MCRF has been monitoring the Recreation Trail for any damage due to the recent floods. There are two sections of trail that are currently marked by barricades to keep trail users aware of the damage:

• Behind Marje housing addition off of 15th Avenue East and South Second Street has a warning barricade in place. There was a small area of dirt that had washed away from beneath the trail.
• The underpass at Highway 92 East is currently closed. A larger area of dirt was washed away from the trail. A section has been removed so the necessary repairs can be made. It will be replaced in a slightly different area because of changes in the creek bed.

MCRF is working together with the city, contractors and volunteers to assess and repair the damage along the trail. There are some areas that will need minor repair and clean up, but in general the trail is ready for use. If you spot any areas of concern, please contact Sherry Vavra, Executive Director of MCRF, at 641- 672-2499 or Dave Neubert, City Wastewater Director at 641-673-5433.

Plans for the new stadium facility at Lacey Complex were released August 16 by Friends of the Stadium, a working committee made up of, William Penn University, Oskaloosa Booster Club, George Daily Family Trust, MCRF and Musco Lighting. The new complex will consist of first-class artificial turf football and soccer fields and an all-weather track.

The facility will be available for use by all community entities including William Penn and Oskaloosa Public Schools. It will provide for multiple activities ranging from football, track and soccer to band. 

”Musco Lighting is committed to building the track, fields and seating for use by the Fall of 2011,” said Musco Sales Vice President Jeff Rogers. Rogers has also been helping lead development of the new Babe Ruth facility in Oskaloosa.

To read more about the plans, see drawings, and view the Architectural Rendering Video, click here...

Voters can find information about the professional qualifications and background of every judge on the November 2 retention ballot at the Iowa Judicial Branch website, www.iowacourts.gov.

The 2010 Iowa Voters Judicial Directory contains biographies of each the 74 justices and judges on the ballot. These biographies include information about each judge's education, career, and professional and community activities. The directory also contains information about Iowa's judicial retention elections as well as considerations that voters may want to take into account when deciding whether to retain a justice or judge.

 Another informative website with information is www.learniowacourts.org.

Later this year, Iowa voters will have additional information about judges on the ballot. In early October, the Iowa State Bar Association will release the results of a survey of Iowa lawyers. This judicial survey asks members of the association to rate judges on a number of issues, including knowledge and application of the law, temperament, communication skills, timeliness of rulings, and impartiality. The survey also asks lawyers to state whether each judge should be retained.

A little history .... In 1962, Iowa voters approved a constitutional reform that replaced the process of selecting judges by popular vote with a merit selection and retention election process. The merit selection system involves a nonpartisan commission that reviews the qualifications of applicants for judicial office. Once the commission screens and interviews applicants, it forwards a slate of nominees to the governor who makes the final appointment.

Once appointed to the bench, all justices and judges must stand for retention election at the first general election following the judge's appointment, and then near the end of each of the judicial officer's regular term. In a retention election, judges do not have opponents. Instead, voters decide whether to retain a judge in office. If a judge receives a simple majority of "yes" votes, the judge may serve another full term.

Merit selection elections focus on the professional qualifications of applicants - experience, legal skills and knowledge, and judicial temperament and promotes a fair, impartial and accountable judiciary.

Do you have an upcoming event which may be of interest to Mahaska Community Members? Submit your Calendar item to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   or fill out the information form when selecting the Web Site Content Coordinator in the Contacts link above. Calendar items can also be submitted by phone or fax at 641.673.7533. Remember to include the "who, what, when and where" and contact information so the event's posting is not delayed.