The
IOLA REGISTER Monday, June 17, 2013
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BASEBALL Iola AA Indians lose at home See B1
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Brownback signs two-year budget By JOHN HANNA AP Political Writer
Mark Reis/Colorado Springs Gazette/MCT
Above, A Chinook helicopter passes in front of clouds of smoke from the Black Forest fire in Colorado Springs, Colo. Inset, Tom Smith works to remove tree limbs to protect a friend’s home from advancing flames near Burgess Road and Armonia Ranch Court during Black Forest fire.
Tides turning in Colorado fires By THOMAS PEIPERT Associated Press
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Firefighters are getting a better handle on the most destructive wildfire ever in Colorado, but they’re still struggling against hot spots that could threaten homes that have been spared by the massive blaze. Teams got help Sunday from the weather as steady rain moved through the densely
wooded Black Forest near Colorado Springs in the afternoon. “Every bit of rain helps the crews mop up. It’s just adding another nail in the coffin,” fire spokesman Brandon Hampton said. Nearly 500 homes have been burned by the 22-square-mile fire, which is 65 percent contained. Crews hope to have it fully under control by Thursday. With evacuees anxious to re-
turn, crews are digging up and extinguishing hot spots, laborintensive work that’s needed because extremely dry grass and trees could quickly ignite. Even though the fire was no longer active enough on Sunday to produce a large smoke plume, El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa said it wasn’t safe for people to return home until roads and downed power lines were repaired. See FIRES | Page A4
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican Gov. Sam Brownback on Saturday showed his frustration with part of the state budget passed by the GOP-dominated Kansas Legislature by vetoing the entire Department of Corrections allotment for fiscal year 2015. Brownback signed the bill containing a budget of more than $14 billion for each of the next two fiscal years, starting in July. Although the governor used his power to veto multiple line items, most of the decisions made by lawmakers about spending will take effect. He let stand cuts in higher educating spending, even though he’d opposed any reduction in state funding and went on statewide tour in April and May to build opposition to the idea. In a message to legislators, he called on them to work with the state Board of Regents to “craft a shared vision for higher education.” Corrections department officials have worried that they’ll have to trim spending on community programs and lay off parole officers. The governor vetoed several line items that together trimmed almost $3 million in spending from the agency’s budget for the fiscal year 2014, which begins in July, and Corrections Secretary Ray Roberts said those actions “make
the state safer.” Brownback’s decision to veto the Department of Corrections’ budget for fiscal year 2015 — which contained more than $9 million in cuts — is mostly symbolic, because legislators will have an opportunity to draft another version next year. He approved most of the prison s y s t e m ’ s Gov. Brownback budget for fiscal year 2014, which begins in July. “The Department of Corrections plays a key role in maintaining our state’s public safety,” Brownback said. “Because I consider it inadequate, I veto the FY 2015 budget and look forward to working with the 2014 Legislature in finding the Department sufficient resources to ensure public safety is not imperiled.” Brownback and Republican legislators made a point of fashioning two years’ worth of spending, saying it would promote stability and allow for greater planning. They also said it would open up time every other year to deeply examine some spending issues. The overall budget would total $14.5 billion for fiscal year 2014, and about $14.2 billion for fiscal 2015, See BUDGET | Page A4
ACC makes financial aid changes By STEVEN SCHWARTZ steven@iolaregister.com
Register/Bob Johnson
John Smith will be among Iola Radio Club members who will participate in the annual American Radio Relay League Field Day this weekend in Fees Park at the west edge of Gas.
Radio field day Saturday, Sunday By BOB JOHNSON bob@iolaregister.com
Fees Park at the west edge of Gas will be alive with conversations from around the country this weekend, courtesy of ham radios operated by members of the Iola Radio Club. The IRC will participate in the American Radio Relay League’s annual field day activities. Local hams will set up equipment Saturday morning and be on the air until about 10 that night, take a break and then complete the exercise Sunday morning. “Anyone with an interest in ham radio is invited to stop by to visit and observe the club’s activities,” said member Dale Roberts. Previous field days have
been in Riverside Park. Fees Park was selected this year because of its higher elevation, which members think will give them a better opportunity to connect with operators elsewhere in the nation, perhaps even some overseas. Last year one contact was made in Hawaii. ARRL Field Day is the most popular on-the-air event in the United States and Canada, held the fourth weekend each June. More than 35,000 radio amateurs gather with their clubs, groups or friends to operate from temporary and remote sites, Roberts said. While operators mean to have fun, they also practice for emergencies by setting up temporary stations remote from their homes and vehicles. Most Iola Radio Club memSee RADIO | Page A4
Vol. 115, No.164
There is now a more level playing field for Allen Community College students hoping to hold onto their financial aid. Cynthia Jacobson, vice president for student affairs, was successful during Thursday night’s board of trustees meeting in garnering approval to make changes to the aid policy. Prior to the changes, transfer students who were noncompliant with the financial aid policy for one or more semesters with their former institutions were merely placed on “warning” for financial aid. Changes would now take into consideration whether transfer students would be placed on suspension. Jacobson said for students to keep their financial aid money, they must comply with three requirements:
— Over the course of a semester, 75 percent of the courses the student registers for must be completed. — Students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher. — Students must be ontrack to complete their associates degree in 96 credit hours or less. If students are not compliant in any of the three stipulations, they are placed on “warning,” then, on the second offense, they are placed on financial aid suspension and will not receive funds for that semester. She said 33 students would have transferred to ACC on suspension in the past year if the changes would have been made earlier. “Our default rate is high, we always need to look at ways to bring it down,” Jacobson said. She said the new regulations are not meant to penalize students, but prevent them
An ‘in-tents’ day
from getting in over their head with students loans they are not prepared to pay back. “It’s not meant to penalize the students,” she said. “It’s meant to safeguard them.” She said the new policy changes would help prevent financial aid fraud as well — those who would look to take advantage of aid money often are deterred by more stringent requirements. In other business: — Board members approved a three-year contract with Jarred, Gilmore and Phillips for auditing services. The contract totaled $37,500, or $12,500 per year. — ACC renewed the athletic insurance policy through Bob McCloskey Insurance. The college maintains athletic insurance on a partially selfinsured plan, covering initial costs until heavier claims require deeper coverage.
Register/Steven Schwartz
Members of the Northern Star Girl Scout troop gather in front of one of their tents in Riverside Park on Thursday afternoon. The girls camped overnight for the final day of their “Reaching for the Stars” summer day camp. The troop went on a night hike and spent time stargazing; 29 girls from Allen County, Wichita and Emporia braved the wilds of Riverside Park. 75 Cents
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