Newton Independent

Plan would convert Maytag campus into training, living center for veterans

By PETER HUSSMANN

The Maytag Corporate campus in downtown Newton would be converted into a transitional learning center and residential living space for as many as 800 U.S. military veterans under a proposal being put together by a Des Moines based non-profit group.

Bob Krause, representing the Veterans National Careers Corporation, said numbers are still being crunched to determine the viability of the plan to turn the former headquarters facility into what would be called the Patriots Campus, a facility that would provide veterans with the educational training and therapy healing opportunities needed to transition them back into life in the U.S.

Krause, a former state lawmaker, said the group has yet to make its pitch to acquire the facility from Windstream Corporation, but said they plan to make an offer "quite soon." Windstream is offering the former Maytag campus property for sale for $1.

Under the plan, which is expected to receive funding through the Veterans Administration and USDA rural development, veterans would be screened for acceptance into the program. Veterans would be required to attend life skill training classes, likely provided by DMACC, in such trades as welding and computers, and receive "holistic healing" therapy intended "to get them back into the economy," Krause said.

He said those veterans not following the rules of the program would be removed.

Krause said the multi-story Maytag corporate structure would be converted into dormitory style living space for the 800 veterans. Other areas of the building would be turned into classrooms. He said he envisioned that retail shops would also be part of the campus. Its current tenants, Caleris and Madhouse Brewing, would be invited to stay.

The current financial figures for the Patriots Campus indicate it would operate with a $9.5 million annual base budget. It would employ up to 70 full-time workers, Krause said.

Due to the substantial remodeling work invovled, Krause said he does not envision the Patriots Campus opening until late 2013.

Krause said the non-profit does not intend to ask for city or county financial assistance. However, since it would no longer pay property taxes, he said the program would work with the city on purchase of service agreements for such things as library, hospital and YMCA services.

The program would address a national issue in providing training and medical services for returning veterans. Nationally, some statistics show that unemployment rates for veterans are as high as 39 percent.

Krause said the effort to open the training facility is the third site the group has sought to use for the development of such a program. An effort to turn the veterans home in Knoxville into such a use was not accepted and an effort to convert a closed college campus in Nebraska was unable to be completed.

The organization is still working to determine if it can carry the costs associated with operating the campus and won't make an offer to Windstream to buy the site until they are "absolutely sure." However, Krause said he is "optimistic" it will happen.

"There's nothing like this around the country," he said.

Chamber soliciting input for Community Service Award

Newton Independent

The Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce is soliciting suggestions from its members in today's edition of the Friday Forecast on who might be the 2012 recipient of its annual Community Service Award.

The award, presented each year at the Chamber's annual banquet, is given to the person who makes Newton a better place to live for all of us through community service either civic, non-profit, church, political organization, or through their business or profession.

Recent recipients include Liz Dodd, Walt Smith, Leland Smith, Linda Klepinger and Debby Pence.

Today's Friday Forecast also lists a number of events going on in the coming week.

Sen. Grassley notifies NFD of its receipt of federal firefighters grant

Newton Independent

The Newton Fire Department was notified by Sen. Charles Grassley on Wednesday that it has received a Firefighters Assistance Grant Award from the Department of Homeland Security.

The grant, in the amount of $10,450, will go toward the purchase of a gear extractor.

A gear extractor is a large commercial washing machine designed and used specifically for the cleaning of fire department turnout gear. The machine removes contaminants that can cause the firefighter gear to deteriorate prematurely and ensures the gear will be able to be used for its maximum life expectancy.

Winter break camp for kids

Newton Independent

Jasper County Conservation iss offering an outdoor camp for children ages 10 to 14 during winter break.

The "Cabin Fever Camp" will take place Dec. 28, 29 and 30 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve.

Due to the weather conditions, the activities have changed from snowshoeing, cross country skiing and ice fishing to winter survival/shelter building, wildlife tracking and Dutch oven cooking.

There is a $5 fee per day. For more information and to pre-register visit the conservation department's web site or call 641-792-9780.

Holiday garbage, recycling collection schedule set

Newton Independent

Regular residential garbage and recycling collection in Newton will be pushed back one day each of the next two weeks, city officials said.

