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THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
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Thursday, September 4, 2014
Online threats to IMS under investigation
Hazel Ebberts, from left, and Richard Peters will man the puppetry of Audrey II as part of the upcoming Iola Community Theatre production of “Little Shop of Horrors.” At right, Dan Johnson is the voice of the voracious plant. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
Behind the scenes
Cast rehearses for “Little Shop” By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Richard Peters will take the stage for the first time ever next week as a puppeteer. Er, scratch that. “Actually, it’ll be my second time,” Peters joked. “My first, and last.” Peters and co-star Hazel Ebberts will man the puppetry for the Iola Community Theatre production of “Little Shop of Horrors.” The production, based on the Broadway musical and movie of the same name, runs at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12 and 13, and at 2 p.m. Sept. 14 at
the Bowlus Fine Arts Center. (Tickets are available at Sophisticated Rose.) “Little Shop of Horrors” follows the story of Seymour, a mild-mannered floral assistant, who stumbles across a new breed of plant. He names the plant “Audrey II,” after his coworker and crush. The plant promises fame and fortune to Seymour as long as he keeps it fed — with blood. “Little Shop of Horrors” stars Bryan Johnson and Susie McKinnis as Seymour and Audrey, with Sabra Aguirre, Pam Tressler, Valerie Winslow, Andrew Oatman
Threats against Iola Middle School posted on Facebook are being investigated, although police do not believe there is any danger. The threats included a shooting at the school. Iola Police Chief Jared Warner said the investigation so far points to the threats coming from a Facebook account that was hacked. The account holder is a juvenile living in Iola, but is not a student at the middle school, said Warner. The first threat, posted Sunday, prompted an alert to Facebook officials, who deactivated the account, Warner said. At some point after then, the account was reactivated, and another series of threats
against the school were posted. Screen shots showing the threats quickly made their way through social media circles, even after the account again was deactivated. The commotion prompted IMS Principal Jack Stanley to send an automated telephone notice Tuesday afternoon to middle school parents to apprise them of the situation. Iola police officers interviewed the alleged perpetrator and his parents, Warner said. No charges are pending against the juvenile. Even though the threats appear to have been a hoax, Warner said IPD has ramped up patrols around the middle school at the start and end of each school day.
Man arrested after standoff in Piqua
and Trent Chriestenson in supporting roles. But it’s the teamwork of Ebberts, Peters and co-star Dan Johnson who make the show click. Ebberts will handle the puppetry for Audrey II when it’s still a relatively diminutive sapling. Peters takes the helm as the plant grows significantly by the next scene. Then they’ll both work in sync as the plant becomes large enough to “consume” its victims in a single bite. Meanwhile, Dan Johnson will provide Audrey II’s voice. “The hard part is staying
PIQUA — A Tuesday standoff has left one man in jail, and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation on the case. Michael Shane Jones was arrested following an alleged domestic disturbance in Piqua, shortly after 5 p.m. Tuesday. According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, deputies from the Woodson County Sheriff ’s Department were called to a Piqua residence, where Jones allegedly entered the home and re-emerged with a shotgun. Jones reportedly aimed the gun at a deputy, who fired a shot
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in his direction, before the suspect surrendered. Neither Jones, nor the deputy, was injured. The KBI was called to investigate because of the gunfire. Jones was arrested, and transported to Allen County Jail, where he remains in custody. Charges will be determined by the Woodson County Attorney. Woodson County Sheriff Anthony Bauer declined comment because of the ongoing KBI investigation.
Precision again locally owned Council to discuss EMS contract tonight By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
Iola City Council members will meet tonight for a special session to discuss proposed changes to their ambulance contract with the county. County commissioners directed County Counselor Alan Weber to draft a proposed contract that would provide the city with $1 mil-
lion annually to provide emergency medical services. Currently, the city provides the countywide service, with the county committed up to $750,000 a year, through revenue from ambulance runs. Tonight’s meeting will be at 6:30 at Iola City Hall. The public is invited.
Printing pains A printing press breakdown interrupted production of Wednesday’s Iola Register, with delivery to most customers delayed until today. The Register is printed in Independence, Mo., site of The Independence Examiner. The paper was eventually printed in Sedalia, Mo., and didn’t make its way to Iola until the early evening hours. “It was a nightmare,” said Susan Lynn, Register editor
and publisher, “and we appreciate the understanding and patience of our subscribers that these things happen.” Register crews face a 10 a.m. deadline to have the paper ready to be transmitted electronically to the printing plant in Independence. Typically, the printed product is on its way to Iola by 11:30 a.m., with delivery in the early afternoon. Wednesday’s paper did not arrive until 7:30 p.m.
Quote of the day Vol. 116, No. 215
Precision Pump, a manufacturer of down-hole pumps used in oil production, is under thumb of Mark Burris for the second time in its 28year history. Burris, his wife Deanne and a partner, Dave Murfin, Wichita, purchased the company from Cameron International, Houston, in early July. “We’re in the midst of recapturing what we did earlier,” Burris told the Register Wednesday afternoon. “We’re re-establishing old contacts, both in the United States and globally.” Burris also owns Superior Products, another oil field manufacturer, a quarter of a mile east of Precision on Miller Road. It makes valves, chemical pumps and pipeline closures, as well as other accessories used daily in the oil patch. “We see a lot of upside to Precision” this time around, Burris said, noting today it has 57 employees, about half
Iolans Mark and Deanne Burris, together with a partner in Wichita, Dave Murfin, recently purchased the former downhole oil field pump manufacturer Cameron Manufacturing on Miller Road and restored it to its original name, Precision International. REGISTER/BOB JOHNSON as many as when it was sold to Cameron in 2008. With its corporate office in Wichita, Burris said Randy Misenhelter, who managed the plant previously, had moved over from Superior and would deal with dayto-day issues. Several Superior employees adept at machining work also made the
“Sometimes love is stronger than a man’s convictions.” — Isaac Bashevis Singer, author 75 Cents
switch. At time of purchase, Burris said the company’s revenue stream was about a third of what it had been under his earlier watch. With ample room to grow sales and consequently production, Burris said refined See PRECISION | Page A5
Hi: 94 Lo: 73 Iola, KS