Monday
December 23, 2013
Go to www.crestonnews.com for Breaking News as it happens
Shiltz, Frain top-eight at KC Stampede
SPORTS, page 1S
GRMC requires employees to receive flu shot By KYLE WILSON
CNA assistant managing editor kwilson@crestonnews.com
A new policy at Greater Regional Medical Center requires that all their health care professionals be given the influenza vaccine (flu shot). This policy became effective in December. “It’s crucial for us as healthcare providers to get immunized,” said Nancy Anthony, infection control nurse at GRMC. “Most of the patients that come to our hospital are already ill and
have low immune systems. We as providers need to be as healthy as possible to protect our patients.” GRMC had Anthony a 99 percent success rate this year under the new policy. Anthony said more than 300 GRMC employees received flu shots. Anthony said those GRMC employees declining the flu shot — either by choice or because of
medical reasons — are required to wear a mask from December through the end of March. “We have four wearing masks,” Anthony said.
Tricia Pedrick, registered nurse at Greater Regional Medical Center (GRMC), right, administers a flu shot to Gary Scott of Mount Ayr in October. There is still time to get your flu shot. To schedule one, contact GRMC at outreach and public health at 641-782-3682.
Still time for you
Public health officials recommend you get the flu shot because the influenza virus can be life-threatening. Flu shots can be given to those sixth months of age and older. It takes about two weeks for the vaccine to give 100 percent protection. To schedule a flu shot, contact GRMC outreach and public health at 641-782-3682.
CNA file photo
113th Congress may be least productive in history
Winter wonderland State climatologist Harry Hillaker reports Creston received 5 inches of snow over the weekend. The snowfall — just in time for Christmas — prompted both work and play for Crestonians Sunday. ■
CNA photo by KYLE WILSON
Caught you: Above, Durrell Haynes eventually catches son Durrell Jr. at
the bottom of bus barn hill Sunday morning. Several families went sledding down bus barn hill Sunday. State climatologist Harry Hillaker reports Creston received 5 inches of snowfall Saturday evening into Sunday morning. The highest snowfall total in the area came in Blockton where they reportedly received 9 inches.
CNA photo by KYLE WILSON
Alabama family: Kevin Stewart watches after
pushing his 5-year-old son Michael down bus barn hill Sunday morning. The Stewarts — from Birmingham, Ala. — are in Creston this week visiting family for Christmas.
CNA photo by KYLE WILSON
WASHINGTON (MCT) — By the numbers, this Congress is on track to make the infamous “Do-Nothing Congress” of the late 1940s look downright prolific. Before the Senate adjourned Friday for an extended holiday break, the two bodies of the 113th Congress sent President Barack Obama fewer than 70 bills for his signature. That compares to 395 enacted during the first year of the 80th Congress, which Harry Truman famously campaigned against for its inaction. The showing has put the current Congress on track to become the least productive in history, likely beating the previous record-holder, the 112th Congress, during which 231 bills became law. Though many lawmakers insist they ended on a has sent Presihigh note with pas- dent Obama sage of a two-year, less than 70 bipartisan budget bills for his accord that offered hope for a new signature chapter in Washington’s gridlock, the historic ideological divide in Congress gives experts few reasons to believe 2014 will be the “year of action” the president called for Friday during his end-of-theyear news conference. “Any way you measure it, quantitatively it stands out as an unusually unproductive session of Congress,” said Thomas Mann, a Brookings Institution scholar and co-author of a book on legislative dysfunction, “It’s Even Worse Than It Looks.” “The problem is not the number of bills,” he said, “but what Congress specifically did that ended up inflicting harm rather than creating conditions for improved performance.” Though Congress’ productivity has generally declined over the past decades, it took a nose dive after the 2011 Republican House takeover, which ushered in many new small-government conservatives who tightened their grip on the party.
113th congress
Snow tosser: A.D. Paxton of Creston clears off his driveway on North
Please see CONGRESS, Page 2
Lincoln with a John Deere snowblower Sunday morning. Serving Southwest Iowa since 1879
Price 75¢
If you do not receive your CNA by 5 p.m. call 641-782-2141, ext. 221. Papers will be redelivered in Creston until 6:30 p.m. Phones will be answered until 7 p.m.
Volume 130 No. 137 Copyright 2013
Contact us 2013
In person: Mail: Phone: Fax: E-mail:
503 W. Adams Street Box 126, Creston, IA 50801-0126 641-782-2141 641-782-6628 news@crestonnews.com
Contents
Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Deaths. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Heloise Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1S-4S
Tuesday weather High 3 Low -10 Full weather report, 3A