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Local lawmakers look ahead
Rep. Fred Gardner, R-Garnett, speaks at a House Committee hearing in March 2023 on a proposal to create Lehigh Portland State Park in Iola. REGIS-
Sen. Caryn Tyson, R-Parker, sits at her desk on the floor of the Kansas Senate in February 2023. (TIM CARPENTER/KANSAS REFLECTOR)
TER FILE PHOTO
Gardner ready for return Tyson targets tax rates By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register
Rep. Fred Gardner, a Republican from Garnett who represents the 9th District, is returning for just his second year in the Kansas House of Represenatives. He feels a bit more comfortable in his role, having learned more about the inner workings of government during his first year. In the last session, he successfully introduced legislation to add Iola’s Lehigh Portland lake and trails to the state park system. He serves on the agriculture and natural
I would be very much in favor of reducing the income tax. That was a big issue in the last session and I assume it will continue to be this time.
resources committee, health and human services and lcoal government. “After you’ve been through the process, you have a better idea of how everything works and you have a little more input,”
Council to talk about dangerous structures By SARAH HANEY The Iola Register
The Iola City Council will deliberate on four resolutions concerning the removal of dangerous or unsafe structures at its meeting Monday. Identified by the city’s code enforcement staff, these structures, in accordance with the Unified Development Code, present significant risks to both inhabitants and the surrounding community. The four houses under scrutiny are: 116 N. Fourth: A two-bedroom, single-story house, without utilities since August 2016. Structural issues include collapsed floor joists, deteriorating walls, and foundation problems, allowing animal access beSee COUNCIL | Page A8
Vol. 126, No. 18 Iola, KS $1.00
Gardner said. “I think that will make for faster progress right out of the gate.” The next legislative session starts at 2 p.m. Monday and lasts 90 days. It’s not a lot of time, Gardner notes. “There were over 800 bills introduced last session and in 90 days, that’s a lot of work,” he said. “A lot of those bills are still alive. Some of them were worked in committee and passed out of committee but didn’t get on the floor. Some passed the House but didn’t get through the Senate, and the Senate See GARDNER | Page A5
By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register
Sen. Caryn Tyson, a Republican from Parker who represents Allen County in the 12th District, is serving her third term as a state senator. She served a term as a representative before that. Having that experience gives her the opportunity to serve on numerous committees and a strong voice on issues such as fiscal policy and taxes. She is a committee leader on taxation and also serves on committees for transportation, commerce, unemployment compensation
The legislative process is slow, meticulous and diligent — and it should be — but sometimes that process does not keep up with industry. modernization and improvement, joint information technology, legislative post audit, and administrative rules and regulations. “I work with a lot of people on both sides of the aisle to get a good product for Kansas. I
UN issues somber 2024 predictions UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations issued a somber global economic forecast for 2024 on Thursday, pointing to challenges from escalating conflicts, sluggish global trade, persistently high interest rates and increasing climate disasters. In its flagship economic report, the U.N. projected that global economic growth would slow to 2.4% this year from an estimated 2.7% in 2023, which exceeds expectations. But both are still below the 3% growth rate before the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, it said. The U.N. forecast is lower than those of the International Monetary Fund in October and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in late November. The IMF said it expects global growth to slow from an expected 3% in 2023 to 2.9% in 2024. The Paris-based OECD, comprising 38 mainly developed countries, estimated that international growth would also
think that makes me a very effective legislator,” she said, offering in example efforts to work with Democratic Sen. Tom Holland to freeze property taxes for seniors and disabled veterans. She also worked on legislation to exempt those taxes entirely, as part of a package vetoed by the governor in the last session, but hopes to expand those efforts this year. “It’s one of my top priorities,” she said. “It’s important to me to get the money back to taxpayers. That is one way to keep more money in pocketbooks.” See TYSON | Page A3
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A tugboat drags a Panama-flagged ship in the Suez Canal on March 29, 2021. Suez Canal transit fees are a major source of foreign currency for Egypt, which is battling its worst economic crisis in decades. Global trade is a concern going into 2024. (HANDOUT/DPA/ZUMA PRESS/TNS)
Kansas special education task force to convene PAGE A2
slow from an expected 2.9% in 2023 to 2.7% in 2024. The U.N.’s report — World Economic Situation and Prospects 2024 — warned that the prospects of prolonged tighter credit conditions and higher borrowing costs present “strong headwinds” for a world economy saddled with debt, especially
in poorer developing countries, and needing investment to resuscitate growth. Shantanu Mukherjee, director of the U.N.’s Economic Analysis and Policy Division, said fears of a recession in 2023 were averted mainly due to the United States, the world’s largest economy, See WORLD | Page A8
The fallout from the Jan. 6 riot, three years later PAGE A7
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A2 Saturday, January 6, 2024 Obituary
KS special education task force to convene
Jennifer McKenzie Jennifer Diane Bass McKenzie was born on March 30, 1948, and died on Dec. 28, 2023, after years of smoking, at her home in Lemon Grove, Calif. She was preceded in death by her husband, Herman McKenzie; her brother, John Arthur; and her parents, John Elliott and Rosemary Jennifer Bass. Survivors include her broth- McKenzie er Jay; two sisters-in-law, Dionne and Barbara; nieces, Keesha, Emily, and Madeline; nephew, John Silas; and great-nephews Cory Ball Jr. and John Elliott Bass. She graduated from Iola High School, class of 1966. After attending Wichita State University, she spent her working career as a research librarian in California. Besides smoking, Jennifer loved a good glass of wine. Enjoy a glass for her. At her request, funeral services will not be held, but cremation burial will be at Riverside National Cemetery, next to her beloved Herman.
Prairie Dell 4-H plans February meeting The Prairie Dell 4-H Club met Tuesday, Jan. 2. For roll call, members shared their New Year’s Resolution. Members voted to make Valentines at the February meeting and give them to the residents at Heartland Meadows. Members made bird
feeders using empty toilet paper rolls, yarn, peanut butter and birdseed to feed the birds in their yards. The next Prairie Dell meeting will be on Feb. 5 at 7 p.m., at the Southwind Extension District office in Iola. — Lizzy Michael, Reporter
Police news Accidents
On Dec. 20, a vehicle driven by Melva Norman backed from a parking stall at Walmart, 2200 N. State St. and struck a vehicle driven by Elaine Redfern. On Dec. 12, a vehicle driven by Debra Cooper backed out of a parking stall at Sonic, 301 W. Madison St., and damaged the entire left side of a vehicle driven by Floyd Leslie. On Dec. 19, a vehicle driven by John Dietrich backed into a parked vehicle owned by Laura Schinstock at the Bomgaar’s parking lot, 1918 N. State St. Theft
On Dec. 20, medication was stolen from a vehicle in the 600 block of South Washington Avenue. On Dec. 21, clothing was stolen from the Bennett Coin Laundry in the 500 block of State Street. The clothing was recovered.
lights were ripped from an outdoor tree in the 1000 block of North Cottonwood Street. Arrests
On Dec. 22, Bryan Ramey was arrested on suspicion of battery, criminal damage and drug-related charges. On Dec. 23, Damon Walters was arrested on suspicion of domestic battery and violation of a protection order.
By TIM CARPENTER AND RACHEL MIPRO Kansas Reflector
TOPEKA — Rep. Kristey Williams and Sen. Renee Erickson agreed there was little value in convening a task force to study the state’s shortfall in funding public school special education programs because the financial issues were too complex for such a group to unravel and the only remedy suggested by education advocacy groups was too simplistic to warrant examination. The lawmakers said it would be folly to hold hearings of the Special Education and Related Services Task Force with legislators, teachers, parents and other stakeholders to gather testimony and shape recommendations on a fix for the 2024 Legislature. The goal of the task force, required by a bill approved by the 2023 Legislature, was to figure out how best to comply with an older statute mandating that state funding cover 92% of the extra cost of providing services to K-12 special education students statewide. Currently, state aid was sufficient to address 69% of school districts’ excess special education costs. The balance must be made up by local school districts. “There is no way a funding task force could begin to crack that code,” said Williams, an Augusta Republican. Erickson, a Wichita Republican, said the Kansas State Board of Education and an assortment of public education organizations had offered one remedy to the 92% dilem-
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Sen. Renee Erickson, a Wichita Republican, said a task force on special education didn’t need to meet because public school advocates were only interested in expanding state appropriations to districts rather than explore reform of the state financing formula. SHERMAN SMITH/KANSAS REFLECTOR ma — appropriation of nearly $200 million annually to close the gap. “We do not need a special education task force meeting to consider their position,” she said. “We have their input, which is just more money. We don’t need a task force to convene to discuss that part.” On Friday afternoon, however, Williams and Erickson were expected to sit down with others on the task force for their first and, perhaps, only meeting. The gathering might not have occurred had a six-person majority of task force members not invoked parliamentary procedure in November to force Williams’ hand. She relented and set the meeting for three days prior to start of the 2024 session. Task force rebellion
Interim legislative meetings typically take place in summer and fall to give committee members time to write reports pulling together expert testimony and outlining reform
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Convicted as follows with fines assessed: Ashten B. Beerbower, Iola, reckless driving, $515, diversion Tyler R. Fowler, Iola, driving while suspended, $315 Jesse M. Fugate, Iola, driving while suspended, contempt of court, $1,775 Brookllen E. Gardner, Iola, interference with law enforcement, $315, probation Michael C. Spade, Admire, DUI, $1,725 Michelle C. Stewart, Moran, two charges of theft, $747.97, probation
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proposals for review by lawmakers during the next legislative session. Williams, who was placed in charge of the task force pending the members’ election of a chair, said a mere two hours would be dedicated to oral testimony of subject-matter experts and for task force deliberations. She said written testimony would be accepted by the task force comprised of five members of the House or Senate — four Republicans, one Democrat — and six people not in the Legislature. The list of 13 given a chance to speak for five minutes each to the task force included people with the Kansas Association of School Boards, Kansas National Education Association, Kansas PTA, Game On for Kansas Schools as well as the Kansas State Department of Education and the Kansas Policy Institute. School administrators and a teacher will be give a turn at the microphone, but its not clear the task force could compre-
hensively take input, consider options and prepare recommendations for legislators in 120 minutes. The first order of business must be to select a chairperson of the task force. Legislators, lobbyists and educators said that step became a flash point several months ago when it appeared Williams lacked votes among task force peers to retain the position of task force chair. In response, special education advocates said, Williams stonewalled and publicly expressed skepticism the task force was worthwhile. In an interview in October, Louisburg GOP Sen. Molly Baumgardner, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, dismissed that theory. She said the delay wasn’t inspired by Williams’ unwillingness to give up narrative control of the task force. “Anytime you’re trying to schedule when we’re not in session, it is a real juggling match to get folks together,” said Baumgardner, who is on the special education task force. “You’re trying to satisfy a variety of different schedules so that the largest number of folks can be there and participate and we’ve had some problems with interim meetings, just scheduling times.” A majority of the task force made multiple requests of Williams to move ahead with the task force’s work before deploying a procedural maneuver to compel the meeting. Williams set the meeting for 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Friday in Room 112-North of the Capitol.
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781 Hwy. 105, Toronto, KS
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Grace Lutheran Church 117 E. Miller Rd., Iola
Join us “live” online for Sunday Worship at iolapresbyterian.org or on our YouTube channel
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329 S. 1st St., Iola • (620) 371-8695 A gospel-centered church making disciples of Jesus Christ David Sturgeon, Campus Pastor
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Sunday Praise & Worship . . . . 9:30 a.m. Rev. Dr. Dyton L. Owen, Pastor • 620-365-2285
Friendly people Relevant and applicable preaching Come as you are Sundays at 10 a.m. 301 W. Miller Rd., Iola • 620-365-8087 Rivertreeiola.org • Find us on Facebook!
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Saturday, January 6, 2024
The Iola Register
Tyson: Expect to see bills on tax reform Continued from A1
Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed several pieces of legislation last year. Lawmakers voted to override some, while other attempts failed by just a few votes. In some cases, several bills were bundled together, which meant items that likely would have passed on their own failed because of a veto. Tyson expects to see many of those bills return, perhaps with different language. Kelly vetoed a tax reform bill that included: • Replaces individual income tax brackets with a single rate of 5.15 percent. • Reduces corporation income and privilege tax rates and discontinues corporate rate reductions required by the Attracting Powerful Economic Expansion Act (APEX). • Expands the exemption on Social Security income. • Provides for annual standard deduction increases by a cost-of-living adjustment; • Accelerates the elimination of state sales and compensating use tax on food and food ingredients and the associated repeal of the food sales tax credit and disposition of revenue changes; and • Increases the amount of the appraised value of residential property exempt from the statewide uniform 20 mill school finance levy to $60,000. Tyson initally supported increasing the exemption for the school finance levy up to $100,000; the House supported $80,000. In a compromise to eliminate the tax on Social Security for seniors and disabled veterans, they settled on $60,000. Either way, it was vetoed. Tyson also advocates for a flat tax, which opponents say unfairly hurts lower-income earners. To make up the difference for taxpayers, lawmakers would have increased the standard deduction each year and raised the income exemption, she argued. “It looks like an increase for the lower brackets, but we changed enough variables in the equation so it’s not an increase for anyone,” she said. Tyson also expects to see a return of legislation which was part of another veto, that would prohibit governments from starting a business or working with businesses that directly compete with private entities. She pointed to the City of Topeka’s purchase of a hotel. “That issue was brought to me by my constituents,” she said. “It happens at several levels of government but we’re taking a small bite at the apple and just naming a few business entities. Hopefully it will deter governments from getting into business.” LAVTR
The Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction is a program passed decades ago to help counties weather difficult financial times. The state has not provided the funding for 20 years. Counties are pushing hard this year to see the funding restored.
