Sports: Iola AA American Legion 2015 baseball season opens See B1
The Weekender Saturday, June 6, 2015
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Making food dollars By KAYLA BANZET The Iola Register
TUNES AND TREATS The Iola Municipal Band made its summer debut on the courthouse bandstand Thursday night, with a variety of numbers for a sizable audience. The band will perform each Thursday at 8 p.m. It will be moved to Friday evenings in case of rain. At left, Iola Community Theatre board members Sabra Aguirre, from left, Pam Tressler, Bryan Johnson, Margaret Robb and Elyssa Jackson (seated) serve treats during the concert for the ice cream social. Jackson said funds raised will go toward projects for painting, carpeting and roof repairs at the warehouse.
REGISTER/KAYLA BANZET
When households are on a limited income, the grocery store can become a battleground. Often processed and frozen meals are a cheaper option than fresh produce or meats. This leaves families weighing their options: should they buy affordable or healthier? Market Match, a new program at the Allen County Farmers’ Market, will give another option, and help stretch SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) participants’ benefits so they can grow the healthy contents of their shopping bags. The program kicks off at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Allen County Farmers’ Market on the west side of the square, and will continue See MARKET | Page A6
Furlough notices delivered By JOHN HANNA and NICHOLAS CLAYTON The Associated Press
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas agencies began sending furlough notices Friday to nonessential state employees as legislators remained deadlocked over how to balance the budget and avert
China denies hacking BEIJING (AP) — China responded Friday to allegations it was involved in a hacking attack on U.S. government computers by saying such claims are unproven and irresponsible, and that it wishes the United States would trust it more. The administration of President Barack Obama has increasingly pressed China on the issue of cyberhacking, and on Thursday U.S. officials said China-based hackers are suspected of breaking into the computer networks of the U.S. government personnel office and stealing identifying information of at least 4 million federal workers. U.S. Sen. Susan Collins said the attack amounted to a foreign power seeking information on U.S. employees who have security clearances for access to sensitive information. See CHINA | Page A3
a partial government shutdown. Without a deal on taxes and spending for the fiscal year beginning July 1, the state is not authorized to pay the nonessential state employees next week. It wasn’t immediately clear how many notices were sent, but the Department of Administration
House eyes new tax plan TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislative negotiators have agreed on a new plan for balancing the state budget that defies a veto threat from Gov. Sam Brownback. The plan drafted Friday by three senators and three House members would raise business taxes by $101 million during the fiscal year beginning July 1. The Republican
said on its website that the affected workers would be told by noon Friday. The House on Wednesday approved a proposed budget that would leave the state with a $406 million shortfall, but GOP lawmakers are sharply divided over raising See FURLOUGH | Page A6
governor has threatened to veto any plan raising business taxes by more than $24 million. The House expected to debate the measure Friday afternoon. The plan also increases the sales tax to 6.45 percent from 6.15 percent. Brownback proposed boosting the tax to 6.65 percent.
Milestones drive local SEK-CAP director By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
As the mother of two young children, ages 2 and 3, Kristi Rodriguez is well aware of the challenges facing kids, and their parents. But getting to see the milestones — first words, first steps, learning to learn — is a reward unmatched. Rodriguez experiences milestones of several other youngsters in her role as site director and lead teacher at the Southeast Kansas Community Action Program (SEKCAP) Family Development Center. The center, which serves children from birth to 5 years old from largely impoverished families, has provided a career Rodriguez quickly has grown to love. “It’s completely rewarding,” Rodriguez said. “Every day, there’s something new, and seeing kids get so excited as they learn something new makes my day.” Rodriguez has reached a lofty milestone herself. In May, She was named SEK-CAP’s Teacher of the
Quote of the day Vol. 117, No. 151
Kristi Rodriguez, site director and lead instructor at the Southeast Kansas Community Action Program’s Family Service Center in Iola, has been named SEK-CAP’s Teacher of the Year.
REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
Year. “Kristi enthusiastically meets the needs of the children, families and team members at her center ev-
ery day,” SEK-CAP organizers announced in a press release. “She effectively uses her classroom for the opportunity to build positive rela-
“Things turn out the best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.” — John Wooden, UCLA coach 75 Cents
tionships with anyone who walks through the doors and works within the community See SEK-CAP | Page A6
Hi: 89 Lo: 70 Iola, KS