The Iola Register, Jan. 4, 2022

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Locally owned since 1867

iolaregister.com

Developer eyes old nursing home

By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register

A developer who has restored old businesses elsewhere in the state hopes to do the same for the old Iola Nursing Center facility.

Rocky Meo of Meo Development Co. LLP, De Soto, has applied for a zoning variance that would allow him to convert the former nursing home and residential care center at 1336 N. Walnut St. into an apartment complex.

Meo envisions a 46-unit complex, filled with one- and two-bedroom apartments.

“We heard about it and looked into it,” Meo told the Register Monday. “The longrange goal is to turn it into living quarters for folks.”

Meo’s company has refurbished old buildings before, he said, usually for businesses.

“I haven’t done a multi-family dwelling in the past, but I’ve done other commercial projects” in both Kansas and Missouri, Meo said.

The apartment complex would not be designated for low- or moderate-income renters, Meo noted. Rent would be dictated by the open market.

“It’s not subsidized,” he said.

IN ORDER TO renovate the building for an apartment complex, Meo must first get a zoning variance from the city, reclassifying the property from its current listing as a single-family property to a multi-family

Developer Rockey Meo of De Soto, below, hopes to convert the old Iola Nursing Center into an apartment complex. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN property.

A hearing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, at the Riverside Park Community Building in front of the Iola Planning Commission.

The public is invited.

The Planning Commission will either endorse or recommend against the zoning variance, with the final decision resting with the Iola City Council.

THE RENOVATION would be extensive, Meo said.

“It’s in bad condition,” he said. “We would take it back to its four exterior walls, and come back and rebuild the interior spaces.”

The buildings would have a new roof, new climate control and electric systems, new plumbing and a new parking lot, he said.

Meo declined to give a timeline.

“We don’t want to rush into it and find ourselves pressed for time,” he said.

“We want to do it right, to do

Kansas sees record hike in COVID cases MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Kansas on Monday reported a record seven-day average for new confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases, as one of the state’s largest hospitals struggled to treat an influx of patients.

State health department data shows Kansas reported an average of 3,134 new COVID-19 cases a day for the seven days ending Monday.

That’s 13% higher than the previous record of 2,767 cases per day for the seven days ending Nov. 18, 2020.

The state also averaged 38 new COVID-19 hospitalizations and 11 additional reported deaths per day for the seven days ending Monday. Meanwhile, the omicron variant was spreading in the state.

While the average for new hospitalizations isn’t a reSee COVID | Page A4

Thompson ready to take on LSU

PAGE B1

See DEVELOPER | Page A6

Chanute woman hopes to give SEK residents a voice

By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register

Patrick Schmidt speaks to Allen County Democrats at Iola’s John Silas Bass North Community Building Monday evening. Schmidt is running for the Second Congressional District seat. REGISTER/ VICKIE MOSS

Capitol riots prompted campaign run

By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register

Patrick Schmidt watched the attack on the U.S. Capitol unfold on Jan. 6. He was stationed in Washington, D.C. as an intelligence officer with the Navy.

“I think if you weren’t

Vol. 124 No. 65 Iola, KS 75 Cents

there, it is hard to grasp the magnitude of what happened that day,” he told a group of Allen County Democrats and guests at a meet-and-greet event in Iola on Monday evening.

He described the smell of tear gas and bear spray supporters of then-President

Donald Trump used to overwhelm police and government officers in an attempt to prevent the certification of Joe Biden as president.

“The only thing Congressional Republicans and the previous administration’s enSee SCHMIDT | Page A6

Martha McCoy, a former Chanute city commissioner recently elected to the Neosho County Community College Board of Trustees, hopes to add state legislator to her resume.

McCoy has announced her candidacy for the Kansas House of Representatives’ Ninth District seat, currently held by Kent Thompson of LaHarpe.

Thompson has not yet announced whether he will seek another term.

McCoy and Thompson are both Republicans.

The Chanute native and former teacher said her background has served her well, describing each career step as “educational.

“I think I have the experience to really be helpful,” McCoy said, pointing to her background as a teacher, school administrator and city commissioner.

“We need to make some changes,” she said. “I really want to represent this area.

This is a small, rural area.

Martha McCoy We need to get our voices heard, need to get people to Topeka to know who we are and let them know we have a lot to offer.

“I don’t think we’re forgotten,” McCoy said, “but I don’t think we’ve gotten as much of a voice as cities do.”

Southeast Kansas — and the Ninth District in particular — has much to boast about, she said.

“We’ve got factories, industries and small businesses up and coming in this See MCCOY | Page A6

co K S m

a en

iz

u m m

T p

h o a

K 10

cr to

A2

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

iolaregister.com

The Iola Register

Iola Register Carriers

Obituaries

Carrier Delivery Deadlines

Reita Jordan We lost our wonderful Reita on Dec. 22, 2021. Reita Ruth West was born Friday, Oct. 11, 1935, on her grandparents’ farm near Neosho Falls. She attended local schools until the summer of 1951, when the historic Neosho River flood destroyed her parents’ home in Neosho Falls.

Her family then moved to near- Reita Jordan

by Iola. Reita attended Iola High School, graduating in 1953. It was there she met her husband, Scott Jordan. They moved to Kansas City, Kan., where they welcomed their son and twin daughters. The family then moved to Hiroshima, Japan, where her husband was stationed with the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission.

Reita enjoyed her two years in Japan, made many friends, traveled the country, and shopped in local markets. She took courses in Japanese flower arrangement and learned how to prepare Japanese food.

The family moved to Albuquerque in 1965. Reita learned loom weaving and created many yards of cloth, many garments, and pillows in her weaving studio Las Pajaritas, located in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque. Her beautiful creations were shown at numerous arts and crafts shows and she actively participated in the “Sheep to Shawl” exhibit at the New Mexico State Fair.

Her daughters were both blessed with finely handwoven wedding dresses. Reita was an avid grower of irises, especially aril irises, which originally were from desert areas of the Middle East.

She served as president of several Albuquerque iris clubs and was membership chairman/treasurer for the Aril Society International for almost 30 years. Reita also loved to find and identify native New Mexico wildflowers. She enjoyed many flower walks and hikes. Reita was an avid reader of fiction, loved jigsaw puzzles and was a master at Scrabble.

Inspired by a great-grandmother, she became a family history buff. Using great-grandmothers and LDS records, Reita found five ancestors who were passengers on the Mayflower in 1620. Reita said that her great-grandmother would have been delighted to have known of this family connection to the past.

Reita is survived by Scott, her husband of 66 years; children, Scott (Eileen) Jordan Jr., Carrie (Jeff) Stephens, and Carla (Rex) Bullard; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Reita’s love and kindness towards everyone will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20 at FRENCH-University.

Please visit the online guestbook at www.FrenchFunerals.com.

Larry Neville Larry Merle Neville, 69, died in Nixa, Mo., on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.

Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Marty DeWitt of First Missionary Baptist Church in Uniontown at 1 p.m. Saturday.

The family invites all to fellowship at a casual reception immediately Larry Neville following the service. Larry will be laid to rest at Turkey Creek Cemetery north of Uniontown at 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the care of Linda Neville for incurred medical expenses.

A livestream of the service, condolences, and on-line contributions to the family can be accessed at www.midwestfuneralservices.com.

Larry was born on July 19, 1952 in Girard, the son of Merle Eugene and Jessie Mae (Ausemus) Neville.

Larry is survived by his wife Linda, mother Jessie Mae and his four children, Darcy and husband Doug Sinn, Chelle and husband CJ Lear, Levi and wife Joey, and Jeremy and wife Megan; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Merle Neville.

Fort Scott man charged with killing mom, man FORT SCOTT, Kan. (AP) — A 23-year-old man has been charged with killing his mother and another man in Fort Scott in December.

Dawson Mitchell was charged last week in the deaths of 48-year-old Melissa L. Mitchell and 53-yearold Leonard D. Zimmerman. Their bodies were found in their Fort Scott home on Dec. 21 and Dawson Mitchell was arrested the next day.

Authorities have not said what prompted the shootings.

Mitchell was charged Dec. 28 with

two counts of first-degree murder being a felon in possession of a weapon, an aggravated weapons charge and two theft counts.

Mon.-Thur.

Gary Hawk

City Limits of Iola 5:30 p.m.

All Other Carrier Routes 6:30 p.m.

Gary D. Hawk, age 89, of Iola, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, at his home.

He was born Dec. 24, 1932, at Hennessey, Okla., the son of Orville and Nina (Witt) Hawk, the second son of four children. Gary graduated from Iola High School Gary Hawk with the Class of 1950.

He married Beverly J. Morgan on Aug. 29, 1954, in Iola. This union was blessed with three daughters.

Gary joined the U.S. Navy in 1953, serving as a Machinist Mate Second Class on the U.S.S. Denebola.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Nina Hawk; one infant brother, Rex Lee Hawk; one brother, Dale Hawk; and in-laws, Maynard and Lena Morgan.

Gary is survived by his wife of 67 years, Beverly Hawk, of the home; three daughters, Deborah Smail and husband Ronald of Iola, Susan Hawk of Iola and Lora Obermueller and husband Mark of Lincoln; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one brother, Robert Hawk and wife Virginia of Iola; one sister-in-law, Pauline Hawk of Iola; and six nieces.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Iola, with burial to follow at Highland Cemetery, Iola. The family will greet friends at The Venue from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday.

Masks will be required to attend the visitation and the funeral service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Allen Community College for Art Scholarship or to the Le Roy High School Honor Flights.

Condolences may be sent to www.feuerbornfuneral.com.

This project funded in part by the KDOT Public Transportation Program.

Iola Routes

Route 1 — SUE KELLER, 620-228-0631

(S. State St., 400 W. Madison Ave., 500-600 West St., Bruner St., Campbell St., Scott St., Park St., Acres St., High St., Davis St., S. Walnut St., S. Chestnut St., and W. Neosho St.)

Route 3 — SUE KELLER, 620-228-0631

(S. Washington Ave., part of Acres St., W. Broadway St., W. Neosho St., and W. Spruce St.)

Route 4 — SUE AKIN, 620-363-2194

(S. Jefferson Ave., S. Sycamore St., South St. 300 block on, 100-200 E. Irwin, E. Calhoun, 206-1/2 E. Broadway Apts.)

Route 5 — SUE AKIN, 620-363-2194V

(S. Buckeye St., S. Cottonwood St., 300-400 E. Irwin St., 200-400 E. Broadway)

Route 6 — SARHA PETERSON, 620-228-0387

(S. Colburn St., S. Oak St., S. Elm St., S. 1st St., 400-700 E. Spruce St., 500-800 E. Broadway St.)

Route 7 — SARHA PETERSON, 620-228-0387

(S. 3rd St., S. 4th St., 900 E. Broadway St., 1019 E. MadisonS. Kentucky St., S. Ohio St., S. Tennessee St., S. Vermont St.)

Route 8 — BARBARA BERRY, 620-228-7341

(N. State St., N. Chestnut St., W. Madison 200 block on)

Route 9 — SUE AKIN, 620-363-2194

(10-1100 N. Walnut St., 200 W. Jackson Ave., 200 W. Douglas St., 113-201 W. Lincoln St.)

Route 10 — MIGUEL MENDOZA, 620-670-6433

(N. Walnut St. 1200 block on, W. Garfield St., Guest Home Estates, Northwestern St., Northwestern Cir., Prairie Dr., Timber Dr.)

Route 11 — SPENCER SARGENT, 620-228-8266

(N. Washington Ave., North St. to Buchanan St., 2 E. Buchanan St., 10-20 W. Buchanan, and Monroe St.)

Route 12 — MIGUEL MENDOZA, 620-228-3834

(200-600 N. Jefferson Ave., 200-523 N. Sycamore St., 100-500 N. Buckeye St., 100-300 E. Monroe St., 400 block E. Douglas St., 200-506 N. Cottonwood St., 202 E. Jackson Ave., 410-519 N. Oak St.)