The Newton Sanitary Landfill will be closed and there will be no residential garbage and recycling collection on Monday, Dec. 26, and Monday, Jan. 2, 2012.

The garbage and recycling collection for Newton residences will move back one day during these two weeks. Regular Monday collection will occur on Tuesday, Tuesday on Wednesday and so on.

Fresh-fallen snow downfall of would-be burglar

Newton Independent

Wednesday morning's fresh-fallen snow proved the downfall of a would-be burglar after Newton police were able to locate him after following his foot prints from the scene of the break in.

Newton police were called to the former Meisner Center at 200 N. 8th Ave. E. at 5:25 a.m. Wednesday to assist the Newton Fire Department with a fire alarm call. Further investigation showed that there had been a break-in to the building and merchandise had been taken.

Officers were able to follow fresh footprints in the snow to a location in northeast Newton where they found and arrested Derek Loren Gladson, 24, of 715 E. 8th St. N., on charges of third degree burglary and disorderly conduct for pulling the fire alarm at the business. Police also found there were two outstanding Polk County warrants for Gladson's arrest.

Gladson was placed in the Jasper County Jail. Burglary in the third degree is a Class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison and fines ranging from $750 to $7,500.

Newton man charged in connection with BB gun window breaking spree

Newton Independent

An 18-year-old Newton man faces a felony criminal mischief charge after being arrested by Newton police in connection with a rash of windows being shot out with a BB gun late last month.

Caleb Michael Schwabe of 1018 E. 8th St. N. was arrested by Newton police on Wednesday and charged with with second degree criminal mischief in connection with the incidents reported to police on Nov. 30.

Police said that during a four-hour period that evening, they received 20 reports of motor vehicle windows being shot out at locations all over town. Total damage to the vehicles was $6,902. In addition, there were three commercial businesses reporting windows being shot out bringing the total property damage to $8,135.

Schwabe was placed in the Jasper County Jail following his arrest. Second degree criminal mischief is a Class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine ranging from $750 to $7,500.

Alliant electric rates to go up next year as 'transmission costs' rider goes into effect

Newton Independent

Alliant Energy electric customers in Newton will see their rates increase in February as a new recovery of transmission costs rider approved as part of its last rate case goes into effect.

In its decision last year, the Iowa Utilities Board agreed to allow Alliant to begin to collect from its customers the higher transmission costs it pays to ITC Midwest without the need to file a rate increase. The "automatic recovery of its transmission costs" rider was approved by the board in return for Alliant's agreement to freeze base electric rates for a three-year period.

The increase in the transmission part of a residential bill will add approximately $1 to a customer's monthly bill.

Several years ago, Alliant sold the transmission system used by its Iowa Interstate Power & Light subsidiary in Iowa to ITC Midwest. ITC has made improvements to the system and is passing those costs on to Alliant in higher transmission fees.

Iowa deer harvest down

Newton Independent

Hunters in Iowa reported taking nearly 70,000 deer during the recently completed shotgun deer season, a figure that is about 9 percent lower than what was reported in 2010 and nearly 30 percent below the reported harvest five years ago.

"The reduced kill is a result of the reduced deer population," said Dale Garner, chief of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Bureau. "Deer numbers in many areas are near the department's objective and we are now encouraging hunters to be more selective with their harvest."

Garner said the department has been hearing complaints from hunters that they are not seeing the number of deer that they had in the past and are suggesting that the herd reduction efforts may have gone too far.

"My advice to those hunters is to work with the landowner to see if the deer population is at a desirable level and adjust the local doe harvest accordingly," he said.

Though the harvest was lower, the number of licenses issued for the recently completed seasons was about the same as in 2010 and 5 percent below the number in 2006.

The DNR will review the harvest and population surveys after the seasons are complete in January and make proposals to reduce the deer kill and stabilize deer numbers. Reductions in the harverst were proposed earlier this year but not adopted.

Presidential candidates to make Newton stops

Newton Independent

Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann will campaign in Newton Friday afternoon with the stop marking the 74th community visited by the Minnesota congresswoman on her 99-county blitz across Iowa in advance of the Jan. 3 first-in-the-nation caucuses.

Bachmann will hold a meet and greet at Uncle Nancy's Coffeehouse, 114 N. 2nd Ave. E., in downtown Newton starting at 2:50 p.m., the final stop of the day for her campaign.

