Tuesday, August 9, 2022
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Film contest highlights Keaton Fest By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register
Iola High School Principal Scott Carson, foreground, was among the dozens of USD 257 employees helping move equipment from Jefferson Elementary School Monday to the new Iola Elementary School, now that the state fire marshal has approved the new school’s occupancy permit. A public open house is scheduled for Aug. 16. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
Public to get first look at school By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register
The new Iola Elementary School will be unveiled to the public with an open house next week. “It’s been a long process, but the finish line is near,” Dan Willis, USD 257 school board president, said in a press release. Parents and students will be able to visit the school from 5 to 6 p.m. next Tuesday, Aug. 16. The public can tour the school from 6 to 7:30. Those who have been involved in the process are invited to attend a ribbon cutting with the Iola Area Chamber of Commerce at 5. THE KANSAS Fire Marshal granted an occupancy permit for the building last
school, expect to see work continue on playgrounds, perimeter fencing and signs. Temporary safety fencing will be installed where necessary.
week and contractors announced the building will be ready for the first day of school on Aug. 17. “Some things will not be 100% complete but the building should be able to host students,” Willis said. The last-minute work includes testing kitchen equip-
ment, programming IT networks, installing playground equipment and setting up shelves in the library. Classroom furniture is still being assembled, and teachers are expected to begin organizing their rooms this week. During the first week of
WILLIS also offered an update on the financial picture, which he said continues to look favorable. A preliminary summary shows the district is within a half a percent of spending for the $25.5 million project. “With the inflationary factors of the last two years, this feels like a success for our taxpayers,” Willis said. “Our contractor, Coonrod and Associates, had strong contract language during the bidding process to hold pricing and SJCF Architecture used value engineering See SCHOOL | Page A6
Calling all local filmmakers, dramatic producers, content creators and social media influencers. The Buster Keaton Festival is offering a film competition this year, awarding prizes for the best short film — and by short, expect a runtime of between 3 to 6 minutes. The contest kicks off Friday with an event from 7 to 8 pm. at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center and an online version. Registration is required, with a $50 fee. Completed films must be submitted by Sept. 16. “This is a chance for our community, and especially young people here, to take a whack at making a movie,” Dan Kays, executive director of the Bowlus Fine Arts Center, said. “Everyone is making movies these days. They’re just 30-second TikTok videos. So maybe take that and expand it.” The film contest is inspired by the works of movie icons Buster Keaton and Gene Kelly. Both Keaton and Kelly were pioneers whose See CONTEST | Page A6
Allen cross country team preview
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Senate Democrats pass budget package WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats pushed their election-year economic package to Senate passage Sunday, a hard-fought compromise less ambitious than President Joe Biden’s original domestic vision but one that still meets deep-rooted party goals of slowing global warming, moderating pharmaceutical costs and taxing immense corporations. The estimated $740 billion package heads next to the House, where lawmakers are poised to deliver on Biden’s priorities, a stunning turnaround of what had seemed a lost and doomed effort that suddenly roared back to political life. Cheers broke out as Sen-
Vol. 124 No. 217 Iola, KS $1.00
ate Democrats held united, 51-50, with Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking vote after an all-night session. Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall, both Republicans, voted against the bill. “Today, Senate Democrats sided with American families over special interests,” President Joe Biden said in a statement from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. “I ran for President promising to make government work for working families again, and that is what this bill does — period.” Biden, who had his share of long nights during his three decades as a senator, See BUDGET | Page A6
Bargain hunters Shoppers turned out in droves Saturday in downtown Iola for the community’s annual Sidewalk Sale. Here, bargain-hunters stop by the Audacious Boutique’s display set up at the intersection of Madison and Jefferson avenues. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN