April 25, 2024

Throwback Thursday

John Coulter, left, certified diver, and Jade Stuart of Hi-Creston Auto worked to retrieve this Monte Carlo after it plunged off the end of the boat ramp at Three Mile Lake the night of July 16, 2007. (CNA file)

Today is July 20, the 201th day of the year. So, there are 164 days left in 2017. Below are news items from the Creston News Advertiser for this week (July 17-23) in history:

10 years ago

The Creston baseball team reversed the Harlan curse in big games, earning a 3-2 substate victory. After several years of frustration in playoff competition with the Cyclones, the Panthers were the ones celebrating a state tournament berth. Kyle Pals hit a home run and pitched a complete game victory for the Panthers. This was the fourth appearance by Creston at state; previous ones were 1958, 1971 and 1990.

Nicole Stoll, daughter of Arnold and Melody Stoll of Creston, was crowned 2007 Union County Fair Queen. Other candidates were Rachel Chenoweth, daughter of Janell and Dennis Chenoweth of Afton, April Christensen, daughter of Gene and Dawn Christensen of Afton, and Stacey Strauss, daughter of Perry and Brenda Strauss of Creston.

20 years ago

Sheila Young, daughter of Jerry and Susan Young of Afton, was crowned the 1997 Union County Fair queen. First runner up was Cherie White, daughter of Galen and Dianne White of Kent. Other candidates were Renea Baker, daughter of Jim and Mary Lynn Baker of Creston, Dana Downes, daughter of Larry and Lou Downes of Afton, and Tiffany Gale, daughter of Frank and Judy Gale of Creston.

Taylor County Board of Supervisors approved landmark regulations regarding large livestock confinement facilities, becoming the second of Iowa’s 99 counties to override state regulations with more strict rules. The action came in the wake of several weeks of controversy over proposed mega hog facilities on up to 10,000 acres of farmland. Board member Rob Lundquist stressed, “One purpose of the ordinance is to preserve our water and air quality. It isn’t to restrict livestock production.”

Union County 4-H was celebrating its 75th anniversary. Sharon Wasteney, Iowa State University Extension director, credited volunteers for making the necessary changes through the years and planned to honor volunteers with at least 25 years of service. Among the honorees was Alice Gardner of Creston with 32 years. She had been in 4-H, her four children were in 4-H and now her grandchildren were in 4-H.

Considering the number of people in Creston for RAGBRAI with more than 20,000 visitors, the event was declared a great success with few problems. Creston Police Chief Bill Heatherington said traffic control went well as the riders were very polite as they left town. There were no arrests overnight, although there were several complaints of stolen bicycles. There was one death of a Connecticut rider by cardiac arrest reported in Lorimor the next morning.

50 years ago

The first nationwide rail strike in 20 years ended and trains began moving after a two-day tie up was broken by a new federal back-to-work law signed by President Johnson. The hasty enactment of the law by Congress required compulsory settlement if necessary to end a long dispute over wages.

Robbie Freemyer, 5, had two broken arms after he fell off a ladder which was leaning against the porch of the family home. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Freemyer of Creston didn’t seem to slow down much even though both arms were in plaster casts from just below the elbow to the hand.

Creston Cozy Camper Club families spent the weekend at the Green Valley State Park camping grounds. The 39 families were from Creston, Afton, Arispe, Kent, Lenox, Lorimor, Macksburg, Shannon City and Thayer and included about 60 children. The club applied for a National Campers and Hikers Association charter and anticipated it would be presented to them at the state campout in September in Des Moines.