Irn051115a01

Page 1

Sports: K-State tries to right ship See B1

THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867

www.iolaregister.com

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Reflecting on service By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register

Walter Jones saw, at most, two or three weeks at the front line. That was plenty enough. Jones was less than 2 miles from the “Main Line of Resistance,” where the fiercest fighting of the Korean War occurred. Jones reflected on his military service this week, days before Americans recognize the country’s armed services for Veterans Day. “I guess I’m proud of it,” Jones, 80, said humbly. “You like to think you’re proud.” Fresh out of high school in the early 1950s, and recently married, Jones — who had been working

Walter Jones

building terraces for Moran contractor John McAdam — had a hunch his number would be called by Uncle Sam. (It was.) And he also figured he’d be shipped overseas to the Far East — Korea, in particular. (He was.) But there were a few curveballs along the way. Jones joined the Army and trained in Texas, for what he figured would be as part of an artillery unit. “But when we we went overseas, we got to Tokyo, and they said they’d send us to medical school,” Jones recalled. “I didn’t know what to expect.” Even though Jones wouldn’t be directly fightSee JONES | Page A5

National Guard commander to speak Brig. Gen. Roy Windham, commander and assistant adjutant general of the Kansas Army National Guard, will deliver the keynote address Saturday as part of Iola’s salute Brig. Gen. Roy to the nation’s Windham veterans. “Every Hero Has a Story” is the theme for the 2015 Veterans Day Celebration, which kicks off at 11 a.m. near the Veterans Wall on the courthouse square. In addition to Windham’s comments, Iolan Becky French will sing the national anthem; Iolan Phil Honeyc-

Iola man sentenced for Medicaid Fraud Iolan Kim Alan Laymon was ordered Wednesday to repay $7,000 to the Kansas Medicaid Program after pleading guilty to Medicaid fraud-related charges. Laymon, 53, pleaded guilty in September in Neosho County District Court to one count of theft, according to a press release from Attorney General Derek Schimdt’s office. Judge Daryl Ahlquist Wednesday ordered Laymon to repay the $7,000, and sentenced him to seven months in prison. The prison sentence was suspended for 12 months probation. Convictions such as this one also result in a period during which the defendant is prohibited from being paid wages through

utt will provide the invocation and benediction; the Moran American Legion firing squad will volley a 21-gun salute; and Iolan Andy Dunlap will play “Taps.” The annual parade will kick off at noon, featuring soldiers from the Kansas Army National Guard’s 891st Engineer Battalion. The guardsmen also will carry a giant United States flag and drive various military vehicles. Other veterans are invited to partake in the parade as well. A float will be available to carry any veteran who would prefer to ride in the parade. The float will be set up in front of the Allen County Historical Society Museum.

MV honors vets

Displays wanted

MORAN — Marmaton Valley High School’s history students and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America chapter invite military veterans to the school’s annual Veterans Day celebration Wednesday. Brunch will be served at 10 a.m., during which the veterans will be serenaded by student Clara Boyd. Jared Ellis of Fellowship Regional Church will speak. Trivia games are planned, as well as prizes to the veterans for such things as the longest service time. For more information, contact either Mike McEwan or Elaine Stewart at (620) 237-4251.

In between the ceremony and parade, the Iola Elks Lodge will serve up a bean feed. And for the second con-

Iola’s downtown business owners are being asked once again to celebrate Veterans Day with the “Who’s Your Veteran?” campaign by displaying pictures of veterans in business windows around the square. Local youth groups and churches also are collecting photos to be displayed through Wednesday (Veterans Day).

secutive year, an empty chair will be placed in honor of the late Alfred Link, one of the See SERVICE | Page A5

State foregoes $15M for disabled By DAVE RANNEY Kansas Health Institute

A state agency charged with helping people with disabilities find and maintain employment has returned $15 million to the federal government. The decision, according to Michael Donnelly, director of rehabilitation services at the Kansas Department for Children and Families, was made because fewer people were asking the agency for help. “The number of people coming in and applying for VR (vocational rehabilitation) assistance has dropped dramatically since 2011, when we were at the height of the recession,” Donnelly said. In fiscal year 2011, he said, almost 8,300 adults with disabilities asked for the department’s help in finding employment. In FY 2015, which ended June 30, only 4,600 had applied. Donnelly attributed much of the drop to improvements in the state’s economy. “The job market has opened up,” he said. “There are employers in areas of our state that are begging for employees and, for the first time, are looking to people with disabilities as a good resource.” Subsequently, Kansans with disabilities may not need as much help landing See NO THANKS | Page A3

Achievers young and old celebrated Allen County 4-H’s best and brightest were honored Wednesday during Achievement Night festivities. Three prominent recipients received the prestigious Key Award, given in recognition of community service, leadership and attending various 4-H events. Caitlin Dreher, 17, is the daughter of Jerry and Cathy Dreher. She has worked on a statewide community service initiative called the Agriculture Innovators Experience. She also serves as a 4-H camp counselor and is one of 19 teen leaders selected in Kansas to conduct the Water Windmill Challenge. As one of the state’s preeminent livestock judging youths, Dreher was a member of the National Champion Livestock Quiz Bowl Team at the National Western Stock Show in Denver. She also has been chosen to represent Kansas in the first ever livestock all-star team that will judge at the National 4-H Contest in Louisville, Ky., later this month. Jenna Wilks, 16, is the daughter of J.D. and Jill

See FRAUD | Page A2 See 4-H | Page A2

Quote of the day Vol. 118, No. 9

Above, Allen County 4-H’ers Jenna Wilks, Emily McKarnin and Caitlyn Dreher were named recipients of the prestigious Kansas 4-H Key Awards Wednesday during 4-H Achievement Night activities. At right, Southwind Extension Agent Carla Nemecek, right, presents longtime volunteers Grayce Spencer, left, and Mary Frances White with Friends of 4-H Awards. REGISTER/SARAH WEIDE

“Pictures must not be too picturesque.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson 75 Cents

Hi: 71 Lo: 41 Iola, KS


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.