Sports: Red Devil teams fall short See B1
THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
www.iolaregister.com
Thursday, December 3, 2015
‘They came prepared’ Police seek motive in attackers’ rampage
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) — Authorities today were trying to learn why a couple left behind their infant daughter and carried out a rampage that left 14 people dead and seriously wounded more than a dozen others in one of the nation’s worst mass shootings. The pair were killed in a shootout with police hours after they carried out their precision assault. The possible motive for the attack included workplace violence or terrorism. Wednesday’s shooting happened at a social services center for the disabled where the gunman’s colleagues with the San Ber-
100 km
OREGON
100 miles
NEVADA
Sacramento
CALIFORNIA Mass shooting in San Bernardino Los Angeles Pacific Ocean Source: San Bernardino County Sheriff Graphic: Tribune News Service
nardino County Department of Public Health were renting space for a celebration. It was the nation’s deadliest mass shooting since the attack at a school in Newtown, Connecticut, three years ago that left 26 children and adults dead. San Bernardino Police Chief Jarrod Burguan idenSee RAMPAGE | Page A3
Jason Davis, as Cripple Billy, left, and Justin Appleton, as Johnnypateenmike, rehearse a scene from the Allen Community College production of “The Cripple of Inishmaan,” which runs tonight through Saturday at the ACC Theatre. REGISTER/RICK DANLEY
Allen actors shine in Irish dramedy By RICK DANLEY The Iola Register
‘The Cripple of Inishmaan’
Allen Community College’s excellently cast staging of Martin McDonagh’s pitch-black comedy “The Cripple of Inishmaan” is able to wring from the fastpaced script the same quotient of wit and deep feeling that made the play a hit when it first arrived on the London stage in 1996.
Tonight-Saturday, ACC Theatre
The story trains its eye on 19-year-old Billy Claven, a physically disabled orphan living with two loving but tedious old sisters in the Aran Islands in 1934. Desperate to escape his barren seaside village and the casual cruelties meted out by his thick-
witted neighbors, who are forever turning Billy’s visible agonies into a target for their fun, the wistful Billy hears rumor of a Hollywood crew arrived on a neighboring island to film a documenSee ALLEN | Page A5
Administrator touts new management style By SUSAN LYNN The Iola Register
After only four months on the job, Tony Thompson has his sights on spurring a culture change at Allen County Regional Hospital that will make the hospital: 1. A great place to work; 2. A place where people want to come for their health care, and 3. A facility where physicians will locate to practice. “None of these things can be done individually,” said Thompson, the hospital’s chief executive officer. “It’s a matrix,” whose structure depends on strengths in sevTony Thompson eral key areas. Thompson looks no fur- ated by their supervisors.” Most times, employees ther than himself on where hesitate to convey their frusto begin. “I’m fully committed to trations with management, improving communication Thompson said, making it between administration imperative supervisors are and staff; to being totally the ones to reach out and entransparent; and to earning gage. “I think we can be a better the trust of not only staff, but also of every patient place, but it will take buy-in and member of the commu- by our entire management nity,” he said in a conversa- team to improve,” he said. With a crew of 180 spread tion Tuesday afternoon that 30 departments, touched on a number of is- across Thompson acknowledged sues facing the hospital. High on his list is address- it’s a monumental — but not ing a recent survey that indi- insurmountable — goal. That’s where his backcated employee satisfaction ground in a management “is not where it needs to be.” style called the Studer Low morale “tells me we’re not doing a good job Group comes in. Named after Quinton keeping the lines of communication open between Studer, a former special eduadministration and staff,” cation teacher who went into Thompson said. “It has noth- hospital management, the ing to do with money, but model focuses on employee whether employees are feelSee ACRH | Page A5 ing understood and appreci-
This gingerbread carousel created by Gregory Arnold and Mickey Hicks is on display at Duane’s Flowers in downtown Iola as part of the Iola Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Gingerbread Walk. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
Gingerbread artistry on display Shoppers who head to downtown Iola for their annual shopping excursions are invited to take a little extra time to vote. Nine businesses surrounding the courthouse square have recently assembled gingerbread houses on display as part of the Iola Area Chamber of Commerce Gingerbread Walk. Spectators are encouraged to vote for their favorite displays.
Each of the pieces is up for one of two awards — a judge’s choice, and a people’s choice. Voting runs through Dec. 22. To cast votes, simply enter the respective store in which the gingerbread house is displayed, and drop a ballot in the box. (Voters can cast ballots as often as they wish.) The Gingerbread Walk coincides with today’s candy cane hunt and Santa’s first
Quote of the day Vol. 118, No. 27
arrival to his temporary quarters on the courthouse square. The fun begins with the 5 p.m. candy cane hunt. Santa is expected to arrive shortly thereafter via firetruck, where he’ll greet youngsters as part of his ongoing research to learn of the tiny tots’ wish lists. Meanwhile, free trolley rides will be offered to see Christmas light displays around town.
“I’m not confused. I’m just well mixed.” — Robert Frost 75 Cents
Hi: 50 Lo: 29 Iola, KS