Dist. 12 Sen. Caryn Tyson, at right, shares a lighthearted moment talking to Allen County commissioners in January 2022. District 2 Rep. Ken Collins is at left, and Paul Zirjacks is in back. FILE PHOTO “I have always supported funding the LAVTR but the leadership and a majority of legislators do not support it, so I’ve come up with a compromise,” Tyson said. She proposes eliminating the LAVTR, and instead give the counties property tax relief from the 1 mill the state collects for the Kansas Board of Regents to assist state colleges and universities. Tyson proposes also eliminating the half-mill that goes to maintain state buildings and instead fund those entities through its general fund. “This would be true property tax relief. You wouldn’t have to worry about the LAVTR,” she said. Groups that support municipalities appear to be opposed to this proposal. Security
What has been reported as a ransomware attack on the Kansas courts system highlights the need to address cyber security and artificial intelligence, Tyson said. Other state entities also have been targeted in recent years, including the state’s unemployment system, a vendor for the workforce system and hospital associations. “The legislative process is slow, meticulous and diligent — and it should be — but sometimes that process does not keep up with industry,” Tyson said. She also wants to see lawmakers ramp up efforts to keep foreign interests out of the state. That includes not allowing the state, particularly through its Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) fund, to make investments in foreign adversaries such as Russia or China. She would also like to see Kansas follow other states in limiting foreign land ownership. Education
Tyson is pleased that lawmakers passed a tax credit for teachers who purchase school supplies. Teachers should not have to pay out of their own pocket for such things, she said. More controversial issues are likely ahead, as conservative lawmakers in the state in recent years have pushed for issues such as “school choice” to provide tax-
payer-funded vouchers or scholarships to families that attend private or parochial schools. Tyson said she would need to see the language of any such bill before deciding whether to vote for it. “People know my plank. I think parents should have a choice where their children go
payer-funded bonds along with state funds. She also is open to proposals to adjust the way the state contributes funding for school bond issues. “I am looking for ideas and solutions to change the process. School bonds are one of the highest property tax burdens,” she said. “The
I am looking for ideas and solutions to change the process. School bonds are one of the highest property tax burdens. The process is not good for either the state or the local taxpayers, and we need our local schools. They are the backbone and heartbeat of a community.
US employers add a surprising 216K jobs WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation’s employers added a robust 216,000 jobs last month, the latest sign that the American labor market remains resilient even in the face of sharply higher interest rates. Friday’s government report showed that December’s job gain exceeded the 173,000 that were added in November. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.7% — the 23rd straight month that joblessness has come in below 4%. Some details of the report, though, may disappoint the inflation fighters at the Federal Reserve, who might now be inclined to delay any cuts in their benchmark interest rate. Average hourly wages rose 4.1% from a year earlier, up from a 4% gain in November, which could make it harder for the Fed to slow inflation back to its 2% target. Still, taken as a
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process is not good for either the state or the local taxpayers, and we need our local schools. They are the backbone and heartbeat of a community.” TO REACH Tyson, you can email her at caryn. tyson@senate.ks.gov or call her Topeka office at 785-296-6838, or her personal number at 913898-2366.
whole, the December jobs report reflected a healthy economy, with steady job growth, rising wages and cooling inflation. It provided the latest evidence that the Fed may be able to achieve a notoriously difficult “soft landing,” in which the central bank would conquer inflation without causing a steep recession. Yet despite the low unemployment and easing inflation, polls show that many Americans are dissatisfied with the economy. That disconnect, which will likely be an issue in the 2024 elections, has puzzled economists and political analysts. A key factor is the public’s exasperation with higher prices. Though inflation has been falling more or less steadily for a year and a half, the lingering financial and psychological effects of the worst bout of inflation in four decades have soured many Americans on the economy.
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to school, but I’m going to look diligently at the policy to make sure it’s good for Kansas,” she said. Tyson voted for what’s known as the “Parents’ Bill of Rights,” which requires educators to post all material and resources, and gives parents greater ability to contest material they find objectionable for moral or religious reasons. Kelly vetoed the bill. “I have many family members in the school system, so I hear all sides of that argument. Parents should be able to see what’s being taught in the classroom,” Tyson said. “We need to make sure we’re not increasing the burden on teachers unnecessarily and also allowing parents to have the access they need to make sure products are not getting in front of their children they do not agree with.” At the end of the last legislative session, lawmakers bundled several educational matters into a school funding bill. One of those bills, giving the state “the right of first refusal” when a district sells a school building, has produced an outcry among several districts, including Iola, Humboldt and the ANW Interlocal. Those entities say they have to wait until the legislature is in session to get permission to sell property, including a dilapidated shed and a student-built house. ANW reported it lost a buyer for an old school building because of the delay. Tyson agreed the process could be improved. She noted the state has a financial interest in those buildings, which are often built via tax-
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Securing Your Child Safely in a Car Seat during Winter Winter can be a challenging time for parents when transporting their children in a car. With colder temperatures, snow and ice on the roads, and shorter daylight hours, driving with little ones can be even more stressful than usual.
Properly Secure the Car Seat
Dr. Will Jones Here are some Pediatrician important things to keep in mind to ensure their safety while traveling in a car seat:
can check that your car seat is properly installed.
Choose the Right Car Seat Not all car seats are created equal. Make sure you choose a car seat that is suitable for your child’s age, weight, and height. It should also have been tested and approved for use in cold temperatures. Some car seats designed for winter conditions, such as extra padding or covers to keep your child warm.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and use the appropriate seat belt or LATCH system to secure the car seat. You Passenger Safety Technician check the installation to ensure it meets safety standards. Your
Dress Your Child Appropriately Bulky jackets and snowsuits can actually do more harm than good during winter car rides. They add extra layers that can prevent the straps of a car seat from being properly tightened, potentially causing your child to slip out in case of an accident. Instead, dress your child in thin layers and use a
blanket over the straps to keep them warm.
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KS Chamber releases policy agenda opposing expansion of Medicaid By TIM CARPENTER Kansas Reflector
TOPEKA — The Kansas Chamber released a legislative policy agenda Thursday endorsing a proposed single rate state income tax, opposing expansion of Medicaid health coverage to 150,000 low-income Kansans and supporting investment of state tax dollars in private K-12 education. These issues are poised to receive plenty of attention during the 2024 legislative session convening Monday, but it’s not clear the business lobbying organization and conservative Republican allies can push through the tax reform vetoed last year by Gov. Laura Kelly. Nor is it known whether the Democratic governor could complete a six-year campaign as governor to broaden Medicaid eligibility to the working poor. Or, whether enough members of the House and Senate were willing to advance the cause of school choice by shifting hundreds of millions of dollars in public school funding to finance vouchers for private school students. Alan Cobb, president and CEO of the Kansas Chamber, said the projected $2.5 billion cash surplus in the state treasury was sufficient to implement tax reductions. The 2023 version of the 5.15% single-rate approach would slice as much as $330 million annually from state revenue. It would deliver a $250 per month benefit to Kansans earning $250,000 per year, but $8 per month for people making $75,000 annually. “Lots of states, including blue states, are moving — some rush-
Kansas Chamber executives Alan Cobb, left, and Eric Stafford outlined Thursday elements of the business lobbying organization’s priorities for the 2024 legislative session that opens Monday. TIM CARPENTER/KANSAS REFLECTOR ing — to a single-rate tax,” Cobb said. “It’s partly keeping Kansas competitive. And, it is a tax reduction for everyone.” Eric Stafford, vice president of government affairs for the influential business lobbying organization, said Kansas would be “very, very competitive” with neighboring states if it dropped the single-rate personal income tax closer to 4%. He said Kansas had the highest individual income tax rate in the region. Under Kansas law, the state income tax obligation of a single person or a married individual filing separately or as head of a household would be 3.1% on the first $15,000 of taxable income, 5.25% on the next $15,000 and at 5.7% on all income above $30,000. In an interview, Kelly compared the push for a massive personal income tax cut to the law signed in 2012 by GOP Gov. Sam Brownback that aggressively diminished state income tax collections. His approach led to years of extreme budget prob-
lems and eventually to a substantial increase in the state’s sales tax. The Brownback agenda, which centered on gradually eliminating the state income tax in Kansas, was repealed by bipartisan action in 2017 over his objections. Kelly ran successful campaigns for governor in 2018 and 2022 that relentlessly pointed to financial lessons learned from the Brownback-style income tax cuts. The former state senator from Topeka urged Republican legislators not to repeat that taxation misstep. “Flat tax will ultimately have the same impact as Brownback’s tax experiment. Just won’t be quite as abrupt and quite as deep, but over time it would have the same impact,” Kelly said. Health care: Medicaid
The Kansas Chamber, which operates a political action committee to influence elections, released its 2024 agenda during a news conference in Topeka. The document touched on taxes, workforce development, legal and reg-
ulatory reform, energy policy, education, government efficiency and health care. Cobb said the Kansas Chamber would join House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, and Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, to block the governor’s call for expansion of Medicaid. Kelly conducted a statewide tour last fall to promote expansion and vowed to include her sixth plan for expansion in next week’s State of the State speech. Forty states and the four states surrounding Kansas have expanded Medicaid eligibility under a federal law in which the U.S. government pays 90% of expansion costs and states cover 10%. “There is a cost. It’s not free,” Cobb said. “I think we’ve made the better fiscal argument. You look at the cost overruns that in some states have been astronomical.” Stafford said approximately half of 150,000 people who would benefit from Medicaid expansion in Kansas had some form of private health insurance. It
would be imprudent to remove those Kansans from the private marketplace in favor of a government program, he said. In a twist, Kelly has sought to win over GOP lawmakers in 2024 by including a work requirement for individuals who would benefit from Medicaid expansion. A work mandate has been among the GOP’s frequent demands in terms of Medicaid reform. “I think we’ve got an honest shot at it,” the governor said. “Most people who are eligible for Medicaid expansion, I think it’s 73% or 75% of them, are working. I would rather propose this, even though I’ve never been a fan of the work requirements, I’d rather do this and get Medicaid expansion out.”
— not students who choose to enroll in private schools. “We’re all of the above, whether it’s public school, homeschool, private school,” Cobb said. “Some of the educational attainments, looking at test scores, seem to be dropping. Kansas isn’t alone. That’s across the country. Declining math and reading scores is not a good thing. I think 20% of Kansas high school graduates are considered prepared for academic higher education.” In October, the Kansas Department of Education reported Kansas state assessment results for math were the highest since 2017. The 2023 math assessment indicated 10% of all students assessed scored at Level 4, which was an increase from 8.6% in 2022. Overall, more students in Kansas scored at proficient levels in math and English in 2023 than they did last year, state officials said. Kelly said she would veto school voucher legislation as she had in the past. She asserted Democrats were solidly opposed to additional school choice funding and rural Republicans had their own doubts about the value of private school vouchers. In urban areas where Kansas’ private schools congregate, she said, there was no evidence those schools would be dedicated to welcoming at-risk students. “Rural school districts really don’t want this. They don’t have any private schools,” Kelly said. “I think there’s been so much more evidence coming from states that have done vouchers, that these aren’t impacting those at-risk kids.”
School choice: Vouchers
The Kansas Chamber said it would lobby on behalf of legislation that would earmark state tax dollars to private schools or homeschools. In the 2023 legislative session, there were insufficient votes to advance a bill that would have provided $5,000 to state support to every private school student in Kansas. Critics said it was unfair to strip public schools of state aid. They argued transfer of cash would primarily benefit existing parochial or homeschooled students, not draw at-risk children to those alternatives. And, skeptics said, private schools weren’t held accountable in terms of student achievement. Also, they said the Kansas Constitution mandated the state deliver a suitable education to public school students
Federal bill aims to help production of biofuel in Midwest By JIM MEADOWS Harvest Public Media
A Congressional bill proposed by Midwestern representatives from both parties is aimed at spurring innovation in biofuel technology and increasing its production. The Agriculture Biorefinery Innovation and Opportunity Act, or Ag BIO Act, would increase funding for innovation in the biofuels and bioproducts industry. Reps. Zach Nunn, R–Iowa, and Nikki Budzinski, D– Illinois, introduced the legislation in November. The proposed bill would revise an existing grant and loan program for biobased manufacturing run by the USDA’s Rural Development office, and in the House version of the
Today
bill, increase its annual funding to $100 million a year for the next five years from its current $75 million a year. “The Ag BIO Act will eliminate bureaucratic red tape that is driving up energy costs by making it harder for biofuels producers to innovate and expand their manufacturing capacity,” said Rep. Nunn, the bill’s chief House sponsor in a news release. Iowa is the nation’s top producer of biofuels. Nunn said that industry is an economic driver for his state and “critical to our nation’s energy security.” Rep. Budzinski emphasizes what the legislation could do for other biomanufacturing that is still in the research and development phase. She said it could help fi-
Sunday
nance the development of new crop-based products, from plastics to detergents, providing an alternative to their petroleum-based counterparts. The Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory at the University of Illinois provides support for startup firms looking to develop their own bioengineered products. Associate Director for Business Development Beth Conerty said the Ag BIO Act could help these firms develop their own production capacities and help the U.S. better compete with other countries in the developing field of biomanufacturing. The bill has the support of industry and farming organizations, such as the Agricul-
ture Energy Coalition, a Washington D.C.-based group representing both agriculture and manufacturing in the field of biotechnology. AgEC’s Executive Director Lloyd Ritter said the proposed bill, along with other similar pending legislation, could help the U.S. produce more biofuels and other crop-based alternatives to products now made from petroleum. Yet others worry that relying on biofuels and other biomanufactured products won’t move the needle far enough on climate change, even if lowering the reliance on fossil fuels. Brett Hartl is governmental affairs director for the Tucson, Arizona-based Center for Biological Diversity, which focuses on the protection of en-
dangered species from environmental hazards, among other things. Hartl said while his group is neither supporting nor opposing the Ag BIO Act, he believes current biofuels still have too large an environmental impact in both their manu-
facture and use when compared with electric power. A Senate companion version of the bill was introduced in October by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D–Minnesota and co-sponsor Sen. Jerry Moran, R–Kansas.
