Winter arrives

CHRISTMAS WISHES: Kiaya Dunbar, left, and Josie Dunbar tell Santa and Mrs. Claus what they want for Christmas. A long line of good boy and girls waited to see the couple on Dec. 6. (Melissa Brownrigg)

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The few flakes that fell at Osceola’s Holiday Brilliance Dec. 6 turned into the area’s chain of first major snow storms.

But the cold temperatures couldn’t keep carolers and parade watchers from going downtown to spread a little holiday cheer.

Carolers huddled around fires on the courthouse lawn and sang many popular holiday songs.

Santa and Mrs. Claus handed out candy canes to good little boys and girls.

The next day, residents woke up to a few inches of snow.

The area received nearly 2-inches starting Sunday night and ending Monday.

But still, the snow continued to fall and Osceola residents cringed as they heard rumors of a storm heading their way.

The National Weather Service, reports 10 to 14 inches of snow is expected to fall over central Iowa.

The heavy snow fall coupled with strong winds caused Clarke and Murray schools to close Dec. 8.

Clarke Community School Superintendent Ned Cox said students might also get an extra day to sleep in if they close Dec. 9.

“If things progress as they are expected to with the incoming storm, we won’t have school,” he said.
The inclement weather also caused Osceola to extend its snow ordinance until Dec. 10 at 12 p.m.

When the ordinance is in effect, the Osceola Police Department will be issuing citations to vehicles parked on public streets, alley ways or other public parking areas.

The ordinance doesn’t apply to privately owned lots.

Parking downtown in the business district will be allowed during business hours, but will be prohibited after 12 a.m. for snow removal.

Osceola Police Chief Marty Duffus said nearly 25 residents were cited for not following the city’s snow ordinance Dec. 7.

“With the first snow fall, we usually catch a lot of people who forget about the ordinance,” he said. “After that, we don’t have a lot of citations. The [road] crews like the ordinance because it makes it a lot easier to clear the roads.”

If weather conditions improve, the ordinance’s duration might be shortened.