Newton Independent Expanded media coverage will surround the court proceedings of the Prairie City woman charged in connection with the dog mauling death of a toddler in her care after the judge assigned to the case granted the request on Friday. District Court Judge Richard Clogg granted the expanded media coverage request filed on behald of Des Moines media outlets by Amanda Lewis, Region 8 Media Coordinator, who works at KCCI-TV in Des Moines. The order allows for no more than two still cameras, two television cameras and two tape recorders in the felony criminal proceedings brought against Jena Wright, 24, after 4-year-old Jordyn Arndt died from injuries sustained in the dog attack at Wright's Prairie City home on April 22. Wright was babysitting Arndt when she is alleged to have left the girl unattended with the Wright family's American Staffordshire which attacked the girl causing severe and life-ending injuries. The Prairie City woman was charged with child endangerment resulting in death and neglect of a dependent person, both felonies, as well as misdemeanor assault on a law enforcement official and interference with official acts for allegedly resisting arrest by Prairie City Police. Wright, who has been released on $50,000... Continue reading

Newton Independent A new trial date has been set for the Newton woman charged with felony child endangerment in connection with injuries a 10-month-old boy incurred while under her babysitting care in April following a court proceeding today. Sara Stepanek, 52, will now stand trial on the charge on Sept. 18 in Jasper County District Court after Judge John Lloyd granted her attorney's motion for a continuance. The trial had been set for July 17. In the motion to continue filed last week, Stepanek's attorney said he would not be available for today's pretrial conference in the case due to his appearance this morning before the Iowa Court of Appeals for oral arguments. He also noted that due to the number of witnesses and the additional witnesses that were recently added to the minutes of testimony, the voluminous amount of medical records and multiple recorded interviews of witnesses, he needed additional time to prepare. Newton police charged Stepanek in April following an incident in March where officials with the Iowa Department of Human Services were called to a case of suspected child abuse. Stepanek is alleged to have acted "in a manner that creates substantial risk to the child's well-being."... Continue reading

Newton Independent The Des Moines attorneys representing New Care Clinics in the breach of employment contract lawsuit filed by an Indiana doctor in Jasper County District Court late last month filed a notice of removal of the case to the federal court's jurisdiction. Court documents filed last week by attorneys in the Belin McCormick law firm note that New Care is a defendant in the lawsuit filed by doctor Mark Jones, as well is the Skiff Medical Center Foundation, claiming the two entities breached the physician recruitment and physician employment agreements entered into late last year by terminating them without proper notice. Jones claims he entered into the agreements with both entities on Nov. 5, 2012 that called for his employment to commence for a period of two years on Jan. 2, 2013. The agreements, the suit alleges, contained language that the required 30-day written notice of termination and that termination would only occur in the event that the other party was "failing to materially meet" all of the terms and conditions of the agreement. The suit contends that Jones had met all of his terms but that on Feb. 1, 2013, the defendants terminated the contracts effective immediately without... Continue reading

Newton Independent Area residents are reminded that the registration deadline is nearing to participate in the next Jasper County Kids Against Hunger event set for Saturday, July 6. Local groups and individuals will gather at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church at 1409 S. 8th Ave. E. to package food that will be sent to needy families in parts of the world where people face food shortages. Any church, business, service club, scout troop, students or individuals are welcome to help with the packaging by gathering $360 in donations. The deadline to register a team or an individual willing to work with others is June 28. Contact Bill Bennett at jaspercountykah@gmail.com to register and get more information on the packaging event. Continue reading

Newton Independent Newton's Thombert, Inc., one of the of the world's largest manufacturers of polyurethane wheels and tires for narrow aisle lift trucks, has achieved certification in both ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System and the ISO 14000:2004 Environmental Management System. The certifications apply to the company's Newton and Brooklyn manufacturing facilities. "This accomplishment is both a testament to our outstanding team members and an assurance to our customers that we're continually working to meet and exceed standards of excellence," said Thombert President Dick Davidson. ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, based in Geneva, Switzerland, is the world's largest developer of voluntary international standards. Registration to ISO standards is universally recognized around the world. The standards are strategic tools that reduce costs by minimizing waste and errors and increasing productivity. Thombert was founded in 1946 and is one of the world's largest manufacturers of polyurethane wheels and tires for electric fork lift trucks, rubber tracked vehicles and other materials handling equipment. The company sells to both original equipment manufacturers and a dealer network. Continue reading

