Opinion: Public deserves a say in fate of Bowlus See A4
2017 1867
Sports: Humboldt players find home on Chanute squad See B1
THE IOLA REGISTER Thursday, June 8, 2017
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Economic development plan criticized By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
David Lee left no doubt he is a strong supporter of economic development, being a principal in LaHarpe Te l e p h o n e C o m p a n y. Even so, he has reserva- David Lee tions about Allen County using tax money to support private enterprises. “Are you getting into banking,” Lee asked during Tuesday morning’s Allen County Commission meeting. Commissioner Jerry Daniels assured that wasn’t the case. “I hope you are taking care of all of Allen County’s needs,” including keeping close track of finances at Allen County Regional Hospital, Lee said. “There are other avenues” for private companies to access revenue, he added. Lee, who serves on the LaHarpe City Council, also
took issue with the two committees appointed for a county economic development effort for having only one member, among 14, without close ties to Iola. Dick Works, the lone outlier, lives west of Humboldt, and is a former long-term commissioner. One committee of seven will meet initially to develop guidelines for how countywide economic development will operate. The second will field requests for assistance. “Our goal is to make Allen County a better place to live,” Commissioner Tom Williams said. With a nearly $40 million uptick in assessed valuation and attendant tax revenue brought about by Enbridge Pipeline, commissioners set aside about $2 million in reserve the first year. That number will grow annually. “We wouldn’t be having this discussion without Enbridge,” Daniels interjected. “I don’t want to just buy new toys and things we See COUNTY | Page A3
Gov. Sam Brownback, right,while speaking during a signing ceremony Wednesday for a bill that enacts additional information requirements for abortion providers, blasted the Legislature’s repeal of his signature 2012 tax cut plan. From left are state legislators, Rep. John Eplee, Sen. Dennis Pyle and Sen. Robert Olson. KANSAS NEWS SERVICE/MEG WINGERTER
GOP: Tax cut repeal offers lessons By JOHN HANNA The Associated Press
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The sudden end of Kansas’ aggressive income tax reductions serves as a cautionary tale for other GOP-dominated states about the pitfalls of moving too far too quickly, some Republicans said Wednesday. Legislators on Tuesday night overrode Republican
Gov. Sam Brownback’s veto of a bill that largely rolls back the income tax cuts he championed in recent years. They concluded the cash-strapped state needed the extra revenue to fix the budget and raise additional funds for public schools. The conservative governor refused to take questions Wednesday from reporters after publicly decrying law-
MEN’S HEALTH Allen Countians up to par with checkups, screenings
By SHELLIE SMITLEY The Iola Register
HUMBOLDT — When it comes to health screenings Allen County men may take as much prodding as their female counterparts. The top three killers of men throughout the U.S. are heart disease, cancer and accidents, according to Dr. Brian Neely of the Allen County Regional Clinic Humboldt. The good news is Allen County men are measuring up when it comes to general health screenings. With a demographic of approximately half of the total male population aged 40 or above, that may not be as surprising as it sounds. Most examinations are taking place during the course of treatment for chronic conditions like
makers’ votes the night before as harmful to the state’s economy. Persistent budget woes that followed Kansas’ first round of massive income tax cuts in 2012 eroded Brownback’s support among voters and prompted near-constant criticism on the left. Even conservatives who still espouse See TAXES | Page A5
Districts await fate of school funding bill By SAM ZEFF Kansas News Service
Dr. Brian Neely
diabetes and high blood pressure. “No one wants to get a colonoscopy but it can detect cancer and it can save lives,” Neely said. “I think people are pretty good about getting things checked out. They don’t want to get sick.” While obesity and smoking are the main contributors to high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes and diabetes, smoking and poor diet are the two most
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common detrimental habits the physician encounters in the male patients he treats. “Everybody can probably use a little bit of improvement in their diet,” he said.“ Not smoking and keeping their weight under control are probably two of the best things anyone can do to keep themselves healthy, and especially men.” Traditionally men have a reputation for avoiding
doctor’s offices, but Neely said that may be a myth. As men age they become more aware of the risks, he said. Older men often take prescribed medications for ongoing conditions and get used to routine doctor’s visits. The importance of when to begin screenings is discussed during scheduled appointments. It is recommended that colon cancer screenings begin at age 50, or earlier if there is a family history of the disease. Men should begin prostate cancer screenings See HEALTH | Page A3
“A grownup is a child with layers on.”
— Woody Harrelson, actor 75 Cents
School districts across Kansas are breathing a bit easier after the Legislature passed a school funding plan and a tax law that provides money for it. Ideally, districts would want to have most of their budgets done by now so school boards could approve them and publish in August. But not this year, as lawmakers have struggled to agree on a plan to adequately fund schools in the face of a June 30 deadline from the state Supreme Court. Even though the Legislature approved a new school funding plan Monday night, it remains to be seen if Gov. Sam Brownback will sign it See DISTRICTS | Page A5
Hi: 83 Lo: 59 Iola, KS