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Saturday, January 6, 2024
The Iola Register
A5
Gardner: Lawmaker talks education, taxes Continued from A1
passed things we didn’t work on. So I think those things will get some action and it won’t be like starting from scratch.” Because time is limited, it’s common for several bills to be bundled together. That happened quite a bit in the last session, resulting in numerous vetoes from Gov. Laura Kelly. Lawmakers voted to override some, while other attempts failed by just a few votes. Kansas does not allow a lineitem veto so the entire package either passes or fails, even when it includes bills with broad support or opposition. “I don’t think that (bundling bills) is as bad a deal as we’re led to believe,” Gardner said. “All those bills go through committee, and we try to help each other understand what’s in the bill and why it’s important. It would be nice to individually consider each item but sometimes it’s necessary to package things together.” Gardner said he’s looking forward to returning to Topeka. “I take that responsibility very seriously,” he said. “I’ve talked to quite a number of people who have brought forward concerns about things they want to see happen, and I’ll be working on those things.” Gardner, a veterinarian, reviewed the areas he expects to address, particularly regarding taxes and education. Taxes
“There will be a lot of attention right away on taxes,” Gardner said, particularly as Kansas has accumulated a budget surplus through higher-than-expected sales and income tax returns in recent years. “It’s a nice problem to have, although it creates a significant amount of debate. There are a lot of opinions about how that money should be spent.” He supports using the money to reduce taxation in all three areas: property tax, sales tax and income tax. “When I campaigned for this job, I made it very clear I’m not interested in expanding the size and reach of the central government. The people of the 9th District are very good at solving their own problems,” he said. Regarding property taxes, he would like
Rep. Fred Gardner, R-Garnett. to see elimination of a statewide 1 mill tax that helps fund the Kansas Board of Regents to help state colleges and universities, along with a half-mill tax to maintain state-owned buildings. “We can’t ignore those needs but in a surplus situation, we can shift that to other funds,” he said. Regarding sales tax, lawmakers previously approved a gradual elimination of the sales tax on groceries. This year, it dropped to 2%. “I’m not sure if we’re going to see other proposals to reduce the state’s sales tax but I would certainly consider it,” Gardner said. Income tax cuts are the most controversial, Gardner said. Last year, lawmakers approved a “flat tax rate” of 5.15% but it was vetoed by Gov. Laura Kelly, along with several other tax-related provisions. “I would be very much in favor of reducing the income tax. That was a big issue in the last session and I assume it will continue to be this time,” he said. Education
Gardner supports “school choice,” the common name for a program that provides taxpayer-supported vouchers, scholarships or other funding mechanisms to support families that choose to attend private or parochial schools. In the last session, lawmakers proposed giving families $5,000 in an “education savings account” that could go toward tuition at such schools. “It was not designated how it had to be spent, either for curriculum or tuition. We’d leave that to parents to decide. I trust parents to make good choices for their children,” he said. He also supported the Parents’ Bill of Rights that allows parents to review and contest material they find objectionable. Kelly vetoed
the bill and lawmakers barely failed to override it. Gardner and other lawmakers expect to see a return of such a proposal. “I’ve read that bill very carefully and I voted in favor,” he said. “We cannot ignore the fact that there is a fairly large and growing number of parents that are concerned about the materials and policies in our public schools. Whether those fears are all justified or not, they do exist. This is really a transparency bill. It is just reassuring people that you can see what materials are being taught to your children. This just makes it a more formal process.” Gardner also plans to seek clarification on a new bill that gives the state “the right of first refusal” when school buildings are offered for sale. The bill was bundled with a school funding bill at the end of the session and has since caused confusion for several area districts, including Iola, Humboldt and the ANW Interlocal. All have attempted or plan to sell property but now have to wait until the legislature is in session for approval before they do so. “I think there will be some clarification of that fairly soon,” Gardner said. “Certainly, there was no intent to tie up the sale of an old tin building that’s about to fall down or even a house the building trades group has constructed. The state has no interest in that. “That bill came about because the state puts a significant amount of money into new school buildings. When they are abandoned and the state needs space, lawmakers want to have the ability to acquire that building if the state needs it. It didn’t come off smoothly, I admit.”
ment introduced several programs to help state and local governments recover. That includes the Inflation Reduction Act and the American Response Plan Act, which brought millions of dollars to communities across the state. Most of the money has now been allocated, often through onetime grants. Gardner is among those lawmakers who are concerned how the state and local communities will respond when the money is no longer available. Gardner commends state and local officials for fiscal responsibility, understanding the money was intended to fund specific projects. “I was very careful not to vote for anything that would require ongoing funding and I think Kansas did a pretty good job of spending that money on one-time expenditures and infrastructure,” he said. “The money that has been flowing freely is going to disappear and I don’t see it coming back, so we’ve got to adjust to that.” In Allen County, commissioners spent most of the money on infrastructure improvements at the airport and a new communcations tower to help law enforcement and first responders. The relief funds also are expected to help establish the new Lehigh Portland State Park. “I feel like the 9th District did pretty well with that funding,” Gardner said. GARDNER can be reached via email at Fred.Gardner@house. ks.gov or by phone at his Topeka office, 785 296-7451 or home, 785448-2773.
In this image from video provided by the Clark County District Court, a defendant identified by court officials and records as Deobra Redden is seen launching over the desk of Judge Mary Kay Holthus during his sentencing in a felony battery case on Wednesday in Las Vegas. (CLARK COUNTY DISTRICT COURT VIA AP)
Judge back at work after attack in court LAS VEGAS (AP) — A Nevada judge was back to work a day after being attacked by a defendant in a felony battery case who was captured on courtroom video charging forward and “supermanning” over the judge’s bench after it became clear that he was being sentenced to prison, a court official said Thursday. The defendant, Deobra Redden, is scheduled to face Clark County District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus again Monday morning for his rescheduled sentencing, according to Chief Judge Jerry Wiese. At a news conference Thursday, Wiese shared a statement from Holthus, who fell back from her seat against a wall when the defendant landed atop her and grabbed her hair, toppling an American flag onto them. Holthus suffered some injuries and was evaluated but not hospitalized, courthouse officials said. “She wanted me to thank all of the well-wishers and
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others who have expressed concern for her and her staff,” Wiese said. “She is extremely grateful for those who took brave action during the attack.” In a bloody brawl, Redden had to be wrestled off the judge Wednesday morning by her law clerk, Michael Lasso, and several court and jail officers — including some who were seen throwing punches. One courtroom marshal was hospitalized for treatment of a bleeding gash on his forehead and a dislocated shoulder, and Lasso was treated for cuts on his hands. Wiese credited Lasso for his quick action, saying he was the “primary person” who pulled the defendant off the judge “and probably kept her from having more severe injuries.” Redden, 30, was jailed on $54,000 bail in connection with the attack but refused to return to court on Thursday on the new charges, so a judge rescheduled his next appearance for Jan. 9.
Opinion
A6
The Iola Register
Saturday, January 6, 2024
~ Journalism that makes a difference
Fear keeps us silent when we should speak out Susan Lynn Register editor
Three years ago more than 2,000 stormed the U.S. Capitol grounds. Their purpose was not to sightsee. I’m choosing my words carefully here. In the time since Jan. 6, 2021, the sworn testimony of hundreds of the participants affirms their goal was to prevent Joe Biden from becoming our 46th president. Attempts to obstruct the peaceful transfer of power violates the U.S. Constitution, and is a federal crime. For some, the day was weeks in the making. They arrived heavily armed, wore protective gear and had organized hundreds to join them. Others say they were swept up in the fervor of the moment and fought U.S. Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police forces with their bare hands or makeshift weapons. More than 150 police officers were injured in their defense of democracy that day.
Rioters try to force their way through a police barricade in front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, hoping to stop Congress from finalizing Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election. (KENT NISHIMURA/LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS) Seven lives lost. I REMIND myself that the mob that day does nor represent most Americans nor does their version of what it means to be an American. Today’s identity politics fall far short of telling a person’s worldview and are but a veneer of what kind of person they may be; hardworking, good provider, loyal spouse, attentive parent, etc. I’m reminded of a passage from Amor Towles’s book, “A Gentleman in Moscow.”
“What can a first impression tell us about anyone? Why, no more than a chord can tell us about Beethoven, or a brushstroke about Botticelli. “By their very nature, human beings are so capricious, so complex, so delightfully contradictory, that they deserve not only our consideration, but our reconsideration — and our unwavering determination to withhold our opinion until we have engaged with them in every possible setting at
every possible hour.” I AVOID reading or watching much about far-right extremists. In preparing this piece, I discovered many who once expressed remorse for their participation in the Capitol riots now say they were unfairly treated by the justice system. Instead, they feel they deserve martyr status. If history repeats itself in the Nov. 5 general election, they tell us to brace for even
more violence. I’m proof that such intimidation works. As a journalist, I am more hesitant these days to express my opinions. I justify my silence by saying it’s better for business and friendships. Besides, I tell myself, what difference does it make if a small town editor opts to sit on the sidelines. But, like everyone, I have a conscience that begs me to not be so easily intimidated. To not let fear prevent me from saying what I believe, including that Jan. 6, 2021 will go down in history as our nation’s day of infamy. There was nothing patriotic about trying to overturn the election results of 2020; about storming the Capitol and the violence that ensued. I can still see the mock gallows erected on the Capitol grounds. The shattered glass, overturned furniture and desecrated galleries. I MAKE myself re-read Towles. All human beings “deserve not only our consideration, but our reconsideration.” On the anniversary of Jan. 6, we owe it to each other to understand what’s behind the rabble rousers’ threats to overthrow democracy. And rather than cower, we speak out, else our silence is interpreted as consent.
Give us felons some grace Securing our elections “Have you ever been convicted of a felony?” is a yes or no question found on an assortment of applications, ranging from jobs to scholarships, that most Americans answer without a second thought. Unfortunately, I’m not most people. I have to check “yes” on this box, and then convince the person reviewing my application not to toss it in the garbage. I’m not just applying for a job. I’m persuading a complete stranger of my worth and value — convincing them to look at me in 3-D, beyond my criminal record. To achieve this significant feat, I am given two lines to explain that I’m a good person who made a poor choice. Today, I want to tell you about my life as a felon and why we should ban the box. My name is Lindsay Lee. I’m a committed mother, a loved one, a dutiful friend, a fulltime college student and an aspiring attorney. I’m kind, generous, thoughtful and a hard worker. I am also 1 out of roughly 19 million Americans with felony convictions and just 1 of 80 million Americans with some type of criminal history. Of course, job applications don’t ask if you’re a caring parent or attentive partner. I’ve experienced firsthand the discrimination that many felons face when pursuing gainful employment. Just like most members of civil society, I want to provide a warm meal and safe home for my family. I want to contribute to a healthy, happy community and I want fair opportunities to achieve these things. Being a federal felon at
Lindsay Lee Special to the Topeka Capital -Journal
the age of 30 was not on my list of “Achievements By 30,” but life doesn’t always go as planned. I have never been one to make things easy for myself; I was arrested for my first felony at the age of 19. Suffice to say, that set me up for an uphill climb right from the start. After struggling with an addiction to methamphetamine on and off for seven years, I defied the odds; I walked away from using drugs and I’ve never looked back. March 20, 2009, is my own special sort of birthday, a day I was born into a new life — a sober life. But, as many who get tied up in drug addiction will tell you, finding sobriety is only one step toward recovering a life lost. Sober but still in the mix of things, I was arrested and indicted for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamines in 2011 and sentenced to five years of federal probation. Halfway through, I was released from supervision for model behavior. Today I am still a felon, but I’m sober, I’ve paid my dues, and I’m living life with intentionality. Our communities must come together and break the stigma of felons as dangerous criminals, people who we should “lock up and throw away the key.” We must realize there is such a thing as making a mistake and having poor judgment. Even “an ad-
dict, in the rock bottom of their active addiction,” needs grace. Society has put felons in a constant defensive crouch. Until we aren’t treated like social pariahs — especially when time has been served and debts repaid — we won’t see changes. Proper rehabilitation is not only the human approach, but it’s the most effective in reducing recidivism. A key part of proper rehabilitation? Allowing felons equal opportunity to find and keep fulfilling and stable employment, without the burden of past mistakes weighing us down. Today, I’m still a felon, but a felon on a mission. This coming year, I will officially start the process to file for my presidential pardon. (Wish me luck, please!) I have spent the past 10 years working harder than my peers to achieve basic things, simply because of my label as a felon. I am not the only felon frustrated with an antiquated, ineffective system; countless felons find themselves begging for mercy. I want to make it easier to learn from your mistakes, and I invite you to join me by trying to “ban the box,” allowing felons to present their true, authentic selves to employers without the harmful stigma of a criminal history. You can read more and join the effort at www. bantheboxcampaign. org. About the author: Lindsay Lee is a full-time college student at Washburn University, mother, aspiring attorney and advocate for criminal justice reform.
