July 18, 2025
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Throwback Thursday

Students board an early bus at the former Jefferson School on Cherry Street as the school year was winding down in May 2007, leaving few morning commutes like this for local students. (CNA file)

Today is May 18, the 138th day of the year. So, there are 227 days left in 2017. Below are news items from the Creston News Advertiser for this week (May 15-21) in history:

10 years ago

Mike Ketcham of Creston nearly lost the ability to pursue his passion for playing guitar in Big Al’s Blues Busters because of Parkinson’s disease. The band was able to practice in April for the first time since disbanding in 2000 after Ketcham saw a dramatic improvement in his overall health thanks to a new prescription drug. Big Al’s Blues Busters were to play their first live show in nearly seven years May 31 at Valley Junction Farmers’ Market.

2007 senior athlete award winners were announced with sportsmanship going to Kim McFee, Stacey Strauss and Michael Hyde, citizenship to Bailly Glynn, Mary McCracken, Greg Irr and Maclaine Sorden, Kim Bishop Award to Nicole Stoll, Bernie Saggau Award to Caleb Brus, outstanding male athlete to Scott Vicker and Keith Peterson and outstanding female athlete to Kari McCann.

20 years ago

Iowa Select had purchased 1,500 acres in Union County and was beginning large-scale hog confinement operations. Some people felt it was an economic windfall for the agricultural community. However, neighboring families were frustrated at the inability to have their concerns heard about odor and infestation of flies. There were soon to be four sow farms in Union and Clarke counties between Murray and Thayer, with 4,150 sows at each site and each farm would produce 79,000 to 83,000 pigs per year.

Members of the newly formed Southwest Iowa Rubber Stamp club began holding meetings at Quiet Harbors Estate club room, sharing new techniques in the popular art of rubber stamping. Sharon Hardisty of Corning, club organizer, showed members the wide variety of materials available for making greeting cards and announcements.

Jeff Mostek of Creston was awarded the Elk of the Year award from Dick Hammond, exalted ruler of the Creston Elks Lodge, for his past support of the lodge. Mostek, a buyer for Creston Farm and Home, had been a member since 1982, serving as past exalted ruler and trustee. Mostek was one of the founders of the Elks Hoop Shoot and active in the Elks youth track meet and Elks National Foundation Scholarship program.

Residents of one south-side Creston neighborhood were fed up with dogs. At a Creston City Council meeting, Red Benson, 4th ward councilman, told about pit bulls that were causing problems and said it was time something was done. A recent incident he witnessed were the dogs cornering a group of children until he arrived to help. John Krabiel had been charged with reckless use of a firearm after he discharged a firearm into the air to scare the dogs running loose near his residence. City Attorney Skip Kenyon said laws couldn’t discriminate against specific breeds, so pit bulls could not be banned.

50 years ago

An estimated 1,200 people attended the annual Prescott Volunteer Fire Department’s ball at the Corning National Guard Armory. Chief of the volunteer firemen, Karl Heatherington, said the attendance was believed to have been the largest at any of the dances sponsored by the department.

Ann Van Arkel, Lynn and Kaye Sandeman, Natalie Coen and Sharon Smith along with Coach Denny Kaupp were headed to the girls state high school golf tournament in Iowa Falls. Mike, Doug and Dan Coen, Bob Snodgrass and John Carl along with Coach Gerald Van Arkel were headed to the state Class AA golf tournament in Iowa City.