March 13, 2026
Local NewsState & NationalPublic Notices

Remember when...

By Mandy McDowell
Creston students Jamie Travis and Meg Richardson do their best dance routines to the song “Walk the Dinosaur,” during Pepper’s Night at the high school Monday. Richardson and her Pepper squad entertained the crowd with five dance routines.

Creston students Jamie Travis and Meg Richardson do their best dance routines to the song “Walk the Dinosaur,” during Pepper’s Night at the high school Monday. Richardson and her Pepper squad entertained the crowd with five dance routines. (CNA 1994 Archived Photo )

Maybe you were there when it happened or read about it the first time around, but some things are just worth repeating.

Today is Thursday, March 12, 2026. There are 294 days remaining in the year. Here’s what the CNA reported on this week in history. Do you remember?

Eight years ago (2018)

Creston Fire Department finally has a safe place to seek shelter in the event of severe weather, thanks to Precast Concrete Company. Previously, the department did not have a storm shelter. In the event of a severe weather event, it was a game of chance. That was until this past fall, when Darian David of Precast Concrete Company in Creston decided to donate a storm shelter to the fire department.

Rylie Driskell of Creston qualified to participate in the state round of the Iowa Knights of Columbus Hoop Shoot, to be held at Grinnell College in April. Driskell placed first in the 14-year-old division of the local, district and regional competitions, averaging 86% made shots. This is her sixth time qualifying for state competition in the past six seasons.

With one quick flick of a shovel Wednesday morning, Bishop Richard Pates ceremoniously broke ground on St. Malachy School’s new building project. Pates, along with St. Malachy Principal Jennifer Simmons, Father Ken Halbur and members of the construction crew lined up and donned hard hats as they broke ground. The new building in the $1.3 million project will house two preschool classrooms, an additional classroom that will serve multiple purposes and a music classroom. Both preschool classrooms will be safe rooms able to hold all students and staff.

16 years ago (2010)

The Southwestern Spartans softball team spent three days in Tucson, Arizona, and are heading back today on a 21-hour trip to Creston. The Spartans played eight games total. They will return with a 4-4 record. SWCC won two of three games Monday, defeating Minota University (9-1) and Dakota County (8-0). On Tuesday, Southwestern defeated Dakota County (11-2) and Rochester Community College (9-1).

The Creston bowling teams ended their season where it started Tuesday. The teams gathered at Panther Lanes, celebrating with a potluck dinner. Both teams capped successful winter seasons. The boys and girls qualified for the Class 1A State Bowling Tournament in late February at Plaza Lanes in Des Moines. The girls placed sixth out of 10 teams at state.

For the second time in three years, a former Diagonal star player was honored at the Boys State Basketball Tournament. Bob Ricker, 1951 Diagonal graduate, and wife Lucy were part of the induction ceremony for the Iowa High School Basketball Hall of Fame at halftime of the Class 4A championship game Saturday.

24 years ago (2002)

The Iowa Forage and Grassland Council recognized Vane Lindsay of Creston in February for excellent pasture management. Lindsay received the Outstanding Forage/Livestock Producer award at IFGC’s annual meeting.

Iowa Farm Bureau Federation appointed more than 120 Iowa farmers to serve on advisory committees for 2002. Local farmers appointed in beef are: William Long of Afton, Russ Flaherty of Murray and Judy Loonan of Corning; Hay and Forage: Marlin Marckmann and Ronald Nelson, both of Greenfield; Swine: Jim McKnight of Afton; Horticulture: Diane Weiland of Greenfield and Poultry: John Priest of Diagonal.

Amber Smith of East Union, the state’s scoring leader at 26.3 points per game, is a first team all-stater. Smith was named to the Class 1A first team in girls basketball all-state selections announced today by the Iowa Newspaper Association.

Three Creston youths placed first at the Knights of Columbus district free throw contest, advancing to regionals March 3 in Audubon. Ashley Hartsock placed third at regionals with 17-of-25, Scott Vicker was second with 20-25 and Garrett Schneider placed fourth with 15-25 in their divisions.

32 years ago (1994)

Creston Fire officials say sparks from a passing train apparently ignited grass near the Burlington Northern Railroad tracks behind the 300 block of Russell Street near Video Escape at 12:43 p.m. Friday afternoon.

Four state qualifiers, two state runners-up and a third state placewinner. A total of 154 wins and just 34 losses. It is the remarkable resume of Creston’s “Fabulous Five.” The “Fabulous Five” of Ryan Kinsella, Ryan Oshel, Jake Hayes, Kasey Downing and Matt Chapman were the attention grabbers at the Creston Wrestling Banquet Sunday night, as they should be. Downing and Chapman shared the Mike Abel Outstanding Wrestler Award.

Creston