The Iola Register, May 30, 2024

Rural roads get millions for upgrades

By RACHEL MIPRO Kansas Reflector

TOPEKA — Ten Kansas counties stand to receive millions in federal funds to improve the safety and efficiency of local roads.

Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday announced the $6.65 million in federal funds for 10 projects, selected out of 46 applications. Haskell, Linn, Ottawa, Phillips, Sedgwick, Seward and Shawnee counties have all been granted federal dollars for these rural road improvement projects.

“Our rural roads are important to the local and state economy,” Kelly said. “Programs like this enable commerce to flow smooth-

ROADS | Page A6

Council OKs ballfield study

By SARAH HANEY The Iola Register

Iola High School baseball and softball players filled the community building at Riverside Park Tuesday evening as a show of support for ballfield updates. City Council members discussed a proposed contract for services with Mammoth Construction of Meriden, to upgrade two ballfields in the park that are currently used by USD 257.

“Tonight, you’re not being asked to give a ‘go’ or a ‘no-go’ on the project itself,”

City Administrator Matt Rehder explained to the council.

“What you are being tasked is giving them the go ahead with an engineering study. Obviously there are concerns

Farrant, CEO of Mammoth Construction, shares with the council what the ballfield study entails. REGISTER/SARAH HANEY

with doing improvements to a field in this park.”

Rehder noted that April 28 was a “perfect example of that,” referring to widespread

flooding in the park.

A levee that was put in place in the 1930s to protect Riverside Park from the flooding of the Neosho River creates a bowl-effect in the park. For the most part the levee has been effective in keeping the river water out of the park, but traps precipitation that falls inside. Both ballfields were under water after last month’s downpour.

Ballfield No. 2 is where the IHS girls’ softball team plays, while ballfield No. 3 is used by the IHS boys.

A study by Burns and McDonnell in March determined artificial turf could be installed. The engineering firm also recommend-

Teachers to help devise new reading system at IES

By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register

Iola school officials shared plans for a new reading program next year, after some staff and volunteers expressed dismay at the end of the Accelerated Reader program.

Some aspects will stay the same, Jenna Higginbotham, curriculum director for USD 257, told board members at a meeting Tuesday evening, but instead of the standard AR program teachers can devise what they think works best to encourage their students to read.

Students will still take an assessment test at the beginning of the school year to determine their reading level but will be allowed to read books at any level.

With the Accelerated Reader program, students were to read books at the level they were tested or higher.

Students from kindergarten to second grade will be encouraged to keep a log of books they read. Rewards will be given to students who reach certain goals, to be determined later.

The big change is that students will no longer take tests to determine if they comprehend what they are

during the 2023-24 school year. The district’s unique preschool program is a model for others in the state, officials told board members in an update Tuesday. FILE PHOTO

reading. Some teachers expressed concern about a lack of accountability.

“What I kept hearing is that AR is a simple tool for monitoring, and how do you monitor without it,” Higginbotham said. “Each teacher can figure out their system. We still want kids going to the library every day if they

want to.”

Older students, grades 3-5, will continue to use reading logs. Because students like book clubs, teachers are still discussing ways they might be able to continue those types of incentive programs. Fifth-graders will keep a journal to practice writing skills. The key is to find new ways

to engage and excite students, Higginbotham said. That means teachers will need to have ongoing conversations about books. She offered an example of a teacher who sees a student reading a book, then follows up a day or a week later and asks

See READING | Page A6

SAFE BASE program kicks off

By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register

The SAFE BASE summer program kicked off Tuesday, promising weeks ahead filled with adventure and activity. The free summer program offers students an opportunity to have fun and continue to learn through hands-on activities and visits to regional attractions. Any student who lives in USD 257 from kindergarten through eighth grade can attend, including home-schooled students.

Each week, students can enjoy three days of activities at Iola Elementary School, followed by a field trip on Thursday. Activities begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 12:30 p.m. Field trips leave in the morning and return by 5 p.m.

This week is a little different because of Memorial Day. Activities began Tuesday and the field trip to Skate City in Overland Park is Friday.

Students don’t have to attend every week but to qualify for a field trip, you must attend each day of that particular week.

Next week’s field trip is to “The Escape Game Kansas City,” an escape room ex-

Kelly calls special session

By TIM CARPENTER AND RACHEL MIPRO Kansas Reflector

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly said Wednesday she would issue an order calling the Kansas Legislature to a highstakes, election-year special session June 18 to work on reducing property, sales and income tax burdens without propelling the state toward financial problems down the road.

Kelly turned to powers in the Kansas Constitution enabling governors to compel the Legislature to reconvene outside bounds of the traditional January to May period. The governor will issue the formal proclamation in several days, but had been working with legislative leaders on a date after she vetoed the Legislature’s latest mega-tax bill.

“I am committed to working with the Legislature to deliver responsible, sustainable tax cuts for all Kansans,” Kelly said. “A special session provides the opportunity for bipartisan collaboration on comprehensive tax relief that does not threaten Kansas’ solid fiscal foundation.”

Her statement said a collaborative effort at the Cap-

See KELLY | Page A6

Iola High School baseball and softball players attend Tuesday evening’s council meeting to show support for upgrades to the ballfields at Riverside Park. REGISTER/SARAH HANEY

Jake

Iola Elementary School preschool teacher Jalayne Nelson reads a book to 4-year-old students

See

Obituary

Carl Rockers

Carl A. Rockers, age 63, Garnett, died Sunday, May 26, 2024. He was born to Irvin and Margaret Katzer Rockers July 30, 1960, in rural Richmond.

A memorial service is at 10 a.m. Friday June 14, at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel, Garnett. Inurnment will follow at St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Shriners or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and can be left with the funeral home.

Crest recognizes honor roll students

COLONY — Crest

Middle and High School

students making the honor roll for the second semester are as follows:

All A Superintendent’s Honor Roll:

Sixth grade: Dillon Fermyn, Jay Pearish, Haylee Powell, Kroy Walter; Seventh grade: Augrey Berntsen, Dagon Denny, Bentley Hammond, Isabella Sitler, Tatum Slyter, Jemma Womelsdorf; Eighth grade: Max Disbrow, Will Disbrow, Koiy Miller, Hunter Pearish, Kallei Robb, Devynn Sitler, Kole Walter, Jonathan Whitcomb

Freshman: Lane Yochum

Sophomores: Aylee Beckmon, William Cascanett, Theo Church, Kinley Edgerton, Blaine King, Levi Prasko, Peyton Schmidt, Henry White

Juniors: Hannah Boeck, Delaney Ramsey, Denton Ramsey

Seniors: Kaylee Allen, LilianaRose Blaufuss, Andie Burnett, Jaci Coberley, Brenton Edgerton, Ryan Golden,

Kayla Hermreck, Brody Hobbs, Brooklyn Jones, Logan Kistner

Principal’s Honor Roll (all A and B)

Sixth grade: Jorden Allen, Lynnex Allen, Kasen Brand, Emaleigh Dietrich, Aubrey Ellington, Lukas Taylor

Seventh grade: Lukas Blaufuss, Chloe Burnett, Danielle Burnett, Ty Coberley, Braylee Edgerton

Eighth grade: Grady Allen, Gemma Bernsten, Gracyn Ellington, Trewit Luedke, Charlie Slyter, Summer Valentine

Freshmen: Preston Blaufuss, Tristan Boone, Ben DeTar, Kamryn Jones, Jaycee Schmidt

Sophomores: Aubrey Allen, Max Black, Kimora Coleman, Noah Hammer, Kaelin Nilges, McKenna Powell, Khloey Valentine, Jose Walter, Allison Weatherman

Juniors: Karlee Boots, Gentry McGhee

Seniors: Mia Coleman, Brayden Goodell, Nevaeh Meats, Jerry Rodriguez, Brock Weatherman, Rogan Weir

Israel: Forces seize control of entire border

JERUSALEM — Israel’s military said Wednesday it has seized control of a strategic corridor that runs along the length of Gaza’s border with Egypt. The military had no further immediate details.

Known as the Philadelphi Corridor, the narrow strip is about 100 yards wide in parts and runs the 8.6-mile

length of the Gaza side of the border with Egypt. It includes the Rafah crossing into Egypt.

Smuggling tunnels between Egypt and the Gaza Strip have been dug under the area.

The corridor is part of a larger demilitarized zone along both sides of the entire Israel-Egypt border.

Area news

One rescued, one drowns at SEK lakes

A 65-year-old woman was rescued 12 hours after fallilng into the water on the east side spillway of the Toronto Lake Dam in Woodson County May 17, according to The Wilson County Citizen. The woman reportedly fell into the water around 2:50 a.m. and was found by rescue crews at about 4 p.m. about one mile into Wilson County. She was treated and released at an area hospital.

In Montgomery County, a 17-year-old drowned May 18 at Big Hill Lake just hours after receiving his diploma from Coffeyville’s Field Kindley High School.

