March 28, 2024

Throwback Thursday

Today is July 30, the 211th day of the year. There are 154 days left in 2015. Below are news items from the Creston News Advertiser for this week (July 27-Aug. 2) in history.

5 years ago

Work began on the south end of Green Valley Road, as one lane of traffic was kept open for residents to gain access from Townline Street. Henningsen Construction planned to begin pavement removal soon. Future road closings involved isolated sections of both Green Valley Road and Route H24.

Four entries from Panther Lanes in Creston earned gold medals in Iowa Games bowling competition. In doubles ages 12-18, Taylor Hance and Madison Hance scored 1,431 for gold. Alexa Miller was singles age 9-11 winner at 752. Winning by one pin each were William Fargo, males 19-34, with a 599 score; and Brian Newcomb, males 35-54, with a 582.

Joshwa L. Tromblee, D.O., joined Greater Regional Medical Center as a family physician in August. Dr. Tromblee attended Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, N.M., for his undergraduate and graduate studies and then attended Des Moines University of Osteopathic Medicine. His residencies were completed at Iowa Lutheran and Broadlawns hospitals in Des Moines. In recent months, Dr. Tromblee had participated in a rotation of physicians from Acute Care Inc., who provide coverage at Greater Regional Medical Center’s emergency department. Dr. Tromblee is a family practitioner and will also provide obstetric services.

Senator Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, announced a total of $3,120,986 in federal funding from the Federal Aviation Administration to improve airports across Iowa. Harkin was a senior member of the panel, which funds transportation initiatives. Creston Municipal Airport received $171,000 for acquisition of snow removal equipment. “I am pleased that these cities have received funds to improve their airports,” said Harkin. “Continuing to make improvements to local airports is important to the economic health of these communities, where the availability of a nearby airport is a valuable asset to attract new businesses to the area.”

Three decades of former Panther football players gathered to pay tribute to “coach.” Two tackles from the 1990s who went on to play college football — Ethan and Eric Owens — launched a party at A&G Lounge for retiring coach Dick Bergstrom. A 33-year career at the helm of the Panther program began in the fall of 1977, and ended with a substate appearance in the fall of 2009. Bergstrom also retired as a math teacher from Creston High School.

Three Creston players were recognized on the Hawkeye 10 all-conference baseball team. Shortstop Seth Pals was selected as an infielder on the first team. Sophomore pitcher-first baseman Collin Bevins was on the second unit, and senior third baseman Tyler Coenen received honorable mention.

10 years ago

When it was too hot to host a party outdoors, the public pool had been hosting parties at the Creston Leisure Pool. The public pool hosted between two and three parties each week with the number growing at the end of summer due to children’s sports ending.

Creston School District joined PaySchools where student fees can be paid online. Parent frustration of sending their child to school without enough lunch money can now be fixed with a click of a button. “Only registration fees, meal accounts and activity tickets can currently be purchased online, but the list may grow later,” said Charlene Dunphy, Creston district secretary. A fee is charged each time PaySchools is used.

Four area baseball players were selected for Iowa newspaper Association All-State Teams. They include: Kalab Evans (catcher for Lenox) - first team; Lance Brown (utility for Mount Ayr), Trevor Conner (outfield for Creston) and Jake Samo (pitcher for Lenox), all second team.

20 years ago

Dusty Brown of rural Afton showed both the grand champion steer and the crossbred champion at the Union County Fair beef show.

A rural Creston family was left homeless after an electrical fire swept through their home July 27. The home of Gary and Joan Jackson family on Jaguar Avenue was a total loss. Joan was on her way home and thought the neighbors were burning brush. She realized it was their shed, and by the time she got her husband out of the house, it was fully engulfed. The fire was fueled by 15 mph winds and quickly spread to the residence.

A one-block section of North Cherry Street in Creston got an unexpected washing on Aug. 1, thanks to a large water main break. Nearly 400,000 gallons were lost when a 12-inch cast iron main broke in the vicinity of Cherry and Mills streets. The 35-year-old line linked the downtown water tower with the tower in the industrial park.

Hot topics at the Creston City Council were street lights being out and ordinances on dogs. Aging lights had gone out in the three-block area of Walnut, Pine and Maple streets. The city council was considering spending at least $100,000 to bring the lighting up to date. Complaints were heard by downtown business owners about the growing problem of owners not cleaning up after their dogs on sidewalks near their businesses. Also considered was a code that required all dogs to be on leashes when off their owners property.