Salina says Cozy Inn mural is commercial sign; Cozy Inn disagrees

Newton’s city commission approved an ordinance increasing fines for polluting stormwater drains. The increase is directed at companies. Suzanne Loomis, director of public works, proposed the change to the fines at the meeting on Feb. 27. Loomis said she proposed the change in hopes of getting businesses to think twice before polluting. “Corporations may think it’s easier to pay the fee,” Loomis said. “Now it’s more expensive to have to pay for it to get cleaned up.” Source: Harvey County Now

Toilet clogs can be a pain for homeowners, but flushing wipes may turn into an issue for neighbors, as well. Newton’s public works recently spent time unclogging a large sewer blockage caused by flushable wipes. Suzanne Loomis, director of public works, said the wipes are a problem because although they’re labeled as flushable, they don’t dissolve, and they clog lines. Loomis said marketing them as flushable is a problem, because it’s misleading and makes people think they’re safe to flush. Source: Harvey County Now

After looking over the current comprehensive plan for the City of Newton, planning commissioners realized that much of the plan had already been done. Daniela Rivas, Newton’s city manager, said at the planning commission meeting on Monday, March 4, that she would like to see a “refresh” of the plan as well as begin work for the new comprehensive plan. The current plan deals with the city’s goals for several areas, such as land use and transportation. City employees said the plan is a guide for the direction they take. The current plan is for 2010 to 2030. Source: Harvey County [...]