Sports: Rec teams finish up season See B1
THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
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Monday, July 7, 2014
Gay marriage foes to seek protections TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators will face renewed pressure next year to provide additional legal protections to those who want to avoid accommodating same-sex couples for religious reasons in the wake of federal courts nationwide invalidating state gay marriage bans. A “religious freedom” measure failed in the Legislature earlier this year, even though conservative Republicans control both chambers and top GOP leaders strongly support the state constitution’s ban on gay marriage. The debate pitted business groups against conservative religious leaders, a divide that aided gay rights advocates who argued that the legislation was more sweeping and discriminatory than advertised. Gay marriage opponents argue that Kansas should shield their religious liberties before the state’s ban falls. The prospect is possible
John Hanna An AP news analysis after the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which also has jurisdiction over Kansas, struck down Utah’s ban last month. The Rev. Terry Fox, a prominent Southern Baptist minister in Wichita and a leader in getting voters to approve Kansas’ gay marriage ban in 2005, said he and other pastors are determined to get legislators to take up the issue after reconvening in January. The Kansas Catholic Conference also views additional legal protections as vital. “We are not going to let it die. We are very committed,” Fox said. “The Body of See MARRIAGE | Page A4
Parade highlights Mad Bomber Run The Mad Bomber Run is celebrating its sixth year this weekend, and with it comes another tradition that has quickly grown into a favorite: the Parade of Lights. Damaris Kunkler, program director at Thrive Allen County, said the parade grew rapidly in its first two years and she anticipated the third one this year to be even bigger. “Last time, I’m sure there was well over 100 kids,” she said. Kids from all over the area deck out their bicycles in glow-in-the-dark gear to participate in the parade. There are prizes to be won for the best presentations, but just participating in the parade, itself, is a huge draw for kids,
she said. “The Parade of Lights is so much fun. The kids have taken it and they’re just so adorable out there,” she said. The parade features local heroes, such as the National Guard, Iola Police, and “everybody with lights on their vehicles, basically.” Kunkler said they hope to see the parade continue to grow each year. “We would love to have a glow-in-the-dark float,” she said. The parade begins at 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Glowing items will be available for sale at the registration table, but there are also items available locally at Walmart or online at places like extremeglow. com.
Patriotic salute
Thursday night’s band concert was replete with patriotism in recognition of the July 4 holiday. At top, going clockwise, Joshua Alford, Burlington, plays the french horn alongside his mother, Liz, as part of the Iola Municipal Band; Heidi Hanson, Charlotte, N.C., and her son, Aleksander, were in town visiting her grandmother, Betty Hanson; Daniel Wall, who turns 12 today, and Becky Nilges, participate in the flag salute, and Terri Piazza orated testimonials to liberation while the band accompanied. REGISTER/SUSAN LYNN
Iolan dies from fall By SUSAN LYNN The Iola Register
It passes the test
Camri Bockover, 7, smells a tomato at Thursday’s Farmers Market on the Iola square. To her right are her great aunt, Cindy Chalker, and behind, her grandmother Barbara Chalker Anderson. REGIS-
TER/SUSAN LYNN
Quote of the day Vol. 116, No. 176
Edward Marnell, 49, Iola, fell to his death Friday night while attending the fireworks display at Elks Lake. Two young women alerted Iola firefighters/medics of the incident, Tim Thyer, fire chief, said this morning. “We had one fire engine and two ambulances stationed there just in case anything would happen,” he said. Fire and EMS officers alerted Iola Police and Allen County Sheriff ’s department personnel of the incident at 9:26 p.m., who then came to assist with the rescue, said Iola Police Chief Jared Warner.
“In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.” — Coco Chanel, designer 75 Cents
Firefighters used a pontoon boat to reach the bank of the lake where Marnell’s body had landed. “Unfortunately, he didn’t make it to the water,” Thyer said of the victim’s fall. Thyer did not know how far the victim fell from the top of the limestone cliff. The lake is the former quarry for Lehigh Cement. Fire medics determined he was in critical condition from the fall. An Eagle Med helicopter from Chanute landed at a site near the lake that had been cordoned off for the fireworks display. Marnell was transferred to a Kansas City hospital. The time of his death is not known.
Hi: 96 Lo: 73 Iola, KS