News
Moving on:
• Pack the Gym night
Clarke Booster Club’s Pack the Gym night is planned tonight at the high school gym for the junior varsity/varsity boys basketball games against Intersate 35. It is also senior night.
Nine area wrestlers advance to districts page 6 www.osceolaiowa.com
155 YEARS • NO. 6
OSCEOLA, IOWA 50213
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2015
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‘Four corners’ Casey’s General Store renovation in the works By AMY HANSEN
OST news editor • ahansen@osceolaiowa.com
Take a look at the Casey’s General Store that is located at the intersection of Highways 34 and 69, also known as “the four corners.” It’s pretty obvious the building used to be a Kum and Go convenience store, before it was purchased by Casey’s a few years ago. It won’t look like that for much longer, it seems like. Casey’s General Stores has acquired the necessary properties and is working with the city of Osceola on a site plan for a store renovation. During a Feb. 3 Osceola City Council meeting, the city council discussed the renovation issue because an agenda item was the rezoning of the residence of 412 S. Main St. from “RB Residential Business” to “B-2 Highway Commercial.” This would be part of the property expansion in Casey’s renovation project. Resident response A public hearing was held on the rezoning and resident Betsy Richter spoke on the potential neighborhood changes. “It’s one thing when we have a Kum and Go/Casey’s that looks like this one does, because it’s not pleasant to
look at, I’m going to tell you that. It is not a pretty Casey’s that we have right next to us right now,” Richter said. “It’s another thing when it’s going to be built, from what I can see, and what we’ve talked about, on top of the blue house, which is my side yard. So, (I’m) not really in love with that idea.” Richter said she understood the Casey’s renovation would happen, regardless. She said she was grateful Casey’s wanted to have a huge investment in Osceola, but was concerned about the property values of houses with a convenience store built next to it. However, Richter said her recent research showed the property values wouldn’t “plummet” as she originally thought, but she wanted to make sure everything was done right with development in the area. “I want you to make sure to consider all of the neighbors around there, and they experience loss, as well. … I’m trying to stick up for all of us,” she said. Property values Dave Leonard, the city’s zoning administrator/building inspector, community Please see RENOVATION, Page 4
OST photo by AMY HANSEN
This Casey’s General Store located at the intersection of Highways 34 and 69, also known as “the four corners,” used to be a Kum and Go convenience store.
Prom perfection The Cinderella Project provides a bit of magic for girls in need of prom dresses By AMY HANSEN
OST news editor ahansen@osceolaiowa.com
Who needs a fairy godmother when there’s The Cinderella Project? The idea for The Cinderella Project began when a girl came into Salon Glam and started talking to Jenna Dean, the salon’s owner, about prom. They discussed the cost of the tickets and how it can be hard to afford a nice dress to wear. Dean told the girl she had an old dress, but it might not be with the current style and trends of 2015. “It ended up not working for her, but it worked for one of her friends, as well, who couldn’t go,” Dean said. Online response That got Dean thinking. If one girl was having a hard time affording the cost of prom, there must be other girls out there going through the same issues of getting everything they needed for the big night. Dean posted to Facebook asking people if they had gently-used prom dresses, shoes and other accessories they might donate for a freewill donation. “All of a sudden, I just got an overwhelming amount of responses, like in the Des Moines area, down here, back in my hometown of Audubon,” Dean said. “... It turned into something really huge, so I’m calling it The Cinderella Project.” How to help Here’s how The Cinderella Project works. Girls can contact Dean and deliver dresses to her until Feb. 25. Dean will also be picking up other dresses and accessories from people who are from out of town and want to contribute. During the first weekend of March, an event will be held at Salon Glam for girls to look through the racks of donat-
OST photo by AMY HANSEN
Salon Glam is located at 108 N. Main St., in Osceola.
ed dresses. “The girls can just come and pick out a dress and take it home with them. No charge, just to get them to prom,” Dean said. At the time of the interview in late January, the number of dresses Dean had was “in the twenties.” Something for everybody There are all different styles and sizes of dresses for girls Please see CINDERELLA PROJECT, Page 4
City council makes $3,000 donation to senior center By AMY HANSEN
OST news editor • ahansen@osceolaiowa.com
Walk around the Osceola square during the noon hour and you’ll find one of the busiest places is the Osceola Senior Center. The senior center relies solely upon donations to keep its business going, and that was one of the reasons why representatives from the senior center were in attendance at a Feb. 3 Osceola City Council meeting. Historically Annually, the city council
OST photo by AMY HANSEN
Superior rating: Clarke Community High School Jazz Band received a “I – Superior” rating at the state jazz band contest Saturday, Jan. 31, at Winterset. The jazz band is pictured in Clarke’s auditorium Thursday, Feb. 5. Jazz band students meet before school at 7:15 a.m. for no grade and no credit. The jazz band students show a lot of hard work, dedication and love of jazz music. Pictured are Adam Smith, Zach Smith, Courtney Clark, Craig Haltom, Nick Johnston, Anna Sereg, Richard Wilkins, Parker Smith, Skye Terrell, Caleb Hanson, Audrey Sebring, Reed Morris, Alex Boyce, Isaac Lewis, Jake Manternach, Taylor Hardy, Taylor Jorgensen and Terence Havlik. Not pictured are Bailey Zimmerman and Solanna Zimmerman. SINGLE COPY PRICE: 75¢
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Index Church Directory..........8 Classifieds..................11 Editorial.........................4 Neighbors.....................5
Obituary........................3 Public Notices........ 9-10 Record..........................2 Sports........................ 6-7
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has budgeted a $3,000 donation to the senior center. A few years ago, it was requested from the senior center, based on financial need, for a second $3,000 donation, to a total of $6,000. That was granted at the time. In addition, water and sewer fees were waived to help with the senior center’s expenses. However, the council made a request that for any future donation requests, officials from the senior center Please see DONATION, Page 9
Don’t Forget Valentine’s dance
A Valentine’s dance with Country Road Runners is planned 7 to 11 p.m. at Osceola Eagles Lodge.
the upper teens and lows the upper 30s and lows Highs in the mid 20s and CHECK OUT OSCEOLAIOWA.COM FOR DAILY UPDATED DEATH NOTICES AND SPORTS. in the low teens. in the NEWS, low teens. lows in the upper single