Here’s a New Year’s Resolution for the Kansas Legislature: no more wasting our time and money on election conspiracy theories. In September and October of 2023, Senator Mike Thompson and others hosted hearings featuring speakers peddling truly insane speculations. These included the contention — really — that Italy and the Vatican have infiltrated Kansas elections by manipulating military satellites. Other speakers were linked to QAnon, the deranged, violent, and deeply anti-Semitic conspiracy theory. Under questioning, these speakers admitted that they had no actual knowledge of how elections are conducted in Kansas. Many of the conspiracy theorists relied on the idea that Kansas election equipment is connected to the Internet, which is false and easily disproved. Slate dubbed this, “The Election Denialist Roadshow.” Some Republicans actually believe this nonsense, while others know better but play along for fear of getting primaried. Satellites, “ballot harvesting,” and George Soros are not legitimate concerns, but there are a few things that would improve Kansas elections. A serious election security bill would begin by properly updating the registration rolls. While there is no evidence of ballots being cast in the name of dead people here, and it is
Michael Smith Insight Kansas
extremely rare elsewhere in the U.S., good recordkeeping still calls for the rolls to be current. Voters rarely notify election authorities that they have moved or that a loved one has passed away. New death certificates along with change-of-address filings at the Post Office can be quite helpful here. A nonpartisan, multi-state system called ERIC shares this data across state lines. ERIC has also been targeted by conspiracy theorists, but this should not affect policymaking. Additional challenges include signature matches, now the usual way to validate ballots. Many signatures are now taken on a digital pad rather than with a pen and paper, and many people make only a squiggly line on those rather than actually signing. In addition to setting standards for signatures, the bill should also require all digital voting machines to print a piece of paper for each ballot. These can be inspected by the voter before being cast in the ballot box, and also used for both machine and hand recounts, when necessary. Even more crucial are better pay and training for poll workers. In today’s toxic political environment, providing for the security
of election workers is also vital–some have received death threats. On the other hand, certain so-called “election security” measures are really just sleazy political tactics. First and foremost is voter “caging,” targeting certain voters (usually people of color living in urban areas) and sending them postcards that must be completed and returned or the voter is removed from the rolls. With most of us overwhelmed with junk mail, these often get tossed out by mistake. The tactic is a blatant attempt to target certain voters and remove them from the rolls. A good election security bill would include a strong, enforceable ban on caging. A good bill would also ban the de-registration of any voter based on name duplicates alone. These do not target actual fraud but rather people who are likely to have similar names. African-American, Latinx, and Asian-American voters are more likely to have similar names than are white non-Hispanic voters, and the tactic is another blatant attempt to de-register targeted groups of people. Kansas elections could indeed be better, but deranged conspiracy theories and legislative sideshows are not the answer. Actual election experts have a number of thoughtful ideas that would make a welcome alternative to the noise and the nonsense.
iolaregister.com
Saturday, January 6, 2024
The Iola Register
A7
Principal wounded in Iowa school shooting
A mob storms the U.S. Capitol following a rally with President Trump on Jan. 6, 2021. FILE PHOTO
Hundreds of convictions, but a mystery is still unsolved after Jan. 6 Capitol riot WASHINGTON (AP) — Members of far-right extremist groups. Former police officers. An Olympic gold medalist swimmer. And active duty U.S. Marines. They are among the hundreds of people who have been convicted in the massive prosecution of the Jan 6, 2021, riot in the three years since the stunned nation watched the U.S. Capitol attack unfold on live TV. Washington’s federal courthouse remains flooded with trials, guilty plea hearings and sentencings stemming from what has become the largest criminal investigation in American history. And the hunt for suspects is far from over. “We cannot replace votes and deliberation with violence and intimidation,” Matthew Graves, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, told reporters on Thursday. Authorities are still working to identify more than 80 people wanted for acts of violence at the Capitol and to find out who placed pipe bombs outside the Republican and Democratic national committees’ offices the day before the Capitol attack. And they continue to regularly make new arrests, even as some Jan. 6 defendants are being released from prison after completing their sentences. The cases are playing out at the same courthouse where Donald Trump is scheduled to stand trial in March in the case accusing the former president of conspiring to overturn his 2020 election loss in the run-up to the Capitol attack. Here’s a look at where the cases against the Jan. 6 defendants stand: BY THE NUMBERS
More than 1,230 people have been charged with federal crimes in the riot, ranging from misdemeanor offenses like trespassing to felonies like assaulting police officers and seditious conspiracy. Roughly 730 people have pleaded guilty to charges, while another roughly 170 have been convicted of at least one charge at a trial decided by a judge or a jury, according to an Associated Press database. Only two defendants have been acquitted of all charges, and those were trials decided by a judge rather than a jury. About 750 people have been sentenced, with almost two-thirds receiving some time behind bars. Prison sentences have ranged from a few
days of intermittent confinement to 22 years in prison. The longest sentence was handed down to Enrique Tarrio, the former Proud Boys national chairman who was convicted of seditious conspiracy for what prosecutors described as a plot to stop the transfer of power from Trump, a Republican, to Joe Biden, a Democrat. Many rioters are already out of prison after completing their sentences, including some defendants who engaged in violence. Scott Fairlamb — a New Jersey man who punched a police officer during the riot and was the first Jan. 6 defendant to be sentenced for assaulting law enforcement — was released from Bureau of Prisons’ custody in June. ALL EYES ON THE SUPREME COURT
Defense attorneys and prosecutors are closely watching a case that will soon be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court that could impact hundreds of Jan. 6 defendants. The justices agreed last month to hear one rioter’s challenge to prosecutors’ use of the charge of obstruction of an official proceeding, which refers to the disruption of Congress’ certification of Biden’s 2020 presidential election victory over Trump. More than 300 Jan. 6 defendants have been charged with the obstruction offense, and so has Trump in the federal case brought by special counsel Jack Smith. Lawyers representing rioters have argued the charge was inappropriately brought against Jan. 6 defendants. The justices will hear arguments in March or April, with a decision expected by early summer. But their review of the obstruction charge is already having some im-
pact on the Jan. 6 prosecutions. At least two defendants have convinced judges to delay their sentencings until after the Supreme Court rules on the matter. RIOTERS ON THE LAM
Dozens of people believed to have assaulted law enforcement during the riot have yet to be identified by authorities, according to Graves. And the statute of limitations for the crimes is five years, which means they would have to be charged by Jan. 6, 2026, he said. Several defendants have also fled after being charged, including a Proud Boys member from Florida who disappeared while he was on house arrest after he was convicted of using pepper spray gel on police officers. Christopher Worrell, who spent weeks on the lam, was sentenced on Thursday to 10 years in prison. The FBI is still searching for some defendants who have been on the run for months, including a brother-sister pair from Florida. Olivia Pollock disappeared shortly before her trial was supposed to begin in March. Her brother, Jonathan Pollock, is also missing. The FBI has offered a reward of up to $30,000 for information leading to the arrest of Jonathan Pollock, who is accused of thrusting a riot shield into an officer’s face and throat, pulling an officer down steps and punching others. Another defendant, Evan Neumann, fled the U.S. two months after his December 2021 indictment and is believed to be living in Belarus. WHAT ABOUT THE PIPE BOMBER?
One of the biggest remaining mysteries surrounding the riot is the identity of the person who placed two pipe
bombs outside the offices of the Republican and Democratic national committees the day before the Capitol attack. Last year, authorities increased the reward to up to $500,000 for information leading to the person’s arrest. It remains unclear whether there was a connection between the pipe bombs and the riot. Investigators have spent thousands of hours over the last three years doing interviews and combing through evidence and tips from the public, said David Sundberg, assistant director in charge of the FBI Washington Field Office. “We urge anyone who may have previously hesitated to come forward or who may not have realized they had important information to contact us and share anything relevant,” he said in an emailed statement on Thursday. The explosive devices were placed outside the two buildings between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 5, 2021, but officers didn’t find them until the next day. Authorities were called to the Republican National Committee’s office around 12:45 p.m. on Jan. 6. Shortly after, a call came in for a similar explosive device found at the Democratic National Committee headquarters. The bombs were rendered safe, and no one was hurt. Video released by the FBI shows a person in a gray hooded sweatshirt, a face mask and gloves appearing to place one of the explosives under a bench outside the DNC and separately shows the person walking in an alley near the RNC before the bomb was placed there. The person wore black and light gray Nike Air Max Speed Turf sneakers with a yellow logo.
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a news conference that authorities also found a “pretty rudimentary” improvised explosive device and rendered it safe. A law enforcement official briefed on the investigation said federal and state investigators were interviewing Butler’s friends and analyzing Butler’s social media profiles, including posts on TikTok and Reddit. Shortly before Thursday’s shooting, Butler posted a photo on TikTok inside the bathroom of Perry High School, the official said. The photo was captioned “now we wait” and the song “Stray Bullet” by the German band KMFDM accompanied it. Investigators have also found other photos Butler posted posing with firearms, according to the official, who was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity. Sisters Yesenia Roeder and Khamya Hall, both 17, said alongside their mother, Alita, that Butler was bullied relentlessly since elementary school, but it escalated recently when his younger sister started getting picked on, too. “He was hurting. He got tired. He got tired of the bullying. He got tired of the harassment,” Yesenia Roeder Hall said. “Was it a smart idea to shoot up the school? No. God, no.”
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Police respond to a school shooting in Perry, Iowa, Thursday. A sixth-grader was killed in the attack, and four students wounded. (SCOTT OLSON/GETTY
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PERRY, Iowa (AP) — A day after a shooting sent bullets flying inside a small-town Iowa high school, leaving a sixth-grader dead and five others wounded, the community of Perry is somber. Yellow crime tape still lined the campus that Perry High School shares with the town’s middle school on the east edge of town, flowers and stuffed toys had cropped up in mini memorials, and classes across the district were canceled Friday in favor of counseling. On Thursday, a 17-year-old student at the school opened fire at the school just after 7:30 a.m., forcing people to hunker down in classrooms and offices shortly before classes were set to begin on the first day back after winter break. The suspect died of what investigators believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound, an Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation official said. An administrator, later identified by his alma mater as Perry High School Principal Dan Marburger, was among those wounded. In a Facebook post later that day, Marburger’s daughter said he was in “surgery all day, and is currently stable.” Claire Marburger called her father a “gentle giant” who would want more attention on the other victims and their families, and less on himself. Authorities identified the shooter as Dylan Butler but provided no information about a possible motive. Two friends and their mother who spoke with The Associated Press said Butler was a quiet person who had been bullied for years. Authorities said Butler had a pump-action shotgun and a small-caliber handgun. Mitch Mortvedt, the state investigation division’s assistant director, said during
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A8 Saturday, January 6, 2024
McFaddens attend movie premiere in Kansas City Marah and Wesley McFadden walked the red carpet at the premiere of “Nelly Don — The Musical” movie at Union Station in Kansas City. Marah acted in the film. The movie captures the true story of a trailblazer that ignited a fashion revolution in the early 1900s and follows the story of Nelly Don, her abusive husband, an affair with a U.S. senator, a fake adoption of her own biological son, and a mobster-linked abduction. Marah played the lead singer and dancer “Bubbles,” who performed at Dante’s Inferno Club. Stars of the movie arrived in antique cars from the period. The movie has been playing in theaters in Kansas City and Wichita, and has been accepted into the Great Wonders Uplift Film Festival. It was written, pro-
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Birth announcements
Whittier McFadden William Johnson
Wesley and Marah McFadden at the premier of “Nelly Don — The Musical.” COURTESY PHOTO Marah and Wesley’s duced and directed by Terence O’Malley, parents are Mick and who is the great-great- Mona Melvin; Jacque nephew of the real Ensminger and Jack McFadden. Nell Donnelly Reed.
Tanner and Katie Johnson are proud to announce the birth of their first child, a son named William Patrick Johnson. Willie was born Oct. 12, 2023, at Advent Health Birthing Center in Shawnee Mission. He weighed pounds, 8 ounces and was 20½ inches long. Willie is the grandson of Charles and Michelle Johnson, Gary and Dawn Cameron, and Ben and Sarah Baska. He is the great-grandson of Charmes M. Johnson, Larry and Cora Hensik, Buddy and Barb Griffin, Victor and Margaret Renyer, and Jeanne Masterson Percy and the late Glenn Percy.
