Year in Review 2018

As the new year begins, we take a look back at the stories which made headlines in 2018.

by Marianne Gasaway

If there is a word to sum up 2018, it could be “stormy.”  As we look back on the stories that topped our news in the year just past, there is a major recurring theme: the weather.  Sprinkled among the storms was also changes on the local landscape, as longtime businesses came down or changed ownership.

January

At the time, it seemed like more of a feature story than a weather story, but it was surely a sign of the time - and the months ahead.  In January, Ventura was experiencing what many referred to as a “muskrat invasion.”  Conservation officials preferred the  phrase “planned marsh management.”  Either way, residents on the west end of Clear Lake were seeing muskrats everywhere. They were in their yards, on their decks, in buildings, and even in ice shacks.  Conservation Officers admitted they had never seen migrations to that extent, but said it was simply a response to the drain down of Ventura Marsh done in early December 2017.  Planned management of the marsh has been a key element in the success of the C.L.E.A.R. Project.  Lowering the water level effectively kills the carp in the marsh, and ultimately the quality of the water flowing into the lake is improved.

“Basically what happened is that the muskrats had settled into their huts and when warm weather arrived they became more active.  They came out and discovered their water was gone and they have gone looking for it,” explained DNR Wetland Biologist Vince Evelsizer.

Problem was, there are an estimated 2,000 to 5,000 muskrats who call the 570-plus acre Ventura Marsh home.  The majority of the ‘rats’ reside in the east half of the marsh where water is deeper.

The scheduled draw down of the marsh, combined with unseasonably warm weather throughout much of December 2017, created  an uncommon occurrence brought about by normal marsh management.  As predicted, the “muskrat invasion” subsided when the  snow melted and water levels rose again in the marsh in the months to come.

February

Thankfully, Mother Nature was cooperative in February when it was time for the annual Color the Wind Kite Festival. Crews from the popular CBS Sunday Morning show were in Clear Lake to film a story about the event.  The show had planned to film a segment in 2017, but a lack of ice forced its cancellation. But in 2018 conditions were perfect.  Organizers Larry and Kay Day said not only did the segment, which aired in March, raise awareness of the event, it also shared the beauty of Clear Lake with the entire country.  Visits to the Color the Wind website have skyrocketed, they say.

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The three-day Winter Dance Party, which is sometimes challenged by weather, went off without a hitch in February.

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Among the special moments of the event was tributes paid to some important pieces of rock and roll, as well as Surf Ballroom history.  Austin Allsup was part of the Thursday night event, keeping the memory and music of his father, Tommy, very much in the forefront of music fans.  Austin attended the 2017 Winter Dance Party soon after his father, who played guitar on the 1959 Winter Dance Party tour, passed away.  The 2018 event also included tributes to Surf Ballroom owner, Dean Snyder, who passed away in January, and Darryl Hensley, better known as The Mad Hatter, who is credited with starting the Buddy Holly Tribute which has grown into today’s Winter Dance Party.   Saturday night all eyes went to the Surf’s ceiling, as a new star representing Dean Snyder, joined those of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P Richardson.

March

After nearly 35 years of ownership, Mike Finnegan sold the Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter to Mid-America Publishing Corporation, of Hampton, Iowa, effective March 1, 2018.  The newspaper was added to the Hampton-based corporation’s growing roster of 30 Iowa weekly newspapers and shoppers.

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Just when we thought Spring had arrived, high winds and snow during the first week of March reminded us that it was still very much winter.  Rain turned to sleet and then snow, propelled by 40 mph gusts, made travel hazardous and forced law enforcement to put a tow ban in effect in the county.

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A Clear Lake icon began coming down in March, making way for a new, larger Casey’s Store to be built on the ground occupied by The Barrel Drive In.   McKiness Excavating, of Mason City, dug into the 1958 building.  The Historical Society investigated the possibility of saving the KRIB record booth which sat atop the drive-in, but discovered the venture was far too expensive and labor intensive.  The Barrel Drive-In was built and opened in 1958 by Jack Christensen.  Edward and Lois Kotz purchased it in 1959.  The original Barrel was a small cement block building.  Carhops went out to cars to take and deliver orders.  In 1959 and the early 1960’s, radio station KRIB broadcast live from the booth on the roof of the restaurant.  The canopy was added in the mid-1960’s and the electronic ordering system in 1970.  In July 2014 owner Seth Thackery  went public in July with the challenges he was facing to keep his business open.  Almost immediately he received offers to make repairs and help apply for grants to turn the business around.  In the end, the efforts made by Thackery and countless others were not enough to save the business and Casey’s General Stores purchased the property for $342,500.

