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Magnetic Main Street fundraiser back on Thursday By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News
Jason W. Brooks/Daily News Newton Mayor Mike Hansen, left, along with Newton YMCA Associate Executive Director Rhonda Robson and CEO Frank Buckley, look at preliminary designs for proposed projects at the facility. The Newton YMCA hosted a YMCA Appreciation Month event Tuesday designed to keep local and state leaders informed about the importance of a YMCA in the community.
Newton YMCA celebrates Appreciation Month
Newton staff hosts local leaders By Jason W. Brooks Newton Daily News Part of a YMCA’s mission is to help improve the quality of life for area residents. Tuesday, the Newton YMCA’s administrators hosted an event designed to keep local and state leaders informed about those types of efforts. Newton Mayor Mike Hansen, Sen. Chaz Allen (D-Newton), Newton Fire Chief Jerrod Wellik, Newton City Administrator Bob Knabel and several others came to their local YMCA on Tuesday as part of September being Iowa YMCA Appreciation
Month. That was the designation in a proclamation signed Aug. 29 by Gov. Terry Branstad in recognition of more than 100 years of the organization’s service to the well-being of Iowans. Locations such as the Newton YMCA have been holding small events this month to commemorate that longevity, and on Tuesday, it was Newton’s turn. Newton YMCA CEO Frank Buckley and associate executive director Rhonda Robson hosted the leaders and discussed progress and plans for the years ahead. “The YMCA fits perfectly with what the city is trying to do — keep families with children here in Newton and attract more families to move here,” Hansen said “Frank and Rhonda and
all of their staff members work so hard to maintain a safe, fun, positive environment here.” Buckley thanked Hansen and the City of Newton, not only for the financial support through the years, but also for the interest Hansen and other leaders show in the activities and development at the YMCA, and its role in the fitness, camaraderie and morale of the community. “There are many cities larger than Newton that not only don’t have a fantastic facility like this one, but also might have leaders who have no idea what goes on there or how we raise funds and those sorts of things,” Buckley said. The conference room where Buckley and Robson hosted guests with
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By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News
Grassley says Planned Parenthood not intentionally ‘de-funded’ By Jason W. Brooks Newton Daily News
Jason W. Brooks/Daily News Chuck Grassley, shown here at a recent event in Newton, told the Newton Daily News that Republican senators didn’t intentionally try to “defund” Planned Parenthood as part of recently filibustered bill for Zika virus funding. He said the bill simply didn’t have as much funding for Planned Parenthood as Democrats wanted.
Sen. Chuck Grassley conducts weekly radio interviews with the media. Recently, the Newton Daily News had the chance to ask him some questions, including one about why there is so much discussion about Planned Parenthood funding during negotiations over Zika virus funding. NDN: Senator, with Congress having just returned from a recess and another recess is scheduled, would all the discussions of appropriations this month prevent meaningful reforms from be discussed on the Senate floor? Grassley: Yes. If everything goes according to plan, we’ll take up a continuing resolution through Dec. 9 to make sure we don’t shut down the government. This is such an unconventional election year. That
applies too all of us. There are five or six really contentious states, so people need to be out campaigning. Normally, the House would pass an appropriations bill before the Senate does, but I think it will move quicker if the Senate passes one first this time. Depending on the results of the election, we’ll then determine if the next resolution will be through March 30 or Sept. 30 of next year. NDN: What do you think are going to be the most contentious budget issues this month? Grassley: I think there’s only one: Zika funding. With 52 out of 54 Republican senators voting in favor of the bill (H.R. 2577), that’s not the problem. The problem is a Democrat filibuster. You would think the health needs would convince the Democrats to reconsider. GRASSLEY | 3A
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WHERE IT’S AT Astrograph......................5B Calendar..........................5A Classifieds......................4B
New phone service available for inmates Inmates at the Jasper County Jail will have a new provider to use for phone services. The Jasper County Board of Supervisors approved the use of Inmate Calling Solutions on Tuesday to provide the services at a reduced rate than previously available. “We have a vendor that provides inmate phone services, and it generates revenue to the county,” Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty said. “It allows inmates to make phone calls and purchase phone Halferty cards. That company has been in place since prior to our move to the new building, about 12 years.” Halferty said the rates are slightly cheaper than the previous provider with the revenue provided to the county essentially the same. New equipment would be installed, replacing the previous models, some of which are 10 years old.
By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News
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refreshments and a display of some remodeling plans is one example of how the Newton YMCA has adjusted through the years, Buckley said. The room was once a double-height room that served as a racquetball court, but that room had a sub-floor installed to create an upstairs conference room and another room below it. With racquetball popularity having faded considerably over the past 10 years, one of the YMCA’s other two courts will also be divided into two single-height rooms, leaving one racquetball court. There are also plans to remodel other areas to create more modern locker rooms and restroom facilities.
Newton Main Street working to add art downtown In Newton Main Street’s continuing efforts to address the look of downtown Newton, executive director Graham Sullivan presented a proposal for artwork to be placed on the county building located near Dan’s Sandwich Shop. “Near the city lot, behind Maid-Rite, we are wanting to put in a pedestrian alleyway, similar to what is in between the library and the alleyway between Uncle Nancy’s and Aleya,” Sullivan said. “We are working with the city to pour concrete to put in a bike rack and benches and we have a piano that is being painted by the Centre for Arts and Artists right now.” The county comes into play because Main Street is hoping to hang artwork
Newton’s Magnetic Main Street fundraiser is back for another year of giving away great prizes while helping raise money for the program. The Iowa Speedway pace car will once again be filled will magnets starting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday located in front of RE/MAX in downtown Newton. The promotion will run until the Newton High School Homecoming parade begins at 6 p.m., then resume after the parade is finished. “It is a fun, easy event for people Sullivan to participate in and come away with a great prize,” Main Street Executive Director Graham Sullivan said. For $5, donors may choose any magnet, which will reveal a prize from an area business. Magnets will be selected on a first come first serve basis.
Comics & Puzzles...........6A Dear Abby........................6A Local News......................2A
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Thrivent makes donations
Money distributed to food pantries / 2A
Volume No. 115 No. 87 2 sections 16 pages
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