Local Option Tax Update

The Iowa Department of Revenue has released FY19 Estimated Local Option Sales Tax monthly distributions through July of 2019. Estimates are $40,000 above the budgeted amount in FY19. In addition, in the last quarter of payments (May 2019 through July 2019...

Iowa Speedway Drive Restoration Project Update

The second phase of construction for the Iowa Speedway Drive restoration project is scheduled to start on Wednesday, October 3.

The remaining work on the project is scheduled for 15 working days. Depending upon rain and wet weather, the project duration ma...

What You Need to Know About Grass Clippings

The City of Newton is asking residents to keep all grass clippings or other yard waste out of the City streets and alleys. Please direct your mower away from the street and back onto your property, and remove any clippings that may have been accidentally ...

Community Forum Held September 20

A Community Forum was held from 11:30 – 1 p.m. on September 20th at the Newton Community School District, E.J.H. Administration Center. Newton Development Executive Director, Frank Liebl and Hometown Community Pride Coach Jeff Davidson talked ab...

Manufacturing Leaders Recognized at Statewide Event

In its fourth annual Legends in Iowa Manufacturing event, Elevate Advanced Manufacturing, a program of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI), recognized leaders in manufacturing at an awards dinner last night. Over 200 people attended the ev...

Fire Prevention Week - Learn two ways out of every room.

LEARN two ways out of every room. In a fire, you may have only minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Knowing how to use that time wisely takes planning and practice.

Develop an escape plan with all members of your family. A home escape plan...

Fire Prevention Week - Listen for the sound of the smoke alarm.

LISTEN for the sound of the smoke alarm.

Smoke alarms are the first line of defense in a fire by alerting everyone in time to get out safely. In fact, having smoke alarms in your home cuts your risk of dying in a fire in half.

Make sure your home is adequat...

Fire Prevention Week - Look for places fire could start.

LOOK for places fire could start. Take a good look around your home. Identify potential fire hazards and address them. If necessary, have a qualified professional correct hazards.

Cooking is the leading cause of U.S. home fires, causing nearly hal...

Fire Department Remembers 9/11

The Fire Department hosted a ceremony of remembrance on Tuesday, 9/11/2018, in front of the fire station by the Firefighter’s Memorial. The colors were presented by the Newton Fire and Jasper County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard. Bagpip...

Fire Department Completes Training on Confined Space and Trench Rescue

The Fire Department contracted with PRI Rescue to update training on confined space and trench rescue training. Firefighters spent September 5 – 6 conducting training in both disciplines.

Fire Department Receives Assistance to Firefighter’s Grant (AFG 2017)

The Fire Department has been awarded the Assistance to Firefighters Grant for $114,771 for 2017. This grant will be used to upgrade the Fire Department’s three cardiac monitors. The program funds projects for fire and EMS departments to purchase...

Congratulations to our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Graduates!

August was a busy month for our young, voracious readers with 6 kids reaching their 1000 Books Before Kindergarten goal! Graduates were: sisters Hannah & Miriam DeZwarte, Riley Johnson, Ingrid Alexander, and sisters Katie & Gwen Zylstra. Their pho...

Thinking Ahead to Cold Weather: Upcoming Winter Clothing Drive

The Newton Public Library is collecting NEW cold weather clothing for children ages 6-18! Donated clothing will be given to the area schools, to be distributed to local children in need. 

Items being collected include:

• Sweaters, Sweatshirts & H...

Thinking Ahead to Cold Weather: Homebound Reader Program

Judy Ricks, Reference Librarian, has been out visiting retirement homes in the community assisting patrons in signing up for library cards, advertising library services, and programs, and enlisting folks into the Homebound Reader Program. The Homebound Re...

High-Speed Internet Still a Major Problem for Quarter of Americans

According to a PEW Research Center survey, 24% of rural adults say access to high-speed internet is a major problem in their local community, and 34% say it is a minor problem in their community, meaning that 58% of rural Americans believe access to high-...

Monarch Butterflies are Hatching!

The Newton Public Library has been Butterfly Central in the Children’s Department this month. We had a patron who raises monarchs bring in a display of Monarch Chrysalides and for the past month we have enjoyed watching them hatch and then relea...

Rock Communication Awards a $3000 Grant to NPD for Body Worn Camera Program

Rock Communication recently awarded the Newton Police Department a $3000 grant in support of the body-worn camera program. The new police video system upgrade includes new in-car dash cameras, body-worn cameras, cloud storage, and software. The program ha...