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Another Clear Lake landmark, the former Sunset Bay Marina, also came down in March.  Alex Yohn purchased the property in November 2017 and is working with the DNR for permission to put a 300-foot commercial dock at the site, 2721 S. Lakeview Dr.  The property had been embroiled in a controversy with the DNR regarding the length of its dock.  Sunset Bay Marina had been granted a 496-foot dock, however, an agreement signed between the DNR and Dale Entner became null and void upon his death.  His son, Tim, had been lobbying the DNR to keep the dock length, saying the availability of boat slips on Clear Lake is drastically dropping and lake access, as well as the safety measures he felt the dock provided, should be maintained.  Entner’s dock accommodated more than 70 boats.  Tim Entner passed away in October 2017 before the issue was resolved.

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March went out like a Lion when Winter Storm Uma dumped 16-plus inches of snow on the area, setting a record.  The fun began late March 23, when the local citizenry was incited to action by the nonstop, near hysterical reporting of radio and television Weather Gurus.  The snow flurries started sometime before dark.  By 8:30 or so, the intensity had picked up and by 10 p.m. it had already become the heaviest snowfall of the 2017 – 2018 winter season.

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Lynn R. Benson, who served as Ventura’s Mayor since 2015, passed away Friday, March 23, 2018 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.  Back in 2015, Benson said he had never thought about running for office, but decided to take on the position of mayor in Ventura after Art Tesar resigned from the post.   The Ventura City Council unanimously approved the appointment  and he remained in office until the November General Election, when he was officially chosen by voters.  The Forest City native and retired business owner ran unopposed for re-election in November 2017.

April

Another month, another snowfall.  Clear Lake’s City-Wide Large Item Pick-up was delayed in early April after seven inches of snow fell on the area.

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One of Clear Lake’s best kept secrets—popular western romance novel author Dorothy Garlock, passed away Friday, April 6, 2018 at Oakwood Care Center.  Garlock was not a native of Clear Lake, but loved the community deeply and even occasionally wove pieces of local lore into her stories.  You might say Garlock got her start in writing as an employee of the Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter.  She was employed at the newspaper for 14 years, starting as a book keeper in the mid-1950s and filling in to write-up weddings, Cook of the Week columns and obituaries. She taught herself to take and develop photos for the newspaper.  Her other contribution to the Mirror-Reporter was a column called “My 2 Cents Worth.” Her writing talents eventually turned toward romance novels and she became one of the country’s most popular authors.    She quit her newspaper job when her first book was picked up.   She continued to write until her final days, with assistance from her grandson, Adam Lemon.   She penned more than 60 books; over 20 million copies of her books are in print in 18 languages and 36 countries.  She is one of Amazon’s most popular-selling artists.

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Clear Lake High School juniors and seniors certainly had a prom to remember.  School officials announced on Friday, April 13, that Saturday’s prom would be postponed due to blizzard conditions in the forecast.  The prom was delayed to Sunday afetrnoon, with post-prom activities following.

May

A pair of Cedar Falls/Waterloo businessmen made a splash in local real estate in 2018.  Developers Jim Sulentic and Brent Dahlstrom announced the purchase of The South Shore Inn and The Landing restaurant, as well as city-owned property at 100 S. 15th St.  Echo Development Group purchased the city land for $1, with the developer proposing to construct not less than an eight-unit, multi-family market rate rental apartment project, with an estimated new taxable value of $1.5 million.  In  June, the Clear Lake School Board approved the sale of Sunset Elementary School, 408 Mars Hill Dr., to Sulentic and Dahlstrom.  Operating as Dolly James LLC., of Waterloo, Iowa the developer agreed to not close on the property until the school district has completed an addition at Clear Creek Elementary which will accommodate preschoolers who have been attending classes at Sunset. Completion of the addition is anticipated by the summer of 2019.  In October, Sulentick and Dahlstrom, purchased the Northland Glass LLC property at 305 1st Ave. S. from Larry Willsher.  The two men are planning to construct rental housing on the approximate half-acre site.  Willsher said he plans to relocate his business to his rural Clear Lake home.

