The Iola Register, May 11, 2024

School under fire over reading plan

By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register

Iola Elementary School is ending a reading program after more than two decades, sparking criticism from some members of the staff and community.

The school will no longer use the Accelerated Reader (AR) program and will limit the time volunteers can read to students to focus more time for other types of instruction. Exactly how that change will play out is still being determined.

Volunteers and some staff have expressed concerns that eliminating the program will lead to less engagement with the community and reduced enthusiasm for reading, particularly for disadvantaged students who need the most encouragement.

“The program, as we have

See READING | Page A7

Residents sound off on road work, taxes at town hall

By SARAH HANEY The Iola Register

MILDRED — Road improvements, a proposed sales tax, and property values took center stage at a town hall meeting in the Mildred Store Thursday evening. Around 25 people attended to have their questions answered by county and state officials.

On hand to provide answers were Allen County Commissioner David Lee, Deputy Appraiser Danielle Louk, Interim Road and Bridge Director Jeremy Hopkins, Sheriff Bryan Murphy, Rep. Fred Gardner, and Senator Caryn Tyson.

West Virginia Road

Many had concerns with the progress of county road repairs and what they deemed as unfulfilled “promises” pertaining to the chip and seal of West Virginia Road. Hopkins acknowledged the delay and explained the cause.

“I know it was promised to get it done by Memorial Day,” he said. “I don’t see that happening with the weather and equipment.”

One individual noted, “Garnett already has its whole main street almost done,” they said. “Weather? I’m not

By SARAH HANEY The Iola Register

Academic excellence comes naturally for Iola senior Jaydon Morrison. “I had always been getting As throughout grade school and middle school,” he said. “I made the decision freshman year that I was going to dedicate these four years to it. I’ve always enjoyed doing the schoolwork, though.”

This hard work and attitude has paid off with Morrison being named as one of Iola High School’s valedictorians. He shares this distinction with his sister, Jenna. “She has helped me a lot,” he noted. “We studied a lot together. She helped keep me on track and up-to-date on my homework. She has been a great asset.”

Although he enjoys the schoolwork, Jaydon acknowledges the achievement was no easy task. “At times it was tedious with all of the course work

and extra hours of dedication,” he said. “It’s rewarding, though, and not something that I’m going to regret.” Jaydon says he has always had a passion for learning, noting it’s “the easiest way to better yourself.” He wants to help others do the same and aspires to work in edu-

Editor’s note: Register readers share with us their favorite memories of their moms and the impact in their lives. Thanks to all who participated in our Mother’s Day Giveaway-Story Edition.

By: Leetta Adams

My favorite memory with my mom has always been taking trips with her. Heading to the city to go shopping, traveling to other states to see extended family, even taking her to see her first Royals game — all those, and so many more. It’s just a joy to be able to do those things with her. To be able to spend time with her and make memories togeth-

By: Roxanne Hutton

While learning to drive, my mom took me to practice on a country road. Of course, she was nervous, as all moms are. I saw a Dead End sign. I said, “Look,

er. Anytime I get to spend with her is a blessing, and I cherish those moments. I am so grateful to have her as a mom. I hope she has the best Mother’s Day. I love you, Mom! Love, Leetta

Mom, the End Died.” We both burst out laughing. It eased the tension on a mom teaching her teenage daughter to drive. She’s gone now, and I miss talking about our special times together.

LILA BAKER

Volunteer Donna Houser helps then-first-graders Ike Cochrane, left, and Quinn Trammell finish their Accelerated Reader quizzes at the start of a school day in November 2022 at Iola Elementary School. Administrators plan to end the AR program and limit volunteer time. FILE PHOTO

The Mildred town hall meeting drew a sizeable crowd to the Mildred Store Thursday evening. REGISTER/SARAH HANEY

Jaydon Morrison

Advocates push for more access to birth control

By KELCIE MOSELEY -MORRIS Kansas Reflector

Sriha Srinivasan remembers how surprised her mom was two years ago when she learned that birth control pills weren’t sold in stores without a prescription in the United States.

“My parents are immigrants from India, and it’s been over the counter there since my mom can remember,” said Srinivasan, a recent graduate of University of California Los Angeles. More than 100 countries were already selling birth control without a prescription before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration — one year ago as of Thursday — approved Opill. Though the hormonal, overthe-counter birth control pill was approved in May 2023, it didn’t reach online retailers or the shelves of major drug stores across the country until a couple of months ago.

Opill is a progestin-only birth control pill, which is slightly different from the typical prescription of a progestin and estrogen combination pill. Kristin Lyerly, an OB-GYN in Green Bay, Wisconsin, said that means the oral contraceptive is still very safe and 98% effective, but the user has to be more diligent about making sure it’s taken at the same time every day. If the time window is missed by three hours or more, there is a higher chance of unintended pregnancy, so she recommends that people use a backup form of protection for the next 48 hours

while they get back on schedule.

Srinivasan, 21, gets health care coverage through her parents’ private insurance, but she said when she called clinics to see if she could get a birth control prescription last year, the first appointment that was available was six months out.

She happened to be working with Free the Pill, a group of reproductive health advocates and health care providers, on getting Opill approved by the FDA, so she decided to hold off.

“Almost out of spite, I was like, ‘I’m going to wait and get this over the counter.’”

On March 22, just after Opill hit the U.S. market, Srinivasan drove with a friend to a nearby Walgreens to buy their first packs, which cost about $20 each. The two recorded a TikTok of themselves taking their first doses.

“It was a very joyous and empowering moment to be able to take that for the first time,” Srinivasan said.

DANIEL GROSSMAN, director of the Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health program at the University of California San Francisco, has been at the forefront of the effort to get FDA approval for an over-thecounter birth control pill since 2004, and is part of the steering committee of Free the Pill.

His research efforts included a study showing that women who had direct access to the pill in areas like Texas border towns where people could cross into Mexico to get it direct-

Public notice

(Published in The Iola Register May 11, 2024)

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF ALLEN COUNTY, KANSAS PROBATE DIVISION

In the Matter of the Estate of RONALD DEAN WRESTLER, Deceased AL2024-PR-000015

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

THE STATE OF KANSAS TO ALL PERSONS CONCERNED: You are hereby notified a Petition was filed on March 29, 2024, in this Court by David Wrestler, praying for the appointment of

David Wrestler, as Executor of the Estate of Ronald Dean Wrestler, and for the issuance of Letters Testamentary. Pursuant to K.S.A. 59-2239, all creditors of the decedent are hereby notified to exhibit their demands against the estate within four (4) months of this notice as provided by law, and if their demands are not thus exhibited, they shall be forever barred. /s/DAVID WRESTLER, Petitioner

JOHNSON SCHOWENGERDT, PA Robert E. Johnson II, #18223 P.O. Box 866 Iola, Kansas 66749 (620) 365-3778 Attorney for Petitioner (5) 11, 18, 25

ly stayed on it longer than those who needed a prescription. His research also found that people generally didn’t support age restrictions, and the FDA approval for Opill does not have an age restriction.

Grossman said more access to contraception is important for overall reproductive health, but it’s especially important in the wake of the Dobbs decision in 2022 that overturned Roe v. Wade and led 14 states to enact near-total abortion bans.

Free the Pill launched an online petition this week to pressure President Joe Biden and his administration to require insurance plans to include coverage for Opill. It had 35,000 signatures as of Thursday afternoon.

Srinivasan said she tried to apply for assistance but wasn’t able to because she has insurance, and only those without any form of private or public insurance can apply.

“At a $20 price point, it’s something I can afford because I have a job and I live in California, where the minimum wage is over $17 an hour, but it’s definitely not something my peers in other states can afford that easily,” Srinivasan said. “I hope they adjust that, because it’s definitely not reaching the people that it should be reaching right now.”

Humboldt Elementary honor rolls

Humboldt Elementary School has announced its honor roll for the fourth quarter.

All A Honor Roll

Third grade: Hayden Bockover, Baron Bruce, Lily Cunningham, Jesey Ellis, Hallie Fitzmaurice, Jess Folk, Haidyn Gant, Beau Homewood, Ryder Jester, Tripp Korte, Colin Krone, Kinleigh Lucas, Ryder Lucke, Kamila Morris, Kenzington Myers, Ryker Roach, Sofia Schomaker, Brynleigh Shultz, Sakiah Siefkes, Carson Tait, Ryla Turner, Stella Walls, Landon Wille

Fourth grade: Bodee Allen, Ryverli Allen, Jayden Brady, Lance Carlson, Gracie Chapman, Natalie Covey, Lydia Culver, Jaci Daniels, Rowdy Earlywine, Christopher Foster, Kobyn Goff, Nash Gumfory, Novella Johns, Trevington Johnston, Natalie Kaufman, Annabelle Koch, Laynee Megenity, Maxton Mueller, Chloe Schwegman-Perry, Jax Thomas, Taylor Weilert, Riggs Whitworth, Sutton Wimsett, Madison Wynne

Public notice

(Published in The Iola Register May 11, 2024) NOTICE

Notice is hereby given to the following:

Ronnie Head 310 W 5th La Harpe Ks.

Vicky & Betty Hutton 409 S Jefferson La Harpe Ks.

Ruthe Jackson 612 S Harrison La Harpe Ks.

Patricia Wright 1003 S Broadway La Harpe Ks.

Kenneth Karr 401 S McKinley La Harpe Ks. The above properties locate in the City of La Harpe, Kansas have been found to be in violation of Article 4, Section 80401 & 80402

of the La Harpe City Code for allowing weeds/grass to grow in excess of 12 inches: The owners of the respective properties listed above shall have ten(10) days from the date of this Notice to either abate the violating conditions or to submit to the City Clerk of La Harpe a written request for a hearing before the City Council as provided by Article 4, section 8-403 of the La Harpe City Code. Failure to either abate the violation conditions or to request a hearing within time allowed may result in the City mowing the property and, if the cost and fees associated with such mowing are not paid within thirty (30) days, such costs and fees will be added to the property’s ad Valorem taxes as a special assessment as provided by Article 4 section 8-404. No further notice will be given for the calendar year prior to any additional abatement of weeds/ grass from the property and the assessment of cost and fees for such against property.

