NDN-12-17-2013

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Newton

Serving Newton & Jasper County Since 1902

Daily News

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Tuesday, December 17, 2013 OBITUARIES Kathryn A. Grimes, 95 Gerald D. McGee, 73

www.newtondailynews.com

Newton man arrested for possession of meth, pipe bombs near Emerson Hough By Bob Eschliman Daily News Editor

INSIDE TODAY

A Newton man was arrested on several felony charges, including possession of what are believed to be two pipe bombs, following a routine traffic stop Monday night. Lt. Wayne Winchell of the Newton Police Department said a NPD officer made a traf-

Local

Pacesetters place at state competition Page 2A

Newton, Iowa

fic stop in the 500 block of East Eighth Street North at 5:43 p.m. The location of the stop was adjacent to Newton Community School District’s Emerson Hough facility. The driver of the vehicle, Arthur Wolcott, 51, lived only a few blocks away. He was discovered to be in possession of methamphetamine and was taken into custody on the seri-

ous misdemeanor offense. “While performing a vehicle inventory prior to towing the vehicle, two devices believed to be pipe bombs were located in the trunk,” Winchell said. “A perimeter was set up and a Code Red call was made to notify residents in the area.” WOLCOTT See Page 5A

Main Street application submitted

Wolcott

Newton woman celebrates 100 years By Kate Malott Daily News Staff Writer In 1913, Woodrow Wilson became president, New York’s Grand Central Station opened as the world’s largest train station, the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg took place and the Ford Motor Company introduced the first moving assembly line. And it was also 100 years ago today that Newton resident Ruth Adams was born. Ruth was born on Dec. 17, 1913, and grew up on a farm south of Kellogg with her parents and siblings. Her friends and family describe her as smart, aware and artistic. She likes to do

Community Cleere donates to St. Nick’s Page 7A

ADAMS See Page 5A

Sports

Submitted Photo Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Darrell Sarmento and City of Newton Planning & Zoning Director Erin Chambers delivered Newton’s application for the Main Street Iowa program Thursday, Dec. 12, to Darlene Strachan at the Iowa Economic Development Authority Office in Des Moines. The Newton Main Street Application Committee raised $88,400 in donations and in-kind assistance — more than its $80,000 goal — as part of the application process; the application itself was delivered a day ahead of the Dec. 13 deadline in a 2-inch three-ring binder.

NHS JV wrestlers gain experience Page 1B

Weather

School board debates early retirement By Ty Rushing Daily News Staff Writer

Wednesday

High 41 Low 31

“Paying for their healthcare is an option, because that’s how company’s like Maytag and a few others went broke,” Newton Community Board of Education Board Member Nat Clark said. Clark’s comments came during Monday’s board meeting, which was moved to Newton

Thursday

High 38 Low 18 Weather Almanac

Mon., Dec. 16 High 24 Low 23 No Precipitation

While April 1 is usually considered a day for jokes, it will indeed be a very serious day for the future of the Newton Community School District. On Monday, the Newton school board voted to hold the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy election on April 1. PPEL funds are used by school districts to improve facilities and are levied through a special tax that must go before voters every 10 years. The board chose April 1, in case the initial election failed, and it would

Astrograph Page 5B Classifieds Page 4B Comics & Puzzles Page 6A Dear Abby Page 6A Opinion Page 4A

RETIREMENT See Page 5A

allow the district enough time to get the measure on the ballot again, while still maintaining the 90-day waiting period between when districts can call for special elections. If voters chose not to renew PPEL during the April 1 election, other potential dates are Sept. 9, 2014; Feb. 3, 2015; and June 23, 2015. PPEL funds were used to make upgrades to H.A. Lynn Stadium during the summer and a number of other projects in the district. PPEL See Page 5A

Council honors Julius during his last meeting

Obituaries Page 3A

By Zach Johnson Daily News Staff Writer

Police Page 3A Our 112th Year No. 148

98213 00008

questioning how the district would disburse the buyout packages to qualified employees who chose to retire early. Perrenoud is retired from the district and pointed out he had to get another job to afford his health care coverage, while his wife, who retired elsewhere, remains fully covered.

Election date set for school PPEL fund By Ty Rushing Daily News Staff Writer

Also:

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Senior High School due to an incident outside of Emerson Hough, during a discussion on offering early-retirement to district employees. “Because people felt they were never entitled to pay for their health insurance when they retired, and we can’t go broke,” Clark finished saying. Clark made his remark to board member Bill Perrenoud, who was

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On Monday, the Newton City Council honored 12-year councilor Dennis Julius. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to have served the community of Newton for these many years,” Julius said.

“I think, to move forward, the biggest challenge for the council will be to keep the tax levy rates as low as possible, but yet keeping in mind that it takes taxes to provide all the services that the city does need to provide for them and that sometimes get lost with the

public just saying keep my taxes low.” Julius is confident the 2014 Newton City Council can keep pressing the issues he advocated for during his time of serving on council. COUNCIL See Page 5A

Submitted Photo Newton Health Care Center resident Ruth Adams turns 100 years old today and will be celebrating with family. Ruth requested a pizza party with her loved ones.

Skiff audit report shows 11 percent decrease in net assets By Daily News Staff The accounting firm Seim Johnson LLP released an audit report for Skiff Medical Center in Newton. The report shows the hospital had an 11.1-percent decrease in net assets during the 2012-13 fiscal year that ended June 30. According to the audit report, Skiff ’s revenues totaled $35.3 million, and 8-percent decrease from the previous fiscal year. The hospital received $33.7 million in net patient revenue, $1.2 million in other operating revenue, $134,000 in capital grants and contributions and $223,000 in investment income. The report stated operating expenses for Skiff totaled $38.1 million, a 1.7-percent increase from the previous fiscal year. That amount included $23.3 million for salaries and benefits, $3.6 million for purchased services and professional fees and $11.2 million for medical supplies and other expenses. A copy of the audit report is available for review in the Skiff administration offices, in the Office of the Auditor of State, and on the Auditor of State’s website, http://auditor. iowa.gov/reports/reports.htm.


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