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Knoxville – 1,044,187. Under the current agreement that expires at the end of this fiscal year:. Under the proposed new draft, Pella is asking for 12% instead of eight, as the community generates just under 65% of that revenue — and that would result in roughly $200,000 in new revenue for the Tulip City coming from county funds. The Pella City Council will ask for a phased increase over four years to lessen the impact, and will also aim to include provisions about potential state law changes related to the fund. No formal action was taken at this week’s meeting.

The Marion County Development Commission is now accepting nominations to honor 10 young professionals in the Red Rock Area. The purpose of these annual awards is to highlight the impact that young adults are making in Marion County, encourage young adults to become involved as volunteers, and highlight the benefits for young adults to live and work in Marion County. Nominees must live and work in Marion County and be between the ages of 18 to 40 years old on December 1st, 2023. Marion County Development Commission Executive Director Carla Eysink encourages residents and businesses to nominate individuals.

IN THE PAST TWENTY-FOUR HOURS MARION COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES RESPONDED TO 39 CALLS FOR SERVICE INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: TEN EXTRA PATROL CHECKS, NINE PAPER SERVICE ATTEMPTS, THREE RECKLESS DRIVER COMPLAINTS, TWO MOTORIST ASSISTS, TWO ESCORTS, ASSISTED TWO OTHER AGENCY’S, ONE ACCIDENT, ONE DEER CALL, ONE RESCUE CALL, ONE DOG, ONE SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY, ONE VEHICLE INSPECTION, ONE TRANSPORT, RETURNED ONE PHONE CALL, ONE VEHICLE UNLOCK, ONE JUVENILE CALL AND ONE FIRE ALARM.

Local unemployment rates rose in the month of October, according to the latest update from the Iowa Workforce Development. The unemployment rate in Marion County increased from 2.3% in September to 2.6% last month. There are 19,310 residents employed and 510 seeking work and receiving benefits. The rate also went up in Warren County, going from 2.6% in September to 3.0% in October. There are 28,621 residents employed and 896 people seeking work and receiving benefits. Statewide, the unemployment rate in Iowa rose from 2.9% in September to 3.2% in October, and that number is up from 2.6% at this time last year.

Marion County, Iowa has high school basketball games on the docket today, and information on how to watch them is available here. Follow high school basketball this season on the NFHS Network! Keep tabs on your family or alma mater and tune in!. Game Time: 12:00 AM CT on November...

In the heart of southeast Marion County lies Bussey, Iowa, a town of 387 souls as per the 2020 census, which whispers tales of its coal mining grandeur from the late 19th to the early 20th century. Founded in 1867 by Jesse Bussey, the city flourished with the rise of the coal mining industry, becoming the largest in Marion County, thanks to the O.K. Coal Company. The echoes of the era persist, with the United Mine Workers local 69 symbolizing Bussey's vital part in labor rights history.

Marion County Development Executive Director Carla Eysink discusses the Central Iowa Twinkleland Passport and other things happening with Marion County Development. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More.

IN THE PAST TWENTY-FOUR HOURS MARION COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES RESPONDED TO 24 CALLS FOR SERVICE INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: SEVEN EXTRA PATROL CHECKS, FIVE PAPER SERVICE ATTEMPTS, THREE RETURN CALLS, ONE RECKLESS DRIVER, ONE JUVENILE, ONE CIVIL ISSUE, ONE THEFT, ONE RESCUE, ONE MOTORIST ASSIST, ONE COMPLIANCE CHECK, ONE ESCORT AND ONE REPORT OF SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY.

Iowa State University and Outreach in Marion County is holding a wreath making workshop on December 14th. The event starts at 6:00 pm with real balsam greenery, wreath frame, and wire provided. Limited amounts of ribbon are available, but participants can bring any decorations they would like to put on their wreath. Pre-registration is required, and spots are only available for the first 20 registrants. The registration fee is $15, and will be used to support agriculture and natural resources in Marion County.

Marion County Development has announced the Central Iowa Twinkleland Passport. This free, digital passport includes holiday light stops and retail shops selling holiday décor & apparel. The passport has check-ins where participants can earn points as they visit locations in Knoxville, Pella, Pleasantville and Oskaloosa. Some participating stores also have discounts that can be redeemed through the passport. Marion County Development Executive Director Carla Eysink says it’s a fun and easy way to enjoy the holiday season.