(5) 11

Fifth grade: Kahleeya Blackwell, Ava Booth, Carter Corbet, Ryan Cress, Bethany Croisant, Grace Cunningham, Lucy Galloway, Brinley Gean, Morgan Hencey, Jaylie Herrmann, Zoey Hess, Hunter Hurt, Kenady Lucke, Ali’ana McCarron, Quinn Miller, Mason Mueller, Taitum Ryan, Brock Schomaker, Case Schomaker, Hunter Umbarger, Azahlynn Wilkerson

A-B Honor Roll

Third grade: Emmett Arnold, Jayse Baughn, Colby Frederick, Elisha Ivy, Kaizer Jacobs, Gabriel Myers, Isabella Raby, Leela Sigg, Hadley Yelm

Fourth grade: Jordyn

Ballard, Tylan Baylor, Brody Booth, Kenneth Brown, Abigail Buchanan, Kalvin Cox, Kimber Culbertson, Blaze Culp, Jackson Devlin, Troy Johnston, Austin Kindelsperger, Slide Marvin, Brynlee More, Kodi Page, Ayden Perez, Owen Vink, Christina Willey

Fifth grade: Cline Downey, Alayna Ellis, Lincoln Foster-Gwillim, James Frederick, Kamrin Grant Wooden, Dakota Haigler, Eldon Johns, Mattie Jones, Sophia Lee, Zaden Mellen, Lane Newman, Zoey Sanchez, Aubree Trim, Brooklyn Watson, Kale Weber, Sutton Wehlage, Aaron Wille, Hudson Wrestler

Mother’s Day Stories

APRIL JACKSON

By: Carley Swanson

All my favorite memories with my mother are always from when we found ourselves in some sort of predicament, one where we should probably have been taking the situation a bit more seriously, but we set off each other’s funny bones and couldn’t help but find the humor. Sometimes that looked like being lost in the middle of the night in the Arkansas “mountains” near Eureka Springs with zero cell service, due to not trusting GPS amidst witty remarks that caused peals of laughter and missed turns. Other times, when my own curiosity roped my mother into testing

out an old pull rope elevator with me. Why didn’t I go by myself? Well because it was in an old funeral home and I’m a scaredy-cat, but that’s beside the point. That same old pull rope elevator that screamed (if only we had listened) of its unreliability promptly got stuck between floors. Which might not have been so bad, except that as it went between floors, it also lowered the door. So there we were, stuck in a rickety elevator of an old funeral home lighted by a cell phone flashlight

and with no way to get out. Did one of us immediately start making jokes about ghosts? Yes. Did one of us really need to use the restroom? Yes. Could either of us stop laughing or making jokes? No. Luckily, we called for help and were rescued. Only after pictures were taken to document our predicament, of course. That old pull rope elevator was never used again and was closed off so no one else’s curiosity could get the best of them.

DESIREE CALL

By: Alex

My mom is my favorite per-

TERESA COOK

By: Megan Hesse

One of my most favorite memories with my mom is when we recently got matching tattoos. My mom is an amazing person. She has taught me so much in life and has been a great role model for me. I love you,

TABITHA WILSON

By: Timothy Genoble Jr.

son because we go out for dinner and play video games together.

ALICIA WOODS

By: Morgan

My favorite memory? Honestly, I don’t have just one. All of them are my favorite because tomorrow is never

I have so many memories of us all riding in the car, listening to music, and enjoying each other through shared laughs and fun.

BELINDA HENNEN

By: Sabre Hennen

Though there are many memories, there is a simple one that always stands out. I remember coming home, and my car wasn’t parked in the yard anymore. I found out that she had parked it in the barn so a hailstorm wouldn’t damage it. That may be an obvious thing to do before a storm, but there were other vehicles that could have been pulled

promised to anyone. But some of my most cherished memories are when we would all load up and head to Roaring River for family getaways as a child.

NANCY HOPKINS

By: Megan King

It has been an honor and pleasure to watch my mom step so gracefully into her role as a grandmother and Nana to our two daugh-

in instead. The storm never ended up hitting us, but she made sure that if it did, my vehicle would be safe. It’s a simple thing that she did, but it reminds me of how much she cares for her kids. Between schooling, teaching us how to cook, and

ters. As amazing as I thought she was as a mother, she is an even more amazing Nana! We pray you have a wonderful Mother’s Day and feel celebrated for all that you bring to our lives all throughout the year. We love you!

helping us take the big steps in life, she has shown me how much she cares.

TAMMY

HUGHES

CINDY NEWLAND

By: Dannette, Brent, Jude + Dylan

One of our favorite memories is watching her become “Gigi.” The first time she held him, she lit up and

(LECKRONE)

By: Helen Gray

Even though my mom passed away in a car accident in 2011, she was an amazing woman and grandma. She had a green thumb, and we used to joke with her that if she ever moved it would take a semi just to haul all her plants. She was very afraid of snakes, and my kids loved taking toy snakes and chasing her or put-

ting them in her car. Life has been hard without her, but I have so many sweet memories of her. She is truly missed, and I wish she could have met her last three grandbabies.

TAPAINGA

had an instant connection. Her love for him and us shows in all she does. She is the best grandma and mom we could ask for. We are incredibly lucky.

By: Tori White SHERRY WHITE

There are so many good memories with Mom, but the first time we went up to Manhattan to look at

WATTS

By: Marie Parker

My mom has passed, but I want to recognize my niece as a great mom! She is a young mother with two beautiful daughters. When tragedy struck her family, she did not give up. Her daughter had to be

the house my parents bought me for school is one I’ll always remember. We had a good day just goofing off and starting a new chapter in life.

hospitalized for months. Tapainga fought hard to save her daughters and asked for help, which we all know is hard to do. With a lot of love, devotion, and prayer, both of her daughters are here today to celebrate and love!

By: Britanie Rogers DESIREE CALL

One of my favorite memories is when we took a girls’ trip to Eureka Springs.

BONNIE JOHNSON

By: Terry Broyles

In her younger days, not so long ago, she was a seamstress, wallpaper hanger, mowed her own

lawn, and has been known to ride a bicycle.

HEATHER MARTIN

By: Rick Burtom

These past few months have been a challenge for me, with illnesses and the death of our son.

Beverly was there so that I was able to put my family first and make sure that I also took care of myself. When I look back on my memories of these last few months, they all include Beverly’s con-

My mom has passed, but Heather is my daughter. She is a single mother to her four children, and she also has one granddaughter. She works very hard every day to take care of her children, as their father passed away a couple of years ago. It doesn’t matter the obstacles she faces; she somehow seems to accomplish anything if it pertains to her kids.

BEVERLY FRANKLIN

By: Janet Wilson

stant support. With her at my side, I was able to make it through many days when I didn’t think I could. She has been a blessing.

Gov. Laura Kelly affirms plan to veto $2.3 billion tax reform bill

By TIM CARPENTER Kansas Reflector

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly said there was “absolutely no way” to avoid vetoing the $2.3 billion tax reduction bill approved with bipartisan majorities in the Kansas Legislature, arguing the cumulative year-to-year result of a half-billion-dollar drop in revenue would crack the state’s financial foundation.

Kelly said debate about major tax reform would resume at the statehouse after she called a special session of the Legislature to consider an alterative plan. She promised during an interview with Steve Kraske on KCUR’s “Up To Date” news program to present a new tax package for consideration by House and Senate members.

“I have made it very clear from the get-go that I will veto any bill that came to me that would put Kansas in financial jeopardy. The bill the Legislature passed would do exactly that,” the Democratic governor said. “There is absolutely no way that I would sign it. I’ll call the Legislature back into a special session to pass a good tax cut bill.”

Morrison

Continued from A1

cation. “I want to be a science teacher,” he said. “After a couple years of that, I’d like to move to an administrative role.”

He attributes his success to his biggest supporters — his parents.

Rick and Jess Morrison, both employed at Allen County Regional Hospital, have helped Jaydon balance his school work and personal work.

“They’ve set me up well in life,” he noted. “They took over chores when I couldn’t run my poultry business at home. They’d help me when I was busy with sports or school work.” Jaydon owns and operates a poultry business for his FFA organization’s supervised agriculture experience.

“I’m a state finalist in the poultry entrepreneurship proficiency area,” he added. In addition to FFA, Jaydon has been an active member of National Honor Society, student council, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes FCA. He also served as senior class president and vice president of FFA.

Jaydon notes balancing the demands of his classes and activities was challenging. “I had a lot of things pulling me in different directions, but it was fun and kept me busy,” he said.

And worth it.

Jaydon received multiple awards and scholarships recognizing his scholastic achievement.

“It’s fun to see that all the work did amount to something.” Following graduation, Jaydon plans on attending Allen Community College for a year before transferring to Emporia State University where he will major in science and education.

Kelly said the flurry of tax-reduction bills adopted by the 2024 Legislature would create financial problems for the state government within several years despite the current multibillion-dollar revenue surplus. She said the cumulative loss of more than $500 million annually from those bills would be unsustainable. She said it could lead to budget problems reminiscent of the administration of Gov. Sam Brownback, who led the state into a financial quagmire by aggressively reducing the state income tax without cutting spending.

by the Senate with a vote of 25-9. Both Republicans and Democrats have urged her to sign it into law.

The bill in question would eliminate the state’s 2% sales tax on groceries on July 1 rather than Jan. 1, 2025. It would repeal the state income tax on Social Security benefits in the 2024 tax year.

We do have enough money to do a very robust tax cut, just not as much as the Legislature proposed.

— Gov. Laura Kelly

“We do have enough money to do a very robust tax cut, just not as much as the Legislature proposed,” Kelly told KCUR. “There’s no way in the world that I would put my signature on a bill that I think will take us back to those (Brownback) days of four-day school weeks, crumbling roads and bridges, a foster care system that was totally broken. I can’t do that.

I promised the people of Kansas that I would fix things. I did and I’m not going to now break them.”

There was a complex political calculus to a veto of Senate Bill 37 because it was approved by the House on a vote of 108-11 and

rate from 5.7% to 5.57%.

The state’s lower income tax rate would fall from 5.25% to 5.2%.

In the KCUR radio interview, Kelly said she was most concerned about the excessive cost of income tax reductions woven into bills favored by the Legislature.

The bill would elevate to $100,000 the exemption from property taxes tied to the statewide school finance levy.

That would be a substantive increase from the current $42,000 exemption. The property tax mill levy for education would be cut from 20 mills to 19.5 mills.

It would increase the standard deduction and personal exemption on state income taxes, while lowering the state’s top income tax

Republicans and Democrats who voted for the tax bill pleaded with Kelly to bend to their will. There was urgency to their plea given that all 125 House seats and all 40 Senate seats would be up for grabs in the August primary and the November general election. A quick special session wouldn’t have much impact on those campaigns, but a protracted dispute over tax policy could interfere with fundraising and campaigning.

“I have voted for many income tax reduction bills this session,” said Sen. Brenda Dietrich, a Topeka Republican who also voted for SB 37. “I was hoping this would not be vetoed and it would bring tax relief to

Kansas residents sooner rather than later.”

The state’s tax revenue forecasters reported in mid-April that Kansas could end the current fiscal year June 30 with a surplus of $2.6 billion in the general treasury and $1.7 billion in a special rainy-day fund. Assuming state tax revenue was reduced next fiscal year by $530 million, the

forecast said the state could end the upcoming fiscal year with a $1.9 billion general fund surplus and $1.8 billion in the emergency account.

