Newton
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Daily News
Friday, Sept. 19, 2014
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Newton, Iowa
School board to vote on classroom policy changes Monday By Ty Rushing Daily News Senior Staff Writer
Ty Rushing/Daily News Chris Thorpe and McKenna Heisdorffer are still in disbelief after being elected the 2014 Newton Senior High School Homecoming King and Queen. Their classmates elected them from a field of 20 candidates after more than a week of voting.
Proposed changes to the way the teachers in the Newton Community School District can utilize outside resources, such as guest speakers, in the classroom could soon become official. The board of education has spent portions of its last three regular meetings discussing Board Policies 603.7, 603.8 and 1003.5, and it will vote on all
three policies at Monday’s meeting. Board Policy 603.7 says that teachers have to notify building principals well in advance if they plan on using an outside resource in their classroom and the principal has the right to deny this request. Section 603.5 — which is listed within 603.7— further breaks down the outside resource policy. BOARD See Page 5A
Newton man sentenced to 20 years in sex abuse case
Perfect night for a parade, pep rally By Kate Malott Daily News Staff Writer
By Abigail Pelzer Daily News Editor
Hundreds of Newton citizens of all ages gathered around the square wearing their red and black for the annual homecoming parade and pep rally Thursday night. The end-of-the-week festivities started Thursday morning with the coronation assembly held in the Newton High School gymnasium where
A Newton man was sentenced this week to 20 years in prison for three counts of lascivious acts with a child. Stephen E. Palmer, 47, was charged in June with three counts of second-degree sexual abuse following an investigation prompted by a 14-year-old victim. The victim was between the ages of 8 and 12 when Palmer had sexual conduct with her. The sexual contact ended about three years ago. Palmer As part of a plea agreement, Palmer pleaded guilty in July to three counts of lascivious acts with a child, a Class C felony. A judge on Monday ordered Palmer serve 10 years for each count. However, two of the counts will run consecutively with each other and another count will run concurrently, for a total term of 20 years. The remaining original charges — three counts of second-degree sexual abuse — will be dropped in October, if Palmer doesn’t appeal his sentence.
HOMECOMING See Page 5A
Contact Editor Abigail Pelzer at (641) 792-3121 ext. 6530 or apelzer@newtondailynews.com.
Chapé joins as new ex officio board member at Skiff By Jamee A. Pierson Daily News Staff Writer Lin Chapé was introduced as a new ex officio board member at Thursday’s Skiff Medical Center’s Board of Trustees meeting. As a member of the Newton City Council, Chapé will act as a liaison to the city and foster better communication since Skiff is a municipal hospital. “Lin has been ter-
Kate Malott/Daily News Parade grand marshal Avery Wilson (second photo from top) enjoyed his experience as he waved at the crowd on Thursday night. Above: The Newton Cardinal led the parade, and children enjoyed the character’s school spirit. Right: The Newton Senior High School Marching Band marched in the parade and, following at the pep rally, played the Fight Song and school song. See more photos on 10A.
rific ... (we) have gotten to know Lin a little bit through working on our affiliation team for the last couple months. It is just a great addition,” said Brett Altman, Skiff CEO. Altman praised the work the city is doing to repair North Fourth Avenue East, just south of the hospital. “We’re blessed that SKIFF See Page 5A
Newton selected for IPTV Ready for School
Cardinals win one out of four at DMC tournament
Iowa Public Television is getting ready to launch the second year of its Ready for School Communities program and the Newton Community School District made the cut for the 2014-2015 school year.| 8A
URBANDALE — Snapping a five-match losing skid, Newton High’s Cardinals opened play at Thursday’s Des Moines Christian Invitational volleyball tournament with a convincing win over Van Meter. | 1B
INDEX Local News • 2A 7
98213 00008
4
Calendar • 3A Obituaries • 3A
Today
High 76 Low 65
Police Blotter • 3A Opinion • 4A
Comics & Puzzles • 6A Dear Abby • 6A
Classifieds • 4B Astrograph • 5B
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Volume No. 113 No. 87 2 sections, 18 pages