Route 13 — MIGUEL MENDOZA, 620-670-6433

(600-1400 N. Jefferson Ave., 4-102 E. Buchanan, 4-116 W. Edwards)

Route 14 — MARCIA HOGGATT, 620-228-2640 Route 15 — SUE AKIN, 620-363-2194

Donnie Helman Donnie L. Helman, (Papa), age 65, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, at his home in Kincaid.

Donnie was born in Iola, to Harman Helman and Gladys (Hoover) Helman. Donnie married Janet Rebstock in 1982. The union was Donnie blessed with a son, Dustin. They Helman later divorced.

Donnie was self-employed as a painter for 40 years.

Donnie was happiest with a beer in one hand and a fishing pole in the other. He loved spending time with family and friends hunting, fishing and camping. But most of all he loved his son Dustin.

Donnie was preceded in death by his father, Harman G. Helman Jr. Donnie is survived by his mother, Gladys Helman of LaHarpe; son Dustin Helman and wife Italy of Kincaid; grandson Darnell; sisters Virginia Driskel and husband Jeff of LaHarpe and Teresa Helman of Uniontown; brothers Bob Helman of Mildred and Richard Helman and wife Lisa of LaHarpe.

Cremation will take place with a celebration of life held at a later date.

Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.

Today

Route 16 — SUE AKIN, 620-363-2194

(600-1300 N. Buckeye, 700-1110 N. Cottonwood St., 321 E. Buchanan St., 600-1300 N. Sycamore St., E. Jim St., 120 E. Garfield St.)

Route 17 — MIGUEL MENDOZA, 620-670-6433

(500-700 E. Lincoln St., N. Oak St., N. Elm 300 block on, 400-710 N. Colburn St.)

Route 18 — BREANNA YATES, 620-228-4428

(N. 1st St., N. 2nd St., 800 block of E. Jackson Ave., part of E. Lincoln St., 818 E. Carpenter)

Route 19 — BREANNA YATES, 620-228-4428

(N. 3rd St., N. 4th St., 900-1110 E. Carpenter St., 902-1101 E. Douglas St., 1105 E. Lincoln)

Route 20 — ZOIE HESSE, 620-365-0419

(The Square, 100-300 South St., 100-220 S. Jefferson Ave., 1-102 N. Washington Ave., 9-19 N. Jefferson Ave., 110 East St., 1-108 E. Madison Ave., 1-115 E. Jackson Ave., 2-224 S. Washington Ave., 9-120 W. Madison Ave.)

Route 22 — SARHA PETERSON, 620-228-0387

(Low numbers on N. Buckeye, 200-700 E. Jackson Ave., 8-19 N. Sycamore St., East St. thru 700 block, 200 N. Elm St., 200 N. Colburn St., 400-500 E. Monroe St., 100 N. Cottonwood St.)

Route 23 — MIGUEL MENDOZA, 620-670-6433 (Meadowbrook Rd. East and West)

Route 24 — TINA CRAFT, 620-365-7979

(N. Kentucky 700 block on, E. Buchanan St., Redbud Ln., Kenwood Cir., Sterling Heights Addition)

Route 25 — BARBARA BERRY, 620-228-7341

Route 26 — BARBARA BERRY, 620-228-7341

Thursday

Wednesday

(E. Garfield St., Garfield Rd N., Windsor Place, White Blvd., E. Alamosa Cir., W. Alamosa Blvd., 1200-1400 N. Cottonwood St., Mustang Cir.)

(N. Kentucky thru 600 block, N. Ohio St., N. Tennessee St., 1200-1300 block E. Carpenter St., 1100-1300 E. Lincoln St., 1100-1321 E. Douglas St., 1200-1300 E. Breckenridge) (N. Vermont St., Kansas Dr., 1500 E. Carpenter St. on, Eisenhower Dr., Wilson Ln.)

Route 27 — BARBARA BERRY, 620-228-7341

(Dodge Dr., Holiday Ln., Kansas Ave., Holiday Cir. North and South)

Route 28 — SARHA PETERSON, 620-228-0387

50

33

22

18

9

(1800-2600 N. Cottonwood St., E. and W. Miller Rd., Funston St., Pryor St., Canary Ln, Cardinal Dr.)

9

Rural Motor Routes

Route 29 — IOLA REGISTER DRIVER, 620-365-2111 Temperature High yesterday Low last night High Sunday Low Sunday night High Saturday Low Saturday night High Friday Low Friday night

High Thursday Low Thursday night High a year ago Low a year ago Precipitation 120 hours ending 8 a.m.

This month to date Total year to date Excess since Jan. 1

43 30 30 7 19 6 63 19

Sunrise 7:37 a.m.

54 30 49 26 .03 .02 .02 .16

Sunset 5:15 p.m.

302 S. Washington, PO Box 767, Iola, KS 66749 (620) 365-2111

iolaregister.com

One Year Carrier $141.43 Motor $156.87 Mail in Kansas $162.74 Mail out of State $174.75 Internet Only $141.43

6 Months $76.07 $89.66 $92.76 $94.05 $76.07

3 Months $43.23 $50.62 $53.51 $55.60 $43.23

1 Month $14.90 $20.99 $21.75 $22.20 $14.90

All prices include 8.75% sales taxes.

Postal regulations require subscriptions to be paid in advance.

Postmaster: Send address changes to The Iola Register, P.O. Box 767, Iola, KS 66749.

Member Associated Press. The Associated Press is entitled exclusively to use for publication all the local news printed in this newspaper as well as all AP news dispatches.

Susan Lynn, editor/publisher Tim Stauffer, managing editor Periodicals postage paid at Iola, Kansas.

USPS 268-460

(Burris Addition, Country Club Addition, Bennett St. Addition)

Route 32 — IOLA REGISTER DRIVER, 620-365-2111 (North side of Gas)

Route 38 — IOLA REGISTER DRIVER, 620-365-2111 (South side of Gas)

Route 39 — MARC WAGGONER, 620-228-0517 (LaHarpe)

Humboldt Routes

Route 41 — CADEN VINK, 620-363-4432

(Northwest Section - 300-800 Bridge St., 500 Osage St., 200-800 Central St., 300 Neosho St., 200-800 Charles St., 600-1200 Franklin St., 300-1100 N. 2nd St., 200-500 N. 4th St., 400 N. 5th St., 100-500 N. 6th St., 300-1100 N. 7th St., 100-800 N. 8th St., 400-1200 N. 9th St.)

Route 42 — CADEN VINK, 620-363-4432

(Northeast Section - 900-1300 Bridge St., 1200 Osage St., 900-1700 Central St., 1200-1700 Neosho St., 1000-1600 Charles St., 1200 Elm St., 600-1600 Signor St., 100 Amos St.,1000 Kansas St., 400 N. 9th St., 300-1000 N. 10th St., 100-900 N. 11th St., 200-600 N. 12th St., 500 N. 13th St., 400 N. 14th St., 300 N. 16th St.)

Route 43 — THOMAS YOUNG, 620-473-0557

Subscription Rates

Routes available from Yates Center to Iola and Humboldt to Iola

If you have not received your paper by this time, please call your carrier.

If you cannot reach your carrier, call the Register office at (620) 365-2111.

(217 North St., Townhouse East and 217 N. Washington Ave., Townhouse West)

Published Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings except New Year’s day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

General Public Transportation 24-Hour Advance Arrangements Necessary First Come First Serve Call 620-431-7401 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Saturday

All Carrier Routes 9:30 a.m.

(Southeast Section - 900 Leavenworth St., 400 Pine St., 900-1200 Sycamore St., 1300 Pecan St., 1000 Mulberry St., 900-1200 Cherokee St., 900-1300 New York St., 900 Bridge St., 200-1100 S. 9th St., 500-1200 S. 10th St., 500-800 S. 11th St., 300 S. 12th St., 200 S. 13th St.)

Route 44 — THOMAS YOUNG, 620-473-0557

(Southwest Section - 600 Ohio St., 300-1100 Pine St., 100-700 Sycamore St., 400-900 Pecan St., 200-800 Mulberry St., 1-900 Cherokee St., 100-800 New York St., 1-500 Bridge St., 500-700 S. 3rd St., 200-600 S. 4th St., 400 S. 5th St., 300-1400 S. 8th St., 200-1100 S. 9th St., 500-1200 S. 10th St.)

Register Routes

Route 100 — IOLA REGISTER DRIVER, 620-365-2111 Everything west of Highway 169

Route 102 — IOLA REGISTER DRIVER, 620-365-2111 Everything east of Highway 169

Color

iolaregister.com

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

The Iola Register

A3

College applicants: Being smart is good; being decent is impressive

By MAUREEN DOWNEY The Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS

As an ambitious high school student, Becky Munsterer Sabky kept lacing up her soccer cleats long after the game lost its appeal because she thought it would enhance her college chances. She checked off the requisite boxes for admission to an elite campus — top grades, National Honor Society president, Junior Olympic alpine skier.

Yet, Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, her dream Ivy League school, rejected her, as did her second, third and fourth choices. Sabky enrolled in her fifth choice, Maine’s Colby College, which ended up preparing her well for the 16 years she worked in admissions at Dartmouth and her subsequent career as a writer.

Now living with her husband and two toddlers in Vermont, Sabky distilled her experiences as both the gatekeeper to a sought-after Ivy league campus and an applicant turned down by the school in a new book, “Valedictorians at the Gate: Standing Out, Getting In, and Staying Sane While Applying to College.”

In a telephone interview from her home, Sabky talked about the two chief goals of her

book. First, she wants students who apply to schools like Dartmouth, which admit 10% or fewer of their applicants, to understand the process.

“College admissions is a business,” she says. And the business model is based on what’s best for the college, not the applicant. That means selecting students on the overall strengths, needs and statistics of their own existing applicant pool, she says.

“A college is not choosing Joe over you because he is more worthy, a better student or a better kid. There is something in his appli- University of South Florida education student Alyssa Murray, 20, of Dundee, left, cation that makes sense makes a selfie with a group of her classmates. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD/ZUMA PRESS/TNS for the class,” she says. applications, 40 in your neighborhood Hero’ essay makes an Her second purpose college and one to which she re- Sabky says she’d never who shows up for the admissions officer want turns many times in her before received a letter annual holiday cookie to admit the applicant’s book: “What we want from a school custodi- exchange or that your grandmother.

Same most of our kids, what an. She’s not suggesting internship at the aquar- goes for the essay about matters to us most in students now rush out ium taught you the the soccer coach. The raising our kids, is char- to befriend all the custo- most common question better topics, she says, dians and cafeteria serv- is where are the bath- would be “The Summer acter.”

Sabky decided to ers in their school, but rooms.

I Taught Grandma How Sabky says applicants to Use Chopsticks” or write a book after a 2017 she is saying applicants essay she wrote on an ought to understand ought to use the per- “The Art of Refereeing applicant who submit- that while being smart sonal essay — where Toddler Soccer.” ted a recommendation is valued, being decent colleges can hear their authentic voice — to from the school custodi- is impressive.

IN HER OWN colToo often, Sabky says, talk about what excites lege essay, Sabky wrote an went viral. The custodian noted the young applicants spend too them, what moves them, about offshore fishing man was the only one much time telling ad- what changed them. with her family and who knew the names missions offices what “There is no such thing helping Cuban refugees of every member of the they’ve done, which is as the great American who were in the water janitorial staff, thanked easily seen on applica- college essay that is go- in inner tubes. The adthem regularly for their tions, rather than who ing to get you into col- missions office learned labor and turned off they are or their place lege, but it is the one a lot about the heroic lights in empty rooms. in their community. thing in the student’s Cubans, but little about The student showed re- Georgia Tech will know control,” she says. her, she says.

She advises, “Don’t spect for every person at you attended Georgia She also urges stuthe school, regardless of Governor’s Honors Pro- write an essay about dents not to brush off position, said the custo- gram or Duke TIP. They your grandmother or the short answer quesmay not know you are your soccer coach. The tion with a slapdash two dian.