The Knoxville City Council split vote passed at their meeting Monday night regarding inspection fees with the Marion County Fair board. The agreement regarding inspection fees and building permits, specifically at the Knoxville Raceway, had been in place since 1997. The agreement with the county is no longer active, so a new one was needed to be made. The agreement essentially means that the Knoxville Raceway is not required to pay inspection fees for projects that they do at the facility. After a lengthy discussion with Knoxville Raceway General Manager Jason Reed as to why they’ve been exempt from these fees, the agreement ultimately passed. Knoxville City Manager Heather Ussery says there were some concerns from council members on the nature of the agreement.

Marion County Assessor Kelli Kingery has submitted her resignation after being in the role since 2017. The resignation will go into effect on November 30th, and Kingery has accepted a CAMA specialist role with the company Vanguard. Kingery was approached at an annual assessor’s fall conference about the role in which she will work from home, and tells KNIA/KRLS radio it was too good an opportunity to pass up. Despite leaving her current position, Kingery is grateful for her eighteen years working for Marion County.

The Pella City Council will review a proposal to the Marion County Board of Supervisors for renewal of distribution of the Local Option Sales and Service Tax at their meeting this Tuesday. During policy and planning, an overview will be given to what will potentially be proposed for a 20-year-agreement. According to City of Pella Administration, Pella generates 64% of the overall sales tax in the county, up from 54% when the current agreement was established in 2011. That current redistribution gives Pella an additional 8% and Knoxville 4% on top of what they generate. If those rates were to match now, Pella would need to be at 12%. However, the Marion County Board of Supervisors has expressed that would cause short-term fiscal issues, so Pella is proposing to have years one and two of the agreement stay as is, with three and four up to 10%, and 12% from year five and beyond. No formal action is scheduled this week on the proposal. The City of Knoxville has proposed to the county to maintain the current four percent, and the intent is for a joint presentation between the cities in the near future. The Pella City Council meeting begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Pella Public Safety Complex.

A Des Moines man was arrested in Marion County on Tuesday for felony firearm possession. At 3:15 am Tuesday morning, a Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy initiated a traffic stop for a vehicle that was traveling 80 mph in a 65 mph speed zone on Highway 163. The deputy smelled illegal narcotics coming from the vehicle while speaking to the occupants. Upon conducting a probable cause search, the deputy located multiple containers of what he believed to be illegal narcotics belonging to the passenger and a loaded 9mm handgun between the driver’s seat and center console. The deputy learned that the driver of the vehicle, 26-year-old Milton Grady of Des Moines, was a convicted felon in the State of Iowa.

IN THE PAST TWENTY-FOUR HOURS MARION COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES RESPONDED TO 38 CALLS FOR SERVICE INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: TEN EXTRA PATROL REQUESTS, EIGHT PAPER SERVICE ATTEMPTS, FIVE TRANSPORTS, TWO ACCIDENTS, TWO ASSAULTS, TWO ESCORTS, TWO RESCUE CALLS, ONE WANTED SUBJECT, ONE THEFT, ONE ALARM CALL, ONE CIVIL CALL, ONE ATV CALL, ONE SUSPICIOUS PERSON, AND ONE MOTORIST ASSIST.

United Way continues to help support Marion County. United Way is a worldwide organization that provides funds to nonprofits to help mobilize communities around the world to close gaps and open opportunities so everyone can thrive. United Way is active in 37 countries and 1,100 communities, partnering with local organizations to provide funding and opportunities. The Marion County United Way was established in 1972, and has granted over $500,000 over the last decade.

Marion County Conservation Naturalist Marla Mertz discusses their Building Better Birders and Citizen Scientists Workshops on Friday and Saturday and her November Nature Notes. Podcast: Play in new window | Download. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More.

A stretch of dry conditions throughout the fall season has drought worsening again locally. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor Report, extreme drought — the third highest on the national scale, is once again in place in portions of southern Marion and Warren Counties. The latest update has one-third of Marion County at that rating, and most of Lucas and all of Monroe Counties are also now in those conditions. The rest of the region is primarily in severe drought, with the northeastern part of Marion County rated at moderate. No major relief is in sight, according to the National Weather Service, with the next best chance for rain returning Monday; however, little-to-no significant precipitation is expected with that system.