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Man serving life for killing Newton officer dies in prison By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News
Des Moines Register File Photo Lawrence Gladson, left, shakes hands with his attorney, Roger Owens, after receiving a life sentence April 25, 1986, for the shooting death of Newton Police Officer Daniel McPherren.
The man responsible for the death of Newton Police Officer Daniel McPherren has died. Lawrence Gladson, 72, died Tuesday in a hospice room of the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison where he had been housed due to a number of chronic illnesses. Gladson was serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the first degree murder of McPherren, who was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 13, 1985. Gladson was also convicted of three counts of first degree robbery in Jasper County.
He was originally admitted to prison on Jan. 11, 1983 for felony assault, extortion and false imprisonment in Warren County. While at McPherren the minimum security Correctional Release Center in Newton, Gladson escaped on Sept. 3, 1985. Ten days following his escape, Gladson attempted to rob the Hy-Vee west grocery store on Sept. 13. It was there McPherren was shot and killed when he responded with other
officers. McPherren was posted at the rear of the store waiting for the robber to exit. A second robber was posted near the rear of the store as a lookout and a gunfight ensued between the officers and the suspects. McPherren was fatally shot between the panels of his vest. Both Gladson and the other suspect were wounded and fled the scene. They were later apprehended and convicted of first degree murder. Current Marshall County Sheriff Steve Hoffman was not yet in law enforcement but GLADSON | 3A
Baxter native SHARE Iowa food program to embraces new offer significant food discounts role at DNR By Justin Jagler Newton Daily News Growing up in Baxter, Alex Murphy graduated high school with a class of about 20 students. Now, he works at an agency with nearly 1,000 people and serves the entire state of Iowa. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources announced last week that Murphy was hired as the department’s new public information officer. He will serve as a point of contact for all media and public information needs related to the DNR. The communications specialMurphy ist left his post at the Department of Public Safety to join the DNR. The opportunity was presented to him, and it was too good to pass up, he said. With less than two weeks of DNR experience under his belt, Murphy said he has already learned a ton about the department’s diversity. There’s more to it than deer hunting and fishing. The DNR tackles issues like recycling, air quality and water quality. “It is unreal the things that I don’t think the general publics knows what the DNR does and the great things that come out of here,” he said. “I get paid to teach people and tell people about these good things that are going on in this department.” Murphy studied mass communications at Grand View University in Des Moines and worked as a television reporter for KCCI during his formative years. He then headed to Iowa State University to work in media relations, before landing the public safety gig. He said the connections he made along the way were invaluable. MURPHY | 3A
Submitted Photo Volunteers with the SHARE Iowa program prepare food at the nonprofit organization’s headquarters in Oskaloosa.
Local churches and Salvation Army to offer program By Kayla Langmaid Newton Daily News The saying “no good deed goes unnoticed,” takes on a new meaning with the SHARE Iowa food program. The nonprofit organization sells quality food at a discount to Iowans who recently volunteered two hours of their time for a good cause. Newton SHARE will
return to Newton from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. April 22 with the Newton Ministerial Association as its sponsor. Along with the Salvation Army, 10 churches are also participating in the program. The program offers savings of up to 50 percent on food in exchange for two hours of volunteer service a month. The first distribution day will be at First Unit-
ed Methodist Church in Newton. Ordering for April will begin on March 27 through April 7. Michael Kacmarynski, SHARE Iowa Community Developer, said volunteers in the Newton community decided to do away with the program in January 2016. Kacmarynski said churches and volunteers in Newton are excited to see this program back.
Those looking to put in some volunteer hours can let their local Salvation Army or participating church know, and they can pick from foods, such as, pork chops, fish, cheese packs and breakfast sandwiches. Kacmarynski said the food items rotate often and can be found on a menu. SHARE | 3A
Central Iowa Community Services named Organization of the Year By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News Central Iowa Community Services was named 2017 Organization of the Year by the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa. CICS Planning Officer Russell Wood and CEO Jody Eaton were presented the award during the Annual Best Practices Brain Injury Services Conference, “Shattering the Myths, Unmasking the Opportunities,” on March 2 at the Embassy Suites in Des
Moines. CICS, who serves Jasper County, is one of Iowa’s 14 regional organization that provides coordination and financial support for mental health and disability services to individuals.
“We are so pleased to honor CICS and their efforts to recognize how brain injuries can affect mental health,” BIAIA Executive Director Geoffrey Lauer said. “Their support helps us give individuals who have suffered a brain injury
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suffered from a brain injury because, at the end of the day, we’re not just talking about money, we’re talking about people,” CICS Planning Officer Russell Wood said. “And we can make a different in people’s lives.” The mission of BIAIA is to create a better future through brain injury prevention, advocacy, education, research and support. Founded in 1980, the group advocates for and with
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the information, resources and support they need.” The CICS region encompasses 10 Iowa counties and works with dozens of service providers in the region to provide care and support to individuals and communities they service. Earlier this year, CICS announced it would be including services for individuals who have suffered brain injuries to its roster. “We recognize the important role CICS can play in supporting those who have
Comics & Puzzles...........6A Dear Abby........................6A Local News......................2A
Obituaries.......................5A Opinion............................4A State News......................7A
Avocado attributes
Healthy ways to use the fruit / 2A
CICS | 3A
Volume No. 115 No. 214 2 sections 16 pages
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