February 28, 1977. Collins community had a busy year of citizen involvement in new local programs and community issues. Achievements the past year included the establishment of the Collins Community Betterment Council, organized by Doris Mullihan. The eight-member council carried out a program that received fifth place honors in state competition for community improvement. Eligible Iowa towns have populations between 250 and 500 people. Community action included the establishment of a hardware store and the organization of a ten-acre housing development within the city limits, that has the potential for 29 construction sites. At this point the housing development has one house completed and two are being built.
March 8, 1977. Iowa's one-class girls basketBall tournament may soon become outdated. The emergence of big school powers in the sport, once the domain of small schools like Wiota, Manilla, Mediapolis, Montezuma, and Gladbrook, is predicted to change. Eventually, there is no way the small schools can compete on the same level as the big ones.
There is something to be said for a little school with all the hometown people cheering them on. Its been a big part of our state history. A little school battler is in the 58th tournament -- unranked Melvin -- 26-1 season record. The school enrollment is only 34 high school girls.
March 11, 1977. A total of 55 teams have entered this year's Nevada Invitational BasketBall Tournament, which will open March 19. Grades participating are 5th, 6th, and 7th. Collins teams are among the 55 teams participating.
April 15, 1977. Third Quarter Honor Students: 7th Janice Brafford, Debbie Marrs, Brenda Morrison, Dana Reitan, Kristi Richardson, Jeff Sesker, Karen Smith, Roy Smith. 8th David Ball, Bill Dunshee, Shari Mullihan, Keith Partridge, Shari Moll, Keith Partridge, Deb Richard, Dianna Richard, Kim Romp, Karen Stratton. 9th Karen Barrett, Jeanine Brafford, Alice Coughenour, Barry Dodd, Karla Hampton, Tracy Hofer, Jean Huntrods, Mark Huntrods, Troy Thornton. 10th Tracy Armentrout, Anna Faker, Charles Fish, Joe Kimberley, Penny Marrs, Ron Stratton, Lorna Wheeler. 11th Karen Ball, Jolene Brafford, Doreen Krausman, Coleen Partridge, Tracy Thornton, Dean Williams. 12th Jim Atwood, Chris Dunshee, Chris Hudson, Kreg Longnecker, Kelly Milligan, Darcy Tjelmeland.
April 15, 1977. Collins board is confronted with two petitions from members of the community on the reorganization issue. One petition urged a revote on the Maxwell merger issue. The Collins board had voted to proceed again in that direction, but that vote could be rescinded as another petition was presented approximately one week later, to the board. That petition urges consideration of Collins merger with Colo. Rampulla said the support of both was difficult to measure because many of the same people signed both petitions. One Collins resident attending the meeting voiced the opinion that many people signed both petitions because they wanted careful study of all possibilities before a vote was attempted again.
The meeting concluded with the Collins board studying the Colo building addition plans. The meeting left no doubt that the reorganization issue will be controversial and difficult for many months yet to come.
April 20, 1977. Track meet at Colo. Class B scoring: Mingo 112, Colo 70, Green Mountain 54, Garwin 55, Collins 14.