Newton Independent Three 17-year-old males from Newton, who had previously been charged with interference with official acts after running from police in the 800 block of North Fourth Avenue West at 12:45 a.m. June 1, have now all been charged with third degree burglary, an aggravated misdemeanor, in connection with the theft of a digital camera and a wallet from a vehicle parked in the lot at Skiff Medical Center. An idenfitication card of the owner of the wallet was recovered from the area where the teens ran from police. The camera, valued at $100, has not been recovered. They were referred to juvenile authorities. Mary Ann Stewart, 49, of Newton was charged with fifth degree theft for allegedly taking two bottles of liquor - a bottle of Cointreau valued at $45.99 and a bottle of Dewar's white label valued at $52.99 - from Newton Hy-Vee at 12:25 p.m. Thursday without paying for them. She was released to appear. Jerry E. Bird Jr., 34, of Newton was charged with third degree criminal mischief after police were called to a residence in the 800 block of South Fifth Avenue East at 9:57 p.m. Thursday on a report of windows being broken... Continue reading

Newton Independent Properties in Jasper County with delinquent property taxes will be put up for bid at the annual tax sale set for today. Jasper County Treasurer Doug Bishop said a total of 440 property parcels in the county are set to be offered to 91 bidders who are registered for today's annual sale. The total value of unpaid taxes on the parcels stands at $449,960.41. The number of parcels and amount of unpaid paid taxes are on par with last year's figures where 426 parcels with outstanding taxes totalling $489,120.83 were offered to 83 bidders. County tax sales are held on the third Monday in June each year in counties across Iowa. The sales enable counties to collect unpaid taxes by investors willing to put up the cash in return for a solid rate of return, 2 percent per month or 24 percent a year. The money collected at the tax sale is subsequently distributed to the taxing jurisdictions in which the parcels sit - local school districts, cities and the county. Iowa's tax sales draw interest from investors around the country. The lure is the high rate of return on what's typically considered a safe investment. A property... Continue reading

Newton Independent Skiff Hospice is partnering with an organization called Music Speaks to bring a new service to patients - music therapy. "Many of us associated music with entertainment or comfort," said Stephanie Johnson, a board-certified music therapist and founder of Music Speaks. "Therefore, it can surprise people to know that music is also prescribed as an alternative medicine. When music is used as a tool to assist in health-care goals, such as reducing pain and anxiety, aiding in neurological issues, or increasing speech and communication, the practice is called music therapy." Board-certified music therapists must receive a bachelor's degree in music therapy, obtain 1,200 hours of supervised clinical training and pass the board certification test in order to practice. Music therapists work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, nursing homes and hospices. Skiff Hospice Clinical Coordinator Amy Summy learned about music therapy while meeting with another hospice. "We were exchanging ideas," she said. "They told me about the great music therapist they had and the benefits their patients were receiving. I got interested in being able to offer the same thing in Jasper County." While music therapy is not intended to be curative in the case of... Continue reading

By SEN. DENNIS BLACK Democrat, Lynnville With this past week being five years since devastating flooding across Iowa, and the fact that recent weather has again caused agonizing problems with folks across the state, I feel the need to identify some facts regarding this situation. Wet weather affects us all, and certainly this year, as it has been difficult for farmers to get their planting done. It is reported that corn planting is complete, yet even now not all of soybeans are in. As usual, the weather from this point on will dictate the extent of the fall harvest. It is the extremes we’ve experienced with last year’s drought and this year’s excess moisture that renders hesitation with forecasting. Whatever shall be, shall be! Five years ago I visited dozens of homes of my constituents in Bondurant, Altoona, Colfax and even Newton with flooded basements. How absolutely devastating it is for a home owner, most often with a mortgage, and perhaps with insufficient insurance coverage, to have their basement with standing water. All were finished basements, at least to a certain extent, and the loss of personal items, many cases not replaceable (photos, etc.), was an experience I shall not... Continue reading

