January 11, 2026
Local NewsState & National

Throwback Thursday

Members of the 2007 state-champion Creston/Orient-Macksburg wrestling team are, front row from left, Kalab Evans, Tyler Linderman, Caleb Brus, Jesse Harris, Trent Tucker, Quin Leith, Bret Kautz and Andrew Long, and back row, cheerleaders Jasmine Serna, Keiley Lange and Stephanie Nordyke, assistant coaches Matt Long and Drew Duff, head coach Darrell Frain, assistant coach Nick Hemann, and cheerleaders Hailey Lange, Erica Price and Kali Moore. (CNA file)

Today is Feb. 23, the 54th day of the year. So, there are 311 days left in 2017. Below are news items from the Creston News Advertiser for this week (Feb. 20-26) in history:

10 years ago

Jenna Taylor, daughter of Bill and Joni Taylor of Creston and representing Creston Elks Lodge No. 605, won the 8- to 9-year-old girls division of the Elks State Hoop Shoot in Ames and advanced to the Regional Hoop Shoot March 10, 2007, in Iowa City. Taylor made 23 of 25 free throws to win first place.

Creston City Council worked to give the skatepark a new approach when members unanimously approved recommendations by Mayor Mike Tamerius to resubmit plans for bids divided into phases. Dirt work and concrete would be bid as one option, components and ramps would each become a separate option and fencing and lighting another option. The idea was, as bids came back in, the council would approve the pad and different ramps, lighting, and fencing that fit the $275,000 amount that had been raised.

Creston native John “JR” Robinson, a member of the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame known for his work with musicians like Michael Jackson and Eric Clapton, was the drummer for the 79th Academy Awards show broadcast on ABC. Robinson is a 1973 graduate of Creston High School and a member of the first class of inductees into the CHS Hall of Fame in 2005.

Kyle Bochart, freshman at Simpson College in Indianola, and Zach Leiser, senior at Simpson, both of Creston, earned honors at the 2007 Kennedy Center American College theater Festival held at Iowa State University in Ames. Bochart was named stage crew showdown finalist and Leiser received a meritorious achievement award for lighting design.

20 years ago

Creston Rotary Club celebrated its 75th anniversary with 1997 officers: Dr. Tony Cass, president; Dave Henle, vice president; Don McKim, past president; and Tim Haynie, secretary-treasurer.

Jack Davis, president of the M&M car dealership in Creston, was serving his 25th year of service as announcer and official timer of Creston High School basketball and football games. By the end of the 1987-98 school year, he was closing in on 1,000 games. Athletic Director Curt Olson said Davis’ presence as the public address announcer at CHS was so ingrained, that he just took it for granted and often forgot to thank him.

Don Smith, 53, was no longer “the cement guy” of Creston. After being in the family for 50 years, Smith Concrete sold to American Concrete Products Inc. of Johnston. With the purchase, American operated in 13 locations, including Greenfield and Winterset.

50 years ago

Steps to make Highway 25 a four-lane road from the curve south of Townline Road to west of the Crestmoor Golf Club entrance were recommended to Creston City Council by Police Chief Frank Holliday. Holliday told the council that the traffic to the new Greater Community Hospital and Southwestern Community College’s new campus would be heavy regularly.

Creston High School vocal music department was presenting the musical, “Bye, Bye, Birdie.” The production was directed by James Kimmel. It was the first time the cast of 47 members performed a Broadway musical on the CHS stage. Lead roles were played by Mia Debopore (foreign exchange student), Phillip Cunningham, Connie Hawks, John Miller, Mary Jo Martin, Denise Huey, Pat Grinnell and Charles Brown.