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THE IOLA REGISTER DOWNTOWN ABUZZ Locally owned since 1867
www.iolaregister.com
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Rep. Kent Thompson
State finances still a struggle By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
Iola’s downtown — already a bustling place during the workday — had more activity than usual Monday morning. A team of volunteers from the Iola CITF/PRIDE Committee, 4-H’ers and other city staffers were on hand to place more than two dozen flower planters along city sidewalks. The flowers are part of a downtown beautification project spearheaded by CITF/PRIDE, which secured a grant to fund much of the $10,000-plus effort. Meanwhile, city employees were nearby painting Iola’s ornate light poles, while work crews began replacing the facade of Thrive Allen County’s building — the old Kress Building — See ABUZZ | Page A3
Rep. Kent Thompson describes the restoration of Kansas income taxes as a “step in the right direction, but we still have a long ways to go.” Last week legislators voted to override Gov. Brownback’s veto of a bill that revoked tax breaks for 330,000 businesses, including farms, and otherwise repealed an income tax vacation that in large measure benefited high-end taxpayers. “That will raise about $2.4 billion,” including $289,000 to fund a new school finance formula, Thompson said. Thompson, a centrist Republican, represents twothirds of Allen and much of Neosho County. “We’re still $5 billion to $6 See FINANCES | Page A3
Natalie Mueller, from left, assists her children Leah and Thatcher — both of whom are City Slickers 4-H members — in planting flowers around the courthouse square Monday. The flower project was spearheaded by the Iola CITF/PRIDE Committee. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
Developer shares hotel plans By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Bill Michaud, left, owner and proprietor of Sleep Inn & Suites in Fort Scott, visits with Bill Maness, economic development director at Thrive Allen County, about a proposal to build a similar hotel in Iola. Michaud brought his proposal Monday to the Iola City Council. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
Humboldt asked to end pit bull ban By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
HUMBOLDT — David Ellsworth asked city council members to rescind an ordinance that prohibits pit bull and Rottweiler dogs in town. Ellsworth held in his fist several petitions signed by those who agree the two breeds, known for their aggressive behavior, have gotten a bad rap from the media (Ellsworth’s words). The two types of dogs are known to be highly trainable, and, if so instructed, will attack on command. That propensity isn’t limited to pit bulls and Rottweilers, however. Other dogs can be trained to attack, Ellsworth said. Councilman Mark Slater said he thought the proposal should be explored. Carolyn Whitaker told the governing body a committee planning the 2018 edition of Civil War Days wants to return the event to downtown,
square. Council members didn’t object to having recognition of Humboldt’s burning by Confederate renegades downtown, but asked Whitaker to have the committee refine its plans and return with more information at the July 10 council meeting. In other business, council members were told “a person” had contacted city officials Humboldt City Council members were about purchase asked Monday to rescind the city’s ban on of city properpit bull terriers and Rottweilers. WIKIPEDIA ty at the north COMMONS edge of town, on the southeast probably in mid-September, corner of old 169 and the although another date may be considered. She asked hard-surfaced road that conabout having horses and See BAN | Page A6 campfires on the downtown
Quote of the day Vol. 119, No. 160
The developer of a proposed hotel in east Iola spoke in depth about the benefits of bringing a Sleep Inn & Suites franchise to town. Bill Michaud, who opened a Sleep Inn in Fort Scott in late 2014 “to great success,” told Iola City Council members Monday he wants to bring a development agreement to the Council in the near future. Michaud is planning to build a $4.5 million, 32,000-square-foot facility.
The structure would hold between 55 and 60 guest rooms, depending on the architecture. “We’d bring everything you expect out of a first-class hotel,” he said, such as free hot breakfasts each morning for guests, a business and meeting center, indoor pool and fitness center. Sleep Inn differs from Iola’s other motel franchises in that it caters to a different market, Michaud explained. “I hope to offer services not currently available here, to See HOTEL | Page A3
USD 257 personnel changes The USD 257 Board of Education approved the hiring of Karl Sherman as Iola Middle School science teacher and Kyle Lefler as the music teacher for both McKinley and Jefferson elementary schools. The district also hired Daniel Vaughan and Nick McAnulty as assistant high
school boys basketball coaches. Assistant technology director Sean Linn’s resignation was approved by the board. Finally, on Monday, the district approved the transfer of Linda Garrett from fourthgrade teacher to middle school virtual instructor.
Ball team in search of a home By SHELLIE SMITLEY The Iola Register
HUMBOLDT — Cody Lassman, coach of the Neosho County Post 170 American Legion team confronted Humboldt USD 258 school board Cody Lassman m e m b e r s Monday night with a plea for
“Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” — Henry Ford 75 Cents
a place to call home. Lassman began by explaining why the baseball team, primarily made up of Humboldt teens, is named after the adjoining county. “That’s simply because we got stuck with time restraints and deadlines we could not make because we did not realize we were going to form this team,” Lassman said. “It was late and we were fortunate See HOME | Page A3
Hi: 89 Lo: 74 Iola, KS