LATEST NEWS

IN THE PAST TWENTY-FOUR HOURS MARION COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES RESPONDED TO 24 CALLS FOR SERVICE INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: NINE EXTRA PATROL CHECKS, FOUR ACCIDENTS, TWO RECKLESS DRIVERS, TWO REPORTS OF SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY, TWO MOTORIST ASSISTS, ONE REPORT OF DEBRIS IN THE ROADWAY, ONE RETURN CALL, ONE CIVIL ISSUE, ONE VEHICLE UNLOCK AND ONE PAPER SERVICE ATTEMPT.

Considering pet adoption? Or perhaps you just enjoy all things cute and cuddly? Numerous charming pets are ready for a loving home at animal shelters situated in and near knoxville.

As homecoming celebrations ramp up this week at Pella High School, the Pella Police Department is reminding everyone participating to enjoy festivities safely. Captain Paul Haase is hopeful those enjoying the festivities do so responsibly. Haase says they work with the schools each year to make sure the events surrounding homecoming — especially those that are unofficial, are done so in a safe manner. Hear more about the latest with the Pella Police Department on today’s Let’s Talk Pella.

This week, the beloved Oscar Mayer Frankmobile, a colossal 27-foot-long vehicle, will be making its way to the Knoxville area. Formerly known as the Wienermobile, this iconic mobile will be appearing at local Kroger stores and various events. Enthusiasts will have the chance to explore the renowned Frankmobile, providing ample opportunities for Instagram-worthy photos, and they will even receive a wiener whistle as a keepsake.

A Milo woman faces several charges related to alleged theft, forgery, drugs, and abuse. An investigation by the State of Iowa’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit spanning from December 2022 to February 2023 led to the arrest of 34-year-old Angela Freeman. Working as a LPN at Accura Health Care in Knoxville, Freeman is alleged to have made unnecessary changes to and diverted schedule II controlled substances from multiple residents for her own personal use. She is also accused of using the identity of multiple other nurses by forging their signatures to gain access to the controlled substances. Freeman is also cited with creating false waste/disposition records to conceal her crimes.

Witness a Knoxville teen's unique initiative to combat suicide. Using a horse show as a platform, funds are raised for suicide prevention. The message is clear - 'Tomorrow needs you'. Tune in to see how compassion and creativity can make a difference.

The Pleasantville football team went on the road Friday night and shut out the Colfax-Mingo Tigerhawks 39-0. The Trojans got a much needed win after dropping their last three contests, including their first two district games. Freshman Braylon Bingham continued to show progress as the new starting quarterback, while the Pleasantville defense held the Tigerhawk offense and talented receiver Shane Hostetter in check all night. Following their first win in district action, Trojans head coach Mack Jorth said he was pleased with how his team played, but said they still have room for growth.

Two records for heat were tied over the weekend in Marion County, according to the National Weather Service. The high marks of 91 degrees were matched on Saturday (set on 9/30/1952) and Sunday (set on 10/1/1976), and temperatures will remain up to 20 degrees above normal through Tuesday. A few cold fronts will drop temperatures as the week wears on, and more fall-like weather debuts by Friday, with much cooler air expected.

Celebrate Church in Knoxville is offering a weekly food pantry. The Pantry is on Wednesday’s from 12:00-3:00 pm and is held at 409 Park Lane Dr in the basement of the Presbyterian Church. This is an opportunity for people of Knoxville and surrounding communities who are in need, to receive food to feed themselves and their families.

The PCM and Pleasantville volleyball teams will be competing at Pleasantville’s home volleyball tournament today. Along with the Trojans and Mustangs, the tournament will feature Saydel, Colfax-Mingo, Southeast Warren, and Martensdale St. Marys. The Trojans are coming off sweeping their home quadrangular Thursday night where they broke the school record for wins in a single season. PCM will be playing after nine days’ rest, with their last match being a 3-1 victory over Cardinal last Thursday. Pleasantville is 21-7 on the season and PCM is 11-11.

Origin Homes, a Hubbell Realty Co. entity whose primary focus is building houses in small communities, is launching projects in three Iowa towns: Gowrie, Manning and Knoxville. Origin Homes began over a year ago with the goal of building workforce housing, semi-and-fully custom houses in rural communities as well as...

Six weeks of Iowa high school football have come and gone, and Week 6 came with its own set of lessons learned. The slate of matchups from Friday night presented some questions about some of the teams in central Iowa and beyond. ...

