Archive for February, 2009

Serve Our Youth Family Fun Day was a Success

Posted: Sunday, February 22nd, 2009 at 9:59 am

More than 500 people attended the Serve Our Youth Family Fun Day at the Vermeer Global Pavilion yesterday. SOY Executive Director Bernie Van Roekel says activities included a giant inflatable slide and bouncing cage, treasure chest, skeet-ball, balloon animals and more. The area mentoring organization headquartered in Pella is celebrating their 10th anniversary this year. 

Marion County Board of Supervisors Special Session

Posted: Sunday, February 22nd, 2009 at 9:58 am

The Marion County Board of Supervisors will continue discussion on the county care facility roof at a special session meeting Monday at 1 p.m. at the Marion County Courthouse. The Board will also discuss creating a countywide departmental credit card usage policy, among other issues.

Pella School Board Considers Project Lead the Way

Posted: Sunday, February 22nd, 2009 at 9:58 am

The Pella School Board will consider approval of an official agreement between the school district and the non-profit group Project Lead the Way at their meeting Monday. Project Lead the Way is a program that offers pre-engineering courses at a high school level. The board is also scheduled to consider approval of the Summer Academy classes and receive an update on construction of the high school addition. The Pella School Board meets at 4:30 p.m. at the Administration Office. 

Red Rock Retro Radio Theatre Airs Tonight on KNIA/KRLS

Posted: Sunday, February 22nd, 2009 at 9:57 am

Marion County residents can hear the colorful characters, good music, and laughs of the Red Rock Retro Radio Theatres Cruising Lake Red Rock production during a re-broadcast on KNIA/KRLS today from 5 to 6 p.m. The performancewhich features a diverse cast on board a fictitious 300-foot cruise boat– is also available for download online at www.knaikrls.com by clicking on Community Content Connector.

Options for Bos Landen Golf Course

Posted: Sunday, February 22nd, 2009 at 9:56 am

The future of the Bos Landen Golf Course remains uncertain. Thats according to Leighton State Bank President Fopma. He says the bank holds the lean on the assets. The city of Pella has terminated their ground lease agreement for the Bos Landen Golf Course. City Administrator Mike Nardini says the city council chose to terminate the agreement with John Domansky and Cal Swanson at their recent meeting. As far as what this means for the future of the golf course, Nardini says theyre exploring all of their short and long-term options. The Bos Landen Golf Club is for sale and being actively marketed by Jensen Real Estate Services Inc., a firm out of Minnesota that specializes in golf course sales. 

Mayor of Marysville Trial Date

Posted: Sunday, February 22nd, 2009 at 9:56 am

The mayor of Marysville charged with three counts of prescription drug violations has trial set for April 28th. Marion County courthouse documents report Sherri Pettyjohn also has a pre-trial conference set April 17th. Law enforcement charged Pettyjohn last month after pursuing reports of false prescriptions being given at multiple pharmacies.

Trial Date Set for Pella Man Facing Sexual Abuse Charges

Posted: Sunday, February 22nd, 2009 at 9:56 am

A trial for a Pella man facing a sexual abuse charge is postponed until May. According to Marion County court documents, a pre-trial conference for 42-year-old Richard Nathan Baccam was continued to April 10 with the trial now set for May 12. Baccam is charged with sexual abuse in the second-degree stemming from an alleged incident involving a child at a Pella residence in October 2008. If convicted, he could face up to 25 years in prison.

Crash leaves one person injured

Posted: Saturday, February 21st, 2009 at 11:28 pm


A two-vehicle crash in Pella Friday night sends one person to the hospital. Authorities say a car traveling eastbound on Washington Street was struck on the driver’s side by a van exiting onto Washington Street from Highway 163. Traffic was re-routed as emergency crews cleared the scene. The driver of the car, 44-year-old Charles Douglas of Pella, was transported by ambulance to Pella Regional Health Center.

