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RSVP volunteers help with taxes Program targets limited-income demographic By Jason W. Brooks Newton Daily News
Mike Mendenhall/Daily News A crashed Iowa State Patrol car is pictured on Cherry Street in Colfax after the high-speed case Sunday. The Iowa State Patrol, along with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies, were involved in the pursuit Sunday that began in Prairie City and ended in Lambs Grove near Newton.
Two from Prairie City arrested in high-speed pursuit By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News Two local residents are being held without bond following a high-speed pursuit that started in Prairie City Sunday and ended in Lambs Grove. Derek Mullennax, 35, and Jessica Cubbage, 25, both of Prairie City, are being held without bond at the Jasper County Jail. Authorities were attempting to locate Mullennax on Sunday as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation. Officers spotted his vehicle on Highway 163 west of Prairie City but were unable to stop it. Polk County and Pleasant Hill police departments were contacted with Pleasant Hill officers also failed to stop Mullennax, who then traveled on Highway 65. While in
Mullennax
Cubbage
the Pleasant Hill area, Mullennax discharged a firearm, firing several rounds at officers, before heading east to Jasper County. Mullennax then went eastbound on Interstate 80 and exited at Colfax. The pursuit went through several residential areas then returned to I-80. While in Colfax an Iowa State Patrol car became disabled. At the I-80/Highway 117 in-
terchange, Jasper County deputies attempted to deploy stop sticks when Mullennax attempted to ram their vehicles. He then continued east on I-80 before exiting at the mile-marker 159 interchange. The Newton Police Department were requested for assistance and set up west of Newton on Highway F-48. As the driver approached the officers, he turned north onto West 36th Street North, which is a dead end road. He continued into a field, where his vehicle hit a tree. Mullennax and Cubbage exited the vehicle and the led officers on a pursuit of foot for several minutes before they were captured. Mullennax was armed with the handgun at the time of arrest. PURSUIT | 3A
When some of us think about doing taxes, we picture either heading to an tax preparer’s office or spreading forms and stubs out on the kitchen table. For those of us who qualify, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program is offering a different option. RSVP of Jasper County is volunteering to help with the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. It provides free help with taxes to disadvantaged Iowa residents. The last day of the program, which is set up
to help qualified people by appointment only, is April 13 — two days before the day tax filing is due. It’s set up to help people who generally make $54,000 or less, people with disabilities and limited-English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. RSVP Director Denice Fischer said there have been some changes to the VITA program. “It’s a little different this year,” she said. “Everything is by appointment now, and it’s open to anyone filing taxes in Iowa, but our target is Jasper County residents.” Appointments are made by calling 1-800244-7431 from phone RSVP | 3A
File Photo The Retired Senior Volunteer Program is offering free help with taxes to Iowa residents from low- or lower-middle income households through April 13.
Jump Rope for Heart Jasper County winners Genealogical Society nears 40 year anniversary Recently moved to county annex building By Kate Malott Newton Daily News Newton resident David Taylor has been studying county genealogy for the last 20 years. Taylor was born and raised in Newton and worked as a juryman electrical at Maytag. Taylor retired in 1997 and found he now had the time for new endeavors. “I decided to do some work on my genealogy,” he said. “At that time, the library was in the basement of the courthouse. That’s where I started my genealogy research with pen and
paper.” Taylor found his family has been in the Jasper County area since the 1840s and he is 99.9 percent European. After several years of research
and volunteering for the Jasper County Genealogical Society, Taylor decided to become a librarian. GENEALOGY | 3A
Kate Malott/Daily News Jasper County Genealogical Society volunteer librarian David Taylor stands in the library Friday morning at its newest location in the Jasper County Annex Building.
Submitted Photo Multiple Newton-area schools held assemblies Friday to recognize students who helped raise thousands of dollars for the American Heart Association this year through its “Jump Rope for Heart” pledge campaign. Thomas Jefferson’s top two collectors were, for the second consecutive year, Delaney Woollums, left, and Ethan Pageler. TJ’s collection of nearly $13,000 led Newton Community School District’s total donation to the heart association of more than $31,000 this year. Aurora Heights and Woodrow Wilson elementaries both made a significant increase from their already impressive 2014-15 totals to this year’s collections.
FEATURE
WHERE IT’S AT Astrograph......................5B Calendar..........................5A Classifieds......................4B
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Comics & Puzzles...........6A Dear Abby........................6A Local News......................2A
Obituaries.......................5A Opinion............................4A State News......................7A
Giving back to the community
Kinetic Edge working with local nonprofits / 2A
Volume No. 114 No. 206 2 sections 14 pages
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