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Thursday, January 9, 2014
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First Skiff Baby of 2014
INSIDE TODAY
Newton, Iowa
Prosecutors amend charges against Sully man By Bob Eschliman Daily News Editor
Sports
Practices for Scheduling Posts.” To attend, RSVP to the Newton Chamber of Commerce at info@ experiencenewton.com. Lunch will be available for $5. Please indicate you would like lunch when you RSVP. The tentative schedule — including the date, lesson plan and discussion topic — for 2014 is as follows: Jan. 16 — Overview of All Networks: When to Use What, Best Practices for Scheduling Posts Feb. 20 — Facebook for Business, Paid Social Advertising
The Jasper County Attorney’s Office filed amended charges Monday against a Sully man accused of attacking his wife, and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest. William “Billie” Sanders, 40, now faces charges of intimidation with a dangerous weapon, a Class C felony; willful injury, a Class D felony; felon in possession of a firearm, a Class D felony, false imprisonment, a serious misdemeanor; and habitual offender, which is sentence “enhancer,” should he be convicted. Sanders was originally scheduled to have his first appearance on Sanders the state charges Monday but did not appear because he had been in federal custody since New Year’s Eve on a complaint regarding the same incident. A bench warrant was issued for Sanders’ arrest, which is more of a formality, since a federal judge ruled the same day Sanders will be held over pending a federal grand jury indictment on a charge of felon in possession of a firearm. It is unclear when a grand jury may be convened to hear the allegations against Sanders. He was arrested the afternoon of Saturday, Dec. 28, at his home in rural Sully. According to criminal complaints filed by law enforcement, Sanders’ wife called her son to say she was being held against her will and had been assaulted. Her son then called 911, notifying the Jasper County Communications Center what he had been told and that Sanders had firearms in the home. When a deputy arrived, Sanders’ wife, who had been standing in the front yard, approached him. The deputy observed “extensive” injuries to her face. Sanders’ wife said her husband inflicted the injuries. Going inside, the deputy found Sanders passed out on the floor with his pants around his ankles with an almostempty bottle of Jack Daniels next to him. As Sanders was taken into custody, the deputy said a number of 12-gauge shotgun shells were found in Sanders’ pants pocket and in the pockets of a coat that had been sitting next to him on the floor. Law enforcement officials also retrieved four firearms — all loaded — from the home: • two 12-gauge pump-action shotguns, • a .22-caliber long rifle and • a 9 mm handgun. Sanders’ wife was first taken to Pella Regional Health Center and was later airlifted to Mercy Medical Center. While being transported to Pella, she stated to the ambulance crew Sanders had hit her in he face with the butt of a shotgun, and that she thought she may have fractured ribs. Sheriff John Halferty interviewed her two days later in her hospital room. During the interview, Sanders’ wife explained he had fired one of the weapons at her while she was sitting on the couch, and that he had also fired a crossbow at her. Halferty stated both weapons missed where she had been sitting by 12 inches or less. He said Sanders’ wife also told him Sanders had forced her to drive him to a gas station at gunpoint to purchase cigarettes. Sanders has a lengthy criminal history. In 1995, he was convicted of disorderly conduct, two charges of simple assault and possession of drug paraphernalia. In 1996, he was charged and acquitted of disorderly conduct and had a charge of simple assault dismissed. He was convicted that year of possession of marijuana, and later of for violating his probation related to that conviction. In 1998, two charges of domestic abuse without intent to inflict injury were dismissed. However, he was convicted of public intoxication, interference with official acts, and two subsequent probation violations. In 1999, he was convicted of assault causing bodily injury and interference with official acts and public intoxication and disorderly conduct. In 2001, a charge of possession of marijuana was dismissed, but he was convicted on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.
LUNCH/LEARN See Page 5A
SANDERS See Page 5A
Wallace returns for Preseason Thunder Page 7A
Sports
Submitted Photo Alexis Jordyn Marie Hadsall was Skiff Medical Center’s first baby of 2014, born at 7:01 a.m. Jan. 2, measuring 6 pounds, 3 ounces, and 191⁄2 inches. She is pictured with her parents, Lora and Jordan.
MAT holds first home meet Page 7A
Last Skiff Baby of 2013
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Submitted Photo Sierra Ann Clifton was Skiff Medical Center’s last baby of 2013, born at 4:01 p.m. Dec. 31, measuring 8 pounds, 14 ounces and 22 inches. She is pictured with her parents, Jessica Ault and Jamie Clifton, and 1-year-old big brother Carter Ault. Not pictured is 7-year-old big brother Cole Rupe.
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Sarmento presents new parking proposal to Newton City Council
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By Zach Johnson Daily News Staff Writer
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A parking ordinance proposal has not been brought to the Newton City Council since 2001, but on Monday night, Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Darrell Sarmento presented a proposal for a new parking ordinance in the downtown area. “We have so many business owners and patrons who, due to the parking ordinance, have to walk three blocks or more to get to their
Wed., Jan. 8
High 9 Low -2 No Precipitation Also: Astrograph Page 11A Calendar Page 3A Classifieds Page 9A
Social Media Lunch and Learn schedule announced
Comics & Puzzles Page 6A
Special to the Daily News
Courts Page 3A Dear Abby Page 6A NASCAR Page 8A Opinion Page 4A Sports Page 7A Our 112th Year No. 163
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cars,” Sarmento said. The current regulations allow no parking in the downtown area from 2 to 6 a.m. from November to February. The proposal would institute a hotline citizens can call to find out if the plows will be running in the downtown area and, if so, where. “This proposal is instrumental for downtown as we make changes to the area through businesses and residential,” Sarmento said. The presentation would mark the beginning of a study to gain data on whether or not the proposal needs to be further evaluated.
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The Newton Branding Task Force has released the 2014 Social Media Lunch and Learn schedule. The learning series is designed to help local businesses became savvy social media users and will cover a variety of topics, including Facebook, Twitter, Google Analytics, Instagram, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest and more. Social media provides an opportunity for communication between customers and businesses, and the class will train local leaders in best practices for brand
building and online communication. During these monthly training sessions, consultants from Brand Driven Digital will provide programs on getting started with social media, growing your efforts, and measuring success. Participants also will get plenty of time for questions and best practices tailored specifically to Newton businesses. The next Social Media Lunch and Learn is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at the Newton Development Corporation. Topics to be covered include, “An Overview of the Social Scene: When to Use What” and “Best