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Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit Iowa, causing Gov. Kim Reynolds to order schools to shut down mid-March, the closing of a century-old Catholic school in Oelwein was announced, cementing its place among the yearâs biggest education news.
The school and its gymnasium gained a new lease on life later when they became vital to Oelweinâs public schoolsâ social distancing needs.
The pandemic was a big part of the top local education news stories in 2020, as it surely will be in 2021.
Here are some of those top stories:
JanUARY
SACRED HEART SCHOOL CALLED BACK INTO SERVICE
Sacred Heart School would cease offering classes at the end of this school year, Father Ray Atwood announced in January, citing falling enrollment and lack of funds. Yet the Oelwein School leadership was able to integrate not only students of the Catholic school but also to leverage their facilities.
Hunter charged with homicide in fatal shooting at state park Follow Us
Question of the Day By - Associated Press - Wednesday, December 30, 2020
BEDMINSTER, Pa. (AP) - A hunter who fatally shot a man he apparently mistook for an animal at a state park has been charged with homicide and weapons counts, authorities said.
Kenneth Troy Heller, 52, of Warminster, made his initial court appearance Wednesday and was jailed after the judge denied him bail. It wasn’t known if he’s retained an attorney.
The shooting occurred Oct. 24 in Nockamixon State Park, which straddles the towns of Bedminster and Haycock.
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Pa. hunter charged with homicide in shooting death of man he says he mistook for animal
Updated Dec 30, 2020;
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BEDMINSTER, Pa. A hunter who fatally shot a man he apparently mistook for an animal at a state park has been charged with homicide and weapons counts, authorities said.
Kenneth Troy Heller, 52, of Warminster, made his initial court appearance Wednesday and was jailed after the judge denied him bail. It wasn’t known if he’s retained an attorney.
The shooting occurred Oct. 24 in Nockamixon State Park, which straddles the towns of Bedminster and Haycock.
Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub said he believed Heller thought he was firing at an animal and did not intentionally shoot Jason Kutt, 18, of West Rockhill.
Hunter charged with homicide in death of Pennsylvania teen shot while watching sunset Doha Madani
A hunter was charged with homicide in the death of an 18-year-old boy who was shot and killed in his car while watching the sunset at a Pennsylvania state park.
Kenneth Troy Heller, 52, is facing charges of criminal homicide, recklessly endangering another person and failing to render aid to a person injured by a hunter, according to court records. Heller allegedly walked away after shooting 18-year-old Jason Kutt in October, who was sitting at a lake in Nockamixon State Park with his girlfriend, Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub said.