In reviewing 30,000 the only person under ‘My Grandmother Is My lines, saying, “Give us

Trump endorses Derek Schmidt in governor’s race TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump on Monday gave presumed Republican nominee Derek Schmidt his “Complete and Total Endorsement” in the Kansas governor’s race.

The endorsement came in a statement from Trump through his Save America political action committee that was tweeted by the PAC’s spokesperson.

Schmidt is a three-term state attorney general, and he faces no major opposition in the August primary election.

Schmidt brought Kansas into an unsuccessful lawsuit after the 2020 presidential

as many angles to your holistic self as possible.

There are many pieces to a college application, and you want as many pieces as possible to enhance the picture.” Use the opportunity to share specific details about your personality and character.

Sabky says most admissions offices lack the time to scour students’ social media but reserve the right to do so. As a result, she says, “I very much want students to clean up all that social media.”

In the end, chance contributes to who gets admitted to selective colleges, which campuses might need the geographic diversity of a student from South Georgia or North Dakota or someone who plays the tuba or shortstop.

As happened to Sabky, many teens will not get into their dream school, but find success in their fifth choice, moving through the open gate rather than weeping outside the closed one.

“College admissions is not a prize,” says Sabky. “It is a steppingstone.

I am not naive enough to say parents shouldn’t care about educating their children. And Ivy League schools open doors, but Colby College also opened doors. It is what you do with your education. High school is a building block to college, and college is a building block for what is next in your life.”

FDA clears booster shot for young teens

By TIM ANNETT Bloomber News

election seeking to overt u r n the results in battleg ro u n d states as Trump a n d o t h e r Derek Schmidt Republicans spread baseless claims of widespread voter fraud.

Schmidt also has joined other Republican state attorneys general in challenging Democratic President Joe Biden’s policies in the federal courts, including COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

U.S. regulators cleared Pfizer Inc.’s COVID-19 booster shot for younger adolescents, widening access to additional doses as parents seek to protect their kids from the omicron wave and school officials try to keep classrooms open.

The Food and Drug Administration granted an emergency-use authorization for people ages 12 to 15 to receive a third dose of the messenger RNA vaccine, which Pfizer developed with BioNTech SE. The agency also reduced the recommended interval between the second and third doses of the vaccine to five months.

Additionally, the FDA said that immune-compromised children age

5 to 11 could receive a third primary-series shot at least 28 days following their initial twodose immunization.

Next, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expert panel is expected to discuss the authorization and make further recommendations about how to dispense the shots.

The group, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, could meet as soon as this week.

Granting a broader group of teens access to boosters could help tamp down spread of the virus as government officials aim to keep schools open.

The risk of catching omicron is higher than with other variants, even for fully immunized schoolchildren and adolescents. Studies by the drugmakers

and other researchers have found that breakthrough infections with omicron, which accounts for a majority of virus cases in the U.S., are more likely in people who haven’t yet been given a booster shot.

Pfizer said in December that in initial lab studies, company researchers observed a 25-fold reduction in neutralizing antibodies that fight the variant, compared with the original strain of the virus, in people who got two

shots. A booster shot restored protection to previous levels.

Recently, the U.S. has seen an increase in hospitalized children with COVID-19. Most of those children haven’t been vaccinated, she said. Children under 5 aren’t yet eligible to receive one of the three vaccines authorized in the U.S., and adoption of the shots among younger school-age children has lagged behind the pace of adult immunizations.

Dear friends, relatives and former students, It is with a great deal of thanks and appreciation that I acknowledge your deluge of cards and calls which contained so many words of kindness, well wishes and remembrances in regards to my 90th birthday! It’s almost enough to inspire me to go for 90 more, but probably not! I’ll just settle for what the good Lord gives me!

Don Bain

TRY OUR MEXICAN STREET TACOS! Tacos De Carne Asada

Strips of steak, fresh cilantro & diced onions.

Tacos De Carnitas

Carnitas (pork) topped with pico de gallo. Served with jalapenos.

SCHEDULE YOUR FREE INSPECTION DIBLE INCRE GS! SAVIN

Tacos El Pastor

OFF

ANY PROJECT *

Mention Promo Code ‘GET250’ Foundation Repair Nasty Crawl Spaces Basement Sinking Concrete Waterproofing * Cannot be combined with any other offer.

For a limited time only.

CALL NOW 855-278-6924

Marinated pork then cooked with pineapple, topped with fresh cilantro & diced onions.

Tacos San Juan

All items feature three soft tacos served with a bowl of whole pinto beans, tomatillo & avocado sauces.

HOURS: NOON - 8 P.M. (CLOSED TUESDAYS) 19 W. MADISON (620) 365-7771

Strips of steak and camitas (pork), topped with fresh cilantro & diced onions.

Tacos San Pedro

Strips of steak, chorizo (spicy sausage) & grilled onions, topped with fresh cilantro & diced onions.

Tacos De Chorizo

Chorizo (spicy sausage) & grilled onions, topped with fresh cilantro & diced onions.

W OPEEN are CARRFOR OUT! Y

Aim value

Ma The

A4

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

iolaregister.com

The Iola Register

Farm

COVID: Record Continued from A1

Be SMART with goals in 2022 Clara Wicoff Extension Agent for Nutrition, Food and Health

With 2022 on the horizon, you may be thinking about setting goals for the new year. However, research indicates that most Americans fail to achieve their New Year’s resolutions. So, how can you set yourself up for success? Be SMART about your goals for 2022 by setting set goals which are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-framed.

Specific goals include exactly what you want to achieve. For example, “I will make half my grains whole grains” is a more specific goal than “I will eat healthier.”

This sample goal also has the added benefit of aligning with MyPlate recommendations.

Measurable goals state how you will determine your success. To make your goals measurable, ask yourself: How will I know if my goal has been achieved? Let’s say you want to be more

active in the upcoming year. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults do muscle-strengthe n i n g a c t iv i ties on at least two days per week.

This inc l u d e s activities such as bodyweight exercises, lifting weights, shoveling snow, mowing the lawn with a push mower, and even gardening and weeding. “I will do muscle-strengthening activities on two days each week” is an example of a measurable goal which aligns with this physical activity recommendation.

It is also crucial to make your goals achievable. Achievable goals are realistic for you personally. Take into consideration all internal and external factors, including your skills, resources, and time. When making health-related goals, recognize that small steps add up over

time. If completing moderate-intensity physical activity for 150 minutes each w e e k ( a s

r e c ommended by the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans) isn’t realistically achievable for you right now, then start smaller and set a goal which you can accomplish.

Next, make your goals relevant. Setting goals which match what really matters to you will increase your motivation to achieve them. If you have children and enjoy cooking, one example of a relevant goal may be to cook a meal together at

least once each week.

Finally, your goals should be time-framed.

Creating a timeline or setting a deadline encourages you to stay on track. “I will increase my physical activity by participating in Walk Kansas from March to May in 2022” is just one examp l e of a timeframed goal.

S M A R T goals are a well-established tool which can be used to help you set and achieve objectives. As an extension agent, I seek to provide research-based educational programs which help people improve their lives, livelihoods, businesses, and communities. These programs, as well as those provided by my fellow agents, may help you achieve your SMART goals.

To learn more about programs or to get more information about setting SMART goals, contact me at clarawicoff@ ksu.edu or by calling 620-365-2242.

everything according to code. Sometimes that takes time.”

The scope of the project “is not an issue for us,” he added.

“We’ll be able to handle it. It’s not overwhelming at all.”

By KATIE PEIKES KCUR

you’re unvaccinated, just doesn’t affect the unvaccinated,” he said. “It affects everyone because it takes the hospitalizations and it fills up the hospital so much, and staff get so sick that it means we don’t have enough people here to take care of everybody, which means we have to scale things back.

And that’s the level we’re all at.”

He also urged people to wear masks in public, even as leaders in nearby Johnson County prepared to decide Thursday whether to scrap their current school mask mandate for elementary school children or leave it in place through the spring semester.

“If you want to keep schools open and you want to keep businesses open, you’ve got to keep people healthy,” he said. “You’re either not going to have enough teachers or enough staff or too many students out in this omicron wave to think it’s going to really have successful schools, in my opinion, or the business is going to be able to work if they don’t have enough employees.”

Developer: Plans Continued from A1

Scientists: Chemistry can convert methane into plastic Methane is often an overlooked supervillain of the Earth’s greenhouse gases.

The greenhouse gas is generated by cattle poop, burps and farts and oil and natural gas operations. It’s less abundant than carbon dioxide, but far more powerful, pound for pound, at heating up the planet.

Of all the warming of the planet from manmade greenhouse gas emissions, a third comes from methane. That includes producing and transporting coal, natural gas and oil, says the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The EPA has proposed new standards to curb methane emissions.

But researchers at Iowa State University have unlocked a way to break the powerful greenhouse gas down into safer chemicals — the kind of chemicals used to make everyday plastics like trash bags and milk containers — and keep it out of the atmosphere.

Methane is made up of one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms.

The bond between the carbon and hydrogen is really strong and hard to break, said Yue Wu, an Iowa State University chemical engineering professor.

“Think about if you have a piece of wood, and the wood stick is very thin, you don’t need a lot of strength to break it,” Wu said. “But (if) it’s actually getting very thick, you probably have to use an ax to actually chop it.”

Wu and his research group put platinum onto a powdered carbide.

They flowed methane through the surface.

That quickly con-

cord, hospitals are still under stress because of new patients and infected employees. At the University of Kansas Hospital, more than 500 out of more than 13,000 employees are sick or awaiting test results, said Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer at University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City, Kansas, during a media call Monday.

The illnesses come as the hospital is treating 108 COVID-19 patients, up from 40 on Dec. 1.

“We’ve had to scale back on some elective surgeries and clinics and things like that, and all hospitals in our area are having to take similar measures because you’ve got to keep your staff safe. You may not have quite enough people to be able to do all the work,” he said.

He said vaccination would have prevented all but a handful of the COVID-19 patients from being hospitalized, freeing up beds for other patients.

“I think what we have to remember is that COVID-19, when

THE

FORMER

nursing home has been vacant since Iola Nursing Center closed its doors in 2015.

The structure has been the topic of much discussion amongst neighbors who want to

see it removed.

Most recently, a group of neighbors approached Iola City Council members in September, urging them to do a full-scale inspection of the property to see if it should be condemned and demolished.

In 2019, the city rejected a developer’s plans to rehab the old facility, which consists of three wings, into an apartment complex, citing a lack of clarity in the previous developer’s plans.

PIQUA

Open 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F • Sat 7:30 a.m. - 12 Noon Combine Guards & Sections Baler Teeth Rake Teeth • Twine & Net Wrap Extensive Stock of Sprayer Fittings

Iowa State University doctoral student Xiaopeng Liu, left, chemical engineering professor Yue Wu, right, and Purdue University’s Yang Xiao (center) are part of a team of researchers that worked on converting the greenhouse gas methane into chemicals. PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISTOPHER GANNON verted it into chemicals called ethylene and ethane.

Wu said the research shows chemistry can convert methane that’s normally burned and emitted directly into the atmosphere and “can actually harvest all that methane and convert it into ethylene and that can actually be something like really value-added chemicals.”

The research group is not the first to use platinum to try to convert methane into chemicals.

But Wu says, typically, a gooey residue builds up

on the platinum during the reaction. That didn’t happen for the researchers because they spread the platinum out into a really thin layer. The platinum continued to react, activate and break methane’s carbon-hydrogen bond for several days.

The technology has broader applications and could be used to capture and convert biowaste, like cow manure.

“We are not going to capture anything from a burp or a fart,” Wu said.

