Police Report

Arrests reported
Iola police officers arrested Stoney Parks for suspicion of domestic battery Tuesday morning following an incident in the 600 block of East Lincoln Street.
Officers arrested Caressa E. Lowell Monday afternoon in the 700 block of South Sycamore Street for suspicion of domestic battery and criminal damage to property. The arrest came after Lowell called police to the scene for a civil standby, officers said.
An incident Saturday in the 1300 block of North State Street led to the arrest of William Jones, 57, Chappell, Neb., for suspicion of driving while intoxicated, driving while suspended and interfering with law enforcement.
Sheldon Morris, 27, Iola, was arrested Saturday in the 500 block of North Third Street for a warrant out of Iola Municipal Court
Katlyn Melton, 15, was arrested Friday for charges of battery and making a criminal threat in the 600 block of East Street, officers said.
A traffic stop Sept. 25 in the 1700 block of East Street led to the arrest of Sondra Dewees, 59, Iola, for suspicion of driving while under the influence of drugs.

Cell phone stolen
Shayn Fyre told officers Sunday somebody had stolen his cell phone from the 700 block of East Spruce Street.

Motorcycle damaged
Nathan Gonzalez told officers his 2008 Buell motorcycle was topped by someone in the 100 block of West Neosho Street. The cycle sustained about $200 worth of damage, officers said.

Bike stolen
A bicycle owned by Thrive Allen County was stolen sometime Wednesday or Thursday of last week, officers were told, in the 200 block of North Washington Avenue. The bike was valued at $400.

Headphones taken
Kenton Gile told officers Sept. 27 somebody stole his Beats headphones from his backpack while he was at Iola High School. The headphones were valued at $400.

No arrests
Iola police officers were called to an incident in the 800 block of North Buckeye Street Sept. 27. No arrests were made.
On Sept. 25, officers responded to a disturbance in the 300 block of McGuire Drive. No arrests were made. Officers said no violence had occurred there.

 

Woman dies after crash

GARNETT — A Richmond woman was killed Tuesday afternoon following a one-vehicle accident north of Garnett.
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department reported Linda L. Sprague, 76, was traveling north on U.S. 59 when she lost control of her pickup, a 1995 Ford F-150, which entered the ditch and struck a culvert.
Sprague was taken to Anderson County Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The Sheriff’s Department reported in a press release that Sprague told emergency crews at the scene she lost control while trying to get away from a bug that was in her vehicle.

 

KwiKom acquires Twin Mounds

KwiKom Communications is growing.

The Iola-based company announced in a news release this week it has acquired Midwestern Litho, Inc., which does business as Twin Mounds Internet in Fredonia, serving wireless, fiber-optic and cable customers in Fredonia and surrounding areas in Wilson County.

“This is a great opportunity for KwiKom and Fredonia, and we look forward to serving the area,” KwiKom Vice President Zachery Peres said in the press release.

KwiKom’s footprint has expanded to 20 counties in eastern Kansas, and provides Internet, resident phone and (coming soon) television service.

Retired school personnel hear about 4-H project

Brody Nemecek, chapter president of FFA at Iola High School, gave a program on 4-H swine judging at the Wednesday meeting of the Allen County Area Retired School Personnel.
Nemecek has an extensive portfolio of championship judging awards at the local, district and state levels. He recently won the state championship at the Kansas State Fair and is going on to compete in judging in Atlanta for the National Junior Swine Show.
Thirty-nine members and guests Glenda Pargman, Marsha Longberg, Joyce Atkinson and District Representative Jane Martin attended.
Don Bain reported on a House Bill that would have a major impact on how federal funds are used for Title I school districts with low-income families.
The bill would redistribute a portion of the funds to parents who choose to enroll their children in a private school or homeschool.
Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is a strong proponent of the bill.                                                                                                                                           
The next meeting will be at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at Allen County Regional Hospital.

 

Letter to the editor — October 4, 2018

Dear editor,
Upon its inception 47 years ago, the founders of this non-profit organization developed a culture focused on promoting greater understanding and a sharing of knowledge between the agricultural and farming community and the urban and industrial community.  The vision at that time, and continuing today, centers on bringing people together from Allen County in an environment that fosters harmony among the interrelationships of those very diverse backgrounds.  Farm City Days is a time to gather in fellowship and celebration to remind us that we are all part of a caring and thoughtful community we call home.
The Farm-City Days Committee strives to create a parade and event atmosphere that is welcoming and inviting to all.  This includes setting reasonable standards for what is and is not appropriate for parade floats. In the matter of Mr. Erbert, we proudly welcomed his patriotic jeep, however, we merely requested that the replica gun be removed during the parade.
Our request should not be interpreted as being against our Second Amendment rights, nor any other Constitutional right. We are simply making an effort to remain neutral on any and all potential controversies and statements while staying true to our founders’ vision of providing a harmonious experience to Farm City Days attendees.
Since 1971, the Farm City Days Celebration has been maintained through the servant leadership of local volunteers and the gracious giving of our sponsors. All administrative functions, event planning, and an uncounted number of membership hours have been dedicated to the community event on a volunteer basis. It is this synergy and support from our sponsors and community partners that have enabled the longevity of this great tradition.  
We desire for our weekend together in October to be about family, friends, education, creating exciting new memories and camaraderie. It is with our most sincere appreciation and hope that all of our actions, decisions, events and activities be seen as an effort to promote community, togetherness and appreciation for Allen Countians, and beyond.   
Respectfully,
Farm-City Days
Steering Committee

