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THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
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Thursday, September 3, 2015
Orth targets crops from above By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Sure, Matt Orth enjoys the solitude of flying solo. But after roughly six months of nearly non-stop sorties over one field or another from Texas to Illinois, such a career “starts to feel a lot like work,” Orth joked Wednesday. A crop duster, Orth flies a 510 Thrush, a single-passenger aircraft designed specifically for spraying assorted fertilizers or insecticides. Orth spoke from Allen County Airport, where he is currently based to address fields in Allen, Bourbon and Coffey counties. He had hoped to get in another few hours of airtime, but Mother Nature failed to cooperate. With steady south winds at about 20 mph, and frequent gusts exceeding 25 mph, the conditions were considered too turbulent to effectively target the ripening soybean fields below. “We were hoping it would calm down like it did (Tuesday) night,” Orth said. The lack of activity wasn’t too upsetting, he admitted.
“I’m ready to go home and take a nap,” he said. He waited for more than an hour for the wind to subside before he could depart. ORTH OWNS and operates Central Ag Air LLC in Marion, specializing in crop and pasture spraying aboard his 2-year-old aircraft. The past week or so has been a homecoming of sorts for Orth, a Humboldt native. With several soybean fields
State law on judge selection tossed By JOHN HANNA The Associated Press
See SPRAY | Page A3
Humboldt native Matt Orth is targeting podworms (lower left) to prevent them from damaging soybean fields. At upper left is a damaged soybean pod. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas judge Wednesday struck down an administrative change legislators imposed on the state’s courts, a ruling the attorney general said could jeopardize the judicial branch’s entire budget. Shawnee County District Judge Larry Hendricks declared unconstitutional a 2014 law changing how chief judges in the state’s 31 judicial districts are selected. Hendricks said the law interfered with the power granted by the state constitution See JUDGE | Page A3
Inaugural Pedalfest to combine cycling, music By KAYLA BANZET The Iola Register
HUMBOLDT — The Portland Alley Pedalfest might be for bicyclists but music lovers also have something to look forward to. The Portland Alley Pedalfest is a bike and music event on Sept. 12 hosted in Iola and sponsored by Thrive Allen County. The bike festival will promote local bike trails and group rides are available for particpants. Area musicians will play at the event starting at 5 p.m. in Riverside Park in Iola.
Musician Joe Evans, Humboldt, will play an acoustic set of his own music and a few covers. Evans started out singing in bands when he was in his early 20s and later learned to play guitar. For years he played in a local band, Lowwater, which has since disbanded. Members included his dad, Joe Sr.,
Dillon Boren and Tate McCoy. “We decided to break up because life was catching up to us,” Evans said. “Music is a hobby and a passion of mine. When I was younger I always put music before a lot of things, even relationships, but now it’s going the other way.” Evans is a supervisor at B&W Trailer Hitches. Evans spends his free time writing music and playing solo gigs. His musical influences come from all types of music genres. “In high school I See MUSIC | Page A5
Joe Evans, Humboldt, is among the performers at the upcoming Portland Alley Pedalfest in Iola next weekend. REGISTER/KAYLA BANZET
El Charro stops to spice up restaurant’s interior By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Leo Vargas does woodwork Wednesday at El Charro in Iola. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
Quote of the day Vol. 117, No. 211
It started with a coat of paint. Leo Vargas, who manages El Charro Mexican restaurant in downtown Iola, recalled the decision to repaint the restaurant’s exterior a few weeks ago. “Once we did that, we figured we might as well do the rest of it,” Vargas said. El Charro has been closed since Friday for interior renovations. The restaurant’s walls and floors are being refurbished, with new furnishings on order. New kitchen equipment also is being installed. It’s the first major upgrade since the restaurant opened
“I know of no way of judging the future but by the past.” — Patrick Henry 75 Cents
in October 2003. “It was time,” added Mariah Vargas, co-manager. “We figured with the upcoming holiday, this was the best time to get it done.” The Vargases are keeping the restaurant’s 10 employees busy during the shutdown. They’re assisting with cleaning, painting or other minor carpentry chores. The major items — leveling the floor in the auxiliary dining area — are being handled by area carpenter Adam Stockebrand. “We figured this was the best way for everybody to keep working even though we’re closed,” Leo Vargas said. The Vargases plan to reopen by Sept. 11.
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