The following are the results from Week 16 of the Belle Plaine pro football raffle:

Highest
1st Place 119 pts. $500 Steven Drexler Belle Plaine
2nd Place 114 pts. $150 Marilyn Hrabak Chelsea, IA
3rd Place 113 pts. $100 Marvin & Elaine Bohlen Clarksville, IA
4th Place 111 pts. $ 55 Sheila Hlas Belle Plaine
4th Place 111 pts. $ 55 Barb Martin Luzerne, IA
6th Place 110 pts. $ 37.50 Chris Tegeler Manchester, IA
6th Place 110 pts. $ 37.50 Glen Langlas Williamsburg
8th Place 108 pts. $ 27.50 Jo Johnson Belle Plaine
8th Place 108 pts. $ 27.50 Craig Converse Manchester

Lowest
1st Place 13 pts. $ 20 Kathy Christensen Cedar Rapids
2nd Place 16 pts. $ 8.33 Leah Mast Belle Plaine
2nd Place 16 pts. $ 8.33 Joe Owens Palo, IA
2nd Place 16 pts. $ 8.33 Yvonne McConnaha Muscatine, IA

Walter S. Kasal, 94, died Monday, December 28, 2009 at the Iowa Veteran’s Home in Marshalltown following a lingering illness. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Hrabak Funeral Home by Rev. James Campbell. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery with Military Rites. Visitation will be from 3-6 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
He is survived by his wife, Marion; son, Phil (June) Kasal of Monroe; daughters, Connie (Aubrey) Risner of Belle Plaine and Naomi Varney; also ten grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Month, and it is for that reason that the Benton County Above the Influence Coalition is partnering with Belle Plaine youth to remind adults that providing alcohol to minors is a crime.
Project Sticker Shock is a media campaign that brings adults and area youth together to combat underage drinking. The Belle Plaine Win With Wellness youth group, along with Above the Influence Coalition members and Benton County law enforcement, were in Belle Plaine area grocery and liquor stores on Tuesday, December 29th to place large orange stickers on multi-packs of alcoholic beverages. These stickers remind those purchasing the product that providing alcohol to minors is a crime.
Project Sticker Shock is sponsored by the Benton County Above the Influence Coalition. The coalition is a group of parents, business professionals, law enforcement, school representatives, and social service professionals from throughout Benton County who are partnering to provide a safer community for today’s youth by reducing underage drinking and drug use. If you are interested in more information about the coalition, please visit www.coalitionconnections.com or call 319-472-2443.

Iowa’s U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley has scheduled a town hall meeting in Belle Plaine next month. The senator will be at the Belle Plaine Community Center from 9:15-10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 13, according to his web site.
The Belle Plaine appearance is one in a series of stops Grassley will be making around the state during January. On Tuesday, Jan. 12, he is slated to appear in DeWitt, Clarence, Williamsburg and Grinnell. His stop in Belle Plaine will be preceded by an early morning stop in Traer.
The senator made a similar stop in the winter a couple of years ago, when the area was hit by the severe ice storm. A power outage prevented him from conducting his meeting that day, but he stayed and spoke with local reporters for several minutes.

