2017 saw a lot of new happenings in the Clearwater and Clear Lake areas.
The $17.4 million Hwy 24 Mississippi River Bridge in Clearwater was officially completed in August, ahead of MnDOT’s originally projected fall opening. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to observe the occasion, with officials and community members from Clearwater, Clear Lake and surrounding areas on hand to celebrate.
The Clearwater/Clear Lake Sewer Authority received $1.2 million for needed plant upgrades.
Allegiant Airlines began offering nonstop flights from the St. Cloud Regional Airport to Punta Gorda Airport in Florida in November, and earlier in the year their Phoenix-Mesa flight to Arizona went from twice a week up to four times a week.
The airport is also preparing for the anticipated large influx of aircraft due to the Super Bowl being held in Minneapolis in 2018.
The Clearwater Area Historical Society erected a new sign along the Mississippi River in April at the approximate site of Clearwater’s second ferry landing. The sign tells the chronological story of Clearwater’s ferry and original bridge and is illustrated with historical photographs.
Rejoice Lutheran Church and St. Luke’s Catholic Church partnered in May to hold an ecumenical service to honor the men and women who service the community.
Residents visited area liquor stores in droves on July 2 when the new liquor law went into effect allowing alcohol to be sold on Sundays in Minnesota. Strong sales were reported in Clearwater and Becker.
The Clearwater Lions held a celebration to mark 100 years of service from Lions International in September; the Lions Club in Clearwater was started in 1978.
Courtesy of the Clear Lake Lions, the Clear Lake Cemetery received a new sign in October.
Starting in January, the Clearwater Public Library will now also be open Mondays from 1 to 4 p.m.
Business Expo
Clear Valley Business Connections (CVBC) hosted the first ever Explore Clearwater/Clear Lake Business Expo in April. The event was a success for both the attendees and the nearly 20 area businesses on hand to showcase their offerings and speak with visitors.
The expo was organized to promote shopping local and for the surrounding community to get to know their local businesses and what they have to offer. Also new this year is the CVBC’s breakfast events, which are held for members of the organization to get together and learn more about the businesses that take turns hosting the event.
Clearview
Clearview Elementary School became both a Spanish magnet school and a PK-5 school when school started last fall.
Keeping their Spanish immersion program as is, FLES (foreign language in elementary schools) was added to the schedule of their English classes. Magnet schools benefit students through increased cognitive ability, gains in academic achievement, increased self-esteem and positive attitudes toward diversity.
Sixth graders from Clearview are now attending South Junior High in St. Cloud so they start middle school along with their peers from the rest of District 742.
The school held their first Story Night in the Woods in February. Sponsored by the Clearview Community Forest Committee, the evening was held to highlight Clearview Forest to parents and the community, and showcase work that’s been completed on the restoration project. A second Night in the Woods event was held in November.
In May Clearview celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Clearview Forest.
During the school’s annual spelling bee, Cole Crandall out-spelled his opponents to become the fifth-grade spelling bee champion and Jacinta Kantor won the sixth-grade title. A team of fifth-graders consisting of Teagan G., Eva S., Emma M. and Ava W.S. placed fourth at the state US Academic Triathlon (U.S.A.T.).
Clearview’s annual fifth-grade inventor’s fair was held in February, with students eagerly showing off the creativity and imagination put into their creations. Their first Family Reading Night was in March, an event that was held to help families spend time learning and playing fun reading games together.
Students collected 631 pounds of food for the Clearwater/Clear Lake area food shelf during the school’s annual food drive.
CL Fire Dept.
Clear Lake Fire Chief Ron Koren was named the Clear Lake Fire Dept.’s Firefighter of the Year. A firefighter for over 40 years, he joined the department in 1977 and has been fire chief since 1987.
Chad Koren and Colleen Knafla were named the new captains; Chad Nelson and Ryan Peterson were named lieutenants.
Wayne Marklowitz and Paul Hans were honored at the dept.’s annual banquet in February, with Marklowitz retiring after 14 years and Hans after 23.
