Newton local news summary
Week of November 26 2025
Commission tables $1.6 million HVAC bond resolution
City approves land sale to Heartland Audio Visual
Contracts renewed for city manager and city attorney
Commissioners table equipment auction proposal over legal concerns
County hires new IT department head
Shield AI drone testing deemed ‘not that bad’ after site visit
Avcon Industries celebrates expansion at airport
Newton-City-County Airport reopens after maintenance
Sheriff’s Office reports high overtime due to jail staffing shortages
Flock camera system credits for major drug seizures
Commission tables $1.6 million HVAC bond resolution
NEWTON, Kan. - The Newton City Commission voted to table a resolution authorizing $1.6 million in bonds for heating, ventilation and air conditioning replacements at City Hall, Fire Station 2 and the Newton Recreation Center. City staff reported that the units, installed in 2003, have exceeded their 15- to 20-year lifespan, with the recreation center facing potential heating failures this winter. Commissioners requested a more detailed estimate of the annual debt service payments and the current cash flow of the funding source before moving forward. The item will be reconsidered at the next meeting.
City approves land sale to Heartland Audio Visual
NEWTON, Kan. - The Newton City Commission unanimously approved a purchase and sale agreement with Heartland Audio Visual for 3.68 acres in the Newton Industrial Park. The property was sold at a rate of $15,000 per acre, totaling approximately $55,200. Heartland Audio Visual, which recently managed the audiovisual installation for the new library, plans to establish its commercial and warehouse operations at the site, moving five full-time employees to the location.
Contracts renewed for city manager and city attorney
NEWTON, Kan. - The contracts for City Manager Daniela Rivas and City Attorney Chris Towle were renewed for one year following annual performance reviews. The agreements include a 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment and a 3 percent merit increase, along with three additional weeks of vacation time. Commissioners praised both officials for their “servant leadership” and ability to guide the city through complex changes and tough decisions with professionalism.
Commissioners table equipment auction proposal over legal concerns
NEWTON, Kan. - The Harvey County Board of Commissioners tabled a proposal to sell obsolete road and bridge equipment through an auction service partnered with The Gathering Church in Newton. The proposal suggested that 7 percent of the proceeds would fund a "ministry house" and neighborhood revitalization on West Sixth Street. While commissioners expressed support for the community concept, they raised concerns about the legality of a government entity contributing — even indirectly — to a religious organization and potential inequity by focusing revitalization efforts solely on Newton rather than the whole county. The board voted to table the item for one week to allow for further legal review.
County hires new IT department head
NEWTON, Kan. - The county administrator announced the hiring of Joe Bourney as the new head of the information technology department. Bourney, who previously worked in the Kansas City area, began his tenure with Harvey County on Nov. 17. The commission welcomed the new hire, noting the critical role information technology plays in county operations.
Shield AI drone testing deemed ‘not that bad’ after site visit
NEWTON, Kan. - Commissioner Becky Schrader reported on her recent trip to Frisco, Texas, to view operations at Shield AI, a defense technology company that recently signed a lease at the Newton-City-County Airport. Schrader, who observed a drone flight and production facilities, described the noise levels as "not that bad" and comparable to existing airport traffic. She noted that the company signed a non-disclosure agreement regarding specific technology but committed to holding community demonstrations and communicating directly with neighbors about flight schedules.
Greg Loving
Avcon Industries celebrates expansion at airport
NEWTON, Kan. - Commissioners attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Avcon Industries, marking the completion of the company’s expansion at the Newton-City-County Airport. The aerospace firm, which specializes in modifying aircraft for special missions and surveillance, showcased its fabrication capabilities during the event. Commissioners noted the company’s high-tech contributions to the local economy and expressed regret that the airport runway had been closed for maintenance during the event, limiting immediate business traffic.
Newton-City-County Airport reopens after maintenance
NEWTON, Kan. - Following a closure, the Newton-City-County Airport was scheduled to reopen its runway immediately following the commission meeting. Commissioners acknowledged that the closure caused missed business opportunities for airport tenants, including Avcon Industries, but expressed relief that the facility is once again operational. The reopening allows for the resumption of full flight operations and testing for tenants like Shield AI.
Sheriff’s Office reports high overtime due to jail staffing shortages
NEWTON, Kan. - The Harvey County Sheriff’s Office reported 300 hours of overtime in the corrections division during October, a figure the sheriff attributed to staffing shortages and the need to cover sick leave and prisoner transport. While the department has filled some positions, including a new hire currently in field training, the jail remains short by three deputies. The sheriff noted that despite the overtime costs, the department remains under budget for vehicle maintenance due to insurance reimbursements.
Flock camera system credits for major drug seizures
NEWTON, Kan. - Data from the Harvey County Sheriff’s Office highlighted the effectiveness of the county’s Flock license plate reader cameras, which scanned more than 636,000 vehicles in October. The system alerted deputies to 860 "hot list" vehicles, leading to three arrests and the seizure of property and narcotics. The sheriff reported that the technology has assisted in the seizure of approximately 2.1 pounds of methamphetamine so far, a quantity he described as "considerable" for the area.
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