2025; more at vaprojectpipeline.virginia.gov STAUNTON – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is seeking feedback to support a transportation study assessing potential solutions on the rural segment of Route 522 (North Frederick Pike) from Red Oak Road to Echo Lane west of Route 37 This study will focus on safety and capacity preservation The corridor has several crash hot spots with issues related to high speeds and running off the road VDOT invites residents and travelers to learn more and take an online survey which is available May 5-19 Community input received through this survey will help the study team identify existing issues along the study corridor and develop recommendations for potential improvements that will be evaluated and presented during the next phase of the study which will include another opportunity for public comment The survey, which has a translation tool for other languages, is available at https://publicinput.com/st-25-04. Comments can also be sent to brad.reed@vdot.virginia.gov or to Brad Reed Virginia Department of Transportation Staunton District as well as regional and local funding sources The VDOT Staunton District is on Facebook and X (Twitter). Follow VDOT statewide accounts on Facebook, Flickr, and YouTube The VDOT Web page is located at https://www.vdot.virginia.gov/ The VDOT Staunton District serves Frederick Please note that this file is not ADA compliant (Red Oak) -- A Red Oak man faces charges following his arrest Sunday evening The Red Oak Police Department says 18-year-old Ayden Jose Olivas was arrested shortly after 8:15 p.m for eluding--speeds 25 miles per hour over the limit--an aggravated misdemeanor Authorities say the arrest occurred in the 200 block of East Grimes Street in Red Oak Olivas was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $5,000 bond we attempt to be accurate in our reporting please contact us by emailing kmaradio@kmaland.com Email notifications are only sent once a day Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Your request appears similar to malicious requests sent by robots Please make sure JavaScript is enabled and then try loading this page again. If you continue to be blocked, please send an email to secruxurity@sizetedistrict.cVmwom with: Your access to this service has been limited If you think you have been blocked in error contact the owner of this site for assistance If you are a WordPress user with administrative privileges on this site please enter your email address in the box below and click "Send" You will then receive an email that helps you regain access Wordfence is a security plugin installed on over 5 million WordPress sites The owner of this site is using Wordfence to manage access to their site You can also read the documentation to learn about Wordfence's blocking tools or visit wordfence.com to learn more about Wordfence Click here to learn more: Documentation 6 May 2025 0:15:10 GMT.Your computer's time: document.write(new Date().toUTCString()); (Red Oak) -- A Red Oak man faces charges after his arrest late Wednesday night The Red Oak Police Department says 36-year-old Cody Linn Hudson was arrested shortly before 11:40 p.m for violation of a no contact order--a simple misdemeanor Authorities say the arrest occurred in the 400 block of King Street in Emerson Hudson was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held without bond DLA Piper advised 4U Platform on the deal.Red Oak a leader in advertising compliance and marketing review software You must be a Standard 1 Year member to access this content Join Now User Agreement | Privacy Policy | Technologies Used North Adams Regional Hospital is North Berkshire's choice for healthcare services - Your Hospital We keep our menu simple and let the dough and other high-quality ingredients speak for themselves He has led the Department of Higher Education through a time of historic investment by the state Legislature and Healey-Driscoll administration in affordability and access for all learners in the commonwealth. click for more © 2025 Boxcar Media LLC - All rights reserved a liquid nitrogen spill from a plant in Red Oak into the East Nishnabotna River killed more than 700,000 fish RELATED |Environmental advocates ask feds to investigate Red Oak fertilizer spill a nitrogen spill from the NEW cooperative plant behind me into the East Nishnabotna River killed all of the fish between Red Oak and the Missouri border I'm your Southwest Iowa Neighborhood Reporter Katrina Markel neighbors gathered to discuss what more they can do to protect Iowa's waterways Chris Jones: "We have 7,000 wells in Iowa that are polluted with nitrate above the EPA's limit of 10..." more than 250,000 gallons of liquid nitrogen and ammonia spilled from the new cooperative plant into the East Nishnabotna River The toxic plume killed approximately 700,000 fish in Southwest Iowa Denise O'Brien: "And what's the long-term effects met Sunday to start a local chapter of Water Defenders — a group worried about the health of Iowa's waterways pointed to studies linking high levels of nitrates in drinking water with cancer rates what do we do at the end of the first quarter We turn and we wave to all the kids in the hospital And do we ever think why some of those kids might be in there?" Clarinda Farmer Seth Watkins: "I think all of us in Iowa care deeply about the small towns we live in." Jones cited research showing almost a million people in Iowa drink water with elevated levels of nitrates He also presented possible solutions such as reducing runoff and increasing crop diversity An Ohio.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the State of Ohio A lock or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website Share sensitive information only on official and personal information are protected by federal and state digital security standards Ohio — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife reports acorn production is strong in red oak trees according to the 2024 acorn mast survey which many may use to help guide them when it comes to finding wildlife during hunting seasons The survey found an average of 68% of red oaks and 34% of white oaks bore fruit on 31 Ohio wildlife areas Division of Wildlife employees scan the canopies of oaks at select wildlife areas to determine the percentage of trees that produced acorns as well as the relative size of the acorn crop This is the 20th year the Division of Wildlife has completed the mast survey the proportion of red oaks statewide bearing acorns (68%) was well above last year (54%) while the percentage of white oaks statewide with acorns (36%) was slightly below last year (40%) The long-term average for red oak production is 55% An eastern gray squirrel enjoys a bur oak acorn Acorn abundances vary by region. All results, including tables and historical numbers, are available at wildohio.gov.  