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THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
Moran targets bad checks
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Tuesday, October 6, 2015
DEMO BEGINS
By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
MORAN — While the penalties aren’t any tougher dollar-wise, Moran City Council members nevertheless tightened a policy to stop utility customers from writing bad checks. Council members voted unanimously Monday to assess a $40 fee to anybody whose check is rejected by the bank because of insufficient funds. Until now, the city offered a slight grace period depending on how long it took to process bad checks twice — sometimes as long as a week. The $40 penalty was assessed only if the same check was returned a second time by the bank, City Clerk Lori Evans explained. “I was surprised by the number of ‘NSF’ (insufficient fund) checks,” Councilman Chad Lawson said. “We’ve all had bad months… but there are bills you have to pay.” The city’s other policy — See COUNCIL | Page A6
After weeks of prep work, demolition of the old Allen County Hospital building hit high gear this morning. Here, Jeremy Smith of Remco Demolition rips his way into the concrete wall along the west side of the building. The work drew scores of onlookers as motorists slowed to a crawl, and others meandered by on foot. The old hospital is being removed to accommodate construction of a G&W Foods grocery store, with new apartment complexes and townhouses also being pursued. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
Leading to change: USD 257 develops goals By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
For many years high schools often were referred to as preps — a contraction for preparatory schools where students readied themselves to continue their educations at a college or university. “Now, we realize that not all students have to go to college to be successful,” Steve Parsons told more than 50 people gathered on Monday to develop a plan for the immediate future of USD 257 schools and their staffs and students. Parsons, former superintendent of schools at Humboldt and Chanute, was joined by Bart Swartz, director of administrative services and leadership programs at
sessions, the second on Nov. 3. M o n d ay ’s i n t e r a c t iv e discussion led to agreement on five goals. In November specifics, including how to go about reaching them and what outcomes might be expected, Steve Parsons speaks Monday at a USD 257 stra- will flesh out the document tegic planning session. REGISTER/BOB JOHNSON that will be handed to Greenbush, to facilitate and guide discussion that ranged board members. That four were involved may make that on about four hours. The process will be in two portion of the process less tu-
torial and more simple ratification. Those asked to participate were a cross-section of public and private Iolans, including several from the district staff. Glaringly absent in the minds of several participants — an oversight that may be corrected — was inclusion of parents whose children might be more likely bound for a post-high school career than college. Students also may be asked to weigh in, at the behest of Mike Ford, school resource officer with Iola Police Department. “We should have students at the table,” Ford said, to give voice “to what they think they need.” Nine goals were suggested See PLANNING | Page A6
Y.C. railroad overpass to reopen soon Pot pilot gets year in prison By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
YATES CENTER — Barring any unforeseen difficulties, motorists can once again make it from Iola to Yates Center in a straight shot sometime late in the day Oct. 16. With work nearing an end on U.S. 54’s Union Pacific Railroad overpass, crews anticipate reopening the highway to traffic across the span about 1½ miles east of Yates Center. This week, crews are laying asphalt across the rebuilt bridge, said Darrin Petrowsky, Kansas Department of Transportation engineer. “And once that’s done, they’ve got several other things they need to get done,” Petrowsky said. “But they’re optimistic they’ll meet the deadline.” Wade Park, KDOT inspector, said crews from J&J Contractors will be on the scene in the coming days to add guardrails. “The striping crews are scheduled to be here the evening of Oct. 16,” Park said, the final step before the bridge is open to traffic. The bridge has been closed since early March, making travel between Iola and Yates
Above, crews from A.M. Cohron & Son, Inc., work on the side railings of a railroad overpass along U.S. 54 near Yates Center Monday. At right, crews lay a fresh layer of asphalt along an approach lane just east of the span. Work is nearly finished on the overpass, which is scheduled to reopen Oct. 16. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
See SPAN | Page A6
Quote of the day Vol. 117, No. 234
“Humor comes from self confidence.” — Rita Mae Brown, American writer 75 Cents
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Colorado man who flew a plane loaded with marijuana to Iola, was sentenced to a year in federal prison. Federal prosecutors say 59-year-old Kenneth E. Weaver, of Denver, was sentenced Monday for one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana. He admitted in his plea that he flew a plane carrying 207 pounds of medical grade marijuana into the Iola airport on July 11, 2014. In addition to his prison sentence, Weaver’s plane, more than $450,000 in cash, a 2007 Bentley Continental and a 2010 BMW X were forfeited to the federal government. After his prison term, Weaver will be on one year of supervised release.
Hi: 76 Lo: 53 Iola, KS