DNR looks to increase Bobcat harvest quota

Posted: Saturday, February 21st, 2009 at 11:27 pm


Marion County is included in a proposal to increase the harvest quota for bobcats. Conservation Officer John Mertz says DNR officials will recommend to the State Natural Resources Commission a quota of 250 for next year and the addition of Marion, Warren and Madison counties to the harvest area. The current limit is 200. A bill in the state house would increase the quota to 1,000 next year and eventually create no limit in 2011. The DNR contends the population isn’t strong enough to support that level of hunting. 

Knoxville man charged with cocaine possession

Posted: Saturday, February 21st, 2009 at 11:26 pm

A 50-year-old Knoxville resident was arrested Thursday and charged with possession of crack/cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. That’s according to Knoxville Police Chief Dan Losada. He says that Terry Allen Rice was also charged with public intoxication and criminal trespassing.

Budget cuts would negatively impact court system says state employee

Posted: Saturday, February 21st, 2009 at 11:26 pm

The state judiciary needs a verdict on its future amid looming budget cuts. Either mandated furloughs or cutting some of the states 1,600 court employees will have adverse affects on Marion County residents using the court system. That’s according to a state employee in Marion County who would be affected by the changes. They say that although furloughs would be preferred to permanent layoffs, the legislature could examine raising fees.

Schools to celebrate FFA Week

Posted: Saturday, February 21st, 2009 at 11:25 pm

Next week is National FFA Week, and area schools are planning activities to highlight the organizations importance. Brent Hanna is FFA Advisor for Knoxville High School. He says Knoxville members plan to work on leadership contests and to treat the high school faculty to a light breakfast, among other events. Pella High School FFA advisor Mark Williams says students also plan to treat faculty to coffee and doughnuts, sport their FFA jackets at school and set up posters.

Pella hosts Show Choir Invitational

Posted: Saturday, February 21st, 2009 at 11:25 pm

Twenty-three groups perform at Pella Community High School today for the inaugural Dutch Masters Show Choir Invitational. Pella Vocal Director Michelle Chaplin says performances begin at 8 a.m. and continue until about 10:30 tonight. The states of Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota all are represented at the competition. Tickets are $8. 

Senator to visit with students via teleconference

Posted: Saturday, February 21st, 2009 at 11:24 pm

Senator Chuck Grassley is visiting the Pleasantville 8th grade class via a teleconference Monday at 12 p.m. in the ICN room. That’s according to 8th grade teacher Dennis Oliver, who says that this is an uncanny opportunity for the students to ask direct questions to Senator Grassley.

SOY holds Family Fun Day

Posted: Saturday, February 21st, 2009 at 11:24 pm

Marion County families are invited to Family Fun Day at the Vermeer Global Pavilion in Pella. The event is sponsored by Serve Our Youth, a Christian mentoring organization headquartered in Pella. Executive Director Bernie Van Roekel says this event is a way to thank the Pella community for their support. He says Family Fun Day includes inflatables, games, activities and food. The event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Vermeer Global Pavilion in Pella. 

RRRRT returns to the airwaves

Posted: Saturday, February 21st, 2009 at 11:23 pm

Marion County residents can hear the colorful characters, good music, and laughs of the Red Rock Retro Radio Theatres Cruising Lake Red Rock production during a re-broadcast on KNIA/KRLS Sunday from 5 to 6 p.m. The performance is also available for download by clicking on Community Content Connector. 

PRHC announces Shining Star

Posted: Saturday, February 21st, 2009 at 11:23 pm

Pella Regional Health Center has announced their Shining Star for the month of February. According to the hospital, Registered Nurse Hilary Van Vark was recently selected by a group of her co-workers as the employee of the month. Van Vark will receive a $100 gift, a plaque and will automatically be included in the Shining Star of the Year Award. 

Iowa State Wrestling Tournament Results

Posted: Saturday, February 21st, 2009 at 11:12 pm

CLASS 3A KNOXVILLE
125 1st Round Lane Coldwell lost to Matt Fontana of Ankeny by pin :23
1st round consolation lost to Chris Hoskins Keokuk by pin 3:23-Coldwell is now eliminated from competition.

