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December 9, 2013
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Work begins on $43,000 Creston city pound expansion
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By KYLE WILSON
CNA asst. managing editor kwilson@crestonnews.com
A $43,000 expansion at Creston city pound began last month and is expected to help solve the longstanding overcrowding problems at the facility. This expansion is exciting news for Janel McLain and Marion Wagner of Creston who began lobbying for improvements at the facility in August 2010. “I’m elated,” McLain said. “It’s a good feeling to know there will be better conditions for the animals and for the volunteers who work at the city pound. I wasn’t going to give up on this project. I’m thankful the city saw the same McLain problems I did and we were able to work together to find solutions.” The city of Creston is paying for most of the project. They’ve allotted $35,000 toward the project. McLain and Wagner raised another $8,000 via fundraising.
Inadequate space After approving funding for the expansion, the city contacted Mycale Downey — director of Creston Animal Rescue— about the project because Downey spends the most volunteer time at the facility. Upon consulting her, McLain, Wagner and other committee members for the project — the city discovered the biggest problem at the facility in the past has been lack of
Creston dance teams place first at state
CNA photo by KYLE WILSON
A $43,000 expansion at Creston city pound is underway. Currently, the posts for the pole building have been set in concrete and trusses are on-site.
space to house the impounded animals. The current city pound — located southwest of McKinley Lake — is “about the size of a one-car garage” estimated at 400 square feet. That lack of space has caused overcrowding problems whereby animals had to double up in kennels or were forced to be caged outside — sometimes in extreme weather conditions. “That caused a lot of unneeded stress on the animals,” Downey said. The new expansion will help solve the overcrowding problem. The expansion includes a pole building constructed over the top of the existing building which will increase the total square footage inside from 400 to 850 square feet.
The new space will allow for two new dog kennels, storage closet for food and medications and office space for volunteer workers. “This project is a long-term solution for the pound,” Wagner said. “One of the best improvements in this expansion — in my opinion — is now we will be able to Wagner separate the cats from the dogs.” Other improvements in the new expansion include a new, bigger hot water heater, improved heating and cooling system, updated electric “so fuses
“This project is a long-term solution for the pound. One of the best improvements in this expansion — in my opinion — is now we will be able to separate the cats from the dogs.” — Marion Wagner
won’t blow” and extra space in the yard for the animals to run. Also, a concrete pad will be poured outside the facility where a kennel — with a sloped hard top roof — will be placed so dogs can be housed outside when weather allows.
What’s done? The contractor for this expansion project is Matt O’Riley Construction of Creston. O’Riley and his crew are in the beginning stages of construction. The posts for the pole building have been set in concrete and trusses are ready to be placed. O’Riley said he will work on the project as weather allows this winter and the project should be completed in the spring. “This is a fantastic project,” Downey said. “The space we have now is tiny. Right now, we do adoptions in the doorway on a TV tray. I’m thankful for this project. It will make it better for everyone involved — for the animals, volunteers and animal control workers.”
The Creston Panther coed and allmale dance teams — known as the Salts and Peppers — won first place in the state drill-team competition last week at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Also, the female team captured their fifth-consecutive state championship in the large school lights division. “I have a great bunch of kids,” said coach Meg Haines. “Our success at state continues to bring in kids to our program and each year we try do find something new that sets us apart. I’m so proud of both the girls and boys teams.” The public will have a chance to see the dance teams perform at Creston High School gymnasium throughout basketball season. The dance teams will conclude their season in March when they host Jam the Gym.
Greater Regional Public Health relocating
Effective Wednesday, Greater Regional Outreach-Public Health is relocating to the Medical Arts Plaza on the Greater Regional Medical Center campus. Their new ad- NEW dress will be 1610 W. Townline St., ADDRESS Suite 150. Their at Greater phone number Regional remains the same Outreachat 641-782-3545 and fax number Public Health is 1610 W. is 641-782-3896. Immunization Townline St. clinics will be Suite 150 held in the Medical Arts Plaza beginning Dec. 17. On the day of the clinic, patients are asked to stop at the specialty physicians and services clinic at suite 140 (next door to their new offices) to register for an immunization appointment. The staff reminds patients — given the nature of the work in the public health field, nurses are frequently out of the office serving the county. It is advised to call ahead to schedule an appointment to ensure the availability of a nurse.
Brotherly love
Tyler Anson, 11, of Creston jumps on his saucer to catch younger brother Logan already racing down a small hill located on the northeast side of Lincoln School Sunday morning. Harry Hillaker, state climatologist, said the Creston area received between 3 and 4 inches of snowfall.
CNA photo by KYLE WILSON
Joyful Noise: CNA photo by KYLE WILSON
Members of Joyful Noise partner with choir members from local churches in Creston to sing “Christmas Angels” Sunday afternoon during the Christmas concert entitled “All Creatures Great and Small.” The concert was held at Creston High School’s auditorium. It was presented by Joyful Noise.
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Volume 130 No. 127 Copyright 2013
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Contents Heloise Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Deaths. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
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