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Thursday, May 28, 2020
Yes, we’re open Commissioners urge caution as county reopens By TREVOR HOAG The Iola Register
Allen County is completely open for business once more, following a decision by Gov. Laura Kelly on Tuesday, and given the response of commissioners. In essence, following the governor’s decision, “Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas” now constitutes a series of recommendations rather than a mandate.
It is therefore up to individual counties whether to maintain the Ad Astra guidelines as a mandate — with potential legal repercussions — or only as suggestions. This latter route is the one Allen County commissioners have taken. More concretely, this means that any business that has not been reopened may now do so, and any event that has been prohibit-
Jerry Daniels
Bill King
ed may occur, with any number of people in attendance. There is nothing that cannot be open? “Correct. Correct,” said commissioner Jerry Daniels. For example, bars may now reopen, and weddings and funerals may occur, regardless of crowd size, though technically this is not advised
by county officials or health experts. “We really strongly encourage” residents to Bruce Symes continue following recommendations put forward by the Health Department and governor, said commissioner Bill King, which include: social distancing, cleaning/disinfecting surfaces, washing hands and avoiding touching one’s face. But as for enforcing any specific guidelines, “so far, See COUNTY | Page A6
Coming weeks crucial, state’s top health official warns By CONNER MITCHELL Lawrence Journal-World
The next few weeks will prove vitally important to how fast or slow COVID-19 spreads throughout Kansas, the state’s top health official said Wednesday. Days after photos and videos from Lake of the Ozarks in central Missouri showed packed pools and beaches over the Memorial Day weekend, Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Lee Norman said local officials in the state need to closely monitor their hospital bed capacity over the next two to three weeks. “I was extremely disapSee NORMAN | Page A3
Crowds of people gather at Coconuts Caribbean Beach Bar & Grill in Gravois Mills, Mo., Sunday. Several beach bars along Lake of the Ozarks were packed with party-goers during the Memorial Day weekend. KANSAS CITY STAR/SHELLY YANG/TNS
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Summer drama program returns By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
A most unusual summer will cap Tony Piazza’s teaching career at Allen Community College. With the 2019-20 school year officially Tony Piazza in the books, Piazza has one piece of unfinished business — the 21st annual Allen Summer Youth Theatre performance. Because of health concerns stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, Piazza will rely on the wonders of modern technology to provide the instruction and performances. The workshop is open to any youths ages 13-21 to take part in 12 virtual lessons, starting Monday. The lessons will be delivered via a private Facebook video group, Piazza explained. Each video will be released at 11 a.m. Monday through Thursday, for the next three weeks. Piazza and assistants Jordan Garcia and Adrienne Fleming will follow the same structure as a traditional theatrical workshop. Sessions will include warSee ACC | Page A6
Thompson to run again Food
Trump takes aim at Twitter
Rep. Kent Thompson, rural LaHarpe, has filed for re-election to represent the 9th District in the Kansas House of Representatives. “Our state faces challenging times ahead,” said Thompson in a press release. “As Kansas recovers from the COVID-19 crisis, it is more important than ever that we have common sense leaders who will fight for our rural communities and our Kansas values.” Thompson lists his accomplishments as pushing for more local control, a fair and balanced tax system, transparency in government, as well as reforms to help schools, hospitals, infrastructure and the agriculture community. The ninth district includes the cities of Bassett, Gas, Humboldt, Iola and LaHarpe in Allen County and Chanute and Earlton in Neosho County. Thompson is a rancher and small business owner in Iola where he operates Thompson
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is preparing to sign an executive order today aimed at curbing liability protections for social media companies, two days after he lashed out at Twitter for applying fact checks to two of his tweets. Trump had threatened social media companies with new regulation or even shuttering on Wednesday, but he alone can’t do that. The proposed order would direct executive branch agencies including the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission to study whether they can place new rules on the companies — though experts expressed doubts much could be done without an act of Congress. A similar executive order was previously considered by the administration but shelved over concerns it couldn’t pass legal muster and that it violated conservative principles on deregulation and free speech.
Vol. 122, No. 149 Iola, KS 75 Cents
giveaway is Monday
Rep. Kent Thompson files for re-election Friday in Topeka. SUBMITTED PHOTO
Realty and Auction Services. Kent and his wife, Susan, have two children and three grandchildren. Thompson was first appointed to the office by precinct members in 2013, to fill the vacancy created by the death of Rep. Ed Bideau. Thompson was elected to the House in 2014, 2016 and 2018.
The Department for Children and Families along with its community partners is distributing food to Kansans as part of the disaster household distribution program. In Iola, food packages will be distributed from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday at Wesley United Methodist Church parking lot. Recipients are asked to stay in their vehicles for the drive-thru distribution. The program is triggered when a national emergency is declared. The program provides a variety of canned meats, vegetables, fruits, rice, dried beans, peanut butter and in some cases frozen meats and fresh milk. The food is being distributed to impacted houseSee FOOD | Page A3
Two administration officials outlined the draft order on the condition of anonymity because it was still being finalized this morning. But a draft was circulating on Twitter — where else? Trump on Wednesday claimed tech giants “silence conservative voices.” “We will strongly regulate, or close them down, before we can ever allow this to happen.” Later, also on Twitter, he threatened, “Big Action to follow.” And in one more late-night tweet, he said “Big Tech” was “going absolutely CRAZY. Stay Tuned!!!” Press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Trump would sign an executive order relating to social media companies but provided no See TRUMP | Page A5
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