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City to repair uneven streets
City parking, intersections updated
By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News
To continue to improve safety on the roadways on Newton, several parking areas and intersections throughout the community are being addressed. The addition of stop signs on West Fourth Street at South 20th Avenue West along with removal of parking on South Second Avenue and Lincoln Street were approved by city council on Monday. Wellik “Citizens have expressed safety concerns at the intersection of West Fourth Street South and South 20th Avenue West, stating the speed of northbound traffic at this intersection sometimes exceeds the posted speed limit and that visibility for eastbound traffic looking south is slightly compromised due to topography,” former interim city administrator Jarrod Wellik said. “This creates a safety concern for stopped eastbound traffic turning north.” The intersection is a “T” intersection where eastbound traffic currently stops. The Traffic Safety Committee analyzed the area and recommended two stop signs to be added for northbound and southbound traffic on West Fourth Street South. The addition of the traffic signs will make it an all-way stop intersection. Council also approved to remove compact parking spaces on South Second Avenue between West Fourth Street South and East Fourth Street South. Currently there are four compact spaces but following the reconstruction of the roadway in 2016, the new layout allows for full parking spaces on each block. The final area is Lincoln Street located near the Iowa Speedway. A no parking statute was implemented on both sides of Lincoln Street between Rusty Wallace Drive and Iowa Speedway Drive when the racetrack was constructed. At that time, the east half of
By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News
Two sections of roadway in southwest and southeast Newton are scheduled to be repaired. The 200 through 700 blocks of East 17th Street South and the 400 Muckler through 800 blocks of South 11th Avenue West were approved for a diamond grinding and joint sealing project by city council on Monday. “The condition and ride of the streets have declined and are in need of rehabilitation or repairs,” city administrator Matt Muckler said. Diamond grinding is a process which typically removes 3/16 to 1/4 inches from the existing surface. By doing this it eliminates mismatched or faulted pavement panels and joints, leaves a uniform textured surface and improves the ride of motorists. Five bids were received during the open bidding process. Diamond Surface, Inc. of Rogers, Minn. was the low bidder at a project cost of $136,782. Bids were also submitted from Illowa Investment Inc., of Blue Grass for $142,809, Henriksen Contracting, LLC of Grimes for $144,002, REPAIR | 3A
File Photo NCSD Director of Business Services Gayle Isaac speaks at a past board meeting as board vice president Robyn Friedman looks on. The Newton school board will discuss the 2018 budget at its meeting on Monday.
School board to consider 2018 budget By Justin Jagler Newton Daily News The Newton Community School Board of Education will vote on the proposed budget for fiscal year 2018 at Monday night’s regular meeting. The proposed budget, which was published in the Newton Daily News on March 27, adds up to about $73.1 million. Costs for the new Berg Middle School raised the overall proposed budget, but the general fund has remained in the $30 to $32 million range over the last five years. The budget vote will be preceded by a 6:45 p.m. public hearing at the EJH Beard Administration Center. Members of the public will be given a chance to share their thoughts on the budget. The property tax rate of
$15.74 per $1,000 of taxable value included in the proposed budget cannot be raised after it was initially published. However, the school board can vote to lower the tax rate. Also on Monday, the board will consider total package increases for district employees. Meet and confer groups, such as secretaries, head custodians, specialists, supervisors and managers are facing a 2 percent increase. The board will vote on a contract continuation and 1.27 percent increase for administrators. Superintendent Bob Callaghan and Director of Business Services Gayle Isaac will see an increase of 0.0024 percent in their total packages, if the board approves. There will also be a vote to extend the superintendent contract through
2019-2020. In other business, the board will take action on a measure to approve construction documents and authorize FRK Architects to receive bids for the new Berg building. In addition, the board will consider increasing meal prices for next school year. The superintendent’s report on Monday will include a technology committee update, update on the 10-year facility plan and the freshmen orientation video. The board will recognize a food service donation by St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. Fundraiser requests for Newton High School groups will also be considered at the meeting. Contact Justin Jagler at 641-792-3121 ext 6532 or jjagler@newtondailynews.com
SIGNS | 3A
Arby’s to host first car show Tuesday evening By Justin Jagler Newton Daily News Classic car fans and gearheads from Jasper County will have a new place to gather starting this Tuesday and throughout the summer. Arby’s in Newton will host its first car show from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Weather permitting, the restaurant anticipates a variety of automobiles to fill the parking lot. The group of locals who organized the car show has been putting similar events together for more than a decade. Sometimes, 30 or more cars shine in the sun at their shows. Randy Wagner is part of the car enthusi-
ast group who connected with Arby’s this year after spending the last several years hosting car shows at Culver’s. Wagner said the group consists of people from Kellogg, Colfax, Altoona, Monroe and Des Moines-area car owners. “It’s just a night you get together, you visit with other guys and gals,” Wagner said. “People come in, see your cars, ask you questions. They enjoy coming, and we enjoy having people come by and visit with us.” The car show is not a competition, and there is no fee to join. Anyone is free to bring their car. All kinds of automobiles are represented.
Justin Jagler/Daily News Arby’s in Newton is set to host its first classic car show this Tuesday in its parking lot. The show is a friendly gathering rather than a competition, and anyone is welcome to bring their automobile.
It’s not only hod rods and muscle cars. Even a few motorcycles show up, Wagner said. Abbey Ramsey, director of marketing at Arby’s, said the restau-
rant was more than happy to accommodate the car show. “We’re just hoping to draw people over to Arby’s for a fun event, and then hopefully they
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show every week later in the summer when it gets warmer. Contact Justin Jagler at 641-792-3121 ext 6532 or jjagler@newtondailynews.com
FEATURE
WHERE IT’S AT Astrograph......................5B Calendar..........................5A Classifieds......................4B
stay for dinner,” Ramsey said. The event will continue, every other Tuesday, into the summer. Wagner said the restaurant may switch to a
Comics & Puzzles...........6A Dear Abby........................6A Local News......................2A
Obituaries.......................5A Opinion............................4A State News......................7A
DMACC provost open house
Joe DeHart welcomed at the college / 2A
Volume No. 115 No. 225 2 sections 18 pages
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