelson says lipid profiles and blood sugar will be drawn and blood pressures will be checked at the event. The cost is $22 and all adults are encouraged to participate. 

Hampl to read at Central 
Central College will welcome author Patricia Hampl to campus next month as part of the Geisler Library Writer’s Reading Series. According to Central, the award-winning author is scheduled to read selections from her book "The Florist’s Daughter" and other works. The reading is March 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the Cox-Snow Recital Hall and is free and open to the public. 

Council sets date for budget hearing 
The Knoxville City Council set a public hearing on the 2009-10 city budget for March 9th at their meeting Monday. The council also approved increasing the ambulance service fees, which fire chief Mike Roberts says will cover the increasing cost of fuel, supplies and payroll for next year. The largest increase is a $348 increase in emergency ambulance fees, to $848, among other issues. 

Council to consider agreement for stoplight purchase 
A project to install stoplights at the intersection of Washington and West Third in Pella could take another step forward. The Pella City Council will consider approval of a federal-aid agreement for the purchase of new stoplights at their meeting tonight. Also on the agenda is consideration of an agreement with the Howard R. Green Company to conduct a study of current water and sewer rates. The Pella City Council meets at 7:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Complex. 

Pella Christian High School adjusting to new economy 
Pella Christian High School is taking steps to adjust to the current economic climate. Principal Darryl De Ruiter says this could include staff reductions, elimination of some programs and becoming more economical with utilities and maintenance. He says they want to avoid having to cut programs and staff. More families also are expected to seek financial aid and De Ruiter says several options are available. 

Home Shopping starts today 
The KNIA/KRLS Home Shopping Extravaganza kicks-off today from 10 a.m. to noon, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. with over $180,000 worth of merchandise and gift certificates available. KNIA/KRLS General Manager Jim Butler says there is merchandise ranging from restaurants and overnight stays to golfing packages and carwash certificates, among numerous other items. 

Digital converter units a hot item 
Some television stations cease their analog broadcasts today. This has caused many Marion County residents to purchase converter units to allow their analog sets to receive a digital signal. Jayme Veenstra with Stravers Radio Shack in Pella says digital converter boxes have been a popular item lately but they still have plenty in stock. Jo Goff is owner of Nanjotronics Radio Shack in Knoxville. She says digital converters are still available and any residents wanting the government cou
pons for the units must apply by March 31. 

Knoxville alumnus donates to SOS Committee 
The 1990 Knoxville high school alumnus who ran 100 miles last year to raise money for the schools football stadium presented a nearly $4,500 check to the Save Our Stadium Committee. Bryan Schlotterback presented the check last week.

Organizers planning after-prom party 
Organizers are busy planning the Pella After-Prom festivities. Charma Vander Wert is the chairperson of the planning committee. She says they’ve sent out letters to merchants and parents seeking donations and volunteers. According to Vander Wert, the After-Prom Party is designed to provide a safe atmosphere free of alcohol. The Pella Prom is April 4. 

K-9 training continues 
Training continues to go well for Knoxvilles four-legged police officer. Chief Dan Losada says the as-of-yet unnamed K-9 and handler Chris Rowland have been conducting field work and patrolling the streets the past three weeks, with narcotics training scheduled for March. He says name suggestions for the K-9 will be accepted at the police department though March 2nd.