Sports: Chiefs blast Ravens, 34-14 See B1
THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
www.iolaregister.com
Monday, December 21, 2015
Ho Ho Ho Iola’s downtown was alive with Christmas cheer Friday night as swarms of children paraded around the square playing kazoos to the tunes of Christmas carols and then braved the chilly weather while they waited in line to visit Santa. Although the doors to Santa’s Toy Shop didn’t open until 6 p.m., the line started forming around 4:30, said Tracy Keagle, prime organizer for Friday’s activities. By 6 o’clock the line was several hundred deep. Santa’s elves Friday included Keagle, Karen Culver, Lori Holman, and Angie Tatman. Children were given a free toy, book, and treats over the course of several hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. At right, Breyer Grisier, 6, and his mother, Brandi, of Humboldt, share in the fun of Santa’s Toy Shop with “elf” Keagle. Below, at right, Cassandra Freimiller holds the hand of Lainey Oswald, 6, during the kazoo parade. Below, Judson Wiltse served as a drum major of sorts for the kazoo parade. SUSAN LYNN/Iola Register
Osawatomie State Hospital at risk; Medicare funds cut OSAWATOMIE, Kan. (AP) — One of Kansas’ two mental hospitals will lose federal Medicare funds after today because it falls short of meeting federal regulations. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services told the state it will no longer pay for new patients admitted to Osawatomie State Hospital because the hospital doesn’t comply with part of the Social Security Act that requires a hospital to provide services sufficient to meet its patients’ needs. After today, the state will pay the costs of caring for patients at the facility, according to Angela de Rocha, spokeswoman for the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services. A notice in the Osawatomie Graphic newspaper on Wednesday said the hospital was determined to be in noncompliance during a Nov. 3 survey, The Wichita Eagle
reported. Federal inspectors visited the Osawatomie hospital again Friday before CMS informed the state of its decision. “The survey revealed a condition or circumstance that would put someone’s life or well-being in jeopardy,” de Rocha said. She said the state had tried working to correct compliance violations but it apparently didn’t meet federal standards. Kari Bruffett, the department’s secretary, said the hospital will continue to care for and treat its patients. “The hospital intends to seek Medicare recertification immediately,” Bruffett said Friday. “During that process, the hospital will continue to accept patients. Osawatomie staff will continue to work diligently to meet certification standards.” See HOSPITAL | Page A2
Quote of the day Vol. 118, No. 38
Harry Lee Jr., left, and Judy Welch, right, visit with LaHarpe’s Howard Foster to celebrate Foster’s retirement as a truck driver. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
Driver eastbound and done... By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
LAHARPE — Howard Foster has bid adieu to a lifelong career on the road. Foster, who celebrates his 80th birthday the day after Christmas, was feted Saturday by scores of former and current co-drivers, family and friends at a birthday/re-
tirement celebration. Foster has been behind the wheel of a big rig most of his adult life. His most recent job was hauling crude oil for Percy Energy Marketing. His last load was Dec. 14, where he hauled a load of crude from Garnett to El Dorado, a trip he’s taken countless times.
“If you wish to be a writer, write.” — Epictetus, Greek philosopher 75 Cents
So, will you miss it? “Nope,” he responded quickly. “Not at all.” His family begs to differ. His retirement was precipitated, not because of his pending birthday, but because of the related paperwork involved. In order to haul crude oil, See FOSTER | Page A2
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