Trick or Treat
Historical Society
Falcons score
community schedule
to hold Open House
50-0 conquest of A-C-GC
Pg. 7
Pg. 2
Pg. 9
Ida County’s Official Newspaper
Courier Ida County
Vol. 42, No. 42 Ida Grove, Iowa
w ww.idacountycourier.com
Wednesday,, October 18, 2017 Wednesday
OABCIG board discusses News GLIMPSE master facili es plan, bond referendum
Fine arts, athle c dona ons Page 5
Bob Saunders cross-country meet Page 8
O-A/BC-IG, RV Middle School Sports Special Sec on-inside
Upcoming Events Ida Co. Cons. Board Pumpkin Carving Friday, October 20 5-7 pm Shop Building IG Moorehead Park
Ida Co. Cons. Board Halloween Hike Saturday, October 21 5:30-9 pm Cons. Ed. Center IG Moorehead Park
IGCC Ladies Stage e Tuesday, October 24 6 pm Golf & Country Club Ida Grove
BC Medical Auxiliary Fall Luncheon & Card Party Tuesday, October 24 11 am Community Center Ba le Creek
3-Day Forecast Wed 10/18
❚ by DEB LOGER
The Odebolt Arthur Battle Creek Ida Grove (OABCIG) Board reviewed a discussion guide developed by Superintendent Terry Kenealy, HAILA and Estes Construction during its meeting Oct. 9 in Ida Grove. The purpose of the guide is to help board members review, discuss and debate the next steps for the master facilities plan and bond referendum. Superintendent Kenealy said one of the goals is to have the joint facilities committee and board meet in a work session to discuss what needs to be done next. Discussion guide •The irst step in the guide is to solicit feedback from community members in each town to learn why the referendum was opposed, what would be necessary in order to have a successful vote, learn what projects would be supported by the communities and learn what dollar amount for a bond referendum would be palatable/acceptable. Ways to solicit feedback would include: meeting with business leaders, meeting with community groups (Lions, Rotary, Kiwanis, P.E.O., church groups, etc.), an online survey and social media. One suggestion was to have a weekly article in the paper that would address all the
projects mentioned in the joint facilities plan. Comments heard by board members included: the bond was for wants not needs; would have voted yes for academic improvements not an auditorium; wasn’t a good time; the board rushed the vote; the board wants to spend bond money on maintenance projects and you’re going to get a lot windmill money so you won’t need our tax money. Another comment was wouldn’t it be cheaper to build a new school. It was noted that the bonding capacity of the new district wouldn’t come close to inance a new school building. The funding capacity of the OABCIG district is $24 million, not even enough to do everything suggested in the original joint facilities plan. Board members noted the joint facilities committee met for two years to develop a master facilities plan, which originally came in at $31 million. The committee narrowed down that list and selected the areas they felt were important. Board members also commented if people would have come to the meetings and tours they would have seen the problem areas and what the plans were to address them. (continued on page 2)
Photo by: Mike Thornhill | Ida County Courier
Fire prevention week: As part of Fire Prevention Week, the Ida Grove Fire Department invited BC-IG Elementary students to tour the fire station Thursday. Here, junior fire fighters Blake Anderson, Tyler Anderson and Anna Van Dusen (in costume) along with fireman John Jacobson show children some of the equipment they use. The visit to the fire department included the chance to look inside a fire truck, a ride on a fire truck and the chance to spray water from a fire hose.
School boards learn about bunk gardens ❚ by DEB LOGER
The Odebolt-Arthur and Battle Creek-Ida Grove School Boards heard a science curriculum report and updates on various projects during their joint meeting in Ida Grove Oct. 9. High school teacher Carol Sadler reported on her 2016-17 environmental science class’s sustainable bunk garden project at Golden Horizons Assisted Living. Sadler reported donations from United Bank of Iowa, First State Bank, Matt Tietsort (built the bunks), Prairie Pedlar ( ield trip and plant donations), Odebolt Lumber (reduced lumber costs), Randy
71° | 43°
Pumpkin carving, Halloween hike is this Friday, Saturday
Mostly Sunny
Thurs 10/19
70° | 53° Sunny
Fri 10/20
73° | 60° Partly Coudy
Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ GoingsOnInTheGrove
Follow us on Twi er @IdaCoCourier
$
1.00
Fineran (watering system) and the Brian Streed family (dirt) made the project possible. She noted the students enjoyed interacting with the residents at Golden Horizon while documenting the growth of the plants, checking the soil for nutrients and watering the plants. Golden Horizon loved the bunks and has asked if the project can continue this year with two additional bunks. Superintendent Terry Kenealy gave updates on the O-A playground, the ball ield (continued on page 2)
Photo Submitted
Eagle Scout: Ridge View senior Jacob Kai stands next to the footbridge he built in Moorehead Park for his Eagle Scout project. The 10-foot span bridge crosses a small stream along an existing trail in the northwest corner of the park about a quarter of a mile northwest of the playground. Kai, the son of Janet and Paul Kai, completed the bridge with the help of other scouts, his parents and Rod and Audrey Flogstad over a six-day period in late July to early August. Kai noted he also received contributions to the project from his parents, the Flogstads, Ida Grove Homes, the Ida County Conservation Board and several others. A date for Kai’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony has not been set. The Eagle Scout designation is the highest honor a Boy Scout can achieve.
Little to No-Maintenance, cost-effective and efficient way to to
HEAT YOUR GARAGE! Call Today! 1-888-365-1241
It’s time to start thinking about contracting your propane for 2018! Henry R. Jessen H O Owner Operator
Johnson Propane Heating and Cooling Inc.
Serving your Community Since 1945
The Ida County Conservation Board’s 20th annual Halloween hike and pumpkin carving contest is scheduled for this Friday, Oct. 20, and Saturday, Oct. 21, at Moorehead Park in Ida Grove. Carving contest The pumpkin-carving contest is for kids and adults and runs from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 20, at the shop area (former conservation board office) at Moorehead Park. There will also be a campfire from 6 to 7:30 p.m., where participating carvers can roast hotdogs and marshmallows when they finish carving. A drawing for door prizes will be held at 6:45 p.m. You do not need to be present to win. The pumpkins carved during the contest will be used to line the trail for the
Halloween hike the following evening. Those wishing to keep their pumpkin can pick them up on the trail Sunday after the hike. Please bring your own carving tools (no knives). Pumpkins will be provided, or bring your own. Halloween hike The Halloween hike will not be scary, but promises to be fun and entertaining for the entire family. The hike is slated for Saturday, Oct. 21, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Moorehead Park. This year’s theme is “Sneaky, Scaly and Not So Scary Snakes.” Did you know you will never win a staring contest with a snake? Learn why and many more awesome things about snakes at this year’s night hike. The hike will start and end at the conservation center (continued on page 2)
Don’t be left out D in the COLD! Check, Clean or Replace your Furnace N y Now!
Call C ll T Today! Tod day! 1-888-36 1-888-365-1241