Monroe
GOVERNMENT
Jasper County calls for a $6.4M bond election this November
Aug. 23—Supervisors have called for a special election this November in hopes Jasper County residents will agree to a $6.4 million bond to pay for the second phase of the new Liberty Avenue Yard project, which will become the new home for the engineer's office and the secondary roads department. According to the resolution included in the board of supervisors agenda, general obligation bonds ...
Another Section of Main Street to be Closed in Knoxville Next Week
Another section of Main Street will be closed in Knoxville next week. This closure will be on Main Street from Attica Rd. to 7th St. for a private sewer repair. The closure is expected to last until Friday, August 30th. Other road construction continues to be ongoing throughout the city as part of the Street Improvement Project. Knoxville City Manager Heather Ussery encourages the community to remain patient with all of the construction going on, and to still support local businesses that are being affected.
Newton Residents Asked to Fill Out Water Survey
The City of Newton’s Waterworks and Water Pollution Control Department is asking residents to fill out a survey on the City’s website. By October 2024, the City says Water Systems must develop an inventory of all water service lines and identify if they are lead, copper, plastic, or galvanized. As part of this process, the City needs residents to help complete the inventory. By taking the survey, a resident provides the information the CIty needs regarding their water service line, eliminating the need for City officials to enter their home to complete the survey. Again that survey can be found on the City of Newton’s website.
Knoxville Community School District Changes Bus Policy
The Knoxville Community School District has changed its bus policy for the upcoming school year. Students will have an ID card that they will scan when they get on and off the bus, which will alert the driver if a student is on the wrong bus or if they get off at the wrong stop. When registering for the bus, parents will only be able to select one drop off and pick up location for their student. Parents will now be able to utilize an app where they can track where the bus is at. New for this year too is that students will not be able to have guests on the bus. Superintendent Cassi Pearson says these policy changes will help out bus drivers.
Carnival in the Park returns for 11th year on Saturday
Aug. 22—Carnival in the Park returns this weekend for its eleventh consecutive year. The community-based celebration is hosted by Integrated Treatment Services, LLC and has been going strong by offering free food and entertainment for all families. The carnival begins at 10 a.m. Aug. 24 at Aurora Park in Newton. Families can enjoy bounce houses, games, raffles, food and live music by blues ...
Construction of New Leighton State Bank Facility to Begin in Knoxville
Construction of a new Leighton State Bank facility will begin shortly in Knoxville. The bank announced that confirmation was received that a building permit will be issued for a full-service banking facility at 209 South Lincoln. This news follows the conditional approval of the site plan during Monday’s Knoxville City Council meeting. The new 3,750-square-foot building will replace the current branch on the Knoxville square and will feature drive-up lanes, an outdoor 24-hour ATM, and safe deposit boxes.
Newton Library Director Addressing Staffing in Annual Report to City Council
Staffing challenges were one of the first things Newton Library Director Nicole Terry mentioned when she gave her annual report to the Newton City Council earlier this week. But she also noted the number one priority of the staff that is there, is to keep the Library open and continue essential services.
Pella City Council to Further Discuss Memorial Building Plans in September
Further discussion is scheduled in September for several upcoming projects in Pella, including renovation of the Pella Memorial Building. The landmark primarily used by local veterans groups and acquired by the city in 2017 is due for repairs, according to City Administrator Mike Nardini. Upgrades were included in the fiscal...
Newton Chamber Executive Director Wants to Bring Back Courthouse Lighting Parade
Greater Newton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kaylea Marchant wants to bring back the parade that coincides with the Courthouse Christmas Lighting Ceremony the Friday after Thanksgiving. “As we get to planning and get that pushed out, hopefully that is something we can bring back for the community”. Kaylea Marchant...
Costs Added to Newton’s West 4th Street South Reconstruction Project
Added costs to the just completed West 4th Street South reconstruction project in Newton were approved during this week’s City Council meeting. In February, Manatt’s Incorporated won the project with a $981,423 bid. But city staff says the project between South 2nd Avenue West and South 5th Avenue West ran into unforeseen design issues and quantity overruns. Newton City Council members unanimously accepted a change order of $68,839. The extra cost will be paid with a combination of ARPA, Water Utility Enterprise, StormWater Utility, and Road Use Tax funds. Manatt completed the mainline paving on June 10th, pouring nearly 1,000 linear feet of 31-foot wide concrete. West 4th Street South has had several asphalt resurfacing projects over the last 65 years, with the most recent occurring in 2009. But City staff felt the asphalt surface and road base were past the point of rehabilitation, making reconstruction was the only option.
Pyrotechnic Guild International Convention Returning to Newton in 2025
For the 2nd time in four years, amateur and professional fireworks enthusiasts from around the world will converge on Newton next year. Newton Mayor Evelyn George has announced the City will host the 2025 Pyrotechnic Guild International Annual convention,. “The competition was down to Appleton, Wisconsin and Newton, Iowa, and...
This Week is National Wastewater Workers Week
This past week has been National Wastewater Workers Week. A proclamation was read by Knoxville Mayor Brian Hatch at Monday’s Knoxville City Council meeting, which stated that “the water and wastewater workforce of Iowa have dedicated themselves to applying environmental passion and science to enhance drinking and recreational waters of Iowa and their applied environmentalism continues to be a vital element in improving the quality of life and preserving and protecting public health in our state and promoting sustainability in our way of living.” Hatch talked to Knoxville Water Reclamation Superintendent Patrick Murphy saying the work of wastewater workers often goes unnoticed but is crucial for the community.
Knoxville Library Park Project Nearing Completion
The Knoxville Library Park project is nearing completion. This project is on the west side of the library and includes a garden, sidewalks, trees, greenery, a stage for library programming, picnic tables, and a memorial bench. The garden at the park will be called “Dixie’s Garden” to honor Knoxville native Dixie Gebhardt, who is known for designing the Iowa Flag. Knoxville City Manager Heather Ussery tells KNIA/KRLS that the project is considered substantially complete at this point and is just waiting on a circular bench and two picnic tables that will arrive in mid-September. Knoxville Public Library Director Roslin Thompson says the garden will be a good memorial for Dixie.
Two of Three Project Applications Submitted by the City of Knoxville are Awarded Federal Housing Tax Credits
Two of the three project applications submitted by the City of Knoxville have been awarded federal housing tax credits by the Iowa Economic Development Authority. The two projects that were awarded credits and will move forward are a Hugerich Holdings LLC project, which will consist of 36 market rate rental units in Block A of the Veterans District, and five new homes which will be constructed by Origin Homes in the Veterans District. The proposed new Kading housing project did not receive the award and it is unclear at this time if they will move forward. The city and Kading have put in a significant amount of work preparing for this future development and Knoxville City Manager Heather Ussery hopes they decide to continue development.
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