Jonelle Leslies home at 304 S. Buckeye St. in Iola has become a horticultural showpiece with ornate floral displays carpeting her back yard. The bright show is no accident.
Leslie, who recently retired from Sterling Six Cinemas, spends hours each week tending to her various flowers.
She welcomes passersby to take a peek.
NEW YORK (AP) Construction workers sounded air horns above crowds chanting USA! USA! today as the U.S. womens national soccer team reigned supreme once again in New York Citys Canyon of Heroes.
It was four years ago to the day that crowds tossed heaps of confetti to celebrate the team and its 2015 Womens World Cup title.
Now, its the women of 2019s turn. The repeat champs beat the Netherlands 2-0 on Sunday to win the 2019 Womens World Cup, inspiring another ticker tape parade in lower Manhattan that will bring soccer fans together to rejoice in the historic win.
The parade began at 9:30 a.m. and moved up the Canyon of Heroes, a section of Broadway in lower Manhattan. The route has long hosted ticker tape parades for world leaders, veterans and hometown sports stars.
Aly Hoover, 12, of Glen Ridge, New Jersey, stood at the sidelines with a poster of the face of Alex Morgan, one of the teams stars. If she sees Morgan in the parade, she said, Im gonna scream my head off and try to get a hug.
I just want to be like them, she added.
Garret Prather brought his newborn son to celebrate how the American women made us proud on and off the field.
The parade is named for the long strands of ticker tape that used to be showered down from nearby office buildings. The tape has since been replaced with paper confetti, already drifting down from office buildings before todays parade started.
After the parade, Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio planned to honor the team with symbolic keys to the city.
The Department of Sanitation said it will have 350 workers assigned to parade cleanup with trucks, backpack blowers and brooms at their disposal.
The team had already started celebrating its record fourth Womens World Cup title. After touching down at Newark Liberty International Airport on Monday, players shared a toast and sang We Are the Champions.
They appeared on ABCs Good Morning America in Times Square on Tuesday to show off their trophy and answer questions from cheering kids.
The team has accepted an invitation to visit Congress.
The players have helped lead the global push for gender equality in the workplace, suing the U.S. Soccer Federation in March for gender and pay discrimination. At the final whistle of the final game of the tournament in Lyon, France, fans chanted Equal Pay!
U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat, introduced a bill Tuesday that would bar federal funding for the mens 2026 World Cup until the U.S. Soccer Federation provides equal pay to the womens and mens teams.
Prather, attending the parade with his newborn, said its about time women are paid the same as men. Its long overdue, he said.
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) A suburban Kansas City community colleges president has announced plans to retire just months after controversy erupted over statements he purportedly made about the affluence of its students.
Johnson County Community College said Tuesday that Joe Sopcich plans to step down July 1, 2020. The board renewed his contract last month.
A college spokesman noted that Sopcich turns 65 in April 2020.
Issues arose in February when a Democratic National Committee member live-tweeted remarks he overheard Sopcich make while discussing tuition increases with a college trustee during a breakfast at a Washington, D.C., hotel.
In one tweet, Sopcich was quoted as saying, Show me anyone who struggles at JCCC..I walk the parking lot and I see a whole lot of very nice cars.
Sopcich previously described the conversation as hyperbole.
Tuesdays Results
Pee Wee
Nelson Quarries 0,
A&W Restaurant 12
Hits for Nelson: Reed Clift, 1-1b; Truman Gryzbowski, 1-1b; Dakota Cookus, 1-3b; Baron Folk, 1-1b; Hunter Doolittle, 1-1b. Hits for A&W: Caden McClain, 1-1b; Kolton Hanson, 2-1b; Ty Shaughnessy, 2-1b, 1-3; TJ Cash, 2-1b; Kale Pratt, 3-1b; Broc Ivy, HR; Grady Allen, 2-1b; Colton Thompson, 1-1b.
Iola Pharmacy 6,
Iola Register 2
Hits for Pharmacy: Brock Michael, 2-2b; Jase Herrmann, 2-2b; Kolton Hanson, 1-1b; Milo Franklin, 1-1b, 1-2b. Hits for Register: Brody Maley, 1-1b; Keegan Hill, 1-1b; Jakolby Hill, 1-2b.
Little League
Nelson Quarries 4,
AC Regional Hospital 10
Hits for Nelson: Damian Wacker, 1-1b; Luke Maier, 2-1b; Grady Dougherty, 1-3b; Kendall Glaze, 1-1b; Kele Micahel, 1-2b; Easton Weseloh, 1-1b. Hits for AC: Kason Becker, 2-1b; Noah Gleue, 1-1b, 1-2b; Gage Scheibmeir, 2-1b; Briggs Michael, 1-2b; Jordy Kaufman, 1-1b; Korbyn Fountain, 2-1b; Tripp Chapman, 1-1b; Easton Hitchcock, 2-1b.
