The
IOLA REGISTER Tuesday, July 9, 2013
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Iola AA Indians sweep Osawatomie See B1
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‘This is something the city wanted’ Allen County proposes EMS merger By STEVEN SCHWARTZ steven@iolaregister.com
“This is something the city wanted; we are about to give it to you, or at least the chance to take it,” Allen County Commissioner Tom Williams said to the Iola City Council during Monday night’s meeting. He, along with commissioners Dick Works and Jim Talkington, and County Counselor Alan Weber, came before the council with a proposal for an EMS merger in-hand. The
four-page document would give responsibility of the ambulance service to the city of Iola starting at midnight on Dec. 31, 2013. The county, meanwhile, would oversee its finances and budget. “I hope we don’t get caught up in the details, I’m looking for a solution to this quagmire,” Williams said. City council members ultimately decided to table any decision regarding the merger, to allow time for study of the material and for input from City Attorney Bob Johnson. Williams recognized Works’ involvement with the merger, saying Works, long an opponent to any kind of a
merger, has “given up a lot” through the contract, and the other commissioners have “stretched” as well. “Sometimes we have to bend to the inevitable,” Williams said. “For him (Works) to take this step I think shows a lot of courage we don’t see in public officials these days.” Works stood before the council for a few remarks as well. He said the goal has always been to improve quality. See EMS | Page A6
From left, Dick Works, Donna Houser, Jim Talkington, Tom Williams and Alan Weber attend Monday’s meeting of the Iola City Council.
Register/Steven Schwartz
Bandstand gets historic consideration By BOB JOHNSON bob@iolaregister.com
Register/Susan Lynn
Kevin Wood, left, and David Toland situate a colorful and odd-shaped structure in front of the Allen County Historical Society and Museum on the west side of the Iola square. The structure — which could be used as either a playhouse or garden and tool shed — will be given away to the lucky ticket winner Friday night during the Charley Melvin festivities. Mike Barnes, custodian at Jefferson Elementary, built the house as a fundraiser for Thrive Allen County.
Madcap house captures mood By SUSAN LYNN susan@iolaregister.com
If you want to absolutely thrill your youngsters, consider trying for the creative playhouse Iolan Mike Barnes has built. Right out of an amusement park, the house is anything but square — at least in nature. “I figure it’s about 7 feet in every direction,” Barnes said, “But I must have
lost my level.” Perhaps the Mad Hatter was involved. Still, the solid wood house is sturdy and comes with a functioning window plus a bench built inside. Barnes built the house as a gift to Thrive Allen County during its Charley Melvin days this weekend. Damaris Kunkler, program director of Thrive, painted the house its kaleidoscope of
colors. The house will be given away to the lucky ticket winner Friday night. Tickets are $1 apiece or six for $5 and can be purchased at the Thrive office at 12 W. Jackson or at the Allen County Historical Society and Museum, 20 S. Washington, during this week. Tickets will also be available at Thursday’s FarmSee HOUSE | Page A6
HUMBOLDT — Humboldt will apply to place the bandstand in its city square park on the National Register of Historic Places. City Administrator Larry Tucker originally proposed to put all of the park — including water tower and bandstand, built in 1906 and 1907 — on the register, but Mayor Nobby Davis said he thought it better for the city to keep full control of what occurs, and might be built, in the park. Enrolling all of the park could put restraints on what is done locally, he cautioned. “Let’s do the bandstand first, and then look at the rest of the park and the water tower later,” he said. A sticking point was that the water tower, at age 107, might require more than simple maintenance, which could lead to problems if any changes in its structure were proposed, Davis noted. Council members agreed with Davis, voting five-to-one to seek only to register the bandstand. Wayne Smith was the lone negative vote; council members Joann Roether and Sunny Shreeve were absent. If the bandstand is accepted as a historic structure, registration will open the door for grant funding not now available, Tucker said. Consideration of an application surfaced a year ago, but was shelved by a state law that would have put all structures, public See BANDSTAND | Page A3
Local students step back in time By KAYLA BANZET kayla@iolaregister.com
Iola youths took a step into the Wild West during the Bowlus Heritage Arts Camp on Monday morning. This week campers will learn all about the western lifestyle from 8:30 a.m. to noon. On Monday students learned everything from how to mold a clay bowl to cooking beef jerky. Various leaders from the community dedicated their time and knowledge to help with the camp. “Do you know what this is?” Beth Toland asked a group of preschoolers while holding up a buffalo artifact.
The students shouted out answers to Toland with excitement. Toland led the preschool students through the morning by making brands, sling shots and quizzing them on their buffalo knowledge. The preschool students were at the Flewharty-Powell Annex all morning while the older students up to eighth grade were in the Bowlus. Elyssa Jackson, Allen County Historical Society director, taught students how to weave baskets with yarn. Throughout the morning the campers rotated between two different sessions. Those who chose the sewing section stayed in that category all morning. Campers brought in See STUDENTS | Page A6
Vol. 115, No.179
Register/Kayla Banzet
Beth Toland shows preschool students buffalo artifacts at the Flewharty-Powell Annex during the Heritage Arts Camp Monday morning. Today a medicine man variety show performed for the students. The show will run again tonight at 6 o’clock for free on the square. 75 Cents
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