Chanute library adds services, delivery

The Chanute Public Library is rolling out new programs and services, including delivery for homebound patrons, according to The Chanute Tribune. The library will deliv-

er materials within the Chanute city limits. The library is also starting a Seed Library for the exchange of donated seeds for herbs, vegetables and flowers. Also, the Friends of the Chanute Library also implemented the first Little Free Library at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center’s Rehabilitation and Fitness Center. The box will be in the visitor’s parking lot; visitors are welcome to take a book or leave a book for others to enjoy.

11th Judicial District adds Drug Court

OSWEGO — The 11th Judicial District is rolling out a pilot drug court program using money the state received from a national opioid settlement, the Parsons Sun reported. The drug court will start July 10.

Drug courts attempt to end the addiction cycle by offering an alternative to prison, Chief Judge Lori Fleming told Labette County com-

missioners recently.

Persons convicted of drug possession or related crimes may qualify for treatment and probation, with random drug testing. Some 4,000 drug courts operate across the nation, including in the 31st Judicial District.

Research shows between 80% to 90% of drug court graduates do not commit additional crimes, Fleming said. If a grant application is OK’d, Fleming anticipates the new drug court accommodating up to 60.

Anderson County looks at solar farm regulations

GARNETT — Anderson County commissioners are considering new regulations limiting the number of acres available for a solar farm, according to The Anderson County Review. They’re also looking at setback requirements that would establish a buffer zone between an installa-

tion and the nearest residential property.

The county is in its seventh month of a one-year moratorium on solar farms to study possible impacts.

$2 million school bond approved by just 5 votes

BURLINGTON — Just five votes led to approval of a $2 millon bond issue for improvements at Le Roy and Gridley schools, according to the Coffey County Republican.

Voters agreed to issue general obligation bonds for the project with a vote of 215-210. The voter turnout rate was 36.72%, which is considered high for a school election.

The $2 million project will build a vocational agriculture shop facility at Le Roy; build a 21st century science classroom at Le Roy; build two preschool classrooms, one each at Le Roy and Gridley; and upgrade fire alarm systems to the elementary school at Gridley.

Marmaton Valley elementary honor roll

MORAN — Marmaton Valley

students qualifying for the second semester honor rolls are:

All As

Third grade: Olivia Barker, Liam Blevins, Brynleigh Borth, Koltyn Endicott, Lucas Owens, Faith Stinnett, Lainey Taylor, Riley Tynon

Fourth grade: McKenna Mei-

wes, Kylee Resco, Hadley Wools

Fifth grade: Layten Blevins, Tyler Borth, Doug Dix, Chloe Henderson, Aubrie Heskett, Kloie Snavely, Ellie Stinnett

All As and Bs

Third grade: Willow Bina-Goldsby, Ainsley Carr, Emmett Cole, Jerrica Curl, Zariah Gibson-Maley, Dale Goudling

Fourth grade: Charles Ensminger, Kolten McVey, THomas Retana, Asher Stone, Gabriella Tholen Fifth grade: Kaegen Genoble, Lucius Hannum, Dezmond Haynes, Zoey Kile, Cambri O’Neal, Paisley Plaster-Bauer, Lucas Sander, Taygen Stroud, Brier Valentine

Marmaton Valley high school honor roll

MORAN — Marmaton Valley middle and high school students making the honor roll for the second semester are as follows: Dean’s List Sixth grade: Daniel Allee and Maya Ulrich Seventh grade: Clara Ferguson, Tayleigh Forman, Reagan Marshall Eighth grade: Kaden McVey, Kristopher McVey, Jayden Poole

Freshmen: Taylen Blevins, Mason Ferfuson Sophomores: Brevyn Campbell, Christopher Ferguson, Sophia Heim, Shelby Sprague, Todd Stevenson

Juniors: Maria Martin-Forero, Lily Mynatt, Ava Newman

Seniors: Janae Granere, Eleonora Melani, Payton Scharff Principal’s Honor Roll Sixth grade: Olivia Beaman, Jaren Curl, Case Drake, Emily Heskett, Amanda Kierych, Morgen Kinzer, Kinsley Vance

Eighth grade: Thomas Allee, Ethan Lawson, Kameren McClenning, Evva Sander, Bryant Uhlrich

Freshmen: Andersyn Carr, Hunter Doolittle, Brendon Newman, Cooper Scharff, Kylie Whitcomb

Iceland volcano starts erupting again

GRINDAVIK, Iceland (AP) — A volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted Wednesday for the fifth time since December, spewing red streams of lava in the latest display of nature's power and triggering the evacuation of the popular Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.

Sophomores: Zafirah Fajri, Tyler Lord, Emilio Peon Retana, Emily Robertson

Juniors: Piper Barney, Ty LaRue, Brayden Lawson, Kele Michael Seniors: Brooklyn Adams, LelLeigh Cary, Elizabeth Lewis, Kody McVey, Chase Smith

Honor Roll Sixth grade: Kenna Bryant-Boone, Kevin Sander, Ryler Stone, Kaiden Woods

Seventh grade: Truett Blevins, Kason Botts, Brayden Endicott, Jay

Donald Henry, Emma Louk, Kooper Welch

Eighth grade: Collin Ard, Brady Burton, Jetta Mathews, Adisyn Pritchard, Kennlee Redburn Freshmen: Dagan Barney, JaeLynn Beachner, Makayla Beal, Myleigh Eslick, Yareli Medrano, Emma Michael Sophomores: Kaya Boone, Rodney Cook, Garrett Morrison, Kylah Sander

Juniors: Kason Becker, Khiana Haynes, Haylee Lanham Seniors: Jaiden Emmons, Daniel Fewins

The eruption began in the early afternoon following a series of earthquakes north of Grindavik, a coastal town of 3,800 people that was largely evacuated in December when the volcano erupted.

The Icelandic Meteorological Office said lava was shooting about 165 feet into the sky from a fissure about 1.5 miles long and flowing toward Grindavik. Grindavik, which is about 30 miles southwest of Iceland's capital, Reykjavik, has

been threatened since a swarm of earthquakes in November forced an evacuation in advance of the the initial Dec. 18 eruption. A subsequent eruption overwhelmed some defensive walls and consumed several buildings.

The area is part of the Svartsengi volcanic system that was dormant for nearly 800 years before reawakening.

Elkhart banker admits to embezzling millions

By JASON ALATIDD Topeka Capital-Journal

The former executive of a rural Kansas bank that collapsed last summer has admitted to a embezzling tens of millions of dollars for a cryptocurrency scheme.

Shan Hanes, 52, of Elkhart, pleaded guilty last Thursday in U.S. District Court to one count of embezzlement by a bank officer. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 8, with a maximum of 30 years in prison, maximum fine of $1 million and up to $60.5 million in restitution.

Hanes previously was the CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank in Elkhart in southwest Kansas.

“Shan Hanes is a liar and a master manipulator who caused Heartland Tri-State Bank to collapse,” U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher said in a statement.

“Even as he was squandering away tens of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency, Hanes orchestrated schemes to cover his tracks concerning the losses at the bank. Many victims will never fully recoup losses to their life savings and retirement funds, but at least we at the Department of Justice can see that Hanes is held criminally responsible for his actions.”

high-profile national bank failures.

The bank was insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

The FDIC assumed the bank’s assets, and it was acquired by a Syracuse bank.

Hanes was criminally charged in February.

As part of a plea deal, Hanes admitted to embezzling bank funds,

causing the bank to fail and losing the equity of bank investors.

Shan Hanes

The plea agreement states that Hanes communicated with an unidentified co-conspirator through

WhatsApp about investing in cryptocurrency. Hanes took money from multiple accounts — including from a local church — and initiated a series of wire transfers totaling $47.1 million stolen from the bank and sent to a cryptocurrency wallet.

During that time, Hanes lied to bank employees, the board of

directors and investors about the purpose of the wire transfers. Meanwhile, the funds were then transferred to other cryptocurrency accounts controlled by other, unidentified people. Bank shareholders lost between $9.3 million and $13.4 million.

Federal Reserve investigators said Hanes fell for what’s known

as a “pig butchering” cryptocurrency scam, where scammers steal money by convincing someone — the “pig” — to send funds for what they think is a legitimate investment. They may also get more money by promising larger returns on continued fake investments. The term is derived from fattening up pigs before slaughter.

Kansas bank regulators deemed Heartland insolvent in July. At the time, the Office of the State Bank Commissioner didn’t go into details on what caused the bank failure, which it called “an isolated event.” The collapse followed some

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rience, on June 6. They’ll also visit the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s Money Museum to see how millions of dollars of currency is processed each day and view exhibits such as the historic Harry S. Truman coin collection.

On June 13, students can visit the Urban Air Trampoline Park in Lenexa. On June 20, the field trip heads to the Rock River Rapids Water Park in Derby. THE SOUTHWIND Extension District also offers activities during SAFE BASE. Sewing classes for students in grades 3 through 5 will be offered from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. on June 5, 12, and 18.

STUDENTS will be fed a free breakfast and lunch each day through the school district’s summer meal program. On field trip days, students should bring a sack lunch. Parents and guardians are invited to attend field trips. Transportation is provided at specific bus stops, such as all three former Iola elementary schools, Iola Middle School, and at Gas and LaHarpe.

