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Today is Thursday, July 25, the 207th day of the year. There are 159 days remaining in 2024. Below are a collection of news items found in the Creston News Advertiser for this week in history.
10 years ago (2014)
After 36 years in the athletic department at Southwestern Community College (SWCC), Bill Krejci will be stepping down from his position as director of athletics and athletic fundraising as of Aug. 29, 2014. Krejci, originally from Chicago, will be moving to Des Moines with his wife, Teresa, also an employee at SWCC, who recently accepted a position at Drake University.
Creston head softball coach Mike McCabe proudly represented Creston High School in Waukee Monday evening as one of the coaches for the White All-Star team at the Iowa Girls Coaches Association Senior All-Star Game. McCabe, along with Akron-Westfield head coach Todd Colt, combined to lead the White team to a 1-1 record for the day.
After a 22-6 season that ended in a 2-1 loss in the substate finals, Lenox was rewarded with three players being selected to the Pride of Iowa all-conference first team. Junior Caleb Lange was a unanimous choice as a pitcher and was joined by teammates Dustin Gordon and Spencer Brown. Also making the first team was Nodaway Valley senior Trevor Jameson.
15 years ago (2009)
St. John’s United Church of Christ, recognizing a growing concern, is beginning an experiment of offering a gluten-free option during its communion services. “During our communion services, which are held the first Sunday of every month, we’ll be offering gluten-free wafers to those who would prefer a gluten-free, wheat-free, dairy-free, corn-free and soy-free option. They will be available on a separate plate from the bread when the congregation comes forward, to avoid contamination,” said Rev. Daniel Moore, the church’s pastor.
The work of a Creston-based filmmaking team will appear at a public screening Thursday night in a Des Moines theater as part of an international contest. Vern Smith, an adjunct instructor in music vocations at Southwestern Community College, is the team leader and main actor in the local group’s entry in Des Moines 48 Hour Film Project. Des Moines is one of 150 sites worldwide in the competition. The film, “Glo-Ballz,” by the Ground Shoe production company of Creston, will be screened during shows at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Thursday at Fleur Cinema & Cafe.
Expectations were high. Coming off a second place finish in the Hawkeye 10 last season and a record of 31-10 with no seniors, the Creston softball squad was expected to do great things. As friends, family and fans gathered in the commons of the Creston High School Sunday afternoon, coach Mike McCabe, assistant coach Teri Keeler and the softball team could finally take a moment and say mission accomplished. Creston shared its first-ever Hawkeye 10 conference championship with Lewis Central and Carroll Kuemper, posting a record of 15-3. The team was also recorded the best winning percentage than any softball team in Creston history.
20 years ago (2004)
Approximately 70 members of Holy Spirit Parish heard a presentation July 20 in a community meeting about plans for educational facility upgrades at St. Malachy School in Creston. It’s a three-phase project totaling an estimated $2.7 million in costs. Parish input was provided along the way as the Parish Educational Facilities Committee worked with professional experts to form the plan.
Greater Community Hospital Chief Executive Officer Monte Neitzel announced Monday the retirement of Dr. Yogesh Gandhi effective Oct. 15. Gandhi’s retirement will also force the closure of Greater Community Hospital Medical Clinic where Gandhi had his practice. Neitzel said hospital administration has no interest in finding a physician to replace Gandhi to continue the clinic.
After 41 years, Rex Daub, manager of Creston Feed and Grain, is hanging it up. The long-time Creston agriculture business officially becomes part of the Farmers Cooperative Company of Afton Aug. 1, and will no longer be called Creston Feed and Grain. Daub’s long-time employee Denny Abel is also retiring. Abel was hired by Daub in 1971. Daub became manager in 1967.
25 years ago (1999)
Jesse Stephans, daughter of Reggie and Carol Stephans of Creston, was named 1999 Union County Fair Queen Saturday night in Afton. First runnerup was Meredith Baker, daughter of Paul and Lynn Baker; second runnerup was Dennetta Ripperger, daughter of Dennis and Retta Ripperger.
Another round of a foreign-based mail scam has found its way to Creston. The Creston Police Department has received a copy of a letter sent from the Nigerian Natural Petroleum Corporation. The letter purports to offer the recipient a chance at 30% of proceeds from excess Nigerian funds, simply for allowing the alleged corporation the opportunity to deposit money into the recipient’s checking or savings account.
Creston head coach Vic Belger said goodbye to his eight senior starters during the baseball team’s postseason banquet Friday at the Creston High School commons. The Panthers went 27-11 and made it to the district final before losing to a second-ranked Perry 9-3 last week.