The Iola Register, Dec. 14, 2023

Thursday, December 14, 2023

Locally owned since 1867

iolaregister.com

Court to hear abortion pill case

NRP hits roadblock

By SARAH HANEY The Iola Register

Allen County’s participation in Iola’s 2024 Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) has some loose ends, Allen County Treasurer Darolyn Maley told county commissioners Tuesday.

The program offers a tax rebate to Iola property owners who make improvements, such as new structures or remodeling efforts, to their properties. The rebate is equal to the amount their property taxes increase because of the improvements.

Currently 198 properties are in the program, with approximately 40 more to be added in 2024. The city, county, school district and Allen Community College participate in the revitalization program by agreeing to dedicate funds from their mill levies to encourage local homeowners and business owners to improve their properties.

IN DECEMBER 2022, the county agreed to renew its participation in 2024 with the stipulation that it would offer a 100% rebate for the first six years and every year after that decrease the tax rebate by 20%. The other three entities remain content to provide a 100% rebate for the full 10 years.

Maley said the county’s stair-step plan is not ready to implement.

Computer Information Concepts out of Colorado has been hired to devise the plan, Maley said.

“They told me it was going to have to be custom-programmed,” she said, due to the change to a tiered rebate system.

The new program is due to go into effect June 1.

Maley said she expects to receive a proposal for the new program by midSee NRP | Page A3

Local artist Max Grundy gave Iola Council members six ideas for a city flag at Monday’s meeting. Council members settled on two, including the one above, and eventually will accept public input.

Branding Iola City Council will let community decide flag

By SARAH HANEY The Iola Register

Local artist Max Grundy presented six options for a city flag during Monday evening’s Iola City Council meeting. Noting that he’s not originally from Iola, Grundy said his inspiration for the artistic renderings came mostly from his appreciation of the area’s natural beauty.

The flag presentation unfolded as council members expressed varied opinions on the designs, with options ranging from a clock tower to five representations of Iola’s scenic landscapes.

The favorite among council members depicted the old Allen County courthouse’s clock tower. Grundy added that the time on the clock is set to 3:04 — significant because Kansas became the nation’s 34th state.

“It’s honoring the tradition of our beautiful clock tower that was dedicated in 1905,” he noted. “We think it’s re-

Council members liked Grundy’s rendering of the clock tower but asked him to provide a different color scheme. spectful to the tradition of our town. We know there’s still some bad feelings about it (the old courthouse) getting torn down, even though it happened in 1958. People are still sore about it.”

Grundy explained the beams emanating from the clock on the flag give a “forward thinking” look to the town. “In my mind, that is what our town is becoming,” he said.

MAYOR STEVE French praised the clock tower flag’s symbolism, however, others raised concerns about its colors. As the discussion progressed, the clock tower and land/water flags emerged as the council’s top choices.

Grundy was asked to attend the Jan. 8 city council meeting with color variations on the See FLAG | Page A3

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court agreed on Wednesday to take up a dispute over a medication used in the most common method of abortion in the United States, its first abortion case since it overturned Roe v. Wade last year.

The justices will hear appeals from the Biden administration and the maker of the drug mifepristone asking the high court to reverse an appellate ruling that would cut off access to the drug through the mail and impose other restrictions, even in states where abortion remains legal. The restrictions include shortening from the current 10 weeks to seven weeks the time during which mifepristone can be used in pregnancy.

The nine justices rejected a separate appeal from abortion opponents who challenged the Food and Drug Administration’s initial approval of mifepristone as safe and effective in 2000.

The case will be argued in the spring, with a decision likely by late June, in the middle of the 2024 presidential and congressional campaigns.

Mifepristone, made by New York-based Danco Laboratories, is one of two drugs used in medication abortions, which account for more than half of all abortions in the United States. More than 5 million people have used it since 2000.

The Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion in June 2022. That ruling has led to bans on aborSee ABORTION | Page A3

Fed keeps interest rate; says cuts possible in 2024 WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate unchanged Wednesday for a third straight time, and its officials signaled that they expect to make three quarter-point cuts to their benchmark rate next year.

Speaking at a news conference, Chair Jerome Powell said that Fed officials are likely done raising interest rates because of how steadily inflation has cooled.

“Inflation has eased over the past year but remains over our longer run goal of 2%,” Powell said after the Fed’s 19-member policy committee ended its latest meeting.

Vol. 126, No. 3 Iola, KS $1.00

Traders on Wall Street welcomed the prospect of lower rates ahead. Stock prices surged and bond yields fell after the Fed’s policymakers signaled that they envision three interest rate cuts in 2024.

The Fed kept its benchmark rate at about 5.4%, its highest level in 22 years, a rate that has led to much higher costs for mortgages, auto loans, business borrowing and many other forms of credit. Higher mortgage rates have sharply reduced home sales.

Spending on appliances and other expensive goods that people often buy on credit has also declined.

Fun dining Ryleigh Poore, from left, checks out her spoon Wednesday while parent Shannon Snoddy and sibling Ryker Smith feast on a meal of ham and potatoes at Iola Elementary School. Scores of parents were invited to join their children for lunch before classes dismiss for the Christmas break on Thursday. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN

Services as Unique as Life Services, Monuments & Events • 1883 US Hwy 54, Iola • feuerbornfuneral.com • 620-365-2948

By TIM Kansas

A2 Thursday, December 14, 2023

iolaregister.com

The Iola Register

Obituary Patty McDermeit Patricia Ann McDermeit, 89, of El Dorado, Kan., peacefully passed away on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. She was surrounded by her loving family.

Patty was born on Oct. 26, 1934, to Stephen Wilbur and Mabel Yvonne (Hester) Boone, in Colony. She grad- Patty uated with the class of ’52 from McDermeit Colony High School and later went on to attend both Butler County Community College and Cowley County Community College. She worked in the registrar’s office at Butler for over 20 years.

Patricia married the love of her life, J.R. (Mac) McDermeit, on Dec. 5, 1950. Together, they had four beautiful children.

When Patricia wasn’t busy working or volunteering, she was a professional seamstress and a competitive race walker. She even went on to compete in two National Senior Games Championships. She really enjoyed volunteering her time at her church, in her community, and local hospitals.

Patricia’s kind and loving heart will be missed by all who were blessed to know her. She is survived by her children, Becky (Keith) Shum, of El Dorado, Steve (Cheryl) McDermeit, of Udall, Susan (Rich) Huffman, of Newton, and Mike (Kelly) McDermeit, of Pratt.; 12 grandchildren and step-grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Patricia was preceded in passing by her parents, her husband J.R., her sister Sandra, and her brother Jack.

Memorial donations in Patricia’s name may be directed toward Traditions Health Hospice and the United Methodist Church of El Dorado.

The family will hold a celebration of life in May, 2024.

Please sign her online guestbook and leave a memory at www.carlsoncolonial.com

Bridge closure snarls Rhode Island traffic

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A review of state inspection reports of a critical Rhode Island bridge that was partially shut down over safety concerns, resulting in major traffic headaches, led authorities to believe that “something catastrophic” happened since July that broke a support rod, the state’s director of transportation said Wednesday.

State authorities described the problem as a critical structural failure. The bridge carries Interstate 195 over the Seekonk River from Providence to East Providence and serves as a key gateway to Providence, the state’s largest city. The bridge carries close to 100,000 vehicles every day.

“Our engineers are telling us that very evidently there was some kind of load imposed that created a kind of catastrophic failure in these supports,” Peter Alviti said at a news conference about the Washington Bridge, showing before-and-after photos of the damage.

Travel conditions were better Wednesday after the sudden westbound closure Monday afternoon, which stranded commuters for hours and sent others veering off their normal path. Some schools closed and held classes remotely.

“What’s normally a morning commute time of a 40-to-45minute drive was 4 1/2 hours,” John Marion, executive director of Common Cause Rhode Island, said of his commute Tuesday.

The repair work could take months.

Traffic was being redirected to two lanes on the eastbound side for now. Bypass lanes for westbound traffic on the eastbound side will open this weekend, and the Transportation De-

partment was working on setting up a ferry service and a bus shuttle.

Alviti warned of the bridge’s poor condition in a 2019 grant application to rehabilitate the bridge and make improvements to traffic flow, writing that it was “nearing a permanent state of disrepair.”

Constructed in 1969, the westbound portion of the Washington Bridge was rated as “poor” according to the Federal Highway Administration’s National Bridge Inventory released in June.

The overall rating of a bridge is based on whether the condition of any one of its individual components — the deck, superstructure, substructure or culvert, if present — is rated poor or below.

In the case of the westbound portion of the Washington Bridge, inspectors rated the deck and substructure as “satisfactory.” However, an AP analysis of historic Federal Highway Administration’s National Bridge Inventory data shows the superstructure, or the component that absorbs the live traffic load, has almost consistently been rated “poor” since 1990.

Delegates applaud after a speech by Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, third from left, President of the UNFCCC COP28 Climate Conference, at the COP28 Climate Conference on Wednesday, Dec. 13, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (FADEL DAWOD/GETTY IMAGES/TNS)

Climate leaders agree transition away from fossil fuels needed The ASSOCIATED PRESS

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Nearly 200 countries agreed Wednesday to move away from planet-warming fossil fuels — the first time they’ve made that crucial pledge in decades of U.N. climate talks though many warned the deal still had significant shortcomings.

The agreement was approved without the floor fight many feared and is stronger than a draft floated earlier in the week that angered several nations. But it didn’t call for an outright phasing out of oil, gas and coal, and it gives nations significant wiggle room in their “transition” away from those fuels.

