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THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
www.iolaregister.com
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Boeken admits role in Iolan’s murder By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Iolan Amber Boeken pleaded guilty Monday to her role in the March 13, 2016, murder of Iolan Shawn Cook, and in so doing, provided the first public accounting of the circumstances surrounding Cook’s death. Boeken, 25, originally charged with first-degree murder, pleaded guilty to an
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other co-defendants charged in the killing. District Judge Daniel Creitz scheduled sentencing for April 10.
Amber Boeken
Shawn Cook
amended complaint of second-murder. In so doing, Boeken has agreed to testify against three
AS PART OF her plea, Boeken had her attorney, Mary Stephenson, Paola, read an accounting of what happened to Cook before and after he was killed. “On March 13, 2016, Ms. Boeken was with another in-
dividual, Josh Knapp,” Stephenson said. “There had been an argument going on between Josh Knapp and Shawn Cook.” Neither Boeken nor Stephenson indicated what the men were arguing about. “At some point, Mr. Knapp came to Ms. Boeken’s residence,” Stephenson continued. “Mr. Cook got into a vehicle with Mr. Knapp. Ms. Boeken also went along.”
The group went to an undisclosed location in Allen County, Stephenson said, where another argument ensued between Knapp and Cook. “He was stabbed at that point,” Stephenson said. Boeken’s statement did not indicate who stabbed Cook. Cook died as a result of the stabbing. His body was placed
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Iola Council OKs land purchase By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Iola is the new owner of 80 acres of land near Russell Stover Candies. City Council members voted, 5-1, Monday to pay $400,000 Sid Fleming for the land that had been owned by Iola Industries. The acquisition serves two purposes: First, it gives the city property on hand if such is ever needed for future economic development, City Administrator Sid Fleming said. Second, it gives Iola Industries funds to invest in other projects, noted John McRae, former Iola mayor and Iola Industries member. “This allows us to continue working toward our mission,” McRae said after Monday’s meeting. The land lies just west of the intersection of Marshmallow Lane and Miller Road. The city will continue to lease the land for agricultural use, as Iola Industries had done to Doug Strickler, who farms the land. Neither Fleming nor McRae were willing to be more specific on what the transaction might herald. Fleming noted water, electric and gas utilities already are available for the property if needs warrant, although the electric service for the land is provided by Heartland Rural Electric CoSee CITY | Page A3
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The crowd was in a frenzy at Monday’s Humboldt vs. Southeast (Cherokee) game in the first round of the Kansas Class 3A girls substate tournament. To find out what all the fuss was about, check out Page B1. REGISTER/JON DYKSTRA
257 approves random drug testing By RICK DANLEY The Iola Register
After extended discussion of the matter at a previous meeting, the USD 257 board of education voted on Monday to institute a random drug testing policy at Iola High School. Any student hoping to participate in school activities — ath-
letics, dances, special events — is required to register for the program and obtain the written consent of Scott Crenshaw a parent or guardian. “The main purpose [of this program],”
Commerce secretary takes oath WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has a Commerce secretary. Vice President Mike Pence administered the oath of office to Wil- Wilbur Ross bur Ross today, a day after the Senate voted 7227 to confirm him. Ross will help promote American business interests in the U.S. and abroad. He’ll also oversee agencies that manage fisheries, weather forecasting and the Census Bureau, which will conduct the next national headcount in 2020. Ross has said the administration will work quickly to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico.
Quote of the day Vol. 119, No. 86
said Assistant Principal Scott Crenshaw, “is not meant to be punitive by any means — it doesn’t lead to any sort of academic punishment at all. ... The idea here is prevention.” A first positive test result would lead to a two-week suspenSee 257 | Page A3
Wednesday morning dawns the first of the Community Lenten Breakfasts. Coffee and fellowship begins at 6:30 a.m. at Calvary United Methodist Church, 118 W. Jackson, with breakfast being served at 7 a.m. Devotions follow at 7:30 p.m. The breakfasts will continue each Wednesday morning up until the second week of April. Easter is April 16. The public is welcome to participate in the breakfasts during the season of Lent. The Iola Ministerial Association coordinates the breakfasts. The schedule:
March 8 — St. John’s Parish Hall, 302 S. Jefferson March 15 — First Christian Church, 1608 Oregon Rd. March 22 — First Baptist Church, 801 N. Cottonwood March 29 — First Presbyterian Church, 302 E. Madison April 5 — Wesley United Methodist, 301 E. Madison
Scholarship gala in the works By SHELLIE SMITLEY The Iola Register
Attendees of Allen Community College’s Red Scholarship Gala March 25 will be treated to a memorable night of dining, music and mingling with former Kansas City Chief players. “This is something we have never had in our community,” Aimee Thompson, director of development, said of the opportunity for guests to meet and have their pictures taken with the professional athletes. Doors open at 5 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m. Rookies Sports Bar and Grill is catering the meal and Mike Jewell will provide the dance music. The evening’s events include live and silent auctions. Advance tickets are $25. Tickets purchased after March 13 are $30. Tickets can be purchased by calling
Thompson at 620-365-5116 ext. 218 or by email at thompson@ allencc.edu. “We encourage people to come in their favorite red or to get creative with the color red but typically the evening is business casual,” Thompson said of the expected attire. All proceeds from the gala go toward student scholarships.
“The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.”
— Aristotle
75 Cents
This football autographed by Kansas City Chiefs legend Len Dawson will be auctioned off March 25 as part of a scholarship gala and fundraiser at Allen Community College.
Hi: 76 Lo: 37 Iola, KS