House Majority Leader Chris Croft, an Overland Park Republican who endorsed SB 37, said the state’s anticipated surplus left the governor with no legitimate reason to issue a veto.

The Iola Register

~ Journalism that makes a difference

Kansas gets a $28.6 million lifeline to replace lead pipes

In November 2021, I wrote on the prevalence of lead pipes in our state.

The number of lead pipes in Kansas is particularly high, comparatively, because lead mining was a major industry in southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri.

This issue is an important one to me as I grew up right outside of Flint, Michigan and the Flint Water Crisis had a major impact on my loved ones.

In that column I discussed a national study published by the American Medical Association that showed 65% of Kansas children (15 points higher than the national average) had elevated levels of lead in their blood. I also discussed the ability of the then-being-debated federal infrastructure bill to prevent exposing our children to even more lead.

Children are particularly susceptible to the harmful effects caused by lead exposure.

Per the National Resources Defense Council, Kansas has the third highest number of lead pipes per capita; an estimated 158,000 lead pipes are still in place across the state. These pipes carry potentially toxic water into our homes, businesses, and schools.

However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced wonderful news this week for Kansas. The agency has allocated $28.6 million from the 2021 federal infrastructure bill to continue replacing our state’s lead water pipes.

This $28.6 million won’t replace all the remaining lead pipes in Kansas, but it will make a decent dent.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains that no amount of lead exposure is safe, so any amount of reduction in lead pipes is a win for Kansas’ kids

The EPA’s goal is to replace all remaining lead pipes nationwide by 2033.

If the past four years have shown us anything, it’s that

Alexandra Middlewood

Insight Kansas

Saturday, January 7, 2023

A hard lesson about do-overs

Susan Lynn Register editor

health crises are public problems and therefore require public solutions. In these four years we have also learned that scientific truths are often dismissed for political reasons.

The 2021 bill that is providing the funding for the EPA to replace our state’s lead pipes was passed with bipartisan support. However, only Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas’ Third Congressional District voted in support of the bill; the other five members of Kansas’ congressional delegation voted opposed.

It’s very unlikely that the Republican members of our congressional delegation were specifically opposed to the funds earmarked for lead pipe replacement. However, government’s ability to protect rights, promote equality, and prevent historic injustice is reliant on their willingness to use their governing power preventatively.

A lead crisis, like the one in Flint, Michigan, would be too late for Kansas’ kids. No amount of lead exposure is safe.

The $28.6 million in federal infrastructure funds is our chance to protect the health and wellbeing of Kansas’ kids. Additional allocations in future infrastructure bills could get us even closer to this goal.

With the current funding allocations for lead pipe replacement, the federal government strides towards safeguarding Kansas’ children from lead exposure. While not a complete solution, it signifies progress in a crucial battle for public health. As we continue this fight, let’s remember: every step counts in securing a safer future for our kids.

In quietly halting a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel last week, President Joe Biden at last began exercising U.S. leverage to halt a full-scale invasion of Rafah, the final refuge in Gaza for about a million Palestinians displaced by Israeli destruction elsewhere in the besieged territory.

It’s the right move, even though Israel may have a sufficient stockpile from previous U.S. shipments to press forward.

Biden has tried to walk a line between supporting Israel in its effort to destroy Hamas in the wake of the Oct. 7 terrorist attack that killed about 1,200 people, and pressuring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to limit civilian casualties. Until now, that pressure came only in the form of words. The Gaza death toll is nearing 35,000, and much of the strip has been obliterated. Survivors face starvation because Israel cut off access to corridors for delivery of food and other humanitarian assistance. Pressure from Biden succeeded in reopening some aid routes, but Israel has since limited their use. Israeli has launched airstrikes in Rafah and its troops and tanks entered the area on Tuesday. But as of yet there has been no largescale bombing. On Wednesday, Biden said publicly for the first time that the U.S. would stop supplies of some offensive weapons if Israel launches a full invasion in Rafah.

If cell phones had been as prevalent as they are today in my mom’s time, she would have kept hers on mute.

I can’t tell you how many times she answered the phone in an exasperated tone — making clear she viewed it as an interruption.

In time, I learned to not take it personally. Not that she would have indulged me.

Of all her strengths, her most enviable was to not take herself — or us four kids — too seriously. She found our dramatics tiresome. Our spats, intolerable. We spent years either sent to our rooms or outside doing yard work.

She also never nursed a grudge or personal slight — which to angst-filled teens was a valuable lesson.

Every day she appeared to turn over a new leaf.

Knowing her childhood included challenges, I suspect she intentionally developed such armor. She wasn’t cold. Just focused.

THOUGH WE NEVER talked about such things, my guess is that my mother knew herself really well. She seemed to know why she was put on this Earth. I never knew her to languish. She was never lost or without purpose, despite the fact that she never held an “official” job. She had strong feelings about politics and social justice issues and they were always served with dinner.

She thought daytime TV, “a wasteland.” If she was going to sit down, it was with a book or to work on her computer.

She got great satisfaction volunteering at her church.

To this day its front doors are a “Mickey purple,” she was so particular about

The back story to the photo above is that in 2003 we’re in Haiti — definitely not a resort country — despite all appearances depicted. It was uncharacteristic of mother to lounge, but, of course, she’s also researching the country.

their color. She was a dedicated volunteer in the Title I reading program at Jefferson Elementary, taking some of the children under her wing. She felt strongly about building one-on-one relationships with the kids, often taking them birthday presents or to events.

When mom died in 2009, one of her “students,” Ashley Sinclair, then a young adult, attended her funeral, their relationship had such an effect.

Mom partnered with dad on compiling local history books from excerpts of The Register. She delivered Meals on Wheels. She was socially active with a book and bridge group.

She was a great cook and enjoyed entertaining.

And she loved fiercely. Especially my dad.

Growing up, I assumed mom enjoyed spending our summer vacations hiking in the mountains because that’s what we did. Every day, all day.

Then one day, when she was well into her 60s, mother uncharacteristically muttered something as we trudged up the trail, a

el. In 1981, President Reagan delayed shipment of F-16 fighter jets in response to Israel’s bombing of Beirut and other military actions in Lebanon. The next year, amid Lebanon’s civil war, he halted delivery of cluster artillery shells.

flower book in one hand, a walking stick in the other.

When I asked if something was wrong, she looked up, startled.

“Oh honey,” she said. “I think I’d just rather be doing something else. I only took this up to please your father.”

THE ONLY REGRET she shared with me was not finishing college — “for the experience of it.”

Instead, she married at age 19 and had my brother within the year with the rest of us to follow soon afterward.

I now imagine there were signs that we wouldn’t have her for very long.

“Can’t you just stop and visit awhile,” she asked one afternoon when I had dropped some things off at her house.

“You’re always so busy.”

Coming from someone whose mantra was “make yourself useful,” it struck me as odd.

Knowing now that she would be taken from us not long afterward, I wish I would’ve said, “Sure mom, what’s on your mind?” That’s my regret.

Biden’s pause may finally get Netanyahu’s attention

ing women or children.

Congress, under pressure from Biden, approved $26 billion in aid to Israel last month, and administration officials said the president intends to deliver all of it.

But for now, the holdup in delivery of bombs backs up U.S. warnings against destruction of Rafah.

There is precedent for withholding weapons in order to exert leverage on Isra-

Reagan demanded that Prime Minister Menachem Begin end Israel’s “holocaust” in Lebanon, and Biden — then a senator from Delaware — reportedly demanded that Begin block construction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. But Begin later said Biden was so adamant about defending Israel against invasion that Begin had to talk him down.

According to our values, it is forbidden to hurt women and children, even in war. ... Sometimes there are casualties among the civilian population as well. But it is forbidden to aspire to this. This is a yardstick of human civilization, not to hurt civilians.

“According to our values,” Begin recounted telling Biden, “it is forbidden to hurt women and children, even in war. … Sometimes there are casualties among the civilian population as well. But it is forbidden to aspire to this. This is a yardstick of human civilization, not to hurt civilians.”

— Manachem Begin, Israeli Prime Minister, 19771983

According to Begin, who died in 1992, Biden said he’d use force to repel an invasion of Israel, even if it meant kill-

That yardstick has been broken repeatedly beginning on Oct. 7, first by Hamas, but then again and again, by Israel. An older and wiser Biden has tried to get Netanyahu to remember and abide by that measure but has failed. Let’s hope the halt in bomb shipments, however temporary and modest, serves as an effective reminder.

— The Los Angeles Times

Shortly after Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, President Joe Biden paid a solidarity visit to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Since then, an estimated 34,000 Palestinians, primarily women and children, have died in the conflict. (BRENDAN

IMAGES/TNS)

Mother’s Day Stories

By: Heather Martin

She’s never been able to have kids of her own, but Jaime has been a mother to many, including me. When other mothers weren’t there, she was, and I know that’s why God didn’t give her biological children.

When we discussed our favorite memories of our mom we struggled to pinpoint one

JANIS KRONE

By: Jenny Krone

My mom has been and continues to always be there for me. My favorite memory is going to baseball tournaments for my son last summer. Lots of memories made with the talks we had and adventures finding our way around the city.

By: Lisse Regehr and Katrina Springer

that really stood out to share. Instead, we talked about how she has always been there for us: in big and small ways. We know she was, and still is, always there offering

JEANNE ANN MASTERSON PERCY

By: Mona Percy Melvin

I have so many favorite memories of my mother but some of my most favorite are of the times that our family gathered around the piano at my grandmother Leona Masterson’s house and sang along while my mother played so beautifully. Those two women gave a great love of all music to my siblings, myself, and the grandchildren. My grandmother sacrificed to make sure that

her children, Jeanne and John, had all of the things that she never had and so my mother was given a piano as well as lessons from her beloved teachers, Mrs. Cantrell and Mr. Dale Creitz. Little did she know that she would still be playing that same piano at almost 89

love, support, faith, encouragement, anything and everything needed. We guess our memory to share is that we can’t remember her not being there, ever. She is somewhere in all of our memories and experiences, and we think that is the best memory of all. We love you Mom! Lisse, Katrina, and Sean.

years old and teaching “Jesus Loves Me” and “Chopsticks” to her great-grandbabies.

KATRINA SPRINGER

By: Moira Springer

Our mom loves us. She teaches us and makes good food for our family. She supports us in all our activities. We love you, Mom! Rohan, Moira, Declan, Finian and Cormac

RITA BERNTSEN

By: Moriah Gross

I am grateful to have many fond memories of my mother and I making music together. She at the piano and me playing violin. Her support of the fine arts was such a lovely example for me to follow. And, now she is setting the same tone for her grandchildren. There isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t enjoy reminiscing the love she showed me through her many acts of kind parenting. Cook-

ing, reading, laughing, helping with homework, going for walks, volunteering at church or showing me how to work at something and take pride in my efforts are just a few more things I look back on that she did for me. Our family is truly blessed by her presence.

