Sports: Iola Middle School girls hit hardwood See B1
THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
www.iolaregister.com
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
County Commission signs housing option By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
Allen County commissioners Tuesday accepted an option to give Iola Industries opportunity to build apartments on the old Allen County Hospital property. The economic development group exercised the option with a $10,000 payment. Another $10,000 will finalize the transaction. Although, “we still have a lot of work to do,” said John McRae, president of Iola Industries, the supposition is that apartment complexes will be built north and east
Above, Iola Fire Chief Tim Thyer surveys the damage from a three-vehicle accident that killed Iolan Don Hillbrant Tuesday morning. At right, a tractor-trailer rig driven by Terry Chism, Fredonia, sits along U.S. 169 following the accident. Chism and the driver of another truck also were treated for their injuries. REGISTER/
By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
Iola man dies in accident driver’s side by a southbound rig driven by Terry A. Chism, 51, Fredonia. The impact of the collision knocked Chism’s truck into a northbound tractor-trailer driven by Ron Keithly, Herman, Neb. Hillbrant was pronounced dead at Allen County Regional Hospital. Both Chism and Keithly were taken to ACRH for their injuries. The highway was closed for several hours from Iola to Texas Road as KHP investigators cleared the scene. The
New information gave Allen County commissioners pause in consideration of their support to the Allen County Community Foundation. In mid-November Jim Gilpin, Iola banker, proposed commissioners endow $100,000 of idle funds in the foundation, plus another $100,000 in 2016. He pointed out the funds — $1.1 million total — were drawing 1.79 percent interest and could do much better in marketbased investments through the foundation, which is managed by a multi-billion-
highway was reopened at about 5 p.m. One truck driver found trouble when he attempted an alternate detour route. The trucker was headed north on 1600 Street, and was attempting to turn east onto Rhode Island Road to get back to 169, Sheriff Bryan Murphy said. The truck, however, was too long to navigate the corner and got stuck, Murphy said. Crews were dispatched to help pull the truck free. There were no injuries.
State revenues exceed projections
See REVENUES | Page A6
dollar foundation in Kansas City, Mo. The $1.1 million was set aside to help ensure the county had sufficient resources to manage the landfill. Refuse is contained in large pits called cells, which, when full, require an extensive process to adequately cover and seal. The current cell being used has an expected 13 years of life before it needs to be closed. Three years ago commissioners learned the county’s financial resources and financial condition were secure enough by Kansas Department of Health and See PROPOSAL | Page A4
SANTA SOUNDS OFF By RICK DANLEY The Iola Register
S
By JOHN HANNA The Associated Press
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas collected $8 million more in taxes than anticipated in November, and one of Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s top aides said Tuesday that the figures reflect positive signs in the state’s economy. But the report from the Department of Revenue came after state officials, legislative researchers and university economists significantly lowered expectations early last month for tax collections through June 2017. Also, November’s tax collections make a relatively small dent in a projected $170 million budget shortfall for the fiscal year that begins in July 2016. “There’s really no reason for the Brownback administration to uncork the champagne bottle and celebrate,”
See OPTION | Page A6
Hedges on foundation
RICHARD LUKEN
Iolan Don Hillbrant, 85, was killed Tuesday morning when the car he was driving was struck by a tractor-trailer rig just northeast of Iola. The Kansas Don Hillbrant Highway Patrol reported Hillbrant was eastbound on Oregon Road and failed to stop at the U.S. 169 stop sign at about 10 o’clock. His car was struck in the
of the future G&W Foods grocery and other housing to the south, along Madison Avenue. Commissioner Jim Talkington, who eventually initiated action to trigger the option, said he had concerns about line of vision at the curve, from a long-standing retaining wall on the inside of a sidewalk, and the effect of an apartment building. “I hope we can slow traffic there,” from the current 35 mph to 25, he said, or find some other means of protecting middle school students who often cross the street. An assumption is that the
anta Claus is inviting area children to Iola’s courthouse square Thursday between 5 and 7 p.m. Old Saint Nick, currently on the road promoting Christmas, met with the Register in a back booth at A&W Restaurant on Tuesday. He spoke expectantly about the kids he’ll meet this week at the Toy Shop, but, he admitted, he misses the North Pole and he’s itching to take the sleigh out for another spin. At the end of the interview, Santa, who’s been on the road — and away from Mrs. Claus — for many weeks now, held one of the diner’s glass salt shakers in his hand. He peered closely at the grains before returning it to the table: “Reminds me of the North Pole.” Hello, Santa Claus. Ho, ho, ho. Ho, ho, ho, ho. Hi. Given population figures, Santa, here pretty soon you’ll be eating more than 6 million cookies in one night. Could you tell Register readers your favorite kind? Chocolate chip.
A candy cane hunt on Iola’s courthouse square will precede Santa’s arrival at his house along Madison Avenue at 5 p.m. Thursday. Santa will return to his house again Dec. 10 and Dec. 17 to gather local children’s wish lists. REGISTER/RICK DANLEY
Quote of the day Vol. 118, No. 26
“I used to be Snow White, but I drifted.”
— Mae West 75 Cents
What if children aren’t able to leave cookies and milk? Does Santa have another favorite snack? Graham crackers and frosting. But anything will do. Or nothing is OK, too. See SANTA | Page A4
Hi: 49 Lo: 26 Iola, KS