Newton
Serving Newton & Jasper County Since 1902
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Friday, April 11, 2014
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Newton, Iowa
Flashing stop lights to be fixed by June 1
OBITUARIES Michael G. Petroff, 53 Margaret F. Smith, 87
By Zach Johnson Daily News Staff Writer
INSIDE TODAY
Bob Eschliman/Daily News Jon Van Wyk presents information and evidence to County Auditor Dennis Parrott and County Attorney Mike Jacobsen during a hearing to determine if his voter registration in Jasper County was valid. Parrott determined, based on evidence presented and the provisions of Iowa Code, that Van Wyk’s registration was not valid.
Local
Rotary Students of the Month
Van Wyk’s voter registration canceled
Page 2A
By Bob Eschliman Daily News Editor
Education
Student takes trip ‘around world’ Page 8A
a preponderance of evidence indicates that another location should be considered the person’s voting residence under the provisions of Iowa Code Chapter 48A. “On the basis of the evidence submitted, I have found that on the date that you registered to vote, March 7, 2014, you did not meet Iowa Code requirements to be an eligible elector in Jasper County. Therefore I am cancelling your voter registration in Jasper County in accordance with
The voter registration of a former Iowa House District 28 candidate who was in the process of moving from Clive to Sully was canceled this morning by the Jasper County Auditor Dennis Parrott. In his ruling to Jon Van Wyk of Sully, Parrott wrote: “A person’s declaration of residency for voter registration and voting purposes is presumed to be valid unless
Sports
By Zach Johnson Daily News Staff Writer
Page 1B
Rob Khan and Dan Skokan
The City of Newton recognized the unpaid volunteers of Newton on Thursday. For the second year in the row, city hall employees hosted the Volunteer Recognition Dinner as National Volunteer week comes to a close on Saturday.
Weather
Convention and Visitors Bureau Linda Bacon, Cathy Rickers, Sue Beukema, Debb Smith, Jeff Conn, Beth Steenhoek, Margie Criswell, Nathan Unsworth, Jeff Holschuh, Annette West, Judy Johnson, Jenny Will and Troy Knight
Saturday
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Newton Development Corporation Brian Buch, Frank Liebl, Dick Davidson, Adam Otto, Jo Jenkins, Levi Pence,
Sunday
Newton Housing Development Koni Bunse, Janet Reentz, John Carl, Fred Rhodes, Jennifer Cook, Bruce Showalter, Kevin McCartney, Rick Shutts, Mark Otto, Jim Skokan, Levi Pence, Amy Trease and Bev Price
Newton named a Tree City for 20th year By Daily News Staff
Implementing Newton’s Future Terri Ayers, Sue Nolin, Linda Bacon, Bob O’Brien, Zach Bey, Don Poynter, Bernard Lammers, Janet Reents, Brendan Lamont, Jane Repp, Frank Liebl, Bruce Showalter, Terry Michener, Cory Stout, Angie Neville, Keri Van Zante and Mary Ann Nevins
The National Arbor Day Foundation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Forestry Bureau announced last week the City of Newton has received the 2013 Tree City USA Award. The award was presented Thursday, April 3, at the 24th Annual Community Forestry Awards Luncheon held at the Stoney Creek Inn in Johnston.
DINNER See Page 3A
TREE CITY See Page 3A
Family Dollar project in Monroe will continue
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By Zach Johnson Daily News Staff Writer
Weather Almanac
Thurs., April 9 High 64 Low 48 No Precipitation Also: Astrograph Page 5B Classifieds Page 4B
Family Dollar announced Thursday it will be closing 370 stores, cutting prices on some products and laying off employees. But that won’t impact the company’s plans for a new store in Jasper County. Monroe City Administrator and Economic Development Coordinator
Matthew Mardesen said this morning he hasn’t received any reports that the company’s announcement will affect the opening a new store there. Company officials did not reply to requests for comment prior to press time. “I haven’t heard anything about a change of plans,” Mardesen said. “Family Dollar is going through a transition of closing down
many old stores to rebuild or renovate the stores to the corporate image.” He noted that at the end of the year Family Dollar posted an 11 percent increase in profits. The company opened 500 new stores in 2013 and plans to open between 350 and 400 new stores in 2014. “As of now we’re on track to begin development on June 1,” Mardesen said.
