By Lowell Washburn
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Universally villainized as a low down, chicken stealin’, good for nothing sheep killer; the wily coyote may well be our most despised species of wildlife.
But for Iowa predator caller, Steve Griebel the perspective is strikingly different. He respects the unpopular wild canine and, from a purely recreational perspective, even goes so far as to regard the species a highly valuable natural resource.
“For me, it would be hard not to respect the coyote,” says Griebel. “When you think about it, coyotes are pressured the year round. They’re chased with dogs, chased with trucks, trapped, pursued by predator callers, and continually harassed by farmers. No other furbearer – anywhere -- endures that kind of pressure.”
So how do coyotes manage to survive and even thrive under the continual onslaught? Superior mental and physical abilities appear to be part of the answer.
“Everyone will shoot at a coyote,” says Griebel. “Pheasant and rabbit hunters, deer hunters, everyone. I think the term ‘once burned twice shy’ definitely applies to coyotes. Every time they survive an encounter with humans it just makes them that much cagier.”
Griebel, who is also an avid trapper, recalls a year when he captured more than 100 Iowa coyotes. When those animals were skinned, he discovered more than half contained .22 caliber bullets, buckshot, or birdshot. It’s easy to see why coyotes --- at least the survivors --- become so effective at avoiding human contact.
“In order to survive coyotes need to have the best of all physical abilities,” said Griebel. “As far as I’m concerned, they have the very best eyes, ears, and nose of anything in nature. In my opinion, nothing even comes close to matching them.”

    Ventura School Board member Carol Prescott recently received the Iowa Association of School Boards’ highest honor for an individual school board member.      
    “Carol is one of more than 100 Iowa school board members who went over and beyond the call of duty, taking additional time outside their busy lives, to ensure they have the necessary knowledge-base to affect student achievement in their districts,” explained Mary Jane Vens, director of board development for IASB.
    Prescott earned the honor by participating in board development activities as part of the IASB Better Boardsmanship Awards program.  Board members earn points toward the award by participating in state and national school board educational workshops and conferences, serving as local board president and as speakers or panelists.

    Cerro Gordo County Treasurer Mike Grandon is encouraging county residents to use on-line services to conduct county business.
    The use of the business online offerings at the Cerro Gordo County Treasurer’s office will result in better, more efficient, cost effective service thanks to the partnership of 88 county treasurers and ABC Virtual of Des Moines, said Grandon
    The Iowa State County Treasurers Association website at  www.iowatreasurers.org [4] is the same address with a different look, easier payment process and lower cost (cheaper than a postage stamp at .40 cents for an echeck payment).  Grandon adds that use of the site will result in peace of mind – knowing a payment has been received in a timely manner.
    Current property tax payments and motor vehicle renewals are payable online.  Echeck payments are only a .40 cent charge.  Customers may use Mastercard, Visa and Discover credit cards but are subject to a sliding service delivery fee for property tax payments and a $5.50 flat fee for multiple motor vehicle renewals (as well as the usual postage and handling fee).  All fees are fully disclosed before the customer ends the process.
    “It is quick, easy, and totally secure to process your payments online.    Also, forms, office information, frequently asked questions and email contacts make the Cerro Gordo County Treasurer’s office a 24/7 operation,” said  Grandon.

    As Jan. 3 nears, political leaders are urging Iowans to make plans to attend the 2008 Iowa Caucuses.
    Democratic and Republican caucuses will be held locally.  To vote at a precinct caucus you must be a person who is, or will be, an eligible elector by Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008 and you must be a resident of the precinct.
    In the Clear Lake area, caucus locations are as follows:

Democratic Party Caucus Sites:
(Registration begins at 6 p.m., with the caucus starting at 6:30)
Clear Lake:
Clear Lake City Hall – 15 N 6th Street, Clear Lake
Clear Lake Wards 1 and 2
Lake Twp / Lincoln Twp
Clear Lake Middle School – 1601 3rd Avenue N, Clear Lake
Clear Lake Ward 3
Clear Lake Twp / Grant Twp / Union Twp

Mason City:
Harding Elementary School – 1239 N Rhode Island Avenue, Mason City
Mason City Ward 1 all precincts
Hoover Elementary School – 1123 8th Street NW, Mason City
Mason City Ward 2 all precincts
Roosevelt Middle School – 1625 S Pennsylvania Ave, Mason City
Mason City Wards 3 and 4 all precincts
Falls Twp North / Lime Creek Twp / Mason Twp North
Falls Twp South (Rock Falls)
Mason Twp South / Owen Twp / Portland Twp South
Portland Twp North

Rockwell:
Rockwell Community Center – 114 3rd Street N, Rockwell
Geneseo Twp / Bath Twp
Dougherty Twp

Thornton:
Thornton Public Library – 412 Main Street, Thornton
Grimes Twp West (Meservey)
Grimes Twp East (Thornton)
Mt Vernon Twp / Pleasant Valley Twp

Republican Party Caucus Sites:
(Starting at 7 p.m.)
Clear Lake:
Clear Lake High School Cafeteria – 125 N 20th Street, Clear Lake
Clear Lake – all wards
Clear Lake Twp / Grant Twp / Union Twp
Lake Twp / Lincoln Twp

Mason City:
Mason City High School Cafeteria – 29 South Illinois Ave, MC

Twenty-five pounds of marijuana was seized from a Clear Lake man during the execution of a search warrant at his home in Clear Lake on Tuesday, Dec. 18.
Officers from the North Central Iowa Narcotics Task Force, which included officers from the Clear Lake Police Department, Mason City Police Department, Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement executed a search warrant at 1006 S. 14th St. at approximately 2:45 p.m., acting on information that Jeffrey Ryan Smith, who resides at that address, had received a package containing a large amount of marijuana.
Inside the home, officers discovered a package containing approximately 14 pounds of marijuana. Officers discovered an additional 11 pounds of marijuana at different locations within the home.
Smith, 24, was arrested at the scene and transported to the Cerro Gordo County Jail. He is charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, a Class D felony with an enhancement for being within 1,000 feet of a school, which carries a mandatory five year sentence. He was also charged with failure to affix a drug tax stamp, a Class D felony, and a felon in possession of a firearm, a Class D felony.
Officers seized the 25-pounds of marijuana and assorted drug paraphernalia. They also seized an ATV and approximately $2,500 in cash.