Red oaks in 2024 had an average abundance of 24% of the tree’s crown holding acorns up from 16% last year and besting the long-term average of 19% White oaks averaged 5% acorn crown coverage below both last year’s result (9%) and the long-term average (9%) With red oaks faring well by both the presence and relative abundance metrics hunters can expect to find more red oak acorns in the woods than last year and fewer white oak acorns. Acorns come in two basic types: red and white coming from the red and white oak tree groups containing a large amount of the chemical tannin White oak acorns take only one year to develop and have a sweeter taste for wildlife White oak trees have leaves with rounded lobes and tend to drop their acorns in late summer and early fall Red oak trees have leaves with bristled lobes and often drop their acorns later than white oaks These differences cause periodic fluctuations in statewide acorn abundance Low mast production years are a normal part of this cycle and wildlife readily adapt to find alternative food sources. A single oak tree can produce thousands of acorns feeding a diversity of wildlife such as white-tailed deer Wildlife seeks out and eats acorns throughout the fall and winter. As a critical food source for many forest wildlife species acorn abundance has been linked to body condition A year with low acorn abundance causes deer and other wildlife to move around more in search of food wild animals are more likely to feed near agricultural areas and forest edges.  Deer hunters can use acorn survey information to improve hunting success In areas where acorns are an important part of the deer’s diet mast availability can affect deer movements and ultimately hunter success and travel distances between feeding and bedding areas may be longer Hunters may key in on travel corridors and alternate food sources In regions with a strong acorn crop this fall hunters may find success hunting in or near oak stands Red oak stands may be of interest to deer hunters this fall Oak trees have value beyond food and shelter for wildlife Collect mature acorns in the fall and place them in a bucket of water Keep the ones that sink and discard any that float Store the remaining acorns in the refrigerator or outside for at least eight weeks in the winter months Plant the acorns under a shallow covering of soil in the early spring and enjoy seeing your new oak trees grow.  The Division of Wildlife is responsible for conserving and improving fish and wildlife resources in the Buckeye State. Follow the Division of Wildlife on Instagram and Facebook for news stories Visit wildohio.gov to find locations to hunt The mission of the Division of Wildlife is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all Editor’s Note: High Resolution Photo wildinfo@dnr.ohio.gov Sign up to receive GPB Event announcements via Email Red Oak Lavender Farm is home to more than 20 varieties of lavender thriving against the odds in Georgia’s clay soil Host David Zelski explores how founder Tina Duffy turned a love of fragrance into a flourishing family farm—and a destination that smells as good as it looks Lavender may be known for its calming scent and pretty purple color—but at Red Oak Lavender Farm in Dahlonega In this episode host David Zelski visits Tina and David Duffy who turned their five-acre hillside into a research farm filled with over 20 varieties of lavender We’ll learn how lavender can keep deer away Tina shares how she and her husband grow lavender in Georgia’s tough red clay a basement full of grow lights—and a squirrel named Skippy From essential oils to tea blends and spa products discover all the surprising uses of this hardworking herb and come along for a relaxing (and sweet-smelling) adventure into the world of lavender A Fork in the Road airs Saturdays at noon and Sundays at 6:30 a.m. on GPB-TV. Check your local listings for other replays throughout the week and watch all episodes anytime at GPB.org/ForkintheRoad.  Please download and subscribe to the Fork in the Road podcast at GPB.org/ForkintheRoadpodcast or on your favorite podcast platform writer and editor of the Fork in the Road TV show on GPB He also hosts the new Fork in the Road podcast as well.  GPB is committed to bringing you comprehensive news coverage from Georgia across the country and around the world.  Your support makes this possible.  Please consider making a gift today to support this vital public service Let's visit Soldier of the Sea Distillery in Comer where Marine veteran Mark Davis crafts unique whiskeys some infused with local honey from his beekeeper wife Jennifer while honoring the armed forces and revitalizing the town blends art and science to create exceptional spirits and promote the local community and Georgia's agricultural bounty to explore the Lake Burton Fish Hatchery and uncover the fascinating science behind cultivating trout for the state's rivers and lakes Learn from trout stocking coordinator John Lee Thompson about the intricate life cycle within the hatchery and its vital role in supporting both ecological balance and angling opportunities in Georgia Love is Love Farm cultivates more than just vegetables; their cooperative model and dedication to sustainable agriculture nourish both the local community and the palates of discerning chefs This episode explores the farm's unique produce and its vital role in the farm-to-table ecosystem Darrell and Candi Boatman took a seven-year hiatus from the barbecue business The couple closed Boatman’s BBQ in Tolar When the taco shop next door to their Wicked Good Chicken closed Darrell thought the layout looked right for a barbecue joint They started the renovations earlier this year and in June jumped back into the scene with the opening of Brisket City Craft BBQ Darrell and Candi were serving burgers out of a bar in Granbury in 2012 when they discovered an old smoker behind the place It took two months of smoking briskets to make one good enough to sell to bar patrons the barbecue was selling better than the burgers,” Darrell said That led to the opening of Boatman’s BBQ I drove down to Tolar twice to try it out and wrote about the big improvements in their barbecue back in 2016 They only lasted another year in the tiny town southwest of Fort Worth “The itch was always still there,” Darrell said about serving barbecue “We felt like we had unfinished business.” Two visits to Brisket City Craft BBQ felt like déjà vu from the Boatman’s BBQ days Darrell and Candi have brought on their two sons they had tempered the saltiness of the smoked brisket They’re now making a juicier house sausage and a jalapeño cheese sausage that are both coarsely ground with great snaps to their casings The thick sauce that sogged up the bark on the pork belly burnt ends has thankfully been replaced by a sweet-and-savory rub that gives a candy coating to each chunk The Boatmans are planning to make the burnt ends a feature with rotating flavors such as butter pecan and peanut butter and jelly but these are made with the trimmings from their Goodstock briskets The fries served alongside (and the fried okra) are frozen house-made sides that are Candi’s recipes My favorite was the slaw with kale and green apples that gave it some good crunch and tartness I also enjoyed the pinto beans fortified with brisket and garnished with fresh pico de gallo Candi also makes the raisin-studded bread pudding that comes free with every dine-in order Brisket City added a full breakfast menu served starting at 7 every day but Sunday (The website says they serve it until 11 a.m. but the menu in the restaurant says you can order breakfast until 2 p.m.) I tried a breakfast burrito stuffed with eggs The serrano hot sauce on the side gave it a good kick but it will be hard to resist ordering a biscuit next time and cheese sandwich with them for just $4.50 The family works together to keep the two restaurants operating Darrell and Candi run point at the chicken shop while their sons manage the barbecue side The smoker gets plenty of action from both twenty-four seven,” Darrell said of the tiny 250-gallon smoker they used for all the meats a thousand-gallon Big