News
SIGNED:
• Granny Basketball Tournament
The tournament is planned 4 p.m. Saturday at Clarke Community High School’s gym. Admission is a donation to Osceola Girl Scouts.
Introducing Mobile Banking, Sign up Today!
Carson chooses Clarke University
ASB Touch Banking
page 1B www.osceolaiowa.com
1000 Jeffreys Drive, Osceola, Iowa (641) 342-2175 101 North Main, Osceola, Iowa (641) 342-2191 801 East Main, Lamoni, Iowa (641) 784-3120 113 South John Wayne Drive, Winterset, Iowa (515) 462-5090 Toll Free: 888-342-3738 • www.americanstatebank.com Member FDIC • Equal Housing Lender
154 YEARS • NO. 17
THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014
OSCEOLA, IOWA 50213
SINGLE COPY PRICE: 75¢
CCRC wins right to use eminent domain in reservoir project By AMY HANSEN
OST news editor ahansen@osceolaiowa.com
It’s been many years in the making, but Clarke County Reservoir Commission (CCRC) finally had its day in court. On April 8, Judge Sherman W. Phipps of the Fifth Judicial District of Iowa ruled CCRC’s ongoing Squaw Creek Watershed project is for a public use, public purpose or public improvement as
defined in the Iowa Code. Therefore, CCRC may use the power of declaratory judgment and eminent domain in the reservoir project. Declaratory judgment is a court review for acquiring land for a public project. It authorizes CCRC to purchase land from voluntary sellers and exercise eminent domain for involuntary sellers within the area of the watershed project. Eminent domain is the government’s power to take private property for
public use by a state. “I’m excited because it’s an indication that we can now proceed with our process,” said Osceola Mayor Fred Diehl, who also represents the city of Osceola on the CCRC. What is the project? 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, especially funding from the localoption sales tax. Financially feasible According to court documents, Scott Stevenson, a public finance
banker and senior vice president with D.A. Davidson and Co., testified in the court proceedings. Stevenson’s job involves analysis of feasibility of proposed financing for public projects. Stevenson analyzed CCRC’s reservoir project financial plan and testified the commission shows funding sufficient to pay for the project. Please see EMINENT DOMAIN, Page 4
FITNESS FOCUSED American State Bank starts wellness program, sponsors Johnson’s 1K/5K race May 3 By AMY HANSEN
OST news editor • ahansen@osceolaiowa.com
Sometimes, the healthier choice is easy to see. Fruits and vegetables instead of cookies and candy. Broiling food instead of deep frying it. Sometimes, people need a little more help with overall healthy living, and that is one reason American State Bank is taking an initiative with offering its employees a wellness program. “What I realized, in our bank, is we’re all getting older and we need to be
OST photo by AMY HANSEN
Workers with Solar Bees work on the installation of the two Solar Bee units at West Lake April 9.
What’s the buzz? Two Solar Bee units installed at West Lake By AMY HANSEN
OST news editor ahansen@osceolaiowa.com
Solar Bees are buzzing at West Lake. On April 9 and 10, two Solar Bee units were installed into the lake. “They’re trying to concentrate up around the intake (areas) going into the plant,” said Osceola Water Superintendent Brandon Patterson. Solar Bees, which look like pumps or fountains that disperse water, are solar powered and placed in lakes to provide long distance circulation, which helps control harmful blue green algae blooms, reduces taste and odor issues, improves fish habitats and overall water quality.
Algae problem West Lake, the drinking water source for Clarke County and Southern Iowa Rural Water Association (SIRWA) currently has algae problems, and they start with the annual spring rains. The months of drought from the past two years has intensified the algae situation. The water department has looked at different types of treatments, but with Clarke County Reservoir Commission’s ongoing Squaw Creek Watershed lake project, Patterson said something long term and costly for West Lake might not be the best option. Cost effective “Anytime we can attack water qual-
Please see SOLAR BEES, Page 4
Children gather Easter eggs during the annual Easter egg hunt Saturday morning on the courthouse lawn in Osceola. Pastor Chuck DeVos officiated Easter games for children and told the story of Jesus Christ during Easter. The egg hunt was presented by Osceola Chamber/Main Street with Country Concrete as a premiere sponsor. SINGLE COPY PRICE: 75¢
Copyright 2014
Index Obituary .......................3 Editorial ........................4 Church Directory .........6 Classifieds ...................9
Please see FITNESS, Page 4
ity issues without the addition of more chemicals, it’s more cost effective for the water works and better for the environment,” Patterson said. The total cost of the Solar Bees project is $108,973. A Clarke Community Development Pillars Grant/Lakesido Casino and Resort funding will contribute $35,000. SIRWA will also cover 15.7 percent of the project’s cost. “Obviously, we’re covering the balance of it,” Patterson said. Up next? Now that the Solar Bees are in West Lake, what’s going to happen next? Last week, Patterson said the water
OST photo by AMY HANSEN
Easter egg hunt:
more health conscious,” said Kevin Klemesrud, president and chief executive officer of American State Bank. “And, so, within that, we started an employee-directed effort and formed an employee committee to, basically, approach a wellness program within the bank.” American State Bank, with locations in Osceola, Lamoni and Winterset, has the goal of being one of the best health-awareness employers in its markets.
OST photo by AMY HANSEN
The Pied Piper of Hamelin: Children involved in Osceola Children’s Theatre’s pro-
duction of “The Pied Piper of Hamelin” pose for a picture during a dress rehearsal April 17. The production is an adaptation of the original story by Hans Christian Anderson. Music, lyrics and direction is by Kathy Kooiker. Performances are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Clarke Community High School’s auditorium.
Weather YourLocalWeather Neighbors ....................7 Record .........................2 Sports.................. 1B-2B Public Notices ......... 7-8
Thu
4/24
69/47 Cloudywithshowers
Fri
4/25
65/38 Sunny.Highsinthemid
Sat
4/26
61/41 Fewshowers.Highsin
Look Inside Easter photos
For more Easter egg hunt photos from Saturday, go to page 10.
andthunderstorms.. 60sandlowsintheupthelow60sandlowsin CHECK OUT OSCEOLAIOWA.COM FOR DAILY UPDATED NEWS, DEATH NOTICES AND SPORTS. per30s. thelow40s.