Unemployed Oskaloosans will soon have to travel to Ottumwa if they want to meet with Iowa Workforce Development staff face-to-face. Governor Branstad vetoed funding for the agency, effectively closing down 36 local workforce offices across the state. CRI's Matt Freemann shows us how unemployed Oskaloosans can get job help now.

Oskaloosa, IA. ­­-

Progress is being made at the new William Penn Community Stadium thanks to drier weather, but the first kickoff is only weeks away. Workers were rolling out the green carpet this week installing the stadium’s turf. CRI and OSP’s Jason Madison brings you up to speed on this developing story.

Social networking has uncovered a new world of communication. For this week’s Tech Beat CRI Webmaster Patrick Boberg shows us a new trend on Twitter that allows you to exchange ideas instantly in 140 characters or less.

The following is a press release on the Community Stadium Construction:

Stadium Construction Moving Forward

“Work on an amazing new community stadium at the Lacey Recreation Complex is moving forward under a tight schedule, but we are confident now that it will be operational in time for the Fall season” said Oskaloosa Booster Club leader Curt Spry.

“We are grateful for the support of many community partners and CBees (Community Boosters) who’ve contributed to the building of a new stadium,” said William Penn Athletic Director Greg Hafner. “Development of the stadium will continue during and after the football season, but our fans and visitors will be impressed with what is in place.”

With temperatures in the 90s all week, little relief could be found from the heat in Oskaloosa. Cranking up the AC may be the easiest remedy, but that can push energy bills as high as the temps. CRI’s Molly Agnes checked with MidAmerican Energy for tips on how to stay cool and save.

Mahaska County Sheriff's Office is investigating a string of home burglaries in Oskaloosa and the surrounding area last month.Yet the total number of burglaries is down this year so far in Mahaska County. CRI's Molly Agnes spoke with one resident who feels one burglary is too many, and is trying to revive a Neighborhood Watch Program.

Oskaloosa Firefighters were on William Penn's Campus Wednesday training students on what to do in the event of a hall fire. CRI's Presley Joss went to campus to show us more.

You might have recently been hearing loud drilling or pounding on the north side of town. The sound is being made by a crew drilling a 12-foot diameter tunnel under the Union Pacific railroad tracks. That tunnel will soon connect two parts of the Oskaloosa Recreation Trail that have been separated by the tracks, causing trail users to have to detour onto surface streets in order to cross the tracks and reconnect with the trail. The tunnel is located on the north side of Friend's Cemetery east of William Penn University.

Carl Drost of Drost Equipment Inc. is in charge of the project and says the tunnel should be ready for the public to walk through by Thanksgiving. Drost says the project would be done sooner but community resources are primarily being focused on construction of the Community Stadium which will host its first football game on August 19.

MCG, the cable provider that broadcasts CRI programming, has been taking pictures and filming the drilling of the tunnel and is producing a timelapse of the drilling project. Look for that footage to be available soon.

Monday in Waukee, Oskaloosa Head Softball Coach Jay Harms stepped out of the dugout for the final doubleheader of the 2011 season. He was coaching one of three All-Star teams that were a mix of classes 4A, 3A, 2A, and 1A. Even with the new players, the old ball coach had an easy time leading these athletes. CRI and OSP's Jason Madison has the details.

Oskaloosa’s retail sales are lower than the state average, at least according to the most recent numbers from two years ago tracked by Iowa State University economists. A 2009 report shows a 4 percent drop in sales in Oskaloosa, compared to a statewide drop of less than one percent. CRI's Maureen McKamey spoke with some local retail business owners to see how they’re doing now.