“We are going to use the biowaste, the poop, any-

Public notice (Published in The Iola Register Jan. 4, 2021) NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting of Marmaton Watershed, Joint District No. 102, Allen, Bourbon and Crawford Counties, Kansas will be held on January 21, 2022 at 4:00 PM at the Uniontown City Hall, 206 Sherman Street, Uniontown, KS for the purpose of the election of board members whose terms expire, report on the financial condition and activities of the District, to re-

view the District’s proposed fiveyear construction plan, to review the District’s general plan, and any other business to be considered by the District.

Board of Directors Marmaton Watershed Joint District #102 FREDERICK J. WORKS, PA 6 East Jackson Iola, Kansas 66749 (620) 433-5533 Attorney for the District

thing from sewage, solid waste. Those things will decompose and generate methane.”

The Iowa State researchers worked with researchers from Purdue University and the U.S. Department of Energy. They recently published a paper in the journal Nature Catalysis.

The researchers are looking at how they can commercialize their technology.

TRADING POST Monday - Friday Morning | 8-9 a.m.

Learn more at kcur. org.

NEW Rechargeable Hearing Aids • FREE Hearing Evaluation • 30 Day FREE Trial with No Up-Front Obligation • FREE Service for Life • Full Factory Warranty

& OPTICAL CENTER

19 S. Highland - Chanute - 620-431-4840 Monday-Thursday 9am-3pm • Closed Friday (1) 4

www.chanutehearing.com

Opinion A5 The Iola Register

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

~ Journalism that makes a difference

Kansas Housing data sheds light on the political challenges December brought Kansas its first comprehensive look at its housing needs in nearly three decades. This report is a bonanza for policy geeks and anyone who cares about housing issues.

The Office of Rural Prosperity, created by Governor Laura Kelly, partnered with the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation, Kansas’s housing finance agency, to sponsor the report. It provides localized data on housing needs, population trends, and market dynamics.

If you want to address housing challenges facing average Kansans, the data in this report are the start.

For renters, finding quality and affordable housing is hard in many communities.

That leaves many Kansans paying inflated prices for under-maintained properties or paying significantly more than mortgages might otherwise cost.

For buyers, a limited supply of affordable, modest-sized homes is pushing many into renting or more expensive homes than desired. And many buyers can’t compete when sellers in some Kansas markets expect perks like thousands in cash over asking or waived inspections.

But in some Kansas communities, especially shrinking rural communities, reality is often different — too few buyers and difficulty obtaining funds to bring properties up to buyer expectations.

From the report, two problems define most Kansas markets.

First, there is a gap in middle class housing, typically more affordable, smaller sized, and smaller lot homes.

This is the critical shortage that turns buyers into renters or encourages larger mortgages just to have a house. In the Kansas City metro, it can also be the deciding factor between living in Kansas versus Missouri.

Second, there is a shortage of rental and smaller home stock suitable for our aging population. In Kansas, only the Kansas City metro saw its share of 0-19-year-olds grow in the last decade.

YOU CAN sense from local politics that these trends clash with how some communities see themselves. In 2021 local elections in Kansas,

Patrick Miller Kansas Insight some communities saw real controversy over new rental housing and whether policies should favor larger or smaller single family homes.

If city halls in Kansas make growth decisions based on image over needs and trends, they might make easy political decisions that actually make the housing situation in their communities more challenging.

For the frustrated, asking how to improve this situation is natural. The answers may not be easy.

Housing is an inherently local issue. The easiest solutions may be found in local government — growth policies and zoning. But participation in local elections in Kansas is pretty low. How many of us know who serves on our city councils, let alone what growth decisions they make that ultimately frustrate us?

Politicians in Topeka can still promote solutions. It might require innovative policy and local partnerships.

This is truly an issue where there is no one simple solution, and where brainstorming effective policy is needed.

Finding these solutions, though, requires our political machinery to actually care.

Some in the politics industry care more about talking about housing problems for political point-scoring than actually finding hard solutions. Or they would rather carnival bark about sideshows like critical race theory or outrage-of-the-day headlines than engage you on hard issues.

You can read the “Kansas Statewide Housing Needs Assessment 2021” at https:// kshousingcorp.org/. Kansas doesn’t need to wallow helplessly in its housing challenges, but we do need citizens and policymakers who know the real problems and seek the hard solutions.

Patrick Miller is an associate professor of political science at the University of Kansas.

A look back in t me.

65 Years Ago January 1957

The Register is 90 years old today, having been continuously published, either as a weekly or daily, since Jan. 1, 1867. During those years it has outlived 11 competitors. ***** Miss Inez McKibben, who has been keeping Iola women in Easter bonnets for 38 years, sold her last hat yesterday, closing out her shop in the Ramsay Dry Goods Company store where she had worked for 25 years. In 1918, she came to Iola to work as a milliner for James Richardson, owner of the Richardson Department store. She worked there for seven years and at the Seneker Dry Goods Company for six years. ***** The annual meeting of the

Allen County Soil Conservation District was held in the Humboldt Presbyterian Church yesterday afternoon.

A highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the Kansas Bankers Association Awards by Robert Leimenstoll, president of the Humboldt National Bank, to Mrs. and Mrs. Don D. McDonald, Iola, Mr. and Mrs. Earl R. Nelson, LaHarpe, Jack R. Centlivre, Kansas City, Mr. and Mrs. Ross Graham, Savonburg, and Mr. and Mrs. Alvis Churchill, Humboldt. ***** A plan to underwrite harness racing at the 1957 Allen County Fair to the extent of $4,500 was approved at noon today at a joint meeting of the directors of the Iola Chamber of Commerce and the Fair Association.

Telescope’s payoff to be, well, cosmic Like many other packages delivered on Dec. 25, a new telescope arrived in space Saturday with some assembly required.

The gradual unfolding of the James Webb Space Telescope, currently en route to its station 930,000 miles from Earth, is high drama. The long years of development, complete with the invention of several new technologies and the investment of billions of dollars, now depend for their success on many things going right.

With hundreds of things that could go wrong on its 29day journey, Webb — which is named after the man who led NASA from 1961 to 1968 — represents a gamble of appropriately astronomical proportions.

But the potential payoff is cosmically huge as well.

“This telescope will be able to see back in time significantly farther than other telescopes can,” said James Flaten, associate director of NASA’s Minnesota Space Grant Consortium. “Being so much bigger than anything else that’s available, it will be able to see things that are significantly fainter, and hence things that are significantly farther away. Which basically means significantly older.”

In conversation with an editorial writer, Flaten pointed out that Webb’s light-gathering mirror, at 6.5 meters across, is significantly larger than that of the Hubble Space Telescope, which measures just 2.4 meters. But Webb has another advantage: its ability to see infrared light. That will allow it to peer through the veil of dust that obscures some regions of space.

“A whole bunch of stuff that we currently can’t see well at all will become visible,” he said. “And considering how large it is, it can see significantly fainter things, and hence it can see things

On Christmas Day, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope was launched into space onboard Arianespace’s Ariane 5 rocket at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. The large infrared telescope is equipped with a 21.3 foot primary mirror. The observatory will study every phase of cosmic history — from within our solar system to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe. (CHRIS GUNN/NASA/TNS) that are older. The reason being that the older something is, the farther away it is and the fainter it is.”

A NASA tracking tool shows the projected timetable for various benchmarks in the telescope’s mission.

By now, Webb has cleared the moon’s orbit and will soon deploy its multilayered sunscreen and unfold the gold-coated mirror. A specially designed cooling system will keep the observatory cold enough to pick up infrared light from distant targets.

It’s all delicate, and critical, and inaccessible to any conceivable repair if something should go wrong.

The project has been in the works for years. In 2017, Joel Green, an astrophysicist, talks about how the James Webb Space Telescope works as he stands next to a model of it at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Boston. (LLOYD FOX/ BALTIMORE SUN/TNS)

Webb’s eventual position, balanced between the gravitational influences of Earth and the sun, is four times farther away than the moon.

NASA could, and did, send crews to repair Hubble, but Webb will be on its own.

Assuming all goes well, Webb will show us wonders; but as Flaten noted, “it’s a little hard to say what they will be.” No one has seen the universe as it looked quite so fresh from the Big Bang.

And Webb should be able to give us a much better look at planets outside our solar system — even allowing scientists to determine the contents of any atmospheres they find.

Flaten cautioned that Webb is not designed to search for life elsewhere in the universe, although it should be able to find indications of liquid water or other conditions that might make life more likely. Of course, other kinds of life may turn out to thrive in environments that we would consider hostile. It’s all a question of your perspective.

And if Webb does what it’s designed to do, our perspective may be about to change.

— Minneapolis Star-Tribune

A6

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

iolaregister.com

The Iola Register

Schmidt: Congressional hopeful visits Allen Co. Democrats Continued from A1

ablers learned that day is that they didn’t go far enough,” he said.

That event prompted Schmidt, a Kansas native, to run for Congress when his Naval service ended and he moved to Topeka. He’s challenging freshman Rep. Jake LaTurner to represent Kansas’ 2nd District.

He met with about a dozen Democrats on Monday to talk about some of the issues on his platform, which include making the child tax credit permanent and expanding it, funding universal preschool, making health care more affordable, protecting U.S. interests from China and foreign hackers, ensuring free and fair elections, protecting Kansas workers and rebuilding infrastructure.

Schmidt used the event to listen to the concerns of others as much as give his own opinions.

Repeatedly, Schmidt’s answers came back to one thing: Tell the truth.

“My parents raised me to mean what I say,” he said.

Schmidt said he believes Republicans are downplaying what happened at the Capitol in order to protect their own interests.

“They came this close to overthrowing the government and they want to tell you that’s OK. It’s not OK. It’s the biggest threat Kansas and our country are facing. And if we don’t reconcile

Patrick Schmidt, a candidate for the 2nd Congressional District, introduces himself to Mark Weaver of Chanute, chairman of the Neosho County Democrats.

REGISTER/VICKIE MOSS

this, we won’t be able to get anything else done.”

He accused LaTurner and other Republicans of “recycling the same failed economic policies” that prevent action on things Kansans need.

“There are alternatives. Invest in infrastructure. Invest in kids.

Expand Medicaid. Invest in communities like Allen County.”

AMONG

covered:

the

topics

Infrastructure

Kim Rutter, a rural Wilson County resident, said she was concerned about infrastructure, particularly highways in Southeast Kansas.

“We can’t keep a decent highway anymore.

I didn’t realize it until I moved out of state for 30 years and then came back. I see it now,” she said.

Mike Bruner, chair-

man of the Allen County Democrats, noted that highway repair and construction isn’t just an economic issue, it’s about public safety. He pointed out that previous administrations had raided the state’s transportation fund to pay for other legislative priorities that did not advance the interest and safety of Kansans.

Medicaid expansion

Mark Weaver of Chanute, chairman of the Neosho County Democrats, pointed out the similarities with hospitals. Because Kansas lawmakers refused to expand Medicaid, Kansas lost $6.5 billion in matching federal funds.

Several small hospitals have closed, including in Fort Scott and Independence.

He was concerned how that would jeopar-

dize the health and safety of rural residents, who now have even farther to drive for care.

Kate Schroeder of Iola, who works for Thrive Allen County, said the lack of investment in things like infrastructure, health and child care make it difficult for young families to live in a rural community.

“Young people want to live here but they can’t because they can’t raise a family here. They’ll move to Kansas City because they have more resources for families,” she said.

“It’s poisoning the well for the future.”

Child care

Schroeder’s comments prompted Schmidt to ask about child care, and attendees were quick to share stories about the challeng-

McCoy: Files for state legislative seat Continued from A1

area,” McCoy said, perhaps enough to prompt businesses in urban areas to find ways to expand or relocate to rural areas like Allen or Neosho county.

“They’re coming out here to hire our employees, which is a good thing,” she said.

MCCOY describes herself as pro Second Amendment and prolife, indicating any abortion laws should be ultimately decided by legislators, not the courts.

She also said Kansas schools deserve more state funding.

“There’s always a need for more funding,” she said. “We shouldn’t be collecting box tops and coupons, and egg cartons and crayons for school teachers. We should be able to have enough of a budget for them to make a list of what they’d like to have for their students.”

