The Rundown – Improvements coming to 1st & Kansas rail crossing

Published on April 15, 2026

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The Rundown is prepared by the City of Newton Communications Office to summarize the City Commission action and does not represent official Commission minutes.

7 p.m. April 14, 2026, Newton City Commission meeting

At Tuesday’s meeting, the City Commission received an update on improvements coming to the East First and Kansas rail crossing this summer.

Public Works Director Ed Bonham reported that City staff have been working with WATCO, owner of KO Railroad, since last fall to develop a plan to improve the bumpy crossing.

WATCO staff said that before the crossing could be repaired, they would need to adjust the hard bank caused by the curve in the tracks south of First Street. WATCO began that work last week.

The next step is for WATCO to flatten the tracks at the crossing and install new aprons, which will require the street to be closed for two to three days. City crews will then replace the street concrete for several feet on either side of the tracks to match the pitch and create a smoother transition.

First Street will be closed for about two weeks during that phase to allow the concrete to cure, and detours will be established. That work will not begin until school is out for the summer.

Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge

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The Commission recognized the winners of this year’s Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, hosted by the Newton Area Chamber of Commerce. The participating Newton High School students developed a business plan and then presented their idea to a panel of judges. The winners were:

  • 1st Place: Peyton Hennes, ReWild Landscapes, a landscaping business using native plantings and pollinators
  • 2nd Place: Jannik Datz, ProSeed, a vegan protein bar
  • 3rd Place: Bella Hett, Painted Bells, offering custom-painted jeans
  • People’s Choice: Tie between Gianna Beard, GigiNailedit, a nail design business; and Adam Oswald and Brennan Sutherland, S-O Spray, offering drone agriculture spraying

Peyton will move on to compete at the YEC State Competition in Manhattan later this month.

In other action, the City Commission:

  1. Awarded a contract for Sand Creek Station 5th Addition water, sewer, streets, and drainage improvements to Nowak for $2,158,622. All costs will be paid by the properties’ owners through special assessments.
  2. Approved a temporary alcohol permit and use of City services for the Rockets & Rails Independence Day celebration on July 3 at Athletic Park.
  3. Approved a temporary alcohol permit and use of City services for the Unity in the Community event on May 9 at Athletic Park.
  4. Approved a request from New Jerusalem Missions for City services on May 2 for the BBQ for Bricks fundraiser.
  5. Received the 2027 budget preparation calendar, which will begin with public Commission work sessions from 8 a.m.-noon June 17 and 18.
  6. Proclaimed April 24 as Arbor Day.
  7. Approved a second amendment to Shield AI’s ground lease at Newton City/County Airport to expand the leased area and concrete pad. The lease will now be 9.85 acres for $6,149.95 per month.
  8. Released the City’s interest to buy back property sold to Mennonite Housing in 2022 for Phase 1 of the Harvest Pointe development. Mennonite Housing has fulfilled its obligations to build 32 housing units in Phase 1 and is about to break ground on Phase 2 with 28 more units.
  9. Authorized CD Custom Enterprises’ request to subordinate the Industrial Revenue Bonds issued by the City in 2022 to a mortgage to its SBA lender.
  10. Approved this year’s participation in the Kansas Department of Transportation Federal Fund Exchange Program.
  11. Approved a new public utility easement for Sand Creek Station 5th Addition.

For more information, please contact Director of Communications Erin McDaniel at 316-284-6055 or emcdaniel@newtonkansas.com.

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