Council: Tyson questioned on commercial property tax claim

ed mitigation efforts such as re-grading the south portion of the park, installing new storm drains, and installing three additional pumps. The park currently has two stationary pump systems and a slew of portable pumps.

The engineers said flooding would be addressed by pumping water over the levee as the flooding occurs. This is the current method used to address flooding there.

Mammoth’s study of the park would be at no cost to the city. It would include a hydraulic and hydrologic analysis of the entire site with current drainage and runoff patterns to understand the potential flooding issues within the levee-protected area.

Mammoth Chief Executive Officer Jake Farrant assured council members that artificial turf ballfields can be built in floodplains.

“A lot of communities across the country built their ballparks in places where nobody could build anything else,” he said. “We run into this quite a bit. What you’re up against is not uncommon. What is uncommon is the amount of rainfall you get in this particular part of the state.”

Farrant gave the example of Silver Lake, which he said was told for 24 years that it couldn’t build a synthetic turf field. “The town is in a bowl and it floods,” he said. He said Mammoth has found a satisfactory way to build a baseball/softball complex there.

“I think you guys have a unique situation here,” he said. “I understand the frustration with the flooding here in the park. We’d love to be able to show you different ways to make it sustainable.”

Synthetic turf fields are not hard surfaces, Farrant explained, they are gigantic retention pumps. “Every square foot that we add of synthetic turf, that’s that much more retention we can have,” he said. “If you want to figure out a way to stop flooding this building here, we will present a way to take that water from this parking lot and send it over to the fields.”

Mayor Steve French asked if there were to be another flood like the one in 2007, what would the plan be to get the ballfields back in play.

Farrant responded, “When our fields are hit by extensive flooding, the worst thing that can happen is that our drainage is tied into the city. If the city backs up, and there is a bubble there, it comes up through our drainage and can push pressure up into those fields.”

He added that the biggest concern would be debris that goes into the turf. “We would have to come in and clean that out,” he said. French also presented some people’s concerns that the turf could rip out and float away. Farrant explained this isn’t the case. The turf is seven to eight pounds, per square foot. “It’s heavy,” he said.

Farrant noted that if the council greenlights phase one, Mammoth would return after the study and do a full presentation of a proposed plan moving forward.

Council members agreed to move forward with the study phase of the services.

IN OTHER NEWS, Trevor Cook gave an update on the city’s sanitary sewer lagoon improvement project. Cook, an engineer with Burns & McDonnell, explained the current lagoon system needs to be improved so it can remove excess ammonia from the water. Currently, funding avenues are being explored for the project. Cost estimates are around $11 million.

Spoon of the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission was also on hand to discuss the CDBG process.

“From my perspective, I think we’ve set a precedent and I’m willing to follow the precedent,” said council member Jon Wells. “The precedent is we will waive labor and the business pays for the materials.”

cal mill levies, of which Iola does not have the highest.

“I have some serious issues with the study you are quoting and the results,” said Wells. “You’re making the claim that Iola has the highest taxes in the nation, is that correct?”

Senator Tyson asserted that she did not make the claim, but that “the study did.” She continued, “And if the study is inaccurate, that’s fine. I stand corrected.”

We were the lowest in the state that met the requirements of the study, and now we’re being called the highest in the nation? This is blatantly false.

— Jon Wells, council member

Wells explained that they have done this with PrairieLand and several other businesses.

Mayor French, noting that the improvements are a requirement and they are to be completed by Sept. 30, 2025, asked Cook whether that was a reasonable deadline. “It’s not super reasonable,” said Cook. “One of the things we like to do with this is to say we can get it done by then if they give us money. The reality is we do miss some of these deadlines.”

Cook said meeting the final effluent ammonia limits by Oct. 1, 2026, is the most important deadline to meet. “Ultimately, that’s what they are really keen on,” he said. “If we meet that, they won’t give us too much of a hard time.”

The next step for the city in the process is to submit plans and specifications for recommended improvements to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment by June 30.

Shane Lamb, acting as Invest America Group (IAG), presented the council with requests to assist with the rehabilitation of the main building at 1336 N. Walnut St. Lamb is turning the former nursing home into apartments. The requests include applying for a $300,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) on behalf of IAG; acting as administrator for the CDBG via a contract between the city and a third-party administrator; waiving nearly $91,000 in material and labor costs to provide electrical infrastructure on the city-side; and pay for infrastructure on the private side of the transformer. Carrie

Council member Joelle Shallah shared her concern with the lack of a strict timeline for the project.

The consensus of the council, Mayor French concluded, is that the council would like more information and to see a more detailed plan regarding the CDBG before acting.

Hayley Derryberry spoke to the council during a roundtable session about city code regarding breastfeeding in a drinking establishment in Iola. Derryberry is seeking a change to the wording of the code. The code in question comes from Chapter 3, Article 4 and states that “permitting any person to remain in or upon premises who exposes to view any portion of the female breast,” shall be prohibited in a drinking establishment.

Derryberry worries that the code would also limit visual representations of the human anatomy. Council members were in agreement that some changes need to be made to the wording of the code and would like for the city’s legal counsel to examine it further.

Wells pointed out that not only does Iola not have the highest commercial property taxes in the nation, they don’t have the highest in the county. “Even by the study’s own methodology, we’re not the highest,” said Wells in a follow-up phone interview. Wells explained the requirements to be in the study included having between 2,000 and 10,000 population and being a county seat. “And of the five cities that met the requirements for the study, Iola wasn’t even the highest,” he said. “They cherry-picked Iola.”

Wells shared that in 2020 — the year the study was released — the five cities that met the methodology requirements included Concordia, Fort Scott, Independence, Iola, and Pratt. In 2020, Concordia had a mill rate of 206.674; Fort Scott’s was 202.270; Independence had a mill rate of 203.337; Iola’s mill rate was 195.972; and Pratt had a mill rate of 199.325.

nation? This is blatantly false,” he said.

Senator Tyson explained that she heard the claim while the Legislature was in session. “Somebody gave a presentation and they quoted the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy,” she said. She further noted that nobody present disputed the claim. “So, I have given speeches that quote this information,” she said. “Whether Iola is the highest in the nation or not, we’ve got a problem with property taxes.”

Mayor French stated that making this false claim can hurt Iola on a national level. “I’m not the one saying it,” she said. “I am repeating it. I’m not the only one. It was repeated in Topeka several times.” Wells pointed out that this is an issue. “The fact is, these studies aren’t true and you’re repeating

them and you represent us in Topeka,” he said. “And you’re not correcting the record of false information in Topeka.”

Wells pointed out that when statements like this are made and they are printed in the newspaper, it can drive business away. Tyson then took aim at The Iola Register.

“The paper — she works very diligently,” she said of Reporter Sarah Haney. “Does this paper get everything right?” After questioning the Register’s accuracy, Tyson then said she had not read the article in which her claim had been made. “I have not seen the article,” she said, “but I do know the institute claimed that fact.”

Ultimately, Senator Tyson apologized by stating, “I did not realize they were inaccurate and loosely playing with the truth.”

“We were the lowest in the state that met the requirements of the study, and now we’re being the highest in the

LASTLY, the council spoke with state Sen. Caryn Tyson. The senator was invited to the meeting to explain claims she had made at a recent town hall in Mildred. At the town hall, Tyson asserted Iola has the highest commercial property taxes in the nation. In reality, the assessment rate is 25% statewide and the only variable to the equation are the lo-

Senator Caryn Tyson addresses a false claim she made at a Mildred town hall, and has since repeated, that Iola has the “highest in the nation” commercial property tax rates. REGISTER/SARAH HANEY

Council members Joelle Shallah, Mayor Steve French, Jon Wells, and Max Grundy listen on as Senator Caryn Tyson responds to their questions about her commercial property tax claim. REGISTER/SARAH HANEY

The Iola Register

~ Journalism that makes a difference

Tyson helps illustrate role of the press in upholding democracy

State Sen. Caryn Tyson apologized to Iola Council members Tuesday evening for saying Iola has the highest commercial property tax rates in the nation.

Tyson made the accusation at Mildred’s May 9 town hall meeting.

Register reporter Sarah Haney, who attended the Mildred event, reported Tyson’s statement along with a follow-up interview with Deputy Appraiser Danielle Louk, who questioned Tyson’s assertion.

In Haney’s story, Louk said Iola’s total mill levy is not exceptionally high among the state’s cities.

The levy is determined by how much the city, local school district USD 257, Allen Community College, Allen County, Southwind Extension No. 10 and the state of Kansas request in funding.

Iola Administrator Matt Rehder and Mayor Steve French also took issue with Tyson’s allegation, writing her a detailed refutation substantiating that Iola’s commercial property taxes are not even the highest in Allen County, let alone the country.

The Register also print-

ed the city officials’ letter.

TYSON initially said her information came second-hand from a meeting of the Kansas Legislature and as such she couldn’t be held responsible for its content.

In fact, she said, she’s repeated the misinformation in several recent speeches with no one telling her otherwise.

The senator then questioned the Register’s account of the Mildred meeting, saying it has often misconstrued her remarks.

Knowing she has Tyson’s remarks on tape, Haney, and the Register, are confident of her reporting.

