Stories written by Staff Writer with AI Assist

OSKALOOSA — Family members, friends, teachers and school staff filled the Oskaloosa High School gymnasium Sunday afternoon as the Class of 2026 officially graduated during the school’s 154th commencement ceremony. More than 140 graduates crossed the stage during the ceremony, marking the end of their high school years and the beginning of new opportunities in […]
May 17 2026 | Posted in
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OSKALOOSA — Just days before finishing his final classes at Oskaloosa High School, Wyatt DeCook was back out in the woods at Cedar Bluffs Natural Area hauling scrap metal, old appliances and farm junk out of the timber. DeCook, along with several friends, has spent recent weeks volunteering with the Mahaska County Conservation Board to […]
May 17 2026 | Posted in
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OSKALOOSA — The Oskaloosa Vendor and Farmers Market opened its season Saturday morning with strong crowds, a large number of vendors and a wide variety of locally made products on the downtown square. Ashley Wenke, board president for the The Oskaloosa Vendor and Farmers Market, said this year’s opening market brought one of the largest […]
May 17 2026 | Posted in
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UNIVERSITY PARK — One of Mahaska County’s longtime summer traditions is getting ready to open for another season later this month. Oskaloosa Mini Putt, located at the former Vennard campus in University Park, is scheduled to open May 22 at 4 p.m. for the 2026 season. Mike Gipple, who helps oversee operations at the course, […]
May 10 2026 | Posted in
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OSKALOOSA — The Ecumenical Food Cupboard in Oskaloosa is preparing for major changes this month as the longtime food assistance program moves to a new location and takes on a new name. The organization will soon become the Mahaska Area Food Cupboard as it separates from Church Women United and becomes its own nonprofit organization. […]
May 10 2026 | Posted in
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OSKALOOSA — An Oskaloosa Elementary kindergarten teacher is gaining attention in a national “Super Mom” contest after being nominated by her husband. Michelle Erbs, a teacher at Oskaloosa Elementary, is currently competing in the online contest, where supporters can vote once every 24 hours. The contest winner receives $20,000, national recognition and opportunities connected to […]
May 10 2026 | Posted in
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OSKALOOSA — U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley stopped at Mahaska Health this week as part of a visit focused on rural health care and other issues facing Iowa communities. After meeting with hospital leaders and local officials, Grassley spoke with reporters about rural hospitals, child care shortages, national security and funding tied to the Secret Service. […]

Oskaloosa, Iowa — Doctors and hospital leaders at Mahaska Health told U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley on Wednesday that rural hospitals are being pushed harder than ever as more small-town health care services disappear across Iowa. Grassley met with physicians, administrators, and business leaders at Mahaska Health to talk about the problems facing rural hospitals, including […]
May 7 2026 | Posted in
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INDIANOLA — The Oskaloosa boys track and field team competed Tuesday night at the Little Hawkeye Conference meet hosted by Indianola, facing one of the toughest collections of teams they have seen all season. The Indians finished seventh in the team standings with six points against a conference loaded with strong programs and state-level competition. […]

INDIANOLA — The Oskaloosa girls track and field team competed Tuesday night at the Little Hawkeye Conference meet hosted by Indianola, facing what coaches called one of the toughest high school conferences in Iowa. The Indians finished seventh in the team standings with 38 points and came away with three top-three finishes during the meet. […]