Explore Newton's wild food with Foraging Passport
Did you know Newton has a growing network of free, locally available food sources? Through Falling Fruit and the Harvey County Foraging Passport created by the Harvey County Food & Farm Council, community members can discover fruit and nut trees throughout Newton and Harvey County, including City parks and other public spaces. The project helps reduce food waste, connect people to local food, and celebrate the abundance already growing around us.
Even more is on the way! The City plans to plant 25 red mulberry trees and 25 pawpaw trees along Sand Creek Bike Path and in Centennial Park in spring 2027, helping expand Newton’s edible landscape for years to come.
Want to explore? Visit FallingFruit.org to find mapped edible plants, add your own trees or bushes to the list, and learn more about local foraging opportunities. Foraging Passports are available at City Hall, 201 E. 6th St., as well as Peace Connections, 209 S. Pine.
If you harvest, remember:
- Only pick what you can confidently identify.
- Don't harvest more than 20% of a given plant to help keep it sustainable for everyone.
 1st and Kansas crossing closed until June 22
East First Street is closed at the KO Railroad crossing, marking the start of long-anticipated improvements at one of Newton’s busiest intersections. Drivers should expect traffic changes and detours throughout the project.
This effort is a collaboration between the City of Newton and KO. The City will oversee roadway-related improvements, while KO crews will complete the railroad crossing and track-related work. Construction is expected to continue through approximately June 22, weather permitting.
South Kansas Avenue will remain open at the intersection. North Kansas Avenue between First Street and the alley is closed as a staging area for equipment and materials.
We appreciate the community’s patience during construction and look forward to the long-term improvements this project will bring!
June City Desk planting roots at Farmers Market
City Desk staff are looking to “grow” with you during the June City Desk edition at the Harvey County Farmers Market.
Join City Manager Daniela Rivas and Vice Mayor Melanie Watson from 8-9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, for an informal opportunity to chat, discuss City topics, and connect with City officials and staff. Whether you have questions, ideas, or simply want to stop by and say hello, we hope to see you there.
Location: 301 N. Main (behind the Old Mill in the parking lot)
Date: June 6
Time: 8-9:30 a.m.
|
Holiday weekend "boom" remains a mystery
Many Newtonians experienced what felt and sounded like an explosion last Sunday evening, which became a bit of a wild goose chase for first responders and ignited much speculation among residents.
At around 8:45 Sunday night, Newton Fire/EMS was dispatched to a possible structure fire at Fox Meadows Apartments on West 12th Street. A resident had reported smelling and seeing smoke. The first unit arrived and found an electrical failure with the water heater.
Shortly after Fox Meadows was determined not to be a fire, dispatch started receiving reports of an explosion. Newton Police officers were searching, but the calls were coming from various locations.
During the search, someone reported visible flames at Prestressed Concrete. Police arrived first in the area and found the flames were actually a controlled burn at 3109 N. Anderson, which is outside the City limits but within our response area. Fire/EMS units arrived and found the fire was pallets and railroad ties, which are not legal to burn. The crew spoke with the business owner and extinguished the fire.
The location of the possible explosion was never found. If any residents have legitimate information about what happened or where, City staff would love to hear it!
Fire/EMS trains for grain rescue with MKC
Big thanks to MKC in Moundridge for hosting the Newton Fire/EMS Tech Rescue team last week. Our team got hands-on experience with their grain rescue simulator and a great tour of the facility.
This type of training is invaluable for first responders, as grain entrapment is such a time-critical emergency. We are always grateful for our community partners helping us stay rescue-ready!
 Storm debris cleanup
Residents whose trees were hit hard by the severe thunderstorm last week may still be dealing with the cleanup of downed limbs and other debris. If you have tree limbs to be disposed of, here are a few options:
-
Bulky-Item Pickup: Stack branches by the curb and schedule a bulky-item pickup for $10 on your next trash day. Call 316-284-6070 or visit newtonkansas.com/bulkyitem to schedule.
-
Landfill Drop-Off: If you have access to a truck, you can take your own load to the Harvey County Transfer Station. Newton utility customers can pick up a free load coupon at the Utility Billing Office at City Hall. (Limit two coupons per household per calendar year. Coupons expire Dec. 31 if unused.)
-
Small Branches: If they fit in your trash cart and take up less than half the space, they can be included with regular trash collection.
2026 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics
The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is back! We would love to see Main Street lined with supportive community members helping cheer everyone on, and we have created a "Cheer Zone" at 320 N. Main to make it more fun.
This will be a short and energetic community gathering, lasting 10-15 minutes from arrival to wrap-up, with Torch Run participants expected to pass through the area around 10:15 a.m.
June 3 | 10 am-Noon | North to South Dillons | "Cheer Zone" at 320 N Main
|
Newton Open Streets gearing up for June
Join the City of Newton, Healthy Harvey Coalition, and United Way of Harvey and Marion Counties from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, on Oak Street between East 6th and East 7th Streets to get outside, move, connect, and enjoy our community in a fun, active way. Bring the kids, invite a friend, and come ready to walk, bike, play, and explore.
This is a great chance to celebrate healthy living right here in Harvey County. We hope to see you there!
Upcoming Events
See all of the upcoming events at our Community Events listing on Choose-Newton.com.
Meetings & Reminders:
|