“Humanity has finally done what is long, long, long overdue,” Wopke Hoekstra, European Union commissioner for climate action, said as the COP28 summit wrapped up in Dubai.

Within minutes of opening Wednesday’s session, COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber gaveled in approval of the central document — an evaluation of how off-track the world is on climate and how to get back on — without giving critics a chance to comment. He hailed it as a “historic package to accelerate climate action.”

The document is the central part of the 2015 Paris accord and its internationally agreed-upon goal to try to limit warming to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit above pre-industrial times. The goal is mentioned 13 times in the

stocktake document and al-Jaber repeatedly called that his “North Star.” So far, the world has warmed 2.2 degrees Fahrenheit since the mid 1800s. Scientists say this year is all but certain to be the hottest on record.

“I am in awe of the spirit of cooperation that has brought everybody together,” United States Special Envoy John Kerry said. He said it shows that nations can still work together despite what the globe sees with wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. “This document sends very strong messages to the world.”

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement that “for the first time, the outcome recognizes the need to transition away from fossil fuels.”

“The era of fossil fuels must end — and it must end with justice and equity,” he said.

United Nations Climate Secretary Simon Stiell told delegates that their efforts were “needed to signal a hard stop to humanity’s core climate problem: fossil fuels and that planet-burning pollution.

Whilst we didn’t turn the page on the fossil fuel era in Dubai, this outcome is the beginning of the end.”

The new deal had been floated early Wednesday and was stronger than a draft proposed days earlier, but had loopholes that

Humanity has finally done what is long, long, long overdue.

— Wopke Hoekstra, European Union commissioner for climate action

upset critics.

Goals agreed at earlier summits have not been reached, in part because major emitters have not fulfilled their climate promises, or have declined to sign on.

The deal also calls for tripling the use of renewable energy and doubling energy efficiency. Earlier in the talks, the conference adopted a special fund for poor nations hurt by climate change and nations put nearly $800 million in the fund.

The deal doesn’t go so far as to seek a “phase-out” of fossil fuels, despite the pleas of more than 100 nations including small island states and European nations. Instead, it calls for “transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner, accelerating

action in this critical decade.”

The deal says that the transition would be done in a way that gets the world to net zero greenhouse gas emissions — where emissions entering the atmosphere are balanced by those removed — in 2050, and carbon pollution to peak by the year 2025, but gives wiggle room to individual nations like China to peak later.

Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, a Nobel Peace Prize winning climate activist, said while it is an important milestone “to finally recognize that the climate crisis is at its heart a fossil fuel crisis.”

“Whether this is a turning point that truly marks the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel era depends on the actions that come next,” Gore said.

Commercial Equestrian Hobby Shops Nebraska & Iowa

Eastern CO

402-426-5022 712-600-2410

719-822-3052

S T R U C T U R E S

Agricultural Garages And More!

Eastern Wisconsin

920-889-0960

Western Wisconsin

608-988-6338

Kansas & Missouri

816-858-7040

www.GingerichStructures.com

302 S. Washington Ave. Iola, KS 66749 620-365-2111 | iolaregister.com Published Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, except New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Subscription Rates One Year 6 Months 3 Months 1 Month In Allen County

$149.15

$82.87

$46.93

$16.86

Out of Allen County $162.74

$92.76

$53.51

$21.75

Mail out of State

$174.75

$94.05

$55.60

$22.20

Internet Only

$149.15

$82.87

$46.93

$16.86

All prices include 8.75% sales taxes.

Postal regulations require subscriptions to be paid in advance.

Postmaster: Send address changes to The Iola Register, P.O. Box 767, Iola, KS 66749.

Member Associated Press. The Associated Press is entitled exclusively to use for publication all the local news printed in this newspaper as well as all AP news dispatches.

NEWS & ADVERTISING

Susan Lynn, editor/publisher | Tim Stauffer, managing editor Periodicals postage paid at Iola, Kansas.

USPS 268-460 | Print ISSN: 2833-9908 | Website ISSN: 2833-9916

BEFORE

AFTER

Keep your home safe with concrete repair Worrying about your uneven or cracked concrete can make owning a home very stressful. By investing in concrete repair, you can fix your driveway, walkways, patio, and more in one easy lift.

GET A FREE ESTIMATE 855-278-6924

iolaregister.com

Thursday, December 14, 2023

The Iola Register

A3

NRP: Tiered system a holdup Continued from A1

A landfill near Lawrence was fined more than $4,000 and will have to pay for $30,000 in upgrades to come into compliance with Environmental Protection Agency methane regulations. Getty Images/Kansas Reflector

EPA fines Lawrence landfill

By ALLISON KITE Kansas Reflector

Owners of a dump near Lawrence will have to pay more than $34,000 in upgrades and penalties for violating clean air regulations, the Environmental Protection Agency announced Tuesday.

The Hamm Inc. landfill, which is just outside Lawrence along U.S. Highway 59, takes solid waste from Lawrence’s municipal pickup service.

During an inspection of the landfill in March 2022, the EPA found the landfill was emitting an illegal volume of methane gas and failed to correct it.

METHANE, like carbon dioxide, is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change by trapping heat. But it’s far more potent. Landfills can re-

lease huge amounts of methane, contributing to both climate change and air pollution that can harm residents’ health.

David Cozad, director of the EPA region’s enforcement division, said in a news release that two of the agency’s priorities are “mitigating climate change through its regulatory authorities and reducing methane emissions from landfills.”

Cozad said the EPA was “encouraged by Hamm’s commitment to reduce emissions through its enhanced landfill cover integrity practices as a term of this settlement.”

In the news release, the EPA said Hamm Inc. will pay a $4,206 penalty and spend about $30,000 to better monitor air pollution.

Hamm Inc. did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Flag: Options narrowed to two Continued from A1

clock tower flag in hand for the council to review.

Council member Joelle Shallah proposed involving the community in the decision-making process, suggesting the narrowed-down selection be put to a public vote, possibly on social media. Council member Nicholas Lohman echoed Shallah’s suggestion.

French noted that various vendors in the city may want to obtain the image of the final flag for merchandising purposes. “They’re already talking amongst the community about how a flag could be used in their businesses,” he said.

The council unanimously approved the sole bid from Hampel Oil for gasoline and fuel for up to three years.

Corey Schinstock, assistant city administrator, said he had contacted two local industries to bid the contract and had otherwise advertised the contract on the city’s website.

The bid reflects delivery charges and profit per gallon. The council was requested to award the bid to Hampel Oil for $0.09/per gallon for gasoline and $0.096/ per gallon for fuel, for a three-year term beginning Feb. 1, 2024 and

extending through Feb. 1, 2027.

In other news, French said he is receiving positive feedback about the holiday lighting around town and praised all the work that went into this. He reminded the council that at the Jan. 8

Today

56

meeting outgoing council members Nickolas Kinder and Carl Slaugh will be recognized.

Kinder praised Slaugh (who was absent at Monday’s meeting), saying, “He was the person who wasn’t afraid of being the lone dissent.”

Friday

54

38

March, but “I have no clue what it will be cost-wise,” she said.

If approved, it will take 30 days to implement.

Maley worried about the tight time frame.

“I’m not sure if we’re going to be able to have this 2024 program happen,” she said.

Commissioner David Lee said that because the county oversees the revitalization program, “then whatever the cost of this new programming is, I believe that those three entities (the city, USD 257 school district and ACC) should shoulder the cost of it,” even though they did not request any of the changes.

County Counselor Bob Johnson and Lee pointed out that since the rebate rates don’t deviate for the first six years of the program, that it’s possible the current program could be used initially.

Commissioner Bruce Symes said the county still has the option to provide the 100% rebate for the full 10 years, like the other entities do.

“We wanted to continue receiving some tax revenue for a portion of that 10-year period,” he said. “The other option would be for us to reconsider that decision. I see a justification for thinking this over while we’re getting some cost information too.”

Symes further clarified that NRP is not countywide, but there

are other cities within the county that participate in stand-alone revitalization programs.

Maley also saw value in not making the change.

“If everybody is consistent, everybody is doing the same thing… then I don’t think there is a programming issue,” added Maley.

The commissioners agreed to find out what the costs will be to change to a tiered system before they make a decision.

IN OTHER news:

• The Kansas Department of Health and Environment approved the Public Works department’s operating plan for recycling at the landfill.

“I can get a container set out there (the county landfill) for plastic jugs right now and can probably get the lithium batteries collection started this week,” said Public Works Director Mitch Garner.

• Road and Bridge Director Mark Griffith updated the commission on necessary maintenance for the distributor truck and requested funding for the repairs.

Upgrades to the elec-

Please join us for a retirement celebration in honor of

ROGER FOGLEMAN. Thursday, December 21 • 2 - 4 p.m.

Allen County Courthouse Community Room (Downstairs) 1 N. Washington Avenue, Iola

Saturday

NOW HIRING 39

52

30

MONARCH SOW FARM LOCATED IN SAVONBURG, KS

Temperature High Tuesday Low Tuesday night High a year ago Low a year ago

50 28 60 41

Sunrise 7:29 a.m.

Precipitation 24 hrs as of 8 a.m. Monday 0 This month to date .09 Total year to date 27.78 Deficiency since Jan. 1 9.2 Sunset 5:03 p.m.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE: • Breeding/Gestation WHAT WE OFFER: Technicians • Farrowing Technicians

• On-the-job training

• Great benefits; Health, Vision, Dental, 410k, etc.

• 40 hours of PTO in first year plus 9 paid holidays!

COME SEE US AT OUR

NEW LOCATION!

• Opportunities for growth • Rotating weekends

Mon. - Thurs.

11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Fri. - Sat. 11 a.m. . 10 p.m.