RETA HITCHCOCK

By: Regina Skaggs

Best memories are of holidays and birthdays. She goes far beyond what she needs to. She also drops everything for watching and running grandkids and great-grandkids and helping kids out. Love her to the moon and back, always and forever, Regina Skaggs

Top Tips for Kids’ Sun Protection

Isn’t it great that warm weather time to start going outside and enjoying some fun activities with your family We may still have a few weeks before we experience the sweltering heat of summer, but your skin can by UV rays from the sun in the spring. Did you know we still get over 70 percent UV exposure even on a cloudy day?

Apply Before Heading Out: Apply sunscreen before your child gets dressed. Their clothing could move and leave their skin exposed. Start by applying from the neck down so that you don’t miss any areas

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, and with skin cancer over their lifetime This is why it’s important to protect your and your child’s skin before heading outdoors

Here are a few tips to keep you safe in the sun:

Sunscreen: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Reapply sunscreen every two to three hours or after your child sweats a lot or swims

Don’t forget these spots: It’s easy to forget to apply sunscreen to some spots Don’t forget to apply it to the backs of their hands, and feet,

If your child has a part in their hair apply sunscreen there or have them wear a hat. Also, lips can sunburn too. Use lip balm that has sunscreen in it

Protective clothing: Wear sunprotective clothing including sunglasses, a wide-brim hat, and tightly woven fabrics

Shady Areas: UV rays are strongest from 10 am to 4 pm. If possible, stay in the shade or bring an umbrella

Babies: Infants can sunburn very easily. Babies under six months should not wear sunscreen. It’s best to keep them under an umbrella and wear protective clothing. Babies need frequent breaks from the sun to avoid overheating

By making sunscreen a part of your family’s daily routine, you’re ensuring that your skin stays safe, healthy, and strong

D Pediatrician

JAIME WALKER

MARY ANN REGEHR

HAPPYMother s Day

Reading: Volunteers share concern about end of program

Continued from A1

developed it, is a source of accomplishment and affirmation for our students and gives every student the opportunity to succeed,” Mona Melvin, a longtime school librarian and paraprofessional, wrote in a letter to the school board in support of AR. “We have spent years fine-tuning (AR) into the program that will best serve all of our students. I think it will be a detriment if we are to lose it.”

ACCELERATED reading is a widely-used educational tool developed by Renaissance Learning to promote reading comprehension, celebrate success and foster a love of reading. Students read books and then are tested with short multiple choice quizzes to verify they understood the material. They score points and earn rewards, though those reward systems vary among districts.

Opinions about the nationwide program’s effectiveness vary. Some dislike the testing part of the program, saying students read only for points and not enjoyment, and recall-based quizzes don’t suit all learners. Older students, in particular, tend to resent the tests.

Others, like second-grade teacher Laura Caillouet-Weiner, say the program enhances reading skills and is an effective way to measure student progress. Caillouet-Weiner is retiring this year after 42 years teaching second grade for the Iola district and as president of the teacher’s union. She has used the program since it was introduced about 25 years ago.

Caillouet-Weiner said she knows of no other reading program as effective that allows teachers to monitor and track reading comprehension.

“We see them in second grade as emerging readers. They become more independent readers and I can double-check their progress. It is amazing toward the end of the year what growth they have achieved. It’s been a good tool,” Caillouet-Weiner said.

The state removed AR from a list of evidence-based programs that qualify for at-risk funding, USD 257 Superintendent Stacey Fager said. If it wants to continue the program, the district would need to find another way to fund the program, he said. It costs about $4,200 per year.

AT IOLA Elementary, first-grade students can meet with community volunteers each morning for help with reading or taking the quiz. Fifth-graders also partner with the younger students. About a dozen community volunteers participate in the program. Several are retired teachers. Some come every day, some may come only once a week. Next year, the plan is to allow volunteers to work with the students for 20 minutes, down from 45 minutes, and with no structured format. The allotted time slot will be from 7:30 to 7:50 a.m., when students are summoned to

the gymnasium for the flag salute and schoolwide announcements before going to their classrooms.

The district is limiting that time in order to focus on “core instructional time,” Fager said.

“We know our students learn best at the very start of the day. How can we get them engaged in core content during that optimum learning time?” Fager said. “What we want is a more uniform practice of core instruction as the day begins.”

But that approach will hurt at-risk students the most, volunteer Donna Houser, a retired English teacher, argued.

“Under-privileged children often come to school later,” she told the school board at an April 22 meeting. “We have some who barely get to school on time, clothes disheveled, hair not combed. These children need extra attention. Many times, they come in scared and almost hesitant, but after they’ve been read to and get a passing grade — which means they’re comprehending this book — they get really excited. Some grab hold of us and hug us. Little by little, they’re progressing.

“A teacher doesn’t have time to signal out one or two students and pay special attention to them. (Volunteers) who come in can … but they need longer than 20 minutes.”

Melvin agreed: “The core memories that we all have of reading with our parents and grandparents are experienced for the first time by many of our littles here. They learn to associate reading books with so many other good things: joy, excitement, comfort, closeness.”

At IES, students can earn rewards such as pizza parties or a ride in

a Slingshot vehicle. Students who read books about National Parks earn a guided tour of the Lehigh Portland Trails. Library staff estimate first-graders will read between 250 to 400 books by the end of the year.

ACCELERATED reading is a supplemental program and not part of the school’s curriculum, which means changes do not require the school board’s approval. Even so, a group of volunteers attended a previous meeting to encourage the board to support the current program. Board policy allows members of the public to speak but board members do not comment at the meeting.

The board will meet at 6 p.m. Monday — coincidentally, the meeting will be at the IES library — and though the issue is not on the agenda, some volunteers told the Register they plan to comment.

Daryl Sigg, retiring IES librarian, advocates for the AR program and encourages parents to attend Monday’s meeting.

“Just because I am retiring after 34 years in education does not mean AR should be retired with me,” she posted on social media.

School board President Jennifer Taylor, responding to the Register’s questions, said, “The USD 257 School board values reading. We know it is vital in the education of our children. We value our libraries, librarians and our fantastic community reading volunteers. …

“The school administration is working with staff to determine in what direction they should move forward. As they have begun exploring these different possibilities, we have emphasized to our administration that reading is a high priority.

“No matter what program they choose to follow, we want to keep an emphasis on the love of reading, our libraries, librarians, and keep our community volunteers coming to read with our kids.

“We realize there are many different options for them to consider, but no matter what program they choose, they know that these are our priorities.”

Fager said administrators met with teachers and staff to discuss possible changes and “some of our staff members have strong feelings. That’s why administrators have worked to engage them about the direction we’re going next year and how they can make this successful for early readers.

“I know change can be difficult, especially when you’ve had a program in place for decades that engages our community and a number of volunteers.”

Fager expressed hope that volunteers and administrators would be able to find other opportunities or a different time of the day to work with students.

“Finding uniformity is pretty tough at times but I would say there’s been a lot of patience and opportunity to

engage all of our staff members on what kind of process we can implement next year that serves students well, and allows volunteers to work with our students and continue the level of reading so many

of our instructors have fostered for decades,” he said.

“Big picture, I’m very hopeful we work through this and it becomes a program we’ll be very proud of this next school year.”

Summer Vacation is Right Around the Corner

By Dr. Megan Westerhold, DVM

May is here, which means summer is just around the corner, and with summer usually comes more activities and road trips. Sometimes that means our pets go with us and at other times, they must be left behind. Either option requires planning for the pet owner.

If you're not taking your pets with you when you travel, arrange for their care beforehand. If someone is pet-sitting at their own home, ensure that your pets get along with theirs and take your pet there a few times before leaving. If someone is coming to your house, ensure that they have all the necessary supplies and that your pet is comfortable with them. Schedule boarding early and ensure that your pet is up to date on vaccinations. Regardless of who is taking care of your pet, ensure they have enough food, your contact information, and information about your pet's medical needs and veterinarian. If you're bringing your pet with you, consider the following.

If you’re flying with your pet, check with your destination and airline if you need a health certificate. Most airlines and many international locations require a health certificate written by your veterinarian within 10 days of your departure. This will require your veterinarian to examine your pet. Some locations require a health certificate to be obtained 2-3 months in advance. Ensure you know the health requirements before flying with your pet this summer.

If you're traveling by car with your pet, get them used to being in the car. Use a crate or harness to keep them safe. Prepare a pet-friendly travel kit with food, water, a leash, a waste scoop, medications, comfort items, and grooming supplies. Take frequent stops for bathroom breaks but don't feed your pet while the car is moving. Never leave your pet alone in a parked vehicle. Parked vehicles, even with the windows open, can quickly turn into an oven in the summer and cause heat stroke. You may be headed out for a fun family vacation, but your pet doesn’t always see it that way. They are in a car for a long time and often left in a strange hotel room by themselves – a change in their routine. This can be very stressful for them and often causes them to eat less or have diarrhea. Talk to your vet about potential probiotics or anxiety medications. Summer vacation can be filled with fun. It can also be very stressful when trying to take our pets along or make alternative plans for them. Planning is key when trying to travel with your pets during summer vacation or make alternative arrangements for them. Don’t wait until the last minute!

Volunteer Connie Brown reads a book about chipmunks to Ray Peterson in 2022 at Iola Elementary School. FILE PHOTO

Discussion: Local, state lawmakers talk about tax impact

Continued from A1

buying it. We had promises made.”

A common complaint has been the excess dust. “Everything we own is covered in dust,” they added.

In regards to weather, Hopkins explained that the temperature has to be at least 60 degrees at night to complete chip and seal.

Several in attendance said they weren’t told the road would be chip sealed.

“We were told it would be pavement,” said one person.

Lee noted that sometimes people use the terms chip and seal and pavement interchangably, but the road was not going to be asphalt.

According to Hopkins, it costs around $30,000 per mile for chip and seal. Comparatively, it costs approximately $1 million per mile for asphalt.

“You’re going to get the chip and seal because we don’t have those kinds of dollars to do asphalt,” said Lee.

In addition to weather delays, the county has been waiting on the return of its distributor truck to complete chip and seal projects.

“The distributor truck was getting refurbished and they are waiting on parts for it,” said Hopkins. “It’s irritating for us, too.”

Hopkins doesn’t have a set date for when the chip and seal will begin on West Virginia Road, but said it would be the first one they’d get done once the distributor truck returns.

“Until we get the distributor, there is nothing we can do,” said Lee. “We’re waiting on a piece of equipment that’s been sitting in Joplin for the last six or seven months.”

