Choose Newton Main Street
Choose Newton Main Street launched its campaign today for projects to enhance the experience in the historic downtown. The first goals in the ongoing campaign will be replacements for the Christmas decorations and a speaker system for at least three blocks of downtown. You can read more details at the link above and make donations through the Central Kansas Community Foundation.
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Historic Preservation
We are pleased to report that the City of Newton was awarded a $30,000 grant through the Historic Preservation Fund administered by the Kansas State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), to help fund a survey of historic properties within downtown Newton. The fund finances local preservation activities that will contribute to planning for the preservation of the built environment and archaeological resources. The City plans to re-survey the two downtown historic districts to assist with future historical rehabilitation projects and Main Street initiatives. We greatly appreciate our partnership with the State Historic Preservation Office!
Library
Today’s most welcome rain put a halt to construction on the new library site. Despite the rain, the most recent dry weather has helped keep the project on track. We are pleased to see framing continue and anxiously await the finished product!
Fire/EMS
May 21-27, 2023, is the 49th annual National EMS Week. In 1974, President Gerald Ford authorized EMS Week to celebrate EMS practitioners and the important work they do in our nation’s communities. This year’s theme is EMS: Where Emergency Care Begins. Please take a moment to thank our dedicated Fire/EMS staff for their work when you see them!
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Finance
We are pleased to report that the City of Newton has achieved another Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 32nd consecutive year! The certificate is awarded following submission of annual financial report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. The Certificate of Achievement is a prestigious national award recognizing conformance with the highest standards for preparation of state and local government financial reports. To be awarded a Certificate of Achievement, a government unit must publish an easily readable and efficiently organized annual comprehensive financial report (ACFR), whose contents conform to program standards. The report must satisfy both generally accepted accounting principles and applicable legal requirements.
Municipal Pool
City Park staff are helping Newton Recreation Commission (NRC) staff get the municipal pool ready to open. Lots of work happens in advance of opening day to prep pumps, etc. The NRC has 53 staff that will run the pool this summer. Fortunately, we are fully staffed! This year, additional area has been added to the “lounging” space and new/additional canopies have been installed. Sod will be placed May 30. The turfed area was popular with patrons last year. The pool opens May 30, as well as other NRC programs and ball games. Looking forward to a fun summer!
Police
In partnership with other law enforcement agencies across the state, NPD will be participating in the annual “Click It or Ticket” campaign from May 22-June 3. While all traffic laws will be enforced throughout the campaign, law enforcement will specifically focus on safety education and state laws requiring that vehicle occupants are appropriately restrained. Seat belts are an important life safety tool that can reduce injuries or death in a crash for drivers and passengers. This campaign is supported through a grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation. Help us save lives by ensuring everyone in your vehicle is buckled up!
Recreation
Newton Rec Commission reports that Newton Baseball Club has more kids enrolled than previous seasons and is planning three tournaments this summer. They are asking NRC to use Klein Scott Field, but it is already used by high school ball, American Legion ball, and the Newton Sluggin’ Rebels. They report that while positive, more field use by Newton Baseball Club means more NRC staff time and more expenses; therefore, the NRC is considering charging for field use. Right now, all programs use the fields for free, except for a small water charge. However, they have had a hard time collecting on this nominal fee ($3 per player that is passed along to the City). All of the teams are asking the NRC to provide more services and equipment free of charge. It makes financial sense that fees should be established for field use. The NRC Board has asked NRC staff to research and compare fees that other communities/neighborhood facilities are charging, and then present a proposed fee schedule to begin January 2024, with consideration given to tournament fees only. They plan to solicit feedback from the clubs and other stakeholders as well.
Sand Creek Station Golf Course
Sand Creek Station was honored to host the prestigious 2023 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Men’s Division 1 Championship! Today (Friday, May 19) was the final day of the Championship, and the fierce competition was additionally challenged with winds and rainy weather. We have been fortunate to have been selected to host this tournament several times over the past few years and hope we are able to again in the near future. Thank you to our community for their ongoing hospitality to the players, their coaches, families, teammates, and caddies!
Yard of the Year
Have you seen a great-looking yard in Newton? Nominate it for 2023 Yard of the Year! Nominate your favorite yards at www.newtonkansas.com/yard through June 16. Yards will be judged based on appearance, creativity and overall condition, with extra points for landscapes that require less water.
Upcoming Events
See all of the upcoming events at our Community Events listing on Choose-Newton.com.
Upcoming meetings:
- 7 p.m. May 23 – City Commission meeting
- May 29 – City offices closed for Memorial Day
- 7:30 a.m. June 8 – City Commission agenda review
- 7 p.m. June 13 – City Commission meeting
- 7:30 a.m. June 22 – City Commission agenda review
- 7 p.m. June 27 – City Commission meeting
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