Sports: Humboldt ousted in baseball playoffs See B1
THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
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Thursday, May 19, 2016
Budget cuts slash university, Medicaid funding By MELISSA HELLMANN The Associated Press
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Facing a shortfall of more than $290 million, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback signed a budget bill Wednesday that makes significant cuts to the state highway fund, Medicaid and higher education and trims most state agency budgets by 4 percent.
The governor also warned that more cuts could be made to Medicaid and the higher education system if the Kansas Supreme Court orders an additional Brownback $40 million or more in school funding. A ruling is pending on whether a
school funding measure that passed earlier this year provides equitable funding to the state’s 286 school districts. Some Kansas agencies escaped the cuts: the Department of Corrections, the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and state hospitals. A provision in the bill also prohibited Brownback from slashing the more than $4 billion in aid
to K-12 public schools. The plan, as the state stares at a $290 million shortfall this year and in the fiscal year beginning July 1, includes cutting $185 million from the highway fund, which was announced last month, and over $97 million from most state agencies. State universities and most Medicaid provider rates will be reduced by 4 percent, but exempts provid-
ers that care for people with mental illnesses or disabilities and almost 100 hospitals in rural areas. Kansas has struggled to balance its budget since GOP lawmakers slashed personal income taxes in 2012 and 2013 at Brownback’s urging in an effort to stimulate the economy. Legislators sent BrownSee CUTS | Page A3
Senior standouts gear up for graduation
Mikaela Platt
Platt follows mentors’ footsteps By JON DYKSTRA The Iola Register
It is said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. For senior Mikaela Platt, the wonderful role models of her teachers at Iola High School and before that in elementary and middle school have inspired her to become a teacher. “I had Mrs. (Daryl) Sigg and Mrs. (Julie) Strickler as two of my elementary teachers,” Platt said. “They provided a lot of inspiration, because looking back at it now, you can tell that they love their jobs from all the things that they did with us. They were always happy people and I want to be like that.” Platt said she enjoys working with younger children and is going to pursue a career as an elementary school teacher. The 4.0 student has been very active in her time at IHS. She participates in vol-
You can tell that they love their jobs from all the things that they did with us. They were always happy people and I want to be like that. — Iola High Senior Mikaeala Platt, on teachers who have inspired her to pursue a career in education
leyball, basketball, National Honor Society, FFA and Student Council. “Sports helped me make friends and gave me the feeling that I was a part of something big,” Platt said. “I have a lot of memories with that.” One of her biggest role models spent a majority of her time with Platt on the basketball court, not the classroom. Basketball coach Becky Carlson is an elementary physical education teacher at Lincoln Elementary. Platt credits Carlson with providing lessons that will carry over from the court into everyday life.
Mailboxes destroyed The Allen County Sheriff ’s Department is investigating the damage or destruction of more than 20 mailboxes Saturday southeast of Iola. Tipsters are encouraged to contact the Allen County Sheriff ’s Department, 3651400, or Allen County Crime Stoppers (800) 222-TIPS (8477)
Quote of the day Vol. 118, No. 144
“Coach Carlson definitely had a huge impact,” Platt said. “She always taught us to work hard and care about everyone. I would like to follow in her footsteps.” Platt also credits her high school teachers for always supporting her, even if their classes weren’t necessarily her favorite. “With Mrs. (Dianne) Kauth, I took her math class last semester and it was a really hard class,” Platt said. “With her motivational teaching, it gave us all the motivation we needed to learn and really do well in See PLATT | Page A5
Brett Taylor
Taylor uses sports to thrive in classroom By JON DYKSTRA The Iola Register
High school seniors are preparing for a major step in their lives in the next couple of months as many of them go off to college and leave their parents’ nest. For Brett Taylor the transition is even bigger as he prepares to take his talents 1,300 miles away. Taylor — a 4.0 student at Iola High School — will be continuing his education at the University of NevadaLas Vegas to pursue a degree in athletic training. Taylor has visited Las Vegas several times and says he feels very comfortable there. “I go to Las Vegas twice a year for vacation,” Taylor said. “I really enjoy it there and when I started to look at the cost of tuition, it ended up being pretty cheap with my scholarships. “It is going to be an adventure, for sure.”
“We never understand how little we need in this world until we know the loss of it.” — James M. Barrie, British playwright 75 Cents
The senior has been very active during his high school career participating in football, basketball, baseball and National Honor Society. He has also been active helping younger children in the community by mentoring fifthgraders every day during the school year and coaching youth basketball during the winter. “Sports helped me become so much closer to a lot of people who I otherwise might not have even talked with,” Taylor said. Some of his best high school memories came as a junior during Iola’s run to the state championship game in baseball. “State baseball my junior year was such a good experience,” Taylor said. “Just getting to know everybody and be social (was rewarding).” As the Mustangs prepare See TAYLOR | Page A5
Hi: 67 Lo: 48 Iola, KS