Property Valuations/ Taxes

Mildred Store owner

Regena Lance expressed frustration with in-

Allen County Commissioner David Lee explains a proposed half cent sales tax for EMS services to those in attendance at the town hall meeting.

creasing property taxes at her adjoining RV park.

“We’re trying to improve here, but I feel like I’m being penalized,” she said. Lance stated that when she purchased the vacant lots in 2017, the taxes were $15.58. “Now, they are $1,860,” she said.

Deputy Appraiser Louk explained that valuation increases are based on state guidelines and take into consideration property improvements. “We put in the characteristics of your site and that comes up with a value for all of our mobile home parks or RV park pad sites,” she said. The fact that Lance has improved the property’s value results in its increased taxes.

Senator Tyson stressed that the Property Valuation Department (PVD) is in charge of the guidelines, not state legislators. “The problem is legislators turned over the authority to PVD,” she said. “PVD tells me they don’t have the authority to reign in the county appraisers,” she continued. “But, PVD is the one giving the appraisers the standards. We’ve got a big disconnect with our property taxes.”

Tyson explained that she proposed a constitutional amendment last year that states a person’s taxable valuation would not increase more than 4% a year.

“It passed the Senate, but got stalled in the House,” she said. She then took aim at the Kansas Livestock Association (KLA). “They testified against it,” she noted. “Read their testimony — it was hypocritical.”

What Tyson is referring to is the eight-year rolling average for agriculture property taxes. “They don’t have these spikes like the rest of property owners do,” she said.

Tyson, herself, owns a ranch. “I have the eight-year rolling average,” she said. “I absolutely understand it. Why shouldn’t the rest of the state enjoy not having that spike come at them?”

Tyson noted that there could still be a property tax increase because mill levies can still go up, but it would be the taxable value. “Your actual valuation would still show up on the form,” she said. “It could go through the roof, but your taxable value would allow you to stay in your home and your property.”

Tyson briefly touched on a Senate bill that passed that allows property owners to complete normal maintenance without increasing their valuation. “That means if you have to put a new roof on or new windows, the valuation should not go up,” she said.

Referring to commercial property taxes, she stated Iola’s is the highest in the nation. “If you have a million dollar building in Iola, your property taxes are approximately $62,000 a year,” she said.

Following up with a phone call Friday morning, Deputy Appraiser Louk noted she wasn’t

sure how Tyson arrived at the assertion that Iola has the highest in the nation.

“The assessment rate is 25% statewide,” she said. The only variable to the equation are the local mill levies, of which Iola does not have the highest in the state.

Louk explained that whatever entities are in your taxing unit decides your tax dollars.

“Allen County is either blessed or cursed with a community college,” added Lee. “That’s one of the expenses. If you live in Iola, the tax bases that you’re supporting are the college, school district 257, the city, library, and county.”

Sales Tax

Nearing the end of the meeting, Lee asked attendees how they would feel about a proposed half cent sales tax for Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The sales tax, according to Lee, would generate approximately $1.2 million. “At the same time, it would draw down property taxes by $1.2 million,” he said.

Currently, the county sales tax sits at 1.25%. A quarter percent goes to Allen County Regional Hospital; a half percent goes to solid waste; and the other half percent goes to the general fund.

The proposed EMS tax would raise the county tax to 1.75%. When added to the state’s 6.5% and the City of Iola’s 1%, Iolans would see their total sales taxes

increase from 8.75% to 9.25%.

The communities of LaHarpe and Gas would see the same increase. Humboldt, with a city sales tax of 1.75%, would have a total sales tax of 10% with the increase. Moran, with a city sales tax of .5%, would have a total sales tax of 8.75%.

Lee compared this to neighboring counties, Woodson, Anderson, Neosho, and Bourbon. Neosho County currently has a sales tax rate of 1.75%; Woodson County’s is 1%; Anderson County does a 1.5% sales tax; and Bourbon County’s sales tax sits at 1.4%.

“We’re in the middle of the road when it comes to state taxes,” said Lee.

He noted that the proposed sales tax is “a technique to help drive down property taxes.”

Several agreed that they are in favor of the proposed sales tax, as long as it is absolutely certain the money goes toward EMS and draws down the property tax.

“How do we, as county taxpayers, know that those monies are going to fall off of property taxes?” asked one attendee.

“It’s incumbent upon the commissioners to keep that $1.2 million down,” said Lee. “Do we spread that tax burden over the property owners in Allen County only? Or, do we let those coming into the county to buy goods and services help pay for that?”

He pointed to the potential of Lehigh Portland State Park drawing in people from all over to spend money in the county and contribute to the sales tax.

When Lee posed the question of how many in attendance thought it was worth putting the sales tax on the ballot in November, the majority of the hands in the room raised.

“I’ve always been in favor of having the population pay for it instead of the personal property owners for whatever is being pushed,” said one person.

BABY!

Iola High’s Keegan Hill, left, runs in the 3200 meters Thursday at the Pioneer League Meet. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN

Hill maintains upward climb

By RICHARD LUKEN

Iola Register

Iola High freshman Keegan Hill continues to set personal records on the track. And he continues to climb to the upper echelons in the Pioneer League in the process.

Hill set personal marks in three events, the 1600- and 3200-meter runs and the high jump, racking up two silvers and a bronze to highlight Iola’s day at the Pioneer League meet.

Hill ran the 1600 in 4 minutes, 50.34 seconds, the 3200 in 10:41.70 and cleared 5 feet, 8 inches, in the high jump. We had many great performances including 17 personal records. The team has had a great season,” Iola head coach David Daugharthy said.

Cortland Carson placed third in the 300-meter hurdles, finishing in 44.51 seconds, and fourth in the 110-meter hurdles in 17.45 seconds.

Mustang freshman Keysha Smith ran a personal-best 13.5 seconds to take third in the 100-meter dash. She entered the event ranked seventh

Iola’s 4x800-meter relay team of Alejando Escalante, James Hunt, Cole Moyer and Brett Heinrich teamed up for third.

Others narrowly missed out on earning a spot on the medal stand.

Iola’s Rio Lohman took fourth in the 100and 300-meter hurdles races, as did Jackie Fager in the triple jump and Bethany Miller in the shot put. Iola’s 4x100-meter relay team of Abigail Jerome, Leilani Keanaaina, Smith and Ari Ramirez also took fourth.

Moyer took fourth in the 800, as did Jaydon Granere in the javelin.

Girls Team scores: 1. Santa Fe Trail, 146; 7. Iola, 36 100 meters — 3. Keysha Smith, 13.50-PB; 14. Abigail Jerome, 14.42-PB; 15. Leilani Keanaaina, 14.43

200 meters — 5. Smith, 28.00-PB; 15. Keanaaina, 30.01-PB

400 meters — 6. Jackie Fager, 1:07.03; 16. Estella DeClara, 1:25.06-PB

800 meters — 9. Lynsie Fehr, 2:57.74

1600 meters — 8. Fehr, 6:38.62-PB

100m hurdles — 4. Rio Lohman, 18.38; 6. Mahailie Genoble, 18.68-PB; 8. Ari Ramirez, 20.79

300m hurdles — 4.

Bats fall silent as Iola bows out

By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register

In the end, it’s often the little things that turn into big problems on the baseball field.

In this case, it turned into heartbreak for Iola High’s Mustangs, who saw their 2024 season come to an abrupt end Thursday, with a 2-0 loss to Wellsville in the opening round of the Class 3A Regional Tournament.

Unlike their first matchup nine days earlier — when Iola battered Wellsville’s pitchers in 15-0 and 9-4 victories — Iola’s hitters had no answer for the Eagles, particularly with runners on base.

Lohman, 52.32; 5. Genoble, 52.74-PB; 8. Ramirez, 1:01.06 4x100m relay — 4. Iola (Jerome, Keanaaina, Smith, Ramirez), 55.26 Triple jump — 4. Fager, 31’9.5” Discus — 14. Bethany Miller, 77’7”; 18. Maya Shaughnessy, 65’9”; 20. Melanie Palmer, 55’10” Javelin — 14. Kealie Keeler, 79’; 16. Shaughnessy, 66’1”; 17. Madelyn Ashworth, 58’8” Shot put — 4. Miller, 32’11”; 11. Jerome, 27’11”-PB; 17. Lily Lohman, 23’7”-PB Boys Team scores: 1. Wellsville, 209; 6. Iola, 58.5

100 meters — 11. Samuel Sturgeon, 12.60; 17. Alex Smail, 13.27

200 meters — 16. Isaac Velazquez, 27.34-PB

400 meters — 11. Adriel Pina, 1:01.05-PB

800 meters — 4. Cole Moyer, 2:19.87; 10. Brett Heinrich, 2:33.74

1600 meters — 2. Keegan Hill, 4:50.34-PB; 5. Moyer, 5:10.33; 8. James Hunt, 5:31.68

3200 meters – 3. Hill, 10:41.70-PB

100m hurdles — 4. Cortland Carson, 17.45; 5. Maddox Riley, 18.03

300m hurdles — 3. Carson, 44.51; 9. Riley, 50.36

4x100m relay — 5. Iola (Griffin Westervelt, Velazquez, Smail, Raiden Kern), 52.35

4x400m relay – 5. Iola (Caden Coltrane, Gavin Jones, Pina, Sturgeon), 4:03.40

4x800m relay — 3. Iola (Alejandro Escalante, Hunt, Moyer, Heinrich), 9:54.31 High jump — 2. Hill, 5’8”PB Pole vault — 6. Rohan Springer, 8’ Discus — 9. Jaydon Morrison, 113’7”; 13. Kolton Greathouse, 105’-PB; 19. Charles Rogers, 85’11”-PB Javelin — 4. Morrison, 138’5”-PB; 8. Greathouse, 118’5”; 13. Alex Donnelly, 84’8” Shot put — 10. Morrison, 40’6”; 17. Rogers, 35’9”; 18. Greathouse, 34’6” (PB-Personal Best)

“It was a lot of things, really,” Mustang head coach Levi Ashmore said. “We hit some balls hard early, in our first time through the lineup, some medium-depth line drives that on a better day might go somewhere.”

But Thursday’s picturesque weather conditions included a brisk wind blowing straight in from center field, knocking down pretty much anything airborne.

Still, there were chances.

A second-inning double play erased Iola’s first scoring opportunity after Ben Kerr and Jase Herrmann hit back-to-back one-out singles in the bottom of the second inning.

Herrmann led off the fifth with a single as well, but the umpire ruled him out on a key pickoff attempt later in the frame. The play loomed even larger after Easton Weseloh singled, Nick Bauer was hit by a pitch and Korbin Cloud worked a walk to load the bases with two outs.

But that rally ended with an infield grounder.

The last, best chance at scoring came in the sixth after Grady Dougherty legged out an infield single and moved up to second with Herrmann’s twoout walk.