Phil’s smoker had just been delivered The family’s now turned some of the old patio seating into a screened-in pit room for the new smoker but it seems like they’re finally hitting their stride Sunday noon–4Pitmasters: Darrell Boatman Sr and Darrell Boatman Jr.Method: Oak in an offset smokerYear opened: 2024 That’s what one man wonders when he looks at the remnants of a tree believed to be more than two centuries old It finally gave way earlier this month when we had all of those storms in Middle Tennessee there are still plans to give it a second life “We’ve worked on a ton of really big trees but nothing this big yet,” said Chris Payne with Payneless Tree Care No task is too big for Payne and his team – not even removing a tree this massive and historic That means the tree likely started growing in Madison some time between 1775 and 1823 the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776 we like to think this thing was here back when Andrew Jackson and everybody was still alive Back in the fall, we told you about a man’s mission to save trees and give them a second purpose Tad Derrickson is the one who told me about this tree he’s planning on bringing his mobile saw mill to help save the pieces to give this tree its second life “You know you could make it straight into a big dining room table “It’s a big red oak so it’s really good wood so we like to see something done with ‘em to kind of - it’s my way of giving back and helps me sleep a little better at night.” The tree fell onto a home during a Saturday storm in early April We’re told the home was vacant and nobody was living in it at the time Do you have a positive story you'd like to share You can email me at Austin.Pollack@newschannel5.com Rebecca: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/a2/d9/fb69982545c59e9836fbe80fe431/rebecca-recommends.png Carrie: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/2e/72/be0f23854c54a228c9d6138c9847/carrie-recommends-header.png Ben: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/df/c4/19fa7c504480938f39a431e3b276/ben-recommends-header.png Rhori: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/5b/25/a224d13d47739165c92b94e643db/rhori-recommends-header.png Lelan: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/af/54/833bf879454097a398bd44f723de/lelan-recommends.png I'm not sure there is a story that's brought a bigger smile to our faces than this one celebrating Ms The story of her service during World War II is amazing in itself — she is a true Rosie the Riveter What was also amazing was to see was how an entire community turned out to celebrate her View Iowa DOT News Archive  © 2024 State of Iowa - Read our accessibility, data, and privacy policies at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale Stephen's father John Brunetti Sr., who bought Hialeah Park in 1977 and developed Red Oak Farm near Ocala, Fla., passed away in 2018 at age 87. Stephen Brunetti died in April 2024 after a 4 1/2-year battle with cancer The Red Oak Stable legacy carries on through Stephen's brother John Brunetti Jr. He had a passion for breeding," said Rick Sacco racing manager for the Brunetti family who also oversees Red Oak Farm "He bred the grade 1 winner we're selling in this sale a three-time grade 1 winner and now a stallion standing in New York "Stephen loved breeding and racing." Sign up for BloodHorse Daily The Brunetti family also owns Good Chance Training Center near Ocala The five-horse Red Oak Stable dispersal in the Fasig-Tipton sale consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa will bring the number of horses sold since Stephen's passing to about 50 Unbridled Mo (Hip 401), a 12-year-old mare by the late great stallion Uncle Mo, won the 2018 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) at Oaklawn Park plus a trio of grade 3 races in a 12-race career that saw her triumph seven times and earn more than $1 million She has had three foals and is offered not pregnant Her foal of 2024, a leggy colt by Curlin, is cataloged as Hip 395 and looks like one of the standouts among the short yearlings on the grounds I had him with me in Ocala up until a week ago The last 90 days he really blossomed," Sacco said long Curlin with a nice hip and big overstep beautiful colt out of a grade 1 mare who had a lot of heart "I've been doing this a long time It's an opportunity for someone to buy something that would normally not be on the market." Fasig-Tipton president and CEO Boyd Browning Jr said the Red Oak Stable dispersal provided a boost to the February catalog "The yearling Curlin colt is an exceptional horse Not only does he have a beautiful pedigree He should be at the top end of the short yearlings in the sale this year," Browning said He's also a nice pinhook prospect and the type of horse we'd love to see again at our Saratoga sale "The same thing applies to Unbridled Mo She is a grade 1 winner and unfortunately they're not making any more Uncle Mos and the Curlin colt is a good example of what she's producing." "He bred 190 mares his first year at stud in 2023 more than any stallion in the history of New York breeding And then in 2024 he bred 130," Sacco said We're really looking forward to his babies." Photo: Coady Photo(L-R) Rick Sacco and Stephen Brunetti lead Unbridled Mo to the winner's circle after the 2018 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park Although lumber does show promise as a renewable alternative to structural materials such as steel and concrete it still tends to be a bit weaker than those substances Scientists have now set about addressing that shortcoming a team of researchers at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) started out with cubes of untreated red oak hardwood cherry and walnut – is an example of what's known as ring-porous wood this means that it utilizes large ring-shaped internal vessels to draw water up from the tree's roots to its leaves The scientists proceeded to mix ferric nitrate with potassium hydroxide creating a hard iron oxide mineral called nanocrystalline ferrihydrite nanoparticles of that ferrihydrite were drawn into the wood and deposited inside of its individual cell walls This action served to strengthen those walls thus increasing the stiffness and hardness of the wood by 260.5% and 127% when the modified red oak wood did bend or break it did so in a manner much like that of unmodified test samples This is likely due to the fact that although the wood's cell walls had been strengthened the addition of the ferrihydrite nanoparticles increased the weight of the wood by only a small amount they shouldn't pose a threat to the environment when the wood is eventually discarded or recycled "Our researchers are laying the groundwork for a new generation of bio-based materials that have the potential to replace traditional materials like steel and concrete in structural applications," says Dr dean of FAU's College of Engineering and Computer Science "The impact of this work reaches far beyond the field of engineering – it contributes to global efforts to reduce carbon emissions nature-inspired solutions for everything from buildings to large-scale infrastructure." A paper on the research – which also involved scientists from the University of Miami and Oak Ridge National Laboratory – was recently published in the journal ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces In a previous study a team at Georgia Tech determined that impregnating wood with different types of metal oxide additionally helped