Murder trial postponed 
The trial for a 39-year-old Knoxville resident charged with murder in the first degree was delayed until August 25th at a hearing Monday. Both the lawyers for Steven Dean McGinnis and the state told Judge Martha Mertz more case preparation time involving medical evaluations, defense pleas and other issues was needed before the trial, which was originally scheduled for May 5. McGinnis is charged in the shooting death of Knoxville resident Robert Ohl. 

Historic Pella Trust has annual meeting tonight 
This is Historic Preservation Day in the city of Pella. Historic Pella Trust President Wayne Stienstra says the purpose of this day is to showcase some of the historic houses in the community. According to Stienstra, 14 buildings in Pella are on the National Register of Historic Places. The annual meeting of the Historic Pella Trust is at 7:30 p.m. at the Pella Opera House.

One person hospitalized after crash 
One person was hospitalized following a two-vehicle accident Monday afternoon in Pella. Authorities say 51-year-old Pamela Brown of Pella was transported by ambulance to Pella Regional Health Center. The accident occurred at 3:02 p.m. at the intersection of East First Street and Independence. 

Knoxville City Council considers golf court ordinance 
The Knoxville City Council considered the first reading of an ordinance requiring all golf carts operated on city streets to have liability insurance at their meeting Monday. The council also considered a first reading of an ordinance amendment removing the $525 fee that out-of-town vendors pay during the week of the Knoxville Nationals, and going back to the annual fee of $105 charged to all vendors excluding non-profit groups.

Pella City Council to hold hearing on power plant project
The Pella City Council will hold a public hearing tonight on a fuel handling improvement project at the Pella Power Plant. In a policy and planning session to follow the regular meeting, council is scheduled to review the city solid waste contract, among other items. The Pella City Council meets at 7:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Complex.

Electronics collection offered in Knoxville 
Earth Day is tomorrow, and residents are encouraged to bring electronic waste items to the Knoxville High School before or after school for a recycling program by environmental science students. Ryan Richardson, Knoxville high school science teacher, says e-waste includes electronic items no longer used, broken, or otherwise which would end up in a landfill. Richardson says some items will require a fee to have them recycled, which could range from $5 to $20.

Central holds Community Service Day 
Central Colleg
e students, faculty and staff are taking time to give back to their communities. The college is holding their annual Community Service Day. Director of Community-Based Learning Cheri Doane says more than 800 people are participating this year in a variety of projects that cover six counties. This includes everything from helping to prepare for Tulip Time to eliminating invasive species at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. 

Pre-trial conference set for man facing cocaine and weapons charge 
A 44-year-old Knoxville man charged with Delivery of a Schedule II Controlled Substance, cocaine, and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon has pre-trial conference set for April 27th. Larry Darnell Muldrew was arrested earlier this year by officers with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Knoxville Police Department, South Central Iowa Drug Task Force, Mid-Iowa Narcotic Enforcement Drug Task Force, and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.

Special Olympians compete in spring games 
Eight Marion County Special Olympic Athletes competed at the Spring Games held at Simpson College last week. Maureen Schletzbaum, head coach of Marion County Special Olympics, says five athletes- Cameron Cross from Melcher Dallas, Joe Cunningham from Monroe, Jacob Hindman from Knoxville, Chase Robbins from Pleasantville and Marissa Schletzbaum from Pleasantville – advanced to the State Summer games on May 22. 

USP prepares for Tulip Time production 
A local community theatre group plans to share some local history with their 2009 Tulip Time production, Letters from Pella. The play, written by current Union Street Players President Tom Vander Well, is based on actual letters by the first Pella residents. The production opens May 6 with performances daily during Tulip Time.