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DAILY NEWS TUESDAY, DEC. 13, 2016 • WHERE TO GO WHEN YOU NEED TO KNOW
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Newton Public Library alters hours due to lack of heat By Kayla Langmaid Newton Daily News The Newton Public Library will alter its hours this week due to an issue with the facility’s furnace. The library hours are noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and Saturday hours will remain the same as 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The library hasn’t had heat since Nov. 14, but that hasn’t seemed
to affect the number of visitors who filter in throughout the day. One of those patrons is Tracy Johnson, of Newton, who comes to the library every day on his lunch break. “I dress this way because I work outside,” Johnson said about his many layers of clothing. “I didn’t know the heat was off.” The library’s furnace had an unexpected malfunction and a cus-
tomized part had to be ordered. The furnace is expected to be fixed early next week. Library director Nicole Lindstrom said for the most part people have been pretty understanding. “The question I get the most is ‘why I haven’t turned the heat on?’ and once I explain why, people understand,” Lindstrom said. LIBRARY | 3A
Kayla Langmaid/Daily News Tracy Johnson, of Newton, reads at the Newton Public Library every day during his lunch break. He said even though the library hasn’t had heat for the past month, he hasn’t noticed a change.
School board approves preliminary designs of new Berg Middle School
City to address 22 uncontrolled intersections in southeast Newton By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News
forward. The new school is slated to feature about 60 more parking spots than the current school. Some alterations could allow for additional parking. According to Briden, one of the design team’s goals is to preserve as many trees in the area as possible. Any changes from this point forward will be minor, according to Superintendent Bob Callaghan. School Board President Travis Padget said the general layout is finished, and it is all architectural from here on out. Dynamically, Padget said the new building is significant for the community as it moves forward in its post-Maytag days.
Rules were suspended and city council voted to waive the third reading of an ordinance addressing an uncontrolled intersection in the southeast area of Newton. Following a unanimous vote, 22 intersections were approved to have new stop and yield signs placed at them. Intersections located in an area bound on the west by First Street South, east by Iowa Speedway Drive, north by First Avenue and south by Interstate 80 were analyzed by the traffic safety committee based on schooled traffic, pedestrian traffic and the neighborhood dynamics. The committee gave the following recommendations to improve traffic flow and increase safety in the area. • Add a stop sign for northbound traffic on East 4½ Street South at the T intersection of East 4½ Street South at South Third Avenue East. • Add a stop sign for southbound traffic on East Seventh Street South at the T intersection of East Seventh Street South at South Third Avenue East. • Add a stop sign for southbound traffic on East Seventh Street South at the T intersection of East Ninth Street South at South 10th Avenue East. • Add a stop sign for northbound traffic on East 21st Street Place South at the T intersection of East 21st Street Place South at South Seventh Avenue East. • Add a stop sign for eastbound traffic on South Second Avenue East at the T intersection of South Second Avenue East at East Fifth Street South. • Add a stop sign for westbound traffic on South Second Avenue East at the T intersection of South Second Avenue East at East 28th Street South • Add stop signs for westbound and eastbound traffic on South Third Avenue East at the T intersection of South Third Avenue East at East 10th Street South and East 11th Street South.
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Justin Jagler/Daily News Newton Community School District School Board President Travis Padget and Superintendent Bob Callaghan listen to FRK’s Dave Briden’s review of the new Berg Middle School design.
By Justin Jagler Newton Daily News The new Berg Middle School’s design development was approved Monday night by the Newton Community School District Board of Education. The construction committee, made up of students and staff, shared its input. Now the architects at FRK Architects and Engineers will tackle the finer details of the project. Doug Smith, who represented the construction committee, said these are exciting times. He said the committee spent many hours discussing floor plans, room sizes, windows, parking lots, gymnasiums, music rooms, special educa-
tion needs, science classes, lockers, restrooms and more. “You name it, we discussed it at length,” Smith said. “Then we had the architects meet with our teachers.” Every teacher in the current middle school was invited to share their thoughts and ideas for the new building and what the classrooms should look like. Smith said the committee’s voice was heard by the architects at FRK, a West Des Moines-based company. Project Principal Dave Briden represented FRK on Monday and thanked the construction committee for its contributions. Briden reviewed the new building design and mentioned some potential minor changes that could be made going
Woodland Park improves ADA accessibility By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News Woodland Park and Eversman Baseball Field are now more accessible for those with disabilities. Improvements including adding handicapped accessible parking and an accessible route for spectators to the
Unsworth
ball field were completed as a part of the city’s continued efforts to become fully Americans with Disabilities Act compliant. The project
includes new ADA accessible walkways, parking stalls and a concrete slab beneath the bleacher seating. The city worked with the Newton Community School District in a joint effort to prepare the plans for the upgrades. “As an overall goal of the parks system we are trying to improve ADA compliance
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was awarded to low bidder Jerry Keenan Concrete, of Newton, in the amount of $28,479. Final construction costs came in $180 less than the initial bid at $28,299. The improvements were paid for utilizing 2015 bond proceeds that were made WOODLAND | 3A
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WHERE IT’S AT Astrograph......................5B Calendar..........................5A Classifieds......................4B
throughout our parks,” Nathan Unsworth, city parks superintendent said. “Working with the schools we identified Eversman as a priority and we are working to make it more handicapped accessible around Eversman field along with the shelter and the restroom at the park.” The contract for the work
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Obituaries.......................5A Opinion............................4A State News......................7A
Speaking with Northey
Students Skype with Secretary of Ag / 2A
Volume No. 115 No. 145 2 sections 18 pages
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