McCoy also favors, if possible, reforms to remove unruly students from the educational environment to prevent classroom disruptions.

She acknowledged the key to such reforms lie with parents. “Maybe they’re the ones who need to be doing something with their children.”

MCCOY got her start in elementary education before expanding to work at the community college level, both in and out of Kansas.

“I’ve got a good background of what education is like in other states and at other levels,” she said.

McCoy’s first foray

into elected politics, a four-year stint on the Chanute City Commission, also was educational, she said. “I learned a great deal about the city and how things worked,’’ she said. “I got it in my blood.”

McCoy also ran her own business for five years, “where I learned a lot about retail,” she said. “I’ve worked in a lot of different fields.”

She promises she’ll have no difficulty work-

ing with Gov. Laura Kelly, if both she and Kelly win their respective races, even though they fall on opposite sides of the political dial.

“I like to get along with everybody if I can,” she said. “I’m not gonna have the part of her being a Democrat and me being a Republican be a problem.

Everyone should be able to communicate.

Everyone has a right to their own opinion, and everyone should

be able to voice their opinion.”

Thompson, as well as any other prospective state candidate has until June to apply for the upcoming midterm election. If necessary, primary elections will be held Aug. 2. The general election is set for Nov. 8.

McCoy will host a campaign kickoff event at 2 p.m. Saturday at Dalton’s at 500 Country Club Lane in Chanute.

The public is invited.

es of finding affordable child care.

The problem has worsened since the pandemic, Bruner said, which forced smaller providers to quit offering that service. The cost of child care makes it prohibitive because typical wages in Southeast Kansas are low.

“Families can’t afford to work,” Schroeder said, when most of their paycheck goes to child care.

Schroeder also noted a lack of available child care for special circumstances, such as for children with disabilities or those in the foster care system, which requires a certain level of training for providers.

“It’s taking workers out of our economy,” she said.

Schmidt shared stories of his own, echoing those.

“That’s something I’ve heard consistently,” he said. “It’s something that’s attempting to be addressed with policies from the White House with President Biden’s Build Back Better Plan.”

Protecting elections

When asked how he would respond to concerns about voter fraud and tampering with election machines, something Republicans say delegitimize the election of President Biden, Schmidt responded: “Show me.”

“Make them show us the receipts. They can’t,” he said.

He blamed elected officials who propagate lies and conspiracy theories.

“Tell the truth. Bear witness. These guys want to play footsie with something that’s shaken our very democracy.”

He also expressed concern about Republican policies that would restrict voting rights, particularly for minority voters.

Climate change

Logan Stenseng, who recently moved to Iola to work for Thrive, asked Schmidt to outline his plan to address climate change.

Schmidt said he believes Kansas can be a leader in the wind industry “for the same reason aviation developed here: wide open spaces and wind.”

He encouraged investment in wind energy education, technology and production.

Rutter, though, said wind farms are a controversial subject in some parts of the state, including Neosho County.

Kristin Wright, an Allen County resident, said, “My opinion is we can give a little space to save the earth.”

“There’s a lot of complexity to this issue,” Schmidt said, noting Kansas also needs to invest in other energy supplies before it can support greater capacity for wind farms.

COVID mitigation measures

Schroeder asked how he would navigate issues like vaccine mandates and school closings.

Schmidt said as an intelligence officer, he understands how the information, understanding and dynamics of the pandemic have shifted over time.

“What we know now is that vaccines work.

The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to get those shots,” he said. “What we do need to do is keep kids in school.”

He said there are ways to protect children and ensure their education is protected, as well, so they don’t lose more learning time.

He also shared his experience in the military and officer candidate school, when vaccination efforts put “10 needs in my arm. It was all a blur. It was just like the movies. It was something we did in order to be a fighting force in every arena across the world.”

He blamed public and elected officials for spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories.

“We’ve got to start with people in office that tell the truth.”

Where Family Comes First Q UALIT Y C AR E

CLOS E TO H OM E

There is nothing more important than the health of your family.

From immunizations and annual wellness exams, to treating acute and chronic illnesses, keeping your family healthy is what we do.

Schedule your next appointment at any of our Allen County Regional Clinics—we care for our friends and neighbors like family.

Find a provider

saintlukeskc.org/allen-familycare Iola Clinic 620-365-6933

Humboldt Clinic 620-473-3008

Moran Clinic 620-237-4205

Sports Daily The Iola Register

B

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Thompson to start at QB in bowl game

By KRISTIE RIEKEN The Associated Press

HOUSTON (AP) — Quarterback Skylar Thompson will return from an ankle injury to start for Kansas State in the Texas Bowl tonight, but LSU interim coach Brad Davis won’t say who will fill that role for the Tigers.

“We’ve got a group of guys who have all been preparing for this opportunity,” Davis said. “Really, the biggest piece for us as a coaching staff is putting together a scheme that lends to what each of those guys do well.”

Myles Brennan is injured and Max Johnson transferred to Texas A&M. Freshman Garrett Nussmeier was listed first on a depth chart that LSU released this week, but it’s unclear if he’ll play because one more game would burn his redshirt year.

LSU has asked for a waiver to prevent that from happening, but Davis hasn’t said if it was approved.

“You’ll have to ask him that,” Davis said. “But he’ll be in the running to play.”

If it’s not Nussmeier, LSU’s other options are walk-on freshmen Tavion Faulk and Matt O’Dowd.

Kansas State quarterback Skylar Thompson warms up prior to a game against Texas Tech in 2020. PETER AIKEN/GETTY IMAGES/ TNS The uncertainty carries over to Kansas State’s preparation. Linebacker Cody Fletcher isn’t sure what to expect from LSU’s offense because “we don’t know who’s going to be back there.”

But the Wildcats are thrilled to have their senior signal-caller back for the Texas Bowl, returning after

missing the regular-season finale with an ankle injury.

He threw for 1,854 yards and nine touchdowns this season.

Neither team qualified for a bowl last season. LSU enters the Texas Bowl having won its last two games, and the Wildcats will try and end a two-game skid.

AT THE HELM

Davis will lead the Tigers after coach Ed Orgeron, who reached a separation agreement with the team in October, chose not to coach the bowl game.

New LSU coach Brian Kelly, who signed a 10-year, $95 million deal in November, has been working to assem-

ble his staff.

TAKING THE REINS Kansas State coach Chris Klieman fired offensive coordinator Courtney Messingham after the team’s last regular-season game and elevated quarterbacks coach Collin Klein to the role for the bowl game.

Though it’s an interim role for Klein, the former Kansas State star quarterback is thrilled to get a chance to run the offense. Klein started at Kansas State from 2010-12 and finished third in Heisman Trophy voting in 2012 after throwing for 2,641 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Klein hasn’t changed too much for the bowl game but is putting some of his touches on the offense.

“We’ve done a couple of things,” he said. “But it’s about trying to keep things as simple as possible while still making a few tweaks here and there, just so they can play fast and confident and finish this thing.”

Thompson is looking forward to working with him Tuesday.

“I’ve always felt like him and I are just on the same See K-STATE | Page B3

Washington Football Team to announce new name

By STEPHEN WHYNO The Associated Press

Washington’s NFL team announced Tuesday it will unveil its new name on Feb. 2 and that it will not be called the Wolves or RedWolves.

Team president Jason Wright said the decision was made not to go with Wolves or RedWolves because of trademarks held by other organizations. Those possibilities were popular among Washington fans.

The new helmets and uniforms will still feature the franchise’s signature burgundy-and-gold colors. A video teasing the reveal also included a “W” logo making

The Washignton Football team lines up against Cincinnati in 2021. ALL-PRO REELS PHOTOGRAPHY/WIKIMEDIA an appearance.

The organization dropped its old name in July 2020 after decades of complaints that it was racist toward Native Americans and recent pressure from team sponsors.

The decision was made to

be known as the Washington Football Team that season, which stuck around for 2021 while the front office went through a lengthy rebranding process.

“Our journey to a new identity is a marathon, not

HMS swept in return to action

By REESE BECKER The Iola Register

Humboldt Middle School got the ball rolling on the new year with the boys basketball team hosting Fredonia on Monday. The Fredonia Yellow Jackets swept the Cubs.

In the B game, the Cubs came out sluggish. After being tied in the first quarter, Humboldt trailed 14-9 at halftime. Fredonia’s shooters got into a rhythm that the Cubs could not match. Humboldt mounted a charge in the third quarter, outscoring the Yellow Jackets 6-4, but Fredonia pulled away in the fourth, ending the game on a 10-2 run.

Kreed Jones scored five points and had three re-

bounds. Grady Elder had three points. Taner King, Thatcher Mueller, Carson Peters, and Hudson Rees each had two points. Jack Works made a free throw for one point. Mueller also had four rebounds.

In the A game, the Cubs raced out to a 21-16 lead at half time, spurred by two double-digit quarters, and a whale of a game by Mason Sterling.

The Cubs came out firing on all cylinders, and played great defense, holding the Yellow Jackets to eight points in each of the first two quarters.

Fredonia had other plans in the second half, coming out refocused and recharged.

The Yellow Jackets mounted

a 9-3 run in the third quarter, taking the lead, 25-24. Fredonia fept the pressure on in the fourth quarter, pulling away from Humboldt 13-4.

Sterling had 12 points, eight rebounds, and five steals to lead Humboldt.

Creed Shannon had six points. Mueller, Carson Russell, and Layne Ellison each had two points.

“It was great to get everyone back on the court,” said Humboldt head coach Jeremy Weilert. “We had to postpone our last game due to quarantine. The game before that we only had 10 players.

We got better tonight, but we have to keep working.”

Humboldt takes the court again on Thursday at Neodesha.

Running out of

GRAIN STORAGE?

Henry Yoder Your local dealer

660-973-1611

yodersconstruction85@gmail.com

a sprint,” Wright said in a trailer about the new name.

“To get it right, we had to take every step of the process seriously, and the destination is a sum of all those parts.”

Washington was the first team in the four major North American professional sports leagues to move away from Native American imagery amid a national reckoning on race. Cleveland in Major League Baseball followed suit, adopting the new name Guardians

that is now in effect.

MLB’s Atlanta Braves and the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks have defended keeping their names.

Wright made it clear during the rebranding process that Washington would not use any sort of Native American imagery moving forward. He, coach Ron Rivera and others have made references to wanting to honor the once-storied franchise’s tradition, which includes three Super Bowl championships.

Sooner QB Williams enters transfer portal

By RALPH D. RUSSO The Associated Press

Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams said Monday he is entering his name in the transfer portal so he can speak with other schools.

The freshman added he had not ruled out staying with the Sooners, but within hours of Williams’ announcement, Oklahoma might have found his replacement.

Former UCF quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who had committed to transfer to UCLA last month, posted on Twitter that he was instead planning to go to Oklahoma.

Williams, a former fivestar recruit from Washington, D.C., who was recruited to Oklahoma by then-head coach Lincoln Riley, revealed his intentions on social media.

Riley left Oklahoma to

become coach at Southern California the day after the Sooners ended their regular season with a loss to Oklahoma State. Former Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables was hired to replace Riley.

“I think we all come to college to find our path and prepare for the future. I came to Oklahoma with a plan, but with all the recent changes, I need to figure out what is the right path for me moving forward,” Williams tweeted.

Williams would be one of the most sought-after transfers in college football.

He passed for 1,912 yards and 21 touchdowns and ran for 435 yards and six scores in 2020, taking over the starting job from preseason Heisman Trophy favorite Spencer Rattler midway See SOONER QB | Page B3

Specializing In: • Steel Buildings • Grain Bins • Grain Handling Equipment

B2

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

The Iola Register

CLASSIFIEDS

All ads are 10-word minimum, must run consecutive days

iolaregister.com DEADLINE: 2 p.m. day before publication For Mon.-Thurs.; 10 a.m. Fri. for Sat.

