NDN-03-20-2017

Page 1

NEWTON

MOVING ON

Iowa women advance in WNIT tournament / 1B

DAILY NEWS newtondailynews.com

MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 • WHERE TO GO WHEN YOU NEED TO KNOW

HIGH

63 37 LOW

Facebook.com/newtondailynews

@newtondnews

Lawmakers discuss voter ID, gun rights at final legislative coffee By Justin Jagler Newton Daily News

Justin Jagler/Daily News Rep. Wes Breckenridge, D-Newton, and Sen. Chaz Allen, D-Newton, meet with constituents for this session’s final legislative coffee presented by the League of Women Voters on Saturday morning.

The Club Room of Newton’s Hy-Vee did not have many empty seats Saturday morning, as Democratic legislators took on questions from Jasper County residents. The brewing legislation surrounding voter ID and gun rights was discussed

at length during the League of Women Voters’ final legislative coffee of this session. The Republican-controlled Iowa House passed a bill earlier this month that would require voters to present a state-approved ID at the polls. Many county auditors, the League of Women Voters and other organizations

Gov. Branstad visits Newton for Home Base Iowa announcement

oppose the legislation. Critics say it will cost too much in a time when money is already tight, and there is very little evidence of voter fraud in Iowa. Opponents of the bill also raise concerns over voter suppression, particularly for the elderly and minorities. COFFEE | 3A

ADA improvements coming to Maytag, Woodland Parks By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News

Justin Jagler/Daily News Gov. Terry Branstad welcomes Jasper County to Home Base Iowa on Friday morning. The program is a private-public partnership that aims to recruit veterans and transitioning service members and help them find careers.

Jasper County becomes 47th member community By Justin Jagler Newton Daily News Gov. Terry Branstad stopped in Newton Friday morning to announce Jasper County’s inclusion in Home Base Iowa, an initiative aimed at helping veterans find careers. Home Base Iowa supports transitioning service members by connecting them with employers, pro-

viding tax exemptions for military pensions and providing home owner assistance for veterans. Branstad said he was honored and proud to welcome Jasper County as the 47th member community in the state. “Jasper County has worked very hard to earn this designation,” Branstad said. “In this community, you have 22 businesses that

have signed on as Home Base Iowa businesses. These businesses have pledged to help people coming out of the service to get hired in Jasper County.” The governor thanked Sen. Chaz Allen, Rep. Wes Breckenridge, the Jasper County Board of Supervisors, the Jasper County Economic Development Corporation, communities members and more for their support of the initiative. “We can bring some of the best, brightest, most disciplined and focused

talent either back to our state or to Iowa for the first time,” Branstad said. “These things don’t happen by accident. It takes the support of local communities, like you have here in Jasper County.” Jasper County Veterans Affairs Director Kurt Jackson highlighted the community’s efforts at the announcement, which took place at the Newton DMACC campus. The county board of supervisors passed a resolution of HOME BASE | 3A

YPJC to host ‘Hollywood Nights’ Re-Prom By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News Grab your diamonds and bow tie and head to “Hollywood Nights” the theme for the third annual Re-Prom presented by Young Professionals of Jasper County. Doors will open a 7 p.m. April 1 at the Iowa Speedway

Newton Club to a decked out hall giving prom-goers the Hollywood vibe. “Last year we decided to open up our Facebook page to a vote for the theme and with much success, decided to do it again this year,” organizer KayLea Marchant said. “The theme ‘Hollywood Nights’ came in as unanimous winner.”

THE TEAM TO INSURE YOU RIGHT. THE COMPANIES TO SAVE YOU MONEY. *savings may vary

The group once again worked closely with its partners at the Newton Hy-Vee and the Newton Area Chamber of Commerce to not only sell tickets but Hy-Vee is once again creating a new two for $30 menu for the evening, as well.

Jeff Maki

RE-PROM | 3A

Darin Eide Alex Modlin

$1.00

7

98213 00008

4

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com

Dale Maki

INSURANCE

Aerika Berner Denise Naber Lori Gibson Gary Clemon

220 1st Ave. W. Newton 641-792-5040 www.clemonmaki.com

FEATURE

WHERE IT’S AT Astrograph......................5B Calendar..........................5A Classifieds......................4B

In an effort to continue addressing the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the city has identified several areas for improvements. Projects at Maytag Park, Woodland Park and to the hike and bike trail in the children’s forest and Agnes Patterson Park were approved by city council at its recent meetWellik ing. “The City of Newton has a transition plan that identifies locations in need of structural modifications to meet ADA requirements,” interim city administrator Jarrod Wellik said. “Current needs include handicap accessible parking and accessible routes in city parks.” At Maytag Park and Woodland Park projects include new ADA accessible walkways and parking stalls for shelter houses and bathrooms. Repairs will be made to the hike and bike trail in the children’s forest and Agnes Patterson Park. Five companies from Newton, Pella, Baxter and Grinnell submitted bids ranging from $32,156 to $41,550. Jerry Keenan Concrete of Newton had the low bid of $32,156 with TK Concrete of Pella at $32,244, Jeromy Dingeman Concrete of Pella at $31,150, Mid-State Construction of Baxter at $41,411 and Strand Excavating of Grinnell at $41,550. Council approved the low bid from Jerry Keenan Concrete with a scheduled completion date of on or before June 30. The projects will be paid for using 2015 bond funds that were made available by the fire department receiving outside funding for a new pumper/ tanker truck.

Comics & Puzzles...........6A Dear Abby........................6A Local News......................2A

Obituaries.......................5A Opinion............................4A State News......................7A

Celebrating a new partnership

Colfax businesses offer a personal touch / 2A

Volume No. 115 No. 211 2 sections 18 pages

Thank you Donald Little of Newton for subscribing to the Newton Daily News. To subscribe, call 641-792-5320 or visit newtondailynews.com.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.