Newton Independent

Newton Police Report

Newton Independent

• Doris A. Diamond, 76, of Newton was cited for failure to have control after striking the rear of a Ziegler work truck legally parked in the 300 block of South Eighth Avenue West at 5:05 p.m. Monday. According to police, Diamond was westbound on South Eighth when she pulled over to let eastbound traffic pass and struck the rear of the truck. A passenger in Diamond's vehicle, Charles D. Diamond, 80, complained of some pain but refused medical treatment. Damage to Diamond's vehicle was estimated at $8,000 while the Ziegler truck incurred damage estimated at $3,000.

Newton Chamber to lead effort to gain Main Street Iowa status

Newton Independent

The Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce will champion the effort to gain a Main Street Iowa program designation to spur the economic development of the downtown commercial area, Newton City Council members were told at Monday's meeting.

"On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce, I am pleased to announce our intent to apply to the Iowa Economic Development Authority for Newton, Iowa to be accepted into the Main Street program," Darrell Sarmento, executive director of the Newton Chamber, told council members during discussion on the topic.

Sarmento said that the Chamber and other civic and city leaders have met recently with officials with the Main Street program to better understand its operation and the process to be selected in the program that now includes 49 Iowa communities, including Colfax in Jasper County.

The mission of the Main Street Iowa program, established by the Legislature in 1985, is to improve the social and economic well-being of communities by assisting those selected to capitalize on the unique identity, assets and character of their historic commercial districts.

Sarmento noted that Newton has looked into the program in the past but has never pursued an official designation. However, with Newton's recently completed Comprehensive Plan in place, the city's preservation commission seeking National Register of Historic Places status and the recently re-implemented downtown Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District, the "time is right," he said.

"On behalf of the Chamber board, we feel the time is right and we are ready to champion the cause, partnering with the city to complete the application, raising needed funds required by Main Street, and allowing the Main Street staff person to operate under the umbrella of the Chamber with its own advisory board," Sarmento said.

The Chamber director told council members that by the middle of next month, a "Main Street Launch Team" will be assembled to do research, visit other local Main Street communities, like Colfax, Oskaloosa and Osceola, and begin the fundraising process for the public/private partnership that funds the Main Street program's work. Though an exact figure is not yet certain, a rough figure would be $75,000, with most of that used to hire the Main Street manager.

Sarmento also said that plans are in the works for a few Main Street town hall meetings to be held this summer where representatives from the  Iowa Economic Development Authority will be on hand to give an overview of the program and answer questions from the business community in the downtown area, as well as from the general public.

He went on to note that participation in the Main Street program requires broad community support.

"Being a Main Street community means all hands on deck," he stated in comments provided to the council. "We must have city wide support to succeed."

The application process will begin in the fall. "Launch Team" members plan to attend the Main Street Application Seminar that will start the process with the actual application due around the first of the year 2014.

Should Newton not be selected, the community would be able to apply the following year.

Sarmento said the Main Street Program approach to economic development was developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation with the goal of mixing development and historic preservation. To that end, the program follows a four-point approach:

• Economic restructuring/business improvement - This element involves diversifying the commercial district economy by identifying potential market niches, finding new uses for vacant or underused properties and improving business practices.

• Design - Through the utilization of appropriate design concepts to the area, this aspect improves the visual quality of the commercial district, including buildings, signs, window displays, landscaping and the general environment.

• Organization - This aspect brings together the various segments of the community including the public sector, private business and individual citizens to coordinate with a paid program manager on efforts to revitalize the commercial district.

• Promotion - As the aspect states, the goal of promotion is to show the downtown commercial district in a positive manner. This allows the community to focus on the commercial district as a source of pride, social activity and economic development potential.

Council members were generally receptive to the plan and were impressed by a study released Monday on the economic impact of the Main Street Iowa program on the state since its inception more than 25 years ago.

"It's an exciting program, for sure," Council member Noreen Otto said. "It's a remarkable tool."

