Inside: Library selections perfect for summer See A2
2017 1867
Sports: A.L. wins All-Star Game thriller See B1
THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
www.iolaregister.com
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
County Commission
Bridge debris raises concern By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
Ken Lott made it abundantly clear to Allen County commissioners Tuesday morning he thinks brush and other debris wedged against the Marsh Arch bridge over the Neosho River at the east edge of Humboldt is a disaster waiting to happen. “There are structural concerns,” Lott said, noting state inspections of the concrete span, built in the late 1930s, have dropped in numerical value ratings that past several years. Humboldt Administrator Cole Herder said recently the conglomeration of trees and limbs had resulted in channels on either side to increase in depth. A concern is that it could lead to severe undercutting on the west bank and perhaps affect the integrity of the the bridge. The Humboldt bridge and one a mile west of Iola, replaced several years as part of U.S. 54, are the only two means of crossing the river in Allen County. Lott pointed out any damage of consequence to the Humboldt bridge could result in a long-term burden for farmers living west of town. “You need to get some-
Ride on Riders in the deCycles 2017 2,000-mile ride from Los Angeles to Bloomington, Ind., prepare to leave Iola after having had breakfast at Calvary United Methodist Church Tuesday morning. All told, 45 teenagers and 15 adults are involved in the journey, made more grueling by the recent spat of hot summer weather. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
Backwards Bomber 5K set for Saturday By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
There’s still no telling how many runners will show up for an upcoming late-night jaunt through Iola Saturday. The first-ever Backwards Bomber 5K — a derivative of the now-defunct Charley Melvin Run — will kick off at 10 p.m. Saturday in front of the courthouse bandstand. An anonymous group of runners began huddling
shortly after Thrive Allen County and Allen County Crime Stoppers announced the Melvin Run was being disbanded. Because of the intentional lack of organization for the upcoming run, there will be no registration, no fees, no timing devices, no water stations, no T-shirts and no traffic control. Aside from the route, organizers only ask that runners wear bright clothing and car-
ry flashlights for traffic safety. The venture has drawn plenty of notice. The group’s Facebook page has amassed nearly 900 friends. As such, the group has taken note of the interest the Backwards Bomber 5K has received. “Since the Backwards Bomber Run is 100 percent free to everyone, we thought we would still do our part to See 5K | Page A4
Iola tapped as Kansas’ top trail town
See BRIDGE | Page A4
Iola’s Lehigh Portland Trail REGISTER FILE PHOTO
Iola’s burgeoning reputation for its trails has notched another prize. The publishers of “Kansas Trail Guide” have declared Iola the Kansas Top Trail Town 2017. The designation was announced Thursday at kansastrailguide.com. Iola won overwhelmingly in an online vote pitting it against three other commu-
nities: Marysville, Topeka and Lawrence. The results were overwhelming: Iola’s 599 votes (out of 712 cast) were nearly five times as many as the other three communities combined. Along with the prestige of being noted as the top trail town in the state, the book’s See TRAIL | Page A4
Iola Municipal Band — Since 1871 —
At the bandstand Jake Ard, director Thursday, July 13, 2017 8 p.m. PROGRAM
Star Spangled Banner....................................... (arr. J.P. Sousa) God Bless America................................................Irving Berlin Officer of the Day.........................................................R.B. Hall Baby Elephant Walk..........................................Henry Mancini The Footlifter.................................................... Henry Fillmore My Fair Lady................................................ Lerner and Loewe Over the Rainbow..................................................Harold Arlen Their Finest Hour.............................................Theodore Maki How Firm Thy Friendship......................... James Swearingen El Capitan..................................................... John Philip Sousa Rained out concerts will be rescheduled for Friday evening.
Have ewe herd about the fairgrounds? Works has begun at high gear this week as crews have removed the roof, and siding from the sheep barn at the Allen County Fairgrounds. The plan is to replace the roof entirely, and any other rotted boards by the end of the week. The sheep barn is the first stage of a five-year fairgrounds renovation project spearheaded by the Allen County Fair Board and the Allen County Commission. Work to the hog barn, horse barn and beef barn/show arena will be done in subsequent years. Overseeing the renovations is Diebolt Construction. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
Quote of the day
“While we are postponing, life speeds by.”
Vol. 119, No. 179
75 Cents
— Lucius Annaeus Seneca, Roman statesman (5 B.C.-65 A.D.)
Hi: 96 Lo: 85 Iola, KS