Wilder Elementary in Indianola has a favorite teacher who is now called Specialist — Ms. Angel Gioffredi. Take a peek into their send-off for her as she heads to the southern US border with the Iowa National Guard in this week’s Scholastic Spotlight.

Marion County Bank will build to replace the existing drive-up facility along Highway 14. Marion County Bank of Pella, Knoxville and Melcher-Dallas is beginning work to build a new drive-up facility in Knoxville. Prep work for the new building has begun with construction slated to begin in the coming weeks and finishing in summer 2024. The new drive-up will be located on the south side of the existing property, along Highway 14. Once completed, the new drive-up will replace the current facility.

It was a party from start to finish Friday night at the Snake Pit in Sigourney, as the Sigourney-Keota Cobras honored their Seniors with a 42-15 pounding of Pella Christian. SK turned defense into offense early, when Cole Kindred picked off a Caleb Van Arendonk pass, bringing it to midfield. On the very next snap, Sawyer Stout went up top to Kindred for a 50-yard touchdown connection to kickoff the scoring at 7-0 SK. PC answered with a Van Arendonk to Benny Schirz 78 yard touchdown throw to go up 8-7. The Cobras answered back with a Sawyer Stout 39-yard touchdown scamper to go on top 14-8, a lead they wouldn’t give up the rest of the night. Stout to Kindred was so nice for the Snakes, they did it twice, on the first play of the second quarter, from 31-yards, to put the Cobras up 21-8. Kale Clarahan got in on the scoring right before half with a one yard touchdown dive, to put the Cobras on top 27-8 at the break. Midway through the third, Clarahan found pay dirt a second time, this one from six yards out to extend things to 35-8. The Eagles got a Van Arendonk touchdown run to open the fourth and get back within 35-15, but the Cobras closed the door on PC with an Isaac Bruns touchdown, and the celebration was on. After the contest, Cobra head coach Jared Jensen talked about this team’s performance on both side of the ball. He said, “I’m super proud of our guys. We know how big of a game this one was and we took care of business from the start. Once we got up we kept our foot on the gas. Kale (Clarahan) has done a tremendous job stepping into the running back role and flourishing. Isaac (Bruns) as well. Both of them had a phenomenal night. Pairing those guys with (Cole) Kindred and (Sawyer) Stout. Our offensive line really saved the day for us, picking up their seven man front. It just goes to show that they understand the process of what we’re trying to accomplish on offense. They dominated the line of scrimmage. That was one of the best defensive performances we have had all year long. Great effort all the way around!”

The annual Indianola Public Library Trunk or Treat event hosted by the Indianola Public Library is on Beggar’s Night this year in Indianola, taking place on October 30th, with city departments offering decorations and treats, and a dinner of hot dogs. Janis Comer with the library tells KNIA News the library is thrilled to have kids and families back at the library, and they chose to have it on Beggar’s Night so kids can make a stop at the library before continuing their trick-or-treat adventure.

The Knoxville City Council will meet in regular session tonight. On the agenda are two change orders from C.L. Carroll for the water reclamation UV disinfectant project, and a mayoral reading of the national fire prevention week proclamation. The meeting will be held at 6:15 pm at City Hall.

Six weeks of Iowa high school football have come and gone, and players and fans alike are one step closer to the playoffs. There is far less change in the Des Moines Register’s class-by-class rankings after Week 6. The top programs remain at the top, but that doesn’t mean there couldn’t still be some movement in the standings throughout the last few weeks of the regular season.

The Pella Community Food Shelf has fully moved into its new location on the west side of the community, and now, they are seeking aid in paying for renovations to the facility. Director Melissa Zula is thankful for the generosity and patience shown as they’ve transitioned to their new space at 1111 West 16th Street. Zula says they are now opening their HopeFULL Movement to the public, with an overall goal of raising $1.5 million to ensure the Pella Community Food Shelf will have a permanent home for the foreseeable future. Find out how to donate here. https://givebutter.com/pella-community-food-shelf?fbclid=IwAR1ZDg1CDT36MRuDj_haTiJ_9iRPjCuO6qrmKD7px7CoZx-sxk2hFR_5–Y.

The Pleasantville Football team will travel to Colfax tonight to take on the Colfax-Mingo Tigerhawks. The Trojans are now 2-3 on the season and 0-2 in the district after a tough 31-24 loss to Sigourney-Keota in overtime on Friday. Pleasantville gave the nod to freshman Braylon Bingham as their new starting quarterback as Ryder Thill moved to wide receiver. Caleb Cook rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns and had 12 tackles on the defensive side of the football which led the team.