Monday May 19, 2014
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Panther golfers survive sectionals at Atlantic Friday
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Explosion in Afton Friday alarms residents AFTON — The Afton Police Department is looking for a silver Dodge truck after an explosion 10 p.m. Friday in the 100 block of North Webster Street in Afton. Afton Police Chief John Coulter said he was writing a police report in his vehicle on the north side of the Coulter square when he heard a loud explosion that rattled buildings and cars on the square. A silver Dodge truck was caught on a surveillance camera leaving the
Do you recognize this silver Dodge truck? --> ■
scene. In one photo posted on the Afton Police Facebook page, light from the explosion is seen reflecting off buildings and the back of the silver Dodge. Despite the number of comments on their post, the Afton Police have little information on the identity of the vehicle and its driver. No injuries or damage was reported. Anyone with information is enContributed photo couraged to contact Afton Police De- This silver Dodge truck was caught on a surveillance camera leaving the scene of an explosion 10 p.m. Friday. If you have any information in this case, call Afton Police Department at (641) 347-5255. partment at (641) 347-5255.
Community support Creston Elks Lodge donates money to Creston volunteer firefighters, K-9 unit
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By BAILEY POOLMAN CNA staff reporter
bpoolman@crestonnews.com
Elks National Foundation gratitude grants say thank you in more ways than one. Creston Elks Lodge used a gratitude grant to supply Creston Volunteer Fire Department with flashlights, and donate the remaining money to Creston Police Department’s K-9 unit. “The grant was for $2,000,” said Eric Shawler, past exalted ruler of Creston Elks. “You have to donate to the national foundation, and you have to apply. And, when you apply for the grant, you have to Shawler utilize the grant within the allotted time.” Creston Elks Lodge earned the grant by meeting the Elks national president’s per-member goal for giving to the foundation. Creston Elks Lodge has 412 members. “I would hope the community will respond well with the actions and intentions that the
K-9 The remaining $700 will be donated to Creston Police Department’s K-9 unit. The unit is made of the dog, Minko, and his trainer, Creston Police Officer Jayrd Merritt. Creston Police Department has had Minko since August 2011, when they purchased him from North Iowa K-9 of Fort Dodge. The money will be used for training and training equipment. According to National Police Dog Foundation, dogs trained for police work can cost upwards of $8,000 as a starting cost, which includes CNA file photo the animal, professional trainCreston Police Department’s K-9 unit will receive $700 from ing and airfare, as the dogs are a grant through National Elks Foundation and Creston Elks usually purchased from EuLodge. The money will be used to purchase training equipment rope. The cost is not included for Minko, Creston’s police dog, and put toward future K-9s. in police departments’ annual Elks have to help make the It was about making sure fire- budget because the unit is not community better and safer,” men had adequate tools to considered a necessary cost. “The money for the dog will Shawler said. protect themselves and othFlashlights ers when it came to fighting be for training and equipment More than half the money, a fire,” Shawler said. “We for the dog, like bite equip$1,300, was donated to Cres- didn’t want them to be with- ment,” Shawler said. “We are building up funds for the futon Volunteer Fire Depart- out equipment.” ment in the form of flashlights. Firefighters use flashlights ture replacement dog, because “The volunteer firemen during fires and rescues be- K-9s are very expensive.” Other expenses include have to, basically, buy any- cause of the possibility that thing outside of bunker gear, fires and accidents happen continuous training and outyour basic turnout gear,” at night and in dark places. fitting a patrol car, as well as Shawler said. “So, we decided Without flashlights, firefight- daily costs such as food and to take that gratitude grant ers would not have that extra care. “They train to keep the dog and purchase flashlights for all equipment to allow them to of our volunteer firemen.” see where to go and what is sharp,” Shawler said. “Keeping up with daily training will The fire-resisitant flash- happening. lights will belong to the fire “We are just trying to show keep the dog sharp, like hudepartment, and will be issued that the Elks supports the mans, keeps them trained to volunteer firefighters as community, and we are trying and keeps them doing what part of their gear. to give back to the commu- they’re supposed to be doing.” “It was about public safety. nity,” Shawler said.
CHS graduation slated Sunday Creston High School will conduct its annual graduation ceremony 2 p.m. Sunday, May 25. One hundred nine graduates are expected to walk across the stage in their caps and gowns to receive their diplomas. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m. Graduates need to arrive by 1 p.m. and report to the auditorium for line up. Seniors will proceed into the gym at 1:55 p.m. in order to begin the ceremony
Student speakers are Audrey Fyock, Sarah Waigand, RaeAnne Hopkins, Zack Peppmeier, Jeremy Stoll, Garret Taylor.
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promptly at 2 p.m. Seniors will be given two reserved seat tickets allowing two guests to sit on the chairs reserved and closest to the stage on the gymnasium floor. Bleacher seating will be available for all guests and the general public.
Administrators Steve McDermott and Bill Messerole, Counselors Tammy Riley and Angie Bolinger, and board members will present awards and diplomas. Student speakers this year will be Audrey Fyock, RaeAnne Hopkins, Zack
Peppmeier, Jeremy Stoll, Garret Taylor and Sarah Waigand. Valedictorian, salutatorian, and others receiving honors will have their pictures taken in the library directly after graduation. Seniors will have graduation practice on May 23 at 10:30 a.m., beginning with a senior class group photo, and will conclude with a cookout sponsored by Creston Booster Club.
GRMC adds 24/7 fetal monitor expertise Continuing its commitment to deliver safe, quality health outcomes to the labor and delivery (L&D) patients of southwest rural Iowa, Greater Regional Medical Center in Creston has implemented a fetal surveillance system (PeriGen’s PeriCALM). “With PeriGen’s PeriCALM, the evidencebased decision support system is like having a maternal fetal expert looking over your shoulder throughout the labor process, offering reassurance and consultation when needed,” said Gwen Buck, Greater Regional’s chief nursing officer. “When we get busy handling multiple deliveries, PeriCALM’s fetal heart monitoring and alert capabilities ensure that we stay on top of all develop- Buck ments. We expect our outstanding quality care for ■ Greater newborns and their mothers Regional to continue and PeriCALM birthing helps assure the highest level of safety.” center The fetal surveillance sysdelivers tem has remote web access, between which means Greater Regional on-call physicians can 150 and log onto the system’s spilt 250 babies screen to instantly view the annually. mother and baby’s fetal heart tracings in current state and over two hours. They can also access automated, real-time pattern recognition at the bedside. These capabilities allow physicians working remotely to see for themselves the same PeriCALM annotations nurses are seeing, creating more productive conversations. This dialogue empowers the Greater Regional Birthing Center team to make decisions with greater confidence, mitigating the potential for complications and risk. The Greater Regional birthing center delivers between 150 and 250 babies annually. “PeriGen supports Greater Regional Medical Center’s mission to provide the highest quality healthcare and service and to be our community’s provider of choice,” Buck said. “PeriCALM technology also helps us support our core values by Please see GRMC, Page 2
Serving Southwest Iowa since 1879 Price 75¢
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Volume 130 No. 240 Copyright 2014
Contact us 2014
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Contents
Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Deaths. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Heloise Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Tuesday weather High 82 Low 59 Full weather report, 3A