Clear Lake declared iced ‘in’.

    Officials at the Water Treatment Plant declared the lake iced over on Friday, Nov. 21. The last lake level reading was -6.48” below the weir.

    The Ventura School Board has accepted the resignation of its School Superintendent Dan Versteeg.
    Versteeg, who is completing his sixth year at Ventura, submitted his resignation Nov. 17, effective June 30, 2008.
    Versteeg said his departure has been a part of the Board’s plan and framework for restructuring and reducing costs.  Two years ago he voluntarily reduced his commitment and payment package from the district to 60 percent.
    “When I went 60 percent, we knew eventually this position would be combined with one of the two other administrative positions,” he said.  
    Versteeg said he will recommend the superintendent’s duties be paired with those of the elementary school principal. That recommendation is based upon fewer demands placed upon the K-6 principal.  “It’s a better fit from a time stand-point,” he said, adding  the high school principal generally has more evening commitments involving athletic and fine arts activities, as well as disciplinary meetings.
    Brian Rodemeyer currently serves as Ventura’s elementary principal, however he does not currently have the certification necessary for superintendents.
    The Ventura School Board has made no decisions as to its plan to replace Versteeg or restructure the position.  The opening has been posted internally, but has not been advertised as yet.
    The next meeting of the Ventura School Board will be Dec. 1.
    Versteeg, who has three children attending Ventura Schools, said he has no plans to leave the area.  He is the owner of The Duct Doctor, a local air duct cleaning service.

    The Clear Lake City Council has given its final approval to an ordinance which gives police a clear definition of vicious animals and procedures for dealing with them.
    The Council passed the third and final reading of its newly expanded city ordinance at its Tuesday, Feb. 18 meeting.  
    According to Police Chief Greg Peterson, a vicious animal is determined by its unprovoked actions against people or pets.
     The new ordinance provides procedures for the public and officers to follow if bitten.
    Under the new law, if a biting incident is reported to police and the animal is found to be vicious, a written notice will be issued to have the animal removed from the community or euthanized within three days.  The owner of the animal may request a hearing by the City Council, which must be held within seven days.  The Council may reverse or affirm the police recommendation.  If the vicious ruling is upheld by the Council, the animal must be removed within three days.
    Peterson noted the new ordinance also states any animal deemed vicious by other communities may not be brought into Clear Lake.  
    Since January 2007, 19 dog bites in Clear Lake had been reported to local police, said Peterson.
    “The last dog euthanized had bitten three people previously, but the bites had never been reported,” he said.  “People need to report these types of incidents for their own safety, as well as to be sure they have not been exposed to a health hazard.”
    In other business Tuesday, the Council  awarded a contract for demolition of the former Nelson’s Amoco station, 474 North Shore Drive, to Yohn Co. of Clear Lake. The bid was $19,890. The engineer’s estimate of the cost of demolition was $30,700.  The demolition will make way for redevelopment.

    A Winterwear Drive to help local families meet their needs for the fast-approaching cold-weather season has been declared an overwhelming success. Colleen Thompson said she organized “Engage” as a way in which people could share their resources with others in the community.    The results exceeded her wildest expectations-- more than 400 coats, and 800 items in all.  Thompson and family members worked to sort the goods Monday so that volunteers could fill the needs identified by school personnel for families. The many remaining items will be distributed through  a “Community Distribution Day” set for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at 207A S. 4th St., Clear Lake.  “Difficult economic times have left many people needing some help this year.  I encourage anyone in need to come to the distribution day and take what they need,” she said.  Pictured is Clear Lake and Ventura School Nurse Julie Livingston, helped by (L-R) Barbara Thompson, Gretchen Freesemann, Colleen Thompson and Nicky Berge to fill needs of local school children.-Reporter photo.

    The Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter will kick off its 19th Giving Tree program Monday, Dec. 1.  That’s the first day ornaments featuring the Christmas wishes of Clear Lake and Ventura youngsters will be hung on the Giving Tree at the Mirror-Reporter office, 12 N. 4th St.
    Information has been distributed at Clear Lake and Ventura Schools inviting parents who might need some help providing gifts to their children this holiday season to sign up. Although toys are always welcomed and appreciated, the Giving Tree program focuses on meeting clothing and food needs for children and families.
    The program has grown significantly through the years.  Last year, more than 200 gifts were collected for children and families in Clear Lake and Ventura.  School nurse Julie Livingston said early indications are that numbers will be up this year.
    Parents should sign up their children for the program using the forms sent home with students.  Those who do not have a child in the school system may pick up a form at the Mirror-Reporter office.
    Local residents or groups are invited to stop in the Mirror-Reporter office and select an ornament from the tree.     Wrapped gifts, with the Giving Tree ornament firmly attached, must be returned to the Reporter office by Friday, Dec. 12.  Families will be contacted when gifts are complete.

    An alert Clear Lake pharmacist is working with local police and schools to make them aware of potential misuse of an over-the-counter cough syrup.
    Clear Lake Police Chief Greg Peterson said he received a call from Garvis Houck, of Houck Drug, who informed him that he suspected a problem in Clear Lake with kids as young as 12-years-old buying and abusing Coricidin Cough and Cold tablets.  Houck researched the product and learned that the Cincinnati Poison Control Center had reported a trend among teenagers of ingesting large amounts of Coricidin HBP Cough & Cold tablets to obtain a “high.”
    Information on the ingestion of Coricidin HBP Cough & Cold tablets recorded by a poison control center indicated a high rate of abuse of the product among teenagers.  The dextromethorphan and chlorpheniramine in the tablets may cause adverse effects, and bromide poisoning may result from chronic abuse.
    Peterson noted that Houck contacted Thrifty White Drug and made them aware of this phenomenon and both drug stores have now put this medicine behind the counter. They will refuse to sell it to minors. Adults who request the product will have to show an ID and the drug stores will keep a record of purchase. If someone seems to be a regular buyer of this product, the drug stores will notify the Police Department.
    Chief Peterson said he has also made other stores which sell the products aware of the danger.
    Peterson said he has asked the school district to share this information with parents to make them aware of a potentially dangerous situation.

    The Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce made a $10,000 donation to the Surf Ballroom and Museum during the chamber’s monthly Business After Hours held at the Surf Ballroom on Nov. 20.
    “The Surf Ballroom has, over the past 60 years risen to iconic status not only in North Iowa but the entire world,” said Executive Director Gary Bright.  
    “The impact it has had on the Clear Lake business community and the community as a whole is immeasurable. The Chamber Board of Directors wanted to recognize that impact to our community’s success with this donation,” Bright said.
    The donation was presented to Jeff Nicholas, president of the Board of Directors of the Surf Ballroom and Museum, Shane Cooney, Board Member and Laurie Lietz, executive director.