Sports: Fillies beat Anderson County See B1
THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
COUNTY
State in financial pickle By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
Legislators representing Allen County in the Kansas House don’t agree the plight of the Kansas budget is because of overspending, despite the mantra of their leader, House Speaker Ray Merrick. Rep. Adam Lusker, DFrontenac, told county commissioners Tuesday morning the state must pay its bills, but “the money’s not there.” The state is more than $300 million short for the remainder of the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, and then faces a $600 million shortfall in the succeeding year. In 2012 Gov. Sam Brownback and sympathetic legislators cut income taxes, on the promise it would result in greater tax collections from economic development. The theory of trickledown economics is if money is put in the hands of job creators — those benefiting from tax cuts — they will reinvest it, which will lead to increased tax revenues. Hasn’t happened. “When will (they) decide the experiment is not going to work,” asked Commissioner Tom Williams. “There must be a middle ground.” Rep. Kent Thompson, rural LaHarpe, represents See ANSWERS | Page A4
Cool tips Arctic blast to continue all week Weather forecasters say freezing temperatures could reach as far for cold cars south as Atlanta this week, as parts of the U.S. are already seeing temperatures fall below zero. The map below shows forecast lows through Thursday morning. 41 35
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-15 -10 -5 0
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Source: NOAA Graphic: Greg Good, Tribune News Service
Icebox temps, stinging winds The Associated Press
Frigid air is blowing across the United States, dropping temperatures in many areas into the single digits and leading weather monitors to issue wind chill advisories and politicians to plead with residents to check on their neighbors. A National Weather Service wind chill advisory for much of the Midwest and Northeast today into Thursday warns of “dangerously cold air” with
strong winds that could result in frostbite if people don’t put on their scarves, hats and gloves. The blast of arctic air that’s blanketing most of the country prompted schools to close or delay openings from Alabama to the Dakotas. Wind chill advisories and warnings for North Dakota and South Dakota, with the combination of arctic air and wind pushing wind chills into the minus 20s
and 30s led to dozens of schools either closing or delaying their opening. The weather service has posted blizzard watches for southeastern South Dakota and northeastern North Dakota on Thursday. Schools pushed back their starting times across Central and north Alabama because of the bitterly cold weather. In Tennessee, some schools that closed today planned to remain shut down on Thursday.
Commissioner Works completes 24 years
By RICK DANLEY The Iola Register
Dick Works has served as an Allen county commissioner for 24 years. REGISTER/BOB JOHNSON tal. Commissioner Tom Williams noted he had his fingerprints on much more, including Allen County Airport, the landfill and county jail. Works also has been active in regional and state organizations in support of counties. “He and his knowledge will be missed,” said Williams. “But,” Works mused, “I’ll just
Quote of the day Vol. 117, No. 49
By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
A little common sense goes a long way — same goes for cars — as the mercury dips. Automotive wiz John Kress, owner of Quality Auto in Gas, offered up several tips for motorists now that Iola and Allen County are bearing the brunt of the coldest weather snap of the season. “To be honest, a lot of these should have already been done before now,” Kress said, “but you can still check on things to make the roads safer for you and other drivers.” Batteries, tires, windshield wipers and coolant levels should be checked often, especially when it’s coldest, Kress said. “Check your battery and the connections,” he said. Engines are more difficult to get started in extremely cold temperatures. The most obvious and ideal remedy, he noted, is to park a vehicle in a garage overnight. For those without interior parking options, he suggested finding a spot next to a vehicle, or at the least, park with a vehicle pointed to the south, and away from the brisk north wind. “It makes a difference,” Kress said. Engine coolant also is vitally important, to ensure water lines do not freeze over, potentially causing catastrophic damage to an engine. “And if your coolant level is low, you’ll notice it because your car heaters won’t get as warm,” Kress added. Wiper blades are more prone to damage in cold weather because they easily See WEATHER | Page A2
Marching Mustangs remember the Alamo
By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
Dick Works attended his last meeting as an Allen County commissioner Tuesday morning. Works was honored at a reception. Kent Thompson, now a state representative, presented him with a certificate from the House commending him for his service. “Dick is a smart person who served for all the right reasons,” Thompson said during the presentation. Commission Chairman Jim Talkington gave Works a plaque commemorating his service. Works was brief in his remarks, thanking those with whom he worked and concluding with a simple farewell: “It has been a great ride.” Asked earlier what he thought his signature event was, Works pointed to the half-cent sales tax that made possible construction — and ongoing support — of the new Allen County Regional Hospi-
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Wednesday, January 7, 2015
be a phone call away.” Making Works’ retirement even more notable is that his seat has been held by just two commissioners for 40 years, Works the past 24 and Keith Hobart, rural Moran, the previous 16. Jerry Daniels will be sworn in to represent the south and most of eastern parts of the county next Tuesday at 8:30 a.m.
After an overnight bus ride, the Iola High School marching band arrived in San Antonio last Wednesday with just enough time to stretch their legs before assembling on the town’s famed River Walk for a loosely organized concert. Iola joined a handful of other distinguished high school bands who received invitations to perform at the halftime show of Friday’s Alamo Bowl. But on that preceding Wednesday evening, with still two days left to rehearse for the big event, the band’s focus was on the River Walk. “Our River Walk show had a higher priority than the game. At least in my mind it did,” said band director Matt Kleopfer. As for the elaborate halftime show, when Iola would
“Some people drink from the fountain of knowledge, others just gargle.” — Robert Anthony 75 Cents
combine its playing with an additional 13 high school bands in an en masse performance, Kleopfer knew that it would be difficult among the surge of instrumentation to pick out the familiar Mustang sound. But on a quiet midweek evening along the river, the IHS band shone: “The guy who was working the River Walk show — he’d been doing this gig for 20 years — he said our show was one of the most interactive and energetic shows he’d ever seen. Each band had 10 minutes on the River Walk to play a sort of pep rally tune to get the crowd pumped up. This is what we do; this is our Agame — these kids rocked out. We had the other high school bands walking up to us to watch what was going on.” Kleopfer is proud of his students’ discipline: “We See ALAMO | Page A4
Hi: 16 Lo: 1 Iola, KS