Sports: Red Devils pick up victories See B1
THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
www.iolaregister.com
Thursday, April 23, 2015
FIT FOR A KING
Bevy of challenges await lawmakers By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
As a farmer, Rep. Kent Thompson’s heart and mind are imbedded in agriculture, which gives him fits of anxiety when mention is made of dealing with next fiscal year’s budget Kent shortfall on the Thompson backs of farmers. Rural interests are in the minority in both the House and Senate these days, and Thompson fears the “big city” crowd will look to raising rev-
Jefferson Elementary School custodians Ron Helman, seated from left, Mike Barnes and Jerry Sanchez were feted with reclining chairs, tropical drinks, leis and crowns Wednesday as part of “A-Plus Custodian Week” to coincide with the upcoming Young Authors Celebration. Jefferson students read the book “A+ Custodian” by Louise Brandon, one of the visiting authors who will be in town Friday and Saturday. The custodians also were treated to cookies, signed copies of the book and other prizes. Jefferson fifth-grader Bobbi Lee Boley, right, was among the students who “fanned” the custodians while they relaxed. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
enue through new and higher agricultural land appraisals. He also worries a sales tax on purchases of farm equipment will be restored. Either could be devastating, Thompson said. “The way grain prices are (depressed compared to previous years), farmers are going to be facing some of their tightest margins in years,” he said. Adding sales tax to equipment could lead to Kansas retailers closing their doors, he added. “When you buy a new combine and a tractor, you can get it just as easily across the See CHALLENGES | Page A5
Spelling Bee fun Saturday By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Finishing touches are nearly in place for a series of Saturday fundraisers that promises plenty of FU-N for participants and spectators alike. The inaugural Bee for the Arts caps the day at Iola High School, in which at least seven teams will partake in the adult spelling bee. “Our goal was to have 10 teams, and we have seven,” said IHS drama instructor Regina Chriestenson. “We’re pretty happy with the response.” Teams of up to five members each will compete for the trophy. Members encouraged to work together before coming up with their responses. See BEE | Page A5
The 2014 Stroll and Roll attracted nearly 200 participants. The event brings awareness to children with special needs and will return to Iola’s Riverside Park Saturday morning. COURTESY PHOTO
MOMs Stroll and Roll returns to Riverside Park By KAYLA BANZET The Iola Register
Take a walk in the park with the Mothers of Miracles Saturday. The third annual Stroll and Roll will kick off at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday at Riverside Park. The event is to help educate families, friends and
neighbors about children with special needs. “It will be a great day to celebrate exceptional children and all children in the community,” said MOMS member LeAnn Church. Registration will begin at 10 a.m. at the Iola Recreation Building at Riverside Park. Church said it is free to par-
ticipate in walk. Specially designed T-shirts will be for sale; $15 for adults, and $10 for kids. All proceeds go to the families of kids with special needs. A display shows how the funds are used and how many families have been helped. “This is to give support to families,” said MOMs mem-
ber Lesley Skahan. “Funds in the past paid for therapies, gas money, food for while families are in the hospital and medical expenses that insurance doesn’t cover.” Informational booths will be set up for participants to view. There will also be chilSee STROLL | Page A5
Great American pastime — name-dropping By NANCY BENAC The Associated Press
Blue and gold Colton Heffern, Iola FFA president, welcomes guests to the Iola FFA banquet Wednesday night at the Iola High School lecture hall. Kansas State FFA Secretary Jeff Hadachek was the speaker for the evening. Chloe Gardner gave the FFA Creed and Clara Wicoff gave her state speech entry. Awards were given to FFA members and honorary members were presented plaques. More banquet photos appear on Page A6. REGISTER/KAYLA BANZET
Quote of the day Vol. 117, No. 121
WASHINGTON (AP) — This is name-dropping season for the 2016 presidential hopefuls. They’re salting their speeches, interviews and tweets with mentions of everyone from the old standby, Ronald Reagan, to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., rapper Nicki Minaj and astronomer Galileo. It’s all part of a not-so-subtle effort to boost their own appeal by borrowing from the luster of others. Call it gilt by association. There’s a flip side, too: Republicans tossing out the
names of Democratic foils to rile up the GOP faithful (and gin up campaign contributions). Who’s getting mentioned and why: NAME DROPPED: Ronald Reagan. BY: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and many others in Ronald the potential Reagan GOP field. QUOTE: “I often joke that I know Ronald Reagan’s birth-
“Books, the children of the brain.” — Jonathan Swift, Irish writer 75 Cents
day because it’s my wedding anniversary. But truth be told, Tonette would tell you, I know our wedding anniversary because it’s Ronald Reagan’s birthday.” — Walker, with a reference to his wife. WHY: Reagan is a hero to the Republican faithful. No GOP candidate can go wrong by cozying up to the Gipper, who is admired by Republicans both for his love of tax cuts and his tough-guy foreign policy stance. NAME DROPPED: Abraham Lincoln. BY: Jeb Bush, former Florida governor. See NAMES | Page A5
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