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Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014
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Newton, Iowa
School board further modifies policies regarding outside resources NHS teacher asks board to be considerate with modifications By Ty Rushing Daily News Senior Staff Writer One teacher conveyed her concerns over several recently proposed policy revisions within the Newton Community School District. Over the last several months, the board of education has been heavily reviewing and updating a number of policies. The particular policies that sparked Bev Thomas’ attention were Board Policy 603.7, which pertains to outside resource people, and 1003.5, which regulates 603.7. She also spoke out on plans to modify Board Policy 603.8, the policy that regulates teaching controversial issues. Thomas teaches family and consumer sciences at Newton Senior High School, which features courses that implement a number of guest speakers. Thomas brought this to the board’s attention at Monday’s meeting during the public forum, before the board addressed the three policies. “I just want to emphasize to you, that we have lots of speakers that come into the building, and usually they’re only there for 43 minutes (and) they check-in,” Thomas said. “The ones that I use in my health classes I have used for several years and they’re usually connected with some organization and I feel as though they’re very safe … I’m usually on the ball with that.”
Jamee A. Pierson/Daily News Multiple fire departments worked to empty corn from a grain bin after several holes were cut at the base to free a man who became trapped inside Tuesday at a home south of Newton.
Crews free man trapped in grain bin By Jamee A. Pierson Daily News Staff Writer
BREAKING NEWS
A man escaped without serious injury after being trapped in a grain bin at a home south of Newton on Tuesday. Crews from four area fire departments were on hand for more than an hour following the call to 6225 Highway S-74 S. around 10 a.m. The man, whose
This story first appeared online at www. newtondailynews.com
name was not released, was conscious the entire time the rescue took place and was treated on the scene. A medical helicopter was called as a precautionary measure, but was not needed. Upon arrival, the responders used a grain
bin rescue tube from the Kellogg Fire Department to stabilize the victim. The tube surrounds the person in the bin so they do not get crushed by the corn and allows the grain to be released until the person is free. Air was also given to the victim because of large amounts of dust and debris. Responders used
several methods to get the corn out of the bin, including cutting multiple holes at the bottom of the bin with a rescue saw as well as pumping the corn into a waiting semi truck. The victim was eventually able to exit the access door on the side of the bin. RESCUE See Page 5A
BOARD See Page 5A
Supervisors approve $55K loan for 911 phone system By Ty Rushing Daily News Senior Staff Writer In an attempt to upgrade the 911 phone system at the Jasper County Law Enforcement Center — which houses the county’s jail, dispatch and sheriff ’s office — members of the 911 commission asked the county for a twoyear loan. Ed Roach and Stephen Smith, members of the 911 commission, made the request at Tuesday’s Jasper County Board of Supervisors meeting. “Well, we are here this morning to ask the board, like we have in the past, if we can have some short-term money so that we can go ahead and complete the enhanced 911 phone sys-
tem,” Smith said. Roach said the commission needs a two-year $55,000 loan to complete the project. The commission is attempting to upgrade the JCLEC’s phone system with a Viper P911 system. According to the system’s developers, Viper makes handling emergency calls easier, is more efficient, automatically distributes calls to the correct department and has remote deployment capabilities. Both men cited how crucial this measure is since the JCLEC dispatches calls to the sheriff ’s office and all of the police departments in the county. “This is very imperative that we change this telephone system. I mean, we are having
some troubles — otherwise, I wouldn’t be up here asking,” Roach said. In the late 1980s, the commission borrowed from the county, and in 2005, it borrowed $100,000 from the county to build the JCLEC, Roach said. He added that it paid the 1980s loan back within two years and the 2005 loan back in three months. The commission is overseen by the state of Iowa and is made up of community members from every municipality in the county. It receives its funding quarterly from the surcharge of inmates using the phone at the jail.
Ty Rushing/Daily News Bev Thomas, a teacher at Newton Senior High School, asked the board of education to be considerate of teachers in its discussion on revising several polices pertaining to outside resources in the classroom. Thomas made her views known during Monday’s board meeting.
SUPERVISORS See Page 5A
Small Town Superheroes closes out Thunder Nites By Jamee A. Pierson Daily News Staff Writer Wrapping up the Thunder Nites concert schedule is Small Town Superheroes, a central Iowa group that formed in 2006. The ’80s and ’90s cover band will play this Friday in its first appearance at Thunder Nites. Small Town Superheroes, previously known as Alliance, changed names after Submitted Image the addition of lead singer
Amy Barnes-Simmons. “Alliance has a long history dating back to 1984. Current keyboard–vocalist and drummer-vocalist were original members of Alliance, and played night clubs, proms and other events until around 1987 when members of the band went different directions,” Terry DeJong, drummer and vocals in the band said. “After a few years continuing the once a year reunion, the group changed
bass guitarist and lead guitarist and began playing on a regular basis again in 2003, then adding lead vocalist Amy Barnes Simmons and changing the name.” The current line up includes DeJong on drums and vocals, Barnes-Simmons with lead vocals, Bob Edwards on lead guitar, Dr. John Hoekstra on bass guitar and vocals THUNDER NITES See Page 5A
Sacred Heart welcomes new education director
Cardinals push Eagles to brink in loss
A new recruit from Florida has joined the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Joe Fey is the new director of Lifelong Faith Formation at the church. | 8A
PELLA — Taking on a senior-laden Pella Christian Eagle team, the Newton Cardinals made a statement Tuesday in their Little Hawkeye Conference opening volleyball match. | 1B
INDEX Local News • 2A 7
98213 00008
4
Calendar • 3A Obituaries • 3A
Today
High 68 Low 45
Police Blotter • 2A Opinion • 4A
Comics & Puzzles • 6A Dear Abby • 6A
Classifieds • 4B Astrograph • 5B
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Volume No. 113 No. 80 2 sections, 14 pages