Visit PERDUECAREERS.COM and search “KS” in the location to

APPLY NOW

2402 N. State St., Iola, KS

MUST BE ELIGIBLE TO WORK IN THE UNITED STATES

NEED HEALTH INSURANCE? Open enrollment is here!

Hurry!

Thrive Navigators Provide Free Assistance:

JAN. 15

• Comparing health insurance plans • Helping you enroll in a health insurance plan • Reviewing your eligibility for financial assistance • Answering questions year-round

Deadline is

trical and other maintenance would cost an estimated $80,000.

“I think that’s a pretty good deal,” Griffith noted. “Basically, we get an upgrade on that truck. A new truck is around $300,000.”

Griffith said the truck has 26,000 miles and runs well. The commission unanimously approved the request, contingent upon Griffith finding if he can use either special equipment budget funds or be able to partially fund it with 2023 budget money.

• Allen County Economic Developer Jared Wheeler presented the commission with a bid proposal from Bennett Incorporated for the water line improvement associated with the base project at the airport. The project would include 3½ miles of water line improvement. The commission chose to address it at next week’s meeting.

• Part of the commission meeting was dedicated to a presentation

by Stephen Euston of Bukaty Companies on the renewal of the county’s health insurance plan. The plan’s renewal date is April 1.

CALL 620-365-8128 OR STOP BY THRIVE ALLEN COUNTY AT 9 S. JEFFERSON IN IOLA TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

A4 Thursday, December 14, 2023

iolaregister.com

The Iola Register

Window closing for deal on appropriations framework

By AIDEN QUIGLEY CQ-Roll Call (TNS)

WASHINGTON — Congress appears poised to leave town before Christmas without a topline spending agreement, which could doom the chances of getting full-fledged fiscal 2024 appropriations bills done in January.

If there’s no deal on spending limits this week, lawmakers will essentially be out of time to work out the details of the 12 annual appropriations bills

by Jan. 19, the first of two deadlines set in the last continuing resolution. The next deadline is Feb. 2, leaving little time to complete the last, larger batch of bills, particularly with the House scheduled to be in recess the week of Jan. 22.

House Republicans remain far apart from both parties in the Senate and House Democrats on the total allocations appropriators have to parcel out to the dozen subcommittees so they can wrap up their bills.

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is pushing for the overall $1.59 trillion level set in the text of the debt limit law or as close to it as possible, tossing aside some if not all of the $69 billion in extra nondefense spending agreed to in a “side deal” in those negotiations.

“What we also agreed to was what is written in the law, which is the [debt limit law] numbers on topline,” Johnson said Tuesday. “The Senate has been projecting and writing well above that, to, I don’t know, billions of dollars. That’s not what the law says.”

Eliminating the side deal would cut nondefense spending by around 9 percent below fiscal 2023 levels on average, a nonstarter for Democrats. And the Senate wants to spend even more than that pact envisioned, hav-

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) speaks at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol Tuesday. GETTY IMAGES/KEVIN DIETSCH/TNS ing added almost $14 billion in emergency spending to the fiscal 2024 appropriations bills, $8 billion of which is for the Pentagon.

Johnson said House Republicans have sent the Senate an offer and are waiting on a counteroffer from the Senate. He said two sides are at an “impasse.”

Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray, D-Wash., said Tuesday that Johnson must accept the “full” deal that House Republicans made with the White House, which would include the additional spending.

“I hope the speaker hears me loud and clear: Get back to the full deal that you cut, that you voted for, and let’s do our jobs,” she said.

‘Slush fund’ As a refresher, the side agreement’s $69 billion in “adjustments” to nondefense spending included the following components: •The traditional $15 billion in “changes in mandatory programs,” or CHIMPs, that block mandatory spending in a given fiscal year without actually producing any savings but frees up money for discretionary appropriations; both parties have blessed that arrangement in the past.

•Another $10 billion in CHIMPs on top of the traditional amount.

•$10 billion rescinded

from IRS appropriations in the 2022 climate and health care reconciliation package.

•$23 billion in regular appropriations designated as “emergencies” that can skirt spending caps.

•$11 billion rescinded from money appropriated in the debt limit law for the Commerce Department’s “Nonrecurring Expenses” fund, which was injected full of cash to be used for other purposes during the fiscal 2024 appropriations process.

And leading Freedom Caucus figures like Chip Roy, R-Texas, are pushing their leadership to hold firm. Roy introduced legislation Tuesday to rescind the entire $22 billion parked in the Commerce “slush fund,” as he calls it — half made available for this year, half for fiscal 2025 in the debt limit law — immediately so it can’t be used to offset additional spending.

“Appropriators have long used sleight of hand to hide the actual level of spending included in massive appropriations bills. Unfortunately, that practice is alive and well,” Roy said in a statement of the bill he introduced with Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., and a group of other Republicans.

Schweikert voted for the debt limit law, as did a few of Roy’s other co-sponsors: Majority Whip Tom Emmer of

Minnesota, Chief Deputy Whip Guy Reschenthaler of Pennsylvania, himself an Appropriations panel member, and Jeff Duncan of South Carolina.

‘Holding pattern’ Appropriators of both parties are growing increasingly agitated as the waiting for a topline accord continues. They are currently in a “holding pattern,” as House State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart put it.

“Obviously, we needed it yesterday,” Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., said Tuesday.

House Financial Services Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Steve Womack said Tuesday he is “frustrated” by the lack of a topline.

Womack, R-Ark., said he’s asked Johnson’s policy director, Dan Ziegler, when the “drop dead” date is for a topline deal in order to meet the Jan. 19 deadline, to which Ziegler said “right away.”

“I don’t know what that means,” Womack said. “I don’t know if that’s this week, or next week, or the first week in January.”

Womack said leadership understands that it will take a lot of work from appropriations staff to get the bills finalized following the topline agreement, and

Abortion: Court to hear pill challenge Continued from A1

tion at all stages of pregnancy in 14 states, with some exceptions, and once cardiac activity can be detected, which is around six weeks, in two others.

Abortion opponents

filed their challenge to mifepristone the following November and initially won a sweeping ruling six months later revoking the drug’s approval entirely. The appeals court left intact the FDA’s initial approv-

al of mifepristone. But it would reverse changes regulators made in 2016 and 2021 that eased some conditions for administering the drug.

The justices blocked that ruling from taking effect while the case

played out, though Justices Samuel Alito, the author of last year’s decision overturning Roe, and Clarence Thomas said they would have allowed some restrictions to take effect while the case proceeded.

members also need to understand that.

“You don’t just magically put this stuff together,” Womack said.

“Changing these numbers requires just a ton of work on the part of staff, and we’re just going to abuse these people because we can’t get our act together.”

Veterans of the appropriations process estimate that this week is the latest possible week for a topline agreement in order to meet the Jan. 19 deadline, which would require appropriations staff to work through the holidays to negotiate final bills.

House Appropriations ranking member Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., said she did not see a path forward for an appropriations deal given the position expressed

by Johnson and his House GOP colleagues.

“I think we’re headed to seeing a government shutdown,” said DeLauro, who predicted back in May that Republicans might try to renege on the side agreement.

DeLauro said Republicans need to figure out what they want to do as Democrats will not move away from the debt limit deal. She said the debt limit negotiations also settled that there would be no new policy riders in the final appropriations agreement, though others have disputed that claim.

“The other piece, is no one is saying anything about riders,” she said. “In the agreement, it said no riders. These

people want to pursue [riders], then we’re stuck forever.”

What’s next With Johnson vowing not to do any more short-term spending patches, the options for January are getting more narrow by the day.

With full-year appropriations possibly unworkable without a topline deal this week, that would leave two alternatives ahead of the first deadline: a fullyear continuing resolution or a partial government shutdown.

Due to the spending caps in the debt limit law, a full-year “date change” CR would lead to across-the-board nondefense spending cuts that Senate and House Democrats and Senate Republicans are desperate to avoid.

Even some swing-district House Republicans could get squeamish at cuts at the levels the debt limit deal would inflict in this scenario, though Johnson is threatening this path to encourage Democrats to move in his direction on spending levels.

To win Democratic votes, a full-year CR would likely need spending levels and adjustments to alleviate the pain on nondefense programs. It would also take time to negotiate, and unless all parties agree to take that path in coming weeks, there may not be time to write a stopgap bill covering the rest of the year that would be amenable to all parties.

WE’RE HIRING! Agricultural Service Technician

Scan the QR Code below or stop by our Iola location at 2795 N. State Street to learn more!

620-365-2341

As another fantastic year comes to a close, we wish you a joyful Christmas season full of laughter and new memories with those you love.

TramecSloan.com 2502 N. State St., Iola, KS 66749

Opinion A5 The Iola Register

Thursday, December 14, 2023

~ Journalism that makes a difference

The Hunter Biden indictment is sound The Joe Biden impeachment inquiry is not

Flags line the National Mall, with the Washington Monument behind them, ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Washington , DC. (KENT NISHIMURA/LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS)

Remembering our potential is crucial to America’s future Dan Savage, the sex columnist, has said that in order to remain in love for the long haul, we need to establish a shared myth.

The myth we create allows us to create an image of the very best, admirable version of our beloved to stand in front of the very flawed human they actually are. We ask our partner to do the same for us. Savage goes on to point out that in doing this, we are also encouraging each other to be our best selves when we can, or when we must.

In a remarkably similar way, we do a lot of myth making when we think about our country and our history. We find it useful, almost irresistible, to create a myth about the land we are supposed to love — using some of the very best facts, and some fictions.

