In like a lion
THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
www.iolaregister.com
Monday, March 2, 2015
School funding plan aimed at ending ‘surprises’ By JOHN HANNA The Associated Press
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Top Republican officials in Kansas who hope to eliminate a budget deficit while sustaining personal income tax cuts are working on a plan to overhaul the state’s system for funding public schools in a way that would prevent unanticipated demands for new spending.
Republican Gov. Sam Brownback is calling on the GOP-dominated Legislature to junk the state’s current for-
mula for distributing $3.6 billion in aid to school districts. He’s proposed distributing most of the money to districts in “block grants” that would remain stable while lawmakers were drafting a new formula. The chairmen of the House and Senate budget committees said they expect to have a See SCHOOLS | Page A4
Mid-point accomplishments By NICHOLAS CLAYTON The Associated Press
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators have reached the midpoint of their annual session having advanced measures on gun rights and teacher union collective bargaining but hav-
ing left others to languish, including ones that would legalize medical marijuana, expand the Medicaid program and limit fracking. In order to survive beyond Friday’s “turnaround” deadline, most bills had to have See STATE | Page A4
Netanyahu, U.S. officials to square off on Iran WASHINGTON (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and top U.S. officials were set to face off today in dueling speeches on the high-stakes Iran nuclear negotiations, a signature foreign policy objective of President Barack Obama. The backdrop for the rift between the longtime allies was the annual policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the largest pro-Israel lobby in the U.S. Netanyahu was to address the gathering this morning and his speech was to be bracketed by remarks from two senior U.S. officials: U.N. Ambassador Samantha Power and National Security Adviser Susan Rice. Netanyahu’s visit to Wash-
Wipeout! Blayke Patterson and Kendrick Rush take advantage of Saturday’s snowstorm to sled down the Riverside Park dike Saturday afternoon. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
ington has sparked criticism in both the U.S. and Israel. The centerpiece of his trip is an address to Congress Tuesday, which came at the invitation of congressional Republicans and was not coordinated with the White House. Rice has been particularly sharp in her criticism of Netanyahu’s plans to address Congress, calling the move “destructive” to the fabric of the U.S.-Israel relationship. The Israeli leader is deeply suspicious of Obama’s efforts to reach a nuclear agreement with Iran, fearing the U.S. and its negotiating partners are prepared to leave Tehran on the cusp of developing a nuclear weapon.
Panel reflects on black history By KAYLA BANZET The Iola Register
A panel of local African Americans spoke at See, Hear Iola Friday in recognition of February being Black History Month. The panel consisted of Harvey Rogers, Gena Clounch, Gina Honeycutt and Phil Honeycutt. They shared personal stories and thoughts on the significance of recognizing Black History Month. HARVEY ROGERS
Harvey is the fourth child
From left, the Rev. Phil Honeycutt, Gina Honeycutt, Harvey Rogers and Gena Clounch speak Friday at See, Hear Iola. REGISTER/KAYLA
BANZET
of eight. His parents moved to Kansas from Oklahoma and settled in Bassett. Rogers said the community was mostly made up of blacks and Hispanics and many worked at
Lehigh Cement. His family later moved to a small house on South Walnut Street in Iola, where he was born. In 1948, he was the first black youth to participate in
contact sports in Southeast Kansas. After graduating from high school he attended Fort Scott Community College on a scholarship but the Korean
War intervened. He was drafted into the Army and served two consecutive years in Korea. He was assigned as a cook See PANEL | Page A4
Chanute boy, 5, dies in weather-related wreck
In tune
Jackson Wilkes, left, rehearses a number on his saxophone while sister Jenna works the bass Saturday morning for their instrumental ensemble at Regional 4-H Day competition. The Wilkses were among the participants who competed at Allen Community College. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
Quote of the day Vol. 117, No. 83
The weekend snowstorm that dumped 4 inches of snow over the Iola area was cited as a factor in a rural Anderson County wreck Saturday that killed a Chanute boy. The accident, about nine miles north of Colony, took the life of Drake Walls, 5, Chanute. He was the passenger in a sport utility vehicle driven by Judith Wright, 52, Chanute. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, Wright was northbound on U.S. 169 when she lost control on the snow-
“The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique.” — Walt Disney 75 Cents
packed road and entered the southbound lane. Her vehicle, a 2006 Nissan Murano, was struck by a southbound semi-truck driven by Jesse H. Harrier Jr., Norman, Okla. Walls was pronounced dead at Anderson County Hospital in Garnett. Wright was injured, as was another passenger, Hailey Wright, 25, Chanute. Both were taken to Anderson County Hospital as well. Harrier was not injured. All of the occupants were wearing their seat belts, troopers said.
Hi: 41 Lo: 33 Iola, KS