keep it from rotting Source: Florida Atlantic University By Chase Rogers and Matt KyleStaff Writers prompting state police to launch an investigation into the shooting pursuit that ended on Interstate 35E in the suburb south of Dallas after a preliminary investigation identified the man as a person of interest in a capital murder investigation the investigative arm of the Department of Public Safety are overseeing the investigation into the shooting Red Oak police are handling the crash investigation the man’s vehicle collided with another on the highway Two people in the second vehicle were transported to hospitals One died and the other was “severely” injured Crime in The NewsRead the crime and public safety news your neighbors are talking about GoogleFacebookBy signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy was also taken to a hospital after officers provided medical care following the shooting Dallas police officials suspect him in connection with a recent capital murder case three law enforcement officials told The Dallas Morning News Dallas police attempted a traffic stop on the man’s vehicle The man “immediately refused to comply or surrender” and fled in his vehicle the man exited his vehicle with a firearm in his hand and “moved away from pursuing officers,” Lockridge said before Dallas officers fired and struck the man While Dallas police initially said a public information officer was heading to the scene to provide updates they later confirmed no news conference would take place and deferred questions to DPS and no further details are available,” Lockridge said The Ellis County sheriff’s office said there would be a “large police presence” in the area for “most of the afternoon.” DPS said on X the southbound lane of I-35E at Red Oak Road bridge would be closed until 6 p.m Traffic on I-35E heading south was backed up for about 5 miles by mid-afternoon with the jam beginning at the Belt Line Road exit and extending through where traffic was being directed off the highway at Ovilla Road Officers at the location were inspecting two disabled SUVs with their airbags deployed in the median between I-35E and an access road A line of caution tape stretched over the access road and across much of the highway A man wearing a Red Oak police vest carried a camera and combed the grass near the wrecked cars while other officers and detectives stood nearby Texas Department of Transportation crews were called to assist with traffic control on I-35E Red Oak police stationed on the Red Oak Road bridge spanning I-35E directed motorists away from the crossing A group of more than two dozen police cruisers were stationed just off the highway Dallas police said the investigation of the vehicle crash was being overseen by Red Oak police which did not immediately return a call seeking additional information a Ellis County sheriff’s office spokesperson declined to answer questions seeking additional information about the shooting Staff writer Kelli Smith contributed to this report He is a graduate of Baylor University and is a native of San Antonio Matt has written for the Waco Tribune-Herald (Red Oak) -- A Red Oak woman faces charges following her arrest Wednesday evening The Red Oak Police Department says 27-year-old Betty Marie Gonzales was arrested at around 5:50 p.m Authorities say the arrest occurred in the 400 block of East Market Street in Red Oak Gonzales was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held without bond sells for $775,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale lighting up the board at a final bid of $775,000 to top the Feb The price is the highest for a short yearling in the sale's history Maverick posted the winning bid on the record colt, who is out of grade 1-winner Unbridled Mo  The colt was offered as part of the dispersal of Red Oak Stable who stands at Rockridge Stud/Irish Hill and Dutchess Views Venture "The last 90 days he really blossomed," said Rick Sacco obviously Curlin is an outstanding stallion I had a really good feeling that he would sell great He was showing well; he's got a very big walk and a big hip We were starting to get excited knowing the players that were involved Unbridled Mo sold just a few hips later as Hip 401 The millionaire daughter of the late Uncle Mo has seven wins from 12 career starts with her most notable win coming in the 2018 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) tor trainer Todd Pletcher campaigned Uncle Mo and stayed in on the successful sire who's near and dear to Mike's (Repole) heart," said Jacob West who signed the ticket on behalf of Repole Stable and we're obviously massive fans of Uncle Mo "You saw what her Curlin baby (Hip 395) brought but she's still young enough that she's got some brighter days ahead." "I'm a little disappointed in that number," said Sacco on the price for Unbridled Mo and she had a couple years that she wasn't in foal She is really healthy right now; she's ready to be bred She's been under lights and she looks great noted the quality horses that were offered Monday "Very encouraging sale today," Browning said It's always great to have an opportunity to sell horses like the quality of the Curlin colt (Hip 395)." A total of 260 horses sold for gross receipts of $11,495,500 and a median of $16,000 during the single-session sale Sixty-two horses failed to meet their reserve resulting in an RNA rate of 19.3% As last year's sale was conducted over two days That sale saw 372 horses sell for $21,687,000 representing the 61 horses who failed to meet their reserve Browning thought there was solid interest in some of the less expensive horses offered Monday from start to finish was encouraging," said Browning "The RNA rate was certainly at an acceptable level There was activity on some of the less expensive horses probably a little more than I have seen throughout recent sales It really kind of exceeded our expectations on the less expensive horses it was great competition for the top-quality offerings It was nice to see a Japanese buyer make a significant purchase above half a million dollars We had international participation bidding on several lots as well." Photo: AnneBoyd Browning at Fasig-Tipton The November Sale A colt by Uncle Mo (Hip 160) out of the grade 1-placed mare Toasting  She was bred in Kentucky by Scarteen Stud and Barry Donworth "There's a great demand for quality or a broodmare prospect," said Browning "We kind of have a pretty good idea of the health of the market We'd like to have it a little bit broader and a little bit deeper but certainly there was plenty of bidding activity today from start to finish and overall very pleased." The leading buyer of the sale (at least three purchased) was 3 Mile Creek which landed five horses—all yearlings—for a total of $455,000 Taylor Made Sales Agency finished as the leading consignor with 35 sold for a $2,529,000 gross Next up for Fasig-Tipton will be the February Digital Sale Feb (Red Oak) -- A pair of suspects faces charges following a search warrant in Red Oak Monday morning The Red Oak Police Department says officers along with assistance from the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office conducted a search warrant in the 800 block of East Reed Street at around 4 a.m Authorities say 40-year-old Aaron Lucas Allen and 28-year-old Lydia Ann Hadland were arrested for violation of a protection order--a simple misdemeanor police say Allen was charged with possession of a controlled substance Allen and Hadland were both taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held without bond The red oak planted was planted outside the church now known as United Church of Christ The 100-year-old red oak outside the United Church of Christ Pittsfield is seen through one of the church's windows we’ll make a plan to plant new seeds of respect and justice and hope and peace and joy and love Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data our bell will ring to start the 100th birthday party for our big Today marks the city of Pittsfield’s celebration of Arbor Day this year and Joel’s face softened into a smile as he talked about meeting the person who planted it as a Boy Scout in 1925 I’d never thought about the tree’s planter the sanctuary space next to it was 75 years old and the addition behind it had just been built thousands and thousands of acorns and leaves have fallen from those branches making the soil under it rich and dark Thousands of birds have sung from its branches Thousands of squirrels have scurried up its trunk It witnessed 520 Sunday’s worth of Sunday services (a few less due to the pandemic It witnessed hundreds of memorial services It witnessed around a hundred Easter Egg hunts as well as dozens of picnics and outdoor worship services It looked through the church windows as thousands of candles were lit on about a hundred Christmas Eves those from First Church of Christ walked with candles to South Congregational Church and both congregations started worshipping together as one congregation it witnessed the “South Congregational Church” sign changing and becoming “The United Church of Christ the tree’s roots grew deeper and its branches spread further it’s seen around a hundred Fourth of July parades It’s seen the Colonial Theater as it thrived It’s seen all of those who have gathered at the Masonic Lodge next door It welcomed the growing number of people coming to the South Community Food Pantry as they arrived and blessed them as they left It’s felt the joys and struggles of all those who have traveled by whether they were passing through or on the way to or from jobs shopping or meetings for this and for that As the summers have become warmer and drier It felt the stresses and the strains but remained standing it witnessed the hundreds of people who gathered on South Street when then-Vice President Kamala Harris spoke across the street It saw all the signs for all the candidates It witnessed the mothers and grandmothers bringing their daughters and granddaughters It witnessed the yelling and the cheering and the chanting and cheers and the boos It witnessed those screaming out in agony for the suffering in Palestine and those yelling back about the pain of Israel some of those on the street put down their signs for a bit and cooled down under its branches smiles and comments about the heat were shared there even if opinions weren’t I started to imagine another gathering there for another birthday in about another 100 years It is easy to get so caught up in this moment and this time that such a day of celebration is unimaginable We look around and see division and pain and degradation He couldn’t have imagined all this tree would have seen people might be able to gather under its branches It wasn’t a grand plan but it was a simple plan these will grow and provide shelter to all those who gather above its roots and under its branches those who come after us will gather and celebrate how our imagining their celebration changed to us planning for it our “maybe” will be transformed to a “May it be so.” Mike Denton is the minister for United Church of Christ Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device (Red Oak) – Officials from multiple departments battled a fire at a large storage structure early Monday morning Red Oak Fire Chief John Bruce says crews were called to 814 East Nuckols Street around 2:10 a.m firefighters found a 1,500 square foot storage facility fully engulfed in flames as well as a small grass fire on a nearby hillside Crews battled the blaze for nearly three hours eventually ending ground operations around 5 a.m Bruce says years of accumulated materials created challenges for suppression efforts No injuries were reported and the fire remains under investigation Bruce says authorities will continue to monitor the site for potential flare-ups with dangerous fire conditions forecast early this week The Red Oak Fire Department was assisted by departments from Stanton as well as the Red Oak Police Department and Montgomery County Communications (Red Oak) -- A Red Oak man faces a pair of drug charges following his arrest Thursday evening The Red Oak Police Department says 18-year-old Isaac Allen Johnson was arrested shortly after 8:15 p.m 1st offense--a serious misdemeanor--and possession of drug paraphernalia--a simple misdemeanor Authorities say the arrest occurred in the 2400 block of North 8th Street in Red Oak Johnson was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $1,000 bond TrendingResidentialSan FranciscoARed Oak denied request for injunction against VanguardAgent poaching suit takes another turn as larger legal battle rages on One of the Bay Area’s largest independent brokerages has won one round of its ongoing battle over agent poaching claims A San Francisco Superior Court has denied East Bay-based brokerage Red Oak Realty’s request for a preliminary injunction against San Francisco-based Vanguard Properties Quinn said in his late-January ruling that he denied the injunction which sought to stop Vanguard from soliciting Red Oak agents until a larger suit is settled because he did not feel there was a great likelihood that Red Oak would prevail and that the “balance of equity and harms” in granting the injunction did not weigh in its favor Quinn also ruled that Red Oak CEO Vanessa Bergmark’s declaration in support of the injunction failed to demonstrate the basis for her allegations that Vanguard was using non-disclosure agreement-protected information gleaned from failed merger talks to bring Red Oak agents over to Vanguard as part of its East Bay expansion.  Vanguard had several declarations from both its higher-ups and agents who came over from Red Oak claiming that there was no NDA-protected information used to sway Red Oak agents into departing based on the Vanguard-supporting declarations it appeared it was the agents who reached out to Vanguard The ruling is a win for Vanguard as it defends itself against a suit filed by Red Oak in December alleging agent poaching using protected information and other questionable practices “There is no material evidence those employees did anything wrong in reaching out to Defendants,” Quinn wrote in his Jan adding that disallowing agents from reaching out to competing agencies would likely be illegal Vanguard said that it was “pleased” with the ruling and remained “confident in our ultimate success in the ongoing legal matter.”   SIGN UPBergmark vowed to continue the larger fight even after the recent loss “It’s frustrating that the injunction wasn’t granted,” she said we will amend the complaint with the new information we’ve uncovered and continue the pursuit and we are prepared for the long conflict ahead.” Red Oak filed three more declarations supporting its injunction request and disputing the claims made in Vanguard’s court filings a Red Oak agent who was recruited by Vanguard but went to Compass instead said in a declaration that Vanguard’s recruiting tactics made references to the allegedly NDA-protected merger talks and disparaged Red Oak’s financial standing accelerating her decision to leave the company Vanguard asked that these “late-filed declarations” be excluded But the court reviewed them at the hearing and “found that the totality of admissible evidence presented by Red Oak failed to demonstrate a misuse of confidential information.”  