World: Economy to face many challenges Continued from A1
curbing high inflation without putting the brakes on the economy. But he told a news conference launching the report: “We’re still not out of the danger zone.” Mukherjee said that’s because the unsettled situation in the world could fuel inflation. For example, another supply chain shock or problem in fuel availability or distribution could prompt another interest rate hike to bring the situation under control, he said. “We’re not expecting a recession, per se, but because there is volatility in the environment around us, this is the major source of risk,” he said. Very high interest rates for a long time and the threat of possible shocks to prices contribute to “quite a difficult balancing act,” Mukherjee said. “So that’s really why we said that we are not yet out of the woods.” According to the report, global inflation, which was at 8.1% in 2022, is estimated to have declined to 5.7% in 2023, and is projected to decline further to 3.9% in 2023 . But in about a quarter of all developing countries, annual inflation is projected to exceed 10% this year, it said. While the U.S. economy performed “remarkably well” in 2023, the report said growth is ex-
pected to decline from an estimated 2.5% in 2023 to 1.4% this year. “Amid falling household savings, high interest rates, and a gradually softening labor market, consumer spending is expected to weaken in 2024 and
fourth largest economy, is projected to see economic growth slow from 1.7% in 2023 to 1.2% this year despite the country’s monetary and fiscal policies, the report said, “Rising inflation may signal an end from the deflation-
The U.N.’s report — World Economic Situation and Prospects 2024 — warned that the prospects of prolonged tighter credit conditions and higher borrowing costs present “strong headwinds” for a world economy saddled with debt, especially in poorer developing countries, and needing investment to resuscitate growth.
investment is projected to remain sluggish,” the U.N. said. “While the likelihood of a hard landing has declined considerably, the United States economy will face significant downside risks from deteriorating labor, housing and financial markets.” With elevated inflation and high interest rates, the report said Europe faces “a challenging economic outlook.” GDP in the European Union is forecast to expand from 0.5% in 2023 to 1.2% in 2024, it said, with the increase driven by “a pick-up in consumer spending as price pressures ease, real wages rise, and labor markets remain robust.” Japan, the world’s
ary trend that persisted for more than two decades” in the country, it said. In China, the world’s second-largest economy, the U.N. said recovery from COVID lockdowns has been more gradual than expected “amid domestic and international headwinds. With economic growth of just 3.0% in 2022, the report said China turned a corner during the second half of 2023 with the growth rate reaching 5.3%. But it said the combination of a weak property
sector and faltering external demand for its products “will nudge growth down moderately to 4.7% in 2024. In developing regions, the U.N. said economic growth in Africa is projected to remain weak with a slight increase from an average of 3.3% in 2023 to 3.5% in 2024. “The unfolding climate crisis and extreme weather events will undermine agricultural output and tourism, while geopolitical instability will continue to adversely impact several subregions … especially the Sahel and North Africa,” the report said. The U.N. forecasts a moderate slowdown in East Asia economies from 4.9% in 2023 to 4.6% in 2024. In Western Asia, GDP is forecast to grow by 2.9% in 2024, up from 1.7% in 2023. In South Asia, GDP rose by an estimated 5.3% last year and is projected to increase by 5.2% in 2024, “driven by a robust expansion in India, which remains the fastest growing large economy in the world.” Its growth is forecast to reach 6.2% this year, similar to its projected 6.3% increase in 2023.
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WEDNESDAY MEATLOAF
mashed potatoes and gravy served with vegetable and a dinner roll
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Liver and onions served the last Thursday of every month
Whittier is the granddaughter of Mick and Mona Melvin, and Jacque Ensminger and Jack McFadden. She is the great-granddaughter of Jeanne Masterson Percy and the late Wiliam Glenn Percy, Ernest and Ned Melvin, Lenore Melvin Howard, Jack and Marjorie Ensminger, Jackie Cox McFadden and Jim McFadden.
Council: Property Continued from A1
neath the house. 306 S. Kentucky: A two-bedroom, single-story house, without utilities since December 2021. The structure faces collapsed floor joists, deteriorated walls, and foundation issues, exacerbated by tree roots. 602 E. Lincoln: A three-bedroom, single-story house, without utilities since February 2022. Complaints about the property include poor exterior conditions, a leaking roof causing interior damage, and foundation issues. 1014 N. Sycamore: A two-bedroom, two-story house, without utilities since September 2015. Structural problems include a hole in the roof, causing water damage, as well as deteriorating window frames and siding. All four structures require repairs that exceed 50 percent of their county property values. City staff seeks approval to begin the condemnation process, intending to set public hearings on Feb. 26, through individual resolutions for each location.
IN OTHER NEWS, the council will consider: Council president selection: Council members will appoint a president who assumes the mayoral role in the mayor’s absence. City flag designs: Following the presentation of proposed city flag options in December, the council will review and confirm final designs. The Clock Tower and Land & Water flags are among the options to be considered. Once the final designs are chosen, staff will develop and place it on the city’s website, Facebook page, and have a manual voting box option for the public to vote on the flag. Resolution 202401: The council will deliberate on a resolution supporting Iola CITF/Pride’s official entry into the Kansas Community Empowerment (KCE) program administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce and K-State Research and Extension. The resolution is proposed to be valid for three program years, from 2024 through 2026.
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Wesley and Marah McFadden are proud to announce the birth of their first child, a daughter named Whittier Banks McFadden. Whittier was born Nov. 2, 2023, at Advent Health Birthing Center in Shawnee Mission. She weighed 6 pounds, 11 ounces and was 18¾ inches long.
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Saturday, January 6, 2024
When IMS styles falls in collide opener By RALPH D. RUSSO The Associated Press
The College Football Playoff national championship game between No. 1 Michigan and No. 2 Washington is a contrast in styles and a matchup of strength versus strength when Michael Penix Jr. faces the Wolverines’ defense. “You get a schematic, professional-style matchup and to me you get the Baltimore Ravens versus the Kansas City Chiefs,” said Fox analyst Brock Huard, who has called games for both teams this season. “The Huskies in purple masquerade as the Chiefs and the guys in blue masquerade as the Baltimore Ravens.” Michigan (14-0) is a 4½-point favorite over Washington (14-0), according to FanDuel Sportsbook. WHEN WASHINGTON HAS THE BALL Getting pressure on Penix is difficult. Washington’s offensive line won the Joe Moore Award as the best group in the country and tackles Troy Fautanu and Roger Rosengarten provide excellent edge protection. When teams do pressure Penix, he is often unfazed. In the Sugar See TITLE GAME | Page B2
By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Some torrid outside shooting from Burlington and an offensive lull for Iola Middle School spelled trouble for the Mustang eighth-grade boys in their season-opener Thursday. The visiting Wildcats hit five 3-pointers — three in the third quarter alone — as Burlington pulled away in the second half of a 39-25 victory. Burlington also prevailed in the other three contests, winning 30-8 over the eighthgrade B team, 57-6 in the seventh-grade A team matchup and 46-0 in the seventh-grade B team game. In the eighth-grade game, Iola trailed 8-5 after one quarSee IMS | Page B3
Iola Middle School’s Reed Clift (10) is fouled by Burlington’s Case Birk in an eighth-grade A team game Thursday. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
BYU brings high hopes into Big 12 action By JOHN COON The Associated Press
PROVO, Utah (AP) — BYU knew that if it was going to compete in arguably the nation’s best basketball conference, serious changes were needed. Coach Mark Pope and his staff went to work building a roster after the Cougars accepted an invitation in 2021 to join the Big 12 Conference, knowing the transition would
be difficult in the short term. BYU took plenty of lumps last season while mostly relying on inexperienced freshmen and sophomores. One year later, the Cougars are 12-1, ranked 12th and showing they intend to make a serious splash in their debut Big 12 season. BYU is off to its best start since opening the 1987-88 season with 17 straight wins. The Cougars are imposing their will on both ends of the
court, scoring 90.4 points per game with a 58.5 effective field goal percentage while allowing 61.5 points per contest. All three categories rank in the top 12 nationally. “Everybody has this DNA now,” BYU guard Trevin Knell said. “We believe this is who we are and it’s so fun to see.” Who the Cougars are now offers a sharp contrast to who they were during their final season in the West Coast Conference. BYU went 19-15, ty-
Voting opens for top December athletes By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
The whirlwind start of the 2023-24 winter sports season has already brought forth several standout performances, even with the Christmas break putting a brief hiatus in the action. Register readers have some tantalizing choices for the December athlete of the month selection. Nominees on the boys side are Iola High junior Cortland Carson, IHS freshman Kale Pratt and Humboldt High senior Sam Hull. For the girls, readers can pick from Iola’s Zoie Hesse, Humboldt’s McKenna Jones and Marmaton Valley’s Piper Barney. BOYS
Iola’s Cortland Carson has had an eventful start to the season. On top of leading the Mustangs in scoring at 19 points per game, Carson also scored See ATHLETES | Page B3
ing for fifth place in the WCC at 7-9. The Cougars failed to reach 20 wins for only the second time in 18 seasons and totaled their highest number of losses since 2005. It’s one reason BYU was picked 13th in the 14-team Big 12 media poll. Perhaps the more seasoned Cougars knew better given their deep familiarity with what Pope wants his team to See BYU | Page B3
Royals shake up front office KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals hired longtime Washington Nationals executive Johnny DiPuglia as their special assistant of international scouting and Fred Guerrero as their coordinator of player evaluation on Thursday in two important additions to their front office. The Royals have been overhauling their player evaluation system since J.J. Picollo took over as general manager more than a year ago. The decision to hire DiPuglia, who spent 11 seasons with the Boston Red Sox before his run with the Nationals, will give Kansas City a fresh approach to international scouting. DiPuglia was responsible for signing Juan Soto, Xander Bogaerts and Hanley Ramírez during his career.
Guerrera als from AL nesota, wh director of scouting fo He was inv ing of such ráez, Yenni Santana. ___ AP MLB com/hub/m
B2 Saturday, January 6, 2024
The Iola Register
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HMS Lady Cubs fall to Bluestreaks
Michigan running back Blake Corum (2) carries the ball against Ohio State Nov. 25 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. GETTY IMAGES/EZRA SHAW/TNS
Title game: Huskies, Wolverines Continued from B1
Bowl, Texas didn’t sack him once in 38 pass attempts and while it might have looked like the Longhorns got almost no push, they actually registered 16 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. When pressured Penix was incredible, completing 60% of his passes at 10 yards per attempt. “Can Michigan strike up enough interior pressure and edge pressure to actually get to Penix, not just make him uncomfortable? And then can the safeties and cornerbacks find those layers of wide receivers and force Penix to make the impossible throw ... and not give (the Huskies) any gimmes,” college football data analyst Parker Fleming said on The AP Top 25 College Football Podcast. Texas got most if its pressure from the interior with powerful tackles T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy II. Michigan is deeper up front and better off the edges. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter gave Alabama fits in the Rose Bowl by making it difficult to identify what was coming from where. Minter succeeded Mike Macdonald, who left Michigan and coach Jim Harbaugh to work for Ravens coach John Harbaugh. Huard, who played quarterback at Washington, said Michigan’s defense will test Penix and Huskies offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb
as problem-solvers. “It’s an NFL-type defense, which is a matchup mindset, which is change the picture preand post-snap, which is make it very difficult on the quarterback to read and react,” Huard said. Washington’s veteran offensive line has allowed only 11 sacks for a team that throws it as much as any in the country. And while the Huskies’ deep passing game can be spectacular, Penix and Co. are good all over the field. If there is a play to be made, the Huskies usually make it. Penix targeted receivers Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk, Jalen McMillen and Germie Bernard 20 times against Texas and completed 19 passes for 411 yards. Michigan’s secondary plays an aggressive style, led by star cornerback Will Johnson and versatile nickel back Mike Sainristil. The Wolverines don’t concede anything. They want to force opponents to make difficult completions. No team is better at making the difficult look easy than Washington. Here’s the wildcard: Michigan has the thirdbest pass defense in the country by opponent efficiency rating (101.52) and has allowed seven touchdown passes, fewest in the nation. But the Wolverines have faced only two offenses ranked in the top 20 in pass efficiency (Alabama and Ohio State). “Michigan is elite de-
fensively, but they’ve gotten to feast on horrific, horrific offenses in the Big Ten,” Huard said. “So from a stress test, Michigan has not seen anything the likes of Washington’s offense.” Meanwhile, Washington has faced only one top-30 pass defense: Oregon, twice. Penix completed 64% for 8.2 yards per attempt with five touchdowns and two interceptions. WHEN MICHIGAN HAS THE BALL Strength vs. weakness. Michigan runs the ball a lot and efficiently, and can do it in critical situations. Washington’s run defense isn’t good (86th in the country at 4.40 yards per carry allowed), but Penix and the offense are so effective that opponents often can’t or don’t stick with it. Texas’s running backs averaged 6.8 yards per carry in the Sugar Bowl against Washington, but had only 18 carries as the Longhorns seemed to get impatient early and then were scrambling to come from behind late. Michigan is committed to the run with Blake Corum, who leads the nation with 26 touchdowns. Even in a game they trailed for much of the second half against Alabama, the Wolverines had 30 runs and J.J. McCarthy threw 27 passes. Washington’s defense, outside of edge rusher Bralen Trice, who had two sacks in a ferocious performance
against Texas, doesn’t have much high-end, NFL-type talent. The Huskies do have a knack for getting big stops late in games — which helps explain how they have won each of their last 10 games by 10 points or fewer. Michigan and Washington have thrived off dictating the way their games are played. Michigan makes its opponents try to out-grind them. Washington makes its opponents try to keep pace. “I really don’t expect there to be many wasted possessions,” Fleming said, “and we might get this really weird mismatch with these long plodding rushing drives and scoring and Washington coming out and scoring in four or five plays.” RUSSO’S PREDICTION: Michigan 34-26.
