Newton
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Tuesday, February 18, 2014 OBITUARIES John P. Robson Jr., 65 Alvin V. Whitlatch, 86 INSIDE TODAY
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Council makes ‘Get To Know Newton’ official By Zach Johnson Daily News Staff Writer The Newton City Hall Council Chambers received a new addition Monday night when Newton City Council made “Get To Know Newton” the official brand of the City of Newton. “I have heard no complaints — just posi-
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tive things about the new brand,” councilor Craig Trotter said. Councilor Noreen Otto commented on how “Get To Know
Newton” isn’t your traditional brand. “It’s a call to action for the community of Newton,” Otto said. The council set a
public hearing for the 2014-2015 city operating budget for Monday, March 3. The adoption of the budget will take place on the same day to
meet the state deadline of March 17. Staff writer Zach Johnson may be contacted at zjohnson@newtondailynews.com.
New Jasper County Historical Museum director has big plans for 2014 Ken Barthelman moved back to Newton to accept the position
Cardinals cruise past Huskies Page 7A
By Ty Rushing Daily News Staff Writer When Ken Barthelman originally moved to Newton in the third grade, he knew there was something he liked about this city. After he moved away the second time, he knew that he wanted to make his way back to Newton someday. When he accepted the position as Executive Director of the Jasper County Historical Museum earlier this month, he found his way home for good. “I’ve had a fascination with the area for a long, long time and have wanted to come back. I almost did 10 years ago, but my business then didn’t quite work out the way I wanted it to,” Barthelman said. “With my wife being retired, and I just got a small, little e-commerce business that I do … we thought this would be a good time to do it (move back).” Barthelman has a background in working with nonprofits and in graphic design, but is new to working in museums. He is hoping that he can utilize the skills he has acquired over the years in his other jobs, and his own deep passions for Jasper
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Ty Rushing/Daily News The Jasper County Historical Museum’s new executive director, Ken Barthelman, is thrilled to be back in Newton and has big ideas for the museum in 2014.
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Newton man charged with eluding, OWI after leading authorities in chase
Mon., Feb. 17
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High 40 Low 30 3 inches of snow .28 melted Also: Astrograph Page 11A Classifieds Page 9A
Submitted Photo Dillon Lavely is the one of the newest officers to join Newton Police Department. He transferred from the Chariton Police Department and will be on full duty in June after going through department training in Newton.
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Newton Officer Dillion Lavely loving Newton, his new job
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By Zach Johnson Daily News Staff Writer
Obituaries Page 3A Police Page 3A Our 112th Year No. 191
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Dillon Lavely is the one of the newest officers to join the Newton Police Department. Lavely recently transfered from the Chariton Police Department. Since he is a transfer, he will have to go through the department
training rather than heading to the academy with the new recruits. He will be on full duty in June. “It’s great to get transfers because you just have to put them through the department training and they’re ready to go,” Newton Police Chief Jeff Hoebelheinrich said. “Dillon is a great kid who loves
what he does and will do a fine job as an officer in Newton. “I love it here in Newton, being in a bigger community with a small-town identity,” Lavely said. Staff writer Zach Johnson may be contacted at (641) 792-3121, ext. 425, or at zjohnson@ newtondailynews.com.
A Newton man is facing two felony charges after leading authorities on a pursuit Sunday. Ronald G. Creech, 36, has been charged with operating while intoxicated, third offense, a Class D felony; eluding a law enforcement vehicle, a Class D felony; driving while license barred, an aggravated misdemeanor; and driving while license suspended, a simple misdemeanor. He is being held in the Jasper County Jail. At 10:23 p.m. Sunday, a Newton police officer attempted to make a traffic stop on a green Dodge Ram truck in the 1500 block of South Eighth Avenue East for driving without headlights and nearly striking the police vehicle at the intersection of South Eighth Avenue East and East 17th Street South. When authorities initiated red/blue emergency lights and sirens, the truck sped up and failed to stop for the marked police car, according to a news release from the Newton Police Department. The pursuit turned north onto East 14th Street South and then west on South Sixth Avenue East. Creech then lost control of his vehicle upon reaching the 1100 block of South Fifth Avenue East and drove into a yard, striking a utility pole guide wire. The pursuit continued west on South Fifth Avenue East, reaching speeds of more than 50 mph. Upon reaching East Sixth Street Place South, Creech turned north into the cul-de-sac and struck a street sign and eventually ran into a large snow pile, ending the pursuit. He was taken into custody without further incident. Creech also has been cited with numerous traffic violations. Damage to his vehicle and the objects struck is estimated to be more than $2,000.