Newton Independent One Night Stand will perform in the first of the summer Music in the Park series set for 7 p.m. Saturday on the Anspach Stage at Women's Club Park in Colfax. Those attending will also be able to watch the coronation of this year's Jasper County Fair Queen at 7 p.m. as well as eat dinner prepared by the Jasper County Fair Board to raise funds for their organization. The Colfax-Mingo Dance Team will also be selling root beer floats. One Night Stand plays jazz, R&B, funk and soul music from such artists as Prince, the Temptations, James Brown, Miles Davis and Marvin Gaye. Band members are Scott Willsey on guitar and vocals, Larry Skykes on bass and vocals, Jeff Nelson on Keyboards and vocals and Justin Whistler on drums. This is the eighth year Colfax Main Street has hosted the free Music in the Park performances on the third Saturday of the months of June, July and August. Those attending are urged to bring blankets and lawn chairs. Colfax Main Street will be selling refreshments, both aloholic and non-alcoholic. Continue reading

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Newton Independent Timothy Dale Williams, 61, of Brooklyn died Friday, June 7, at his home. There will be an informal memorial gathering with the family on Sunday, June 16, at the Brooklyn Activity Center at 3 p.m. Tim is survived by his wife, Carol Kay, his mother, Thelma Darlene Williams of Newton; two sons, Aaron (Jennifer) Williams of Grinnell and Stephen Williams of Florida; a daughter, Cari Ward of Florida; four grandsons, Damon and Chase Williams of Grinnell and Nathan and Austin Ward of Florida; two granddaughter, Emily and Shelby Williams of Florida; a sister, Deana Williams of Newton; and step-children, Rhonda Craig, Renae Polton, Rick Houser and Rone Cahow. He was preceded in death by a step-daughter, Robin Weiland. Timothy Dale Williams was born Oct. 13, 1951 in Newton. He attended Newton High School and served his country during the Vietnam War as a soldier in the Army. He was awarded the Silver Star for actions taken while serving with the 7th Cavalry. He enjoyed spending time with his "grandboys," as he called them, by golfing with them and starting a yearly tradition of picking out a Christmas tree and cutting it down. He was looking forward to his... Continue reading

Newton Independent Current active military personnel and veterans and their families are invited to watch the Iowa Barnstormers play the San Jose Saber Cats in an arena football game set for 7:05 p.m. Saturday at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines - free of charge. Due to the sponsorship of Allied Insurance, current military members and their families are invited to attend the game with no admission cost. "Barnstormers Military Night last year was outstanding and included two dozen veterans on motorcycles during pregame activities," said Chris Chartier, veterans service officer for the Jasper County Commission of Veterans Affairs. "It was very, very well done. "They indicated that those of us who attend will be equally as impressed with the program this year." To get free tickets for military personnel and veterans and their families, contact Matt Tangen, director of ticket sales for the Barnstormers, at 515-564-8452 or mtangen@theiowabarnstormers.com. Individuals will be asked to provide their name, branch and component of servcice, status (active or veteran) and how many family members will be attending. Continue reading

Newton Independent Alexander T. Richardson, 23, of Newton was charged with public intoxication after police were called to a report of a fight in the alley in the 200 block of North Second Avenue West at 11:16 p.m. Thursday. Upon arrival, Richardsonn admitted that he had been in a verbal fight with his girlfriend but it had not become physical. Officers detected an odor of alcohol on Richardson's person, but he refused testing. He was taken to the Newton Police Department where he was charged and released to a sober person. Joan B. Wilcox, 50, of Newton was picked up at a residence in the 200 block of West Ninth Street South at 6:58 a.m. Thursday on an outstanding warrant out of Marion County for third degree theft. She was taken to Monroe where she was turned over to a Marion County deputy. Billy A. Edwards, 47, of NEwton was pikced up at 6:29 p.m. Thursday at TPI on an outstanding warrant out of Marshall County for aggravated assault. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail. Dylan T. Poe, 20 of Newton was taken into custody at 12:19 a.m. Thursday after police stopped his vehicle for no license plate... Continue reading

