Newton
Serving Newton & Jasper County Since 1902
Daily News
Friday, February 7, 2014 OBITUARIES Mildred Hennon,100 Dennis McNeeley, 55 David Vermillion, 62
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Newton now a Main Street Community
INSIDE TODAY
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Ty Rushing/Daily News Newton Mayor Mike Hansen beams as he holds the plaque recognizing Newton as a Main Street Iowa community. Gov. Terry Branstand and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds also presented plaques to representatives from the cities of Guthrie Center and Avoca. Newton Director of Planning and Zoning Erin Chambers and Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Darrell Sarmento are also pictured.
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Branstad makes announcement at Capitol By Zach Johnson Daily News Staff Writer “For your communities, the real work begins now,” Gov. Terry Branstad told the cities who were announced as the new Iowa Main Street communities. At 1:40 p.m., Branstad welcomed Newton as one of the three newest Main Street Iowa communities. State Rep.
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Dan Kelley and State Sen. Dennis Black were in attendance at the State Capitol and had a chance to join Newton in the celebration. “This is very positive for Newton, and there’s a tremendous history to our main street. It’s clear that the entire state recognizes that with our recognition today as a Main Street Community,” Kelley said. “This
can only mean great things for our future and maintaining the high quality of life in our community.” Black has been a representative of the Newton community in the Iowa Senate for the past 32 years and was a coauthor of the Iowa Main Street program.
It may be Danny Whitson’s first time coming to town for a show, but this certainly isn’t his first time around. Whitson will perform from 9 p.m. to midnight tonight at The Manhattan. “I know it’s my first time in Newton, but I am just focused on creating a great set list for Newton,” Whitson said. “I love interacting with the crowd, so you will also be getting a very personal show on Friday.” Whitson spent 10 years playing bars and filling in for bands across eastern Iowa, which lead him to be picked up by one of Cedar Rapids’ hottest country bands, Lonesome Road. The recruitment by Lonesome Road proved to be a success. The band parted ways in 2013, so Whitson launched himself into the solo music scene. WHITSON See Page 5A
MAIN STREET See Page 5A
Rebranding to celebrate all things good in Newton
Sports
Mustangs power past Cardinals
By Zach Johnson Daily News Writer
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A community rally to introduce the new branding and marketing plan for the city is set for 5 p.m. Tuesday at the DMACC Newton Campus. The event will have a social hour from 5 to 6 p.m. with the rally to follow. “This is will be a night to celebrate the success of Newton,” Newton
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Management Analyst Natalie Umsted said. “During the social hour, many prizes will be raffled off, and there will be many family fun events, so feel free to bring the children.” The planning for the branding began a year ago and has involved many city and business leaders to help create the logo and marketing plan. REBRANDING See Page 7A
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School board to make final decision on AT&T Cell Tower on Monday By Ty Rushing Daily News Staff Writer
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If all goes well, the Newton Community School District Board of Education may finally get a final resolution on an issue the district has been dealing with for several years.
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A vote will be held at Monday’s meeting with regard to the district signing a contract with AT&T to lease land south of Newton Senior High School for a new cell phone tower. The issue was tabled at the Jan. 27 meeting at the
Submitted Photo Danny Whitson will perform from 9 p.m. to midnight tonight at The Manhattan in Newton.
January 2014 housing sales fall By Bob Eschliman Daily News Editor
request of AT&T. During that meeting, Board Secretary/District Business Manager Gayle Isaac explained why the delay was requested.
According to numbers supplied by the Newton Board of Realtors, the number of homes sold in January dipped back to the same level of two years prior. According to the data, based on NBR Multiple Listing Service information, nine homes were sold in January, compared to 15 in same month one year prior. In January 2012, nine homes were also sold during the month.
BOARD See Page 7A
HOUSING See Page 5A
Brotherhood is what it’s all about for Army veteran Aaron Peter
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By Ty Rushing Daily News Staff Writer
Classifieds Page 3B Comics & Puzzles Page 6A Dear Abby Page 6A Opinion Page 4A Obituaries Page 3A Police Page 3A Our 112th Year No. 184
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Whitson focused on making a good first impression in Newton By Zach Johnson Daily News Staff Writer
NHS students in honor bands
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Submitted Photo Aaron Peter, an Army veteran, is pictured in full combat gear during his stint in Afghanistan. Aaron is now a fulltime student at Iowa State University.
At first glance, Aaron Peter seems like any other 20-year-old attending classes at Iowa State University. But unlike most of the other students, he didn’t return from break when classes started back up in January — he returned from Afghanistan. “We used to always joke that it would be a nice vacation destination if it weren’t for the Taliban,” Aaron said. Aaron was in Afghanistan serving as a specialist in the U.S. Army Reserve. That experience helped enlighten him to the country and its people. “It is a pretty beautiful country, except for the
unsanitary conditions around the local people,” Aaron said. “But, I found that nearly all of the citizens we dealt with were supportive of the U.S., because they just want a peaceful and normal life like everyone else in the world. One even said to me in good English, ‘Thank you for your service and what you’re doing for our country.’” Aaron, like a number
of other young men and women that sign-up, knew he wanted to serve his country for quite awhile before he finally decided to join. Another factor to join was Aaron’s older brother, David. “It was always in the back of my mind, but I really decided to join during my junior year of high school,” Aaron said. “My brother is also in the Army — he’s in Afghanistan right now, actually — and he was the biggest influence on my choices in the military.” Having an older brother in the military has been a boon for Aaron and something he appreciates having the benefit of. PETER See Page 5A