March 29, 2024

Throwback Thursday

Today is Sept. 11, 2014, the 254th day of the year. There are 111 days left in 2014. Below are news items from the Creston News Advertiser for this week (Sept. 8-14) in history.

5 years ago

Southern Iowa Rural Water Association (SIRWA) and Creston Water Works joined together to make approximately $12.7 million in renovations to the 12 Mile Water Treatment Plant. Because of stricter drinking water regulations established by the Safe Drinking Water Act and SIRWA’s expanding supply needs, a new membrane filtration system was to be installed at the plant. To accompany the filtration system were larger piping, new intake and chemical feed buildings, a laboratory, chemical feed system and modifications to the clarification system and post-disinfection. A completion was tentatively set for spring 2011.

A $4.06 million bond issue for the East Union School District passed with a 562-310 vote. Unofficial totals showed 64 percent of the votes were in favor of issuing the general obligation bonds to go toward an addition to the middle/high school building. The proposition needed 60 percent of the vote to pass. About 43 percent of the East Union School District’s 2,031 registered voters cast their ballot on the proposition.

Preliminary enrollment for the fall 2009 semester at Southwestern Community College showed 1,678 students taking 17,009 credits, a 14 percent increase from the previous year. In 2008, official enrollment at Southwestern was 1,468 students taking 14,379 credit hours.

10 years ago

Lesa Downing and her eighth grade history class were given copies of the book “’Round the Community” by Harold Roberts of Creston to sell as a fundraiser. Half of the proceeds went to the class and the other half to Gibson Memorial Library and Union County Historical Society. Roberts’ book is a collection of newspaper columns he wrote as publisher of the Creston News Advertiser from 1974-84. It includes stories of personal experiences taken from interviews with nearly 50 local residents.

The YMCA changed to using membership cards that can be scanned. The purpose of the new card-reading process was to make sign-in easier, increase security and assure staff and members everyone using the facility has paid for the privilege.

Mary Cusack, 102, of Creston had her birthday announced during the weather forecast on NBC’s Today Show by weatherman Willard Scott. Her picture also appeared on TV.

20 years ago

Kmart Corporation decided to close the store in Creston. Three management and 33 hourly employees were affected.

“The Little Rascals” was playing at Strand Theatre.

Actress Jessica Tandy, 85, died of ovarian cancer. Her role in “Driving Miss Daisy” won her an Oscar at age 80.

Greater Community Hospital Board of Trustees, Creston City Council and Union County Board of Supervisors had a meeting to discuss a possible 28E agreement in which the city and county would commit funds to offset alleged losses in ambulance service at Greater Community Hospital. After two hours and 40 minutes, it was decided not to go through with the agreement. The city and county didn’t change their previous positions. The hospital’s ambulance service was fine.