Knoxville, IA

Pella, IA

A local emergency response service is working to add a unique member to its team soon. Pella Ambulance has been selected by Crisis Canines of the Midlands to be. part of their therapy dog program. Chief Greg Higginbotham says crisis response canines are specifically selected and trained to interact with individuals who are experiencing extreme emotions after a crisis or disaster. According to Higginbotham, their newest teammate will be Nitro, and should be with the service sometime in April. He says canine is provided at no cost, as Crisis Canines donates the dog, training, and equipment, Midland Prairie Vet Clinic in Colfax is providing regular health checkups, and Purina is donating all food.

Pella Ambulance Working to Add Crisis Canine

In 2021, the Community Betterment Organization (CBO) acquired the former Pella Early Learning Center facilities following the childcare’s merger with New Horizon Academy. In alignment with the organization’s mission to support the City of Pella, the group has decided to gift these facilities, which are located at 215 Main Street, 712 Huber Street, and 714 Huber Street, to the City of Pella for municipal use.

Community Betterment Organization Gifts Former Pella Early Learning Center Facilities to the City of Pella

Indianola, IA

Construction work continues on the alleys and parking lots of the downtown Indianola square, with work currently on the south alley and city-owned parking lot. City Manager Ben Reeves tells KNIA News this phase of the construction won’t be as visible or affect as many Indianola residents as the previous phases, but they will be able to notice the difference once the work is done and they can take advantage of the improved parking and utilities on each section as it is completed. To listen to the full interview, go to this story on KNIAKRLS.com.

City of Indianola Parking Lot Construction to Bring Benefits

Marion County, IA

There will be a severe weather storm spotter training session held Monday at 6:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Doors will open at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Marion County Public Health Training Room at 2003 North Lincoln Street in Knoxville. The class is being brought by the National Weather Service, in conjunction with Marion County Emergency Management.

Severe Weather Storm Spotter Training

Thousands of visitors are making plans to descend upon Pella to take part in the Tulip Time Festival in early May. Tulip Time Steering Committee Co-Chair Joel Bennett says to keep them all safe during their visit, barricades are located around the perimeter of the event to restrict vehicle traffic, and that they depend on volunteers and workers to staff 180 shifts during the three days of Tulip Time, and as of now, 60 of those remain open.

Help Still Needed for Tulip Time Barricades

Des Moines, IA

After six and a half years of service, Christian Opportunity Center (COC) announced the promotion of Kelsey Goff to Regional Director of Residential Services. In her new role, Goff will be responsible for the oversight of Residential programs providing support and services to individuals with disabilities in the Pella, Indianola, and Des Moines Regions.

Christian Opportunity Center Announces Promotion of Staff Member

Iowa State

The Knoxville High School Mock Trial Team qualified for State for the sixth year in a row with a fourth place finish at Regionals Thursday in Marshalltown. The team scored 487 points to earn the state trip to Des Moines. There is a short turnaround for the 10 students on...

Knoxville Mock Trial Advances to State

The Indianola Water Resource Recovery Facility construction is 99% complete, and is currently serving Indianola residents with wastewater treatment that meets the new DNR and EPA standards. City Manager Ben Reeves tells KNIA News obviously the plant was a big expense for the city and a burden on taxpayers due to the use of the LOST funds, however many other cities will now have to pay much higher construction costs to install theirs, something Indianola avoided by completing it when they did.

Indianola WRRF To Save Money Long-Term

Indianola Parks and Rec’s next Tunes and Treats concert will be in April, featuring Weary Ramblers. Kathy Kester with Indianola Parks and Rec tells KNIA News Chad Elliott and Kathryn Fox are a newly formed, award-winning folk duo that perform Americana, honky tonk, blues, bluegrass & more. The concert is hosted by Indianola Parks & Recreation and sponsored by The Village, with dessert provided by Indianola Hy-Vee, and takes place on April 11th at 2pm at the Indianola Activity Center.

Indianola Parks and Rec Tunes and Treats Concert Features Weary Ramblers

Multiple-time All-State honorees Aleigha Ausman, Luci Hopkins, and Ryan Sales discuss their recognition and the upcoming Pella High improv shows. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | Subscribe to Let's Talk Pella.

Let’s Talk Pella – All-State Individual Speech at Pella High

Many Hands Thrift Market in Indianola is holding a discussion today about their mission and new store coming to Indianola. The discussion will center on the mission of Many Hands including raising funds to assist Haiti including providing better education, agriculture, medicine, and more. The discussion will also allow the public to meet the new Thrift Market employees and hear about volunteer opportunities. The discussion will be at the Indianola Friends Church beginning at 9am. Many Hands Thrift Market in Indianola will open in May, and will include secondhand clothes, accessories, home décor pieces, kitchenware, toys, and more.

