KIKS & KIOL Radio News 1/24/2019

Allen County commissioners have again postponed a decision on committing $50,000 to launch the VISIT Allen County program.  That’s an initiative intended to promote tourism in the area put forth by Thrive Allen County.  The Iola Register reports that the delay was urged by Shilo Eggers, the president of the Iola Area Chamber of Commerce.  She would like the chamber and Thrive work together to promote the area but sees the current proposal as treading on territory that is the usual responsibility of the chamber.  Thrive interim CEO Bill Maness stressed the point that VISIT Allen County is in no way designed to compete with the chambers of commerce in Iola and Humboldt.  All three commissioners claimed to see merit on both sides. They wanted to have a little more time to decide the best way to proceed.

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KIKS & KIOL Radio News 1/22/2019

If Iola voters approve an April 2 bond issue for USD 257 to build a new elementary school, student safety will be a big factor in its design. The Iola Register reports that the design of the new school would feature separate driveways for buses and regular traffic. Steering committee members studying USD 257 schools have identified the site at Kentucky and Monroe as their preference for the new school. The school’s exact location on the site, and its final design have not been finalized. That’s because it’s possible the site will not work out and the bond hasn’t been passed yet.
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The headliner has been announced for the Farm-City Days Summer Concert Series. Country music artist Darryl Worley will headline the concert on July 13th. Worley has had 18 hits on the national country charts. Tickets go on sale March first at farmcitydays.com.

KIKS & KIOL Radio News 1/21/2019

At a special meeting Friday, the Chanute USD 413 Board of Education approved a contract for their new superintendent.  The Chanute Tribune reports that Dr. Kellen Adams of El Dorado will serve as the superintendent for Chanute Public Schools starting next school year.  In his visit to Chanute last Tuesday, Adams said the district is welcoming and has an excellent staff.  He also noted that Chanute has a good level of infrastructure.

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Authorities in Crawford County have arrested a contract employee for the Northeast-Arma school district for allegedly raping a student on a school bus.  According to a news release from the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office , 22 year old Jacob Quentin Bryant was taken into custody on Friday.  The incident alledgedly occurred while the student was being taken home from school on Nov. 30.  Bryant is being held in lieu of $100,000 bond pending formal charges.

KIKS & KIOL Radio News 1/18/2019

LaHarpe organizers are working with Thrive Allen County on a crowdfunding effort to get some local projects off the ground.  The Iola Register reports that they are aiming to collect $10,000 by Feb. 1st.  There is the potential to double that figure through a matching grant from the Kansas Health Foundation.  If successful, the $20,000 will be used primarily around the LaHarpe City Park.   There is a possibility of re-establishing the annual LaHarpe Days celebration.

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A Boil Water Advisory Issued for Allen Co. Rural Water District 10, in Allen County.  The advisory affects all Allen County Rural Water District 10 customers south of Connecticut Road.   The advisory took effect on January 17, 2019 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved.  We have a link to the entire KDHE news release on the Iola Radio Facebook page.

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Southwind Extension District’s 4-H livestock judging team barely missed out on a national championship Saturday.   The team was named reserve national champion and will have an opportunity to take a trip to the United Kingdom over the summer.  The Southwind squad was the only team to represent Kansas against 24 teams from across the country.  They won the state livestock judging championship in August.

KIKS & KIOL Radio News 1/17/2019

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that the agency is reopening many of their Farm Service Agency offices for three days amid the government shutdown. Those days are today, tomorrow and next Tuesday. The reason is to help farmers with existing loans and other limited services. They will also ensure the agency provides 1099 tax documents to borrowers by the Internal Revenue Service’s deadline. The Allen County FSA office is among those reopening. We have a link to the news release and a list of affected offices on the Iola Radio Facebook page.
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Allen Community College is set to unveil its new Student Center to the public next week. A ribbon-cutting ceremony has been scheduled for next Wednesday, January 23rd at 3pm. As part of the festivities, the new Spencer Ambler Boardroom also will be dedicated, in honor of the longtime college trustee.

KIKS & KIOL Radio News 1/16/2019

Allen County commissioners heard from Thrive Allen County interim CEO Bill Maness this week.  The Iola Register reports again reuested $50,000 for the creation of VISIT Allen.  That’s an initiative designed to increase tourism in the county.  Thrive would contribute an additional $25,000 of its own.   If successful, VISIT Allen would operate as a full-time tourism office and share the Kress Building with Thrive Allen County.  Also, Bruce Symes was sworn in as the newest Allen County commissioner on Monday.

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Humboldt council members learned at their meeting Monday night that roads across town are in need of attention.  According to The Register, Humboldt administrator Cole Herder is in search of a way to fund those projects.   The city lacks sufficient reserves and alternatives such as a tax increase are not attractive.  A Community Development Block Grant is a possibility but the competition is stiff.

KIKS & KIOL Radio News 1/15/2019

A man from Joplin was injured yesterday morning in an accident in Neosho County.  At about 9am, the Southeast Kansas Department of Transportation advised that an overturned semi was blocking both lanes of K-47 between U.S. 169 and U.S. 59 or about 2 miles north of Thayer.   That situation remained until just after 1:00pm.  According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the driver, 31-year-old Clifford David Quattlebaum was taken to Neosho Memorial Hospital.  They say that the semi left the roadway went into the north ditch and overturned.

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The Chanute USD 413 School District has begun to narrow its search for a new superintendent.  The Chanute Tribune reports that first to face the school board was David Jackson who is currently Executive Director of Operations for Andover schools.  He is one of three finalists for the position.   Jackson said he had a good impression of Chanute coming in.