CLASSIFIED RATES: 3 Days - $2/word | 6 Days - $2.75/word | 12 Days - $3.75/word | 18 Days - $4.75/word | 26 Days - $5/word 3-DAY GARAGE SALE SPECIAL: 20 words or fewer - $12 | 21-40 words - $15 | 41+ words - $18

ITEMS FOR SALE

SERVICES

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

PACKING PAPERS AVAILABLE at the Iola Register Office. $3 per bundle.

FULL-time POSITIONS

HOMES FOR RENT 824 N. CHESTNUT • IOLA

$20 PER HOUR STARTING WAGE

tholenhvac.com

Current openings in the Humboldt and SEK area:

(620) 365-6445

view pictures and other info at growiola.com

We specialize in the sales, service and installation of:

FOOD & DRINK

• Geothermal

FOR SALE: FARM FRESH EGGS (FREE RANGE CHICKENS), $2 dozen, 3 dozen $5, will deliver in Iola for a 3-dozen order, 620-228-0631.

• Ice Machines

• Residential HVAC

• LG Ductless Systems

ANDERSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

• Commercial Refrigeration

Call Jeanne

802 N. Industrial Rd., Iola

(620) 365-5588

SERVICES

General G e n e r a l Repair Repair and and S Supply, u p p l y , IInc. nc.

HECK’S MOVING SERVICE •furniture •appliances •shop •etc.

Ashton Heck 785-204-0369 Storage & RV of Iola 620-365-2200

MACHINE SHOP H REPAIR CUSTOM MANUFACTURING

Complete Stock of Steel, Bolts, Bearings & Related Items

(620) ( 6 2 0 ) 365-5954 365-5954 1008 N. Industrial Industrial Road Road HH Iola

SEK Garage doors

Regular/Boat/RV/Storage LP Gas Sales, Fenced, Supervised

full service!

iolarvparkandstorage.com

BOTTOMS UP

residential &commercial industrial repair and installs fully insured free estimates!

620-330-2732 620-336-3054

Licensed and Insured Free estimates

(620) 212-5682

323 N. Jefferson Call 620-365-3178 or 365-6163

ALLIED HEALTH PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Responsible to coordinate and instruct both onsite and online in the Allied Health program, responsible for student recruitment, program development and advising. Courses include CNA, Medical Terminology. Full time position. RN or LPN required. Excellent benefits including generous time off, paid single health/dental insurance, and tuition, fees and book rental grants. Review position description on website, www.allencc.edu.

Submit letter of interest, resume, employment application (on website, www.allencc.edu ) and three professional references to: Shellie Regehr, Human Resources, Allen Community College, 1801 N. Cottonwood, Iola, KS 66749 or email to hr@allencc.edu.

ACC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

Maclaskey Oilfield Services

NOW HIRING CDL LICENSED DRIVERS CLASS A WITH TANKER & HAZMAT ENDORSEMENTS PREFERRED OILFIELD EXPERIENCE A PLUS

Apply at 105 N. Industrial Rd., El Dorado, KS or call 316-321-9011 for details.

Help Wanted Hiring now for kitchen staff, cooks, prep cooks and dishwashers. We are looking for friendly people who like to work in an active, fast-paced environment and are focused on doing the best job they possibly can. Ideal candidates are flexible, reliable, punctual and must value customer service and cleanliness.

We offer competitive wages. If interested, contact us or message us on Facebook at The Backroad Diner.

210 E. Broad St. • Colony, KS 66015 620-852-3549 or 785-204-1052

MISSING: TWO BLACK HEIFERS, RED EAR TAGS. Northeast of Iola, 2000 North Dakota area. Charles Kerr, 620-365-9230.

Loren Korte

IIOLA OLA 365-6908

HUMBOLDT HUMBOLDT 473-3831

MORAN MORAN 237-4631

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

HELP WANTED Ag Choice Moran/Blue Mound, Kansas is a retail fertilizer, feed, seed and custom application business located in Southeast Kansas.

We have an employment opportunity for a motivated individual. Duties include general labor, some custom application, and all activities associated with day-to-day operations. CDL or ability to get one a must. Seasonal long hours can be expected. Safety is a priority. Excellent benefit package including health insurance, 401K, retirement, safety bonuses, and profitability bonuses included.

Call 620-237-4668

iolaregister.com/marketplace

is taking applications for the following positions:

Cook and dietary aide

Nurses: All shifts CNAs: All shifts Apply at:

600 E. Garfield, Iola. EOE.

620-365-3183

Hometown people helping people.

Student Support and Data Specialist STARS Starting Wage $12.50 -13.00 per hour

Health Information Technology (HIT) Assistant Director Starting Salary $33,000-38,000 *pending board approval

Adjunct Medical Assistant (Ottawa Campus) Part-time Bookstore Assistant Part-time (Chanute and Ottawa) Hourly Wage $12.50 - $13.00

Upward Bound Administrative Assistant Starting Wage $12.50 -13.00 per hour

Assistant Coach Positions (9 mo)

(Wrestling and Track & Field) • Salary $19,000 Full-time benefits include employer paid single employee health and dental insurance. KPERS eligible, vacation, sick and holiday pay.

For a detailed description of all open positions and instructions for submitting your application, visit our website at

NCCC is an EOE/AA employer.

LOST OR FOUND Insurance/Real Estate

We are accepting applications for the following full-time positions:

www.neosho.edu/Careers.aspx

sekgaragedoors.com

Iola Mini-Storage

TREE SERVICE

HAS AN OPENING FOR A 911 OPERATOR. Must be 18 years old, with a high school diploma or its equivalent, Must be able to pass a criminal background check along with other required written and physical tests.

Starting pay with no experience is $17.09 with a possible increase based on experience. Anderson County is an equal opportunity employer and complies with Veterans’ Preference laws.

Call 785-448-5678 for application or stop by 135 E 5th Ave., Garnett, KS 66032.

PAYLESS CONCRETE

PRODUCTS, INC.

(620) 363-8272

LOCAL ROUTE CLASS A CDL TRUCK DRIVERS Call or text 620-496-6098 or 620-664-7449 and apply online at www.whitagg.com

CREATIVE CLIPS

Clean & affordable. Spacious Runs, Separated cat room, Climate Controlled, Lovingly Treated. Shots required.

Employees are eligible for health and dental insurance, retirement contributions, and paid vacation and holidays.

• Commercial HVAC

PETS

BOARDING FACILITY

EMPLOYMENT

NOW HIRING!

Whitaker Aggregates is looking for dependable, safety conscious employees and has immediate full-time openings to fill.

Nice Homes For Rent!

EMPLOYMENT

NOW HIRING

General Laborers Needed! 1st shift-Temp to hire position! $14.50 hour

Warehouse And Production Personnel

Previous concrete experience a plus!

Valid Driver’s License Required.

Pay up to $12 hour

Call Today to Schedule Interview!

Interviews will be in Iola!

Apply Online!

620-331-6200

Mid-American Machine & Equipment, Inc. has an immediate opening for a CDL flatbed driver. We are a well-established company with over 20 years in business. Lanes covered include anywhere in the Midwest to Southeast.

Mid-American Machine pays all miles, drivers are paid for loading and unloading and for extra stops. We have top of the line semis. Our drivers earn good money and we offer a benefit package along with a clean inspection bonus.

Our drivers are generally out 2 to 3 weeks with good, long miles.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Class A CDL • Minimum 25 years of age or older Must have at least 2 years verifiable driving experience Clean MVR and PSP; we work with a lot of drivers that other companies won’t Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug screen

We take good care of our drivers and pay well.

If interested please call David at 620-964-2156.

HELP WANTED

Bookkeeper/ Accountant Accounts receivables, bill pay, inventory and additional duties.

Office management experience required.

Call Paul at 620-237-4668 for more information or to apply.

NOW HIRING! of Iola has a full-time opening in our maintenance department.

Good carpentry, plumbing and people skills a must. Must be available for weekend call rotation.

Pick up an application at 600 E. Garfield, Iola.

EOE

(620) 365-3183 • WINDSORPLACE.NET

THE CLASSIFIEDS

We are currently in search of a

FULL-TIME TELLER for the Humboldt branch.

If you are a customer oriented, responsible individual with good attention to detail and technical skills, we would like to visit with you about this opportunity. Excellent communication skills and a professional personality are essential.

Cash handling background or teller experience is a plus.

For more information or to apply, please stop by 116 N. 8th, Humboldt, KS 66748.

See Kayla Wallace for questions.

EEO EMPLOYER - M/F/DISABLE/VET

Apply at focusjobs.com or call 620-875-0104

www.expresspros.com

Advertise in

CDL TRUCK DRIVER

203 N. Locust Moran, KS 66755 agchoice.net

www.mybankcnb.com

CARRIER DELIVERY DEADLINES Mon.-Thur.

City Limits of Iola

5:30 p.m.

All Other Carrier Routes

Saturday

All Carrier Routes

9:30 a.m.

6:30 p.m.

If you have not received your paper by this time, please call your carrier. If you cannot reach your carrier, call the Register office at (620) 365-2111.

TRUTH

Newspapers put truth front and center

Mar

iolaregist

age B4

iolaregister.com

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

The Iola Register

B3

NBA assistant Hammon nets WNBA head coaching job

By DOUG FEINBERG The Associated Press

Becky Hammon was ready to lead her own team. So she went back to where her professional career began — the WNBA. Hammon, an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs, will take over as the Las Vegas Aces’ head coach and general manager after the NBA season concludes.

“Being the head coach of the Las Vegas Aces is a step forward and a step in the right direction for myself and for women’s basketball,” Hammon said. “I cannot emphasize enough the importance of this opportunity that I have.

There’s something to being a head coach.”

Hammon has spent eight seasons as a Spurs assistant and has interviewed for several NBA

Becky Hammon, assistant coach of the San Antonio Spurs, in December 2020. RONALD CORTES/GETTY IMAGES/ TNS

head coaching jobs. But for now, her dream of becoming the first woman to lead an NBA team is on hold.

“I sat in head coaching interviews (in the

NBA) and people said two things: ‘You’ve only been in San Antonio and you’ve never been a head coach,’” she said.

“NBA jobs are hard to get. In some ways, I feel

like the NBA maybe is close. In other ways, I feel like they’re a long ways off from hiring (a woman head coach).

I don’t know when it could happen.”

There are still a half dozen women assistant coaches in the NBA. Hammon’s resume earned her plenty of respect: She will be the WNBA’s highest-paid coach.

Hammon will replace Bill Laimbeer, who has been with the team since it moved to Las Vegas in 2017 and led the Aces on deep playoff runs the past three seasons, including a WNBA Finals appearance in 2020. Last season, the 64-year-old coach took a step back, letting assistant Tanisha Wright run more practices and in-game huddles. Wright left in the offseason to be the head coach of the Atlan-

ta Dream.

“This is the organization that made it very, very obvious they wanted me really, really bad,” the 44-year-old Hammon said.

The Aces finished with the second-best record in the WNBA last season at 24-8 before falling to the Phoenix Mercury in the semifinals.

The franchise, looking for its first WNBA title, has a solid core led by former MVP A’ja Wilson.

“We have some really good pieces in place, so it’s about adding new pieces that will fit my style of play,” Hammon said. “We’ll probably shoot a few more 3s to be honest, run up and down a bit more. The type of player I really want is a competitive one.”

Hammon played in the WNBA from 1999-2014.

The six-time All-Star began her career with the New York Liberty, who also interviewed her for their coaching vacancy earlier this month. She finished with the San Antonio Stars, who later became the Aces.

Las Vegas retired her jersey this season and she spent a little bit of time with the team, including working with Kelsey Plum.

“We’re very excited to have Becky return to the Aces’ franchise as our head coach,” team president Nikki Fargas said. “Her success in the sport of basketball as both a player and a coach is unparalleled, and fueled by a tenacious desire to be the best she can possibly be.

We have one of the most talented rosters in the WNBA, and Becky is the absolute best person to lead this team.”

