Emergency workers kept hopping

    Local emergency officials were trying to catch their breath Monday night in the wake of an extremely busy few days.
    Fire Chief Doug Meyers was hard at work at the station sorting through reports and paper work associated with the 45 calls his department had responded to during the past eight days.
    Ten of those calls occurred Monday before 7 p.m.
    “It’s been pretty busy.  Those numbers are way above our average,” said Meyers.
    While most of the emergencies were medical in nature, the department also responded to a kitchen fire, as well as a problem with an aircraft at the Mason City Municipal Airport.
    “We’re seeing a lot of injuries associated with falling on the ice, but there’s also been some people experiencing chest pain,” said Meyers.
    Police Chief Greg Peterson said he was among those drivers who found themselves stuck among the ice and snow cover.
    “I got stuck in the middle of the road Saturday, but thanks to Zach Monson and friends I got out,” Peterson told the City Council Monday.  No vehicular accidents were reported Saturday, but travel by foot was more hazardous, he acknowledged.  “Driving is certainly better than walking.  I hit the ground a couple of times.”

     Clearing sidewalks was a marathon job for Chad Oelberg Monday. Oelberg said he made at least four trips to job sites in an effort to get ice off the walkways. In addition to the usual shoveling, ice melt products were applied, hopefully making it easier to get the thick layer of ice off eventually. Here, Oelberg chips away at Clear Lake Bank & Trust.-Reporter photo.

    Valerie Lea Hasbrouck, 47, of Ventura, was arrested Monday, Dec. 3, on the charge of Attempt to Commit Murder based on an incident at the home of her mother, Tressa Waddingham, 81, also of rural Ventura.
    Hasbrouck made her initial appearance before a Magistrate on Tuesday, Dec. 4.  The judge ordered she be held on $200,000 bond in the Hancock County Jail.  If convicted, she faces up to 25 years in prison.
    The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation are conducting the investigation of this matter.   No further information was available at presstime.

Just 20 of the almost 200 ornaments on the Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter’s Giving Tree remained as of Tuesday morning, Dec. 4.
Letters were distributed at Clear Lake and Ventura Schools, as well as the local Head Start program, inviting parents who might need some help providing gifts to their children this holiday season to sign up.
Local residents or groups are invited to stop in the Mirror-Reporter office at 12 N. 4th St. and select an ornament from the tree. Wrapped gifts, with the Giving Tree ornament firmly attached, must be returned to the Reporter office by Thursday, Dec. 13. Families will be contacted when gifts are complete.

About 350 persons turned out at the Surf Ballroom Monday morning, Dec. 3, to listen to presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton.
Clinton was joined at the event by two daughters of Robert F. Kennedy. Maryland Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and Kerry Kennedy, an attorney, took the stage in support of Clinton.
The Democratic candidate focused her message on her qualifications for the job.
“I am ready on Day One to make the decisions that need to be made,” said Clinton.
She also pointedly set herself apart from challenger Sen. Barack Obama, asking “How did running for president become a qualification to be president?” She went on to criticize Obama’s health care plan.
Betty Richardson, of Clear Lake, said she was excited and honored to be among those chosen to welcome Clinton to Clear Lake.
“I’m a firm believer it’s time for a change. She’s got experience and conducts herself well,” said Richardson.
Clinton also got a thumb’s up from Georgia Ashland, of Clear Lake. “I enjoyed it. She’s got my vote,” said Ashland after the campaign stop.
Joan and Virgil Eness said they were grateful to have the opportunity to hear the candidate.
“We feel we should be involved. She’s here, so we should listen.”

