Local News

    Property owners affected by reconstruction on South Shore Drive in 2009 will pay an average of 33 percent less than their preliminary assessments predicted, according to information presented to the Clear Lake City Council Monday night.    City Administrator Scott Flory told the Council the final construction cost for the work between Main Avenue and 12th Avenue South was $1,364,113, roughly 10 percent more than the original bid price of $1,234,443.  The increase was attributed primarily to sub-grade repair ($63,000) and the addition of the “on-street parking bump outs.”    Final assessments for the project totaled $538,495, approximately 33 percent less than the “preliminary” assessments, which were $800,363.  Flory explained the final totals translate to a roughly 60/40 project split, or cost share, between non-assessment and assessment revenues.    In 2002, South Shore Drive Phase I was completed at a cost of $1,394,359.  Final assessments for that phase, which stretched from 12th Avenue South to 27th Avenue South were $568,471 with a 59/41 cost share between non-assessment and assessment revenues.    The city will send notices to property owners who are subject to the assessments on Jan. 25 in accordance with the Code of Iowa.  It is anticipated that the City Clerk will certify the collection of assessments to the County Treasurer on March 5, 2010.

The Natural Resources Committee, which oversees the Iowa Department of Natural Resources gave its approval Thursday, Jan. 14, to the Ventura Marsh project partnership agreement with the US Army Corps of Engineers.    The approval authorizes DNR to provide the Corps with the $620,000 in matching funds they required to begin the project.      The primary feature of the Ventura Marsh Project is a pumping station that will allow water level control of the marsh to increase vegetation and reduce carp populations.      It is expected the project will be advertised for bid next month, with construction to begin in the spring.    The restoration work on the Ventura Marsh follows the dredging work done on the Little Lake at Ventura last year.  The groundwork for the Clear Lake dredging project began in 2006 when a large scale effort by local leaders was made to secure a total of $13 million in state, local government, and private funding. 

Clear Lake police are investigating a bar fight Saturday night, Jan. 16,  that may be classified as a hate crime.    Clear Lake Police Chief Greg Peterson said one of five witnesses to the attack of a man at Rumorz, 1210 South Shore Drive, says they heard language that made them believe the attack was motivated by sexual orientation.    According to the police report, a man was reportedly dancing when he was slammed to the ground and beaten by another patron who made rude references to the man’s sexual orientation.  A friend of the victim then reportedly tried to pull the attacker off of him and that resulted in other patrons getting involved.        Peterson said proprietors broke up the fights, moved everybody out and closed the bar early. A second fight then broke out in the parking lot.    Justin Torres, 27, of Clear Lake, was charged with serious assault for allegedly attacking the man inside the bar.  Adam Thurman, of Waterloo, and Corey Johnson, of Clear Lake, were each charged with  interference with official acts for their alleged involvement with police after the fight broke out in the parking lot. Johnson was also charged with public intoxication.    Peterson said interviews are continuing with some of the witnesses.    The victim suffered cuts and bruises but was not hospitalized.    Peterson said the Iowa State Patrol, Cerro Gordo County sheriff’s deputies and a reserve officer from Franklin County who happened to be in the vicinity assisted Clear Lake police.

Clear Lake School Board members will hold the second of two required public hearings about the future of Sunset School Feb. 11.  The Board adjourned the first hearing on the school Monday night after 20-minutes, with no one present to offer comments.    Superintendent Dwight Pierson said following the Feb. 11 meeting at 7 p.m. in the Middle School Media Center the board will place the issue on its March agenda for action.    Sunset School was vacated last summer and pre-school and kindergarten students which had been using the school were relocated to an expanded Clear Creek Elementary School.      In recent years the School Board has chosen to deal with the sale of properties in different manners.  The Board sold Lincoln Elementary School by sealed bid, while the downtown District Administrative Office was turned over to all the realtors, with commission being paid to the one making the sale.      Lincoln School was purchased by a private developer who is in the process of building townhouse units on the school property which is still developing plans for the existing school building.   The District Office, which was relocated to the Midde School, was sold to Lori Brakke, who moved her White Sail Spa to the 1st Avenue North building.    Board members said they have heard very little from the public about its wishes for the future of the Sunset property.  Limited public comments have encouraged green space. The Board met with the city to see if it would be interested in the approximate 2.3 acre site.  No formal response has been received.

by Marianne Morf    Fifteen-year-old Morgan Olson is an athlete of a different sort.    While the Clear Lake High School freshman has won her share of blue ribbons and titles, she’s done it in a team sport which is relatively unheralded-- barrel racing.    Morgan and her teammate, a Quarterhorse named Reba (registered name Rick’s Little Yo Yo), have established themselves as one of the top duos in the area.  Most recently Morgan was named the Junior Barrel Champion by the Circle C Rodeo Association, in Alden, Iowa.  She also was honored as the Reserve Champion among 14-18-year-olds competing in the Timed Horse Events held by the North Iowa Saddle Club Association (NISCA).      In the upcoming year she has her eye on even more prizes.  She has started competing in National Barrel Horse Association events, with a goal of someday qualifying for Worlds.  The NBHA holds events throughout the state, providing Morgan and Reba with stiff competition on a statewide level.  She will also begin competing with the Iowa High School Rodeo Association in hopes of eventually earning college scholarships to pursue her sport even further.    Morgan’s serious interest in horses was sparked five years ago when she began taking riding lessons at Northern Wind Stables in Mason City.  With owner Lisa Barkema as her riding instructor, Morgan learned the basics on a pony.  Three years ago she purchased her own horse, Reba, and she’s been on the fast track ever since.      “My early dream was to be a hunter/jumper competitor,” said Morgan.  “The switch came when I got Reba.  I fell in love with riding her fast around the barrels and Reba is built perfectly for it and loves to do it, too.”