As we prepare to say “good-bye” to another year and the first decade of this century, it is customary for news people from anchors of major TV networks to editors of community news web sites to try to remember what was important in the past year or the past 10 years and remind their viewers and readers of some of the highlights and low-lights.
As I get older, I find that my memory isn’t as sharp as it was 20 years ago. Anyone who visits my office will quickly observe that I will never be a poster boy for organization. Since I was sidelined from the day-to-day news cycle fro the first third of this year and because I don’t keep meticulous notes anyway, a review of the year might be even more fruitless than normal.
So while I was wondering how to fill this space for my last column of this decade, I was wondering how people cope with life’s problems. We live in a world where my problems may not necessarily mean anything to you. My dilemma on what I want to prepare for snacks and meals on New Year’s weekend are no concern to someone who is currently living on the street in Des Moines or Cedar Rapids, wondering how to keep warm one more night and wondering where his or her next meal will come from.
We live in a society that provides distractions to our problems. There are plenty of people who make a living making sure our distractions, whether it is food, booze, video games, gambling or any number of other endeavors become obsessions.
People that hang around me very much quickly discover that my main distraction is sports. I hope that my distraction hasn’t become a total obsession. For example, one of this year’s 33 college football bowl games comes on this afternoon (Tuesday) at 3:30. But that’s before quitting time, so I’ll have to be happy catching the second half. If sports was an obsession, I suppose I would call in sick and stay inside and watch every kick, pass and run.
There is so much that is good about the sports world. If you can get past the money, illegal drugs, various other aspects of the sports world we hear about every day, there’s something very positive about sports, whether you are talking about youth leagues, high school, college or pro sports.
Even as we were touched by scandals, sorrows and various other news in the sports world, those of us who like to maintain a positive view on the world found comfort in happenings in 2009.
The Chicago Bears is my favorite NFL team. They have had a miserable year. They won’t make the playoffs and some of the players and even some of the coaches might not be there next year. But Monday night, they showed why we still love them. Playing against a team that may be in the Super Bowl, against one of the best quarterbacks of all time, they rallied for an overtime victory over the Minnesota Vikings. There’s still hope.
The communities of Aplington and Parkersburg suffered a terrible loss earlier this year when one of the pillars of the community, Coach Ed Thomas, was gunned down in the school weight room. But within the next 24 hours, as most of his family, friends and fans were still wondering how they would cope with this shocking loss, his son stepped before the news microphones to thank the community for its support and to pledge that the work that his father had been such a great part of over decades would continue.
It’s unfortunate that the man who built such a prep football legacy had to give his life before the rest of the sports world learned about all of the good things that those of us who are longtime followers of Iowa prep football already knew.
We learned late this year that the personal life of Tiger Woods may not be as perfect as his golf swing. Unfortunately, what didn’t make the news were the day to day stories of the hundreds of other pro golfers out there who have strong family lives.
This year, hundreds of our neighbors in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City were still trying to pick up their lives from the flood of 2008. Two of this decade’s major sports figures, Masters golf champion Zach Johnson and NFL star quarterback Kurt Warner spent time in their home state helping get people back on their feet.
Sports can give us a pleasant diversion for a couple of hours or an afternoon. Soon we can spend lazy weekend afternoons, as the snow is flying and the temperature is dropping outside, watching golf or stock car racing from much warmer places.
So next month, if you just can’t stare at the four walls any longer, put on your coat, warm up the car and drive on over to the high school and take in a basketball game or wrestling meet. At least for a couple of hours, it’s a way to forget about the cold and our other assorted problems.

To the editor:

First of all I would like to thank the many citizens for their compliments for the 2009 Veterans’ Day Assembly program, that experience was a memorable occasion for me.
I am going to share my opinion or outlook of some issues that our city leaders are undergoing. I would like to compliment those involved with our current construction to our schools and aquatic center. Those seem to be progressing along very well, and they will be great assets to this community. However, there are four issues I would like to share my opinion on. Those being the main street renovations, Benco Manufacturing closing, Belle Plaine beautification programs, along with our new city council.
Regarding the main street renovations, we citizens all know our downtown district is a rundown, depressed, and neglected region. This is because of years of train smog, traffic, and former city leaders shrugging their shoulders at the facade needs, so plain and simple our business district must be redone. Many people looking for a place to live base it off appearance of the town, along with other major assets. Assets such as job opportunities, city leadership, schools, and location. Appearance is a positive by opinion, and our business district has a negative effect. Our Historic Main Street needs to meet the standard to its name. We can do that with putting trees back on the street along with the historical needs for example: old themed street lights, benches, or even railroad memorabilia to mix in our history. Imagine our historic downtown on Christmas Eve with lights in the trees and the year round historic feel.
The closing of Benco Manufacturing is and will be a major blow to our town economically, socially, and mentally, bringing in the debate of redoing our downtown district. Refilling the Benco building and the older building, must be the mayor and city council’s number one priority. This town may not see the consequences from this in an immediate form, but the outcome will be appalling. So please make this your top priority, for the future of the community.
The third topic I would like to converse about is the beautification program. Our recent hosting of the Walldog painters was a success. The city is in full motion in making this a better place to reside. Walking trails, entrance scenery, and other miscellaneous tasks are at hand within the BPCDC and Belle Plaine Beautification. I have one question regarding these topics. Why do we need a visitor center? Isn’t that what a museum and community center are for? I am fond of walking trails and a prairie grass park. But we do not need to spend money on a visitor center. Instead use that money to construct a sidewalk to the high school on 13th avenue, so students or others don’t walk in the street. That would be a wise idea.
Finally, congratulations to Mr. Parizek, Mr. DeRycke, and Mr. Reekers for succeeding this year’s city council election. I would also like to thank Mr. Kurovski for his hard work on the council. We are at the start of a very interesting time in our history. All these big topics at hand will test our council and citizens. I would like to also mention to those people who do not think Mr. Parizek will do a fond duty, give him a chance. People make mistakes in life, and if you don’t, I would like to meet you. I am 100% positive every living person has made a mistake once in a lifetime, but I respect anyone’s opinion. So please give our newly elected member a chance at success, instead of being judgmental and stubborn. Yet, it will also help if people actually end the inactivity in voting. A democracy doesn’t work if people choose not to participate. Thank You