Newton Independent Volunteers are currently needed to serve in medical and non-medical positions for the Jasper County Medical Reserve Corps. The Corps consists of local professionals who volunteer their time and assist with activities to improve public health in the community by increasing health literacy, supporting prevention efforts and eliminating health disparities. Corps members receive training to know what to do in an emergency and support response activities. They respond to everything from a natural disaster to supporting immunization clinics and assist local public heatlh agencies when called upon. Medical volunteers are needed in the following areas: mental health workers nurses/nurse practitioners pharmacists physicians physician assistants social workers Non-medical volunteers are needed in the following areas: administrators clerical assistants client greeters client flow assistants computer technicians translators Specific roles that volunteers play will depend upon their background, interests and skills, as well as the need of the Corps unit and the community. Anyone interested in volunteering is aske to contact Jasper County Medical Reserve Corps Director John Bartello at 641-791-4365. Continue reading

To coincide with this weekend's Iowa Sculpture Festival, as well as the annual Alumni Weekend gathering, the Newton Convention and Visitors Bureau has the 2013 "Crested Friend" ornament on sale at its new Visitors Center at 300 E. 17th St. S. Internationally accomplished artist Teresa Hansen, of Loveland, Colo., created the "Crested Friend" medallion for Newton. Cost of the ornament is $25, plus tax, with all proceeds going to the Centre for Arts and Artists in Newton. The Iowa Sculpture Festival runs at the DMACC Campus in Newton from 5:30 to 8 p.m. tonight at a special $25 ticketed event that includes live entertainment and advance sale opportunities and continues from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Cost for Saturday and Sunday's event is $3 for adults and $1 for students with those under 12 admitted free. The Festival features artists from across the Midwest with sales and a silent auction, demonstration classes and activities, student art, live music and food. Continue reading

Newton Independent Preparations are under way for the second annual Great Jasper County Museum Garage Sale set for June 21 and 22. Individuals with items they would like to donate for the garage sale are asked to phone the Museum at 641-792-9118 or email jascomus@iowatelecom.net and further instructions will be provided. Donations of clothing will not be accepted. Donors will be asked to deliver their items to the garage sale location, 105 Oakwood Avenue in Lambs Grove between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on June 20. No museum acquisitions will be included in the sale. Proceeds from the sale go toward continued support of the Museum's mission. Continue reading

The Jasper County Museum was the site of this month's Chamber of Commerce Breakfast where members were provided a sneak peek at the museum's new wind energy exhibit, "WINDer Tales." The exhibit is being made possible through grants provided by the state Silo and Smokestacks program and the Jasper Community Foundation. Future plans call for the development of a large exhibit demonstrating modern day wind turbines to complete the history of wind energy in Jasper County. Continue reading

Newton Independent Jasper County area residents will have the opportunity to dispose of unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications during a "drug drop" set for 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, June 29, at the Newton Fire Department, 410 S. 2nd Ave. W., in Newton. Individuals will be able to dispose of medications, medication samples, pet medications, vitamins, supplements and homeopathics, as well unwanted ointments, lotions, creams, oils and soap. Items such as needles, syringes, thermometers, IV bags, hydrogen peroxide and infectious waste will not be accepted. The program is designed to help stem the growing problem of prescription drug abuse. The free event is sponsored by the Jasper County Sheriff's Office, Newton Fire Department, Employee and Family Resources and the Youth Prevention Awareness Coalition. Continue reading

Newton Police Officer Dustin Hamell presents Robin Smith with a Travelin' Traffic Ace XVII mug to kick off the local law enforcement agency's annual summer traffic safety campaign. This year's program, "Safe & Sober," will reward area motorists displaying safe and courteous driving now through Aug. 26. Newton Police Officers will stop motorists after observing the correct use of turn signals, driving the speed limit, wearing their seatbelt, making full stops at stop signs and displaying other safe driving techniques. The motorist receives a Travelin' Traffic Ace XVII travel mug good for free, refillable fountain soda from participating businesses. In addition, four drawings from the four distributions of traffic safety mugs will be held with the winner receiving a variety of prizes from participating Newton businesses. Continue reading