Iola Pharmacy 2,
Iola Insurance 7
Hits for Pharmacy: Eastin Weseloh, 1-1b. Hits for Insurance: Ashton Hesse, 2-1b; Alijah Christy, 1-1b; Will Jay, 1-1b; Justin McCullough, 1-1b.
Pigtail
El Charro Mexican Restaurant 4,
A&W Restaurant 17
Hits for El Charro: Kinzley Fountain, 2-1b; Sarah Ross, 2-1b; Jayna Ivy, 3-1b; Kaydance Frame, 1-1b; Addilyn Wacker, 1-1b; Madison Lee, 1-1b. Hits for A&W: Claire Gleue, 2-1b, 2-2b; Jayden Leavitt, 1-1b, 1-2b; Shyla Preston, 3-1b; Kamry DeLaTorre, 2-1b, 2-2b; Hayden Desmarteau, 2-1b, 2-2b; Maddie Ashworth, 3-1b; Brystal Hudlin, 1-1b, 1-2b; Libby Maier, 2-1b; Shylee Karns, 2-1b, 1-2b.
CLEVELAND (AP) For one night, the pitchers took back the power.
Hours after an awesome Home Run Derby got everyone buzzing even louder about monster shots and juiced balls, only a couple flew out of Progressive Field in the All-Star Game.
Instead, Justin Verlander blazed 97 mph heat from the start, Shane Bieber and Aroldis Chapman each struck out the side and the American League slowed a loaded NL lineup 4-3 Tuesday for its seventh straight win.
I know its the year of the home run, but pitching dominated today, Colorado slugger Nolan Arenado said.
Sure did at least until play resumes Thursday.
Facing Christian Yelich, Cody Bellinger and a bunch of boppers, the AL staff combined to strike out 16.
Baseball is a funny game, said Bieber, a most unlikely MVP after being added late to the roster.
With fans hoping to see a replay of Mondays jaw-dropping aerial show when 312 homers cleared the walls, this became the Arm-Star Game up until the late innings.
Derby champ Pete Alonso of the Mets grounded a two-out, two-run single past Gleyber Torres in the eighth to close the NLs gap. After a double steal put runners at second and third against Cleveland reliever Brad Hand, White Sox catcher James McCann made a tumbling catch on Mike Moustakas twisting foul pop to end the inning.
Chapman closed to give the AL its 19th win in 22 games, with a tie stuck in there. He got a little encouragement with two outs Yankees teammate CC Sabathia, honored this week for his contributions on and off the field, strolled to the mound to talk to the flamethrower.
Chapman then struck Yasmani Grandal for a save, giving the AL an overall 45-43-2 lead in the Midsummer Classic.
No need, either, for the experimental rule that was set to go effect: If the game went into extras, each team wouldve started the 10th with an automatic runner on second base.
Major League Baseball is on a record-shattering pace for homers this season, but no one came close to clearing the walls until Charlie Blackmon connected in the NL sixth to make it 2-1. Texas Joey Gallo countered with a solo drive in a two-run seventh.
Still, it was a far cry from last years All-Star Game that featured a record 10 home runs.
I kind of expected it, to be honest, former NL MVP Kris Bryant said. You only see them once, so they have the advantage.
There are a lot of hard throwers and great pitchers over there. Unless youve seen them before, its a difficult matchup, he said.
Cleveland favorite Michael Brantley had an early RBI double off losing pitcher Clayton Kershaw. Jorge Polanco drove in a run with an infield single for a 2-0 edge in the fifth and another scored on a double-play grounder.
I wanted to swing the bat early. I had some nervous jitters I wanted to get out, Brantley said.
Winning pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, Lucas Giolito and Shane Greene did their parts to protect the lead with scoreless innings.
Bieber dazzled in front of a chanting home crowd, striking out Willson Contreras, Ketel Marte and Ronald Acuña Jr. in the fifth with a 1-0 lead. Bieber later donated his cap to the Hall of Fame.
It was electric out there, the fans got in it and it was fun, AL manager Alex Cora of the Red Sox said. And Im glad that he got the MVP. He plays at this level. Hes really good.
The biggest misplay of the night might have been on the scoreboard. NL All-Stars David Dahl of Colorado and Willson Contreras of the Cubs had their names misspelled Davis Dahl and Wilson Contreras on the outfield videoboard. Jeff McNeil was spelled correctly, but the photo accompanying it was of Mets teammate Jacob deGrom.
That was tough, to see deGroms picture up there, McNeil said. I didnt really like that. I wanted to see my picture up there. I know my family did, too. What are you going to do, I guess, but I dont think that should happen.
Fittingly, the first batter of the game was the guy who leads the majors in home runs Yelich, the NL MVP with 31 homers at the break, hit leadoff for the first time this year.
Yelich lined out and Verlander quickly fanned Javier Báez and Freddie Freeman to finish his work.
