CITY GARAGE SALE
THROWBACK NEWS
Creston’s citywide garage sale weekend is June 12-13. There is still time to advertise your sale in the Creston News Advertiser. Call 641-782-2141 ext. 6411.
“The Bridges of Madison County” starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep premiered 20 years ago with the first showing in Winterset. More Throwback news on page 2A.
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THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015
GRMC to give $2,500/month to law enforcement By BAILEY POOLMAN
CNA staff reporter bpoolman@crestonnews.com
For the next two years, Union County Law Enforcement Center will be receiving monthly amounts of $2,500 from Greater Regional Medical Center (GRMC). Beginning July 1, the money will be given to the law center, split evenly between the Creston police and Union County sheriff’s office. The amount will be $30,000 a year each, or $60,000 total. “The city had their budget
crunch, and I was looking for other budget streams,” said Paul Ver Meer, Creston police chief. “I heard at one time the hospital used to par- Ver Meer ticipate in paying for part of a dispatcher.” Previously, the hospital put money toward a dispatcher at the law center, but after awhile that changed. Now, however, money is going toward the whole law center,
not a specific person. Ver Meer spoke with Monte Neitzel, CEO at GRMC, and they worked out a deal for the hospital to give the law enforcement center money each month for a set amount of time. “He was very receptive. He took it to the hospital board,” Ver Meer said. “They were gracious enough to agree to it, and it’s a temporary thing.” According to Ver Meer and Neitzel, 911 hospital calls account for between 10 and 15 percent of calls, and that number has in-
creased in recent years. Now, that number is about 1,000 calls a year. “We wanted to maintain continuity and try to accomplish goals that are set forth with the law center board,” Neitzel said. “I feel that Neitzel working with the police, as well as the Union County Sheriff’s office, I think it is vital to have a strong working relationship.”
The law enforcement center board members approved the money coming in after the hospital board members approved it May 25 with a vote of 6 to 1. GRMC Board Member Tom Lesan voted against the motion. “That service should be provided. I don’t have a problem with helping, but I really think the city is using some things right now, and threatening service cuts,” Lesan said during the hospital board Please see GRMC, Page 2A
EU school board to begin interviews for Vogel’s replacement summer
By IAN RICHARDSON
SIZZLER
CNA staff reporter irichardson@crestonnews.com
First Baptist Church in Creston slid into some fun summer activities with an obstacle course, slip-and-slide activities and fishing during “Summer Sizzler” Wednesday evening. Above, Tristan Travis leads the charge on the slip and slide. The event helps seventh-12th grade students get involved with the church’s youth group and create a fun environment to share the gospel. Youth Pastor Dan Fields helped manage the event. Creston Fire Department gave a presentation for wildfire safety for the group’s upcoming wilderness trip. See more photos on page 16A.
DNR’s free fish weekend starts Friday across the state of Iowa By KYLE WILSON
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CNA managing editor kwilson@crestonnews.com
Get your fishing rod and tackle box ready because this weekend is free fishing weekend in Iowa. The event is hosted annually by Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and allows Iowa residents to fish for free this Friday, Saturday and Sunday without a fishing license. Alan Carr, park ranger at Green Valley State Park, said free fishing weekend presents an opportunity for parents and grandp a r e n t s Carr to spend quality time with their kids. “It’s a great excuse to get out and explore some of our beautiful lakes and resources in the county with the hope the kids have a good
Creston News Advertiser wants to see your photos from free fishing weekend! Email your photos to news@ crestonnews.com.
CNA file photo
Adolfo Saturno holds up a catfish to be measured while his family gathers around to snap photos or get a glimpse of the fish during a fishing contest last summer at McKinley Park. This weekend is the DNR’s free fishing weekend whereby no license is needed to throw a line in the water.
time and want to go fishing again,” Carr said. Some of the popular lakes to fish at in the area this weekend include Green Valley Lake, Summit Lake and McKinley Lake in Creston and Three and Twelve
Mile Lake near Afton. Do you not fish very often? Don’t worry. All you need to get started is a fishing pole, small hook (size 6 or 8), bobber (size of a nickel) and an earthworm. The DNR also recommends
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Copyright 2015
Volume 132 No. 4
2014
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bringing needle-nose pliers to get the hook out of any fish you catch. “The biggest mistake I see with novice anglers is they put on a big hook and bobber the size of a baseball,” Carr said. “The best tip for a successful weekend is to go small with your tackle because the most catchable fish are panfish like bluegill and crappie and they shy away from the big hooks.” The DNR also recommends you fish in the morning and evening when fish are more active. A bottle of sunscreen, pair of sunglasses and hat with a brim should be packed to protect Please see FREE FISHING, Page 2A
AFTON — A field of 40 applicants has been narrowed to 10 or fewer in the search for the new East Union Schools superintendent, with interviews to start as soon as next week. This news comes after EU’s Board of Directors went into a closed work session Wednesday to view applicant information presented by the search firm Leadership Associates. Brett Weis, EU board president, said the board worked on narrowing the pool of applicants during the session, although he could not reveal how many were in that narrowed pool. Weis said the board plans to begin interviewing the candidates within the next week and wants to have a final candidate by the time Vogel’s resignation takes ■ A field of effect June 30. “We’re hoping to have 40 applicants a candidate before the end has been narof the month,” he said. “We’re kind of going to rowed to 10 be cramming as hard as we or fewer. Pam can.” Vogel’s resigAbout half of the 40 applicants have had experi- nation takes ence and about half have effect June 30. not. The board is still open to hiring an interim, said board member Mike Rollings, although at this point it is looking for a full-time superintendent, which he said is what the community has expressed interest in. “Unless we can’t find a candidate that will satisfy all of our needs, we are going for a full-time,” he said. “But if not, we are looking for an interim.” Weis said this decision will hinge on the upcoming interviews. “Both items are on the table, as far as we’re concerned,” he said. “It’s going to depend on our next interview process.” This meeting marked the approximate halfway point of the two-month search process. The board hired Leadership Associates, a brand-new search firm comprised of current Iowa administrators Jim Verlengia and Becky Durand, during its April 29 meeting. This is Leadership Associates’ first superintendent search. Weis said so far he has been impressed with its work. “As far as the Leadership Associates, I’m really pleased,” he said. “I think they’re doing an excellent job helping us out.” The board will meet with Leadership Associates for another work session on June 18.
National Donut Day! Friday June, 5th
Fresh donuts and coffee served every day this week in our Creston office. FREE HEARING EVALUATION 641-782-2494 CRESTON LOCATION 12 IOWA LOCATIONS: ASIAUDIOLOGY.COM/ABOUT-US 319 W ADAMS