Jury Trials Resume in District Court This Week

Jury trials resume this week in Jasper County District Court and across the state. The resumption follows a couple of pilot trials to try out social distancing and COVID-19 prevention measures. Supreme Court Justice Matthew McDermott co-chaired the committee which reviewed and made recommendations on the issue — and says they surveyed the judges.
The committee has recommended clear shields to be worn in the courtrooms so jurors can both see and hear witnesses in the trials. McDermott says that was one issue they had to be sure worked.
Jurors in the pilot gave an average score of four-point-eight-eight out on a scale where five was the best in how well they could see the proceedings. There was a concern that more jurors would not show up because of the pandemic — but McDermott says that was not the case.
McDermott says they will watch for outbreaks in particular counties as part of the monitoring as the jury trials resume. He says the judges in each trial will make the decisions on proceeding, and it’s hard to tell when each court may be caught up.
There is a protocol for which cases will be heard. McDermott says some counties are going to be dealing with criminal cases — because that’s kind of the first priority of case that needs to be dealt with. Other counties where they maybe aren’t quite the backlog on criminal cases, they’ll be moving to civil cases.”
Events Calendar
Calendar of Events
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4 events,
Newton V.F.W. BINGO
Jasper County RSVP Free Tax Assistance Program
Jasper County RSVP Free Tax Assistance Program
This program is for low and middle income taxpayers, in addition to those age 60 and older. […]
This Week in Marshalltown: Feb 27 – March 4
This Week in Marshalltown: Feb 27 – March 4
Wednesday, March 1 - Connect Marshalltown, Smokin' G's, 4:30 - 6 p.m. Thursday, March 2- Saturday, March 4- Marshalltown Community […]
Art Fundraiser At The Newton Public Libary
Art Fundraiser At The Newton Public Libary
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Newton Community Theatre presents Angel Street
Newton Community Theatre presents Angel Street
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Coffee & Connect presented by The Newton Chamber and Newton Main Street 3/2
Coffee & Connect presented by The Newton Chamber and Newton Main Street 3/2
"Coffee and Connect is an informal, free monthly series and collaboration between The Newton Chamber of Commerce, […]
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Kellogg Lions Breakfast
Kellogg Lions Breakfast
Saturday March 4th the Kellogg Lions is having a breakfast in the park at the cabin. It […]
Neal Smith Astrophotography Workshop
Neal Smith Astrophotography Workshop
What: Astrophotography Workshop When: Saturday, March 4 from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Where: Neal Smith National […]
5 events,
Lutheran Church of Hope-Capitol II Theatre Livestream
Lutheran Church of Hope-Capitol II Theatre Livestream
Lutheran Church of Hope – Local Newton Livestream Worship Service Every Sunday, 9:30 am Capitol II Theatre […]
4 events,
Newton V.F.W. BINGO
Jasper County RSVP Free Tax Assistance Program
Newton Community Theatre presents Angel Street
This Week in Marshalltown: March 6 – 12
This Week in Marshalltown: March 6 – 12
Monday, March 6 - Live On Stage presents Divas3, Marshalltown Preforming Arts Center, 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, March 8- Caffeinated Conversations, Iowa […]
5 events,
Jasper County Veterans Affairs Open House
Jasper County Veterans Affairs Open House
There will be an Open House @ Jasper County Veteran Affairs new offices at 315 W 3rd […]
5 events,
Newton Masons March Pancake Breakfast
Newton Masons March Pancake Breakfast
The Newton Masons will be holding their March pancake breakfast on Saturday, March 11th, from 7:00-9:00AM. Pancakes, […]
5 events,
Lutheran Church of Hope-Capitol II Theatre Livestream
Lutheran Church of Hope-Capitol II Theatre Livestream
Lutheran Church of Hope – Local Newton Livestream Worship Service Every Sunday, 9:30 am Capitol II Theatre […]
2 events,
Newton V.F.W. BINGO
Jasper County RSVP Free Tax Assistance Program
3 events,
This Week in Marshalltown: March 13-19
This Week in Marshalltown: March 13-19
Friday, March 17 -St. Patrick's Day Dance, Midnight Gardens, 6-9 p.m. Friday, March 17 - Live Music by Phil Shipley, […]
4 events,
Free Movie At Capitol 2 Theatre 3/13 & 3/15
