Newton
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Thursday, February 6, 2014
www.newtondailynews.com
Newton, Iowa
Iowa Network Services acquires Caleris
OBITUARIES George A. Wassenaar, 85
‘No change’ for Newton branch, growth expected
INSIDE TODAY
By Bob Eschliman Daily News Editor The acquisition of Caleris announced Wednesday morning by Iowa Network Services should have no direct impact on the operations of Caleris’ Newton facility.
Caleris co-founder Sheldon Ohringer said there would be “no change” for employees of the Newton call center, which provides outsourced call center services to other technology and telecommunications businesses. He said, if anything, the facility will likely see continued growth as a result of the purchase. There are about 200 employees at the Newton call center. Caleris’ other cofounder, Rick Grewell, said there is room
for up to 75 additional employees in its current location, noting there is “more space in town,” if it is needed in the future. INS President and CEO Ron Keller said his company and Caleris officials are working together throughout the transition to “ensure customers continue receiving the highest levels of service.” The CALERIS See Page 5A
Emerson Hough student hit by suspended driver in parking lot
Local
ITI showcases benefits of tourism Page 2A
Boy not seriously injured By Daily News Staff
Entertainment
‘Phantom’ coming to Des Moines Page 7A
Ty Rushing/Daily News Georgia Carr, Traci Crady, Donna Randolph, Judy Brassfield, Dee Johansen, Karen Huges and Betty Car (pictured in no particular order) are members of the American Legion Post 111’s Ladies Auxiliary. The group provides services to veterans and is actively seeking new members.
Sports
Newton swimmers eye state spots Page 1B
American Legion Ladies Auxiliary wants you
Ladies Auxiliary is seeking new members
Weather
By Ty Rushing Daily News Staff Writer Newton and Jasper County has arguably been in a Renaissance the last few years when it has come to supporting the more than 3,000 estimated veterans who
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Weather Almanac
By Bob Eschliman Daily News Editor
Wed., Feb. 5
Pella Regional Health Center announced Wednesday it will close its occupational health clinic in Newton at the end of the month. The clinic, located at 321 E. Third St. N., will continue to serve its patients until Friday, Feb. 28. Occupational Health Manager Marilou Houk said the number of visits to the clinic
High 6 Low -10 (record low) No Precipitation Also: Astrograph Page 5B Classifieds Page 4B
AUXILIARY See Page 5A
were not adequate to support continued operation. “We regret the number of visits to the clinic has not proven adequate in supporting an additional location beyond Pella,” she said. “We are happy to continue to serve you in Newton until Feb. 28 and hope are able to transfer the care of your employees to our occupational health site in Pella at that time.” Those with questions or concerns may call (641) 628-6683.
By Daily News Staff Black Hills Energy has received a scam report involving unknown parties who may be targeting its customers and
Dear Abby Page 6A Opinion Page 4A Obituaries Page 3A
demanding money. Fraudulent callers contact customers to indicate that a payment must be made within a short amount of time (e.g., 30 minutes) before
Wright to get new trial date By Daily News Staff
a technician will arrive to disconnect service if they do not pay. Some are even using spoofing
The Prairie City woman facing felony charges after her dog mauled to death a 4-year-old girl she was babysitting last year will be getting a new trial date. Monday, District Court Judge Richard Clogg scheduled a new pretrial conference for Monday, Feb. 17, at the Jasper County Courthouse for Jena M. Wright, 25. Additionally, he ordered the attorneys for both sides to come to an agreement on a new trial date. Wright was charged with child endangerment resulting in death, a Class B felony, and neglect or abandonment resulting in death, a Class C felony, after her American Staffordshire dog attacked Jordyn Arndt on April 22, 2013. The girl was airlifted to Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, where she died the next day as a result of her injuries.
BHE See Page 5A
WRIGHT See Page 5A
Black Hills Energy alerts customers to possible scam
Comics & Puzzles Page 6A
Black, Senate Democrats vote for 6 percent increase in K-12 funding
Police Page 3A
By Daily News Staff
Our 112th Year No. 183
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of older and long-term members, and it’s always nice to get new members,” auxiliary secretary Judy Brassfield said. Like the Legion itself, the group is nonprofit and seeks to help better life in the community for veterans. Brassfield explained some of the things that
Pella Regional Health Center to close occupational health clinic Feb. 28
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call the county home. There have been a number of organizations that have supported this Renaissance, but the Newton American Legion Post 111 Ladies Auxiliary in particular is finding itself in need of members to continue its staunch support. “We are always in the process of trying to recruit new members. Unfortunately, we lose a lot
A 3-year-old Emerson Hough student was struck, but not seriously injured, Monday by a car driven by a Newton man driving with a suspended license. At 8:11 a.m. Monday, Newton police responded to a report of a reckless driver striking a child before leaving the area of Emerson Hough. The boy’s mother, Michelle Williams, stated she was parked next to a vehicle driven by 26-year-old Timothy J. Ford and had just helped her son out of her car as Ford was backing out of the parking spot next to them. Williams and her son were standing between her car and Ford’s vehicle, and Williams stated said Ford’s vehicle bumped into her son, knocking him down into her, while backing out of the parking space, according to a police report. Williams also stated she yelled at the driver and that he cursed at her before leaving the parking lot at a high rate of speed. She said her son was shaken up and had a red mark on him, but he was not transported immediately for medical treatment. Williams later informed authorities that she was taking her son to the Skiff Medical Center Emergency Room. He had some abrasions but no serious injury, according to the police report. Authorities located Ford at his residence at 220 E. 28th St. N. #208. Ford denied any knowledge of hitting the child and said he was certain he did not hit the boy. Ford also admitted to having a suspended license but stated his wife has insurance on the car. He was charged with driving while license suspended and cited for no proof of insurance.
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State Sen. Dennis Black (D-Lynnville) voted with a majority of his colleagues Wednesday in the Democrat-controlled Iowa Senate to approve a 6-percent increase in K-12 school funding for the 2015-16 school year. He also voted for a measure that would use state funds to prevent property tax increases as a result of
the funding. “Iowa is more than $1,500 below the national average in terms of how much we invest per student. We should return to putting our local students first with regard to the state budget,” Black said. “Today, the Senate obeyed the 20-year old state law requiring the legislature to set local school funding 18 months in advance. We’ve also approved enough dollars to start repair-
ing damage from several lean years while also implementing last year’s educational reforms.” He said the funds “buy the basics,” such as teacher salaries, textbooks, utilities and fuel for transportation needs. He urged members of the Republican-controlled Iowa House of Representatives to “put politics aside” and support the Senate’s legislation.