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VAN WEELDEN VERDICT A guilty verdict was returned in the trial of Mahaska County Supervisor Willie Van Weelden Friday afternoon. A Jury has convicted Mahaska County Supervisor Willie Van Weelden of theft in the first degree, Felonious conduct in office, and tampering with records. The day began at 9:30 am with closing statements by the prosecution and the defense. At about 11:15 am, the jury was given the case for deliberations. Three hours later at about 2:15 pm, it was announced that the jury had reached a verdict. Friends and family of Van Weelden were noticeably upset shortly after the verdict was read. Judge Paul Miller announced that sentencing will be set by the District Court Administrator. Judge Miller also that that bond will remain as set. Judge Miller also informed the defense counsel that a motion for a new trial or an appeal must be filed with 45 days from the announcement of the verdict or 5 days before sentencing. Main Street sets theme for Lighted Christmas Parade After
great deliberation and discussion plans are well underway for a new and
exciting Main Street Lighted Christmas Parade. The parade will be held one
night only this year on As
before many events are held throughout Oskaloosa in conjunction with the
Lighted Parade. As you begin plans for related activities, please contact
the OACDG to have these events placed in the Holiday Happenings brochure.
Many volunteers are needed to make the event a success. If you would like
to be a part of the planning contact the
Mahaska County YMCA Brings New Event to Community The Mahaska County YMCA is excited to offer the start of a new winter tradition in Oskaloosa. When the weather is frightful and we’re ready for some warmth and sunshine, escape with us to play 18 holes of golf, mini-putt style at Penn Central Mall. This creative two-day event is geared for the whole community. “We will offer open golf to the community Friday evening and all day Saturday. You do not need tee-time reservations. Just come and have some family fun,” said committee member Madonna Bowie. “Friday night will be reserved for middle-school students only from 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. For $20, they will have unlimited golf and laser tag. The middle-school youth I have talked to are very excited about this opportunity for a fun night,” added event committee chair, Linda Crookham-Hansen. Event proceeds will benefit the Mahaska YMCA efforts to enhance the Y with long overdue additions and updates. Event details, including cost and hours, are available on the Mahaska County YMCA website at www.mahaskaymca.org. For more information, contact the Mahaska County YMCA at 641.673.8411. Mahaska County Relay for Life
The 2012 Relay For Life of Mahaska County has been scheduled for Saturday, June 2, 2012, from noon to midnight. Note the time change. This year the Relay For Life planning committee is trying something different with a daytime Relay instead of an overnight model. Register teams now at www.relayforlife.org/mahaskacountyia or by calling Julie Stone at 641-295-6213.With a new year and new format, we are also looking for new ideas. Anyone who would like to help out with planning the 2012 Relay For Life is welcome to join the committee. There are lots of things to do, including planning logistics, putting up posters and flyers, helping organize the silent auction, gathering sponsors, planning the Ladies Night Out, etc. If you are interested in joining the planning committee, contact Stacey Raymie at 641-660-7754.
United Way of Mahaska County Announces a
Record-Setting Number United Way of Mahaska County
Board of Directors announced that they have again exceeded all
expectations, raising a record-setting number for their 2012 fundraising
campaign. The community goal
was $385,000, and even during another difficult economic year, had pledges
totaling over $425,500. “We are excited to announce this record-setting number for our 2012 campaign,” said Brianne Fitzgerald, Executive Director at the United Way of Mahaska County. “It has been a year of many changes for our office, as well as for the community. We cannot say ‘thank you’ enough to all the businesses and organizations that champion for the cause, all of our volunteers, and most importantly, each and every donor. Our donors rose to the occasion again this year and will help us continue to work towards a better life for us all.” This year’s United Way of
Mahaska County campaign was a 9% increase over the community goal
announced in September. According to Fitzgerald, the campaign has
increased by more than 66% over the last decade. “We all should be fortunate and thankful to live in such a caring community where people value the importance of helping individuals to better their lives,” Fitzgerald comments. “We are grateful for every dollar that is raised. We take our responsibility seriously to properly administer these dollars, and we guarantee to everyone that invested in this campaign, the highest possible accountability for their investment. United Way is here to advance the common good, and continue to improve the lives of each resident in our county through the building blocks to a better life-Education, Income and Health. Thank you again to each one of you for championing for the cause.” |
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FERTILIZER LEAK Iowan arrested in attempted theft of fertilizer
HAWKEYE, Iowa (AP) - A 36-year-old Arlington man has been arrested, accused of trying to steal anhydrous ammonia from a tank near Hawkeye in northeastern Iowa. Fayette County Sheriff Marty Fisher says Kyle Boleyn was arrested Sunday. Fisher says Boleyn tried to steal the fertilizer on Wednesday from the Fredericksburg Cooperative plant. A sheriff's deputy who came upon the scene was overcome by fumes from the leaking leak. She was taken to a hospital, treated and later released. Boleyn has been charged with possession of anhydrous ammonia with intent to manufacture methamphetamine and with criminal mischief. He also was accused of not complying with sex offender registration rules. Authorities say Boleyn hasn't lived at his registered location for more than two weeks. Online court records don't list the name of his attorney.
