Basketball: Iola squads fall to Tigers on the road See B1
THE IOLA REGISTER Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Moran swim bus, library top wants By KAYLA BANZET The Iola Register
MORAN — Thrive Allen County is making its way to each community in the area to learn more about their upcoming projects and concerns. Monday night was Moran’s chance to shine. Moran Thrive hosted the meeting at its community center. The city’s biggest project is trying to get a new library, said Kathy Ward, a Moran Thrive board member. Moran Librarian Connie McWhirter has been trying to get this project going for many years now. “We have tried to work on a grant for the library,” McWhirter said. “We need to
THAWING OUT
have a lead contractor and have public support.” The Moran City Council has said the current building, located at 327 N. Cedar St., is too old to update. McWhirter said many of the grants they have looked at involve having community support and proof the community will help with the project. Don Burns, Gas Thrive board member, suggested gathering a group of supporters and taking them to a council meeting. MORAN’S SWIM bus is also a concern, said Ward. “We need to make a decision on the bus for the summer,” Ward said. “Our numSee MORAN | Page A3
Kathy Ward addresses attendees of Thrive Allen County’s community meeting in Moran. REGISTER/KAYLA BANZET
Boy Scout leaders honored Local Boy Scout leaders raked in several honors at the Osage Nation District of Quivira Council’s annual awards banquet recently in Chanute. Stacie Sigler, Scoutmaster of Iola’s Troop 55, was honored as 2013 Scoutmaster of the Year for the nine-county district. The recognition came from growth in size and quality of the Iola program, as well as activities in which the troop has been involved. Honored as Outstanding Assistant Scoutmaster was Sigler’s husband, Jared, who helps with Troop 55. Also during 2013 the Si-
glers took the challenging Boy Scout Wood Badge leadership training course. A third honoree with Troop 55 was Roger Carswell, named Outstanding Troop Committee Member, for his services as treasurer and other support activities he provides. Participating in the District Boy Scout band at the banquet were Scouts Raymond Alumbaugh and Spencer Ames, with John Sheehan and Andy Dunlap being senior participants in the band. Boy Scout Troop 55 is sponsored by Calvary United Methodist Church.
After weeks of sub-freezing temperatures, some motivated youngsters took the chance to get outside and warm up, with highs in the upper 50s Monday. At top, from left, Shelby, Shyla and Shayda Womelsdorf play on the slide at Riverside Park. Above, Kendalynn Williams gets the merry-go-round spinning. REGISTER/STEVEN SCHWARTZ
Ryan Pritchett, left, and Tina Tribble were among about 40 people who came to the Statehouse on Monday to rally in support of Medicaid expansion. “I’m here to send a message about the religious hypocrisy of a governor who won’t expand health care for the poor,” Tribble said. Speakers at the event cast the issue in moral terms. “It’s morally wrong to leave these people (without health insurance) in a broken system where they have to rely on emergency rooms,” said Rep. Jim Ward, a Wichita Democrat. Pritchett and Tribble are Overland Park residents. MIKE SHIELDS/KHI
Quote of the day Vol. 116, No.79
Advocates rally for Medicaid expansion By JOHN HANNA Associated Press
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Advocates for expanding Medicaid in Kansas staged a small Statehouse rally Monday, but the Republican-dominated Legislature still didn’t seem much interested in taking up a proposal tied to the federal health care overhaul. Supporters of an expansion argued during the rally that it could help 150,000 more Kan-
“Sooner or later, those who win are those who think they can.” — Paul Tournier, Swiss physician 75 Cents
sans obtain health coverage. Medicaid provides coverage for the poor and disabled, and backers of an expansion note the federal government has promised to pay almost all of the cost under the 2010 health care law championed by President Barack Obama. About 50 people attended the rally, organized by local chapters of the liberal group MoveOn.org. Speakers argued that it’s immoral for Kansas See RALLY | Page A3
Hi: 68 Lo: 34 Iola, KS