Archive for: July 2010

By Mary Zielinski
The Riverside city council took one of its own to task last week when they passed several motions requiring Ralph Schnoebelen of Schnoebelen’s to abate a number of nuisances found in violation of the city’s ordinances. The action came during the council meeting at city hall following the city officials’ inspection of Schnoebelen’s property, 450 E. Fourth Street, during a public hearing outside the implement business.
Schnoebelen did not attend the council meeting, although he was at the hearing where he and other family members, who are involved in the business, said they would comply with the city’s requests. Schnoebelen, his wife, Jan, and daughter Linnmarie Eden repeatedly asked for specifics about what the city wanted done.
Schnoebelen said he had previously met with Mayor Brian McDole, asking “tell me what we need to do and we’ll do it.”
The motions passed in the regular meeting addressed specifics such as warehousing tires properly, covering those not on rims, removing unusable batteries, clearing barrels, transportation palettes and scrap metals from public view, labeling oil tanks (and any other minerals), securing the LP tanks with chains and building a containment area for the oil tanks. All nuisances, except the oil tank containment, need to be done by August 2. The latter needs to be done by September 15.
During their slightly more than hour-long deliberations, the council reviewed photos taken by City Administrator Tina Thomas during the officials’ inspection of the property. Each was voted upon separately with specific instructions for abatement. More than once, during the session, it was noted that some of the issues involved fire or public safety code violations.
During the public hearing, which had been requested by Schnoebelen who said he had not expected the council “to show up here,” but to hold it at city hall, residents questioned the city’s action, generally asking why it was happening.

by Ranee Fladung
Following a long discussion Monday with Riverside residents Jodi and Brian Kennedy, Riverside council member Rodney Waldschmidt offered to clear cut their ditch Saturday at no charge if the Kennedys would be available to carry out the brush. Council members Todd Yahnke and Kevin Kiene also volunteered to help.
The offer came after Kennedy said the council had set a precedent. “I can’t see how you can enforce it.” However, she told the council she would appreciate the help.
Kennedy also asked the council to define what it expects in regard to cleaning her ditch. She said that a lot of limbs were already cut down and the flat part of the ditch was cleaned out but it was steep and she thought the trees were too big, and she didn’t want to cut out the trumpet vine and lilies.
“We don’t know what the council wants,” she said.
City employee Brad Herrig explained that the city wanted some of the scrub brush removed and mowed.
“It sounds like you want us to remove all the vegetation, and I don’t believe it’s called for in the ordinance,” said Kennedy.
Kennedy said her ditch had not been touched in nine years and asked, “Why are you asking us to remove them (small walnut trees) after all this time?” noting that some of the trees were at least 20 feet tall.
Waldschmidt said, “Blame the previous owners.”

Highland girls’ softball team did well in the Southeast Iowa Super Conference Team honors. Ten girls received honors.
Honors are as follows: First team: pitcher Mariah Freel, sophomore; Infield Kayla Schneider, junior; Outfield Molly Kleopfer, senior.; Utility Morgan Fisher, senior.
Second …

1920 – 2010
Alice M. Goodwin, 89, of Kalona, Iowa, died Thursday, July 22, 2010, at Pleasantview Home in Kalona.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 31, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. at the Kalona United Methodist Church in Kalona, Iowa, …

Esther Yoder, 80, of Kalona, Iowa, died Friday, July 16, 2010, at Parkview Manor in Wellman, Iowa, following a battle with kidney disease.
Celebration of life services were Sunday, July 18, 2010, in the East Union Mennonite Church in rural Kalona …

by Ranee Fladung
The Highland Huskies moved out to an early lead against New London Thursday, July 15, to clinch the win at 9-3 and advance to the Class 1A district final against Burlington, Notre Dame Saturday.
The Huskies home field, home team advantage helped set the pace Thursday as the Huskies came out with bats swinging. “Really, really pleased with how we hit the ball,” said head coach Andrew Davis.
Senior Zach Rozmus started the Huskie rally with a triple past the left fielder who missed the ball after an attempt for a diving catch. “He (Rozmus) came out and did his senior thing,” said coach Davis. “He was the catalyst that got us going.”
Riley Kleopfer had a base hit up the middle to score Rozmus for the first run of the game. Kleopfer scored on a fielder’s choice which was dropped by the second baseman to put Highland on top 2-0.
Jake Hootman held New London scoreless in the second inning when Highland made its move and took advantage of several errors. Rozmus came back to nail a 2-run homerun in the bottom of the second innng and Derrick Stewart hit a 3-run homer over the left field fence to help push the Huskies to an 8-0 lead. “We are very pleased with the production from the bottom of our lineup, and being able to score runs all the way down,” said coach Davis.

by Ranee Fladung
Highland Huskies baseball team came out swinging with a home field advantage Tuesday, July 13 in the first round of Class 1A districts against Lone Tree Lions. Highland pulled out a 13-14 win in extra innings …