Thursday, March 26, 2020
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Senate passes unprecedented $2 trillion relief bill By ANDREW TAYLOR The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate passed an unparalleled $2.2 trillion economic rescue package steering aid to businesses, workers and health care systems engulfed by the coronavirus pandemic. The unanimous vote Wednesday came despite mis-
givings on both sides about whether it goes too far or not far enough and capped days of difficult negotiations as Washington confronted a national challenge unlike it has ever faced. The 880-page measure is the largest economic relief bill in U.S. history. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell appeared somber and exhausted as he
announced the vote — and he released senators from Washington until April 20, though he promised to recall them if needed. “Pray for one another, for all of our families and for our country,” said McConnell, R-Ky. “The legislation now before See SENATE | Page A6
What’s in the legislation? — One-time $1,200 cash payments to all adults making less than $75,000 (or couples earning less than $150,000) plus $500 payments for each child. — Extended unemployment benefits for displaced workers. — Employee retention tax credits for companies who maintain employees on payroll. — Additional funding for hospitals. — Additional funding for states to conduct mail ballots for various elections.
Daycares balance safety, need By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register
Crystal and Mark Wehlage don’t have many options when it comes to daycare for their 7-year-old daughter, Sutton. Crystal is a home health nurse for the elderly, putting her in direct contact with those most vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, Crystal’s job comes with risks. Her husband, Mark, works for John Deere. Their extended family consists of older relatives, preventing the Wehlages from leaving their daughter with them for fear of exposing them to potential illness. Even with their options limited, the Wehlage family still has reservations about sending Sutton to The Growing Place, a daycare and preschool in Humboldt. The Growing Place remains open, but they’ve asked parents to find alternate daycare options if possible, director Tina Friend said. That’s out of concern for the health and wellbeing of the children as well as those who come in contact with them, she said. A survey of local daycare and preschool providers shows that attendance has dropped significantly, mostly at the request of the providers as they attempt to slow the spread of illness and follow state recommendations that limit crowds to 10 people or fewer. Three providers who visited with The Register said they’re taking extra precautions for cleaning and sanitiSee DAYCARES | Page A3
Praying for a return to normalcy Mike Myer of Humboldt responded Wednesday to an invitation by The Register for readers to share how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting their work and daily activities. If you would like to share your news, email us at news@ iolaregister.com or call 620365-2111. By MIKE MYER
Emery Sigg, 4, and younger sister, Ellie, pose for a photo while wearing bear makeup during their “bear hunt” Wednesday, a local campaign encouraging parents to take their children on walks during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
The simple bear necessities of fun By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Don’t be alarmed if you see a youthful bear hunter or two roaming the streets. No, there aren’t reports of ferocious grizzlies threatening the populace. Rather, the bears they seek are of the “teddy” variety. This week marked the
start of a lighthearted bearhunting campaign, promoted locally by a number of preschool and daycare providers. Parents are encouraged to take their unexpectedly homebound children (due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic) around town in search of places with teddy bears or drawings prominently displayed in a front
window. The impetus came from the children’s book “Going on a Bear Hunt,” that Ready Set Learn Preschool owner Sheri Orear shared on her Facebook page. The book provides an ideal opportunity for parents to bond with their children and give them an activity,
I am employed at Monarch Cement and so far not much has changed. We do go through a daily screening to see if we have a fever and we Mike Myer have to let Monarch know if we have traveled to a hot zone. Some of my co-workers will be moving to other shifts to reduce the amount of contact with co-workers in the plant. The plant is locked down and any employee or visitor must check in before being allowed to enter the plant. My wife Verna is the case manager at Angels Home Care in Chanute. With her being in the healthcare field she must continue to work. She is being very careful and taking all of the precautions she can. We are both praying for this virus to be wiped out so that everyone can be safe. See MYER | Page A3
See BEARS | Page A3
Graverobbers vandalize Mildred cemetery By TREVOR HOAG The Iola Register
The Mann family mausoleum in Mildred’s Fairview Cemetery, which was vandalized last weekend, gleams white in the spring sun. REGISTER/TREVOR HOAG Vol. 122, No. 106 Iola, KS 75 Cents
MILDRED — “I just can’t believe that something like that would happen,” said Don Mann, whose family’s mausoleum in Mildred’s Fairview Cemetery was vandalized last weekend. The above-ground vault contains the remains of Mann’s grandmother, Lette, and mother, Mamie, whose caskets were broken into and robbed. Mann’s grandfather, Louis,
built the mausoleum in 1924 because his grandmother “didn’t want to be buried in the ground.” The mausoleum also contains the remains of Louis Mann, as well as Don Mann’s father, Myrle, and uncle, Neil. “[The vault] was kind of a sacred place to me,” Mann added. Typically the door to the mausoleum is locked, but it appears the vandals were able to enter the interior without See CEMETERY | Page A6
Players hope to get in full schedule
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Jobless claims skyrocket
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