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ed by Carna1973, shortly Iola facility a plant was Inter-Colle-
ught back its d became an pany. emained an company unsed last fall group led by tal Partners, billion. as renamed the summer other items, s, cheerleadhies and di-
Sports: Royals sweep past Tampa Bay See B1
THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
www.iolaregister.com
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Herff Jones to close Iola plant By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Herff Jones, LLC is closing its Iola manufacturing facility Oct. 1, likely leaving 80 or so employees out of a job. The pending closure was announced Tuesday in a press release, where company officials said Herff Jones will transfer the diploma-making services from its Iola location to the company’s headquarters in Indianapolis. The approximately 80 impacted local employees will be offered the opportunity to relocate to Indianapolis. Those who choose not to will be offered severance benefits, outplacement and career transition support. “Our employees in Iola deserve credit for delivering outstanding quality to our customers and possessing great pride of workmanship,” Herff Jones President John Newby said in the company statement. “The decision to close the Iola facility, which was the result of an extensive strategic review process, does not reflect the efforts of our employees, but is a step to continue realigning our manufacturing capacity.” Employees were notified about the pending closure See CLOSING | Page A6
By JOHN HANNA The Associated Press
Herff Jones announced Tuesday it will close its Iola facility in October, potentially leaving 80 or more employees without jobs. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
Search still on for kitchen site for meals By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
Daily fare for Allen Countians who depend on congregate meals at the senior center and Meals on Wheels will be decided later this month. County commissioners were told Tuesday morning Area Agency on Aging board members will
consider what course to take for residents of Allen, Neosho and Woodson counties when they gather Tuesday. Senior Services of Southeast Kansas learned some time ago it would lose its lease on the building housing a kitchen it has used in Chanute to prepare hot See MEALS | Page A3
Death and dying: Expanding palliative care By MIKE SHIELDS KHI News Service
Editor’s note: There is an emerging conversation about end-of-life issues and the policy changes needed to give people more control over what happens to them in their final days. This series of stories are about that conversation and the role that experts at regional institutions are playing in it. A milestone multi-year study published in 1995 startled the medical world when it revealed that about half the hospital doctors treating terminally ill people were unaware when their patients had not wanted aggressive, life-extending treatments
Governor says order shields religion
and that about half those who died in their care had pain that might have been abated. Equally shocking, the report found that follow-up efforts to improve the results at the teaching hospitals involved in the study had failed. The study, known by the acronym SUPPORT, remains the largest and most expensive of those examining end-of-life care in the United States. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation financed it, and many have credited it with launching the push for palliative care at U.S. hospitals. Sometimes called “comSee DYING | Page A4
Quote of the day Vol. 117, No. 170
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ governor told state government agencies Tuesday that they can’t punish ministers or religious groups for opposing same-sex marriage, and critics said he is sanctioning discrimination even as the state extends new benefits to gay and lesbian couples. Gov. Sam Brownback issued an executive order in response to last month’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage across the nation. Brownback’s order said the “imposition” of gay marriage could lead to “potential infringements” of religious liberties. The conservative Republican governor’s action is designed to shield churches, clergy, reliSee CLERGY | Page A6
Cross-country trekker touts Kiwanis By KAYLA BANZET The Iola Register
Donning a black suit and carrying an overstuffed backpack Jester Jersey walked his way into Iola Monday afternoon. Jersey, a 28-year-old Davis, Calif., Kiwanis member, is walking across the United States on behalf of Kiwanis International to raise awareness about the dangers of tetanus, a bacterial disease that steals the lives of nearly 49,000 infants and a significant number or women every year. It is Jersey’s wish to also raise funds for vaccines in the fight to end tetanus altogether. Typically, infants in the United States receive the tetanus vaccine in a three-dose series as part of the Tdap vaccines. Adults should get a tetanus booster shot every 10 years. The idea to walk across the country came from a former Kiwanis member, Matt Mattingly. Mattingly walked from the Statue of Liberty in New York City to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco in 1990 for the Kiwanis’ 75th anniversary. Along the way he kept a log and sent correspondence to his family back home. In 1998, he published “The Long Walk Home,” of his journey. The book made its way into the hands of the avid reader Jersey. A proofreader by trade, Jersey devoured the book. His interest in joining his local Kiwanis chapter grew quickly. Once he joined, he began plan-
Jester Jersey is walking across the United States promoting the Eliminate Neonatal Tetanus Project. He also met with Iola Kiwanis members Tuesday to provide information on the project. REGISTER/KAYLA BANZET
ning his own walk for the 100th anniversary celebration. “I wanted to pay homage to him and promote this program,” he said. “It’s not about me.” On May 18, Jersey left California and took a three-day train ride across the country. He began his journey on May 22 from Lady Liberty.
“We pass through this world but once.”
— Stephen Jay Gould, American scientist 75 Cents
“Mattingly arrived back on Sept. 8 so he could celebrate his wedding anniversary,” Jersey said. “I’m hoping to make it home the first week of September to celebrate my birthday with my family.” In the book, Mattingly notes meeting an Iola Register reSee WALK | Page A6
Hi: 70 Lo: 60 Iola, KS