SEE INSIDE: 2023 Edition
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Locally owned since 1867
iolaregister.com
Halloween activities abound
First refusal confusion Stacey Fager, USD 257 superintendent, says a new law that gives the state “the right of first refusal” when school facilities are sold could delay transfer of buildings. The district agreed to let a development firm convert three former elementary schools, including Jefferson, shown, into apartments but will have to go through a lengthy legislative approval process. REGISTER/VICKIE MOSS
Schools grapple with new law regarding property sales By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register
The Iola school district has to wait to sell less than an acre of land because it includes a dilapidated metal building. The Humboldt school district needs to seek the state’s The newest building trades project by Humboldt High permission before it can sell School students may be subject to a new law giving the a house built by students as state first dibs on facilities sold by school districts. part of a construction trades class. ing an old school building risk that potential buyers And the ANW Coopera- through another winter in could find something else tive will need to weather the Chanute, while taking the before the state grants apcostly expense of maintain-
KNOW your CANDIDATES
ACC BOARD of TRUSTEES
proval of a sale. Those are local examples of the unintended consequences of a law passed late in the last legislative session that gives the state “the right of first refusal” when a district wants to sell a school building. It’s a problem statewide, too, Craig Neuenswander, deputy commissioner of fiscal and administrative services for the Kansas Department See SCHOOLS | Page A7
Halloween’s spooky spectacles will return with a number of local activities to delight both the young and the young at heart. The Iola Area Chamber of Commerce is setting up its annual Trunk Or Treat from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Halloween Night at the corner of Jefferson and Jackson avenues. The streets will be closed off to traffic, while the parked vehicles will be lined up and decorated for youngsters to visit. ALSO Tuesday, the Humboldt Halloween Spook Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in Humboldt’s downtown square. Th Humboldt Chamber of Commerce and G.A.L.S.FCE are hosting the parade, open to youngsters from preschool through the fifth grade. They should gather at the corner of Seventh and Bridge streets at 5 o’clock. The parade will be led by Humboldt’s police and fire departments and will proSee HALLOWEEN | Page A3
VO
TE
Five candidates are seeking to fill three seats on the Allen Community College Board of Trustees: Incumbents Gena Clounch and Vicki Curry, as well as challengers Alana Cloutier, Corey Schinstock and write-in candidate Roger Campbell. Curry and Cloutier are featured in today’s Register. The others will be profiled in upcoming editions.
Alana Cloutier By TIM STAUFFER The Iola Register
When weighing a potential candidacy for Allen Community Board of Trustees, Alana Cloutier considered the college’s name. “It’s Allen Community College, not Iola Community College.
Vicki Curry And when I learned that no one on the board is from Humboldt, I felt like someone should step up.” Cloutier is one of four registered candidates who have thrown their hats in the ring for three open seats on the AlSee CLOUTIER | Page A3
By TIM STAUFFER The Iola Register
Vicki Curry’s roots at Allen Community College run deep. “I have a special place in my heart for Allen,” Curry told the Register. “I went there as a student. My husband went there. All three of my kids
attended. I worked there for 27 years. It’s ingrained in me. There’s nothing I want more than for it to be successful.” Curry, 65, who retired from Allen as the director of financial aid for the college, is one of four registered See CURRY | Page A4
Heavy lifting Work crews utilize a crane Friday morning to remove the old rooftop HVAC units from atop the Humboldt Community Fieldhouse. The old units were shut off for good at the start of the school year, and will be replaced with a new system as part of USD 258’s $17.5 million bond program. PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE MYER
Cathy Mih-Taylor, MD Dawne Lowden, MD Jennifer Byerley, APRN-C Ashton Holman, PA-C Laura Myers, APRN-CNM Dana Rhodes, APRN-CNM
Vol. 125, No. 274 Iola, KS $1.00
Women's Health introduces hospital-based certified nurse midwives, Laura Myers, APRN-CNM & Dana Rhodes, APRN-CNM.
629 S. Plummer Ave., Chanute, KS 620-431-0340