There can be important and valuable effects to doing this. As with Savage’s recipe for love, it is like sympathetic magic. We create a vision of our best self as a nation, and theoretically this encourages us to feel good about the country and each other. In addition, it can help us to be better than we often want to be.

But there is a downside, and there are problems.

First, the myths we made in the earliest days of this country have been discredited by recent histories, and by changing norms. We have had to reckon with the fact they were built on a vision that excluded women, people of color, and, often, the facts of our government behaving terribly at home and on the world stage. Once

Ruth Taylor Kansas Reflector you know what you know, it can be difficult to embrace a mythic narrative that says the opposite. It has also become very clear that this game only works when you remember, in a way, that these myths are not the simple truth. When we don’t, it can encourage us to some particular kinds of problematic behavior, and thinking.

How can there possibly be institutional racism in the land of the free?

Secondly, we may all wish to embrace a mythic vision of America, but we are big enough, and diverse enough, that we have a lot of trouble agreeing on what that should be. If I tell you that my vision of American exceptionalism is best symbolized by the Statue of Liberty — rooted in our openness to the world, to immigration, and to difference, and you are feeling overrun by people who don’t look or think like you, you are illustrating my point.

And finally, the third problem: In an effort, perhaps, to move away from mythmaking, some have chosen, in fact, to create a new kind of mythic America. Not a vision of our best selves, but a view through very dark glasses. America is seen as a land based on genocide and enslavement and the noble ideas of our founding were mere hypoc-

risy, a view that focuses only on the ways in which we have failed. This perspective is built around truthful elements, but the facts are cherry-picked just as much as past visions were. And it places in front of the reality of us — the complex accumulation of cultures and ideologies, the history of triumph and hope as well as intolerance and hate — a new vision of America as our ugliest self. It may be that the expectation is that this kind of visioning will actually encourage us to be better. But, I suspect, it is not conducive to a long-term love affair.

IF WE ALL want to stick together for the long haul, I do not see how we do that without a process of reminding ourselves about our capacity to be our best selves as a country, and a recognition that when we fail, we can call that out, and yet still see the good standing in the forefront.

The U.S. Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the 1776 signing of the Declaration of Independence, is just about two years away. There is a national effort to celebrate it, and Rhode Island, along with other states, has established a commission. This big milestone for our nation seems like a good opportunity to do more than simply wave the flag.

I am not sure what happens if we do not take it.

About the author: Ruth S. Taylor retired at the end of 2022 after 16 years as executive director of the Newport, Rhode Island, Historical Society.

A look back in t me.

50 Years Ago December 1973

A letter in the Register today from Gordon A. Elliott, commander of the American Legion Leslie J. Campbell Post No. 15, explains that the Eternal Flame memorial to the veterans of all wars in front of the Allen County Courthouse will be turned off in response a request by the National and State Commanders of the American Legion to assist in the energy crisis by extinguishing Eternal Flame memorials.

***** Iola’s two diesel-fired electric generators were activated on Dec. 20, in response to a request by the Kansas Gas and Electric Company. KG&E had three of its own generators out of service for repairs and asked for the supplemental power from Iola and other cities on its lines. Iola ran its units from 5 to 8 p.m., the peak hours for electricity usage, and will have the units in operation during those hours again today.

Jim Wilson, city superin-

tendent, said the Iola generators will not be in use over the weekend, but will resume on Wednesday evening. The local generation will continue until KG&E can resume full production.

Due to the emergency and the uncertain supply of fuel oil needed to fire the Iola generator, Mayor Jack Hastings has requested Iolans to use as little electrical power as possible.

The public will be notified as soon as the supply is back to normal, Hastings said.

The Justice Department charged if he had a differhas strong criminal cas- ent last name because he es against Hunter Biden already paid the back taxfor allegedly failing to pay es that he owed. He argues federal taxes, claiming Mr. Weiss caved to presfalse deductions and lying sure from the right. about his drug use on paThat’s debatable. perwork to buy a gun.

What’s not is that HuntCongress, by contrast, er Biden would never have lacks any reasonable basis earned most of the money for moving forward with he allegedly dodged payimpeachment against ing — $1.4 million in fedPresident Biden over his eral taxes over four years son’s dubious business — if not for his last name. dealings and personal Lacking experience in the conduct. energy sector, he had no House Republicans were other qualifications for the to vote Wednesday on au- board of directors of Buthorizing an impeachment risma, the Ukrainian firm inquiry despite the lack of that hired him in 2014. meaningful evidence that That should have been the president personal- a scandal when Joe Biden ly profited from his son’s was vice president. overseas adventures.

It was also a mistake, This major step is retali- albeit an understandation for the two impeach- able one, for the older ments of President Donald Mr. Biden to insist latTrump, both of which had er that his son had done legitimate grounding, and “nothing wrong” when a play to make Mr. Biden he clearly has behaved so appear as tainted as Mr. grossly — personally and Trump ahead of the 2024 professionally. Nor should election. the president have falsely But House Republicans claimed in October 2020 do not have the goods. that his son “has not made Take last week’s dud money” in China. from House Oversight But, while Hunter Biden Committee Chairman used the illusion of acJames Comer (Ky.). He cess to make money, and highlighted three pay- coarsely invoked his father ments totaling about in text messages seeking $4,000 in 2018 to Joe payment from a Chinese Biden from a Hunter Biden business associate, that business account that held does not mean Joe Biden money from Chinese busi- took official acts at the beness interests. Mr. Comer hest of his son. The legal called it “part of a pattern process will now decide revealing Joe Biden knew Hunter Biden’s fate, but, about, participated in, and on the current evidence, benefited from his family’s the sins of the son should influence not be visitpeddling ed upon the schemes.” father.

The legal process In fact, it Republiwas Hunter will now decide Hunt- cans say votBiden re- er Biden’s fate, but, on ing to open i m b u r s i n g the current evidence, the inquiry his dad for into Presibuying him the sins of the son dent Biden is a Ford F-150 should not be visited mainly about because the upon the father. fact-finding son’s bad and does not credit meant mean they’ll he couldn’t vote to imget financing. peach.

Special counsel David House Rules Committee Weiss’s indictments of Chair Tom Cole (Okla.) said Hunter Biden, on the oth- during a Tuesday hearing er hand, speak to the in- that the resolution gives dependence of the Justice the House “the strongest Department — and the se- legal standing to pursue riousness of the younger needed information and Mr. Biden’s alleged mis- enforce subpoenas.” conduct. With the salaThe White House has cious details included in argued that the GOP probe Thursday’s indictment by lacks “constitutional legita California grand jury, imacy” and cited a Trumpthe plea deal the presi- era opinion from the Jusdent’s son was offered and tice Department’s Office accepted in June by Mr. of Legal Counsel that imWeiss seems overly gen- peachment inquiries are erous in a way it didn’t six moot without a formal months ago. vote, gifting Republicans That does not, howev- a rationale for taking this er, mean it was corrupt or step. that the investigation was compromised.

OVERSIGHT is an esProsecutorial discretion sential role for Congress, is an important feature of but impeachment should the criminal justice sys- be reserved for egregious tem. There were mitigat- misconduct by a president ing factors, such as this in office. being Hunter Biden’s first “Next to a declaration criminal offense and his of war, the impeachment struggles with addiction. power might be the heaviAn independent judge, est that the House has,” doing her job, scrutinized Speaker Mike Johnson the constitutionality of an (R-La.) said Monday. “It is unusual diversion agree- incumbent upon us … to ment that would have let investigate properly, do it him plead guilty to two methodically, slowly, demisdemeanors and avoid liberately, not in a political jail time. manner.”

Under her questioning, He’s right — which is it fell apart. exactly why House RepubHunter Biden’s lawyer, licans should not vote to Abbe Lowell, says his cli- pursue it. ent wouldn’t have been — The Washington Post

A6 Thursday, December 14, 2023

iolaregister.com

The Iola Register

HUMBOLDT HAS IT COME SEE ALL OUR LITTLE TOWN HAS TO OFFER THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. Merry Happy Christmas Holidays! and a Happy New Year!

Helping you protect what matters most.

WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS FILLED WITH

HEALTH AND

HAPPINESS. 1301 N 9TH ST. HUMBOLDT, KS 66748

(620)

620-473-5200

473-3919

hha-ks.com Humboldt, KS

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from our family to yours!

Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Sunday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Gari, Derrik, Dana, Kyle and Laci

620-228-1771 208 W. Madison, Iola

HUMBOLDTFITNESS.COM

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from our family to yours!

7 a.m. - 2 p.m. Mon. - Fri. 5 - 7 p.m. Wed. & Thurs.

5-8 p.m. Fri.

915 N. 9th St. Humboldt, KS

620-228-0616

620-473-6425 ourmarket.com

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us to you!

Merry Christmas!

Desi’s Dream Thrift Store Foundation 910 New York St. • Humboldt, KS • 620-605-4515

From SEKMHC and Ashley Clinic!

Volunteers giving back to the community.

Find us on Facebook!

DesisDreamThriftStore.com • Desi@DesisDreamThriftStore.com

www.sekmhc.org

www.ashleyclinic.com

866.973.2241

620.431.2500

MAY YOUR DAYS BE

MERRY & BRIGHT!

WISHING YOU A

719 S. 9th St. Humboldt, KS 66748

From our family to yours, merry Christmas!

Dena Daniels - Broker/Owner

Megan Heslop • Angie Dye • Jim Keath Holly Borton • Jerry Daniels • Jennifer Seibel Sarah Bearden • Ross Daniels • Amy Shannon Cayden Hartwig • Forrest Timblin • Beth Parker

ReeceNichols BajaRanch Team

905 Bridge St. • Humboldt (620) 473-7005

1401 W. Main Ste. A • Chanute (620) 432-SOLD

bajaranchteam

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas

and Happy New Year!

