News
SWEPT:
• Legislative luncheons
The upcoming legislative luncheons are Jan. 23, Feb. 27 and March 27. They are sponsored by Clarke County Development Corporation and held at noon at Lakeside Casino. Sen. Amy Sinclair and Rep. Joel Fry will be in attendance.
Clarke bowlers fall to Newton in first action of 2015 page 1B www.osceolaiowa.com
154 YEARS • NO. 2
OSCEOLA, IOWA 50213
THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015
SINGLE COPY PRICE: 75¢
How to keep pets safe in the winter By AMY HANSEN
OST news editor • ahansen@osceolaiowa.com
If you’re cold in the winter’s frigid weather, imagine how your furry friends Fluffy and Fido must feel. If a pet is like a family member, the animal should be treated as such, especially when the temperatures drastically drop below zero. “Really, in all honesty, what we do here at the shelter — and this is why we close on colder days — if it’s not safe for people to be out, it’s not safe for pets to be out,” said Joy Durham, Clarke County Animal Shelter manager. Safety tips Durham recommended many tips for keeping animals safe in the cold, including increasing the amount of food because pets’ metabolism burns through the food, checking water frequently because it freezes and making sure hay, straw and blankets are dry for warmth. “Once it gets wet, it’ll freeze and the dog or cats fur can actually freeze, too,” she said. Durham said to bring ani-
“... if it’s not safe for people to be out, it’s not safe for pets to be out.” — Joy Durham
Clarke County Animal Shelter manager
mals inside into the heat, or even into a garage that gets the pets out of the wind. A dog house can help an animal, but what will help the most is being out of the cold completely. She also recommended investing in a wire kennel and heated water bowls. When it comes to cows and livestock, Durham said it’s important to have sheds or lean-tos. When outside However, pets like dogs can’t stay indoors all day, they need to be let out to use the bathroom or go for a short walk. Pets’ paws should also be checked a lot because the Please see PET SAFETY, Page 4
OST photo by AMY HANSEN
Contributed photo
Pictured is Charles Street in New Orleans, La., circa 1920. New Orleans is where the old Jefferson Highway formally ends.
Pine to Palm Council endorses honoring Highway 69 as Jefferson Highway Heritage Byway By AMY HANSEN
OST news editor ahansen@osceolaiowa.com
You might ask, what’s the Jefferson Highway? In Clarke County, it’s known as Highway 69. “We’re putting our support behind the effort to designate the Jefferson Highway as a heritage byway,” said Ty Wheeler, city administrator/clerk, during a Jan. 6 Osceola City Council meeting. Historic significance One hundred years ago, the Jefferson Highway was envisioned as the “north-south equivalent” to the Lincoln Highway, which was the first eastwest transcontinental route. In Iowa, the old Lincoln Highway is known as Highway 30. The proposed highway would also commemorate the Louisiana Purchase and honor the president who was responsible for America’s westward expansion. Construction on the highway began in 1916 with the route running through Manitoba, Canada, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana. A later route variant added Arkansas. By 1926, the Jefferson Highway’s
identity fell into the fate of the number system. The highway evolved into many federal highways: U.S. Highways 2, 10, 65, 66, 69, 71, 73 and 80. Interstate 35 also makes up a good portion of the former Jefferson Highway. Heritage byway Starting with the Jefferson Highway Association Centennial this year, there is a push to commemorate the 2,300 mile route from Canada to New Orleans, La. An application is in process to identify the old Jefferson Highway, which is also nicknamed the “Pine to Palm Highway,” as an official Iowa Heritage Byway. The designation will acknowledge the historical significance to the early days of transportation development and to mark the route. Upon designation, the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) will lead an effort to place Iowa Byway signs specific to the route and provide initial costs for development and installation of the signs. Once initially installed, the DOT will maintain or replace the signs along state route sections. Cities and counties along the route will maintain or replace signs on sections within their jurisdiction.
Pine to Palm signage would be placed along the road in Clarke County near the DOT. Road condition However, during the council meeting, there was a concern about honoring a historic highway that needs better repair work. “That’s a disgrace, as far as I’m concerned, to call that a heritage highway and leave it in the condition the shoulders are,” said Councilman Dan Hooper. “You know, that’s pathetic to even think about bringing tourists and visitors down through there and saying this is our Highway 69 heritage highway.” There was a murmur from another councilman, “It isn’t what it used to be.” “Maybe this designation will help secure more resources for the reconstruction of the highway itself,” Wheeler added. At the end of the discussion, the council did unanimously approve the resolution to endorse the application to the DOT for the designation of the Jefferson Heritage Byway as a State Heritage Byway. “We’re really just saying we support the effort,” Wheeler said.
Joy Durham, Clarke County Animal Shelter manager, holds a pair of cats at the shelter Thursday, Jan. 8.
Council appoints new city board members By AMY HANSEN
OST news editor • ahansen@osceolaiowa.com
New people have been appointed to boards and commissions for the city of Osceola. During a Jan. 6 Osceola City Council meeting, approval was given for these appointments: • Appointment of Corey Reynolds to the planning and zoning commission (five year term) • Appointment of Dawn SINGLE COPY PRICE: 75¢
Copyright 2014
Fry to the board of adjustment (five year term) • Reappointment of Mel Miller to the parks and recreation board (two year term) • Appointment of Mike White from board of adjustment to planning and zoning (five year term) • Reappointment of Noel Friday to planning and zoning to fill term to June 30, 2016 • Appointment of Elisabeth Reynoldson to board of adjustment (five year term)
Contributed photo
This is a map of the former Jefferson Highway route through the state of Iowa.
Index Obituary........................3 Editorial.........................4 Church Directory..........5 Classifieds................. 3B
Neighbors.....................6 Public Notices..... 2B-3B Record..........................2 Sports................... 1B-2B
Weather Your Local Weather Thu
1/15
41/23
Abundant sunshine.
Fri
1/16
49/32
Sunshine. Highs in the
Sat
1/17
49/28
Times of sun and clouds.
Contributed photo
Pictured is a graphic for the Jefferson Highway designation.
Don’t Forget
MLK concert for love and justice
The concert is 7 p.m. tonight at Clarke’s auditorium. It is a free-will offering.
Highs in the low 40s and upper 40s and lows in Highs in the upper 40s CHECK OUT OSCEOLAIOWA.COM FOR DAILY NEWS, DEATH NOTICES AND SPORTS. lowsUPDATED in the low 20s. the low 30s. and lows in the upper