19 KIDS-EXTORTION Iowa woman accused of blackmailing TLC show
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) - An Iowa woman has been arrested in a blackmail plot for allegedly trying to get Discovery Communications Inc. to cancel the TLC show "19 Kids and Counting" or pay her $10,000. The woman is accused of threatening to release photos of a cast member in "apparently intimate situations" to a magazine. Teresa Hunt, of Bettendorf, is charged in U.S. District Court in Davenport with one count of extortion. According to an affidavit, Hunt sent a letter in January to the parent company of TLC describing a musician and providing details of an affair with a show cast member. The program is about a family with 19 children. Hunt was arrested Feb. 1. There is no telephone listing for her. A call to her attorney, Jack Dusthimer (DUHST'-tuh-muhr) wasn't returned Monday.
IOWA BUDGET-VAUDT Vaudt says Branstad budget doesn't cover raises
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - State auditor David Vaudt says the proposed budget Gov. Terry Branstad sent to the Legislature doesn't include money to cover pay and benefit increases for state workers. Speaking to reporters Monday, Vaudt noted that means agencies would have to cover the costs with unpaid leaves, layoffs or leaving vacancies unfilled. Vaudt also says the state could lose up to $175 million in federal money as Congress is forced to reduce spending to deal with the federal deficit. Vaudt argues says the federal health care overhaul could add up to 150,000 Iowans to the Medicaid program, driving up costs significantly. In his annual review of the state's budget, Vaudt says the state's pension system is about 80 percent funded and that the state should make improving that system a priority.
BURGLARY SHOOTING Police say employee shot Iowa business owner
ONAWA, Iowa (AP) - Authorities say a business owner was shot by an employee in the western Iowa town of Onawa (AH'-nuh-wuh). Officers who were sent to a storage building around 6 p.m. Sunday found a man suffering from a gunshot wound to one of his legs. The man was identified as 32-year-old Darren Hieber. Hieber was taken to Burgess Health Center in Onawa and is expected to survive his wound. Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation officials had said Hieber probably had interrupted a burglar. Now investigators say they think Hieber was shot by one of his employees. Authorities wouldn't discuss what led to the shooting. No arrest has been reported.
CHASE SENTENCE Fort Dodge man gets prison for chase, ramming car
(Information in the following story is from: The Messenger, http://www.messengernews.net)
FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) - A 28-year-old man who led Fort Dodge police on a high-speed chase and rammed a police cruiser has been given five years in prison. The Messenger reports Pierre Rochon, of Fort Dodge, pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Friday. He admitted that on Oct. 27, he had been drinking when he drove off in a Fort Dodge woman's car. During the high-speed chase, a Fort Dodge police officer fired his weapon after Rochon rammed the stolen vehicle into a squad car. The chase ended near Corpus Christi Church when officers surrounded the car. In addition to serving his prison time, Rochon must pay more than $8,100 to the woman whose car he stole.
STUDENT MAGAZINE Some University of Iowa students begin magazine
(Information in the following story is from: Iowa City Press-Citizen, http://www.press-citizen.com/)
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - Some University of Iowa students have started an off-campus magazine aimed at coverage of college student interests. It's called Verum Magazine, and it debuted last month. The Iowa City Press-Citizen says it was developed by journalism students Rob Johnson, Brad Jackson and Sarah Bulmer. More than 30 freelancers contributed pieces to the first issue. Subjects include politics, sports, fashion and music. Johnson says he and his collaborators want Verum "to be the student's magazine, just like the Daily Iowan is the student's newspaper." Johnson says the print version is available at downtown Iowa City businesses but not on campus because the magazine is not affiliated with the university. He says he plans to update the online version of the magazine daily.
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