Throwback Thursday

Today is Thursday, Aug. 3, the 215th day of the year. There are 150 days left in 2023. Below are news items found in the Creston News Advertiser for this day in history.

18 years ago (2005)

The next American Idol could be from Southwest Iowa. Breezi Mayne, 16, of Afton, has a long way to go before singing in front of a national audience, but she is on the right track. Breezi is one of only 17 chosen to compete Aug. 13 in the semi-finals for the title of Iowa Idol at the Iowa State Fair.

The new Headstart Early Childhood Center will hold an open house Aug. 21. The school, located in the old Irving/Burton R. Jones Middle School, will include preschool through kindergarten children.

Shelli Burger of Afton was a big winner at the Windrow Sports Bar. Burger won a $1,500 jackpot on the “Cock-A-Doodle Dough” Iowa Lottery game at the sports bar.

Four people, including two incumbents, are running for the two Creston School Board seats. According to information from the Creston School District, incumbents Bobbie McFee and Barb Wilmeth, whose terms expire this year, filed to run for another term. Jerry Monday and Mendy Ritzman also filed papers to run.

28 years ago (1995)

Putting the final touches on the nation’s largest 911 service region has hit a few snags. Union County Sheriff John Coulter, chairman of the South Central Iowa Regional 911 Service Board, said the seven member counties may not “go live” with the system by the Oct. 1 target date. The original project start-up date was July 1. Most residents in Union County will contact the dispatcher’s station by calling 911, however emergency seven-digit numbers are still in use.

The United Methodist Church in Orient will be observing the 125th anniversary of its founding with a special worship service Sunday. The Rev. Robert Burkhart, administrative assistant to the United Methodist Bishop of Iowa, will be the speaker.

The lights have gone out, literally, in at least a three-block area of Walnut, Pine and Maple streets because of an aging street light system in the downtown area. The system is so old, in fact, the Creston City Council will be asked to consider spending at least $100,000 to bring the lighting up to date.

38 years ago (1985)

The 1985 Iowa State Fair Singers, including Paula Vogel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Vogel of Creston, will perform at 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11 at the McKinley Park bandshell. The ensemble is made up of high school students from all over the state, including 21 singers and dancers and four instrumentalists.

Former Iowa University quarterback Gordy Bohannon will be in Creston this week for one ay of the Creston Football Camp’s three-day run.

Bob Lesan and Joy Spargur took the men’s and women’s titles respectively in last weekend’s Miller Lite-Creston Radio Golf Tournament, played at Pine Valley Golf Course and Country Club.

48 years ago (1975)

Deanna Freemyer of Creston was crowned queen of the 1975 Union County Fair Saturday night at the Union County Fair grounds. Named to serve in the queen’s court were Shelia Smith of Creston, Mary Jo Skarda of Afton, Jean Weis of Shannon City and Linda Bielski of Creston.

Sgt. Ron Oswald has resigned from the Creston Police Department, Chief of Police Robert Kessler said today. Officer Mike Duckworth has been promoted to sergeant to fill the vacancy in the command ranks and Lonnie Allan Novy, 23, has been employed as a patrolman. Oswald plans to move to Wyoming.

A special election on a proposed $3,820,000 bond issue will be held in the Creston Community School District Tuesday, Nov. 23. The date for the special election, on bonds for constructing and furnishing a new high school building, was set by the board of education at a special meeting Monday night.

A synchronized water show, “Disney on Water,” will be presented at 9:30 p.m. Saturday at the Creston Municipal Swimming pool. Admission is free. The show is under the direction of Kathy Welter and she is assisted by Cindy Taddicken. The 20 girls appearing in the show have been practicing since the first week of June.