Today’s Local News – KNIA – KRLS

Will Edgar, Vocal Music Director for the Newton Community Theatre Production of “Annie” – Let’s Talk Newton

Tyler Crabb — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:00:46 +0000

The Vocal Music Director for the Newton Community Theatre’s production of the play “Annie” discusses the performances scheduled for the next two weekends, his experience in theatre, and how he’s helping involve school children in the performing arts.

Ashley Kearney, Marion County Fair Royalty Coordinator – Let’s Talk Knoxville

Clayton Sampson — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:00:45 +0000

Marion County Fair Royalty Coordinator Ashley Kearney discusses the 2026 Marion County Fair Royalty Contest happening Saturday.

Jake Meshke, Indianola City Manager Part 2 – Let’s Talk Indianola

jackmcgonigal — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:00:22 +0000

Today’s Peoples Bank Let’s Talk Indianola features part two with Indianola City Manager, Jake Meshke.

Pella 4th of July Preview – Let’s Talk Pella

Andrew Schneider — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:00:21 +0000

Pella 4th of July Committee Chair Paul Kingma previews Independence Day festivities.

Marion County Sheriff’s Report – 6-18-26

Derek Cardwell — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:11:33 +0000

IN THE PAST 24 HOURS MARION COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES RESPONDED TO 27 CALLS FOR SERVICE INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: THREE RESCUES…THREE MOTORIST ASSISTS…TWO DOGS…TWO PAPER SERVICE ATTEMPTS…TWO EXTRA PATROL REQUESTS…ONE DEER…ONE TRANSPORT…ONE LIVESTOCK…ONE REKLESS DRIVER…ONE RETURN CALL…ONE VEHICLE INSPECTION…ONE FOLLOW UP…ONE VEHICLE UNLOCK…ONE WANTED SUBJECT…ONE JUVENILE…ONE SUSPICIOUS PERSON…ONE WELFARE CHECK AND THREE OTHER CALLS.
IN THE PAST 24 HOURS THE MARION COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE COMMUNICATIONS CENTER FIELDED 98 CALLS INCLUDING 34 911S.
THE MARION COUNTY JAIL IS CURRENTLY HOLDING 17 SUBJECTS.
IN THE PAST 24 HOURS…TWO PEOPLE WERE BOOKED INTO THE MARION COUNTY JAIL…
JAMES JOSEPH GAFFEY VIOLATION OF PROBATION
AMANDA CHRISTINE BARNES POSSESSION – MARIJUANA 1ST
OPEN CONTAINER – DRIVER 21 + YOA
AS WITH ANY CRIMINAL CASE…A CHARGE IS MERELY AN ACCUSATION AND A DEFENDANT IS PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY

2026 Marion County Fair Royalty Ceremony to be Held Saturday

Clayton Sampson — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 10:00:47 +0000

The 2026 Marion County Fair Royalty Ceremony will be held on Saturday.

This year marks the 25th year of Marion County Fair royalty and the event will start at 6:00 pm at the Marion County Extension Office, with doors opening at 5:30 pm. The evening will include the crowning of this year’s Marion County Fair Queen and Marion County Fair Jr. Princess. This year there are two queen candidates and 15 candidates for jr. princess. Marion County Fair Royalty Coordinator Ashley Kearney who was Queen in 2022, says fair royalty is an important representation of the fair and our local community.

“To me being the Queen and Jr. Princess is just about being a part of the community and making connections. You are kind of one of the faces of the fair for the next year so it’s really exciting to see these girls come out of their shell and learn what it means to them. I think being Queen or Jr. Princess means something different to everybody. I know for me I built so many amazing connections even as coordinator I’m still building those connections so I think the organization and the community around fair queen is a really loving community.”

KNIA/KRLS will be the emcee for the event. Hear from the 2026 Marion County Fair Royalty on Monday’s Let’s Talk Knoxville.

Thursdays in Pella Features “Fair on the Square” Tonight

Andrew Schneider — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 10:00:44 +0000

The theme of this week’s Thursdays in Pella activities is Fair on the Square. PACE Alliance Executive Director Karen Eischen says activities will center around those often found at county fairs. Activities include a Chicken Pageant and Name that Tune hosted by KNIA/KRLS on the Tulip Toren. The KNIA/KRLS Lil’ Big Red Radio is broadcasting weekly from Thursdays in Pella.

A Newton Man Arrested For Online Child Exploitation Has Pleaded Guilty

Randy Van — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 10:00:44 +0000

A Newton man accused of committing sex acts with a teenage girl, and of having online sexual communications with an officer posing as an underage girl, has pleaded guilty to four felony charges. District Court Judge Terry Rickers accepted 22-year-old Ryan Andrew Hammen’s guilty plea on Tuesday, and set a sentencing hearing for August 3rd. Hammen will be sentenced on two class D felony grooming charges, a class D felony sexual exploitation of a minor charge, and a class C felony charge of 1st offense 3rd degree sexual abuse of a child victim by a person four or more years older. Hammen was arrested last August and remains in the Jasper County Jail.

Court documents say an investigation by the Newton Police Department was initiated after Hammen began communicating with an officer posing as a 15-year-old girl on Snapchat. According to Newton Police captain Chris Wing, the communication between Hammen and the officer was of a sexual nature, and Hammen allegedly requested they meet. Newton Police said there was also evidence that the Newton man had committed sex acts with a teenage girl.

Pella Middle School Teacher Recognized with Iowa Character Award

Andrew Schneider — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 10:00:35 +0000

A teacher in the Pella Community School District was recognized for his character. The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University selected Cody DeKruyff as a recipient of the Educator of Character Award for their 2026 series of honorees. The Pella native and graduate was one of eight total honorees for the annual recognition highlighting individuals of character across the state. DeKruyff is a science and mathematics teacher at Pella Middle School, graduating from Pella High School in 2014. Each year, members of the Pella Middle School student council nominate staff members for various statewide honors, including the Golden Apple and the Drake Character awards.