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THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
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Monday, December 7, 2015
Humboldt celebrates mural project Obama:
Smart, relentless fight needed
By SUSAN LYNN The Iola Register
HUMBOLDT — If you mix the energy of historian Carolyn Whitaker with the talent of artist Gary Hawk and the manpower of Joe Works, chances are you’ll have success. On Sunday, the trio unveiled their second joint project, the beginning stages of a mural depicting the Humboldt Brick Manufacturing Co., begun in 1897. While Works’ great-grandfather, Robert Miller Works, was primarily a farmer, he also had a large interest in the brick company and served as president of the company for a time, Whitaker said. The 8-foot by 12-foot mural will be placed on the west side of the Southwind Rail Trail, about one-quarter of a mile to the north of a mural of Humboldt’s old train station, which the three brought to life last summer. As with the first, Hawk painted the scene, which is then significantly magnified and reproduced into a billboard-sized poster. Sunday’s ceremony at Humboldt’s historical museum complex unveiled Hawk’s painting of the brick plant, which came as a surprise to the Workses. The “elf ” behind it all was Whitaker, of course. “It all started as a conversation with Joe about the old brick plant and how he owns the land where it once was,” Whitaker said. “I pretty much took it from there,” she said with a sheepish grin. Whitaker serves as director of the Humboldt Historic Society
By JULIE PACE The Associated Press
Joe and Janie Works, Humboldt, delight in showing a painting that depicts the old Humboldt Brick Manufacturing plant. The painting, by Iola artist Gary Hawk, was a surprise gift to the Workses at a reception Sunday afternoon. The painting is now being made into a large mural that will be a feature along the Southwind Rail Trail on land Works owns just north of his B&W Trailer Hitches, which is also the site of the former brick plant. REGISTER/SUSAN LYNN
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a rare Oval Office address, President Barack Obama vowed Sunday night the U.S. will overcome a new phase of the terror threat that seeks to “poison the minds” of people here and around the world, as he sought to reassure Americans shaken by recent attacks in Paris and California. “I know that after so much war, many Americans are asking whether we are confronted by a cancer that has no immediate cure,” he said, speaking from a lectern in his West Wing office. “The threat from terrorism is real, but we will overcome it,” he declared. The president’s speech followed Wednesday’s shooting in San Bernardino, Calif., that killed 14 people and wounded 21. Authorities say a couple carried out the attack and the wife pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group and its leader in a Facebook post. Obama said that while there was no evidence the shooters were directed by a terror network overseas or part of a broader plot, “the two of them had gone down the dark path of radicalization.” “This was an act of ter-
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Court cases put judges in spotlight TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Two cases that will be heard in Kansas courts this week could put a political spotlight on the judges and justices hearing them, potentially threatening the careers of any who vote contrary to how activist groups think they should. All 14 judges of the Kansas Court of Appeals on Wednesday will hear the state’s appeal of a lower court ruling striking down a new abortion law. The next day, the state Supreme Court will consider a case that involves the court’s own power to supervise lower courts. A majority of the jurists will be up for retention votes next year, and some experts are predicting the elections will draw a flood of money from outside interest groups seeking to change the makeup of the state’s highest courts, The Lawrence Journal-World reported. Kansas voters got their first taste of high-power electioneering in a judicial
race last year when Gov. Sam Brownback openly campaigned against the retention of two Supreme Court justices. Both of the cases this week already have attracted national attention. The abortion case before the appeals court is believed to represent the first time a Kansas court has said the state constitution guarantees the right to an abortion. The judicial retention case before the Supreme Court is seen by some as a direct threat to the independence of the Kansas judiciary because lawmakers also have passed a bill saying all funding for the court system will be null and void if the new selection law is overturned. Six of the 14 Court of Appeals judges are up for retention next year, as are five of the seven Supreme Court justices. In last year’s Kansas elections, Supreme Court See JUDGES | Page A2
Quote of the day Vol. 118, No. 29
Blood drive Wednesday Area residents are invited to give the gift of life Wednesday afternoon with return of the Iola Community Blood Drive. The Community Blood Center of Greater Kansas City will set up from noon to 6 p.m. at the Bass Community Hall, 505 N. Buckeye St. The Community Blood Center services several medical centers across Kansas and Missouri, including Allen County Regional Hospital’s blood supply. Blood donors must provide identification, be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Donors should get a good night’s rest, drink plenty of fluids and eat well before donating. Donors may book their appointment online at savealifenow.org (sponsor code iolacomm) or simply show up Wednesday. For more information, contact Kay Tindel at (620) 3806233 or kay_tindel@msn.com.
Celestial neighbors
Humboldt astronomer and photographer Mike Meyer was up bright and early this morning in order to get this picture of the crescent moon situated near Venus in the predawn sky. Crystal clear weather conditions made for prime sighting opportunities.
“The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” — Aristotle 75 Cents
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