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Golf: Iola takes fourth at state

Locally owned since 1867 www.iolaregister.com

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THE IOLA REGISTER Wednesday, May 28, 2014

City Council

Hope Unlimited receives help By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register

For 30 years, Hope Unlimited has assisted victims of family violence in and around Iola. For the first time, the organization is asking for help from the city. Council members obliged Tuesday, agreeing to provide Hope Unlimited $3,000 to help supplement the group’s budget for the rest of 2014. Michelle Meiwes, a longtime Hope Unlimited staffer, spoke about the agency’s needs. Hope Unlimited provides an emergency shelter for sexual and domestic vio-

lence victims and their children, provides outreach services outside the shelter programs, serves as a child exchange and parenting center and provides child advocacy during investigative interviews. The organization relies on grants and private contributions to provide the services — all of which are offered free of charge. But, when the economy soured, financial contributions dried up. Likewise, grants have been increasingly difficult to attain, Meiwes said. “Our grant funding has been declining pretty consistently over the past four

or five years,” she said. “Our main grant provides us about half of what we received in 2010.” But while funding has plummeted, demand has not. In a letter penned by Hope Unlimited director Dorothy Sparks, she said the agency provided shelter to more than 70 victims in 2013 — who stayed at the shelter an average of two months or longer — and provided outreach assistance to 217 Allen Countians. The group’s request sparked a two-prong response by council members. First, City Administrator See HOPE | Page A6

Zach Draper, 9, marks dates on boxed food that was distributed through Humboldt Food Pantry late Tuesday afternoon. Looking on is another volunteer, Draper’s aunt, Janis Krone.

City Council

REGISTER/BOB JOHNSON

Humboldt pantry reaches many By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register

“We’re here to say thanks,” the Rev. David Meier told Allen County commissioners Tuesday morning. Meier and LaDonna Krone came as representatives of Humboldt Food Pantry, which commissioners gave permission to use Humboldt’s Senior Center as its distribution point starting in November. “It’s wonderful,” chimed in Krone, noting the pantry

Mayor Joel Wicoff reads the proclamation declaring Tuesday as Julie Strickler Day. Strickler recently retired as a teacher from USD 257. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN

City members get promotions By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register

Jim Baker, long-time Iola electric distribution city employee who was appointed recently as interim superintendent, will keep the job for good. Iola City Council members Tuesday removed the “interim” tag on Baker, the only applicant to replace Kent Tomson, who resigned to become grounds and maintenance director at Allen Community College. The promotion did not

increase Baker’s pay, City Administrator Carl Slaugh said, although Baker is eligible for six-month and annual increases, in keeping with the city’s pay schedule. Baker’s promotion creates a vacancy, which will be filled in the coming months. Meanwhile, Gary Kimball, a former lieutenant with the Iola Fire Department, has been promoted to a deputy fire chief, filling a position held by Tim Thyer, the new fire chief. The promotion carries with it a 1.27 percent pay raise.

was open from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday and was able to better serve a growing clientele. “Support from the community is reflective that we’re doing it the right way,” Meier added. Krone said 10 to 20 families came for each Tuesday’s distribution, with four news families seeking assistance last week. The Humboldt pantry has been an outreach ministry for 18 years, under guidelines of the Humboldt MinSee PANTRY | Page A8

USD 258

School board adopts development plan

Charles Ecton and Andrew Hill, IFD employees, have been promoted to the position of paramedics, now that their schooling and certification are complete. Each receives an 8 percent bump in pay. Council members approved annual evaluations and subsequent pay raises of about 2 percent for two other employees. In a related matter, the Council voted, 3-2, to pursue a grant that would pay the salary for an additional po-

HUMBOLDT — USD 258 board members Tuesday night approved a five-year professional development plan, which meets staff development regulations laid out by the Kansas Department of Education. A template for individual, building and district focuses was laid out by the Southeast

See PROMOTIONS | Page A6

Kansas Education Service Center, Greenbush, and was tailored to USD 258’s curriculum, said Superintendent of Schools K.B. Criss. The plan notes how goals are to be developed. Among questions asked of teachers are: — What did I know that I See USD 258 | Page A6

ALLEN COUNTY

PRIDE committees will convene in Humboldt June 14 By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register

Barbara Anderson expects ideas to make local communities more appealing to residents and more inviting to visitors to flow during a Day of PRIDE June 14 in Humboldt. The event will be in Humboldt High’s technology room. The Allen County PRIDE committees from Humboldt,

Iola, LaHarpe and Moran, as well as those in 18 other counties in southeast Kansas, will come together. Allen County commissioners agreed Tuesday morning to contribute $150 to each county committee to help members pay registration fees, $30 for each attendee. Commissioner Dick Works proposed the support, after Anderson fleshed what was going to occur. Originally, commissioners were

Quote of the day Vol. 116, No. 149

It speaks highly of Allen County that the PRIDE groups have a lot of local support. — Tom Williams, commissioner

asked to contribute $240, the equivalent of eight registration fees. “It speaks highly of Allen

County that the PRIDE groups have a lot of local support, said Commissioner Tom Williams.

“People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do.” — Isaac Asimov, professor 75 Cents

Anderson said the Humboldt meeting was one of three in Kansas on June 14, with others occurring in Larned and Rossville. A speaker will address each group simultaneously by Internet connection. Humboldt was picked to host the southeast Kansas conference because of the accomplishments by its PRIDE Committee, including conSee PRIDE | Page A3

Hi: 86 Lo: 64 Iola, KS


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