cna-12-11-2014

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Volume 131 No. 136

FRIDAY WEATHER

46 40

SECOND LOSS Marshalltown Community College hands ranked Southwestern men’s basketball team second loss of season. Read more in SPORTS, page 9A.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

Audit reports take center stage in Green trial By JAKE WADDINGHAMCNA associate editor [email protected]

CORYDON — Two hours and 30 minutes.

That is approximately how long former Draper, Snodgrass and Mikkelsen employee Randy Cook spent on the witness stand, tak-ing up a majority of the spotlight Wednesday at the Wayne County Courthouse for the third day of the civil trial Steve Green vs. City of Creston, Water Works Board of Trustees.

Cook – who is now the chief financial officer at Southwestern

Community College – worked on the yearly audit for Creston Water Works since he started at Draper, Snodgrass and Mikkelsen in 1994.

During the longest stint on the witness stand by anyone so far in this trial, Cook explained the pro-cess of conducting the yearly au-dit, the red flags that were raised by the 2012 audit and how he re-ported his findings to some of the

board members and the state au-ditor.

Cook took the stand before the morning break around 10 a.m. and was not excused until 2:52 p.m. There was a lunch break at noon.

Water Works auditsDennis Bailey concluded his time

on the stand that was carried over from the end of the day Tuesday. The former Creston Water Works

board chairman said it was his understanding that Green had a purchase limit of $5,000 to con-duct day-to-day business with-out immediate board approval.

“If every decision of that type had to be made by the board, then the board would have been run-ning the business and we wouldn’t have needed an office staff or a general manager,” Bailey said. “The simpler day-to-day things needed to be dealt with on a day-

to-day basis.”Then Cook took the stand, told

the jury how he became a certified public accountant (CPA) and ex-plained how he conducted the year-ly audit for Creston Water Works.

“We would prepare an audit program that would be set by our standards as to how we would per-form the audit for the water works,” Cook said. “It would be an outline on how we would perform the au-dit.”

Cook said an audit is an exam-ination of the financial statements

� Randy Cook on stand for two hours, 30 min-utes Wednesday. He explains red flags raised in 2012 audit. Steve Green and Lee McNichols expected on the stand today.

Please seeTRIAL, 4

City council considering 5 percent franchise fee By KYLE WILSON CNA managing [email protected]

Your Alliant Energy bill will likely go up in 2015.Last week, Creston City Council visited with Keith

Sherman of Alliant Energy about implementing a fran-chise fee on all electric and natural gas customers in-side Creston city limits.

This fee — at the proposed 5 percent — would push a $150 residential Alliant bill to about $157 per month and a $1,000 commercial bill to about $1,045 month-ly. A public hearing to gath-er input from homeowners and business owners about the proposed fee was sched-uled 6 p.m. Tuesday at the restored Creston Depot.

“The public hearing has been postponed and will probably be Jan. 6 now,” said Mike Taylor, city administrator. “We’ve changed enough wording in the franchise fee ordinance that we need to have the council see it again.”

Tuesday, the council is expected to discuss the franchise fee in more depth. The council will have the option during that discussion to set the franchise fee percentage at anywhere from 0 to state-maximum of 5 percent.Can’t have both

Sherman said cities began implementing franchise fees in 2009 when Senate File 452 was passed by the Iowa legislature. Sherman said, thusfar, 76 cities across Iowa have established franchise fees.

This franchise fee would replace the 1-percent local option sales tax currently on your Alliant bill.

“You can’t have both,” Taylor said.Sherman added more and more cities are “getting

rid” of local option sales tax on Alliant bills and institu-ing franchise fees.

The reason: Cities get 100 percent of the revenue back with the franchise fee. With local option sales tax, Sherman said cities only get 58 cents back on every dollar. The remaining 42 cents on that dollar is dis-persed to other local entities.Revenue use

Sherman said the revenue received by the city of

� All home-owners and commercial property own-ers would see this fee on their Alliant Energy electric and/or natu-ral gas bill. At 5 percent, fee would generate about $600K for the city.

Please seeFEE, Page 14

By SARAH BROWNCNA staff [email protected]

Rainbow Park just re-ceived a major upgrade thanks to Mommies of An-gels, Endow Union County and McKinley Park Resto-ration Fund.

Almost two years ago Amy Lohoff, an active member of Mommies of Angels, approached the Creston Parks and Recre-ation Board about install-ing new playground equip-ment in Rainbow Park.

The park equipment at Rainbow Park has been showing wear in recent years and was in need of some care.

After discussing the project with the other members of Mommies of Angels, it was decided to help rehabilitate the park with funds raised through their organization, in mem-ory of children who were lost during pregnancy, still born or under other cir-cumstances. Lohoff said, in the circles of parents who lose children, they are referred to as “rainbow kids.”

“We wanted our money to go towards something for children,” Lohoff said.

The group donated near $7,000 to the proj-

ect, which was matched by Endow Union County, who contributed $7,500. The total cost of the new playground equipment cost near $17,500. The re-maining funds came from McKinley Park Resto-ration Fund.

One of the items the “Mommies” wanted to include in the project is a swing for handicapped children. Their request

has been granted. Gary Borcherding of Creston Parks and Recreation Board said the swing will be mounted to the new structure in spring 2015.

“It’s basically a swing that handicapped children can safely swing on without falling off or getting hurt,” Borcherding said. “That opens up more opportu-nities. We were limited on what we can do for them

and this gives us another option.”

Mommies of Angels raises their money for community projects and grievance support packages through two fundraisers — a Mother’s Day Walk and a children’s carnival during Fourth of July weekend.

Rainbow Park is located in the center of Monroe, Birch, Fremont and Vine streets.

Green

‘Mommies of Angels’ donates new equipment for park

CNA photo by SARAH BROWNEmployees from Fry and Associates of North Kansas City, Mo., clockwise from left, Joshua Autry, Ahmed Gourche, Jeff Everhart and Eddie McDowell install a new play structure at Rainbow Park Tuesday.

USDA sees higher corn demand DES MOINES (AP) —

Aside from increased de-mand for corn to make food sweeteners and a boost in soybean exports, the U.S. Department of Agriculture made few adjustments to Wednesday’s crop update.

Some analysts expect that the USDA may adjust the number of corn acres planted, which currently exceeds the agency’s esti-mates by about 5 million acres.

But there was no such adjustment, and Iowa State University agricultural economist Chad Hart be-lieves the USDA will wait to do in January, if neces-sary. Michigan and Wis-consin were behind in har-vesting when harsh, snowy snowy weather hampered farmers’ efforts to get crops out of fields.

“There’s still a fair amount of crop still in the fields and it’s expected they

will probably still come in, maybe late, but they will be there,” Hart said.

Changing the number of acres planted — which are reported on federal program applications and compared to USDA farmer surveys — could affect final corn production figures and impact prices, which dipped to about $3.20 a bushel in October on the anticipation of a record corn harvest.

The USDA left this

year’s expected corn har-vest at a record 14.41 billion bushels and the soybean crop at 3.96 billion bushels.

Corn for December de-livery was trading at $3.68 a bushel on Dec. 2, but was at $3.81 on Wednesday, a 3 ½ percent increase.

The report said demand for corn sweetener is ex-pected to use an additional 10 million bushels of corn than earlier expected.

THROWBACK NEWSFive years ago this week, Creston was hit with a blizzard. Snowfall amounts were upward of 1 foot with wind gusts of more than 50 miles per hour. Read more Throwback news on page 2A.

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Creston — 782-7036 • Afton — 347-8725

BlessingsChristmas

You’re Invited to A Performance of

“Anne of Green Gables”A Story of a young orphan girl’s adventures on a Nova Scotia Farm

Based on the book by L.M. Montgomery. Dramatized by Joseph Robinette

Performed by: Southwest Iowa Prairie Home SchoolSaturday, December 13th

6:00 p.m.SWCC Performing Arts Center

Advance Tickets Now AvailableSuggested Free Will Donation

Adults $8.00 • Children $5.00Contact Mary Watkin 641-344-4939

Silent AuctionA fundraiser for the Iowa PKU Foundation.

A non profit organization to help with the needs of those living with PKU, a rare metabolic disorder.

Deaths

2A Creston News AdvertiserThursday, December 11, 2014

Jerry Madden Holland, Mich.

Jerry Madden, 75, died Dec. 8, 2014, at home in Hol-land, Mich.

David Stevens Creston

David E. Stevens, 69, of C r e s t o n died Dec. 9, 2014, at G r e a t e r R e g i o n a l H o s p i c e Home.

Celebra-tion of life memorial services will be 11 a.m. Sat-urday, Dec. 13, at Powers Funeral Home, junction of highways 34 and 25. The Rev. Jim Morris will officiate. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery. Flag presentation will be conducted by The-odore J. Martens Post 1797 of the Creston, V.F.W. Vis-itation with family present will be 10 to 11 a.m. service time Saturday at the funer-al home. Memorials may be given to Greater Regional Hospice Home. Online con-dolences may be left at www.powersfh.com.

David Eugene Ste-vens, son of Paige Darlene (Coulthard) and Roy Leslie Stevens, was born Oct. 12, 1945, in Creston.

David attended school in

Carl and Bridgewater and graduated from Prescott in 1963.

David was trained at the Universal Trade School for Auto Mechanics in Omaha. He worked in construction at Boyd’s Construction in Cres-ton and was involved with the building of Hills McCan-na and numerous other big Creston area projects. He also worked in Osceola at Millers Products.

In 1965, David began work at Hills McCanna, before be-ing drafted into the United States Army. He served for two years.

In 1967, he began his 40 years with Wellman Dynam-ics in coremaking and later as an inspector, retiring in 2007.

David is survived by his brother Cecil “John” Ste-vens of Creston; sisters, Bar-bara (husband John) White of Sherman, Texas, Linda Hill of Urbandale, Darlene (husband Bryan) Cook of Diagonal and Janet (hus-band Frank) Young of West Des Moines; and many niec-es, nephews and other fami-ly.

David was preceded in death by his parents.

Paul L. Bryant Merced, Calif.

2/22/1930-10/22/2014Paul Leroy Bryant was

born in Creston, I o w a where he attended s c h o o l until he j o i n e d the Navy at age 17. Paul spent 4 years on his tour stationed in the Navy in San Diego, CA. After his hitch in the Navy he re-turned to Creston where he farmed for 2 years. He then moved to Merced, CA and obtained a job with the U.S. Postal Service. After many years in Merced he decid-ed to move to Twain Harte and work for the Postal Service delivering mail in Sonora until his retirement in 1983.

Paul loved living in the mountains and square dancing with his many friends. He loved watching baseball and never missed the World Series. After retirement he moved back to Iowa where he drove the trolley for 2 years. He suffered a mild stroke and decided to move to Lan-caster to spend his remain-

ing years with his daughters and grandchildren. His very favorite past time was being around his family. He loved joking with all the kids and had a special nickname for all of them. His wonderful smile and mild manner will truly be missed by every-one.

Paul is proceeded in death by his parents Noah Willard and Maggie Kay Bryant, brothers Willard Eugene Bryant and Robert Lee Bryant, and a sister, Al-berta Ahnen-Mellow. He is survived by his sisters Lottie Riley (Leroy) and Lucille Dillenburg (Junior) both of Creston, Iowa, 4 daughters Patricia Bakewell (Doug), Paula Thompson (Mark), Tracy Bryant all fromLancaster, Ca. and Kim-berly Gonzales of Brent-wood, Ca. He also leaves behind 14 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and many, many nieces and nephews that loved and adored him.

Graveside services were performed by his son-in-law Doug Bakewell and nephew Bill Ahnen with all of his family attending. Paul was laid to rest near his sis-ter Alberta Ahnen-Mellow in the Evergreen Memorial cemetery in Merced, Ca on 10/25/2014.

Bryant

Stevens

CNA file photoMembers of the 2004-05 Creston boys varsity basketball team at Creston High School are, front row from left: Greg Irr, Trevor Conner, G.G. Harris, Stefan Jensen, Ben Weis and Keith Peterson. Back row: Mickenzie Hagen, Jim Ide, Dane Wardenburg, Steven Moeller and Patrick Walsh.

Today is Dec. 11, the 345th day of the year. There are 20 days left in 2014. Be-low are news items from the Creston News Advertiser for this week (Dec. 8-14) in history.

5 years agoCreston was hit with a

blizzard Dec. 8 and 9. Af-ter covering portions of the state in snowfall amounts upwards of 1 foot, wind gusts of more than 50 miles per hour created a blizzard the National Weather Ser-vice called “extremely dan-gerous” with “life-threaten-ing conditions.” Wind chills ranged from 10 to 20 de-grees below zero Dec. 9 and limited visibility to near zero in many locations. Snow drifts 8 to 15 feet high were also expected today. This led to all area schools being closed. Many businesses, in-cluding Bunn-O-Matic and Farley’s and Sathers Can-dy Company, temporarily closed their doors.

A utility savings of $13,000 between fiscal year 2008 and 2009 was reported at South-western Community Col-lege, just from simple prac-tices such as shutting down computers and lights when not in use during weekends and holidays, and adjusting temperature settings for heating and air condition-ing. SWCC began follow-ing a plan adopted at Iowa State University to purchase a device called a Vending Miser, which automatically shuts down pop machines’ compressors during periods of inactivity. The Vending Miser controller allows only enough power to keep the cooled product inside at the right temperature and have

it ready to dispense when someone is in the vicinity, powering down costly heat generating lighting and de-nying compressor cycles to run when they are not re-quired.

Astronaut Peggy Whit-son, a 1978 Mount Ayr High School graduate, earned the position to head up the nation’s astronaut corps at the Johnson Space Center for National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). She logged 377 days in space for two mis-sions aboard the Interna-tional Space Station and owns the U.S. record for long-duration spaceflight. She performed six career spacewalks, adding up to 39 hours, 46 minutes. That’s more than any other woman in the world.

10 years agoAn East Union student

had a confirmed case of pertussis, whooping cough.

Twenty-two students were in direct contact with the student. Nurse Beverly Simpson notified parents of exposed students by send-ing home letters. Letters advised children must re-ceive antibiotics to prevent further spread of whooping cough or be excluded from school, even if they were not showing symptoms.

University of Iowa offi-cials announced plans to reopen the Old Capitol, the school’s first building, in spring 2006. A fire engulfed the building’s dome and cupola three years earlier, and restoration was taking place. The project was on its second phase — upgrad-ing fire systems and adding new wooden floors, as well as painting and plastering walls.

20 years agoLance Cpl. Colby J.

Weatherly, a 1993 graduate of Corning High School, re-

ceived a Meritorious Mast. He was cited for outstand-ing service while assigned 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, Camp Butler, Japan. A Meritori-ous Mast is an official recog-nition from a Marine’s com-manding officer for superior individual performance.

On Dec. 9, Creston boys basketball team, coached by Mike Gerleman, beat Harlan 77-61 at home. The Panthers took an early lead in the first quarter 24-6. The win pushed Creston’s re-cord to 2-1 overall and 1-1 in Hawkeye 10 Conference. Brian Gerleman, a senior, scored 18 points, nine re-bounds, six assists and three steals. Ben Gerleman, a ju-nior, scored a game-high 19 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and four steals. Sophomore Kyle McCann made all five of his first quarter shots and finished with 17 points.

Call 782-2141 for convenient home delivery of your

Creston News Advertiser Gaylen Sudik and Friends to perform later this month

Gaylen Sudik and Friends band, directed by Gaylen Sudik of Creston, will have multiple performances this month. The play band plays all over Iowa and Nebraska and plays 40s, 50s, 60s, big

band and country music.Performances are:• 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 23,

Meskwaki Casino, Tama.• noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 30,

El Palacio, 8900 Hickman, Des Moines.

Open House/Retirement for

Gail Steward Adair County Mutual Insurance Association,

Secretary Manager

Thursday, December 181:00–3:30

Hotel Greenfield, Mary Wise RoomPlease join us to honor Gail’s 28 years

at Adair County Mutual!Greenfield, IA

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Thank YouI would like to thank everyone for their prayers and thoughts during my

hospital stay and recovery at home. First off thank you to everyone who sent cards, food and other support during that time.

Second I need to thank the employees of Office Machines. It is comforting to know that everything ran without a hitch while I was gone for over three weeks unexpectedly.

I also need to thank all my family and friends who visited and helped out in any way they could. A special thanks to my daughters for taking care of not only anything needed, but also supporting their mother during a difficult time.

And finally I have to thank my beautiful wife, Penny. She was beside me the entire time. She was my voice when I could not speak.

Once again I want to emphasize that I am extremely grateful to everyone for their prayers, thoughts and concerns. I love you all!

Bill Oetken

You’re Invited

Saturday, Dec. 13th • 2 - 4 p.m.

810 E. Van Buren • Lenox, IAJoin us as we bring in the holiday season! Enjoy some

refreshments and homemade treats while Richard Staples serenades us with some beautiful Christmas music. Be sure

to bring the kids and grandkids because we will also be featuring a kid’s carnival with prizes and Santa will be here as well to take those memorable Christmas photos! We will also be doing a “meet and greet”with our new nurse, Kelly Richie. This event will

have something for everyone and we are excited to share our community and

an afternoon with you!

YOUR DREAMIS OUT THERE. GO GET IT. WE’LL PROTECT IT.