By meeting’s end, Tyson yielded.

“If the study is inaccurate, that’s fine. I stand corrected.”

THIS IS WHY journalists such as Haney and the press as a whole are important to society. Rather than let inaccuracies lie, we flesh them out. Rather than let rumors gain steam, we put them out — with facts.

That’s how it should be.

— Susan Lynn

Medicare should cover costs for hearing aids

By MARY C. WHITE

Los Angeles Times/TNS

Having depended on hearing aids for nearly three decades, I’m astounded by the lack of Medicare coverage for devices that can solve a problem afflicting tens of millions of older Americans. Nearly two-thirds of Americans over age 70 have some degree of hearing loss, and over half of those 75 and older experience impairment serious enough to be considered disabling. But most don’t wear hearing aids.

Because the legislation that created Medicare nearly 60 years ago specifically excluded hearing aids, those who rely on the program’s traditional coverage must pay for them out of pocket. That expense is among the chief barriers to wider use of the devices.

Age-related hearing loss impedes basic communication and the relationships that depend on it. Expanded access to hearing aids could therefore do no less than enable more older Americans to establish and maintain the social connections that are essential to a meaningful life.

Hearing loss is like an invisible, muffling curtain that falls in front of anyone speaking. Asking people to repeat themselves can yield irritated and hurtful responses. And it’s hopeless to ask a soft-spoken person to speak up. Sometimes it’s easier just to nod and smile. Many older people I know choose to avoid social gatherings altogether because they can’t hear well. Without hearing aids, I’d stay home too.

Hearing loss can harm one’s health in other ways. For example, I’ve written

about the need for a comprehensive approach to reducing cancer risk at older ages, including preventive services such as colorectal cancer screening. But these services rely on conversations between patients and their health care providers. An older patient’s ability to hear and understand such conversations shouldn’t be taken for granted or ignored.

The Food and Drug Administration did improve access to hearing aids by making some of them available without a prescription in 2022, but the over-thecounter devices are inadequate for serious hearing loss like mine. My private health insurance, meanwhile, started covering hearing aids a few years ago, providing up to $2,500 for them every five years. One hearing aid alone can cost that much or more, however.

Despite its limitations, my private coverage for hearing aids is better than nothing, which is what traditional Medicare provides.

Although some older adults with hearing loss won’t benefit from hearing aids, Medicare coverage for the devices might encourage more beneficiaries to get their hearing tested so they can get the treatment that’s right for them. ... Legislation reintroduced with bipartisan support last year would finally correct this glaring gap in Medicare coverage by removing the hearing aid exclusion from the law. There’s no reason to delay action on this any longer.

Are our representatives listening?

About the author: White is an adjunct professor of environmental health at Emory University.

US-Israel bond is being tested

A horrific strike on a tent encampment in Rafah on Sunday killed at least 45, including women and children, some of whom were burned alive, according to the Hamas-run Gazan health ministry. The deaths may indeed have been the result of a “tragic accident,” as claimed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But that won’t lessen the growing global condemnation of Israel’s conduct in Gaza, which risks further emboldening enemies and alienating allies.

The intensifying international pressure makes Jerusalem’s relationship with Washington even more essential to Israel. But it’s difficult to discern whether Netanyahu truly values all that President Joe Biden has done for his country — even at the risk of losing his own office due to the fury from many in his political coalition accusing the U.S. of complicity in incidents like Sunday’s carnage, all while Republicans accuse him of abandoning Israel.

SO IT’S IMPORTANT to set the record straight on these essential truths: Biden has in fact been extraordinarily supportive of Israel. In fact, according to a recent commentary published by Foreign Policy magazine, “Without exception, [Biden] has been more supportive of Israel and Israeli war aims than any other president in U.S. history,” wrote Daniel Kurtzer, former U.S. ambassador to Israel and Egypt, and Aaron David Miller, a former U.S. diplomat who like Kurtzer served both Republican and Democratic administrations.

This support should respect and reflect America’s — let alone Israel’s — values.

Yet these values are diverging, according to many observers, including Dahlia Scheindlin, a policy fellow at Century International, an Israeli-based think tank. In a compelling commentary for Foreign Affairs magazine published last week, Scheindlin asks this essential question: “Can America’s special relationship with Israel survive?” Because the war in Gaza, she posits, “has accelerated the social and political forces driving the countries apart.”

IT’S DRIVING this country apart, too. A “growing partisan divide,” Scheindlin writes, has resulted in scores of Republicans excoriating Biden on Israel. That culminated in a Knesset caucus meeting in which Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., denounced

the U.S. president to fellow right-wing lawmakers in Israel — a disgraceful act by Stefanik, striving to be GOP nominee Donald Trump’s running mate, as well as by members of Netanyahu’s Cabinet, openly interfering in the U.S. election in an attempt to defeat the president who has helped keep Israel from defeat by an array of hostile forces. And make no mistake about Biden’s resolve, Scheindlin said from Tel Aviv in an email interview with an editorial writer. “The idea that Biden has abandoned Israel is so ungrounded as to verge on disinformation,” she said. “U.S. support during this war has been overwhelming in terms of financial, military and political support. In addition to massive additional foreign aid and weapons shipments, the U.S. has defanged every international measure seeking to constrain Israel.”

It “is this combined threepronged U.S. support that has allowed the war to continue unrestrained for nearly eight months,” continued Scheindlin. “For the very limited areas of disagree-

hu, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and three top leaders of Hamas, the terrorist group that is ultimately responsible for all the death and destruction in Israel and in Gaza. She was also referencing Biden withholding some heavy armaments that might inflict maximum damage in teeming Gaza. Most notably, Biden has proactively supplied Israel with the defensive weapons that were so effective against the recent missile and drone barrage from Iran as well as more tactical weapons deployed in Gaza. The Biden administration “continues to pretty much be a full-throated supporter of Israel,” Stephen Hadley, a veteran of several Republican administrations, including as national security adviser in the George W. Bush administration, told an editorial writer. Hadley, the most recent speaker in the “Conservative Voices at the Humphrey School Presents” series, added that “the kind of weapons they’ve withheld, I don’t think have been that significant. Certainly, they have not impaired Is-

The idea that Biden has abandoned Israel is so ungrounded as to verge on disinformation. U.S. support during this war has been overwhelming in terms of financial, military and political support.

— Dahlia Scheindlin, Century International, an Israeli think tank

ment the U.S. has had with Israel, mostly regarding the need for humanitarian aid/ civilian protection, the U.S. relied almost entirely on persuasion, which was not successful enough.

“Suspending these arms is the first significant attempt to take action to constrain one aspect of one operation in the overall war and, as you can see, it has not prevented the operation in Rafah at all, let alone any other aspects of the ongoing war. Given the ICJ [International Court of Justice] and ICC [International Criminal Court] developments, one might even say delaying these arms, which would do even more tremendous civilian damage, is helping to save Israel from itself.”

Scheindlin was referring to recent international institutions weighing in on Israel’s wartime actions, including the ICJ ordering it to “immediately halt” its Rafah offensive as well as the ICC’s chief prosecutor applying for arrest warrants for Netanya-

rael’s ability to defend itself against its attackers.” Indeed, Israel has shown its defensive capabilities — militarily. Diplomatically, however, Israel is besieged by worldwide condemnation and increasing isolation, including from fellow democracies like Spain, Ireland and Norway, which last week announced they would become just the latest nations to formally recognize a Palestinian state.

SUNDAY’S TRAGEDY will likely result in more actions from nations and international institutions. As always, Jerusalem will have in Washington a friend defending it. But like a true friend, America should level with Israel and not further enable a failing strategy. And if Republican politicians are the true friends of Israel they claim to be, they will stop trying to score election-year political points and instead point Israel in a better direction, too.

— Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Palestinians gather at the site of an Israeli strike on a camp area housing internally displaced people in Rafah on Monday, May 27, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas militant group. (EYAD BABA/AFP/GETTY IMAGES/TNS)

Reading: Volunteers are still invited to come to school to read

Continued from A1

about it. Some teachers may organize games such as bingo or challenge students to meet a goal.

She shared other ideas, such as a librarian or a principal who reads aloud to certain groups.

Volunteers are still invited to come to the school and read to children, she said. They can read with students in the library from 7:30 a.m. to 7:50 a.m., and that time will now be offered to all students and not just first-graders.

Some volunteers expressed concern about the limited time, saying students from disadvantaged homes who most need help with reading don’t come to school that early. The previous program lasted until 8:20 a.m.

Board member Tony Leavitt said he was concerned about reducing the time volunteers have to work with kids.

There could be other opportunities for volunteers to help at the school. Perhaps teachers will allow a few students to go back to the library between 8 and 8:20, if volunteers are available, Higginbotham said.

“It will be more by recommendation. It will look different but I’m hoping it will be just as great,” Higginbotham said. “Kids want that time with the adults.”

Higginbotham and Superintendent Stacey Fager said administrators organized numerous meetings throughout the school year to prepare for the changes.

“I don’t think it’s going to be easy and I’m sure there will be hiccups. Next year, we’ll have more conversations and more problem solving,” Higginbotham said.