On Thursday, Texas Gov. Rick Perry will tour the TPI Iowa wind blade manufacturing facility in Newton, 2300 N. 33rd Ave. E., at 3 p.m. and then hold an employee townhall meeting with workers at the plant.

New trial date for Kellogg man accused of mortgage fraud

By PETER HUSSMANN

A new trial date has been set for the Kellogg man indicted by a federal grand jury earlier this year on charges of mortgage fraud.

The jury trial for Jason Kibbee, 37, was reset to April 2, 2012, Judge John A. Jarvey ordered following a telephonic hearing this morning on his attorney's motion to continue the trial.

Kibbee's attorney asked to push the previously set Jan. 3, 2012 trial date back saying that discovery in the matter was not complete and that "in order to properly prepare a defense" additional time is needed.

The indictment handed down by the federal grand jury in September alleges that Kibbee made false statements, used a disabled relative as a straw buyer and forged documents in connection with a real estate transaction that he said would help a homeowner whose house was in foreclosure.

Kibbee was charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of making a false statement to a financial institution. Each are punishable by a prison term of up to 30 years and a fine up to $1 million.

Kibbee has plead not guilty to the charges and is free on his own recognizance

NPD graduates its 16th Citizen's Police Academy

Thirteen Newton residents recently graduated from the 16th session of the Newton Police Department's Citizen's Police Academy. Pictured in the front row, left to right, are Meghan Wolett, Sue Ranard and Ron Wickman. Pictured in the back row, left to right, are Lt. Pat Richardson, Chief Jeff Hoebelheinrich, Chad Wallway, Wesley Ranard, Danny Snyder, Michael Hansen, Jason Anderson, Clayton Wright, Aaron Hornbuckle, Gabriel Rivera and Lt. Ron Cook. Academy graduates not present when the photo was taken are Ian Oliphant and Clarissa Wing.

Newton Independent

Thirteen Newton citizens are the most recent graduates of the Newton Police Department's annual Citizen's Police Academy, the 16th year of the program that dates back to 1996 and now lists a total of 241 graduates.

A graduation ceremony was held on Dec. 6 at the Rural Water Association that featured Jasper County Attorney Mike Jacobsen as guest speaker.

Newton citizens met once a week for 12 weeks and were introduced to the various aspects of police work. Training covered subject matter relating to motor vehicle codes, OWI arrests, arrest and control tactics, the law enforcement hiring process, criminal investigations, handling evidence, Jasper County law enforcement communications, emergency driving, narcotics investigations, firearms, accident investigations, jail tour and mock criminal trial.

"The goal of the Citizen's Police Academy is to promote a better relationship between the Newton Police Department and the community it serves," said Newton Chief of Police Jeff Hoebelheinrich. "It is anticipated that a clearer understanding of a police officer's duties, how the officer carries out those duties and the end result of the officer's actions will cause a better view of police work."

Graduates of the Citizen's Police Academy have the opportunity to join an alumni association that assists the Newton Police Department in various projects scheduled throughout the year. In turn, the Newton Police Department provides the alumni association with education in law enforcement and community concerns.

Skiff denies wrongful termination claim

By PETER HUSSMANN

Lawyers for Skiff Medical Center said in a federal court filing there was "no causal connection" between a former nurse's questions about staffing levels during an employee meeting at the Newton hospital earlier this year and her termination three days later.

On Tuesday, lawyers for Skiff filed its answer and affirmative defenses in the lawsuit filed by former nurse Bonnie Thomas who claims she was fired from her job in reprisal for exercising her free speech rights.

In its answer, lawyers for Skiff said no action taken by the hospital was done with "malice" or any "willful, wanton or reckless disregard" of Thomas' rights, including her Constitutional rights of free speech. Further, the filing notes, "employees have a right and responsibility to ask questions during the town hall meetings."

"Any employment action taken against (Thomas) was for legitimate non-discriminatory, non-retaliatory reasons and wholly unrelated to (her) rights" under both the federal and state constitutions, the filing states. "There is no causal connection between any protected activity allegedly engaged in by (Thomas) and (Skiff's) decision to terminate (her) employment."

Attorneys for Skiff asked that the suit be dismissed.