American Family Mutual Insurance Companyand its Subsidiaries American Family Insurance CompanyHome Office - Madison, WI 53783 © 2011 005240 - 7/11

Katie L Turner, Agent

800 South Birch St.Creston, IA 50801-0067(641) 782-7471(800) 432-6940 Toll Free

YOUR DREAMIS OUT THERE. GO GET IT. WE’LL PROTECT IT.

American Family Mutual Insurance Companyand its Subsidiaries American Family Insurance CompanyHome Office - Madison, WI 53783 © 2011 005240 - 7/11


800 South Birch St.Creston, IA 50801-0067(641) 782-7471(800) 432-6940 Toll Free


800 South Birch St.Creston, IA 50801

Bus: (641) 782-7471Alt: (800) 432-6940

3ACreston News AdvertiserThursday, December 11, 2014

LOCALLOCALAlmanac

For the record

Markets

Today's WeatherLocal 5-Day Forecast

Fri12/12

46/40Considerable cloudi-ness. High 46F.Winds SSW at 5 to10 mph.

Sunrise Sunset7:33 AM 4:49 PM

Sat12/13

51/47Considerable cloudi-ness. Highs in thelow 50s and lows inthe upper 40s.


Sun12/14

54/43Chance of showers.Highs in the mid 50sand lows in the low40s.


Mon12/15

44/29Light rain. Highs inthe mid 40s andlows in the upper20s.


Tue12/16

35/24More clouds thansun. Highs in the mid30s and lows in themid 20s.


Des Moines48/39

Cedar Rapids41/35

Sioux City48/41

Creston46/40

Iowa At A Glance

Area CitiesCity Hi Lo Cond. City Hi Lo Cond. City Hi Lo Cond.Algona 40 36 pt sunny Davenport 42 34 pt sunny Marshaltown 43 35 pt sunnyAtlantic 48 41 cloudy Des Moines 48 39 cloudy Mason City 40 33 pt sunnyAubudon 47 40 cloudy Dubuque 41 33 pt sunny Onawa 47 42 cloudyCedar Rapids 41 35 pt sunny Farmington 44 36 cloudy Oskaloosa 46 35 cloudyCenterville 45 37 cloudy Fort Dodge 42 37 cloudy Ottumwa 46 36 cloudyClarinda 50 40 cloudy Ft Madison 43 37 pt sunny Red Oak 50 42 cloudyClarion 42 36 pt sunny Guttenberg 41 34 pt sunny Sioux Center 42 39 cloudyClinton 41 33 pt sunny Keokuk 44 38 pt sunny Sioux City 48 41 cloudyCouncil Bluffs 50 44 cloudy Lansing 40 34 pt sunny Spencer 42 37 cloudyCreston 46 40 cloudy LeMars 44 40 cloudy Waterloo 42 34 pt sunny

National CitiesCity Hi Lo Cond. City Hi Lo Cond. City Hi Lo Cond.Atlanta 58 32 sunny Houston 71 55 pt sunny Phoenix 73 53 pt sunnyBoston 40 29 pt sunny Los Angeles 64 56 cloudy San Francisco 62 51 rainChicago 39 31 pt sunny Miami 71 56 mst sunny Seattle 57 48 rainDallas 67 55 rain Minneapolis 38 33 pt sunny St. Louis 47 36 pt sunnyDenver 59 36 sunny New York 38 31 mst sunny Washington, DC 45 33 pt sunny

Moon Phases

FullDec 6

LastDec 14

NewDec 22

FirstDec 28

UV IndexFri

12/121

Low

Sat12/13

1Low

Sun12/14

1Low

Mon12/15

1Low

Tue12/16

1Low

The UV Index is measured on a 0 -11 number scale, with a higher UVIndex showing the need for greaterskin protection.

0 11

©2010 American Profile Hometown Content Service

Day’s RecordFrom Creston Offi cial Weather Station: high past 24 hours (30), low past 24 hours (23) and precipitation ending 7 a.m. today (.0)

Today's WeatherLocal 5-Day Forecast

Fri12/12

46/40Considerable cloudi-ness. High 46F.Winds SSW at 5 to10 mph.


Sat12/13

51/47Considerable cloudi-ness. Highs in thelow 50s and lows inthe upper 40s.


Sun12/14

54/43Chance of showers.Highs in the mid 50sand lows in the low40s.


Mon12/15

44/29Light rain. Highs inthe mid 40s andlows in the upper20s.


Tue12/16

35/24More clouds thansun. Highs in the mid30s and lows in themid 20s.


Des Moines48/39

Cedar Rapids41/35

Sioux City48/41

Creston46/40

Iowa At A Glance

Area CitiesCity Hi Lo Cond. City Hi Lo Cond. City Hi Lo Cond.Algona 40 36 pt sunny Davenport 42 34 pt sunny Marshaltown 43 35 pt sunnyAtlantic 48 41 cloudy Des Moines 48 39 cloudy Mason City 40 33 pt sunnyAubudon 47 40 cloudy Dubuque 41 33 pt sunny Onawa 47 42 cloudyCedar Rapids 41 35 pt sunny Farmington 44 36 cloudy Oskaloosa 46 35 cloudyCenterville 45 37 cloudy Fort Dodge 42 37 cloudy Ottumwa 46 36 cloudyClarinda 50 40 cloudy Ft Madison 43 37 pt sunny Red Oak 50 42 cloudyClarion 42 36 pt sunny Guttenberg 41 34 pt sunny Sioux Center 42 39 cloudyClinton 41 33 pt sunny Keokuk 44 38 pt sunny Sioux City 48 41 cloudyCouncil Bluffs 50 44 cloudy Lansing 40 34 pt sunny Spencer 42 37 cloudyCreston 46 40 cloudy LeMars 44 40 cloudy Waterloo 42 34 pt sunny

National CitiesCity Hi Lo Cond. City Hi Lo Cond. City Hi Lo Cond.Atlanta 58 32 sunny Houston 71 55 pt sunny Phoenix 73 53 pt sunnyBoston 40 29 pt sunny Los Angeles 64 56 cloudy San Francisco 62 51 rainChicago 39 31 pt sunny Miami 71 56 mst sunny Seattle 57 48 rainDallas 67 55 rain Minneapolis 38 33 pt sunny St. Louis 47 36 pt sunnyDenver 59 36 sunny New York 38 31 mst sunny Washington, DC 45 33 pt sunny

Moon Phases

FullDec 6

LastDec 14

NewDec 22

FirstDec 28

UV IndexFri

12/121

Low

Sat12/13

1Low

Sun12/14

1Low

Mon12/15

1Low

Tue12/16

1Low

The UV Index is measured on a 0 -11 number scale, with a higher UVIndex showing the need for greaterskin protection.

0 11

©2010 American Profile Hometown Content Service

To place an item in the Almanac, call the CNA news department, 782-2141, Ext. 6434.

Driver’s licenseSchedule of driver’s license

examiners:Bedford: Monday through

Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., treasurer’s office, Taylor County Courthouse, 407 Jefferson St.

Corning: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., trea-surer’s office, Adams CountyCourthouse. Driving tests on Wednesday mornings by appointment.

Creston: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., trea-surer’s office, Union CountyCourthouse, 300 N. Pine St. Driving tests Wednesdays. Call 782-1710 for an appointment.

Greenfield: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., trea-surer’s office, Adair County Courthouse, 400 Public Square.

Mount Ayr: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., trea-surer’s office, Ringgold County Courthouse, 109 W. Madison St.

Osceola: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., treasurer’s office, Clarke County Courthouse, 100 S. Main St.

Winterset: Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., Madison County Courthouse, 112 N. John Wayne Drive.

ThursdayKent Dinner Club, 5:30 p.m.,

The Windrow.Celebrate Recovery (a Christ-

centered 12-step program), 6 p.m., Crest Baptist Church, 1211 N. Poplar St.

American Legion Auxiliary, 7 p.m., American Legion Post Home, 119 N. Walnut St.

Gambler’s Anonymous, 7 p.m., Assembly of God Church, 801 N. Fillmore St., Osceola.

Al-Anon, 7:30 p.m., Crossroads Mental Health Center, 1003 Cottonwood Road.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) open meeting, 7:30 p.m., St. Malachy Rectory, 407 W. Clark St.

FridayHoly Spirit Rectory ReRun

Shop, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 107 W. Howard St.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) brown baggers, noon open meet-ing, St. Malachy Rectory, 407 W. Clark St. No smoking.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 12 by 12 study, 7 to 8 p.m., United Church of Christ, 501 W. Montgomery St. Use east door.

Narcotics Anonymous (NA), 8 p.m. open meeting, St. Malachy Rectory, 407 W. Clark St.

SaturdayCreston Men’s Fellowship

non-denominational Bible study, 7 a.m., The Windrow Restaurant.

Holy Spirit Rectory ReRun Shop, 9 a.m. to noon, 107 W. Howard St.

Family Caregiver Support Group, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Alzheimer’s Association office, 228 N. Pine St. For more infor-mation, contact Jaleyn at 641-782-4040.

Southwest Iowa Dancers, 6 to 9 p.m., Osceola Eagles, featuring The Country Roadrunners.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), 7:30 p.m. open meeting, St. Malachy Rectory, 407 W. Clark St.

SundayAlcoholics Anonymous (AA),

noon open meeting, St. Malachy Rectory, 407 W. Clark St.

Southwest Iowa Dancers, 2 to 5 p.m., Osceola Eagles, featuring The Country Roadrunners.

MondayUnion County Board of

Supervisors, 9 a.m., Union County Courthouse boardroom.

Creston Rotary Club, noon, Greater Regional Medical Center cafeteria conference room.

Narcotics Anonymous (NA), noon open meeting, St. Malachy Rectory, 407 W. Clark St. No smoking.

Cromwell Women’s Fellowship, noon potluck, Cromwell Church. Rita Wolfe, devotions.

Diabetic Support Group, 1 p.m., Greater Regional Medical Center Cafeteria Conference Room.

TOPS No. 1338, 5 p.m., First United Methodist Church.

AA, 5:30 p.m., Crossroads Mental Health Center, 1003 Cottonwood Rd. Open meeting.

Police Jeffery Wayne Armstrong,

51, of Loveland, Colo., was charged with public intoxi-cation 11:02 a.m. Wednesday at the intersection of North Spruce and West Adams streets.

According to a Creston Police report, Armstrong had slurred speech and was lying on the ground. Offi-cers had to help him up, get him to the police car and get him inside. Armstrong also admitted to drinking alcohol and taking pills, and refused the preliminary breath test and Datamaster test.

Armstrong was being held on $300 bond.

— — — — — —Kristopher Allen Goet-

tert, 18, of Davie, Fla., was charged with disorderly con-duct 7:35 p.m. Wednesday at Southwestern Community College, 1501 W. Townline St.

According to a Creston Police report, Goettert en-gaged in fighting in a public place 11 p.m. Tuesday.

Goettert was released on promise to appear.

— — — — — —An employee of Crest Ha-

ven Nursing Home, 1000 E. Howard St., reported three bottles of cough suppressant were taken from the home between 9:50 and 10:30 a.m. Dec. 4.

Loss estimate is $15.

MiscellaneousSuspicious person, 10:47

a.m., Wednesday, North Spruce Street.

Alarm, 12:13 p.m., Wednesday, West Mont-gomery Street.

Parking complaint, 12:21 p.m., Wednesday, West Mills Street.

Motor vehicle assistance, 2:53 p.m., Wednesday, North Sumner Avenue.

Assistance, 3:38 p.m., Wednesday, North Pine Street.

Assistance, 4:04 p.m., Wednesday, North Maple Street.

Found property, 5 p.m., Wednesday, West Taylor Street.

Assault, 6:06 p.m., Wednesday, West Townline Street.

Suspicious person, 9:40 p.m., Wednesday, West Mills Street.

Assault, 11:17 p.m., Wednesday, West Mont-gomery Street.

Domestic dispute, 12:28 a.m., today, North Division Street.

Information, 4:23 a.m., to-day, Laurel Street.

Suspicious person, 6:42 a.m., today, West Jefferson Street.

Accident Angela Sue Van Horn, 34,

of Shannon City was cited for driving while suspended after an accident 4:10 p.m. Tuesday on Pheasant Ave-

nue.According to a Union

County Sheriff report, Van Horn, driving a 1998 Ford south in the 2000 block of Pheasant Avenue, drove out around a parked truck, entered back into the lane of traffic and caught the soft shoulder, causing the vehicle to lose control and come to rest in the east ditch on the passenger side facing west. Damage was done to the vehicle and a farm fence owned by Phil Bradley.

Damage estimates are $1,000 to Van Horn’s vehicle

and $500 to Bradley’s fence.

Fire Miscellaneous

Medical, 1:12 p.m., Tues-day, North Elm Street.

Medical, 5:15 a.m., today, West Prairie Street.

Medical, 7:24 a.m., today, Golden Shores.

Sheriff Laura Ditzler of Shan-

non City reported a wallet, cash, purses and Samsung tablet were taken from her residence between Sunday night and Monday morn-ing.

Loss estimate is $500.

Grain prices quoted at 10 a.m. today:

• Farmers Co-op, Creston:Corn — $3.58

Soybeans — $9.84• Gavilon Grain:Corn — $3.58Soybeans — $10.02

LotteryIowa’s Pick 3: 4-5-3Iowa’s Pick 4: 8-6-4-9Hot Lotto: 4-22-23-32-42 (8)Powerball: 34-44-48-54-55 (10)

Exchange program looking for area representatives

ASSE International Stu-dent Exchange Program is seeking representatives to work with volunteer host families and international exchange students in your community. ASSE pro-vides academic year and semester exchange pro-grams in the United States for high school students from around the world. Students are 15 to 18 years of age, have passed a series of academic and charac-ter requirements and are awaiting an opportunity to embark on their American adventure. Local represen-tatives also have the oppor-tunity to support American

high school students in their journey abroad.

Area representatives re-cruit and screen prospective host families, supervise the exchange students in their community throughout the year, and interview Amer-ican students who wish to live and learn abroad. Area representatives are compen-sated based on the number of students they are super-vising.

For more information about ASSE or becoming an area representative, call the Midwestern Regional Office at 1-800-736-1760, email [email protected] or got to host.asse.com.

You only have two weeks from today before Christmas Day ar-rives. That’s plenty of time for you experienced shoppers out there to get your shopping done! One thing that I am thankful for is that the weather has been a little better so far this winter. Let’s just hope it keeps up.

Island funI had a chance to take some va-

cation this past week. I spent some time on the island of Aruba. My wife, youngest son and his girl-friend went along — plus a couple of our longtime Iowa friends. The island is 15 miles from Venezuela. Almost 80 percent of their econo-my is based on tourism.

They do a great job of treating the tourists well. The island is part of the Netherlands. So, there was

plenty of Dutch chocolate and just about every kind of cheese you could think of in the stores. There were visitors from all over Europe, the USA and Canada. We took a jeep tour of the island and three-fourths of the group was from Can-ada.

English was prevalent through-out the island, as was the use of U.S. dollars. You could also use florins if you had them. The sea port was busy every day with any-where from two to five cruise ships dropping off passengers for a day

of fun before they took back off out to sea. Several stars had nice homes on the island. Tom Selleck and the late Whitney Houston both had homes on one of the local golf courses.

I’d recommend the island if you’re looking for a fun and warm place to go.

GasI see the gas prices continue to

come down. With a barrel of oil now down to about $60 the gas prices should be headed to the $2.25 per gallon range. I even see reports now that a barrel of oil may get down to the $50 range if things keep up. The big question is how long will the prices stay down? The last two times the oil prices went down 40 percent or more, the econ-omy took a big tumble. The U.S. is

doing pretty well right now, but the rest of the world looks to be falling on tough times. Let’s hope we have enough momentum in the USA to keep things going in the right direc-tion.

FootballThe first teams to be in the col-

lege football playoff were chosen this past weekend. I still think they need to get to eight teams instead of four. That way you would for sure have the best teams in the playoffs. If they can have 68 in bas-ketball, why not eight in football. My pick for the winner this year is Oregon. They seem to have the hot hand at this time.

Kids movieThe free kid’s free movies con-

tinue this weekend here in Creston. There are two showings on Satur-

day and one on Sunday. The Tom Hanks movie “The Polar Express” will be shown this weekend. It’s getting to be one of those tradition-al Christmas movies.

Christmas basketA big thank you to all of you

who have contributed to the local Christmas Basket fund. There is still plenty of time to make a con-tribution to the fund. It makes for a nicer Christmas for many people in our local area. You can mail or drop your check off here at the newspaper office.

Thought for the week: “Things turn out best for the people who make the best out of the way things turn out.” Art Linkletter (I loved watching Art Linkletter as a kid growing up!)


OPINIONOPINION

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Once a person becomes a candidate for a political offi ce, letters to the editor will no longer be accepted from that person (or person’s campaign) regarding that campaign or any other political campaign or candidate during the election.

The Creston News Advertiser reserves the right to edit letters to conform to style and length and to remove potentially libelous statements. Letters that are obviously mass produced or form letters will not be printed.

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Opinion page: The opinions on this page are not necessarily those of the Creston News Advertiser. Opinions expressed by columnists, letters-to-the-editor writers and other contributors are their own and may not reflect thos e of this newspaper.

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641-782-2141

2014

What’supRich Paulsenpublisher

H O L L Y W O O D — H a p p y Thursday, everybody, and God bless America.