IOLA’S preschool program continues to grow, Higginbotham said at another point during Tuesday’s meeting.

This past school year brought 78 3- and 4-year-old preschool students to the morning session and 84 to the afternoon. Of those, 65 will be moving on to kindergarten.

Higginbotham expects next year’s kindergarten class will be about 85 students. Others will come to IES from Head Start or other private preschools. A small number will come from daycares or other types of care.

Students who attend preschool learn social emotional skills, primarily through play. They learn how to treat others, how to line up, and how to sit and listen. Those are the skills most desired when they move on to kindergarten, Higginbotham said.

Preschoolers do learn some basic academic skills, such as how

Ben Prasko, technology director for USD 257, asks board members for permission to apply for a grant that would replace aging intercom systems throughout the district.

REGISTER/VICKIE MOSS

to identify letters and sounds, and how to count to 20. About 80% of this year’s IES preschoolers met a benchmark in reading, and 75% in math.

She noted this year’s group of 3-year-olds were born during the COVID-19 pandemic and their early socialization may have been limited.

“They didn’t have a lot of play dates at the library or the park. Some of our kids this year walked in not knowing how to play with their peers, so we did a lot of social-emotional work with them,” she said. “We’ve seen an increase in kids who haven’t had a lot of peer interaction and they struggle with that.”

She also noted an increase in students who were autistic and non-

Kelly: Special session ahead

Continued from A1

itol could produce a swift “compromise to put more money back into Kansans’ pockets.”

Kelly, the second-term Democrat, proposed several tax plans to the Republican-led Legislature during the regular 2024 session and she vetoed three bills passed by the Legislature that would have shed more than $500 million annually in state revenue. A shifting coalition of GOP and Democratic legislators expressed interest in slashing taxes, while the governor held to the view Kansas should be careful not to invite budget problems reminiscent of what transpired after Gov. Sam Brownback signed a 2012 bill aggressively lowering the state income tax.

Kelly set the tone on

tax policy in January by drop-kicking the Republican leadership’s tax-cut dream bill. Her latest move was to reject a $2.3 billion bill passed in May with bipartisan

I am committed to working with the Legislature to deliver responsible, sustainable tax cuts for all Kansans.

— Gov. Laura Kelly

majorities. Throughout the legislative session, Kelly had worked with legislative leadership to use the state’s financial surplus to implement “robust” tax reform that

was not “unsustainable” in the next three to five years.

House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, said a special session could have been avoided if the governor accepted “bipartisan, sustainable” tax bills adopted by the Legislature. He said the special session would cost an estimated $84,000 per day and complained the governor was playing “election-year political games” at the expense of Kansas taxpayers.

“We’ve been attempting to compromise with the governor’s office all year, so I’m hopeful that she’s finally feeling the pressure to put an end to this and join the overwhelming majority of legislators who are ready to deliver tax relief to all Kansans,” Hawkins said.

verbal, and some with select mutism, which means they are capable of talking but don’t. “It’s not just that they’re shy,” Higginbotham said.

A consultant from Greenbush worked with preschool teachers and school administrators to develop strategies to help children in those situations.

Iola’s preschool program is a model for districts across the state, Higginbotham said. Two area districts sent representatives to observe how Iola’s program works and administrators often field calls seeking advice. Iola’s program is primarily funded by a grant.

Board member Leavitt noted how the preschool program has developed over the past

five years.

“For those of us who have been on the board for a long time, years ago we were trying to figure out how to do something like this,” he said. “I never dreamed we would be where we are today and I appreciate it.”

HIGGINBOTHAM also discussed test scores and updated board members on progress toward goals in their strategic plan.

She noted test scores look much the same as last year. But to really understand what they mean, you have to drill down to individual student progress, she said.

For example, 64% of kindergarten students met reading goals in the fall and 65% met the goal in the spring. That doesn’t sound like a big change, she said, but expectations continue to increase. The spring goal is higher and it’s harder for students to reach that level unless they steadily improve throughout the year.

She compared scores to the 2020-21 school year, just after the district introduced a new assessment program. Scores were lower in the spring. For example, 57% of that year’s kindergarten class met the goal in the fall and just 23% in the spring. Similar results were reported at other grade levels.

IES has introduced a program called WIN, “What I Need,” which are intervention programs to help students with specific skills.

IN OTHER news, the board: Approved a bid of $208,542 to replace boilers at the high school. BCI Mechanical of Gardner won the bid; three companies submitted bids. Maintenance Director Aaron Cole said he expected costs to be around $300,000 and was pleased with the savings. He verified the low bid will meet specifications.

Agreed to allow Ben Prasko, information technology director, to apply for a Safe and Secure Schools grant to purchase new intercoms. If approved, the district would need to match 50% of the cost. Prasko said his plan is “modular,” which means he could replace a little bit at a time. Fager recommended the district apply for the grant because of the potential for changes to the state-funded grant program. This year, lawmakers attempted to shift the funds to one specific vendor but Gov. Laura Kelly used a lineitem veto to nix that plan. If lawmakers are successful in changing the program next year, the grant money may not be available or may not be as flexible.

Roads: Millions in funding

Continued from A1

ly and improve safety for Kansas families as they travel our state.”

Project funding is managed through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s High Risk Rural Roads Program. The state effort is funded through the Highway Safety Improvement Program, federal aid geared toward reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries on public roads.

Over the past 13 years, KDOT HRRR funds have been geared toward reducing colli-

sions with a fixed object — one of the most common types of fatal rural crashes. To that end, KDOT has prioritized projects geared toward low-cost prevention measures such as installing rumble strips, increasing signage, guardrails and other roadside barriers.

Programs like this enable commerce to flow smoothly and improve safety for Kansas families.

— Gov. Laura Kelly

Among other projects, Linn will receive

$370,000 to install pavement markings, hazard markers and signs on a portion of Route 1095. Phillips has $525,000 to upgrade signing on 154 miles of country roads east of U.S. 183. Seward has $775,000 to extend four culverts and install road shoulders, among other improvements. Haskell has $270,000 to upgrade signage.

The Iola Register

Sports Daily B

Thursday, May 30, 2024

Mustangs rack up postseason honors

By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register

Five Iola High Mustang baseball players earned all-Pioneer League honors for their baseball prowess in 2024.

Seniors Korbin Cloud and Ben Kerr and sophomore Tre Wilson all earned firstteam honors, while senior Landon Weide and junior Grady Dougherty earned second-team recognition.

Mustang head coach Levi Ashmore shared his thoughts on each of the standouts.

Korbin Cloud, senior, P/IF

“It was a nice finish to a great career for KC,” Ashmore said. “Korbin was a really good two-way high school player who brought us a spark on the mound and at the plate.

“He matched up with the best teams on our schedule and always wanted the ball in his hand. He put up great

See ALL-LEAGUE | Page B3

Cloud inks with Neosho Co.

By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register

When Korbin Cloud was a sophomore on the Iola High baseball team, the Mustangs saw the makings of a promising season threatened to go up in flames.

An arm injury to staff ace Ryker Curry midway through the year left a gaping hole atop the Mustang pitching staff.

In stepped Cloud, who sparked Iola to a regional title and berth in the 2022 state baseball tournament, including a magical stretch in which he pitched a no-hitter against Santa Fe Trail, and then combined to pitch seven no-hit innings over two games during the regional tournament.

“It was kind of nerve-wracking,” Cloud recalled this week. “It was a matter of just staying calm and focusing on the game.”

Iola’s softball successes celebrated

By RICHARD LUKEN

The Iola Register

Improved play on the softball diamond resulted in postseason accolades for three Iola High softball players.

Mustang junior Reese Curry and freshman Zoie Hesse both earned first-team all-Pioneer League honors while junior Elza Clift was voted by league coaches to the second team.

“I was pleased with the girls who were recognized,” Mustang head coach Chris Weide said. “You always hope to get a few more, but these three were really deserving.”

The threesome contributed to a record-shattering year for Iola, which won 16 games on the season before bowing out in the Class 3A semifinals against previously unbeaten Bluestem.

Curry ranked second on the team in batting with a .449 mark, while racking up 35 hits with 27 RBIs, nine doubles and two triples, despite missing four games

midway through the season because of injury. She split time between catcher and first base.

“She’s the type of girl who you know will do a good job,

no matter the position you ask her to play. You can tell on the other coaches’ faces how much respect they have for Reese and how good of a player she is.”

Meanwhile, Hesse was an immediate fit in the starting lineup from Opening Day. Hesse owns the single-sea-

See SOFTBALL | Page B4

Over the next two years, Cloud kept up that unflappable presence, both on the mound and at the plate, including this year’s senior campaign in which he hit .329 with 28 runs scored, 24 hits, four doubles and a home run and an on-base percentage of .520 with seven stolen bases.

On the mound, he went 4-3 with 3.66 ERA. On Wednesday, Cloud mapped his college path, signing a letter of intent to play next year at Neosho County Community College.

“It was a pretty easy decision,” Cloud said. “I really like the coaches. It’s obvious they want to make everyone better.