But a pop-up to the pitcher sent the Mustangs back to the dugout again with no damage done.

THE LACK of offense spoiled Cloud’s gutty effort on the mound.

He worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the first inning, and looked to do so again in the top of the fourth, but a ground ball with the bases loaded was

Allen softball falls

TOPEKA — With no margin for error, Allen Community College’s season came to an end Thursday, courtesy of Johnson County’s Kate Ediger and Kaelyn Conrad. Ediger homered twice, while Conrad shut down the Red Devil offense in a 6-1 victory. The defeat, in the consolation bracket of the Region VI Tournament, ends Allen’s season at 22-27. Conrad shut down Allen’s offense, limiting the Red Devils to one hit, a fifth-inning

misplayed for an error, pushing across the Eagles’ first run of the game.

Another fielding error also played a role in Wellsville’s second run of the game. Caden Thompson walked with one out in the fifth, stole second and likely would have stopped at third base on Caleb Vicek’s line drive single. But the ball was misplayed in the outfield for an error, giving him the opportunity to scamper home without a play for the 2-0 advantage.

“On a day when you can’t hit, every single pitch is so important,” Ashmore said. “It’s a roller-coaster of emotions. You felt like we’d have a chance, and then something crazy would happen.”

That was more than enough for Wellsville starter Joseph Stites, who exited with two outs in the seventh, having reached his 105-pitch limit.

Cloud greeted reliever Hayden Reeve with a single — Eagle left fielder Dylan Strenth narrowly missed ending the game on a spectacular diving catch attempt — but Cloud, too, was left stranded at first.

“Korbin got into some situations and pitched out of it,” Ashmore said. “We had to pull him because of his pitch count. Mac (Leonard) came in and did a good job, but if you don’t score, you can’t win. It irritates me because I take pride in what we do offensively. We swung at some balls, and we didn’t swing at some strikes we should have.”

Cloud struck out 11 batters over 4.2 in-

nings, allowing four hits and three walks.

Leonard pitched the final 2.1 innings, allowing one hit. Cloud also singled twice, while Kerr, Herrmann, Weseloh and Dougherty had singles.

ASHMORE reflected on a promising season that ended all too abruptly, particularly for Iola’s outgoing seniors Cloud, Leonard, Kerr, Ashton Hesse, Korbyn Fountain, Isaac McCullough and Landon Weide, whose season ended a week too early with a broken collarbone.

“What gives me peace is knowing they’re going to go out and have success after this,” he said. “Those kids are determined to do well. My message to them afterward was that while they may not be able to play with the

blue and gold anymore, we hope they stay a part of the program forever. We want them to keep coming around to watch games, watch practice, come talk to the guys. We want to get an alumni group going, something people are happy to be a part of.

“Korbin is a great player, a great pitcher will do everything for you,” Ashmore continued. “It seemed like Landon’s injury took the wind out of our sails. He’s a great kid who was having a great season. Ashton worked his butt off for us, and Korbyn was with us all along. Mac played wherever we needed us, and Ben was having a great season with four home runs and hitting .450. Isaac hadn’t played in a while before this season, but he came in and helped us win a couple of games.

“You hate to lose these guys. That’s a lot of production to replace, but just as importantly, you like them as kids. We’re going to miss them, for sure.”

That said, Iola will have some talented players returning in 2025, including underclassmen like Tre Wilson, Weseloh and Bauer.

“We hope games like today motivate them to get a little better each day out so that in 2025, we don’t have games like this.”

Red Devils prevail

CONCORDIA — Allen Community College opened the Region VI playoffs in sterling fashion Thursday.

Red Devil pitchers Jack Bland and Saul Bolivar combined on a six-hit shutout, while the Red Devils’ Garrett Rusch singled in a run and homered in a 4-1 win over Cloud County.

The victory gives Allen (21-33) a 1-0 series lead over the T-Bird in their bestof-three series.

Game 2 was set for Friday, although results were unavailable by press time. Game 3, if necessary, will be in Concordia Saturday afternoon.

Armando Navarro

single from Brooklyn Goehring. Ediger went deep on a 3-2 count for a two-run shot in the top of the second, giving Johnson County the lead for good. She added a solo home run in the top of the fifth.

Bailee Campbell got the start for Allen on the mound. She pitched into the fourth inning, allowing six hits. Camrynn Yardley came on in relief, scattering three hits over 3.2 innings with three strikeouts.

broke a 0-0 deadlock with a leadoff home run in the top of the fourth.

Rusch hit a twoout single in the fifth to make it 2-1. Colton Ayres hit an RBI single in the sixth. Rusch’s solo shot in the ninth capped the scoring.

Bland pitched eight innings, allowing six hits with five strikeouts. Bolivar struck out two of the three batters he faced in a 1-2-3 ninth.

Rusch had two RBIs with his two hits. Navarro added a single to his solo home run. Logan Martin singled and doubled. Parker Martin and Ayres added singles.

Iola High’s Korbin Cloud pitches against Wellsville Thursday. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN

The

Humboldt Hull-aballoo: Senior shines on busy day

By RICHARD LUKEN

The

Iola Register

HUMBOLDT — Humboldt High senior Sam Hull added to his storied sports legacy Thursday in grand fashion.

Hull opened what became a magical afternoon by earning a silver medal in the high jump, clearing a personal best 5 feet, 10 inches, at the Tri-Valley League Track Meet.

He then traded in his track shoes for baseball cleats, crossed the parking lot to the baseball diamond, and proceeded to club two home runs, drive in six, and lead the way to a 10-0 whitewashing of visiting Prairie View in the opening round of the Class 3A Regional Tournament.

The double duty was made possible once the state announced its first-round baseball pairings and times. Since Humboldt holds the top seed, it was assured of a playoff game at home — which happened to coincide with the league meet, typically held each year on the second Thursday in May.

Hull’s only difficulty was ensuring the high jump ended on time for him to get to the game

“I didn’t plan on them being so close in time,” Hull said.”I was expecting the league meet to start sooner.”

The event started about the same time Hull normally would have been taking practice swings in the batting cages.

But as the event unfolded, it meant plenty of waiting between jumps.

“Usually, I’m the first one in the batting cages, but that didn’t happen this time,” he said. “Luckily, the game didn’t start until about 5, so it all worked out.”

Hull said he was “OK” with his high jump work. “I’d like to do better, but I’m not upset with it.”

And his swing was locked in, after some extra work earlier in the week. “Coach Miller gave me some tips that just felt good. It was pretty quick to get locked in.”

(For additional information about the baseball game, read elsewhere in today’s Register.)

Hull was hardly the only standout on the track for the host Cubs.

Little lister Laney Hull was golden in the 300-meter hurdles, while Tori Melendez, Anna Heisler, Skylar Hottenstein and Ricklyn Hillmon teamed to win the 4x800-meter relay.

On the boys’ side, Kreed Jones was golden in the 3200-meter run. He added a third-place finish in the 1600 meters.

Mateo Miller took silver in three events, the 110- and 300-meter hurdles and the long jump, while tacking on a third-place finish in the triple jump.

Brigg Shannon placed second in the 400-meter dash and third in the 200- meters. Carson Peters claimed third in the discus.

Both the boys’ and girls’ teams took third overall in their divisions.

Humboldt’s full results follow:

Girls

Team scores: 1. Caney Valley, 115; 3. Humboldt, 67

100 meters — NA. Karingten Hall, 12.92 (fastest in finals); 15. Josey Ellis, 14.87; 19. Carlie Weilert, 15.39

200 meters — NA. Hall, 27.21 (fastest in finals); 11. Mallory Sinclair, 31.29; 12. Ella Schomaker, 32.32

400 meters — 2. Ricklyn Hillmon, 1:05.35; 10. Mallory Sinclair, 1:14.61

800 meters — 4. Anna Heisler, 2:46.37; 8. Skylar Hottenstein, 3:01.73

3200 meters — 3. Tori Melendez, 15:14.31

100m hurdles — 2. Laney Hull, 18.41

300m hurdles — 1. Hull, 52.98

4x100m relay — 5. Humboldt (Jo. Ellis, Hillmon, Heisler, Hull), 55.75

4x400m relay — 3. Humboldt (Heisler, Jo. Ellis, S. Hottenstein, Hillmon), 4:40.75

4x800m relay — 1. Humboldt (Melendez, Heisler, S. Hottenstein, Hillmon), 11:28.84

High jump — 5. Hull, 4’8”

Long jump — 6. Hall, 13’10”; 7. Schomaker, 13’6”; 15. Sinclair, 12’1.5”

Discus — 9. Kenisyn Hottenstein, 73’5” Javelin — 3. K. Hottenstein, 100’4”; 4. Hall, 90’9”; 8. Weilert, 82’ Shot put — 6. K. Hottenstein, 28’1”; 11. Weilert, 24’11”

Boys Team scores: 1. Caney

Valley, 171; 3. Humboldt, 85.5

100 meters — 12. Kage Daniels, 12.80; 13. Caleb Gunderman, 13.05; 16. Cooper Peters, 13.36

200 meters — 3. Brigg Shannon, 24.86; 9. Daniels, 25.86; 16. Gunderman, 27.85;

400 meters — 2. Shannon, 54.63; 7. Daniels, 58.84; 17. Luke VanLeeuwen, 1:05.33

800 meters — 11. Nathan Swogar, 2:45.21

1600 meters — 3. Kreed Jones, 5:12.80; 9. Swogar, 6:12.28

3200 meters — 1. Jones, 11:39.64

100m hurdles — 2. Mateo Miller, 17.30; 6. Maxtyn Mueller, 22.51

300m hurdles — 2. Miller, 44.45; 7. M. Mueller, 54.44

4x100m relay — 6. Humboldt (VanLeeuwen, Car. Peters, Taner King, Gunner Stone), 55.43

4x400m relay — 5. Humboldt (Daniels, Swogar, M. Mueller, Shannon), 4:11.78

4x800m relay — 6. Humboldt (M. Mueller, Swogar, Byron Westbrook, Thatcher Mueller), 11:02.31

High jump — 2. Sam Hull, 5’10”; 5. Jones, 5’4”; 10. T. Mueller, 5’2” Long jump — 2. Miller, 18’9.5”; 9. Gunderman, 14’11.25”

Triple jump — 3. Miller, 39’5”; . T. Mueller, 33’2”; 10. Byron Westbrook, 31’3”

Discus — 3. Carson Peters, 109’4”; 8. King, 92’3”; 13. Matthew McCullough, 83’3.5” Javelin — 6. Cooper Peters, 122’2”; 9. T. Mueller, 118’7”; 12. Garren Goodner, 111’6”

Shot put — 4. Goodner, 36’8”; 7. McCullough, 35’; 11. Stone, 32’4”

Cubs blast Prairie View in 3A opener

HUMBOLDT — The stars came out early on a bright, sunny day at the ballyard for Humboldt High Thursday. With staff ace Logan Page locked in from the start, and senior Sam Hull primed and ready at the bat, the Cubs had little trouble in dispatching Prairie View, 10-0, to open the Class 3A Regional Tournament.

