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Kayla Langmaid/Daily News Former Lt. Wes Breckenridge of the Newton Police Department looks at a photo of him and fellow NPD officers during his first year as a police officer during his retirement party Friday. Breckenridge retired after serving 24 years with the department.
Community thanks Breckenridge for 24 years at NPD By Kayla Langmaid Newton Daily News As the community thanked Lt. Wes Breckenridge for more than 20 years at the Newton Police Department Friday, it wasn’t a time for farewells but a time for new beginnings as Breckenridge plans to continue serving the community through his position as a state representative. Breckenridge was greeted by community members during his retirement party at the Newton City Hall Atrium and was surrounded by friends and family as they honored his 24 years of service to the Newton Police Department. Breckenridge, 48, announced his retirement at the end of March due to a recurring shoulder injury. The NPD lieutenant has had six shoulder dislocations and three corrective surgeries over a several-year period. He has pain associated with three metal pins and three compos-
ite clamps installed in his right shoulder Breckenridge’s most recent surgery was in June. He’s been on restrictive duty at NPD while in rehabilitation. Breckenridge said he received the news recently that he would not be able to return to patrol duty, and his injury-related retirement was effective March 31. “It’s been an honor and pleasure to serve the citizens of Newton and Jasper County. I was on the sheriff ’s reserve many years ago and taught DARE in Prairie City and here in Newton, and it’s been an honor and pleasure to interact with the community,” Breckenridge said. Breckenridge was promoted to lieutenant in 2006 when an open position came up. “We really have one of the most top-notch police departments in the state of Iowa, if not in the country. Chief Burdess and the whole staff does an outstanding job and are very professional
in what they do,” Breckenridge said. “The department is very progressive and looking for other opportunities to expand and get community-wide education out there — I’m just really impressed with what Burdess is doing and how dedicated and professional the department is.” NPD Chief Rob Burdess wished Breckenridge well and commended him for his leadership skills. “I’ve worked with him in a number of capacities and he’s a great leader within the department and definitely a great asset to the community, and his leadership is also extending to the statehouse now, and he is going to continue to serve and be a great representative for our community,” Burdess said. Breckenridge said he plans to continue to advocate for resources for those who struggle with mental health in the county. RETIREMENT | 3A
Hikers hunt for signs of spring By Kayla Langmaid Newton Daily News
Kayla Langmaid/Daily News Jasper County Conservation Naturalist Katie Cantu shows hikers wildflowers during the annual Woodland Wildflower Walk Saturday morning at Ashton Wildwood County Park.
A handful of hikers set out Saturday morning to find signs of spring during the annual Woodland Wildflower Walk lead by Jasper County Conservation Naturalist Katie Cantu. Families and children hiked the trail at Ashton Wildwood County Park as Cantu pointed out perennial plants — common violet, Jacob’s Ladder, wild Geraniums and Jack in the Pulpit. Marie Quanbeck of Newton said she doesn’t make it out to Ashton Park as often as she HIKE | 3A
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Submitted Photo Area emergency responders were called to a wreck around 11:45 a.m. Friday in the 6400 block of Highway 224 where one person was trapped in an overturned vehicle. Both drivers were transported by air ambulance to Des Moines area hospitals.
NHS students receive scholarships at assembly
Justin Jagler/Daily News Newton High School held its annual scholarship awards assembly Friday morning and afternoon. Academic awards and scholarships from Dollars for Scholars, Kiwanis, 4-H and other organizations were distributed to Newton students at the high school’s Center for Performance.
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A two-vehicle collision Friday afternoon led to serious injuries for two drivers north of Kellogg. Area emergency responders were called to a wreck around 11:45 a.m. in the 6400 block of Highway 224 where at least one person was reportedly trapped in an overturned vehicle. The highway is currently under road construction. According to the Jasper County Sheriff ’s Office, a van was slowing down and partially in the road of the southbound lane of Highway 224 to allow construction workers to put up construction warning signs. A straight truck that was traveling southbound was unable to stop and struck the rear-end of the van. Both vehicles went into the west ditch and the van rolled. The driver of the van,
Lonnie Lehman, 51, of Union, was removed using extrication tools and was transported by air ambulance from Kellogg ambulance. The driver of the truck, Randy Eash, 56, of Marshalltown, was removed by bystanders, and later transported by air ambulance from a Sully ambulance. Both patients were transported to Des Moines area hospitals. Conditions were unavailable at presstime. The vehicles involved were a red mini-van and a newspaper truck from the Marshalltown Times-Republican, which was en route to Newton to deliver newspapers. Highway 224 was shut down for approximately two hours. The Kellogg Fire Department, Newton Fire Department, Sully Fire Department, Iowa State Patrol and the Jasper County Sheriff ’s Office responded to the scene.
Comics & Puzzles...........6A Dear Abby........................6A Local Sports......................1B
Obituaries.......................5A Opinion............................4A State News......................7A
Project AWAKE plant sale
See photos of the annual event / 8A
Volume No. 115 No. 246 2 sections 16 pages
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