The larger legal battle between the two firms is moving ahead the court will hear Vanguard’s recently filed motion to deny the Red Oak-requested depositions of Hoffman who were all named as defendants in the initial suit The motion argues that Red Oak has not yet disclosed the trade secrets about which three Vanguard agents would be deposed and cannot serve any discovery notices until it has done so “Red Oak is not yet entitled to commence discovery It is also calling for sanctions on Red Oak for the nearly $15,000 in attorneys’ fees spent on drawing up the motion as it claims the East Bay agency “repeatedly refused legitimate requests” to drop the deposition summons (Red Oak) -- An Emerson man was booked on a repeat impaired driving offense in Red Oak Wednesday The Red Oak Police Department says 39-year-old Delton Paul Lyden was arrested shortly after 8 p.m Authorities say the arrest occurred in the 100 block of West Coolbaugh Street Lyden was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $2,000 cash or surety bond The City of Red Oak has announced a snow emergency notice (KMAland) -- The City of Red Oak has announced a snow emergency notice City Administrator Lisa Kotter released the following in regards to the snow emergency: Red Oak is in the area with 2 to 4 inches of snow predicted over the next 24 hours To be sure vehicles are all off the street by the time our plow crews go out we are starting the Red Oak snow emergency at 9:00 p.m. This snow emergency will be in effect until the snow is done and each street is plowed Parking between the sidewalk and curb is allowed if there is no off-street driveway and parking space parking available Vehicles can also park in the two City parking lots: (1) Washington Street between 4th and 5th Streets and (2) behind the Public Library A reminder that all sidewalks must be cleared 48 hours after the snow has stopped it is not legal to push snow into the road Please cooperate with these City ordinances to avoid parking tickets or being towed (Red Oak) -- A Red Oak man faces domestic charges Red Oak Police say 20-year-old Sebastian Michael Thompson of Red Oak was arrested for domestic abuse assault--1st offense Thompson is being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail (Red Oak) -- Red Oak school officials have backed the sale of two properties paving the way for future housing development Meeting in regular session Wednesday evening the Red Oak School Board held a public hearing and unanimously approved conveying the Bancroft and Webster properties to Acorn Development Two for $1,000 each with plans calling for the demolition of the former elementary structures and the construction of new housing Acorn Development's Tim Werges says the plan would also be for students with the building trades trade program a partnership between Red Oak schools and Southwestern Community College to construct most of the homes on the Bancroft site Acorn Development Board Member Jeff Soe says the plan would be to begin asbestos removal and demolition of the two buildings as soon as possible "We would start with Bancroft--that would be the first structure we would abate--and we think it will take about three weeks for the abatement firm to clean that up and get it ready for demolition," said Soe "The abatement firm when they're done with Bancroft would then move to Webster and do the abatement there Then the demolition will follow in the same order--we'll start with Bancroft and then move to Webster." Plans call for constructing four to five homes on the Bancroft property and five on the Webster site Soe adds they are also working to ensure the houses "fit into" the neighborhood targeting roughly 1,100 square foot starter homes on the Bancroft site "It'd be something that's affordable to get into and fit the lot as that's the other thing we're dealing with there--down in that part of town all the lots are pretty narrow," Soe explained we can't get too wide with them unless we want to start doubling up on lots but then it really wouldn't fit in with the rest of the neighborhood so that's why we think it'll be four to five houses They'll be kind of long and narrow to fit the profile of the rest of the houses that are down there as far as the layout." Soe adds the plan would be to have lots ready for construction by August 1st with the building trades program tackling one to two homes each year Red Oak Chamber Board Vice President Ryan Beeson says there was initially a struggle to find a lot to build for the trades program noting the current home they're building out in the Woodland Hills subdivision is much larger than SWCC had constructed in the past SWCC has never built a house this big and they're usually smaller," Beeson emphasized "We've got to remember that these are 17 to 18 year old kids where this is the first time they've done this we've got to get to an area where we can build simpler hopefully this proposal would solve that issue." Red Oak School Superintendent Ron Lorenz applauded the various entities collaborating on the effort He felt the proposal was a win-win in addressing the needs of the school and the community as a whole "I don't know of any other organization that we could realistically expect to come in that has the wherewithal and the capacity to tear those buildings down as the board requested and repurpose them in a way that serves us directly," said Lorenz and I know that's a clique that gets overused Lorenz says the city of Red Oak had also submitted a letter of support for the proposal Speaking during the meeting's public comment period City Administrator Lisa Kotter says the plans to create new housing on the lots would help address multiple priorities in the city's latest comprehensive plan including cleaning up the community and addressing housing "We think that some of the things that we've discussed with Acorn can all be resolved just looking at utilities and various things like that so it seems like a good proposal and we appreciate their commitment to the community and the school board's willingness," she said "Obviously those are properties that could be used much differently than they have been for a long time we just wanted to let you know that that does go along with some of the goals of the community and that the city is here to partner with Acorn and the school board to see this project come to fruition." Once Acorn Development has taken ownership of the properties no later than March 1st plans call for the developer and the chamber to maintain the properties until they are sold Acorn Development officials note they do have financing ready for the effort estimating costs at $250,000--half of which is the asbestos removal Chaparral's Deavon Foster (14) drives to the basket and draws a foul on Red Oak's Gary Lockett (15) during their Class 5A bi-district playoff game on Tuesday at Waco Midway High School Chaparral's Carlos Robinson (21) shoots under the basket against Red Oak during their Class 5A bi-district playoff game on Tuesday at Waco Midway High School Chaparral's Christian Redmond (10) shoots under the basket against Red Oak's Gary Lockett (15) during their Class 5A bi-district playoff game on Tuesday at Waco Midway High