Prince William flew from New York to Washington D.C. Mon-day for a visit with President Obama at the White House about his wildlife foundation. The two chatted in the Oval Office for two hours. It was a meeting between a symbolic ruler with no real power anymore and the future King of England.

Southwest Airlines said a baby was born on a San Francisco to Phoenix flight Sunday. The flight crews have a protocol for child-births. The pilot lowers the cabin temperature, the navigator finds a pocket of smooth air, then the flight attendants go around and charge everybody ten dollars to watch.

NFL scouts said Monday college players in this spring’s draft will be scrutinized as much for their char-acter as their talent to improve the NFL image. Last spring the Balti-more Ravens traded up in the NFL draft. They swapped a guy who gets out of jail in a year for a guy who gets out of jail in six months.

Senate Democrats issued a re-port Tuesday ripping the Central Intelligence Agency for torturing al-Qaeda terrorists to get infor-mation out of them. The process could use a little cleaning up. Un-der current law, any U.S. soldier or U.S. agent who engages in torture could get five years in the electric chair.

The Baltimore Sun reported al-Qaeda prisoners in Guantana-mo under interrogation only began yielding intel when they were giv-

en Happy Meals, Taco Bell tacos and Twinkies. Makes sense. For-get bamboo slits under fingernails and waterboarding, no prisoner can withstand the American way of life.

Senator Dianne Feinstein took the floor Tuesday to release a Democratic report ripping the CIA and the Bush Administration for torturing terrorists. She had the president’s full backing. Congress was never shown the report be-cause it’s against U.S. government policy to negotiate with Republi-cans.

Prince William and Duchess Kate sat courtside at an NBA bas-ketball game in Brooklyn Monday along with Jay-Z and Beyonce. Not every team is so celebrity-blessed. Last night, couples sitting court-side at the L.A. Lakers game got up and left when they noticed the soft-drink vendor was Bill Cosby.

President Obama and Prince William on Monday discussed al-lied strategy against ISIS terror-ists occupying much of Iraq. They were a bit vague afterwards. The president said he has no plans to send U.S. troops into Iraq, as if having no plan ever stopped the U.S. and Britain from invading the Middle East.

President Obama and Prince William discussed the prince’s Af-rica wildlife protection foundation in their White House meeting on

Monday. As an added treat, Wil-liam was given a tour of the West Wing. He wanted to see where the president spends his days, but the golf course was covered in snow.

Obamacare architect Jonathan Gruber testified in House hearings Tuesday. He had to answer for say-ing Obamacare’s a con and its pas-sage depended on the stupidity of the American voters. By the time the GOP House and the GOP Sen-ate are finished with Obamacare next year it’s going to be a dam in Idaho.

Men’s Health published a survey in its December issue saying that Madison, Wisconsin, is the city whose residents have the healthi-est teeth in the United States. They have a secret. The dentists in Madi-son, Wisconsin, say wearing cheese on your head instead of chewing it really cuts down on cavities.

New Yorkers continued protest-ing over Eric Garner, who died resisting arrest after police busted him for selling untaxed cigarettes on a street corner. Federal, state and local taxes have pushed cig-arette prices to thirteen dollars a pack. Cigarettes are so expensive, it’s making crack cost-effective.

President Obama vowed on BET Sunday to spend the last two years of his presidency changing America. It’s just fine the way the way the Anglo-Saxons built it. Have we not we built a country where European-Americans, His-panic-Americans, Asian-Ameri-cans, African-Americans and Ar-ab-Americans all work together and build our dreams on Native American land, under Chinese su-pervision?

Baby was born on a San Francisco to Phoenix flight

TopicalhumorArgus Hamilton

Help keep bus barn hill clean From Jacqueline HartmanCreston

To those who sled on bus barn hill: Welcome to our neighbor-hood. Hope you have a fun time, but please, please pick up after yourself.

I walked across the hill a few days ago and counted seven card-

board pieces lying on the hill. There was also a blue piece of a broken sled. In a word, a mess.

This happens all the time. At the end of the season, it’s like a pig sty. I’m sure you don’t want your neighborhood to look like this and neither do we.

Remember the example you parents are setting for your kids.

Letter to the editor

Two weeks away from Christmas Day

We like to hear

from you!The CNA publishes letters to the editor

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Or go online anytime at www.crestonnews.com to

comment on our stories and read what others are saying.

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CIA battles Senate Democrats over torture report WASHINGTON (AP)

— The CIA and several of its past leaders are stepping up a campaign to discredit a five-year Senate investiga-tion into the CIA’s harrow-ing interrogation practices after 9/11, concerned that the historical record may define them as torturers in-stead of patriots and expose them to legal action around the world.

The Senate intelligence committee’s report doesn’t urge prosecution for wrong-doing, and the Justice De-partment has no interest in reopening a criminal probe. But the threat to former interrogators and their su-periors was underlined as a U.N. special investigator demanded those responsi-ble for “systematic crimes” be brought to justice, and human rights groups pushed for the arrest of key CIA and Bush administration fig-ures if they travel overseas.

Current and former CIA officials pushed back Wednesday, determined to paint the Senate report as a political stunt by Senate Democrats tarnishing a pro-gram that saved American lives. It is a “one-sided study marred by errors of fact and interpretation — essential-ly a poorly done and par-tisan attack on the agency that has done the most to protect America,” former CIA directors George Ten-et, Porter Goss and Mi-chael Hayden wrote in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece.

Hayden was singled out by Senate investigators for what they said was a string of misleading or outright false statements he gave in 2007 about the importance of the CIA’s brutal treat-ment of detainees in thwart-ing terrorist attacks. He de-scribed the focus on him as “ironic on so many levels” as any wrongdoing predated his arrival at the CIA. “They were far too interested in

yelling at me,” Hayden said in an email to The Associat-ed Press.

The intelligence commit-tee’s 500-page release con-cluded that the CIA inflicted suffering on al-Qaida pris-oners beyond its legal au-thority and that none of the agency’s “enhanced interro-gations” provided critical, life-saving intelligence. It cited the CIA’s own records, documenting in detail how waterboarding and less-er-known techniques such as “rectal feeding” were ac-tually employed.

The CIA is now in the uncomfortable position of defending itself publicly, given its basic mission to protect the country secret-ly. Its 136-page rebuttal suggests Senate Democrats searched through millions of documents to pull out only the evidence backing up predetermined conclu-sions. “That’s like doing a crossword puzzle on Tues-day with Wednesday’s an-swer’s key,” the CIA said in an emailed statement.

Challenging one of the report’s most explosive ar-guments — that harsh inter-rogation techniques didn’t lead to Osama bin Laden — the CIA pointed to ques-tioning of Ammar al-Bal-uchi, who revealed how an al-Qaida operative relayed messages to and from bin Laden after he departed Afghanistan. Before then, the CIA said, it only knew that courier Abu Ahmad al-Kuwaiti interacted with bin Laden in 2001, when the al-Qaida leader was accessi-ble to many of his followers. Al-Kuwaiti eventually led the U.S. to bin Laden’s com-pound in Pakistan.

Poring over the same body of evidence as the investiga-tors, the CIA insisted most of the 20 case studies cited in the Senate report actually illustrated how enhanced in-terrogations helped disrupt plots, capture terrorists and

prevent another 9/11-type attack. The agency said it obtained legal authority for its actions from the Jus-tice Department and White House, and made “good faith” efforts to keep con-gressional leaders informed.

Former CIA officials re-sponsible for the program echoed these points in inter-views.

John McLaughlin, then deputy CIA director, said waterboarding and other tactics transformed Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed into a U.S. “consultant” on al-Qaida.

Tenet, the director on Sept. 11, 2001, said the in-terrogation program “saved thousands of Americans lives” while the country faced a “ticking time bomb every day.”

Former Vice President Dick Cheney also pushed back, saying in a Fox News interview that the Senate re-port “is full of crap.”

In no uncertain terms, Cheney said the CIA’s ap-proach to interrogating ter-ror suspects was necessary after the 9/11 attacks, and the people who carried them out were doing their duty.

“We asked the agency to go take steps and put in place programs that were de-signed to catch the bastards who killed 3,000 of us on 9/11 and make sure it didn’t happen again, and that’s ex-actly what they did, and they deserve a lot of credit,” he said, “not the condemnation they are receiving from the Senate Democrats. “

And former top CIA of-ficials published a website — http://ciasavedlives.com — pointing out decade-old statements from Sens. Di-anne Feinstein and Jay Rockefeller in apparent sup-port of agency efforts. The two Democrats spearhead-ed the Senate investigation.

The Intelligence Com-mittee’s Republicans issued their own 167-page “mi-

nority” report and said the Democratic analysis was flawed, dishonest and, at $40 million, a waste of tax-payer money. Feinstein’s office said Wednesday most of the cost was incurred by the CIA in trying to hide its record.

If the sides agreed on one thing, it was that the CIA suffered from significant mismanagement problems early on. The agency and its Republican supporters said those failings were correct-ed.

“We have learned from these mistakes,” current CIA Director John Brennan said.

President George W. Bush approved the program through a covert finding in 2002 but wasn’t briefed by the CIA on the details until 2006, the Senate report said.

Obama banned harsh in-terrogation tactics upon tak-ing office, calling the treat-ment “torture.” But he has shown little interest in hold-ing accountable anyone in-volved, a sore point among human rights groups and his supporters on the left.

Lawyers representing former CIA detainees have introduced cases in Europe and Canada, though to little success thus far. Undeclared prisons existed in Poland, Romania and Lithuania, among countries.

Twenty-six Americans, mostly CIA agents, were convicted in absentia in It-aly of kidnapping a Muslim cleric in Milan in 2003, limit-ing their ability to travel for fear of extradition. The for-mer CIA base chief in Italy was briefly detained in Pan-ama last year before being returned to the U.S.

AP photo by MASSOUD HOSSAINIAfghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani speaks during a press conference at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan Wednesday. Ghani said, “The Afghan government condemns in the strongest language the inhuman and unjustifiable practices detailed in the report.”

E-mail the CNA’sRICH

PAULSENpublisher@

crestonnews.com

More than 13,000 southern Iowans make us a part of their lives each weekday!

Friday, Dec. 12, 2014ARIES (March 21 to April 19)

You might be excited about grandiose travel plans because you definitely are ambitious to go places. However, you might be just as excited about further education and training.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) This is an excellent day to sit down with others and discuss how to share or divide things. People will be fair-minded and mutually generous. (This way, everyone ends up relatively happy.)

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) This is an excellent day to form new partnerships. It’s also a great day for important discussions with partners and close friends, because people are positive and mutually gen-erous.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) All job-related activities will go well today. Work-related travel is likely. Meetings will be positive and beneficial to you.

LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22) You are in a wonderful, creative mood. Enjoy playful activities with children. But also give yourself a chance to enjoy the arts, movies, musical perfor-mances or sports events. Trust your creative ideas!

VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22) Family discussions will be ambitious today. Finally, peo-ple are prepared to take on a project with enthusiasm and hope.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22) You are in a positive frame of mind today, no doubt. Expect to meet new people and see new places. All your conver-sations with others will please you and possibly benefit you in the future.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21) Business and commerce are blessed today. Trust your moneymaking ideas. Work-related travel will please you.

S A G I T T A R I U S (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21) You’re eager to express your ideas to others, because you

know you have something to say. And you’re right. Speak up, because your enthusiasm will help others appreciate your words.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19) Any research you do behind the scenes today will please you. There’s a strong chance it will affect others in a favorable way as well, espe-cially people who live far away.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18) Relations with others in group situations are wonderful today! People want to hear what you have to say. These interactions might even help you to improve your goals.

PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20) Don’t hesitate to speak up to your boss or someone in a position of authority, because you sound fabulous today. You are upbeat, informed and full of encouragement. Others will be impressed.

YOU BORN TODAY You

know how to make a great impression on people because you have a self-possessed con-fidence that charms others. Many of you have a distinctive voice. This is a testing year of growth and building. This growth will occur beneath the surface. Do not make major changes yet; wait until next year. Strengthen your finan-cial position by reducing your overhead.

Birthdate of: Mayim Bialik, actress; Bill Nighy, actor; Sophie Kinsella, author.

Dear Readers: Did you pur-chase or receive a beautiful red, white or pink POINSET-TIA for the holidays? Don’t just toss the plants when they are “gone” or you think they are dead. A branch broke off a big beautiful plant I had. With nothing to lose, I cut the stem at an angle and stuck it in a vase of water. When the lower leaves looked dry, I recut the bottom again. Weeks later, it still looked great!

Keep the soil damp, not wet, and put someplace away from drafts. You’ll have a green plant all year. It may get its col-or back the following year, or even may keep it all year long, depending on the amount of sunlight and dark. I’ve had some last several years! I just cut them back when they look puny and hope for the best! Remember: Do not fear these plants, because they are NOT poisonous! -- Heloise

DARKENING SHADESDear Heloise: Our kids were

coming to visit with their two toddlers. I wanted room-dark-ening shades for the room they were sleeping in. I looked on-line. Everything was not only expensive, but custom-made, and had to be measured and ordered, which meant I would have to wait.

I got out my fabrics, and found a large piece of black fabric. I doubled it and sewed a piece of flannel-backed vi-nyl in between. I now have a custom-made room-darkening shade! -- Corrine B., Universal City, Texas

STORE PAINTDear Heloise: Empty plas-

tic medicine bottles with the child-safety-lock caps make excellent containers for touch-up paint for the home. I have small bottles with paint for ev-ery room in our house. They are labeled and stored in the utility room, along with some kids’ paint-by-number paint-brushes. They take up little space and are all in one handy location. It sure beats having to crawl around in the attic and drag down a gallon can just for a few scratches or chips that need a little touch-up now and then.

Also, after deciding which paint/color to go with, keep the “sample” card from the paint store and jot down on

the back which room it was for and the date when the room was painted for future refer-ence. -- Ruth C., Salado, Texas

COOLING RACKSDear Heloise: I saved two

of the wire racks from my old refrigerator and use them as cooling racks when baking multiple pies or coffeecakes. I place a large bath towel on my table under the racks to pro-tect the table. I have to prop up one side slightly so that they are even. It works quite well. -- Mary S., New Madison, Ohio

WRITE DESCRIPTIONDear Heloise: When I buy a

new garment that has buttons, I write the description of the garment on the little envelope or plastic bag with the extra buttons. I have no problem finding the correct button in my button box. -- Diane B. in Ohio

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Anto-nio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to [email protected]. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.

(c)2014 by King Features Syndicate Inc.

FAMILY CIRCUS® by Bill Keane LOCKHORNS® by Hoest & Reiner

BEETLE BAILEY® by Greg & Mort Walker

BLONDIE® by Dean Young

MUTTS® by Patrick McDonnell

BABY BLUES® by Rick Kikman & Jerry Scott

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE® by Chris Browne

ZITS® by Scott & Borgman

CRANKSHAFT® by Batiuk & Ayers

Horoscope

Crossword Puzzle

Long-lasting poinsettias

HintsfromHeloise


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Ernst ready to work WASHINGTON (AP) —

The campaign may be over, but Senator-elect Joni Ernst said she is just getting start-ed.

The recently elected Re-publican was out in Washing-ton this week. She’s meeting her future colleagues, hiring staffers and seeking advice from longtime Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley. She’s also planning to visit every county in Iowa next year.

“There are people that will believe anything they see on television or they read in the paper and they won’t do a fact check, so I think it’s important that I get out and meet with as many peo-ple across Iowa as possible and let them know we’re not going to agree on every is-sue, but I do care what their thoughts are,” Ernst said Wednesday in an interview with The Associated Press, referring to Democratic ef-forts to paint her policies as too conservative for the po-litically moderate state.

Ernst, 44, scored a decisive victory in November, help-ing the GOP take control of the Senate. She started the race as a relatively unknown state senator but soared to national stardom, promoting her farm upbringing and role as a lieutenant colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard.

Looking ahead, Ernst said she hopes to serve on either the armed services or agriculture committees. She plans to focus on issues she addressed during the cam-paign, like changes to the tax code. She also said she wants to work on preventing sexu-al assault in the military but wasn’t sure if legislation was needed.

“If we can get a control or get this under control with-out legislation, I think that’s better,” Ernst said, referring to recent changes made in the military to try to curb sexual assaults.

Ernst said she did not sup-port legislation from Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a Demo-crat from New York, which would overhaul the mili-tary justice system, saying it would have an effect on how the military deals with other unrelated crimes. Gillibrand is seeking a vote on that bill before the end of the year.

Even though Ernst is a freshman, she does enjoy some special attention as a senator from the early voting state of Iowa.

“I think I’ve got a lot of friends out there, which is OK,” said Ernst who plans to remain neutral in the 2016 Republican caucuses. “I wel-come everyone with open arms.” SAN FRANCISCO (AP)

— A storm expected to be one of the windiest and rainiest in five years pushed across parts of Northern California early Thursday after schools canceled class-es and residents stocked up on supplies.

Moderate rain and gusty winds hit the area north of San Francisco, with heavier rain expected in the coming hours across the region, the National Weather Service said.

The storm could also cause debris slides, es-pecially in areas affected by this year’s intense and widespread wildfires. Big waves are expected along the coast, and ski resorts in the northern Sierra Nevada could get more than 2 feet of snow.

