Newton
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Monday, Aug. 18, 2014 OBITUARIES Kathleen Freeman, 74 Richard “Dick” Haning, 83 Harold “Tiny” Harned, 89 Dale R. Strohbehn, 89 Lois M. (Hummel) Warrick, 93
INSIDE TODAY
www.newtondailynews.com
Newton, Iowa
City seeks citizen input with online surveys By Jamee A. Pierson Daily News Staff Writer As a part of the two year check of Newton’s Comprehensive Plan, the city is hosting two online surveys on its website. One survey reflects the topics that were discussed at the two citizen input meetings that were held this month. Erin Chambers, director of planning and zoning, said they would like to give
citizens another way to participate if they could not attend the meetings. With the information gathered at the meetings and the online survey, those who are involved hope to present the results and information in September to the Planning and Zoning committee. The survey was put online last week and will be available until Aug. 25. Those wishing to participate can visit www. newtongov.org/planupdate. Another ongoing survey for residents
as well as businesses, is the City of Newton performing development customer satisfaction survey. Any resident or business that has worked with the city with building permits, inspections, rental permits and much more can take the survey. Services offered by Public Works, Planning and Zoning and the Fire Department are the focus of the survey. SURVEY See Page 5A
Booster Club looks for new members
Business
Specialty art at Duckie Diva’s
By Daily News Staff
Page 8A
Sports
Newton boys golf starts today Page 1B
Ty Rushing/Daily News The buses are ready as students in the Newton Community School District prepare to return to classes on Tuesday. Curt Roorda, the district’s transportation supervisors, is asking drivers to be on the look out for buses and students on their commutes.
Buses back on the roads
Schools starts Tuesday in Newton
WEATHER
By Ty Rushing Daily News Senior Staff Writer When students in the Newton Community School District return to classes on Tuesday, it will also mark the return of school buses to the roads. More vehicles on the road, means drivers should exercise more caution behind the wheel. According to Curt Roorda, NCSD transportation supervisor, 1,435 students will be riding buses this school year along 21 regular routes. With that many students commuting, Roorda has a few tips drivers can use to keep themselves and children safe. “If you see a bus, just be alert for kids,” Roorda said. “Be watching for buses, be
Tuesday
High 85 Low 67
Wednesday
High 85 Low 68
Thursday
High 87 Low 69
watching for their warning lights to come on. Please obey, start slowing down and get ready to stop.” Research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s National Center for Statistics indicates that on average, eight school-age pedestrians are killed by school transportation vehicles (school buses and non-school-bus vehicles used as school buses) each year, and four are killed by other vehicles involved in school-bus-related crashes. More school-age pedestrians have been killed from 7 to 8 a.m. and from 3 to 4 p.m. than any other times of day. For drivers, Roorda said there are several areas where there is heavy congestion of students and buses they should look out for. There are four stops up on First Street North;
two stops on West Fourth Street North; one at Hunters Run Apartments on South 13th Avenue East; two stops on First Avenue West in Lambs Grove; two stops at South 12th Avenue West and West 16th Street South; and the Lincoln Park stop on South Fourth Avenue East. “Adjust accordingly. If people just adjust accordingly on their way to work, just be aware of your students if you see them on the way,” Roorda said. In addition to helping keep both parties safe, Roorda cites that there are stiff penalties for drivers that don’t follow school bus related traffic laws. “(The fine) is almost $300 I think … and it could be time spent in jail BUSES See Page 5A
The Newton Athletic Booster Club is looking to boost its memberships this school year. A membership provides direct support for the Newton athletic programs within grades 7th to 12th. Last year, the NABC donated more than $50,000 to Newton athletic departments. There are five membership levels to choose from. • Red Pride Booster: $250 a year; includes two season passes to all home Newton Senior High School and Berg Middle School athletic events, two booster member decal stickers and one free Cardinal piece of merchandise. • Platinum Booster: $150 a year; includes one season pass to all home Newton Senior High School and Berg Middle School athletic events, one booster member decal sticker and one free Cardinal piece of merchandise. • Gold Booster: $100 a year; 10 single game event passes to home Newton Senior High School and Berg Middle School athletic events and one booster member decal sticker. • Silver Booster: $50 a year; includes four single game event passes to home Newton Senior High School and Berg Middle School events and one booster member decal sticker. • Bronze Booster: Freewill donation; tax deductible contribution to 501(c)(3) organization; helps underprivileged athletes participate in interscholatic athletics. Booster membership forms are available at the Newton Senior High School or via email to cazettk@newton.k12.ia.us. Membership forms and payments can be sent to Newton Athletic Booster Club, PO Box 92, Newton, IA 50208.
Final summer weekend events draw a crowd
ALSO: Comics & Puzzles Page 6A Opinion Page 4A Obituaries Page 2A, 3A
Our 113th Year No. 64
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Jamee A. Pierson/Daily News Left: Big and small a rambunctious group of pups took part in the Dog Park Party at the Newton Dog Park on Sunday afternoon. Right: Relocated to the YMCA because of rain, young and old alike were wowed by the Magic and Illusions of Eric Michaels Friday night. For more weekend pictures, see Page 7A.