SEEKING THE DOME
VET’S BREAKFAST
The Creston/O-M Panthers and Mount Ayr Raiders football teams are both playing Friday for their school’s first trip to the UNI-Dome. For game previews, see SPORTS, page 8A. >>
A veterans appreciation breakfast is scheduled 7 to 8:30 a.m. Friday at the mealsite inside the restored Creston Depot. For more details, see page 2A. >>
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2014
Creston’s $2.5M Rehab to Home facility done By BAILEY POOLMAN
CNA staff reporter bpoolman@crestonnews.com
Thanks to a new wing attached to its current facility, Creston Nursing and Rehab Center employees can continue their care by expanding the rehabilitation programs offered at the facility. The $2.5 million facility, named Rehab to Home, includes a physical therapy gym, separate nurse station and private resident rooms. “The community can benefit from the new area as well,” said Creston Nursing and Rehab Center Administrator Lori Harvey. “From the new technology, the new gym and all of that.” Rehab to Home came about when employees of Creston Nursing and Rehab Center’s home of-
CNA photo by BAILEY POOLMAN
Creston Nursing and Rehab Center’s new addition is called Rehab to Home. The $2.5 million facility houses 10 patient rooms, physical therapy gym, occupational therapy kitchen and bathroom and dining room. It’s built onto the eastern side of the facility.
fice spoke with the facility’s employees about different services to expand. They decided on building the additional wing for therapy more than two years ago, but it was put on hold after the April
2012 tornado. Construction finally started in April, and the building itself has been finished since then. Landscaping is still being worked on. Residents and others are able to
use the physical therapy gym, and patient rooms will be rented out within the next few weeks. “We’ll have more patient rooms on this (older) side,” Harvey said, “so that we can rent
PANTHER SUPPORT ■ Creston
middle school cross country team and SWCC student support Isaac Ralston — a student who has high functioning autism —throughout the 2014 season. By SARAH BROWN
you run with me.’” McQueen-Bettell said the camaraderie on the team was strong. “They (the athletes) would get him to get more involved. They were supportive and would help him refocus if he needed to,” McQueen-Bettell said. “They would root him on and he would root them on. It was a good team.”
CNA staff reporter sbrown@crestonnews.com
As parents of an active young boy, Dr. Bill Ralston and his wife Kathy sought to find an activity or sport their son Isaac would not only excel at, but, enjoy, as well. And, it hasn’t always been easy. Kathy said it has been a struggle to find programs, team sports, extra-curricular activities and community resources over the years for 13-year-old Isaac, who has high-functioning autism. However, thanks to some staff at Creston Community Schools and a stand out cross-country runner at Southwestern Community College, Isaac is excelling among his peers. And, this school year, Isaac completed his first cross country season.
Autism and sports
Keeping pace It was important to the Ralstons for their son to be a typical kid and included in school activities — particularly team sports. Until this year, Isaac had not participated in school sports. “We have always helped him be out there and not allow the fear of behaving atypically or different stop him,” Kathy said. However, after moving to Creston two years ago, the Ralstons were unsure of where to turn to get Isaac involved. Eventually, Kathy reached out to fellow runner, friend and Creston High School Track Coach Pat Schlapia, to ask what he thought of Isaac joining a cross-country team. “He said, ‘absolutely.’ There was no hesitation,” Kathy said. “It was great from the start.” Schlapia put the Ralstons in contact with Creston Mid-
Contributed photo
Isaac Ralson, 13, of Creston and his running buddy, 2nd year SWCC student Zack Peppmeier, run together during a cross country meet in Orient.
dle School cross country coach Kelsey McQueen-Bettell, who is also a fourth grade special education teacher. “It didn’t take her long to notice what Isaac needed,” Kathy said.
Support McQueen-Bettell said she thought Isaac would benefit from having a running buddy. After voicing her idea to fellow special education teacher Kiley Sherwood, Sherwood volunteered to run with Isaac. For the meets Sherwood was unable to attend, Zack Peppmeier, a second year student at Southwestern Community College, volunteered to run with Isaac. “He is wonderful,” Kathy said. “He’s been a phenom-
enal support and motivator. He doesn’t hover, he just guides Isaac.” McQueen-Bettell echoed Kathy’s statement. “He was a great running buddy,” McQueen-Bettell said. “They really bonded.”
Part of the team Isaac’s fellow athletes enjoyed having him on the team. McQueen-Bettell said most of the kids already were familiar with Isaac and ready to help. “Isaac is a funny kid and he likes to make people laugh,” McQueen-Bettell said. “But, if there was ever a time where we needed to buckle down, the kids would say, ‘Isaac, we need to get working, do this stretch with me ... how about
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McQueen-Bettell said team sports provide a great benefit to all children, particularly to people with autism spectrum disorders. “Especially having a team with them,” McQueen-Bettell said. “They are able to get out some of that energy they built up all through the day.” McQueen-Bettell said, despite running solo in cross country meets, the sport is still team-oriented, which works well for some athletes who struggle socially. “They run in groups, stretch together, do core workouts together, so, you’re still part of that team and interacting with all those different personalities.”
First season McQueen-Bettell said she planned to have Isaac try running at least one cross country meet to begin. “He just thrived,” McQueen-Bettell said. “Hearing his name, he yelled, and people were cheering for him. McQueen-Bettell said Isaac did so well, she and Peppmeier decided to have Isaac run in a couple more meets. “He handled himself so well,” McQueen-Bettell said. “He really loved running those meets.” With Peppmeier by his side, Isaac completed three
more room for the regular nursing home as well. And then, a beauty shop is going to be new, and we’ll have an activity room and conference room available.” Currently, Rehab to Home houses private rooms, a main bathing unit, dining area, nurse station, physical therapy gym and occupational therapy kitchen and bathroom. “We have 10 private rooms. They each have their own private bathroom, and they have their own private shower,” Harvey said. “It’s mainly for those who are in transition after having surgery at the hospital and are looking to go home. It’s a middle ground.” Please see REHAB, Page 2
Malson’s murder trial set for Dec. 1 BEDFORD — A trial date of Dec. 1 is set for Zachary Malson, 24, of Bedford, who was charged with first-degree murder in April. According to a Taylor County Sheriff report, sheriff deputies received a 911 call April 23 at a residence in Z. Malson Bedford indicating a shooting. The victim of that shooting, Steve Malson, died from what appeared to be a single gunshot wound to the head. He later died at a Missouri hospital. A first-degree murder charge against Cindy Malson, Zachary’s mother and Steve’s wife, was dropped in August.
What do GOP wins in Iowa mean? DES MOINES (AP) — While Iowa Republicans scored big wins on election night and the GOP is poised to dominate the state’s congressional delegation, leaders from both parties say the traditionally purple state is unlikely to turn permanently red. Republican Joni Ernst easily won the competitive Senate race against Democrat Bruce Braley on Tuesday. Incumbent Republican Gov. Terry Branstad coasted to victory over a Democratic lawmaker. And Republicans won three of the state’s four congressional seats, as voters expressed dissatisfaction with President Barack Obama and the gridlock that has dominated Washington, D.C., politics. “I think it was a good Republican year. I think
Please see SUPPORT, Page 2
Please see GOP, Page 2
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Staff Writer Allison Leah Hurt, Wal Shaw, der, Cheyan Sama
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