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City staff gather at City Hall to celebrate "City Hall Selfie Day."
City staff celebrate City Hall Selfie Day
This past Tuesday was City Hall Selfie Day-an annual celebration of the people who make local government work and the communities we’re proud to serve!
This year, Communications Coordinator Sara brought back a classic with a local-government twist: Flat City Manager/Admin! Our flat friend traveled around Harvey County, making stops at city and county offices in Newton, Halstead, Hesston, North Newton and Sedgwick to collect selfies and celebrate our fellow public servants.
A BIG thank-you to all of our local government friends for playing along and helping make City Hall Selfie Day a little more fun! Because while local government involves budgets, infrastructure, ordinances and paperwork, there’s always room for a good selfie and a little friendly collaboration!
Neighbors enjoying the Fresh Air Connections Block Party at Prairie Fire Residences on 8.7.2026.
Neighbors connect during Fresh Air Connections Block Party
Last Friday evening at Prairie Fire Residences, the green gathering space was filled with energy for a back-to-school block party! There were lots of yard games, music, bubbles, an eco-friendly water balloon fight and an epic game of Guess Who.
The kids and adults had a great time, and everyone enjoyed plenty of snacks and drinks generously sponsored by a locally owned and operated Sonic Drive-In. A couple of residents were overheard making brand-new connections with people they may never have otherwise gotten to know. All because they stepped outside, gathered together and enjoyed a simple evening with the people who live around them.
That’s the magic of a neighborhood block party. Fresh Air Connections is about creating opportunities for neighbors to get outside, have some fun and build a stronger sense of community- one block party at a time.
Sometimes, a simple invitation to come outside can create connections that last long after the party ends. Learn more about the program, see what's it is all about, and sign up to host your own neighborhood gathering.
Celebrating National Dog Month
August is National Dog Month, making it a great time to celebrate the four-legged companions who are such an important part of our families and community.
Newton’s dog park at Centennial Park offers a dedicated space for dogs to get some exercise, enjoy time outdoors and socialize with other dogs. Whether your pup is an energetic runner, a ball-chasing enthusiast or simply enjoys exploring and meeting new friends, the dog park provides an opportunity for them to enjoy some off-leash time.
This month, take some time to enjoy the outdoors with your canine companion and make the most of one of Newton’s spaces designed with both pets and their people in mind.
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Draft Comprehensive Plan August open house
After a year of community input from residents, business owners, and community partners, the draft Newton Next Comprehensive Plan is ready for public review.
Community members are invited to attend a community open house to explore the draft plan, ask questions, and provide feedback before the plan is finalized.
Open House details:
- Monday, August 24th
- 5:30-7:00 p.m.
- Newton Public Library
A brief presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by a come-and-go open house until 7 p.m.
The Newton Next Comprehensive Plan will help guide future decisions on housing, transportation, parks, economic development, land use, and other priorities for the community!
Can't attend? Review the draft plan and submit comments online, or through the interactive draft plan.
Transportation Safety Action Plan August open houses
The City of Newton and Harvey County are in the final stages of developing its Transportation Safety Action Plan, and community members are invited to review the draft recommendations before the plan is finalized.
Built using community feedback and crash data, the Transportation Safety Action Plan identifies areas where safety improvements can have the greatest impact and provides a roadmap for future transportation safety projects throughout Newton.
Join us at the upcoming open houses to learn about the draft recommendations, ask questions, and share your feedback. Your input will help shape the final plan before it is adopted.
Open house dates:
- 12-2 p.m., Aug 25 at the Newton Rec Center, 415 N. Poplar.
- 4-5:30 p.m., Aug 25 at the Harvey County Courthouse, 800 N Main.
- 3:30-5:30 p.m., Aug 27 at the Newton Public Library, 223 E. 7th St.
 Connecting Bethel students with Newton
The City of Newton was excited to join Bethel College New Student Orientation and welcome students, friends and family members back to campus! We had so many great conversations about the resources, places and experiences Newton has to offer.
We shared the Shopping & Dining Guide, which was a big hit with parents and families from out of state looking for a great local place to grab a meal. We also talked parks and trails, with lots of interest in the Sand Creek Bike Path from runners and outdoor adventurers, along with the Event Guide to help everyone plug into what’s happening in Newton, North Newton and around the community.
Thanks to Bethel College for inviting us to connect with your newest students and their families. We’re glad to have you here-now go explore Newton!
Care to take a peek at the shopping, restaurant, and event guides plus additional resources? You can find those all right here.
August City Desk headed to NMC Health
If you have questions about what is happening around Newton, want to share an idea or simply connect with your local government, City Desk is back for August!
- Thursday, August 20
- 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
- Sunflower Café (Cafeteria) at NMC Health
Stop by during your lunch break to visit with City Commissioner Kathy Valentine and Assistant City Manager Rebecca Likiardopoulos. Ask questions, share ideas or simply say hello. There is no appointment or formal meeting- just an opportunity for casual conversation about your community.
We are especially looking forward to connecting with the team at NMC Health, but everyone is welcome. If getting to City Hall during the workday is not always convenient, City Desk brings the conversation to you. Hope to see you there!
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Who to call in Newton
Yesterday’s water main break was a good reminder that when something goes wrong in our community, early reporting can make a big difference.
While it was an unusual situation, it also gave us a good reminder that we all have a role to play in helping our community respond quickly when something goes wrong.
Whether it’s a water main break, downed tree, damaged street, flooding or another issue, reporting it as soon as you notice it helps get the right people on the scene sooner. A quick call or online report can potentially reduce damage, water loss, response time and the amount of manpower needed to address the situation.
You can also report issues online anytime. It may seem like a small thing, but letting us know when you spot a problem can make a big difference in how quickly we can respond and take care of our community.
Save this graphic! Keep it on your phone, print it for your fridge or save it somewhere easy to find. You never know when you might need to know who to call, especially if you come across an issue after hours.
Upcoming Events
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August Third Thursday, 5-8 p.m., Aug 20, Downtown Newton. Join us as stores stay open late with activities and events.
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August City Desk, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Aug 20, NMC Health Sunflower Cafeteria. Stop by during your lunch break to chat with City staff, ask questions, share ideas, or simply say hello.
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Newton Next Community Open House, 5:30-7 p.m., Aug 24 at Newton Public Library. Learn about the draft plan recommendations, share your feedback, and ask questions of the project team!
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Transportation Safety Open House 1, 12-2 p.m., Aug 25 at the Newton Rec Center, 415 N. Poplar.
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Transportation Safety Open House 2, 4-5:30 p.m., Aug 25 at the Harvey County Courthouse, 800 N Main.
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Transportation Safety Open House 3, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Aug 27 at the Newton Public Library, 223 E. 7th St.
See all of the upcoming events on our Community Events calendar on Choose-Newton.com.
Meetings & Reminders:
- 7:30 a.m. Aug 20 – City Commission agenda review
- 5:30 p.m. Aug 24 – Comprehensive Plan Open House
- 7 p.m. Aug 25 – City Commission Meeting
- 7:30 a.m. Sept 3 – City Commission agenda review
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