Chamber launches shop local campaign
The Pella Chamber of Commerce is launching a year-long shop local campaign. Residents will start noticing the "Go Local, Grow Pella" logos around the community after Tulip Time, according to Chamber Director Karen Eischen. She says this will include avenue banners and window clings. Eischen says shopping local will help keep your favorite local businesses open.

Crews respond to fire near Knoxville 
The Knoxville Township Fire Department quickly responded to a fence and tree on fire on a property on Highway 14 north Thursday, just outside the city limits. Marion County Sheriffs Deputies also responded to the scene. No injuries were reported.

Progress continues on VA transition 
Progress continues on the Knoxville VA Campus transition process. That’s according to Knoxville Mayor Harv Sprafka. He says the meeting last month with U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki helped to facilitate discussion with federal officials on building a Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, or C-BOC. Recent progress this week included meetings held by local VA Taskforce and community leaders. Sprafka adds more details regarding C-BOC construction and bidding process are expected from federal officials May 15th. 

Special deer hunt to return 
The special city of Pella deer hunt will return for the 2009-2010 season but with a slightly different schedule. Assistant City Administrator Michael Marcinkowski says bow hunting in Big Rock Park will have a shorter timeframe; from around Thanksgiving to sometime toward the end of January. He notes that the Iowa DNR has yet to set the start and end dates for special hunts. The program began last season in an effort to control the deer population. 

Local funeral home participates in procession to honor soldiers 
Bybee & Davis Funeral Home in Knoxville is participating in a funeral procession to honor the eight unclaimed remains of soldiers from Americas past wars Friday. Funeral Home Director Ray Bertrand says they’re working with the Missing in America Project to escort the soldiers remains from the funeral home in Knoxville to the Cemetery in Van Meter west of Des Moines. Those wanting to follow the procession should be at Bybee & Davis at 12:30 p.m. Friday.

Pella Christian holds annual banquet tonight 
Pella Christian High School Juniors and Seniors have their annual banquet tonight. Head Sponsor of the Junior Class Larry Hessing says the event features an underwater theme this year called "Into the Depths." Students will enjoy dinner and entertainment at the Pella Christian High School. Hessing says the dance will start at 9:15 p.m. at Vermeer Global Pavilion with an After-Banquet Party to follow the dance also at the Global Pavilion. 

Another furlough day for court workers 
The next furlough day for the Marion County Courthouse is Friday as the state court offices will be closed due to state budget cuts. The state offices on the third and fourth floors of the Marion County courthouse will be closed Friday, with the rest of the courthouse open as usual. 

Pella High School to perform childrens show 
An old Southern folk tale comes to life on the Pella High School stage tonight. Director Suzi Jones says "Wily and the Hairy Man" is about a boy overcoming his fears of a creature called the Hairy Man who lives in a swamp. Performances are tonight and Saturday at 7:00 p.m. at the Pella High School Auditorium. Admission is $3.

Sprint car racing season starts tomorrow
The 2009 Sprint Car racing season kicks-off Saturday at the Knoxville Raceway. Executive Director for the Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum, Bob Baker, encourages residents and visitors alike to attend the races this season, and to check out the museums new 42-seat sprint car movie theater, library and research center, and hall of fame pictures, all on the 2nd floor with a museum ticket purchase. 

Library book sale exceeds expectations 
The Friends of the Pella Public Library spring book sale made almost $1,200 this year. That’s according to Library Director Wendy Street. She says the typical book sale makes between $200 and $250. Funds will go to the Friends of the Pella Public Library. Street says the organization gives money for the collection, purchases equipment and pays for some of the online services, along with other aid.