Newton local news summary

Commission debates, halts plan to suspend utility shut-offs

Main Street closure approved for Parade of Lights

Rec Center interior repurpose approved

City water and wastewater systems: Positive state inspections

Harvey County certifies Nov. 12 election results

Clerk details handling of Hesston, Burrton ballot errors

Harvey County property tax statements mailed

County, Newton officials discuss bike path for East 1st Street project

Commission debates, halts plan to suspend utility shut-offs

NEWTON, Kan. – The city commission considered but took no action on a proposal to temporarily suspend residential water service shut-offs after delayed November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits were released statewide on Friday, Nov. 7, easing the immediate hardship. Commissioners asked staff to keep working on reforms to the city’s economic hardship program, including lowering barriers to assistance and exploring a voluntary “round-up” donation option on utility bills.

Main Street closure approved for Parade of Lights

NEWTON, Kan. – The commission approved closing Main Street the evening of Thursday, Dec. 4, for the annual Parade of Lights from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The parade is scheduled for 6:30–7:30 p.m. through downtown Newton.

Rec Center interior repurpose approved

NEWTON, Kan. – Acting as owner of the building, the city approved a Newton Recreation Commission capital improvement to repurpose underused interior space at the Newton Rec Center into multipurpose programming space for activities such as classes and tumbling. The NRC will fund the project.

City water and wastewater systems: Positive state inspections

NEWTON, Kan. – Staff reported that recent inspections by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment found no deficiencies at the city’s wastewater facility and no deficiencies in the triennial water system inspection, with a few minor recommendations already addressed. Officials presented the results as a testament to staff diligence and system maintenance.

Harvey County certifies Nov. 12 election results

NEWTON, Kan. – The Harvey County Board of Commissioners, acting as the Board of Canvassers, officially certified the results of the Nov. 4 city and school election on Tuesday. County Clerk Rick Piepho reported a total voter turnout of 22.9 percent, with 5,258 ballots cast. After reviewing 84 provisional ballots, the board approved 62 to be counted and added them to the final tally. The additions produced a minor shift in the Newton City Commission race order. Piepho also confirmed a post-election audit of two randomly selected races matched machine totals exactly.

Clerk details handling of Hesston, Burrton ballot errors

NEWTON, Kan. – County Clerk Rick Piepho described steps his office took to address printing errors on ballots for Hesston and Burrton city races. In Hesston, some advance mail ballots incorrectly instructed voters to “vote for three” instead of two; in Burrton, some ballots showed “vote for two” instead of three. Piepho said corrective notices and poll-site instructions were used and all tabulators were correctly programmed; the audit later confirmed a perfect match to machine totals.

Harvey County property tax statements mailed

NEWTON, Kan. – The Harvey County Treasurer’s Office has mailed 27,823 property tax statements for the 2025 tax year, Treasurer Amy Perkins said Tuesday. The statements total just over $70 million across the county’s taxing units. First-half payments are due by Dec. 20.

County, Newton officials discuss bike path for East 1st Street project

NEWTON, Kan. – Harvey County and City of Newton officials are exploring whether to add a separated, multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists alongside the planned reconstruction of East 1st Street. During a report Tuesday, Road and Bridge Director Jim Meier said pursuing the path concept could strengthen future state and federal grant applications tied to the corridor, which is seeing increased traffic with commercial growth, including a new Hillsboro Industries facility on East 1st Street. Commissioners gave informal consent for staff to keep developing the design options.

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