NDN-9-9-2015

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NEWTON

BATTLE AT THE NET

Newton opens conference play against Pella Christian / 1B

DAILY NEWS WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 9, 2015 • WHERE TO GO WHEN YOU NEED TO KNOW

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City adopts Crime-Free Multi-Housing Program By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News

Mike Mendenhall/Prairie City News Tami Ford of Prairie City, casts her ballot Tuesday at the Prairie City Community Building. Voters in Newton elected three school board members Tuesday while voters in Prairie City renewed the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy to provide additional revenue to PCM school district facilities, equipment and technology improvements. See more coverage inside on page 7A.

Cantu, Leonard, Cook triumph in school board race Board members elected Tuesday will serve until 2019 Cantu

By Jason W. Brooks Newton Daily News Josh Cantu and Ann Leonard campaigned together for the Newton Community School District Board of Education. They even handed out “Leonard-Cantu” stickers at last week’s Thanks With Franks charity event. That strategy seemed to pay off, as Cantu and Leonard were both announced as unofficial winners in the election, which was held Tuesday. Cantu received 690 votes, while Leonard received 589 votes.

Leonard

Incumbent Donna Cook received 624 votes to retain the seat on the board she has held since 2004. The unofficial results must still be canvassed by the Jasper County Auditor; an NCSD canvas and swearing in of Cook, Cantu and Leonard is scheduled to take place at Monday night’s regular board meeting. Because board member Nat Clark decided not to run this year, that meant there were four candidates vying for three spots on the board. Bill Perrenoud, who was seeking a second term, was not

Newton woman serves jail time for ignoring subpoenas By Abigail Pelzer Newton Daily News A 25-year-old Newton woman was found in contempt of court Monday and ordered to serve jail time after twice failing to obey a subpoena. Tiffany N. Jones, who is an eyewitness to a first-degree burglary case, ignored two subpoenas issued for dispositions, Jones according to first assistant county attorney Scott Nicholson. Nicholson said after he filed an application for show cause, a judge issued a warrant for her arrest. Jones was jailed and held on a $5,000 cash-only bond until her court hearing. District Court Judge Terry Rickers on Monday ordered Jones to serve 10 days in Jasper County Jail, although she was given credit for two days already served. The remainder of the sentence was

suspended as long as Jones appears at an upcoming hearing, dispositions and an upcoming trial. Nicholson said Jones is among several witnesses in criminal cases that aren’t obeying lawfully issued subpoenas — certified mail that is delivered by a process server for Jasper County. “As my witness I had her served twice for depositions in the criminal case and both times she failed to appear,” Nicholson said. “Apparently what we have here — and this concerns me — she had friends and relatives who told her to just blow it off.” The attorney said he’s also had problems in at least three recent burglary cases in which those who were served with a subpoena didn’t show up. “This is just bad news if people in this community don’t think they are required to show up to trials or depositions,” Nicholson said. “Those who think nothing is going to happen are going to find the court can take action.” Contact Abigail Pelzer at 641-792-3121 ext. 6530 or apelzer@newtondailynews.com

re-elected; he received 332 votes. There were eight write-in votes cast. There were 2,243 total votes cast, and each voter could vote for up to three of the four candidates. Only 75 votes were cast Cook through absentee ballots. All three candidates who were elected thanked their supporters, not only for generating high voter turnout, but also for contributing ideas. “I look forward to working with the board and listening to the community, our teachers and staff, and the administration to help shape the future of our Newton schools,” Cantu said. Cook thanked her supporters for helping get the community engaged in the election process. ELECTION | 3A

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Jamee A. Pierson/Daily News President of the Central Iowa Property Association Fred Rhodes, who has been active in conversations about the Crime-Free Multi-Housing Program, praised the city for working with local landlords on aspects of the program that concerned those involved.

By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News A $13,200 grant to the Jasper County Sheriff ’s Office was approved for use by the Jasper County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau grant is available annually and has been utilized by the sheriff ’s office for more than 20 years. “The biggest advantage for this over 20 years is the equipment. The in-car video cameras that are digital now cost about $5,000 to $5,500 and the majority of them, along with our preliminary breath test equipment, have been paid for by GTSB funds. It has been a huge asset to us to get this funding to buy the equipment,” Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty said. This year, the money will go toward 150 hours of over-

Jamee A. Pierson/Daily News Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty explains the uses of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau grant at the sheriff’s office, which includes funds for overtime hours and new equipment.

time consisting of off-duty officers coming in for traffic enforcement of target areas where accidents tend to

occur and where impaired drivers are often found. Also,

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

HOUSING | 3A

$13K grant approved for sheriff’s office use

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

The Crime-Free Multi-Housing Program was adopted at the Newton City Council meeting Tuesday. The council waived the third reading and passed the ordinance after two readings. “I appreciate the work that we have been able to do together with the council and I’m very pleased with where things are at,” said President of the Central Iowa Property Association Fred Rhodes. The program has

been discussed by the council several times over the last five to six months including two workshop sessions. It is designed to build a partnership between the city of Newton and owners/ managers of rental properties to reduce criminal activity. The program also incorporates compliance and enforcement of fire, building and nuisance codes to ensure the overall safety and well-being of tenants. The program is mandatory for all landlords

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

GRANT | 3A

Blind artist to give performance

Gordon Mote to play at Cornerstone / 2A

Volume No. 114 No. 81 2 sections 14 pages

Thank you Paul E. Walter of Colfax for subscribing to the Newton Daily News. To subscribe, call 641-792-5320 or visit newtondailynews.com.


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