Inside: Humboldt plans landscape update, See A3
Football: Iola JV falls to Cherryvale See B1
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THE IOLA REGISTER Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Iola City Council
Burglar sought by Iola police
City OKs Country Estates
Iola police are seeking the public’s help in resolving a series of car burglaries Sunday morning, while the vehicle owners were at church. The incidents were reported to vehicles parked at St. John’s Catholic Church, 310 S. Jefferson Ave., and Wesley United Methodist Church, 301 E. Madison Ave. Rebecca Ritch and Susan Waldman told officers some-
By STEVEN SCHWARTZ steven@iolaregister.com
“We need to be the council to get this done,” Council member Steven French said as he made a motion to begin the annexation of Country Estates to the city of Iola proper. The motion passed unanimously to start the process for annexation, which would begin with a letter to the land and homeowners in the subdivision, located northwest of Iola. Iola Administrator Carl Slaugh said the city would “not be looking at any widescale changes” right away. After annexation, city crews would take responsibility of its streets, some of which are in disrepair, and begin a chip and seal process. Duane McGraw, a Country Estates resident, put in his two cents for the council’s benefit. “Do it, go, get it done,” he said. Slaugh said the city will not immediately see any profit from the annexation because of the necessary investment in the upkeep of the area. See CITY | Page A6
See BURGLAR | Page A6
Pat Fink expresses his patriotism with a flag display on his lawn at 715 Sycamore in Humboldt. REG-
ISTER/BOB JOHNSON
A patriot, heart and soul By BOB JOHNSON bob@iolaregister.com
HUMBOLDT — Time was, every 18-year-old male in Allen County knew Viola Staley. Staley was the Selective Service director who oversaw the conscription of young men into the armed services. If alive today, there’s a good chance Staley would remember her encounter with Pat Fink. The day Fink turned 18, he
arose bright and early and headed to Staley’s office in downtown Iola. “I was waiting at the door,” he said, when Staley arrived. Fink said he wanted to enlist in the Army because he had no stomach for either sea or air duties. Fink spent two years in South Vietnam, deploying in January 1965 — the height of the conflict. He was involved with special forces operations, some
of which were so classified that to this day Fink is reluctant to hint at what they involved. He isn’t reluctant, though, to express his love of country and thinks veterans should be honored at any opportunity. Monday morning he had a dry run for a display he will put out on his lawn at 715 Sycamore St. early Wednesday morning for Patriots Day, a reSee PATRIOT | Page A3
Iola police are seeking the above suspect for questioning regarding a series of car burglaries Sunday morning while the car owners were at church. PHOTO COURTESY OF
IOLA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Obama USD 258 adds security cameras to speak tonight
By BOB JOHNSON bob@iolaregister.com
HUMBOLDT — USD 258 is spending $33,000 to make its schools more secure. High School Principal John Johnson told board members Monday night more surveillance cameras were being added on the middle and high schools campus, including the vocational-technical building. They will give real-time images inside the schools and their grounds if an incident were to occur, he said. Law enforcement officers will have off-site access to the images. All schools are locked while in session and admittance is possible only by a secretary or administrator electronically openSee CAMERAS | Page A6
President Barack Obama will update the country at 8 o’clock tonight on major TV networks about a possible diplomatic breakthrough on relations with Syria. Obama may still press Congress to approve military action against Syria, which on Aug. 21 used chemical weapons, killing almost 1,500 civilians, including children.
County Commissioner Tom Williams addresses the Iola City Council Monday night in efforts to move forward with the EMS merger. REGISTER/STEVEN SCHWARTZ
Iola City Council
EMS merger one step closer By STEVEN SCHWARTZ steven@iolaregister.com
Mi CASA es su CASA Judge Daryl Ahlquist, front, from Neosho County, swears in, from left, Gail Klaassen, Rick Johns, Leslie Wilhite and JoAnn Grafton as CASA Advocates Friday morning in the Allen County Courthouse. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) requires their workers to take on an in-depth training for their services. “It’s a huge undertaking,” Casa Executive Director Aimee Daniels said of their commitment. REGISTER/STEVEN SCHWARTZ
Quote of the day Vol. 115, No.223
While “sticking points” seemed to be the key words regarding the proposed EMS merger during Monday night’s council meeting, County Commissioner Tom Williams seemed confident both entities could work through the issues. Talks continued between the two groups, in efforts to merge Allen County EMS services with Iola Fire Department to make one ambulance service. Discussions showed that the deal is closer than ever. “I give you my word that our commission wants this to work,” Williams said to the council. A motion was eventually passed to move forward with discussions, but not before the council cleared up a few of the points
“Enthusiasm for a cause sometimes warps judgment.” — William Howard Taft 75 Cents
stipulated in the county’s contract. A section in the contract stipulates that if the city forfeits or backs out of the merger agreement within five years, the county has the “option” to take on all EMS services, including the city’s services. “I don’t think that clause will ever happen,” Williams said. “But, the only way this can work is one service.” Council member John Wells requested that the same five-year limit be put on the county’s side as well, allowing both entities to review the agreement if neither side can pull off a singular service. Williams reassured the council; the commissioners don’t believe this will happen. “You all are going to make this work, the fire department is going to make this work,” he said. See MERGER | Page A6
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