More than 4 inches of rain was reported in Sono-ma County before dawn, and flood warnings were in effect for points along the Russian and Navarro rivers in Mendocino County and the Eel River in Humboldt County, the weather service said. Some tree damage and roadway flooding was re-ported.

Some flights arriving at San Francisco International Airport were subject to de-lays averaging three hours and 40 minutes, the Federal Aviation Administration re-ported on its website.

As much as 8 inches of rain could fall on coastal mountains over a 24-hour period, the weather service said.

“It’s a short amount of time for that amount of water,” forecaster Diana Henderson said. “We are

anticipating some local-ized flooding, maybe some downed trees and downed power lines. It could have an effect on a wide range of people.”

Meteorologist Charles Bell said gusts of up to 50 mph were hitting some buoys off the coast.

Residents rushed to buy emergency supplies, with some stores running out of water, batteries and flashlights. Some cities an-nounced on their Twitter accounts that they had no sandbags or sand left by Wednesday evening.

The storm is expected to later pound parts of South-ern California before a weakening system moves east through Nevada, Idaho, Arizona and New Mexico. Those states could get rain and snow, but nothing like what California is expected to experience, forecasters say.

In San Francisco, where as much as 4 inches of rain was forecast, crews cleared storm drains and removed loose rocks from a hillside to prevent them from crash-ing down. Residents were advised to sweep up leaves and debris in front of their properties to prevent them from clogging drains.

“We have crews working starting tonight in 12-hour shifts,” said Rachel Gordon, a spokeswoman for San Francisco’s public works agency. “It will be all hands on deck.”

Public schools in several Bay Area cities, including San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley, and some private schools canceled Thursday classes.

Wind gusts of up to 70 mph were expected on mountain tops, creating possible blizzard conditions in the Sierra. Rain, pound-ing surf and gusty winds were forecast for Southern California starting Thursday evening.

The weather service is-sued a high-surf advisory from the Central Coast to Ventura County.

In California’s agricultur-al heartland, farmers were looking forward to the dous-ing after three consecutive dry years. Parts of the state have experienced above-av-erage rainfall this year but not enough to make much of a dent in the drought.

James McFarlane, a third-generation farmer in Fresno County, said work-ers would have to stop pick-ing citrus crops during the storm, but rain this time of year makes fruit bigger, allowing it to fetch higher prices.

“If we’re not getting some Mother Nature-dictated time off out in the field, that probably means we’re going to have a hard time finding surface water in the warmer months,” he said.

The rain and snow in the Sierra Nevada fill reservoirs

that supply irrigation water during hot, dry months.

Farther north, a series of strong weather fronts with high winds and heavy rains has led to flooding and land-slides in western Washing-ton.

Firefighters rescued eight people from two homes Wednesday evening in the small community of Brin-non about 25 miles west of Seattle after they were trapped by rising waters from a nearby river, officials said.

A mud and debris slide from a slope adjacent to the main rail line between Seat-tle and Everett has halted passenger train traffic until Friday evening, BNSF Rail-way spokesman Gus Mel-onas said.

On the southwest Wash-ington coast, KING-TV re-ported that two houses col-lapsed into high water as the land beneath them eroded.

High winds were also forecast in Oregon.

Powerful storm pounds Northern California

AP photo by KENT PORTERSandbags are brought in to help protect businesses Wednesday in Santa Rosa, Calif. Northern California residents are bracing for a powerful storm that could be the biggest in five years and which prompted the National Weather Service to issue a high wind and flash flood warning.

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AftonASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH,

Browning and Filmore Streets, William Richardson, pastor.

Sunday, 9:30 a.m. Sunday school; 10:30 a.m. worship ser-vice. Wednesday, 7 p.m. Bible study and youth. Saturday, 7:25 a.m. “In the Mirror” radio pro-gram on Creston Radio.

ST. EDWARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 104 W. Union St., Rev. Ken Halbur, pastor.

Sunday, 10:45 a.m. Mass; Confession following Mass. Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. Mass; 7 p.m. Communal Reconciliaiton, Holy Spirit. Wednesday, 6:15 p.m. reli-gious education class.; 6:30 p.m. Confirmation class, St. Malachy School.

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, Joel Sutton, pastor.

Sunday, 10 a.m. worship; 5:30 p.m. potluck supper, open to the public; 6:30 p.m. Sunday evening worship service. Aspire Food Pantry dropoff site.

ArispeUNITED METHODIST

CHURCH, Joel Sutton, pastor.Sunday, 11 a.m. worship.

BeaconsfieldUNITED METHODIST

CHURCH, Rick Hawkins, pastor.Sunday, 9 a.m. worship ser-

vice.

ClearfieldAREA BIBLE FELLOWSHIP

CHURCH, Ron Christian, pastor; 641-336-2409; website www.are-abiblefellowship.org.

Sunday, 10 a.m. worship ser-vice; 11:15 a.m. Sunday school. Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. AWANA, Clearfield Community Center.

CHRISTIAN CHURCH, Sherry Wiley, lay speaker.

Sunday, 9:15 a.m. worship; 10:30 a.m. Sunday school.

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, Shurmaine McAlpine, pastor.

Sunday, 8 a.m. Sunday school; 9 a.m. worship.

CorningFIRST PRESBYTERIAN

CHURCH, 907 Grove Ave., Ken Rummer, pastor.

Sunday, 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10 a.m. worship services.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 901 Nodaway St., Andrew Bardole, pastor.

Sunday, 9:30 a.m. adult Sunday school; 10:30 a.m. wor-ship service.

GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH, Dan Lamgo, pastor.

Sunday, 9:30 a.m. Sunday school; 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. worship service. Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. prayer service.

MESSIANIC MISSION SEVENTH DAY, 405 11th St.

Sabbath services, second and fourth Saturdays. Call 641-322-3386 for time and place.

REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH, 800 17th St., Philip Ritter, pastor.

Sunday, 9:30 a.m. Sunday school and adult Bible study; 10:45 a.m. worship with Holy Communion. Wednesday, 9 a.m. Bible study.

ST. PATRICK’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 504 Grove, Ave., Lazarus Kirigia, pastor.

Saturday, 5:30 p.m. Mass. Sunday, 10:30 a.m. Mass; 7 p.m. youth group. Wednesday, 2 to 5 p.m. religious education classes.

CrestonABUNDANT LIFE FAMILY

CHURCH, 500 S. Birch St., Douglas R. Brunell, pastor, (641) 782-5766, email [email protected]; website www.AbundantLifeFamilyChurch.com.

Sunday, 10:30 a.m. children’s church and worship service. Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. worship and Kid’s Club. Thursday, 6:30 a.m. Men of Honor; 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Light Switch teens.

APOSTOLIC LIGHTHOUSE UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH, 600 N. Lincoln St., Paul Vandevender, pastor, 782-5594.

Sunday, 10 a.m. Sunday school and worship service; 5:30 p.m. prayer time; 6 p.m. worship service. Wednesday, 7 p.m. wor-ship service. Home Bible study, call 782-5594.

LIFE CHURCH, ASSEMBLY OF GOD, 417 Wyoming Ave., Karen Norton, lead pastor, 641-782-4236, e-mail crestonrolag@

gmail.com, website lifechurch-creston.com.

Saturday, 8:30 a.m. men’s breakfast at Hy-Vee. Sunday, 9:30 a.m. Sunday school for all ages; 10:35 a.m. Communion Sunday, morning worship, “The Vitamin B Attitudes: Week 5”; 5 p.m. Meet at the church to go Christmas caroling in the neighborhood. Tuesday, 7 to 10 a.m. Coffee Cafe, fellowship hall. Bring a friend for coffee and conversation. WiFi is available; 6 p.m. Vision Team meeting. Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. prayer time, sanctuary; 7 p.m. Family Night activities; adult Bible study (Romans), sanctu-ary; Life Youth, lower level youth room; Kids Klub, lower level fel-lowship hall. Thursday (12/18), 7 to 10 a.m. Coffee Cafe, fellowship hall. Bring a friend for coffee and conversation. WiFi is available.

CHURCH OF CHRIST, 510 S. Poplar St., Timothy L. Haynie and Nathan Langford, evange-lists, 641-344-3201.

Thursday, 3:30 p.m. SIRF. Friday, 7:30 p.m. AA meeting. Sunday, 10:45 a.m. worship ser-vices. Monday, 7:30 p.m. AA meeting. Tuesday, 3 p.m. Crisis fund center open, 5 p.m. Open table. Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. TOPS.

COMMUNITY OF CHRIST, Creston Congregation (RLDS), 820 N. Elm St., Elder Gary O’Daniels, pastoral coordinator.

Sunday, 9:15 a.m. praise and inspiration, Mallas; 9:30 a.m. prayer service, Phyllis O’Daniels; 10 a.m. morning worship, Phyllis O’Daniels, presider; Rebecca Ramsey, speaker.

CREST BAPTIST, affiliated with Southern Baptist Convention, Poplar and Townline streets, Chuck Spindler, pastor. Website: www.crestbaptistchurch.com.

Today, 6:30 p.m. Celebrate Recovery; 6:30 to 8 p.m. GriefShare, “Surviving the Holidays.” Friday, 8:30 a.m. Operation World prayer meeting. Saturday, 8 a.m. prayer meeting. Sunday, 9:30 a.m. Bible study (for all ages); 10:45 a.m. children’s Christmas program during wor-ship; 6 p.m. Men’s Bible study. Tuesday, 7 p.m. Mayflower Heritage Christian School Christmas program; No Creston Salt Company. Wednesday, 6:30 a.m. prayer meeting; 5:30 p.m. churchwide soup supper/carol-ing.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, 1001 N. Lincoln St., David Tebbenkamp, pastor; Dan Fields, youth pastor.

Friday, 7 p.m. Home School play, FBC auditorium. Saturday, 6 p.m. Home School play, SWCC Performing Arts Center. Sunday, 8:45 a.m. worship service; 10:15 a.m. Sunday school hour; 5 p.m. family worship and baptism ser-vice; 5:30 p.m. Members’ meet-ing. Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. The ABCs of Christmas, AWANA clubs musical presentation and cookie fellowship. Thursday (12/18), Home School Day at FBC.

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST), 301 E. Townline St.

Sunday, 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10 a.m. worship service and chil-dren’s Christmas program, light-ing of third Advent candle; 11 a.m. coffee fellowship. Tuesday, 1:30 p.m. Tootles (games/crafts) in fellowship hall. Wednesday, 6 p.m. praise and worship service. Thursday (12/18), 2 p.m. Mary Circle at Margaret Wilkins’ home; 6 p.m. Rebecca Circle holiday meal at A&Gs.

FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, 104 N. Oak St.

Sunday, 11 a.m. church ser-vice.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 702 W. Prairie St., the Rev. Jim Woodworth, pastor; Mary O’Riley, pastoral intern.

Friday, 1:30 p.m. crafting workshop; Boy Scout overnight retreat. Sunday, Stewardship Sunday, 9:15 a.m. worship services; 10:30 a.m. Sunday School – all ages and grades. Monday, 6 p.m. Membership and Evangelism; 7 p.m. Worship and Music. Tuesday, 1 p.m. Stich, Knit and Quilt. Wednesday, 9 a.m. Bible study; 5:30 p.m. Joyful Noise; 6:30 p.m. youth group; 7 p.m. choir practice; 8 p.m. ASP.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 400 N. Elm St., Gideon Gallo, pastor. Call 641-782-2427, 641-782-7267. E-mail: fumc.

[email protected]. Facebook: Creston First United Methodist Church. Office hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday; 8 a.m. to noon Tuesday and Friday.

Sunday, 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. worship services; 9:30 a.m. Sunday school. Tuesday, 9 a.m. Summit House Bible study; 1:30 p.m. Crestridge Bible study. Wednesday, 6:15 p.m. handbell rehearsal; 7 p.m. choir rehears-al. Thursday, 12:05 p.m. United Methodist Men.

GOD’S OUTREACH DELIVERANCE INTERNATIONAL, 306 N. Oak St., 641-278-1173, Pastor JoAnna Davis.

Thursday, 6 p.m. Women’s Bible study, church. Friday, 7 p.m. Friday Night Fire service, church. Saturday, first and third, 9:30 a.m. Men’s Bible study, 124 N. Maple St. Sunday, 9 to 10 a.m. Sunday school; 10:30 a.m. church service; 6 p.m. church service. Monday, 4 to 5:45 p.m. children’s ministry (preschool through 11 years old); 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. youth ministry (12 years old and up).

HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC CHURCH, 107 W. Howard St., Rev. Ken Halbur, pastor.

Friday, 9:15 a.m. Mass, St. Malachy Chapel; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ReRun shop. Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon ReRun shop; 9 a.m. to noon Advent retreat, hall; 4:30 to 5 p.m. Confession; 5:15 p.m. Mass and bake sale. Sunday, 8:15 to 8:45 a.m. Confession; 9 a.m. Mass and bake sale. Monday, 5 to 6 p.m. Adoration, St. Malachy Chapel; 6 p.m. Mass, St. Malachy Chapel; 6:30 p.m. CRHP Ladies meeting, St. Malachy library. Tuesday, noon to 5 p.m. ReRun shop; 7 p.m. Communal Reconciliation, church. Wednesday, 9:15 a.m. Mass, St. Malachy School; 6:30 p.m. high school youth group, St. Malachy School; 7 p.m. religious education classes, St. Malachy School. Thursday (12/18), 7 a.m. Mass, St. Malachy Chapel; 5:30 p.m. Sort gifts for Christmas Adopt-A-Family, hall.

JERUSALEM UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 1965 REA Road, Rev. Jim W. Morris, pastor.

Sunday, 8 a.m. Bible study; 9 a.m worship.

KINGDOM HALL OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES, 1000 Cottonwood St.

Sunday, 10 a.m. public talk and Watchtower study. Thursday, 7:30 p.m. congregation Bible study, ministry school and ser-vice meeting.

PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF GOD I.M. “Mana del Cielo” The Rev. Miguel Delgado, phone 515-473-2527.

Saturday, noon worship. Sunday, 1:30 p.m. worship.

P L A T T E C E N T E R PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 2396

Eagle Ave., south of Creston, Rev. Delores Doench, pastor.

Sunday, 9:15 a.m. Sunday school; 10 a.m. coffee time; 10:30 a.m. church service. Join us to celebrate Advent during services.

SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH, 602 W. Townline St., 641-782-2920. Brian Jack, pastor. Website: www.salemluth.net.

Today, 6 p.m. Council. Sunday, 9 a.m. Sunday school and adult education; 10 a.m. Sunday School Chrismas program. Tuesday, 1:30 p.m. Quilters. Wednesday, 7 p.m. Live Nativity. Thursday (12/18), 6 p.m. Miriam Circle.

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH, 104 N. Oak St., Jared Miller, pastor, 515-897-7919, email [email protected].

Saturday, 9 a.m. worship ser-vice; 11 a.m. Sabbath school.

SOLID ROCK MINISTRIES, 1216 N. Cherry St. (corner of Townline and Cherry streets).

Sunday, 9:45 to 10:15 a.m. Sunday school; 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. coffee and fellowship; 10:45 a.m. worship service.

ST. JOHN’S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 601 S. Maple St., Dan Moore, pastor.

Sunday, 9 a.m. worship ser-vice and Sunday School.

TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH (LCMS), 800 N. Sumner Ave., Creston; 111 E. South St., Mount Ayr; the Rev. Jonathan C. Watt, pastor, 641-782-5095, http://TrinityCreston.org.

Sunday, Mount Ayr: 8 a.m. Divine Service; 9:30 a.m. Bible class and Sunday school; Creston: 9:45 a.m. Divine Service with Holy Communion; 11 a.m. Sunday school and Bible classes; 7 p.m. adult instruction class. Monday, 12:30 p.m. preschool. Tuesday, 6:30 a.m. Early Risers Bible study in fellowship hall; 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. pre-school. Wednesday, 12:30 p.m. preschool; 6 p.m. Confirmation classes; 7 p.m. Advent service. Thursday (12/18), 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. preschool.

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST (Congregational), 501 W. Montgomery St., the Rev. Jim Woodworth, pastor; Mary O’Riley, pastoral intern.

Today, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. SIRF. Friday, 7:30 p.m. AA meeting. Sunday, 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Advent Sunday school; 10:45 a.m. worship services. Monday, 7:30 a.m. AA meeting. Tuesday, 9 a.m. to noon pastor’s office hours; 3 to 5 p.m. Crisis Fund Center open; 5 to 6 p.m. Open Table (Holy Spirit). Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. TOPS; 5:30 p.m. Church Council meeting.

CromwellCONGREGATIONAL UNITED

CHURCH OF CHRIST, Dan Moore, pastor.

Sunday, 10 a.m. fellowship; 10:30 a.m. worship and Sunday school; Young people caroling and pizza party. Monday, noon Women’s fellowship meeting; 12:30 p.m. prayer group, sanctu-ary; 1 p.m. quilting. Wednesday, 1 p.m. Quilters.

DiagonalUNITED CHURCH OF

DIAGONAL, Ed Shields, pastor, office 641-344-0652, www.diago-nalchurch.com.

Sunday, 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10 a.m. church.

EllstonUNITED METHODIST

CHURCH, Bruce Giese, pastor. Website: www.ellstonumc.org.

