Saturday, July 11, 2020
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End of an era
The Register’s Bob Johnson, a part of the newspaper family since 1964, pens his final “At Week’s End” column. See page A6.
Marshall urges perspective with COVID By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Voters across the state have two questions for Rep. Roger Marshall as he campaigns for a seat in the U.S. Senate. “Folks want to know when it’s going to get back to normal,” Marshall said, “and what’s that normal going to look like?” Marshall, one of a handSee MARSHALL | Page A4
Steve Strickler, from left, Harry Clubine and Congressman Roger Marshall.
Derek Johnson, left, and Andrew Bauer pull up nylon ropes with magnets at Elm Creek on Thursday. They use the equipment for magnet fishing, which is like metal detecting in the water. REGISTER/VICKIE MOSS
‘Fishing’ hobby pulls in pair around Johnson’s waist. This isn’t regular fishing. It’s magnet fishing. Think: metal detecting, but in the water.
By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register
Derek Johnson tosses his line into Elm Creek, eager to catch whatever may be hiding below. The water is calm, the level low. He stands on top of the dam and slowly pulls in the line. It drags, and for a moment he feels a rush of anticipation. Maybe he’s got something. A delicate dance begins as he slowly maneuvers the line. Disappointment sets in. There’s a certain way the line feels; he’s experienced enough to know that whatever he’s pulling, it isn’t what he wants.
“Probably a log. Or a rock,” he calls over to his fishing buddy, Andrew Bauer. “You hung up?” Johnson shakes his head. “I got it.” Johnson can’t afford to lose what’s on the end of his line: a double-sided neodymium magnet that can pull up to 1,200 lbs. It weighs just a few pounds and is attached to a long nylon rope, tied
JOHNSON and Bauer call themselves treasure hunters. They drop their powerful magnets into creeks and rivers, pulling up rusted metal objects lost to the current of time. Most of the items they find are probably worthless, they admit. And they’re almost always in very poor condition, caked with decades of mud and rust. But it’s not so much the value of the items that matters.
It’s the surge of adrenaline they get from finding that needle in a haystack… or rather, in this case, the needle in a muddy river bottom. “I’m not really an outdoor guy,” Johnson said. “But the first time I started pulling a big hunk of metal out of the water, I loved it. Water, especially when it’s flowing, is a different beast. It’s got a mind of its own.” “It’s definitely a rush when you pull something up that you know is really old,” Bauer said. MAGNET fishing is a relatively new hobby in the See MAGNETS | Page A3
Allen Co. sheriff’s seat up for grabs Murphy: Communication is vital By TREVOR HOAG The Iola Register
Bryan Murphy has served as Sheriff of Allen County for the past eight years, and is looking to be elected for a third term. “I’ve worked every aspect in a county sheriff ’s office,” he said. “Corrections, patrol, administration.” As for why he’d like to continue being sheriff, he said, “I truly enjoy serving my community,” and “to be that lifeline when someone needs it.” Murphy said the biggest challenge of being sheriff is “maintaining communications with the community,” and “having an open mind to everyone’s concerns or disagreements.”
Vol. 122, No. 178 Iola, KS 75 Cents
“Conversation is vitally important,” he said, as is “being a community partner.” “No matter who it is,” Bryan Murphy when they come into the sheriff ’s office, “they’ve got my undivided attention. Their time is the most important thing to me.” “You’re tasked with the safety and security of 13,000 people. It’s not to be taken lightly.” Some of the things Murphy pointed to as accomplishments during his time in office include: developing See MURPHY | Page A5
Daniels: We can always do better By TREVOR HOAG The Iola Register
Though currently serving as an Allen County commissioner, Jerry Daniels wants the opportunity to lead the Sheriff ’s Department. If elected, his undersheriff would be Jared Froggate, currently of the Iola Police Department. Daniels has been in law enforcement for 22 years at multiple levels, including serving as a state trooper. He was also in the National Guard for 20 years. “I’ve always been a cop and always will be,” he said. “I think [the Sheriff ’s Department is doing] a great job … but we can always do better.” In terms of achieving
better outcomes, Daniels said “I know how to work with other agencies,” which, he said, leads to “bet- Jerry Daniels ter cooperation and communication” between the sheriff ’s department and other entities. The key, he said, is “keeping people informed and being transparent,” especially during what he described as “tense times.” One way to facilitate transparency, Daniels said, is by creating a law enforcement review board that can handle problems and keep
Council to decide pool’s fate Iola City Council members will decide Monday when, or if, the Iola Municipal Pool will open for the 2020 season. The pool has yet to open because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As restrictions have been eased regarding public gatherings, some communities have opened their pools later than expected, while others
See DANIELS | Page A5
See POOL | Page A7
A successful START means we all have to do our part. It’s safest to stay home. BUT IF YOU HEAD OUT:
629 S. Plummer - Chanute 620-431-4000 www.neoshomemorial.com
You can help prevent the spread. Learn more at www.cdc.gov