The Iola Register, May 7, 2020

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Thursday, May 7, 2020

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Districts announce graduation plans By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register

Stacey Fager, USD 257 superintendent, center right, listens as parents of IHS seniors voice frustration with the district’s graduation plan. The parents discussed options to recognize the seniors, such as purchasing banners similar to efforts made in other communities. REGISTER/VICKIE MOSS

Clearer picture emerges of economy (and it’s not pretty) WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly 3.2 million laid-off workers applied for unemployment benefits last week as the business shutdowns caused by the viral outbreak deepened the worst U.S. economic catastrophe in decades. Roughly 33.5 million people have now filed for jobless aid in the seven weeks since the coronavirus began forcing millions of companies to close their doors and slash their workforces. That is the equivalent of one in five Americans who had been employed back in February, when the unemployment rate had reached a 50-year low of just 3.5%. The Labor Department’s

report today suggests that layoffs, while still breathtakingly high, are steadily declining after sharp spikes in late March and early April. Initial claims for unemployment aid have now fallen for five straight weeks, from a peak of nearly 6.9 million during the week that ended March 28. Applications for jobless aid rose in just six states last week, including Maine, New Jersey, and Oklahoma, and declined in the 44 others. The report showed that 22.7 million people are now receiving unemployment aid — a rough measure of job losses since the shutdowns See ECONOMY | Page A3

YC pool to remain closed YATES CENTER — City officials announced Wednesday the Yates Center Swimming Pool will not open in 2020, because of COVID-19 pandemic. “The safety, health and well-being of the entire community is of the utmost importance,” pool officials an-

nounced via Facebook. With the closure, demolition of the pool will begin this summer for a new pool approved by Yates Center voters in 2018. Branco Enterprises, Inc., will handle the demolition and construction.

Graduation will look quite a bit different for the Class of 2020, as two Allen County school districts have announced plans to have modified ceremonies May 16. Iola High School seniors will receive diplomas beginning at 10 a.m., and Marmaton Valley High School seniors will have a similar event at 6 p.m. Both will organize a sort of combination drive-through/ walk-through event. Graduation plans for Humboldt High School have yet to

By TREVOR HOAG The Iola Register

Like many institutions and businesses, libraries have had to make significant changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Not deemed “essential,” many libraries shut down, or at least closed their doors to the public. However, now that Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive “stay-at-home” order has been lifted, libraries are one of the entities allowed to reopen, though with noteworthy adjustments, and the Iola Library is no exception. For instance, although for now the interior of the library remains closed to the public, Wednesday marked the first day of curbside delivery and pick-up. According to library director Roger Carswell, though people won’t be able to browse the stacks, they’re still “glad that we’re having curbside services.” For as one resident told him, due to the shut-down, “I have never been this long without a library in my entire life.”

Trey Kress places books in the trunk of a vehicle outside the Iola Public Library as part of the new curbside delivery program. REGISTER/TREVOR HOAG To take advantage of the curbside service, patrons can make book and other materials requests by placing holds online, calling the library or emailing. If you’re not exactly sure what you’d like to check out, librarians are happy to provide recommendations or surprise you.

See LIBRARY | Page A5

By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register

Legislators to return for one day PAGE A2

Vol. 122, No. 135 Iola, KS 75 Cents

“We’re glad to do that,” said Carswell. Designated times for pickup are from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every day except Sunday, as well as 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays. Special arrangements can also be made. Those picking up materials

Agency secures facemasks

PAGE B1

Let moms celebrate however they want PAGE B4

See GRADUATION | Page A6

To the curbside, and beyond

Iola’s Richards recaps senior year

be announced, but USD 258 Superintendent Kay Lewis said she plans to discuss the matter with the school board Monday night. Lewis said she would like to have a traditional commencement ceremony in late June or July, resorting to a virtual ceremony as a backup plan. Graduation plans were thrown awry when Gov. Laura Kelly announced March 17 school buildings would be closed for the rest of the year amid social distancing guidelines to prevent spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. The

On hand for the delivery of thousands of facemasks to Goodlife Innovations in Iola were, from left, Rep. Kent Thompson, Jodie Kaufman, Stephanie Rasmussen, vice president of long-term services with Sunflower Health Plan, Mike Strouse, chief executive officer with Goodlife, Dale Derrell and Lauren Vohland. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN

As stay-at-home orders are lifted and folks are getting back into the public more frequently, perhaps now is when it’s most vital for care providers to have personal protective equipment, such as facemasks, notes Mike Strouse. Strouse is chief executive officer with Goodlife Innovations, formerly Community Living Opportunities (CLO), which works locally with See MASKS | Page A3

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