Many Hands Thrift Market Hosting Discussion Today

The Earth Day Upcycle Challenge is coming to the Pella Public Library. Join us today as Dr. Bob Leonard goes “In Depth” with Library Assistant Carol Weihe, Colleen Platt, homeschool mom, Kate Kanne Smith, Professor at Central College, and Amelia Brown, a student at Central College. Podcast: Play...

IN DEPTH: Earth Day Upcycle Challenge

The Indianola boys track and field team will compete again on the road Monday, this time traveling to Bondurant-Farrar for the Bluejay Coed Invitational. The Indians had several top finishes in the competitive meet at Waukee Northwest on Friday, and head coach Matt Oliver says as the season goes on he will have a much better idea of who will be best in each competition, but for now he is just trying to see what fits where. The Indians will be joined by Winterset, Saydel, Creston, and Carlisle. Action starts at 4:30pm.

Indianola Boys Track Travels to Bondurant-Farrar

The 6th annual Indianola Young Professionals Putt Putt and Pints Classic is coming in April, raising funds for local charities that benefit children and families in need within Indianola. Organizer Bobbi Gladson tells KNIA News participants will travel to various businesses on the downtown Indianola square and surrounding area playing a hole of mini golf at each location, and teams of four will be awarded 1st and 2nd place prizes for their overall scores, with prizes for the “Best Dressed” team also up for grabs. All participants will get free snacks/food at every location as well as a free koozie. The event takes place on April 1st beginning at 10am. The registration deadline is today. For more registration information, click below.

IYP Putt Putt and Pints Registration Open

The Pella School Board will review the district’s certified budget process at their meeting Monday. A presentation will be given to highlight the current fiscal status of the district and a comparison of property tax rates over multiple years. The board will schedule a public hearing for formal consideration of the fiscal year 2024 budget on April 10th.

Pella School Board to Review Certified Budget Process

After a 44-year career at Pella Cooperative Electric Association, Tim Ver Meer hung up his lineman gear on March 22nd. Tim joined the Cooperative right out of high school in 1979 as an apprentice lineman. Later he became a journeyman lineman until his most recent position as the line superintendent, leading the PCEA team of linemen and foreman.

Ver Meer Retired from Pella Cooperative Electric

There will be an Open House Reception for artist Kelsey Nichols Thursday, March 30 at 5:30 p.m. at the Knoxville Public Library. The reception will be followed by a short question and answer session with Kelsey at 6 p.m. It will be a chance to meet the artist, view new pieces and enjoy light refreshments.

Kelsey Nichols to Display Art at Library

Visitation for Arlin Harvey will be held from noon to 1:30 pm, Saturday, April 1, at the First Baptist Church in Pella, with funeral services following at 2:00 pm at the church. The Garden Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Arlin Harvey

The Knights of Columbus is serving a Fish Fry every Friday during Lent at the Saint Anthony’s Church in Knoxville from 5-6:30 p.m. The event is slated to run through March 31. Church Secretary Amanda Welsh tells KNIA/KRLS News the meal includes fried or baked tilapia for $12 or...

Fish Fry for Lent at Saint Anthony’s Church

A strong season for the Pella High School speech department concluded with one of its best years on the individual competition circuit. A total of eight Dutch earned All-State Individual recognition from the Iowa High School Speech Association, and will perform Monday at the University of Northern Iowa:. Aleigha Ausman:...

Pella High School Sending Eight to Individual All-State Speech

Illinois State

Central College welcomes a “Wildlife Photography” exhibit by Kayla Lindquist, Class of 2025, to the Mills Gallery until Friday, April 14. A reception for the artist will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, April 1, in the Mills Gallery, Lubbers Center on Central’s campus. The gallery is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Central College’s Mills Gallery Features Kayla Lindquist

It’s not often a school loses the amount of elite talent Pella graduated from their 2022 boys track and field team and considers their next season anything other than a rebuild. The likes of Karl Miller, Gage Huyser, Nolan Clayberg, Reece Thoreson, and Josiah Wittenberg, were among a senior...

Pella Boys Track and Field Poised to Remain Near Top of Class 3A

To say that the Knoxville Boys Golf Squad is in a good position to go to the state meet for a 3rd consecutive season is probably an understatement. The Panthers bring back all six players who were at the state meet last year that tied for 5th place overall and Coach Barry Smith has seven guys on the team that has played on a state tournament team. A very deep team to say the least, and he says it is only getting better.

IN DEPTH: Public Safety 8; Knoxville Fire and Rescue

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