“It all happened pretty fast,” he continued. ‘I got a message from one of the coaches asking if I’d come for a visit. I got the offer

All-state

Humboldt High’s Sam Hull added to his postseason accolades by being named to the KABC all-state baseball team for Class 3A. The senior, who will play football at Emporia State in the fall, has been invited to play in 2024 KABC Senior All-Star Baseball Game at Wichita’s Riverfront Stadium on June 5. PHOTO BY

Iola High’s Ben Kerr, above, and Tre Wilson, below at right, both earned first-team All-Pioneer League recognition for their work on the baseball diamond in 2024. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN

Iola High’s Korbin Cloud, flanked by his parents Karen and Jeff Keithly and brother Braylon Keithly, signs a letter of intent Wednesday to play baseball at Neosho County Community College. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN

MIKE MYER

See CLOUD | Page B3

Iola High’s Reese Curry earned first-team All-Pioneer League honors for 2024. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN

Entry Level Laborer

The Monarch Cement Company is seeking to ll the position of Entry Level Laborer for the Humboldt, KS plant.

Monarch is a rewarding place to work and o ers an excellent bene t package including medical, dental and vision insurance, company paid life insurance, 401K with a company match, an educational assistance program, and an employee assistance program (EAP). This is a union position and starting wage begins at $27.28/hour with additional pay for working shifts. Shift work is a good probability.

To be considered for the position a candidate must be 18 years of age, have a high school diploma, GED or equivalent, successfully complete a pre-hire physical, drug screen and background check, and possess a valid state-issued driver’s license. This position also requires the candidate to be capable of following oral and/or written instructions and able to accomplish duties in a safe and systematic manner. A college education and/or technical certi cation and WorkReady Certi cate through KansasWorks is preferred. Some of the day-to-day duties will include, but are not limited to, clean-up and housekeeping of the plant and surrounding plant properties, motors, dust collectors, conveyor belts, hoppers, and piping. The candidate must be able to work from sca olds and ladders as required to reach areas to be cleaned, work inside hot and con ned spaces such as inside the rotary kilns, grinding mills and dust collectors. This position is required to operate forklifts, skid steer loaders, vacuum truck, street sweepers, man lifts, telehandler, jackhammer, chipping hammer and other equipment e ciently and safely. This type of work requires considerable walking, lifting up to 100 lbs., bending, pushing, pulling, climbing and working at elevated areas and con ned spaces.

Candidates interested in testing for the WorkReady Certi cate through KansasWorks can register by calling 620-432-0320 or contacting Jim Jenkins or Samantha Cole at the Mitchell Career and Technical Center at 4101 S. Ross Lane, Chanute, KS.

Applications can be obtained either online at monarchcement.com or by stopping by the plant o ce between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. or at the Corporate O ce between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Completed applications can be dropped o at the Corporate O ce, by email at hr.dept@monarchcement.com or by mailing the application to

The Monarch Cement Company, Att. Entry Level Laborer Position, P.O. Box 1000, Humboldt, KS 66748. Previous applicants must complete a new application.

The Monarch Cement Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages quali ed

Public Auction

Estate Of Gerry Bennett

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items selling at noon For complete auction listing www.danielsauctionservice.com

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Ross Daniels, Nathan Glessner & Colton Heffern

Auctioneers (620) 431-8536 rosscopcoltrane@yahoo.com

Alcaraz survives, advances

PARIS (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz won the last five games to beat 176th-ranked qualifier Jesper de Jong 6-3, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 in the second round of the French Open.

Heavy rain early in the day caused the postponement of 23 singles matches, so Alcaraz was lucky to get the chance to play under the retractable roof at Court Philippe Chatrier.

Alcaraz has been dealing with a bothersome right arm that limited his preparation and made him afraid to hit his big forehand with full force.

MLB adds Negro Leagues stats to record books

By BLAIR KERKHOFF The Kansas City Star

Starting Wednesday, Major League Baseball will have a new record holder in several singleseason and career categories.

Legend and Hall of Famer Josh Gibson will take the top spot on lists such as single-season batting average (.466 in 1943) and slugging percentage (.974 in 1937) — and become the career leader in both — as Negro Leagues statistics become part of the Major League Baseball historical records.

The Negro Leagues were officially el-

evated to MLB status in 2020. Some 2,300 people played in the Negro Leagues from 1920-1948, including the famed Kansas City Monarchs.

“We are proud that the official historical record now includes the players of the Negro Leagues,” commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement to Yahoo! Sports. “This initiative is focused on ensuring that future generations of fans have access to the statistics and milestones of all those who made the Negro Leagues possible. Their accomplishments on the field will be a gateway to

broader learning about this triumph in American history and the path that led to Jackie Robinson’s 1947 Dodger debut.” A Negro Leagues Statistical Review Committee went through box scores to determine league games. Statistics from barnstorming or exhibition games weren’t counted toward MLB totals.

Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, will share his thoughts at a press conference on Wednesday. “It’s a big day,” he said. Gibson was a power-

hitting catcher who played for the Memphis Red Sox, Pittsburgh Crawfords and Homestead Grays from 1930-1946. His teams won two Negro Leagues World Series. He was a 12-time All-Star and won triple crowns in 1936 and 1937. Gibson’s .372 career batting average will top Ty Cobb’s .366. His lifetime slugging percentage of .718 will surpass Babe Ruth’s .690. Negro League players who played in the majors, including Willie Mays and Jackie Robinson, will have their Negro League statistics updated.

All-league: Five Mustang standouts honored

Continued from B1

strikeout numbers and competed hard to where we always felt like we had a chance to win when he was on the mound. Korbin had a nice presence at the plate and hit the two hole for us all year. He had great at bats, drew a lot of walks and could really run when he got on the base paths.”

This year Cloud hit .329 with 24 hits, 4 doubles, 1 home run, 28 runs, 25 walks, 7 stolen bases and had an onbase percentage of .510. Cloud also announced this week his decision to play next season at Neosho County Community College.

(See story elsewhere on Page B1.)

Ben Kerr, senior, OF

“It was a year of meeting and exceeding expectations for Ben, and he was fun to coach,” Ashmore said. “Ben showed great power at the plate and went through some nice hot streaks this year.”

Kerr, who also earned all-league honors on the football field, hit .453 with 4 homers, 7 doubles and 15 stolen bases.

Tre Wilson, sophomore, C

“What a player!” Ashmore gushed, calling Wilson one of the most athletic catchers in the state.

“Tre received great praise for his efforts this season at our league meeting, and from several other coaches we played outside of our league,” Ashmore said. “My favorite thing about him is that he never has a bad day and is always smiling and having fun.

“He’s a special athlete and a special person

and we love coaching him,” he continued.

“His teammates look to him to make things go for our team and he loves the challenge.”

Wilson hit 452 with 14 doubles, 3 triples, and 2 homeruns.

Defensively, he received and blocked the ball well and shut down other teams’ running games early.

Grady Dougherty, junior, 1B, P

“There aren’t many kiddos out there like Grady Dougherty,” Ashmore said. “He’s the kind of player who shows up on time, carries team equipment, asks good questions, makes adjustments, perfects his craft and gets the most out of his abilities.

“We had high expectations for Grady offensively and at first base,” he continued. “And what he did on the mound for us this year was huge. We had some big asks for Grady in his

first year on the mound at the varsity level and he continually rose to the occasion, beating some really good teams in big situations.”

Dougherty hit .350

with 28 hits, including 11 doubles, 3 home runs and a team-high 31 RBIs. Dougherty went 2-0 on the mound with a 4.5

ERA.

Landon Weide, senior, SS/P

Weide’s senior season further cemented his legacy in Iola High School athletics. The multi-sport standout batted .429 with an onbase percentage of .528 with 30 hits, including 11 doubles and 2 home runs. He stole 18 bases and scored 27 runs as well.

Pitching-wise, Weide held a 1.78 ERA with 28 strikeouts over 23 innings.

“Landon is one of my favorite kids I’ve ever been around and coached,” Ashmore said. “He was a spectacular high school athlete and excelled in all three sports: quarterback for the football team, point guard for the basketball team, and hitting leadoff and playing shortstop for the baseball program.

“He is the ultimate competitor who gave us a spark at the top of our lineup and made all of the plays at shortstop,” Ashmore continued. “The icing on the cake these last two years were his pitching performances in relief. Landon made our team go. He was always demanding that I coach our group as hard as I thought I needed to, to get the most out of them and maximize capabilities. He will be extremely hard to replace.”

THE MUSTANGS went 16-11 against one of the toughest schedules around, taking on assorted Class 3A and Class 4A baseball powers from across the state before bowing out in the Class 3A regional playoffs.

Cloud

Continued from B1

while I was there, and the next day I accepted.”

He hopes to continue focusing both as a position player — likely somewhere up the middle — while also continuing to pitch.

“I enjoy both,” he said

MUSTANG head coach Levi Ashmore said Cloud’s mental approach has been vital to the outgoing senior’s success.

“To have a young kid step up like he did as a sophomore is awesome,” Ashmore said.

But just as importantly, Cloud continued to thrive as a junior and senior, “even though he wasn’t as much of a secret,” Ashmore said. “When you’re really good and you’re that young, it means other people are excited to hit against him. He kind of had a target on his back.