NCEF, Dollars for Scholars each receive $300,000 gifts from estate of Betty Lou Allen

Newton Independent

The Newton Community Educational Foundation (NCEF) and Dollars For Scholars on Tuesday each received $300,000 donations to their endowment funds from the estate of Betty Lou Allen.

The presentations were made to each organization by Community Bank Newton branch manager Russ Leix and Mike Eckhardt of Eckhardt Enterprises of State Center, co-executors of her estate.

Allen was a long-time Newton area resident working as an administrative assistant and bookkeeper at Watters Lumber from 1975 to 1988 and later for McKlveen Lumber before moving to Mesa, Ariz., in 1993. She was born in State Center before moving to Jasper County where her parents owned a farm southeast of Kellogg. She died on Nov. 23, 2009 at the age of 83.

Allen previously donated funds for the construction of the gazebo at the Newton Arboretum in memory of her parents and left an endowment fund for its maintenance. She also provided $10,000 to the YMCA for the purchase of a concession trailer for fundraising, as well as a $10,000 gift to a local charity.

Lee Swenson received the donation on behalf of Dollars for Scholars with Abby Lamont and Mandy Klein representing the Foundation.

Friedman named interim Newton city administrator

By PETER HUSSMANN

Newton Community Development Director Bryan Friedman will have interim city administrator added to his job title after the Newton City Council on Monday agreed to his temporary appointment to the top city post in advance of City Administrator Tom Wardlow's retirement on Jan. 3, 2012.

The council agreed to appoint Friedman interim city administrator until a permanent city administrator is selected by the council and begins their duties or May 1, 2012, whichever comes first. Upon completion of the agreement entered Monday, Friedman will return to his current position with the city.

For taking the additional duties, the council agreed to compensate Friedman an additional $1,900 per month to his current salary.

The agreement, however, does not allow Friedman to view the personnel files of other city department heads. Should a situation arise regarding a department head, he is to report the matter to the council member sitting as chair of the Employment Relations Committee.

The city hired HR One Source to assist in the search for a new city administrator.

Wardlow was not the only city representative to bid adieu at Monday's meeting. Attending their last session as sitting council members were Marv Morris, Jim Plumb and Jeremy Heaberlin. All thanked the residents of the community for the opportunity to serve. Newcomers Jeff Price, Noreen Otto and Craig Trotter will assume their seats on the council at the first of the year. The council's first meeting will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 4, so as not to conflict with the Iowa caucuses.

The council also heard a presentation from Doug Steinmetz on a variety of potential grant and tax credit funding sources that might be available to the city to finance improvements to the Maytag Bowl. The council took no action.

Jasper County's jobless rate continues to fall

By PETER HUSSMANN

Jasper County's unemployment rate fell to its lowest point of the year in November at 6.9 percent, down 2.4 percenatage points from its high point in January and a full percentage point below the level recorded in November 2010, though it remains significantly above the statewide rate.

Iowa Workforce Development today issued its unemployment data for the state that showed the number of jobless Iowans falling to 5.7 percent in November from its 6.0 percent rate in October, the first time the rate has been below 6.0 percent since September 2009. A year ago, the state's unemployment rate was 6.2 percent. The national rate in November also reflected a drop, falling to 8.6 percent from 9.0 percent in October.

Workforce Development officials said Iowa's employment picture is now on "firmer ground," though others disagreed with the state's conclusions.

"The Iowa economy appears to be on firmer ground than it was during the third quarter," said Teresa Wahlert, director of Iowa Workforce Development. "The large drop in the November unemployment rate, along with an increase in total employment and further expansion in manufacturing, seems to confirm that the recovery has stepped up a notch."

The total estimate of unemployed Iowans fell to 95,000 in November, down from 98,700 in October, marking the second consecutive month that unemployment was below 100,000 across the state. A year ago the total unemployed stood at an estimated 103,100 people.

Total nonfarm employment declined slightly to 1,485,000 in November from the previous month's 1,486,100, but was 10,400 higher than the level in November 2010.

Manufacturing continued to show growth in November, adding 1,100 jobs. Financial activities was up 600 with trade and transportation increasing by a similar amount. Leisure and hospitality, however, shed 1,900 jobs in November. Profesional and business services was down 1,300.

