Thursday, November 9, 2023
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Voters reject courthouse remodel By TIM STAUFFER The Iola Register
Allen County voters overwhelmingly rejected Tuesday a proposed $9.95 million bond issue to renovate the Allen County Courthouse. Of 2,510 advance and election ballots counted, 1,897, or 76%, were against the measure. Such huge margins repre-
sent a stinging defeat for the plan’s proponents, which included District Judge Dan Creitz and Allen County Sheriff Bryan Murphy, who attempted to convince voters the renovations were needed to improve security at the courthouse. Reached Wednesday morning, Creitz offered a sobering assessment. “I respect the vote. I’m disappointed, of course. But
the people spoke, and I respect that. We’ll regroup and maybe come up with another plan,” said Creitz. “In the meantime, we’ll continue to serve. The problems this bond issue attempted to fix won’t go away. But we’ll do the best we can with what we have. We always do.” Tuesday’s election had a turnout rate of 29%, higher than Neosho County’s 22%
and Anderson County’s 23%. Results are not yet official; 22 provisional ballots still need to be examined, and mail-in ballots postmarked on Election Day and received by Friday, Nov. 10 are valid. County commissioners will certify results at next week’s meeting. THE OTHER bond issue on the ballot, a $5.95 million
bond issue to improve facilities at Crest USD 479 passed comfortably. By a vote of 257197, voters approved plans to renovate the school building, add new classrooms and an auxiliary gymnasium and reconfigure the school’s entrance. “On behalf of the board, we’re excited to improve our facilities for students and the See ELECTION | Page A6
Kansas officials begin process of restoring court access TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Nearly a month after a “security incident” with all the hallmarks of a ransomware attack, Kansas judicial officials are slowly renewing public access to court information. But for now, that access requires a trip to the state’s capital city. The state’s judicial branch on Tuesday announced it has opened a public access service center at the Kansas Judicial Center in Topeka. The center is staffed by judicial workers and includes 10 computer terminals. Appointments are required and the center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Appointment requests may be made online. The center is for searching case information only, and electronic payments cannot be made there, according to a news release from the state. The release said efforts to bring the judicial branch systems back online will occur in phases and that no firm timeline has been established on when all functions will be fully restored. The massive outage on Oct. 12 left attorneys unable to search online records and forced them to file motions the old fashioned way — on paper. The disruption has caused a huge slowdown of court operations across the state. Since 2019, ransomware groups have targeted 18 state, city or municipal court systems, said analyst Allan Liska of the cybersecurity firm Recorded Future.
The cast of “Willy Wonka Jr.” features, front from left, Everett Glaze, Layla Newkirk, Jenna Morrison as Charlie Bucket, Rebekah Coltrane, Kaeden Vega, Kiera Fawson; back, Kendall Glaze, Lainey Oswald, Max Andersen and Brigham Folk as Willy Wonka. Catch the performances at 7 tonight and Friday at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center. REGISTER/VICKIE MOSS
The Candy Man can Iola High School’s drama department presents “Willy Wonka Jr.” By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register
“Come with me and you’ll be in a world of pure imagination,” Willy Wonka entreats his eager guests. Iola High School’s drama department takes it from there with their presentation of “Willy Wonka Jr.” at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center. The musical production is based on the classic children’s book, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” by Roald
Dahl. It has been adapted for multiple movies, including a prequel called “Wonka” that is due in theaters in December. The IHS version is a delightful buffet filled with catchy tunes, colorful characters and astounding antics. Drama teacher Regina Chriestenson said she picked the musical because she thought interest would be high with the new movie on the horizon, and because See WONKA | Page A3
Layla Newkirk, as Violet Beauregarde, reacts after being turned into a blueberry.
Residents seek answers on new floodplain maps By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register
Debbie Menzie of Iola meets with Matt Long, a project engineer, to learn about new floodplain maps. REGISTER/ VICKIE MOSS
Vol. 125, No. 282 Iola, KS $1.00
Debbie Menzie was surprised to receive a notice that her home is now in a floodplain. It’s never flooded at her home in the north part of Iola, just off Washington Street. Not even close. She attended an open house on Tuesday at the Community Building in Riverside Park, hosted by the Kansas Department of Agriculture to review new floodplain maps.
The new maps show 85 properties are no longer in the floodplain. Eight, including Menzie’s home, have been added. Property owners who have a federally-backed mortgage must have flood insurance if their home is in the floodplain. Menzie said she has never needed flood insurance. She doesn’t have a mortgage so she isn’t required to carry it. She attended Tuesday’s event to discuss her options. She’s not sure if she wants See FLOODS | Page A4
Middle school wrestlers hit the mats
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