Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Locally owned since 1867
iolaregister.com
On a demolition mission District’s operations building comes down
Orion Nicholas
Pair face charges after house shooting
By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Crews began tearing down Tuesday the old USD 257 operations building, in order to make way for an expanded science building at Iola High School. The building also housed the district’s superintendent’s office until the central office was ultimately moved to North Washington Avenue. It originally served as an industrial arts building and band room. The commotion drew the attention of several passersby, some of whom pulled up lawn chairs to watch the demolition unfold. Among the spectators were Don Bain and Richard Chase, retired school administrators, who grabbed bricks as mementos. The building was constructed in 1939 as part of a Works Progress Administration project. And, much like other WPA projects, it was built to last. Excavator operator Nick Mueller meticulously dissected the building with the precision of a surgeon and the power of a jackhammer. He had to stop on occasion to replace filters or do other routine maintenance to the excavator to accommodate the work necessary to re-
Glenn Riddle
By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Nick Mueller of Mueller and Sons uses an excavator to demolish the old USD 257 operations building, across from Iola High School Wednesday, to make way for a new IHS science building. Below at left, former school administrators Richard Chase, left, and Don Bain hold bricks from the building as demolition work began. At bottom, Jeanie Myers shared a photo of the building site from 1913, when the German Reformed Church occupied the building site.
A pair of suspects are in jail for attempted murder following a May 26 incident in which several gunshots were fired at a house in the 100 block of South Fourth Street. Iola Police Chief Jared Warner announced Tuesday Orion Nicholas, 20, LaHarpe, and Glenn Riddle, 20, Iola were arrested Monday after the incident was reported to authorities. Officers received inforSee SHOOTING | Page A5
Indians coach reflects on success
See DEMO | Page A5
PAGE B1
Humboldt woman files
‘Diaper Fairy’ adventure continues
By SUSAN LYNN The Iola Register
By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Alana Cloutier of Humboldt filed Monday to represent the 9th District in the Kansas House of Representatives. As the only Democrat in the race, she will face the winner of the Aug. 4 Republican primary race where incumbent Rep. Kent Thomson, rural LaHarpe, faces Armando J. Hernandez, of Chanute. This is Cloutier’s first run for public office, though she has been involved in politics practically all of her life. “I was 6 years old when my dad took me with him to vote in the 1984 presidential election,” she said. “He told the poll workers that I was going to vote for Nancy Reagan. I was so mad.” The race was against Republican Ronald Reagan and Democrat Walter Modale. Living in California at the
Good Samaritans come in all ages these days. Take Marccus Whitcomb, a second-grader at Jefferson Elementary School. With school out of session early because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Whitcomb filled most of his spare time partaking in an “Adventure Ted” challenge. The multi-faceted endeavor included raising funds for the Childhood Cancer Society, finding ways to help and inspire others, and to have fun. He’s been rather successful at it. Since the start of the challenge in late April, he has raised more than $225 for CCS, and donated nearly as much in prize winnings to young mothers in need. Whitcomb and his mother, Brooklyn, explained how the
Vol. 122, No. 153 Iola, KS 75 Cents
Alana Cloutier time, Cloutier figures her dad went for Mondale, though she’s not certain. More recently, Cloutier has been involved with non-partisan voter registration efforts through the League of Women Voters. “It’s become clear neither party has done a good job of getting young people involved in government afSee CLOUTIER | Page A3
See ADVENTURE | Page A3
Marccus Whitcomb shows the “Diaper Fairy” gifts he delivers as part of his “Adventure Ted” challenge. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
Services, Monuments & Events
620-365-2948
1883 US Hwy 54, Iola • feuerbornfuneral.com