Free Movie At Capitol 2 Theatre 3/13 & 3/15
The Movie Minions The Rise Of Gru is being shown for free at The Capitol 2 Theatre […]
5 events,
Newton American Legion St Patricks Dinner 3/17
Newton American Legion St Patricks Dinner 3/17
American Legion having a St. Patrick dinner. March 17th 5:30PM-Gone $10.00 cornbeef & Cabbage with red potato […]
8 events,
Prarie City Blood Drive 3/18
Prarie City Blood Drive 3/18
PRAIRIE CITY-MONROE BLOOD DRIVE When: Saturday, MARCH 18 th TIME: 7:15 am—10:30 am WHERE: First Reformed Church […]
Prairie City Pancake Breakfast
Prairie City Pancake Breakfast
LIONS PANCAKE BREAKFAST The Prairie City Lions Club is having their monthly pancake breakfast Saturday morning MARCH […]
Jasper Co League of Women Voters Hosting Legislative Gathering
Jasper Co League of Women Voters Hosting Legislative Gathering
There will be a Legislative Gathering this Saturday, March 18th at 10:00 am, at the Newton Library, […]
Smartphone Photography 101 Workshop
Smartphone Photography 101 Workshop
What: Smartphone Photography 101 Workshop When: Saturday, March 18 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Where: Neal […]
Mulligan Stew Supper
Mulligan Stew Supper
Mulligan Stew Supper on Saturday, March 18 from 5 to 7 pm at the Immaculate Conception Catholic […]
5 events,
Jasper County Take Away Hunger 3/25/
Jasper County Take Away Hunger 3/25/
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church will host the Jasper County Take Away Hunger meal packing event on Saturday, […]
Lutheran Church of Hope-Capitol II Theatre Livestream
Lutheran Church of Hope-Capitol II Theatre Livestream
Lutheran Church of Hope – Local Newton Livestream Worship Service Every Sunday, 9:30 am Capitol II Theatre […]
3 events,
Newton V.F.W. BINGO
Jasper County RSVP Free Tax Assistance Program
Newton Community Theatre Auditions
Newton Community Theatre Auditions
Getting Gary By Brian Mitchell Directed by Mary Thompson Production: June 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 & 11, […]
3 events,
This Week in Marshalltown: March 20-26
This Week in Marshalltown: March 20-26
Wednesday, March 22 -Trivia Night, Tannin, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 23 -Trivia Night, Tannin, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, March 24 - Daddy […]
4 events,
Newton Public Library Board Meeting 3/23
Newton Public Library Board Meeting 3/23
A meeting of the Newton Public Library Board will take place at 4 p.m. Thursday, March 23rd […]
4 events,
Tour Newton By Bus 3/24
Tour Newton By Bus 3/24
You can tour Newton on March 24th. Take a free bus tour of Newton to learn what […]
6 events,
Ham Ball Supper 3/25
Ham Ball Supper 3/25
A ham Ball Supper is being held Saturday, March 25th starting at 4:30 until they are gone […]
Need Jasper County Volunteers to Take Away Hunger
Need Jasper County Volunteers to Take Away Hunger
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church will host the Jasper County Take Away Hunger meal packaging event on Saturday, […]
PCM Fine Arts Showcase 3/25
PCM Fine Arts Showcase 3/25
PCM Fine Arts Boosters presents the 2023 Fine Arts Showcase fundraising event. Featuring and art gallery and […]
4 events,
Lutheran Church of Hope-Capitol II Theatre Livestream
Lutheran Church of Hope-Capitol II Theatre Livestream
Lutheran Church of Hope – Local Newton Livestream Worship Service Every Sunday, 9:30 am Capitol II Theatre […]
2 events,
Newton V.F.W. BINGO
Jasper County RSVP Free Tax Assistance Program
3 events,
Jasper County Concert Association Concert 3-30-23
Jasper County Concert Association Concert 3-30-23
The Jasper County Concert Association will welcome Sean Altman and Jack Skuller to the stage at the […]
3 events,
Mercy One Newton Auxiliary offering health-related scholarships.
Mercy One Newton Auxiliary offering health-related scholarships.
Mercy One Newton Medical Center Auxiliary is proud to offer scholarships to local residents once again this […]
4 events,
Kellogg Pancake Breakfast 4/1
Kellogg Pancake Breakfast 4/1
Kellogg Lions is having a breakfast at the cabin in Kellogg saturday April 1, all you can […]
Free Concert For Kids April 1st
Free Concert For Kids April 1st
An afternoon of music, movement, and fun is coming to Newton on Saturday, April 1st at 1:30 […]
3 events,
Lutheran Church of Hope-Capitol II Theatre Livestream
Lutheran Church of Hope-Capitol II Theatre Livestream
Lutheran Church of Hope – Local Newton Livestream Worship Service Every Sunday, 9:30 am Capitol II Theatre […]