818 Bridge St. Humboldt, KS 66748 shopjaeandco.com

800-374-6988

Wishing you the

Spirit of Christmas

Peace which is

the

Blessing of Christmas

QualityStructures.com

Hope which is

GET MORE WITH

MURPHY SALES, RENTAL, PARTS, FIELD SERVICE AND IN-STORE SERVICE.

from the

Heart of Christmas

PUMP 'N PETE’S Two Humboldt Locations: 317 S. 9th and 218 N. 9th

murphytractor.com | 855-246-9124

PSI INSURANCE

Have a safe and joyous holiday season

Loren, Rosan, Stefanie and Keith Humboldt, KS • (620) 473-3831

psi-insurance.com

Christ which is

Sports Daily The Iola Register

Thursday, December 14, 2023

Just out of reach

Humboldt High’s Shelby Shaughnessy, left, jumps for the ball at the tip-off Tuesday against Marmaton Valley’s Piper Barney. PHOTO

BY MIKE MYER

Lady Cubs win in battle of unbeatens HUMBOLDT — It’s likely not doing much for their head coach’s blood pressure, but Humboldt High’s Lady Cubs have made a habit of starting strong, faltering a bit in the middle, and then making the necessary plays down the stretch to earn a victory.

Take Tuesday’s showdown with fellow unbeaten Marmaton Valley.

As they’d done often already this season, Humboldt started strong, again with the hot shooting of guard McKenna Jones.

Jones connected from 3-point range twice in the See UNBEATENS | Page B4

Iola High’s bench players and head coach Luke Bycroft react as the Mustangs’ Nick Bauer, center, lunges for the ball alongside Burlington’s Kolten Robinson Tuesday. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN

Mustangs fall in OT

By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register

BURLINGTON — Iola High’s 57-52 overtime loss to Burlington Tuesday was painful in more ways than one.

It wasn’t supposed to be that way.

After a back-and-forth battle for much of the early going, the Mustangs found their groove after halftime, playing perhaps their best basketball of the season.

They turned a 27-20 third-quarter deficit into an eight-point lead with 5 minutes remaining.

“We had control of the game,” Iola head coach Luke Bycroft said.

But disaster — in the form of a twisted ankle to starting point guard Landon Weide — changed the game’s complexion entirely.

Weide landed on the foot of

B

a Burlington player as the two battled for a rebound beneath Iola’s basket. He exited the game for the next 2 minutes, 33 seconds, to get his ankle taped.

But even upon his return, Weide’s signature speed was lacking as he moved with a noticeable limp.

Burlington pounced, forcing six straight empty Iola possessions.

The Wildcats sandwiched back-to-back 3-pointers around consecutive Mustang turnovers, and then Sage Fejfar’s steal and layup pulled the Wildcats even at 41-41. Maddux Cheever pushed the Wildcats back ahead with a basket at the 2:11 mark. Two more Iola turnovers followed before Fejfar made it 45-41 with an inside bucket at the 1-minute mark.

Cortland Carson’s jumper ended Iola’s 4-minute scoring See MUSTANGS | Page B4

Cubs too much for Wildcats HUMBOLDT — If you’ve been around David Taylor long enough, you’ll inevitably hear one of his coaching mantras: How a basketball team handles the third quarter in a hard-fought contest often dictates if they’ll win.

Tuesday’s matchup between Taylor’s Humboldt High’s Cubs and Marmaton Valley proved his point to a T. After reaching intermission with the undefeated Cubs on top, 31-24, Humboldt turned up its defensive pressure in the third quarter.

A 13-4 Humboldt run gave the Cubs a comfortable working margin from there in what became a 62-36 victory.

The win lifts Humboldt to 5-0 on the 2023-24 season.

Marmaton Valley enters the See CUBS | Page B3

Humboldt High’s Logan Page, left, puts up a shot over Marmaton Valley’s Daniel Fewins Tuesday.

Late lull costs Iola

By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register

Iola High’s Reese Curry, left, is defended by Burlington’s Grace Birk Tuesday. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN

BURLINGTON — Iola High’s girls began their evening with a shot to the nose, and ended with what felt like a punch to the gut.

The Mustangs were on the court for warmups prior to Tuesday evening’s clash with Pioneer League foe Burlington when starting center Keira Fawson went down after taking an inadvertent elbow to the face.

The injury was deemed serious enough to sideline the starting center from the game.

But even without the lanky senior in the lineup, Iola still was able to take advantage of its size advantage repeatedly, and held a three-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

It didn’t last.

Burlington freshman Mac Medlock got hot from the outside, hitting back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Wildcats the lead.

And Iola was plagued by just enough mistakes down the stretch to come up on the short end of a 41-37 defeat.

The loss drops Iola to 1-4 on the season with a road game Thursday at Prairie View to wrap up the pre-Christmas portion of the schedule.

“We just have to learn how to work together and fight back together,” Mustang head coach Kelsey Johnson said.

“When something doesn’t go our way, our energy dies.”

A 2½-minute dry spell in the latter half of the fourth quarter sealed the Mustangs’ fate.

Alana Mader’s free-throw at the 3:05 mark pulled Iola See LULL | Page B3

B2

Thursday, December 14, 2023

All ads are 10-word minimum, must run consecutive days

The Iola Register

CLASSIFIEDS

iolaregister.com DEADLINE: 10 a.m. day before publication.

CLASSIFIED RATES: 3 Days - $2/word | 6 Days - $2.75/word | 12 Days - $3.75/word | 18 Days - $4.75/word | 26 Days - $5/word 3-DAY GARAGE SALE SPECIAL: 20 words or fewer - $12 | 21-40 words - $15 | 41+ words - $18

ITEMS FOR SALE

SERVICES

PACKING PAPERS AVAILABLE at the Iola Register Office. $3 per bundle.

Storage & RV of Iola

WANTED

iolarvparkandstorage.com

Willing to buy Annals of Iola and Allen County, 1868-1945, Vols. 1 and 2.

Call the Iola Register, 620365- 2111 or email susan@ iolaregister.com Wanting to buy used full size bed, love seat with two recliners, in good condition. 620-212-1311

PETS

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

620-365-2200

323 N. Jefferson Call 620-365-3178 or 365-6163

Insurance/Real Estate Loren Korte

IIOLA OLA 365-6908

HUMBOLDT HUMBOLDT 473-3831

MORAN MORAN 237-4631

EMPLOYMENT

JOIN US!

Regular/Boat/RV/Storage LP Gas Sales, Fenced, Supervised

Iola Mini-Storage

EMPLOYMENT

We are seeking a dedicated and passionate part-time director to lead Your Community Foundation. $25 PER HOUR • $300 MONTHLY MEDICAL STIPEND

This person will play a pivotal role in advancing our mission to support and enhance the well-being of our community through strategic philanthropy.

INTERESTED?

We’d love to hear from you! Email givingmakesadifference@gmail.com or visit our website at www.givingmakesadifference.com/join-us to learn more.

BOARDING

Entry Level Laborer

NOW OPEN

The Monarch Cement Company is seeking to fill the position of Entry Level Laborer for the Humboldt, KS plant.

CREATIVE CLIPS

BOARDING FACILITY

Clean & affordable. Shots required.

If you want the best, forget the rest!

Call Jeanne

620-363-8272 SERVICES

General G e n e r a l Repair Repair and a n d SSupply, u p p l y , IInc. nc.

MACHINE SHOP H REPAIR CUSTOM MANUFACTURING

Complete Stock of Steel, Bolts, Bearings & Related Items

(620) ( 6 2 0 ) 365-5954 365-5954 1008 N. Industrial Industrial Road Road HH Iola

JJ &

LAWN SERVICE

Garden Tilling Tree Stump Removal Junk Removal

PAYLESS CONCRETE

PRODUCTS, INC. 802 N. Industrial Rd., Iola

(620) 365-5588

SEK Garage doors full service!

residential &commercial industrial repair and installs fully insured free estimates!

620-330-2732 620-336-3054

sekgaragedoors.com

BOTTOMS UP TREE SERVICE

Licensed and Insured Free estimates

(620) 212-5682

HECK’S MOVING SERVICE •furniture •appliances •shop •etc.

620-473-0354

Ashton Heck 785-204-0369

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

Sonic Equipment Company is hiring!

Accounting Assistant Part-Time

Monarch is a rewarding place to work and offers an excellent benefit package including medical, dental and vision insurance, company paid life insurance, 401K with a company match, an educational assistance program, and an employee assistance program (EAP). This is a union position and starting wage begins at $27.28/hour with additional pay for working shifts. Shift work is a good probability.

To be considered for the position a candidate must be 18 years of age, have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent, successfully complete a pre-hire physical, drug screen and background check, and possess a valid state issued driver’s license. This position also requires the candidate to be capable of following oral and/or written instructions and able to accomplish duties in a safe and systematic manner. A college education and/or technical certification and WorkReady Certificate through KansasWorks is preferred.

Some of the day-to-day duties will include, but are not limited to, clean-up and housekeeping of the plant and surrounding plant properties, motors, dust collectors, conveyor belts, hoppers, and piping.

The candidate must be able to work from scaffolds and ladders as required to reach areas to be cleaned, work inside hot and confined spaces such as inside the rotary kilns, grinding mills and dust collectors.

This position is required to operate forklifts, skid steer loaders, vacuum truck, street sweepers, man lifts, telehandler, jackhammer, chipping hammer and other equipment efficiently and safely. This type of work requires considerable walking, lifting up to 100 lbs., bending, pushing, pulling, climbing and working at elevated areas and confined spaces.

