October City Desk headed back to The Table
City Desk is headed to The Table next Wednesday and we would love to chat and share a meal with you!
Join City Commissioner Jason Miller and Chief of Police Craig Dunlavy to ask questions, provide input and feedback, or simply to enjoy a free meal with one another. We hope to see you there!
- Wednesday, Oct. 21 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Come-and-go community meal
- First United Methodist Church, 801 N. Main
 New City payment platform coming Oct. 21
Beginning Oct. 21, the City of Newton is moving to a new online payment platform designed to provide an improved customer experience and more options for managing and paying your City bills.
What You Need to Know
Your next steps depend on how you currently pay your utility bill:
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Pay online: You will need to create a new online account after Oct. 21 at www.newtonkansas.com/pay.
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Auto pay with a credit or debit card: You will need to set up your auto payment again through the new system at
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www.newtonkansas.com/pay.
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Auto pay by bank draft (ACH): No action is needed. Your automatic bank drafts will continue.
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Pay by cash or check: No changes are necessary. Continue paying your bill as you normally do.
New Payment Options & Features
The new platform will offer several new features, including:
- Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay
- Payment reminders
- Immediate payment notifications
- The ability to pay multiple utility accounts in one transaction
- The option to add an additional email recipient for receipts
- Auto-authentication for returning users
Changes to Fees
The previous $1 online convenience fee is being eliminated. However, processing fees will apply to certain payment methods:
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Credit/debit card: 3.2% processing fee for payments, whether online or in the office
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Digital wallets: 3.2% processing fee for Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay
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eCheck: $0.95 fee for one-time payments
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Phone payments: $0.95 fee when paying through the secure phone system
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Auto pay: No fee for monthly auto pay by bank draft
For complete information and to access the new payment platform beginning Oct. 21, visit www.newtonkansas.com/pay.
Reminder: If you receive your utility bill by mail, allow extra time for delivery. Mail delivery times have been slower than normal, so please plan ahead when sending payments by mail.
Questions? Please contact Utility Billing at 316-284-6007.
 City staff raise awareness on Purple Thursday for Domestic Violence Awareness Month
City of Newton employees from City Hall and the Newton Police Department joined together for #PurpleThursday, wearing purple to show support for survivors and reaffirm our commitment to a safe, caring and supportive community.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to recognize the impact of domestic violence and the importance of prevention, awareness, and support. Domestic violence affects every community, including ours, and everyone has a role to play in building a safer community.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, resources are available:
- Emergency: Call 911
- Newton Police Department: 316-284-6030
- Safehope: 316-283-0350
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for emotional support
Together, we can help raise awareness, support survivors, and promote a community where everyone can feel safe
City crews team up for big community events
Community events take plenty of behind-the-scenes teamwork to bring them to life! Before the crowds arrive, our Streets, Sanitation and Parks crews are hard at work helping prepare downtown for events like Taste of Newton.
Our Streets and Sanitation crews help coordinate street closures and detours, place trash carts throughout the event area, and make sure the space stays clean and sanitary for attendees. Meanwhile, our Parks Division helps prepare the gathering space by setting up tables before the event and handling cleanup afterward.
These may seem like small details, but they play an important role in creating a safe, clean and welcoming environment where friends, families and neighbors can come together and enjoy the community. A big thank-you to our crews for the work they do behind the scenes, and to the Newton Area Chamber of Commerce for such a great community-building event!
 Newton included on KPTS's "See Taste Do" travel show
Newton will be featured next week on the KPTS travel show “See Taste Do.” The show highlights historic landmarks, local flavors, and unique roadside or community experiences across small towns and cities in Kansas.
Newton’s episode will feature Gallery Mostaza, Back Alley Pizza, and the Kauffman Museum.
Below are the numerous air dates and times:
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Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on PBS Kansas channel 8.1
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Wednesday, Oct 21 at 6 p.m. on PBS Kansas Explore channel 8.2
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Sunday, Oct 25 at 1:30 p.m. on channel 8.1 and later that night at 6 p.m. on channel 8.2
Monarch migration floats through Athletic Park
The North side of the Athletic Park flower bed was buzzing with activity this past Friday as monarch butterflies stopped by to enjoy the blooms!
Beyond adding color and beauty to our community’s green spaces, these flower beds serve an important purpose. Flowering plants provide nectar and other essential nourishment for monarchs and other pollinators as they make their seasonal migrations. These small but meaningful spaces help support local pollinator populations and provide a welcoming stop along their journey.
Shout-out to our Parks Department for creating and maintaining beautiful spaces that benefit both our community and the environment. The next time you’re out enjoying Newton’s parks, take a moment to stop and see what’s blooming!
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Newton Police launch Bundled by the Badge coat drive
The Newton Police Department is gearing up to help keep local kids warm this winter! Starting Monday, Oct. 19, we’re collecting new or gently used coats for local children from preschool through high school age.
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Drop-off location: Newton Police Department lobby
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When: Oct. 19 through the end of November
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Drop-off hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Can’t make it to the PD because of transportation or mobility challenges? Contact us at 316-284-6030 so we can help make arrangements!
Every coat makes a difference! Let’s work together to keep Newton’s kids warm this winter.
Prescription Drug Take Back Day next week
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is coming up Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is a great opportunity to safely dispose of prescription medications you no longer need or use. If you’re a caregiver, take a few minutes to help a loved one go through their medications and identify anything that should be disposed of.
Bring unwanted medications to the Harvey County Law Enforcement Center, 120 E. 7th St., on Saturday, Oct. 24, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Proper disposal helps keep medications out of the wrong hands and out of our community’s water supply.
Who to Call in Newton offers helpful guidance
Need to report a pothole, ask about a missed trash pickup or find the right contact for a City service? Our Who to Call in Newton guide makes it easy to find the right number for a variety of everyday needs.
The guide includes contact information for City services, utility billing, building permits, traffic concerns, local organizations and more. It also includes a reminder about when to call 911 for emergencies and where to submit concerns online.
Keep this handy resource nearby, save it to your phone or share it with a neighbor. Knowing who to call can save time and help connect you with the right department or service when you need it!
2026 Holiday Helpers fundraising underway
The Holiday Helpers tradition brings local first responders together each year to help make the holiday season a little brighter for families across Harvey County. From packing boxes to delivering food, the program is made possible through teamwork, generosity and community support.
Holiday Helpers is working toward supporting 250 local families, and community donations are an important part of making that goal possible.
Donations can be made at the Newton Police Department or Harvey County Sheriff’s Office, 120 E. 7th St., Newton. Checks should be made payable to First Responder Holiday Helpers.
Every donation makes a difference, and sharing information about the program helps spread the word. Together, we can help make the holidays a little brighter for families in our community.
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Upcoming Events
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ARToberfest, 5:30-8 p.m., Oct. 24 at Carriage Factory Art Gallery. Live music, live artist throwdown, food, and fun!
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Warkentin House Flashlight Tour, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Warkentin House. Guests will visit 5 rooms and hear true tales, superstitions, and weird traditions about death in the Victorian age.
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2026 Halloween Walk, 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 31 in downtown Newton. Join thousands of Newton kids for trick-or-treating in a safe and trusted environment.
See all of the upcoming events on our Community Events calendar on Choose-Newton.com.
Meetings & Reminders:
- 7:30 a.m. Oct. 22 – City Commission agenda review
- 7 p.m. Oct. 27 – City Commission meeting
- 6 p.m. Nov. 2
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