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Ventura Heights wildlife enthusiasts found reason to celebrate in May.  Following weeks of mixed speculation, the female Canada goose which serves as the Height’s unofficial mascot was successful at hatching her eggs.  Located near the far west end of Clear Lake, the goose nest was located atop an abandoned muskrat lodge at the Ventura Heights access where easy, car window viewing made the site an instant hit with area wildlife watchers.  But fascination quickly turned to concern as the area was pummeled by record low temperatures and a relentless series of late season, April snowstorms.  Many residents feared the nest could not survive the extreme conditions. The situation went from bad to worse when on April 18, the nesting goose became completely buried by several inches of heavy, wet snow.  Remaining faithful to her mission, the dedicated bird refused to eat, drink, or even shake off the snow for fear of chilling her eggs.  The effort paid off.  On May 2, the goose became the proud mother of seven healthy goslings.

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Joe Schmit was sworn in as the new mayor of Ventura Monday night, May 14.  Schmit was one of three persons who had expressed interest in filling the post for the remaining term of the position vacated by the death of Lynn Benson. Former Ventura Mayor George Simpson had been considered a possible choice for the appointment.  However, Simpson sent a message to the Council just before their meeting to withdraw his name.  Former Ventura City Council Representative Crystal (Kristie) Meints had also informed the Council she was interested in serving as mayor.  Schmit will serve the remainder of Benson’s term, which runs through 2019.

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In May, Maddie Poppe from Clarksville, Iowa captured the heart of hundreds of thousands with her performances on ABC’s American Idol.  Those fans included Chris Arians, formerly of Clear Lake, who taught Maddie in the Clarksville school system.  Arians, who has since moved on to Northwood-Kensett schools, said  he was not completely surprised by her success.

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The Clear Lake Arts Center launched a $350,000 capital campaign in May to make critical building repairs and essential upgrades to the Clear Lake Arts Center. Funds also will be used to start a Capital Reserve Fund, with a portion to go into an endowment.

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Another storm— this time of the rain and wind variety, affected the area on Monday, May 28.  The sudden storm produced winds recorded at 33 miles per hour with gusts up to 64 mph.  The temperature dropped from 97 degrees to 67 degrees.  Alliant reported that approximately 9,000 to 10,000 people were without power in the North Iowa area Monday night.  Dozens of crews from across the state worked around the clock to restore the power.  The sudden weather change during the holiday weekend caught most by surprise, even stranding boaters on the lake. LuAnn Hejlik, owner of the Muskie Lounge, in Ventura, reported the restaurant was full of customers when the storm hit.  She said they all watched the storm roll across the lake right at them and had to lock the doors, because the wind was sucking them open.

June

The Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Fourth of July Committee announced that David Theiss was selected as its Fourth of July Parade Grand Marshal.  Theiss, who has been a Clear Lake businessman for 45 years and lent his support and talents to schools, veterans programs, the Chamber and economic development efforts, said he was “overwhelmed” to be asked to preside at the uniquely Clear Lake summer celebration.

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If Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes, Iowa was certainly the land of 10,000 ponds in June.  Rain and more rain doused parts of the state from Memorial Day weekend through mid-June.  Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for seven counties, including Cerro Gordo, in response to flooding and severe weather that occurred in Iowa since June 7.

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One Vision received the City’s approval in June to change zoning on a portion of its property to allow flexibility for possible future development. Acting on the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Council okayed a request to change the current zoning of the Glen Oaks Subdivision, located on the west side of the One Vision campus.  Ron Fiscus, of Planscape Partners, representing One Vision, told the Council the organization continues to comply with decentralizing its 80 acre campus, looking at ways to re-use its main campus amenities, which include an indoor swimming pool, multi-purpose building, and more.  Fiscus said that  due to the prospect of future sell-offs of property,  as well as the potential integration of commercial businesses, such as a salon or convenience stores on the property, necessitate the zoning change. Ground was broken in the spring on the One Vision campus for housing with a focus on active senior living.

