Newton Independent

Name of man who died in Colfax Sale Barn accident released

Rodger Vonk, 53, of Newton died today after falling through the roof this morning at the Colfax Sale Barn.

Colfax Chief of Police Andy Summy late this afternoon released Vonk's identity following completion of the notification of next of kin.

Summy said Vonk stepped through a fiberglass panel - designed to let natural light into the building - while working on the roof of the building shortly before 9 a.m. this morning. The panel collapsed and Vonk fell approximately 20 feet onto the cement floor of the building.

He was transported by Colfax ground ambulance to Skiff Medical Center in Newton where he was later pronounced dead.

Vonk was a lifelong Newton resident, having graduated from Newton Senior High School in 1976.

Newton man dies after falling through Colfax Sale Barn roof

Newton Independent

Colfax police have released additional details concerning the death of a Newton man at the Colfax Sale Barn today, though they are still not yet releasing his identification until assurances that all next of kin have been notified.

Colfax Chief of Police Andy Summy said the Newton man was working on the roof of the Colfax Sale Barn when he stepped on a fiberglass panel that lets natural light into the building. The panel collapsed and the man fell approximately 20 feet to the cement floor of the building. The accident occurred at approximately 8:50 a.m. this morning.

Summy said the Newton man was transported by Colfax ground ambulance to Skiff Medical Center in Newton where he was later pronounced dead.

Additional details will be released as they are made available.

Newton man dies in fall at Colfax

Newton Independent

Law enforcement officials are waiting for next of kin to be contacted before releasing the name of a Newton man who died following a fall from the roof of the Colfax Sale Barn today.

Jasper County law enforcement officials confirmed the fatality at the site today. The investigation is being handled by the Colfax Police Department, which has yet to return a call from the Newton Independent seeking information.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Work on Maytag Bowl site could begin yet this fall

By PETER HUSSMANN

The Newton City Council on Monday will discuss the possibility of using city crews and equipment to perform the site work around the Maytag Bowl yet this year.

Last April, council members took a line-item veto approach to the details included in RDG Planning and Design's concept on how to make repairs and improvements to the Maytag Bowl and surrounding area and whittled the estimated cost from $514,000 to $309,000. Such items as a paved driveway behind the bowl, a rear loading dock and a handicap parking area were all gutted by the council.

In a memo to the council, Parks/Public Works Director Keith Laube suggests that the repair and maintenance work that is away from the bowl itself - such as placing a gravel drive, installing a wider gate at its current location, installing drain pipe and repairing the wood on the bench seating -could be done in-house.

In addition, the estimated cost of the work, $77,583, could be done at far less cost through the use of city labor and equipment, Laube said. He estimated the cost at approximately $23,000 ( $16,000 of materials and $7,000 of labor).

"City crews in the street and park divisions could perform most the phase 1 work this fall," Laube told the council in his memo. "Depending upon weather, seeding of grass may need to be performed in the spring. If conditions are not favorable for grass seeding prior to graduation, sod could be placed in the disturbed area in front of the stage. I recommend that the seating be repaired in the spring so the new wood does not have to endure the coming winter season."

In regard to the work on the bowl structure itself, estimated to cost approximately $230,000, Laube is suggesting the council formally accept the concept plan it directed staff to follow last April, look at the possibility of accessing grant money and start a community fund-raising effort. Grants, he noted, cannot be used for work already completed.

"Phase 2 items include work on the structure that should be performed at one time and under one general contractor due to the sequence of work required between trades," Laube told the council. "Also, performing parts of phase 2 work now may decrease the opportunities of obtaining grant money later."

Laube also investigated a suggestion to place concrete pads in front of the bowl for the placement of portable ramps that could be used during the high school graduation ceremony. He said State Historical Preservation Office officials were not in favor of the pads unless it could be done in a way not to distract from the historical look of the bowl. Laube said it would be difficult "to hide the concrete pads and still preserve the historical appearance of the bowl," so they have not been included in the concept plan.

Fritz new chief executive at Iowa Speedway

Newton Independent

Doug Fritz, who for 12 years was track president at Richmond International Raceway before stepping down in July, was named today at the new chief executive of Iowa Speedway in Newton.

Iowa Speedway officials are making the announcement now live on the Iowa Speedway's web site.

"Iowa Speedway is one of the fastest-growing entertainment and motorsports venues in the country, and I'm thrilled to be joining their team," Fritz said. "I'm really looking forward to working closely with the loyal race fans and supporters of Iowa Speedway, as well as the staff. Together, we will continue to elevate Iowa Speedway into a premier motorsports destination. The fans will always be our number one priority and we will continue to enhance their experience.