“It’s hard to find ways to keep getting better and better when you know you’re always gonna get everyone’s best shot,” he continued. “He was able to do that.

“At our level, in this part of the state, he’s about as good a pitcher as you’re gonna find, stuffwise and competitive-wise. He’s got the right mentality. He’s super-competitive, always wanting to win, always wanting to be in the game.”

Cloud hopes to study athletic training while in college.

Iola High’s Grady Dougherty earned second-team All-Pioneer League recognition in baseball in 2024. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN

Iola High’s Korbin Cloud earned first-team All-Pioneer League recognition in baseball in 2024. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN

Iola High’s Landon Weide earned second-team All-Pioneer League recognition in baseball in 2024. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN

Minnesota pitches past KC, 4-2

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)

— Simeon Woods Richardson earned his first win in eight starts, Jose Miranda drove in two runs and the Minnesota Twins beat the Kansas City Royals 4-2 on Tuesday night.

Minnesota, winners of six of their last seven games, got two hits apiece from Manuel Margot, Byron Buxton and Carlos Santana. Jhoan Duran allowed the first two hitters he faced in the ninth to reach base, but helped by Christian Vázquez throwing out a runner trying to steal second, he didn’t allow a run and earned his eighth save. His last two pitch-

es were 102.2 and 103.1 mph.

“In that situation, I got more angry because I don’t want to allow that run to come in. So I got two outs, and I need to put that guy out,” he said.

Kansas City had just five hits to lose its third straight after winning eight in a row. The Royals have dropped 15 of their last 16 at Target Field.

“It was an all-around team win today. It was very quality,” said Woods Richardson (20), who allowed three hits and struck out four in five innings for his first win since April 13. He allowed two or

fewer earned runs in seven of his past eight starts, and only once did he receive more than two runs of support. His 2.70 ERA is third among rookies with at least 35 innings pitched, trailing Shota Imanaga of the Cubs (0.84) and Luis Gil of the Yankees (2.11).

“The maturity, the strike throwing, and truly just being able to do different things with different pitches,” manager Rocco Baldelli said. “He uses mainly three of those pitches really well, with touch and feel and the stuff is actually good. It’s actually improving. It’s not easy to do, but he’s giving us winning starts.”

Iola High’s Zoie Hesse set several hitting records as a freshman on the softball diamond in 2024. She was rewarded with first-team All-Pioneer League honors. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN

Softball: Mustang honors

Continued from B1

son record for hits (47), home runs (5), RBIs (38) and doubles (19). Her .534 batting average finished a tick below Kailey Schinstock’s magical 2021 (.537) season. Hesse’s 39 runs scored also would have been a new record, had they not been exceeded by Clift’s 43 this year.

Oh, and Hesse won seven games on the mound and struck out 89 batters over 72 innings pitched.

Prior to this spring, Weide confessed to spending little attention to statistics. “To me, it’s more of an eye test to tell if somebody could play,” he explained. “But this year, with KSHSAA extending the season to 26 games from 20 that we were going to break a lot of batting records. Zoie did an amazing job.

“There are times when people will tell you about some kid in middle school who’s going to be amazing,” he continued. “Sometimes people are right. She was worth every bit of the hype. She’s a great athlete and a great ball player. She’s the best hitter and the best overall player I’ve coached here.”

Clift was a dynamo both from the pitching circle and the batter’s box in 2024.

Despite battling a sore arm late in the year, Clift won eight games with a 1.85 ERA. She struck out 87 batters over 75.2 innings, and capped her season with a complete-game, one-hit gem against Bluestem in the 3A

Iola High’s Elza Clift earned second-team All-Pioneer League honors for 2024. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN

playoffs. At the plate, she scored a school-record 43 runs, with 35 hits and a .365 batting average.

Clift’s second-team honor is noteworthy when considering the pitching talent in the Pioneer League this season, with standouts such as Kaelee Washington of Santa Fe Trail and Grace Birk of Burlington going on to pitch collegiately.

“For them to vote her in shows the respect they have for Elza,” Weide said.

“She’s not a big body, but she’s a warrior,” he continued. “You could tell how hard she’s worked in the weightroom in the offseason.”

After having only two extra-base hits over her first two seasons with the

After cruising through four innings, Woods Richardson found trouble in the fifth. Nick Loftin walked, advanced to third on Hunter Renfroe’s double, and scored on Garrett Hampson’s single. Kyle Isbel’s groundout plated Renfroe to make it 3-2.

Bobby Witt Jr. flew out to end the threat.

“Runner on third you kind of have to limit the damage, but not give in, so just trying to do that,” said Woods Richardson.

Cole Ragans (4-4), who took a no-hit bid into the sixth inning last Wednesday, struggled early for Kansas City but got through five innings. He allowed nine hits and struck out seven.

The left-hander gave up hits to Minnesota’s first two batters: Margot singled and Carlos Correa doubled. Both scored on Miranda’s single to end Ragans’ 13-inning scoreless streak.

“At the beginning I just wasn’t getting ahead, falling behind, bad counts. They made me pay for it,” Ragans said. “… Overall I left some pitches over the plate and they did damage.”

Back-to-back doubles by Vázquez and Margot made it 3-0 in the fourth.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: 1B Vinnie Pasquantino left the game in the third inning with a lower left leg contusion after fully extending to catch a high throw from 3B Maikel Garcia. He is considered day to day.

Twins: To make room on the 40man roster for RHP Diego Castillo, whose contract was selected from Triple-A St. Paul, RHP Justin Toba was transferred to the 60-day injured list. He’s been out since March 25 with left patellar tendinitis.

Scottie Scheffler plays his shot from the 2nd tee during the second round of the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club on May 17 in Louisville, Kentucky. GETTY IMAGES/CHRISTIAN PETERSEN/TNS

Charges against golfer dropped after arrest before PGA Championship

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP)

— Criminal charges against Scottie Scheffler have been dismissed, ending a legal saga that began with images of the world’s top male golfer being arrested and handcuffed in Louisville during the PGA Championship.

Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell asked a judge Wednesday afternoon to drop the four charges against Scheffler, who was not required to be in the courtroom.

The prosecutor said his team reviewed the case in a “thorough and expeditious manner.”

“Based upon the totality of the evidence, my office cannot move forward in the prosecution of the charges filed against Mr. Scheffler,” O’Connell said during the hearing that lasted less than 10 minutes.

“Mr. Scheffler’s characterization that this was ‘a big misunderstanding’ is corroborated by the evidence.”

Scheffler was charged with a felony for assaulting a police officer with his vehicle, along with three misdemeanors. The arresting officer, Detective Bryan Gillis, was outside the gate of Valhalla Golf Course May 17 directing traffic

after a pedestrian death when he encountered Scheffler.

Scheffler, 27, was driving a PGA courtesy vehicle when Gillis said he “refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging” Gillis to the ground. Gillis said his uniform pants were damaged in the fall and he was taken to the hospital for his injuries.

A surveillance video released by Louisville police last week showed Gillis pursuing Scheffler’s vehicle on foot and stopping him from entering the course. Scheffler is later pulled from the car and cuffed. But the video did not show Gillis’ first contact with Scheffler, authorities said.

Gillis has been disciplined for not activating his body-worn camera during the arrest. In a report on that failure, Gillis wrote that Scheffler had “demanded to be let in” the golf course.

Scheffler has said he simply misunderstood the commands coming from traffic officers.

The famous golfer spent a brief stint in a jail cell, then returned to the course for the second round. He finished the tournament tied for eighth place.

Mustangs, Clift’s power was markedly improved in 2024. She racked up four doubles, four triples and two home runs with 13 RBIs from the leadoff position.

“And when she wasn’t pitching, we put her at first base, and she was great there, too,” Weide said.

PERHAPS the most exciting thing about Iola’s accolades, Weide noted, is that all three are returning to what promises to be a loaded roster in 2025.

“I told the girls we had a good season this year, but not a great one,” he said. “Our goal is to have a great season next year. It’s really exciting. We know we’ve got the talent to beat anybody. It’s an exciting time for Iola sports.”

A 40-year secret that never was

Dear Carolyn: Forty years ago, a very close friend and I agreed to keep something we did in our 20s a secret for life. We did not want to hurt anyone else.

I never said a word to anyone. My friend, however, flippantly said to me one day recently, So-and-so “will give you a wink at my funeral to acknowledge your complicity.” I was stunned.

Apparently, my friend shared our secret with their friend (someone I know only by name) 40 years ago. They never kept the secret. But I am just finding out.

I am stinging mad, hurt and feeling disrespected. All the years of being told I was the single most important person in their life have come tumbling down. It has taken me almost a year to regain my composure enough to discuss this matter.

My friend feels as if this was a betrayal committed 40 years ago and I should just let it go. But to me, it is a deception committed today, as I just now found out.

Tell Me About It

Carolyn Hax

They want me to put this behind us as old news, and I feel newly betrayed. I have decided to forgive them and move on, but our relationship is severely impaired. I will never be able to respect and trust this person again, because they disclosed their deception to me flippantly and with no remorse. They suggest I judge them in the context of our lifelong relationship. Does revealing a secret 40 years ago get a pass now? Am I overreacting? Should I judge my friend on the past 40 years and discount this lie?