HUMBOLDT — Humboldt Middle School’s girls returned from their winter break, going 0-3 on the night Thursday. “However, we played much better against much better competition,” head coach Eric Carlson said, after Neodesha’s A team defeated the Lady Cubs, 34-22. The Bluestreaks also prevailed, 19-10, in the B team game and 15-10 in C-team play. “We changed some things in practice after the break and my guess is they are paying off,” Carlson said. “We executed many things in all three games better than we did before the break.” Jordan Hencey scored seven points to lead Humboldt’s A team, followed by Kaydence Whitworth with six, Bailey Daniels with four, Addisyn Drake three and Maggie McCullough two. McCullough also had four rebounds; Drake pulled in five steals. “Our A team girls did a great job breaking the press most of
the game,” Carlson said. “We got in some foul trouble early and that caused us to sub earlier than I wanted to. We battled and hustled. When the opposing coach tells you he was impressed by how hard we fought and competed, that is a good thing to hear. At halftime I told them to keep fighting and stay aggressive. That allowed us to win the second half, even though we didn’t win the game.” Carlin Hart led Humboldt’s B team with four points. Ellie Carson, Jadey Ellis and Karis Cook added two points each. “We took a lead into halftime, but fatigue set in during the third quarter, because every girl had already played the equivalent of a full game by playing in the earlier contests,” Carlson said. “They tried hard, but came up short.” Braydie Whitworth scored four for Humboldt’s C team. Aspen Wimsett had three, Bella Comstock two and Rhylee Wilkerson one.
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Marketplace Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) throws a pass during the first quarter against Texas during the CFP Semifinal Allstate Sugar Bowl Monday. GETTY IMAGES/SEAN GARDNER/TNS
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B3
BYU: Cougars flying high as intro to Big 12 play awaits Continued from B1
accomplish. His formula for success is simple — crash the boards, make the extra pass, take care of the ball and shoot almost at will from the perimeter. BYU is doing all those things at an elite level. The Cougars lead the nation with 22.5 assists per game and rank first nationally with a 2.31 assist-to-turnover ratio. They also top Division I with 12.8 made 3-pointers per game and a plus-13.0 rebound margin. “The identity that we’re chasing is not going to change,” Pope said. “I think we have a lot of faith in our preparation. We are humble. We understand what we’re walking into, but we know who we’re trying to be and it’s who we’ve been trying to be every day.”
Hall missed games or played under minutes restrictions early in the season because of injuries. Still, the Cougars keep rolling and have built quality depth to effectively combat the injury bug. BYU features nine players who have at least one 20-point game in their collegiate career. “Our depth is important,” Pope said. “We still haven’t had a game with a healthy San Diego State’s Darrion Trammell (12) is pressured by Brigham roster. I would like to Young’s Atiki Ally Atiki (4) Nov. 10. GETTY IMAGES/CHRIS GARDNER/TNS do that at some point. I would like to have BYU has accomplished all seven games last month with a healthy roster, but this even while not playing at a hamstring injury. Lead- these guys have answered the ing scorer Jaxson Robinson bell in spite of that for a really full strength. Fousseyni Traore, the battled an ankle injury in impressive two-month run.” team’s top returning scor- late December. Aly KhaliRobinson, Khalifa and er from last season, missed fa, Dawson Baker and Dallin Noah Waterman have helped
provide much of the spark. Robinson leads BYU with 16.0 points per game. Waterman is the No. 2 scorer (11.8 average) and top rebounder (6.6). Both players are also shooting better than 40% from 3-point range. Khalifia sports a nation’s best 14.0 assist-to-turnover ratio and has committed only three turnovers in the 10 games he’s played. But now the schedule gets tougher as the Cougars head into conference play, beginning with Saturday’s home game against Cincinnati. A dozen Big 12 teams rank in the top 100 of the NCAA NET rankings and nine are in the top 50. “We’re stepping into 18 straight really challenging games where we’ll have all kinds of things happen to us,” Pope said, “but I think we have a chance.”
Athletes: Voting opens for area December nominees Continued from B1
the tiebreaking layup to cap a thrilling comefrom-behind win over Anderson County in the season-opener. He then also hit a dramatic bucket later in the month to send Iola’s game against Burlington into overtime.
KALE Pratt has acclimated himself quickly to the world of varsity wrestling. The 150-pound freshman went 3-3 in the opening events of his high school career, setting the stage for a memorable tournament in Anderson County Dec. 9.
Pratt rallied for a stunning 5-4 win over Angel Cordova of Frontenac, securing a reversal and two points in the waning seconds to do so, before losing in equally stunning fashion after dominating Issac McAvoy of Pleasant Ridge through the first two periods, lead-
ing 11-2 in points, only to be pinned in the third period. Undaunted, Pratt rebounded quickly, dominating his next two opponents on the way to taking second place in his division. He followed that up with an 8-0 shutout win over Dylan Kirkpatrick of Erie in his final match of the month on Dec. 14. SAM HULL has made Humboldt High School basketball must-see viewing this season. The 6-5 senior — who also secured first-team all state honors from several outlets as a wide receiver in football — leads the undefeated Cub basketball team in scoring at 14 points per game. He’s also served up several highlight reel dunks for the 6-0 Humboldt squad.
Heights provided IHS with its sole win so far this season. On the mat, the freshman opened her wrestling career with a dominating pair of victories to win her weight division at the Anderson County Invitational Dec. 9. MCKENNA Jones began her basketball season with a bang, scoring 10 points in the first quarter of Humboldt’s opener against St. Paul. The lanky junior hasn’t looked back, averaging nearly 13 points a game, including several clutch 3-pointers, as the Lady Cubs have zipped out to a 5-1 start.
PIPER Barney has been a vital contributor for Marmaton Valley High’s Wildcats, averaging nearly 9 points a game for the Wildcats, who have opened the season with a 4-1 mark. VOTING will remain open through Sunday, Jan. 14,, either by visiting www.iolaregister. com (just click on the sports tab menu for voting options), by sending an email to sports@iolaregister.com, by calling (620) 365-2111 or by clipping out the attached graphic and dropping it by the office at 302 S. Washington in Iola.
GIRLS
Above at left, Iola Middle School’s Konner Morrison (25) puts in a field goal against Burlington in a seventh-grade A team game. Above, Iola’s Cameron Findley passes the ball to a teammate in the seventh-grade B team game.
Zoie Hesse has doubled up on her workload over the winter, competing in both basketball and wrestling for Iola High. Her 17 points against Central
JANUARY
GROUP FITNESS CLASSES MORNING BLAST BOOTCAMP
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY • 6 A.M. Get up and kickstart the day with our high energy Morning Blast Bootcamp. This class is a quick 30-35 minutes of hard work! We’ll incorporate different styles each class to keep your body in constant motion and get you ready to tackle the day.
HEALTHY FOR LIFE
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY • 9:30 A.M. As you age, it is more important than ever to stay active. Routine exercise can help improve your overall health. In this 40-45 minute class, we’ll focus on strength, cardiovascular endurance, balance, and coordination for a total body workout.
Iola Middle School’s Isaiah Geisler, left, looks to move the ball against Burlington in an eighth-grade B team game Thursday. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
IMS: Falls to Burlington Continued from B1
ter, but a Mosiah Fawson bucket followed by back-to-back field goals from Reed Clift pushed Iola ahead 11-8. Burlington responded with a 3-pointer to trigger a 9-0 run to end the half before outscoring Iola 17-8 in the third quarter. Fawson led the way
for Iola with eight points, followed by Clift with seven. Colton Thompson, Reginald Davis, Brycen Baker, Noah Anderson and Kevon Loving all had field goals as well. Anderson scored four points to pace the the IMS eighth-grade B team. Brodon Westerman and Drake Genoble
also had field goals. Konner Morrison scored five of Iola’s six points in the seventh-grade A team affair. Braylon Keithly chipped in with a field goal. Following a tournament in Wellsville Saturday, IMS is back in action at home Monday, also against Wellsville.
SIT AND BE FIT
MONDAY & WEDNESDAY • 10:30 A.M. This 25-30 minute class is a safe and effective way to improve your life through functional fitness. We focus on improving strength, range of motion, and more. Each participant will have a chair during the class along with any other equipment as needed.
YOGA
MONDAY & WEDNESDAY • 5:45 P.M. Our 30-35 minute yoga class is a mix between the slow-paced style of yin restorative yoga and vinyasa flow yoga. This yoga class will put you in poses that apply moderate stress to the connective tissues of the body—with the aim of increasing circulation in the joints and improving flexibility.
TOTAL BODY BLAST
MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY • 6:30 P.M. This fast-paced 30-35 minute class will have a different vibe each day. We’ll rotate and combine styles such as HIIT, functional fitness, stations, core work, and many more!
JANUARY FITNESS SCHEDULE MONDAY
Morning Blast Bootcamp 6 a.m. Healthy For Life 9:30 a.m. Sit and Be Fit 10:30 a.m. Yoga 5:45 p.m. Total Body Blast 6:30 p.m.
TUESDAY
Total Body Blast 6:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Morning Blast Bootcamp 6 a.m. Healthy For Life 9:30 a.m. Sit and Be Fit 10:30 a.m. Yoga 5:45 p.m. Total Body Blast 6:30 p.m.
THURSDAY
Total Body Blast 6:30 p.m.
FRIDAY
Morning Blast Bootcamp 6 a.m. Healthy For Life 9:30 a.m.
1301 N 9TH ST. HUMBOLDT, KS 66748
620-473-5200 humboldtfitness.com
B4
Saturday, January 6, 2024
All ads are 10-word minimum, must run consecutive days
The Iola Register
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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 PACKING PAPERS AVAILABLE at the Iola Register Office. $3 per bundle.
WANTED Willing to buy Annals of Iola and Allen County, 1868-1945, Vols. 1 and 2. Call the Iola Register, 620365- 2111 or email susan@ iolaregister.com
SERVICES
SERVICES
EMPLOYMENT
Insurance/Real Estate Loren Korte
IIOLA OLA 365-6908
HUMBOLDT HUMBOLDT 473-3831
MORAN MORAN 237-4631
JJ &
Garden Tilling Tree Stump Removal Junk Removal
PAYLESS CONCRETE
620-473-0354
802 N. Industrial Rd., Iola
HECK’S MOVING SERVICE
(620) 365-5588
General G e n e r a l Repair Repair and and S Supply, u p p l y , IInc. nc. 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
•furniture •appliances •shop •etc.
Ashton Heck 785-204-0369 Iola Mini-Storage 323 N. Jefferson Call 620-365-3178 or 365-6163
Storage & RV of Iola
SEK Garage doors
Regular/Boat/RV/Storage LP Gas Sales, Fenced, Supervised
residential &commercial industrial repair and installs fully insured free estimates!
620-365-2200
iolarvparkandstorage.com
EMPLOYMENT
EMPLOYMENT
Entry Level Welder II The Monarch Cement Company is seeking to fill the position of Entry Level Welder II for the Humboldt, KS plant. Monarch is a rewarding place to work and offers an excellent benefit package including medical, dental and vision insurance, company paid life insurance, 401K with a company match, an educational assistance program, and an employee assistance program (EAP). This is a union position and starting wage begins at $34.21/hour with additional pay for working shifts. Shift work is a good probability.
LAWN SERVICE
PRODUCTS, INC.
EMPLOYMENT
full service!
620-330-2732 620-336-3054
sekgaragedoors.com
To be considered for the position a candidate must be 18 years of age, have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent, successfully complete a pre-hire physical, drug screen and background check, and possess a valid state issued driver’s license. This position also requires the candidate to be capable of following oral and/or written instructions and able to accomplish duties in a safe and systematic manner. A college education and/or technical certification and WorkReady Certificate through KansasWorks is preferred. Successful candidates must successfully complete and pass screening tests for this occupation. This job will include performing all types of gas and electric welding and must have a good understanding of operation and maintenance of all welding machines and equipment used. Looking for a self-motivated individual, willing to learn, have good welding skills, be resourceful, sound judgment and competent in reading blueprints and drawings for fabrication or repair tasks required in the plant. This job will be exposed to cold, heat, dust, noise and all weather conditions. Candidates interested in testing for the WorkReady Certificate through KansasWorks can register by calling 620-432-0320 or contacting Lonnie Jones at the Mitchell Career and Technical Center at 4101 S. Ross Lane, Chanute, KS. Applications can be obtained either online at monarchcement.com or by stopping by the plant office between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. or at the Corporate Office between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Completed applications can be dropped off at the Corporate Office, by email at hr.dept@monarchcement.com or by mailing the application to The Monarch Cement Company, Att. Entry Level Laborer Position, P.O. Box 1000, Humboldt, KS 66748. Previous applicants must complete a new application.
Applications are to be submitted by January 19, 2024. The Monarch Cement Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages qualified minority, female, veteran and disabled candidates to apply and be considered for open positions.
EMPLOYMENT 824 N. CHESTNUT • IOLA
LeRoy Coop Job Opening
(620) 365-6445
Yates Center Branch
tholenhvac.com
1359 Frontage Rd.
Looking for an
Branch Manager
with experience in refrigeration.
Excellent Benefits Vacation - Sick Time - Retirement
EXPERIENCED HVAC TECH Full time with benefits. Vacation, sick leave, uniforms, company retirement matching and partial paid insurance after 30 days probation period.
Help Wanted: System Office Assistant. Part-time position with the Southeast Kansas Library System. Learn more at sekls.org.