Fritz replaces Jerry Jauron, who resigned earlier this month to take a position with an Urbandale motorsports business.

Newton council set to hire administrative search firm

By PETER HUSSMANN

The Newton City Council on Monday is expected to approve an $11,000 contract with a Johnston executive search firm to assist council members in selecting a new city administrator.

Earlier this week, the council interviewed HR One Source of Johnston, as well as an Illinois-based firm, the two finalists among those showing interest in the hiring assistance effort. Following the interviews, council members reached a consensus to offer the project to the Iowa firm.

Under the terms of the contract, HR One Source estimates that it will take between 75 and 105 days to fill the position. The firm plans to interview city employees, elected officials and leaders in the community to gain input on the qualifications sought in a new administrator.

Based on that input, HR One Source will develop a position profile that includes not only a comprehensive job description, but an overview of the community, opportunities and challenges facing the new administrator and the selection criteria to be used.

The search firm then plans to advertise for the position in professional publications and use its personal contacts to find interest in the position. The firm will screen the applications received, conduct background checks, narrow the field to the top three to five candidates and assist with council interviews of the applicants.

In addition to the $11,000 flat fee, additional expenses to be paid by the city include mileage, postage, long distance phone calls, advertising, background checks and the cost of bringing applicants to Newton for final interviews.

HR One Source guarantees their performance by stating that should the selected candidate be terminated for non-performance of duties within the first nine months of appointment, the firm will refill the position for the cost of expenses only.

Preparation for new carton manufacturing operation leads building activity in Newton in August

By PETER HUSSMANN

Remodeling work at a former Maytag warehouse by a Minnesota-based folding carton manufacturer set to soon begin operations there drove the value of building permits in Newton to its second highest level of the year in August.

Walter G. Anderson, which purchased the former Maytag warehouse in the 1200 block of North 15th Avenue East from the California company that bought all of Maytag's former production facilities following their closure by Whirlpool, was issued a building permit valued at $1,450,000 to make renovations to the building in preparation of the folding carton plant's opening later this fall.

The company plans to make a total investment in the facility of $14.6 million. State incentives require the company to hire 60 employees within three years. At startup, the folding carton plant will comprise two shifts and will center on three major pieces of equipment, a press, die cutter and a folder gluer. Initial staffing of the shifts will comprise approximately four production assistants per shift. Production assistant job application information can be found here.

Though the value of Walter G. Anderson's building activity pushed August's value to more than $1.7 million, about half the top level of $3.55 million in June led by the remodeling project at Suncrest Village, there was little other building permit activity in Newton for the month.

Four residential remodeling permits were issued in August at a value of $92,500, one garage permit valued at $2,500 and another, although unidentified, non-residential remodeling project valued at $162,000.

The city has recorded no new residential dwellings this year and only one new non-residential structure, the Noble Ford project.

Total building permit value year-to-date stands at $7.18 million through 45 permits. Non-residential remodeling accounts for the majority of that value at $5.99 million through eight permits.

 

 

Newton city parks hit by oak tree diseases; bids from logging companies sought

Newton Independent

The City of Newton is looking for logging companies to bid on a project to remove 87 dead or dying oak trees in two city parks that have been hit by oak wilt and bur oak blight disease.

In a memo issued earlier this week, Parks/Public Works Director Keith Laube said the city is working with state foresters to prepare bid document to be sent to logging companies that would harvest the 55 trees identified in Woodland Park and the 32 trees identified in Maytag Park for lumber.

Laube said oak wilt and bur oak blight have killed many oak trees across Iowa during recent years. Oak wilt is a fungus that spreads from tree-to-tree through the connection of tree roots and also by insects. Though there is a fungicide that can be used to potentially save trees hit by oak wilt, the remedial cost is quite expensive, he said.

There currently are no treatments for or measures to take to prevent bur oak blight, Laube said.

Trees hit by the diseases have been identified in the parks with a paint mark by state forestry officials.

"Although 87 trees may appear to be a lot of trees," Laube said, "it is estimated that there are more than 1,000 trees in these two parks. Woodland Park and Maytag Park are two beautiful city parks with an abundance of shade provided by mature trees. Currently, the dead trees are distracting from the beauty of these two parks. The dead trees need to be removed for safety reasons and to provide room for new trees to be planted."

Should a logging company bid on the project, city costs and time will be reduced significantly, Laube said. The logging company would take the timber suitable for lumber with the city cleaning up the tops and smaller branches, removing the stumps and planting new trees.

Newton Y plans Party in Pink Zumbathon Oct. 7

Newton Independent

While the fight against breast cancer is serious business, local Zumba instructors and the Newton YMCA are teaming up to have fun and raise funds for the Susan G. Koman for the Cure organization.

In honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Newton YMCA Zumba instructor Natalie Wells and Y staff are hosting a Party in Pink Zumbathon on Friday, Oct. 7. The event, which will run from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the YMCA gym, will be an evening of Zumba dancing, prize drawings and fun in effort to raise money to research, fight and cure breast cancer.

Party in Pink Zumbathons will take place nationally throughout the month of October. All proceeds from the events, including the one in Newton, will go to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization.

Tickets are $10 or two for $15. Prize drawings will take place throughout the evening, along with a balloon release honoring those who have been impacted by the disease.

Those participating in the Zumbathon are encouraged, but not required, to wear pink in a show of support in the effort to fight breast cancer.

For more information call the YMCA at 641-792-4006. Tickets may be purchased at the Newton YMCA, 1701 S. 8th Ave. E.

NPD announces fourth 'Travelin' Traffic Ace' drawing winner

 
Newton Police Lieutenant Gary Dodds presents Lisa Jones of Newton with her certificate as the Newton Police Department's "Travelin Traffic Ace XV" drawing winner from the fourth traffic safety mug distribution. Jones was observed using safe driving skills and presented a travel mug that may be used for free refillable fountain soda at participating businesses. As the winner of the drawing from those presented mugs for safe driving, Jones receives a package of prizes from Cardinal Lanes, Valle Drive-In, Giovanni's, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Taco John's, Subway, Quizno's and Culver's. The "Travelin Traffic Ace XV campaign runs from July through September.

- Newton Independent

Jasper County residents urged to participate in 'Start Somewhere Walks'

Newton Independent

Jasper County residents are being encouraged to participate in one of nearly a dozen "Start Somewhere Walks" scheduled throughout the county as part of an initiative to make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation within the next five years.

At noon on Friday, Oct. 7, residents are encouraged to participate in one of the organized 1 kilometer (0.62 mile) walks scheduled throughout the county. Currently, walks are being organized by local schools, businesses and civic groups. A complete list of organized walks in Jasper County can be found here.

The Healthiest State Initiative is a community and business-led, government endorsed plan to rank Iowa first in terms of wellness as measured by the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. Iowa's 2010 overall index rank is 19th compared to all other states.

"The success of this initiative is critical to the economic vitality of the state and translates to a healthier Iowa and better quality of life for all its residents," Gov. Terry Branstad said in announcing the initiative in August.

Newton Water Board to meet

Newton Independent

The Newton Water Board will hold its monthly meeting at 11 a.m. Friday in the council chambers at Newton City Hall where board members will get an update on capital projects, approve the Jasper County Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, discuss a leak survey and be provided information on the Ames water and sewer rate survey.

Bachmann to stop in Newton Tuesday

Newton Independent

Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann is will be in Iowa next week - with a stop set Tuesday in Newton - on what she's calling her "Don't Settle" tour.

Bachmann will push her message that voters "don't have to settle on a candidate who doesn't reflect their values" while affirming at stops Monday in Council Bluffs and Tuesday in Des Moines, Newton and Grinnell that she "is the only candidate in the race who is primed to enter the White House."

The presidential aspirant will hold a meet-and-greet at Uncle Nancy's Coffeehouse on the north side of the downtown Newton square at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

At 5:30 p.m. she will attend a Family Leader fundraiser at Carroll's Pumpkin Farm, 244 400th Avenue, near Grinnell. Danny Carroll, owner of the pumpkin farm and former Iowa lawmaker, is the former head of the Family Leader conservative organization and has endorsed Bachmann for president.

Newton named a 2011 All-Star Community

 
The Iowa League of Cities recognized the City of Newton as a 2011 All-Star Community at its annual conference held last week in Des Moines. On hand to accept the award representing the City of Newton are, left to right, City Administrator Tom Wardlow; City Attorney Darrin Hamilton; Candice Van Zee, director of administrative services; Newton Chief of Police Jeff Hoebelheinrich; Steve Mullan, fourth ward city councilman; Mike Hansen, second ward city councilman; Newton Community Development Director Bryan Friedman; and Marvin Morris, third ward city councilman.

Newton Independent

The City of Newton was recognized as one of five Iowa All-Star Communities for its efforts in assisting in the Maytag headquarters' campus re-creation project following the corporation's closure of the facility several years ago.

The award was bestowed upon the city during the Iowa League of Cities' annual conference and exhibit held last week in Des Moines.

The All-Star Community Award, one of the most prestigious honors given by the League to cities, are judged by a panel of former city officials and others familiar with municipal government. Judges determine winners based on innovative efforts in areas such as urban renewal, development, preservation, service sharing or quality of life improvements.

