MURRAY QUEEN/KING
YMCA RACE DAY
The homecoming queen and king at Murray High School were announced Friday evening during halftime of their home football game. See a photo of the queen and king on page 2A. See more on the game in SPORTS, page 2S. >>
Nearly 100 runners and walkers participated in the Southern Prairie YMCA 5K Saturday morning in Creston. See full results and photos from the event on page 5A of today’s paper. >>
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No-flight weekend ■ Pilots were shut out on all four competitive flights at 37th annual Hot Air Balloon Days in Creston over the weekend because of windy conditions.
CNA photo by JAKE WADDINGHAM
Three balloons battle windy conditions during Saturday’s night glow at Creston Airport. The weather conditions did not allow for any flights during the Balloon Days weekend.
This is the sixth time since 1987 that pilots have been shutout. Other years include 1993, 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2011. ■
Branstad campaign sets more modest goals DES MOINES (AP) — Back in 2010, Gov. Terry Branstad pledged to create jobs, boost incomes and reduce government spending as part of his bid to return to office. Four years later, his re-election campaign promises are far less ambitious. The Republican governor — who holds a significant lead over Democrat Jack Hatch in recent polls — has released just a handful of policy proposals so far in his run for a sixth non-consecutive term. All are relatively modest, dealing with issues like college tuition and Internet access. Much of his campaign trail chat is about his recent achievements in office, including collaborating with the Legislature on a property tax cut and new educaBranstad tion spending. Branstad said the agenda he laid out in 2010 was always meant to take five years, so he’s still working to meet those targets. “We spelled out those goals and they’re five year goals and we are continuing to work to achieve those goals,” Branstad said. “In addition to those ambitious goals, we are also spelling out goals I want to accomplish in this coming term.” But Tom Henderson, chairman of the Polk County Democrats, said Branstad should be presenting a clear vision for the future. “I think campaigns are always about ideas and Please see GOALS, Page 2
By KYLE WILSON
CNA managing editor kwilson@crestonnews.com
N
ot a single hot air balloon entered the sky during the 37th annual southwest Iowa Balloon Days event held over the weekend in Creston. Pilots were shut out on all four scheduled competitive flights because of windy conditions. This is the sixth time since 1987 pilots have been shut out of all four flights because of inclement weather. Other years include 1993, 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2011. “We’re on hold until next year,” Jim Gebhart quipped during the pilot’s breakfast Sunday Gebhart morning. This was Gebhart’s first year as balloonmeister (race director) for Balloon Days in Creston. He succeeded longtime balloonmeister Rob Martholomew of Carlisle. The date for next year’s event has already been set. It will be Sept. 18-20 and Gebhart of Indianola is expected to return as balloonmeister.
CNA photo by JAKE WADDINGHAM
A gang of volunteers and crew members help keep Carol Sherman grounded during Saturday’s night glow at Creston Airport.
What did happen? Weather conditions did cooperate enough to allow for Night Glow Saturday evening at Creston Municipal Airport. About half of this year’s 38 registered balloonists Please see BALLOON DAYS, Page 2
CNA photo by KYLE WILSON
Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds waves to the crowd during the annual Balloon Days parade in uptown Creston Saturday morning. This November, Reynolds and Gov. Terry Branstad are seeking another term together in the statehouse. Their challenger is Democrat Jack Hatch and his running mate Monica Vernon.
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Volume 131 No. 79
2014
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Iowa school district outfits their buses with WiFi ELDON (AP) — Cardinal School District students in southern Iowa who take the bus now have something to look forward to on the ride to and from school. The small district in Wapello County has outfitted its buses with high-speed, wireless Internet, Des Moines television station KCCI reported Saturday. It’s also giving students in grades 6 through 12 tablet computers loaded with educational apps and games. The district believes it’s the first in Iowa to offer 4G wireless Internet service on school buses. The district’s first two buses were equipped with Wi-Fi last week. It plans to provide the service on all 10 buses at a cost of about $600 a month. Superintendent Joel Pedersen said the district’s bus routes are rural, and some students are on the bus for up to two hours a day. Pedersen said the district “wanted to give them some capabilities to get their homework done.” A content filter is installed to try to ensure students can’t access inappropriate content. Pedersen said he’s already heard from several other Iowa districts looking at equipping their buses with Wi-Fi.
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