July

The weather was stormy for Clear Lake School Board members in July, as neighbors in the Sunset School area complained about the June sale of the building. A handful of neighbors and other concerned citizens attended the July 10 meeting of the School Board and stated they felt blindsided by the sale reported in the June 27 edition of the Mirror-Reporter. Superintendent Doug Gee defended his Board and their actions, saying they properly followed all guidelines leading to the sale of the property.  The school leader noted that in his two-year tenure the Board has turned down a proposal to construct a parking lot at the school to help alleviate congestion.  The project was rejected because Board members reasoned the building would not be in use many more years, he said.

August

Dean Snyder Construction (DSC), of Clear Lake, celebrated 60 years of hard work, customer service and quality results, with an open house Aug. 19. Today, the company that started in the Snyder’s home has two locations in Iowa, approximately 200 employees, and several projects throughout the Midwest. It has second generation ownership and leadership (Don, Dale, David) with third generation involvement.

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Jeff Nichols, who joined One Vision as its chief executive officer in 2014, announced his resignation from the position in August, effective Sept. 30.  During his tenure with the organization, Nichols helped lead the transition of more than 120 supported individuals from a large group-home setting to smaller, community-based homes; the launch of a second Children’s Autism Center in Fort Dodge; the opening of several new businesses providing additional revenue to reduce the organization’s reliance on Medicaid funding; and the redevelopment to One Vision’s Clear Lake campus into a neighborhood focused on active senior living.   September

The City of Clear Lake began demolishing a home located near the Highway 18 and Buddy Holly Place intersection in September to ready the site for a gateway to the Surf Ballroom District of town. The city purchased the property at 813 Buddy Holly Place with the intention of demolishing it.

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Clear Lake was not exempt from steady rains which pummeled the area in late September.  Clear Lake Public Works Director Joe Weigel reported city crews bypassed at three locations within the city to reduce flooding.  The city’s Water Department confirmed the rainfall significantly boosted the lake level.  On Tuesday, Sept. 25, the level was 9.72 inches above the weir.  That was an increase of 9.24 inches from a week earlier. State Climatologist Dr. Justin Glisan stated that after an extremely dry week, an active weather pattern returned, bringing above-average rainfall to most of Iowa Sept. 17-23.  Average temperatures were also up to 10 degrees above normal.

October

Patriotism was also on display in October as the remains of Army Pvt. Donald E. Brown were returned to North Iowa.  For more than 70 years, Brown’s remains were buried as an Unknown at an American Military Cemetery in France.  Thanks to the meticulous work of the POW/MIA Accounting Agency and DNA analysis, they were returned to Iowa in 2018.  Prior to burial in Thompson, Iowa the veterans’ remains were received at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel in Clear Lake.  Brown’s niece, Joyce, and her husband, Dale Sorensen, reside in Clear Lake.

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The Clear Lake City Council gave its initial approval to a solar home development concept proposed by local businessman Gregg Bacon in October. The Council approved a sketch plan concept and waived pavement requirements for Equinox Eco Villas.  The development site is located near Bacon’s Equinox zero energy solar-powered home built in 2017 on the southeast corner of Clear Lake city’s limits on South 32nd Street.   He is now seeking to create additional quarter-acre lots on the property to accommodate 12 solar-powered homes that will range in size and styles.

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The Clear Lake Historical Society was given permission to make the city’s longtime Parks and Recreation Department building its new home.  The expansion of the Public Works facility in 2018 made it possible to move the Parks Department from its 800 1st Ave. S. location to the new building.  Prior to the move, volunteers will be painting and readying the building for its display and storage of  historical documents, photographs, and artifacts related to Clear Lake’s rich history.  The upstairs of the house will be used for storage and office space, while the main floor will feature exhibits.

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The Clear Lake City Council agreed in October to spend up to $9,000 for a marketing and feasibility report for a hotel and convention center in the community.  City Administrator Scott Flory told the Council he has had discussions with an unnamed developer about such a facility and called the project “potentially significant.”  He noted the developer has had 30 or more successful projects, mostly located in the Midwest.  They include several in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn. area.