Jasper County Freedom Flight flies

The Jasper County Freedom Flight's departure for Washington, D.C., this morning went off without a hitch - mostly - early today. Veterans from throughout Jasper County representing World War II, the Korean War and the largest contingent from the Vietnam War boarded coach buses at Newton High School shortly before 5 a.m. for the trip into Des Moines. Two Iowa State Patrol vehicles led a flashing light procession through to the west edge of town where Newton Police Department patrol vehicles blocked traffic at Highway 14 to let the buses filled with more than 150 veterans and their chaperones pass. As the buses traveled down Interstate 80, emergency response crews from a number of communities between Newton and Des Moines showed their respect to the veterans by flashing their lights at freeway entrance and exit ramps and on overhead bridges along the route. Once at the airport, the veterans debarked the buses and headed to a special staging area in the terminal where they showed their identification and were quickly handed their boarding passes. The veterans then proceeded to the departure gate area where they were greeted with applause and a constant chorus of thank yous by an honor guard assembled by the Legion Riders and host of family members, friends and supporters. It was then up the escalator where they quickly passed through security and out onto the tarmac to board their awaiting plane. The veterans will spend the day, which is forecast for warm and sunny, touring the memorials erected in their honor in the nation's capitol. The Jasper County Freedom Flight, which can now boast having honored more than 550 local veterans with a trip to Washington, D.C., is expected to arrive back at the Des Moines Airport at approximately 10:30 p.m. tonight.

Lynnville man found guilty of burglary, cleared of sex abuse charge

Newton Independent

A Jasper County District Court found the Lynnville man accused of entering another Lynnville residence last year and performing a sex act on a teenage girl guilty of burglary late Friday but cleared him on the sex abuse charge.

The jury returned its verdict against Gary Lee Eilander, 43, who had been charged with second degree burglary and third degree sexual abuse, at 5:30 p.m. Friday evening following a three-day trial.

Eilander was accused of entering the Lynnville residence at 4:30 a.m. on June 30, 2012 where he went to an upstairs bedroom where three females were sleeping. A 17-year-old female stated that she woke up to rustling noises and then felt a hand rubbing her back. When she turned, court documents state, the hand went down the front of her pants, touching skin.

The female was able to push the hand away and flee the room. She woke her parents where they confronted Eilander in the kitchen of the home. The parents said Eilander appeared intoxicated at that time, court records state.

Eilander, who has been held in the Jasper County Jail since charges were filed, had his $35,000 bond modified to $25,000 following the jury's verdict. Sentencing is set for July 29.

Newton council to look at applying for Main Street Iowa designation

Newton Independent

The Newton City Council will discuss the possibility of gaining a Main Street Iowa designation when it meets in its monthly discussion-only council format tonight at City Hall.

In a memo to the council included for discussion, Bryan Friedman, Director of Finance and Development and Acting City Administrator, notes that the Newton Chamber of Commerce has been working with other downtown stakeholders to learn the process of applying for the economic development designation from the State of Iowa. Though the designation is only being discussed at this time, an application would be due in the fall and would need to include a commitment for local funding.

The Main Street Iowa program was established in 1985 and is designed to improve the social and economic well-being of Iowa's communities by assisting selected communities to capitalize on the unique identify, assets and character of their historical commercial district.

The program's approach was developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation's National Main Street Center in an effort to combine economic development and historic preservation.

Newton's Preservation Commission is currently working on an application to have the downtown area placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The 49 Iowa communities with Main Street Iowa designations, including Colfax in Jasper County, met Friday for its 27th annual awards celebration, an event attended by Gov. Branstad and the state's top economic development official Debi Durham.

Since its inception, Main Street Iowa has tracked more than $1.2 billion in private investment in the purchase, construction and rehabilitation of property in participating commercial districts. In addition, more than 2 million hours of volunteer time has been logged collectively by local Main Street organizations.

"I am proud to have been part of the effort to bring the Main Street program to Iowa in 1985 as an economic development tool," Branstad said in a news release on the awards presented at the banquet. "It is gratifying to see the successes Iowa communities have had because of our Main Street program. As a result of the hard work of countless local leaders, Iowa's Main Street districts in communities large and small are flourishing."

Durham noted that taxpayers are getting their money's worth.

"Main Street is an economic development model which epitomizes the strength of public-private partnerships," she said. "Since 1986, for every dollar the state of Iowa has invested in operating the state Main Street program, the private sector in those communities has invested $71.93 into building improvements and acquisitions. In 2012, estimated sales tax receipts from net new businesses in Main Street communities was approximately 48 times the budget of the state Main Street program."

At Friday's awards banquet, Cindy Van Dusseldorp received the Volunteer of the Year Award on behalf of the Colfax Main Street program. Colfax Main Street coordinator Julia Kern received a three-year service award.

Nuisance ordinance changes again coming before Newton council

Newton Independent

The Newton City Council will consider second reading of changes to its nuisance ordinance, and possibly waiving third consideration and adopting it, that make a number of changes designed to make it easier for city officials to enforce the nuisance codes.

