Knoxville, IA

Indianola, IA

Today’s Let’s Talk Indianola features part two of a two-part series with Warren County Emergency Management Coordinator Troy Bass about emergency preparedness. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | Subscribe to Let's Talk Indianola.

Let’s Talk Indianola – Emergency Preparedness

Pella, IA

Marion County, IA

Marion County Development Commission has released its annual Top 10 Under 40 list, recognizing some of the best young professionals living and working in Marion County, and one of our own has been selected for 2022. Andrew Schneider is the Pella News and Sports Director for 92.1 KRLS radio, and...

KRLS Radio Employee Chosen Among Marion County’s Best Young Professionals

Iowa State

One of the busiest groups of local teenagers has embarked on their journey promoting Pella’s signature celebration. Tulip Queen Cheyne Plants and the Royal Court of Anna DeNooy, Avery Verhoef, Ellie Wogen, and Tatum Carlstone held the first public performance of their annual program Tuesday in the Pella Community Center, and followed that up with a visit to the Iowa State Capitol on Wednesday. The group met Governor Kim Reynolds and Lt. Governor Adam Gregg, and were highlighted on the floor of the Iowa Senate. Queen Cheyne also visited the Secretary of State’s Office, and registered to vote over the original copy of Iowa’s state constitution from 1857.

Tulip Court Starts Journey with First Performance, Trip to Capitol

Three More Drake Qualifiers for Pella Boys Track and Field at Waukee. It didn’t take long for the Pella boys track and field team to make an impact as the outdoor season started at the Waukee Early Bird Thursday. While no team scores were kept, the Dutch added three more entries to the Drake Relays via automatic qualifier, including the Distance Medley Relay of CJ Shetterly, Quinn Gruver, Trey Van Hauen, and Chase Lauman, who clocked in at 3:34.88. Brandon Fischer enjoyed throwing outside, as he came within nine inches of breaking the school record in the discus with a toss of 186 feet even — which is now the highest mark in Iowa so far this season, and his shot put heave of 55 feet, 7 inches also broke the Blue Standard distance, earning him two Drake Relays’ bids. Those qualifiers will join Chase Lauman (800, 1600, 3200 meters), CJ Shetterly (Long Jump), and Hanson King (Shot Put) at the Drake Relays in late April.

Pella Spring Sports Recap – 3-30-2023

The 6th annual Indianola Young Professionals Putt Putt and Pints Classic is Saturday, 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 Saturday beginning at 10am. For more registration information, click below.

IYP Putt Putt and Pints Classic Saturday

There will be an Open House Reception for artist Kelsey Nichols today at 5:30 p.m. at the Knoxville Public Library. The reception will be followed by a short question and answer session with Nichols 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 the Library

The Knoxville Police Department partnered with Hy-Vee for an event called Cookie with a Cop. The event started Wednesday and runs through Sunday, April 2nd. Knoxville Police Chief Aaron Fuller said there is a big display once you enter Hy-Vee. The display is of cookies of chocolate chips and M&M’s.

Cookie with a Cop at Hy-Vee

While it’s about a month later than normal, the Pella City Council held the first of two annual budget workshops Tuesday. For fiscal year 2024, City Administration proposed a plan that would spend $55.7 million – or an increase of 19%, starting this July. This new plan includes a proposal to maintain the current property tax rate at $10.20 per $1,000 of valuation and an increase of water rates of 7%.

City of Pella Hosted First Budget Session Tuesday; Second Tonight

The Indianola Brush Facility Electronics Drop-Off event is coming in April, allowing Indianola residents to drop off their unwanted electronics to be disposed of safely. Electronics, old appliances, and hazardous materials can be dropped off on April 15th from 9am to 1pm. The brush facility opens to the public for yard waste disposal this Saturday, and the City of Indianola Spring Cleanup event will be April 24th-28th. The facility is open for use for residents with a state-issued ID showing an Indianola address. For more information, click below.

Indianola Brush Facility Electronics Drop Off in Indianola

The Kiwanis Club of Pella will host their annual easter egg hunt on Saturday at 10:30 a.m., with a weather delay date of Saturday, April 8th. Children four and under will have a designated area to search and 5-8 year olds will have another space. Also making an appearance is the Easter Bunny. The KNIA/KRLS Lil’ Big Red Radio will be there for announcements and music.

Pella Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt Returns April 1st

The Indianola HyVee is honoring a long-time employee’s retirement in a special way, naming a street in the Indianola HyVee parking lot. Store Manager Nate Fehl tells KNIA News Cindy Oehlert has worked for the Indianola HyVee for the last 50 years and announced her intention to retire, and now commuters entering the Indianola HyVee parking lot near the south side of the building will now be driving on Cindy Oehlert Boulevard.

