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THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
Thursday, December 17, 2015
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KDOT issues $400M in bonds
CURB chief resigns
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Department of Transportation has issued a state record of $400 million in highway construction bonds to take advantage of the suspension of a state law limiting the agency’s debt burden. Kansas transportation secretary Mike King also says favorable market forces warranted issuing the bonds. The 2015 Kansas Legislature and Gov. Sam Brownback agreed to suspend for two years a provision forbidding the transportation department’s aggregate bond debt service to exceed 18 percent of the agency’s annual
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The chairman of a state board leading an agency that represents home and smallbusiness utility consumers resigned Wednesday, partially out of frustration over major changes other board members are considering for the agency. Brian Weber, of Garden City, announced his resignation from the Citizens’ Utility Ratepayer Board Wednesday, five days after other board members discussed either dissolving the agency or changing its mission to focus on fighting federal clean-air regulations, The Wichita Eagle reported. CURB’s main mission is
Merry melody Iola Middle School band students performed their winter concert Wednesday in front of a packed Bowlus Fine Arts Center auditorium. At left are, from left, Maria Lansdown, Allison Morris, Olivia Kerr, Madison Swink and Kaitlynn Kilby. The students are under the direction of Matt Kleopfer.
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Regents advance guns on campus plan KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A broad outline of how concealed weapons will be allowed on Kansas college campuses cleared a key panel Wednesday and edged closer to expected final approval, with individual campuses asked to come up with their own plans to implement the new law. The Kansas Board of Regents’ governance commit-
tee signed off on the tweaked guidelines during a meeting in Topeka, despite mounting claims by some campus groups across the state that concealed weapons could make colleges and universities less safe. The full board of regents appears likely to sign off on the policy during its next scheduled meeting in January, said Breeze Richard-
son, a spokeswoman for the board. In Kansas, gun owners can carry concealed weapons without a license. And public universities in Kansas must allow concealed weapons on campus beginning in July 2017 in buildings that don’t have security measures including metal detectors — an See GUNS | Page A2
Wesley presents living Nativity By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Jacob Cooper, as Joseph, and Chassis Hoepker, as Mary, are among the actors who will perform Saturday and Sunday in a living Nativity at Wesley United Methodist Church. REGISTER/RICH-
ARD LUEKN
Quote of the day Vol. 118, No. 37
Wesley United Methodist Church members are reminding folks of “the reason for the season” Saturday and Sunday, with a living Nativity. A cast of about 20 will present the story of Jesus’ birth in the parking lot on the west side of the church at 301 W. Madison Ave. But rather than your typical stage production, with set changes, viewers will get to hear about Christ’s birth by visiting four stations. “Since it’s going to be outside, we didn’t want people standing around for 20 minutes,” explained director Terry Meadows. “Instead, they’ll travel to different stations.” The stations will be set around the parking lot’s perimeter. The first scene re-enacts the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary in her house; the second follows an angel’s visit to the shepherds informing them of the Messiah’s birth; the third is the iconic manger scene; and See CHURCH | Page A2
Deck the halls Iola Middle School fifth-graders Aysha Houk and Holden Barker trim their handmade trees Wednesday. The tiny trees were created by taping a series of metal coat hangers together, then wrapping the skeleton with garland, lights and other decorations. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
Former bank teller charged TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A former teller has been indicted on charges of embezzling about $700,000 from a bank in Burlington. The U.S. attorney’s office announced Wednesday that 47-year-old Denise Christy, of Burlington, faces charges that include embezzlement and money laundering. No attorney is listed for her in online court records. The indictment alleges the crimes were committed while Christy worked
“Respect is what we owe; love, what we give.” — Philip James Bailey, English poet 75 Cents
for the Burlington branch of Central National Bank. One of Christy’s duties was to sell cash in the bank’s vault to the Federal Reserve Bank. In May 2014 auditors determined that more than $700,000 was missing. An investigation showed Christy falsified bank records to cover up the embezzlement. Christy is accused of spending more than $77,000 in embezzled funds to pay off loans.
Hi: 40 Lo: 23 Iola, KS