Newton
Serving Newton & Jasper County Since 1902
Daily News
Wednesday, June 18, 2014 OBITUARIES J.E. “Jed” Hicks, 58 Ardith Elaine Lux, 89
75 cents
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Chambers discusses nuisance complaints with council By Zach Johnson Daily News Staff Writer Newton Planning and Zoning Director Erin Chambers gave the Newton City Council an update on the progress of nuisance reports for the year, discussing the “Report a Concern” feature on the city’s website and complaints of grass clippings in the street. Four hundred new requests have been made since the beginning of the year as of Monday. Of the 400 requests, 365 of them have been closed or resolved.
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Newton, Iowa
“So the request was either found and abated, the property owner fixed the problem, or they were unfounded,” Chambers said. “We always have a handful of them open because it usually takes a number of days to resolve a particular request.” Chambers discussed the city’s multi-departmental approach to handling nuisance reports in a pro-active manner. “Every department plays a role in the nuisance process,” Chambers said. “When we’re out responding to complaints, we’re proactive when observing, so if a property has tall grass and weeds, we will tag that
property. If we see that the neighboring property also has tall grass and weeds, even though we didn’t receive a complaint, we’re proactive in also tagging the neighboring property.” Chambers discussed the new code language in regards to grass clippings in the street. The council adopted the new code language on May 20, 2013, in an effort to improve the city’s appearance. “The code states that grass clippings COUNCIL See Page 5A
Local
Sunbonnet Questers celebrate 40 years
Lynnville resident voices concerns about gravel roads in county
Page 2A
By Ty Rushing Daily News Senior Staff Writer
Sports
Cards drop LHC doubleheader Page 7A
Ty Rushing/Daily News Jasper County Board of Supervisors member Dennis Carpenter led the “Get To Know Newton” tour group around the Jasper County Courthouse on Tuesday. The courthouse was one of the many stops on the tour bus that showcased local attractions and was sponsored by the Newton Convention and Visitors Bureau and areas businesses.
‘Get To Know Newton’ bus tour a hit By Ty Rushing Daily News Senior Staff Writer
Religion
Rose to speak at Foursquare Church Page 12A
WEATHER
Thursday
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High 89 Low 66 WEATHER ALMANAC
Tues., June 17 High ?? Low ?? No Precipitation ALSO: Astrograph Page 11A Classifieds Page 9A Comics & Puzzles Page 6A Dear Abby Page 6A
Special to the Daily News
Obituaries Page 3A Police Page 3A Our 113th Year No. 22
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— NCVB Executive Director Linda Bacon
Bacon said she felt most people on the tour received a new sense of appreciation for the artwork that is present all over Newton. She added that most Newtonians take it for granted as its something they just drive by everyday. Bacon said that when you really take the time to examine it, you can see how wonderful the works really are. “Now they’re more interested in the sculptures and they’re probably and hopefully will do their own little sculpture tours with the maps that were provided,” Bacon said. Susanne Watts is originally from Germany and moved to Newton in 1994. She said that she frequently gets visitors from home — her parents were in town and joined her for the tour — and wanted to be able to better showcase Newton to them. She said she enjoyed touring Iowa Speedway and before the tour, she had never been to Maytag Dairy Farm, which she added was her favorite part of the tour. “They’re learning little fun facts that they can share with some visitors or friends or family that we want them to know. It’s a whole (way) to ‘Get To Know Newton,’” Bacon said. Senior staff writer Ty Rushing may be contacted at (641) 792-3121, ext. 426, or at trushing@ newtondailynews.com.
