Eric Monaghan

After months of the college's president talking to the public, and getting the price tag as low as possible, Indian Hills' $28 million bond referendum is only weeks away from going to the voters. It will take 60% of voters in 10 counties to pass the public measure.

Heads of law enforcement brought a presentation to City and County leaders on a proposed CAD system. They're not asking for money right now, just support.

Generally coming out against creating TIF districts, the Board will send a letter to the City of Ottumwa regarding the development proposed Bonita Avenue workforce housing.

Substitute shortages are forcing school districts to come up with workarounds to fill absent teacher and staff positions.

UFCW 230 has donated $5,000 to UAW Local 74 through Fareway to use for strike needs.

Ottumwa voters will have a second chance to hear from candidates running for mayor and City Council on the evening of October 18.

The Laureate Guild was known for plant sales and garden parties. But throughout the last few years, membership has waned, and now, the chapter has closed. Two former members discuss what they loved about the guild.

Ottumwa Schools will not require masks. The Fairfield School district is seeing high cases despite a district-wide mask mandate. Van Buren County Schools' policy means requirements could change day-to-day.

Most future meetings will be held at the newly-acquisitioned building on the corner of Main and Jefferson.

The competition promotes the gas pumps for the two schools - 3 cents of every gallon goes to Indian Hills’ Student Scholarships and the Ottumwa A Club respectively.

Indian Hills is one of three community colleges in Iowa to see an increase in enrollment. The college's president attributes the rise to more students coming from local high schools.

The plan would bring 108 low-income housing units just north of Bonita Avenue in Ottumwa. But residents of that street say they disapprove of the plan. They'll have a chance to voice their concerns publicly at a public hearing set for November 2nd.

The new location will bring an industrial automotive plant next to the Armory. That's as the industry is entering a new wave of automation and tech.

Robert LaPoint. Rick Bick. Rick Johnson. KYOU spoke to each of the three men running for mayor of Ottumwa and got their pitch for why they say they should get your vote on October 5th.

Over 500 participants answered Main Street Ottumwa's survey. Residents want to see a restaurant with some form of entertainment and a shop for men and women's clothing. Main Street Ottumwa's Executive Director says he wants to look at incorporating those wants into current businesses downtown.

The event kicks off Wednesday after being put on hold last year because of COVID-19. Co-chair Brian Morgan says he expected a crowd between 4,000 and 5,000.

The Superintendent recommended continuing giving students and staff the choice of wearing masks. While masks will continues to be optional, the board will make a final decision at the next board meeting.

The Superintendent will recommend continuing giving students and staff the choice of wearing masks. That's as he estimates around 25% of students are wearing masks. Data from Ottumwa school parents shows 1.97% of students are absent because of COVID-19.

With plans to demolish of the former Wesley United Methodist Church underway, the Historic Preservation Committee met to dig into the district's plans, and to ask why replacing it with a parking lot for the high school was necessary.

The forum will be held for city candidates to talk in front of the public.

The agreement sells the property to the developer, and allows them to begin building a hotel next to Bridge View Center.

Millions of dollars could go to interior improvements to City Hall, including a modern HVAC system, mechanical and electrical improvements, and bringing several areas up to ADA compliance.

Iowa State Patrol officers say a Knoxville man died after a motorcycle crash near Pleasantville.

Despite an overruling on Iowa's mask mandate ban, Ottumwa's Superintendent is hesitant to require masks before a more permanent ruling.

The proposed system would cover Ottumwa Police, Wapello Sheriffs, Fire, EMS, and EMA under one database. Theoretically that could greatly improve efficiency in report and cross-department communication. The Chief and Sheriff want the City and County to use American Rescue Plan funds to pay for it.

The public hearing is set for September 21st at 5:30pm. The public will be able to speak at the meeting about the agreement between the City of Ottumwa and Cobblestone Hotel Development that could bring a hotel next to the Bridgeview Center.

A 2021 Chevrolet Traverse is coming to the Wapello County Public Health soon. Lynelle Diers, the Health Department's director says it will help boost their COVID-19 response in the county.

A look at broadband initiatives as both the City of Ottumwa and the Wapello County Board of Supervisors are pushing for broadband.

Open positions in the Wapello County Sheriff Department are taking a long time to fill. Sheriff Don Phillips says it's all about how much pay the job offers. He worries about employee retention as other jobs offer higher pay and less intense work.

A Main Street America official is praising Main Street Ottumwa after a visit to the city. She says she can use the Main Street program as an example to other main streets she tours across the nation.

A month with Bird scooters in Ottumwa. Local law enforcement says the scooters have caused no problems, and the City explains they foresaw every trouble that's cropped up.

A primary election for Mayor and three city council positions is set for October 5th, 2021. Nine citizens have filed papers for Council, and three have filed for Mayor. The election is necessary to reduce the race to six candidates for Council and two candidates for Mayor.

After a few council meetings to decide how to talk to applicants, the council has voted 3-1 to appoint River Hills CEO Rick Johnson to the council seat.

The contract for use of Indian Hills' Arts and Sciences Building is extended for another week to wrap up elevator construction at the Courthouse.

Due to a mandate last May by Governor Kim Reynolds, Ottumwa Schools cannot required masks for students and staff, but encourages it for those who feel safer wearing one.

Jarule Marrero and an unnamed minor face charges of armed robbery from August 5th.

Montell Rivers faces charges of sexual exploitation of a minor and violation of no contact.

Monday night'S fire forced residents to evacuated Hotel Ottumwa. Now they're able to go back. Fire Chief Tony Miller says the Hotel is maintained well, and what happened Monday was just an accident.

With just under $15 million in ESSER funds, the Ottumwa School district announced Monday their plans to spend the final $9.5 million payment on school upgrades.

Linn County reinstates mask mandate inside county facilities

A 14 county area where no town surpasses a population of 50,000. And a Workforce Development worker has noticed several of those towns aren't taking advantage of available ARPA funds that could be badly needed.

The American Rescue Plan is giving the City of Ottumwa $3.6 million dollars. The City Administrator and the Mayor held a town hall to hear from the public about their ideas to improve the city.

The Mental Health Liaison hopes to lessen how often people end up in the hospital or jail during a mental call. Instead, she will offer resources and follow up with people in crisis.

The Ottumwa City Council will move applicants into interviews, and plan to make their decision in the August 17th meeting.

Ottumwa law enforcement rallied at a cookout to raise money for an Ottumwa Police Officer whose wife was severely injured in a car accident. The cookout raised $18,593.

The year-long housing project will build a house at 10 Traxler Drive. Indian Hills Community College and the Ottumwa Community School District are partnering for students to take a two year course, learning the ins-and-outs of home construction, and graduating with both a G.E.D. and a construction diploma.

The 32% positivity rate comprised of mostly unvaccinated individuals, but Monroe County Public Health's administrator says getting the virus while vaccinated is something they knew was coming.

The mayor says they're repairing infrastructure. But business- and home-owners still face a lot of cleanup in their basements.

A vote on how to fill Stevens' seat, a proposed roundabout at the Albia / Quincy intersection, and more details about August's Town Hall.

The district is adding security cameras to the Ottumwa High School and Evans Middle School. It's part of their new commitment to student safety.