Analysts at the nonpartisan Iowa Policy Project today said the decline in the Iowa unemployment rate should be tempered by the underlying figures that show fewer people working or looking for work.

"We should not be distracted by the lower unemployment rate," IPP said in a news release following the release of the state data. "It's not enough to suggest, as IWD is suggesting, that 'the Iowa economy is on firmer ground thatn it was during the third quarter.'"

IPP said Iowa leaders need to recognize that Iowa's job performance is sluggish, only increasing jobs at a pace of 1,400 a month so far this year, not enough to reverse the loss of 43,000 jobs seen since mid-2008.

The non-partisian policy group noted that Iowa's biggest hole in the job market is public-sector jobs, down 3,700 over the past 12 months. A bright spot, however, is in manufacturing, up 7,900 over the last year.

"There might be reason for a sigh of relief that, in general, things do not look worse as the economy continues to struggle," the IPP said. "But there is much work to do in getting Iowa's job market on sound footing.

In Jasper County, the number of unemployed people was reported at 1,190 in November, down from 1,210 in October. The November jobless numbers in Jasper County is at its lowest point of the year, down 430 from its high point in January.

Resident employment in November in Jasper County dropped to 16,030, down 130 from levels in October. The high point for resident employment occurred in June at 16,260.

Though Jasper County's unemployment rate continued on its downward pace in November, only three counties in Iowa reported higher rates - Hamilton (8.9), Lee (8.2) and Henry (7.0). Three other counties also reported 6.9 percent unemployment rates - Webster, Des Moines and Wapello. A statewide map of county unemployment rates can be found here.

Newton City Council upholds dog's designation as viscious animal

By PETER HUSSMANN

The Newton City Council on Monday upheld the city administrator's ruling that a Newton family's dog is viscious, a decision arrived at following the dog's attack on an elderly neighbor that left her with bite wounds to her hands, arms, face and head.

Council members were called to act as jurors in the matter after Rich and Holly Cannon, owners of Jack, the collie mix that left Ruth Sharp with nearly three dozen bite wounds that required stitches and staples to close, appealed the city administrator's decision to designate the dog as viscious as defined by city code.

Sharp, who is a neighbor of the Cannons and walked the dog several times a week, testified that at about noon on Nov. 1, she was walking the dog in their northeast Newton neighborhood when Jack picked up a lollipop that it found discarded on the ground and which subsequently became stuck in its throat and mouth.

"I attempted to get it out of its mouth when it turned on me and bit me and knocked me to the ground," Sharp told Gil Caldwell, who was acting as counsel for the city at the appeal hearing.

Ruth said the 30 to 40-pound animal bit her several places before she was able to get back to her feet where she pulled the dog chain tight around the animal's neck and walked Jack back to the Cannon residence where she put the dog in the house.

Due to her bleeding from the attack, she called a friend who took her to the emergency room at Skiff Medical Center for treatment of her injuries.

Caldwell introduced six exhibits showing the extent of Sharp's injuries, which required 14 staples in her scalp to close, as well as 18 other places. She testified that the emergency room doctor told her she was lucky that one bite wound to her neck did not hit her jugular vein.

Sharp said she has had nearly a half dozen return visits to the doctor following the Nov. 1 incident, stating that she may need plastic surgery for the scarring that resulted from the attack. She said she pays her own medical expenses.

On cross examination, Sharp admitted that the Cannons had expressed deep concern over the incident and had offered to pay for all medical expenses. She indicated that regardless of the situation, she hoped to remain friends with family.

Newton Police Officer David Watson testified that he investigated the incident. He described Sharp's injuries as "pretty substantial" and called the local Animal Rescue League to get involved. He said the Cannons never denied ownership of the dog or the events surrounding the incident.

City Administrator Tom Wardlow, who is responsible under City Code to make viscious dog determinations, said he reviewed the situation with Chief of Police Jeff Hoebelheinrich and issued his order on Nov. 21.

The Cannons presented statements from family and friends about the good nature and lack of aggression of the dog. Further, they noted Jack's attendance at obedience school where they "invested money to make him a respected member of the animal community."

The Cannons contended that their dog's attack on Sharp was "not unprovoked." They argued that when the woman attempted to use her hand to remove the sucker from the animal's mouth "she made a mistake."

