Inside: New pastor takes helm at Salem UMC See A4
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The Weekender Saturday, July 29, 2017
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Finger-pointing follows failed repeal By ERICA WERNER and ALAN FRAM TheAssociated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican finger-pointing commenced Friday after the Senate’s dark-of-night defeat of the GOP’s effort to repeal much of the Obama health care law, a startling vote that dealt a blow to President Donald Trump. “3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down,” Trump tweeted early Friday after GOP leaders failed to patch party divisions and the Senate rejected a last-ditch bill to keep the effort alive. “As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!” The “skinny repeal” bill — erasing several parts of President Barack Obama’s law — was rejected just before 1 a.m. on a vote of 51-49. All Democrats were joined
3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down. As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch! — President Trump, via Twitter, following Friday’s failed ACA repeal vote
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) walks to the senate chamber prior to voting against a ‘Skinny Repeal’ bill which would repeal The Affordable Care Act early Friday in Washington, D.C. ZUMA PRESS/
ALEX EDELMAN/TNS
by GOP Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and the ailing John McCain. The 80-year-old Arizona senator made a dramat-
ic return to the Capitol Tuesday after being diagnosed with brain cancer to cast a decisive procedural vote that for a time had advanced the
legislation. Following rejection of two broader GOP repeal plans earlier in the week, the early Friday vote cast doubt on whether divided Senate Republicans can advance any health bill despite seven years of promises to repeal “Obamacare.” House leaders had no hesitation about blaming the Senate for the collapse of one of the GOP’s paramount priorities. In a statement, Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., pointedly said “the House delivered
a bill” and said he was “disappointed and frustrated.” Nearly three months earlier, the House approved its health care package after several embarrassing setbacks. He added, “But we should not give up. I encourage the Senate to continue working toward a real solution that keeps our promise.” Underscoring the House’s view of where the fault lie, leaders opened a morning meeting of the chamber’s See REPEAL | Page A6
Haybale-laden truck thief eludes law enforcement By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
ALL’S FAIR
The 2017 Allen County Fair hit high gear Thursday and continues non-stop through the weekend with a plethora of activities at the fairgrounds at Riverside Park. Above, Dude and Dudette, two of the ornerier critters at the Best Dressed Pet contest Friday, barely waited for the judging to end before chewing into their hats. At lower left, Carly Dreher was one of the big winners with her entry at Thursday’s Swine Show. Below from left, Nickole Shultz and her daughter, Brynleigh, entered Chock, their dog, in the Best Dressed Pet Contest. At bottom right, Shelby Sprague’s flame-painted pony, Mojo, took first in the non-traditional pets category. A complete schedule of events is on Page A2. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
Authorities remained on the lookout Friday for a suspect they said stole a pickup and led officers on a highspeed chase that roared through Iola and wound up in rural Bourbon County Thursday afternoon. Allen County Sheriff Bryan Murphy said the incident started when John Kramer — who had been out working in the field — saw his pickup, loaded with a hay bale, being driven away from near the intersection of South Carolina Road and 400 Street. He alerted authorities who raced to the area, and spotted the vehicle, “and the chase was on,” Murphy said. The thief led deputies back into Iola, where they zipped along State Street before cutting back east into the county along South Carolina Road. Complicating matters, Murphy said, was when Kramer notified officers that the pickup had a loaded firearm in the cab. With the suspect approaching speeds of 90 mph on the gravel roads, officers pursued from a distance, Murphy said. Shane Smith, Moran Police Chief, greeted the stolen vehicle at the intersection of South Carolina and U.S. 59. He laid out spike strips in an attempt to disable the vehicle. The effort was parSee CHASE | Page A4
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