March 29, 2024

Throwback Thursday

Today is Feb. 19, the 50th day of the year. There are 315 days left in 2015. Below are news items from the Creston News Advertiser for this week (Feb. 16-22) in history.

5 years ago

Because of a $686,250 grant from I-Jobs and accompanying $228,750 city match, 40 to 60 homes and about 60 residential blocks in Creston in flood-prone areas were to receive sanitary-system upgrades over two years. Creston Public Works Director Kevin Kruse said the proposed project would mainly consist of removing sump pumps and tile lines from the city’s sanitary system, and installing new lines to receive the water in lieu of dumping into yards or streets. The hope was that the project would lessen the amount of inflow and infiltration in the city’s sanitary system, while quickly removing water from affected neighborhoods.

Jake Marlin became Creston’s first freshman state champion when he defeated Columbus Junction senior Jake Keller, 5-3, in the Class 2A title match at 130 pounds. Marlin took a 43-3 record into the State Dual Tournament. The only other freshman finalist was 2005 runner-up Quin Leith, who went on to win a state title in 2008. Marlin was also the initial second-generation Creston champion. His father Randy was the Class 2A 132-pound state champion in 1986 and runner-up the previous season.

10 years ago

Creston City Council members voted unanimously to not change the names of Taylor Street and New York, Sheldon, Sumner and Livingston avenues, as proposed by Creston Planning and Zoning Commission. According to Kevin Kruse, street department, the recommendation was made to make the streets line up at the intersections.

Franklin Kinkade of Kinkade Industries was owner of the first Vermeer W-2 trencher produced in 1952. He purchased it for $850. In 2004, the trencher was retired to the Vermeer Museum in Pella.

A documentary, “Villisca: Living with a Mystery,” was playing at Strand Theater. Four hundred fifty advance tickets were sold for the two-night showing in Creston. Fourth Wall Films produced the documentary which tells a story of two adults and six children murdered in Villisca while sleeping in 1912.

20 years ago

A limited edition of 250 cassette tapes recorded at Southwestern Community College’s studio by band Inbred became available for sale locally at Easter’s and The Bookstore for $8.99. Ten songs were recorded by Creston natives Jerry Spargur, 19, guitarist and vocalist, and drummer Dustin Baird, and 21-year-old SWCC student June Hirose, originally of Japan, on bass. Since recording in October 1994, Scott Castle, 22, former student at Florida State University, replaced Baird on drums. Baird was in high school and made the decision to not continue with the band. Spargur, CHS class of 1994, organized the alternative rock band.

The arts and wellness center board decided Southern Prairie YMCA would be the name of the new YMCA. The name was developed by a committee of local residents headed by Tom Pontow.

Creston School Board raised the driver’s education fee from $35 to $75.

In the datebook, on Feb. 21, 1965, Malcolm X was assassinated at a ballroom in New York City.