For the past six months, city officials have both stepped up nuisance code enforcement as well as reviewed the current language in the code to eliminate some shortfalls and gaps in the ordinance.

Two big changes include making all parties involved in a property, including the property owners, renters and foreclosing banks, responsible for the condition of the property.

In addition, new code language allows the city to take a cost assessment approach to certain ordinance violations where contractors abate the nuisance - such as mowing long grass or shoveling a sidewalk - with the costs assessed on the property taxes.

French man riding across U.S. to raise funds for research into rare disease

Jo Le Bouter of France camped overnight at Rock Creek State Park on Friday as part of his solo cross-country bicycle trek to raise funds and awareness for a family member suffering from a rare disease. The 62-year-old began his trip in New York City and is headed to San Francisco to raise funds for research into Wolfram Syndrome, a rare genetic disease that faced by his niece's son that causes diabetes, blindness and deafness. Le Bouter is writing a blog about his trip across America. He snapped a few photos of Newton and ate lunch in Colfax. You can find that link here.

Law enforcement plans Memorial Day traffic enforcement wave

Newton Independent

Law enforcement officers throughout the state will be out in full force over the long Memorial Day weekend as part of its traffic enforcement mobilization.

The action is part of the 2013 National Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement initiative that runs from today through June 2.

"As we kick off the busy summer driving season, it's important that everyone buckles up every time they go out, both day or night - no excuses," said Randy Hunefield with the Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau. "Officers are prepared to ticket anyone not wearing a seatbelt - Click It or Ticket."

In 2012, Iowa had 364 traffic fatalities with 45.8 percent (167) of the victims not wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident. For those killed in crashes at night, that percentage rose by another 15.5 percent.

During the four-day March special traffic enforcement program wave, 205 Iowa law enforcement agencies and 1,828 officers reported 16,922 traffic violations, investigated 388 traffic crahses and assisted 879 motorists.

Newton Police Report

Newton Independent

• Daniel J. Jensen, 50, of Newton was charged with third degree burglary in connection with an incident reported to police at 3:51 p.m. May 9 at a residence in the 200 block of East 12th Street North. According to police, Jensen allegedly went to the front door of the East 12th Street residence where he attempted to force his way in by "acting as if he had a weapon down the front of his pants," grabbed the arm of the female at the residence, but was pushed out by the victim. He left the scene as the victim was calling police. Following an investigation by police, he was located at his residence where he was identified by the victim as the person who allegedly committed the burglary and then drove from the scene. He was also cited for driving while license suspended. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Jessica L. Burckel, 25, of Newton was charged with serious domestic assault in connection with an incident reported to police at 10:04 a.m. Thursday at a residence in the 1100 block of North Fifth Avenue East. According to police, Burckel is alleged to have attacked another 25-year-old female at the residence by striking her in the head and leaving a large scratch on her arm. Police said Burckel had been living at the residence until about three days prior to the incident. She was taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Danny G. Petro, 31, of Newton was charged with fourth degree criminal mischief, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia in connection with an incident reported at 11:52 a.m. Sunday. According to police, officers were called to Emerson Hough School where the victim showed police a broken driver-side mirror on her vehicle allegedly broken by Petro. The mirror was damaged after the victim had gone to Petro's residence to retrieve her children's bicycles. Petro is alleged to have attempted to start an altercation with the victim. After arresting Petro, he was found to be in possession of the marijuana. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Brett A. Maple, 47, of Newton was cited for disorderly conduct after police were called to a residence in the 300 block of West Ninth Street at 12:17 a.m. Saturday on a noise complaint. According to police, Maple was allegedly working on his vehicle at his residence next door to the victim, who said the noise from the work had awoken her and her children from their sleep.

Jasper County veterans feted at Freedom Flight send-off ceremony

Six World War II, 34 Korean War, 73 Vietnam War and 19 Vietnam era veterans received a warm welcome as they arrived at Newton High School this afternoon after being led by the Patriot Guard and Legion Riders in a honorary procession that winded from the Iowa Speedway to the high school as part of today's send-off ceremony. The Jasper County veterans will head out early Tuesday on their Freedom Flight to view the memorial erected in their honor in Washington, D.C. Since the program's inception, more than 550 Jasper County war-time veterans will have traveled to Washington, D.C. to view the war memorials. More photos of today's ceremony can be viewed below.

Jury begins deliberations in Lynnville man's sex abuse, burglary case

Newton Independent

A Jasper County jury began deliberations late this afternoon in the trial of a Lynnville man accused of entering a Lynnville residence and performing a sex act on a sleeping teenage girl last year.

