Local

DES MOINES — During its recent annual state convention, Ducks Unlimited recognized several individuals and organizations for their dedicated efforts to improve Iowa’s wetland and waterfowl resources by presenting them with 2010 Conservation Awards.

The Knights of Columbus Fish Fry is set for 5 to 6:30 p.m. Friday at the McCann Center, 1115 S. Eighth Ave. E. in Newton.

Richard Penney Jr., 27, will spend at least five years in prison after he pleaded guilty Monday to one count of possession of more than five grams of a controlled substance.

For the first time, members of the NCSD Elementary Realignment and Boundary subcommittee publicly named which schools they believe should be closed if a school closure is approved.

Newton Community School District Board of Education

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program is providing the VITA Program, which offers free tax help for low- to moderate-income (generally $42,000 and below) individuals who cannot prepare their own tax returns.

The City of Newton purchased the former Newton Hatchery building at North Second Avenue East and East 12th Street last year, under the Dangerous and Dilapidated program.

The trial for a man facing seven charges in the multi-vehicle crash that killed a Newton woman last fall has been postponed again, this time to May.

The Young Professionals of Jasper County and Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce Easter Egg Hunt will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 27, at Maytag Park in Newton.

The Grinnell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is sponsoring a free genealogy workshop open to the public from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 10, in the Drake Community Library Caulkins Community Room, located at Fifth Avenue and Park Street in Grinnell.

Chapter K-EN of T.T.T.

Note: This is the first in a weekly series of articles called “Around the Corner.” Each week the Daily News’ Josh Koehn will call up a Newton resident at random and ask him or her a series of questions, which were also selected at random. This week we will be talking with 45-year-old Aaron Loree.

Under the covers at night, more people in Newton are letting the bed bugs bite.

Get your ice-cold beer right here. Mason Groben’s Madhouse Brewery, located in one of Maytag’s historic buildings, is now operational.

The Jasper County Historical Museum will host its spring meeting at 7 p.m. Monday in the theater at the museum, 1700 S. 15th Ave. W.

Jon Schuler was hired by the Newton Police Department in February after he was selected from a list of 27 candidates. Mayor Chaz Allen swore in Officer Schuler on Thursday. Officer Schuler will attend the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in Johnston from April 26 until graduation on July 30.

Blood drives are scheduled from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday at Baxter City Hall, 203 S. Main St. in Baxter; from 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the DMACC Newton Campus, 600 N. Second Ave. W. in Newton; and from 2 to 7 p.m. March 22 at First State Bank, 413 East St. in Lynnville.

The lovable red-head from comic strip, screen and stage is showcased in one of the world’s best-loved musicals opening at the Newton Community Theatre on Friday.

Baxter Planning & Zoning Commission

The Newton Senior High School Class of 1975 is seeking contact information for several classmates, including the following:

The Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) Alumni Association is sponsoring a bus trip to the Indianapolis 500 from May 29 to 31.

Two work sessions for members of the Newton Community School District Board of Education have been scheduled for tonight.

The Jasper County Board of Supervisors approved the county’s budget for next fiscal year, and although taxes will stay relatively flat this year, the warning from the supervisors was that the situation can’t hold much longer.

Steve Dailey will speak about coin collecting at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Park Centre Garden Room.

A benefit supper for Toni Logue — the wife of former Newton resident Mike Logue who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer — is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Knoxville Farm Bureau, located at 1017 N. Lincoln in Knoxville.

The Newton Police Association invites the citizens of Newton to a retirement coffee for Lt. Jim Appleby of the Newton Police Department.

The Alzheimer’s Support Group will meet at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at Newton Village.

The Cedar Valley Fighting Association is bringing another round of Friday Night Fights to Newton at 8 p.m. April 9 at the VFW.

The Newton Youth Baseball organization is offering parents another opportunity to register their players for Little League baseball.

Pet owners are reminded that 2010 dog and cat licenses must be purchased by March 31, 2010, to avoid a late fee of $20.

Ryan Rosenquist has an eye for the sky.

A bizarre accident Monday afternoon injured one man and brought police and rescue units from four different municipalities.

Members of MAT Tumbling/Trampoline traveled southwest in February to compete at a two-day USTA/AAU meet.

The Jasper County Animal Rescue League and Humane Society will conduct its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. today at the league building.

Repairs to some of Newton’s most battered and broken streets is on the horizon following discussion at Monday night’s Newton City Council meeting.

The Jasper County Democrats County Convention is set for Saturday at the Jasper County Community Center in Newton.

Jasper County Supervisor John Parsons has announced plans to seek re-election to the Board of Supervisors this fall.

Several blood drives are scheduled around Jasper County over the next couple weeks.

Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), counselors to America’s small businesses, will offer a free small business workshop from 5:45 to 9 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, March 22 and 24, at the DMACC Newton Campus in the NDC Conference Room.

The Jasper County Recorder’s office has received more than a few inquiries in recent weeks from citizens wondering if they’re being tricked into overpaying for their property deeds.

Former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad will be visiting Newton on Friday.

The Salvation Army will be distributing Easter food baskets to the first 100 families that qualify.

Skiff Medical Center earlier this month unveiled a leading-edge infant security system last week, offering additional protection against the possibility of abduction.

What is the Fourth of July without fireworks? It seems almost unthinkable, and yet these difficult economic times are squeezing expenditures for fireworks out of city budgets.

Spring Break

The loose-meat sandwich war has reached the Iowa senate floor.

Jasper County Board of Health

“Blind Faith” — a Lenten drama directed by Peg Ehler — will be presented on Maundy Thursday, April 1, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Luke United Methodist Church.

Damon Dotson in concert tonight at Elks Lodge

Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), counselors to America’s small businesses, will offer a free small business workshop from 5:45 to 9 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, March 22 and 24, at the DMACC Newton Campus in the NDC Conference Room.

The members of the Berg Middle School Builders’ Club are having a busy year.

The Parkinson’s Disease Support Group will meet from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Monday in the Park Centre Garden Room.

PEO Chapter AO and PEO Chapter HS will meet Tuesday.

Emerson Hough Elementary students donated more than 500 food items to the Salvation Army Food Pantry on Feb. 18, during a week-long food drive. Captain Bethany Gauthier and Cliff Hoch, of the Newton Salvation Army, accepted the food from the Emerson Hough Student Council. Pictured are Student Council members Kirstopher Rogahn, Mariah Gonzales, Alex Hutchinson, Leela Spencer, Chase Parker and Shea Carre, and Captain Bethany Gauthier and Cliff Hoch of the Newton Salvation Army.

The Howard Street Christian Church Lenten Concert Series will continue through March 28, with all concerts beginning at 7 p.m.

Hannah Klein, a 2011 Human Services major from Reasnor, will be participating in an 11-day spring 2010 tour through Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Texas and Kansas. The Grand View University Choir will be performing a home concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 28, at Luther Memorial Church, 1201 Grandview Ave., Des Moines, as the finale to its spring 2010 tour.