In announcing the City of Newton's receipt of the award today, the League of Cities noted that "when Maytag announced it would be pulling its corporate and manufacturing operations out of Newton, a team of community leaders met, that very same day, to set about trying to ensure that the physical Maytag spaces would be reused and would remain assets to the community."

"The loss of thousands of jobs was a hard hit for the community and the group knew that having the physical spaces become debilitated and deteriorate would only compound the blow," the release states.

The city initially worked with Iowa Telecom to move into the former Maytag headquarters building. Upon the company's purchase by Windstream last year, however, League of Cities officials acknowldege that "that not all the jobs are recovered and not all the physical space is full," but "the outlook is far better than it was that grim day when the group first met."

Des Moines Area Community College has now opened a Career Academy used by area high school students in part of the space, with Madhouse Brewing Company, which announced today its newest brew called  "Swashbuckler Ale" that will only be available at Des Moines Buccaneers' home hockey games (with the season opening Saturday) and in-bound call center Caleris occupying another portion of the former Maytag facility. The site has also become home in recent years to the annual Newton-based Iowa Sculpture Festival, with grounds surrounding the area hosting a weekly local farmers' market.

"Although Newton has received national attention for the adverse affects of industrial abandonment, it has also received national recognition for its recovery," the news release from the League announcing the local award states. " The city has tackled not only the Maytag campus re-invention, but also the Iowa Speedway and two wind industries factories, and is setting an optimistic course for the future."

Other Iowa All-Star Community Award winners include Grinnell, Auburn, Dubuque and Arnolds Park/Okoboji.

HR One Source Newton council's choice to conduct administrator search

Newton Independent

The Newton City Council today interviewed the two search firm finalists in its efforts to select a new city administrator agreeing to hire a Johnston firm whose president has had past human resources involvement with Jasper County government.

Newton City Administrator Tom Wardlow, who is set to retire early next year, said that a resolution will appear on Monday's council agenda to select HR One Source to conduct the search for the next city administrator. Jack Lipovac, president of One Source, provided a presentation to the council today.

Additional details about the contract with the search firm are expected to be included in the resolution that will come before the council on Monday.

Windstream, Mediacom subpoenaed over release of IP addresses

By PETER HUSSMANN

Two Internet service providers with broad customer bases in Iowa have been subpoenaed by a California-based company to turn over the identities of individuals alleged to have infringed upon music copyright laws, information the companies have so far yet to provide.

Windstream Corporation and Mediacom have been issued subpoenas in federal court in Chicago by Santa Monica-based Rightscorp, Inc., demanding the companies turn over the name, address, telephone number and e-mail address "sufficient to identify the alleged infringers of copyrighted sound recordings, identified by IP addresses" on more than 2,700 pages of exhibits.

Rightscorp is taking a new tack in efforts to crackdown on illicit music downloads. Instead of seeking massive judgments against a minimum number of individuals to deter such action, the company is offering to settle the alleged infringements of behalf of the copyright holder for just $10. The company is generating huge numbers of alleged instances of copyright infringement through automated trolling processes and then asking Internet Service Providers to forward the notices of unauthorized use along.

While Rightscorp. claims that most Internet Service Providers are complying with their requests to forward the notices of infringement along, Windstream and Mediacom have so far balked.

Windstream was issued a subpoena in early June with the court docket indicating no movement since the service. Mediacom was served a subpoena earlier this month. The exhibit attached to the Windstream subpoena seeking the identification of specific IP address holders is 608 pages long, with Mediacom's extending to 2,093 pages. Each notice of alleged infringement takes up about two pages.

Following is an example of a notice the companies are being asked to forward to their customers:

"Re: Unauthorized Use of Copyrights owned Exclusively by Tomato Records LLC

Dear Sir or Madam:

Your ISP has forwarded you this notice.
This is not spam.
Your ISP account has been used to download, upload or offer for upload copyrighted content in a manner that infringes on the rights of the copyright owner.
Your ISP service could be suspended if this matter is not resolved.
You could be liable for up to $150,000 per infringement in civil penalties.

The file 01 Boom Boom.m4a was infringed upon by a computer at IP Address 98.19.159.29 on 2011-03-22  02:12:09.

We represent the copyright owner.
This notice is an offer of settlement.
If you click on the link below and login to the Rightscorp, Inc. automated settlement system, for $10.00 per infringement, you will receive a legal release from the copyright owner."

The notice goes on to state that Rightscorp is the exclusive owner of copyrights for the specific musical compositions. The recipient of the notice is ordered to "cease and desist the unauthorized copying" of the material with assurances that the copyright holder is ready to pursue "every remedy available" to ensure compliance.

