Thursday, September 10, 2020
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COVID corrals ACC discussion
County’s virus cases jump by 13
By TREVOR HOAG The Iola Register
“The kids are just amazing to me,” said ACC president John Masterson, speaking in reference to students being mindful of COVID-19. “I’m really pleased with how serious they’re taking everything.” Masterson also seemed pleased that additional virus testing resources would likely soon be available, as the college has already been successful in catching and quarantining 12 cases thus far. Those interested in learning more about ACC’s plan for responding to COVID-19 can
By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register
Allen County’s positive COVID-19 cases jumped by 13 this week, increasing the total to 43 cases since the pandemic began. That’s a significant increase of about 30%, and coincides with a return to in-person classes at local schools and Allen Community College. USD 257 officials announced last week at least three students had tested positive for the virus. ACC announced its testing procedures led to 12 people being quarantined since classes began Aug. 17. It was not known how many of those cases would have been counted in this week’s total. Three Allen County cas-
IN CONTRAST to the above relatively good news, it seems one casualty of COVID-19 might be the college’s outreach center in Burlingame. The center’s enrollments had already been down in re-
ON THE athletics side, Doug Desmarteau highlighted everything coaches and athletes were doing to stay healthy.
As the situation has proceeded well so far, the athletes will also start scrimmaging amongst themselves without leaving campus. A single positive test, however, has the power to stop a given scrimmage in its tracks, and no outside fans will be allowed to attend games. Despite the precariousness of the situation, Desmarteau emphasized that he thought keeping the athletes active was crucial for motivation and staying focused. Desmarteau also went out of his way to quell rumors that ACC athletes had been See ACC | Page A3
By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register
NFL, Chiefs kick off new season tonight
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go to the college’s new website, and click on the informational tabs. Campus visits are still being conducted at this time, though prospective students are not being allowed in the residence halls.
cent years, due to gas prices and other factors, and the impact of the novel coronavirus may be the knock-out blow. Hence it remains to be seen whether ACC will renew its building contract in Burlingame, and if the college will look to find another outreach location moving forward. “It’s a big one. It’s an important conversation,” said Masterson. “It’s like breaking up with someone you’re still fond of.”
Students see a familiar face at IHS
See CASES | Page A3
Lake Fest event Saturday only
iolaregister.com
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Meatpacking plants face clusters of cases PAGE A3
Matt Baumwart didn’t just trade middle school for high school this year, in his transition to become IHS assistant principal and athletic director. He also traded handshakes for temperature checks. Each morning, Baumwart greets students by taking their temperature to guard against the spread of COVID-19 as they enter the building. Handshakes, as well as any physical contact, are not allowed because they could spread the virus. “I’m very big on handshakes, saying hello, calling a student by name,” he said. “Even though I’m taking a temperature, I’m still trying to greet them, trying to get them started right on their day. Whatever you can do to see a squint in their eye, because you know that’s a smile under a mask.” The pandemic has made it difficult to get to know students. Social distancing makes it more difficult to have
Matt Baumwart is Iola High School’s new assistant principal and athletic director, having served in the same role at Iola Middle School the past three years. He said he hopes it helps that students knew him previously. REGISTER/VICKIE MOSS a quick word with a student. “You can’t have that quiet little conversation as easily,” he said. Baumwart has an advantage, though. Unlike most new administrators, he knows most of the students because
of his past three years as assistant principal at the middle school. This year’s junior class members were eighth-graders when he came to IMS. He’s known the freshmen since they were sixth-graders.
He hopes that’s reassuring to them. “I built some strong relationships with students and got to know them from a different role, as a principal inSee ROLE | Page A3
Free produce offered Trump admits playing down virus’s threat Monday at LaHarpe By ZEKE MILLER The Associated Press
By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
LAHARPE — Volunteers will hand out 900 boxes of fresh produce Monday to anyone and everyone who wants some. The food is being made available from Liberty Fruit Company and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, organizers from Thrive Allen County and LaHarpe PRIDE told LaHarpe City Council members Wednesday. The giveaway is akin to a similar food distribution project held over the spring and summer in Humboldt. The difference this time is
Vol. 122, No. 221 Iola, KS 75 Cents
LaHarpe’s produce giveaway is a one-time-only event. Distribution will begin at 9 a.m. in front of LaHarpe City Hall. To minimize potential exposure to the coronavirus, recipients will remain in their cars as they pull up in front of City Hall from the north along Washington See FOOD | Page A5
WASHINGTON (AP) — Try as he might to change the subject, President Donald Trump can’t escape the coronavirus. In April, the president tried to shift the public’s focus to the economy. In July, to defending the country’s “heritage.” In September, to enforcing “law and order.” But all along the way, the death toll from the coronavirus continued to mount. And now, Trump’s own words are redirecting attention to his handling of the pandemic when he can least afford it — less than two months before Election Day. “I wanted to always play it down,” Trump said of the
President Donald Trump fields questions about the coronavirus and Bob Woodward’s new book about him. (Doug Mills/Pool/ Getty Images)
threat from the virus. That was in a private conversation with journalist Bob Woodward last March that became public on Wednesday with the publication of excerpts from Woodward’s upcoming
book “Rage.” In taped conversations released along with the excerpts, Trump insisted he didn’t want to create “panic.” But his comments also raised See BOOK | Page A6
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