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Tuesday, April 22, 2014 OBITUARIES Maxwell Beavers, 77 Ethel M. (Patterson) Berry, 102 Hollys Harrison, 90 Iva Mae Hummel, 84 INSIDE TODAY
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Family of Brendan O’Brien to host Donate Life Day
A Day in the Life of Jimmy Small
By Kate Malott Daily News Staff Writer
Agriculture
Atwoods hoping to win barn Page 8A
Zach Johnson/Daily News Iowa Speedway President Jimmy Small looks out over the patio in front of the Iowa Speedway Newton Club. He has been busy meeting with NASCAR and city and state leadership and is preparing, along with speedway staff, to launch a new ad campaign this week with the goal of bringing out the race fan in all Iowans.
Small is focused on first race weekend By Zach Johnson Daily News Staff Writer
Sports
While Jimmy Small may be dressed casually in jeans and a button-up shirt for “Casual Friday,” he has been hard at work preparing himself and Iowa Speedway for its opening race weekend — his first as the track’s president. Small has been an overachiever of sorts at NASCAR and on May 17, when the green flag drops to kick off the latest season at the Iowa Speedway, another chapter in Small’s career with NASCAR will begin. “Since October, I have been working seven days a week to prepare for the opening race weekend with
Cardinal golfers finish fifth Page 1B
Weather
Wednesday
High 62 Low 50
Thursday
High 65 Low 42 Weather Almanac
Mon., April 21 High 71 Low 52 No Precipitation
Casey’s General Store 150 K&N Pro Series Race,” Small said. Small’s schedule leading up to the first weekend has been filled with countless business meetings with NASCAR and city and state leadership. Small and the staff at the Iowa Speedway will be launching a new ad campaign this week that will bring out the race fan in all Iowans. “Everyone has a bit of a race fan in them, no matter if it’s in a car or looking for the open checkout lane in the grocery store,” Small said. “Our goal is to try to bring in every type of racing fan from your weekend-only to the die hard fan.” Small has been anticipating this season and
Also:
Newton Mayor Mike Hansen made two proclamations during the Newton City Council meeting on Monday night. The first proclamation was declaring Friday, April 25, as Arbor Day. “I urge all citizens to plant trees to gladden the heart and promote the well being of this and future genera-
Astrograph Page 5B Classifieds Page 3B Comics & Puzzles Page 6A
Nothing can take away the pain of the loss of a loved one, especially the unexpected loss of a child or parent. However, in times of grief there can be some comfort in knowing your loved one helped someone else through organ donation. On Wednesday, the parents of the late Brendan O’Brien, Bob O’Brien and Molly Moore, will be sponsoring a Donate Life Day to honor the life of their son and build awareness about organ donation. April is Donate Life Month. O’Brien The event will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. at Dairy Queen in Newton and includes free small ice cream cones, Donate Life bracelets and organ donor registration information. Wednesday marks the one-year anniversary of the death of 14-year-old Brendan O’Brien. He was walking his girlfriend home after a church event at Berg Middle School when he was struck by a vehicle on the road. He was transported by Life Flight from Skiff Medical Center to Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, but the family knew the accident was too serious. Bob was asked if Brendan wanted to be a donor, and he said his response was a automatic “yes.” His family and friends describe Brendan as a boy with a big heart. He was giving, tried to help everyone and was an advocate. He would stand up against bullying. O’BRIEN See Page 5A
Jasper County Veteran’s Affairs office offering vets free ride to job fair By Daily News Staff The Jasper County Veteran’s Affairs Office has arranged for free transportation to and from Thursday’s Veterans Career Fair in Fort Dodge. A HIRTA bus will depart from the JCVA Office, located at 115 N. Second Ave. E., at 9 a.m. and return around 4 p.m. The fair will include mock interviews, resume reviews, a free lunch and it will feature more than 30 Iowa employers. JCVA Director Chris Chartier said there are 18 seats available, but more can be arranged if those fill up, and encourages interested vets to RSVP with his office at (641) 792-7993.
Library participating in ‘World Book Night’
Opinion Page 4A
By Ty Rushing Daily News Senior Staff Writer
Obituaries Page 3A Police Page 3A Our 112th Year No. 236
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SMALL See Page 5A
tions,” Hansen said. The second proclamation was declaring the week of April 20 to 26 as Administrative Professionals Week and April 23 as Administrative Professionals Day. “I call on all employers to support continued training and development for administrative staff, recognizing that a well-trained workforce is essential for success in today’s business world,” Hansen said.
Dear Abby Page 6A
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the fans have seemed to reflect his excitement. Iowa Speedway’s various social media sites are filled with messages, posts and tweets from fans showing their enthusiasm for the new season and the new face of the speedway. “We will be making more announcements on what will be featured at the first race in the next week or two,” Small said, referring to his plan’s for an even more engaging fan experience. Fans aren’t the only ones excited about the new season. Small said drivers have reached out to him, as well, to share their eagerness.
Mayor Hansen makes two proclamations during Monday city council meeting By Zach Johnson Daily News Staff Writer
Newton, Iowa
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Ty Rushing/Daily News Newton Public Library’s mascot “Sir-Rust-A-Lot” is even pitching in on the library’s efforts with “World Book Night.” WBN takes place tomorrow, and a group of “givers” at Berg Elementary will be giving away books for free after classes let out.
“World Book Night” is one of the largest campaigns in the U.S. and United Kingdom to eliminate illiteracy and encourage people to read. Wednesday night, the Newton Public Library will join more than 2,300 libraries and bookstores in celebrating the occasion. The way World
Book Night works is the WBN organization has a panel of librarians and booksellers come up with a list of 30 to 35 books that are easy to read for light or nonreaders. WBN then contacts the book’s authors and asks them to waive their royalty fees. Next, WBN asks the publishers to make special editions of the books. After the books are
selected, different book stores and libraries vie to be a WBN community partner. Volunteers, who are referred to as “givers,” then select a community partner, and during WBN, they give out 20 copies of a book. This is NPL’s first year participating as a partner. BOOK NIGHT See Page 5A