However, it appears Rightscorp really has no intention of entering into litigation. While the copyright holder is "entitled to monetary damages," the holder "believes that it may be expeditious to settle this matter without the need of costly and time-consuming litigation."

"In order to help you avoid further legal action ..., we have been authorized to offer a settlement solution that we believe is reasonable for everyone," the $10 settlement offer from Rightscorp concludes.

Windstream and Mediacom officials have yet to formally respond to requests seeking comment.

 

Former Whirlpool subsidiary executive indicted in price-fixing conspiracy

Newton Independent

A federal grand jury in Detroit on Tuesday returned an indictment against the former president and CEO of a Whirlpool Corporation subsidiary for his role in an international conspiracy to fix the prices of refrigerant compressors used in refrigerators and freezers in homes and businesses, the Department of Justice announced.

The indictment was returned against Ernesto Heinzelmann, former president and CEO of Embraco North America, Inc., a division of Whirlpool, along with two other former executives from Panasonic Corporation and the Brasil company Tecumseh.

The three executives are all accused of conspiring to suppress and eliminate competition by coordinating prices increases for refrigerant compressors to customers in the U.S. and elsewhere dating from October 2004 to December 2007.

The former company executives are the first charged in the ongoing investigation into the worldwide refrigerant compressor market. The compressors take low-pressure refrigerant, compress it and then pump out a high-pressure vapor, which condenses and then cools refrigerators and freezers.

"Cracking down on international price fixing cartels has been and will continue to be among the most significant priorities for the Antitrust Division," said Sharis A. Pozen, acting assistant attorney general in charge of the Department of Justice's Antitrust Division. "Our investigation into the refrigerant compressors industry has already resulted in two companies - Panasonic and Embraco North America - pleading guilty and paying a total of $140.9 million in criminal fines."

The Whirlpool subsidiary Embraco plead guilty and was sentenced to pay a $91.8 million criminal fine. Panasonic paid a $49.1 million criminal fine.

The executives are charged with price fixing in violation of the Sherman Act, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine for the individuals. The maximum fine my be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by the victims of the crime, if either of those amounts is greater than the statutory maximum fine.

Whirlpool operates a refrigerator manufacturing operation in Amana, Iowa, that was previously owned by Maytag.

 

NCVB releases 3Q newsletter

Newton Independent

The Newton Convention & Visitors Bureau today released its third quarter newsletter that features both the tourism accoumplishments of the past three months and a number of upcoming events, including the Miss USA & Miss Teen USA national pageant competition set for Oct. 15-16 at the Newton High School auditorium.

You can read the newsletter by opening the link below:

Download 3rd Qtr Newsletter

Dickerson Mechanical to host open house; Colfax Main Street annual meeting

 
Newton Independent

Dickerson Mechanical in Colfax and the Colfax Main Street program are joining forces this Saturday to hold an open house to celebrate the completion of Dickerson's new building and the Colfax Main Street Annual meeting.

Dickerson Mechanical will hold an open house at its new site at 129 North West Street beginning at 1 p.m. They will serve a complimentary meal for family and friends.

At 6 p.m., Colfax Main Street will hold its annual meeting at Dickerson Mechanical's new building where volunteers and investors will be recognized and the program's accomplishments for the year will be recognized.

The adult-focused evening will also feature a "Dinner with Grandma" auction where local grandmas will be auctioned to host a dinner in their home to benefit Colfax Main Street.

The evening will also feature the live music of the Craig Swalwell Band, a cash bar hosted by Colfax Main Street and a complimentary dinner hosted by Dickerson Mechanical.

Those planning to attend the annual meeting are asked to RSVP to Colfax Main Street at 515-674-9071 or at colfaxmainstreet@gmail.com

 

Tickets available to premier of 'Courageous'

Newton Independent

A limited number of reduced-price theater tickets are available for the movie "Courageous," which opens both nationally and at the Capital Theater in downtown Newton on Friday.

The movie, which tells the story of four police officers who challenge one another to be better fathers, is opening locally due to efforts by Community Heights Alliance Church in Newton by arranging for the purchase of 1,000 tickets.

A few of the tickets remain for sale for $5 each at the church, the Newton YMCA, Medicine Shoppe pharmacy and Choices Christian Bookstore. Tickets are available at the theater at full price.

Community Heights pastor Corey Stout noted the recent United Way community survey that identified support and education for positive parenting skills as one of the top needs in the county in the church's decision to help bring the film to Newton.

"It looks like God is up to something here," he said. "Let's pray it will be big."