GAME CHANGE
STREAK SNAPPED
The Class 2A regional volleyball game Friday between Woodward-Granger and Southwest Valley has been moved to West Central Valley High School in Stuart. Game time is 7 p.m.
The Creston/O-M Panthers football team defeated Greene County (Jefferson) 31-7 Wednesday, ending a streak of six consecutive postseason losses. Read more in SPORTS, page 7A. >>
creston
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014
HELPING HUMANITY Southwest Iowa man faces murder charge
Habitat for Humanity completes fifth house in Creston. Volunteers also construct handicap ramp for senior couple on Sumner Avenue. ■
By KYLE WILSON
CNA managing editor
kwilson@crestonnews.com
A “house blessing” was held Friday at the newly-constructed Habitat for Humanity house on 600 W. Montgomery St. in Creston. This is the fifth house built in Creston under this program. More than 150 volunteers were involved with the project and many of those attended the blessing given by The Rev. Jonathan Watt of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Creston. This Habitat house has two bedrooms, one bathroom and a full unfinished basement. “We turned the keys over to the family that night,” said Charlie Westman with Habitat for Hu-
CNA photos by KYLE WIlLSON
The Rev. Jonathan Watt of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church led the “blessing” at the Habitat for Humanity house Friday evening.
manity. “It’s a single mom and two boys. She works at an accounting firm, and boy is she a worker. That’s the point of this program to get people started and let them work toward their American dream.” Westman said, now, with the fifth house “all but” complete, Habitat members have now shifted their focus to the construction of the sixth Habitat house at 622 N. Birch St. in Creston. “We are about 20 percent complete with the
sixth house. Most of the shingles should be on that house today,” Westman said Wednesday. Westman said a family has already been selected for the sixth house.
More kindness
Houses are not the only projects completed by Habitat for Humanity, though. They also have a program called “A Brush With Kindness” whereby Habitat members help homeowners with any ren-
ovations between the ceiling and foundations. Recently, Habitat volunteers completed a handicap accessible ramp and small deck for a senior couple on Sumner Avenue. They also provided the owners with energy efficient doors and window. Westman said to volunteer, donate money to Habitat for Humanity or if you have a project for the Brush With Kindness program, call 641-782-5095 or 641344-5523.
SHENANDOAH (AP) — A southwest Iowa man has been charged with first-degree murder in the 2009 death of his girlfriend. The state Department of Public Safety says 34-year-old Brian Davis, of Shenandoah, was arrested Wednesday. He is being held at the Fremont County Jail on $1 million cash bond. Court records do not list an attorney. Officials say witness interviews and crime scene evidence led to Davis’ arrest in connection to the July 2009 death of Holly Durben. She was found dead in a residence she shared with Davis. An autopsy determined she was shot in the head.
Iowa school locked down as deputies search SIOUX CITY (AP) — Authorities in northwest Iowa say they have placed three schools on lockdown as they search for a male student who they believe brought a gun to school earlier in the week and made threats. The Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office says Lawton-Bronson Community School, Siouxland Community Christian School and Woodbury Central Community School were locked down Wednesday as a precaution. Law enforcement personnel are at all three schools. Sheriff Dave Drew says authorities believe the
Some of the volunteers who helped construct a handicap accessible ramp on Sumner Avenue pose for a photo Friday evening. The project was part of Habitat for Humanity’s “Brush with Kindness” program.
Please see LOCKDOWN, Page 14
Drake’s $65M expansion plan moving forward DES MOINES (AP) — Drake University says it is moving forward with a $65 million project that will include construction of two new buildings, renovation of four existing halls and the addition of new degree programs. Pending approval of final plans, construction could start on the buildings including a school of education center as early as next summer. Completion is expected in two years. The university, in an announce-
ment Wednesday, says its board of trustees has approved plans to offer new bachelor degree programs in data analytics, kinesiology and secondary education in health, physical education, and coaching. Programs will begin the fall of 2015. Starting in fall of 2016, the private university will offer master of science in athletic training, bachelor of science in pre-occupational therapy and doctor of occupational therapy degrees.
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Copyright 2014
Volume 131 No. 107
2014
On Tour:
CNA photo by SARAH BROWN
Network’s Nuns on the Bus made a stop in Creston during their 10-state, 36-city, 75-event tour to encourage “We the People” to vote. Election Day is Tuesday. The Union County auditor’s office will be open Saturday for absentee voting with hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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.
Write in Rowdy Bolinger O.I.F Marine Corps Veteran for Hospital Board Vote November 4th