NDN-09-07-2016

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NEWTON

FIVE SET BATTLE

Newton High plays tough with Dallas Center-Grimes / 1B

DAILY NEWS WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 7, 2016 • WHERE TO GO WHEN YOU NEED TO KNOW

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Wellik named interim city administrator

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By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News

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File Photo The Newton City Council approved of the city’s purchase of the Midtown Building at its Tuesday meeting. The city will purchase the former Hotel Maytag building along with three other properties for $549,000.

Newton Fire Chief Jarrod Wellik was approved to serve as interim city administrator on Monday. City council held a closed session before returning to name retiring city administrator Bob Knabel’s temporary replacement. Wellik will begin in the position on Oct. 4. Knabel’s scheduled final day is Oct. 1. Wellik served as the temporary city administrator during a previous leave of absence by Knabel earlier this year. Knabel announced his intentions to retire in late August. He has served in

the position since March 2012. In anticipation of his recent announcement, city council recently started the Wellik process of selecting a consulting firm to assist with the hiring of the next city administrator. The council set a Sept. 1 date for requests for proposals to be sent out and a return date for three weeks later. Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com

Grinnell man charged City Council approves Midtown Building purchase in Newton kidnapping By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News In an unanimous decision, the Newton City Council approved the $549,000 purchase of the Midtown Building and three other properties at its Tuesday meeting. A serious discussion about plans, timelines and deadlines for the former Hotel Maytag renovation project was held by council and city staff before final approval was given. “I struggle with the purchase of this property. I think there are a lot of outstanding questions,” councilwoman Miranda Kulis said. “I just want to make sure we are moving forward with purpose and that we are following through with that.” Councilwoman Lin Chapé also voiced concerns about deadlines within the project and how long the city will be part of the property going forward.

“I have concerns over questions about the deadline or how all of this is going to go on under us, in terms of the city. If we do find someone who is going to develop, there should be a letter of intent,” Chapé said. “I want it to be very intentional in terms of how long are we going to do this.” The struggle and concern stems from lack of progress made by current developer, Frantz Community Investors, with no clear timeline of the city’s involvement. The Cedar Rapids-based company announced intentions for a $10 million renovation project more than a year ago that included adding 35 market-rate apartments, commercial space and an upscale restaurant. No visible progress has been made, and FCI has not yet assembled the full financing to start the project. City Administrator Bob Knabel said in his report the

city’s intent in stepping into ownership of the building is to preserve the commercial tenant spaces by making investments in maintenance and necessary repairs. In the past year, the building has had several issues that have the potential to create long-term damage to the building, including plumbing and HVAC problems. “This is a considerable undertaking, and we take it very seriously, but it’s an action that we recommend because of the importance of the Midtown Building, Hotel Maytag to the community,” city director of finance and development Bryan Friedman said. “I believe with the city stepping in to an ownership on a limited time basis, we will be able to preserve and maintain the building, and I think we would be best able to facilitate its full renovation.” COUNCIL | 3A

Victim said she was held against her will in motel room By Abigail Pelzer Newton Daily News

A Grinnell man is charged with kidnapping for allegedly holding a woman against her will in a Newton motel room. Newton police arrested 38-year-old Michael A. Darrow at about 1:30 a.m. Monday at the Econo Lodge Inn & Suites, 1405 W. 19th St. S. The victim said Darrow held her against her will in the motel room and twice strangled her and physically restricted her from leaving when she attempted to escape. According to a police report, Darrow told the victim, “scream one more time, and I’ll kill you.”

Darrow also took the victim’s cell phone and the motel room phone, according to police. The victim was eventually Darrow able to leave the motel room and ran across Highway 14 to Casey’s to report the assault and kidnapping. Darrow fled the scene, but was later taken into custody. He faces charges for third-degree kidnapping, first-degree harassment, assault causing bodily injury and controlled substance violation. Darrow is being held without bond at the Jasper County Jail. Contact Abigail Pelzer at 641-792-3121 ext. 6530 or apelzer@newtondailynews.com

European jet team makes stop in Newton Two Americans on team that needed to refuel By Jason W. Brooks Newton Daily News Some surprise visitors graced the skies over Newton on Tuesday — and then landed on the only runway in the county where it could land. Breitling, a privately owned European aerobatic team, came through central Iowa Tuesday, with the eight Aero L-39 Albatross jets performing a few maneuvers on their way

in, landing at Newton Municipal Airport, and staying long enough to refuel and eat lunch before continuing their westward route. The group began the day in Toronto, where it had performed at an air show and headed toward San Diego for a similar performance. The planes can’t fly far without refueling, however, and Tuesday’s noon-hour stop in Newton was set to be followed by a stop in North

Platte, Neb., before spending the night in Grand Junction, Colo. Johnson Aviation President Ethan Nasalroad, the airport’s manager, said someone phoned ahead about one hour before the group arrived. The airport had the fuel the planes needed on hand, so once the group landed, the pilots lounged in the waiting area while one member made arrangements to make a fast-food run. There are two Americans included on the team as it completes it second year of touring in North America after be-

Jason W. Brooks/Daily News Jacques Bothelin, the lead pilot and manager of the European aerobatic team Bretiling, takes off from Newton Municipal Airport in his Aero L-39 Albatross on Tuesday. The eight-plane team, traveling between air shows in Toronto and San Diego, performed some maneuvers on its way in, landed at the airport, and stayed long enough to refuel and eat lunch before continuing west toward San Diego.

ing known as Breitling for more than 10 years at European shows, with most of the pilots on the France-based team

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“The hospitality here was great,” DiMatteo said. “We would rather JETS | 3A

FEATURE

WHERE IT’S AT Astrograph......................5B Calendar..........................5A Classifieds......................4B

being French or Czech. Jim DiMatteo is a retired U.S. Navy pilot in his second year with Breitling.

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

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

Missionaries planning visit

First UMC hosting special presentation / 2A

Volume No. 115 No. 77 2 sections 16 pages

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


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