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ADAIR COUNTY 4-H
The Nodaway Valley boys cross country team repeated as Class 1A state champion, posting the lowest score ever in Class 1A. For more on the Wolverines, see SPORTS, page 1S. >>
Adair County 4-H exhibits were judged at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. The 34 exhibits from Adair County earned 24 blue ribbons. For more on Adair County 4-H, see page 5A. >>
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Is the election rigged? Hotel worker Officials give a hard no helped guest
escape blaze, fire chief says OTTUMWA (AP) — Ottumwa authorities are crediting a hotel worker with saving a guest from flames inside the woman’s room. The Ottumwa Courier reports that the blaze began early Sunday morning in a room on the fourth floor of the Hotel Ottumwa, but fire sprinklers kept the flames from spreading. Fire Chief Tony Miller
CNA photo by ALLISON TRETINA
Jack Novak of Creston fills out his ballot for the 2016 general election this morning at the Union County auditor’s office.
By ALLISON TRETINA no when asked if the elec- the voter’s voting activition process is rigged. “We work really hard to make sure that every ballot is safe, protected and does count,” Hysell said. From voter registration to sending off the final election results, the Union County Auditor’s Office takes strict measures to ensure the integrity of its voting system, Hysell said. Before a voter can see a ballot, they are required to fill out a physical State of Iowa Official Absentee Ballot Request Form and sign a requester affidavit. The form asks for basic information including the voter’s date of birth, address, ID number (from a driver’s license or Social Security card) and the type of election they are seeking to vote in (i.e. general, primary or school). Once the auditor’s office receives a completed request form, the office uses its database to verify
CNA staff reporter atretina@crestonnews.com
Presidential candidate Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested on the campaign trail and social media the United States’ election process is rigged. But, election officials and experts disagree. “No voter should be concerned that the election is rigged,” Iowa Deputy Secretary of State for Elections Carol Olson said. “All voters in the state cast a paper ballot, and every vote is counted.” Sandy Hysell, who serves as Union County auditor and vicechair of S t a t e Election Administrators Hysell Training (SEAT), also gave a hard
ty and designated voting location. This way a voter cannot vote more than once jumping from different locations — in one precinct one day and another the next. It also prevents voters from ordering an absentee ballot and trying to again vote on Election Day at a polling station. The request form and database acts as the first of many checks and balances Union County uses to prevent any direct tampering with the election results, Hysell said. After a voter is cleared to vote at a specific precinct, the auditor’s office hands the voter a fill-in-the-bubbles paper ballot in a secrecy sleeve. The paper ballot acts as a plan B should the electronic scanner each ballot is run through fail. “With a paper ballot, you have a situation where even if the scanner that they use to count the ballots should
“WE WORK really hard to make sure that every ballot is safe, protected and does count.”
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SANDY HYSELL
Union County auditor
happen to break down, there’s still a way for voters to vote,” said Pamela Smith, president of Verified Voting, a nationally recognized non-partisan, non-profit organization that advocates for legislation and regulation that promotes accuracy, transparency and verifiability of elections. “If you have to wait for more equipment to be delivered or for a machine to be fixed on Election Day, that’s going to be a problem.” In addition to safeguarding against faulty machines, ELECTION | 2A
says hotel employee Trevor Medina kicked in the room’s door and pulled out the hotel guest. The woman was taken to Ottumwa Regional Health Center for treatment of smoke inhalation. Her name wasn’t released. Miller says Medina’s action prevented a tragic outcome to the fire. The hotel has 61 rooms.
Clinton seeks to use new FBI inquiry as galvanizing force WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) — Even before FBI Director James Comey jolted the presidential campaign, Hillary Clinton and her advisers were on edge. Never mind that preference polls had Clinton ahead of Republican Donald Trump nationally and in nearly every battleground state. Or Clinton that Democrats in Washington were starting to actively prepare for a Clinton presidency, speculating about top Cabinet nominees and next year’s White House agenda. “The polls are going to tighten,” Clinton communications director Jennifer Palmieri warned as she talked with the campaign’s traveling
press corps on Friday. After swatting away a rumor about post-election planning — this one about Vice President Joe Biden being considered to lead the State Department — Palmieri predicted, “Next week you guys are going to come to us and say, ‘the polls are tightening and you were focused on the transition.’” “No,” she added. “We are not.” Palmieri had barely made it back to the front of the campaign plane when news broke that the FBI had told Congress it had found new emails that may be related to Clinton’s use of a private server while secretary of state. Speculation about a Clinton White House was quickly replaced by questions about whether a winnable race might slip from her grasp. Clinton’s team is now plunging into the final full week of campaigning before CLINTON | 2A
CNA photo by ALLISON TRETINA
Accident: The driver of this vehicle was in a rollover accident Friday in rural Union County.
According to a Union County Sheriff report, no citations were issued after the accident 1:55 p.m. Friday on 205th Street. Haley Ann Hagen, 15, of Afton, driving a 2002 Ford, was travelling east on 205th Street when she lost control of the vehicle and went into the south ditch, rolling the vehicle several times. Damage amounting to $300 was done to a fence and post owned by Gary Mathis of Afton. Hagen, who was wearing a seat belt, was not ejected from the vehicle. She was extricated by mechanical means and transported by ground ambulance to Greater Regional Medical Center, where her condition is currently unknown. Damage estimate to Hagen’s vehicle is $5,000.
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Copyright 2016
Volume 133 No. 107
2016
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CNA Photo by ALLISON TRETINA
Bright Eyes in the Park: Alex Figgins, 12, right, fills his bag with candy as he is greeted with Halloween treats from Shellie Adams, left, representing R Realty Saturday at McKinley Park in Creston.
Adaptive Sports Day with CLS November 5 at St. Malachy School Gym 2-6yr olds: 9-10am 7-17 yrs: 10:30-Noon Adults: 12:30-1:30pm $5 per family or $2 per person
To register www.tlciowa.com/events/#5 or call 641-782-3849