Football: Mustang moms hit the practice field
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THE IOLA REGISTER Monday, August 26, 2013
STATE
Incentives for tech ed a big hit
Cliff Sexton performed country songs and some of his poetry for guests at Savonburg Public Library’s 50th birthday celebration Saturday afternoon. REGISTER/KAYLA BANZET
Library a mainstay for Savonburg SAVONBURG — The people of Savonburg celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Savonburg Public Library on Saturday. The library opened on Aug. 23, 1963. Today it occupies half of a
complex that also houses city hall. The birthday event was from 1 to 4 p.m. Just like any birthday party, guests had birthday cake and refreshments. Library patrons
NATIONAL
Huge wildfires spread in West By BRIAN SKOLOFF and TRACIE CONE Associated Press
TUOLUMNE CITY, Calif. (AP) — Hundreds of firefighters were digging trenches,
threatening push the blaze closer to Tuolumne City and nearby communities. “This fire has continued to pose every challenge that there can be on a fire...,” said Daniel Berlant, a spokesman with the California Depart-
This fire has continued to pose evey challenge that there can be on a fire... it’s a very difficult firefight. — Daniel Berlant, Calif. Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection
clearing brush and starting back blazes to keep a wildfire raging north of Yosemite National Park out of several mountain hamlets. Inaccessible terrain, strong winds and bone-dry conditions have hampered their efforts to contain the Rim Fire, which began Aug. 17 and has grown to become one of the biggest in California history. Firefighters were hoping to advance on the flames Monday but strong winds were
ment of Forestry and Fire Protection. “It’s a very difficult firefight.” The fire has consumed nearly 225 square miles of picturesque forests. Officials estimate containment at just 7 percent. It continues burning in the remote wilderness area of Yosemite and is edging closer to the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, the source of San Francisco’s famously pure See FIRES | Page A4
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brought in collections of 50 to tie into the anniversary. Some brought 50 stamps and one guest brought 50 toy horses. Special guest Cliff Sexton, cowboy poet and singer, entertained guests during the party. He sang songs about the cattle trails and recited poetry about wranglers and the Flint Hills. Kathy Hale, Savonburg library director, said she was pleased with the celebration’s turnout.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A new state program that pays students’ tuition to help them pursue a technical education is getting glowing reviews from students and leaders alike. Under legislation passed in 2012, Kansas pays tuition for students who learn technical skills during their junior and senior years of high school. The students spend part of their school day in typical high school classes and the rest attending technical or community colleges to learn skills such as graphic design, welding or nursing assistance. The program has been a hit early on, with the number of high school students taking such courses at the state’s 26 community or technical colleges increasing from 3,870 students to 5,800 last year, which was the initiative’s first. The numbers are expected to increase again this year, The Topeka Capital-Journal reported. Last year, the state paid $12 million in tuition, which school administrators and officials at the Kansas Board of Regents and Kansas State Department of Education say is money well spent. “It’s a great initiative to help students,” said Blake Flanders, vice president for See TECH | Page A4
Once-in-a-lifetime moment Smith plays on Opry stage By KAYLA BANZET kayla@iolaregister.com
Many musicians dream of the day they are able to play at the Grand Ole Opry. For Tori Smith, 14, the dream came true last month when she took to the legendary stage. Smith, a freshman at Iola High School, plays French horn in the IHS band. In July she attended the Fine Arts Summer Academy in Nashville, Tenn. This was her second year to attend the camp. “We watched the Annie Moses Band play and that’s how we heard about the camp,” Smith’s mother, Michelle Diebolt, said. The band is an American pop string band. The members launched Annie Moses Ministries in 2010 and the Ministry is the parent organization to the Fine Arts Summer Academy. The Academy attracts all types of fine arts performers from all over the United States. Smith, who started playing the French horn in January 2012, went to the camp to practice and learn more about the instrument.
Tori Smith had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity — to play on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. REGISTER/KAYLA BANZET Smith was assigned to work with mentor Kelly Misko while at the camp. Many of the instructors at the Academy play professionally. “She played the French
“I used to be indecisive but now I am not quite sure.” — Tommy Cooper, British comedian 75 Cents
horn, too, and has a master’s degree in French horn from Juilliard,” Smith said. “She played at the Olympics.” See OPRY | Page A4
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