Candidates interested in testing for the WorkReady Certificate through KansasWorks can register by calling 620-432-0320 or contacting Lonnie Jones at the Mitchell Career and Technical Center at 4101 S. Ross Lane, Chanute, KS. Applications can be obtained either online at monarchcement.com or by stopping by the plant office between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. or at the Corporate Office between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Completed applications can be dropped off at the Corporate Office, by email at hr.dept@monarchcement.com or by mailing the application to The Monarch Cement Company, Att. Entry Level Laborer Position, P.O. Box 1000, Humboldt, KS 66748.

Previous applicants must complete a new application.

Applications are to be submitted

by December 29, 2023.

The Monarch Cement Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages qualified minority, female, veteran and disabled candidates to apply and be considered for open positions.

JOIN OUR TEAM!

This position delivers needed support to the Accounting Manager of Sonic Equipment Company. Responsibilities will include processing customer invoices, receiving customer payments, monitoring vendor bills, and assisting with reconciliation of employee credit cards. The Accounting Assistant will also be involved with monitoring purchase orders, producing customer statements, reconciling vendor statements, and processing customer credits.

Arrowood Lane and Greystone Residential Care communities are seeking a Registered Nurse or LPN to join our Care Team.

The Accounting Assistant will work with the Logistics and Inventory Control position to assist in maintaining an accurate inventory, which includes assisting with the bi-annual inventory. This position requires teamwork with Sonic Sales, Sonic Projects, Sonic Service and Sonic SOS departments in support of accounting procedures and guidelines, and also works directly with the Accounting Manager, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Financial Officer for the annual budget process.

Duties include resident assessments and service direction, supervision and oversight of care staff and regulatory compliance. Sign on bonus, vacation, retirement, and insurance benefits available.

Please email resume to info@sonicequipment.com or visit our location for a job application at: Sonic Equipment Company 900 West Miller Rd., Iola, KS 66749

Join a progressive organization working with the elderly in this premier assisted living community. Must be flexible, self-motivated, have good leadership and assessment skills and enjoy working with the elderly.

Please contact Peggy Strong at (620) 363-2080 or submit a resume to: Arrowood Lane 615 Franklin, Humboldt, KS 66748.

&

ANDERSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE HAS FULL-TIME DETENTION OFFICER OPENINGS.

Starting wage $17.60 per hour with 12-hour shifts. No experience needed. Must be 18 years or older, have a valid driver’s license, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and pass a background check, a general knowledge test and a basic physical.

Come by 135 E. 5th St., Garnett, KS or call 785-448-5678 for an application. Visit our Facebook page for more information.

Maclaskey Oilfield Services

NOW HIRING CDL LICENSED DRIVERS

CLASS A WITH TANKER & HAZMAT ENDORSEMENTS PREFERRED OILFIELD EXPERIENCE A PLUS Apply at 105 N. Industrial Rd., El Dorado, KS or call 316-321-9011 for details.

ADVERTISE YOUR IN THE CLASSIFIEDS

Hiring: Registered Dental Hygienist

Friendly family practice seeks a caring, enthusiastic hygienist to join our fun Patient-Centered dental team in Humboldt, KS. Your role is vital to maintaining the dental health of our valued patients of all ages. Flexible days. Salary based on experience with a Perio Bonus. Kansas License is a must.

If excited by this opportunity, let us hear from you!

Send Resume to: M. Sean McReynolds, DDS, LLC Hygienist P.O. Box 8, Humboldt, KS 66748

iolaregister.com

The Iola Register

Thursday, December 14, 2023

B3

Cubs: Pull away in second half to top Marmaton Valley Continued from B1

Christmas break at 1-3.

“We tried pressuring them early with a fullcourt press, but give credit to Marmaton Valley’s kids,” Taylor said.

“They did a good job of breaking it.”

It was when the Cubs switched up strategies in the third quarter, focusing on the halfcourt, man-to-man defense that Marmaton Valley’s offense went cold.

“I thought we played fairly well, considering the circumstances,”

Wildcat head coach Cornell Walls said “Humboldt’s a great team.

They’ve got some good athletes there, and they have a great coach. We were able to hang with them the first half. We battled, and that’s what I wanted to see.”

But Humboldt’s pressure, and an ankle injury to Marmaton Valley’s Brayden Lawson, proved too much to overcome.

The burly junior returned to the court after intermission, but was held to five points against Humboldt’s interior defenders Colden

Cook and Sam Hull.

Walls was uncertain if the injury will hamper Lawson. If there’s a silver lining, it’s that Marmaton Valley doesn’t play again until Jan. 2 against Uniontown.

But even at full strength, Marmaton Valley would have had trouble against Humboldt’s withering defense in the second half.

“There was one stretch in the second half, where our defense was really effective,” Taylor said. “I turned to Coach (Jason) Weilert, and said, ‘That is the

team we want to be.’

“Right now, we’re still looking for that identity,” he said.

Both coaches agreed the Wildcats ran out of gas down the stretch as well.

“It was a good experience for our guys,” Walls said. “It definitely showed us what we need to work on, and some things we did well. I told them that we went out and showed what we could do. We’re still figuring it out. We’ve got to get all the guys clicking at the same time.”

Cook led the Cubs with 15 points, nine rebounds and three steals.

Hull was right behind with 13 points, seven boards, four assists and three steals.

Logan Page scored nine with three steals.

Mateo Miller also had three steals.

Avery Works had three assists and a pair of steals.

Jaedon Granere paced Marmaton Valley with 12 points. Daniel Fewins scored seven.

Humboldt won, 52-12, in junior varsity action.

Thatcher Mueller scored 14 and Mason Sterling 13 for the Cub JV. Garrett Morrison scored six and Todd Stevenson four for MV. Humboldt also prevailed, 22-8, in the C team contest. Lahr Daniels paced the victors with 12 points.

Humboldt wraps up its pre-Christmas schedule Friday against Neodesha.

Marmaton Valley (11-134-8—36) FG/3pt FT F TP D. Smith 0 0 2 0 Granere 2/2 2 3 12 Lord 2 2 1 6 C. Smith 1/1 1 1 6 Lawson 2 1 3 5 Fewins 3 1 4 7 Totals 10/3 7 14 36

Humboldt (17-14-15-16—62) Miller 1 1 2 3 Sterling 2 0 2 4 Ellis 1/1 0 1 5 Hull 4 5 2 13 Works 3 0 3 6 Page 3 3 4 9 Swogar 1 0 0 2 Hart 1 3 0 5 Cold. Cook 6/1 0 1 15 Totals 22/2 12 15 62

The weather outside is frightful, but the holidays are bound to be delightful.

From your friends at

FAST LUBE OF IOLA

207 N. State, Iola - 620-365-5533

Sparkle Shine AND

ON CHRISTMAS DAY!

Iola High’s Elza Clift catches the ball shortly before it trickles out of bounds Thursday in the second half of a 41-37 loss at Burlington. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN

Lull: Iola comes up short vs. Wildcats Continued from B1

to within 31-30 before Medlock hit a pair of free throws to push the Wildcats ahead by three. Iola came up dry on its next three possessions with a turnover and a pair of missed shots, and suddenly the deficit was six with 30 seconds left.

A frantic comeback attempt made things interesting. Elza Clift hit a pair of free throws with 27 seconds left, and Harper Desmarteau converted a traditional 3-point play after the Wildcats hit their free throws to make it 38-35 at the :20.2 mark.

Burlington’s Hattie Burgio went 1 of 2 from the line to make it a two-possession game once again. Kaysin Crusinbery put in a bucket to pare the deficit back to two, but it took precious seconds to do so.

Alexa Splechter hit a pair of free throws for Burlington’s final margin.

“We’ve got to get a

leader going, somebody who can pull us back up when things aren’t going our way,” Johnson said. “I know it’s early, but we’ve got to have somebody who says ‘I’m not gonna let her shoot again, I’m not gonna let her score. It can be multiple girls, but we don’t have anybody right now who’s doing it consistently.

“I keep saying it’s early,” Johnson continued.

“But we’ve got to be ready to go.”

Both offenses took a while in the early going to get much production. Iola focused its intentions on getting the ball inside to the likes of Mader, Desmarteau and Reese Curry, while Burlington was content to fire away from the perimeter.

The Mustangs led 11-6 late in the half when Medlock drained a pair of treys to give the Wildcats a 12-11 lead.

But Mader responded with a buzzer-beating 3-point play to push Iola ahead 14-11 at the

break.

Curry led the way with 13 points, followed

by Crusinbery with 10 and Mader with nine.

“When we ran our offense and got the ball inside, we were scoring layups,” Johnson noted.

“We’ve got to see that consistently.”

Iola will face another tough defensive squad Thursday in Prairie View.

“We have a tough league and tough matchups right before Christmas to test us right away,” Johnson said. “They’re always aggressive and fast and long. Everybody loves to press right now. We can either come back ready to fight, or we can come back with our heads down.”

Iola prevailed, 25-11, in a junior varsity game.

Dally Curry scored seven, while Brooklyn Holloway, Zoie Hesse and Bethany Miller had six apiece.