Sincerely,

Tony Jones
Belle Plaine, IA

Dec. 21, 3:25 p.m. – A suspicious subject was reported on Main Street. Officers were unable to locate anyone.
Dec. 21, 5:55 p.m. – Car unlock at Washington Apartments, 1540 15th Street.
Dec. 22, 8 a.m. – Police executed a search warrant at 832 12th Street, Apt. 5. The incident is under investigation and charges are pending.
Dec. 22, 10:03 a.m. – Police were called to a residence in the 1700 block of Seventh Avenue. A juvenile was subsequently referred to juvenile authorities on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Dec. 24, 11:54 a.m. – Reckless driving was reported in the 800 block of Seventh Street. No one was located.
Dec. 24, 11:26 p.m. – Harassment was reported at 202 11th Street. No charges were filed.
Dec. 25, 11:35 a.m. – Police assisted the Benton County Sheriff’s Department at the scene of an accident at 13th Avenue and Highway 30.
Dec. 25, 8:17 p.m. – Officers received a report of a vehicle heading into the city on Highway 21 without taillights. They were unable to locate it.
Dec. 25, 9:45 p.m. – A report of harassment at 1514 Sixth Avenue remains under investigation.
Dec. 26, 8:24 a.m. – Car unlock in the 1400 block of 12th Avenue.
Dec. 26, 9:03 a.m. – Ambulance assist in the 1500 block of Rainbow Drive.
Dec. 26, 4:11 p.m. – Officers took a report of a hit and run accident in the 1300 block of Seventh Avenue. The vehicle owned by Jerry Jacobi, Belle Plaine, received minimal damage.
Dec. 26, 10:20 p.m. – A prowler was reported in the 600 block of Tenth Street. Officers determined it was someone out walking.
Dec. 27, 2 a.m. – Charges are pending in the wake of a fight outside of the Oasis Bar on 12th Street.
Dec. 27, 3:05 a.m. – Police assisted the Benton County Sheriff’s Department on an accident near the intersection of Highway 131 and E-66. A vehicle went through a fence. No injuries were reported.
Dec. 27, 7:45 a.m. – Ambulance assist in the 1500 block of Sunset Drive.
Dec. 28, 8:10 a.m. – Police investigated a two-vehicle accident in the 600 block of Fifth Street. A 2002 Bobcat skid loader, driven by LaVerne Wille, Belle Plaine, collided with a 2002 Dodge Neon, driven by Tera Buckley, Belle Plaine. Damage to the Neon was estimated at $1,000 with minimal damage to the skid loader. No injuries were reported.

Belle Plaine’s boys’ basketball squad had a rough first month of the season, but closed out the 2009 portion of the schedule on a positive note, handing Tri-County a 66-58 defeat just before the break.
Coach Justin Northrop’s squad entered the break with a 2-6 record. After dropping the first four of the season, the Plainsmen beat English Valleys and then dropped two more contests before the win over Tri-County.
At Tri-County, the Plainsmen trailed after the first quarter, 19-13 and at the half, 33-24. But they came on strong in the second half, cutting the margin to 47-44 before scoring 22 points in the last quarter for the victory.
Ben Ehlen led the Plainsman attack with 21 points. He also had three assists. Chris Janss had 19 points, six rebounds, five steals and a block. Keegan DeMeulenaere finished with seven points, four rebounds three assists and two steals. Seivon Stewart had seven points and eight rebounds. Kyle Janss had five points, two rebounds and five steals. Cooper Northrop had five points, three rebounds and three steals. John Long had two points and two assists.
Tri-County had four players in double figure scoring. But the Plainsmen held the advantage at the free throw line, hitting 16 of 27 attempts, compared to just seven of 11 for the home team.
Belle Plaine hit 24 of 42 shots from the field, including two of four three-point attempts. Tri-County hit on 23 of 53 field goal attempts, including five of 11 three-point tries.
Keota and BGM lead the SICL Conference with undefeated marks at the holiday break. They are followed by Montezuma, HLV, Lynnville-Sully and the Plainsmen.
Belle Plaine gets back into action next week at Iowa Valley on Monday and at HLV on Friday.

If you are planning on traveling outside the Belle Plaine city limits this morning (Monday), use extreme caution. Numerous accidents have been reported on Interstate 80 in Poweshiek and Iowa counties. At least one accident has been reported at midmorning on Highway 30 at the Benton-Linn County line.
The Iowa Department of Transportation web site reports that the interstate is completely covered with ice and snow with a tow ban from near Grinnell east to the Coral Ridge Avenue exit in the Iowa City area. To the east of that point, normal driving conditions are reported.
Partial ice and snow cover is reported on Highway 30 from LeGrand to Clinton.
The National Weather service is reporting blowing snow will be possible during the day, along with slowly falling temperatures. There is a 50 percent chance of snow on Wednesday and Wednesday night and a slight chance of snow on New Year’s Day.

A snow emergency will be in effect in the city of Belle Plaine from midnight, Dec. 26 until noon on Sunday, Dec. 27, according to city officials.