NFL announces schedule changes for week 18 finale

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The NFL’s schedule changes for Week 18 will feature exactly what the league wanted: a Sunday night showdown for a playoff berth.

To finish off the NFL’s first 17-game season, the Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders game was flexed from daytime to prime time. Both AFC West rivals are 9-7 and the winner will advance to the postsea-

son.

Also in the mix for the final wild-card slot in the AFC — New England owns one of them — are the Colts, the Steelers and the Ravens. If Indianapolis wins next Sunday at Jacksonville, it’s in. Pittsburgh (7-7-1) must win out; it plays Monday night at home against Cleveland, then visits Baltimore (8-8) and still could fall short.

The league also switched two games from Sunday to Satur-

day. Kansas City, already the AFC West champion, will be at Denver, followed by Dallas at Philadelphia.

Neither of those games has the strong postseason implications of Chargers-Raiders.

The Chiefs (11-5) could get the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a victory but would need Tennessee (11-5) to lose at Houston. Denver is out.

Dallas (11-5) has won the NFC East and Phil-

Sooner QB: OU still an option Continued from B1

through the season.

Rattler already has transferred to South Carolina.

Williams led the Sooners (11-2) to a victory last week against Oregon in the Alamo Bowl.

To be recruited and contacted by other schools within NCAA rules, Williams had to enter his name into the transfer portal, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he is transferring.

“Staying at OU will definitely be an option as I begin this process,” Williams said.

Venables and Oklahoma athletic director

Joe Castiglione released a statement saying they would “continue to be engaged” with Williams.

“While we believe OU provides Caleb the best opportunity to develop as a player and realize his goals for college and beyond, we respect his right to explore his options following key staffing changes here,” they said.

Venables hired Jeff Lebby away from Mississippi to be Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator. Lebby spent the last two season working with quarterback Matt Corral, who is projected to

be a potential firstround pick in the next NFL draft.

In five years with the Sooners, Riley coached two Heisman winners and first overall draft picks in Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray. He also had Jalen Hurts, who transferred from Alabama and became a Heisman finalist and second-round draft pick at Oklahoma.

At USC, Jaxson Dart started much of last season as a freshman and is likely to be at the top of the depth chart again after former starter Kedon Slovis transferred to Pittsburgh.

ORDER PHOTOS SEEN IN THE IOLA REGISTER and even those not published

adelphia (9-7) owns an NFC wild card.

The other games in Week 18 are AFC West champion Cincinnati (10-6) at Cleveland; NFC North winner and top seed Green Bay (13-3) at Detroit; Seattle at Arizona, which owns a wild-card berth at 11-5 and still could win the NFC West; New Orleans (8-8 and in the mix for an NFC wild card) at Atlanta; the New York Jets at AFC East leader Buffalo (10-6); San Francisco (9-7 and also in contention for an NFC wild card) at NFC West leader Los Angeles Rams (12-4); New England (10-6) at Miami; Carolina at NFC South winner Tampa Bay (12-4); Chicago at Minnesota; and Washington at the New York Giants.

Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs will play Saturday at Denver after the NFL bumped up their regular season finale a day. TNS FILE PHOTO

K-State: Tackles LSU tonight Continued from B1

page,” he said. “I know what he’s thinking before he’s thinking it and he knows what I think before I’m thinking it.”

ON THE RUN

LSU suffered a blow when top rusher Tyrion Davis-Price, who ran for 1,003 yards this season, opted out of the Texas Bowl to prepare for the NFL draft. Corey Kiner will fill in against Kan-

sas State; he rushed 65 times for 271 yards and two touchdowns as a freshman this season.

TEXAS TIMES TWO

This is the second trip to the Texas Bowl in recent years for both teams.

LSU beat Texas Tech 56-27 in the 2015 game — which featured current NFL stars Leonard Fournette, who ran for 212 yards and four

touchdowns and added a receiving score for LSU, and Patrick Mahomes, who threw for 370 yards and four touchdowns for the Red Raiders.

Kansas State beat Texas A&M 33-28 in the 2016 game. Jesse Ertz threw for 195 yards and a touchdown and ran for two more scores to lead the Wildcats to the victory.

Visit iolaregister.com/photos to browse our latest albums!

Download or order any size print, wall art, desk art, keepsakes or phone cases online and have them shipped directly to you!

Th

B4

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

iolaregister.com

The Iola Register

For NCAA, year of upheaval leads to need for tranformation

By RALPH D. RUSSO The Associated Press

From court losses to political pressure to questions about how — and if — athletes should be compensated, the NCAA and college sports have faced all sorts of potential existential threats for more than 100 years.

The difference in 2021 was volume. It was as if a century’s worth of issues fell on college sports all at once.

Lawmakers took aim at the NCAA, undercutting its ability to govern. The Supreme Court issued a scathing rebuke of the so-called collegiate model. Internally, a new era of athlete empowerment was clumsily ushered in with all sorts of unintended consequences. Another wave of conference realignment swept through college sports, causing disruptions and distrust among its leaders.

“I think it is unquestionably an unprecedented potential crisis the NCAA is facing today,” said Gabe Feldman, the director of Tulane University’s sports law program.

IF 2021 was about upheaval in college sports, 2022 will be largely defined by reform.

College sports leaders will attempt to redefine the NCAA. The goal is to shift power away from the national governing body to conferences and schools, while still maintaining the association; To be more accommodating to the wide-ranging goals and needs of a wildly diverse membership, while still remaining tethered through competition.

“I see value in the national association,” Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey said.

“I see value in the big tent.

But we’re challenged in new ways.”

Greg Sankey, commissioner of the Southeastern Conference, sees challenges ahead for the NCAA. FILE PHOTO

TNS FILE PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

A restructuring or reimagining of the NCAA and its top division is in many ways a chance for the leaders of college sports to prove to lawmakers, judges, athletes and — to some extent — each other that college sports can manage its own house.

Sankey has been appointed co-chairperson of the NCAA’s Division I Transformation Committee, along with Ohio University athletic director Julie Cromer.

That group will begin its work in earnest after the NCAA convention in late January, when a new pared-down constitution is expected to be ratified by membership. That will open the door for each of the NCAA’s three divisions to create a unique governance structure.

For Divisions II and III that will mean little change.

In Division I, which is comprised of 350 schools that compete in the NCAA’s biggest championship events — such as the March Madness basketball tournaments — the transformation could be

radical.

“What does that mean about the structure and governance? What does it mean about enforcement? What does it mean about how we think about eligibility?

What does it mean about NIL? You could go on and on and on down the list,” said Baylor President Linda Livingstone, a former college basketball player who has become deeply involved in the NCAA. For the vast majority of athletes, the endorsement deals have produced modest financial gains with little attention paid. According to data compiled by Opendorse, a company that works with schools on various NIL issues, the average NIL

compensation for Division I athletes between July 1 and Nov. 30 was approximately $250 per month.

Other deals have been far more lucrative, made national headlines, and in some cases, seem to flaunt rules that still prohibit pay for play or recruiting inducements.

The NCAA has pleaded with Congress to pass federal NIL legislation to override dozens of state laws that have forced a patchwork of rules and seemingly no enforcement.

CONGRESSIONAL help appears nowhere in sight, and the lawmakers who seem most motivated to get involved in college athletics do not want to stop at NIL. A restructuring or reimagining of the NCAA and its top division is in many ways a chance for the leaders of college sports to prove to lawmakers, judges, athletes and — to some extent — each other that col-

lege sports can manage its own house.

“There’s a desire to have federal intervention so that the NCAA can protect college sports,” Feldman said.

“But I think there’s also a desire from Congress to see a plan to protect college sports before intervening.”

Sankey, Livingstone and others who will be part of the transformation committee say they enter the process with open minds, ready to share ideas and facilitate solutions that can gather consensus.

Things could get testy.

Core questions need to be sked about what schools should be in Division I. Is there a need for a new division that provides even more autonomy and power to the wealthiest schools and conferences? And if so, will smaller schools be squeezed out of the marquee championship events by shrinking access or the inability to keep up as the most powerful schools play by their own rules? Or both?

There is concern the powerful will grab more power, the wealthy will claim more of the revenue. Those at the top of the college sports food chain insist that is not the goal.

“But we’re challenged.

We have to acknowledge our reality,” Sankey said. “How do we function differently?”

Featuring Area Student Athletes

Krystina Hurst, Yates Center Yates Center High School freshman Krystina Hurst plays three sports. Hurst has faced her fair share of challenges, including getting used to life in high school.

Register: You play volleyball, basketball, and softball. What do you like about each sport?

Hurst: I like to play each for a different reason. I play volleyball to get my anger out. I like softball because of the bonding and the adrenaline. I play basketball because the feeling of the ball in my hands is over anything else, and helps get me away from reality.

Register: How is your freshman year going?

Hurst: It’s going pretty well. I have had a

few bumps in the road in volleyball thanks to pain in my ankle and shoulder. Coach King and Coach Cummings worked with me to keep me part of the team while working through the pain and helping me become better.

Register: How do you balance sports while also getting adjusted to high school?

Hurst: It’s kind of tough, since I am doing sports throughout the year. I always have to remember school comes first. I have been sitting up in the stands before and after games doing homework because it may be due the next day and it was a late night game.

Physically, it is kind of hard on me but I push through for the love of the game.

Serving the Area For 67 Years Commercial • Industrial Residential Roofing

(620) 365-7663 306 N. State, Iola

1-800-750-6533

Krystina Hurst (2) defends in a basketball game earlier this season.

REGISTER PHOTO

GREAT SAVINGS ON GREAT ITEMS! HOURS:

Mon.-Fri. 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Sat. 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Come see us at our new location for all your tire & mechanic needs!

1304 East St. • Iola, KS

iolaregister.com MISC.

MISC.

MISC.

Sardex® II is the odorless, greaseless way to treat dogs with mange without steroids. At Orscheln Farm & Home. (www.fleabeacon. com)

UPDATE YOUR HOME with Beautiful New Blinds & Shades. FREE in-home estimates make it convenient to shop from home. Professional installation. Top quality - Made in the USA. Call for free consultation: 844740-0117. Ask about our specials!

Lowest Prices on Health Insurance. We have the best rates from top companies!

Call Now! 855-656-6792.

Place your 25-word classified in the Kansas Press Association and 135 more for only $300/ week. Find employees, sell your home or your car. Call the Kansas Press Association @ 785271-5304 today!

LONG DISTANCE MOVING: Call today for a FREE QUOTE from America’s Most Trusted Interstate Movers. Let us take the stress out of moving! Speak to a Relocation Specialist, call 888-788-0471 Never Pay For Covered Home Repairs Again! Complete Care Home Warranty COVERS ALL MAJOR SYSTEMS AND APPLIANCES. 30 DAY RISK FREE. $200.00 OFF + 2 FREE Months! 844-2371432.

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

The Iola Register

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months!

Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available.

Call: 844-980-0025.

DONATE YOUR CAR TO CHARITY. Receive maximum value of write off for your taxes. Running or not! All conditions accepted. Free pickup. Call for details. 844268-9386 Make the switch today!

Enroll in...

AUTO

PAY

Automatically pay your subscription with your debit or credit card.

Call 620-365-2111 to sign up!

ATTENTION MEDICARE RECIPIENTS! Save your money on your Medicare supplement plan. FREE QUOTES from top providers. Excellent coverage. Call for a no obligation quote to see how much you can save! 855587-1299 BEST SATELLITE TV with 2 Year Price Guarantee! $59.99/mo with 190 channels and 3 months free premium movie channels! Free next day installation! Call 316-223-4415 BATHROOM RENOVATIONS. EASY, ONE DAY updates! We specialize in safe bathing.

Grab bars, no slip flooring & seated showers. Call for a free in-home consultation: 855-382-1221 WWW.IOLAREGISTER.COM

MISC. Medical Billing & Coding Training. New Students Only. Call & Press 1. 100% online courses. Financial Aid Available for those who qualify. Call 888-918-9985 Recently diagnosed with LUNG CANCER and 60+ years old? Call now! You and your family may be entitled to a SIGNIFICANT CASH AWARD. Call 866-327-2721 today. Free Consultation. No Risk.

