Newton
Serving Newton & Jasper County Since 1902
Daily News
Thursday, June 12, 2014
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www.newtondailynews.com
Newton, Iowa
Brian J Becker, 71 Leo J. Cailloutte, 73 Helen M. Moyer, 74 William J. Zylstra, 87
Five injured in accident
INSIDE TODAY
By Daily News Staff
OBITUARIES
Local
Fancy Nancy Tea Party at library Page 5A
Zach Johnson/Daily News Newton Community School District Superintendent Bob Callaghan explains why David LaVera, 33, of San Diego — who has been charged with enticement of a minor, a Class D felony, in connection with an alleged Baxter kidnapping — was present in two Newton school district buildings as Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Special Agent Mike Motsinger looks on.
Health
Strawberries make perfect snack Page 8A
Five people were injured in an accident southeast of Newton in the 5000 block of East 76th Street. Local authorities received the report 5:40 p.m. Wednesday. “We called for several ambulances — Newton, Kellogg and Sully,” Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty said at the scene Wednesday. “They were treated, and one of the patients was flown to a Des Moines hospital. The other patient was going to be flown by a second helicopter, but the second helicopter broke down. So that second patient is now being taken by ground ambulance to a Des Moines-area hospital.” ACCIDENT See Page 5A
Self-proclaimed ‘Twilight’ actor in jail on $50,000 School superintendent said ‘there were no red flags’ when LaVera came to visit local schools By Ty Rushing Daily News Senior Staff Writer
Sports
Cards fall to top-ranked Fillies Page 1B
Weather
Friday
High 76 Low 55
Saturday
High 82 Low 64 Weather Almanac
Wed., June 11 High 84 Low 57 No Precipitation Also: Astrograph Page 5B
Comics & Puzzles Page 6A
LAVERA See Page 5A
SKIFF See Page 5A
Kate Malott/Daily News An accident in the 5000 block of East 76th Street resulted in the five people being injured, according to Jasper County authorities.
First Annual Speedway Days set for July 31 By Daily News Staff
Highway T38 Construction
By Zach Johnson Daily News Staff Writer
Dear Abby Page 6A
Last year, Insane Jane’s Thunder Nite performance was spoiled by the rain. The band attempted to perform, but only managed to finish six songs. “I wanted to cry,” Insane Jane lead singer Tanya Smith said. “I knew I couldn’t control anything that was going on, but all I wanted was to perform.” This Friday, Insane Jane will be given a second chance to perform for Thunder Nites. “When (Weekend Pit Stop Executive Director) Libbie (Marshall) told me we were one of the bands chosen, I had a smile on my face all day,” Tanya said. “I’m thrilled to get a second chance to play at Thunder Nites.”
Opinion Page 4A Obituaries Page 3A Police Page 3A Our 113th Year No. 18
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Skiff Medical Center and Steve Long have created a new annual community event that will first take place this summer. “Speedway Days” will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 31, around the Newton downtown square in conjunction with a race at the Iowa Speedway. The intent is to create a signature regional event for Newton, in connection with the “Get to Know Newton” campaign, while at the same time increasing ties between the speedway and the community, especially the downtown. Future events will encompass several days and may include a variety of events, but the first event will focus on the evening of Thursday, July 31. The race at the speedway is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 1, and Saturday, Aug. 2.
Insane Jane excited for second chance to play at Thunder Nites
Classifieds Page 4B
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At a press conference Wednesday, Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty urged citizens to come forward with further information on the recent activities of 33-year-old David LaVera — a San Diego native who stands accused of allegedly attempting to kidnap a 14-year-old Baxter girl Tuesday. LaVera is being held on a $50,000 bond at the Jasper County Jail on charges of enticement of a minor, a Class D felony; carrying weapons, an aggravated misdemeanor; and LaVera failure to have a valid driver’s license, a simple misdemeanor. Jasper County authorities were notified of an alleged kidnapping at 1:28 p.m. Tuesday and apprehended LaVera a short time later. Two swords and five dagger-like weapons were within his reach in the vehicle, but the victim was unharmed and told authorities she had gone with him willingly. Several other details have come to light since LaVera’s arrest, including his presence inside two Newton Community School District buildings — Berg Middle School and Aurora Heights Elementary School — as well as his attendance at the BMS end-ofyear pool party at Maytag pool during the final weeks of school.
Superintendent Bob Callaghan was present at Wednesday’s press conference and verified that while LaVera was at the schools, he was accompanied by two parents and a student who recommended LaVera come as a guest speaker to the buildings, where he signed in under his real name. He did, however, sign autographs for students as “Kiowa Gordon,” who appeared in the “Twilight” series. “No one had any reason to believe he wasn’t anybody other than Dave LaVera,” Callaghan said. “We don’t know what he was doing with students when he was signing his autographs. All I can tell you is, from the schools’ perspective, he signed in as David LaVera, he was introduced as David LaVera and everyone in the school administration and school personnel believed he was David LaVera.” Callaghan said the district will look into all of its policies and security. All Newton schools require a visitor to sign-in, wear a numbered lanyard and to be buzzed in after verifying their identities. The district also recently added more security cameras to all building, and all staff members have undergone ALICE training in case of emergency situations. “... Our number one concern is the safety of our children. But there were no red flags to come up, that I am aware of, at this moment in time,” Callaghan said. It is unclear how many local minors LaVera has been in contact with.
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THUNDER NITES See Page 5A
Submitted Photo Highway T38 is currently undergoing a nearly $3.4 million repaving project covering about 8 miles that begins just north of Lynnville. While the project is underway, the best way for eastbound travelers to access Lynnville would be to cut through Sully and continue eastward on F62. The construction is expected to last a couple of months.