"Jack was provoked," Holly Cannon said. "I ask that you restore Jack's good name and remove his viscious label."

However, testimony also found that this was not the first time the animal had bitten an individual. Garrick Cannon, the couple's son, while testifying about the good merits of the animal and how its love of walks helped him improve his health, said that he once "interrupted" the dog's "nap time" that resulted in the dog biting him on the ear, a wound that required stitches to close.

The incident, he said, was his own fault.

"I interrupted his nap time, not mine," he said. "I woke him up from a deep sleep and provoked him."

Rich Cannon, though acknowledging it was a "terrible" situation, said the incident "could have been prevented" had Sharp "followed a few safety rules."

He said Sharp should have known that a dog will protect its food and that when the animal was choking on the sucker that she should not have opened the dog's mouth in attempt to dislodge the item. He suggested Sharp's actions amounted to "contributory negligence" and that some of the injuries may not have been due to the dog but rather her falling to the ground.

"Ruth provoked Jack into action," he said. "She assumed a risk by prying open his mouth. That's contributory negligence."

City Code, however, does not provide for a "dog defense" of its actions. The council quickly agreed that the dog met the definitions of a viscious animal under the city code. It defines such an dog as one that:

• has a known propensity, tendancy or disposition to attack unprovoked, as evidenced by a single previous incident of unprovoked chasing, snapping or barking at human beings or domestic animals so as to potentially cause injury or otherwise endanger their safety, coupled with a second incident occurring at any time thereafter.

Due to the council's decision to uphold the designation of the dog as a viscious animal, the Cannons will now be required to keep their dog confined in their home or completely enclosed in a locked enclosed fence, pen or other structure having a height of at least six feet with secure sides imbedded in the ground. If the fence or pen is less than six feet in height, it must have a secure top.

In addition, when the dog is outside its confinement, it must at all times be muzzled.

Overhead traffic signs along First Avenue to be removed

Newton Independent

The Iowa Department of Transportation is requesting that the City of Newton remove mid-block poles and arm masts that extend over First Avenue between East Fourth Street and East 12th Street.

Public Works Director Keith Laube said the mid-block poles and arm masts currently have center lane and right turn lane traffic movement signs. The center lane signs will be relocated to posts behind the curb, he said, while the right turn lane movement signs are not needed.

Laube said the work will be done during the next several weeks, weather permitting.

New officer joins Newton Police Department

Newton Independent

A Newton native began her first day on the job on Monday as the newest member of the Newton Police Department.

Julie Beukema, who holds a bachelor's degree in criminology from the University of Northern Iowa, is scheduled to attend the 13-week Iowa Law Enforcement Academy training program beginning Jan. 9, 2012. She will start her 12-week Field Training program with the Newton Police Department prior to the start of the academy classes and then finish the training program following her graduation from the Law Enforcement Academy.

"The Newton Police Department looks forward to having Julie join the department and feels she has many skills and qualifications that will make her a fine law enforcement officer in Newton," said City Administrator Tom Wardlow in announcing the new police officer to members of the Newton City Council.

Railroad files suit over train striking car left stranded on the tracks

Newton Independent

Iowa Interstate Railroad has filed suit against the driver and owner of a vehicle that became stranded on railroad tracks in a rural area of the county earlier this year that was subsequently struck by a train causing thousands of dollars in damages.

The Cedar Rapids-based railroad filed suit against Rachel Lynn Krause of Des Moines, who was allegedly driving the vehicle that became stuck on the tracks, and Scott Allen Wilty of Colfax, owner of the 2002 Chevy Impala that was hit by the train.

According to the suit filed last week in Jasper County District Court, Krause was traveling south in the 3000 block of West 124th St on April 3 when the vehicle she was driving with the permission of Wilty "entered the public railroad crossing and missed the crossing by three to four feet.

"Krause rested the vehicle on both rails of Iowa Interstate railroad track three to four feet east of the crossing at issue and Krause was unable to remove the vehicle under its own power from the railroad tracks," the petition states.

A short time later, at approximately 12:22 a.m., an eastbound Interstate Railroad train was traveling down the tracks and could not stop and collided with the vehicle. The suit alleges Krause fled the scene and did not return.

Iowa Interstate is seeking judgment of $9,807.28 for the property damages it incurred as a result of the train's collision with the car.