Town file
Newton, Kansas
Newton, Kansas (Harvey County, Kansas) is the town in one episode of Small Town Murder, the comedy true-crime podcast: episode 676, "Double Life, Double Murder" (21 February 2026). Rhonda Lou Kriebel was born in Newton, Kansas, on August 21st, 1957, the daughter of Robert and Mary Lou Schmidt.
- Town
- Newton
- County
- Harvey County
- State
- Kansas
- Country
- USA
- Episodes
- 676
- Approximate location
- 38.038, -97.345
Episode 676 / 21 February 2026 / 72 min / express
Double Life, Double Murder
"This is Newton Kansas... central Kansas... This is in Harvey County" about 0:04:16
The case: Murder of Rhonda Kriebel (May 20th, 1994); Murder of Jody McCown (September 16th, 1995). Read the case file.
The figures, as told in 2026
- Population
- 18,576
- Median household income
- $59,586
- Median home value
- $143,600
History, in brief
- Founded in 1871 and named after Newton, Massachusetts. about 0:04:54
- Home of some of the Santa Fe railroad stockholders. about 0:05:07
- In August 1871 the gunfight at Hyde Park occurred, in which eight men were killed. about 0:05:16
- The gunfight began with an argument between two local cops, Billy Belly and Mike McCluskey. about 0:05:35
- Because of that, Newton became known as bloody and lawless and as the wickedest city in the West. about 0:05:56
- Shortly after incorporation in 1872, the council passed an ordinance prohibiting the running at large of buffalo or other wild animals. about 0:06:19
The reviews read out
3.5 stars
"The town's overall rating on Niche."about 0:06:50
5 stars
"A quiet town, good for raising kids, though the reviewer would like to see fewer meth problems."about 0:06:59
3 stars
"A great size: not so small that everybody knows your business, but small enough to make connections; four grocery stores and decent eating out."about 0:07:15
1 star
"Lived there ten years; crime and meth infested, with a 50% chance of packages being stolen by addicts."about 0:07:39
1 star
"The PD is awful and corrupt to the bone, though the sheriff's department is great and it is a pretty little town."about 0:08:40
1 star
"The Newton PD is very corrupt and offers no help; the reviewer called the cops on himself and was arrested, and calls it by far the worst place in Kansas."about 0:08:53
"A corrupt little town full of residents who lie, cheat and steal from hard-working people."about 0:09:47
Nearest Small Town Murder towns
- Hutchinson, Kansas31 miles
- Kingman, Kansas50 miles
- Wellington, Kansas53 miles
- Emporia, Kansas67 miles
- Arkansas City, Kansas69 miles
- Great Bend, Kansas82 miles
Everything here is as told in the episode, on the date it went out; figures and places may have changed since. Endings are covered: open an episode and use the spoiler switch to read them.