Newton Independent

Special Relay for Life quilt being raffled

Sara Koon, left, with Quilted Memories has created a one-of-a-kind quilt made from past Relay for Life t-shirts that will be raffled off during the annual Jasper County Relay for Life event set for June 7 at H.A. Lynn Stadium. Raffle tickets for the 38"X60" inch quilt are being sold for $5 each or five for $20. Tickets are available through Relay team members, by contacting Debby Pence at 641-521-9301 or at the Newton stadium on the night of the event. Individuals need not be present to win. All proceeds will go toward the Jasper County Relay for Life fundraising effort for the American Cancer Society.

OWLS program to host garden tour

Newton Independent

The Jasper County Conservation Board and Jasper County Elderly Nutrition will host an Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors (OWLS) program to tour the Innis family garden on Wednesday, June 12.

The public is invited to walk around outside the 1908 Sears and Roebuck home, called "Morning Glory," while viewing the more than 300 varieties of hostas and many companion plantings.

Public transportation will be provided to and from the site for $5 per person. The group will meet at the Jasper County Community Center in Newton at 9:30 a.m. to board the bus, which will return by 11:30 a.m.

Individuals interested in attending are asked to pre-register by calling Jasper County Conservation at 641-792-9780.

Wittemberg Cemetery archway installed

A new archway was hoisted into place over the entrance to Wittemberg Cemetery this week just in time for the Memorial Day observation. The new archway was crafted by Kyle Krampe of Krampe Enterprises, pictured left in bottom photo with work effort volunteer Jeremy Smith. The archway is a replica of the structure that was removed from Wittemberg Cemetery 50 years ago due to deterioriation. The effort to erect the new archway was led by Pat Beckham. Donations were received to finance the project. In the photo below, Jonathan Beckham, Kenneth Doak and Krampe lift the structure prior to placement. In the middle photo, David Beckham, Doak and Randall Rusk help put the archway in place.

Jasper County's jobless rate continues down in 2013

Newton Independent

Jasper County's jobless rate of 5.7 percent in April is two full percentage points below the level seen in the first month of the year and continues the downward trend that has occurred in the first four months of the year.

Statistics released today by Iowa Workforce Development for county-level unemployment rates show Jasper County is continuing the trend of lower number of unemployed and higher total employment figures.

In April 2012, Jasper County's unemployment rate stood at 7.4 percent.

The statistics show April's jobless rate of 5.7 percent is well below the revised 6.5 percent rate seen in March and the 7.1 percent figure seen in February.

The number of unemployed in Jasper County fell below the 1,000 person mark for the first time in years at 950. That compares to 1,090 unemployed in March , 1,180 in February and 1,280 in January.

Total employment has also risen in recent months. In February it stood at 15,350 and growing to 15,540 in March and up to 15,780 in April. In January, total employment stood at 15,380.

Iowa's unemployment rate stood at 4.7 percent in April.

Jasper County has fallen out of the ranks of the top 10 statewide in jobless rates but still ranks high. A county-by-county unemployment rate map can be found here.

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.

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.

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.

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.

CRP informational meetings set

Newton Independent

The Jasper County FSA Office, in partnership with NRCS and DNR, are planning CRP informational meetings later this month in Newton.

Officials with the agencies will present information and answer questions regarding signing up for CRP, both general and continious; developing a CRP conservation plan including seeding and cover establishment. The DNR will provide information on increasing wildlife and other environmental benefits.

The first workshop is set for 1 p.m. Thursday, May 23, at the Newton Arboretum, 3000 N. 4th Ave. E. The second meeting is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, May 30, also at the Arboretum.

The 45th general CRP sign-up runs from May 20 to June 14.

Those interested in enrolling may also contact the Jasper County FSA Office at 641-792-5019 to schedule an appointment.

Those unable to attend either workshop may also participate in a free webinar on the topic set for 10 a.m. Thursday, May 23. The webinar is being sponsored by the Women, Food, and Agriculture Network. You can register by following this link.

Jasper County Freedom Flight send-off ceremony set Sunday

Newton Independent

A send-off ceremony for the Jasper County Vietnam War veterans participating in this year's Freedom Flight to tour the memorials erected in their honor in Washington, D.C. will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Newton High School.