Buzzer-beater stuns Warriors SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Nikola Jokic hit a 40-footer as time expired and the Denver Nuggets stunned the Golden State Warriors 130-127 on Thursday night after trailing by 18 points in the fourth quarter. Jokic had 34 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds. He tied it at 127 with a short jumper with 26 seconds left. Golden State’s final possession ended with Stephen Curry’s turnover, setting the the stage for Jokic’s winner from near the right sideline. The defending champion Nuggets have won 11 of 13 and six straight on the road. They sent the Warriors — who failed to get back to .500 after snapping a three-game skid Tuesday night — to a 1-3 start on their seven-game homestand. Aaron Gordon scored 30 points for Denver, and Jamal Murray had
25. Curry led Golden State with 30 points. Klay Thompson added 24. Golden State pulled away in the third quarter, outscoring Denver 44-24 after trailing by double-digits early in the half. The Warriors had a 19-6 midway through the quarter, with Brandin Podziemski hitting three corner 3-pointers for a 10794 lead going into the fourth quarter The Nuggets took a 70-63 lead into halftime, shooting 62% from the field. The Warriors were without Draymond Green, suspended indefinitely three weeks ago, for the 11th straight game. ESPN reported Thursday that Green was expected to return to the team facility in the coming days in anticipation of a return, though coach Steve Kerr did not confirm the report before the game.
Now hiring full-time day and night shifts Second shift differential $2 per hour
Shifts are 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.-2 a.m.
Health Insurance (paid 100% for Full-Time Employee and family)
Apply online at PeerlessProducts.com or visit us at 2702 N. State, Iola
Applications will be accepted until position is filled. Find application at leroycoop.coop under “forms” or call Jamie Poire at 620-964-2225 or 620-490-0695.
Now hiring for the positions below.Visit our website to review our excellent benefits package!
STARS Transfer/Career Advisor Salary range: $33,280 - $39,720
Wesley
United Methodist Church Iola is looking for a
Part-Time Administrative Assistant • 16-20 hours weekly • Must be supportive of the Christian faith and the purposes of the United Methodist Church • Must be familiar with Microsoft Word, Excel and Publisher • Must have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to relate to people from all walks of life • Must be able to maintain confidentiality • Familiarity with local social service entities a plus
Send resume to iolawesley@gmail.com or visit 301 E. Madison Ave. to pick up an application in person.
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.
IS A LOCATION Pick up and drop off your pre-packaged, pre-labeled shipments.
Desktop Support Technician
Minimum Starting Wage: $17.85 per hour
Biology Instructor
Salary Range: $40,950 - $71,700
Adjunct Positions –
Phlebotomy (LaHarpe), Court Reporting, Paralegal, Physics (Online) For a detailed description of all open positions and instructions for submitting your application, visit our website at
www.neosho.edu/Careers.aspx NCCC is an EOE/AA employer.
SEALED BIDS
SEALED BIDS
ALLEN COUNTY is SEEKING BIDS to repaint the exterior of the IOLA SENIOR CENTER, located at 204 N. Jefferson St., Iola. For more information, call 620-228-2676. Bids will be accepted until January 31, 2024.
iolaregister.com
The Iola Register
Saturday, January 6, 2024
B5
Parents drop in without invite Adapted from an on- Tell Me About It line discussion. Dear Carolyn: I live Carolyn
five hours from my par- Hax ents. They have gotten in the habit of telling me they are visiting, not asking, and not ac- when I say ‘no’ to a viscepting reasons it is it.” not a good time. I also If you can offer a bettypically get less than a ter date on the spot, week’s notice. then do it, or come Enjoying Carolyn back with one within Hax’s advice? There’s 24 hours. I do not enmore where that came dorse their methods or from. Sign up for her boundary blindness, at newsletter so you don’t all, but I wonder if they miss a column. justify them because a These visits are usu- “good time” never mateally only a day or so, rialized. and due to my parents’ Caving isn’t good, of age and overall health, course, but your reaI cave. These visits are sons for caving are. hard on me, especially Plus, the only sure way with the cleaning and to stop your parents is preparations. My spouse to bar the door when and I have stressful jobs they show up, which and are raising young you don’t sound willing children. We are barely to do. keeping it together, and So other options inI cannot even find a clude: saying you need therapist who will take X weeks’ notice; booknew patients right now. ing them a hotel; skipHow do I put my foot ping the “preparations” down and tell my par- and warning them of ents they cannot come chaos accordingly. Prewhen I am just racked sumably, they’re in with guilt? this for you, not to see — Anonymous guest towels perfectly Anonymous: You just stacked. do it. “Please respect Find your line, articu-
late it, hold it — kindly. Dear Carolyn: My wife has dementia and has been in a facility for a few years. Her children visit rarely, and siblings and friends have never visited. Because of this, I don’t see the point in having a funeral or memorial service upon her passing. Her children and siblings disagree. I am at a loss how to handle this. — At a Loss At a Loss: I am sorry, what a lonely journey. People forget visitation is as much for caregivers as the ailing. But that’s no reason to sanction her people by withholding a service. If they would like to celebrate her life, then maybe it would be healing for you, too. And maybe the people who didn’t visit would be grateful to “show up” by planning these events, so you can focus on her care. Ask the most vocal proponents of a service if they’d like to take the lead. To: At a Loss: My mother-in-law recently
passed away after several years of suffering from Parkinson’s and dementia. She rarely had visitors apart from her husband. My husband — her son — and I live far away and mainly communicated by phone or FaceTime. Her funeral and memorial service were beautiful, attended by friends and family who, while they may not have visited her, all had lots of fond memories and stories to tell from before her dementia diagnosis. It ended up as a celebration of the life she had lived and the person she was apart from her illness. If I were you, I would arrange a funeral and memorial service. Chances are, there are people for whom your wife has meant a lot, who would love to be able to say goodbye, even though it might have been years since they last met. Maybe that’s what your wife, pre-illness, would have liked, too? — Northern Europe Northern Europe: Lovely, thank you.
ZITS
by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman
OSU's Bower granted seventh year STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma State quarterback Alan Bowman has been granted a seventh year of eligibility after the NCAA approved his waiver request. Bowman spent the 2018, 2019 and 2020 seasons at Texas Tech, the 2021 and 2022 seasons at Michigan and the 2023 season at Oklahoma State. “Alan met the criteria for an extension of his eligibility due to his season ending in-
CRYPTOQUOTES KFG MCIKFGI
jury in 2019 combined with redshirting at the University of Michigan,” said Ben Dyson, Oklahoma State’s senior associate athletics director for compliance. “We appreciate the assistance of the Texas Tech training staff for providing us the documentation we needed to quickly process our waiver request.” The Cowboys finished 10-4 this season and
reached the Big 12 title game. Bowman capped it by passing for 402 yards and two touchdowns in a Texas Bowl win over Texas A&M. Bowman’s 2023 season ranked among Oklahoma State’s all-time best in passing yards (seventh with 3,460), pass completions (fourth with 304) and total offense (10th with 3,484 yards).
CONTACT US:
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
BEETLE BAILEY
by Mort Walker
HAGAR THE HORRIBLE
by Chris Browne
620-365-2111 news@iolaregister.com iolaregister.com 302 S. Washington Ave., Iola
QCXEDCIO NLS X CT J L L E , K F G
BLONDIE
by Young and Drake
MUTTS
by Patrick McDonell
MARVIN
by Tom Armstrong
HI AND LOIS
by Chance Browne
MCIKFGI MLIDCIO NLS X CT Y G G . — D PTY K LT XFSIXFPJJ Yesterday’s Cryptoquote: Welcome, winter. Your late dawns and chilled breath make me lazy, but I love you nonetheless. — Terri Guillemets
B6 Saturday, January 6, 2024
The Iola Register
iolaregister.com
CALENDAR
IOLA
Saturday, Jan. 6 — Wrestling @ Burlington Invitational Monday — 9th grade basketball @ Chanute tournament Friday — Basketball @ Wellsville
ACC HUMBOLDT
Saturday, Jan. 6 — Wrestling @ Burlington Invitational Tuesday — Basketball @ Fredonia Tuesday — Wrestling @ Cherryvale Friday — Basketball @ Cherryvale
MARMATON
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Blaine Gabbert (9) takes a snap during a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns. THE KANSAS CITY STAR/EMILY CURIEL/TNS
ACC CREST
Gabbert gets first start since 2018
VALLEY
Tuesday — Basketball @ Crest Friday — Basketball hosts Southeast-Cherokee
Tuesday — Basketball hosts Marmaton Valley Friday — Basketball hosts Chetopa
YATES CENTER Tuesday — Basketball @ Southeast-Cherokee Friday — Basketball @ Pleasanton
SOUTHERN
COFFEY COUNTY
ACC
Tuesday — Basketball @ MdCV Friday — Basketball hosts Waverly
Saturday, Jan. 6 — Women’s Basketball hosts Crowder College, 2 p.m.; Men’s Basketball hosts Sunrise Christian Academy, 4 p.m. Wednesday — Women’s Basketball hosts Southeast CC, 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 — Basketball hosts Hesston, women 2 p.m., men 4 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 6 — Basketball hosts Central Florida, 5 p.m., ESPN2 Tuesday — Basketball @ West Virginia, 6 p.m., ESPN+ Saturday, Jan. 13 — Basketball hosts Oklahoma State, 6 p.m., ESPN+
THE UNIVERSITY OF
KANSAS
Saturday, Jan. 6 — Basketball hosts TCU, 1 p.m., CBS Wednesday — Basketball @ Central Florida, 6 p.m., ESPN+ Saturday, Jan. 13 — Basketball hosts Oklahoma, 1 p.m., ESPN+
WICHITA
STATE UNIVERSITY Sunday — Basketball @ Temple, noon, ESPNU
this week’s sponsor • Locker rooms with showers, soap, and towels • Networked interactive cardio equipment
NO CONTRACTS STAFF AVAILABLE M-TH 9:00 A.M. TO 8:00 P.M. AND BY APPOINTMENT FRI-SUN. humboldtfitness.com 1301 N. 9th St. • Humboldt, KS 66748
620-473-5200
North Texas knocks off Wichita State WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Aaron Scott scored 18 points as North Texas beat Wichita State 74-62 on Thursday night to kick off the American Athletic Conference schedule. Scott had five rebounds for the Mean Green (8-5). Jason
Edwards scored 17 points. C.J. Noland finished with 12 points. Colby Rogers led the way for the Shockers (8-6) with 18 points, three steals and two blocks. Quincy Ballard added 11 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In the weeks before the 2011 NFL draft, then-Mizzou quarterback Blaine Gabbert was on the cover of Sports Illustrated along with fellow prospects Cam Newton and Jake Locker. The night before the draft to be held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, he was one of five draft candidates to be invited to dinner at the Waldorf Astoria with the President of the United States. Never mind that there were another 150 people there and the closest he got to President Barack Obama was 10 feet away. It was the stuff dreams are made of, really. But the intense spotlight, which also included months of being probed and dissected by the NFL, also came with something heavy. So by the time Gabbert was selected 10th overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars, he was mostly just relieved. “It’s definitely a weight lifted off your shoulders,” he said that night. Just the same, it was a long way from shouldering the expectations that came with all that through an ever-changing career arc to the man now so at ease in his own skin as he steps back into the spotlight. On Sunday in Los Angeles, Gabbert will make his first NFL start since 2018 with Tennessee. It also will be his first for the Chiefs since Patrick Mahomes is being rested against the Chargers with the team’s playoff seeding (third in the AFC) assured. “So, I am starting this week,” Gabbert said with a lighthearted comedian’s touch on Wednesday as he stepped to the media room podium for the first time this season. “I don’t know if Coach Reid told you.” In fact, coach Andy Reid moments before had let it be known and, predictably enough, suggested the suddenly 34-year-old Gabbert would be excited by the opportunity. With his smile alone, Gabbert affirmed Reid’s point and spoke to the message he’ll have for younger teammates. “I’ve been fortunate to start quite a few games in the NFL, and these opportunities don’t come around too often,” said Gabbert, who is 13-35 in those starts. “Just make the most of them, have fun, cut it loose and let’s go play ball.” Early in his NFL ca-
(his wife, Bekah Mills, played basketball at Mizzou) and father with perspective on what really matters — underscored in an episode The Kansas 13 months ago when City Star Gabbert and his two younger brothers were jet-skiing in Florida and reer, Gabbert no doubt helped rescue victims had to remind himself of a helicopter crash. of all that. “I’ve come to peace After all the fanfare with everything that’s to get there, he had four happened throughout head coaches in three my career: decisions seasons in Jacksonville, made, decisions I didn’t during which time the make,” Gabbert said in team went 11-37 and he that August interview. struggled. He ultimate- “Everything happens ly played for nine head for a reason. There’s a coaches with four fran- reason I ended up in chises in his first eight Tampa. There’s a reason seasons — and five I ended up here.” teams overall before the Part of that reason Chiefs signed him. was to be closer to famMaybe it would have ily, both in St. Louis and unfurled differently Towanda, Kan., where with better structure Bekah grew up. and support around Part also was through him to begin with. And, the matchmaking of of course, he wishes former Chiefs backhe’d become “a fran- up quarterback Chad chise guy” and won Henne, with whom some Super Bowls as Gabbert played in Jacka starter, he told me sonville and who adduring camp in St. Jo- vised Reid that Gabbert seph. would be a good fit to But some things in succeed him. his control didn’t go No doubt backing up as he’d wished, he said Tom Brady in Tampa then, and some things Bay the last few seasons felt beyond his control. was part of what made And reconciling all him appealing to Reid. that has been vital not That also girded Gabonly to his career, but to bert for a similar role who he is as a person. he likes to say requires Most important- a “symbiotic relationly, that’s as a husband ship” in learning to see
Vahe Gregorian
the game the same way as the superstar starters. The real challenge, of course, is to stay ever-ready with few opportunities to stay sharp. Gabbert so far has appeared in only one game this season, completing 3 of 5 passes with two interceptions in the 41-10 blowout of the Bears. He might well have gotten a chance to play for the flu-ridden Mahomes in Denver, where the Chiefs lost 24-9. Except … “I think I was probably the one who gave it to him,” Gabbert said, laughing. “So we were both kind of battling it there in Denver.” Getting the work Sunday figures to help Gabbert be more ready in the wretched event of Mahomes suffering an injury — a potential postseason calamity that Henne twice weathered with distinction. “It’s a great dry run,” Gabbert said. And another opportunity that hasn’t come around too often recently — making it all the more to be savored all these years later with the most important appearance of his career looming only an injury away.