    Peanut butter is creating a very sticky situation for school districts these days.  
    Clear Lake, like many other schools, is in the process of defining a  “life-threatening allergies” policy.  Last week the School Board approved the policy, but it has not yet heard a recommendation from the district’s Wellness Committee for rules and regulations to be included in the policy.
    “Our Anchored in Excellence Mission Statement says we will provide a safe and caring environment for students, parents and staff.  We have to do as much as we possibly can to make the schools a safe place,” said Chryl Bergvig, assistant high school principal and leader of the Wellness Committee formed last year.
    “Nationwide, life-threatening allergies have become an increasing problem in the last few years.  Now, about 15 to 20 percent of students have them,” added Bergvig, noting experts attribute the rise to environmental changes.
    Peanut allergies are among the most critcal, she said.  
    There are students with peanut allergies enrolled in Clear Lake Schools, including one for which it is a life-threatening condition.
    “There is a difference between an allergy which results in a break-out or skin irritation and an allergy which is life-threatening,” said Bergvig.  Life-threatening conditions demand immediate response.
    Bergvig said she and committee members have been receiving comment from the public as they have studied the life-threatening allergy topic.  The 15 member Wellness Committee is comprised of school staff, including medical personnel, physical education instructors and cooks, as well as parents and students.
    Clear Lake resident Norm Froiland spoke to the School Board recently, urging members to keep peanut butter on the school menu.

Kaari Kreitlow’s best Christmas gift didn’t come from Santa this year. Instead, members of Clear Lake’s three Lions Clubs delivered a gift which will greatly enhance her daily life-- a portable flat screen video magnifier.
Kreitlow was diagnosed with the juvenile form of Macular Degeneration in 1994 and although she is able to care for herself and young son, she is challenged by everyday activities which require more precision. For example, she is able to read newspaper headlines, but not the small type of the story.
During an examination last month, Kreitlow said she learned about “the Traveller+, a portable video magnifier made by Optelec. The device provides for 4 to 16 times magnification and weighs just 1.75 pounds, making it easy to take outside the house.
“I can’t remember the last time I read a menu,” Kreitlow told members of the Noon Lions, Evening Lions and Lions Pride groups which brought her the machine last week. “This is going to be wonderful.”
Each of the three Lions groups contributed $365 toward the approximate $1,200 cost and Kreitlow added another $100.
The clubs said they were pleased to be able to help a community member in need, especially a need which dealt with vision. Lions are an international network of 1.3 million men and women in 200 countries and geographic areas who work together to answer the needs that challenge communities around the world.
In 1925, Helen Keller addressed the Lions international convention in Cedar Point, Ohio. She challenged Lions to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.” From this time, Lions clubs have been actively involved in service to the blind and visually impaired.

    The Clear Lake Parks and Recreation Department has announced the schedule for its Open Gym program during the school’s holiday break.  The schedule is as follows:
    •Open Gym Dec. 26-Jan. 2: at Clear Creek 1-3 p.m. elementary age; 3-5 p.m. middle school age.
    •Open Gym Dec. 26-Jan. 2: at Middle School 1-3 p.m. high school age; 3-5 p.m. adults (includes college age).

    The Ventura boys basketball team jumped to an early 20-6 first quarter lead against Corwith-Wesley-LuVerne and never looked back.  The Vikings defeated the Panthers, 83-48, on Tuesday, Dec. 18 in their home gym.
    Ventura maintained momentum through the second quarter for a 41-16 halftime score.  The Panthers did rally in the third quarter and actually outscored the Vikings by one point.  The fourth quarter was all Ventura once again, as the Vikings outscored them 27-16 in the final period.
    “Our defensive pressure is what is remaining consistent throughout all the games, which is a good thing because if we shoot poorly we are still in the game,” said Coach Nick Schauf.
    The Vikings did not shoot poorly on Tuesday night.  The Panthers could not stop Ventura from the three point line and the Vikings connected on nine shots.  Tyler Peterson led the team from the arc with three shots, contributing to his 11 points.  Brian Mostrom and Brandon Harthan each connected on two, three point shots, while Cody Kadolph and Philip Cox each hit one.
    Kadolph led the team in total points with 15.  Tyler Betz and Peterson were close behind with 12 and 11 respectively.  Aaron Christians added 10, Mostrom had eight and Harthan chipped in seven.  Scoring five points apiece were Scott Watson and Cox.  Rounding out the scoring was Josh Henely with four and Jeremiah Hagen, Kevin Waldron and Dustin Dyre with two points apiece.
    Team leaders under the boards were Betz and Christians with six apiece.  Kadolph grabbed four, Henely had three and Watson had two.  Kadolph and Peterson led the team in steals with five and four respectively.  Kadolph also led the team in assists with six.  Hagen also had three steals and four assists to aid the team.
    “I was really proud of not only my top nine players, but the whole team, because of the way they all came in and played really well,” said Schauf.