City of Clear Lake, Iowa

10/22/2026

🎃👻 Calling all little ghosts, superheroes, and candy collectors!

Clear Lake’s community trick-or-treating is **Saturday, October 31, from 5–7 p.m.** 🍬🍫

Get your costumes ready for an evening of friendly frights, sweet treats, and neighborhood fun!

🏡 **Handing out treats?** Turn on your porch light to welcome trick-or-treaters.
🔦 **Heading out?** Bring a flashlight or glow sticks, use sidewalks, and cross streets carefully.
🚗 **Driving through town?** Slow down and keep an extra eye out for excited little goblins!

Let’s work together to make it a safe, welcoming, and spooktacular Halloween for our Clear Lake community! 🧡🖤

10/22/2026

📣 Clear Lake residents: Before you load up for a Saturday trip to the Landfill of North Iowa, be sure to book an appointment!

Appointments are now required for ALL Saturday entry—including garbage, recycling, hazardous waste and other drop-offs.

📅 Plan ahead: Appointment slots open each Monday for the upcoming Saturday.
💻 Book online: Visit landfillnorthiowa.org and follow the Saturday link, or scan the QR code in the accompanying graphic.
✅ Schedule your appointment before arriving at the landfill.

The landfill is making this change to help reduce wait times and traffic congestion, making visits smoother for everyone.

Please share this reminder with friends and neighbors who use the landfill. Thank you for helping keep our Clear Lake community informed!

10/22/2026

🕰️✨ ✨🕰️
Let's take a trip down memory lane and revisit some cherished moments from our community's history! Each week, on Thursday, we are going to "throw it back" and share a piece of our community history with you.
“Let’s Play Ball!” In 1904, the Iowa State League for an eight-team Class D level minor baseball teams, was created. This league played games in and around Iowa. Games were played through the 1912 season after which, this league ceased to exist. Several teams were part of the Iowa State League including two Illinois teams. Not all teams listed below played every year depending on how many men participated. Some of these teams had some creative names:

Boone, IA Boone Coal Miners (1904), Boone Greyhounds (1905), Miners (1906)
Burlington, IA Burlington River Rats (1904), Burlington Flint Hills (1905), Burlington Pathfinders (1906–1907)

Clear Lake, IA Clear Lake Fish Eaters (1912)

Clinton, IA Clinton Miners (1906)
Emmetsburg, IA Emmetsburg (1912)
Estherville, IA Estherville (1912)
Fort Dodge, IA Fort Dodge Gypsum Eaters (1904), Fort Dodge Gypsumites (1905–1906), Fort Dodge Boosters (1912)

Jacksonville, IL Jacksonville Lunatics (1907)
Keokuk, IA Keokuk Indians (1904–1907)
Marshalltown, IA Marshalltown Grays (1904–1905), Marshalltown Brownies (1906),
Marshalltown Snappers (1906)

Mason City, IA Mason City Cementmakers (1912)
Oskaloosa, IA Oskaloosa Quakers (1904–1907)
Ottumwa, IA Ottumwa Snappers (1904–1905), Ottumwa Champs (1906), Ottumwa Packers (1907)

Quincy, IL Quincy Gems (1907)
Waterloo, IA Waterloo Microbes (1904–1906), Waterloo Cubs (1907)

In 1912, Clear Lake hosted the tournament for 5 teams from the north Iowa area. From May 23, 1912 – August 18, 1912, locals enjoyed watching some good baseball. The Clear Lake City Ball Park at this time was located at the corner 1st Avenue North & North 3rd Street. If you know your streets in town, Clear Lake’s Ball Park was located at the northeast corner of our City Park across from Farmer’s State Bank. After the 1917 season, the ball diamond was removed and the land returned to its park status/look. Sadly, the Clear Lake Fish Eaters came in last in the 1912 tournament with an overall record of 11 wins and 24 loses for their season. They did not advance in play. Below is the proclamation from Clear Lake Mayor R.S. Young on May 23, 1912. Take a close look at the final sentence of the proclamation.

