A Tribute to Veterans was conducted on Veterans Day on the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) Ankeny Campus.

WEST DES MOINES — More Iowa students will have the information they need to pursue a college education, thanks to a grant the Iowa College Access Network (ICAN) recently received from KnowHow2GO, a national multimedia campaign to encourage students to find their way to college.

GRINNELL — The Grinnell College Department of Theatre and Dance will present Shakespeare’s 1600 romantic comedy “As You Like It” Friday through Sunday in Roberts Theatre in the Bucksbaum Center for the Arts on the Grinnell College campus.

Thanksgiving

Aaron Gunsaulus, a native of Newton, has been hired to be the interim pastor at the Newton Christian Reformed Church.

A free Thanksgiving dinner for senior citizens, age 55 and older, is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday at Community Heights Alliance Church in Newton.

Kingdom Force, a Christian ministry group from Elim Bible Institute, will be featured at the Newton Foursquare Church during its regular morning worship service beginning at 9:45 a.m. Sunday. The church also will be celebrating its 80th anniversary in Newton by honoring two charter members, Newton residents Juanita Shoemake and Aletha Woody.

Primetime Fellowship

Beginning next year, the Newton Convention & Visitor’s Bureaus will be offering promotional funding grants to local groups selected by the CVB’s Grant Advisory Committee.

Several 4-H members from around the county recently were installed as Jasper County 4-H Council members.

GRINNELL — Former Israeli Ambassador Asher Naim will describe his role in the 1991 Operation  Solomon on Monday, Nov. 30, at 7:30 p.m. in the Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center on the Grinnell College campus.

Attorneys representing uniformed security personnel recently filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa against Per Mar Security Services for alleged violations of federal labor law. 

Christine Jensen poses in a holiday embellished sweater from Mode Huis, during the fall fashion show at Wesley Park Centre. The annual event draws dozens of ladies to Park Centre’s Garden Room for tea and fashion featuring the latest clothing lines at Mode Huis in Newton.

Newton’s first brewery is nearly ready.

AUSTIN, Minn. (MCT) — Two people are dead and 21 injured in a rollover accident of a tour bus Wednesday near Austin, Minn., according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

Members of the Newton Board of REALTORS donated gloves, hats, mittens and other clothing to the Newton schools system for distribution among the five elementary schools. The items were collected by board members. Pictured with the clothing items are front row, from left, Bruce Showalter, Kirstin Swank, Julie Rose, Martha Brayton, Kathy Macy, Susan Forbes and Koni Bunse. Second row, Barb Barr, Larry Rose, Todd Trease, Dan Kelley and Newton Schools Superintendent Steve McDermott.

(MCT) — Iowa’s first automated interstate snow gates arrive this winter, hopefully solving problems most motorists never even contemplate.

On Oct. 17, the International Lions Clubs welcomed the Newton Lions Club into their membership. This club had been in the formation stage for the past four months and completed the requirements to be a local, community-based Lions Club.

Kingdom Force, a Christian ministry group from Elim Bible Institute, will be featured at the Newton Foursquare Church during its regular morning worship service beginning at 9:45 a.m. Sunday.

SHARE (Self Help And Resource Exchange) distribution is scheduled for 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church in Newton.

The Jasper County Republican Central Committee will conduct its November meeting at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the Wesley Park Centre Garden Room.

GRINNELL — The Grinnell College Department of Theatre and Dance will present Shakespeare’s 1600 romantic comedy “As You Like It” Friday through Sunday in Roberts Theatre in the Bucksbaum Center for the Arts at Grinnell College.

CJ Fox of The Lighting Store recently announced creation of the CJ Fox School for Karaoke and DJ.

The children of St. Luke United Methodist After School Club display some nail aprons decorated for use by Habitat for Humanity volunteers. The nail aprons were donated by McKlveen Lumber of Newton. The children also decorated lunch sacks to be filled for use by local Habitat workers.

Army Staff Sgt. Jeremy R. Patterson has re-enlisted in the U.S. Army after eight years of miltary service.

GRINNELL — Former Israeli Ambassador Asher Naim will describe his role in the 1991 Operation  Solomon on Monday, Nov. 30, at 7:30 p.m. in the Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center on the Grinnell College campus.

