Wednesday, August 25, 2021
Locally owned since 1867
Groups vie to administer federal funds
Iola football to move opener
By TREVOR HOAG The Iola Register
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Police report
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Column: Finding new ways for old windmill blades
iolaregister.com
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Who will serve as steward for Allen County’s $2.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) federal stimulus funds? Thrive Allen County and the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission both made their case for being that entity at Tuesday’s commission meeting. Lisse Regher, CEO Thrive, spoke about previously serving as administrator for $2.4 million in federal CARES Act funds, but pointed out how significantly more time exists for planning how to spend the county’s ARPA dollars, which
Lisse Regher, Thrive Allen County CEO, visits with commissioners about how it would administering federal stimulus funds through the American Rescue Plan Act. REGISTER/TREVOR HOAG
has until 2024. “This gives us time as a community to really look to-
ward the future and see what it is we should be invested in,” she said, and explained how Thrive’s administration plan involves creating a central steering committee as well as multiple task force groups focused on health, infrastructure, economic development, social services and food access. Thrive’s fee for administering the ARPA dollars would be 4% of the total $2.4 million. Matt Godinez and Taylor Hogue, of the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission, likewise gave their pitch for overseeing the funds, and talked about vetting proposed projects in order to ease commissioners’ workloads.
Godinez is also director of the Chanute Regional Development Authority. Godinez listed multiple counties and cities that were receiving the regional planning’s assistance, including Coffey County and Yates Center. The Regional Planning’s fee for administering the ARPA dollars would be 5% of the $2.4 million. Commissioners did not vote on which entity will serve to administer the funds, but a decision should be forthcoming after the next couple weeks. VARIOUS groups and entiSee COUNTY | Page A6
Council to take a look at workforce By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Construction crews work on masonry and other aspects of the new Iola Elementary School at Kentucky and Monroe streets. REGISTER/VICKIE MOSS
Projects: When one door opens... By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register
As USD 257 board members prepare to open the doors on a new science building in the coming weeks, they’re also considering how to close the doors on the three elementary schools. Board members heard an update on school construction projects at Monday’s meeting, and also agreed to publish a notice in November for proposals on the buildings that will close when the new elementary school opens in the fall of 2022. The opening date for the new science building remains a bit of a question mark, but the building received its first visit from a fire marshal on Monday. The visit found five strobe lights in bathrooms and hallways hadn’t been installed, and some furniture needs to be in place before the fire marshal would issue an occupancy permit. He was expected to return next week for another inspection. Superintendent Stacey Fager said he was hopeful a permit could be issued then, and administrators and staff could start moving into the building soon after the Labor
Allen County’s workforce will be under the microscope in the coming days. Thrive Allen County’s Jonathan Goering discussed Monday with Iola City Council members a planned labor study. “Allen County has long needed a detailed labor study to focus on the quantity and quality of the local workforce,” Goering said. A better understanding of the health and well-being of its labor force benefits all of Allen County, from exist-
ing businesses needing to make decisions about potential expansions, to prospective companies considering a move to Allen County, Goering said. Goering has proposals from three groups, ranging in price from $18,714 to $25,000. He was at Monday’s Council meeting to ask the city to chip in $1,500 toward the study. Another $8,000 will come from Evergy, the state’s largest utility. On Tuesday, he apSee STUDY | Page A6
MoPac trail work on tap By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Work will begin soon to extend the MoPac Trail to the new Iola Elementary School site on the east edge of town. Iola City Council members formally accepted Monday a $142,449 Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks grant to extend the trail, which currently runs parallel to Benton Street from the Prairie Spirit Trail to the west to the tennis
Day weekend. Some of the science lab tables and a kitchen range are on backorder and have not yet been delivered. Fager hoped the fire marshal would agree to issue a permit under the condition that those items would arrive within 60 days. Meanwhile, construction crews were just about ready to complete their “punch list,” which is a list of items that still need to be completed.
courts. Assistant Iola City Administrator Corey Schinstock said other hurdles already have been cleared, with the condemnation and demolition of a house along First Street. Other stretches already are on city property or city rights-of-way, Schinstock said. The grant should pay for much of the trail extension, with little to no expense incurred by the city, aside See TRAIL | Page A2
“Don’t rush the move,” Board member Tony Leavitt cautioned. “Let’s make sure we’ve got things down where we need to be, even if we’ve got to stay in the old science building another week.” THE elementary school building remains under construction at Kentucky and Monroe streets, with masonry crews making quick work as the various parts of the See SCHOOLS | Page A6
Dazzling doors A crew from Jayhawk Lumber of Chanute installs new doors at the Iola Public Library on Tuesday. REGISTER/TREVOR HOAG
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