State Cross County: Area high school stars compete.
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THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
www.iolaregister.com
Monday, October 31, 2016
Targeted justices may survive because of backlash to Brownback
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Brownback publicly suppush to remake the Kansas ported a similar ouster camSupreme Court in the up- paign in 2014 that nearly coming election could falter removed the other two jusbecause of a political back- tices, amid anger over death lash against Republican penalty rulings. But the conservative Republican Gov. Sam Brownback. Five of the court’s governor — who is facing voter disconseven justices are on statewide baltent over the state’s lots that ask voters budget problems — has refused to enwhether each justice should stay on dorse this year’s effort, which is likely the court for another six years. Four fine with one group pushing to remove of those justices, Lawton Nuss each appointed by the justices. “He’s caused us a lot a Democratic or moderate Republican governor, are of headaches,” said Amy being aggressively targeted James, a spokeswoman for by GOP conservatives, abor- Kansans for Justice, a group tion opponents and critics of victims’ families angered of rulings that overturned See JUSTICES | Page A4 death sentences.
Iola seven-year-old Riley Jones tries his hand at the bag toss during Saturday’s Boo Bash at the Iola Recreation Building. Below, an unidentified Batwoman tries her hand at a game. REGISTER/JON
SCARY GOOD TIME Boo Bash is blast for kids DYKSTRA
By JON DYKSTRA The Iola Register
Hillary Clinton and first lady Michelle Obama greet an early voter rally in Winston-Salem, N.C., on Thursday. Ethan Hyman/
Raleigh News & Observer/TNS
FBI inquiry alters race WILTON MANORS, Fla. (AP) — Hillary Clinton enters the final full week of the presidential race on defense once again over her use of a private email system. Meanwhile, a newly emboldened Donald Trump is seizing on the discovery of a trove of new emails that may be pertinent to the FBI’s investigation and trying to open new paths to victory by campaigning in traditionally Democratic states.
Clinton, who is set to campaign today across Ohio, vowed over the weekend that she would not be “knocked off course” in the election’s final days by the discovery of new emails in an unrelated sexting investigation. It is unclear what is contained in the emails or if any of them was sent or received by Clinton herself. “I’m not stopping now, we’re just getting warmed See FBI | Page A4
The Iola Police Department and Kiwanis Club were hoping to have an even bigger crowd than they had at the first Boo Bash last year. Little did they know it would take only 45 minutes of the second annual Boo Bash to eclipse last year’s attendance. “Last year it was on Halloween night so I think that probably hurt the numbers,” Iola police officer Mike Ford said. “Plus last year was the first year and I don’t know if people were expecting it.”
The joint venture is designed to give area kids a fun and safe place to begin their Halloween. The three-hour event featured a hayrack ride, a train ride, several inflatable bouncy castles, a haunted house, a face-painting station and several other games and activities. Those who attended were also served a meal and the entire event cost each participant only $5. “We just try to provide a safe area for the kids to come out and have fun,” Ford said. “For five bucks there is an awSee BASH | Page A4
Powerful earthquakes rattle Italy NORCIA, Italy (AP) — Italy’s premier pledged today to find temporary housing for all those displaced by a series of powerful earthquakes in a central mountainous region, as the nation’s strongest temblor in 36 years pushed those needing assistance to more than 15,000. Sunday morning’s quake with a magnitude 6.6 caused
no deaths or serious injuries, largely because most fragile city centers had already been closed because of previous damage and many homes had been vacated. But it did complicate quake relief efforts in a zone that was still coping with the aftermath of an August quake that killed nearly 300 in the same region, and a pair of power-
ful aftershocks last week that also claimed no lives. Civil protection officials said they expect the number of people needing assistance to continue to rise, as it doesn’t count the many people who slept in vehicles or made other arrangements and are likely to seek help. Temperatures overnight reached near See QUAKES | Page A4
8% rate of return too rosy, legislators admit A semi-trailer carrying canned pineapple overturned Sunday morning on U.S. 169. Photo by Dar-
rell Baughn /Allen County Sheriff’s Department
Wreck closes U.S. 169 most of Sunday By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
An overturned truck spilled thousands of pounds of canned pineapple products north of Iola Sunday morning. The driver, Raymond Jackson, 61, out of Kentucky, was northbound on U.S. 169, about two miles north of town when he lost control and left the side of the roadway, Allen County Sheriff ’s Deputy An-
thony Maness said. The accident occurred around 11 o’clock. Jackson, who was en route from Texas to Kansas City, told emergency crews at the scene he had apparently lost consiousness before the accident. Jackson already was on crutches, with an arm in a brace from a previous medical issue, Maness said. Jackson was taken to Allen County Regional Hospital for
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injuries not considered lifethreatening. Meanwhile, crews spent most of Sunday clearing the crushed pineapple cases from the east ditch. The mangled trailer had to be cut in two separate pieces in order to get to the cargo. “It’ll be interesting to see how they get the trailer out of there,” Maness said. Traffic was limited to one lane for most of the day while the wreckage was cleared.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Officials are considering lowering the expected rate of return for Kansas’ public employee pension investments in a move that could further strain the state’s budget. The Kansas Public Employee Retirement System has assumed an annual return on investment of 8 percent for three decades, The Topeka CapitalJournal reported. A lower expected return on investments would mean taxpayers and possibly employees would need to chip in more money. Consultants have been meeting with the pension’s board for months to weigh options. A final decision might be made at the Nov. 18 meeting or put off until January. “They’re in the thick of considering it,” said Alan Conroy, executive director of KPERS, adding that the
“What I am looking for is a blessing not in disguise.” — Jerome K. Jerome, English writer 75 Cents
investment return appraisal is among the fundamental assumptions reassessed every three years by the board. The system’s return averaged slightly above the target during the last quarter century despite swings in the market. Resetting the formula to reflect a 7.5 percent or 7.75 percent annual rate of return is a reasonable adjustment, said Rep. Steven Johnson, an Assaria Republican who chairs the House Pensions and Benefits See KPERS | Page A4
Hi: 82 Lo: 63 Iola, KS