The
IOLA REGISTER
BASKETBALL SCC girls lose at state See B1
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Locally owned since 1867
www.iolaregister.com
Local economy doing better
Stores swap locations
By BOB JOHNSON bob@iolaregister.com
Jerry Whitworth has longterm historical perspective of local merchandising. He started his 44th year in January as owner of McGinty-Whitworth, 101 E. Madison Ave., which permits him to draw on a broad accumulation of knowledge to analyze local retail trends. Meanwhile, Allen County is in an upward economic swing, sales tax collections indicate, which started in 2009, as the economy in general began to recovery from the Great Recession. “My sales have been steady through the period,” Whitworth allowed, with the observation that he thinks most of the upswing may be laid to increased sales of food — both in groceries and restaurants — and vehicles. “Look at A&W and Sonic and some of the other places to eat,” Whitworth said. “They’re always busy, and it’s easy to understand why. A lot of women work and when they get home in the evening they’re beat.” Whitworth’s observation is borne out at mealtime in a drive-by of any eating spot. Numerous vehicles always are parked nearby. If not eating out, families
By ALLISON TINN
allison@iolaregister.com
stronger,” said Mitch Sigg. “Things fell off a little last year, but that was because of family health problems that had me not working four or five months.” Meanwhile, prices of clothing Whitworth sells haven’t increased.
Second Chances and the recently opened Funky Monkey Bling will have new homes before long. The stores, in the same building on the north east side of the square, will be swapping locations. Funky Monkey Bling owner Theresa Ross said the success the store has seen since its opening in November calls for expansion. “We needed more space,” Ross said. “We are growing and taking off and need room to expand.” Ross is targeting a March 17 move, and a March 20 reopening. Building owner Jeff Heinrich is renovating the floors and Ross is building dressing rooms. Ross has started imagining the way the store will look, going for a rustic, older look. She said she asked Heinrich not to cover any imperfections in walls because she liked the added character it brought to the store. Ross said she is excited about the extra space but also the amount of new merchandise she will be able to bring in. Since December Funky Mon-
See ECONOMY | Page A4
See STORES | Page A4
Register/Bob Johnson
Melissa Lassman arranges colorful clothing on a rack at Iola’s McGinty-Whitworth. Sales have picked up in Allen County as the nation recovers from the Great Recession. often “grab a hamburger or a pizza, and eat that at home,” rather than mom spending time in the kitchen preparing a sit-down meal. “Lifestyles have changed,” he said. “Food prices also have gone up,” Whitworth said. “Just ask anyone, especially wom-
en. They’ll tell you. “And you see a lot of new (or new to a family) cars on the streets.” Sales at Sigg Motors, 1721 East St., mesh with Whitworth’s observation. “In 2009 sales where a little better than 2008 and then in ’10 and ’11, sales were much
Two in custody after attempt to rob bank Local businesses gear up for EXPO
KINCAID — Two suspects are in custody following an attempted robbery of Citizens Bank here, which led to a car case and shoot-out with Kansas Highway Patrol troopers. The Register learned Daniel Waddell, 29, and Stephen Hudson, 32, are being held in the Linn County Jail. There were no injuries in the incident, which started shortly after 10 a.m. Wednesday. The suspects reportedly attempted to gain entry into bank but were thwarted because of the bank’s security door buzzer system. The incident prompted bank employees to call 911. Two Kansas Highway Patrol officers spotted the suspects’ vehicle — a white sport utility vehicle — headed toward Mound City in Linn County. With troopers behind the vehicle, one suspect began firing at
By ALLISON TINN
allison@iolaregister.com
Photo courtesy of KCTV
Authorities survey the scene of a chase and shootout in rural Linn County Wednesday. Two suspects are in custody following the chase, stemming from an attempted bank robbery in Kincaid. the troopers. Officers exchanged gunfire with the suspects before getting them to stop. “It ended pretty quickly after that,” said Lt. Mike Thweatt of the Kansas Highway Patrol, with the suspects’ surrender.
Thweatt declined to speak more about the shoot-out because the investigation remains ongoing. KCTV News, Kansas City, reported one patrol car was hit, as were windows of the suspects’ vehicle.
