ELECTION DAY: Polls remain open for primary voters until 7 p.m.
THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
www.iolaregister.com
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Apartment project finish line in sight By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
C
onstruction of the Eastgate Lofts, the new apartment complex at the old Allen County Hospital site, continues humming along at such a pace that the apartments should be in place by the end of September. Representatives from Iola Industries, Iola and Allen County governing bodies and others from the community were given a tour of the construction site Monday afternoon. The roof was finished earlier Monday, and with doors and windows in place, interior work can proceed regardless of weather, noted Fred Apt of Iola Industries. Stairwells and balconies should be in place in short order, Apt said, allowing the pace to quicken even further because workers will have easier access to do secondfloor work. The construction project is being overseen by developer Tom Carlson, working on behalf of Iola Industries, which is paying for the apartment complex’s construction. The apartments will measure about 900 square feet, complete with two bedrooms and 1 1/2 bathrooms. “The apartments have a modern floor plan with modern design,” added David Toland, executive director of Thrive Allen County. “These apartments will have very efficient use of space.” While not all of the apartments are specified as ADA
Mike Aronson
Above, David Toland of Thrive Allen County, right, speaks Monday during a tour of the Eastgate Apartments complex under construction at the old Allen County Hospital site. Below, crews cut blocks outside the structure to accommodate construction of a balcony. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN compliant, all have amenities accessible to most senior citizens, Toland continued. Already, six of the 12 apartments have been accounted for, he said. “People should act fast if they want one of these units,” Toland said. “They’re going like hot cakes.” Rent has been pegged at $685 a month, plus electric. To inquire about renting an apartment, contact Apt, who will manage the apartments, at (620) 202-1026. The plan is for an additional eight units to be built after the existing structure is finished, although Iola Industries still must sign off on the second construction project.
Officer joins sheriff ’s race By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
MEANWHILE, Toland briefed the audience on progress for the G&W Grocery next door. Toland noted two recent G&W acquisitions in Fort Scott and Independence slowed the company’s plans
for Iola. “They are behind,” Toland said. “They have a lot of projects going on, with multiple competing priorities. Iola now has moved to See COMPLEX | Page A3
Iolan Mike Aronson, who has served Allen County as either firefighter, ambulance personnel or law enforcement officer for the past 22 years, has thrown his hat into the sheriff ’s race. Aronson filed as an independent, where he will face either incumbent Bryan Murphy or one of his challengers, Jared Froggatte or Kelley Zellner, in the Nov. 8 general election. Aronson submitted his application along with a petiSee FILED | Page A3
College farm sells By RICK DANLEY The Iola Register
Allen County College’s long-time agriculture instructor Terry Powelson purchased the former college farm Monday afternoon at a special meeting convened by ACC’s board of trustees. Powelson, who, in addition to his role as instructor, was for nearly 10 years the farm’s manager, agreed to the college’s stipulated minimum bid of $578,000. The purchase earns Powelson nearly 240 acres
of farmland — with two ponds, a home and a number of outbuildings — 5 miles north of Iola on Old 169 Highway. An auction Saturday did not produce the minimum required bid derived from the appraised value of the See ACC | Page A3
Steers and cheers
Playground equipment coming to LaHarpe.
LaHarpe OKs playground funds LAHARPE — The LaHarpe City Park soon will have new playground equipment. City Council members, in a special meeting Monday, approved use of nearly $6,000 in additional funds to
help pay for the $33,000 playground unit. Council member Sara’Nicole Prock appealed for the funding after a grant See LAHARPE | Page A3
Quote of the day Vol. 118, No. 193
Tilar Wells, above, shows her animal Monday at the Allen County Fair Steer Show, one of the early highlights of the annual fair. At right, Hannah Andersen, left, and Josie Plumlee perform in the Fair Talent Show. The duo took first place in the vocal category for their version of the Johnny Cash standard “Ring of Fire.” The fair continues tonight with the Gale Ritter Pedal Pull and a free watermelon feed. A full schedule of events appears on Page A2. REGISTER/RICK DANLEY
“Never give in and never give up.” — Hubert H. Humphrey 75 Cents
Hi: 95 Lo: 76 Iola, KS