Football honors: All-league selections named.
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THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
www.iolaregister.com
Helping those who ‘slip through cracks’ IMS targets bullying, at-risk students By SUSAN LYNN The Iola Register
President Obama speaks at a press conference Monday. OLIVIER DOULIERY/ABACA PRESS/TNS
Obama speaks on transition to Trump WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama on Monday abandoned his dire warnings and dark predictions about his newly elected successor and urged Americans to give President-elect Donald Trump time to rise to the daunting responsibilities of the office, breaking sharply from his Democratic allies who have quickly condemned Trump’s first major decisions. In his first extended remarks on the election that pounded his party and his legacy, Obama sought to reassure an anxious world and nation about his successor’s commitments to alliances, at times apSee OBAMA | Page A4
The challenges of being a student were a focus of USD 257 board members Monday night. School administrators and staff told how they are addressing these challenges, including how to help students who are falling behind in their studies and those who face the social problem of bullying. Students in middle school, grades 5 through 8, are especially vulnerable to bullying, said Stacey Crusinbery, counselor at IMS. The good news is that over the past six years reports of bullying have decreased substantially, from 55 percent to 13 percent of students, said Crusinbery, as determined from a recent survey in which the 340 students responded anonymously. Students could report any
Iola Middle School administrators Jack Stanley, from left, and Brad Crusinbery listen while Stacey Crusinbery, IMS student counselor, talks at Monday’s USD 257 Board of Education meeting. REGISTER/SUSAN LYNN
instances of bullying, including verbal, physical, social or cyber. According to the survey, 43 students reported instances of either being bullied or witnessing someone being bullied. “Sixth grade is the worst,” Crusinbery said, and verbal abuse is the most common. A student interceding for a
friend is the most effective way to curb offensive behavior by others, Crusinbery said. Certain “hot spots” for bullying include the lunchroom, locker areas, classrooms when a teacher is absent, gym class, and texting on their phones. Crusinbery said specific
measures have improved the school environment, including: 1. Education about bullying. 2. The effectiveness of peer intervention. 3. Making the school environment less prone to See 257 | Page A3
Humboldt eyes Ninth Street bike lane input Letters explaining the pro-
By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
HUMBOLDT — Over the next few weeks Humboldt city leaders will ask for public input on whether a bike lane should be designated along a portion of Ninth Street.
posal will be sent with utility bills. Mayor Nobby Davis ordered the communication after several people said Monday night they were unaware of the proposed project until just recently. Mitzi Farran, who lives on Ninth Street, said she was unaware of the idea because doesn’t subscribe to “the
newspaper and no one came to my door.” A proposal for a bike lane the mile-long length of the street grew from a two-day community conversation in August 2015. In March a multi-use/bike lane was proposed to council members. See BIKES | Page A3
Pittsburg man accused of killing relatives
Iola City Councilman Donald Becker, foreground from left, accepts a certificate Monday from Iolans Gary McIntosh and Jim Gilpin, representing the Fort Scott chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, for the city’s support of Veterans Day, Memorial Day and other patriotic events through the year. Gilpin and McIntosh also recognized Iola Boy Scout Troop 55 for its support. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
Iola City Council talks loaders, short meetings By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Iola is in the market for a loader. City Council members Monday authorized staffers to seek bids to replace the city’s 1996 Caterpillar frontend loader. At 20 years old, the unit is showing its age, City Administrator Sid Fleming noted.
Crews have logged more than 12,600 hours of work on the loader, and it is considered “one of the true workhorses” within the Street and Alley Department. Other departments regularly use the loader as well, Fleming noted. The anticipated price of $150,000 is above the $138,950 the city has set aside for a new loader, Fleming noted.
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He plans to dip into the Street and Alley Department’s other reserve funds — more than $225,000 is socked away for other equipment purchases — to cover the difference The Council voted, 5-0, to go ahead with the replacement, with Aaron Franklin, Bob Shaughnessy and Sandy Zornes absent. Monday’s meeting lasted 16 minutes, including the
opening prayer and flag salute. The brevity was not lost on Councilman Austin Sigg, who noted Monday’s was the latest in a series of meetings that have lasted less than an hour. “Everybody likes shorting meetings,” he said. “I just want to make sure we’re covering our bases, and we’re being informed of everything going on.”
“Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.” — George S. Patton 75 Cents
PLEASANTON, Kan. (AP) — A 31-year-old man is accused of killing two relatives in eastern Kansas’ Pleasanton. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Linn County Sheriff ’s Office say David McNabb of Pittsburg is charged with seconddegree murder, criminal desecration of a body, and interference with a law enforcement officer. McNabb is accused of killing is 65-year-old uncle, Kenneth McNabb, and that victim’s mother, 87-year-old Betty McNabb. Betty McNabb and her son were reported missing Friday. It was not immediately clear Monday if the victims’ bodies have been found. A call Monday by The Associated Press to David McNabb’s listed home telephone number was answered by a woman who hung up on the reporter. It was not immediately clear if McNabb has an attorney to speak on his behalf.
Hi: 70 Lo: 44 Iola, KS