WHEREAS the 29th day of May has been set apart as the opening day of the Iowa State League of the great American pastime,
THEREFORE, to show our appreciation for the efforts of the baseball management to supply one of the best of the many attractions of our beautiful summer resort, and voicing the sentiment of a large majority of our citizens, I respectfully request a suspension of businesses between the hours of three and five o’clock on that day,
Let us all be fans on this opening day and boost for the best team in the best town in the best state in the Union.
Please check all guns and revolvers at the box office before entering the grounds.
R.S. YOUNG, Mayor
May 23, 1912

The Clear Lake Fish Eaters changed their name to the Clear Lake Rabbits and played in the 1917 minor league tournament. This team ceased to exist when this new league folded, also in 1917. Keep in mind that the U.S. was deeply involved in WW I in 1917. Clear Lake has not hosted a minor league baseball game since 1917.

10/21/2026

🍂 **Yard Waste Pickup: End-of-Season Schedule**

Curbside yard waste pickup takes place **every Friday** through the end of the season, with one holiday adjustment: **the final pickup will be Saturday, November 28—one day later than usual due to Thanksgiving.**

Please have leaves and grass clippings at the curb **by 7:00 a.m.** in biodegradable bags or an open garbage container.

🌿 **The Yard Waste Site remains available throughout the year, weather permitting!**

Residents can continue taking yard waste to **1419 2nd Avenue South**, on the concrete pad behind the Public Works Facility. Accepted items include:

• Leaves and grass clippings
• Flowers, vines, walnuts, acorns and garden waste
• Sticks, brush and branches up to 6 inches in diameter and no more than 15 feet long

Please do not leave yard waste in plastic bags. Household garbage and construction debris are not accepted.

Thank you for helping keep Clear Lake looking its best! 🍁

More information: [City Yard Waste Guidelines](https://www.cityofclearlake.com/pview.aspx?id=2149&catid=70)

10/20/2026

🐾 2027 Dog Licenses Are Now Available!

Clear Lake dog owners, you can now purchase your dog’s 2027 license online! It’s a convenient way to check this annual task off your list while supporting animal control and public safety efforts in our community.

All dogs are required to be licensed annually. Purchase your 2027 license by March 31, 2027, to avoid penalties.

• License fee: $3.00 per dog on or before March 31.
• Late penalty: Beginning April 1, a $1.00 penalty per month, per license will be added.
• Optional mailing: Have your dog license mailed to you for an additional $1.00 mailing fee.

🔗 Apply online: https://www.cityofclearlake.com/apps/forms/sp/default.aspx?formid=205&stepid=172

Questions or need assistance? We’re happy to help! Contact City Hall at 641-357-5267 or [email protected].

Thank you for helping keep Clear Lake a safe and welcoming community for people and pets! 🐾

10/19/2026

A beautiful fall evening in Clear Lake. 🍂🌅

Golden skies, gentle waves, and a moment to slow down and appreciate the place we call home. 💙

10/19/2026

🏛️ Clear Lake City Council Meeting Tonight

The Clear Lake City Council will meet tonight, Monday, October 19, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 15 N. 6th Street. What the Duck Fundraiser

📋 Items on tonight’s agenda include:
- Consideration of City support for One Vision’s Boyer Pool rehabilitation project and its Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) Grant application
- Purchase of three battery-powered stair chairs for the Fire Department
- A public hearing and consideration of updates to the Clear Lake Consolidated Urban Renewal Area and Plan Amendment
- An update and Pay Estimate #2 for the 7th Avenue North Realignment Project What the Duck Fundraiser
Community members are welcome to attend in person, or watch the meeting livestream on the City’s website if you’re unable to join us at City Hall.

💻 Want to see the full agenda? The complete meeting agenda is also available on the City website at www.cityofclearlake.com.

Official Website

10/17/2026

FINAL DAY: The Fall Large Item Drop-Off is open today, Saturday, October 17, from 8 AM-1 PM.

Yard Waste Site
1419 2nd Ave. S.

Please arrive early enough to unload before the site closes at 1 PM. Bring proof of residency, use a pickup-size vehicle or smaller, and be prepared to unload your own items.

Thank you for helping us keep the drop-off process safe and efficient.

10/16/2026

Happy Boss’s Day to City Administrator Steve Diers and Director of Finance and Administrative Services Jacob Widman! 🎉

Thank you for leading with kindness, integrity, and a commitment to serving Clear Lake. Your support helps our team work together, approach challenges thoughtfully, and keep the needs of our residents at the heart of what we do.

We appreciate your willingness to listen, your guidance on busy days, and your patience when “one quick question” turns into a few more. 😊

From your team, thank you for the care and dedication you bring to our workplace and our community. We’re grateful to serve Clear Lake alongside you!