Wrestling: Misenhelter’s state dreams still alive
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The Weekender
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Saturday, March 1, 2014
ROTARY
Kenyan eager to help his village By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
Luka Kapkiai grew up in a Kenyan village in Africa of about 1,000 people, near the equator and not far from Lake Victoria. Flora and fauna abound, but its picturesque qualities are deceiving, Kapkiai told Iola Rotarians Thursday. Now a science instructor at Neosho County Community College, he would like to Luka Kapkiai change the social and economic environment of where he was raised, and encouraged Rotarians to help. Kapkiai earned degrees at Abilene (Texas) Christian University and the University of Kansas, before taking the teaching job in Chanute. He, wife Sarah, a nurse at Windsor Place, and their three children live in Iola. “I’m blessed to be here,” he said. In a wide-ranging discussion supported by PowerPoint Kapkiai proposed that poverty in much of Kenya, including where he lived, was the result of shortcomings in education, health care and economic stability. About 43 million people live in Kenya and the average wage See KENYAN | Page A5
Russell Stover considers selling
County planning board turns back Monarch request
By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
This map shows where an area of about 200 acres (shaded) Monarch Cement Company proposes to quarry is in relation to Humboldt.
Opponents derailed for the time being plans by Monarch Cement Co. to open quarries on about 200 acres northeast of Humboldt. Monarch had filed for a conditional use permit to move heavy equipment into the agricultural area. Allen County Planning Board members, after hearing nearly two hours of testimony — from both sides — voted unanimously Thursday night not to recommend a permit be issued. The board’s recommendation is just that, though. County commissioners will decide the issue in an 11 a.m. hearing at their March 11 meeting. Concerns often mentioned by landowners — adjacent and nearby — were blasting could damage their homes and buildings and be a disruption; dust from trucks hauling material on two miles of 1300 Street would be pervasive and dangerous; 1300 Street is too narrow and not structurally suited for trucks carrying up to 15 tons, plus the weight of the trucks themselves; others using the road would not be safe, or would children at two homes adjacent to the road; land values would be depressed and, generally, the esthetics found in a rural setting would be damaged beyond recognition. Monarch’s commentary dealt with most issues, somewhat by meeting state and federal regulations, but never
KANSAS CITY, Mo. —The family that owns Russell Stover Candies and Whitman’s Candies is exploring a possible sale for the businesses The Kansas City Star reported that the Ward family, which bought Russell Stover in 1960, has hired the investment banking firm Goldman Sachs to assess the value of the businesses and consider the family’s options. A spokesman for the Ward family, which owns the boxedcandies businesses, said no See SALE | Page A6
Expect school surveys Patron Insight, a strategic guidance company hired by USD 257, will begin a telephone survey this weekend. The company will do a random telephone survey that takes 10 to 12 minutes to complete. The survey will ask respondent if they live in the school district, if they are head of household and if they are a registered voter. The first portion will ask if the person thinks the district is doing a good job and asks their opinion of the overall quality of the district’s technology, buildings and safety. The
See QUARRY | Page A6
See SURVEYS | Page A6
The ‘spot’ to be By KAYLA BANZET The Iola Register
There’s a little saying Kansans like to use, “If you don’t like the weather wait five minutes.” Kansas weather is fickle — one day it might be snowing and the next it could be 80 degrees. However, one part of Kansas weather that every citizen should know more about is tornado season. A U.S. Weather Service Storm Spotter/Safety presentation at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center Thursday night gave the skinny on severe weather. “Weather is a lot like a puzzle,” said meteorologist Chance Hayes. “People need to communicate.” Communication tied into each lesson Hayes gave. He described how a tornado forms and what the warning signs are. He tested attendees to make sure they understood the parts of the storm. “Sometimes storm spotting isn’t easy,” he said. “And sometimes it’s not possible.” Hayes said spotters always should make safety their top priority. Being stationed at a safe distance can be a lifesaver. Last year, three spotters lost their lives in a storm. Many spotters feel that they have to be up close to get the “money shot” to send to media or a weather service. “Don’t get up under the storm,” Hayes cautioned. “It’s not worth your life for a photo.” When reporting weather conditions to a See SPOTTERS | Page A6
Quote of the day Vol. 116, No. 87
Show your true colors
Members of the Iola High School basketball team, IHS cheerleaders and coaches salute the flag during the national anthem Thursday evening. The flag display was donated by the family of former IHS coach Wendy Frazell, who died last year. He taught and coached at IHS from 1962 to 1990. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
“What the world really needs is more love and less paper work.” — Pearl Bailey, American actress 75 Cents
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