Longtime Indianola HyVee Employee Honored

The Marion County Development Commission announced the Red Rock Area Top 10 Under 40 list yesterday. Named as the Red Rock Area Top 10 Under 40 are the following: Andrew Schneider, Jamie Ball, Tori Fyfe, Heather Ussery, Jolyn Hartson, Randall Jarzombek, Kyle Keller, Jennie Koenig, Samantha Ollinger and Scott Treft.

Top 10 Under 40 is Announced

The Knoxville School Board met Monday in regular session. The board will be switching from an A/B Block system for scheduling classes to a true block system in the fall. There are several benefits for the students as well as teachers. Students will be taking four classes per term instead of eight to reduce stress and the workload.

Knoxville School Board to Change Scheduling

Iowa Learning Farms and the Warren County Natural Resources Conservation Service are partnering to host a cover crop workshop today at Agri-Tech Aviation near Indianola. The event will review the benefits to farmers and landowners about cover crops, including reduced soil erosion, weed suppression potential, reduced nitrogen and phosphorus loads entering water bodies, and increased organic matter in the soil.

Cover Crop Seminar Today in Indianola

Pella’s first responders were recognized for their efforts Thursday. Annually, Pella’s Mayor and City Council recognize the volunteers and part-time staff who supplement the community’s public safety departments, including Pella Fire, Pella Community Ambulance, and the Pella Police Department. 𝐏𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 – 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬:...

Pella’s Volunteer and Part-Time Emergency Personnel Recognized

Oskaloosa, IA

Funeral Services for 97 year-old Lois Steen of Solan and formerly Oskaloosa will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Tracy United Methodist Church in Tracy. The family will greet visitors from 1 p.m. to service time. The Burial will be in Bellefountaine Cemetery near Tracy, Iowa. Langkamp Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Lois Steen

A funeral service for Jerry L. Sparks, age 85 of Knoxville, will be held Sunday, April 2, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Apostolic Church. Burial will follow in Ridlen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday at Bybee & Davis Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Apostolic Church Mother’s Memorial. Online condolences may be left at www.BertrandFuneralHomes.com.

Jerry Sparks

Des Moines, IA

The Indianola City Council met in a special session Thursday evening, reaching an agreement with the Indianola YMCA to transition the operation of the facility to the city. City Manager Ben Reeves tells KNIA News the YMCA had approached the city earlier this year to alert the city to the financial issues the Y was facing, which eventually led to a financial ask of the city for $400,000 to continue operations, and at that time the city came to the conclusion that the city would be in a better place to take over operations of the facility.

Indianola City Council Approves Agreement to Take Over Operations of Indianola YMCA Facility

Several Area Track and Field teams began their outdoor season’s Tuesday as the Pella Christian boys track and field team hosted Knoxville, PCM, and Pleasantville in the PC Boys Early Season Meet where no team scores were kept. The following were winning events from the four KNIA/KRLS area teams...

Knoxville, Pella Christian, PCM, and Pleasantville Boys Track and Field Competed Tuesday

Washington State

A house will be moved in Pella this morning. According to Historic Pella Trust, Shawn and Cyndi Thomas purchased a house at 404 Main Street, as that structure and two adjacent homes at 400 and 402 Main were scheduled for demolition. Instead, the house from 404 will be relocated to 1015 East 3rd Street, west of Rotary Park.

House Move Scheduled in Pella This Morning

The Knoxville Boys Tennis Squad will get the season underway today as the Panthers will host one of the state’s top powers in North Polk. The Comets are coming off an 8-3 loss to Pella on Tuesday while the Panthers are in a rebuilding phase with nearly half of the players out for tennis for the first time. First year Coach Kevin Wadle tells KNIA/KRLS Sports it is all about learning to play the game.

Knoxville Spring Sports Preview 3-30-2023

Ames, IA

The Pella boys track and field team won six varsity events and added three Drake Relays Blue Standard Qualifiers at the Waukee Boys Track and Field Invitational. Knoxville, Pleasantville, and Twin Cedars girls track were at the Clarke Relays. Knoxville’s Ciara Heffron set a new school record in the discus. No team scores were available.

KNIA/KRLS Area Spring Sports Results from 03-30-2023

A windy and warm day will greet four Pella teams in action this afternoon as the spring sports season starts to fire on all cylinders in south central Iowa. Starting their outdoor campaign is the Pella boys track and field team, fresh off of what Head Coach Brent Van Hauen describes as their best ever indoor season. The Dutch join the juggernaut-sized schools of Class 4A in Waukee today at 4 p.m.

Four Dutch Teams in Action Today as Spring Ramps Up

The Pella Police Department is hosting the next Citizens Public Safety Academy beginning in May. The Citizens Public Safety Academy will incorporate components from the Pella Police Department, as well as the Pella Fire Department and Pella Community Ambulance. This class is free to attend. Classes will be held on Wednesday evenings at 6 P.M. beginning May 10th. To register, or for more information, contact the Pella Police Department at 641-628-4921 or email Sergeant Shawn Veenstra at sveenstra@cityofpella.com.

Let’s Talk Knoxville: Heather Ussery

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