‘THE PLAN’ SCREENING
A preview screening of the “Raised Hunting” episode “The Plan,” in which 2015 Creston alumnus Tanner Webb shoots his first deer, will run 7 p.m. Wednesday at Creston High School auditorium. Admission is free.
BRINGING THE MOJO A foreign exchange student from Germany, nicknamed “Mojo,” will play quarterback for the Creston High School football team this fall. Read more about him in SPORTS, page 5A. >>
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YMCA to throw 20th anniversary bash By KELSEY HAUGEN
CNA staff reporter
khaugen@crestonnews.com
CNA file photo
Jerry White drives bus No. 12 with a load of kids to Mayflower Heritage Christian School in Creston last spring. School starts Wednesday in Creston. Please be aware students will be walking near roadways.
Bus awareness essential as start of school approaches ■ Illegally passing a stopped school bus
By IAN RICHARDSON
CNA staff reporter irichardson@crestonnews.com
Early Wednesday morning, 13 yellow buses will begin rumbling down the roads of Creston, picking up students for the beginning of another school year. With increased traffic and hundreds of students on roads i d e s around t o w n , Creston Schools Transportation Director Beatty Bob Beatty said it’s important for motorists to be aware of what’s going on around them. “One thing I’ve noticed in driving, it seems like a lot of people just aren’t paying
results in suspended driving privileges for 30 days for a first offense with fines starting at $250, according to DOT.
attention and don’t realize the bus is even there,” he said. “They just need to be a little more alert to their surroundings.” Beatty said drivers traveling behind buses should give them space and stop as soon as the amber-colored lights begin flashing. “Always keep a safe distance behind any vehicle you’re following,” he said, “but anytime the lights start flashing on a school bus, you’re required to stop.” Oncoming traffic can continue passing a bus until the stop sign flips outward and the red lights begin flashing, he said. An exception is on multi-lane highways with a median, where
oncoming traffic is not required to stop. However, if the highway is single-lane, all traffic still must stop.
Penalties
According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, illegally passing a stopped school bus results in suspended driving privileges for 30 days for a first offense, 90 days for a second offense and 180 days for a third or subsequent offense. Fines start at $250 for a first offense, climbing to at least $315 for a second offense and above. Offenders may also face imprisoment for 30 days or more. Beatty said he has started installing new camera sys-
tems on the buses that can catch motorists who pass illegally. “We’ve got one (camera) up high that can get a view of the driver and make of vehicle, and we’ve got one specifically aimed for license plates so we can get the license plate,” he said. While the cameras aren’t on every bus, Beatty said it’s in the budget to continue to eventually equip them all with these cameras.
Where to watch Beatty said the most dangerous stops in the Creston area are those along the highways. He also mentioned South Sumner Avenue by Wal-Mart as a spot to watch. Creston buses begin their routes around 6:15 a.m. Peak times for bus traffic are 7 to 8 a.m. and 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
CNA photo by LARRY PETERSON
Kickoff night: Auctioneer Darwin West (right) takes a bid on a football tailgate package from Creston
Vision Clinic held by Southwestern Community College softball players Tiernee Fichter (left) and Gabryelle Dubois, as Bill Taylor and Tracey Evans of Southwestern prepare another item for auction at the Creston/O-M Football Kickoff Cookout Saturday night at Crestmoor Golf Club. Funds raised from the dinner, auction and raffle are used for team meals during the season and technology that allows coaches to see replays immediately on the sideline this year on mobile online devices, coach Brian Morrison said. The event was held indoors this year as thunderstorms moved into southwest Iowa.
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In celebration of 20 years in Creston, the Southern Prairie YMCA is throwing a party. Its 20th Birthday Bash, a fundraiser with several free activities, will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the YMCA. The main event will be a balloon pop, which will give participants the chance to win $1,000 and other prizes. “I’m looking forward to the event as a way of cele- Linch brating the Y’s 20 years and all the ways the Y has touched the community,” said Raquel Linch, YMCA welcome
YMCA BALLOON DAYS 5K EVENT
The Southern Prairie YMCA’s annual Balloon Days 5K Walk/Run and Kids Fun Run will take place Sept. 19 at McKinley Park, with the 5K starting at 8 a.m. and the kids’ run immediately to follow. Those who want to participate in the 5K may sign up for $20 before Sept. 11 or $25 after Sept. 11. Creston Middle School and Creston High School cross country students may sign up for $15. The Kids Fun Run costs $5, and each child will receive
New year, new tech:
Event is slated 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Y. It will feature a balloon pop with chance to win $1,000 ■
center supervisor. “Plus, it’ll be fun.” There will be a free water polo competition, with 10-minute games running from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Each team needs five players, and anyone who wants to get their team on the list should call the YMCA before 3 p.m Sunday at 641782-9622. There will also be a kids’ fun zone with several free activities, including carnival games, inflatables and face painting. Linch said they also hope to have live music performed by local musicians. Please see YMCA, Page 2
a water bottle. Adults are guaranteed a T-shirt if they sign up by Sept. 11. The 5K runners will start at the south shelter house on Lakeshore Drive. The distance for the children will be determined once they are signed in. Awards will be given in each age category for male and female divisions, and door prizes will be awarded after the race. Proceeds will go toward YMCA programming. To sign up for the 5K or Kids Fun Run, visit the YMCA to get the required form or go to www.southernprairieymca.com.
CNA photo by IAN RICHARDSON
Freshman Shelby Huntsman receives a Chromebook from Creston High School Principal Bill Messerole during Creston’s new student orientation Friday. Employees handed out about 90 Chromebooks to incoming freshmen and new students Friday. The rest of the high school will receive them after classes begin Wednesday. In all, Creston has purchased more than 600 new Chromebooks as part of its new technology initiative.
Look in Thursday’s edition of the Creston News Advertiser for
FALL SPORTS GUIDE
Featuring area schools football, volleyball, and cross country teams