Beginning Monday, local authorities, along with police officers all across the state, will be out in force as part of Iowa’s Special Traffic Enforcement Program (sTEP).

WATERLOO — A government panel’s findings that women should begin mammograms at 50, not 40, was lambasted by national cancer and radiology organizations less than 12 hours after being released.

There is good news and bad news concerning the H1N1 influenza virus in Jasper County. While there is now plenty of vaccine in the area to vaccinate everyone within the eligibility guidelines, officials are expecting the flu symptoms to peak in January.

In the wake of the announcement of a new CEO for Skiff Medical Center, the current interim CEO, Francie Jahn, has tendered her resignation.

Van Maanen Electric employees have been installing the holiday lighting on the Jasper County Courthouse this week. A crane from Veenstra Construction of Oskaloosa was at the courthouse Wednesday afternoon to help the crew string the Christmas lights from the flagpole on the dome. Christmas trees are going up inside the courthouse as well, with a tree in the rotunda, as well as this one on the third floor.

WASHINGTON (MCT) — The federal Web site that tracks spending from the Obama administration’s $787 billion economic stimulus program reports that the program has created thousands of jobs in congressional districts that don’t exist.

The Piecemaker’s Quilt Guild will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at St. Luke United Methodist Church.

Prudential First Realty of Newton, located at 119 W. Second St. N., is hosting its second annual toy drive to help make local children’s Christmas a merry one.

The Sully shopping extravaganza will be offered at the Lynnville-Sully high school gym on Saturday, Nov. 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

An Old-Fashioned “Barn” Dance is scheduled for 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday at Skate Castle in Newton.

The Jasper County Retired School Personnel Association will meet at noon Tuesday for a luncheon with the members of the Iowa General Assembly who represent Jasper County.

Park Centre will host a Fall Fashion Show beginning at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Park Centre dining room.

The Newton Senior High School After Prom Committee will be selling Hy-Vee coupon books for $5 each on Friday, Saturday and Nov. 25 and Dec. 18, 19 and 23 at Hy-Vee.

Newton Needlecraft Club

WASHINGTON (MCT) — It is a core tenet of the push to improve American medical care and control its cost: Experts should study the effectiveness of treatments and procedures to determine which work best.

Local adoptive families are invited to attend an adoption support group meeting for families who have adopted children through private, international or foster care adoption Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Newton.

PELLA — Central College students often start their day at Central’s Café@Geisler, ordering an organic coffee and then heading to class. What most students don’t realize is how their cup of joe contributes to Central’s recent initiative toward sustainability and charity.

Unemployment insurance benefits for about 20,000 Iowans will be extended up to 14 weeks, the agency announced.

CORALVILLE (MCT) — Lab tests show all of the flu circulating in Iowa is the H1N1 virus — good news for anyone unable to get a seasonal flu shot yet.

In these tough economic times, the prospect of more jobs in Jasper County, no matter how few, is good news for county officials. The Jasper County Board of Supervisors received a bit of good news at Tuesday’s meeting.

Grinnell police officer Jeremy Stevenson (left) of Kellogg was awarded the Sullivan Brothers Award of Valor by Gov. Chet Culver on Nov. 12 in Des Moines. He was nominated after rescuing a Grinnell woman from a house fire in October of 2008.

The mystery of what’s causing the flooding in the Callison Park neighborhood hasn’t been solved ... yet. But Fox Engineering may be getting closer to discovering the root of the problem.

John Jennings/Daily News

In a unanimous move, members of the Skiff Medical Center’s Board of Trustees appointed Steve Long as the new president and chief executive officer at Skiff.

Jasper Conservation Connection (JCC) hosted its second annual photo contest this year, with the top placing photos used on greeting cards, and eight photos from local photographers have been selected for the cards, two from each season of the year.

Called a “lavish stage production” by the New York Times, “The Wizard of Oz” will be on stage at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, at Stephens Auditorium in Ames.

The Newton Police Department is making the public aware of a recent telephone scam involving callers contacting residents and claiming the resident has won a gift card.

ANKENY — The Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) has announced changes in its membership structure. Effective now, membership in ISA is open to any farmer in Iowa who annually markets at least 250 bushels of soybeans, no longer requiring they pay additional membership dues.

The Newton Senior High School guidance office has invited a representative from the Iowa Student Loan College Access Network (ICAN) to provide a free financial aid presentation at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, in room 11 at the high school.