Authorities hold disabled vet in shooting of 7 officers

FLORENCE, S.C. (AP) — A police officer was killed and six of his comrades were wounded when authorities said an elderly man began shooting at deputies who came to serve a search warrant, barricading himself in his home with children and spraying bullets across his upscale suburban neighborhood.
The sheriff’s armored personnel carrier was brought in to recover the wounded during Wednesday’s two-hour standoff, and the shooter finally released the children as he was taken into custody, authorities said.
“Officers went there unknowing the firepower the suspect had,” Florence County Sheriff Kenney Boone said at a news conference.
“Fire was being shot all over. The way this suspect was positioned, his view of fire was several hundred yards. So he had an advantage. The officers couldn’t get to the ones who were down.”
Authorities identified the shooter as Frederick Hopkins, 74, a disabled Vietnam veteran and disbarred lawyer who has faced several charges in recent years, starting with a 2014 count of disorderly conduct.
The violence stunned people already dealing with record flooding from Hurricane Florence. Both the sheriff and police chief cried as they spoke to reporters after the standoff.
The slain officer, Terrence Carraway, 52, of Darlington, had just been honored for his 30 years of service with the Florence Police Department.
“I want you to pray for the family who lost the bravest police officer I have ever known,” said his chief, Allen Heidler.
WIS-TV reported today that Florence County Chief Deputy Glenn Kirby identified the suspect as 74-year-old Fred Hopkins. Kirby said Hopkins was hospitalized with a head injury and unable to speak with officers. WPDE-TV reports Hopkins fell at the scene.
Kirby also said that the search warrant involved an accusation that a 27-year-old person at the home sexually assaulted a foster child who lives in the home. Three Florence County deputies had come to serve the warrant around 4 p.m. Wednesday, Boone said.
The suspect ultimately shot four Florence city police officers, one fatally, as officers from all over swarmed in to help, Heidler said.
Boone credited his department’s military equipment for enabling them to pull the wounded from the field of fire.
“Thanks to our MRAP, armored personnel carrier, we made sure all the officers that were shot were protected and brought for medical atttention,” he said.
Officials refused to say why they were serving a warrant. They did not name the suspect. They also did not identify the wounded officers or describe their conditions.
Condolences and outpourings of support rolled in.
President Donald Trump tweeted his “thoughts and prayers,” saying “We are forever grateful for what our Law Enforcement Officers do 24/7/365.”
“This is simply devastating news from Florence,” Gov. Henry McMaster tweeted. “The selfless acts of bravery from the men and women in law enforcement is real, just like the power of prayer is real.”
Thom Berry, spokesman for the State Law Enforcement Division, said the agency had sent crime scene technicians to assist officials in Florence but at this time had not been requested to help with any investigation.
Boone said investigators from Richland County would help. He did not say why he wasn’t using state police like most law enforcement agencies do in officer shootings in South Carolina.
Authorities said the shootings happened in Vintage Place, an upscale neighborhood in the western part of the city.
Bobby Goin stood outside waiting for police to let him back to his home, where his wife and granddaughter could hear the gunshots.
“Surprised is probably an understatement,” said Goin, who has lived in the neighborhood for 20 years. “The worst thing that goes on around here is that someone runs a stop sign and it gets posted on Facebook.”
This is the second shooting of multiple police officers in South Carolina this year. In January, a 47-year-old former banker shot four officers in York County, killing one, after his wife called 911 to report he beat her. Christian McCall pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life without parole.
Florence, a city in South Carolina’s northeastern corner home to roughly 37,000, sits at the convergence of Interstates 95 and 20. It’s the largest city in the region known as the Pee Dee, where flooding from Hurricane Florence devastated areas to the east and south.

 

Jerry and Peggy Marple

Jerry and Peggy Marple will celebrate their 50th anniversary, which comes Friday, with a cruise, compliments of their children.
Jerry Marple and Peggy Conner were married Oct. 5, 1968, at Iola’s old Baptist Church.
They have two daughters, Michelle Altis, LaHarpe, and Janette Hankins, Valley Center; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
The couple requests no gifts.

 

Sox, Yanks ready to rumble again

NEW YORK (AP) — Fans have been waiting for another one of these rumbles: baseball’s most-bitter rivals set to tangle again, this time as 100-win heavyweights in the playoffs.

Munson vs. Fisk, Pedro vs. Popeye , A-Rod vs. Varitek and earlier this year Brock Holt vs. Tyler Austin .

The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees back at each other in the postseason for the first time in 14 years.

“We’re a team that can play with anybody, and we’re not afraid to go in there,” Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks said after a 7-2 wild-card win over Oakland sent New York to a best-of-five AL Division Series that starts Friday in Fenway Park.

