The Citizen-Tribune coverage area had a lot going on in 2018, much of it occurring in Clearwater and Clear Lake.

 

The St. Cloud Regional Airport, which was chosen as one of the airports that would handle the overflow caused by the large amount of air traffic that came with the Super Bowl being held in Minneapolis Feb. 4, saw 68 airplanes and 10 gulf stream jets arrive during Super Bowl weekend.

 

The airport again increased its offerings in 2018, with more flights to the Phoenix-Mesa Airport in Arizona and to Punta Gorda (Fort Meyers) Airport in SW Florida. This fall the airport began developing an area for expansion of their hangar space in the general aviation area.

 

McDonald’s Meats in Clear Lake completed their 14,200-square foot expansion in May, tripling the size of their original facility and creating more jobs.

 

The second annual Explore Clearwater/Clear Lake Business Expo in May was once again a success, with nearly 30 businesses were on hand to showcase their offerings and speak with visitors.

 

A number of awards were received by area businesses and residents. In January, Daggett Truck Line driver Jack Pate was chosen as the Minnesota Trucking Association’s Truck Driver of the Year, and in March, the Stearns Co. chapter of Pheasants Forever honored Lynden Twp. Supervisor Jerry Finch and the Plum Creek Neighborhood Network for their conservation efforts.

 

In April, Bob Leaders, who opened the Leaders Clear Lake Airport in 1969, was inducted into the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame, and in July, Clearwater resident Maddie (Madeline) Helget placed first runner up overall and first runner up in state costume at the Miss Teen United States pageant; she was crowned Miss Teen Minnesota United States in March.

 

August saw Clearwater Coborn’s employee Tyler Haselkamp receiving the state title of “Best Bagger” after winning the Minnesota Grocers Association’s annual bagging competition; he’ll be representing Minnesota at the National Best Bagger Championship in February.

 

St. Cloud District 742 Coordinator of Immersion and World Languages Sue Linn-Hasbrouck was recognized with the 2018 LEAF (Local Education & Activities Foundation) Instructional Excellence Award, which recognizes individuals who have significantly contributed to the mission of the organization and/or to the education mission of District 742.

 

 

The American Legion is turning 100, and Clearwater American Legion Post 323 is celebrating their 100th Anniversary along with it. The year-long celebration runs through Veterans Day 2019.

 

The Clear Lake Legion honored 93-year-old Gerald “Gary” Schuldt for 70 continuous years of membership, a milestone very few people are able to achieve.

 

In July, three area veterans, Bruce Scott, Mark Harstad and Ted Lysdal were awarded ‘quilts of valor’ by the local organization Three of a Kind during their annual fundraiser.

 

 

After five years of work led by Mayor Tim Goenner, Clear Lake implemented a railroad quiet zone within the city.

 

After a number of changes, Palmer Twp. and the city, township and fire department of Clear Lake agreed on a new fire contract, changing the way the percentages paid by each entity are determined.

 

The Life and Times of Clear Lake Township was officially launched Aug. 25, containing 260 pages of Clear Lake area photos and memories and 10 pages of color photographs. 

 

Clear Lake Twp. has been heading up a new fire fill station that will be built on Co. Road 8.

 

The township is also moving forward with their new town hall that will be built at Clear Lake Twp. Park. An open house for the project will be held on Jan. 29 for the public to review plans and ask questions. The board is still looking at options for the sale or demolition of the old township building.

 

 

In June, St. Cloud District 742 announced Clearview Elementary and Tech High School had been named 2018 PBIS Sustaining Exemplar Schools. Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) was begun as a way to improve selection, implementation and documentation of effective behavioral interventions for students with behavior disorders. 

 

Clearview students brought in a record amount of change in 2018, raising $1,895 for their annual “Pennies for Patients” leukemia fundraiser, and brought in 535 pounds of food and $20 in cash for the Clearwater/Clear Lake Area Food Shelf.

 

Students raised over $14,000 for The American Heart Association, the school’s sixth annual walk-a-thon raised over $15,000, and the 13th Annual Cougar Golf Classic raised over $7,000 for school technology.

 

This fall, Clearview students began The Morning Mile, a before-school walking program that gives students the chance to actively start each day with music and friends. The goal of the program is to increase activity and help fight childhood obesity. Physical education teacher George Bienusa applied for and received a grant for the program.

 

Work continues on the Clearview Forest; a number of area boy scouts have completed projects that have benefitted the forest as their Eagle Scout rank service project. A 200-foot ADA handicapped accessible trail into the forest made Clearview’s outdoor classroom available to all students, which was made possible through a MN DNR grant.