November

At its first meeting in November, the Clear Lake City Council reviewed a Water Utility Extension Feasibility Report for the unincorporated area of South Shore Drive.  The area considered consists of about 35 single-family residential dwellings in the Clear Lake State Park to 265th St. area that are now served by individual private well systems.  City Administrator Scott Flory said the area has a history of arsenic issues that, as a result, require private wells to be drilled to an extraordinary depth in order to achieve acceptable limits and be permitted by the County Department of Public Health.  The lack of a municipal water distribution system also exacerbates challenges of fire suppression.  The anticipated street and below grade utility improvements present an opportunity for the City to be responsive to the many inquiries it has received over the years from area residents about providing municipal water service to that area of South Shore Drive. If sufficient interest is present, improvements could be incorporated into the project anticipated for S. Lakeview Drive and design could begin this fall and the project let for bids in February of 2019.

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Officials from the Clear Lake Water Treatment Plant officially declared Clear Lake as “iced in” on Tuesday, Nov. 13.  Although it seemed early, the date was not a record.  The earliest ice in on record occurred during the Halloween blizzard of Nov. 4, 1991.

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In November it was announced that the Clear Lake Arts Center’s capital campaign had surpassed its capital campaign goal with over $410,000 raised.  The $350,000 goal was set to accomplish the following: replace the original 40-year-old roof, repair interior and electrical damage from the roof leaks, relocate the handicap entrance to the Sukup Performing Arts Wing, electrical and painting updates, repair restrooms, provide additional storage space and begin the Sukup Lakeside Courtyard sculpture garden.  Funds also will be used to start a Capital Reserve Fund, with a portion to go into an endowment.

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Clear Lake School Board members may investigate the possibility of petitioning to redraw school district lines in the wake of a certified enrollment report issued at their Tuesday, Nov. 13, meeting.  Superintendent Doug Gee reported the Clear Lake School District’s certified enrollment for the 2018-19 school year will be 1,219.6 students.  The number is a decrease of 14.8 students from last year.  Gee said the district saw five additional students (from 78 to 83) open enroll out of the district.  Resident student count is 1,135.8 students, a decrease of 19.7 from last year.  Open enrollment into the district increased by 16.9 students (from 168 to 185) this school year.  That piece of the enrollment picture continues to be a positive. Open enrollment in has grown by 50 students since the fall of 2016 and served enrollment has grown by 30 students since the fall of 2016.  Served enrollment, which is the number of students the district receives funding for, will be 1,321.6, a decrease of 2.38 from a year ago.

In the midst of the season of giving, the Ventura community found itself very blessed.  A Nov. 3 rollover accident took Ventura’s 2000 Freightliner Pumper fire truck out of commission.   But in the true spirit of firefighter brotherhood, the Storm Lake Fire Department offered a recently retired 1981 Hendickson fire engine to the City of Ventura free of charge.   Ventura City Clerk Else Taylor said the gifted-fire engine has value to Ventura, not only in terms of providing safety equipment, but in financial savings.  If the city had been forced to lease a fire engine, the cost would have been $300 per day, according to Taylor.  Insurance would have paid a maximum of $15,000 for a lease. The city is still negotiating with its insurance carrier regarding replacement of the 20-year-old truck which was damaged in the rollover.

December

For only the second time in its 24-year history, Clear Lake’s Christmas By The Lake festival was postponed due to weather.  The celebration was pushed to Dec. 8-9.  “For safety sake, we decided it was best to reschedule the event.  The last thing we wanted was people being involved in some sort of accident or putting themselves at risk trying to get to Clear Lake for Christmas By The Lake,” said Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tim Coffey.

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A pair of Clear Lake institutions were the subject of threats in December.  In both instances, officials determined there was ultimately no immediate danger to the public. Clear Lake Police Chief Pete Roth said his department was called to Clear Lake High School Thursday morning, Dec. 13, after a student reported another student’s comments regarding a possible shooting at the school.  Roth stated that after an investigation, the threat was found to not be credible.  The second instance of a threat occurred at Clear Lake Bank & Trust in downtown Clear Lake Thursday afternoon. The CLPD responded to a report of a bomb threat sent through an email to CLB&T at 322 Main Ave. about 1:50 p.m.   Police officers worked with bank officials and the fire department on scene. An investigation determined the threat was most likely an internet scam and there was no danger to the public. There were many other institutions across Iowa that received similar emails.

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