NDN-7-1-2016

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NEWTON

PRINCESS ADVENTURE

Day camp’s aim to teach girls about astronomy / 2A

DAILY NEWS newtondailynews.com

FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016 • WHERE TO GO WHEN YOU NEED TO KNOW

By Jason W. Brooks Newton Daily News

Jason W. Brooks/Daily News The Newton Correctional Facility includes both the minimum-security Correctional Release Center, shown here, and a medium-security facility. Kris Weitzell took over as warden of the entire complex in April.

Move-in of sex offender program a major focus When Kris Weitzell took over as warden of the Newton Correctional Facility in April, it wasn’t as if she was taking over at a place unfamiliar to her. Weitzell was the warden at NCF for about nine years in the late 1990s and early 2000s, overseeing the prison while the new medium-security buildings were constructed and opened in 1997. Though she sees plenty of new faces among the staff who weren’t in Newton when she departed in December of 2005, the 30-year veteran of the Iowa Department of Corrections knows her way around the facility. “We have great staff here — both the long-timers and the newer folks,” Weitzell said. “And our goal is to assist with positive change.” Weitzell was appointed as warden of both the Newton medium-security and minimum-security Correctional Release Center sites by the Iowa Board of Corrections at its April board meeting. She took over slightly

site work detail privileges and programming such as training dogs for the Jasper County Animal Rescue League or as Puppy Jake veterans service animals. Even though there have been three escape-related incidents at the CRC this year, Weitzell said those are few and far in between. She said the department’s goals have always been to reduce the number of people harmed by the inmates in the custody — not simply while they’re at a DOC facility, but also for the rest of their lives. “We don’t want there to be any more victims once each offender returns to his community,” Weitzell said. “A strong support system is critical to that.” As of Saturday, the Newton Medium Facility had 942 inmates, or 180 above capacity, while the CRC had 269, or 17 above its capacity. The daily statistics shown on www.doc.state. ia.us show the statewide total of 8,177 inmates is about 11 percent over the maximum number the facilities are designed to house.

Quarry Springs to celebrate grand opening July 23

Alex Olp/Jasper County Tribune Numerous boaters paddle on the largest lake inside Colfax’s Quarry Springs Park during a canoe and kayak event on June 21. Jasper County Conservation organized the evening by providing all supplies for a $5 registration fee and were completely booked before the event took place.

boat when they arrived — go through a quick tutorial if needed — and be on the lake within minutes of showing up. Greg Oldsen, naturalist for the conservation department, was one of many in charge of helping visitors get signed in and into the water so they could enjoy one of the newest outdoor features in

Colfax. The conservation department hosts regular canoe and kayak events throughout central Iowa during the summer and heard Quarry Springs Park was interested in holding an event at the lake. “We just like to get people out into the parks and get them involved and expose them to some of the areas we have in Jasper

County,” Oldsen said. “I came out here before with my own personal kayak and I’ve been fishing here so this park is pretty neat.” Doug Garrett, president of Colfax Parks and Recreation Auxiliary Board, stayed on land that Tuesday night, but said the response from the event KAYAK | 3A

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Astrograph......................5B Calendar..........................5A Classifieds......................4B

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LAWS | 3A

Metro Creative Courtrooms will still be used when juvenile delinquency hearings are held, but beginning Friday, Iowa defense attorneys can asked for closed hearings to correspond with a tighter confidential records law. SF 2288 is one of many new Iowa laws going into effect July 1.

$1.2M project slated for North Fourth Avenue West By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News Newton City Council will consider another major road work project on Tuesday. North Fourth Avenue West between West Eight Street North and West 15th Street North recently went out to

bid and is ready for the council’s decision on who will do the work. The reconstruction will consist of a new concrete pavement that is 31 feet wide from the curb to curb, adding six feed to the existing street. The added width will allow for parking on the south side of the street. New sidewalks will be constructed on both sides of the street. Currently there are no sidewalks on the street. COUNCIL | 3A

SPORTS

WHERE IT’S AT

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A number of new of changed laws passed by the Iowa Legislature during its 2016 session and signed by Gov. Terry Branstad will take effect Friday. One of those laws is SF 2288, which makes more juvenile records confidential. Jasper County Attorney Mike Jacobsen clarified some aspects of this law, which will make it tougher to find out background information on juveniles, but will also not tie adults as strongly to their pasts. “The law will make almost all juvenile-delinquency (criminal) cases confidential and not a public record,” Jacobsen said. “I have advised law

enforcem e n t s i m i larly as to what they can disclose to the p r e s s and the Jacobsen public.” Jacobsen said delinquency proceedings are public hearings and will remain open to the public unless a judge closes a hearing upon request. He anticipates defense attorneys will routinely request closed hearings to prevent information from now-confidential records from being disclosed in court. Open cases that were considered public on June 30 will be considered confidential on July 1. “I don’t know how (each) court might rule in those cases,” Jacobsen said.

Council to consider road reconstruction bids

By Alex Olp Jasper County Tribune

75 CENTS

@newtondnews

WARDEN | 3A

Canoe and kayak night sells out

COLFAX — Nearly 40 people gathered during a special event recently to either kayak or canoe at the newly opened Quarry Springs Park in Colfax. The open canoe and kayak night, an event organized by the Jasper County Conservation Department, had visitors paddling on the park’s largest lake from 6 to 8 p.m. June 21. Needing nothing but themselves to participate, visitors who pre-registered by paying a $5 fee were able to jump into a reserved

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Many juvenile records to be considered confidential

more than one month after the an nou nc e me nt of the retirement of the top two Newton prison officials, warden Terry Mapes and deputy warden Jill Dursky. Weitzell Jeremy Larson is leaving his position as the deputy warden of the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women in Mitchellville to become Weitzell’s deputy warden, beginning Friday. Weitzell had only been the warden of the Fort Dodge Correction Facility since early September. She was the superintendent of the Clarinda Correctional Facility for about 18 months before being moved to Fort Dodge last fall. The minimum-security east campus of the Newton facility, known as the Newton Correctional Release Center, is typically one of the last stops for inmates serving medium-length or short sentences and who are approaching their release dates, with off-

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Dozens of new Iowa laws take effect today

New warden takes reins at Newton Correctional Facility

By Jason W. Brooks Newton Daily News

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Comics & Puzzles...........6A Dear Abby........................6A Local News......................2A

Obituaries.......................5A Opinion............................4A State News......................7A

Rain washes out area games

Only one of eight games played Thursday / 2A

Volume No. 115 No. 31 2 sections 18 pages

Thank you Barbara Smith of Newton for subscribing to the Newton Daily News. To subscribe, call 641-792-5320 or visit newtondailynews.com.


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