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Clarke softball highlights list of top 10 sports stories in 2014 page 6 www.osceolaiowa.com
154 YEARS • NO. 1
OSCEOLA, IOWA 50213
THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2015
SINGLE COPY PRICE: 75¢
YEAR IN REVIEW The top 10 stories from Clarke County in 2014 By AMY HANSEN
fleet of law enforcement vehicles. The last time Clarke won a softball championship title was in 1995. A homecoming reception pep rally was held Friday evening as dusk began to fall and the lights were turned on around the courthouse square. “This group of kids is so special,” Diehl said. “They have made a tradition that I plan on going back to Fort Dodge over and over, so I hope that you’ll do it with us again next year. Thank you so much.”
OST news editor • ahansen@osceolaiowa.com
Editor’s note: The Osceola Sentinel-Tribune has chosen the 10 biggest stories from the past year. They will be run in chronological order of appearance in the paper. Feb. 27: Clarke Superintendent Benita Gonzales resigns Clarke Community School Board approved the resignation of Superintendent Benita G o n z a l e s Gonzales during a school board meeting in February. The boardroom was packed during the meeting and seating became limited to standing room only. Jim Audlehelm, former Clarke school board member, was also in attendance. Gonzales’ letter of resignation to the school board states, “I am submitting my letter of resignation effective June 30, 2014, so I may pursue other professional opportunities. It is also my hope that notice at this point will give the district appropriate time to conduct their search for a replacement. I have had the pleasure of working with many quality people and have enjoyed the time spent at Clarke. I appreciate the opportunity to have been a part of Clarke CSD and wish the very best for the future of this learning community.” Gonzales was with the school district for only one year. April 17: Board hires Seid as superintendent Clarke Community School Board approved Steve Seid as Clarke’s new superintendent effective July 1. Seid T h e board approved Seid as superintendent on a 4-2 vote with board members Dena White and Joe Deutsch voting no. Board member Kelly Bailey was absent. Seid’s two-year contract with an annual salary of $110,000 was approved. Seid was familiar with the school district since he was the district’s interim superintendent from January through June 2013. He was a finalist for the full time superintendent position for the 2013-14 school year, however, that one-year conSINGLE COPY PRICE: 75¢
Copyright 2014
OST photo by AMY HANSEN
Robert J. Myers, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Casey’s General Stores, left, displays a Murray Mustangs T-shirt he received as a gift during the opening ceremony of the new Casey’s General Store in Murray. Also pictured, from left, are Shelly Thomas, Kent Thomas, Murray Superintendent Alan Miller and former Democratic Congressman Leonard Boswell.
Sept. 11: City approves new logo design Osceola officially has a new city logo. During a Sept. 2 Osceola City Council meeting, the council approved the “map” logo design that was presented earlier this summer. “Really, the intention of this logo is to be so diversified that there really isn’t a limit to what you can put into it,” said Andrew Clark with Spoke Communications, a consultant on the logo project. The logo is now city property. The new city of Osceola logo has been a year-long project. There have been several public meetings and a committee was formed to help design the logo. Eventually, the new logo
May 1: Casey’s in Murray ner, former mayor of Mur- for the Clarke’s runner-up tract was awarded to Gonopens zales spring 2013. ray. “ ... The amenities they state softball team that The doughnuts were provide is something the city Coach Lindsay Diehl said, April 24: Judge rules in stocked on the shelves. The really needed. The citizens “We’re going to go back favor of CCRC’s eminent gas pumps were ready to be really wanted it, and it’s just next year and we’re going to used. The pizza was piping a huge boost for the city of win the whole thing.” domain It’s been many years in in the oven. The new Ca- Murray.” She was right. the making, but Clarke sey’s General Store in MurDuring Werner’s term as The 3A softball title game County Reservoir Commis- ray opened for business this mayor, he was instrumen- was a championship resion (CCRC) finally had its spring. tal in starting the process of match between Clarke and A store opening reception Murray acquiring a Casey’s Bondurant-Farrar. day in court. On April 8, Judge Sher- was held Thursday, April store. Unlike last year, the man W. Phipps of the Fifth 24, at the Casey’s, which is odds turned in Clarke’s faJudicial District of Iowa located directly south of the July 31: Softball team wins vor with the Lady Indians ruled CCRC’s ongoing school in Murray. championship winning 7-6 after a walkoff Many people and officials Squaw Creek Watershed If you want something home run by senior Carley project is for a public use, from Murray were there, as badly enough, you can make Robins. public purpose or public im- well as former Democratic it happen. After winning the title Please see It was one year ago during game, the softball team was provement as defined in the Congressman Leonard BoYEAR IN REVIEW, Page 4 swell and Robert J. Myers, a welcome home reception escorted into Osceola by a Iowa Code. Therefore, CCRC may chairman, president and use the power of declara- chief executive officer of Catory judgment and eminent sey’s General Stores. As for Casey’s amenities, domain in the reservoir it’s more than just the gas project. Declaratory judgment is pumps outside of the store. a court review for acquiring The interior of the store land for a public project. It offers customers snacks, authorizes CCRC to pur- drinks, doughnuts, pizza, a chase land from voluntary deli, soft serve ice cream and sellers and exercise eminent frozen slushy drinks. “It’s a great thing for the domain for involuntary sellers within the area of the community just to have a Contributed photo convenience store, to have a Pictured is the design for the new logo for the city of Osceola. watershed project. Eminent domain is the Casey’s here,” said Nik Wergovernment’s power to take private property for public use by a state. CCRC’s ongoing reservoir project could provide a water supply for Osceola and Southern Iowa Rural Water Association (SIRWA) with an 816-acre lake, which could provide 2.2 million gallons of water per day. West Lake, the current water source, doesn’t meet the needs of Clarke County and SIRWA. The total project cost for the reservoir in the CCRC Squaw Creek Watershed is estimated at $37.6 million. Funding for the project includes many sources, espeOST photo by AMY HANSEN cially funding from the loThe Clarke softball team celebrates their state championship win during a homecoming pep rally on the square in cal-option sales tax. Osceola. Index Obituary........................3 Editorial.........................4 Church Directory..........8 Classifieds....................9
Public Notices..............7 Record..........................2 Sports........................ 6-7
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