The Piecemaker’s Quilt Guild will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at St. Luke United Methodist Church.

DEAR BRUCE: My fiance and I were in the process of moving in together after a two-year relationship. We knew each other for 19 years, engaged for two. I had things of mine at his house, he had things of his at my house, and we had combined purchases. We made a lot of plans for out future together. He passed away suddenly from a heart attack. No children, never married and left no will. I have a child that he treated like his own. He owned his home and substantial amount of money in investments. Two weeks after his passing, his mother came in and told me I was not allowed in the home anymore and refused to let me take anything. He did not have a good relationship with any of his family members. My question is can she legally do this? — V.S.,

CHICAGO — United Health Foundation, the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention today released the 20th Anniversary Edition of America’s Health Rankings showing that Iowa ranks 15th when compared to the health of other states.

Interstate Insurance Services Inc. of Newton has been named one of the State Auto Insurance Companies’ “Top 100 Sales Stars.” The agency experienced both successful sales growth and overall underwriting profitability to qualify for the honor.

DEAR DR. GOTT: In reading your column about the 72-year-old man with ALS, I have some questions. My husband, also 72, was diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). The physicians were not positive but indicated he had the earmarks for it. His death certificate lists CJD as the cause. The family anticipated an autopsy after his death, but it was not allowed because the coroners refused to do it due to the seriousness of CJD. Without the autopsy we are not sure of the actual cause of death.

CHICAGO — An influential group’s new recommendations about mammograms for younger women set off a furious debate Monday that left women without clear guidance about how best to protect their health.

WASHINGTON (MCT) — Requiring employers to offer most workers health insurance has long been seen as a crucial piece of Democratic efforts to overhaul the nation’s health care system, but legislation that the Senate’s expected to consider soon is unlikely to include any such mandate.

Twenty-two youth from United Presbyterian, First Lutheran, First Presbyterian and Our Savior Lutheran churches recently participated in a night of experiencing homelessness.

DALLAS (MCT) — Fort Hood, Texas, massacre suspect Nidal Malik Hasan sought to have some of his patients prosecuted for war crimes based on statements they made during psychiatric sessions with him, a captain who served on the base said Monday.

Lincoln Savings Bank recently announced the addition of Jennifer Cook to its staff as vice president/personal mortgage consultant.

Prudential First Realty of Newton, located at 119 W. Second St. N., is hosting its second annual toy drive to help make local children’s Christmas a merry one.

Pet owners are reminded that 2010 dog and cat licenses must be purchased by March 31, 2010, to avoid a late fee of $20. Licenses are available at the Newton Police Department Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The license fee for altered dogs and/or cats is $15, and the fee for unaltered dogs and/or cats is $25.

Skiff Medical Center Board of Trustees

Chapter HS of PEO will meet at the home of Jenny Mann on Tuesday.

The Skiff Medical Center Auxiliary will host a bake sale and have gift shop items marked 50 percent off from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 23 and 24.

The Sully shopping extravaganza will be held at the Lynnville-Sully high school gym on Saturday, Nov. 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch will be served. Vendor space is still available by calling Shelley at (641) 594-3168.

The Newton Salvation Army will be kicking off its holiday fundraising with the annual chicken-noodle dinner on Friday, Nov. 20, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Following the dinner, a live and silent auction is scheduled and will feature quilted items, themed baskets, collectibles and many other items. The fundraising goal this year is $115,000, the same as last year. Pictured is Capt. Carol Cook arranging some of the items set for the auction. Cook said the Salvation Army is looking for bell ringers to sign up, with the ringing set to begin on Nov. 27.

BURLINGTON (MCT) — What can be done to reduce the dropout rate in the Burlington School District?

Skiff Medical Center could be very close to naming a new CEO.

Newton’s Tractor Supply Company is doing just fine, thank you.

Heading into his fourth term of office, Newton Mayor Chaz Allen has high hopes for the city he serves.

The Jasper County Public Health has widened the eligibility for the H1N1 influenza virus vaccine, according to a press release issued Friday.

Chad Straight of Wash Doors in Des Moines makes a measurement on the Newton City Hall entrance Thursday afternoon. A renovation of the doorway to city offices, begun last week, was long overdue, and the rust and peeling paint is now gone.