Two Iolans were arrested by the Iola Police Department for methamphetamine offenses, following a Walmart theft investigation.
On Jan. 31, it was reported to IPD that three tablet computers, binoculars, two knives and a cell phone were stolen from Walmart. The items were valued at $1,000.
Officers worked with Walmart employees to review the security footage. John Kent and Kayla Devoe were identified in the footage as those who had allegedly stolen the merchandise.
Officers executed a search warrant for an address in the 200 block of North Third Street. During the search, officers discovered apparent drug-related materials.
Kent was arrested on charges of possessing methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, marijuana and felony theft. Devoe was arrested for possessing drug paraphernalia and felony theft. Charges are being sought through the Allen County Attorney’s Office.

IN AN unrelated case, On Feb. 2 Richard Freimiller, Humboldt, was arrested by the Iola Police Department on a warrant through the Allen County District Court for allegedly manufacturing a controlled substance, distributing market precursor for unlawful use and use of communications facility in commission of felony.  
Iola Police Chief Jared Warner said Freimiller’s arrest was in connection with methamphetamine manufacturing arrests in January. The investigations were reported in the Jan. 24  Register.

After several years away from the beauty industry, Paula Dieker is returning to her passion. She has opened a public salon, House of Styles, in her home.
Paula, who has held her cosmetology license for roughly 25 years, decided to take time to raise her children before returning to her dream of owning a hair salon.
“When I was very young I loved going with my mother to her weekly hair appointments at our hometown salon in Waverly,” Paula said. “I was very intrigued and content watching the before and after transition done by our local hair dresser Carol Robbins.”
Paula was hooked and at a very young age knew exactly what she wanted to do.
“When I was in high school Carol took me to my first professional hair convention in the city. That’s when I knew I wanted to cut and style hair just like carol.”
After graduating she attended Hairbenders School of Hairstyling in Lawrence. She took her first job as a stylist at Joda & Friends in Lawrence. She worked for two years before moving to Iola in 1989.
Over the next eight years she worked in two salons on the square, Manetamers and the Wild Hare.
“I had a daughter, Morgan, at home and after the birth of my son, Drake, I was fortunate enough to fulfill my desire to become a stay-at-home mom,” she said. “Those years were very important to me.”
“Now that my children are all grown I feel ready to move forward with a dream of having my own salon.”
Her home had a salon downstairs, but she would only use it to cut family members’ hair. One of the licensing rules to become a public salon is there has to be a separate door to the salon for customers to walk in and out of.
At the end of December Paula’s home met all of the requirements and it was eligible to become a licensed salon.
The name House of Styles is not only fitting but also appropriate.
“With my love for styling and being at home, the salon name came fairly easy to me, House of Styles,” she said.
Paula, who enjoys being at her home, said one of the biggest benefits to having a home business is being able to stay open later.
House of Styles is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
“It helps people who work late shifts or athletes who don’t get done with practice until late,” she said. “That 6 to 9 p.m. window is really helpful for them.”
For more information or to set up an appointment contact Paula at (620) 380-6050 or (620) 365-9731.

Elm Creek Community Garden gears up for spring

The award-winning Elm Creek Community Garden (ECCG) will open for its eighth year this spring. To attribute its longevity to the Iola community is an understatement.
Since its inception, through a grass roots effort, the garden has doubled in size,  with child-friendly activities, compost, two sheds, numerous shelters, benches, 16 water hydrants, handicap-accessible parking and garden plots, and a memorial garden added.
In 2005, an Allen Community College teacher wanted to start a community garden for his sociology class. The professor approached Carolyn McLean and her husband Val to start a garden in and empty field across the road from their home.
The piece of land, recently purchased by the McLeans, was cleared of trees and brush.
The professor moved to another job, leaving Val and Carolyn and other volunteers to carry on the garden. The McLeans visited other gardens across the region to gather ideas.
A board of directors was formed to help establish regulations and articles of association. The board eventually earned 501c(3) non-profit status from the Internal Revenue Service.
Val is the president, Tracy Keagle is the garden coordinator, Roberta Shirley is the vice president, and Gerry Uphoff is secretary/treasurer. All of them have been with the garden since its birth. Master Gardener John Richards also has been a huge asset.
“We are really lucky everyone has stayed around,” Carolyn said.
The garden offers people of all ages and income levels an opportunity to get involved. A plot typically costs $25, and includes everything from garden education, seeds, tools, water and the plot.
If the applicant earns less than the Kansas poverty rate he is eligible for a free plot in exchange for three hours of volunteer service. There are handicap accessible tools and small tools for young children.
There are a total of 122 plots and are assigned  on a first-come-first-serve basis. About half of the plots have been claimed for 2013.
The garden season begins March 17, but gardeners can start planting later if they want.

KEAGLE, described by Carolyn as an “instant volunteer,” works part time at the garden to oversee its upkeep. She made metal sunflowers in the plots, has laid down brick walkways, painted all the fixtures in the garden, built small patios for picnic benches and painted and laid down a hopscotch set.
“I have worked to make the garden more child friendly, so that kids have something to do instead of running through people’s gardens,” Keagle said.
Keagle’s husband built a birdhouse, which houses an electrical outlet. Keagle calls it the “condominium.”
Keagle’s creative gene has single-handedly turned the garden from a flat piece of land to a charming community garden with character, Carolyn said.
Also contributing to the garden’s attraction and success are the volunteers and donors Carolyn calls “Miracle Growers.”
“Don Diebolt has been like Santa Claus for this garden,” Carolyn said. Don Diebolt donated the first red shed, farmhouse, equipment and a lot more to the garden.
Many other businesses and organizations have donated as well. The garden has received four grants: two from the Healthcare Foundation of Greater Kansas City, one from Kansas University Inclusive Gardening Project, and one from the American Recovery Act.
Carolyn said they are always looking for more donations and volunteers.  They are in the market for picnic tables and a chipper/shredder.
For more information and an application form, contact Carolyn at (620) 365-5577.