Jasper County EMA

10/07/2026

Have you tested your smoke alarm lately?

10/06/2026

The Jasper County Board of Supervisors has approved the membership structure for the EMS Advisory Committee, and new information has been posted on our EMS Essential Services webpage.

The committee will include representatives from county government, Newton Fire, volunteer EMS services, healthcare, agriculture, and the local business community. Applications for the three at-large positions remain open through the end of October.

The next step is gathering accurate information about staffing, finances, equipment, coverage, and the future needs of our EMS system. No tax rate or funding amount is being set at this time. This is about gathering the facts and building a transparent, fiscally responsible plan for Jasper County.

Follow the process and view the latest update here:

09-22-2026 Board of Supervisors had a work session to discuss the EMS Advisory positions. After a lengthy discussion they will look to approve the following positions at the October 6 BOS Meeting.

10/06/2026

Are you using the correct charger for your device? It's always the best bet and helps prevent a potential fire.

Use the cord and charger that came with your device, or one approved by the manufacturer. The wrong charger can damage the battery and increase the risk of fire.

10/05/2026

If you see something, say something.

DHS worked with the National Football League on a sports PSA that i...

10/02/2026

Take a second to check this letter to the editor!

This is the official website for the Newton Daily News.

10/02/2026

Apparently the I-80 Yeti survived the rain and has officially come out of hiding.

And can you blame him?

After what feels like an eternity of clouds, rain, flooding, pumps, mud, and wondering if the sun still existed, LOOK AT THIS FORECAST!

☀️ Sunshine
☀️ Sunshine
☀️ More sunshine
☀️ And then... MORE sunshine

Temps in the 60s, cool nights, and FIVE straight days of beautiful fall weather.

The Yeti has the right idea. Fire up the grill, get outside, finish that yard work you've been blaming on the rain, and enjoy it while we've got it.

Because this is Iowa... and we all know better than to get too comfortable. 😂

10/02/2026

Please watch out and share the road with the farmers.

As we enter October, we want to remind everyone to prioritize safety as the harvest season ramps up and large agricultural equipment becomes more common on our roads. With increased farm machinery movement, all drivers must stay vigilant and practice safe driving habits.
Large farm equipment comes with significant blind spots, making it difficult for operators to see other vehicles. To help keep everyone safe this harvest season, we encourage the public to follow these important SAFETY TIPS….
* SHARE THE ROAD AND MAINTAIN A SAFE DISTANCE. Always leave plenty of room between your vehicle and farm equipment. Farmers may move toward the center of the road to avoid obstacles or make sudden turns.
* BUCKLE UP! Make sure everyone in your vehicle wears a seatbelt for maximum protection.
* SLOW DOWN AND BE ALERT for Slow-Moving Vehicle (SMV) signs and flashing lights. Farm machinery often travels under 25 mph. Use extra caution on rural roads, especially when approaching hills or blind corners.
* STOP AT CORNERS and make sure the farm equipment operator sees you before proceeding. This ensures everyone’s safety.
* WATCH FOR WIDE TURNS and pay attention to both turn and hand signals. Equipment pulling to the right may be preparing for a wide left turn.
* As you travel around our beautiful county, you will notice the corn in some areas stands very tall. DOUBLE-CHECK FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC before you turn left or right, or if you’re traveling throughout one of our 927 miles of gravel roads, watch for traffic around corners.
Lastly and maybe most importantly, due to conditions of our secondary roads with all the rain we’ve received, we’ve seen trucks parked alongside the roads. The Sheriff’s Office is aware, and so is the Engineer’s Office.
PLEASE BE PATIENT as our farmers navigate their equipment on soggy fields and roads.
As harvest progresses, expect to see more large farm implements on Iowa roads. Our farmers are working hard to bring in crops that feed and fuel our communities. Please be patient, give them space, and help keep our roads safe for everyone.
We wish all Jasper County farmers a safe and bountiful harvest!

09/30/2026

Today, we join the Newton Police Department in remembering Officer Bobby Barrickman and honoring his service and sacrifice.

Officer Barrickman served his community, his country, and the U.S. Marine Corps with honor. His commitment and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Please keep his family, friends, and the members of the Newton Police Department in your thoughts today.

Today, the Newton Police Department remembers the life and service of fallen Officer Bobby Barrickman. On September 30, 1979, Officer Barrickman was killed in an automobile crash while on patrol when another vehicle crossed over the center line and struck his patrol car head-on. Officer Barrickman succumbed to massive chest injuries. He was 33 years old at the time of his death.

Officer Barrickman served the community of Newton as a member of the Newton Police Department for five years and was a Vietnam War Veteran serving honorably with the U.S. Marine Corps. Officer Barrickman and his family will forever be in our thoughts and prayers.

09/29/2026

Heavy rain is on the way, and given how wet we already are, we need everyone to pay attention over the next couple of days.

Jasper County is under a Flood Watch beginning this evening and continuing through Thursday night. Widespread rainfall of 2 to 4 inches is expected across the area, with locally higher amounts of 5 to 6 inches possible depending on where the heavier bands develop.
The biggest concern with this system is flooding. Creeks and streams are already running high, and each additional round of rain will increase the potential for flash flooding and river flooding.

A few things to keep in mind:
• Never drive through a flooded roadway. If you can’t see the road, you don’t know if the road is still there underneath the water.
• Keep an eye on low-lying areas, creeks, and streams near your home or property.
• Have more than one way to receive weather information and warnings.
• If you live in an area that has flooded before, now is the time to prepare, not after the water starts rising.

Severe storms are not expected to be the main concern with this system. This is primarily a heavy rain and flooding event.

We will continue monitoring rainfall and river forecasts closely and will provide updates if conditions or expectations change.

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