Newton
Serving Newton & Jasper County Since 1902
Daily News
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
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www.newtondailynews.com
Newton, Iowa
Council approves reassignment of Iowa Speedway agreements
No Paper Thursday! Happy Thanksgiving!
Hansen: ‘We are aware of identity of new owners,” won’t disclose
INSIDE TODAY
Bob Eschliman/Daily News Newton Mayor Mike Hansen addressed the throng of media that attended a special City Council meeting Tuesday. Hansen said city officials are aware of the identity of the new owner of Iowa Speedway, but would not disclose it out of respect for the racetrack’s new owners.
Sports
All-District volleyball honors
By Zach Johnson Daily News Staff Writer With the Iowa Speedway the focus of a special meeting at noon Tuesday, the
Newton City Council moved faster than the high-performance race cars that grace the racetrack. After quickly approving two resolutions related to a development agreement for the speedway and a rental agreement for use of airport property for parking on race week-
ends, the meeting was adjourned in less than four minutes. With nearly a dozen Central Iowa media members in attendance, Mayor Michael Hansen made a comment regarding the question on nearly everyone’s mind. SPEEDWAY See Page 5A
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Local residents rally against road conditions Community
By Ty Rushing Daily News Staff Writer
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Sherman Swank presented a petition on behalf of himself and the adjacent landowners of property surrounding Geneva Avenue to the Jasper County Board of Supervisors during Tuesday’s meeting. The road in question, is located about two miles west of Newton and connects to county blacktop F48W. Swank said the road is in very bad condition, described some of the faults and presented what he, and the other landowners, thought were reasonable solutions to the problem. “Some of the key points of the road itself, is it’s ‘old six’ is what it is, and it’s probably 60 to 70 years old,” Swank said. “Many of the residents/ landowners have called the engineer’s office 30 to 60 to 70 times a year and I’m sure they’re put up with it too.
Blind photographer has success
Holiday
Salvation Army ready for holidays Page 1C
Weather
ROADS See Page 5A
Thursday
High 33 Low 15
Eaton gives mental health report to supervisors By Ty Rushing Daily News Staff Writer
Friday
High 30 Low 10 No Precipitation
At Tuesday’s Jasper County Board of Supervisors meeting, Jasper County Community Services Director/Central Point Coordinator Jody Eaton delivered her department’s annual report to the board. During her report, which was approved, she stated how proud she was of the mental health service providers and variety of services present in the
Also:
SUPERVISORS See Page 5A
High 32 Low 22 Weather Almanac
Tues., Nov. 26
Astrograph Page 10B
Kate Malott/Daily News The Jasper County Courthouse is a festive site thanks to the annual Jasper County 4-H Festival of Trees. Community members are invited to view the trees at the courthouse and give gifts to local groups, nonprofits and organizations this holiday season.
4-H Festival of Trees By Kate Malott Daily News Staff Writer The Jasper County 4-H will be hosting its annual “Festival of Trees” Friday inside the Jasper County Courthouse. The displays will take place on the first and second floors following the lighting of the courthouse and holiday parade. This year’s festival theme is “The Giving Tree,” which benefits 13 area groups, nonprofits and organizations that are in need of donations this holiday season. The 4-H clubs will donate all items under their tree or the decorations themselves. “It’s is an event that showcases the generosity and creativity of our 4-H club members and leaders,
Parade of the Past
Classifieds Page 8B Comics & Puzzles Page 6A
Opinion Page 4A Obituaries Page 3A Police Page 3A Our 112th Year No. 135
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Local businesses prepare for holiday shopping weekend By Zach Johnson Daily News Staff Writer
Dear Abby Page 6A
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all while teaching community service, as the kids decide which charity or organization to support,” Jasper County Youth Director for Iowa State Extension Stacey Wilson said. Thirteen county 4-H clubs have chosen a local organization or charity to support and decorate their
tree in accordance with the group in need. The clubs set up and decorated the trees in the courthouse earlier this week using themes that coincide with their group. Some groups and trees include: NHS Body Shop, Berg Body Shop, Jasper County Animal Rescue League, PCM Food Pantry, Kellogg Food Pantry, Hats and Mittens for Colfax, Angel Tree and Deployed Soldiers. “Hopefully it brings to light the different groups that may need a little help during the holidays, or all year, and others will want to join us in an effort to make the holidays a little brighter for those in need,” Wilson said. The trees will be on display through Dec. 30.
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Photo Submitted by Richard Thomas Pictured is of one of the floats in Newton’s 1956 Christmas Parade. All the floats were made by churches from Newton and the surrounding area. The parade did not feature lights, music or thrown candy, but Santa Claus was available at the end of the parade. This year’s Lighted Christmas Parade will immediately follow the Jasper County Courthouse lighting, which will be at 6 p.m. Friday.
The traditional holiday shopping season kicks off this weekend. Many of the projected top holiday gifts launched in early November with the Microsoft XBOX One and Sony Playstation 4 console war. The major chain stores and malls will have people flocking to the doors while enduring the bitter cold to get discounts on Black Friday. The small businesses will be reminding citizens of the importance of shopping locally for Small Business Saturday. Two days later, at the start of December, people will be relaxing at home to get their discounts on Cyber Monday. The businesses around the town square have decorated their storefronts and placed their sales and specials in their windows as many from Newton and surrounding communities will come for the annual SHOPPING See Page 9A