Sunday, 9:15 a.m. Sunday school; 10:30 a.m. worship.

GreenfieldCORNERSTONE FELLOWSHIP

EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH, 2158 Highway 92, Jeff Banks, pastor, office 641-743-0221. Website: www.welcometocor-nerstone.org.

Today, 7 p.m. Men’s Fraternity. Saturday, 5 to 8 p.m. church facility reserved. Sunday, 9:30 a.m. worship service; 11 a.m. family movie party “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”; noon Elders and Deacons meetings; 6 to 8 p.m. Second Half; 20s/30s; Homebuilders; and Truth Matters. Wednesday, 6:20 to 7:45 p.m. AWANA Christmas celebra-tion.

ST. JOHN’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 213 N. E. Elm St., Kenneth Gross, pastor. Website: www.stjohngreenfield.parishe-sonline.com.

Saturday, 4:30 to 5 p.m. Reconciliation; 5:15 p.m. Mass. Sunday, 8:15 a.m. Mass. Wednesday, 6:20 to 7:30 p.m. Faith Formation, preschool through eighth grades. Thursday (12/18), 8:30 a.m. Mass.

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 108 S.W. 5th St.

Sunday, 9 a.m. worship ser-vice; 10 a.m. coffee and fellow-ship; 10:30 a.m. Sunday school. Tuesday, 3:30 to 6 p.m. food bank and children’s clothes clos-et open; 6:30 p.m. worship ser-vice. Thursday, 12:30 p.m. wor-ship service.

LacelleUNITED METHODIST CHURCH,

Dwayne Henrichs, pastor.Sunday, 10 a.m. children’s

Sunday school; 11 a.m. worship service.

LenoxCHRISTIAN CHURCH

(DISCIPLES OF CHRIST), 1007 W. Temple St.

Sunday, 10 a.m. worship.CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST

OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, 702 W. Ohio St. Stanley Price, branch president.

Sunday, 10 a.m. sacrament meeting; 11:15 a.m. Sunday school; 12:10 p.m. relief society, priesthood, young women and young men; 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m.primary. For local information, contact Clinton Allen, (641) 322-4494.

COUNTRY ROADS BAPTIST CHURCH, at 202 E. Temple (old lumber yard), Mitch Green, pas-tor. Website: countryroadslenox.com.

Sunday, 10 a.m. worship. Wednesday, 6 p.m. meal and study.

MERCER CENTER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, four miles north, four miles west of Lenox, Franklin Rogers, pastor.

Sunday, 8:30 a.m. worship ser-vice.

SALEM CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN, 4 miles north, 1 mile west of Lenox.

ST. PATRICK’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 600 W. Michigan St., Lazarus Kirigia, pastor.

Sunday, 8:30 a.m. Mass with religious education classes after-ward. Wednesday, 7 p.m. CYO.

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 103 W. Michigan St., Shurmaine McAlpine, pastor.

Sunday, 9:15 a.m. adult Sunday school; 10:30 a.m. wor-ship service and Sunday school for children.

UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 401 W. Michigan St., Tim Maxa, pastor, 641-333-4214.

Sunday, 9:30 a.m. Sunday

school; 10:30 a.m. worship ser-vice. First and third Sunday, youth fellowship. Wednesday, Evening Bible study.

LorimorCHURCH OF GOD, Ben Turner,

pastor.Sunday, 9:45 a.m. Sunday

school; 10:30 a.m. worship ser-vice.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, Lorimor, George Henriksen, pas-tor.

Sunday, 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10 a.m. worship service.

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, Joel Sutton, pastor.

Sunday, 8:45 a.m. worship.

MacksburgHEBRON UNITED METHODIST

CHURCH, Ben Carter-Allen, pas-tor.

Sunday, 10 a.m. Sunday school; 11 a.m. worship service.

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, Ben Carter-Allen, pastor. Sunday, 9 a.m. wor-ship service with supervised nursery during church; 10 a.m.Sunday school. Third Thursday, United Methodist Women.

MurrayBAPTIST CHURCH, Alex

Bauman, pastor.Sunday, 8:45 a.m. Sunday

school; 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. wor-ship services. Wednesday, 7 p.m. Midweek Bible study and prayer meeting. Third Thursday of the month, 7 to 9 p.m. Missionary meeting.

CHURCH OF CHRIST, 430 Third St., Brian McCracken, pastor. Sunday, 9:30 a.m. Sunday school; 10:30 a.m. worship services; 7 p.m. BibleStudy. Wednesday, 3:30 p.m. JAM for elementary ages; 7 p.m. junior and senior high youth groups.

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, Sandy Smith and Brandon Campbell, pastors.


OrientP L Y M O U T H

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, 311 W. First St., Phil Price, min-ister.

Sunday, 8:30 a.m. brunch; 9 a.m. worship services; 10 a.m. Sunday school/adult Bible study; 3 p.m. caroling; 5 p.m. potato bar. Wednesday, 2:15 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday school.

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 124 S. Maple St., Cathy Nutting, pastor.

Sunday, 9 a.m. worship ser-vice.

PrescottPRESCOTT UNITED CHURCH

(DISCIPLES OF CHRIST), 401 6th Ave., the Rev. Steven Wainwright.


Shannon CitySHANNON CITY COMMUNITY

CHURCH, Lila Dell Greene, pas-tor.

Sunday, 9 a.m. church service; 10 a.m. Sunday school.

SharpsburgUNITED METHODIST

CHURCH, Shurmaine McAlpine, pastor.

Sunday, 8:30 a.m. worship.UNITED PRESBYTERIAN

CHURCH, Tim Maxa, pastor.Sunday, 9 a.m. worship ser-

vice; 10 a.m. Sunday school.

StringtownSTRINGTOWN COMMUNITY

CHURCH, junction of Highway 34 and Sycamore Ave., the Rev. Richard Queener, pastor.

Sunday, 9:45 a.m. worship service. Wednesday, 1 to 4 p.m. Help Center open.

ThayerPLEASANT VALLEY

CHRISTIAN CHURCH, Dwayne Henrichs, pastor.

Sunday, 9 a.m. worship ser-vice; 10 a.m. Sunday school.

TingleyCHRISTIAN CHURCHSunday, 10 a.m. Sunday

School; 11 a.m. worship service.UNITED METHODIST

CHURCH, Bruce Giese, pastor.Sunday, 9 a.m. worship; 10:30

a.m. Sunday school.

Surviving the holidays for those in grief

The Miracle of Jesus family event planned

GriefShare will host a seminar to help those deal-ing with grief during the holidays 6:30 p.m. today at Crest Baptist Church, 1211 N. Poplar St.

No matter how long it’s been since your loved one

died, grief can make the holidays a painful time. But there’s hope. Come for an encouraging seminar that will help you survive the holidays and discover new reasons to enjoy them again.

The Miracle of Jesus, a family event for children and parents or grandpar-ents, will be held 6 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 29 and 30 in the fellowship hall at First United Methodist Church, 400 N. Elm St., Creston.

This is a unique Christ-mas family event. Fami-lies will step back in time to Bethlehem, exploring Jesus’ miraculous love in a marketplace setting. Families experience this adventure together and will have a fully immersive

experience where they in-teract with shopkeepers and discover surprising details about Jesus’ mirac-ulous birth and life. When guests to Bethlehem ar-rive, they may have a free supper at the Miracle of Jesus Café. Then visit oth-er shops throughout each night.

For more information and to preregister your family, call First United Methodist Church at 641-782-2427, 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday.


CHURCHCHURCH


19Golden State’s Steve Kerr is the first NBA coach ever to win 19 of his first 21 games.

NatioNalDigest

The Numbers Game

Kerr

Conduct policyIRVING, Texas —

NFL owners unanimous-ly approved changes to the personal conduct policy on Wednesday.

Initial discipline will be handled by a special counsel for investiga-tions and conduct, but commissioner Roger Goodell will retain the right to rule on appeals.

“With considerable assistance from the many people and orga-nizations we consulted, NFL ownership has en-dorsed an enhanced pol-icy that is significantly more robust, thorough, and formal,” Goodell said in a statement.

The revised policy will have a baseline suspen-sion of six games with-out pay for violations that include assault, sexual assault, battery, domestic violence, dat-ing violence, child abuse and other forms of fami-ly violence, with consid-eration given to possible mitigating or aggravat-ing circumstances.Newton out

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Cam Newton is thankful to be alive after escaping a horrific-look-ing automobile accident without any life-threaten-ing injuries.

The Panthers quarter-back posted a lengthy in-trospective message to his Instagram account late Wednesday night with a photo of his mangled truck.

“By the look of that picture SoMEone is sup-posed to be dead or se-verely injured worse than what I am right now,” Newton posted. “While I am resting up the thought that keeps flashing in my mind is that GOD IS GOOD and someone has (their) protective hands on my life shielding me from danger that may come my way!”

Newton fractured two bones in his lower back when his truck crashed and overturned one block from the team’s down-town stadium, but will not need surgery. Coach Ron Rivera said Newton, who has started 60 of 61 games during his career, will not play Sunday against Tam-pa Bay.Andersen moves

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen unexpectedly stepped down Wednes-day to become head coach at Oregon State.

Andersen, the Bad-gers’ coach for the past two seasons, informed the team of his decision Wednesday afternoon, the school said. Wiscon-sin finished 10-3 this sea-son under Andersen and will play in the Outback Bowl against Auburn on Jan. 1.

Wisconsin athletic di-rector Barry Alvarez said the search for Andersen’s successor had already started. Alvarez said he would consider coaching the team in the bowl game himself after several play-ers asked him, but had not made a final decision. Alvarez said Andersen made the move for per-sonal reasons.

Marshalltown hands Spartan men their second lossBy LARRY PETERSONCNA sports writer • [email protected]

MARSHALLTOWN — With some depleted firepower inside, the Division II ninth-ranked Southwest-ern men battled to the finish with Division I Marshalltown Communi-ty College here Wednesday, falling 95-85.

“Once you get to this portion of the season, every game will come down to two or three possessions,” SWCC coach Todd Lorensen said. “We were down four, with the ball, with 2:30 to go. Free throws kind of extended the score. We had a lot of guys do some really good things.”

Forward Josh Kirk came off the bench to provide a team-high 28 points, even play-ing a post position for awhile with another guard, Dylan Mason, af-ter Simon Joseph fouled out with 12

minutes to go.“They really had no match for

him,” Lorensen said. “They had 6-5, 6-8 guys trying to guard him on the perimeter and he got to the rim al-most at will.”

The Spartans are already with-out 6-7 Jok Kut with a separated shoulder, and having the 6-7 Joseph for less than 10 total minutes left the bulk of the inside work to 6-7, 240-pound Mataika Koyamaina-vure. For the game, Koyamainavure had 15 points and six rebounds.

Jaylon Smith returned on the pe-rimeter after missing one game with illness and tallied 19 points. Fresh-man TJ Bower of Nodaway Val-ley shot 4-7 from 3-point range in finishing with 16 points.

“TJ hit a cou-ple of big threes in the first half to keep us hanging in there,” Lo-rensen said, “and he basically shot

them out of the zone they showed in the second half. Jaylon made some big plays for us as well.”

The teams were tied 37-37 at halftime.

“Both of our post players had two fouls early in the game and our point guard (Ahmad Newsome) also had two early fouls,” Lorensen said. “We were depleted, with our four man (Kut) also out, but I was happy with the way we responded. Even in the second half, we tied it a couple times and even took the lead. They hit a couple contest-ed 15-foot jump shots and got on the offensive glass a bit with some height advantage.”

Guard Mike Rodriguez led Mar-shalltown with 25 points. He shot only 6-21 from the field but was 12-17 at the free throw line. He also handed out seven assists.

“He’s a jet-quick guard who gets in the lane,” Lorensen said. “He’s small, and he creates contact and when there is contact it looks like he just gets hammered. To his credit he’s good at that and shot 17

free throws. He’s a nice player.”Marshalltown improved to 11-

3. The Tigers are 3-2 against Iowa Division II community colleges, losing to DMACC and Kirkwood. Southwestern, now 10-2, hosts Southeast Nebraska at 4 p.m. Sat-urday after the women’s game.

MARSHALLTOWN (95) — Mike Rodriguez 6 12-17 25, Terence Shelby 8 0-0 21, Amir Maddred 5 0-0 10, David Stewart 3 2-3 8, Christal Malalu 2 2-2 6, Paulius Sakinis 1 3-4 5, Tyler Miller 1 2-2 4, Vincent Lasley 2 0-0 4. Totals — 32 25-35 95. FG shooting — 32-62 (51.6 percent). 3-point goals — 6-15 (Shelby 5, Rodriguez 1). Rebounds — 43 (Malalu 7, Lasley 7). Assists — 14 (Rodriguez 7). Steals — 7 (Rodriguez 4). Blocked shots — 6 (Maddred 2, Malalu 2). Turnovers — 15. Team fouls — 20. Fouled out — None.

SOUTHWESTERN (85) — Josh Kirk 13 2-6 28, Jaylon Smith 7 4-4 19, TJ Bower 6 0-2 16, Mataika Koyamainavure 5 5-7 15, Dylan Mason 2 0-0 5, Simon Joseph 1 0-0 2. Totals — 34 11-19 85. FG shooting — 34-64 (53.1 percent). 3-point goals — 6-20 (Bower 4, Smith 1, Mason 1). Rebounds — 23 (Koyamainavure 6, Kirk 4). Assists — 13 (Smith 5). Steals — 11 (Smith 4, Mason 3, Bower 2). Blocked shots — 2 (Newsome 1, Bower 1). Turnovers — 13. Team fouls — 24. Fouled out — Newsome, Joesph.

Marsh. CC — 37 95SWCC — 37 85

Panther bowlers show improvement in first two outings of the yearBy SCOTT VICKERCNA sports editor • [email protected]

The Creston/O-M bowl-ing teams opened the sea-son Saturday at the Knox-ville Tournament, where the boys finished sixth and the girls placed fifth. The Panthers then trav-eled to Red Oak on Tues-day, where they suffered a sweep at the hands of the Tigers.

But, Creston/O-M head coach Ron Pendegraft noted his team showed im-provement from Saturday’s tournament to Tuesday’s match against Red Oak.

Both the varsity and JV girls matches against Red Oak came down to the fi-nal Baker Rotation game, but the Panthers came up just short of completing the comeback in both cases.

The varsity girls trailed by 119 pins going into the Baker Rotation, but even-tually cut that lead down to just 20 pins going into the final game.

The Panthers were left with splits in three of the first four frames of that game, however, making it difficult to chip into the lead any more. Still, they remained in the game un-til Red Oak hit a double in frames six and seven to put the match away.

Ashley K n i p f e r led the way for the Pan-ther girls, b o w l i n g games of 131 and

238 for a 369 series. Madi-son Hance rolled a 325 se-ries, followed by Charley Parcher’s 309 series.

Kimberly Orr improved by more than 90 pins from Saturday’s tournament, fin-ishing the day with a score of 271. Jenna Hayes round-ed out the team scoring with a series of 264.

Red Oak topped Cres-ton/O-M 2385-2334.

“Very exciting match at Red Oak,” Pendegraft said. “The kids are all continuing to improve and their scores are showing it. In the boys varsity match, we improved our team score from Sat-urday by 300 pins, which means we are moving in the right direction.”

Blake Eddy had the high two-g a m e series of the day with his games of 237 and 207 for a series of 444. R e e c e Kramer bowled a series of 304, with consistent games of 148 and 156.

Freshman Dylan Linch improved his score by 85 pins from Saturday, record-ing a series of 270. Darin Hatfield made his season debut in the Panther lineup with a score of 258. Fresh-men Evan Taylor and Jona-than Seals bowled series of 194 and 180, respectively.

The Panther boys fell to Red Oak 2888-2149 in the boys varsity match.

“Our continuing im-

provement is the goal, and as the kids showed today, we are doing just that,” Pendegraft said. “So over-all, a very good day.”

In the JV girls match, Creston/O-M suffered a 1735-1729 loss that came down to the final frame of the final game in the Baker Rotation.

Emily Stults and Mazzy Moore both bowled two-game series scores of 234, as the Panther JV trailed by 117 pins after round one.

“Our score of 1729 was just 50 pins shy of our varsity score at Knoxville on Saturday, so I am very proud of how our JV kids did today,” Pendegraft said.Knoxville Tourney

At Saturday’s Knoxville Tournament, the Panther girls placed fifth and the boys finished sixth in the six-team field.

Hance finished fourth in the in-dividual s t a n d -ings with her two-g a m e series of 343. On the boys s i d e , E d d y also finished fourth with his two-game series of 367.

Newton swept the team titles, as the boys posted a team score of 2545 and the girls finished with a score of 2441.

The Panther boys totaled

Early lead evaporates for Spartan women

By SCOTT VICKERCNA sports editor • [email protected]

MARSHALLTOWN — Southwestern Community College’s women’s bas-ketball team got out to a good start here Wednesday night, but after Marshall-town’s scoreboard went out, the Spartans’ level of execution dropped.

The Spartans held an early lead through about 10 minutes of the game, and then the scoreboard and shot clock went out.

Play continued for about a minute or two without the scoreboard and clock, before a stoppage of about five minutes.

“Not that this is an ex-cuse ... that killed our mo-mentum,” Southwestern head coach Addae Hous-ton said. “I think some of our energy dropped off and we stopped executing our game plan. It kind of went downhill from there.”

