YEAR IN REVIEW

By AMY HANSEN

OST news editor • ahansen@osceolaiowa.com

Editor's note: The Osceola Sentinel-Tribune has chosen the 10 biggest stories from the past year. They will be run in chronological order of appearance in the paper.

Feb. 27: Clarke Superintendent Benita Gonzales resigns

Clarke Community School Board approved the resignation of Superintendent Benita Gonzales during a school board meeting in February.

The boardroom was packed during the meeting and seating became limited to standing room only. Jim Audlehelm, former Clarke school board member, was also in attendance.

Gonzales’ letter of resignation to the school board states, “I am submitting my letter of resignation effective June 30, 2014, so I may pursue other professional opportunities. It is also my hope that notice at this point will give the district appropriate time to conduct their search for a replacement. I have had the pleasure of working with many quality people and have enjoyed the time spent at Clarke. I appreciate the opportunity to have been a part of Clarke CSD and wish the very best for the future of this learning community.”

Gonzales was with the school district for only one year.

April 17: Board hires Seid as superintendent

Clarke Community School Board approved Steve Seid as Clarke’s new superintendent effective July 1.

The board approved Seid as superintendent on a 4-2 vote with board members Dena White and Joe Deutsch voting no. Board member Kelly Bailey was absent.

Seid’s two-year contract with an annual salary of $110,000 was approved.

Seid was familiar with the school district since he was the district’s interim superintendent from January through June 2013. He was a finalist for the full time superintendent position for the 2013-14 school year, however, that one-year contract was awarded to Gonzales spring 2013.

April 24: Judge rules in favor of CCRC’s eminent domain

It’s been many years in the making, but Clarke County Reservoir Commission (CCRC) finally had its day in court.

On April 8, Judge Sherman W. Phipps of the Fifth Judicial District of Iowa ruled CCRC’s ongoing Squaw Creek Watershed project is for a public use, public purpose or public improvement as defined in the Iowa Code.

Therefore, CCRC may use the power of declaratory judgment and eminent domain in the reservoir project.

Declaratory judgment is a court review for acquiring land for a public project. It authorizes CCRC to purchase land from voluntary sellers and exercise eminent domain for involuntary sellers within the area of the watershed project.

Eminent domain is the government’s power to take private property for public use by a state.

CCRC’s ongoing reservoir project could provide a water supply for Osceola and Southern Iowa Rural Water Association (SIRWA) with an 816-acre lake, which could provide 2.2 million gallons of water per day.

West Lake, the current water source, doesn't meet the needs of Clarke County and SIRWA.
The total project cost for the reservoir in the CCRC Squaw Creek Watershed is estimated at $37.6 million. Funding for the project includes many sources, especially funding from the local-option sales tax.

May 1: Casey’s in Murray opens

The doughnuts were stocked on the shelves. The gas pumps were ready to be used. The pizza was piping in the oven. The new Casey’s General Store in Murray opened for business this spring.

A store opening reception was held Thursday, April 24, at the Casey’s, which is located directly south of the school in Murray.

Many people and officials from Murray were there, as well as former Democratic Congressman Leonard Boswell and Robert J. Myers, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Casey’s General Stores.

As for Casey’s amenities, it’s more than just the gas pumps outside of the store. The interior of the store offers customers snacks, drinks, doughnuts, pizza, a deli, soft serve ice cream and frozen slushy drinks.

“It’s a great thing for the community just to have a convenience store, to have a Casey’s here,” said Nik Werner, former mayor of Murray. “ ... The amenities they provide is something the city really needed. The citizens really wanted it, and it’s just a huge boost for the city of Murray.”

During Werner’s term as mayor, he was instrumental in starting the process of Murray acquiring a Casey’s store.

July 31: Softball team wins championship

If you want something badly enough, you can make it happen.

It was one year ago during a welcome home reception for the Clarke’s runner-up state softball team that Coach Lindsay Diehl said, “We’re going to go back next year and we’re going to win the whole thing.”

She was right.

The 3A softball title game was a championship rematch between Clarke and Bondurant-Farrar.

Unlike last year, the odds turned in Clarke’s favor with the Lady Indians winning 7-6 after a walkoff home run by senior Carley Robins.