Newton Independent The long-vacant former Jasper Winery building northwest of the town square would become the home of a new visual arts studio and instructional facility should the Newton City Council approve a lease agreement on the city-owned property at its meeting on Monday. Louis Curiel, operater of the Curiel-Reynolds School of Visual Arts in Spencer, is proposing to move his art studio and school to the property at 518 W. 3rd St. N. in Newton. The school, which specializes in neon glass art, has operated in Spencer since 2007 after moving from Detroit. The three-year lease agreement under consideration calls for a $375 monthly payment, plus all property taxes. The payment is $75 more per month than Jasper Winery paid. In his report to the council on the matter, Newton City Administrator Bob Knabel also notes that Curiel has also shown an interest in purchasing the foremr Newton WaterWorks building adjacent to the Newton Seed Store in the 200 block of North Third Avenue West. However, the building "had the majority of its roof blow off in a wind storm last month" and city officials are evaluating whether or not to demolish the property. City officials are recommending a... Continue reading

Newton Independent A federal judge today granted a new trial date for the former Newton doctor indicted last year for the unlawful dissemination of controlled substances. Lafayette Twyner will stand trial beginning Monday, Jan. 27, 2014 on the 114-count indictment accusing him of prescribing drugs in a manner that was likely and did cause dependence, addiction and in one case, death, of patients, District Judge Stephanie Rose ordered today. Judge Rose ordered that the new trial date is "firm" and that the deadline for pretrial motions and plea notification is Jan. 6, 2014. The estimated length of the trial is two weeks. Twyner's federal public defender asked the court for a continuance from the previously set Sept. 3 trial date noting that additional time is needed " to resolve discovery issues, complete investigation and obtain expert witnesses to assist with pretrial motions and trial preparation." The motion for a continuance also cited a case out of Iowa that is headed to the U.S. Supreme Court next session involving the question of whether distributing drugs that result in death is a "strict liability crime, without foreseeability or proximate cause" requirements. One count in the former long-time Newton doctor's indictment accuses him... Continue reading

Newton Independent The Jasper County Board of Supervisors approved the establishment of a fundraising commission on Tuesday that will work to develop additional veterans' memorials on the courthouse square in downtown Newton. Plans call for the construction of a memorial wall on the east side of the sidewalk on the south side of the courthouse. It will hold approximately 200 to 300 bricks, depending on the response received, with the cost of the individual bricks yet to be determined. The opportunity to purchase bricks to the wall will be marketed to veterans' organizations throughout the county, with payments accepted to a special Jasper County Veterans Memorial Fund within the Jasper County Treasurer's Office. The wall will be designed and manufactured by the Mingo Products Company. In addition, plans call for the placement of a memorial rock on the south side of the sidewalk on the east side of the courthouse. Commission members have located a large stone approximately eight feet in diameter with a local company willing to haul it to site. The rock will be placed on a cement slab approximately 15 feet by 15 feet and will be surrounded by a decorative fence. A local artist will paint... Continue reading

The Prairie Jewel Dixieland Band from Grinnell performed in front of the Agriculture Building at the Jasper County Historical Museum on Tuesday evening. The County Historical Museum will host its next Coffeetime at the museum beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. Continue reading

Newton Independent William J. Carter, 36, no known address, was charged with operating while intoxicated after police were called to Park Centre at 5:36 p.m. Tuesday on a report of a minor traffic accident. Carter allegedly hit a parked car causing $100 damage and "staggered away." Carter was located in the 500 block of West Second Street North and returned to Park Centre where he told officers that he was headed to Fareway and "wasn't sure what happened." He failed field sobriety tests but registered zero for the presence of alcohol. He consented to a urine test with results pending, though at the police station he allegedly admitted being on methadone and taking Xanax pills. He was also cited for no valid driver's license and no insurance in connection with the accident. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail. A 14-year-old Grinnell boy, a 15-year-old Altoona boy and a 16-year-old Pleasant Hill boy were each charged with fifth degree theft after police were called to Wal-Mart at 8:40 p.m. Monday after they each allegedly took three 20-foot universal tubes valued at $15.92 from the store without paying for them. They were referred to juvenile authorities. James A. Knutsen, 33,... Continue reading