Submitted Photo Newton Parks and Recreation Administrative Superintendent, Nathan Unsworth is pictured with State Forester Paul Tauke to receive a certificate declaring Newton a tree city.
Halfhill recalls time in U.S. Navy during World War II
Comics & Puzzles Page 6A
By Matt Nosco Daily News Staff Writer
Dear Abby Page 6A Opinion Page 4A Obituaries Page 3A Police Page 3A Our 112th Year No. 229
98213 00008
VAN WYK See Page 5A
City of Newton recognizes volunteers at annual recognition dinner Thursday
New nine-hole course mark set
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Iowa Code Section 48A.” Van Wyk registered to vote at same time he turned in his candidacy paperwork with the Iowa Office of Secretary of State. The registration form was signed March 7, but according to time and date stamps, it was received by the Office of Secretary of State on March 10, the Jasper County Auditor’s Office on March 13.
The Public Works Department has set the completion date of fixing the flashing traffic lights at the intersection of First Avenue East and Eighth Street North for June 1. “We have just sent the project out for bid,” Public Works Operations Superintendent Jody Rhone said. “[The accident on March 31] caused 7,600 volts of electricity to burn up all the wiring, lights, controllers and cabinet for the lights at the intersection. A contractor has set up a temproary wiring system to make sure we didn’t have just a stop sign out there.” The accident happened at 1:37 a.m. Monday, March 31. At that time, Newton Police were notified that a vehicle had struck a pole in the 700 block of First Avenue East. The vehicle was westbound on First Avenue when it struck the pole on the south side of the road. Newton Police Officer Randy Oldfield was able to find the vehicle, which had left the scene of the crash, and performed a traffic stop in the 200 block of East Second Street North. Oldfield cited the driver, Harold Peter Mahoney, 63, of Newton, for driving while license suspended, leaving the scene of an accident, striking a fixture and failure to maintain control. Damage to the utility pole was approximately $3,000, and the damage to the vehicle was approximately $3,500. Public Works Director Keith Laube did not have an estimated cost to replace the controller cabinet hardware; he said the cost would be covered through the Traffic Control budget.
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Lowell Halfhill had just graduated from Iowa State University in 1968. He had a world of opportunity before him, a promising career to look forward to and plenty of prospects ahead barring one simple problem. “I would go in for a job interview, and they would ask me what my draft status was,” Lowell said. “I’d tell them that I was a 1-A, and they’d say they’d be happy to talk to me once I got back.” He already had a
brother who was serving in the Army as an officer in Vietnam, and his father-in-law had served during World War II. Lowell knew the Army wasn’t the branch for him, and he wanted
to keep charge of his destiny as much as any young man facing the Draft Board can. So, he met with a Navy recruiter and was able to arrange his enlistment before he his draft notice
arrived. By October, just a few short months after his graduation, Lowell was starting boot camp in San Diego, Calif. His training there continued through December, after which he was posted to Norfolk, Va., for the commissioning of the USS Durham. The Durham was a military cargo ship, specially outfitted to be able to haul Marines, and all of their equipment, for beach assaults. When the ship’s captain was picking his personal staff from members
of the crew, he sought out enlistedmen who had college educations. Lowell was an easy pick to serve as a yeoman, performing administrative work. The ship’s first full Pacific cruise took it to Da Nang, Vietnam, where it was responsible for picking up Marines to bring home. Afterward, the ship returned to Da Nang, ferrying troops and supplies between Japan, Vietnam and the U.S. HALFILL See Page 3A