“We played a very well-rounded game,” Humboldt head coach Mike Miller said.

Hull blasted two home runs and drove in six, while going 4-for-4. His solo shot in the bottom of the first got things going, and then his third-inning grand slam came during an eight-run outburst.

That was more than enough for Page, who limited the Buffalos to one hit over four innings with eight strikeouts. Kyler Isbell singled twice and added a perfect inning of relief with a strikeout.

Jacob Harrington also singled twice, while Page, Colden Cook and Cole Mathes all had singles.

“Logan was very efficient on the mound, our defense played great behind him, and our hitters competed at the plate,” Miller said.

“He’s really locked in right now and showed just what he’s capable of doing. Hopefully this momentum will car -

ry over into Tuesday in our matchup with Anderson County.”

SPEAKING of Anderson County, the Cubs’ future opponents won an extra-inning thriller over Heritage Christian Academy in its opener. Preston Kueser drew a walk with the bases loaded to give the Bulldogs a true walk-off victory, 1-0.

In fact, the state’s new playoff schedule opens the door further to what could be a low-scoring Class 3A Regional semifinal and championship rounds in Garnett on

Tuesday. Because the state extended the timelines for the games, opening play on Thursday and holding on the second and third rounds until five days later, it means schools can use their staff aces twice in the same tournament.

Coincidentally, all four of the first-round winners in the Garnett regional won via shutout.

On the other side of the bracket, Wellsville defeated Iola, 2-0, to earn a semifinal showdown with Burlington, a 3-0 winner over Osawatomie.

YOGA TUESDAY 6 P.M. Our yoga class is a mix between the slow-paced style of yin restorative yoga and vinyasa flow yoga. This yoga class synchronizes your breath with each pose and lets fresh oxygen rejuvenate the muscles.

KICKSTRONG

WEDNESDAY 4:15 P.M.

A high energy cardio kickboxing class that will challenge you while building stamina, cardiovascular health, and working your core.

RUMBLE: PUNCHES, KICKS & STICKS

WEDNESDAY 5:30 P.M.

This authentic cardio mixed martial arts class is designed for group fitness fun. Using the RUMBLE stick, you’ll create a higher degree of training and is an extension of your body, which enhances spatial awareness and overall movement. No martial arts experience required.

HIIT CIRCUIT

THURSDAY 4:15 P.M. & 5:30 P.M.

The Iola Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism is coordinating the Iola City-Wide Garage Sale just in time for your spring cleaning!

The event will take place on Saturday, June 1. Physical maps of the sellers

- 3 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and there's a $10 registration fee. Cash or check only. SATURDAY, JUNE 1

A fast-paced class that will utilize stations with a variety of equipment and bodyweight exercises to work in intervals combining functional resistance and cardiovascular training to give you a full body workout.

HEALTHY FOR LIFE

MONDAY, WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY 9:30 A.M.

As you age, it is more important than ever to stay active. In this 40–45-minute class, we’ll focus on strength, cardiovascular endurance, balance, and coordination for a total body workout that conditions the participants for everyday activities.

SIT AND BE FIT

MONDAY, WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY 10:30 A.M.

This 25–30-minute class is a safe and e ective way to improve your life through functional fitness. Come join the fun and in the process, ease inflammation, improve energy, and promote overall better health.

Humboldt High’s Sam Hull crosses home plate in a game earlier this season. PHOTO BY MIKE MYER

HR Generalist

The Monarch Cement Company in Humboldt, KS has an opening for a HR Generalist in the Corporate HR Department.

The HR Generalist performs human resource related duties at the professional level and will carry out responsibilities in some or all the following related functional areas: employee relations, training, employment, labor relations, a rmative action, and employment equity programs. The position requires candidates to have a bachelor’s degree in human resources or a related eld, one or two years of related experience, or a combination that will allow successful performance and completion of the duties required for the position. HR certi cation is preferred.

The position also requires a high level of con dentiality, pro ciency in a variety of computer software attention to detail, ability to work as part of a team and excellent communication skills. The position is open until lled. Salary is DOQ.

Please mail or deliver cover letter, application and resumé to: Corporate HR Department, The Monarch Cement Company, PO Box 1000, Humboldt, KS 66748 Or email cover letter, application and resumé to: hr.dept@monarchcement.com

Applications and other necessary documents can be found a monarchcement.com. Previous applicants should complete new application.

and

by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

BEETLE BAILEY

by Mort Walker

HAGAR

by Chris Browne

by Young and Drake

Patrick McDonell

by Tom Armstrong

Chance Browne

Monday — Class 3A Regional Golf @ Frontenac, 12:30 p.m.; Softball hosts Conway Springs for Class 3A Regional Tournament, 5 p.m

Tuesday — Class 3A Regional Baseball @ Garnett vs. Anderson County, 2 p.m. (championship to follow second semifinal)

Wednesday — Class 3A Regional Softball @ Wichita Trinity, TBA Friday — Class 3A Regional Track @ Fredonia, 2 p.m.

Monday — Class 3A Regional Golf @ Osawatomie, 8:30 a.m.; Softball hosts Neodesha for Class 3A Regional Tournament, 5 p.m. @ Allen Community College.

Wednesday — Class 3A Regional Softball @ Wichita Trinity, TBA

Friday — Class 3A Regional Track @ Fredonia, 2 p.m.

Tuesday — Class 2-1A Regional Baseball @ Pittsburg, TBA

Friday — Class 1A Regional Track and Field @ Iola, 3 p.m.

Monday — Class 2-1A Regional Baseball @ Central Heights vs. Pleasanton, (app. 4 p.m.), (championship game to follow); Class 2-1A Regional Softball @ Jayhawk-Linn vs. Oswego, 4 p.m.

Tuesday — Class 2-1A Regional Softball @ Erie, TBA Friday — Class 1A Regional Track and Field @ Iola, 3 p.m.

Monday — Class 2-1A Regional Softball @ Central Heights, 3 p.m.

Tuesday — Tuesday — Class 2-1A Regional Baseball @ Pittsburg, TBA; Class 2-1A Regional Softball @ Lyndon, TBA

Friday — Class 1A Regional Track and Field @ Iola, 3 p.m.

SOUTHERN COFFEY COUNTY

Friday — Class 1A Regional Track and Field @ Iola, 3 p.m.

Athlete of the Month voting opens

As the 2023-24 high school season builds to a climactic finish, several standouts are in the running for the Iola Register Male and Female Athletes of the Month. On the boys side, Iola High senior golfer Xander Sellman, Marmaton Valley senior baseball player Daniel Fewins and Humboldt High junior Logan Page are the nominees.

For the girls, Iola’s Reese Curry has been nominated for her work on the softball diamond, as has Yates Center senior Lauren McConaghie. Crest sophomore Peyton Schmidt has been nominated for her accomplishments in track. Sellman is a centerpiece of Iola’s back-to-back Pioneer League championship teams. He finished third individually at the league meet, third at Iola’s Buck Quincy Invitational and took 10th at a meet in Coffeyville, featuring an assortment of the best golfers in southeast

Kansas. Fewins has led a resurgence of epic proportions at Marmaton Valley. The Wildcats, who started the season at 0-7, ended the regular season on an 11-game winning streak. Fewins have been a large reason why. Since April 1, he has hit at a .552 clip, with a home run, 40 RBIs and 17 stolen bases.

Page, who helped lead the Cubs to the state baseball tournament in 2023, is locked and loaded for a repeat trip this spring. The lefthander has a sterling 1.30 earned-run average and is limiting opposing batters to a .154 average.

CURRY’S return from a concussion early in the year tied in nicely to Iola’s best softball stretch in ages. The Mustangs won eight in a row at one point, while Curry is batting. 458 with four doubles, three triples and 26 RBIs.

Speaking of strong finishes, McConaghie is a centerpiece of Yates Center’s late-season surge with several key

hits in the Wildcats’ five-game winning streak.

Schmidt is one of several standouts on the track this season, and shines at middle and long distances, particularly the 800and 3200-meter runs.

VOTING will remain open through Friday,

either by visiting www. iolaregister.com (just click on the sports tab menu for voting options), by sending an email to sports@ iolaregister.com, by calling (620) 365-2111 or by clipping out the attached graphic and dropping it by the office at 302 S. Washington in Iola.

Area athletes shine at Three Rivers League meet

ARMA — A magical season in track and field built to a crescendo Thursday as standout athletes from Crest, Marmaton Valley and Yates Center high schools racked up plenty of hardware at the Three Rivers League meet.

Marmaton Valley senior, and Pittsburg State University signee Janae Granere added three more league golds to her portfolio, winning the 400-meter dash, long jump — and in her first time in this event all year — the triple jump. Piper Barney, meanwhile, took gold in the 300-meter hurdles, while finishing in second behind Granere in both the long jump and triple jump. Kyla Sanders took second in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes, and Payton Scharff captured bronze in the javelin.

On the boys’ side, Brayden Lawson was golden in winning the shot put, while taking second in the javelin. Cooper Scharff took silver in the 100-meter dash and third in the 200 meters.

CREST HIGH, in taking second overall in both the boys and girls divisions, saw plenty of top finishes. Josie Walter won both the 1600and 3200-meter runs, while the Lady Lancer 4x100-meter relay team of Kaelin Nilges, Hana Schmidt, Kinley Edgerton and Mia Coleman bested all comers. Peyton Schmidt took second, just ahead of Walter in third, in the 800. Hanna Schmidt finished just ahead of Mia Coleman in second and third, respectively, in the 100-meter hurdles. Jaycee Schmidt, Kim Coleman, Aubrey Allen and Peyton Schmidt teamed up to take silver in the 4x800-meter relay as well.

For the Lancer boys, Gunner Ellington was a two-time winner, in both the 1600 and 3200. Jerry Rodriguez was tops in the long jump.

YATES CENTER made its presence felt, despite taking only eight athletes to the meet. Jaylynn Birk took silver in the 1600 and placed fourth in the 800. Local results follow.

Boys Team scores: 1. Jayhawk-Linn, 167; 2. Crest, 77; 5. Marmaton Valley, 62 100 meters — 2. Cooper Scharff, MV, 11.39; 5. Brenton Edgerton, Crest, 11.88; 6. Jerry Rodriguez, Crest, 11.93; 8. Gentry McGhee, Crest, 12.08; 16. Brendon Newman, MV, 13.45; 17. Jeremiah Jones, YC, 13.61; 24.