Iola (4-10-10-13—37)

FG/3pt FT F TP Bycroft 0 0 1 0

O’Shaughnessy SUBSCRIBER Liquor APPRECIATION WEEK Dec. 6-10

CHEERS This Holiday Season

Fager 0 0 5 0 Clift 0 2 1 2 Mader 3 3 2 9 Desmarteau 1 1 0 3 Curry 6 1 5 13 Hesse 0 0 2 0 Crusinbery 5 0 4 10 Totals 15 7 20 37 Burlington (5-7-9-20—41) Splechter 0 4 1 4 Dorman 0 0 1 0 Beyer 0/1 0 3 3 Birk 1 4 3 6 Medlock 4/5 0 5 23 Burgio 0 1 4 1 Belcher 2 0 2 4 Totals 7/6 9 19 41

Capper Jewelry, LLC (620) 365-5912 4 N. Washington • Iola, KS capperjewelry@sbcglobal.net

Join us and celebrate

SUBSCRIBER 3 annual APPRECIATION rd

WEEK

Dec. 11-15

Our work is only possible thanks to subscribers like you.

As a special THANK YOU, stop by our office to pick up your FREE water bottle, enjoy some sweet treats, and spin the wheel for more surprises!

Brian and Lindsey Shaughnessy (620) 365-5702 1211 East Street • Iola

Visit us at 302 S. Washington, Iola from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

B4 Thursday, December 14, 2023

The Iola Register

iolaregister.com

Unbeatens: Humboldt fends off Wildcats Continued from B1

first quarter as the Lady Cubs raced to a 19-5 lead.

“McKenna was really good last night,” Humboldt head coach Aubrey Jones said. “She was hitting her shots, even though they were face-guarding her.”

Wildcat head coach Becky Carlson said, “We stuck with them. We just couldn’t get past that deficit.”

Humboldt improved to 5-0 on the season with a 38-29 victory. The loss drops Marmaton Valley’s record to 3-1.

“I was happy with the last four or five minutes of the game,” Jones said.

“We did a really good job of taking care of the ball, slowing down the offense, and making the plays we needed to.”

After the slow start, Marmaton Valley got back into the game, out-

scoring the Lady Cubs 12-4 in the second quarter to pull to within 2317 at halftime.

“Offensively, we have this horrible habit of starting hot and heavy, and struggling from there,” Jones said. “We forced some shots.”

But the Humboldt defense kept up the pressure throughout.

“Humboldt did a good job of rebounding,” Carlson said. “They

have a really balanced team. It’s not like you can key on one or two players.

“And it wasn’t that we played horribly,” she continued. “When your shots don’t fall, it gets frustrating. We’re pretty good at the fast break, and they took that away.”

Jones, too, is pleased with her team’s ability to make winning plays down the stretch,

with a tough matchup looming Friday against Neodesha to wrap up the pre-Christmas schedule.

“Physically, Neodesha will be a big test of what we’re made of,” she predicted.

Jones led Humboldt with 16 points, followed

by Shelby Shaughnessy and Laney Hull with six apiece.

Janae Granere scored 13 and Piper Barney seven for the Wildcats.

“You never like to lose, but this was a good gauge for us,” Carlson said. “We are definitely a good basketball team, and we have potential. We haven’t by any means come close to meeting that potential.

We’re still figuring out each other, but we have a high ceiling. I have high hopes for these girls, and they have high hopes for themselves.”

Marmaton Valley (5-12-57—29) FG/3pt FT FTP Haynes 0 0 1 0 Barney 3 1 3 7 Scharff 2 1 2 5 Forero 2 0 3 4 Granere 3/1 4 4 13 Totals 10/1 6 1329 Humboldt (19-4-9-6—38) S. Hottenstein 0 1 1 1 Jones 3/2 4 0 16 Wrestler 0 0 1 0 K. Hottenstein 2 0 4 4 Shaughnessy 3 0 5 6 Hillmon 2 1 2 5 Hull 3 0 0 6 Totals 13/2 6 1338

Iola High’s Kyser Nemecek (24) defends Burlington’s Kasten Payer Tuesday int the Mustangs’ 58-53 overtime defeat. Also in on the play are Iola’s Lucas Maier (22) and Burlington’s Lane Griffith (23). REGISTER/ RICHARD LUKEN

Mustangs: Come up short in OT loss Continued from A1

drought with 45 seconds left in regulation to pull Iola within 3.

Fejfar and Carson then each went 1 of 2 from the line on each team’s next possession, before the Wildcats were called for traveling when Fejfar corralled a missed bucket, but fell to the floor in the process with 15 seconds left.

That allowed Carson to drive in for the tying layup with 10 seconds left in regulation.

The Wildcats missed a 3-point attempt at the buzzer, sending the game into overtime.

Weide’s injury “definitely changed where we were,” Bycroft said.

“We needed guys who can take care of the ball, and I didn’t have enough timeout to get us to calm down.”

Burlington retook momentum in the overtime, converting offensive rebounds into second-change points.

Cheever and Carson both converted 3-point plays to start the extra session, before Fejfar’s putback pushed the

Wildcats back ahead for good.

An Iola turnover gave the Wildcats possession. Kasten Payer missed back-to-back free throws, but a Wildcat offensive rebound led to Kolten Robinson’s basket, making it 5349 with 2 minutes left.

Thomas Hudson followed with a steal and layup to make it 55-49, The lead swelled to as many as 8 down the stretch. Matt Beckmon and Lucas Maier each scored hoops as part of Iola’s last-ditch comeback attempt in the final minute, but by then it was too late.

“I’m so proud of them for how they came back in the fourth quarter to force overtime,” Bycroft said. “We’ve got to finish it out.”

Bycroft was uncertain how Weide’s injury would affect his availability for Thursday’s game at Prairie View, the last contest for the Mustangs in 2023. Their next game after Thursday is Jan. 2 against Fort Scott.

“It’s best not to push it,” he said. “If he can’t

go, we have to have guys who can step up in his absence. We can’t have players out there for 32 minutes every single game.”

Carson led Iola with 20 points, followed by Weide with 15. Maier added eight points and 11 rebounds in a game that turned on Burlington’s ability to get offensive rebounds down the stretch.

“Their second chances in the fourth quarter and overtime killed us,” he continued. “That’s how they got back into it. In overtime, they got almost every rebound.

“We were tired. I told the kids after the game that that’s on me. I’ve got to get them more rest during the game, or we’ve got to work them harder in practice.”

Burlington prevailed, 52-34, in junior varsity play. Austin Crooks and Hayden Kelley led Iola with seven points each.

Brennen Coffield added five points, Gavin Jones four, Kyser Nemecek three and Nick Bauer, Keegan Hill, Konner Larney and Jayden Beene two each.

With thanks for your business at the holidays!

We’re rounding up our best wishes to thank you for being such good neighbors and dear friends to us for the past 62 years.

Come in and see us as we begin our 63rd year of serving you.

Hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

FARM & RANCH SUPPLY

2611 West Hwy 50 Emporia, KS 66801 (620) 342-5502 or (800) 800-7505

The Wildcats also won the C team game in overtime, 46-41. Crooks led the Mustang freshmen with 16 points, followed by Jase Herrmann with 11. Hill and Larney scored seven and four, respectively. Luke Coronado and Kaedan Vega both had two.

Iola (11-5-15-15-7—53)

FG/3pt FT F TP Weide 5/1 2 4 15 Bauer 0/1 0 2 3 Dougherty 1 1 3 3 Beckmon 2 0 4 4 Carson 8 4 5 20 Maier 3 2 3 8 Totals 19/2 9 21 53 Burlington (7-12-13-1412—58) Payee 1/1 0 3 5 Cheever 7/2 1? 4 21 Robinson 1/3 1 2 12 Fejfar 6 2 4 14 Griffith 1 2 4 4 Felts 0 1 4 1 Carlson 0 1 1 1 Totals 16/6 8 21 58

NFL OKs game in Brazil IRVING, Texas (AP) — The NFL will play a regular-season game in Brazil in 2024, the first in South America in the latest expansion of the league’s rapidly growing international plan.

The league said Wednesday at the owners meetings in the Dallas area the game will be played at Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The stadium has a capacity of nearly 50,000 and was a venue for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.

The NFL played its first two regular-season games in Frankfurt, Germany, this year, with three more in London. There are five planned for 2024 as well, three in London to go with games in Germany and Brazil.

At the December owners meetings two years ago, the league designated home marketing rights for teams in various countries as part of a strategy to build fan growth internationally. Miami is the only team with such rights in Brazil.

Merry Christmas

Leah Stout • Public Accountant

Tax Preparation | Payroll | Business Services 315 S. State St., Iola • eztaxservice15@yahoo.com

I

I A Iola Insurance Associates Deborah Taiclet & Chrissy Womelsdorf Independent Insurance Agency

P.O. Box 653 • 203 S. Chestnut, Iola E-mail: Debbie@iolains.com • 620-365-7601

Happy Holidays!

iolaregister.com

Public notice

The Iola Register EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

TRUTH

CRYPTOQUOTES

EMPLOYMENT

Projects Technician

CMAR PUBLICATION FOR PHASE I OF CMAR SELECTION PROCESS AS REQUIRED BY KANSAS STATUTE K.S. A 64-101.

Newspapers put truth front and center

B5

NOW HIRING:

(Published in The Iola Register Dec. 7, 2023)

USD 479 Crest School District, located in Colony, KS, is seeking to select a Construction Management at Risk (CMAR) company for a capital project. The scope of the project includes building additions to the K12 school including a new auxiliary gym, a new two-classroom storm shelter, renovations to classroom spaces, renovations to the Kitchen and Cafeteria, safety and security improvements and other improvement to the school. The construction cost of the project will be approximately $5.3 million dollars. Interested companies may submit qualifications to meet the Phase I component of K.S.A. 64-101 and include the following information (A) Similar project experience; (B) experience in this type of delivery system; (C) references from design professionals and owners from previous projects; (D) description of construction manager or general contractor’s project management approach; and (E) bonding capacity. Please submit (10) ten copies of your information. Firms submitting a statement of qualifications shall be capable of providing a public works bond in accordance with K.S.A 60-1111, and amendments thereto, and shall present such evidence of such bonding capacity to the board with their statement or qualifications. If a firm fails to present such evidence, such firm shall be deemed unqualified for selection under this subsection. The deadline for submitting qualifications is 3:00pm, Thursday, December 28, 2023.

