Tuesday, November 10, 2020
Locally owned since 1867
City expects $13M for 54 rebuild By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Rebuilding U.S. 54 through Iola could cost as much as $13 million. Iola City Council members took their first extensive look Monday at what may be involved in rebuilding the road, if and when that project occurs in a few years. On hand for Monday’s meeting was Jacob Dieter, a project designer with Burns and McDonnell, which recently completed a 260-page corridor improvement study. The study included a pavement core analysis, a community open house to gauge support for various adjustments if the highway is rebuilt, and cost projections. A few highlights: • The cost of extending the highway from State Street to near the east city limits
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Humboldt helps Our Market By SUSAN LYNN The Iola Register
HUMBOLDT — Humboldt council members approved investing $20,000 with Amy and Scott Welch to put toward the renovation of Our Market, their up-and-coming grocery store that will partner with their butcher shop. “We’ll recoup that money in a year,” predicted Nobby Davis, mayor of Humboldt, at Monday’s council meeting. Scott Welch said the city could expect to net $31,000 a year and the county $22,000 a year in sales tax revenues, “if we meet our goals.” The Welches did not request a specific amount of funds Monday evening, but rather explained their situation, which is that “we are rather short of funds” when it comes to bringing the former Moon’s Market up to snuff. The grocery has sat vacant for 21 months. “We’re having some trouble on the grocery side,” Amy
Amy Welch addresses Humboldt City Council Monday evening about plans for Our Market, a grocery store she and husband Scott plan in addition to a butcher shop. REGISTER/SUSAN LYNN Welch said, noting some expenses have caught them by surprise, including the need for an updated point of sale system, electrical and sprinkler systems.
The couple said they are currently putting all of their efforts into the butcher shop side of the operation in order to catch the current deer hunting season, “to help us
get some money rolling into the store.” Amy Welch ticked off items completed, including insulation, meat hanging racks, some flooring, Sheetrock and painting. “I jack-hammered all the tile out of the old bathrooms over the weekend,” she said, admitting she was “a little sore today.” As for the grocery, “we don’t have a ton of things left to do,” she said. The store’s sprinkling system should be installed in the coming days. “We’re getting there.” The Welches said they are about $140,000 short of needed funds. So far, they have attracted two grants; a SPARK grant for $100,000 to be used for the butcher shop, and $20,000 from HUGRO, a local development group. Last week, the Welches approached Allen County commissioners for a grant of $100,000. Only Commissioner See HUMBOLDT | Page A6
See REBUILD | Page A3
USD 257
Mahomes makes impact on election
Remote learning adjusted
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By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register
Kansas has 103,000 COVID-19 cases PAGE A2
USD 258
Students explore Cross-country trek cuts through Iola careers Kenneth Moore and his dog, Raven, stop in Iola during their travels from Maryland to New Mexico. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
By TREVOR HOAG The Iola Register
Exploring career opportunities and curtailing COVID-19 were at the forefront of Monday night’s meeting of the Humboldt school board. Middle school counselor Darcie Croisant presented board members with an overview of the Career and Technical Education program (CTE), and shared some details about a $10,000 grant being pursued in connection with the initiative. Iola and Chanute schools already have similar programs in place, which will provide Humboldt with a guide for imSee CTE | Page A6
Vol. 122, No. 264 Iola, KS 75 Cents
He’s battled breakdowns, wintry weather already and a few other technical difficulties, but Kenneth Moore is undeterred. Moore passed through Iola Monday on his cross-country trek from Maryland to New Mexico, where he is headed to visit his ailing brother. All of his belongings were strapped to a small trailer he’s towing on his bicycle. Without a vehicle, Moore eschewed seeking a flight “because of COVID.” And his companion, an 8-year-old pit bull mix named Raven, is prohibited from riding buses, so Moore decided to make his trip a different kind of journey. He set out from Maryland on July 11, with Raven in tow. “Raven’s my wonder dog,’’ he joked. As in, “I wonder
why I didn’t get a cat.” The technical difficulties slowed his pace considerably. His original trike and trailer unit began falling apart in eastern Ohio, Moore explained. A resident there helped him do some quick repairs. By the time Moore reached western Ohio, however, it was the trike’s turn to break down. Moore was gifted a baby stroller large enough to hold all of his belongings. He used that unit until a friendly encounter led somebody to donate $500, enough for Moore to buy a new Roadmaster bike, tent and other essentials. He travels until he tires, then either finds a roadside park to pitch his tent, or if somebody is so inclined to donate, he’ll hole up in a hotel. “Most everybody I’ve met has been very friendly,”
Moore said, including a Buddhist monk he met in Pennsylvania that first blessed his trip, then decided to donate $100 for his effort. “Couldn’t believe it,” he laughed, before adding, “that’s been my favorite part. Meeting the people.” Moore was in northern Missouri when a snowy and icy spell arrived in late October. Moore and Raven hunkered down in a tent for two days. “If it’s cold, that’s OK,” he said. “It’s when it’s windy that makes it a problem.” Even though Monday’s weather in Iola was north of 70 degrees, a brisk south wind made travel a bit of a chore, he admitted. He has no set schedule. “I may get there by the end of the month,” said Moore, 60. “It may be mid-December before I get there.”
Remote learning students who are not keeping up with their peers will need to return to in-person classes, USD 257 board members decided Monday night. The board approved a policy that gives administrators discretion to determine which students should be brought back. At a previous board meeting, building principals said about a third of remote learning students are struggling and might do better with in-person classes. Lincoln Elementary Principal Andy Gottlob presented a list of three problem areas administrators and teachers had identified: Some remote learners demonstrate a lack of interest or a total disengagement. They don’t attend Zoom sessions and don’t turn in assignments. Some remote learners are not following teacher instructions. Some remote students are not actively engaged during Zoom time. Gottlob said some students don’t pay attention to the teacher or simply turn off the camera. “It’s almost like that student who is being disruptive in class. They’re taking away opportunities for other students to learn,” SuperintenSee 257 | Page A3