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DAILY NEWS TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016 • WHERE TO GO WHEN YOU NEED TO KNOW
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Heroes remembered on Memorial Day Large crowd gathers at Union Cemetery By Alex Olp Newton Daily News
Alex Olp/Daily News The firing squad shoots a second round into the air to honor fallen heroes during Monday morning’s Memorial Day service at Newton Union Cemetery. See more photos on page 9A.
Different SRO, same mission Britton to take over in fall with schools
As The Star Spangled Banner played during Monday’s Memorial Day service at Newton Union Cemetery, the sound of fireworks, or bombs, bursting in the air were in the distance as about 100 people stood from their lawn chairs either saluting the American flag or placing their hands over their hearts. U.S. Army veteran of 32 years Gary Barrett was again this year’s
guest speaker at the annual ceremony and said he was honored to speak during an official Memorial Day, which was originally established on May 30, in 1868 until it was changed to the final Monday of the month. “Today is very special to me because it is, indeed, a true Memorial Day,” Barrett said. “It is up to we the people to keep the stories, of not only our heroes, alive, but to ensure we keep the stories of the veterans who served,
suffered, came home and rebuilt their lives on the forefront as well. Understand that this is truly a day to remember those who did not come home.” The retired command sergeant major spoke about the dead and the living in his 20-minute speech. On this annual holiday, Barrett said he remembers a handful of people who have affected his life. Those individuals include his deceased World War II veteran father, his brother who served three tours in Vietnam, and a MEMORIAL | 3A
Midtown building sale, renovation still looming
By Jason W. Brooks Newton Daily News If you were new to the Newton area, and asked someone to describe Brian Foster, the answers might make you think he was a rock star. It turns out Foster is merely a very well-liked and well-respected officer in a community with many well-respected law enforcement individuals, and he is switching jobs soon. He’s rotating out of his post as the Newton Police Department’s school resource Britton officer in October, and Julie Britton has drawn the dubious-yet-enviable assignment of replacing him for the next three school years. “It’s big shoes to fill, for sure,” Britton said. “Officer Foster has built up a great base of trust and respect in the community, and I hope to build off of that. I just want to show people that I care — that I want to be there helping them.” The Newton Community School District Board of Education recently renewed its agreement with NPD, which has stationed an officer in a Newton school for many years. It has utilized the services of many hard-working officers, including two familiar and still-serving NPD employees, Randy Camp and Wes Breckenridge. Waiting until a couple of months into the 2016-17 school year to complete the transition will allow students to get to know Britton and allow Foster to emphasize how the two officers have different personalities, but an equal interest in student safety and community well-being. “The students are so used to me now, but that’s one of the reasons we switch every three years,” Foster said. “We have different styles, but we’re enforcing the same laws, and the BRITTON | 3A
Abigail Pelzer/Daily News The historic rehabilitation of the former Hotel Maytag, shown here on the corner of First Street North and North Second Avenue East, is stalled but project developers say they are still committed to the $10 million renovation.
Developer: ‘We’re going to make it happen’ By Abigail Pelzer Newton Daily News More than 14 months after the Newton community began buzzing about a $10 million historic renovation of the former Hotel Maytag, the building sale is not complete. Project developer, Andy Frantz of Cedar Rapids-based Frantz Community Investors, said the renovation will happen — it’s just taken far longer to pull together than anyone initially thought. Plans were unveiled on March 24, 2015 with much fanfare — a visit from Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and a
roundtable discussion with developers Cedar Rapids-based Frantz Community Investors, architects, city leaders and historians. The building project on the corner of First Street North and North Second Avenue East in Newton’s historic downtown is expected to restore the ballroom, add 36 market-price apartments, corporate apartments for shorter-term stays, commercial space and an upscale restaurant to the current Midtown building. Frantz, whose company specializes in historic restoration projects, began exploring the property in 2014.
Since the project was announced, Frantz said much work has gone into architectural drawings, general contractor work and the appraisal of the structure built in 1926 by F.L. Maytag. “We’re totally invested in this,” Frantz said. But meanwhile, the clock is ticking on a two-year timeframe to utilize a $75,000 Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant to restore the former Hotel Maytag ballroom. While Frantz said they’re aware of the clock, it’s not an issue. RENOVATION | 3A
GPS systems to make Newton landfill more efficient By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News To help better utilize the space available at the Newton landfill, GPS equipment will be utilized in equipment. City council approved the purchase that has the potential savings of $20,000 to $40,000.
Using a GPS system on equipment in the landfill can extend the landfill cell life and reduce equipment costs. The GPS will be mounted in the cab of the equipment and provide the operator accurate horizontal and vertical positions of the equipment. Through research of other
landfills who implemented a GPS system, the city anticipates it will save 10 to 20 percent in landfill airspace by adequately compacting garbage and utilizing available space on the edges of the constructed cell. “The GPS lets the compactor operator know when the
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ductive hours are logged on the machine.” Landfill CAD design drawings will be loaded into the GPS software to show the operators the boundaries of the cells and the finished design grade. GPS | 3A
FEATURE
WHERE IT’S AT Astrograph......................5B Calendar..........................5A Classifieds......................4B
preset compaction goal is met so no more passes with the machine are required,” acting city administrator Katrina Davis said. “If the garbage is under compacted, the constructed airspace is not effectively utilized. If the garbage is over compacted, unnecessary fuel is wasted and unpro-
Comics & Puzzles...........6A Dear Abby........................6A Local News......................2A
Obituaries.......................5A Opinion............................4A State News......................7A
Strawberry season in Iowa
June prime picking time for the berries / 2A
Volume No. 115 No. 8 2 sections 18 pages
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