Solar Eclipse
A solar eclipse will be visible across the U.S. on Monday, and local events are planned for those who'd like to see it. During the event, the moon will pass between the sun and the Earth, which will completely block out the face of the sun for areas in the path of totality.
Although Newton won't experience totality, we will still be able to see about 87% of the sun blocked out by the moon. In Newton, the eclipse will begin at 12:32 p.m. and end at 3:06 p.m., with its peak at 1:49 p.m. Remember that even though the sun is partially blocked, it’s still unsafe to look directly at it without proper eye protection.
Newton Public Library has planned an eclipse viewing party on the lawn at Kauffman Museum in North Newton, starting at 1:30 p.m. Eclipse glasses will be provided. At the library, beginning at 1 p.m., you'll also be able to step into the INTRUST Room (the large meeting room), and see a big-screen view of NASA's livestream following the path of totality.
Newton Area Senior Center, 122 E. Sixth, has also planned a viewing party, starting at noon. Glasses will be provided.
If you're not able to get out of the office on Monday, Bethel College's Mabee Observatory will be livestreaming Newton's partial eclipse online.
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City Manager
Congratulations to City Manager Daniela Rivas for being honored as one of the Wichita Business Journal's 2024 40 Under 40. The annual list recognizes 40 of the top young professionals in the Wichita metro area who have made significant strides in their careers and impacts in their communities.
Congratulations also goes out to fellow Newton honoree Emily Newhouse, associate chief nursing officer at NMC Health.
The 2024 40 Under 40 class will be honored at a ceremony in June. See the full list
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Fire/EMS
 (From left to right) Duane Helms, Steven Gay, Kyle Soldani, Drew Couey, Team Commander Dillon Richardson, Lieutenant Commander Kevin Plenert, Thomas Jones, Josh Strotkamp, and Gabe Sauer.
In June 2000, Division Chief (ret.) Dean Davis began efforts to establish an Honor Guard of dedicated Fire/EMS members who remain ready to honor our fallen and their families with dignity, respect, and compassion. He desired to start a tradition within the department that could be passed down for generations. In 2002, his vision came to fruition with the establishment of the Newton Fire/EMS Honor Guard team.
This inaugural group fulfilled their duties and represented the organization admirably for many years. Unfortunately, many of these founding members retired over the years, leaving the team with few remaining members. But in the past two years, there has been interest and enthusiasm to re-establish the Honor Guard under new leadership and reaffirm the passion for tradition that it was founded on.
The team has restructured and rebranded with new uniforms and new team insignia. Under the leadership of a new unit commander and lieutenant commander, the Newton Fire/EMS Honor Guard has a brand-new look and is ready to usher in a new era.
Over the past year, this group has been working tirelessly to learn and perfect the many facets that make up an honor guard team. In our first year as a reorganized team, our members have participated in three funerals of fallen first responders, the 22nd Annual Kansas Fallen Firefighter Memorial ceremony in Wichita, and the Kansas City Honor Guard clinic.
While honoring the fallen is our primary duty, it is not our only duty. We also want our team to be a resource in the community to present the colors at sporting events, parades, graduations, and any other ceremony where our national, state, and local colors will be proudly displayed.
Washington Road Water & Sewer
 Washington Road utility work is nearing completion, and sidewalks are going back in.
Newton Public Library
 Interior demolition is underway at the old library building. Exterior demo is expected to begin next Tuesday.
Streets & Sanitation
 Street Maintenance staff worked on utility cuts this week (as pictured).
March Sanitation Stats
- 561 tons of municipal solid waste collected.
- 234 bulky item pickups were scheduled.
- 14 roll-off dumpster orders were serviced.
- 168 free landfill coupons were redeemed.
Recycling Report
The City's recycling contractor, Nisly Brothers, reports that about 52 tons of recyclables were collected in the first quarter of this year, with 481 active customers. No major problems were reported.
Bulky Item Tagging Program
From March 25-29, our inspector tagged 26 locations. Four scheduled a bulky item pickup and were charged the $10 fee, five were charged the $20 fee, two were forwarded to the environmental control officer for follow-up, and 15 were taken care of by the resident.
Water/Wastewater
 Sargent Drilling began work this week on rehabilitation of well #7 at Mission Water Treatment Plant (as pictured).
Plumbing Materials Survey
In an effort to get rid of lead pipes nationwide, the EPA is requiring all cities to identify the materials used in their water systems. As of this week, our staff has completed:
- Inspections on the City side – 6,842 or 85% complete
- Inspections on the customer side – 3,313 or 41% complete.
- Inspections on both customer and City side – 2,909 or 36% complete.
- Customers who refused to provide information – 17.
- Customers who have not provided any information after at least two attempts to gather it – 547.
If you have not yet submitted your plumbing materials survey, you can complete it online.
Upcoming Events
- Legislative Update from State Sen. Carolyn McGinn and Reps. Avery Anderson and Stephen Owens, 9 a.m. April 13 at McKinley Admin Center, 308 E. First St.
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Chamber Steak Cookout, 6 p.m. April 25 at Wild Prairie Event Center
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Newton Open Streets, 1-5 p.m. April 28 on Oak Street between Fifth and Seventh. The free street party will include food trucks, activities for kids, yard games, yoga, line dancing, and more!
See all of the upcoming events at our Community Events listing on Choose-Newton.com.
Meetings & Reminders:
- 6-7 p.m. April 6 – Coffee Meet & Greet with City Manager Daniela Rivas, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
- 7 p.m. April 9 – City Commission meeting
- 7:30 a.m. April 18 – City Commission agenda review
- 7 p.m. April 23 – City Commission meeting
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