Prior to the ceremony, the veterans on this year's flight will be escorted in a procession starting at the Iowa Speedway and traveling down the east beltline road to First Avenue to East Fourth Street and then on to the high school.

Members of the Patriot Guard Riders and Legion Riders will lead the motorcycle escort. All area motorcyclists are invited to participate. Motorcycles will start lining up at the Iowa Speedway at noon Sunday with the procession set to start at 12:30 p.m.

Organizers of the send-off ceremony are encouraging local residents to line the parade route as the procession makes its way from the Speedway to the high school.

"Let's give these Patriots the welcome home they never received decades ago," Freedom Flight organizers said in inviting the community to participate in the event.

The ceremony at the high school is open to the public.

The Freedom Flight will travel to the nation's capitol on Tuesday, May 21. 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.

Portion of Chichaqua Valley bike trail to close for repair

Newton Independent

The section of the Chichaqua Valley Trail between Ira and Mingo will be closed for a short period of time this month to allow for the repair of the trail.

The Jasper County Conservation Board has hired a construction firm to fix the damaged, cracked areas of the bike trail between Ira and Mingo before Memorial Day. The trail will be closed for safety reasons while crews are working but the repair is expected to only take a few days.

Additional cracks will also be filled between Ira and Baxter later this spring.

The rest of the trail will remain open for use by bicyclists and hikers.

For more information, contact the Jasper County Conservation Office at 641-792-9780 or visit its web site at jaspercountyconservation.com.

Possibility of Vet Center services being offered locally moving forward

Newton Independent

Based on the initial interest shown by local veterans at a meeting last week on the possibility of bringing services provided by the Vet Center in Des Moines to Newton, a second follow-up meeting has been set for 5 p.m. Monday, May 20, in the first floor conference room at the County Annex Building in downtown Newton.

Chris Chartier with the Jasper County Veterans Affairs Office said the meeting will allow interested residents of Jasper County an opportunity to learn about the free services offered to veterans and their families, see where the services would be provide and ask any questions they might have.

For more information, contact Chartier at 641-792-7993 or the Vet Center directly at 515-284-4929.

New post office window service hours in Sully to begin June 1

Newton Independent

The U.S. Postal Service has completed its study on the services offered at the Sully Post Office and will enact new hours beginning June 1.

Beginning at the first of June, the Sully Post Office will provide six hours of retail window service each weekday, from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the window closed for lunch from 10 to 10:30 a.m.

Current Saturday window service hours of 8:30 to 10 a.m. will remain the same, the notice on the hour changes sent by Karen S. Lenane, U.S. Postal Service CSDC coordinator, indicated.

Access to delivery receptacles will not change as a result of the realignment of weekday window service hours. Customers will continue to have access to their post office boxes 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Post office box maiil will be available daily for pickup by 10 a.m., Monday through Friday and Saturday.

Relay for Life team captain meeting set

Newton Independent

A team captain's meeting for participants in this year's Jasper County Relay for Life fundraiser for the American Cancer Society will be held from 5:15 to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 16, at the Pence-Reese Funeral Home Tribute Center at 310 N. 2nd Ave. E. in Newton.

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

Mobile clinic offers low-cost spaying, neutering for outdoor cats

Newton Independent

In an effort to address the problem of pet overpopulation throughout Iowa and specifically Jasper County, a mobile clinic will come to the area later this month to provide low-cost spaying and neutering services for residents who have outside (barn or alley) or free-roaming feral cats.

The clinic, sponsored by the Jasper County Animal Rescue League and Humane Society (JCARL), is being conducted by certified staff from the Animal Protection and Education Charity (APE).

The APE clinic will be held at the JCARL facility at 5411 Liberty Avenue southeast of Newton beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 23.

During the APE clinic, fees for spaying cats are $50. Fees for neutering male cats are $40. In addition, the fee covers the cost of distemper and rabies shots, microchip ID and a 30-day treatment for parasite control.

Reservations are required and are now being taken to qualifying cats on first-come, first-served basis. To make an appointment, contact APE at 515-460-7729.