The jury is deciding the fate of Gary Lee Eilander, 43, who is charged with second degree burglary and sexual abuse in the third degree.

Eilander is accused of entering the Lynnville residence at 4:30 a.m. on June 30, 2012 where he went to an upstairs bedroom where three females were sleeping. A 17-year-old female stated that she woke up to rustling noises and then felt a hand rubbing her back. When she turned, court documents state, the hand went down the front of her pants, touching skin.

The female was able to push the hand away and flee the room. She woke her parents where they confronted Eilander in the kitchen of the home. The parents said Eilander appeared intoxicated at that time, court records state.

The trial began Wednesday in Jasper County District Court.

Letter: Greed and politics

To the Newton Independent:

I had to sit up and take notice this morning after reading two different articles in the Newton Independent having to do with the Iowa Speedway.

On the one hand, there is an appropriations bill that has been in discussion now in the Iowa Legislature that would provide taxpayer money to develop the Iowa Speedway furhter to attract another class of NASCAR events. Been known that this was going on for a while. Sounds questionable, but no problem so far.

Then I read, after we are going to help the Iowa Speedway out, they want to have a cow about how their property is assessed. Man, talk about biting the hand that feeds you.

So, since they want their cake and eat it too, then we could reduce the assessed value of Iowa Speedway and also deny one dollar of assistance to help them develop it further. The we all would be in agreement - their property wouldn't be worth it for NASCAR to do more with them, so the value would drop and then they could enjoy the lower assessment that they want.

If they want Iowa to fork over taxpayer money to help them out, they need to shut their yap and quit trying to act like greedy little school children. They are perfectly fine with taking tax money from the citizens, but they will fight tooth and nail to keep from paying any more than THEY think is necessary.

Welcome to the world of greed and politics.

Clifford Downing
Kellogg

 

Newton Police Report

Newton Independent

• Shannon K. Wood, 42, of Newton was charged with driving while barred after police stopped his vehicle at 5:55 a.m. Thursday in the 500 block of East Fourth Street South for speeding and an equipment violation. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Nicole L. Clark, 35, of Newton was taken into custody at 7:33 p.m. Thursday at 1401 S. 7th Ave. W. on an outstanding Poweshiek County arrest warrant for vehicle theft. She was taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Eugene C Wood, 39, of Newton was charged with violation of a no contact order after police located him at 7:11 p.m. Wednesday at the residence of the protected party. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Troy A. Gram, 45, of Newton was charged with public intoxication at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday after he was located in the 100 block of East Fourth Street after having previously been warned not to leave his hotel room because of his intoxication. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Caleb J. Wilson, 22, of Newton was picked up on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear on drug charges from Jasper County after he was located in a vehicle that was stopped at 2:24 a.m. Thursday in 800 block of South Eighth Avenue East.

Registration deadline nears for free family fishing derby

Newton Independent

Registration continues for another week for area residents to participate in the Jasper Conservation Connection and the Jasper County Conservation Board's 6th annual Hook, Line & Sinker free family fishing derby set for June 8 at the Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve.

Beginning at 9 a.m., presentations will be made about fish identification, proper ways to cast a line, how to clean fish and making lures. After a provided lunch, participants will have the afternoon to go fishing and try their new skills, including competing in a casting contest.

The first 100 children to register will receive a free t-shirt.

The fishing derby is free and open to all ages. It is also the state's free fishing weekend so a fishing license is not required.

To register, visit the Jasper County Conservation web site to print off a registration form.

Forms must be returned by Friday, May 24, at the Conservation Office in the old National Guard Armory adjacent to Maytag Park to ensure participants are served a meal the day of the derby.

For more information, call 641-792-9780.

Newton man charged for manufacturing meth in Children's Forest

Newton Independent

The suspicions of the Newton Police Department's School Resource Officer after observing a man leaving the Children's Forest south of the Newton High School early last week led to the filing of numerous felony drug charges against the individual.

Shortly after 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, the School Resource Officer observed a "suspicious male," later identified as Joshua D. Stubbe, 25, of Newton, leaving the Children's Forest in the 1200 block of East Fifth Street South and get into a vehicle.

Officers then stopped Stubbe's vehicle in the 1100 block of East 12th Street South where a backpack was observed in the vehicle. Inside the backpack officers found contents that are used for the manufacturing of methamphetamine. Police said Stubbe allegedly admitted that the contents in the backpack were being used for the manufacture of the controlled substance.

