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Community comes together to welcome new teachers
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2017 Jasper County Fair Results
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Maytag Pool renovation plans presented to parks board By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News A presentation on a potential renovation to Maytag Pool was given to the Newton Parks Board on Wednesday. Matt Karsten, a lifeguard and manager at the pool, developed a plan to add several new features and help attract new visitors and additional season pass holders to the pool. “In the last four years I have worked at the pool, I have seen quite a few areas that could be improved,” Karsten said. “I have been envisioning possible renovation and upgrades for the past couple of years, taking into consideration the patrons opinions and lifeguards suggestions.” Karsten presented a new layout for the pool area with two new water slides, a spray park, a
David Dolmage/Daily News New teachers from Newton Christian School and the Newton Community School District pose for a group photo outside of Newton’s DMACC campus on Wednesday.
Welcome lunch draws big crowd By David Dolmage Newton Daily News Jeremy Yenger’s commute is a lot shorter this year. Instead of driving to Johnston every day to teach science, the Newton native will be walking to work now that he’s teaching at Berg Middle School. Wednesday, at the New Teacher and Administrative Staff Welcome Luncheon, Yenger said he was thrilled to be back in Newton to start a new school year. “It’s been kind of like a homecoming for me,” the Newton High School graduate said. “It’s really comfortable. I’m seeing faces from years ago.” Yenger, alongside 26 other new teachers from the Newton Community School District and Newton Christian School had a chance to enjoy lunch Wednesday and network with members of the Newton community. The annual luncheon, a tradition in Newton, is hosted by the Greater Newton Area Chamber
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new water play structure, a lily pad play area, a lazy river and an upgraded concession stand. “One day I was asking all of the kids, if you could have a new feature what would it be and most of them answered new slides or a lazy river,” Karsten said. Structural changes include moving the water slides to the original water slide location on the west side of the pool and added a lazy river that intertwines with the slides, constructing a new concession stand east of the current stand and building a spray park where the current water slide sits. Additional changes would repurpose areas already in use including the zero entry area and a portion sectioned off for the water slide entry. POOL | 3A
David Dolmage/Daily News Newton Community School Board President Travis Padget talks with members of the community during a luncheon for new teachers, held Wednesday at Newton’s DMACC campus.
of Commerce. In a speech at the lunch, chamber director Amanda Price said the chamber prides itself on being a player in the community. As she welcomed the new teachers, Price stressed how important education is to Newton. “All of the sponsors and guests are here to support you,” Price said. “We want to show
you what the community has to offer.” The lunch, which was catered by Hy-Vee, also included a gift bag for each new teacher. The bags, provided by chamber sponsors included a water bottle, coffee cups, pens, pencils and notebooks and were deTEACHERS | 3A
Jamee A. Pierson/Daily News Matt Karsten presents his renovation ideas for Maytag Pool to the Newton Parks Board
USDA program encourages movement in rural housing market By David Dolmage Newton Daily News
NAMI of Jasper County to merge with central Iowa chapter By Kayla Langmaid Newton Daily News The National Alliance of Mental Illness of Jasper County will be merging with NAMI of Central Iowa following a decision made by members of the nonprofit organization. After lengthy discussions and considerations, the local organization will dissolve and now be a part of NAMI of Central Iowa, which is based out of Ames. The organization will still
be tied to the Jasper County community through the monthly NAMI Family Support Group. The first meeting is set for Sept. 21. The support group is open to the public. The next meeting for members of the organization is set for 6:30 p.m. Aug. 21. The reason for the change is due to the state of Iowa now requiring each affiliate to pay directors NAMI | 3A
After an increase in crime in her north side Des Moines neighborhood, including a drive-by shooting, Heather Trotter no longer felt safe. Even though she’d grown up in the neighborhood Trotter decided it was time to start looking for an alternative. Thanks to a USDA program that encourages rural home ownership Trotter was able to move to Mitchellville. “It had a lot of history, so it was really hard to leave it, but the neighborhood just wasn’t safe anymore,” Trotter said. The USDA recently announced its ru-
David Dolmage/Daily News Heather Trotter stands out in front of her recently purchased home in Mitchellville.
ral housing program, which has been around for decades, would increase the amount buyers can borrow, a sign of rising housing costs across the nation.
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the previous mortgage limit. Buyers must meet USDA criteria to be eligible for the program.
EVENTS
WHERE IT’S AT Astrograph......................5B Calendar..........................5A Classifieds......................4B
Earlier this year the maximum mortgage limit for a USDA Rural Development direct home loan increased to $220,532, a jump of nearly $3,700 from
Comics & Puzzles...........6A Dear Abby........................6A Local Sports......................1B
Obituaries.......................5A Opinion............................4A State News......................7A
Check out today’s Go & Do
See what’s coming up this weekend / 8A
HOUSING | 3A
Volume No. 116 No. 63 2 sections 14 pages
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