SUPERVISORS See Page 5A
Free family-friendly movie sponsored by YMCA set for July 5
Opinion Page 4A
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Several local businesses partnered with the Newton Convention and Visitors Bureau to offer up a “Get To Know Newton” bus tour to promote the city and its amenities. A total of 53 people signed up and the tour began at 8 a.m. and went until 5:15 p.m. Participants got to take a lap at Iowa Speedway, explore the Newton Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, have lunch at Maytag Park, take a sculpture tour and discover the magic of how Maytag Dairy Farm’s famous blue cheese is made. History buffs got their fill by exploring the more than 100-year-old Jasper County Courthouse and seeing what’s new at the Jasper County Historical Museum. “I think it’s going fabulous. I’ve had a few of the people tell me that they learned things about Newton along the way and they’re people that live here, NCVB Executive Director Linda Bacon said. One of the participants was Nathan Crane, who moved to the area about six months ago. Crane serves as director of region 14 — which includes Jasper County — for the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach program. “It was fun to get down on the track and take some laps around (it)” Crane said of the visit to Iowa Speedway. “We took the bus around and we got to walk around victory lane.” Crane also said he enjoyed the chance to explore the arboretum as he only previously visited the site for work related meetings. He also appreciated, as a cattle farmer and cheese lover, seeing how the cheese was made at Maytag Dairy Farm. “That was a great experience, even though the cattle weren’t there,” Crane joked.
“They’re learning little fun facts that they can share with some visitors or friends or family.”
While the $3.4 million road repaving project on Highway T38 is very beneficial to Lynnville, it has resulted in one unintended consequence for its residents. At Tuesday’s Jasper County Board of Supervisors meeting, Lynnville resident Roger Zylstra addressed the board with his and other residents’ concerns with the gravel roads in the area during the public comments portion of the meeting. “The deterioration of our roads just continues, continues and continues,” Zylstra said. “Of course, you know with the paving of the Lynnville road over there, we’ve been forced over the last couple of weeks to drive on the gravel roads.” Zylstra said he had spoken with Jasper County Engineer Russ Stutt and each member of the board about the issue in the past but felt the need to publicly address the matter. He said the condition of the roads is so bad that when it rains he can barely get traction on them. Stutt wasn’t in attendance at the meeting; however, the board defended his work within the Secondary Roads Department and assured Zylstra progress is being made. The board highlighted the progress on the rebuilding and repairs of county bridges — another of Zylstra’s concerns — and said the county has come a long way in the last four or five years. It’s estimated the county has around 900 miles of gravel roads. Board chair Joe Brock said the Secondary Roads Department is trying to take care of the roads and that he spent last weekend exploring the conditions of a number of gravel roads in the county. “We can all go out and take another look,” board member Dennis Stevenson said. “I would make the comment that you are actually right ... I very much recognize that and realize it’s a priority, and I think we’re making great strides in that direction.” In other business: • Jasper County Treasurer Doug
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For those looking for family-friendly activities after the fireworks subside the Newton YMCA has something planned. The YMCA is sponsoring a free showing of the 1967 Disney classic “Jungle Book” on Saturday, July 5, at Capitol II Theatre in Newton. “With help from the United Way of Jasper County, the Newton Y is planning a number of events that will provide opportunities for area residents to enjoy time together as a family,” said Jessica Lowe, Newton YMCA marketing and membership director. Doors open at 9:15 a.m. with the mov-
ie beginning at 10 a.m. Concessions will be available for purchase. No ticket is required and there are no reserved seats. Children 14 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. “We want to stress this special event is meant to encourage and promote family time,” Lowe said. “We really hope Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, aunts, uncles will come and enjoy the movie.” As part of the fun, children can participate in a coloring contest. Entry forms are available at the YMCA and Capitol II. Children are encouraged to color the picture and return them to the movie theater. Prizes will be awarded day of the movie. In addition to the family movie, the
YMCA is planning on hosting magician Eric Michaels. The Eric Michaels Magic and Illusion Show will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, at the Maytag Bowl in Maytag Park. The event is also free and open to the public. Additional family-friendly events will be planned including free swim days, game nights, additional movies and much more. “The YMCA, with the help of United Way, is working to meet the need in the community. We hope people will take part in these family events and make lasting memories with their children,” Lowe said. For more information on all YMCA activities visit www.newtonymca.org.