Sports: Legion sweeps Santa Fe Trail See B1
THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
Searching for answers
State school board tours districts A
By KAYLA BANZET The Iola Register
Leaders in education have their sights set on the future. Kansas Association of School Board staff are touring the state to see how area educators view recent legislation. Mark Tallman, associate executive director for advocacy for KASB, made a stop in Iola Monday. “Our goal is to have Kansas be the first-ranked state in education,” he said. “We’re not at the top, but we do continue to improve.” For 2012, 85 percent of students completed a high school diploma on time. Over the past decade, the Kansas graduation rate has increased nearly 10 percentage points and has slightly narrowed the lead of the top 10 states. To make it to the top KASB has three targets: Support in raising standards, provide suitable finance to districts, and strengthen local leadership. “We want to look at the results of education, not the process,” he said. The 2014 Legislature passed
By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
The Rev. Paul MIller of its decrepit condition, the Rev. Paul Miller told the Register Tuesday. Meanwhile, they are staying in an empty building that formerly housed an office. It has electricity and running water, but no shower or bath, Miller noted. Other factors also are in play:
— Because both are newcomers to Iola, having lived in town for just a few weeks, neither has many friends to ask for help. They’ve known each other only a few months. — They adopted a small dog shortly before moving away from Crossroads, and See HOMELESS | Page A4
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Couple’s plight highlights local needs A perfect storm put Anna Hatfield and Gary Pinckney on the streets. The couple moved out of the old Crossroads Motel earlier this month when they were unable to afford the higher rates asked by the motel’s new owners. While it’s not known where everybody went — at least 10 were displaced, another former long-term resident said — Hatfield’s and Pinckney’s plight became public when they were spotted camping in a small tent along South State Street. In response, a group of Iolans worked feverishly to find them a permanent home. Trouble is, one potential house fell through because
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Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Education Spending and the governor signed House Bill 2506, which directs the Kansas State Board of Education to “design subjects and areas of instruction,” to provide students a comprehensive education. “We ask ourselves how to make students college- and career-ready,” he said. “How do we go from subjects to skills kids need.” Despite a high graduation rate, Tallman said only 40 percent of students are collegeand career-ready. KASB has adjusted its views throughout the years on what a school’s role in education is. See KASB | Page A4
COUNTY COMMISSION
Attorney seeks hefty budget hikes at meeting By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Allen County commissioners continued to hear budget requests for 2015, with one noteworthy request for a much higher spending plan. Allen County Attorney Wade Bowie requested a 17 percent hike for his budget, up to $313,100, for the upcom-
ing fiscal year. Bowie told commissioners much of the increase would go to his support staff. He has an assistant county attorney, two Wade Bowie full-time office workers and a part-time em-
ployee. The hope is to pay a more competitive wage to his employees, Bowie said. The increase would be a $49,000 hike from 2014. Commissioner Dick Works noted, “that’s about half a mill.” Commissioners were noncommital to Bowie’s request, but promised they would consider it as they look at the
county’s overall budget. OTHERS WITH budget requests for 2015 were: — Bob Chase, representing the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, who requested $117,000, a 3 percent increase from 2014. Chase cited higher administrative costs related to the recent change of Medicaid to KanCare. The mental health
center provides service to Allen and surrounding counties. Chase noted the center also provides alcohol treatment services, but those are funded through other means. — John Green, representing the Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging, requested $2,000, which is used as funding matches in pursuit of See COUNTY | Page A4
Community treasure reopens Iola Municipal Band Since 1871
By KAYLA BANZET The Iola Register
MILDRED — Worry no more sandwich lovers, the store in Mildred has reopened. Formerly known as Charlie Brown’s, the Mildred Store opened June 2 under the new ownership of Loren and Regena Lance. Also helping the Lances are their daughters Lydia Lance and Korenne Grzybowski and employees Rita Porzio and Marlene White. “This store is an icon in our community,” Loren said. “When nobody stepped up we bought it.” Loren farms east of town and Regena works at Fort Scott Community College as dean of instruction. “We didn’t need it as income but this store is a tradition and a local treasure,” Regena said. “People in the community have come here for years.”
At the bandstand
Jake Ard, director Thursday, June 19, 2014 - 8 p.m. -PROGRAM-
The Star Spangled Banner.........................................................arr. J.P. Sousa The Springfield Regiment - march................................Paul Curnow I Left My Heart In San Francisco.............................Cory & Cross, arr. Reed Ballad For Peace............................................................Frank Erickson Orange Bowl - march...................................................Henry Fillmore Highlights from “Gigi”..................................................Lerner & Loewe, arr. Herfurth March Slav.......................................................................Tchaikovsky, arr. Williams The Footlifter - march.................................................Henry Fillmore Down By The Old Mill Stream....................................Taylor, arr. Yoder King Cotton.......................................................................John Philip Sousa
Loren and Regena Lance, left, have reopened the Mildred Store with their daughters, Lydia Lance and Korenne Grzybowski and employees Rita Porzio and Marlene White. The grand opening will be June 28. REGISTER/KAYLA BANZET Loren said the store makes about 30 to 50 sandwiches a day. They also offer deli trays and candy around Christmas time. The owners are also working with Thrive Allen County
Quote of the day Vol. 116, No. 164
to bring in fresh produce for the store weekly. The importance of the store really took ahold of Regena. She said one day af-
Rained out concerts will be rescheduled for the following evening.
See STORE | Page A4
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
— Peter Drucker, economist
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