June 14, 2025
Local NewsState & National

Throwback Thursday

Years from now, Mitchell Lee Swank may not remember the early morning drive to Creston for holiday shopping but he might just remember the John Deere tractor he recieved. Mitchell along with his mom Malinda Swank and grandmother Jean Stringham, all of Benton, arrived in Creston at 5 a.m. in search of holiday bargains. (CNA Photo Archives 2000 )

Today is Thursday, Nov. 17, the 321st day of the year. There are 44 days left of 2022. Below are items found in the Creston News Advertiser for this week in history.

52 years ago (1970)

The grand opening of the enlarged and remodeled Spurgeon’s Department Store in Creston will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday. The grand opening celebration will continue through Saturday. The expansion and remodel, which has been underway for several months, increased the floor space of the once 6,000 square foot store to about 11,000 square feet and includes the addition of a beauty salon. The Spurgeon Mercantile Company which has a chain of 62 stores in Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois and Wisconsin, got its start in Union County. The first store opened by founder Howard F. Spurgeon, who was born in Nevinville, was opened in 1907 in Afton. The store in Creston was No. 6 to be established.

One of the heaviest pheasant kills in many years has started off the 1970 season, according to Pat Tilley, area conservation officer. Tilley estimated a kill of two birds per hunter over the weekend and this means a good many birds since the list of visiting hunters was also considerably larger than any previous year.

Assessed valuation of all taxable property in Union County for 1970 is nearly $580,000 less than the valuation in 1969. County Auditor Gladys Breese said the reduction is the result of the exemption of cows three years old and older from taxation.

The plat of the Green Valley Manor housing development in northwest Creston was approved by the Creston city council at a special meeting Wednesday.

32 years ago (1990)

The Crestland region was shocked Monday by the announcement that the Sernett Department Store Company will close its entire chain of stores, including those in Creston and Clarinda, in the near future. The announcement is especially frustrating because the Creston store has consistently been a sales leader in the chain.

Four Creston O-M Panthers earned postseason positions on the two All-Hawkeye Eight Conference football teams announced today, while two of their teammates received honorable mention. Cornerback Ryan Woods and linebacker Corby DeBord were selected to the league’s first team defensive unit. Running back Cory Hightshoe and guard Lamar Lindsay were both named as offensive players on second team. Named on the honorable mention list were tight end Tim Dunphy and nose guard Chad Levi.

The “five most wanted” for Creston’s Jail and Bail fundraising event have been announced by the March of Dimes. They are: Mayor Terry Donahue, Shirley Kleckner, Dennis Nelson, Dave Greenlee and Bob Snodgrass. The five will serve their time for one hour each Nov, 28 and Nov. 29. They will be calling friends, relatives and coworkers to raise bail money in the form of pledged contributions to the March of Dimes.

22 years ago (2000)

Lt. Gov. Sally Pederson presented a state volunteer award to JoAnn Bradley of the Union County Board of Health during a ceremony held Oct. 20 in Council Bluffs. The ceremony honored the board of health for “outstanding service to Union County through volunteer service.”

Creston’s Police Department is getting into the business of “signing bonuses.” At Tuesday’s regular meeting, the Creston City Council agreed to a one-time test plan for hiring a new police officer. That plan allows Creston Police Chief Bill Heatherington to offer a $2,500 “signing bonus” to a new hire if they are already an academy certified law officer.

The Creston School District will hire a replacement for business manager Dennis Gourley. Gourley, paid $47,938 by the district to be business manager and board secretary, resigned effective Nov. 16 to take a similar position with Southern Prairie Education Agency 15.

2 years ago (2020)

After hearing several letters against the proposed fireworks ordinance during the public forum Tuesday, the city council decided to reduce the number of days residents will be allowed to legally shoot fireworks within city limits to four. This change to the proposed ordinance is significant enough that a new round of public hearings will need to be held.

Adair County now has an official policy on the books it can fall back on as county employees are now required to wear masks when social distancing is not achievable in the work place. Customers at the courthouse are also now required to wear masks in the building.

The Creston Chamber of Commerce confirmed that the lighted Christmas parade and Festival of Trees for this year have been canceled. The ISSB drive thru Santa event will be held. Updates on other events will be published as they are announced.

The Creston High School Peppers Dance Team had three soloists compete in Class VI Dance in Hy-Vee Hall Wednesday in Des Moines. The three soloists include senior Jurneé Harvey and sophomores Emma Pantini and Trinity Woody. The Peppers also competed the Large School Lights and Class II Lyrical State Dance Competitions as teams.

Creston