Colony church wants to restore holy relationship

COLONY — Bruce Symes gave the Communion meditation on “Brokeness and Restoration” at Colony Christian Church Sunday.

We are all broken and fall short of the glory of God, yet He is the Lord of everyone, whether they accept Him or not, Symes said. When we quit fighting Him, He becomes accessible to us. Jesus came into the world to do God’s will, to restore our relationship with God.

When you are discouraged, Symes said, take courage in the following verses: Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 11:28-30, 2 Corinthians  5:17, Revelation 21:5.

Pastor Chase Riebel gave the sermon on “A famine of God’s Word.” Amos was given a vision from God and told the Israelites that Jeroboam’s reign would end, they would be captives in exile, etc. They were robbing the poor and cheating the buyers of their grain. God said He would “send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread or water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.” God calls us each to be an “Amos,” to speak the word of God to others.

Bible study is at 7 a.m. Tuesdays. Adult Bible study is at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Youth group meets at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

following a 5:30 meal.

Police report

Arrests reported

Iola police officers arrested Wayne Kirkland, 26, Garnett, Sunday, for suspicion of trespassing in the 1700 block of East Street.

On Friday, Nancy Newkirk, 62, and Stephanie Russell, 66, were arrested for suspicion of domestic battery and criminal damage to property following a disturbance in the 600 block of North Sycamore Street.

Kayla R. Underwood, 20, Iola, was arrested by Iola officers Wednesday for suspicion of domestic battery and possessing alcohol as a minor.

Allen County sheriff’s deputies arrested John W. Stokes, 47, Bronson, for suspicion of driving under the influence, transporting an open container and possessing a firearm while under the influence.

Deputies arrested Sunshine S. Jones, 35, LaHarpe, July 16 for a warrant out of Crawford County relating to a drunken driving charge.

Charlie P. Lee, 42, Biloxi, Miss., was arrested by deputies July 16 on a warrant dealing with drug charges.

Brian S. Denton, 38, Humboldt, was arrested by Iola officers July 16 for suspicion of driving while suspended.

Iola officers arrested Nicole L. Likes, 37, Iola, on a pair of warrants stemming from traffic charges.

Deputies arrested Tavyn R. Springston, 19, Fort Scott, on a probation violation warrant July 15.

Garrett S. Hall, 34, Chanute, was arrested by deputies July 15 on multiple warrants stemming from drug charges.

Robert T. Klauman, 23, Chanute, was arrested by deputies July 15 on a warrant relating to a drug paraphernalia charge.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported the July 15 arrest of Rodger A. Long, 26, Welda on a pair of failure-to-appear warrants.

Deputies arrested Jennifer M. Riebel, 38, Iola, on suspicion of domestic battery July 14.

Tate D. Collins, 43, Yates Center, was arrested by KHP July 14 for suspected driving while suspended.

Deputies arrested Sarah R. Chard, 39, Humboldt, July 14 for suspicion of driving while under the influence.

Kristen L. Smith, 42, LaHarpe, was arrested by deputies July 13 for suspected driving while suspended.

Deputies arrested Paul W. Nunnery, 49, LaHarpe, for suspicion of domestic battery July 13.

Terry E. Shelton, 30, Iola, was arrested by deputies July 13 for suspicion of driving while suspended.

Frances M. Terry,  68, McCurtain, Okla., was arrested by deputies July 12 for a warrant relating to a protection order violation.

Deputies arrested Miranda R. Cain, 36, Humboldt, for suspicion of possessing drug paraphernalia July 12, as well as warrants relating to burglary, theft and criminal damage charges.

Jason L. Cole, 35, Chanute, was arrested by deputies July 11 on warrants relating to violating protection and stalking orders.

Johnny M. Brown, 31, Iola, was arrested by KHP July 11 for suspicion of possessing marijuana.

Deputies arrested Kelly D. Ewing, 48, Gas, for suspicion of possessing methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Ewing also was wanted on a probation revocation warrant.

 

Cameras stolen

Saray Flynn told Iola officers Sunday somebody stole cameras from her residence in the 1000 block of East Madison Avenue.

 

Gas meter hit

Linus Waldman, 79, was traveling in his yard in the 600 block of Alamosa Lane Thursday when he struck a gas meter with his vehicle. Waldman was not hurt.

Officers hurt in hit-and-run

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Two police officers have been hurt in a hit-and-run crash in Kansas City.

The wreck happened shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday near the Kansas Speedway. Police say the driver of a truck struck the officers’ police cruiser as they sat inside completing reports from a previous crash. The driver didn’t stop.

Police said  the injuries were minor.

Boris Johnson wins race to become UK’s next prime minister

LONDON (AP) — Brexit hard-liner Boris Johnson, one of Britain’s most famous and divisive politicians, won the race to lead the governing Conservative Party today, and will become the next prime minister in a little over 24 hours.