CLASS 3A PELLA
171 1st Round A.J. Arrendell defeated Joe Rasmussen Ankeny 10-3
Quarterfinal lost to David Solis Iowa City West by pin 4:44
2nd Round Consolation defeated Aidan Brock Cedar Falls 11-8
3rd Round Consolation def Jeremy Brand Indianola by pin 1:13
Consolation Semi-Final lost to Riley Banach Ames 4-2 overtime
Consolation Final def Daivd Solis Iowa City West 5th place

CLASS 1A PLEASANTVILLE
130 1st Round David Ginger def Mark Reicks Turkey Valley by pin :53
Quarterfinal def Sean McNitt Council Bluffs St. Albert 10-5
Semi-Final lost to Seth Epling Woodbury Central 5-4
Consolation Semi-Final def Carter Oliver Woodbine 8-4
Consolation Final lost Skylar Rice Northwest Webster 4th place

189 1st Round Cass Lester lost to Collin Sudol Nashua-Plainfield 4-2
1st Round Consolation def Ryan Gochenour Logan-Magnolia 10-4
2nd Round Consolation def Landon Rasch Northwest Webster 5-4
3rd Round Consolation def Bryan Martin South Hamilton 15-7
Consolation Semi-Final lost to Jake Hoffman Greattenger-Terrill 15-2
Consolation Final lost to Quinn Meirick Turkey Valley 6th place

CLASS 2A PCM
103 1st Round Dalton Kingery def Greg Vance Dubuque Walhert by pin 4:27
Quarterfinal lost to Alex Spooner Forest City by pin 3:24
2nd Round Consolation def Chad McCannon Mediapolis 9-3
3rd Round Consolation def Issac Lundgren Emmetsburg 5-1
Consolation Semi-Final def Alex Brown Hampton-Dumont 9-8
Consolation Final def Matt Pulus New Hampton 3rd place

Iowa State Wrestling Tournament 2-21-09

Posted: Saturday, February 21st, 2009 at 11:11 pm

The state wrestling tournament continued yesterday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Pellas A-J Arrendell won over Jeremy Brand of Indianola by pin. He advanced to take on Riley Banach of Ames whom he fell to four-to-two in overtime. Arrendell will have a rematch with David Solis of Iowa City West for fifth place. P-C-M’s Brandon Teeple lost to Kalen Greiner of Sigourney-Keota by a pin. His State Meet came to an end in the consolation round. Teeple’s teammate Dalton Kingery fell in his quarterfinal to Alex Spooner of Forest City by pin…he did come back to beat Chad McCannon of Mediapolis nine-to-three. Kingery then defeated Isaac Lundgren of Emmettsburg five-to-one in a third round consolation match…then went on to beat Alex Brown of Hampton-Dumont nine-to-eight to put himself in a match against Matt Paulus of New Hampton for third place today. Pleasantville’s David Ginger fell in his 130 pound semi-final match to Seth Epling of Woodbury Central five-to-four. Ginger defeated Carter Oliver of Woodbine in a consolation semi-final eight-to-four. He will wrestle Skylar Rice of Northwest Webster for third place today. Pleasantville 189 pounder Cass Lester defeated Bryan Martin of South Hamilton yesterday afternoon 15-to-seven. He then lost to Jake Hoffman of Greattenger-Terrill last night in a consolation semi-final 15-to-two. Lester will battle Quinn Meirick of Turkey Valley for fifth place.

Pella Christian Tops Davis County

Posted: Saturday, February 21st, 2009 at 11:09 pm

The Pella Christian Lady Eagles defeated Davis County last night 56-to-47 to move on to the regional final to take on Central Decatur. It wasn’t easy for the Lady Eagles who played Davis County on a neutral site in Ottumwa. The Mustangs led for much of the first half before the Lady Eagles took the lead late in the second quarter. Davis County was able to tie it at the buzzer before the break. The second half was a different story as Pella Christian raced out to a 12 point lead before eventually closing the game out with the nine point win. The press defense of the Eagles caused problems for Davis County all night long which led to easy transition points off of turnovers. Head Coach Kevin Van Maanen thought that was the key in the second half. The regional final will take place in Pleasantville on Monday to make it a neutral site. Tipoff is scheduled for seven.

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