March 18, 2024

Sheriff’s quarterly report, reserve deputies approved

Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty had been hinting for awhile that his office needed some more manpower, and on Tuesday, he receive approval to potentially hire seven reserve deputies.

“The reserves are just that, they’re volunteers. We are in need, we had a good strong reserve program and we put some on a couple of years ago,” Halferty said. “We’re needing some more just with all of the events going on. They’re kind of like a volunteer firefighter, they do a great public service with little attention or appreciation.”

The board approved: Jacob Halferty; Carrie Jo Stilley; Ryan Eaton; Rick Nichols; Rodney Eilander; Steven Buchmeier and Alan Shea as reserves and their terms would expire on Dec. 31, 2016.

Although the board formally approved them, Halferty said there is still a vetting process for them to go through.

“What this group is, is I’m calling them ‘candidates,’” Halferty said. “We have a training program they are going to have to go through, so they are essentially on probation. So we’ll see if they all cut it.”

Halferty’s quarterly report was also approved by the board. In January, his office collected $52,442.59 and disbursed $43,430.39. For February, the office collected $60,547.24 and disbursed $64,645.35 and in March, the office collected $46,117.94 and disbursed $38,459.53.

As of March 14, the office had a fund balance of $23,052.68.

In other business:

Pat Tomlonovic received approval to create two permanent entrances to a property near S. 52nd Ave. W. The first is for building a new driveway half a mile south of the listed location and the other is to build a driveway north of an existing driveway at the property.

Sugar Grove Vineyard and Gathering place received approval for a one-week liquor license and the Loyal Order of Moose Newton Lodge 923 received approval to renew its liquor license.

Dallas Cupples was hired as a seasonal intern for the Jasper County Conservation Office. Cupples was hired at a rate of $10 an hour and his salary is being paid for through a Silos and Smokestacks grant. He begins work on May 13.

Jeanann Dougan was hired at a rate of $16.90 per hour for a part-time jailor position at the Jasper County Jail.

Senior staff writer Ty Rushing may be contacted at (641) 792-3121, ext. 426, or at trushing@newtondailynews.com.