April 16, 2024

Throwback Thursday

Creston High School homecoming queen candidates for 2004, front from left, were: Jacque Jay, Tiffany Murphy and Nicole Reed. Back, Amanda Robinson and Chantel Klejch. The theme that year was "Tiki Island." Jay was later crowned queen.

Today is Sept. 25, 2014, the 268th day of the year. There are 97 days left in 2014. Below are news items from the Creston News Advertiser for this week (Sept. 22-28) in history.

5 years ago

Gov. Chet Culver was in Creston to promote his plans for the future of Iowa’s passenger and freight lines. Creston was the first stop during a day-long Amtrak tour of southern Iowa that included an additional appearance in Osceola before continuing east to the eventual stopping point in Burlington. While in Creston, Culver stressed the importance of upgrading and expanding the current rail system to a crowd of about 40 at the restored Creston Depot. The governor’s plan was to use federal stimulus money along with $3 million allocated to the state’s rail system through I-Jobs to maintain the current system and explore the possibility of bringing high-speed passenger service to select Iowa cities.

Jill Johnson, daughter of Dave and Joyce Johnson of Creston, was crowned Creston High School’s 2009 homecoming queen. Jill’s escort was Spencer Bakerink. Panthers won the Homecoming football game against Glenwood 14-6.

10 years ago

More than 30 area groups, businesses and organizations gathered together to volunteer time, money and food when Open Table, a soup kitchen in Creston, began. Open Table was organized by the Rev. Jane Willan of United Church of Christ (Congregational). The idea originated with Union County Coalition Against Homelessness, and then Willan heard about it and brought the idea to her church council, which agreed to start the program. Three hundred to 500 people stepped forward to help.

Dr. Dennis Bishop, superintendent of Murray Schools, was named 2003-04 Superintendent of the Year by Area Education Agency 14. He was also selected to serve on a statewide superintendents advisory council which worked with Dr. Judy Jeffrey, state superintendent of schools. Bishop had been in education 37 years. He became the youngest superintendent at age 28, and tied for the most years as a full-time, active superintendent at 31 years.

20 years ago

Projected crop yields were at 40 bushels an acre for soybeans and 140 bushels an acre for corn. This was above average for the area which usually yields 30 to 35 beans and 110 to 120 corn. But, prices were low at $1.94 for corn and $5.07 for beans.

A Burlington Northern (BN) caboose was moved to its location along Adams Street in Uptown Creston. A new set of tracks was laid first by BN crews, and then the caboose was placed on top. The caboose was a restoration effort by local investors.

Greater Community Hospital medical crews practiced handling a mock disaster. The scenario was a small group of spectators was struck by a hot air balloon landing near the Southwestern Community College (SWCC) technical building. The patients were played by volunteers from the SWCC nursing program and two children. Emergency crews had to respond to the disaster while also taking care of patients in the ER. According to Martha Musmaker, emergency room manager, having a mock disaster was done to expose weak spots and problems and make corrections in the future.