Archive for May, 2009

Although some banks in Iowa are seeing an increase of more than 2% of their loans as ‘nonperforming’, the stability of local banks in Marion County makes them less affected by potential dips in business.  That’s according to Stu Job, president and CEO of Iowa State Saving Bank in Knoxville.  He says Iowa State Savings Bank and area banks weren’t involved in the big commercial and real estate boons and busts more common in metropolitan areas, and therefore remained more salient once the national economy began to sag last year.  Denny Hanson of Valley Bank in Knoxville says the bank also has remained stable by working with customers and not financing large commercial real estate which was severely affected nation-wide.  Mark Prill, president of Pleasantville State Bank, says the bank has not seen an increase in nonperforming loans and continues to practice sound business practices. 

In Pella, Marion County Bank President Pete Verhey says banks are paying attention to possible commercial loan losses with the current economic climate. However, Verhey says at this point he doesn’t foresee any grave problems with commercial loans. Community First Credit Union Branch Manager Ryan Doschadis says the credit union looks to keep their rate of nonperforming loans under one percent. MidWestOne Bank of Pella Vice President of Commercial Banking Carrie Ver Ploeg says they’re well within or below the peer group average as far as nonperforming loans. Leighton State Bank President Steve Fopma describes possible issues with commercial loans as a natural consequence of a depressed economy. As a community bank, Fopma says they work closely with people to address those situations and help them get through difficult times.

The mayor of Marysville—who pled guilty to one count of prescription drug violations—has sentencing set for Friday at 9:30 a.m.  Law enforcement charged Sherri Pettyjohn in January after pursuing reports of false prescriptions being given at multiple pharmacies.

Two people were transported by ambulance from the scene of a vehicle rollover on Highway 163 east of Pella Thursday afternoon. That’s according to the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Department, who told KNIA/KRLS News that the individuals sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The incident occurred near mile marker 51. Traffic eastbound was reduced to one lane as authorities cleared the scene.

The Knoxville Fire Department continues looking into exchanging their heavy rescue truck for a smaller, more useful one.  Knoxville Fire Chief Mike Roberts says their current heavy rescue truck is excessively heavy, has a very wide turning radius, and is impractical to maneuver on city streets, among other factors. The department did receive one bid on the truck,  and at a special meeting earlier this week the city council gave the fire department direction to go back to the broker to make a counter offer of $174,000,  $10,000 more than the offered price, and then to bring back a contract of purchase for the truck if the broker agrees.

The city of Pella will be searching for a new community services director. Kevin Vos had been with the city since 2005. Vos starts his new position as superintendent at Bos Landen on Monday but says he will continue to oversee the annual flower program for the city. Pella City Administrator Mike Nardini says they plan to advertise for the community services position later this summer. The community services director oversees the parks, recreation and aquatics departments for the city of Pella.

ISU is set to begin interviews for the 20 state-wide Extension Office directors soon.  That’s according to Marion County ISU Extension Education Director Dale Miller.  He says once a director of field operations is selected, that person will join a team of interviewers for the 20 director positions: reduced from 97 directors as a way to deal with significant budget cuts for the university.  Each director would then be in charge of re-grouped extension “regions”, with Marion County grouped with Jasper, Mahaska, and Poweshiek counties. of re-grouped extension “regions”.

Planning for the Pella Fourth of July celebration is already underway. The first meeting of the planning committee was held Wednesday. Festivities are likely to include games and activities at Central Park, food stands and entertainment on the Tulip Toren. Entries are being sought for the parade. Interested parties can contact Parade Organizer Merlyn Vander Leest at 628-2189.

Forty-seven area residents attended a program hosted by the Knoxville Historic Preservation Commission last night.  Commission member Carolyn Formanek says the program, by Will Prather and entitled “Historic Towns of Lake Red Rock”, was the second in a series of monthly programs relating to the history and heritage of Knoxville.  Prather spoke on a variety of subjects, including early Red Rock, the Red Rock Line, and early steamboats on the Des Moines River, among others.

The Pella Public Library is preparing for their busiest month of the year. Library Director Wendy Street says they’re looking forward to an influx of visitors with the summer reading programs. She says the adult summer reading program starts Monday. Street notes that adults can also participate in a book discussion on June 23 about “The Rope Walk,” by Carrie Brown, which is this year’s All Iowa Reads selection.

Railroad crews are replacing the railroad bridge on the north side of East Main Street/T15 at Competine Creek on the east side of Knoxville.  That’s according to Knoxville Public Works Director Jeff May.  He says the project will require the closing of one lane of East Main Street/T15 at different times during construction and the pubic should expect delays when the road is restricted to one lane.  The project will be completed sometime in July.