Mike Myer captured the solar eclipse Thursday near Beaumont.
The Weekender Saturday, October 25, 2014
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Back on course Mom changes ways for son
A cry for help
By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
This kitten was found with his three brothers in the country Wednesday. The kittens were trapped inside a cardboard box that was duct taped shut and had no air holes. They are now residents of ACARF. REGISTER/KAYLA BANZET
There was a time when illicit drugs were a daily preoccupation for Katrina Beatty. Now, her six-month-old son Cyrus Ryver is the apple of her eye day and night — and, Beatty likes to crow, she has been free of drugs for 11 months. “In two weeks I’m going to start on my GED (to obtain a high school diploma) at the (Allen Community) college,” she said Thursday after-
noon. “Cyrus is my miracle,” and what drives her to stay on the straight and narrow and be the best mother she can be. In early March Beatty was an inmate at Allen County Jail awaiting disposition for drug charges. She also was nearly eight months pregnant. At the time there was talk of releasing on Beatty on an OR (own recognizance) bond. Instead, Sheriff Bryan Murphy, even after Department of Children and Families See BEATTY | Page A5
Lack of funds will force ACARF to close By KAYLA BANZET The Iola Register
Photo after photo of abandoned animals appear on a computer screen in the front office of the Allen County Animal Rescue Facility. Robyn Porter, vice president of the shelter’s board of directors, wipes away tears as she clicks on each photo and explains an
Drug Court brings hope By RICK DANLEY The Iola Register
Nearly two years after its formation the Allen County Drug Court program continues to bear fruit. Five more graduates received their plaques in front of a crowded courtroom Thursday afternoon. Drug Court was introduced to the 31st Judicial District by former Allen County Sheriff Tom Williams and District Judge Daniel Creitz as a potential alternative to prison for felony-level drug offenders. Participants are required to appear before the court for evaluation twice monthly. They must also make themselves available for random drug tests, treatment, therapy, probation meetings, and are expected to maintain full employment or else provide proof of academic study. A schedule of sanctions is in place for those who violate program rules. Prior to Thursday’s ceremony non-graduating participants also made their mandated appearances before Judge Creitz. The substance of these See COURT | Page A6
animal’s circumstances. One dog’s story is especially close to her heart. “When Chance came to us he was everything but dead,” Robyn said. “I fostered him before he was adopted and I didn’t think he would make it the first few nights.” He was scraped up, starved, and all his ribs were very visible. By the time he was adopted he was healed, plump and
healthy. Chance is just one of the 1,290 lives saved since ACARF opened its doors in July of 2010. After four years of saving animals ACARF might close its doors for good Dec. 31. LAST week facility director, Janice Porter, sent in a letter to the editor pleading with See ACARF | Page A5
Katrina Beatty looks adoringly at her son, Cyrus Ryver. REGISTER/BOB JOHNSON
Neighboring parents weigh in on school bond issue By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
With local voters headed to the polls Nov. 4 to determine whether to build new elementary and high schools here, the Register has been asked on occasion to find out how parents regard new schools in Garnett and Chanute. So we did. Garnett Elementary School opened its doors in 2012 on the northern outskirts of Garnett, replacing an old, nearly
century-old school built closer to downtown. Chanute Elementary School was built on the west edge of town, and opened its doors in 2008, replacing four elementary schools scattered around town. The Register stopped by Chanute’s school shortly before classes dismissed on Wednesday to poll as many parents as possible before they picked up their children and departed. We spoke with 15, all at random.
One day later, we spoke with 16 parents in Garnett, following the same process. Some allowed us to use their names with their responses, but not all. (Those who didn’t will remain anonymous.) Chanute
——— “I like it. It’s easy to pick up my children, even though the parking lot should be bigger. The parking is horrid. I know a lot of people think that way,
too. “I think the lunch period should be longer, too. Every day, my kids come home from school hungry.” — Melodi Ford ——— “I think the new school is fine. It’s the only school I’ve known in Chanute.” ——— “I don’t like the way they’ve set up the parking lot. I don’t like having a single school. See NEIGHBOR | Page A6
Rumors debunked at latest school forum By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
LAHARPE — While tempers were kept in check, emotions still ran high at times Thursday as USD 257 officials met with local voters for their latest public forum to discuss a proposed $50 million bond issue. Jack Koehn, USD 257 superintendent of schools, admitted in front of a crowd of about 30 at LaHarpe City Hall that he was going to get fired up as he addressed a mailing sent this week to local voters in opposition to the bond. He did not disappoint. The first “rumor” — that each Iolan will pay more than $11,400 to support the bond issue — was misleading at best, Koehn said. “They came up with that number by dividing $50 mil-
Quote of the day Vol. 117, No. 1
School board member, Mark Burris, speaks during a school forum at LaHarpe City Hall Thursday evening. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN lion by the number of adults in Iola,” Koehn said. “Unfortunately, that’s not how bonds are funded.”
The owner of a $70,000 home will spend cumulatively about $2,377 over a 30-year period, Koehn said. It’s esti-
“The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power.” — Mary Pickford 75 Cents
mated a home would need to be valued at $360,000 to add up to the higher figure. That See FORUM | Page A3
Hi: 83 Lo: 61 Iola, KS