Then he will have just over three months to make good on his promise to lead the country out of the European Union.

Johnson resoundingly defeated rival Jeremy Hunt in the Conservative leadership contest, winning two-thirds of the votes in a ballot of about 160,000 party members across the U.K. He will be installed as prime minister Wednesday in a formal handover from Theresa May.

In a brief speech to hundreds of party members and lawmakers gathered for the announcement, Johnson radiated optimism, pledging to “deliver Brexit, unite the country and defeat Jeremy Corbyn,” leader of the opposition Labour Party.

“I think we know that we can do it, and that the people of this country are trusting in us to do it and we know that we will do it,” said Johnson, a former London mayor and foreign secretary.

“I say to all the doubters: Dude, we are going to energize the country, we are going to get Brexit done.”

U.S. President Donald Trump, who has praised Johnson in the past, tweeted his congratulations and said he will be “great.”

Trump has been very critical of May’s inability to achieve a Brexit deal and has said Johnson will do a better job.

Hunt, who trailed in the polls throughout the contest, said he was sure Johnson would “do a great job.”

“He’s got optimism, enthusiasm, he puts a smile on people’s face and he has total, unshakable confidence in our amazing country,” said Hunt, who is likely to be removed as foreign secretary by the new prime minister.

May stepped down after Parliament repeatedly rejected the withdrawal agreement she struck with the 28-nation bloc.

Famed for his bravado, quips in Latin and blond mop of hair, Johnson wooed Conservatives by promising to succeed where May failed and lead the U.K. out of the EU on the scheduled date of Oct. 31 — with or without a divorce deal.

Johnson insists he can get the EU to renegotiate — something the bloc insists it won’t do. If not, he says Britain must leave the EU by the deadline, “come what may.”

Economists warn that a no-deal Brexit would disrupt trade and plunge the U.K. into recession. Fears that Britain is inching closer to crashing out of the bloc weighed on the pound once again Tuesday. The currency was down another 0.3 percent at $1.2450, nearly a two-year low.

Carolyn Fairbairn, director of the Confederation of British Industry, said businesses needed a withdrawal agreement with the EU to restore confidence that has been badly shaken by uncertainty about the terms of Brexit.

“On Brexit, the new prime minister must not underestimate the benefits of a good deal,” she said.

The EU is adamant that the deal it struck with May will not be renegotiated.

Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, said he looked forward “to working constructively” with the new Conservative leader “to facilitate the ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement.”

British lawmakers are due to start a six-week summer break on Friday. When they come back in September, Johnson looks set for a fight with Parliament over his plans.

He will preside over a House of Commons in which most members oppose leaving the EU without a deal, and where the Conservative Party lacks an overall majority.

Education Minister Anne Milton and International Development Secretary Rory Stewart on Tuesday became the latest ministers to announce they were quitting before they could be shuffled or demoted by Johnson.

They and others plan to resist any push for a no-deal Brexit.

“We’ll have to see what Boris can muster,” said Margot James, who quit last week as digital minister but remains a Conservative lawmaker. She said she doubted Johnson would be able to get a new Brexit deal by the deadline.

“The default position is leaving without a deal, and there is a significant majority in Parliament who will work very hard to sure that doesn’t happen. And I will be among that number.”

Braves host KC for two game series

ATLANTA (AP) —PITCHING PROBABLES: Royals: Danny Duffy (4-5, 4.52 ERA) Braves: Dallas Keuchel (3-3, 3.58 ERA)

BOTTOM LINE: Atlanta heads into the matchup after a strong showing by Kevin Gausman. Gausman threw seven innings, surrendering one run on five hits with eight strikeouts against Washington.

The Braves are 30-21 in home games. Atlanta has slugged .457, good for second in the National League. Freddie Freeman leads the club with a .567 slugging percentage, including 53 extra-base hits and 25 home runs.

The Royals have gone 15-35 away from home. Kansas City has hit 98 home runs as a team this season. Jorge Soler leads the club with 27, averaging one every 13.7 at-bats.

TOP PERFORMERS: Freeman leads the Braves with 25 home runs and is slugging .567. Josh Donaldson is 10-for-32 with five home runs and 13 RBIs over the last 10 games for Atlanta.

Soler leads the Royals with 27 home runs and has 70 RBIs. Hunter Dozier is 13-for-38 with three doubles, a triple, two home runs and eight RBIs over the last 10 games for Kansas City.

LAST 10 GAMES: Braves: 6-4, .251 batting average, 4.96 ERA, outscored by eight runs

Royals: 7-3, .300 batting average, 4.30 ERA, outscored opponents by 14 runs

BRAVES INJURIES: Jacob Webb: 10-day IL (elbow), Darren O’Day: 60-day IL (forearm), Max Fried: 10-day IL (blister), Grant Dayton: 10-day IL (toe).