School Chaparral's Christian Redmond (10) shoots under the basket against Red Oak during their Class 5A bi-district playoff game on Tuesday at Waco Midway High School Chaparral's Nate Brown (1) shoots a jumper over Red Oak's Tyrion Miller (2) during their Class 5A bi-district playoff game on Tuesday at Waco Midway High School Chaparral's Brad Miles (23) drives to the basket for a layup against Red Oak's Trey Hodges (3) during their Class 5A bi-district playoff game on Tuesday at Waco Midway High School Chaparral's Deavon Foster (14) drives to the basket against Red Oak's Kedric Bradford (11) during their Class 5A bi-district playoff game on Tuesday at Waco Midway High School Chaparral's Carlos Robinson (21) shoots a long jumper over Red Oak's Kedric Bradford (11) during their Class 5A bi-district playoff game on Tuesday at Waco Midway High School WACO — Chaparral made school history this season but Red Oak ensured there is more left to accomplish For the first two years of their existence the Bobcats worked to become a cohesive unit capable of qualifying for the playoffs but their efforts fell short on both occasions Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content When Jadesola Oladipo hit an off-balance shot from just inside the 3-point line to give the Ellison Lady Eagles a 26-23 lead mere ticks before… View the future stars columns provided by the players coaches there are no recent results for popular images there are no recent results for popular videos there are no recent results for popular commented articles Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Sign up to receive a daily list of Obituary notifications Signup today for the Harker Heights Herald Would you like to receive sports news from all the schools we cover Would you like to receive news about the Copperas Cove Bulldawgs Would you like to receive news about the Belton Tigers Would you like to receive news about the Ellison Eagles Would you like to receive news about the Florence Buffaloes Would you like to receive news about the Gatesville Hornets Would you like to receive news about the Harker Heights knights Would you like to receive news about the Killeen Kangaroos Would you like to receive news about the Lampasas Badger Would you like to receive news about the Lometa Hornets Would you like to receive news about the Midway Panthers Would you like to receive news about the Salado Eagles Would you like to receive news about the Shoemaker Grey Wolves Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account By Matt KyleBreaking News Reporter of Red Oak was driving in a car with his wife at about 10:25 a.m 16 when he was struck from behind by a vehicle driven by Gabriel Cerna on the service road of Interstate 35E South Cerna was wanted on a capital murder charge and was fleeing from Dallas Police officers at the time of the crash Police had chased him to Ellis County from Dallas where he was pronounced dead about an hour after the crash According to the lawsuit filed by his children his wife suffered life-threatening injuries as a result of the crash alleges negligence on the part of Cerna and the city of Dallas The suit alleges Dallas police officers recklessly initiated a pursuit of Cerna and continued it even when “the risks and dangers of such a pursuit grossly outweighed the potential benefits.” Dallas police said the department does not comment on pending litigation A spokesperson for the city of Dallas also said the city does not comment on pending litigation Cerna was in the custody of the Dallas County jail on over $2 million bail The suit also said city of Dallas policies and procedures regarding police chases were not followed The suit also says Cerna was reckless in leading officers on a high-speed chase and failing to maintain control of his vehicle due to his speed According to Dallas police arrest-warrant affidavits, Cerna faces charges in the December shooting death of Armando Gamboa Gamboa was found shot in his vehicle on Dec 30 and appeared to have been killed following a robbery Cerna was identified as a suspect in the shooting after surveillance footage showed Cerna driving Gamboa’s vehicle shortly before it was found abandoned with Gamboa dead inside Cerna was spotted at a Quick Trip gas station by a plainclothes DEA agent who recognized him and alerted Dallas police Plainclothes Dallas officers then began following Cerna as he got into a vehicle and followed him onto I-35E After a marked police car attempted a traffic stop in Glenn Heights Cerna pushed the woman who was driving the car out onto the highway and took off at a high rate of speed Officers followed Cerna almost 3 miles until he crashed into the car driven by Welch Cerna exited the vehicle armed with a handgun and refused to drop it which led to officers opening fire and shooting him said the police chase occurring on a busy highway during a busy time of day was reckless and dangerous “Everybody believes criminals should be taken off our streets and their mother is still struggling through severe in addition to compensation for medical and funeral bills (Red Oak) -- Red Oak school officials have backed a pair of calendar proposals for next school year pending legislation working its way through the Iowa Statehouse the Red Oak School Board held a public hearing and unanimously approved two calendars for the 2025-26 school year Iowa law doesn't allow districts to start their school year earlier than August 23rd to ensure the Iowa State Fair is complete before school ramps up a bill advancing out of a Senate Education Subcommittee earlier this month would let schools start no earlier than the second to last Monday of August Red Oak School Superintendent Ron Lorenz says one of the proposed calendars' first day of school would be within the current statutory requirement on August 25th and a contingency proposal with an August 21st start date should the legislature approve the measure "That could be something that occurs as early as this week or it could be something that doesn't happen until April," said Lorenz the reason we're giving you two proposals is so that we don't have to have another public hearing and another board action--this worked for us last year where we just developed both potential alternatives Our hope is that we would implement the contingency proposal which provides a little bit more flexibility." Both calendars would have May 22nd as the last school day with the contingency schedule providing roughly two additional hours of instruction The superintendent says they chose August 21st as the alternative start date due to prior commitments earlier in the week "The board may ask the question if we could start school for instance on August 19th why wouldn't we do that," Lorenz explained because we've already contracted with a speaker on August 20th and you have to get those people lined up well in advance that's why we're looking at (August) 21st." both proposed calendars would continue early outs on Fridays to allow for weekly professional development Lorenz says the majority of the feedback they've heard has been positive about the Friday early outs "That's not to say that there aren't people who would prefer another day," he said "but we've heard only from people who appreciate it and like what it does for their family we did not feel any need to change that at this point." While instruction hours will remain the same Lorenz asked the board for some flexibility on teacher contract days as they work through negotiations with the Red Oak