Yankees fans were chanting “We want Boston!” during the late innings. The Red Sox tweeted “We want New York” after the final out in the Bronx.

“I think they’re ready and relish the opportunity to go up against the game’s best this year,” Yankees rookie manager Aaron Boone said of his players.

That is the same Aaron Boone whose 11th-inning homer in Game 7 of the 2003 AL Championship Series beat the Red Sox. A year later Boston overcame the Yankees and became the first major league team to bounce back from a 3-0 postseason deficit. The Red Sox went on to win their first World Series since 1918, but Boone’s drive off Tim Wakefield has not been forgotten or forgiven.

Boston was 10-9 against the Yankees this year and set a club record with 108 wins under new manager Alex Cora, boosted by MVP candidate Mookie Betts, slugger J.D. Martinez and ace Chris Sale. New York finished eight games back and became the first team since the 2001 Athletics to reach triple digits in wins and fail to finish first — New York also set the major league mark for home runs, powered by the likes of Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.

These teams also have a history of hitting each other.
Back on April 11, Austin charged the mound at Fenway after Red Sox reliever Joe Kelly threw at him twice, hitting Austin in the side with the second pitch. Boston players were livid Austin slid spikes-first into shortstop Brock Holt earlier in the game. A bench-clearing brawl led to suspensions and fines, but Auston won’t be around for a rematch — he was dealt to Minnesota in July.

“It’s Yankees-Red Sox. That’s what everybody wants. That’s what they got,” Red Sox star pitcher David Price said then.

Just another in a long history of bad blood between rivals a little more than 200 miles apart.

Iola JV and middle school XC run at Eureka

High School and Middle School Cross Country: Iola Mustangs, Fillies and Ponies

A mixture of Iola middle school and high school junior varsity runners competed at Eureka on Tuesday.

The 8th-grade boys, led by Kaster Trabuc’s first-place finish, took the team title. His time for 2 miles was 12:31. He was followed by top 10 medalist Eli Adams in sixth place and Jesse Taylor in 10th. Payton Houk placed 18th and Luke Wicoff was 20th.

Seventh-grade girls were led by 7th place medalist, Keira Fawson in 16:59. Other placers were Abby Meiwes, 12th, Rebekah Coltrane, 17th and Cara Porter

18.

Seventh-grade boys had two medalists, Will Jay in 6th and JJ Rutoh in 7th. Chris Holloway placed 27th.

A group of junior varsity boys also competed in the varsity race, placing 6th. Riley Jay earned a medal with a 14th-place finish. Others were Henry Lohman (38th), Brett Morrison (47th), Drake Delatorre (48th) and Landon Carson (49th).

Another group of Mustangs ran in the junior varsity race led by Grant Luedke who finished second and Colin Long who finished fourth. Eli Smith finished 18th.

Junior varsity girls were led by Hannah Hall in second. Callie Murcko finished third, Jorja Murcko finished sixth, Elaina Stiffler finished seventh, Addison Mallette finished eighth and Kaylin Klubek finished 12th.

The high school Mustangs and Fillies will run at Independence today.

Iris Troxel

Iris Ladeane Troxel, 82, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018 at Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Mo., after a year-long illness.
Iris was born on April 17, 1936, in Missouri to Harry and Monta (Stanley) Stewart. She was raised and attended school in Elsmore.
She and Donald Lee “Pat” Troxel were married in Moran, on Dec. 22, 1952. They had four daughters. They were married almost 48 years until his death on Nov. 14, 2000.
Iris was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two sisters, Leah Mildred “Sis” Beltz, and Rosemary Wood. Six brothers, Jerry Lee Stewart, Johnny Stewart, Stanley “Bud” Stewart, Joseph Stewart, Howard Stewart and Earl Stewart. She was also preceded in death by her faithful and loving dog, Margo.
Survivors include two sisters Diane Tennison of Crystal River, Fla., and Judy Dobbs of Fritch, Texas; four daughters Cheri (Tim) Michael of Iola, Rhonda (C.L.) Fulton of Iola, Leah (Richard) Fulton of Colony, Anna Comer of Parsons and former son-in-law Ed Toler of Walnut; seven grandchildren, Misty (Bill) Hobbs of Iola, Kristi (Luke) Griffin of Jacksonville Ala., Aric (Kayleigh) Toler of Kansas City Mo., Ryan Toler of St. Paul, Aaron Fulton of Iola, Ethan Fulton of Iola and Joshua Fulton of Colony; nine great-grandchildren, Iris (Logan) Petty, Luke Jr, Katy and Faith Griffin, Alexis, Allyson and Annika Hobbs, Esmeigh Toler and Adelynn Fulton.
Iris enjoyed spending time with her family, working in her yard and caring for any orphaned or injured animal that made its way to her door.
According to her wishes, no service will be held. To honor her memory, the family suggests generous donations be made in her name to Deer Creek Animal Hospital 12235 210th Rd. Chanute, KS 67357. They shared her love of animals and helped her care for the many unloved, abandoned, abused and neglected animals that found solace in the sanctuary of her loving home.