Ready for their closeups

The Bowlus Fine Arts Center was brimming with the energy of more than 40 young thespians Saturday for the Children?s Summer Theatre Workshop showcase.

CSTW is funded through the Daniels Bequest.

 

From left, Haley Carlin, Nautianna Goforth, Kaylie Hole and Farel Gilpin perform a CSTW skit.  PHOTO COURTESY OF PAIGE OLSON 

 

From left, elementary school students Bailey Sparks, Eliana Higginbotham, Micah Coltrane, Piper Jordan, Mosiah Fawson, and Sydney Ebberts perform a scene from the play ?Magical and Mythical Creatures,? penned and directed by Haley Carlin and Lexie Vega.  PHOTO COURTESY OF PAIGE OLSON 

 

Hearing could have fireworks

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans are pledging tough questioning of special counsel Robert Mueller when he testifies before Congress this week as Democrats plan to air evidence of wrongdoing by President Donald Trump in a potentially last-ditch bid to impeach him.

Rep. Doug Collins, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, said the American public is growing weary of the Russia investigation three months after the release of the special counsel’s 448-page report and that “any thought of impeachment is waning.” He said Republicans will be focused on making clear that the report represents a “final episode” in the Russia probe, which he described as flawed.

“Remember, the Mueller report is a one-sided report,” Collins said. “It has not been questioned from the other side. This is our chance to do that.”

Days before back-to-back hearings Wednesday, both sides seemed to agree that Mueller’s testimony could be pivotal in shifting public opinion on the question of “holding the president accountable.”

“This is a president who has violated the law 6 ways from Sunday,” said New York Rep. Jerrold Nadler, chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He argued that Mueller’s report lays out “very substantial evidence” that Trump is guilty of “high crimes and misdemeanors,” the constitutional standard for impeachment.

“We have to present — or let Mueller present — those facts to the American people … because the administration must be held accountable and no president can be above the law,” Nadler said.

The House Judiciary Committee and the House Intelligence Committee will question Mueller in separate hearings on the report. While the report did not find sufficient evidence to establish charges of criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia to swing the election, it said Trump could not be cleared of trying to obstruct the investigation . But Mueller believed Trump couldn’t be indicted in part because of a Justice Department opinion against prosecuting a sitting president.

Mueller has said he doesn’t intend to speak beyond the findings of the report in congressional hearings.

Still, Democrats on the Judiciary Committee plan to focus on a narrow set of episodes laid out in the report to direct Americans’ attention to what they see as the most egregious examples of Trump’s conduct, which point to obstruction of justice.

The examples include Trump’s directions to then-White House counsel Donald McGahn to have Mueller removed and, later, orders from Trump to McGahn to deny that happened. Democrats also will focus questioning on a series of meetings Trump had with former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski in which the Republican president directed Lewandowski to persuade then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions to limit Mueller’s investigation.

Collins, meanwhile, said Republicans will focus in part on the origins of the Russia investigation, which Trump has long derided as a political “witch hunt” as well as evidence they see of potential bias in the FBI’s handling of the probe.

“There’s going to be a lot of questions for what he did say, what he didn’t say, and how this thing started,” he said, referring to Mueller. “This is the time that the Democrats have got to show on their end how much time they have been wasting of our committee and how we have not been getting things done because they simply don’t like this president, who was elected by the people in 2016, and they’re just trying to derail him for 2020.”

Mueller’s appearance comes more than two years since the start of the Russia investigation, an extraordinary moment in Trump’s presidency when, after Trump had fired FBI Director James Comey, his Justice Department appointed Mueller to take over the inquiry into election interference and the potential role that Trump and his winning 2016 campaign may have played.

While Mueller’s testimony was once envisioned as a crystalizing event, a Watergate-style moment to uncover truths, public attention has drifted in the months since the report was released.

“We want Bob Mueller to bring it to life, to talk about what’s in that report,” said Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. “It’s a pretty damning set of facts that involve a presidential campaign in a close race welcoming help from a hostile foreign power, not reporting it but eagerly embracing it, building it into their campaign strategy, lying about it to cover up, then obstructing an investigation into foreign interference again to try to cover up.”

Intelligence committee aides have said they believe the public has received a slanted view of what Mueller found on the question of criminal conspiracy because of Trump’s repeated claims of “no collusion,” and because the details of Russia’s interference in the election — and the outreach to the Trump campaign — haven’t gotten enough attention.

“Who better to bring them to life than the man who did the investigation himself?” Schiff asked.

Nadler said he’s not worried that Republicans might seek to attack the credibility of the Russia investigation and says he hopes to take cues from the public after the hearing about “where we go from here.”

“We hope it won’t end up being a dud,” he said.