You good?
Reach out to a friend about their mental health. Find more ways to help at SeizeTheAwkward.org
iolaregister.com
The Iola Register
BUSINESS
Saturday, January 6, 2024
B7
DIRECTORY
Read local. Shop local. 6-8 times/month • $100/1 Mo. • $200/3 Mo. WE USE R VALSPA TIVE AUTOMO PAINT
• Headstones • Final Dates • Setting & Straightening • Vases 7 N. Jefferson Ave. Iola, Kansas 66749
MILLER’S GAS BODY SHOP Collision Repair and Painting
We treat your car right...the first time! We guarantee it! Hwy. 54 in Gas • (620) 365-6136 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. • David (Duke) Miller, owner • Lots of storage units of various sizes • Boat & RV Storage building • Fenced - under lock & key - supervised 24/7 • RV park for trailers and self-contained vehicles • Concrete pads & picnic tables • Ferrellgas propane sales • Laundry & shower facilities
1327 W. Hwy. 54 (620) 365-2200
Granite Memorials
620-365-0402
202 S. State • Iola
COME SEE US TODAY!
MICROTRONICS, LLC “YOUR WIRELESS CONTROL SPECIALIST”
2270 Highway 54, Iola
(620) 365-8264
OFFICE (620) 365-0090
Office: (620) 380-6196 Contact@MyCoolNeighbor.com MyCoolNeighbor.com
Derrick Foster Owner
The Ultimate Wood Heat. Set the thermostat where you want for a more comfortable home.
407 N. State. • Iola OFFICE (620) 365-0090
• More Comfort - Thermostatically controlled wood heat. • Peace of Mind - Keep the fire outside and eliminated the dangers associated with indoor wood heating. • Save Money - Wood is a renewable, inexpensive and often free energy source. • Durability - Long-lasting, stainless steel firebox.
TIME TO 103 N. 9th • Humboldt, KS 66748 (620) 473-2626 • ddpropane.com
New & Used Cars & Trucks Rental Car Available
SHINE,
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KALE ELECTRIC
• Locker rooms with showers, soap, and towels • Networked interactive cardio equipment
THE BEST PLACE TO
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NO CONTRACTS STAFF AVAILABLE M-TH 9:00 A.M. TO 8:00 P.M. AND BY APPOINTMENT FRI-SUN. humboldtfitness.com 1301 N. 9th St. • Humboldt, KS 66748
620-473-5200
Knowledgeable in every facet of our jewelry collection Come Browse The Largest Selection We’ve Had In Years! Rings • Earrings • Pendants • Necklaces • Bracelets Watches • Pearl Jewelry • Loose Diamonds
5 N. Jefferson • Iola • 620-365-2681
R’NS Farms 620-496-2406
941 2400 St. Iola, KS
112 S. Washington Ave., Iola (620) 305-2595 Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. • Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. • Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m
Ken Kale kdankale@gmail.com P.O. Box 215 Moran, KS 66755
Lilly’s
O’Shaughnessy Liquor
Gerald & Mike Lilly
Brian and Lindsey Shaughnessy
620.365.7860 620.431.7706
(620) 365-5702 1211 East Street • Iola
24-Hour Towing Service
MODERN BREAKFAST + LUNCH
The Growing Place 1050 Industrial Rd., Humboldt
620-473-3955
State licensed for 124 and DCF (Department for Children and Families) approved. Open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. E-mail us: growingplace.sarah@gmail.com and thegrowingplaceks@gmail.com
commercial-residential licensed-insured
822 Bridge St., Humboldt honeybeebruncherie.com
office 620-365-6684 cell 620-496-9156
Wed. – Sun. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. • Closed Mon. & Tues.
PSI
Danny Ware
psi-insurance.com
108 West Street • Iola, KS • 620-228-4363
INSURANCE
LOREN KORTE & ROSAN WILLIAMS Iola, KS Humboldt, KS Moran, KS (620) 365-6908 (620) 473-3831 (620) 237-4631
Brent A. Capper Owner/Bench
Located in Garnett, KS
www.yutzyconstruction.com
Carla L. Capper Owner/Manager
Capper Jewelry, LLC
1-800-823-8609
In business for over 15 years
JESSICA OSWald Sales
620-365-7566
406 North Buckeye • Iola, Kansas 66749
Your Full service store, with in-store repair of fine jewelry
B8 Saturday, January 6, 2024
The Iola Register
HMS falls to Neodesha
Ex-Wildcat headed to Ohio St.
HUMBOLDT — Visiting Neodesha started out like gangbusters Thursday, roaring to a 24-2 lead after one quarter against Humboldt Middle School. never Bluestreaks The looked back in a 56-30 win in Humboldt’s first game back from the winter break. “Neodesha is a very good basketball team,” Humboldt coach Jeremy Weilert said. “I told the players we just have to move on from a loss like this and get ready for our next opponent.” Bryer Grisier scored eight points and Kolton Hanson seven for the Cubs. Connor Newman added four, Blayden McGuire, Weston Johnson and
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard announced his intention to transfer to Ohio State on Thursday, giving the Buckeyes a replacement for Kyle McCord after his own decision to transfer to Syracuse. Howard made the announcement on his social media channels. Howard has one season of eligibility remaining after he went 12-5 as a starter for the Wildcats, leading them past TCU in the 2022 Big 12 title game and helping them reach the Pop-Tarts Bowl this past season. But with Kansas State expected to
Ty Shaughnessy three apiece and Carter Collins two. Johnson also had six rebounds. Shaughnessy had a pair of steals. Neodesha brought home a 32-23 win in the B team game. Mason Miller led Humboldt with eight points, 11 rebounds and two steals. Tucker Wrestler added seven points and six boards. Zane Sanchez added four points, Envy Oberbeck and Bentley Kolb added two points each. The Cub C team rolled to a 24-8 win, led by Grisier’s 10 poins and six steals. Owen Sicka added six points. Wrestler scored four, while Collins and Oberbeck eadh had two. Wrestler also had six rebounds.
RACING
iolaregister.com
turn over its offense to fivestar prospect Avery Johnson, who led the Wildcats to a victory in the bowl game, Howard announced he was entering the transfer portal and considered Miami and Southern California before settling on Ohio State. He also considered declaring for the NFL draft before deciding to spend a year with the Buckeyes. Howard has prototypical NFL size at 6-foot-5, 240plus pounds, and along with a strong arm the ability to run. He also gives Ohio State some experience, having started 27 games and thrown for 5,786 yards and 48 touch-
THIS WEEK
Noah Gragson, No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford (Cup): Stewart-Haas Racing has signed Gragson to a multiyear deal to take over the No. 10 Ford from Aric Almirola. Gragson requested his release from Legacy Motor Club after suspensions by the team and NASCAR months ago.
As the wait for the start of a new season slumbers on, what’s a NASCAR fan to do? By Marco Buscaglia
T
he grandstands are longempty, the asphalt is snowcovered and cold and the beer sales are on ice as NASCAR really hibernates post-holidays. So how can race fans switch gears? Staying engaged with the sport and the broader world of racing is easier than you think. Here are 10 ways that NASCAR fans can enjoy the off-season: 1. Follow and attend other motorsports: “I live NASCAR all season but I can find enough other races to keep me going through the off-months,” says Brian Valek, a Columbia, South Carolina, resident who says he’s been a NASCAR fan since he was 12 years old. “I’m getting into MotoGP these past few years, especially because my brother’s been into it. It’s a cool sport.” In addition to MotoGP, fans can explore other forms of racing like Formula 1, IndyCar, World Rally Championship or local dirt track racing, which have different schedules and offer racing action when NASCAR is not in season. Valek says he wants to attend some short-track races as well. 2. Virtual racing: Crank up the PlayStation and get to work! Many fans turn to video games and racing simulators like iRacing, NASCAR Heat or Gran Turismo to scratch that racing itch, especially when NASCAR takes its annual nap. Various games and platforms offer a realistic racing experience and a chance to compete against others online. 3. Visit Racing halls of fame and museums: Nicholas Petrino, a 40-yearold fan from Boulder, Colorado, scheduled an after-Christmas trip to the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte with his wife. “It’ll be cool to see some of the stuff, and my wife will be happy because we’re going to spend a few days somewhere warm,” says Petrino. “It’s a win-win.” Visiting places like the
The wait for NASCAR action ends Feb. 4 with the Clash at the (L.A.) Coliseum. Here, Martin Truex Jr. celebrates with a burnout after taking last year’s race in front of a large, enthusiastic crowd. Getty Images NASCAR Hall of Fame, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum or other local racing museums can be a great way to learn about the sport’s history and kill some time until the engine roars again. 4. Documentaries and movies: Watching documentaries or films about racing can be entertaining, informative and—with the right blanket and viewing companion—a great way to stay warm during the winter. Films like “Rush,” “The Fast and the Furious,” “Days of Thunder,” “Ford v Ferrari,” as well as great racing documentaries, can be especially appealing to fans and non-fans of racing. 5. Racing reading: Check out books and magazines about NASCAR or motorsports to provide deeper insights into the sport’s history, technology and key figures. Recommended books include “Let ‘Em All Go!” by Chris Economaki, “In the Blink of an Eye: Dale, Daytona and the Day That Changed Everything” by Michael Waltrip and numerous others. 7. Participate in fan clubs and forums: Engaging with other fans
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through clubs and online communities can keep the spirit of NASCAR alive during the off-season. You can follow drivers as well. Plus, you can argue with people you’ll never encounter in real life if you’re into that sort of thing. 8. Attend auto shows and events: If you’re into cars, you’ll probably enjoy attending car shows, auto expos or automotive trade shows to see classic cars, new models and automotive technology. 9. Plan for next season: Fans can start planning trips to races for the next NASCAR season, researching tickets, travel arrangements and accommodations. “My wife and I love planning that stuff out,” says Petrino. “We map out our agenda and make sure we cover all our bases—racing, eating, a good place to stay and cool things to see.” 10. Watch classic races: Re-watching classic NASCAR races, available on various streaming platforms or DVDs, can be a great way to relive exciting moments from the past from the comfort of your own home.
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downs during his career. The Buckeyes missed out on the College Football Playoff following their regular-season loss to Michigan, landing them in the Cotton Bowl. McCord’s decision to transfer forced them to start Devin Brown against Missouri, and he left in the second quarter with a sprained ankle, forcing Lincoln Kienholz to play the rest of the way in a 14-3 loss. Johnson threw for 178 yards and two scores, ran for 71 yards and another TD and was voted the MVP of the Pop-Tarts Bowl for helping the Wildcats to a 28-19 victory over North Carolina State.
Bell ready to ring-up more wins in 2024
C
hristopher Bell was reflective by the time he rolled into NASCAR Champion’s Week festivities in Nashville last month. The Music City greeted him just more than three weeks after his title hopes ended early in the season finale at Phoenix Raceway, a brake failure precipitating a raceending crash in Stage 2. That early exit still stung weeks later, and his Joe Gibbs Racing teammates could commiserate after their own troubles in the Cup Series Playoffs. But Bell seemed to indicate that he’d made peace with the hand that cruel fate had dealt him and his No. 20 Toyota team at Phoenix, taking solace in his season-long strength. “I mean, it was certainly disappointing, but it is what it is,” Bell said before the NASCAR Awards gala. “Denny Hamlin had a steering failure at Homestead that probably took him out of it, Martin Truex (Jr.) had an engine failure at Homestead that probably took him out of it, and that’s just in my group. I’m sure that everyone has those problems that have hindered them, and unfortunately mine came in the championship race. But it just wasn’t meant to be and I’m OK with that. Hopefully my time will come.” Bell can take heart in the fact that he is the only Cup Series driver to make the postseason’s Championship 4 cut the last two seasons. The 29-year-old netted victories on the dirt surface at Bristol in a nod to his racing upbringing, and he added a title-berth clincher with a clutch performance at Homestead-Miami in the postseason’s Round of 8. Bell set a career-high mark with six pole positions, and four of those arrived in the 10race playoffs. But the Oklahoma native also said that the potential for registering more wins was there, as he finished second or third five times in the 2023 campaign. “I definitely feel like there is unfinished business and you know what, regardless of if we won the championship or not, I would have felt that way, just because we left so many races on the table that could have had top five, top threes, possibly wins,” Bell said. “And so I left Phoenix feeling very calm, and I was looking forward to what what’s ahead of us. So I feel good. I feel really good, and I love my team, and I think that we have not reached our ceiling yet, so that gives me confidence.”