 Second annual City pumpkin decorating contest
Yesterday, over the lunch hour, City staff showed off their impressive pumpkin-decorating skills and battled it out for the ultimate prize: bragging rights across City departments.
Let’s just say the competition was fierce, the creativity was flowing, and our staff definitely understood the assignment.
Congrats to the winners in the Second Annual City Pumpkin Decorating Contest!
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Most Creative: Newtonopoly – Water/Wastewater
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Best Painted Pumpkin: Police Pig – Police Dept
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Best Department-Theme Pumpkin: Happy Hal“law”een – Law/Court
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Best Overall: Newton Water Tower – Water/Wastewater
 A mini NPD officer in the making
SRO Jacob Garver had a special visitor today at Sunset Elementary, and we’re not sure who was more excited about this meet-and-greet! This student came prepared with the uniform, badge, shades, and plenty of confidence.
Officer Garver, you might want to keep an eye out for your future partner!
We love moments like these that remind us how important it is to build connections with our youngest community members. One day we might even see them right beside NPD officers!
Holiday Helpers still in need of donations to feed families
Newton's First Responders are still accepting donations for the Holiday Helpers initiative, where we have a goal of feeding 250 families for the holidays. Can you help us?
First responders from Harvey County plus surrounding counties pack food boxes each year for families in need to help make the holiday times a little less stressful.
Every donation, big or small, helps us purchase food for local families through Dillons, which generously provides a 10% match on every donation.
- Donations can be dropped off at the Newton Police Department or Harvey County Sheriff’s Office, both located at 120 E. 7th St.
- Checks can be made payable to First Responder Holiday Helpers.
Together, we can make the holiday season brighter for local families!
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Fall is the perfect time to plant a tree
Those beautiful fall colors have us thinking about trees! Beyond making our neighborhoods look great, trees provide shade, help reduce soil erosion, improve air quality and make our community a little greener.
If you’ve been thinking about adding a tree to your yard but haven’t quite pulled the trigger, here’s your sign!
Through Nov. 30, the City of Newton’s Fall Tree Coupon Program offers:
- 50% off the cost of a tree (up to $75)
- Pick up your coupon at City Hall, 3rd-floor reception desk
Participating businesses include:
- Stone Creek Nursery
- Esch Landscaping
- Sha-na-kee
- Prairie Fire Farm
 SE 14th Connector Road reopened
Good news! The SE 14th Connector Road, also known as Beer Can Alley, is back open!
Please note that northbound Spencer at SE 14th remains restricted, so drivers cannot travel north through that intersection just yet.
Construction on South Spencer continues, with the project expected to be complete by late November, weather permitting. Work will end at the SE 14th/12th intersection, with no additional construction planned south of that point as part of this project.
Thank you for your patience as we continue working to improve Newton’s streets!
City Commission meetings and agenda information
City Commission meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 7 p.m. at City Hall on the third floor. Reviewing the agenda ahead of time is a great way to stay informed about City projects, community initiatives, and the decisions being discussed that affect Newton.
Meetings also typically include a Citizen Open Forum near the end of the meeting, providing an opportunity for community members to address the Commission and give input and feedback.
Meetings are livestreamed on the City's Facebook and YouTube channels. The day after the meeting, you can review the agenda with timestamped video links to each item on the agenda (example).
Whether you plan to attend in person, via the livestream, or simply want to stay in the loop, it starts with knowing what’s on the agenda!
Celebrating First Responders Day with NPD and NFEMS
Every community has superheroes, and ours definitely live up to that standard at the Newton Police Department and Newton Fire/EMS!
They run toward the calls everyone else hopes they never have to make. They see the best days, the worst days, the lives saved and the endings that aren't what anyone hoped for. They show up for the fires, crashes, medical emergencies, difficult scenes, and countless moments that never make the news.
Behind every police car, fire engine, ambulance, and dispatch console is a person who chose to be there for someone else.
This week, the City of Newton says thank you to the men and women who answer the call every day. You may not wear a cape, but you are heroes to the people you serve.
Upcoming Events
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Warkentin House Flashlight Tour, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Warkentin House. Guests will visit five 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.
- Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration, 1:30-5 p.m. Nov. 1 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.
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Lions Club Pancake Feed, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 3 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. All-you-can-eat pancakes, plus sausage, eggs, juice and coffee. Meals by donation.
Halloween Event Guide
See all of the upcoming events on our Community Events calendar on Choose-Newton.com.
Meetings & Reminders:
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