Marshalltown Communi-ty College went on to post a 69-47 victory over the Spartans, dropping South-western to 1-10 for the sea-son.

Houston said his team forced a majority of Mar-shalltown’s 18 turnovers within those opening 10 minutes, as the Spartans built a 15-10 lead.

Marshalltown grabbed a two-point lead 4:24 left in the first half at 23-21 and extended that lead to 31-21 by halftime.

The Spartans were un-able to regain any of their early-game focus at the

start of the second half, as Marshalltown opened the second half on a 19-2 run, building a 50-25 lead.

“We’re making some of the same mistakes we made in preseason and that’s not acceptable,” Houston said. “I’m working to try to see if we can change some things and turn it around for the better.”

For the game, Marshall-town outshot the Spartans from behind the 3-point arc. Marshalltown shot 8-of-25 from 3-point land, while Southwestern shot just 1-12 on 3-pointers.

Marshalltown finished 44.4 percent from the field, while Southwestern shot 31.0 percent.

“It definitely was a struggle for us shooting the ball,” Houston said. “For them, making eight 3-pointers, that was part of our lack of execution on our game plan. We let some of their shooters free at crucial points in the game. That was a big part of why they extended their lead.”

Olivia Reifert and LaSt-ella Slack led the Spartans, as both p l a y e r s f i n i s h e d with 11 p o i n t s and six re-bounds.

“Olivia, she continues to play well and she’s still growing,”

Kirk

Bower

Contributed photo by MEG HAINES

Members of the 2014-15 Creston junior varsity boys basketball team are front row, from left: Patrick Normandeau, Steven Stow, Brenden McDowell and Travis Purdy. Back row, from left: Coach Michael West, Ian Burns, Timothy Williams, Deaven Reese, Tyler Downey and Quinton Scadden. Not pictured: Travontay Wright, Chris Foster, Seth Thompson, Cody Crawford, Kyle Somers and Ryan Kucera. The Panther JV team hosts Atlantic at 6 p.m.

Knipfer

Eddy

Hance

Please seePANTHERS, page 11A

Please seeSWCC, page 11A

Reifert

SPORTSSPORTS


Moving upSouthwestern moved up

two spots and cracked the top 10 at No. 9 in the na-tion in the latest NJCAA Division II men’s basketball rankings.

Southwestern entered the week with a 10-1 record be-fore falling 95-85 to Division I Marshalltown Wednesday night.

It is the first time South-western has appeared in the rankings for consecutive weeks since the 2009-2010

season and the first top 10 appearance in over a de-cade. The Spartans traveled to NJCAA Division I Mar-shalltown Community Col-lege Wednesday night and host Southeast Nebraska at 4 p.m. on Saturday.Volleyball banquet

Creston’s volleyball ban-quet will be held 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, in the high school commons.

Families are asked to bring a covered dish. Table service and beverages will

be provided.Arena tickets

Tickets for the Creston vs. ADM (Adel) boys bas-ketball game at 5 p.m. Sat-urday at Wells Fargo Arena are available in the Creston High School activities office.

Tickets are $8 each and are also good for the 7 p.m. Iowa Energy vs. Sioux Falls Skyforce game in the NBA Development League. Iowa is an affiliate of the Mem-phis Grizzlies.

Mount Ayr 69,East Union 26

AFTON — Mount Ayr pulled away from East Union for a 69-26 win here Tuesday.

“We got out to a mellow start and we just weren’t very enthusiastic about playing,” Mount Ayr head coach Thad Streit said. “I thought it was hard to ad-just to the game and get any flow as there was a ton of fouls and violations causing a lot of dead balls. We were not pretty from the line, and we will work on that in practice.”

Kelcie Shields scored 22 points on 1 0 - o f - 1 3 s h o o t -ing from the field, w h i l e M e g a n Warin fin-ished with 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field to go with three steals and three assists. Tess Shields added 11 points and six re-bounds with five assists.

Ashton Johnson scored five points with seven steals and four assists. Blair Glendenning scored five points with a team-high seven rebounds and three steals. Alyssa John-son added four points with five assists and Allie Shields scored three points with five rebounds. Sara Winemiller added two points.

The Raiderettes shot just 12-of-32 from the free throw line.

“Not a lot of highlights for us, but we did have some younger girls step up and play some good min-utes for us,” East Union head coach Carol McGuire said.

Mara Weis led the Ea-gles with n i n e p o i n t s , w h i l e C h e l -sea Hoyt s c o r e d f o u r p o i n t s with six rebounds. Amber Selim scored four points. Olivia Eckels and Sidney McFee each chipped in three points.

Bedford 64,SW Valley 38

BEDFORD — Turn-overs were the biggest dif-ference in Southwest Val-ley’s 64-38 loss to Bedfrod here Tuesday.

The Timberwolves out-rebounded Bedford 22-6 in the first half, yet still trailed 33-21. In total, Southwest Valley turned the ball over 42 times.

“Their press finally got to us in the second quar-ter and we started to turn the ball over constantly,” Southwest Valley head coach Allen Naugle said. “The turnovers were just too much to overcome. We did an excellent job rebounding and limiting Bedford to single chance opportunities throughout the game, but just gave them too many opportuni-ties to score with our turn-overs.”

Marie Palmer just missed a dou-b l e - d o u -ble, re-c o r d i n g 23 points with nine rebounds. J a n e l l e G i b l e r scored six p o i n t s , while Lexi Bronner added three points with a team-high 12 rebounds.

Kim Hults and Shelby Cooper each scored two points. Katie Taylor re-corded three steals.

“I am very pleased with our improvement and our effort,” Naugle said. “We just need to get better at going up against the press and then we will start to re-ally compete every game.”Murray 53,Mormon Trail 32

GARDEN GROVE — Murray ovecame a sluggish start to cruise to a 53-32 win here Tuesday against Mormon Trail.

“Finally got to running the floor and creating some transition offense,” head coach Jerry Shields said. “Did a good job of distributing the basketball tonight with 18 assists.”

Those 18 assists came on 23 made baskets for the Lady Mustangs.

D e e n a S n y d e r s c o r e d 16 points with a team-high five re-b o u n d s to lead M u r r a y . Chellsea Jones also reached double figures with 10 points and four as-sists. Zadie Hatfield, Bran-di Gilbert, Alexis Tracy, Madison Gonseth and Katie Otto all scored four points apiece.

Jade Lecy finished with a team-high five assists. Hatfield led the team with six steals.

Murray, now 3-1 overall, returns to action Tuesday at home against Twin Ce-dars.Nodaway Valley 58, Lenox 31

GREENFIELD — Nodaway Valley shot 8-of-18 from behind the 3-point arc in a 58-31 conference win over Lenox here Tues-day.

“NV shot the ball very well, moved the ball well and pressured well defen-sively,” head coach Tom Thompson said. “At times, sloppy passes were frus-trating, but overall a solid game.”

Jess Nelson led the Wol-v e r i n e s with 23 p o i n t s , including five made 3 - p o i n t -ers, to go with six p o i n t s and four a s s i s t s . Paige McElfish added 11 points with 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals. Mercedes Harter chipped in eight points with seven steals.

Josie Carter recorded five steals with five assists. Josie Clarke scored six points with six rebounds and three blocked shots. Natalie Daugherty scored three points. Riley Lons-dale and Hollie Perrin each contributed two points.

Katie Dukes led Lenox

Area girls basketball

K. Shields

Weis

Palmer

Snyder

Nelson

Please seeGIRLS, page 12A

Sports briefs

Tuttle helps No. 23 Northern Iowa to 65-55 win over Denver

By PAT GRAHAMAP Sports Writer

DENVER (AP) — Seth Tuttle didn’t mean to state the obvious when he re-sponded: “We were mak-ing our shots.”

Sometimes, though, the obvious is just that obvi-ous.

Tuttle finished with 12 p o i n t s and Deon M i t c h e l l s c o r e d nine of his 11 in a first half where No. 23 North-ern Iowa missed just two shots from the floor, helping the Pan-thers cruise past Denver 65-55 on Wednesday night and move to 9-0 for the third time in school histo-ry.

Northern Iowa hit 15 of 17 attempts (88.2 per-cent) in the opening half to build a lead that stretched to as many as 22 points. That cushion was enough as the Panthers held off a

Pioneers squad that usually plays them tough, with all three of the previous meet-ings decided by six points or less.

“That’s a pretty effi-cient first half,” Tuttle said. “When we’re playing like that, we’re pretty tough to guard.”

Obviously.Northern Iowa coach Ben

Jacobson knew his team was shooting well, but had no idea it was that well. He even glanced up at a video monitor late in the first half, saw his team’s shooting per-centage, and thought it was a misprint.

No misprint, just very few missed shots. Everything the Panthers attempted in the first half seemed to go in. The only two misses were 3-pointers by Matt Bohan-non and Nate Buss.

“I’ve just never been a part of something like that,” said Jacobson, whose team shot 70 percent for the game.

Or something like this: A perfect start. The last time Northern Iowa began with nine straight wins was 1963-64 under coach Norm Stew-

art. The team finished 23-4 that season.

“The reason why is de-fense — these guys are cov-ering up for each other,” Ja-cobson said. “I enjoy seeing these guys be a group on the defensive end of the floor.”

Cam Griffin and Nate Engesser both finished with 15 points to lead Denver, which falls to 13-49 all-time against ranked opponents. The Pioneers (4-4) haven’t beaten a team in the Top 25 since knocking off Utah State in 1971.

“The key to the game was the first 10 to 15 minutes, when it was all Northern Iowa,” Denver coach Joe Scott said. “They’re obvi-ously a really good team and we knew they were a really good team.”

Trailing 50-37 midway through the second half, the Pioneers had a chance to slice into it even more, but Brett Olson’s 3-pointer went halfway down before rimming out. The senior slapped the floor in frustra-tion before heading back on

Please seeUNI, page 12A

Tuttle

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Public noticeSpecial Session

December 04, 2014The Union County Board of Supervi-

sors met in Special Session on Thurs-day, December 04, 2014. The meetingwas called to order at 10:00 AM withthe following members present: RonRiley and Dennis Brown. Lois Mondaywas absent.

AGENDA: Motion by Riley and sec-onded by Brown to approve the Agen-da. All voting aye, motion carried.

MINUTES: Motion by Riley andseconded by Brown to approve theminutes from November 24, 2014. Allvoting aye, motion carried.

WAIVER OF MANDATORYDEADLINES: Motion by Riley andseconded by Brown for the chair to signthe waiver of mandatory deadlines. Rollcall vote; Riley aye, Brown aye, Mon-day absent, motion carried.

SECONDARY ROADS UNIONINITIAL PROPOSAL: CherylArnold, Union Representative from In-ternational Union of Operating Engi-neers Local 234, presented and dis-cussed the Secondary Roads Employeeinitial proposal for negotiations.

ADJOURNMENT: There being nofurther business, the meeting was ad-journed at 10:45 AM.ATTEST: SANDY HYSELL, AUDITOR

BY: DENNIS J. BROWN, CHAIRMAN BOARD OF

SUPERVISORS

LEC COMMISSION MEETINGDecember 08, 2014

The Law Enforcement Commissionmet in regular session on Monday, De-cember 08, 2014. The meeting wascalled to order by Cathy Dryden at 4:30PM. with the following memberspresent Lois Monday, Dennis Brown,Gary Lybarger, and Warren Woods.Also present were Paul VerMeer andSandy Hysell.

MINUTES: Motion by Brown andseconded by Lybarger to approve theminutes from November 03, 2014. Allvoting aye, motion carried.

CLAIMS: Motion by Monday andseconded by Brown to pay the follow-ing claims:WASTE MGMT OF CRESTON.................................273.95 ARAMARK.................................15.58 ARAMARK.................................15.58 ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING.........................193.05 HOTSY CLEANING SYSTEMS I..................................................189.42 UNION COUNTY AUDITOR....69.00 FIENHAGE................................129.34 FIENHAGE..................................20.49 GAISER.......................................98.00 OFFICE DEPOT..........................39.47 ARAMARK.................................15.58 BM SALES..................................97.50 BOB BARKER COMPANY INC............................................816.65 CRESTON PUBLISHING CO....26.76 WASTE MGMT OF CRESTON.................................136.42 MEDIACOM.............................135.90 WINDSTREAM.........................805.74 EXCEL MECHANICAL CO INC........................................34000.00 GREEN VALLEY PEST CONTROL...................................36.00 ALLIANT ENERGY...............2204.25 ALLIANT ENERGY.................122.38 FIRST COMMUNICATIONS LLC..............................................25.49 MASTERCARD/ISSB.................62.37 COUNSEL OFFICE & DOCUMENT.............................175.34 VERIZON WIRELESS..............440.19

All voting aye, motion carried. OLD BUSINESS: VerMeer updated

the Board on the heating system for theLaw Enforcement Center and Garage.

NEW BUSINESS: VerMeer dis-cussed a $100,000 911 Grant; moneycan be used toward a CommunicationCenter and the need to look at a countywide radio system. There is also aUSDA Grant that can be used for a stor-age shed, either for a low interest loanor a percentage grant. VerMeer feelsthat the LEC is in need of more storage.

ADJOURNMENT: There being nofurther business, motion by Woods andseconded by Monday to adjourn themeeting at 5:00 PM. All voting aye,motion carried.

ATTEST: Sandy Hysell, Auditor BY: Cathy Dryden, Chair Pending Approval - Subject to

Change










Change










Change


Continued from page 9A

1851 and the Creston/O-M girls finished the day with a score of 1786.

“There are going to be many people who think that because we did not finish high in the standings, we were not successful,” Pen-degraft said. “That is not the case. With brand new line-ups and with over half our kids being first-time varsity bowlers, I felt we did quite well.

“On one hand, there were many shots I wish we could have over, but there were also many shots that were quite difficult and our kids did a great job of making them.”

The Panthers return to action at home Saturday against Denison-Schleswig. Bowlers take to the lanes at 1 p.m. at Panther Lanes.

“Our match this Saturday with Denison should once again be very competitive and exciting,” Pendegraft said. “Hope to see some fans there to support our kids.”

Knoxville TournamentDec. 6Boys

Team standings — 1. Newton 2545, 2. Knoxville 2490, 3. Norwalk 2405, 4. Oskaloosa 2141, 5. Pella Christian 2045, 6. Creston/O-M 1851.

Individual standings — 1. Payton Cox, Newton, 464;

2. Alex Bore, Newton, 414; 3. Logan Mason, Knoxville, 369; 4. Blake Eddy, Creston/O-M, 367; 5. Tanner Mason, Knoxville, 364; 6. Brandon Crall, Oskaloosa, 351.

Creston/O-M (1851) — Blake Eddy 162-205—367, Reece Kramer 131-116—247, Jonathan Seals 116-88—204, Dylan Linch 75-110—185, Evan Taylor 85-84—169. Totals — 1172-679—1851. Baker Rotation — 174, 133, 126, 104, 142 — 679.

GirlsTeam standings —1. Newton

2441, 2. Knoxville 2371, 3. Oskaloosa 1943, 4. Norwalk 1871, 5. Creston/O-M 1786, 6. Pella Christian 1677.

Individual standings — 1. Madison Humphrey, Newton, 411; 2. Erica Bailey, Newton, 359; 3. Hailey Mathes, Oskaloosa, 352; 4. Madison Hance, Creston/O-M, 343; 5. Mackenzie McCarty, Knoxville, 335; 6. Emily Kaward, Norwalk, 320.

Creston/O-M (1786) — Madison Hance 198-145—343, Charley Parcher 126-152—278, Mackenzie McKinney 105-135—240, Jordan Phillips 107-103—210, Kimberly Orr 99-81—180, Livi Hartman 78-77—155. Totals — 1257-529—1786. Baker Rotation — 113, 111, 109, 101, 95 — 529.

Dec. 9VarsityBoys

Varsity match totals — Creston/O-M: 1470-679—2149. Red Oak: 1939-949—2888.

High game — Dylin Keat, Red Oak, 264.

High two game — Blake Eddy, Creston/O-M, 444.

Creston/O-M (2149) — Blake Eddy 237-207—444, Reece Kramer 148-156—304, Dylan Linch 130-170—270, Darin Hatfield 144-114—258, Jonathan Seals 84-96—180, Evan Taylor 96-98—194. Totals — 1470-679—2149. Baker Rotation — 114, 140, 107, 177, 141 — 679.

Red Oak (2888) — Dylin Keat 175-264—439, Shane Majerus

192-222—414, Chase Rea 202-200—402, Keatis Kunze 150-194—344, Garrett Patterson 169-171—340, Adam Zenor 147-145—292. Totals — 1939-949—2888. Baker Rotation — 187, 204, 170, 208, 180 — 949.

GirlsVarsity match totals —

Creston/O-M: 1538-796—2334. Red Oak: 1657-728—2385.

High game — Ashley Knipfer, Creston/O-M, 238.

High two game — Shaely Nowels, Red Oak, 408.

Creston/O-M (2334) — Ashley Knipfer 131-238—369, Madison Hance 130-195—325, Charley Parcher 146-163—309, Kimberly Orr 113-158—271, Jenna Hayes 130-134—264. Totals — 1538-796—2334. Baker Rotation — 166, 164, 143, 177, 146 — 796.

