THROWBACK NEWS
Ten years ago, Chelsea Ekeler and Ryan Hoffman were winners of the Creston Elks Lodge “What the Flag Means to Me” essay contest. See photo on page 2A. >>
LONG TIME COMING The Creston softball team defeated the third-ranked Winterset Huskies Wednesday evening in a nerve-racking, 3-2 victory. Read more on the game in SPORTS, page 7A. >>
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Disaster aid for bird flu denied by feds DES MOINES (AP) — Governor Terry Branstad’s request for a federal disaster declaration to respond to the bird flu outbreak has been denied. The governor had sought a major disaster declaration from President Barack Obama for the four counCNA photo by IAN RICHARDSON
Members of the 4K for Cancer team line up in front of their van for a group photo. The team has three vans. One is a supply van that goes ahead to the team’s destination for the day. The second, loaded with more team members, went to the halfway point to begin its portion of the relay there. The group, which numbers 28 in all, is covering 120 miles today and will end up in Oskaloosa.
4K makes FORstop,CANCER TEAM runs through Creston By IAN RICHARDSON
CNA staff reporter irichardson@crestonnews.com
On your way to work this morning, you might have spotted pairs of runners in jerseys headed east on U.S. Highway 34, followed by a van with slogans like “San Fran to Baltimore” and “#cancersucks” painted on the windows. These runners are members of Team Baltimore, participating in the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults 4K for Cancer relay, a 49-day trek from San Francisco to Baltimore to raise money and awareness for cancer in young adults. The goal of their relay, which involves 28 team members ages 19 to 26 and will cover 15 states, is to raise money to support cancer patients with scholarships, guidebooks and grants to other organizations. Each participant has raised more than $4,500.
Jason Besser, left, and Kevin Friend begin their leg of the relay on U.S. Highway 34 between Creston and Afton. Besser is 21, and Friend is 24.
Eighty-nine percent of these funds go to the Ulman Cancer Fund, with the remaining 11 percent covering costs for the trip. The team often stays overnight in churches and high school gymnasiums, eating food donated from local businesses to keep the costs down. Each member covers eight to 14 miles per day, and the team spends every fifth day resting and visiting cancer patients in hospitals. The group stopped in Creston yesterday to spend the night at Creston United
Methodist Church, where church members fed them with a potluck dinner. “It’s awesome when the churches feed us because it’s home cooking, which we don’t get often,” said Liz Cowle, a 23-year-old team member from New Orleans. “So we really loved the potluck last night. It was one of our favorites.” Creston businesses also pitched in, with Subway donating sandwiches and Hy-Vee and Wal-Mart donating gift cards. “We actually had a girl’s birthday yesterday, and Hy-
Vee donated a gift card, so we got her a cake,” Cowle said. This morning, the team was back up and on its way to Oskaloosa, day 26 of the journey. Cowle said most team members have a personal connection to cancer. One of the team members is a thyroid cancer survivor. At age 4, Cowle lost her mother to breast cancer, and she said helping those with cancer is something she’s been passionate about ever since. She said she enjoys how the fundraiser has brought people together to share their stories for a common cause. “Cancer today I feel like is so taboo — a lot of people feel discrouraged of talking about it,” she said. “Since I started fundraising for this run and telling people my story, it’s amazing the response I’ve gotten.” This year, 4K for Cancer’s two runs and four bicycle tours have combined to raise more than $1 million.
ties most impacted by the virus. In a letter from federal authorities dated Tuesday, the request was rejected. The letter said the damage was “not of such severity and magnitude” Please see BIRD FLU, Page 2A
Father of slain 3-year-old girl faces murder charge BEDFORD (AP) — The father of a 3-year-old girl slain in southwest Iowa now faces a murder charge. The Omaha World-Herald reports that new charge was filed last week against 25-year-old Charles Hall, who is from Chicago. Hall originally was charged with child endangerment resulting in serious injury, the same charged filed against
his girlfriend, 25-year-old April Clair, who is from Bedford. The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call in Bedford on May 22 and found little Janiya King unresponsive. The Taylor County medical examiner later pronounced her dead. Hall’s attorney has declined to comment about the charges against his client.
Rick Perry to visit Ellston Ringgold and Union County Republican parties invite the public to meet former Texas governor Rick Perry for pie, refreshments and conversation 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Sun Valley Lake Community Center, 3186 Big Bend Road, Ell-
ston. There is no cost to attend. Free-will offerings will be accepted. All proceeds go Ringgold and Union County Republican parties. For more information, call Tracee Knapp at 641202-4801.
Ringgold fair queen:
Jaci Haidsiak smiles big after being named 2015 Ringgold County Fair queen Wednesday evening in Mount Ayr. Here, last year’s queen Kaitlyn Klommhaus pins on her sash. Haidsiak is the daughter of Josh and Jessie Haidsiak. She was escorted Wednesday by her great-grandfather Howard W. Tull (pictured right).
CNA photo by LARRY PETERSON
July 8?:
Creston High School fans are unusually bundled up for a July softball game Wednesday night as the Panthers took on Winterset in a battle of state-ranked teams. Game time temperature was 64 degrees with a southeasterly breeze, dipping below 60 degrees by late Wednesday night. Normal mid-July temperatures approaching 90 are forecast for the weekend. For more on the game see page 7A.
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Volume 132 No. 29
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