The Newton City Council has unanimously passed ordinance amendments adding stop signs on East 12th Street South at South 13th Avenue East, and on West 3rd Street North at North 3rd Avenue West. The third and final readings of both ordinance changes were approved during Monday night’s City Council meeting. The East 12th Street South and South 13th Avenue East intersection is on the south edge of Newton, as drivers on County Highway S-74 enter or leave the city, and will now become a four-way stop. Newton Police Chief Rob Burdess told council members twelve accidents have been reported there since 2020, but he can not definitely say they could have been prevented if stop signs had been in place for north and southbound traffic. At-Large Council Member Joel Mills appreciated people living near the area bringing the stop sign request.

“I applaud the residents in that neighborhood that brought this forward to city staff. This is the government in action. We are listening. We are here. Thank you. We want our community safer.”

The new stop signs for north and south traffic on West Third Street North at North Third Avenue West were prompted by the increase in pedestrians, including many children, around the new downtown splash pad. The intersection is directly northwest of the splash pad.