Those lively balls that Verlander is complaining about? Didnt bother him a bit.
NL starter Hyun-Jin Ryu, deGrom and Luis Castillo threw scoreless innings to keep the NL close in the early going.
Pittsburgh dynamo Josh Bell was part of the youngest starting lineup in All-Star history, with the NL crew averaging under 26 years old.
Overall, there were 36 first-timers, a number boosted by the absence of Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, José Altuve and several past perennials. And consider this: Of the 16 AL pitchers on the 2017 All-Star roster, zero made the roster this year.
TRIBUTE
All players wore a uniform patch with No. 45 to honor late Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs. Los Angeles teammates Mike Trout and Tommy La Stella switched their jerseys to Skaggs number, and there was a pregame moment of silence.
I felt him out there with me, Trout said. To be able to represent him and what he meant to us on a stage like this is special.
UP NEXT
The regular season resumes on Thursday night with one game, Houston at Texas. All teams are back in action Friday. … Next years All-Star Game is at Dodger Stadium for the first time since 1980.
WIMBLEDON, England (AP) One of the Wimbledon semifinalists has won 23 major titles. The other three women playing Thursday have combined to win one.
If experience and accomplishments count for anything, Serena Williams has the clear advantage.
I definitely feel a lot more pressure as I got older, Williams said after beating Alison Riske in three sets in the quarterfinals, then clarifying just how much experience she actually has. Now that I am past older, I feel a little bit less pressure.
The 37-year-old Williams, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, will be playing in the semifinals at the All England Club for the 12th time. Overall, she has reached the last four at 37 major tournaments, putting her in a tie with Steffi Graf for third most in the professional era.
Contrast that with her three remaining rivals. Barbora Strycova, Williams opponent on Thursday, will be playing in first major semifinal in her 53rd Grand Slam tournament, while Elina Svitolina will also be making her debut at this stage. Only former No. 1 Simona Halep has been a Grand Slam champion, winning last years French Open, and will be playing in her seventh major semifinal.
It was always my dream. Always, to play good at this tournament was my dream, said the 33-year-old Strycova, a Czech player who has been talking about retiring this year. Its happening at this age right now. Its incredible.
Despite her less-illustrious list of achievements, Strycova is ready for the challenge of playing one of the greatest tennis players in history.
SALINA An altercation in a McDonalds parking lot Friday resulted in the death of former Iolan Scotty McMurray.
The Salina Journal reported McMurray, 32, Salina, had become involved in a physical altercation with Austin 29, Salina, Friday afternoon.
At one point, Ferguson allegedly landed a punch to McMurray, which caused McMurray to fall to the pavement, the newspaper reported. Officers arrived to find McMurray unconscious.
He was taken to the Salina Regional Health Center, where his medical condition continued to deteriorate. McMurray was moved from the emergency room to the operating room, officers told the newspaper. He was pronounced dead that evening.
Ferguson was booked into the Saline County jail on recommended charges that included aggravated battery and aggravated assault. As the investigation continued, and new and reliable information was discovered, Ferguson was released with no charges Sunday afternoon, the newspaper reported.
An investigation continues. The Journal reported an autopsy has been ordered on McMurray to determine the cause of death.
After attending Iola High School, McMurray moved to the Salina area, where he eventually became a professional welder and fabricator at ADM Milling, according to his Facebook biography.
Ivan Earl Trester Sr., 74, Iola, died Friday, July 5, 2019, at Richmond Healthcare in Richmond. Ivan was born Feb. 24, 1945, in Iola to Bert and Maxine (Sheer) Trester.
Ivan was preceded in death by his parents; wife Sharon (Burkholder) Trester; one stepson Mike Barns; and other relatives.
He survived by a son, Ivan E. Peanut Trester Jr.; two daughters, Treressa Trester and Robin Jackson; a stepson, Jeffery Burkholdter; two stepdaughters, Teresa Lindabury and Sherry Valadez; and other relatives.
A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, 1883 U.S. 54, in Iola. The family will greet friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Inurnment at Fairview Cemetery in Mildred will take place at a later date.
Memorials to Allen County Animal Rescue Facility may be left with the funeral home.
Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.
Iola police officers arrested Jeremiah Miller, 33, and Kimberly Arnold, 34, both of Iola, for suspicion of domestic battery early Sunday in the 400 block of South First Street.
Jeffery Nowell, 45, Iola, was arrested Saturday for suspicion of driving while intoxicated (third or greater offense) and felony interference with law enforcement after Iola officers were called to the parking area near the Neosho River bridge along U.S. 54.
The Iola Amateur Radio Club will host its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at Iola City Hall.
Members reported the 2019 Field Day, held near G&W Foods in Iola, was a success.
Generators provided electricity as amateurs from Allen, Anderson and Woodson counties demonstrated single sideband, voice Morse code and digital codes.