Band news
SWEEPS:
Clarke Community High School concert band received a Division I superior rating at State Large Group Contest held at Knoxville May 9. They received a Division I superior rating from all three judges. This the 18th Division I rating out of the last 19 years.
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Clarke tennis wins three 9-0 sweeps
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154 YEARS • NO. 20
THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014
OSCEOLA, IOWA 50213
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Appeal filed on judge’s ruling in reservoir commission court case By AMY HANSEN
OST news editor ahansen@osceolaiowa.com
An appeal was filed May 6 in Clarke County Courthouse on the judge’s ruling in the Clarke County Reservoir Commission (CCRC) court case. Court documents state “Notice is hereby given that defendants, Edwin D. and Deloris A. Rob-
ins Revocable Trust (Sheila A. Harned, Lanny Robins, Douglas E. Robins, co-trustees), Maurice E. and Cindy L. Sanford, Stanley F. and Rita L. Robinson and Kyle Robins, appeal to the Supreme Court of Iowa from final judgment in the form of a ruling entered on April 8, 2014, and from each and every ruling inhering therein.” Initial ruling The appeal is to an April 8 rul-
ing where Judge Sherman W. Phipps of the Fifth Judicial District of Iowa ruled in favor of CCRC’s ongoing Squaw Creek Watershed project, confirming it 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. The project CCRC’s ongoing reservoir proj-
Community leaders
ect 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. Please see APPEAL, Page 4
Students show improvement in many areas of Iowa Assessments
Clarks selected as Fourth of July parade marshals
By AMY HANSEN
OST news editor • ahansen@osceolaiowa.com
By AMY HANSEN
OST news editor • ahansen@osceolaiowa.com
The results are in. Clarke Community High School has received the Iowa Assessments test scores students took in April. In many of the testing areas, including reading, math and science, students showed growth. “They worked really hard. We practiced a lot and the kids did what they needed to do,” Becky Jones-Webb, Clarke Community High School English and reading teacher. Ninth grade results
This year will be the first time Rod and Valerie Clark have ever ridden in Osceola’s Fourth of July parade. The Fourth of July committee selected the Clarks as parade marshals. “It’s an honor to do that,” Rod said. “Usually, I don’t even get to see the parade. I’m on the fire department. We set it up.” Last year, Rod was injured, so it was the first time he’s gotten to see the parade since he’s been on the fire department. Valerie has never ridden in the parade because she has been helping with the fire department’s auxiliary or had family in town. The Clarks said it was an honor and privilege to be selected as parade marshals. Fire department Rod has been with the fire department for 33 years. He has been named “Fireman of the Year” twice — in 1993 and 2007. “I just love to help the community. Anything I can do,” he said. Valerie has been involved with the fire department’s auxiliary for more than 30 years. “We do a lot of fundraisers,” she said. “What I like the most is probably making sure they have their drinks and food and stuff at the scene — make sure they’re OK.” In 2012, Sen. Amy Sinclair, R-Allerton, presented Rod with an American flag
In ninth grade reading, students were 78.9 percent proficient this year. Last year, in eighth grade, they were 63 percent proficient. This is a 15.9 percent growth. In ninth grade math, students were 84.6 percent proficient this year. They were 80 percent proficient last year, which means a 4.6 percent growth. In ninth grade science, students were 73.63 proficient this year. They were 67.02 percent proficient last year, which means a 6.61 percent growth. Please see TEST RESULTS, Page 4
OST photo by AMY HANSEN
Pictured are Rod and Valerie Clark in front of their business on the square in Osceola.
that was flown over the U.S. Capitol. The flags were presented to four different veterans and first responders during a Veterans Day event. The couple has four children, and all three of their sons are volunteer fireman. They also have a daughter and daughter-in-law who are on auxiliary for the fire department. Rod has received an accommodation from the city for saving a little girl’s life. She had a seizure, and he did CPR and took her to
Fourth of July Osceola’s Fourth of July celebrations are planned July 3-6. the hospital. Local business Besides serving their community through the fire department, the Clarks also have a locally-owned business — Clarks New and Used Furniture. They have owned the store since 1992. What does the couple like about having their own business?
“I used to say you have your own freedom to do what you want when you want, but that’s not true,” Rod said with a big laugh. “You pick your own hours, but that’s not true.” Valerie added, “You meet a lot of different people in Please see CLARKS, Page 4
Council approves demolition of three houses By AMY HANSEN
OST news editor ahansen@osceolaiowa.com
And the walls will come tumbling down. During a May 6 Osceola City Council meeting, the council approved the resolution ordering the demolition of houses — 306 W. McLane St., 117 S. Adams St., and RR (rural route) 2 at Logan and North East streets. The structures aren’t in compliance with the city’s dangerous building ordinance. “The resolution tonight acknowledges the attempts to correspond with the property owners — the parSINGLE COPY PRICE: 75¢
Copyright 2014
ties in possession,” said Ty Wheeler, city administrator/clerk. “It states that the order that was given to demo the property wasn’t carried out. We did send them a notice, and this is a courtesy notice, it’s not required by ordinance or by Iowa Code, stating that the time had expired and we were prepared to remedy the nuisance with whatever tools are available to the city, including demolition.” Proceeding with demolition means the properties would be tested for asbestos and then be bid on with local contractors for demolition. Ownership? Councilman Chris Dorsey said in a situation like this, where the city coun-
cil takes the lead, he wanted to make sure the city doesn’t own the property. “We’re not taking any ownership of it,” Wheeler said. “It’s a matter of public safety,” added Dave Leonard, the city’s zoning administrator/building inspector, community development. “We’re simply just abating the nuisance according to the Iowa Code and city ordinance.” Later in the meeting, Dorsey said he wasn’t doubting the work of Leonard or Wheeler through his various
Index Obituary .......................3 Editorial ........................4 Church Directory .......11 Classifieds .................15
Neighbors ....................5 Public Notices ..... 12-13 Record .........................2 Sports....................... 6-7
OST photos by AMY HANSEN
Pictured are Clarke Community High School students holding posters of their class test results from the Iowa Assessments test. Pictured are freshman Lindsey Mumaw, top photo, sophomore Amanda Kindred, middle photo, and junior Ali Aly, above. The posters have been displayed in the hallways at the high school.
Please see DEMOLITION, Page 4
Weather Your Local Weather Thu
5/15
58/40
Mix of sun and clouds.
Fri
5/16
59/42
Mix of sun and clouds.
Sat
5/17
61/43
Considerable cloudiness.
Don’t Forget Clarke graduation
Graduation is planned 2 p.m. Sunday in the high school gymnasium.
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