NEW AUTHORS WANTED! Page Publishing will help you self-publish your own book. FREE author submission kit! Limited offer! Why wait? Call now: 855-9392090

Visit: SEKHISTORY.COM Taking

SOUTHEAST KANSAS His ry Online

I know too much to like friend’s fiance Dear Carolyn: I am conflicted about my best friend’s upcoming marriage.

She and the boyfriend got off to a rocky start, and, as her best friend, I heard all the gory details. However, they continued dating, and after less than nine months, he proposed.

They are happy, and he seems nice enough.

The problem is that I cannot forget, no matter how hard I try, about the negative picture she painted for the first six months. It is coming between us, and I can’t seem to keep the snarky comments to myself (not to her, but to mutual friends).

I want to celebrate with and for my friend, but I can’t unless I let these issues go. Any advice? — Letting Go Is Hard to Do Letting Go Is Hard to Do: It is hard, I know, to

let go of a bad first impression. It’s hard to see a friend with a guy you

Carolyn Hax Tell Me About It dislike.

Canning the nasty comments, though? Not hard. Which suggests you don’t want to. Which means the question here is, why?

Maybe your friend is the one you have to let go.

Not dump, but release, in the sense of accepting that she can’t just drop everything for you anymore. She may still be your center, but you’re not hers. Painful, maddening, sad, normal.

I say this because hanging on to her bestfriendship of old would explain your temptation to dwell on that rocky start with her fiance, to nurse along secret hopes that her relationship really is doomed.

You’re looking for him to screw up. The snarky

comments to friends are invitations — which you probably rationalize as concern for your friend’s well-being — for people to report back to you with evidence supporting your cause.

If you love your friend, then stop. Stop looking for missteps, stop aching to be right, and realize the best thing for your friend, and therefore for your friendship, would be for you to be wrong.

Even if you are right and he’s awful and the marriage tanks, then your friend will need someone to grieve with her — and she won’t come to you if your unspoken “I told you so!” is whooping around the room.

Now that I think about it, I’ll adjust my first suggestion — don’t let go of her. Let go of you, of your personal stake in their failure. Maybe then you’ll find yourself more willing to embrace them both as they are.

B5

FIND A JOB. FILL A JOB.

Marketplace

iolaregister.com/marketplace

ZITS

BEETLE BAILEY

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE

by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

by Mort Walker

by Chris Browne

CRYPTOQUOTES MGD TDVOM XNLDXDIM QO NE QXANZMVIUD MN VTT IV MY Z D .

MGD DIMQZD NUDVI QO VEEDUMDJ SC V A D S ST D .

— STV Q O D AV O UVT

FUNKY WINKERBEAN

by Tom Batiuk

BLONDIE

by Young and Drake

BABY BLUES

by Kirkman & Scott

HI AND LOIS

by Chance Browne

Yesterday’s Cryptoquote: It is not possible for civilization to flow backwards while there is youth in the world.

— Helen Keller

B6

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

iolaregister.com

The Iola Register

Roethlisberger, Steelers top Browns to stay in playoff mix PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ben Roethlisberger looked for the last time into the Heinz Field stands peppered with No. 7 jerseys bearing his name and tried to soak in a moment as inevitable as it was unimaginable for most of his career.

This is the end for the longtime Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback.

And rather than fight it, the player defined by his ability to fend off defenders with his left arm and make game-changing throws with his right embraced it.

Roethlisberger did a victory lap following a 26-14 win over Cleveland on Monday night that kept his team’s faint playoff hopes alive. He hugged team president Art Rooney II. He unsuccessfully fought back tears. Then he grabbed the hand of his wife Ashley and their three children and walked into the tunnel and out of sight.

His on-field performance — 24 of 46 for 123 yards, with a touchdown and a pick — was remarkable only for its inefficiency. He became the first QB since at least 1950 to win a game with more than 40 attempts for fewer than 150 yards, according to STATS. But the numbers — as has often been the case during an 18-year career that includes two Super Bowl victories — were

Pittsburgh Steelers fans show their love for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, shown at left, in possibly his last home game at Heinz Field Monday. JOHN KUNTZ/TNS

beside the point.

Roethlisberger played. The Steelers won. And so it goes.

Pittsburgh (8-7-1) will finish at .500 or better for the 18th straight season, or every year since the Steelers selected Big Ben with the 11th overall pick in the 2004 draft.

“That’s been the story of my career,” he said.

“Not always pretty, but we find a way.”

The Steelers need a win over Baltimore next week and a loss by Indianapolis to lowly Jacksonville to make the postseason for the 12th time with Roethlisberger, a possibility he admits is slim.

Still, it exists, and that’s thanks in large part to rookie Najee Harris, who ran for a career-best 188 yards and a touchdown, and line-

backer T.J. Watt, who sacked Baker Mayfield four times to give him 21 1/2 on the season, one short of the NFL record set by Hall of Famer Michael Strahan in 2001.

Yet the night belonged to Roethlisberger. The “Let’s Go Ben!” chants started immediately after he was introduced, replaced by “Thank You Ben!” after the 39-yearold took a knee in the final seconds to seal his 26th win over the team that bypassed the Ohio native in the draft nearly two decades ago.

“This is home, you know?” Roethlisberger said. “And I just, I know I was born in Ohio, but I live here and I’ll always be here.”

The only people more eager for Roethlisberger to retire than his family might be the Browns.

Cleveland (7-9) — which was eliminated from postseason contention on Sunday — fell to 3-26-1 when facing Roethlisberger.

The Browns inexplicably put the game on Mayfield’s tattered shoulders rather than feeding running back Nick Chubb against the NFL’s worst rush defense. Chubb ran 12 times for 58 yards while Mayfield threw 37 passes, completing just 16, for 185 yards with two touchdowns and two picks.

“If anyone questions how much I want it, turn on this tape,” Mayfield said. “I kept swinging.

That’s who I am. That’s who I’ve always been.”

Mayfield plans to have surgery on his ailing left shoulder soon, though his erratic season made his long-term outlook

murky for a team where instability at the position has been the norm for decades.

Things are different in Pittsburgh.

Roethlisberger was 22 when he took over for an injured Tommy Maddox in Week 2 of his rookie season. He never let go, leading the franchise to an era of success that nearly rivaled the Super Steelers of the 1970s.

Roethlisberger finally admitted this week that “all signs” were pointing to his 18th season being his last. His tank might be running low, but it’s not empty, and he showed flashes — briefly, anyway — of his “Ben being Ben” prime.

A shoulder fake here. A step up in the pocket there. The feet don’t move as fast as they used to. His arm doesn’t deliver with the precision of the past.

The field-stretching heaves have been largely replaced by dinks and dunks designed in part to protect him behind an offensive line that isn’t

nearly as talented as the groups he led to the postseason with regularity.

Yet if there’s been one constant during Roethlisberger’s career, it’s been his mastery of the Browns.

Roethlisberger’s last win over Cleveland provided a small measure of revenge less than a year after he threw four interceptions in a firstround home playoff loss to the Browns last January.

That night was supposed to be the launching point for Cleveland heading into 2021. But injuries and inconsistent play from Mayfield among others will force the Browns to watch the playoffs from home for the 18th time in the last 19 years.

Not so for Pittsburgh, which heads into the finale of the NFL’s first 17-game season with something to play for.

“We’ve got another game,” Roethlisberger said. “We’ve got to keep fighting.”

Same as it ever was.

Bizarre outburst may mark end of Brown’s NFL career

By ROB MAADDI The Associated Press

Antonio Brown tossed his jersey and shoulder pads toward the bench, threw his glove and undershirt into the stands and ran off the field bare-chested, waving a peace-out sign to fans in the end zone while Tom Brady huddled the offense for an important play.

Following his strange outburst Sunday, Brown is out as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and one can only hope he finds peace.

Brown’s bizarre behavior quickly blew up on social media and dominated NFL headlines around the league on a day Brady engineered another impressive comeback and several teams clinched playoff berths.

But Brown’s mental health is no joke to be trivialized by a meme.

It’s easy to pile on the four-time All-Pro wide receiver, especially after he was suspended three games for misrepresenting his vaccination status.

However, Brown clearly needs help. His on-field, in-game meltdown was the latest troubling incident in a career filled with big plays and absurd actions.

Brown wore out his welcome in Pittsburgh, was released by the Raiders before even playing a game for them in 2019 and lasted one game with the Patriots.

He got another chance in the NFL with Brady and the Buccaneers last year after serving an eight-game suspension for multiple violations of the league’s personal-conduct policy, and

ended up winning a Super Bowl ring. Even Brady couldn’t save his buddy’s roster spot after this incident.

“It’s a difficult situation,” Brady said after throwing a 33-yard touchdown pass to Cyril Grayson with 15 seconds remaining to lead Tampa (12-4) to a 28-24 win over the New York Jets (4-12). “Everybody should do what they can to help him in ways that he really needs it. We all love him. We care about him deeply. We want to see him be at his best.

Unfortunately, it won’t be with our team. ... I think everyone should be very compassionate and empathetic toward some very difficult things that are happening.”

Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians rescinded the one-strike policy he originally gave Brown and brought him back after his most recent suspension.

Brown made it easy for Arians to get rid of him this time.

“He is no longer a Buc,” Arians said. “All right? That’s the end of the story. Let’s talk about the guys who went out there and won the game.”

Brown’s career in the NFL is most likely over.

It’s hard to imagine another team would give the 33-year-old an opportunity and risk all the drama he brings.

Still, Brown should get the benefit of various mental health services the NFL offers players and team personnel. The league and the players’ union have plenty of resources available for anyone who needs it — if they ask.

While Brown deserves criticism for quitting on

his team during a game — the Buccaneers were facing a third-and-7 and trailed 24-10 in the third quarter when he walked out — the mercurial seven-time Pro Bowl pick needs support from his friends and those close to him.

“I instantly sent him a text,” said Le’Veon Bell, the former Steelers star who played his second game with the Buccaneers. “Obviously, he texted me back and I talked to him. He’s still one of my close friends. You won’t hear me talking bad about AB at all. Obviously, I understand things happen, but he’s one of my closest friends, a close teammate. Overall, he’s a good person. Some bad decision-making sometimes but he’s human, he’s not perfect, and we’ll continue to move on without him and keep moving forward.”

Bell and others are disappointed things went down this way.

“It’s tough,” he said.

“Obviously, when I came over here, I was happy to be reunited with him.

Unfortunately, it was only two games but at the end of the day, I wish the best for him outside of football or whatever’s next for him. I’ll still be hanging out with him, taking to him on a daily basis and I’ll continue to try and make plays for this team.”

If Brown’s career is over, he’ll finish with 928 receptions, 12,291 yards receiving and 83 TD catches. His stats are worthy of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but it’ll be tough to convince voters to overlook the character concerns.

For now, Brown has more important matters to address.

Tampa Bay wide receiver Antonio Brown gestures to the crowd as he leaves the field — while the Bucs were on offense against the New York Jets — during the third quarter Sunday. He did not return. NJ ADVANCE MEDIA/ANDREW MILLS/TNS

PICK UP A COPY

AT THESE LOCATIONS IOLA Allen County Regional Hospital • B&B Cafe • G&W Foods Bennett Coin Laundry • Casey’s General Store • Walmart El Charro Mexican Restaurant • Iola Pharmacy All Pete’s Locations • The Iola Register LAHARPE LaHarpe City Hall

HUMBOLDT Pete’s (2 locations)

PIQUA Piqua Farmer’s Coop

MORAN Pete's • Marmaton Market

GAS Pete's • Tina’s Place

YATES CENTER G&W Foods • Casey’s

Published daily Monday -Thursday and Saturday

302 S. Washington | 620-365-2111 | iolaregister.com