The Iola Register, Sept. 9, 2021

Page 1

Thursday, September 9, 2021

Locally owned since 1867

iolaregister.com

Thrive expands Navigator network

Iola tennis team wins at Labette

By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register

PAGE B1

Extra pay for nurses stalls

PAGE A2

Spending COVID aid is tricky in Kansas PAGE A6

Lisse Regher first started working at Thrive Allen County in 2014 as a Navigator, someone trained to help people obtain health insurance through the Affordable Care Act’s Marketplace. For many, it was their first time to get health insurance. “Doing that job, you are hearing a life story, the good, the bad and the ugly. And when you are able to make something happen for someone, it’s the most amazing feeling,” she said. “Our care coordinators are our front line. They literally can save people’s lives.” Navigators like Regher and

From left, Lisse Regher and Jessica Thompson, talk with Greta Ingle, lead Care Coordinator, about a $2.9 million grant to establish a Navigator system througout Kansas. REGISTER/VICKIE MOSS those who followed were instrumental in lowering Allen County’s uninsured rate from 21% in 2013 to under 9% in 2018.

Regher is now president and CEO at Thrive, leading the organization to a new $2.9 million grant to establish a network of Navigators in Kan-

sas. The grant was announced Aug. 27. Thrive will work with 10 organizations across the state. Each will hire someone to do the same kind of work Regher once did, by helping others apply for health insurance. The grant will also allow Thrive to hire someone to oversee the network and coordinate needs of the partnering organizations. The grant comes from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to help underserved populations find affordable health insurance coverage. It is expected to cover a three-year period. “Navigators serve an important role in connecting communities that historically See GRANT | Page A5

‘Bystander 9/11’ a moving performance Nonprofits: New law hurts voters

By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register

Against the backdrop of white roses and a screen listing the names of those lost in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, Allen Community College students appear with candles. The somber voice of then-President George W. Bush recounts the tragedy of that moment. For those who lived through that day, what follows is a heart-rending yet profound and powerful account from those who were there. ACC Theatre presents “Bystander 9/11: A Theatre Piece Concerning the Events of September 11, 2001.” It’s billed as a semi-autobiographical docudrama written by Meron Langsner about his journey to work that day. The performance is directed and designed by ACC Theatre Director Trevor Belt. The show runs from tonight until Saturday at the ACC Theatre, with show times starting at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, but a donation of $5 or more is requested to the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund. The play tells the story of a bystander who narrowly missed being in the towers

By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH The Associated Press

their lives. They’re the “Sept. 11 Babies,” born in the months either preceding or following the deadly attacks. They grew up amid the uncertainty and vulnerability that comes with knowing how easily it can all fall apart. And just like that tragic

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Two national nonprofit groups argued Wednesday that a new Kansas law prohibiting out-of-state groups from mailing advance ballot applications disenfranchises voters, but the state countered that the groups’ mailing efforts led to a flood of duplicate applications during the 2020 presidential election. U.S. District Judge Kathryn Vratil issued no ruling on VoteAmerica and the Voter Participation Center’s request for a preliminary injunction against the law. Both sides will return to court on Oct. 8 to finish making arguments in the case. The law that is the focus of the litigation was one of two voting laws that were passed this year over the veto of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. It also makes it a crime to include the voter’s name, address and other information on advance ballot ap-

See PLAY | Page A5

See LAWSUIT | Page A3

Rachel Shaffer of Iola plays the narrator in “Bystander 9/11,” a play recounting the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the attacks, ACC’s Theatre Department is performing the short play tonight through Saturday at 7:30 at the ACC Theatre. REGISTER/VICKIE MOSS as they were hit by airplanes piloted by terrorists. This bystander watched the towers fall, leaving a devastating cloud of debris and confusion. Rachel Shaffer of Iola narrates the tale as the bystander, with Blake Hess of Garnett, Adryan Nading of Iola and Lexie Vega of Iola

portraying a series of other bystanders she meets along the way. Their performances are affecting, emotional and realistic, filled with pain, sadness and, eventually, hope. Ironically, the actors told of events that happened before most of them were born, but still had an impact on

TikTok sensation coming to the Bowlus By the Register staff

The Sharpe Family Singers, a TikTok sensation, will offer family friendly entertainment at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center. The show, “Married to Broadway,” features musical numbers and stars from Broadway. Husband and wife Ron Sharpe and Barbra Russell-Sharpe met while performing the young romantic leads Marius and Cosette in “Les Miserables.” Vol. 123, No. 215 Iola, KS 75 Cents

They often tell the story that after being married on stage hundreds of times, they decided to do it for real. Ron Sharpe was the first actor to have played both male leads of Marius and Jean Valjean in “Les Miserables” on Broadway. Saturday’s show also includes their daughter, Samantha, and sons, Logan, Aidan and Connor; as well as three “adopted” family members (the boyfriend, the best friend and the lovable uncle). Twins Aidan and Connor

began their career early by performing in the television show “All My Children” as Trevor. They’re mostly known for their social media singing videos, where their videos have over 1 billion views. All of the performers have a lengthy performance history. In Married to Broadway, The Sharpe Family Singers share their love of Broadway musicals by performing the big show-stopping numbers that are audience favorites around the world.

The Sharpe Family Singers will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center. COURTESY PHOTO

Services, Monuments & Events

620-365-2948

1883 US Hwy 54, Iola • feuerbornfuneral.com


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.