May 08, 2025
Local NewsState & National

Throwback Thursday: Creston thrower gets gold at H-10 meet

By Mandy McDowell
From left, Max Johns, Brayden Fitzgerald, Tony Perry, Chris Perry and Bryce Fitzgerald play a game of "500" Thursday afternoon that more closely resembled a rugby scrum once the ball was in the air. The boys battled Rainbow Park's rain-saturated ground, as well as each other during the all-out struggle to see who could catch the most punts.

From left, Max Johns, Brayden Fitzgerald, Tony Perry, Chris Perry and Bryce Fitzgerald play a game of "500" Thursday afternoon that more closely resembled a rugby scrum once the ball was in the air. The boys battled Rainbow Park's rain-saturated ground, as well as each other during the all-out struggle to see who could catch the most punts. (CNA 2010 Archived Photo )

Today is Thursday, May 8, the 128th day of the year. There are 237 days remaining in 2025. Below is a collection of news items found in the Creston News Advertiser for this week in history.

5 years ago (2020)

As Creston Police Officer Shannon Arends makes his rounds for nightly patrol, a call comes in disregarding a prior alert about a smoke alarm, clarifying the situation was simply an overcooked snack. “Those are the calls I love the most: burnt popcorn,” said Arends.

Scott Vicker was named head coach of the Southwestern Community College cross country team Monday afternoon. Vicker, who acted as an assistant for the Spartan cross country and track and field teams, moves into the head position that was held by Trey Bruton. Bruton will move into the assistant role for the cross country team, completing the swap.

By maintaining a 4.0 grade point average throughout the entirety of their high school careers, four Creston Community High School graduates have earned the title of valedictorian in the class of 2020. These four students — Mackenzie Bodell, Brittany Linch, Eli Loudon and Hannah Walsh — have all walked the stage and received their diplomas during the recording of CCHS’s virtual graduation, which is set to be available 2 p.m. May 17.

10 years ago (2015)

Creston head girls track coach Clay Arnold teased earlier in the week that Thursday’s Hawkeye 10 Conference meet could feature the most talented and deepest field in his five years as head coach. The meet in Glenwood lived up to the statement, as the Panthers finished third in the team standings with 108 points, just six points back of runner-up Harlan.

The Creston boys track team scored a season-high 50 points in Glenwood Thursday, finishing in eighth place. The senior duo of Jay Wolfe and Bryce Briley had a hand in scoring 49 of those points.

During the championship match of the Panther Tournament, the Creston boys soccer team was tied 1-1 at end of regulation. Gavin Woods and Chase Shiltz knocked in shots to take the title with a 4-2 win.

Macy Evans, daughter of Rob and April Evans of Creston, was recently selected to represent Union County 4-H at the state level as a member of the State 4-H Council.

15 years ago (2010)

Tuition at Southwestern Community College will go up by $6 per credit hour this fall. The 4.69% tuition increase was unanimously approved Tuesday by the Board of Directors.

Creston’s Leah Hurt didn’t surpass her personal best (117-3) Tuesday at the Hawkeye 10 Conference track meet but her discus throw of 115-2 still earned her gold.

It took nearly 95 minutes but the Creston girls secured their first Hawkeye 10 soccer victory Tuesday. Rachel Lange hit the game winner in the 2-1 double-overtime victory over Atlantic.

East Union Community Schools had five high school students enter the 2010 Congressional Art Competition. Senior Zach Brown was the 5th District Congressional Art Competition winner. His winning piece was a pastel drawing of a lion’s head. He and a guest will be flown to Washington D.C. to attend a reception June 17, courtesy of Southwest Airlines.

20 years ago (2005)

The search has been called off for a small plane that reportedly crashed near Creston, officials said. The Union County Sheriff’s Office received a call from John Hoepker, 1838 Iris Ave. Thursday about a possible plane crash. Hoepker was calling on behalf of his mother, who heard a low-flying plane and thought she heard the engine stall. Two others reported seeing a low-flying plane, and the sheriff’s office received a call confirming such a plane did fly over the area at the time.

During a special meeting Friday, the Lenox School Board unanimously approved to consider terminating the contract of Superintendent Brad Hohensee. According to district documents, the reason for the consideration was in regard to Hohensee’s lack of purchasing builders-risk insurance for the district’s construction of a new elementary school building.

The Creston girls soccer team got in the way of a freight train named Nodaway Valley/Adair-Casey/West Central Valley Tuesday night. Sure, that’s a long name for just one team, but the combination has proven to be one of the most potent mixes in all of Southwest Iowa. NV/A-C/WCV made easy work of the Panthers, rolling to a 10-1 victory.

Creston