Education Association --Heard a presentation from Stellar Virtual on a proposal to partner with the Red Oak School District for developing and implementing a virtual academy serving students across the state --Approved the second reading of Board Policy 506.5 and an accompanying regulation 506.5R1 which would designated personal finance as an elective rather than a graduation requirement adjust the number of required electives accordingly --Approved the first reading updates to board policy 606.6--which would allow for superintendent's approval of out-of-state field trips and excursions and board approval for field trips and excursions that "involve unusual lengths --Approved transferring $5,376.99 from the general fund to the activities fund during the 2025 fiscal year and approved using those dollars to refurbish 41 existing football helmets and purchasing five new helmets --Approved the installation of a Voice Evacuation Fire Alarm System at the Red Oak Early Childhood Center --Approved revisions to the district's online learning program --Approved setting the maximum fiscal year 2026 property tax rate at $15.47 per thousand dollars valuation--an increase of 38 cents per thousand from the current fiscal year Vern Olson has sung the national anthem for most school sports events in Red Oak The almost-87-year-old does it to honor those who have sacrificed for the nation He's also a retired sports writer and broadcaster who loves his community to be honest with you,” said Coach Angie Montgomery I’m Southwest Iowa Neighborhood Reporter Katrina Markel the retired sportswriter has been sharing the gift of his singing voice with his whole community and beyond “Our events just aren’t the same when he’s not singing the national anthem,” said Mark Erickson Vern Olson sings at most Red Oak home games Activities Director Mark Erickson calls Vern and the basketball-loving Sandy — a retired teacher — ‘superfans.’ They’re in the stands at most games “They’re just selfless people who give everything to our school without asking anything in return,” he said Senior basketball player Landon Gigstad sings in the church choir with Vern “Knowing that there’s a strong voice next to you that always helps me just sing more confidently and sing louder myself,” said Gigstad Not only do the Red Oak kids appreciate Vern he’s been thanked by athletes from other schools “When teenagers do that before they’re going to play a basketball game the Olsons’ kids and grandkids don’t live in Iowa told me they’ve practically adopted her athletes “They just embrace them like their own and I think it’s an amazing lesson for the kids to see that,” she said “If you needed somebody to look at and say ‘I wanna be like that person,’ Vern and Sandy are two great people to look up to,” said Gigstad Vern’s talents even reached the Texas Tenors They invited him to sing the anthem before their Council Bluffs concert last year He hopes his singing honors the sacrifices made for our country “He’s been given a talent and he’s using it with so much heart,” said Sandy (Red Oak) -- As opposition continues to be voiced by residents Red Oak officials are considering pausing discussions on a mandatory municipal garbage collection service Meeting in regular session Tuesday evening the Red Oak City Council received a report from City Administrator Lisa Kotter on meetings held with local haulers to try and formulate a proposal for a city-wide residential garbage collection service before the possibility of going to a formal "request for proposal." In a recent interview with KMA News Kotter said that while they had received information from company officials it was not the necessary information for the council to make a decision--particularly the cost of the services The written report stated that while a price wasn't given it would not decrease from the current roughly $26 a month per household After hearing from several residents in opposition during the public comment period Councilwoman Sharon Bradley says she is in favor of pausing discussions on a mandatory curbside collection service and instead looking into having multiple city-wide cleanup days throughout the year--something she says was also discussed in the city's latest comprehensive plan and proposed by the two local haulers "I think we should do a city wide cleanup three or four times a year which would add to your water bill maybe three or four dollars but I think we can clean the city up if we go that direction," said Bradley "It would be a totally different thing for us because we have to haul our garbage out of the county and that costs a lot of money but I think we need to try that direction." four haulers provide garbage services to most Red Oak residences with Batten and Town and Country handling the bulk of the work Councilman Tim Fridolph says he doesn't disagree with Bradley to instead look at city-wide cleanup days--noting he is willing to look at all the options Fridolph took some issue with residents claiming the city has already "made up its mind" on the issue and that they are overreaching by exploring mandatory garbage collection "We have ordinances on the book that regulate sound we have ordinances on the book that tell you when you can and can not set off fireworks there are ordinances all over the place that regulate daily life within a municipality," Fridolph emphasized "It is not unreasonable to look at one that says we think all of our residents should have to have their garbage removed on a weekly basis--that's not unreasonable the way we go about that could seem unreasonable Fridolph also reiterated calls for civil discussions between those for and against moving toward mandatory curbside garbage collection Emphasizing the city has not made any decisions Red Oak Mayor Shawnna Silvius says the last few months have been the necessary "information gathering" phase for the council to go one direction or the other "The way you get to a decision is you hear all the information from both sides and then you have to remove all of your own assumptions and so many people are assuming that all the people around this table feel the same way that someone says we're feeling--that's not true and assumptions get everyone in trouble," said Silvius and then form our own opinion based on what we're taking in from our constituents." Red Oak resident John Gross also re-submitted a petition with 729 signatures from individuals who were opposed to the curbside garbage service Unless more residents either in favor of the mandatory curbside service or are neutral on the matter become more vocal Silvius says the court of public opinion indicates the service is not wanted by the community The mayor says the goal of introducing mandatory garbage collection was to help clean up the community given the often tedious and costly process of working through their nuisance ordinances "That was the whole idea here is to clean the properties up," said Silvius "The challenge that we have with our nuisance code is that it does in fact cost taxpayers a lot of money for each of the things that we're doing--from our attorney's perspective it does costs a significant amount of money and causes issues on the streets those were challenges that were part of why this even came forward." The council took no formal action on the topic Tuesday. City officials are also set to hold a question and answer session at the Montgomery County YMCA this evening at 6 p.m. on the garbage issue. The discussion will also be live-streamed on the city's YouTube page