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Today is Thursday, Oct. 17, the 291st day of the year. There are 75 days remaining in 2024. Below are a collection of news items found in the Creston News Advertiser for this week in history.
6 years ago (2018)
The 2018 Wrestling Hall of Fame inductees are the 1974-75 Creston wrestling team that placed state runner-up in Class 2A, the Dr. Larry and Patsy Goetz family that included state placewinners Devon Goetz and Lance Goetz and Rich Downing, state qualifying wrestler and coach of both Creston and SWCC programs.
As one Creston Community School District major construction project nears completion, two more are set to begin soon, according to CCSD Superintendent Steve McDermott at last week’s regular meeting. McDermott reported the final pour on the additional parking lot at the elementary/middle school was set to happen late last week. The two projects which will begin soon are the high school locker room showers and the new playground and bus drive at the Early Childhood Center.
16 years ago (2008)
Southwestern Community College has completed their renovations of the four tennis courts located on the east side of the campus. Tom Lesan, vice president of economic development, said the courts are ready for play, but the college is still working on tiling and workable lights.
Senator Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, will present a Purple Heart and other veteran’s medals 1 p.m. Sunday at the Windrow to William Hayes of Creston for this service in the Vietnam War.
Creston senior Kyrie Smith has had to do a lot of learning on the fly this season. In just his third meet of the cross country season, Smith has made his presence known in southwest Iowa after Thursday’s Hawkeye 10 Conference race. Smith finished 10th with a time of 18 minutes at the meet held at Northside Recreation Facility, just wast of Denison-Schleswig High School.
Creston’s new Police Chief Paul Ver Meer is sworn in by Mayor Warren Woods this morning. Ver Meer officially starts his duties today.
Matt Carr of Orient-Macksburg picked up his first individual title of the season at the Guthrie Center Invitational Saturday. Carr won the event in a time of 18 minutes, 3 seconds.
26 years ago (1998)
Michelle Clausen, a 5-5, 110-pound, junior wide receiver joined the Panther football team their third week of the season after being a trainer. She saw brief varsity action in her team’s blowout win over Clarinda and has played mostly in junior varsity games. Amanda Keller, a 5-foot-1, 115 pound freshman has actually contributed on Murray’s varsity football team. She has 10 carries on the season and is on the kickoff coverage unit. The two are believed to be the first girls on either varsity team.
Dekko Foundation has awarded more than $30,000 to Creston and East Union school district employees. Creston received Dekko Foundation Einstein grants totaling $24,114.27 for 83 projects. East Union received $6,358.74 for 23 projects.
The board of directors and staff took a walk-through preview of the newly remodeled Gibson Memorial Library at a special meeting Monday. Contractors hope to finish interior details by Friday.
Budget 1, Soccer 0. That’s the running score in a movement to begin a high school soccer program in Creston. A motion to start high school soccer next spring failed by a 4-1 vote at Monday’s Creston School Board meeting. Curt Turner made the motion and cast the lone favorable vote.
36 years ago (1988)
Barb Hudson of Creston was named “Woman of the Year” at a meeting of the Business and Professional Women Oct. 6. Hudson’s recognition came as part of National Business Women’s week, celebrating 60 years of women in business and the professions.
Over 80 people from Union and Taylor counties attended the $25 per person Republican fundraiser for Fifth District Congressman Jim Ross Lightfoot at Crestmoor Golf Club Sunday afternoon. A special cake and cards were presented to Lightfoot in honor of his 50th birthday by Alan Rager and Helen Hollen, campaign co-chairmen for Lightfoot in Union County.
Six animals have been donated to Food for Life by local farmers since the first of the year, according to a local spokesman. Thanks to area farmers, 229 elderly, handicapped and low income families will receive additional protein, vitamins and other essential, dietary nutrients.
After a lengthy discussion, the East Union school board unanimously approved discontinuing prayer at all school functions. The decision was in response to a letter from the Iowa Department of Justice, according to board secretary Darlene Wimmer. The letter explained to the board incidents regarding prayer encountered by other schools.