Stubbe was arrested at the scence and charged with:

• manufacturing or conspiracy to manufacture more than 5 grams of meth (Class B felony)
• possession of a precursor (pseudo ephedrine) with the intent to use to manufacture a controlled substance (Class D felony)
• possession of a precursor (lithium) with intent to use to manufacture a controlled substance (Class D felony)
• possession of more than one-half ounce but less than 50 kilograms of marijuana with intent to deliver (Class D felony)
• possession of methamphetamine (serious misdemeanor)
• possession of drug paraphernalia (simple misdemeanor)

Stubbe was taken to the Jasper County Jail where he eventually was released on bail.

On Thursday, Stubbe was taken into custody after he was located in a vehicle at 3:08 a.m. in the 500 block of First Street South on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear for a hearing in connection with separate drug charges. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.

Proposed interchange alternatives of Iowa 330 in Jasper County to be discussed

Newton Independent

The Iowa Department of Transportation will hold a public information meeting to discuss the proposed interchange improvement alternatives under consideration for the Iowa 330, U.S. 65 and Jasper County Road F-17 on Tuesday, May 28.

DOT staff will be on hand between 5:30 and 7 p.m. at Baxter City Hall, 203 S. Main St., to meet with residents informally to discuss the proposed northwest Jasper County interchange alternatives. No formal presentation will be made.

Those unable to attend the meeting but want general information about the proposed interchange alternatives are asked to contact Tony Gustafson, assistant district engineer, at 515-239-1635 or by emailing him at tony.gustafson@dot.iowa.gov.

Newton council approves Iowa Speedway development amendment with eye on Sprint Cup race

Newton Independent

The Newton City Council voted unanimously tonight to approve an amendment to the development agreement that brought the Iowa Speedway to Newton nearly a decade ago to assist in its effort to move the track forward in potentially securing a NASCAR Sprint Cup race.

You can read below what the council did.

Download May 16 Special Meeting Agenda Packet

In a related matter, WHO-TV 13 spoke with Rep. Dan Kelley, D-Newton, today on his efforts to keep alive an $8 million state appropriate to assist the Iowa Speedway with its infrastructure needs related to bringing a Sprint Cup race to Newton.

The funding is currently uncertain as differences have arisen between the Iowa Senate and House versions of a broad spending bill where the allocation is located.

In addition, WHO is reporting that should the state provide the financing as earmarked in the Senate's standings appropriations bill, the area around the Newton racetrack may see additional development.

Iowa Speedway appeals its $44 million assessment

Newton Independent

The owners of the Iowa Speedway have appealed the nearly $45 million assessment placed on the Newton racetrack this year claiming the value is far in excess of fair market value.

Conrad Clement, chairman of US Motorsports, owners of the Iowa Speedway, filed an appeal with the Jasper County Board of Review last month asking that its assessment be cut by more than half.

Clement's petition claims the property is over-assessed by $24,976,310 and that its actual value is $20 million.

The Jasper County Board of Review is in session throughout the month of May. Property owners will be notified of appeal decisions when the session adjourns on May 31.

The Board of Review can only reduce the current $44.9 million assessment to the $40 million minimum assessment in effect as part of the original development agreement with the city in effect as of the first of the year.

The Newton City Council will hold a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. tonight to hold a public hearing on a measure to amend the financial incentive agreement with the Iowa Speedway that would cut in half its $40 million minimum assessed value and substitute a user fee on tickets sold at the track to make the city's bond payments, as well as make additional tax rebates to the track.

If approved by the council, the lower minimum assessment would be applied beginning Jan. 1, 2014.

Relay for Life fund-raising event Saturday

Newton Independent

The Walgreen's Relay for Life of Jasper County team will hold a fund-raising event in the Newton store's parking lot on Saturday.

The event, set to run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will feature a garage sale, bake sale and a silent auction. Mississippi Queen will have barbecue on hand.

In a new twist this year, Store for Homes is offering a $250 gift certificate to the top two individuals raising the most funds for the Relay for Life event that benefits the American Cancer Society.

This year's Relay for Life for Jasper County is set for Friday, June 7, at H.A. Lynn Stadium in Newton.

'Guitar Hero' to hit Newton Saturday

Electric guitar bluesman Craig Erickson, along with Nashville drummer Rob Haskell, will hit Newton for a one-night show Saturday as the South Skunk Blues Society's Almost Legal Nightlife series rolls on. "Guitar Hero" Erickson will throw down original and cover electric blues from 8 p.m. to midnight at the First Avenue Speakeasy on the south side of the downtown Newton square.