Wednesday, May 27, 2020
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USD 257
CITY COUNCIL
IHS sets July 11 graduation date Iola still By TREVOR HOAG The Iola Register
Iola High School has set its graduation date for July 11 at 10 a.m. The district’s plan includes multiple options, ranked in terms of preference. The plans were the result of collaboration between board members, administrators, students and parents. In reference to this collaboration, outgoing principal Scott Crenshaw remarked “I have been a strong advocate for students having a voice,” “[being] a force for change …
Kelly vetoes COVID bill; loosens rules By JOHN HANNA The Associated Press
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ Democratic governor on Tuesday vetoed a sweeping Republican coronavirus measure that would have limited her power to direct the state’s pandemic response but then ceded to local officials the authority to keep restrictions on businesses. Gov. Laura Kelly not only killed a bill approved by the GOP-controlled Legislature last week but also issued a See KELLY | Page A5
Scott Crenshaw and by God, they did something.” “We could have probably communicated a little better in
the earlier stages, ... but I’m always proud of kids that stand up and take leadership roles.” “I thought we had some great dialogue. … The four years worked.” Details include: Each graduating senior will receive five tickets that are labeled “stadium/gymnasium” and five tickets that are labeled “gymnasium.” (Children seated on laps don’t count toward these totals.) Option A: Graduation will be held at the football stadium, unless bad weather demands shifting to Option B.
Each of the 82 seniors will be able to use five seating tickets, where families will sit in “pods” to encourage social distancing. The consensus amongst stakeholders is that this is the most desirable option, closest to a normal “fullblown graduation.” Option B: Graduation will be held at the IHS gymnasium if bad weather demands it, or if restrictions on gatherings limit seating numbers to 90 attendees. In this scenario, graduaSee IHS | Page A3
ACRH BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Grants keeping hospital afloat By SUSAN LYNN The Iola Register
If it weren’t for two sizable grants, Allen County’s hospital would be in a world of hurt. The hospital received $518,00 through the federal government’s recent CARES Act and another $100,000 from the state of Kansas. “Thanks to those two grants we came close to breaking even,” for the month of April, said Larry Peterson at Tuesday night’s board of trustees meeting. As it is, the month came out in the red by $38,000, due to the effects of the
COVID-19 pandemic. “Hopefully, we have bottomed out,” Peterson said. The hospital’s policy of deferring all elective surgeries kept a lot of people away, he said. For April, the hospital had only 19 admissions, about half of what it could normally expect. The same was for visits to the emergency room, 287 visits compared to the previous
month’s 440. Average daily census — those who stay overnight — was 1.8, compared to a normal rate of seven or eight. Numbers at the hospital’s clinic on South Washington Street were down by one-third. “The numbers are beginning to come back slowly,” he said. PETERSON has been handling the duties of chief executive officer for the past nine months in addition to See ACRH | Page A3
plans to reopen pool By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Iola hopes to open its swimming pool and summer ball league programs in late June or early July. Interim City Administrator Corey Schinstock told City Council members Tuesday plans are slowly taking shape for both now that the state’s emergency stay-athome orders are being lifted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recreation Director Jason Bauer is in the midst of hiring a team of lifeguards, a task easier said than done, Schinstock said, because many youngsters have landed summer jobs elsewhere by now. He hopes to have the lifeguards trained soon so the pool can reopen. “I do think we’ve got a handful of kids ready to work,” he said, with the city still accepting applications this week. If staffing becomes an issue, the pool may be closed a See IOLA | Page A3
COUNTY COMMISSION
Health Department seeks funding increase for 2021 By TREVOR HOAG The Iola Register
In memory Even without formal Memorial Day services on the calendar, the LaHarpe Veterans of Foreign Wars Post and Auxiliary and the Moran American Legion still gathered to honor the fallen at Iola’s Highland Cemetery with wreaths and a 21-gun salute. The contingent traveled across the county for several similar dedication ceremonies. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BETH GRIFFETH
Given its pivotal role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tuesday’s meeting of the Allen County commissioners began with a funding request from Rebecca Johnson of the Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department. The Health Department requested $115,000, an increase of $15,000 from last year. A significant part of the justification for a funding increase is based on the Health Department being “the leaders and subject matter experts dealing with the coronavirus pandemic,” said Johnson. She also noted that “like everyone else, we did not predict this pandemic, nor were we staffed or equipped for it fully. Our shortcomings were unable to be avoided.” Hence Johnson said ad-
ditional funding from the county would be used to help support the costs of hiring/ retaining a new employee with experience as a Regional Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator. “She will be the right hand of the Health Officer/Administrator and will be assisting all four counties that we serve.” Johnson also suggested that additional funding from the county is necessary because “medical experts predict a surge in cases of coronavirus in the fall or winter,” so it’s important to “improve our preparedness and capabilities, as well as strengthen our partnerships.” She therefore emphasized to commissioners the importance of “making a plan for the fall,” including consulting other counties that have See COUNTY | Page A6
Services, Monuments & Events
Vol. 122, No. 148 Iola, KS 75 Cents
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