Pella Christian falls to Solon, finishes strong season 
Pella Christian lost to Solon in the class two-A boys state championship game last night 55-to-41. The Eagles finish the season with a record of 26-and-two. Pella Christian’s Cliff Warner was named to the all-tournament team and Tyler Klyn was awarded the Student/Athlete Achiever title. Eli Gronendyk led Pella Christian scoring 12 points.

4H students visit state capitol 
Marion County 4H students visited the state capitol this past Thursday and had the opportunity to visit with their local legislators. State Representative Jim Van Engelenhoven says the students represented themselves well and that the smaller group setting allowed time for conversation. He says another small group of students may visit the capitol this coming week. 

Marion County receives more FEMA reimbursement 
Marion County has received $492,000 in FEMA reimbursement recovery dollars for the 2008 area floods and tornadoes. Thats according to Tom Wadle from the Marion County Engineers Office. He says the county was also approved for a total of $655,000 of reimbursement, although he stresses the total amount of money applied to Marion County is subject to change depending on FEMA administrative procedures. 

Deer harvest numbers down 
The Iowa DNR says that the 2008-2009 reported deer harvest was down slightly. Hunters harvested more than 142,000 deer, or about 4,000 fewer than the previous season. In Marion County alone, 2,319 deer were harvested. Of those, over 1100 were does. Marion County Conservation Officer John Mertz says in recent years more does have been taken than bucks, which helps to manage the population. The DNR says statewide deer populations have been reduced an estimated 25 percent. 

Arraignment set for cocaine charge 
A 44-year-old Knoxville man charged last month with Delivery of a Schedule II Controlled Substance, cocaine, and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon has arraignment set for March 23rd at 9:30 a.m. Larry Darnell Muldrew was arrested by officers with the Sheriffs Office, Knoxville Police Department, South Central Iowa Drug Task Force, Mid-Iowa Narcotic Enforcement Drug Task Force, and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.

Tree/shrub ordering deadline approaches 
Marion County residents have until April 1st to order trees and shrubs from the Marion County Soil & Water Conservation Office. Thats according to Marcia Grimm from the Office. She says residents can call 641-842-5314 to order a brochure, which lists all the different trees, shrubs, potted items and more, which come in bundles of 25. However Grimm says residents can also purchase single-potted trees or buy a bundle of five trees. 

Book Bash in Knoxville, Pella 
Early childhood literacy is the emphasis of a special event Saturday at both the Pella and Knoxville public libraries. Families First will hold a Book Bash centered on the boo
k, Is Your Mama a Llama? According to Director Jodi Bokhoven, the first 100 families with a child age 0-5 in Pella and the first 75 in Knoxville will receive a free copy of the book. The Book Bash is from 10:00 11:30 a.m. Saturday. 

Knoxville FFA Banquet tonight 
The Knoxville chapter of the FFA is having its 72nd annual banquet Saturday at 6 p.m. in Knoxville High School. Brent Hanna, FFA advisor for Knoxville High school, says the banquet is meant to recognize and honor the FFA students and members for their work on programs over the past year. There are more than 135 students involved in the Knoxville FFA branch.

Preparations for Klompen Classic continue
Organizers are already preparing for the 2009 Klompen Classic. The unofficial kick-off to Tulip Time is May 6 and serves as a fundraiser for Crossroads of Pella. Race Director Julie Johnson says last year over 1800 people participated in the 5K Walk/Run, and their hoping for greater numbers this year. 

District hires new guidance counselor 
Spring is right around the corner, bringing many bird species back into the area. Thats according to Marion County Naturalist Marla Mertz. She says the turkey vultures are beginning to move into Marion County along with Killdeer, Red-wing blackbirds, snowgeese, pintails, mergansers and a slough of others. Mertz says the birds returning is a sure sign of spring.
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