Newton
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Daily News
Friday, November 1, 2013
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Newton, Iowa
Council to tackle request for development specialist position, Newton Housing Initiative
OBITUARIES Frederick Collins, 89 Ola F. Horney, 90 Lyle Leroy Jay, 98 Harriett Selby, 89 INSIDE TODAY
By Bob Eschliman Daily News Editor
Local
Students in SCIBA Honor Band Page 7A
Submitted Photo Bre Brandenhorst has had an incredible year as Iowa’s 2013 Pork Queen. She enjoys her duties so much, that she considers kissing the big boar at the 2013 Iowa State Fair one of her highlights.
Brandenhorst reflects on pork queen role Ty Rushing Daily News Staff Writer
Education
Library offering computer classes Page 8A
Sports
Newton falls in regional semifinal Page 1B
Weather
“I wanted to be the Pork Queen growing up,” were the words Breanna Brandenhorst, who goes by Bre, said in one of her first interviews after being crowned the 2013 Iowa Pork Queen. That was nine months ago. Since then, Bre’s experience has proven the old addage, “time flies when you’re having fun” is true. “It has been an absolute honor to serve as the 2013 Iowa Pork Queen, so far,” she said. “Because I have had so many amazing experiences, I don’t think I could pinpoint one ‘best experi-
ence.’ I love being able to talk to consumers and tell them about what is going on in the industry and also being able to meet with people within the industry.” Helping promote Iowa’s pork industry is a part of Bre’s duties and has allowed her to experience some pretty unique opportunities. “Some of my favorite memories are serving samples at the National BBQ Battle in Washington, D.C., kissing the big boar at the State Fair and helping pull baby pigs at the State Fair,” Bre said. “Being an agriculture education major, I loved the opportunity to work in the Animal Learning
Center at the State Fair because it was a chance to teach people about a topic that I am very passionate about.” The Prairie City native also took part in Newton’s Fourth of July Parade and has been involved in other porkrelated activities, such as the World Pork Expo, Iowa Pork Youth Conferences and the Iowa Pork Congress. Pork isn’t the only thing taking up Bre’s spare time, though. This fall, Bre started her sophomore year at Iowa State University and maintains a pretty busy schedule.
At its meeting Monday evening, the Newton City Council will revisit two important proposals discussed at its Oct. 21 meeting. City Administrator Bob Knabel has recommended the creation of a new staff position, Development Specialist, at a cost of approximately $100,000 per year for salary, benefits and equipment and supplies. The cost in the current fiscal year would be roughly $60,000. In his proposal, Knabel said the purpose of the position would be to implement both the Newton Housing Initiative and the Buxton Report recommendations. Funding for the current fiscal year would come from the Hotel/Motel Tax and the Undesignated Fund Balance. Councilors will also be asked to consider a resolution that would launch the Newton Housing Initiative. Knabel has recommended the program, as currently proposed, would be funded through the sale of $3.6 million in general obligation bonds paid back over a term of 10 years. Both the proposed Development Specialist and Housing Initiative stirred lengthy discussions, and disagreement, among the councilors. There was no clear indication at the Oct. 21 meeting how they might vote on either proposal. COUNCIL See Page 5A
Happy Halloween!
QUEEN See Page 5A
November is National Adoption Month Iowa KidsNet provides support, services to adoptive families in Jasper County
Saturday
By Bob Eschliman Daily News Editor
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November each year is recognized as National Adoption Month across the United States. It is a time to recognize those who serve the more than 100,000 children who are waiting to be adopted out of foster care. According to the most recent statistics from the Iowa Department of Human Services, more than 600 children in Iowa are eligible for adoption from foster care. While many of those
Sunday
High 57 Low 40 Weather Almanac
children already have an adoptive home identified, there are many still waiting to for a permanent home. “Every child in our state deserves to have a permanent connection to a caring adult,” Iowa KidsNet Director Theresa Lewis said. “Iowa has an ongoing need for more foster and adoptive families, especially those who can care for teens, sibling groups and children with special needs. Nationally, each year over 23,000 youth turn 18 and age out of foster care without having permanent family connections. Together we can make sure all Iowa youth have the support they need to reach their bright potential.” ADOPTION See Page 7A
Submitted Photo Skiff Medical Center obstetrics staff Kyla Knudson and Ashley Foster dressed up as Duck Dynasty characters Thursday for Skiff-or-Treat. From superheros to princesses, Skiff invited area children and their families to the halls of the hospital for a fun and unique trick-or-treat experience. Find Skiff on Facebook to view more photos.
Thurs., Oct. 31 High 46 Low 42 No Precipitation
Army helped two men form nearly 40 year friendship
Also:
Ty Rushing Daily News Staff Writer
Astrograph Page 5B Classifieds Page 4B Comics & Puzzles Page 6A Dear Abby Page 6A Opinion Page 4A Obituaries Page 3A Police Page 3A Our 112th Year No. 117
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John Wenniham and David Elliot have been best friends for almost 40 years. Yet, oddly enough, the two Newton natives had never even met until they were both in the U.S. Army and had a chance meeting at Fort Sill, Okla. When they started developing their friendship, it was during David’s second stint in the Army. He first saw John while serving in Vietnam. “I knew the draft was coming up, so I said, ‘To heck with this,’ and I enlisted on the 180-day delay program,” David said. During this initial stint, David was doing clerical work when he was moved to Fort Lewis, Wash., which is where he received his
orders to go to Vietnam. “Man, I was scared. Scared stiff,” David said. “I wasn’t sure what to expect and I got into the country and was supposed to be assigned to the 43rd APU, which was the Army’s postal service. They didn’t even have anything there for the 43rd APU.” Without a job for him to do, David said he was temporarily assigned to work for the U.S. Air Force during his first three months in
Submitted Photo David Elliot and John Wenniham sit together in Washington, D.C., during the 2013 Jasper County Freedom Flight. Both men are Newton natives and veterans of the U.S. Army, but didn’t began there almost 40-year friendship until they went into the service.
Vietnam. “Finally, we got an area for (where) the 43rd APU was supposed
to be,” David said. “We had to go build our own hooches and post office, which was interesting. I
almost got an Article 15 VETERANS See Page 5A