Mason Ferguson, MV, 15.37

200 meters — 3. Scharff, 23.65; 5. Edgerton, 24.80; 9. McGhee, 24.93; 13. Xander Fuller, 25.68; 20. Jones, 28.78; 21. Emilio Peon, MV, 30.47; 24. Hunter Doolittle, MV, 33.08

400 meters — 3. Edgerton, 55.72; 8. Fuller, 58.34; 16. Asher Arnold, YC, 1:04.76; 17. Colton Burkholder, YC, 1:07.04; 18. Peon, 1:09.50; 20. Chris Ferguson, MV, 1:31.53; 21. M. Ferguson, 1:36.84

800 meters — 3. Elijah Taylor, Crest, 2:17.05; 10. Burkholder, 2:29.92; 12. Arnold, 2:31.65; 13. Newman, 2:33.93; 14. Brevyn Campbell, MV, 2:39.65; 15. Clayton Culver, YC, 2:40.99 1600 meters — 1. Gunner Ellington, Crest, 4:51.61; 7. Taylor, 5:26.61; 8. Burkholder, 5:30.33; 11. Arnold, 5:46.28; 13. Blaine

King, Crest, 5:51.29; 14. Culver, 5:56.19 3200 meters — 1. Ellington, 11:06.12; 7. King, 13:08.13 110m hurdles — 4. Jacob Zimmerman, Crest, 19.11 300m hurdles — 4. Zimmerman, 48.14 4x100m relay — 4. Crest, 46.98 4x800m relay — 3. Crest (Rodriguez, Ryan West, Fuller) 9:51.02

High jump — 9. Fuller, 5’2”

Long jump — 1. Rodriguez, 20’4.5”; 2. Todd Stevenson, MV, 19’1.5”; 3. McGhee, 18’8.5”; 4. Scharff, 18’8.5”; 17. Newman, 15’3.75”

Triple jump — 5. Stevenson, 36’3”

Discus — 3. Dagan Barney, MV, 101’10”; 4. Brayden Lawson, MV, 97’10”; 10. Campbell, 82’9” Javelin — 2. Lawson, 140’11”; 3. Brody Hobbs, Crest, 136’9”; 7. Campbell, 117’4”; 12. Barney, 98’5”

Shot put — 1. Lawson, 40’; 3. Barney, 35’1”; 8. Mason Ferguson, MV, 33’1”; 13. Jones, 31’2.5

Girls

Team scores: 1. Jayhawk-Linn, 121; 2. Crest,

100; 4. Marmaton Valley, 94; 8. Yates Center, 22

100 meters — 2. Kyla Sanders, MV, 13.55; 8. Kaelin Nilges, Crest, 14.15; 9. Cayten Cummings, YC, 14.28; 10. Khiana Haynes, MV, 14.36; 15. Kim Coleman, Crest, 15.44; 18. Kaya Boone, MV, 16.18

200 meters — 2. Sanders, 28.69; 9. K. Coleman, 31.72; 12. Cummings, 32.75

400 meters — 1. Janae Granere, MV, 1:02.82; 4. Maria Forero, 1:06.05; 5. Kinley Edgerton, Crest, 1:06.58; 9. Jaycee Schmidt, 1:12.60 800 meters — 2. Peyton Schmidt, Crest, 2:34.61; 3. Josie Walter, Crest, 2:38.21; 4. Jaylynn Birk, YC, 2:46.85; 10. Sophia Heim, MV, 3:09.83; 11. Zafirah Fa-

jri, MV, 3:32.42

1600 meters — 1. Walter, 5:54.98; 2. Birk, 6:14.29; 3. Aubrey Allen, Crest, 6:25.50; 10. Fajri, 8:19.01 3200 meters — 1. Walter, 12;46.38; 2. P. Schmidt, 12:46.49; 3. Allen, 14:05.91; 5. Heim, 15:04.94 100m hurdles — 2. Hanna Schmidt, Crest, 15.84; 3. Mia Coleman, Crest, 17.62 300m hurdles — 1. Piper Barney, MV, 48.43; 5. H. Schmidt, 53.11 4x100m relay — 1. Crest (Nilges, H. Schmidt, Edgerton, M. Coleman), 53.95; 5. Marmaton Valley (Sanders, Payton Scharff, Boone, Haynes), 57.69 4x400m relay — 2. Marmaton Valley (Scharff, Granere, Barney, Forero), 4:25.73; 4. Crest (M. Coleman, Nilges, J. Schmidt, Edgerton), 4:59.96 4x800m relay — 2. Crest (J. Schmidt, K. Coleman, Allen, P. Schmidt), 11:38.27 High jump — 6. Nilges, 4’6” Long jump — 1. Granere, 17’9.5”; 2. Barney, 16’11”; 4. H. Schmidt, 15’10.5”; 5. Cummings, 14’9.75”; 9. Haynes, 13’3” Triple jump — 1. Granere, 35’10”; 2. Barney, 33’4.5” Discus — 5. Wylee Shaffer, YC, 76’1”; 8. Lizzie Ellington, Crest, 68’6”; 9. Jayda Rice, YC, 67’8”; 11. LesLeigh Cary, MV, 66’7”; 12. Myleigh Eslick, MV, 63’10”; 15. Yareli Medrano, MV, 47’7” Javelin — 3. Scharff, 91’7”; 6. Edgerton, 75’5”; 8. Eslick, 72’2”; 9. Taylen Blevins, MV, 66’3” Shot put — 4. Rice, 30’3.5”; 7. Eslick, 26’5”; 8. Ellington, 24’10”; 12. Blevins, 22’4”; 14. Medrano, 20’6”;

WEEKLY SPECIALS

Crest High’s Jaycee Schmidt runs in a race earlier this season. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN

Marmaton Valley High’s Payton Scharff throws the javelin at a meet earlier this season. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN

Crest High’s Gunner Ellington, right, is shown running in a 1600-meter race earlier this season. On Thursday, Ellington won both the 1600 and 3200 at the Three Rivers League Meet in Arma.

Weir inks with Allen

COLONY — Rogan Weir will take his baseball talents to a familiar setting for college next season.

Weir, the Crest High baseball standout and one of the key cogs for the four-time defending league champion Lancers, signed a letter of intent Thursday to play at Allen Community College.

“It was an easy decision,” he said, noting the Weir family’s connections to the Red Devil program.

Older brother Derek Weir played for the Red Devils in 2015 and 2016. And his father — and head baseball coach — Roland Weir was a part of the last ACC teams to win a Jayhawk Conference title in 1989 and 1990.

“I watched my brother play there, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it,” he said. “Baseball’s just what I grew up playing. It’s what my dad played, and I fell in love with it as a child.”

Weir has been a starter since his freshman season, and was part of Crest’s back-to-back state qualifying teams in 2021 and 2022. He has earned all-league and all-state honors, and is in line to do so again as a senior.

The Lancers will play in the Class

2-1A regional semifinals on Monday, thanks in no small part to Weir, who is batting .451 (35 of 76) with a team-leading nine doubles and 43 RBIs over 25 games.

This year’s success comes one season after Crest lost most of its starting lineup to graduation last season.

“It’s a testament to how much work we’ve put in this year, all the long practices we’ve had,” he said.

His father agrees.

“I knew several years ago that this group of kids would be pretty special,” Roland Weir said. “The guys who came before them were great, but I knew these kids were going to be the foundation going forward. It’s been a pleasure to get to coach him for four years. It’s going to be a tough transition, no doubt about it, but he’s got the tools to do well. If he works hard and does all the right things and gets stronger, he can do it.”

Weir’s plans are to study something “probably having to do with agriculture.”

He’s the son of Roland and Leslie Weir.

IHS golfers get one last tuneup

LA CYGNE — Fresh off winning a Pioneer League golf championship, and a few days away from a pivotal Class 3A regional tournament, Iola High put in one last regular season competition Thursday.

Iola took third at Deer Trace Golf Course for the Prairie View Invitational, carding a 339.

“I was happy for the boys, but I feel that they lacked a bit of focus today, which led to some higher scores,” head coach Jeremy Sellman said. “I expected a little higher scores today as winning league was the focus and today I wanted them to just enjoy their last regular season event of the year.”

Sophomore Brennen Coffield led Iola’s charge, taking second overall, despite a slow start on what his head coach described as an “up and down” day.

Coffield’s round of 78 ended on a spectacular note as he chipped in an eagle on his final hole.

“He was struggling with his distance control on his wedges,” Coach Sellman said. “He was either short or long with no consistent miss.”

Seniors Xander Sellman and Christopher Holloway — who had the added distraction of Graduation Day coming up Saturday — also persevered through tough days.

Xander Sellman

opened with a double bogey on his first hole, and even lost two balls on the hole.

“He said, ‘Don’t worry, I’ve got this,’” Coach Sellman said of his son. The younger Sellman did just that, finishing with back-to-back birdies to wind up with an 80, good for fifth.

“Xander struggled trusting his reads on the greens and was just confused by the slope all day,” Coach Sellman said.

Holloway carded an 88 to finish 16th.

“I could tell Chris was just going a thousand different directions mentally today,” Sellman said. “He’s got a lot on his plate as the class president, and with graduation, but I was proud of him for pushing through and giving his best effort. He managed well and kept the mistakes minimal.”

Baron Folk carded a 93 to finish 26th.

“Baron played well, and his putting was great today,” Sellman said. “We worked on his green reading and putting at practice, and that showed. He did struggle a bit on his approach shots. Deer Trace offers elevated greens, but knowing his putting is improving will be a big advantage for him at regionals.”

Ethan Harrish shot a 97 to finish in 34th.

A pair of troublesome holes, during which he lost nine strokes to par,

put Harris behind the 8-ball early, Sellman said. “Trees and water and lost balls started his struggles, but he turned it around and played where I expected. He finished his round playing good golf.”

Parker Andres finished in 49th with a 103.

“Parker continues to improve every tournament,” Sellman said. “He works hard and takes what he has learned to the course. Parker is getting there. I appreciate his attitude and work ethic. I’ve got high hopes form has he continues to grow and improve.”

Santa Fe Trail, behind Lane Workman, brought home both the team and individual tournament champions. The Chargers carded a 327; Spring Hill was second at 334.

Sixty-six golfers from 12 teams from Class 5A to Class 2A schools were a part of Thursday’s competition.

“Being able to have an off day and still take home a medal is a testament to these boys’ grit and determination,” Sellman said. “I’m lucky to get to coach such a talented group of young men. It’s a pleasure to be there for their success.”

MONDAY’S regional tournament in Osawatomie will determine which golfers advance to the Class 3A State Tournament May 20-21 in Emporia.

Crest High’s Rogan Weir is flanked by his grandparents Eddyra and Delbert Nelson, seated, his parents Roland and Leslie Weir and brother Drake Thursday as he signs a letter of intent to play baseball at Allen Community College. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN