Monday
February 17, 2014
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Creston/O-M wrestling sends seven to state
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This winter’s main problem
QUICK NEWS
Creston has experienced 15 water main breaks this winter. Frost in some areas is 48 to 60 inches deep.
There will be no classes held Wednesday in the Creston School District. School is cancelled so students can watch the Creston wrestling team compete in the state dual competition at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Creston/Orient-Macksburg (16-0) will wrestle fifth-seeded Clear Lake (23-4) at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Class 2A state duals. The winner meets either top-ranked Mediapolis (23-5) or No. 8 Sergeant Bluff-Luton (20-0). Results from the meet Wednesday will be posted at www.crestonnews.com and in Thursday’s Creston News Advertiser.
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By SARAH BROWN
CNA staff reporter sbrown@crestonnews.com
This winter’s cold temperatures are making water main repairs difficult for Creston Water Works employees. Since Dec. 1, Creston has experienced 15 breaks in their water mains. The culprit — a combination of corroding pipes and deep, penetrating soil frost. “In 24 years, this is the deepest I have seen (the frost),” said Rick Reed, Creston Water Works distribution manager. Reed said, in some places, the frost reaches approximately 48 to 60 inches below the surface. Reed said the lack of moisture in the soil because of last summer’s drought mixed with cold winter temperatures has compounded the problem. “When the ground is dry, it tends to pull away from the pipes and doesn’t support them as well,” said Reed.
Cost The cost of a water main break varies greatly depending on the amount of water loss and the size of the break. In December, a 12-inch water main broke near uptown Creston, causing the water levels in the tower near the business district to drop 12 feet. By the time crews were able to repair the break, “a couple hundred thousand” gallons were lost, according to Creston Water Works General Manager Steve Yarkosky. Yarkosky said the break cost nearly $10,000 in repairs and water loss. “That cost a lot of man hours and was very labor intensive,” said Yarkosky.
No school Wednesday
Best burger contest begins
It’s that time again. The fifth annual Iowa’s Best Burger Contest is now under way with nominations forms available at www.iabeef.com. Last year, more than 300 Iowa restaurants were nominated in the contest. Elm’s Club in Creston was named a top 10 finalist in the contest that’s hosted by Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. But, Elm’s Club did not win. The crown went to 61 Chop House in Mediapolis. If you would like to nominate the Elm’s Club again this year or another area restaurant, nomination forms must be turned in by 5 p.m. March 17. For more information about this contest, visit the Iowa Beef Council Facebook page or www.iabeef.com.
CNA file photo
City employees use heavy machinery to clean up an icy mess caused by an overnight water main break on Summit Street in Creston in January. This was one of 15 water main breaks in Creston this winter.
However, not all water main breaks cost the same. Sometimes, workers are able to solve the problem by placing a clamp over the leak. Other times, large pipes are cut and r e p l a c e d . Yarkosky Also, some breaks are a slow leak, while others result in a more rapid water loss.
Prevention Frost that reaches depths of 4 to 5 feet pose a problem for the city, because some of Creston’s water mains are as shallow as 3 feet. Many of these shallow mains are the older and more fragile, cast iron pipes. Reed said, the reason for shallow mains is because of the city’s expansion over time. As land for new roads or structures are leveled, soil is removed from the surface. So, for a main that was once 10 feet deep is now much closer to the
CNA photo by SARAH BROWN
Powerball jackpot swells
A Creston Water Works employee uses a jack hammer to access a broken water main Wednesday on Montgomery Street.
surface. As a preventative measure, Creston Water Works staff has budgeted for upgrades to the 90 miles of water mains running through the ground in Creston. “To date, Creston Water Works is very aggressive in doing just that,” said Yarkosky. “As time goes on, more and more will be replaced.” Yarkosky said approximately 50 percent of the water mains have been replaced with PVC and some with
With no weekend winner, the Powerball lottery jackpot will increase to an estimated $400 million for Wednesday’s drawing. That would be the sixth-largest lottery jackpot ever. However, your chances of winning the jackpot aren’t good. Powerball’s official website gives the odds of winning the grand prize at roughly 1 in 175 million.
ductile iron, which provide a little more give to handle the ground as it contracts and water surges. “Someday we will have 100 percent replaced, but, it takes a lot of time and a lot of money,” said Yarkosky. “From an infrastructure standpoint, you budget and plan and try to do some every year.” Creston Water Works staff prioritizes preventative maintenance based on the history
Relay for Life team meeting A team meeting for Southwest Iowa Relay for Life will be held 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at The Lobby. This is the first team kickoff meeting of the year. New and existing teams are encouraged to come and get signed up online, pick up luminaria bags and get information.
Please see WATER MAIN, Page 2
Please see QUICK NEWS, Page 2
On to state:
Mount Ayr junior Joe Ricker lets out a celebratory scream after pinning Panorama’s Garrett Johnston in just 20 seconds in the 285-pound finals at Saturday’s Class 1A district tournament in Greenfield, sending Ricker to the 2014 State Wrestling Tournament. For more on the Class 1A district tournament, see page 8A.
CNA photo by JAKE WADDINGHAM
Tech talk:
Cinda Long, left, gets help from Creston High School student Ben Mullin at Saturday’s technology talk sponsored by Creston Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and Adams Street Espresso. Topics ranged from spreadsheets and transferring music to Google drive and how the cloud works. FBLA also held a Twitter in Business workshop at Quilts and Other Notions Activity Center Sunday. Students showed participants how to use Twitter to promote their business.
CNA photo by SCOTT VICKER
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Volume 130 No. 175 Copyright 2014
Contact us 2014
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Contents
Heloise Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11 Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Deaths. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 FFA Salutes . . . 5-6, 9, 13, 16 Local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-14
Tuesday weather High 39 Low 27 Full weather report, 3A