Smoking ban producing mixed opinions in Newton

It has been nearly two months since the ban on smoking in public establishments became law in Iowa. Has the ban had a positive or a negative effect on businesses in Jasper County? That depends on who you ask. Marge Horstman, who owns Midtown Café in Newton, has been surprised at the effect the smoking ban has had on her restaurant. “I think it’s helped us,” Horstman said. “I figured it would hurt us, because so many of our customers smoked.” She added that business throughout the week has not been outstanding, but Saturday and Sunday have been very good. “We had a few complaints at first, but they know there’s nothing I can do about it,” Horstman said. “Plus, it smells better in here,” she added. At the Scoreboard Bar and Grill on the north