Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Tim Petersen, of Forest City, at his Flashing Thunder fireworks outlet that was the first licensed fireworks sales venue in the state in 2017. 

Tim Petersen is shown with various fireworks sold in his store, which was the first one to open in Iowa. 

Fireworks within the city limits of Forest City are limited to professional who are permitted to use them.

Forest City police officers watch a fellow officer complete a training module on Feb. 25.

Officer training instructor Ben Scholl mans the controls of virtual reality police officer training held on Feb. 25 at the Forest City Police Department. At right, police chief Tom Montgomery follows a simulation on a large TV screen.

With Independence Day fast-approaching, Forest City council members on June 20 maintained their stance that the use of fireworks should not be allowed within the city limits.

The discussion resulted from a request by fireworks retailer Tim Petersen, seeking established hours and days when fireworks could be used in the city. When a similar question was raised last year, the council also took no action to provide fireworks allowances.

“The discussion was it probably would not change the number of fireworks shot off,” said Dan Davis, council member and former police chief. “So, we said no rather than give our blessing.”

Council member Ron Holland said he could not support fireworks in the city, in part because so many houses are too close together. Davis also noted that there could be related liability issues as well as inadequate liability insurance.

“July is probably going to be pretty dry, so I’m going to be negative about people getting fireworks and putting on displays,” Davis said.

It was noted during discussion that the annual recommendation of the NFPA is to limit the use of fireworks to professionals only. A sentiment was voiced that it is not worth doing due to liability and concerns for pets. No vote was taken on the matter, keeping it illegal for fireworks to be used within city limits at all times.

The council also approved a $68,445 total expense for tuck-pointing the brick and grout exterior of all necessary spots at the Forest City Light Plant. Electric superintendent Duane Kuhn said.

“There are very few people doing this work anymore,” said Kuhn, also noting that the plant’s roof would be okay for this year but will probably be the next large building expense. “We’d like to get it on the schedule. There’s missing grout pretty deep in spots and we’ve put it off a few years.”

Kuhn said the approved overall cost quote includes all necessary exterior work for the entirety of the building. A breakdown the tuck-pointing project costs are $15,650 for the plant’s west side, $36,645 for the south side, and $16, 150 for the north side.

“I think it should be done and I agree with you,” said council member Ron Holland. Council members voted unanimously to approve the expenditure.

The council also unanimously approved Kuhn’s recommendation for three-phase meter testing to be done. The $9,400 price quote for this work is from Anixter Power Solutions. Kuhn said it will entail testing about 120 three-phase meters over 2-3 weeks as well as related system equipment. Kuhn said the work could go into a third week because they typically do about 35-40 meters a week. In that case, he estimated it could cost up to about $12,000 total.

The council approved $10,054 for new rifles for the Forest City Police Department. They will be provided by Rangemasters Training Center in Clive. There will be one rifle for each officer. It was noted that there were not enough rifles for each officer previously.

“Currently, our rifles are way outdated,” Police Chief Tom Montgomery said. “Some have 10,000 rounds through them and will break down.

The new rifles will come with (detachable) silencers and will have an estimated life span of 10,000 rounds.

Council member Dan Davis said he was in favor of the action because some of the old rifles are military style weapons, which are also not as accurate. In fact, some of those rifles will be returned to the military when the new rifles arrive. Rangemasters has a buyback program for the others. Davis called it a great expenditure. He said the money to pay from the gun purchases comes from forfeiture funds, stemming from such things as drug cases.

“I think it’s a great idea getting these out of the cars and giving them back to the military,” Davis said.

In other business, the council:

Rob Hillesland is community editor for the Summit-Tribune. He can be reached at 641-421-0534, or by email at rob.hillesland@globegazette.com.

Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Winnebago Industries recently completed a more than 1,300-mile all-electric recreational vehicle road trip with its e-RV, the first all-electr…

Forest City High School has announced students named to its 2021-22 third trimester honor roll as follows:

In 1972, Al Penfold had a vision.

The Forest City school board unanimously approved the district’s “My Academic Plan” for the upcoming school year on June 14.

Country music artists and fans from across the country flocked to Heritage Park of North Iowa in Forest City for three days of Country Thunder…

Area residents shopped a large selection of locally grown and made foods on opening night of the Forest City Farmers' Market on June 16 in the…

Multi-talented actor, songwriter, instrumentalist, and now full-time country musician Nolan Sotillo was the only artist to perform at each of …

The Winnebago County Roads Department has announced two construction projects impacting travel on county roads.

The annual steam threshing festival will be held on June 17-19 at Heritage Park of North Iowa in Forest City.

Northland Amateur Communications Group was recently named a 2022 Top-Rated Nonprofit Group by Great Nonprofits, the leading website for commun…

Tim Petersen, of Forest City, at his Flashing Thunder fireworks outlet that was the first licensed fireworks sales venue in the state in 2017. 

Tim Petersen is shown with various fireworks sold in his store, which was the first one to open in Iowa. 

Fireworks within the city limits of Forest City are limited to professional who are permitted to use them.

Forest City police officers watch a fellow officer complete a training module on Feb. 25.

Officer training instructor Ben Scholl mans the controls of virtual reality police officer training held on Feb. 25 at the Forest City Police Department. At right, police chief Tom Montgomery follows a simulation on a large TV screen.

Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.