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Class of 1974 40th Class Reunion At the October school board meeting, representatives of the Class of ’74 spoke words of thanks and presented gifts of money raised from their reunion weekend.

Please see Page 2 for full article.

Volume 11, Number 48

Thursday, November 27, 2014

nssun@iowatelecom.net

Ritenour Found Guilty On Both Charges Oskaloosa, Iowa – After nearly two days of deliberation, a Mahaska County jury returned the maximum penalty to Alicia Ritenour on Wednesday afternoon, at about 1pm. The jury, comprised of 8 men and 4 women found Alicia Ritenour guilty of Murder in the First Degree and guilty of Child Endangerment Resulting in Death.

Ritenour could be heard crying as the court attendant read the verdicts. As is normal in most high profile court cases, a heavy police presence was on hand to provide security for all parties involved. Alicia Ritenour’s sentencing will be decided on January 2, 2015 at 11 a.m. First Degree Murder carries a life sentence without a chance of parole. On Friday, January 24, 2014, at approximately 2:11pm, the Oskaloosa PD received a 911 call from Apartment 224 at the Southern Hills

Apartment Complex located at 18th Avenue East in Oskaloosa. Upon arriving at the scene Officers found Ava Ritenour,18 months old, deceased. An autopsy was performed at the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner on the body of Ava Ritneour on January 25 and 26, 2014 by Dr. Michele Catellier, who determined the cause of death to be trauma to the head. The manner of death was classified as a homicide. During the first day of the trial, Mahaska County Attorney Amy

Zenor opened the case for the State. Zenor said the defendant showed “extreme indifference to human life” and has given the authorities different stories on what happened on Jan. 24. Zenor said, “We talked to everyone. We weren’t interested in pointing fingers at anyone. We wanted the truth.” According to Zenor, Alicia Ritenour became less interested in her child, kept her apartment messy and said Ritenour “wasn’t happy with her life.” Ritenour’s attorney, Michael Ad-

ams told the jury that, “you’re not deciding whether she was a good mother.” Adams said there are no eye witness accounts or forensic evidence to prove the defendant murdered her daughter. Adams also said that there was only one person that ever raised their fist on Ava Ritenour, and that was Logan Cavan. The Prosecution used what is commonly called a “Bookend Case”, the prosecution starts off testimony with

Please see Ritenour Found Guilty Page 2

Mahaska County Hires New Deputy Oskaloosa, Iowa – In the first regular scheduled meeting since the election, the Mahaska County Board of Supervisors were one member short, as newly re-elected Mark Doland was absent while he took part in an all expense paid trip overseas. The trip was funded by interests connected to potential presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. For the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office, Oskaloosa Police Officer Brent DeRonde was hired to fill the position currently held by retiring Mahaska County Deputy Lyle Dickey. DeRonde will join the Sheriffs Office on December 1st, 2014. The Mahaska County Sanitarian and Conservation submitted their reports to the Supervisors in earlier written formats to the board. Each of those departments are overseen by their own respective boards, and report to the Supervisors as a courtesy. MCARD Director DeGroot updated the baord about Opportunity Squared and the group’s website work that is ongoing. The MCARD group is also working hand-in-hand on the Oskaloosa rebranding effort with the Roger Brooks committee. MCARD and Main Street Oskaloosa toured with Iowa DOT along A Avenue and Market to discuss sign pollution along the corridors. The Supervisors also heard from the Mahaska County Treasurers Office about a request to increase their percentages. Mike Vander Molen, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, said that those requests for pay increases are heard at budget time. Supervisor Greg Gordy spoke of his concern that it would be a half-year worth of salary increases that would be un-budgeted. Mahaska County Treasurer Sone Scott said that, if the current fiscal year continues the same as the past two, there would be sufficient funds to cover the increase in pay. Vander Molen said that Scott could write in the proposed pay increases into her next fiscal year budget, “but it doesn’t mean you will get them, necessarily.” New Mahaska County Attorney Amy Zenor passed along a proposal from former County Attorney Charles Stream. Stream has offered to donate up to 60 hours a year to the county to allow Zenor’s continuing education opportunities or other out of office needs. The Supervisors approved a motion to allow Stream to donate the 60 hours yearly without compensation.

