Clear Lake Mirror Reporter

Our strange winter weather continues.  Although North Iowa was spared the worst of an ice storm which ravaged the Midwest Monday, rain and sleet, along with temperatures hovering at freezing, made a mess of streets and sidewalks.  (Above) Many took advantage of slightly warmer daytime temperatures to chop ice from their sidewalks.

Trimming $600K would keep district ‘treading water’

After successfully trimming more than $400,000 from its budget through early retirements, Clear Lake Schools Superintendent Doug Gee was sent back for more.

Gee was directed to look for an additional $200,000 to cut after it was discovered the district had overspent by $961,000 over the last two years and is projected to overspend by another $352,000 in the current year.

(Above) Tommy Allsup made it a point to attend the Winter Dance Party as a way to honor the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson, as well as play the music he and others love.  This photo was taken of Allsup on stage at the 2016 Winter Dance Party at the Surf Ballroom.-Photo by Chris Barragy.

The 2017 Winter Dance Party will include a salute to two fallen rock and roll icons with Clear Lake ties.

Organizers of The Jack Race announced Monday they will opt to hold their event Feb. 10-11, rather than this weekend.

John Helgren, son of the late Jack Helgren, for whom the race is named, said Monday’s freezing rain, followed by warming temperatures this week, would likely create less than ideal ice conditions by Friday and Saturday.  Therefore, the group will defer to their previously announced alternate race date, Feb. 10-11.