Did Oskaloosa, Iowa, Elect The First Woman To Political Office? OSKALOOSA, Iowa — In one of the most unusual and little-known moments in local political history, a woman named Nancy Smith was elected mayor of Oskaloosa during a municipal election in 1862—but declined to serve. The event, while initially treated as a joke, remains one […]
OSKALOOSA, Iowa — The Oskaloosa City Council met on June 16, 2025, for a regular session filled with infrastructure, fiscal, and personnel decisions impacting the community. The meeting began with the formal swearing-in of Andy Holmberg, who assumed the role of At-Large City Council Member, having been appointed earlier this month. A large portion of […]
OSKALOOSA, Iowa — The Mahaska County Board of Supervisors convened on Monday, June 16, 2025, approving several items ranging from intergovernmental agreements to insurance renewals and committee appointments. The meeting took place in the third-floor conference room of the Mahaska County Courthouse and was live-streamed for public access. Law Enforcement Center Agreement with City of […]
OSKALOOSA, Iowa (June 14, 2025) — Amid escalating tensions over national protests and a wave of political violence, Saturday’s “No Kings” gathering in Oskaloosa highlighted both local discontent and a disturbing connection to recent murders of elected officials in Minnesota. The demonstration took place on the pedestrian bridge near William Penn University, drawing members of the Mahaska […]
OSKALOOSA, Iowa — The Rock Island Tap served as the nostalgic backdrop for the return of the “Air Cooled Antiques of Iowa” car show on Saturday, reviving memories and engines alike as classic air-cooled vehicles stole the show at the Rock Island Tap with personality and charm. Originally held in 2013 at the same location, […]
OSKALOOSA, Iowa — The smell of smoked meats will once again fill the air around the Oskaloosa Square as the 8th Annual BBQ 4 Badges takes place on Saturday, June 21, in support of Mahaska County’s emergency responders. The grassroots event, led by organizer Wyndell Campbell, has grown into a beloved community tradition, drawing in […]
OSKALOOSA, Iowa — It’s easy to forget what a name carries. For most of us, Mahaska is the county on our driver’s license, the statue at the courthouse square, the word that sits atop signs and letterheads. But long before it was a place, Mahaska was a man — and not just any man. He […]
Mahaska Health is excited to invite the community to its 6th Annual Men’s Health Event and Tractor Ride. Each year, Mahaska Health recognizes June as National Men’s Health Month, by providing an opportunity for community members to receive free preventative screenings and men’s health education, and to participate in a tractor ride. The men’s health […]
by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch June 11, 2025 Gov. Kim Reynolds Wednesday vetoed a controversial bill pertaining to eminent domain and carbon sequestration pipelines in Iowa. House Republican leaders initiated an effort to reconvene the Legislature to override the veto, but Senate GOP leaders indicated that was unlikely. House File 639 would have increased […]
OSKALOOSA, Iowa — The June 10 Oskaloosa School Board meeting not only resulted in the appointment of Sharma Parlett to a vacant seat but also ignited concerns about how public boards interact with their constituents, particularly regarding free speech, transparency, and the use of power. During the meeting, a warning was issued at the start […]
