CNA-1-4-2017

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AUTO SKILLS CONTEST Southwestern Community College students placed third in the hands-on portion of the automotive skills contest in December. For more on the SWCC students who competed, see page 3A. >>

PANTHERS SWEPT

Creston’s girls and boys basketball teams suffered losses to rated Lewis Central teams Tuesday night. For more on the Panthers, see SPORTS, page 8A. >>

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SHAW MEDIA GROUP SERVING SW IOWA SINCE 1879 BREAKING NEWS COVERAGE AT WWW.CRESTONNEWS.COM

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2017

CITY COUNCIL

Council authorizes application for CDBG housing program By SCOTT VICKER

CNA managing editor svicker@crestonnews.com

CNA photo by SCOTT VICKER

Bowling day: Creston Community High School junior Riley Lumbard follows through on a shot Wednesday morning at Pine Valley Golf and Bowl in Creston. Craig Taylor and Mitch Sorensen took their physical education classes to the bowling alley for class Wednesday.

Obama, Pence to Capitol as health care overhaul fight begins WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump warned congressional Republicans on Wednesday against letting Democrats dodge blame for problems with President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul, even as the GOP-led Congress takes initial steps toward dismantling the law. “Massive increases of ObamaCare will take place this year and Dems are to blame for the mess,” the president-elect said in three tweets, using the statute’s nickname. “It will fall of its own weight — be careful!” Trump’s advice came as Obama was meeting with congressional Democrats at the Capitol to discuss how to combat the Republican drive to repeal much of his health care overhaul. Vice President-elect

Mike Pence was meeting separately with House Republicans to discuss the best way to send Pence Obama’s cherished law to its graveyard and eventually rally behind legislation to replace it. He planned to have lunch with GOP senators. In his tweets, Trump blamed the statute for high deductibles, premium boosts and poor coverage and wrote that Democrats “own the failed ObamaCare disaster.” He added, “Don’t let the Schumer clowns out of this web.” The new Senate mi-

nority leader, Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, has been a leading defender of Obama’s 2010 overhaul. Trump pledged during the presidential campaign to erase Obama’s l a w , though he’s said he wants Trump to retain popular provisions like ensuring coverage for people with pre-existing medical problems. Obama’s and Pence’s strategy sessions were coming on the second day of the new, GOP-led Congress. In 16 days, Trump replaces Obama at the White House, putting the party’s longtime

goal of annulling much of the 2010 health care overhaul within reach. Plenty of questions remain, including the repeal bill’s details, costs and when it would take effect. Republicans also face divisions over the next step — replacement legislation — that will likely take months or years to resolve. While they can hardly prevent the GOP repeal effort from proceeding, the president and House and Senate Democrats were meeting Wednesday to discuss how to best defend a law that’s extended health insurance coverage to 20 million Americans and which Obama considers one of the proudest pillars of his legacy. CAPITOL | 2A

The city of Creston will apply for $246,200 in community development block grant (CDBG) funds for owner-occupied housing rehabilitation of six homes after the city council unanimously approved moving forward in the application process during Tuesday’s meeting. In addition, the city of Creston will commit $24,000 of local financial support for the proposed project. Those funds will be used to ensure a home meets Iowa’s minimum housing rehabilitation standards, lead-safe housing regulations and other guidelines approved by Iowa Economic Development Authority. Southern Iowa Council of Governments will also commit $12,000 for assistance to homeowners, payable as a grant for each participant. The proposed project will take place in the target area bounded by the BNSF railroad tracks to the north, South Sumner Street to the west, Taylor Street to the south and South Chetsnut Street to the east. The need for the project was determined during the completion of a housing survey, homeowner pre-applications and city council meetings.

Booster Club awards:

“We’ve already had right around 20 pre-applicants, and that’s cutting out about half of them who were over income or outside of the target area,” said Joel Lamb, regional planner for SICOG. “If we can get six of those that line up with all Lamb the guidelines for income requirements and everything else, that’s all we need for the program.” Approximately 85 percent of the requested federal funds will be used to directly benefit low- and moderate-income persons. The remaining funds will help cover administrative costs. “I think anytime we have an opportunity to help owner-occupied homes in the community, especially infill-type projects like this to help beautify the community, we’re headed in the right direction,” said Wayne Pantini, executive director of Union County Development Association. “If we are Pantini awarded CITY | 2A

CNA photos by KALEB CARTER and SCOTT VICKER

AT LEFT, Jody Sheriff, right, hoists her plaque for Creston Activities Booster Club fan of the year Dec. 9 at halftime of the Creston boys basketball game against Atlantic. Sheriff was presented the award from booster club members, from left, Melissa Driskell, Joni Gillam, PJ Normandeau and Raquel Linch. Standing next to Sheriff is her nephew, Creston senior Cody Crawford. ABOVE, Jerry and Linda Huffman of Creston were named the 2016 volunteers of the year by the Creston Activities Booster Club. Jerry has volunteered with the school musical for the past several years, while Linda, a longtime teacher in the school district, has volunteered with the READS program in recent years.

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