 SE Fourth Street
Project updates
- SE Fourth Street paving work neared completion this week. The street is all paved minus connection points to the intersections. If all of the concrete passes strength tests, the road can be opened to traffic by the end of next week, but until then it is important to allow the concrete to cure to avoid cracking.
- The mill and overlay on K-15/Main Street is half complete from the BNSF Railway crossing to 11th Street. The outside lanes are complete for the long weekend. The middle lanes will be milled out next week so full-depth patching can begin, and then repaving will follow.
- The Newton Public Library parking lot curb was poured this week. Paving is scheduled to occur near the end of next week, weather permitting. Trees were planted this week. Irrigation and landscaping will follow paving. The entire project is expected to be complete by the end of June.
- Turf replacement at Fischer Field is complete. A final walk-through will occur with Hellas, Newton Rec Commission, and City Engineering staff next week to meet the May 31 deadline for completion.
Memorial Day
City offices will be closed Monday, May 27 for the Memorial Day holiday, which will also alter the trash pickup schedule.
Trash normally picked up on Monday will be picked up Tuesday, May 28. Trash normally picked up on Tuesday will be picked up Wednesday, May 29. Thursday and Friday routes will run as usual.
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Storm cleanup
 Storm cleanup continues, with the City’s tree contractor, Alfred’s Superior Tree Service, collecting downed limbs in Area 1 and City crews working in Area 2. They are working 12-hour shifts beginning at 6:30 a.m. and making slow but steady progress.
Alfred’s will continue working Saturday in Area 1, and City crews will be working Saturday in Area 2. No cleanup work is planned for Sunday or Monday. All crews will return Tuesday to finish the cleanup.
Staff anticipates the majority of the cleanup will be complete by the end of next week. Crews may then have to make a second pass through some areas at the end.
MANAGER'S CORNER
Thank You to Our Community
I would like to take a moment to say Thank You.
To all of our residents for the support you have shown us during this storm cleanup.
To all volunteers that lent a hand to their neighbor, family and friends.
To our incredible City employees, Evergy employees, and our contractors for the hard work, long hours and diligence in bringing our community back to order especially right before Memorial Day.
To the County for their efforts in keeping us informed during and after the storm.
To our first responders who responded and worked hard to keep residents safe around the clock.
To our City Commission and County Commission for their leadership during these tough times.
We never could have done all the work ourselves. We are thankful for the hard work and dedication of City/County staff, volunteers and partner agencies who rallied to help in storm recovery efforts.
The City of Newton thanks you.
– Daniela Lujano Rivas, City Manager
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Fire/EMS
With the cleanup of storm debris still ongoing, we may see increased burning in the city limits. Here's a summary of Newton's outdoor burning regulations:
- Open and recreational burning must be at least 100 feet from any structure. The exception is fire in a UL-approved container or one made of brick, stone, concrete or metal, which must be at least 25 feet from any structure.
- Outdoor fireplaces must be at least 15 feet from any structure.
- Only seasoned wood may be burned. No trash, paper or plastic.
- Burning should be discontinued if the wind exceeds 15 mph.
- Fires must be attended at all times by an adult.
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World No Tobacco Day trail walk
The Harvey County Health Department and Healthy Harvey Coalition are launching a new initiative in Newton in celebration of World No Tobacco Day on May 31.
Community members can enjoy a self-led message walk May 28-31 at Athletic Park near West First Street. The walk emphasizes early education on the dangers of tobacco and vaping, aligning with this year’s World No Tobacco Day theme, Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference.
The message walk was developed with the assistance of Newton High School National Honor Society students Virgil Guo and Jackie Roldan and was inspired by educational book walks created by the Newton Public Library.
The City of Newton stands out as a regional leader in promoting policy to deter tobacco use. Beginning this year, the City implemented a Tobacco-Free Parks policy. Previously, Newton was one of the first cities in Kansas to adopt a clean indoor air ordinance, and a city-level T-21 ordinance preceded later statewide policy.
Upcoming Events
-
SEAK (Summer Enrichment Activities for Kids), June 3-July 26, family activities and free lunch for kids
- Newton Mid-Kansas Symphony Orchestra Summer Chamber Music, 3 p.m. June 9 at Hesston Mennonite Church
- Cookie Daze 5k Fun Run to benefit Caring Hands Humane Society and Safehope, 7:30 a.m. June 15 at Athletic Park
See all of the upcoming events at our Community Events listing on Choose-Newton.com.
Meetings & Reminders:
- May 27 – City offices closed for Memorial Day
- 7 p.m. May 28 – City Commission meeting
- 8 a.m.-noon June 4 – City Commission budget work session
- 7:30 a.m. June 6 – City Commission agenda review
- 7 p.m. June 11 – City Commission meeting
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