NEWTON
KEEPING IT CALM
Newton Mat Maids help the team in many ways / 1B
DAILY NEWS THURSDAY, DEC. 11, 2014 • SERVING NEWTON & JASPER COUNTY SINCE 1902
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Skiff to offer in-office flu shot clinics By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News
Jason W. Brooks/Daily News Facilities director Desiray Lange shows some of the ten $25 Walmart gift cards that were received in the mail at the Jasper County Animal Rescue League & Humane Society on Wednesday.
Once again, anonymous gift benefits shelter
ARL receives $250 in Walmart gift cards by mail By Jason W. Brooks Newton Daily News For at least three consecutive years, a batch of hope has arrived in the Jasper County Animal Rescue League & Humane Society’s mailbox. Wednesday’s mail included an envelope with $250 worth of Walmart gift cards, which the shelter can use to purchase much-needed supplies for the animals housed at its Liberty Avenue facility in Newton. “The only thing included with the cards was a card with the words ‘Merry Christmas’ written on it,” fa-
cilities director Desiray Lange said. “The envelope didn’t even have a return address.” Lange said this is at least the third consecutive year the shelter has received this type of donation in December, although other types of generous donations come in throughout the year. “We do tend to get a few more donations in December,” Lange said. “Our community is fantastic in its support for what we do.” Lange said the donated cards will be used to buy a two-week supply DONATION | 3A
Jason W. Brooks/Daily News Kenai, a male who is at least part Husky, poses in front of donation boxes Wednesday at the Jasper County Animal Rescue League & Humane Society. Kenai might be one of the beneficiaries of an anonymous donation of ten $25 Walmart gift cards that were received in the mail at the shelter Wednesday.
With winter here and flu season in full swing, Skiff Home Care/Jasper County Public Health are offering in-office flu clinics for small business owners in the Newton area. Along with the Newton Area Chamber of Commerce, Skiff is promoting the flu shots to help keep work places and employees healthier during the cold and flu season. “If we can make it easy for a small business owners to make it possible for their employees and possibly even their employees families to have access to a flu shot, we can show that it will be an advantage to the business owner,” said Tammy Stapp, Jasper County Public Health director. Stapp got the idea
while attending a conference where the town’s chamber worked with the public health system. She said her goal is to have three or four businesses take advantage of the opportunity this year. The benefits of getting the flu shot for the employer include healthier employees who could potentially take less sick days. The program will run until the end of the flu season or vaccines run out. As of the end of October, there were approximately 340 flu shots left to be distributed. “My goal was to not have any flu injections to send back because that would mean we haven’t distributed as much as we had to the community,” Stapp said. To set up an appointment for office flu shots, SHOTS | 3A
File Photo Skiff Home Care/Jasper County Public Health are offering in-office flu clinics for small businesses in the Newton area. The idea is to help keep businesses and employees healthier during the cold and flu season.
UAW Christmas
Plans made for city’s ending fund balance By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News Equipment and projects that were discussed in February, and since have been refined and prioritized, were recommended for the ending fund balance and were endorsed by the Finance and Procurement Committee to be considered by the Newton City Council at its Monday meeting. After saving the 25 percent reserves, the ending fund balance will have approximately $307,000 left over, said Bryan Friedman, director of finance and development. The committee recommends that $156,000 of the $307,000 be set aside as additional reserves for the 20152016 budget. That amount is anticipated to cover the difference between increased costs and anticipated increases in revenues. The items the leftover funds will be used on include police squad cars that will cost $61,000, which is the cost after two trade-in’s estimated to bring in $4,000. Servers, switches and upgraded software is also on the list at $15,000. The council chambers could get an additional boost with new chairs for $12,800 and new Jamee A. Pierson/Daily News The siren at East Seventh Street tables at $2,400. The fire department would North and North Fourth Avenue East receive fire software for a rental program at has been approved to be replaced using the city’s ending fund balance.
BALANCE | 3A
Kate Malott/Daily News Pam Wagnor, left, and Al Sudbrock, members of the UAW 997 executive board, along with many other UAW retirees, family and guests attended the annual UAW Retirees Christmas banquet Wednesday night at the Union Hall. Richie Lee was the surprise entertainment and performed music from the 50s. A large buffet-style meal, entertainment, meeting and donations to the Salvation Army and Courthouse Lights were done at the event.
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Comics & Puzzles...........6A Dear Abby........................6A Local News......................2A
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Holiday health
Ways to stay healthy for the holidays / 2A
Volume No. 113 No. 145 2 sections 14 pages
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