Sports: Phenom gets green jacket See B1
THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
www.iolaregister.com
Monday, April 13, 2015
Elections certified
GLITZ AND GLAMOUR ON DISPLAY
By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Two write-in candidates have earned seats on a pair of area city councils. In Moran, Chad Lawson received 23 write-in votes during Tuesday’s city and school elections, netting him a council seat, County Clerk Sherrie Riebel told the Register. With only one declared candidate for two vacant seats — incumbent James Mueller — a write-in candidate was virtually guaranteed for the Moran governing body. A combined 43 write-in votes were cast in Moran. Likewise, Rick Schulenberg received eight of the nine write-in votes in the Gas City Council election. As with Moran, the Gas council had more vacant seats (three) than candidates (two). George Grisier and Larry Robertson, whose names were on the ballot, were re-elected.
Juniors and seniors at Marmaton Valley and Humboldt high schools celebrated Prom Night Saturday at their respective schools. At top left, Ashley Cary is escorted by Jake Wise as they arrive at Marmaton Valley. At top right, Tapanga Turner, left, and Brady Newman arrive in an antique pickup. At bottom left, Humboldt students stand in line as they prepare for their grand march. They are, from left, Kaitlin Carpenter, Delaney Umholtz, Breanna Kline, Anthony Doran, Rachael Taylor, Tye Taylor and Dakota Hibbs. At bottom right, Humboldt’s Kay Hammer, right, is escorted by Layne Gonzales. PHOTOS BY RICHARD LUKEN AND SARAH GONZALES
COUNTY commissioners canvassed the election this morning to make official Tuesday’s votes. The canvassing process includes the examination of provisional ballots, or ballots used to record a vote when there are questions about a voter’s eligibility. The provisionals did not change the results from LaHarpe’s razor-thin margin, in which newcomer Danny Ware Jr. edged incumbent Savannah Flory by a single vote, 43 to 42. There were four provisional ballots cast in LaHarpe. The provisional ballots also did not change results from the LaHarpe mayor’s race, in See VOTE | Page A4
Kansas ponders new religious protections
Bob Jones has been a fixture at Walmart since the store opened in Iola. REGISTER/RICK DANLEY
Keeping up with Mr. Jones By RICK DANLEY The Iola Register
A
s long as there’s been a Walmart in Iola, Bob Jones has worn its uniform. Most days you’ll find the 60-year-old produce
associate tending the bright aisles of fruits and vegetables and the racks of vacuum-packed salads, and helping shoppers who these days often seek him out by name. But if Jones has overturned long odds to become one of the store’s most senior em-
Quote of the day Vol. 117, No. 113
ployees — he’s in his 27th year — he refuses to credit himself. Most stories begin with an “I”: I went to this school, then I got this job, then I joined this club. We’re the heroes See JONES | Page A4
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators could enact new legal protections for faithbased groups on state college campuses, even though the state already has a religious objections law. Religious groups seeking to protect student chapters’ ability to limit membership argue that the bill they’re pursuing this year sets a clearer legal standard and prevents lawsuits. Critics contend schools wouldn’t be allowed to withhold taxpayer-financed support even if groups discriminate based on race or national origin. The Republican-dominated Kansas Legislature is considering the measure despite the backlash against recent religious objections measures approved by lawmakers in Indiana and Arkansas amid protests that they’d allow discrimination against gays and lesbians. While those controversies hang over the Kan-
“Liberty without learning is always in peril; learning without liberty is always in vain.” — John F. Kennedy, 1917-1963 75 Cents
John Hanna An AP news analysis sas debate, advocates on both sides said the measure dealing with campus groups deals with broader issues. And Kansas already has a “religious freedom” law, enacted in 2013, saying that state or local government agencies can’t substantially limit someone’s exercise of religion without a compelling reason. It allows lawsuits to challenge government actions. But this year’s proposal would specifically prohibit state universities, community colleges and technical colleges from refusing to recognize or provide funds, space or other resources to religious groups See HANNA | Page A4
Hi: 69 Lo: 49 Iola, KS