Red Oak (2385) — Shaely Nowels 210-198—408, Alex Gilliland 202-139—341, Kendra Hardy 185-153—338, Breann Berkey 157-146—303, Jasmine Forward 140-127—267, Brenna Craig 102-100—202. Totals — 1657-728—2385. Baker Rotation — 162, 138, 117, 134, 177 — 728.

Junior VarsityGirls

JV match totals — Creston/O-M: 1079-650—1729. Red Oak: 1196-539—1735.

High game — Dakota Giraiex, Red Oak, 164.

High two game — Dakota Giraeix, Red Oak, 305.

Creston/O-M (1729) — Emily Stults 109-125—234, Mazzy Moore 92-142—234, Livi Hartman 102-117—219, Casey Batten 133-70—203, Jordan Phillips 93-96—189. Totals — 1079-650—1729. Baker Rotation — 124, 122, 118, 159, 127 — 650.

Red Oak (1735) — Dakota Giraiex 164-141—305, Jessalyn Danis 121-115—236, Hannah Shalters 116-110—226, Mariah Craig 132-94—226, Brooklyn Neligh 91-112—203, Elis Lukehart 119-83—202. Totals — 1196-539—1735. Baker Rotation — 92, 103, 133, 118, 93 — 539.

PANTHERS:


Houston said. “She’s by far our most consistent player. It’s unfortunate right now we can’t get some more players more consistent with what they do.”

Birana McGinty led a balanced Marshalltown scoring attack that fea-tured five players in dou-ble figures with 14 points. JeAnn Hiraldo grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds.

Southwestern returns to action 2 p.m. Saturday at home against Southeast Nebraska Community Col-lege.

The Spartans suffered a

71-47 loss at Southeast Ne-braska on Nov. 22.

“We didn’t play very well the first time,” Hous-ton said. “Hoping to get a little revenge on them and see if we can’t come out on Saturday and play a lot better and compete for 40 minutes.”

MARSHALLTOWN (69) — Birana McGinty 6 0-0 14, Sammie Sproul 5 0-0 12, JeAnn Hiraldo 5 1-2 11, Jasmin Howe 4 0-2 10, Courtney Williams-Perry 4 2-2 10, Jamerka Martin 2 2-2 8, Ilsie Calles 2 0-0 4. Totals — 28 5-8 69. FG shoot-ing — 28-63 (44.4 percent). 3-point goals — 8-25 (Howe 2, Sproul 2, Martin 2, McGinty 2). Rebounds — 43 (Hiraldo 13). Assists — 20 (Sproul 7, McGinty 6). Steals — 11 (Sproul 3). Blocked shots —

6 (Williams-Perry 2, Howe 2). Turnovers — 18. Team fouls — 18. Fouled out — Jaden Davenport.

SOUTHWESTERN (47) — Olivia Reifert 4 3-4 11, LaStella Slack 5 1-1 11, Sabrina Fountain 5 0-0 10, Jill Vanderhoof 1 2-2 5, Jazzlyn Wimbush 1 2-2 4, Brinee Stewart 1 1-1 3, Peyton Russell 1 0-2 2, Cambry Schluter 0 1-2 1. Totals — 18 10-16 47. FG shooting — 18-58 (31.0 percent). 3-point goals — 1-12 (Vanderhoof 1). Rebounds — 36 (Reifert 6, Slack 6, Vanderhoof 6, Na Keyia Harris 3, Wimbush 3, Ashley McClary 2, Russell 2, Stewart 2). Assists — 6 (Vanderhoof 3, Wimbush 2, Russell 1). Steals — 11 (Wimbush 2, Vanderhoof 2, Fountain 2, Russell 2). Blocked shots — 3 (Slack 2). Turnovers — 18. Team fouls — 13. Fouled out — none.

MCC — 31 69SWCC — 21 47

SWCC:

Our region’s most complete sports report...each weekday in your

CRESTON NEWS ADVERTISER

NFL standings All Times CST

AMERICAN CONFERENCEEast

W L T Pct PF PANew England 10 3 0 .769 401 267Miami 7 6 0 .538 314 260Buffalo 7 6 0 .538 281 241N.Y. Jets 2 11 0 .154 214 349

South W L T Pct PF PAIndianapolis 9 4 0 .692 407 307Houston 7 6 0 .538 314 260Tennessee 2 11 0 .154 220 374Jacksonville 2 11 0 .154 199 356

North W L T Pct PF PACincinnati 8 4 1 .654 281 289Pittsburgh 8 5 0 .615 362 319Baltimore 8 5 0 .615 356 255Cleveland 7 6 0 .538 276 270

West W L T Pct PF PADenver 10 3 0 .769 385 293San Diego 8 5 0 .615 293 272Kansas City 7 6 0 .538 291 241Oakland 2 11 0 .154 200 350

NATIONAL CONFERENCEEast

W L T Pct PF PAPhiladelphia 9 4 0 .692 389 309Dallas 9 4 0 .692 343 301N.Y. Giants 4 9 0 .308 293 326Washington 3 10 0 .231 244 346

South W L T Pct PF PAAtlanta 5 8 0 .385 328 342New Orleans 5 8 0 .385 333 359Carolina 4 8 1 .346 269 341Tampa Bay 2 11 0 .154 237 348

North W L T Pct PF PAGreen Bay 10 3 0 .769 423 304Detroit 9 4 0 .692 265 224Minnesota 6 7 0 .462 263 281Chicago 5 8 0 .385 281 378

West W L T Pct PF PAArizona 10 3 0 .769 275 238Seattle 9 4 0 .692 322 235San Francisco 7 6 0 .538 244 268St. Louis 6 7 0 .462 285 285

___Thursday’s Game

Dallas 41, Chicago 28Sunday’s Games

N.Y. Giants 36, Tennessee 7Carolina 41, New Orleans 10Minnesota 30, N.Y. Jets 24, OTPittsburgh 42, Cincinnati 21St. Louis 24, Washington 0Baltimore 28, Miami 13Indianapolis 25, Cleveland 24Detroit 34, Tampa Bay 17Houston 27, Jacksonville 13Denver 24, Buffalo 17Arizona 17, Kansas City 14Oakland 24, San Francisco 13Seattle 24, Philadelphia 14New England 23, San Diego 14

Monday’s GameGreen Bay 43, Atlanta 37

Thursday, Dec. 11Arizona at St. Louis, 7:25 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 14Oakland at Kansas City, 12 p.m.Pittsburgh at Atlanta, 12 p.m.Washington at N.Y. Giants, 12 p.m.Miami at New England, 12 p.m.Houston at Indianapolis, 12 p.m.Jacksonville at Baltimore, 12 p.m.Green Bay at Buffalo, 12 p.m.Tampa Bay at Carolina, 12 p.m.Cincinnati at Cleveland, 12 p.m.Denver at San Diego, 3:05 p.m.N.Y. Jets at Tennessee, 3:05 p.m.San Francisco at Seattle, 3:25 p.m.Minnesota at Detroit, 3:25 p.m.Dallas at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 15New Orleans at Chicago, 7:30 p.m.

FAX When your document must get there fast, use the Creston News Advertiser’s FAX services...we can FAX

your document around the world in minutes!

Animal Shelter DONATION DRIVE!

Our local animal shelters depend on the generosity of the community to sustain them. All donations collected at the Creston News Advertiser will go directly to Creston Animal Rescue Effort and Dog Gone Rescue in support of homeless cats and dogs in our community!

Creston Animal Rescue Effort Needs: (new or good used) collars, leashes, toys, we use alot of canned food and cat litter, stainless steel dog dishes (med. to large size), cardboard

cat scratchers, bleach, dish soap, hand sanitizer, sponges, hand towels, wash rags, small blankets, copy paper, stamps, printer ink (#901).

Volunteers are always needed!We are a very small group and more hands would be great.

Contact 641-782-2330 for more info.

Monetary Donations can be mailed to C.A.R.E.

c/o Mycale Downey304 W. DeVoe, Creston, IA 50801

Dog Gone Rescue Needs: Dog/Cat Dry Food; Stainless Steel Bowls; New or Used Collars & Leashes;

Scoopable Cat Litter; Kennels; Dog/Cat Beds & Blankets; Dog/Cat Toys (especially durable toys to chew on) & Treats...Cat Scratchers & Catnip

would be good too! Cleaning Supplies: bleach, dish soap, garbage bags. Dog Houses & Supplies: 2x4’s, plywood/wafer board, paint & can always

use straw for the winter months. We are in need of Foster Families!

Fosters are a valuable asset to helping provide young, old, injured and sick, abused and death row dogs a second chance to live, grow or heal before finding their forever homes. Fostering is a wonderful experience

for you and your family, you can feel good knowing you have helped save a dog’s life! If interested in becoming a Foster, please contact us at

[email protected], for more information.

Monetary Donations can be mailed to:Dog Gone Rescue c/o Janel McLain

205 S. Sumner Ave., Creston, IA 50801

To view current pets awaiting adoption from both rescues go towww.crestonanimalrescue.petfinder.com or www.doggonerescue.com

For each item donated,

will donate $1.00 (up to $100) to the shelters.

For each item donated,

$1.00

Our local animal shelters depend on the generosity of the community to sustain them. Our local animal shelters depend on the generosity of the community to sustain them. Our local animal shelters depend on the generosity of the community to sustain them. Our local animal shelters depend on the generosity of the community to sustain them. Our local animal shelters depend on the generosity of the community to sustain them. Our local animal shelters depend on the generosity of the community to sustain them. Our local animal shelters depend on the generosity of the community to sustain them. Our local animal shelters depend on the generosity of the community to sustain them. Our local animal shelters depend on the generosity of the community to sustain them. All donations collected at the Creston News Advertiser will go directly to Creston Animal Rescue Effort All donations collected at the Creston News Advertiser will go directly to Creston Animal Rescue Effort All donations collected at the Creston News Advertiser will go directly to Creston Animal Rescue Effort All donations collected at the Creston News Advertiser will go directly to Creston Animal Rescue Effort All donations collected at the Creston News Advertiser will go directly to Creston Animal Rescue Effort All donations collected at the Creston News Advertiser will go directly to Creston Animal Rescue Effort All donations collected at the Creston News Advertiser will go directly to Creston Animal Rescue Effort and Dog Gone Rescue in support of homeless cats and dogs in our community!and Dog Gone Rescue in support of homeless cats and dogs in our community!

304 W. DeVoe, Creston, IA 50801

To view current pets awaiting www.crestonanimalrescue.petfinder.com

Now through December 19th, stop by the Creston News Advertiser, 503 W. Adams, and drop off a donated item for the local animal shelters!

Creston • 641-782-7023

While Supplies Last

$329Hy-Vee Angus Reserve Beef

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Hormel Boneless

Center Cut Chops4 oz.

Save 5¢ with purchase of 1


$499

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$100

Short Cuts

Pepper Strips & Summer Squash Coins

$$ 999999Hy-Waiian

Hamburger Buns8 ct.

Hunt’s

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$338

$198

$$ 3838

Kraft

Miracle Whip30 oz. Original Only

$$ 9898Hy-Vee

Potato Chips9.5-10 oz.

/LB


$$5¢

4¢

5¢


Ad good Wednesday, Dec. 10-Sunday, Dec. 14

Mid Winter Grilling Weather

/LB

10/$1010/$10

Hy-Vee Special Recipe

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Seafood is Great on the Grill!For every $10 spent on fresh

seafood from our seafood department save 10¢ per gallon

For every $10 spent on fresh

10¢

Creston

Creston Nursing & Rehab Center1001 Cottonwood, Creston, IA

641-782-8511

CookFull-time & Part-time

SIGN ON BONUS$1000 Full-time • $500 Part-time

Contact: [email protected]

Not for Profit EOE/AAP Disability & Vets

It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone,

for part of us went with you, the day God called you home.Gary & Marilyn Stephens & family

Betty Barratt & familyMarla & Delbert Pistole & family

John Stephens & familyTheresa Hartman & family

There is not a day that I don’t miss you Mom!

Theresa Hartman

It broke our hearts to lose you,

JOANN BOYDMarch 23, 1932 ~ December 10, 2013

Clearfield Manor Apartments

407 4th StreetClearfield, Iowa 50840

Now taking applications for 1 & 2 bedroom unitsProperty offers housing for Elderly

(62 yrs. or older), handicap/disabled, regardless of age.

Rental assistance available for qualified applicants

Call 712-328-2222, ext. 13TDD 1-800-IA Relay

“This institution is an equal Opportunity provider

& employer”

Treat American Food Services at our Southwestern Community College location in

Creston is looking for a

PT Cookto handle grill, deli, salad and prep

work Days/Evenings Monday-Friday, may include some Sunday

evenings. $8.50 per hour.Apply with resume in Word format to:

[email protected]

CLASSIFIEDS

DEADLINE:

Mon.-Fri.NOON

(12 p.m.)

Amber Hayes,classified manager

641-782-2141,ext. 6441

[email protected]

LIFE SMART 1000square foot infraredquartz heater, brandnew in box, $50.00,641-782-4869.

2 DARK CHERRY WOODend tables with drawerand space underneath,$15.00 each; 2 partialHP 60 ink cartridges,black $5.00, color$10.00; 2 mirrors onstands, $5.00 each;641-782-6144.

BusinessServices

Employment

Miscellaneous

For Sale

$50 or Less

INVESTING? PROMISESOF big profits oftenmean big risk! Beforeyou send money callIowa Securities Bureau1-800-351-4665 or theFederal Trade Commis-sion at 877-FTC-HELPfor free information. Orvisit their Web site atwww.ftc.gov/bizop.

TO OURREADERS

Creston PublishingCompany does notknowingly accept ad-vertising which is inviolation of the law.We do not knowinglyaccept advertisingthat is fraudulent orhas malicious intent.

While we attemptto screen advertisingwith potential offraud, it is impossibleto screen all potentialproblems.

We strongly en-courage readers toexercise caution andcommon sense, par-ticularly when dealingwith unfamiliar com-panies.

FOUR GOOD (4)215/60/17 All SeasonRadial tires, fuel saver,rotated, $50 or 2 for$25; Four good (4)225/50/17 All SeasonRadial tires, rotated, $50or 2 for $25; call 641-782-6978 and leave amessage.

HOGAN IS HIRING!Dedicated CDL-A Solo &Team Company Driver &Owner Operators. Up to$10,000 Sign on Bonus!More than WeeklyHometime. 866-357-7528

50 INCH SMART TV, 5years old, $200 firm,641-782-9166.

FOOT MASSAGER, newin box, $5.00; curlingiron, new, $5.00; set ofcollectible AVON thim-bles, $5.00 each, 641-202-7047.

HOME TIME, Full/Part-time, flexibility to drivemiles and be home, KenPratt Trucking, 816-858-3816.

MCNEILL TREE SER-VICE. Topping, Trim-ming and Removal. FreeEstimates, insured. CallDavid at 641-344-9052.

NEW DRESSES- SIZE22W with jacket, anklelength, cranberry,$30.00, size 1X tie dyewith black shrug,$20.00; King size com-forter set, fishing theme,like new, $20.00; in Cre-ston 989-614-0160.

CLASSIFIED OFFERS a sim-ple solution...if you need a new home, apartment, a better car or the services of an expert repairman.

CLS112A Creston News Advertiser

Thursday, December 11, 2014


with 11 points to go with five rebounds and four steals. Aurora Arevalo scored nine points with six rebounds. Katelyn Belding added six points with six rebounds and three steals. Jacy Stoaks contributed five points with five re-bounds and four steals.

“We played better de-fense the last three quar-ters,” Lenox head coach Mandy Stoaks said. “We did a much better job of defensive rebounding. Of-fensively, we are missing too many easy shots and still turning the ball over too much.”O-M 56,Diagonal 32

ORIENT — Shannon Eads had a big game to lead Orient-Macksburg past Diagonal here Tues-day, 56-32.

Eads scored a game-high 28 points and g r a b b e d seven re-bounds in the win. Lisa Moss added 16 points and p u l l e d down seven rebounds with

seven steals in the win. Courtney Neal scored six points with seven re-bounds.

Rylee Woosley scored three points with seven re-bounds. Shyla Waldhauser grabbed a team-high nine rebounds and collected two steals. Brooklyn Sam-mons added one point with two rebounds.

For Diagonal, Katie So-botka led the way with 14 p o i n t s , including four made 3 - p o i n t -ers. So-botka also f i n i s h e d with four rebounds and three steals.

Kasydi Klommhaus add-ed eight points with four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Jaci Haidsiak scored four points with four rebounds. Cassidy Becker scored two points with a team-high seven rebounds. Allison Norris added four points. Cassidy Lohmann grabbed three rebounds with three steals.

Diagonal dropped to 1-4 with the loss, while Ori-ent-Macksburg improved to 2-4 for the season.

GIRLS:

Eads

Sobotka


defense.A big break for Northern

Iowa since all the momentum seemed to be switching over to Denver. Olson’s one of the team’s top shooters, but he’s banged up — sore hips and knees — and had an off night, finishing with five points.

“If Brett makes that shot,” Scott said, as he mulled over the possibility, “but he didn’t have a night where you would think that would go in.”

Tuttle followed with an em-phatic dunk on the next pos-session and Denver couldn’t get the deficit under 10.

“I really think we just took our foot off the pedal in the second half,” Tuttle said.

