Published on May 5, 2025 10:48 am
Last Updated on May 5, 2025 10:48 am
Jasper County Board members have approved the design for a new county courthouse in Newton.
The courthouse design committee approved the design at their meeting earlier in the day on April 17, then the full Board gave the design its approval that evening.
The new Courthouse will be built on the site of the current facility, which will be taken down.
The Board also reviewed plans for the Newton Power Station, which will soon be closed. Federal guidelines require the plant and other coal-fired units to be closed by October 2028. To meet the deadline, the plant will need to cease 0perations in 2027.
Board members heard from Sheriff Brandon Francis about adding a K9 unit to the sheriff’s department next year. Training will begin in March. Fundraising will begin this summer. Francis said it has been about four years since the City of Newton had a K9, and it’s been 15 to 20 years since Jasper County has had a dog.
Jasper County Public Defender Lindsay Savage resigned from her position in April. Chief Judge Martin Siemer appointed Clay County Assistant State’s Attorney Cole Hildebrand to replace Savage as Public Defender.