Nadler spoke on “Fox News Sunday,” Schiff appeared on CBS’ “Face the Nation” and Collins was on Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures.”

Area news

Chanute’s historic Tioga Hotel sold

CHANUTE — A Florida businessman, Caleb Walsh, purchased the Tioga Hotel in downtown Chanute and Big Hill Lodge near Cherryvale. Walsh provides affordable housing and has apartment complexes in nine states. The Tioga has 55 rooms with 16 kitchenettes on six floors, with three ballrooms and three commercial kitchens. It was built in 1929 and has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1990. It had been vacant for four years.

 

Labette County talks about wind farms

OSWEGO — Labette County commissioners heard concerns from a Parsons man about wind farm development, according to The Parsons Sun. The man called a wind farm project in Neosho County “a travesty” that led to mistrust and anger from those who questioned the proposal, he said, and asked Labette commissioners to handle the issue better if a wind farm is proposed in their county. Commissioners said they have not heard of a project but would be transparent if one came up.

 

County employee’s recording under fire

BURLINGTON — Coffey County Commissioners discussed the Kansas Open Meetings Act (KORA) after a county employee recorded parts of a recent meeting and the county clerk made a KORA request for the recording and learned only portions had been recorded, according to The Coffey County Republican. Citizens can record any or all of a public meeting, but the county lacks a policy regarding recording by county employees. Employee records, including recordings of public meetings, are subject to KORA. Commissioner Wade Bowie II said he was concerned the partial recording might appear to violate KORA.

 

Erie introduces wife-carrying event

ERIE — Most people thought it was a joke when the American Legion Post 102 said it would sponsor a wife-carrying contest to kick off this year’s Old Soldiers and Sailors Reunion, The Chanute Tribune reported. The contest was introduced as a sport in Finland in 1992 and the competition has spread through other countries, with a national organization in the U.S. There are several ways to carry a wife, with the most common the Estonian carry in which the wife hangs upside-down with her legs around the husband’s shoulders, holding onto his waist. Matrimony isn’t actually required for teams. Five teams participated in Erie.

 

Wheat harvest off to slow start in area

GARNETT — The local wheat harvest was delayed by wet weather, The Anderson County Review reported. Anderson County farmers planted just over 6,000 acres of wheat this year, roughly the same as last year. Only 41 percent of wheat has been harvested so far this year, well behind 89 percent at this point last year and 84 percent for the five-year average.

Equifax to pay up to $700M in data breach settlement

WASHINGTON (AP) — Equifax will pay up to $700 million to settle with the U.S. and states over a 2017 data breach that exposed Social Security numbers and other private information of nearly 150 million people.

The settlement with the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission, as well as 48 states and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, would provide up to $425 million in monetary relief to consumers, a $100 million civil money penalty, and other relief.

The breach was one of the largest ever to threaten the private information. The consumer reporting agency, based in Atlanta, did not detect the attack for more than six weeks. The compromised data included Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses, driver license numbers, credit card numbers and in some cases, data from passports.

“The consumer fund of up to $425 million that we are announcing today reinforces our commitment to putting consumers first and safeguarding their data —and reflects the seriousness with which we take this matter,” said Equifax CEO Mark Begor.

Equifax stock, which plunged 30% in the days following the disclosure of the breach, have returned to levels where they traded before the incident.

At the opening bell, shares of Equifax Inc. rose 2%, to $140.26. A share cost $141.45 in the hours before the breach was disclosed on Sept. 7, 2017.

Affected consumers may be eligible to receive money by filing one or more claims for conditions including money spent purchasing credit monitoring or identity theft protection after the breach and the cost of freezing or unfreezing credit reports at any consumer reporting agency.

All impacted consumers would be eligible to receive at least 10 years of free credit-monitoring, at least seven years of free identity-restoration services, and, starting on Dec. 31 and extending seven years, all U.S. consumers may request up to six free copies of their Equifax credit report during any 12-month period.

If consumers choose not to enroll in the free credit monitoring product available through the settlement, they may seek up to $125 as a reimbursement for the cost of a credit-monitoring product of their choice. Consumers must submit a claim in order to receive free credit monitoring or cash reimbursements.

“Companies that profit from personal information have an extra responsibility to protect and secure that data,” said FTC Chairman Joe Simons. “Equifax failed to take basic steps that may have prevented the breach that affected approximately 147 million consumers. This settlement requires that the company take steps to improve its data security going forward, and will ensure that consumers harmed by this breach can receive help protecting themselves from identity theft and fraud.”

The announcement Monday confirms a report by The Wall Street Journal that the credit reporting agency had reached a deal with the U.S.

The company said earlier this year that it had set aside around $700 million to cover anticipated settlements and fines.

The settlement must still be approved by the federal district court in the Northern District of Georgia.