After winning the title game, the softball team was escorted into Osceola by a fleet of law enforcement vehicles.

The last time Clarke won a softball championship title was in 1995.
A homecoming reception pep rally was held Friday evening as dusk began to fall and the lights were turned on around the courthouse square.

“This group of kids is so special,” Diehl said. “They have made a tradition that I plan on going back to Fort Dodge over and over, so I hope that you’ll do it with us again next year. Thank you so much.”

Sept. 11: City approves new logo design

Osceola officially has a new city logo.

During a Sept. 2 Osceola City Council meeting, the council approved the “map” logo design that was presented earlier this summer.

“Really, the intention of this logo is to be so diversified that there really isn’t a limit to what you can put into it,” said Andrew Clark with Spoke Communications, a consultant on the logo project.

The logo is now city property.

The new city of Osceola logo has been a year-long project. There have been several public meetings and a committee was formed to help design the logo.

Eventually, the new logo will be found on city vehicles, business cards, signage, letterheads, shirts and more.

The new logo is actually two different versions that are essentially the same design. There’s a large version of the logo, as well as a smaller one.

Sept. 18: CCRC approves first purchase of land

It was a day that had been decades in the making.

During a Sept. 11 CCRC meeting, the commission unanimously approved the purchase of land from Linda Abbott and Rick Oshel for the reservoir project in Clarke County.

“We did get it done and it is a red-letter day for us. Our number one purchase and Rick has always wanted to be the first one,” said CCRC member Sandy Kale. “And, I congratulate him and thank him and his family from the deepest part of our hearts. This is a big day for us.”

The sale was for 11.38 acres, and the purchase price of the property was $22,760. While this first sale went fairly easy, not all landowners in the reservoir project area have been in favor of the CCRC’s project and it has played out in court.

An appeal from local landowners was filed May 6 in Clarke County Courthouse on the judge’s ruling in the CCRC court case. The case could end up before the Iowa Supreme Court.

However, the CCRC has the power to purchase land during the appeal process.

Sept. 25: Hoven’s chiropractic license reinstated

An Osceola chiropractor who had his license suspended for inappropriate sexual comments and touching of patients has had his license reinstated and put on permanent probation.

According to the Iowa Board of Chiropractic, Stuart Hoven with Clarke County Chiropractic and Winterset Family Chiropractic, engaged in unethical conduct or practiced harmful or detrimental actions to the public.

It was determined Hoven had improper sexual conduct with, or made suggestive, lewd, lascivious or improper remarks or advances to a patient numerous times in 2005, 2009 and 2012.

According to court documents released Sept. 17, this is Hoven’s “last opportunity to demonstrate that he is capable of practicing chiropractic in a competent, professional and ethical manner.”

Oct. 30: Fire destroys Osceola Farm and Home

A devastating fire at Osceola Farm & Home began approximately 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 26.

No injuries were reported with the fire, which is fortunate since the inferno was severe enough to have eight area fire departments respond to the call for mutual aid.

The farm and home building, which also housed a tire shop, was considered a total loss after the fire.

Jeff Edwards, owner of the long-standing Osceola business, said they will rebuild the store.

It was later determined Osceola Volunteer Fire Department’s gear became saturated with chemicals and oils while combating the fire. The gear was sent to be cleaned in Minneapolis, Minn., but the damage was too great.

The gear is reportedly ruined and must be replaced, which could cost $40,000 or more.

Nov. 13: Clarke cheerleaders win state title

The Clarke cheerleaders, coached by Jennifer Pollard, won a Class 2A state championship Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

“I am so unbelievably proud of these girls,” Pollard said. “They have worked so hard over the last couple months perfecting their routines.”

The Indian cheer squad won the timeout cheer division state title, marking the first time it has ever brought home a trophy from the state competition. The girls also competed in the stunt group division, and had performances by two stunt groups.

Three members of the Clarke team were chosen to perform on the All-Star Cheer Squad, which is made up of 200 cheerleaders from around Iowa.

Participating on the All-Star Cheer Squad from Clarke were Samantha Stickels, Katie VanGundy and Lyndsey Jackson.