Clear Lake Mirror Reporter

(Above) Staff from the Clear Lake Parks and Recreation Department flooded Marian Park last week to create an ice rink.  Weather conditions were prime for making ice, as evidenced by the sun dogs in the sky.-Reporter photo by Chris Barragy.

If you’re looking for something the recent bitter cold weather was good for, consider this— it allowed staff from the Clear Lake Parks and Recreation Department to get its ice rink ready.

Organizers have announced that the annual Jack Helgren Memorial Race, better know as “The Jack” snowmobile race is “a go.”

Last year the race had to be postponed to its February date when unseasonably warm weather made ice conditions too dangerous for races.

“Mother nature is helping with the ice conditions and the volunteers have been working hard and planning for a huge turn out of racers and vintage sleds,” said race organizer John Helgren.  “Everything’s a go for the 9th annual Jack Race.”

The Clear Lake City Council will soon start their regular meetings at 6 p.m., rather than 6:30.

The Council has approved the first reading of an ordinance that would change the regular meetings, held the first and third Monday of the month.  The change was made in response to a survey the city placed on its Facebook page, asking for public input about the idea.

City Administrator Scott Flory told the Council most of the comments received were favorable toward an earlier meeting time.

(Above) Clear Lake’s new 2018 Toyne Pumper Truck, “Engine 2”

[caption id="attachment_29738" align="alignleft" width="270"] Firefighter Shawn Puttman gets a look at Engine 2 controls, as explained by Fire Chief Doug Meyers.-Reporter photos by Chris Barragy.[/caption]

Clear Lake firefighters will soon have a new tool at their disposal to increase safety for the public, as well as themselves.