LATEST NEWS

IN THE PAST TWENTY-FOUR HOURS MARION COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES RESPONDED TO 36 CALLS FOR SERVICE INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: EIGHT PAPER SERVICE ATTEMPTS,FOUR MOTORIST ASSISTS, FOUR RETURN PHONE CALLS, TWO EXTRA PATROL CHECKS, TWO SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY CALLS, TWO RESCUES, TWO FOLLOW UPS, ONE CIVIL CALL, ONE DOG, ONE JUVENILE CALL, ONE ACCIDENT, ONE INCOMPLETE 911, ONE CONTROLLED BURN, ONE INFORMATION, ONE FRAUD, ONE TRESPASS, ONE RECKLESS DRIVER, ONE MEET SUBJECT AND ONE WANTED PERSON.

POLK COUNTY, Iowa — Officials in Polk County have identified the man whodied in a motorcycle crash on June 2. According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Lynn Cooke, 63, of Runnells, was riding the motorcycle westbound near the 11200 block of Southeast 32nd Avenue before crossing the eastbound lane and entering the ditch south of the road.

An accident occurred early Monday afternoon, resulting in three individuals being injured, with one of them sustaining serious injuries. The incident took place approximately two miles south of Unionville. The driver identified as Randolph Reed, 57 years old and from Columbia, was airlifted via a medical helicopter to Mercy One...

(Polk County, IA) -- The Polk County Sheriff's Office is releasing the identity of a man killed in a motorcycle crash last week. The Sheriff's Office says 63 year-old Lynn Cook of Runnells died in the crash Friday evening. Deputies responded to reports of the crash around 9pm, after investigators say someone passing by noticed a light coming from the ditch near the intersection of SE112th Street and SE 32nd Avenue about 15 minutes southeast of Pleasant Hill. The Sheriff's Office says that person went to check on the light and found a motorcycle and an unresponsive man at the scene. First responders arrived and tried to administer life-saving measures, but Cook died at the scene. Investigators say alcohol could have been a factor in the crash and that Cook was not wearing a helmet.

Authorities have identified the man who died in a motorcycle crash Friday as Lynn Cooke, 63, of Runnels. Evidence showed that it was a single-vehicle crash involving only the operator, according to a Tuesday news release from the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Cooke was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and alcohol may have been a factor, the release said.

POLK COUNTY, IOWA — Authorities are releasing new information about a single-vehicle accident that took the life of a motorcyclist on Friday evening in Des Moines. First responders were called to rural Polk County around 9:00 p.m. on Friday when a passing vehicle spotted a light in the ditch near SE 112th Street and SE […]

Ridiculous Day in Knoxville returns this week with a combined effort from downtown merchants and the Knoxville Farmers Market. Denay Marsh, Assistant Farmers Market Manager, tells KNIA/KRLS News that the market will be located on the west side of the courthouse. Regular hours of the market are from 8 a.m. until noon on Saturdays.

There are still some minor details that need to be taken care of but the new $1.3 million building at Cordova Park is just about ready to be put to use. Steve Edwards, Executive Director of the Marion County Conservation Department, tells KNIA/KRLS News, “Out at Cordova Park we started back in May of 2022. So it’s been awhile, but it’s a new office building for our department as well as a classroom to help increase the programming for our environmental education sector and our Naturalist Marla Mertz.”

Thursdays In Pella is off to the races this week as race drivers from seven Central Iowa race tracks will be on hand to display their race cars and meet their fans. Lori Cutter and Tyler Weyers say the event is meant to connect the Pella community with the surrounding tradition of racing in the region.

An update was posted on the City of Knoxville’s website to show the progress of the community. The information was shared by Knoxville City Manager Heather Ussery to spread the positivity about the progress that is being made in Knoxville. Ussery points out that Knoxville has been on an...

Leighton State Bank will open a new branch in Knoxville, Iowa, this summer, expanding the bank’s services to four communities. The Knoxville branch at 207 E. Main St. will open in late summer. Leighton State Bank, founded in 1911, looks forward to supporting Knoxville’s growth, including VA campus redevelopment,...

The Mahaska County Board of Supervisors met yesterday and approved a 28E agreement between the county and Southern Iowa Mental Health. The agreement involves 13 counties cooperating as a region to provide mental health and disability services to south central Iowa. Supervisor Steve Wanders said that the agreement has involved 14 counties in the past, but is otherwise similar to past agreements with the county. County attorney Andrew Ritland said that the agreement was above water, but advised the board that pending legislation at the governor’s office would make it so that the Southern Iowa Mental Health board cannot be majority represented by members of county boards of supervisors.

The Pella Community Food Shelf will be serving from its new location starting Tuesday. This week, pre-sacked items will be available to patrons on Tuesday from 8 to 9 a.m. and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 1111 West 16th Street in Pella. A capital campaign to fundraise and support renovations is ongoing. Financial contributions–which can be designated for the fundraising campaign, can be sent on Venmo or to:

The Pleasantville Trojan varsity baseball team won again Monday on the road by breaking a 3-3 tie in the seventh inning. The Trojans beat Des Moines Christian 7-3 behind the pitching of Braylon Bingham while Brayden Kennedy picked up the save. Dylan Aldirch was 2-for-3 at the plate with an...

The Sprint Car Capital of the World set for two nights of World of Outlaws action. Knoxville Raceway has hosted the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars at least one night every June over the past 19 years – a tradition that continues this weekend (June 9-10).

A 38-year-old Knoxville man pleaded guilty to two counts of Stalking. Jacob Lee Baxter entered a plea of guilty to two counts of Stalking June 1. The stalking cases took place in the Spring of 2022. Baxter was sentenced to five years for each count of stalking for a total of 10 years.

Last night shortly after 8:00 pm, the Knoxville Fire Department was dispatched to a reported residential fire in the 100 block of South Conrey. Crews arrived to find smoke throughout the main floor of the residence. They made entry to find a dryer on fire. Crews extinguished the fire and ventilated the structure.

Something new is coming to the Nelson Pioneer Farm & Museum. The Mahaska County Historical Society is currently fundraising for a massive exhibit renovation in the main museum building. The entire lower level that once displayed dolls, toys, and various historic room set ups is being transformed into two new exhibits. “A Legacy of Patriotism and Service” showcases Mahaska County’s veterans and military service since the county’s founding in 1844 to present. The artifacts and stories highlighted feature local residents who were involved in the Civil War, Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and more recent conflicts in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq. “In addition to our robust collection of Civil War, WWI, and WWII artifacts, we are actively collecting documents, artifacts, and stories from veterans and active service personnel about more recent conflicts,” explains Director/Curator Margaret Spiegel. “Also featured in this exhibit is an interactive database of information about our veterans. Family members or veterans can submit a questionnaire to include basic information about their/their loved one’s service. We are very excited to have this element in the exhibit so it can continue to grow.”

PELLA, Iowa — Since their5-year-old daughter Milly was run over and killed by a pickup truck while she was sledding in February, Kristi and Andy Zellmer have received plenty of support from the Pella community. Now, they're honoring her and giving back to those who have supported them at...

Expand Your World will be a program offered by the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Program. The day camp will be from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. The program is for students in kindergarten through third grade. Grades are based on the one they just completed in the Spring of 2023.