NEWTON
ACADEMIC HONORS
Newton’s fall student athletes recognized / 1B
DAILY NEWS FRIDAY, NOV. 21, 2014 • SERVING NEWTON & JASPER COUNTY SINCE 1902
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School board continues talks of reconfiguration By Jason W. Brooks Newton Daily News
Jason W. Brooks except/Daily News Culver’s will serve a Thanksgiving dinner from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Present on Thursday were, front left, Breighann VanBeele and Anna Robbins. In back are managers Jacob Tiger and Levi Kunch and owner Curt Herbig.
Culver’s to serve free dinner on Thanksgiving By Jason W. Brooks Newton Daily News
Many of us will be sitting down to a large meal next Thursday and watching football. That sort of thing will happen at the Newton Culver’s restaurant as well — in a way that will require much volunteer work and preparation. Culver’s will serve a free Thanksgiving dinner from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. The charity effort, aimed toward those whose incomes are tight or who don’t have a place to go, involves several Newtonarea organizations. Culver’s owner Curt Herbig said he’s grateful for the community support the restaurant has received so far — and the support that will undoubtedly be needed in the week ahead.
“We’re grateful for this chance to help people in the community,” Herbig said. “A lot of people have asked if they can volunteer, and people can still get involved by doing things like contacting the United Way and donating desserts.” Herbig said there are several organizations in the area that offer free meals this time of year, but it is rare to find a complete dinner served on Thanksgiving. Wal-Mart donated a gift card that is being used to purchase turkeys; the Salvation Army will be preparing the turkeys, and the United Way is helping take in donated dessert dishes. The meal will feature some of the expected side dishes as well. “This is going to involve about 25 turkeys,” he said. “But we’ll have a lot of other things too, like pumpkin pie custard.”
Culver’s will also have its big-screen TV in the dining room tuned in so people can enjoy NFL football while they’re enjoying the meal. Herbig said he’s especially grateful to United Way of Jasper County executive director Jessica Lowe and to Major Mikey Carter of the Salvation Army for all they’ve done with the project. He said the United Way will be accepting donated pies on Monday and Tuesday. “We hope to make this an annual thing, if there seems to be a demand for it,” Herbig said. Anyone interested in volunteering with the dinner can call Culver’s at 641-787-9900.
Which campus will each Newton Community School District elementary student be attending for each grade? That ’s a question the school district has been tac kling Callaghan this year, including a teacher survey that will be discussed Monday. The survey of teachers about potential K-6 reconfiguration is one of the discussion items on the agenda for Monday’s NCSD regular board meeting at Emerson Hough. Consideration of reconfiguration is listed as one of the boards “action/
Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6530 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com.
discussion” items. “This survey is specific to reconfiguration,” Newton Superintendent Bob Callaghan said. “This is the next phase in determining what is in the best academic interest of students. Should we reconfigure with smaller class sizes, or should we not? Or should we continue with the same programmatic issues we’re providing now?” Callaghan said the survey will be strictly informational, as the board has the decision-making power when it comes to reconfiguration. Ideas about which buildings to use for which grades and populations has been debated basically since the district made major changes in 2010. In August, a parent survey conducted during SCHOOL | 3A
File photo Discussions about potential reconfiguration of the Newton Community School District’s elementary student population will undoubtedly involve the Emerson Hough building.
Allen sees Skiff names new CAO opportunities to expand Iowa’s middle class By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News
Newton Daily News State Sen. Chaz Allen, of Newton, will help shape the work of the 2015 session of the Iowa Legislature by serving on several Iowa Senate committees. “Legislative Allen committees are where much of the important work gets done in the Senate,” Allen said. “Every day during the session, I’ll search for ways to strengthen Iowa’s economy and help more families reach a
better future.” Allen will be the Vice Chair of the Ways and Means Committee and a member of the Commerce, Human Resources, Local Government and Veterans Committees. He will also be a member of the Administration & Regulation Budget Subcommittee. The 86th General Assembly of the Iowa Legislature will convene on Jan. 12. “I’m preparing by touching base with as many constituents as I can,” Allen said. “Anyone with ideas and concerns are encouraged to share them with me.” Allen can be reached at 641-521-6297.
Laurie Conner will take over as interim Chief Administrative Officer at Skiff Medical Center on Dec. 3. CEO Brett Altman made the announcement Tuesday at the hospital board meeting. Conner will take over for Jeanne Conner Goche, who was a contracted CAO. Conner will provide assistance as an independent contractor approximately three days a week at Skiff. She will provide an important link and connection point to the Mercy Health Network and will be able to assist with strategic questions as Skiff makes the affiliation transition over the next several months along with supporting Altman and CNO Sheryl Tilus with day-to-day operations of the hospital.
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deadlines on Dec. 1 and Dec. 15. To build the business case, Skiff wants to increase revenue by finding additional coding opportunities, improve revenue cycle/management of care contracts, potentially grow orthopedics and improve Emergency Department transfers, with the goal of keeping patients closer to home, Altman said. To go along with increased revenue, Skiff wants to decrease expenses by potentially having a more inexpensive employee health insurance plan through Mercy, gain oncology opportunities and reduce costs whenever possible. In other business: • Sheena Bachman and Veronica Mangrich were named Daisy Award winners. • A tree was planted at Skiff in memory of Julie Hodge with a dedication ceremony Nov. 6. Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com.
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“She is going to be a terrific asset to us,” Altman said. After nine year as CEO at the Dallas County Hospital in Perry, Conner worked from 2010 to 2014 as the administrator and vice president of Mercy West Lakes. There she built the team and operational processes for Mercy’s new West Des Moines hospital. In a positive step forward, Altman reported revenue over $7 million for the month of October, which has only happened a hand full of times in recent past. In October, revenue over expenses was $479,099 and for the year the total revenue over expenses is $290,213. Those are all good signs and positive numbers to report during the affiliation process, he said. The affiliation process is continuing with Mercy as a part of the Catholic health systems. Skiff met a deadline on Monday set by Mercy for documentation needed, and also have two upcoming
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Helping students stay warm
Rotary, Realtors help with clothing drives / 2A
Volume No. 113 No. 132 2 sections 16 pages
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