by Michelle Watson
25 Years Ago
June 1998
Just days after straight line winds hammered Clear Lake, local authorities sounded the tornado sirens to alert residents of another potentially dangerous situation on Saturday, June 27. Unlike the storm which occurred Tuesday, June 23, storm spotters provided a confirmed tornado on the ground in the Thornton area.
Officials at the Clear Lake Sanitary District celebrated a $10 million federal grant and promised the project it will fund will make bypassing sewage into the lake a thing of the past.
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad will include Clear Lake among the stops he will make on his 99-county “Thank You, Iowa” tour as he marks 16 years as Iowa’s longest serving chief executive. Branstad will be at the Bandshell in City Park at 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 25.
Marine Pvt. Larry E. Trampel, Clear Lake, recently completed basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, Calif.
A house fire at 1108 N. 5th St., Clear Lake, was to blame for an estimated $10,000 in damages.
World War II bombers will be on display at the Mason City Airport, July 8-10.
The Ventura baseball team flexed its batting muscles as they pounded out 12 hits and scored 11 runs on their way to a 11-0 win over Twin River Valley. Luke Brager not only went 3-4 at the plate, but he silenced the Thunder with his pitching. The senior allowed just two hits and gave up two walks, while striking out seven. Scott Eichmeier was 2-3 on the night with a single and a double.
Clear Lake was hoping to rebound form a pair of discouraging losses when they did just that, topping Algona 7-3. Nate Carney pitched the complete game. He allowed three runs on four hits and three walks. He retired four batters on strikes. At the plate, Terry Rauk, Carney, and Dan Bartelson led the Lions with two hits apiece.
Eighties rock star Pat Benatar sang many favorites for fans at a sell-out performance at the Surf Ballroom. Rock fans rocked along with “Shadows of the Night,” Love is a Battlefield,” “Heartbreaker” and more.
50 Years Ago
June 1973
Jack C. Pester, chairman of the board of Pester-Derby Oil Co., has announced plans for a $1.8 million motel-restaurant complex here. Tentative plans are for a 100-unit, four story motel with enclosed swimming pool, saunas, meeting room accommodations for about 400 and a Howard Johnson restaurant. The site for the complex is about an eight-acre triangular shaped tract of land at the northeast corner of Clear Lake.
Governor Robert D. Ray and how wife, Billie, have accepted an invitation to Clear Lake’s 35th Annual Governor’s Days, July 27-29.
The Ventura band recently returned from a trip to Canada.
Moshers’ Gamble Store will hold a Grand Opening Sale at 317 Main Ave., Clear Lake. Register for over $323 in grand opening prizes. Ron and Dennis have a special grand opening gift for you, take 10% off the regular, low price of any merchandise in the entire store.
75 Years Ago
June 1948
Prowlers broke into the basement of Lawrence Brown’s Grocery Store, 620 N. 2nd St., and an undetermined amount of goods was stolen. F.E. Bruce, who lives next to the store, saw three men running from the place when he turned on his yard light.
Inflation has certainly hit the night crawler business. They are now 25¢ a dozen.
By forcing the door of the Lustre Cleaners, thieves broke into the building Sunday night and stole clothing, a pistol and some cash. The robbery was discovered by Les Godden, an employee.
The age of speed brought death to two 16 year olds on Highway 18 early Sunday morning near McIntosh Woods. The car which missed the turn, skidded, careened and crashed into a tree.
99 Years Ago
June 1924
Asking that the party who took the money lying on the Soda Grill radiator to please return it at once.
C.E. Ashland has a house for rent for $20 per month.
The past week has seen some fluctuation on the price of gas. It is now 16¢ a gallon.
A boat named Interurban has been placed on the lake. It will meet the interurban street car each hour and convey passengers to Bayside.
Don’t bother to feed your family on the 4th of July, when you can get a good meal at the Methodist Church for 50¢.
