Tourism funds disbursed

Cresco - The City Council approved tourism grants to local organizations for the first quarter at the April 1 meeting.

All the recipients were given funds for their projects, which either bring visitors to Cresco or help out the Cresco community. 

They received the amounts they asked for. The Mighty Howard County Fair — $3,500 for marketing out of the local area; Upper Iowa Speedway — $2,500 for Upper Iowa Speedway’s 4th of July fireworks; and 2019 Family Fun Nights — $1,000 for free entertainment and greater advertising.

In addition, Council agreed to help with any shortfall needed for the new marquee sign at Beadle Park.

• In other business from the meeting, Public Works Director Rod Freidhof gave an update on his department. The streets department has been busy sweeping the roadways, and a couple soft spots have been fixed.

He and Mike Born attended a sewer plant meeting. “They had some good ideas.” 

Along those lines, he mentioned the Gross-Wen reactor the City has been working with for the past year. Cresco paid for the service but received no data, so it was reimbursed. The company offered to try again, and again there was no data. “I believe in the science of it, but we ended up with zero data. I don’t know if it is our bad luck or theirs.”

The project was dropped

• Police Chief Tim Ruroden gave his report, saying the department has been busy investigating incidents and getting ready for the upcoming murder trial of Brian Fullhart.

Recently, the department, along with four canine handlers went through the high school. Ruroden later commented the school has invited the police department to check out the school at different times. Since the high school is such a large area, the chief likes to get 3-4 dogs for sniffing. “It’s such a large area, even two dogs could get tired.”

A few alerts were given, but nothing was found. It’s good training for the handlers and dogs. In addition, it gives area departments an opportunity to work together.

• Council person Alex Fortune said the recent murder mystery dinner at the Cresco Theatre was a success. The proceeds were able to completely pay off the theatre marquee sign that was restored a few years ago.

• Tax abatements were approved for Linus and Lori Balik and Richard and Linda Schorr.

• Class B Native Wine Permit was given to Plantpeddler.

• The fourth payment was approved for $20,041.20 to Cresco Building Service for the fire department’s storage facility, located just north of the station.