South Skunk kicks off membership, sponsor drive

The South Skunk Blues Society will kick off its sponsorship and membership drive when JJ Express plays beginning at 8 p.m. Friday at the First Avenue Speakeasy in downtown Newton. The South Skunk Blues Society has finalized the lineup for its turning legal 21st annual Bowlful of Blues set for Saturday, Aug. 31, at the Maytag Park in Newton.

Police Officer Memorial Day ceremony to honor four officers in the county killed in the line of duty

Newton Independent

The week of May 12 has been designated as National Police Week with May 15 nationally recognized as Peace Officer Memorial Day, a day set aside to honor all peace officers who have been killed in the line of duty.

The Newton Police Department will again hold its annual public ceremony to honor the two patrolmen - Bobby Barrickman and Daniel McPherren - in the department who have died in the service of their community at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 16, at Union Cemetery on the north side of the pond.

Patrolman Bobby Barrickman of the Newton Police Department was killed in an automobile accident while on patrol on Sept. 30, 1979.

Patrolman Daniel McPherren of the Newton Police Department was shot and killed on Sept. 13, 1985 when he responded with other officers to a robbery at a grocery store.

In addition to honoring the Newton officers, the memorial will also have a dedication for two other Jasper County law enforcement officers that died in the line of duty. This year will be the first year that Captain Howard Holdefer of the Jasper County Sheriff's Reserves and Officer Rusty Hewitt of the Prairie City Police Department will be honored.

Reserve Captain Howard Holdefer of the Jasper County Sheriff's Reserves died on Oct. 30, 1973 while assisting other deputies in the arrest of several individuals near Reasnor.

Officer Rusty Hewitt of the Prairie City Police Department was killed in an automobile accident during a high-speed pursuit on Dec. 3, 1977.

The public is invited to attend the ceremony and dedication.

Windmill rises again at Jasper County Museum

Volunteers with the Jasper County Historical Museum in Newton worked to raise the museum's refurbished windmill on Wednesday, the culmination of three year's work. The effort corresponds with the "Winderfull Tales" grant the museum received from Silos and Smokestacks and partial matching funds from the Jasper Community Foundation last year. An additional wooden windmill is in the Agriculture Building on exhibit as part of the "Winderfull Tales" project that will show the wind energy story in Jasper County. Volunteers carried the repaired and freshly painted windmill head to the metal windmill where it was connected. D & D Pump, Inc., of Pella prepared the metal stand of the windmill and raised the windmill into place.

Meeting cancelled

Newton Independent

The Jasper County Democratic Central Committee meeting set for Thursday has been cancelled.

The next meeting will be held on June 13.

Jasper County's taxable retail sales fall in 4Q 2012

Newton Independent

Jasper County's taxable retail sales fell about 1 percent in the final quarter of 2012 compared to the same time the78 year before, a report released by the state on Thursday indicates.

The Iowa Department of Revenue's quarterly sales tax report shows total taxable retail sales in Jasper County of $80,466,322 in the fourth quarter of 2012, down from the $81,270,342 reported in the same period in 2011, 0.98 percent decrease.

Taxable retail sales in Newton amounted to $63,406,600 in the fourth quarter of 2012, down 1.47 percent from the $64,356,903 reported in the same period the year before. Retail sales in Newton accounted for 78.79 percent of 2012 fourth-quarter total in the county, down from the 79.18 percent Newton accounted for the year before.

Among communities in the county, Baxter saw the biggest year-over-year percentage gain in retail sales in the final quarter of 2012, up 7.93 percent to $1,169,055. Sully was up 5.91 percent to $4,784,177.

The biggest gain, however, was outside of incorporated areas, up 169.97 percent to $447,780.

Reasnor was down 12.78 percent to $170,441 with Colfax and Kellogg also reporting double-digit retail sales declines for the quarter, 11.56 percent to $3,133,762 and 10.03 percent to $632,020, respectively.

Retail sales in the apparel category saw the biggest year-over-year increase, up 67.15 percent to $573,292 in taxable sales for the quarter. Home furnishings was up 25.94 percent to $1,805,875 for the quarter with specialty retail increasing 8.44 percent to $6,782,218.

Utilities and transportation was down 8.77 percent year-over-year to $19,545,348.