— Stinging Mad Stinging Mad: I can’t tell you what you can and can’t get over, or what you “should” feel or do.

I can tell you, from my safe remove, that

you’re both right and both wrong to some degree. “All the years … have come tumbling down” screams overreaction. But skipping the remorse stage and lobbying to be let off the hook is some serious downplaying.

Your friend is right about this as a single mistake four decades ago.

You are right about this as fresh and immediate for you. No doubt you’ve mentally paged though all 40 years for other lies you may have been told. Hard stuff.

Your friend is right that 40 years of fellowship count, too.

You are right that your friend’s way of revealing the truth was seriously off-key. (But are you always pitchperfect?)

And I think I’m right that you would both agree on most of these things, if not all, if you weren’t so busy talking past each other.

You want what you want. Friend wants what Friend wants.

Bronny James stays in NBA draft

By TIM REYNOLDS

The Associated Press

Bronny James is keeping his name in the NBA draft, with the hopes of joining his father in the league next season. “He’s a really good prospect who has a lot of room for growth,” Rich Paul, the CEO of Klutch Sports Group, told ESPN, which first reported the decision. Paul later confirmed the decision to The Associated Press.

LeBron James, Bronny’s father and the NBA’s all-time scoring leader, posted his reaction on his social

CRYPTOQUOTES

Y F N D N ‘ W P T S Y

S G O W S O Y

F N D N Y F P Y P D N

J C D H W , A P V .

Z N P T T V N N H Y S

L O W Y G T M .

-- Y D P I C W W K S Y Y

Yesterday’s Cryptoquote: A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom. -- Bob Dylan

media accounts, including one Instagram story that had the simple caption: “BRONNY STAYING IN DRAFT!” The decision was not unexpected, given that Bronny James had given no sign in recent weeks that he would exercise his option of returning to college and postponing his NBA plans.

Bronny James played one year of college basketball at Southern California and averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game last season. He played in 25 games, missing the start of the season after needing a procedure last year to fix what was diagnosed as a congenital heart defect, which was

found after he went into cardiac arrest during a summer workout.

A panel of doctors cleared James for NBA play earlier this month.

Bronny James — who was listed at 6-foot4 on USC’s roster but measured at 6 feet, 1 1/2 inches at the combine — announced his intention of entering the draft in April, with the caveat that he was also going into the transfer portal and maintaining his college eligibility. Early entry candidates for the draft had until 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday to decide whether they would stay in or return to college.

The draft is June 2627.

You’re both on the defensive, and neither is giving much thought to what your very close friend wants and needs right now.

That might look something like this: Friend to you: “The way I dropped this on you was thoughtless. I was ashamed and wrongly tried to minimize it. I want you to forgive me, of course, but also understand I’ve had 40 years to make sense of my actions, and you haven’t.”

You to Friend: “I know you’re worried your current self will pay now for the ancient sins of your past self. And, yes, I do need time. But I promise I am mindful of human frailty, and of everything you have been to me.”

If one of you isn’t willing to be vulnerable, then this won’t work.

But if you both are, then it’s safe to come out of your defensive stances, consider the friendship as well as your selves and let the friendship protect you.

So. What’d y’all do? (I kid.)

ZITS by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

BEETLE BAILEY by Mort Walker

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE by Chris Browne

BLONDIE by Young and Drake

MARVIN by Tom Armstrong

HI AND LOIS by Chance Browne

MUTTS by Patrick McDonell

Let’s celebrate Walton’s kindness and wackiness

By BILL PLASCHKE Los Angeles Times

Fittingly, my favorite Bill Walton encounter involved only his voice.

It was in October 2000, the day before John Wooden’s 90th birthday. I was visiting with Coach in his modest Encino condo when the phone rang and the answering machine picked up.

Suddenly the room was filled with a familiar deep and gravelly singing from across the globe.

“Happy birthday to you ... happy birthday to you ... happy birthday from Australia...” Wooden smiled.

“Oh, that’s Bill Walton,” he said.

The song ended, but Walton was just getting started. Still on the answering machine, just a voice coming from a box, he began describing the weather and his vacation and all sorts of ordinary things when it finally became apparent, he wasn’t just making small talk.

Walton was determined to stay on the line for as long as it took for Wooden to make the slow walk from his family room down the hall to pick up the phone.

Twice a week, he would call, and twice a week, he would patiently kill time until his aging coach could answer.

A simple act of thoughtfulness, breathtaking in its beauty.

It was pure Bill Walton.

On that day, when Wooden finally reached the phone, he cradled the receiver with a smile.

“Bill, Bill, I love you too,” he said to Walton. “Yep, it’s me, I’m here.”

Fifteen minutes later, their conversation ended, Wooden hung up the phone, returned to his chair and explained.

“Bill calls me twice a week, and I love talking to him,” he said, still smiling. “Although, it is safe to say, I don’t do much of the talking.”

An eternally kind and genuinely quirky soul, Bill Walton died Monday at 71, leaving the sports world a noticeably lesser place.

Walton had battled cancer after winning two NBA titles, two NCAA championships, and the hearts of fans captivated by the energy and eccentricity displayed during his 22 years as an NBA and later college basketball television analyst.

Yes, he was a gangly giant who was quite possibly the best college player in history — UCLA was 86-4 in his varsity career and won his first 73 games.

Yes, he was a dominating big man who played vastly different roles on two NBA title teams nine years apart — he starred for the 1977 Portland Trail Blazers and was sixth man for the 1986 Boston Celtics.

But what I’ll remem-

ber most is the size of his heart.

Check out the extraordinary story from the spring of 2008, when Walton’s body finally broke after 39 surgeries and he was spending entire days on his injured back while contemplating suicide.

At the same time, his son, Luke, was playing for the Lakers in a tense postseason, and Bill desperately wanted to inspire him.

So he would phone Luke before every series and leave a message on his voicemail pretending to be an opposing player talking trash.

You read that right.

For the first four-minute message, he pretended to be Carmelo Anthony promising to kick the Lakers’ butt.

In a second four-minute message, he pretended to be Carlos Boozer promising to kick the Lakers butt.

“I played the voice mails for my teammates, they’re really pretty funny,” Luke said at the time.

When the Lakers advanced to the Western Conference finals against the San Antonio Spurs, Walton called his son again, and initially pretended to be one of the Spurs stars, but then stopped.

“He said he wanted to imitate Tim Duncan, but Tim Duncan doesn’t talk trash so he couldn’t,” Luke recalled.

Bill Walton settled for simply telling Luke he loved him. And nobody loved like Bill Walton loved, colorfully, richly, bright eyes staring at you, deep laugh encouraging you, smothering you with a personality that matched his loud and loopy Grateful Dead T-shirts.

The only thing cooler than listening to Walton broadcast a UCLA basketball game was actually attending the game and watching him work the sidelines.

His bony frame was so frail, yet his grip was so strong as he shook hands and patted backs and embraced all who approached. He was so tall he usually spoke down to people, but he never spoke down

to anyone, dishing out compliments and encouragement the way he once passed the ball out of the post.

Did you know I was the best writer in the history of journalism?

Walton told me that once. He also said the same thing to virtually every other scribe he met.

We were all the best.

The fans, the media, the officials and, yes, absolutely, the players.

As reported by the Athletic, the Awful Announcing website curated some of Walton’s wild on-air pronouncements, and a couple of them described the

most anonymous of athletes, all stars in his eyes.

There was this ... “Yesterday he celebrated Sir Isaac Newton’s discovery of gravity. Today, Fabricio Oberto is defying it.”

And there was this ...

“If you ever think you’re too small to make a difference, you’ve never spent a night in bed with mosquitos or you’ve never played basketball against Taylor from Utah — No. 11 in your program, No. 1 in your heart.”

Walton didn’t just sell hyperbole, he also acted hyperbole, a regular sideline circus, once covering himself in dirt, another time eating a cupcake with the candle still lit, and occasionally taking off an ordinary shirt to put on a Grateful Dead garb.

He was wacky. He was wild. He was wonderful. Even with all his greatness as an athlete, he will equally be remembered as a trailblazing broadcaster.

Yet, I will honor him

most for that heart.

A couple of years ago we were together at the annual California Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Walton went out of his way to engage with my starstruck family and friends while unknowingly giving me the reinforcements to give my speech.

As you probably know, Walton once battled a stuttering problem. As some of you also know, I have battled the same issues, and throughout my adulthood I have taken inspiration from listening to the precise confidence with which Walton spoke. I never thanked him for that. I never had a chance. He was always thanking me.

Bill Walton’s philosophy of life can be found in the title of an ESPN 2023 documentary on his life.

“The Luckiest Guy in the World.” Except it’s all wrong. We were the lucky ones.

Sportscaster and former NBA player Bill Walton attends a game between the Washington Huskies and the USC Trojans during the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament quarterfinals at T-Mobile Arena on March 10, 2022, in Las Vegas. GETTY IMAGES/ETHAN MILLER/TNS