Qualification statements shall be sent to the attention of Superintendent Shane Walter at USD 479 District Office, 603 E. Broad St. Colony, KS 66015. Questions regarding this submission may be submitted to Superintendent Shane Walter at swalter@usd479. org or Greg Tice at gt@sptarchitecture.com. Interested construction managers may tour the facilities on Monday, December 18 or Tuesday, December 19 at 11am either day. USD 479 Crest intends to conduct the Phase III interviews the week of January 8th or the week of January 15th.

Construction is expected to start in May of 2024.

(12) 7, 14, 21

Thursday, December 14, 2023

We have an open position for a

FULL-TIME COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR to join our team.

If you have experience in marketing, building relationships, communications, and grant writing, we encourage you to apply. We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits, including health insurance. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Send resume to Hope Unlimited, 406 North Buckeye, Iola, KS 66749, or hopeunlimitedkansas@gmail.com.

Job requirements include a variety of tasks to be completed in new movie theatres, as well as movie theatres undergoing renovations.

The scope of the position includes: · Installation of audio, projection, concession, and auditoriumrelated materials. · Ability to work from heights on ladders, scaffold, or scissor lifts. · Work with hand tools and power tools. · Some heaving lifting is required.

Experience in construction/ assembly is preferred but will train the right person.

Applications available at our office or email resume to info@sonicequipment.com.

(620) 365-7501 900 W. Miller Rd., Iola

Now hiring for the positions below.Visit our website to review our excellent benefits package!

STARS Transfer/Career Advisor Salary range: $33,280 - $39,720

Desktop Support Technician

Minimum Starting Wage: $17.85 per hour

Biology Instructor

Salary Range: $40,950 - $71,700

IS A UPS ACCESS POINT LOCATION

Pick up and drop off your pre-packaged, pre-labeled shipments.

Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

CLASSIFIEDS BUILD RESULTS ZITS

by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

Adjunct Positions –

Phlebotomy (LaHarpe), Court Reporting, Paralegal, Physics (Online) For a detailed description of all open positions and instructions for submitting your application, visit our website at

www.neosho.edu/Careers.aspx

BEETLE BAILEY

by Mort Walker

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE

by Chris Browne

NCCC is an EOE/AA employer.

GOING ON

VACATION? WANT YOUR PAPER STOPPED OR HELD? Please notify The Iola Register at least two days before you wish to stop or restart your paper.

Call our Circulation Department at: 620.365.2111

OY P A X S U Z X A X U B X S S PT R G OY P A X S U Z X JYV F JV OVRVNPZSV AS NG CADAFC SYV R A CY S B Q

S

Z

R, B

A

R B DV S B SY B XV JY B FVV L A S U B X S . — PT SY OZPSVP XSZERVSBF Yesterday’s Cryptoquote: Some people are worth melting for. — Olaf, “Frozen”

Iola Housing Authority is looking for an

OCCUPANCY SPECIALIST

BLONDIE

by Young and Drake

MUTTS

by Patrick McDonell

MARVIN

by Tom Armstrong

HI AND LOIS

by Chance Browne

This full-time position is responsible for every aspect of the public housing tenant process such as reviewing applications, preparing leases, governmental reports, business correspondence, as well as basic clerical office functions. The desired candidate must have computer skills and excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Benefits include health insurance, a KPERS retirement program and sick leave. Resume and cover letter of interest to be submitted by December 19, 2023 to: Iola Housing Authority, 217 N. Washington, Iola, KS 66749

IOLA housing authoritY

e: y

B6 Thursday, December 14, 2023

The Iola Register

iolaregister.com

Royals ink two more free agent pitchers

By DAVE SKRETTA The Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Royals general manager J.J. Picollo made it clear after a 106-loss season that Kansas City was in desperate need of pitching.

On Tuesday, they landed someone to start games and another to help finish them.

The Royals agreed with right-hander Seth Lugo on a $45 million, three-year deal to fill one of their open spots in the starting rotation, then landed reliever Chris Stratton on a $4 million deal, two people with knowledge of the contracts told The Associated Press. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because the deals were pending physicals.

Lugo can opt out after the 2025 season, one of the people said, while Stratton will get $3.5 million for this season and has a $4.5 million player option with a $500,000 buyout for 2025.

With one of the best curveballs in the game, Lugo is coming off a strong year with the Padres, where he went 8-7 with a 3.57 ERA while proving he could be a full-time starter.

The 34-year-old started games early in his career but had largely worked out of the bullpen with only occasional starts during his first seven seasons with the New York Mets.

After driving up his value, Lugo declined his $7.5 million player option with the Padres and became a free agent.

One thing both pitchers have in common is experience, and that was something the Royals also wanted in their clubhouse.

“We’re trying to put a team together. It’s not really one individual talent,” Picollo said this week, while announcing a $5 million deal with reliever Will Smith.

“Given the inexperience in our clubhouse other than Salvy (Perez) and Jordan (Lyles), we felt like we were short with guys like will that have not only won at a high level but experienced

Pitchers Seth Lugo, left, and Chris Stratton have reportedly signed deals with the Kansas City Royals. TNS FILE PHOTOS the game.”

Kansas City has been this past season. The trying to find help for right-hander also has a starting rotation that pitched for the Giants, has struggled the past Angels and Pirates while few seasons. The Royals appearing in 302 games filled one big hole mid- with a 4.43 ERA over his way through last sea- 10-year big league cason when they acquired reer.

The Royals have been Cole Ragans from the busy remaking their Rangers for reliever Aroldis Chapman, and pitching staff since the they hope Brady Singer end of the season. They can bounce back after a poor season while Lyles can continue to eat innings.

The 26-year-old Lugo should factor into the middle of the rotation.

He started 18 games for the Mets in 2017, going 7-5 with a pedestrian 4.71 ERA, but only 12 total over the next five seasons, when he began to flourish out of the bullpen. Lugo was 2017 with a 3.25 ERA over that span, striking out 378 while issuing only 91 walks over 329 1/3 innings.

Lugo got another shot to start in San Diego and made the most of it, and now the Royals are hoping he can keep it up.

also have acquired reliever Nick Anderson from Atlanta for cash, then landed right-handed starter Kyle Wright — who is expected to miss the 2024 season after undergoing shoulder surgery — for pitcher Jackson Kowar in a separate deal with the Braves.

Pets week

also has been searching for bullpen help in free agency. Smith is expected to finish out games, and Stratton should give the Royals a bridge from starters to the lefthander and ther rest of the back end of the bullpen.

The 33-year-old Stratton, who along with Smith won a World Series ring with Texas last month, had a 3.92 ERA in 64 games with the Cardinals and Rangers KANSAS

CITY

of the

Meet Sienna!

Sienna is a 4-month-old domestic short-hair. She’s very affectionate, litter box trained and loves all toys she sees. She’s currently in foster care, if you’re interested in meeting her, please call us at 620-496-3647.

Sienna’s adoption fee is $75 which includes her spay, up-to-date shots, deworming, flea treatment, nail trim and a microchip.

Meet Malik!

Malik is a four-year-old pit mix who does well with everyone and everything except cats. He’s very affectionate and enjoys hard toys and blankets. Malik’s adoption fee is $100 which includes his neuter, up-to-date shots, deworming, flea treatment, bath, nail trim and a microchip.

OKC voters OK arena OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma City voters on Tuesday approved a 1% sales tax for six years to help fund a new downtown arena for the NBA’s Thunder that is expected to cost at least $900 million.

The Oklahoma State Election Board reported that 71% of the city’s voters approved the plan.

The vote is an exam-

ple of the connection between the team, fans and the community, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.

“We are grateful to the people of Oklahoma City for the confidence they have shown in both the Thunder and the NBA as we embark on a new era of global sports and entertainment,” Silver said.

Public notice (Published in The Iola Register Dec. 14, 2023) NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that on Thursday, the 4th of January at 5:30 p.m., at City Hall, 2 W. Jackson in Iola, Kansas; the Board of Zoning Appeals of Iola, Kansas will hold a public hearing on the written application of Linda Sigg for a variance to the Unified Development Code Section 16-703, (a), (8), in specific she is requesting a variance to the maximum wall height of an accessory struc-

ture permitted in a residentially zoned district on the following property: SOUTHVIEW ADD TO IOLA, S23, T24, R18, Lot 4 AKA: 802 Pryor Said application is being filed for under the provisions Article 4, Section 16-413 of the City of Iola Unified Development Code.

City of Iola Board of Zoning Appeals and Planning Commission Tony Godfrey, Chairperson

(12) 14

For more information about Sienna and Malik, contact: adoptions@acarf.org • acarf.org/adoptables • 620-496-3647

R’NS Farms

Your Central Boiler Dealer

1520 1300th St.,Iola www.redbarnvet.com

(620) 365-3964 rbvs@redbarnvet.com

Heim Law Offices, P.A.

BRET A. HEIM DANIEL C. SMITH

424 N. Washington • Iola

(620) 365-2222 heimlawoffices.com

941 2400 St. Iola, KS 620-496-2406 Serving the area for more than 69 years

1-800-750-6533

(620) 365-7663 • 306 N. State, Iola

Total number of pets adopted: 3,358 A proud no-kill shelter.

620-496-3647 | acarf.org 305 E. Hwy 54 | LaHarpe, KS