House panel passes concealed carry bill TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Public schools and state colleges in Kansas could designate workers to carry concealed guns even if such weapons are banned inside their buildings for others under a bill that a legislative committee approved Wednesday. The measure approved by the House Federal and State Affairs Committee also would require the state, cities, counties and townships to allow concealed guns in their build-
John Hanna AP political writer
ings unless they have electronic equipment and officers to check for weapons at public entrances. State law now generally bans concealed weapons in courthouses, state offic-
es and other public buildings where officials post notices. The bill would allow state institutions of higher education, government-owned hospitals and nursing homes to still prohibit guns for four years, exempting themselves from the security check requirement. But committee members added amendments to allow local school boards and university and college presidents to designate emSee BILL | Page A4
With warmer weather due soon and thoughts of spring cropping up, this year’s Iola Business EXPO will give plenty of ideas of how to take advantage of spring’s annual renewal. The annual EXPO, “Home, Lawn and Garden,” is March 15 and 16 at Riverside Park’s Recreation Center. “It is designed to showcase our businesses,” Chamber director Shelia Lampe said. “It makes the public aware of goods and services,” available in the Iola area. This year the Iola Chamber office partnered with the Humboldt Chamber and will have Humboldt businesses setting up booths, such as Stacey Cakes. The business EXPO is not only for Iolans. Lampe said Moran Manor will have a booth and visitors from nearby towns, such as Chanute, always are in attendance. This year the EXPO will showcase nutrition and health. The Allen County Hospital will have a booth, as well as Get Fit Wellness Center and Southwind Extension office. Plants ready for spring planting will be available for purchase. “There will be a whole gam-
ut of things,” Lampe said. Allen County Animal Rescue Facility will sell concessions each day. ACARF also will have pets on hand for adoption.
“ It’s
designed to showcase our businesses. It makes the public aware of goods and services. — Shelia Lampe, Iola chamber director
Free trolley rides will be given around Riverside Park. Booths, 10-by-10 feet, are available at $125 for Iola and Humboldt chamber members, and $150 for non-members. Rental includes electricity. To be a corporate sponsor a business may pay $500 and will receive additional exposure, through advertisements, printed materials, and choice booth location. There is a change of thunderstorms that weekend, “but people should come out and think spring. Come out, enjoy the day and get some information,” Lampe said. For more information contact the chamber office at 3655252.
Senator Paul’s fillibuster drones on in GOP opposition “ No president has the right to say Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — A Republican senator and tea party favorite from Kentucky used an old-style filibuster lasting nearly 13 hours to take control of the chamber and block Senate confirmation of John Brennan’s nomination to be CIA director. Sen. Rand Paul ended his filibuster today shortly after midnight, but Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, also a Kentucky Republican, said he would continue to op-
pose Brennan’s confirmation and resist ending the debate on President Barack Obama’s nominee to lead the spy agency. Paul’s performance, which centered on questions about the possible use of drones against targets in the United States, clearly energized a number of his GOP colleagues, who came to the floor in a show of support and to share in the speaking duties. And even as the night progressed, Paul appeared invigorated despite being on his feet for so long. Actual talking filibusters have become rare in the Senate, where the rules are typically used in proceVol. 115, No.92
he is the judge, jury and executioner.
— Senator Rand Paul
dural ways to block the other party’s agenda. After Paul yielded the floor, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., filed a motion to cut off debate on Brennan’s nomination, setting up a vote for later this week. Paul, a critic of Obama’s drone policy, started just be-
“
By RICHARD LARDNER
fore noon Wednesday by demanding the president or Attorney General Eric Holder issue a statement assuring that the aircraft would not be used in the United States to kill terrorism suspects who are U.S. citizens. But by the time he left the Senate floor, Paul said he’d received no re75 Cents
sponse. Paul wasn’t picky about the format, saying at one point he’d be happy with a telegram or a Tweet. Paul said he recognized he can’t stop Brennan from being confirmed. But the nomination was the right vehicle for a debate over what the Obama White House believes are the limits of the federal government’s ability to conduct lethal operations against suspected terrorists, he said. “No president has the right to say he is judge, jury and executioner,” Paul said. The Obama administration See FILIBUSTER | Page A4
Iola, KS