641-637-4031

EBF Cross Country banquet At the 2014 EBF Cross Country Team Banquet, several Varsity Letters were awarded. 4-Year Letters went to seniors Jackson Voyles and Emily Flaig. Receiving a 3-Year Letter was junior Andrew Hart. 2-Year Letters went to – junior Luke Sutton, and sophomores Peyton Walker, Jordan Leffler, and Claire Jager. One year Letters went to – juniors Kelsey Maize and Tayler Jones, and freshmen Tylor Durbin, Noah Strausser, and Lily Hastings. Individual awards that also represented the personalities of the season were also given – High school participants: Jackson Voyles (Jackson Warm-up); Andrew Hart (Where’s Andrew?); Luke Sutton (I’m Cruzin’); Peyton Walker (Who needs lungs to run?); Tylor Durbin (Most Improved); Noah Strausser (Most Consistent); Harrison Mock (Spirit Log Award); Jace Glosser (What? Who needs shoes to run?); Jake Sutton (Most Quiet); Micheal Gonzales (Go Micheal go!); Jordan Leffler (Stride Machine); Claire Jager (Best Safety-pin Necklace Maker); Emily Flaig (Best Swimmer); Katelyn Herr (Best Acorn Catcher); Lily Hastings (Most Stylish Runner); Kelsey Maize (Best Boater); Tayler Jones (“Go kid go!”). Individual awards for junior high participants: Levi Strausser (“Don’t give Levi the map!”); Jacob Shepherd (Best Up-hill Runner); Kacie Flaig (What?

Please see EBF Cross Scountry Page 7

Terry Hudson Sworn Onto Council

By R.D. KEEP Recently elected councilor Terry Hudson was sworn in by New Sharon Mayor Dustin Hite Wednesday. Hudson will fill out a one-year unex-

pired term. Hite gave the oath of office to Hudson just after opening the meeting. He is serving a seat vacated by Lisa Munn when she was hired as city clerk. Jenell Steel held the

seat following Munn, but resigned and Hudson was appointed until the election. Councilors faced a fairly light agenda, but took care of a number of

business items. Mayor Hite and police chief Kevin Lamberson asked

Please see Terry Hudson Page 2

North Mahaska board looks at land lab ideas board about the messages they received from the speakers from motivational to what agriculture could be like in 2050. One of the speakers was Jeff Simmons, chief executive officer of Elanco. “He told us that there will be nine billion people in the world by 2050,” said Walston. “They had some different types of food that might be needed to ‘feed the nine.’” The nine refers to the number of people expected to be in the world by 2050 said Strasser. He also said that agriculture would have to adapt to be able to feed that many people.

Please see FFA Blood Drive Page 2

Members of the North Mahaska School Board heard a report from high school Alyssa Foster on the condition of the FFA land lab and field at their regular meeting Monday. Few action items were on the agenda, but two FFA convention attendees presented information to the board. Senior Megyn Walston and sophomore Reece Strasser opened the meeting with a presentation on the highlights of the FFA convention held in Louisville, Kent., the first of November. Walston and Strasser with two of the five North Mahaska students who attended along with sponsor Alyssa Foster. Walston and Strasser told the

INDEX

Local News Pg. 3

Church Pg. 4

Local News Pg. 2

Community News Pg. 4

Opinion & Social News Pg. 5

Please see Land Lab Ideas Page 3

Turkey fryer safety is paramount

Thanksgiving is a holiday for gatherings, great food and fun. Turkey is usually a star feature of the meal, and can be prepared a variety of ways, including frying. Mahaska Health Partnership and The Sun want you to spend your holiday with loved ones, instead of emergency responders, by being mindful about turkey fryers. “When choosing to fry a turkey, make sure you understand how to properly use the equipment ahead of time,” MHP Emergency Physician Dr. Ben Oldson shared. “It is easy to cause fires and burns if you are not prepared.” The National Turkey Federation recommends picking a bird between eight and ten pounds to avoid oil overflows. Thaw your bird in the refrigerator approximately 24 hours for every five pounds. For example, a 10-pound bird would take 48 hours to thaw in the refrigerator before it was safe to fry. Also, choose oils with high smoke points like peanut, canola and safflower to avoid fires. Peanut oil adds flavor, but

Please see Turkey Frier Safety Page 2

Reece Strasser-Megyn Walston

Classified Ads Pg.6

Community News & Sports Pg. 7

Records & Obituary Pg. 6

Sports Pg. 8

This Week’s Color In The Sun Is Brought To You By

Slumberland Furniture in Oskaloosa


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