The
IOLA REGISTER Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Locally owned since 1867
IHS drops hammer on behavior
GOLF
Iola wins Buck Quincy Inv. See B1
www.iolaregister.com
A season for changes
By ALLISON TINN
allison@iolaregister.com
Iola school board members approved a new plan to better student behavior at the high school. Iola High School assistant principal Joe Sample presented the board with a new point system he thinks will help reduce bad behavior. Sample said he found himself “chasing his tail” because students knew what the consequences were for poor behavior but would do it anyway. The point system has four levels. A Level 1 infraction gives the student one point; Level 2, three points; Level 3, five points, and Level 4, 15 points. A student could only receive 15 points per school year. Level 1 offenses include excessive tardiness, computer violations, insubordination and failure to serve sentence. Each of these offenses would require a student attend Friday night school, which goes from 3 to 6 p.m. A Level 2 offense would land the student with in-school suspension, and includes vandalism to school grounds incurring less than $100 in damages, leaving the building without permission and use of tobacco. Level 3 would include fighting, incitement and inappropriate conduct, and would place the student in out-ofSee SCHOOLS | Page A6
New council sworn in, others step down By STEVEN SCHWARTZ steve@iolaregister.com
While Monday night’s business included several decisions made by the Iola City Council, it seemed the real purpose was to honor those leaving the council and recognize those stepping up. Dozens of Iolans filled the New Community Building Monday night to see their new city council members sworn in by City Clerk Roxanne Hutton. Bob Shaughnessy and Sandy Zornes were sworn into their seats, and Mayor Joel Wicoff took his oath. For those stepping down, they had one last chance to raise their right hand — they approved the consent agenda before giving up their seats. David Toland and Jim Kilby were honored with a plaque for their time serving their city. “Our government works,” Kilby said in a brief speech. He said the council has overcome many adversities and difficulties, but it emerged stronger than ever. The ceremonies ended by honoring Iola’s mayor of two See COUNCIL | Page A6
Register/Steven Schwartz
Above, the new Iola City Council members take their oath during Monday night’s meeting. Below, City Clerk Roxanne Hutton swears in the new Mayor of Iola, Joel Wicoff.
Iola Elks stand by tradition of service By STEVEN SCHWARTZ steven@iolaregister.com
Register/Bob Johnson
Allen County workers dumped screenings in a ditch near a tank battery southwest of Iola Monday afternoon to prevent spilled oil from spreading.
Two oil spills occur Monday By BOB JOHNSON
bob@iolaregister.com
Pam Beasley has investigated seven oil spills in Allen County the past 16 months, with two of them occurring Monday. “We had three last year and this one (three miles southwest of Iola) is the second one today,” Beasley said late Monday afternoon. The other spill earlier in the day happened when a coupling broke on a line along old U.S. 169 about three miles south of Humboldt. Beasley has a role in investigating the oil spills through her involvement with the Local Emergency Planning Commission and as Allen County’s emergency man-
agement director. Neither spill was extraordinary, but when oil escapes from tank, line or well, a report must be made to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Oil that threatens the environment must be cleaned up. Iola firefighters Eric Lawrence and Kenny Powell were dispatched with the department’s hazardous materials response unit soon after the spill southwest of Iola was reported. The firefighters walked a ditch along an adjacent county road and noticed oil had flowed in small amounts to about 50 yards south of a tank battery. The dike surrounding the battery, designed to keep spilled oil in check, had a pool several inches deep impounded, Vol. 115, No. 125
from production owned by Roxanna Pipeline. With rainy weather forecasted, the decision was that dikes should be erected in the ditch to keep the oil from escaping farther south and perhaps even threatening feeder streams of the Neosho River. Tom Stranghoner, who lives nearby, was mildly alarmed by leaking oil. He has a water well 150 yards or so south of the tank battery. The dikes were constructed of screenings and hauled to the site in county Public Works Department trucks. Lease employees promised to clean up the oil and take measures to ensure no more would escape, Beasley said. The spill south of Humboldt involved production owned by a Texas company.
The word “elk” may be a fairly common term, but to be a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks takes an uncommon commitment to civic duty. The club, nearing 1 million members in the United States, was founded in 1868 by a group of actors in New York — they were simply looking to start a social club for people with common interests. “But, a social club without a good foundation would not last,” said Mike Jewell, a long-term member of the local organization, chapter 569, and current member of the Elks’ board of trustees. Civic service and volunteering are the keystones of Elks. The Iola chapter was founded in 1900. Their first member was Frederick Fun-
ston. As a kid, Jewell said he would peer through the doors of the Elks’ lounge, located just off the square on Jefferson Avenue. Though he would beg to be let through the doors, his father would always reply, “not until you’re initiated.” Jewell is a third generation in the Iola chapter, including his father, Bob, and his son, Jacob. Jewell said the local chapter is heavily involved in the community, though rarely in the spotlight. The Elks have several ongoing programs, all funded by members’ dues. Meals served at the Elks’ lounge twice a week, on Friday and Tuesday, also raise funds that go to community programs. “That money is going to a baseball team, or a homeless See ELKS | Page A2
Register/Allison Tinn
Now walk it out Liz Cox , Cindy Anderson, Theresa Berntsen and Kathy Ronay walk the outside of the Iola square Monday at noon as part of the new Downtown Walkaround group. The ladies will walk the square each Monday at the same time, weather permitting. Anyone is welcome to join the walking group. 75 Cents
Iola, KS