BEARCAT DEBUT
FLU VACCINATIONS Greater Regional Outreach/Public Health Department will be offering flu vaccinations weekly on Thursdays beginning Oct. 2 through Nov. 21. Read more on page 14A.
Northwest Missouri State freshman Brandon Phipps of Creston is off to a successful start in his cross country career. Read more about Phipps in SPORTS, page 8A. >>
creston
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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2014
County hires new VA director Severe weather possible tonight in SW Iowa Supervisors vote 2-1 to hire Navy veteran Tom Hawks. He will start his duties as director immediately.
By JAKE WADDINGHAM
■
CNA associate editor
jwaddingham@crestonnews.com
After tabling the motion for a week to review their involvement in the hiring process, the Union County Board of Supervisors voted 2-1 to accept the commissioners’ recommendation. Navy veteran Tom Hawks, 64, will start his duties as the new veterans affairs director immediately. His scheduled office hours are 9 a.m. to 1
p.m. Monday through Friday. “In my retirement (from the United States Postal Service), I decided it was my time that I needed to pay back,” Hawks said. “I thought this would be an opportunity to pay it forward and help people that need assistance.” Hawks graduated from Creston High School and
Southwestern Community College. He also took additional classes through Buena Vista University. He served in the naval security group during the Vietnam era from 1969-73 as a communications technician. Dennis Brown and Ron Riley were the two votes in favor of the recommendation.
Lois Monday voted against. “All the commission members are very serious about their O’Daniels responsibilities and helping veterans in Union County,” Gary O’Daniels said. “We have pretty strict guidelines from
Severe weather including tornadoes, hail and flash flooding are possible this evening as a strong storm system moves through Iowa. Meteorologists at WHO-13 in Des Moines expect severe storms to likely start developing between 3 and 4 p.m. today. The storms will then move to the east as the afternoon and evening progress. The storms could produce between one and three inches of rainfall. Therefore, National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch from 7 p.m. today until 7 a.m. Wednesday. The entire Creston News Advertiser coverage is included in this flash flood watch.
Please see VA DIRECTOR, Page 2
prescott school 100 years
update
Creston pilot in critical condition
CNA photo by SARAH BROWN
Prescott School continues to stand tall after it was built in 1914. This weekend, alumni, administrators, students and community members will celebrate its centennial.
Prescott School holding 100-year celebration Friday, Saturday By SARAH BROWN
CNA staff reporter sbrown@crestonnews.com
PRESCOTT — As small schools struggle to stay open, Prescott Community School reaches a new milestone and celebrates 100 years this weekend during a two-day celebration. Robyn Blazek, Prescott School Board president, said the event is hosted by the school board and community organizations to raise funds for scholarships, technology, playground equipment and supplies.
Saturday kicks off with a 6:30 a.m.
MACEDONIA — Authorities have released the name of the pilot involved in Saturday’s helicopter crash in western Iowa. The pilot was Christopher Moore, 26, of Creston. ■ Chris Moore was cropdusting in the helicopMoore, 26, ter Saturday when the of Creston chopper hit a power identified line and crashed into a field near Macedonia. as pilot in Treynor Fire Chief Saturday’s Russ Maguire said helicopter Moore was out of the wreckage and concrash. scious when paramedics arrived. Moore was taken to CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Neb., for treatment. “There wasn’t much left of that helicopter. It was just a pile of metal rubble. He’s really lucky to be alive today,” Maguire said.
Please see PRESCOTT, Page 2
Please see PILOT, Page 2
School Board members will host an all-school reunion, social hour and give tours of the Prescott Community School building, which was built in 1914. After, Adams County Cattlemen will serve a choice of chicken or steak dinner 7 p.m. in the gymnasium. During dinner, guests will be able to take part in an auction and watch a presentation of the school’s history. The celebration will move from the school to Prescott Outpost on “Main Street,” 109 Sixth Street.
Saturday
Friday Starting 5:30 p.m. Friday, Prescott
Health officials monitor respiratory virus EV-D68, Enterovirus, begins like a cold with symptoms such as coughing, wheezing. ■
DES MOINES (AP) — Public health officials on Monday said they’re monitoring a high number of reports of a respiratory virus in several Midwest states including Iowa. Enterovirus EV-D68 begins like a cold with symptoms such as coughing and wheezing, according to the state Department of Public Health. It ap-
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Additional information about the virus in Iowa is not available. Federal and state officials do not track the number of cases of the virus. It’s also been reported in Illinois, Ohio and Kansas, according to Iowa health officials. The disease is a type of enterovirus, which is a common virus with more than 100
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pears to spread though close contact with infected people. “This is a really common virus,” said Dr. Ann Garvey, a deputy state epidemiologist. “We see this virus circulate every year about this time. What’s a little different this year and is causing more attention is that we’re seeing it circulate in higher levels than we usually see.”
Volume 131 No. 70
2014
If you do not receive your CNA by 5 p.m. call 641-782-2141, ext. 6450. Papers will be redelivered in Creston until 6:30 p.m. Phones will be answered until 7 p.m.
types. About 10 to 15 million enterovirus infections occur in the U.S. each year, according to state officials. Most people recover at home without complications. Officials warned Enterovirus EV-D68 may cause some people with severe respiratory illness to be hospitalized for further treatment. Infants, children and teen-
agers, especially those with a history of asthma or other conditions that compromise the immune system, are more likely to become sick. Infected people should drink fluids, rest and stay home to prevent spreading the disease. Individuals experiencing difficulty with breathing should contact their health care provider.
SAVE THE DATE the 5th Annual
EXTRAVAGANZA holiday to holiday
Thanksgiving | Christmas | New Years
Monday, October 27, 2014