Newton
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Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014 OBITUARIES Randall Hammons, 53 Larry McFarling Jr., 55 INSIDE TODAY
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Newton, Iowa
Stolen vehicle abandoned in South Skunk River Newton SUV discovered in rural Monroe By Abigail Pelzer Daily News Editor
Stonehocker gets DAISY award
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A vehicle reported stolen in Newton Monday was found submerged in the South Skunk River Wednesday morning by a person collecting water samples under a bridge in rural Monroe. Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty said the vehicle was pulled from the river with no occupants. “The good news is nobody was in there,” Halferty said. “The unfortunate part is the
vehicle was reported stolen earlier this week in Newton.” The vehicle was found at around 11 a.m. Wednesday morning on Spencer Street, in rural Monroe, under the bridge commonly known as Byer’s Bridge. According to a Newton Police Department report, the 2003 Chevy Tahoe was reported stolen from 534 N. Third Ave. E. by Jamie Ray on Monday morning. The police report did not name any suspects.
Abigail Pelzer/Daily News A 2003 Chevy Tahoe was recovered from the South Skunk River near Monroe Wednesday. The vehicle was reported stolen in Newton on Monday.
Strategic Plan focus of city council discussion
Health
Add fiber to your fall with barley Page 7A
By Jamee A. Pierson Daily News Staff Writer
Sports
Newton renews rivalry with M-town
Ty Rushing/Daily News Goodwill of Central Iowa’s new Career Connections Center officially opened its doors Wednesday morning during a special ribbon cutting ceremony. GCI President Marlyn McKeen, left, joined Miranda Kulis, the center’s coordinator, right, for the opening.
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Goodwill Career Connection Center now open in Newton
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By Ty Rushing Daily News Senior Staff Writer Newton Mayor Mike Hansen has seen his city go through a lot of things, both good and bad, in the last decade but he was more than happy to share in some positive news recently. Goodwill of Central Iowa had an official ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday in Newton to open up its second Career Connection Center in its 22 county area. The first center is located inside of the Southridge Mall in Des Moines. “We are so appreciative of the center here in the city of Newton. It’s a win-win for not only employees, but for employers,” Hansen said. The center is located inside of Newton’s DMACC Campus, and it is aiming to help the community in a number of different ways. “We will serve everybody we can that has any barriers to employment or is looking to advance their career — (people) that are looking to the next level, that need help setting up a resume or work on interviewing skills,” said Miranda Kulis, the center’s coordinator. In addition, Kulis plans on reaching out to local businesses to be able to pitch them on hiring candidates that have been serviced through the center. It will offer classes on computer basics, application strategies, creating a LinkedIn account and others. All services are free of charge. Goodwill of Central Iowa President Marlyn McKeen said his organiza-
Friday
High 68 Low 50
Saturday
High 72 Low 49 Weather Almanac
Wed., Sept. 3 High 83 Low 61 No Precipitation Also: Astrograph Page 5B Classifieds Page 4B Comics & Puzzles Page 6A Dear Abby Page 6A Opinion Page 4A
By Abigail Pelzer Daily News Editor
Police Page 3A Our 113th Year No. 76
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GOODWILL See Page 5A
Woman injured in moped crash
Obituaries Page 3A
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tion’s strong working relationship with DMACC made this possible and that Newton was an ideal location to open up the second center. “We are extremely excited to be here in Newton, Iowa,” McKeen said. “Basically, our purpose here is to help people find jobs … This year, we have placed 350 people into competitive employment already and we hope by opening this, that number will grow.” More than 9,400 people have utilized the Des Moines-based center’s services this year, Mckeen said. Craig Light, the new executive director of the Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce, said he has made use of the original center’s services when he was job hunting. He added that the new center will be a great fit to the other practices Newton has in place, such as the Buxton Study, to attract employers. It has only taken a couple of months for the center to go from the planning stages to being ready to serve. Goodwill recruited Kulis from her previous position as a director of career services at a college in Minnesota almost three months ago, and she has been vital to getting this office up and running for the company. Kulis said that in her time here, she has grown to appreciate how tight knit the community is and its resiliency, which is why she is looking forward to getting started.
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A woman was transported to a hospital with injuries following a collision in which her moped apparently struck a car in front of her on First Avenue East in Newton. The crash occurred shortly at about 2 p.m. Wednesday in the 400 block of First Avenue East, where traffic was diverted
by authorities for a short time. The Newton Police Department is investigating the crash; no further information was immediately available. The woman was transported by ambulance to Skiff Medical Center. Abigail Pelzer/ Daily News A woman is transported to an ambulance following a moped crash on First Avenue East in Newton Wednesday afternoon.
Starting in January, the City of Newton began work on its 2015-2017 Strategic Plan. A community survey was conducted in January and February and work has continued with the update of the Comprehensive Plan. City Administrator Bob Knabel gave a presentation and discussion of the Strategic Plan, focusing on the city’s action plan at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. “It serves as a guide for our progress, where we are going and a work plan for staff. It helps us to gage where we are, especially for the residents who might not have a good understanding of what the direction of the city is,” Knabel said. The Strategic Plan is made up of a series of documents that include the Comprehensive Plan, City Action Plan, Community Investment Plan and Annual Budget. COUNCIL See Page 5A
Nothin’ New in Newton vendor fair coming Saturday By Jamee A. Pierson Daily News Staff Writer Nothin’ New in Newton, a brand new event, is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Hawkeye Stages parking lot east of Hy-Vee. The event, which is free to attend, will have a variety of vendors with products to sell, as well as food stands. “Come and shop and see what you like,” said Libbie Marshall, executive director of Weekend Pit Stop. Nothin’ New in Newton is the latest in a line of events, such as Thunder Nites and Crusin’ to Newton, that Weekend Pit FAIR See Page 5A