Newton
Serving Newton & Jasper County Since 1902
Daily News
Thursday, March 20, 2014 OBITUARIES Dennis Ferguson, 60 Margaret Herrington Harmon, 89, INSIDE TODAY
www.newtondailynews.com
Local
Newton, Iowa
Van Wyk withdraws from HD 28 race Clive man’s candidacy documents claimed he was living in Sully By Bob Eschliman Daily News Editor
Student honored by governor for art
75 cents
© Newton Daily News, 2014 Jon Van Wyk’s campaign for Iowa House District 28 lasted nine days. After objections were raised about his candidacy as a result of his declaring a Sully business as his home, he announced Wednesday after-
noon he was dropping out of the race. The Newton Daily News was prepared to publish an article Thursday that showed Van Wyk was still living in the Polk County portion of Clive in the western suburbs of Des Moines. He admitted he was living there, but also claimed his parents’ business in Sully was his “legal residence.” Van Wyk, a Republican, was poised to face first-term incumbent State Rep. Greg Heartsill (R-Chariton) in the June 3 pri-
mary. But, when the Office of Secretary of State published its list of candidates for state and federal offices last weekend, it listed Van Wyk’s home address as 802 Fourth St. in Sully. That address belongs to Van Wijk Winery, which the candidate’s parents own and operate in the former Sully Community Church. As featured in the January issue of Jasper County Living, the former church has been converted into a gathering place where the Van Wyks can market their wines and
host receptions. Van Wyk need not be a resident of House District 28 to run in the primary election. Sarah Reisetter, Director of Elections for the Office of Secretary of State, said state law requires only that candidates for office be residents of Iowa for one year. “A candidate doesn’t have to live in the district to be a candidate on the ballot for the VAN WYK See Page 5A
Page 2A
Bishop enjoys role as Jasper County Treasurer
Local
New care unit at St. Francis Manor
By Ty Rushing Daily News Senior Staff Writer
Page 7A
Page 1B
Doug Bishop has been the Jasper County Treasurer for almost a decade, and in that time, he has transformed the departments he oversees into some of the most productive in the state of Iowa. And he has the figures to verify the facts. “I don’t think people understand just how busy of an office this is,” Bishop said. “Last year alone, calendar year 2013, we renewed 45,321 vehicle registrations, we titled 11,820 vehicles, we processed over 12,000 driver licenses’ and collected $44
Weather
BISHOP See Page 5A
Sports
Newton hosting state AAU tourney
Iowa Speedway sales tax rebate extension bill advancing in House
Friday
High 57 Low 28
By Bob Eschliman Daily News Editor
Saturday
High 40 Low 19 Weather Almanac
Wed., Mar. 19 High 40 Low 30 No Precipitation Also: Astrograph Page 5B Classifieds Page 4B Comics & Puzzles Page 6A Dear Abby Page 6A
would extend the rebate by 10 years, and allow for zeropercent Iowa ownership of the racetrack. Small told the subcommittee the extension is necessary for the racetrack to fully realize the cap and continue to expand. He added it will not only to grow auto racing in Newton, but also to shine a spotlight on what central Iowa has to offer. Joseph Jones, a lobbyist with the Greater Des Moines Partnership, echoed those sentiments.
By Mandi Lamb Daily News Associate Editor
Obituaries Page 3A Police Page 3A Our 112th Year No. 213
98213 00008
— Rep. Dan Kelley
“It grows and diversifies our quality of life and all of our cultural entertainment opportunities here in the state of Iowa, which in turn grows the economic impact,” he said. State Rep. Dan Kelley (DNewton) said Iowa Speedway’s success is “very much tied to the success and future” of the community. “I want to do everything I can as a legislator to make sure that connection is strong and puts us all in the best position to move forward,” he said.
By Bob Eschliman Daily News Editor The Jasper County Sheriff ’s Office reported Wednesday afternoon it received a 911 call regarding a semitrailer hauling market hogs that crashed near Colfax on Iowa Highway 117. Deputies responded to the scene shortly after 11:30 a.m. and were met by officers from the Colfax Police Department. They discovered the semitrailer was on its side and that it had been loaded with hogs, all of which blocked the southbound lane of Highway 117. Using gates, approximately 160 hogs were removed from the semitrailer and transported to the Colfax Sale Barn until other arrangements could be made. Approximately 10 hogs died as a result of the rollover crash. The semitrailer was transported to Barney’s Towing in Newton; it is considered a total loss. The roadway was reopened for traffic at approximately 4:21 p.m. The driver of the truck was identified as Scott Rinehart of Moravia. He was cited for failure to maintain control. The Iowa Department of Transportation Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, and the Colfax Fire Department provided mutual aid at the scene. Local farmers and two employees of Lynnville Transport Inc. also assisted.
Copper Dollar Ranch ‘Cold Justice’ episode airs March 28
Opinion Page 4A
7
A bill to allow a sales tax incentive for Iowa Speedway to continue under its out-ofstate ownership by NASCAR received preliminary approval Wednesday from an Iowa House Ways and Means subcommittee. Senate Study Bill 3162 will now move to the full Ways and Means Committee for consideration. Iowa Speedway President Jimmy Small spoke before the subcommittee Wednesday morning to discuss the proposal and what it would mean for not just the racetrack, but also Newton and Central Iowa. The current incentive, which is scheduled to sunset Jan. 1, 2016, has only resulted in about $3.5 million of the previously expected $12.5 million benefit for Iowa Speedway. SSB 3162
“I want to do everything I can as a legislator to make sure that connection is strong and puts us all in the best position to move forward.”
Truck crash in Colfax results in death of hogs
4
TNT’s “Cold Justice” will air its episode on the 1983 Copper Dollar Ranch murders of Steven J. Fisher and Melisa L. Gregory on Friday, March 28. Shortly after an arrest was announced on the 31st anniversary of the cold case, Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty issued a press release stating the sheriff ’s office had been working with “Cold Justice” since December of 2012. The episode was originally scheduled to air Friday, but the show’s website now indicates the episode is slated for March 28.
“The Jasper County Sheriff ’s Office and the Jasper County Attorney’s Office both made the decision that ‘Cold Justice’ could offer resources, experience, insight and guidance to the investigation,” Halferty stated in the news release issued earlier this month. “Members of ‘Cold Justice’ offered over 40 years of homicide investigation experience, equipment and technology, and prior successful prosecutions of numerous cold case homicides.” The bodies of Fisher, 20, and Gregory, 17, were found shortly before 8 a.m. March 3, 1983, at the former Copper Dollar Ranch, located about four miles northwest of Newton. Both died as a result of
multiple “chop wounds” — 13 to Fisher’s head and 17 to Gregory’s face and head — inflicted by a heavy-edged instrument, according to court documents. Theresa “Terri” Supino, 53, of Altoona and formerly of Newton, was charged March 3 with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the case. Supino was married to but separated from Fisher at the time of his death, and Fisher and Gregory had been in an ongoing dating relationship with each other. Supino pleaded not guilty during a March 10 court appearance. A pre-trial conference is set for May 19, and her trial currently is scheduled for June 23.