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Monday, November 11, 2013 OBITUARIES Joyce A. (Hausner) Nicholson, 81 Mannie Hennon, 79 Wilbur Hugen, 93 Lucille M. Schulz, 94 INSIDE TODAY
Local
Lunch and Learn at county museum
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Newton, Iowa
NHS grad’s story part of new Gold Star Museum exhibit By Bob Eschliman Daily News Editor A new exhibit being unveiled last Friday at the Iowa Gold Star Museum on Camp Dodge in Johnston features the story of a Newton Senior High School graduate. Ambassador Chuck Larson Jr., who also
serves as a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve Legal Command, will be one of dozens of Iowa veterans featured in the Notable Iowa Veterans exhibit. The project, in its second year, was photographed by Grandview University Professor Emeritus Dr. Bill Schaefer and is meant to honor the sig-
nificant military and civilian accomplishments of Iowa veterans from across the state. Larson, a 1986 NHS graduate, was sworn into service in 1987 by his father, Col. Chuck Larson Sr. And began his military career with 1st Battalion, 410th Infantry in Iowa City. He later transferred to the
Thank You, Veterans
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133rd Infantry based in Dubuque. He served for a year in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom as Command Judge Advocate for the 372nd Engineer Group and Task Force 185 Aviation. He was awarded the Bronze LARSON See Page 7A
Larson
Program intended to brighten local seniors’ holiday season By Bob Eschliman Daily News Editor
Sports
Swimmers earn state medals Page 1B
Weather Bob Eschliman/Daily News The Newton Hy-Vee paid tribute to our nation’s veterans this morning with a free breakfast of scrabled eggs, hashbrowns, biscuits and gravy, sausage, bacon and french toast. Hy-Vee also partnered with Hawkeye Stages to ensure every veteran who wished to attend had transportation to and from the store. Dozens of veterans took part in the meal just in the first hour alone.
Tuesday
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Long addresses healthcare reform’s impact on Skiff
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By Bob Eschliman Daily News Editor
Weather Almanac
Skiff Medical Center CEO Steve Long addressed the Newton City Council near the conclusion of last Monday night’s meeting to discuss health care reform and the impact the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has had on the hospital. He first showed how the nation’s health care system was bankrupting the United States prior to enacting the PPACA. He then showed how the new health care laws will create financial difficulties for small community hospitals in the future.
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“The Problem” In his presentation, Long said health care reform was necessary because of poor access for the uninsured, poor quality compared to other countries and costs that were already too high and increasing too quickly. He also noted the “demographic wave” as
Also: Astrograph Page 5B Calendar Page 3A
Comics & Puzzles Page 6A
The Jasper County Board of Supervisors will canvass the results of last Tuesday’s municipal elections at noon this Tuesday. In addition to certifying the official tallies, the supervisors will also break any ties that occurred. One tie occurred on election night in the Lambs Grove mayoral race; it was unclear as of press time if any absentee ballots had altered the outcome of the election. State law specifies ties are broken by “casting lots,” which means by drawing one of the candidate’s names from a hat. If that candidate should decline the office, he or she has until 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, to present a letter declining to accept the position to his or her local city clerk.
SKIFF See Page 9A
SUPERVISORS See Page 7A
The Newton Senior High School Drama Department is getting everyone in the holiday spirit with a double feature fall play with “The First Thanksgiving According to Dwayne” and “The Little Town of Christmas.” Both plays are by Pat Cook and provided by Eldridge Publishing company. The showings are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with “The First Thanksgiving According to Dwayne” showing first. Following the show, the NHS Drama Department will have Santa Claus on hand for pictures for a goodwill donation that goes toward the drama department.
Opinion Page 4A Obituaries Page 3A Police Page 2A Our 112th Year No. 123
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Supervisors to canvass city election results By Bob Eschliman Daily News Editor
Kids Against Hunger
By Zach Johnson Daily News Staff Writer
Dear Abby Page 6A
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SENIORS See Page 7A
more and more baby boomers reach retirement age. Prior to enactment of the PPACA, 16 percent of Americans were uninsured, either by choice or by circumstances. Employer and employee contributions to health insurance premiums, combined, have increased from roughly $6,000 in 1999 to about $15,000 in 2011. The cost of health care in the U.S. has increased at a rate nearly twice that of inflation over the past 10 years. Today, the cost of health care — as a percentage of gross domestic product — is nearly 18 percent in the U.S. The cost, per capita, is nearly $8,000 a year, which is nearly twice the cost of most other industrialized nations. Beginning at age 57, the average cost for health care skyrockets, reaching nearly $20,000 a year at age 67 and more than $40,000 by age 87.
NHS fall production to be ‘double feature’
Classifieds Page 3B
Home Instead Senior Care is teaming up with non-profit agencies and area retailers to sponsor Be a Santa to a Senior – a program that collects, wraps and delivers gifts to lonely and needy seniors in Newton and several surrounding communities. The program runs from Nov. 15 to Dec. 13. “The need is especially great this year,” Kendra Galante, a spokeswoman for the program, said. “People can make a difference in the life of a local senior.” This season, Home Instead Senior Care is working in partnership with local veterans affairs offices, agencies on aging, area retailers, volunteers and members of the community. The goal is to ensure isolated seniors receive gifts and companionship during the holidays. In Newton, the Be a Santa to a Senior tree will be located at the Newton Hy-Vee store from Nov. 15 to Dec. 13. It will feature ornaments with seniors’ first names and their gift requests.
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PLAY See Page 9A
Kate Malott/Daily News A group from Sully participate in the Jasper County Kids Against Hunger packaging event at the Lynnville Friends Church on Sunday. More than 200 people participated in the non-profits largest packaging event. The 20-team project put together 40,824 meals that consist of rice, dehydrated vegetables, soy protein and 21 vitamins and minerals, and the meals will be distributed to people in the U.S., Africa, Eastern Europe and Central America.