Winter weather warnings forced the postponement of last weekend’s Christmas By The Lake festivities, but the celebration is set to go this weekend, largely unchanged.
Last weekend’s impending bad weather meant an estimated 90 percent of the entertainment providers for the festival could not-- and should not attend, said event Chairman Gene Madson. In addition, the public would have been put at risk traveling to, and even walking downtown.
“We postponed the event because safety is of the utmost importance. The vast majority of our entertainment, including those giving carriage rides, musicians, fireworks and strolling characters come from 50 or more miles away.”
Madson said the vast majority of people contacting the Chamber of Commerce were understanding of the difficult decision to postpone.
“We know there were a lot of disappointed people, but Gene Madson and the Christmas By The Lake Committee were on the top of the list. The good news is that 99 percent of those putting on the show are available this weekend,” said Madson.
Opportunity Village was able to hold its Festival of Trees, which began with a gala opening night on Friday. The United Methodist Church also held its Cookie Walk and Craft Fair as scheduled.
Elda Stone, from Opportunity Village, said the Festival of Trees was well attended.
“Friday night is always a popular event and this year was no different. Saturday’s start was a little slow, but things picked up and many people came out to have Breakfast with Santa, do some shopping and see the trees.”

Milford Knutson, of Clear Lake, stopped at the Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter office Tuesday to claim the free 15-inch flat screen television he won through a random sweepstakes mailing by the Mirror-Reporter. He is pictured with Drew Betz, owner of Custom Pro Audio, which supplied the prize, and Mirror-Reporter Publisher Mike Finnegan.

    The Clear Lake boys basketball team started the season in mid-season form-- or better-- Friday night.  The Lions played an almost flawless first half, then coasted to a 66-42 win over Clarion-Goldfield Friday, Nov. 30.
    The Lions broke out to a 15-2 first quarter lead and were up 41-16 by the break, impressing even Head Coach Kevin Kahler.
    “I didn’t expect us to be this sharp on the first night out, but things went well for us.  We really got it done on both ends of the floor in the first half,” said Kahler.  
    The Lions were a perfect 13 of 13 from the free throw line in the first half, and perimeter shooting was almost as hot.  
    Defensively, Clear Lake held the Cowboys without a field goal for the first 11 minutes of the game. 
    Four Lions finished in double figures, led by Zach Monson with 18 points and nine rebounds.  Justin Uhlenhopp poured in 16 points and was credited with five assists.  His quick hands also resulted in three steals.  Sean McChesney scored 13 points and pulled down nine rebounds, and Charlie Peterson had 10 points and four boards.
    Lukas Matheson, Zach Mueller, Jeff Arians and Scott Demro each had two points and Jason Sholly added one.
    “We have some things that we can work on, but this is definitely a good start for us,” said Coach Kahler.
    The Lions will travel to St. Ed’s Friday before returning to their home court Tuesday, Dec. 11, for a game with Hampton-Dumont.  The varsity boys game will follow the girls’ contest.  The game is expected to begin about 8 p.m.

It was a week of ups and downs as the Ventura boys basketball team opened their season with two wins and one loss.

Ventura 55, CAL 31

The team opened their season with a commanding 55-31 win over CAL on Monday, Nov. 25, at home.
The Vikings dominated from the beginning, collecting 19 points in both the first and second quarters. The halftime score was 38-13. The Vikings didn’t relent in the third quarter. They picked up nine points to the Cadets’ three. The reserve players took over the fourth quarter and the Cadets outscored the Vikings, 16-8.
“We played really well for three quarters, holding them in single digits,” said Coach Nick Schauf. “We did not shoot particularly well, but our defense was very good.
Cody Kadolph led the team with 18 points, nine of which he collected from the three-point line. Rounding out the scoring was Aaron Christians with eight and Tyler Betz with six. Picking up five points apiece were Tyler Peterson, Jeremiah Hagen and Jarod Callison. Josh Henely and Brian Mostrom had two points apiece, while Scott Watson and Kevin Waldron had one point each.
Peterson and Callison each connected on a three-point shot.
Defensive leaders included Betz who had five rebounds, one blocked shot and three steals; Peterson had two rebounds and three steals; Watson had two rebounds and two blocked shots; Henely had three rebounds and one blocked shot; Matt Grell had three rebounds and two blocked shots and Brandon Harthan had four steals.

Garner-Hayfield 61, Ventura 45

It was a defensive battle when the Garner-Hayfield Cardinals visited the Viking gym on Tuesday, Nov. 27.