The Weekender Saturday, February 13, 2016
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Sharp means to be green
Mixed response to court ruling By JOHN HANNA The Associated Press
Craig Sharp
Pasture management efforts lauded By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
HUMBOLDT — Standing in a feed lot finally dried from unseasonable midwinter rain, Craig Sharp allowed if he were to reach his goal of having a “green” operation, “I may have to get a degree in microbiology.” At 64, Sharp isn’t likely
Allen County Conservation District Annual Meeting 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Bass Community Hall, Iola to return to school — he has ag degrees from Kansas State — but he does take advantage of a wealth of information available from the Farm Service Center in Iola and is a faithful attendee at
grazing schools. Sharp and his wife Sussie will be honored for their grass management practices Wednesday evening at the annual meeting of the Allen County Conservation
District. When he took over father Bob Sharp’s cattle operation west of Humboldt 10 years ago, he divorced a meager portion of row crops and turned completely to grass and its management. “The Lord provides sunlight and water,” he said, See SHARP | Page A5
Memories of yesteryear keep Rife young By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
Though Sam Rife has farmed most all his life, there’s a lot more he likes to talk about, such as playing football and riding the rodeo circuit. Rife and his wife Helen will be recognized Wednesday night for their soil and water conservation practices at the annual meeting of the Allen County Conservation District. The Rifes have built nearly six acres of waterways and 10,161 feet of terraces on their land northeast of Mildred. From their split-level house perched on the side of a rise, the birds salute daybreak with a chorus clear and crisp. City life never had any appeal, alSee RIFE | Page A8
Sam Rife and his wife, Helen
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court threatened Thursday to shut down schools if lawmakers don’t revamp the way the state funds public schools by July, ruling that a law enacted last year as a temporary fix underfunded poor school districts by at least $54 million. The high court unanimously decided that the Republican-backed law violates the Kansas Constitution’s requirement that the state finance a suitable education for every student. The court gave lawmakers just four months to devise another system for distributing more than $4 billion in state funding to 286 public schools. Kansas House Speaker Ray Merrick said the court was holding taxpayers and schoolchildren hostage. A fellow Republican, Sen. Jeff Melcher, called the decision a “temper tantrum.” “It’s kind of one of those things, ‘Give us the money, or the kid gets it,’” Melcher said. Republican Gov. Sam Brownback called it a ruling from an “activist” court but added, “We will review this decision closely and work with the Legislature to ensure the continued success of our great Kansas schools.” The decision stems from a lawsuit that four school districts have been pursuing since 2010. The districts say the state’s funding method hurts poor schools and disadvantaged and minority students the most. In response to the lawsuit, legislators approved a $140 million increase in education funding in 2014. But the estimated cost of that aid for the 2014-15 school year skySee MIXED | Page A8
Two killed in AZ shooting GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Two students were shot and killed Friday at a high school in a Phoenix suburb but the danger at the campus was over, police said, as hundreds of worried parents crowded outside nearby stores to await word on their children. Two 15-year-old girls were shot once at Independence High School, but it was not clear what led up to their deaths, Glendale Officer Tracey Breeden told reporters. Authorities were not looking for anyone else, and a gun was found near the bodies, she said. The circumstances sug-
gested the possibility of a murder-suicide or doublesuicide, but Breeden said no determination had been made. She had no information on the relationship between the girls, who died at the scene and were found near an administration building. Police arrived within two minutes of being called, and the school of more than 2,000 students went on lockdown, Breeden said. Hundreds of worried parents soon began arriving at nearby discount and convenience stores. See SHOOTING | Page A8
‘Motherhood’ opens tonight The Iola Community Theatre production of “Motherhood Out Loud” runs at 7:30 p.m. today and 2 p.m. Sunday, and 7:30 p.m. next Friday and Saturday at the ICT Warehouse. Above, Ashley Widener, left, and Teagan Kern; and at right, Tracy Keagle, left, and Indira Trester. Tickets sell for $15 for adults and $8 for children, although the show has some scenes meant for mature audiences. Tickets also are available at Sophisticated Rose. COURTESY
PHOTOS
Quote of the day Vol. 118, No. 73
“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” — Charles M. Schultz, “Peanuts” creator 75 Cents
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