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THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
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Wednesday, August 5, 2015
County buys new ambulance By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
A Whitaker Construction truck, one of several owned by Curt Whitaker to haul materials for Monarch Cement Company, turns toward a quarry entrance Tuesday afternoon. Allen County commissioners have postponed a decision on whether to allow Monarch to mine shale on property it owns north of Humboldt. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
Wait continues for Monarch By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
Following more than an hour of presentations, Allen County commissioners put off until Aug. 18 a decision on whether to grant a conditional use permit so Monarch Cement Company may remove shale on land it owns north of Humboldt. The two-week delay came Tuesday morning, when commissioners considered a recommendation from the county’s Planning Commission to
State drops ATM limit provision By JOHN HANNA The Associated Press
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has eliminated a $25-a-day limit on ATM withdrawals with cash assistance cards over concerns from U.S. officials about the much-criticized part of a larger effort to ensure that poor families use their benefits for necessities and not alcohol, gambling or luxuries such as concerts or tattoos. The state Department for Children and Families announced Tuesday that it was rescinding the cap before it was put into effect for 15,000 poor residents receiving cash assistance each month. Secretary Phyllis Gilmore said the state agency received an email Monday from a division of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, saying the limit appeared to prevent poor families from having “adequate access” to their benefits. Legislators approved the limit on ATM withdrawals in April as part of a broader measure rewriting rules See ATM | Page A4
grant the exception. Monarch wants to open a borrow pit on 128 acres that contains a shelf of shale about 30-feet thick. That parcel and another shale-rich 53 acres are on either side of the Southwind Rail Trail; altogether Monarch owns about 320 acres in the area. The potential shale removal — no blasting or limestone removal would be permitted — has raised the hackles of neighbors, who also object to hauling of material on old U.S. 169. Monarch proposed
Kenny Miller, vice president for cement manufacturing, leading off. But, not before Weber appraised commissioners of their responsibility — to decide if planners, in making their recommendation, did so in a reasonable way and without being arbitrary. He also pointed out Monarch was denied a recommendation, and eventually withdrew its application, for an exception in February 2014.
to have haul trucks enter the former federal highway at the west edge of its property, by way of a road the company would build, and go south through Humboldt to Monarch’s plant. Safety raised it head as an issue often, by detractors and supporters. “I think we all are concerned about safety,” said Tom Williams, county commission chairman. COMMENTS unfolded, with Monarch’s Walter Wulf Jr., company president, and
See MONARCH | Page A4
Allen County commissioners purchased a new ambulance for countywide service Tuesday, taking the lower bid of $185,985 from American Response Vehicles, Columbia, Mo. Delivery will be in 120 to 150 days. Money for the purchase will come from the county’s ambulance fund, which contains about $700,000. In its arrangement for Iola to provide countywide service, the county agreed to purchase a new ambulance every other year. The new unit will be stationed in Iola, and with four-wheel drive capability, Fire Chief Tim Thyer said it would be made available for long-distance transfers whenever winter weather with ice and snow made the feature important. Ambulances stationed in Humboldt and Moran carry most patients to metropolitan hospitals, with Iola’s being third in line during 24-hour periods beginning each day at 8 a.m. Two trips in consecutive 24-hour swings fall to Humboldt and Moran. When either is out See EMS | Page A4
Update: How LifeVest saved LaHarpe man By RICK DANLEY The Iola Register
Last month the Register reported on Dale Erb, who, after a string of heart ailments over the years, was outfitted with a Zoll Medical LifeVest — an external defibrillator designed to administer a series of electrical jolts to Erb’s body in the event of sudden cardiac arrest. Last month, the vest was merely a precaution. Dale’s heart was stable; the device had not been tested. Just over a week ago, however, the vest was called into action when the LaHarpe resident succumbed to a major episode. “I did everything but flatline,” recalled Erb, who credits the device with saving his life. Late one recent Friday night, Maria Erb lay next to her husband in bed. She wanted to chat before falling asleep. But, turning to face him, she found herself staring into a pair of eyes that no longer registered the world. “When I looked at him then, there was just nobody there.” Rewind the tape a few minutes. Maria had climbed into bed a while after midnight. Dale was to join her shortly. On his way back from the bathroom, Dale leaned down to kiss his wife and tell her he loved her.
Quote of the day Vol. 117, No. 190
Maria and Dale Erb in their home in LaHarpe. REGISTER/RICK DANLEY “Then he walked around the bed, got in and was lying facing me,” remembered Maria, “because we always lay facing each other to visit for a few minutes, and then we get comfortable. “But as soon as his head hit the pillow, his box went off.” Dale’s LifeVest is connected to a small monitor, which in-
tones a series of loud warnings if the device detects a life threatening irregularity in the subject’s heartbeat. “The box was saying ‘Patient in distress. Patient in distress.’ I said, ‘Dale, do you hear your box?’ His eyes were wide open, but he wasn’t there.” Maria went round the bed and dialed 911. At the same
“The less routine the more life.”
— Amos Bronson Alcott, American educator 75 Cents
time, she turned Dale from his side to his back. He was still non-responsive. “I don’t remember what I said exactly to the 911 lady. I do recall saying, ‘This is Maria Erb. My husband’s heart defibrillator box is going off. I need an ambulance.’” See ERB | Page A3
Hi: 85 Lo: 67 Iola, KS