Saturday, March 14, 2020
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Weirs witness outbreak in Italy By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
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Iolans Leslie and Roland Weir stand in front of the Roman Coliseum during their trip to Italy in February. The Weirs were in the country at the same time the rate of coronavirus infections began to spike. COURTESY PHOTO
t was set up as a trip of a lifetime. Roland and Leslie Weir were in search of a destination for their annual vacation. Roland, a longtime history buff, was celebrating his 50th birthday this year, so the Weirs wanted something special. “He’s a fan of Roman history,” Leslie said, “so we picked Italy.” The Iola couple spent 10 days in Italy, visiting Rome, La Spezia, Florence and Venice as part of their excursion. It also gave the Weirs a bird’s-eye view of history in the making; one that appears to be repeating itself a few weeks later in the See ITALY | Page A7
‘Breaking the chain of transmission’ Joint effort afoot to stem spread of deadly disease
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump announced Friday that he is declaring the coronavirus pandemic a national emergency, as Washington struggles with providing Americans with relief and officials race to slow the spread of the outbreak. Speaking from the Rose Garden, Trump said, “I am officially declaring a national emergency.” He said it would free up as much as $50 billion for state and local governments to respond to the outbreak. Trump also waived interest on federally held student loans and moved to prop up energy markets, by directing the Department of Energy to buy oil to fill the strategic petroleum reserve “‘right up to the top.” Trump said he was also giving Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar emergency authorities to waive federal regulations and laws to give doctors and hospitals “flexibility” in treating patients. “Through a very collective action and shared sacrifice, national determination, we will overcome the threat of the virus,” Trump said. He also announced a new public-private partnership to expand coronavirus testing capabilities, as his administration has come under fire See TRUMP | Page A3
By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register
The key to dealing with a deadly new virus is to break the “chain of transmission,” a regional health director told a group of local health officials, emergency preparedness managers and school administrators at an informational meeting Thursday. That could mean social distancing, avoiding crowds and large groups of people. It could mean cancelling events, perhaps even prom
Trump declares COVID-19 emergency
Keglers’ shooting prowess pays off Fred Rinne, readiness response coordinator with SEK Healthcare Coalition, talks about the response to a new coronavirus threat at a meeting with local healthcare officials, law enforcement, nursing home staff and school administrators Thursday at Allen County Regional Hospital. From left are Rebecca Johnson, director of SEK Multi-County Health Department, and Angela Slocum, ACRH’s risk management and emergency department director. REGISTER/VICKIE MOSS and holiday parades. And it definitely means staying home if you have a cough or fever. Thursday’s meeting with 33 concerned local leaders proved just how difficult it
will be to develop a response plan and reassure the masses as a new coronavirus spreads illness as well as anxiety. The group shared information and had many questions, but much work remains to de-
termine how to best answer their concerns. Local and state health and emergency management officials continue to urge calm,
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See ANSWERS | Page A4
Humboldt school bond campaign group mobilizes By TREVOR HOAG The Iola Register
More than 30 residents of USD 258 met Thursday night to prepare a strategy to advocate for a bond issue designed to make improvements to the three major schools and adjoining facilities in Humboldt. The vote on the bond is May 19. It will be the only item on the ballot. An amended version of
Vol. 122, No. 97 Iola, KS 75 Cents
what will appear on the ballot is as follows: “Shall Unified District No. 258, Allen County, Kansas (Humboldt), issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $15,000,000 to pay the costs to construct, furnish and equip renovations, improvements and additions to (a) the elementary school … (b) the middle school … (c) the high school ... (d) the community fieldhouse … and (e) the board office.” The $15,000,000 for school
improvements mentioned in the ballot question would be raised through an increase in property taxes, more specifically, a raising of the mill levy by 5.879 mills over the course of 20 years. For perspective, that means property tax on a $75,000 home would increase by $4.23 a month, and property tax on a $150,000 business would increase by $18.37 a month. Meanwhile, 76 percent of See BOND | Page A5
Advocates for a bond issue to improve Humboldt schools strategize Thursday about how to carry out a successful campaign. REGISTER/TREVOR HOAG
PENICILLIN ALLERGY TESTING now available at Neosho Memorial
Information & graphic from the CDC.gov