Some of that has to do with the Pioneers’ style of play. They’re relentless on defense and work the ball around in their Princeton offense. Scott’s squad didn’t get away

from those tenets even as the Panthers built a lead.

“I felt like every time I touched the ball, the defense was flying in,” Tuttle said. “They have to play physical because they’re undersized. They have to play bigger than they really are, and they do that well.”

___TIP-INS

Northern Iowa: Before this week, the last time Northern Iowa appeared in the AP Top 25 was Feb. 22, 2010. ... North-ern Iowa has the oldest roster in the Missouri Valley Con-ference, with an average age of right around 20.5 years. ... The Panthers also started 9-0 in 1922-23. ... Wes Washpun had 11 points, while Paul Jes-person finished with 10. ... The Panthers outrebounded the Pioneers 21-13. There weren’t many offensive rebounds, ei-ther, as Northern Iowa had one and Denver two.

UNI:


Dial-A-Service

Siding & WindowsGAULE EXTERIORSSteel and vinyl siding, replacement windows and seamless guttering. Quality craftsmanship, over a decade of professional service in Southwest Iowa. 641-782-0905.

WESTMAN WINDOWS. Replace-ment windows tilt for easy cleaning and rebates bays, bows, sliders, etc. Any custom size and shape, 30+ years in Creston. I sell, service and install, for no-pressure estimate call Charlie Westman 641-782-4590 or 641-344-5523.

BOWMAN SIDING & WINDOWS. All major brands of vinyl and steel siding, Heartland, Traco and Revere thermal replacement windows. Re-cipient of the Revere Premium Reno-vator Award. Seamless guttering and Leaf Relief gutter covers. 33 years of continuous reliable service in South-west Iowa, free estimates, 641-322-5160 or 1-800-245-0337.

Computer RepairBUILTNETWORKS, 805 Wyoming Ave, Creston, IA, 641-782-4765, Computer sales, repair, network-ing. Over 25 years experience. PC & Mac.

StorageSHARP’S SELF-STORAGE Boats, records, inventory, furniture. You store it, lock it, take the key. Industrial Park, Creston, 641-782-6227.

PlumberSCHROEDER PLUMBING and ELECTRICAL. Central air repair/new installations, new breaker boxes, lighting fixtures, softeners, water heaters. Specialize in manufactured and mobile homes. Free estimates, licensed, insured, 641-202-1048. Accept Visa & Mastercard.

Place your business service ad here for

$40 a month. Call 641-782-2141

ext. 6441

HOME SERVICES DIRECTORYFind the right people for the job,

right here.

GlassQUALITY GLASS CO. Automotive, home, business and farm. Commercial lock service and trailer sales. Hwy 34 East, in Creston 641-782-5155

Auction CalendarComplete sale information is published in the

Wednesday edition of the Creston News Advertiser and/or the Southwest Iowa Advertiser

Advertise your auction in the CNA Classifieds and we will include it in our “Auction Calendar.”

Sat. Dec. 13- 10:00AM Lamoni, IA. Tractor, Pickup, Trailers, Guns, Antiques, Household Goods, Lawn & Garden, Tools for Steve and Betty Grimes. Auctioneers: Jim Smith, Curt Pierschbacher.Mon. Dec. 15- 6:00PM Creston, IA. 3 BR 2 story home at 508 W. Adams. Auctioneers: Darwin West, Tom Frey, Todd Crill.

CNACreston Nursing & Rehab Center is now hiring caring CNAs with

strong work ethic to join our team. We are proud to invest in you by providing nurse aide membership benefits (NAHCA), online training,

LPN & RN tuition assistance, a generous anniversary bonus, &

much more! Visit us on the web to learn more and apply.

Creston Nursing & Rehab Center

1001 Cottonwood641-782-8511

[email protected]

Not for Profit EOE/AAP Disability & Vets

Focus is currently seeking to hire qualified candidates for a full-time factory in Maryville, MO. We are looking for skilled, motivated and

fast pace individuals that are ready for the challenge!

POSITIONS:AssemblyProduction

General labor **All Shifts Available **

Apply online at

www.workatfocus.com or call us at 660-562-4600 to schedule a time to come in!

WANTEDEnthusiastic, dedicated, licensed teacher with a love of early childhood to serve children and families in Creston. Need early childhood endorsement or willing to obtain it within a year. Full benefits including IPERS, sick and vacation leave, and health benefit option.

For more information callMATURA Head Start at

641-782-6201Send Resumes to

209 N. Elm StreetCreston, Iowa 50801 or email [email protected]

Postition open until filled.E.O.E.

JOIN OUR TEAM!

CDL DriverIowa Select Farms has positions open for CDL Drivers responsible for transporting commercial hogs to market facilities. This candidate will be responsible for operating a semi-truck and trailer and following all safety, biosecurity and record keeping protocols. This position requires a Class A CDL with a clean driving record. Five days a week, home every day. $1,200 SIGN ON BONUS!

Manager-In-TrainingThis is a full-time management trainee position available for individuals with swine experience. The Manager-In-Training program is a 16 month program that offers trainees the opportunity to gain experience in all phases of production and ultimately be placed as a sow, nursery or finishing manager within the Iowa Select Farms system.

Nursery TechnicianAs a Nursery Technician, you will work as a team in the process of caring for newly weaned piglets to assure optimum productivity throughout the nursery phase. The candidate will monitor and evaluate the overall health of pigs and help with light facility repair and maintenance as needed.

Sow TechnicianSow Technicians work as a team to provide daily care of sows and piglets at the worksite. This job will provide hands-on experience in many of the following areas: animal movements, breeding and gestation, farrowing, record keeping and farm maintenance. Starting salary of $28,000 and increases to $31,000 after just one year!

Iowa Select Farms has the following full-time, local job openings.

Iowa Select Farms is an equal opportunity employer.

COMPETITIVE SALARY AND EXCELLENT BENEFITS! Apply online at apply.iowaselect.com, call Human Resources at 641-316-3251,

or stop by 101 North Douglas in Afton to complete an application.

300 W. Hutchings St., Winterset, Iowa 50273MCHCS is an equal opportunity employer

Full Time - 36 hours per weekApply online at www.madisonhealth.com

Join our Health Care Team

300 W. Hutchings St., Winterset, Iowa 50273MCHCS is an equal opportunity employer

Duties include, but are not limited to, placing patients in examination rooms, ascertaining pertinent medical history, obtaining vitals, preparing and prepping charts, collecting pertinent testing in advance, assisting in scheduling, and assisting provider as needed. Additional duties include backing up other nursing staff, backing up lab and other duties as assigned.

We provide a competitive and comprehensive compensation package including PTO, IPERS and a free on-site fitness facility for employees and their spouses.

We look forward to meeting dedicated professionals

seeking career opportunities.

Apply online at www.madisonhealth.comFull Time – 72- 80 hours per pay period

Clinic RN/LPN/CMA

Gift and Bake SaleSaturday, December 13th

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.Creston Depot Meal Site

Kids Pictureswith Santa9 a.m. - Noon

Raffle TicketsPrize is

$100 cashSilent Auction

3’x3’ barn quilt

Kids Pictureswith Santa

Creston Animal Rescue Effort

Shop from vendors FarmHussy Bath & Body; Tammi Parkhurst, Younique Cosmetics; The Silver Shed; Be Blessed Gifts; 210th Street Designs by Ann Brody;

baked goods and dog treats. Also available: CARE t-shirts, dog breed magnets and Blue Mountain Art magnets.

Maintenance Tech$18.50 for entry level, with experience negotiable

Instrument & Controls Technician$26.00

Boiler Operator$24.25 for entry level, with experience negotiable

Loadout Technician$17.50

Pre-employment physical, drug screen, and background check are required.

Apply online at: www.chsinc.comEEO/AAP Employer

CHS Inc., a Fortune 100 Company, has an exciting career opportunities at our soybean facility in Creston, IA!

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

BarbackFull Time, 2nd Shift, Weekends, Holidays

Host/Cashier/BusserPart Time, Shift varies, Weekends, Holidays

Food Server Part Time, Shift Varies, Weekends, Holidays

CookFull Time, 2nd Shift, Weekends, Holidays

DishwasherFull Time, 2nd Shift, Weekends, Holidays

Lead Kitchen Cook Full Time, Shift may vary, Weekends, Holidays2 Years Full Service Restaurant Kitchen Experience RequiredSupervisory/Team Leadership Experience Helpful

Slot Technician Full Time, Swing Shift, Weekends, Holidays

Maintenance Engineer Full Time, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Shift, Weekends, Holidays

Guest Room Attendant Full Time, Day Shift, Weekends, Holidays

Facilities Housekeeping Full Time, Grave Shift, Weekends, Holidays

General Ledger Clerk Accounting Degree or Equivalent Experience RequiredFull Time, Day Shift, Occasional Weekend Day, Holidays

Surveillance Operator Full Time, Grave Shift, Weekends, Holidays

Apply Online at www.AffinityGaming.comCall Pam in HR, (641) 223-8538, with any questions

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIESIT Systems Administrator

Full Time, Exempt2 Year Degree in Computer Engineering, MIS or related

BartenderFull Time, Swing Shift, Weekends, Holidays

Facility HousekeeperFull Time, Swing Shift, Weekends, Holidays

CookFull Time, Swing Shift, Weekends, Holidays

Count Team MemberFull Time, Grave Shifts, Weekends, Holidays

Guest Room AttendantFull Time, Day Shift, Weekends, Holidays

Guest Service Center SpecialistFull & Part Time, Any Shift, Weekends, Holidays

Security Shift SupervisorFull Time, Grave Shift, Weekends, Holidays

Apply Online at www.AffinityGaming.comCall Pam in HR, (641) 223-8538, with any questions

For Rent For Rent

1 BEDROOM ANDefficiency apartmentsfor rent in Creston,$430-$450/mo., all utili-ties included, no pets,515-401-6616.

APARTMENT FOR RENTIN AFTON: Nice, clean,2-bedroom, $550/mo.,stove, refrigerator,washer/dryer onpremises, 641-344-5478.

2 BEDROOM APART-MENT, $400/month,plus deposit, all utilitiesexcept electric, no pets,NO SMOKING, refer-ences required, 641-344-3201.

NICE 2+ BEDROOMhouse, garage, clean, nosmoking, no pets, refer-ences, $650/month,Rick, 641-202-0409. Eagles Club • Creston

MOUNTAIN OYSTER FRY

Friday, Dec. 12th

6 - ? p.m. • $8 PlateCoffee and Tea Included

— Open to the Public —

...also serving chicken and fish!

Your Guide To Dining And Entertainment

Creston NewsAdvertiserClassifieds

641-782-2141Ext. 6441

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extra cash by advertising your “no longer used” sporting goods

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and Southwest Iowa AdvertiserClassified

641-782-2141 ext. 6441

A quick and easy way to Buy, Sell or Trade.

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Thursday, December 18 • 10 am – 6 pm200 N Elm St, Creston

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

M & S Tree Service Customers,This is to inform our customers that M&S Tree Service

will continue business as usual. However, due to the late season the work will be limited to what can be done during the winter season. If you have any concerns or questions feel free to contact us at 641-335-2247. Thank you for your business and we are happy to continue to work with each and every one of you. If Mike had not yet set up an appointment for your estimate, please contact us so we can get your tree work on our list.

Once again thank you for your patience.

M&S Tree Service Mick Gray • Sherry Gray

707 2nd Street, P. O. Box 146Prescott, IA 50859

641-335-2247


Teen retailers get the cold shoulder for holidays

NEW YORK (AP) — Be-ing a teen can be tough, but catering to one is even more difficult.

Teen retailers are learning that lesson the hard way this holiday season.

The longtime CEO of Ab-ercrombie & Fitch on Tues-day abruptly retired just a week after the retailer post-ed an 11.5 percent quarterly sales drop and slashed its annual profit forecast. And American Eagle and Aero-postale gave dismal forecasts for the quarter that includes the holiday shopping season after each posted weak sales for the fall.

Teen retailers are facing ho-hum results at a time when overall U.S. retail sales are up 5.1 percent over the past 12 months, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

It’s a major shift for teen retailers. They became pop-ular in the last decade for their logo tees and trendy jeans, which became a high school uniform of sorts. But since the recession, these stores have been losing fa-vor with their core demo-graphic.

One reason is technolo-gy. Teens are more inter-ested in playing on smart-phones than hanging out at the mall where these stores are. They’re also more like-ly to spend their money on iPhones and other tech gad-gets than on clothes.

And when they do buy clothes, they do so differ-ently than past generations who found comfort in dress-ing like their peers. Today’s teens shun the idea of wear-ing the same outfit as the girl or guy sitting next to them in chemistry class.

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Continued from Page 1

of an entity where you ob-tain sufficient evidential matter to support an opin-ion on those financial state-ments.

“An audit is not designed for the detection of fraud,” Cook said.

In the 2010-11 auditor’s report, Green’s total re-ported vacation hours saw a major reduction from more than 400 accumulated hours to 80 total vacation hours. Vacation hours were totaled on June 30 for all employees of the water works as a po-tential liability, which Cook said from a CPA standpoint was “compensated absen-tees.”

The total vacation time was determined from infor-mation provided by the of-fice manager. In 2011, Green received board approval for payout for three weeks of va-cation. He was awarded five weeks of vacation each year, which totaled 200 hours.

The following fiscal year, Green’s hours were back at 476 in the auditor’s report with the note, “The vacation time for Mr. Green in 2010-11 was incorrect. It appears the intention of the board was only to pay out three weeks and not to be a limit on vacation time for him as there was some carry over amounts.”

Cook said it was his un-derstanding based on the in-formation provided by office management that Green was allowed to roll the vacation

over year to year despite the fact other Creston Water Works employees were un-der a “use it or lose it” vaca-tion plan.

Red flagsThe 2012 audit caught the

attention of Cook and even-tually led to an investigation by the state auditor.

“We discovered an item during testing … we were made aware of some poten-tial information that would require review,” Cook said. “Audit standards have changed over the years and more recently they have gone to a risk-based ap-proach. You access risk to areas that you feel would need additional, detailed testing.”

Cook explained that an audit does not review ev-ery transaction a company makes, but has a standard to review a certain percentage of transactions.

“Tested could mean var-ious things,” Cook said. “You are either looking at substantive information re-viewing the details of trans-actions and so forth or ana-lytical reviews.”

One red flag was a power washer Green purchased in Des Moines because Green requested and approved the transaction. This led Cook to look into transactions in-volving petty cash and ad-ditional payment from two major projects.

“For an item such as pet-ty cash, the first occurrence would probably just show up in a management letter that control needed to be strengthened to ensure that petty cash does have the

proper receipts when the money is dispersed,” Cook said.

Cook was not aware that Green had the $5,000 spend-ing limit for day-to-day busi-ness that Bailey described.

The two projects were Summit Lake and the Cres-ton Water Works $13 mil-lion expansion.

“We found documents al-lowing him to have so many hours of additional pay for these projects,” Cook said. “We then went back to the date of those documents to look for board approval.”

Not finding any men-tion of the documents in the board minutes, Cook consulted with the board’s finance committee of Lee McNichols and Bill Stuart.

“I wouldn’t call what we were doing an investigation at that time,” Cook said.

State auditorWhile Cook did have

contact with McNichols and Stuart, he did not consult a majority of the Creston Wa-ter Works Board of Trustees until a special meeting in November 2012. During that meeting Green was placed on administrative leave.

Cook turned over his in-formation to the Iowa state auditor. James Cunning-ham, who is a manager for the state auditor, was put in charge of the investigation.

“Once we determine that we are going to start an in-vestigation … I will sit down with my deputy directors and directors and we will devel-op audit plans to address the allegations that were made,” Cunningham said. “That will include interviews, what ar-

eas we are going to look at.”Cunningham’s report

detailed unsupported and improper payments in rela-tion to their investigation of Green. Unsupported pay-ments do not mean the char-ger were not allowed, there was not enough informa-tion available to ensure the charges were made properly.

One way to check unsup-ported and improper pay-ments is through receipts. Another is the action taken by the board.

“We rely on the minutes because that is what the public sees and documents the actions of the board,” Cunningham said.

The dollar value placed on Green’s unsupported and improper payments to-taled more than $84,000.

Paragraph 12 of Green’s contract resurfaced when Cunningham mentioned it in a comment of his inves-tigation. He found Cres-ton Water Works may be required to pay more than $54,000 in insurance pay-ments for Green’s accumu-lated sick and vacation pay.

With the final reported amount of Green’s accumu-lated vacation, the actual li-ability of the Creston Water Board would be more than $77,000.

Cunningham said one of the biggest problems with petty cash, extra pay for projects and vacation pay-outs was the lack of written policies or proper board au-thorization to clearly define right from wrong.

Court resumes today at 9:30 a.m.

TRIAL:

Continued from Page 1

Creston under this pro-posed franchise fee could be used in a variety of areas — some of which include

economic development, street improvements, fire and police departments, rec-reational trails, property tax relief and more.

“We’d use the money for

all of the above,” Taylor said.

Taylor said two areas that would benefit from the franchise funding are public safety (police and fire de-

partments) and city streets. Taylor said — under the proposed 5 percent fran-chise fee — an estimated $600,000 would be generat-ed in city funding.

FEE:

cna-12-11-2014

Documents

city of creston

yearly audit

water works board of

audit reports

witness stand

audit program

creston city council

creston city limits