Iola Pharmacy began in 1973 when pharmacists Jim Arnott and Bret Lawrence purchased Cooksey’s Drug Store at 1 E. Madison, followed by the purchase of Eyler Drug, formerly Cook’s Drug Store, in 1975.
In 1987, the pharmacy added to its customer base by purchasing Knorp Drug, which was located in the Iola Plaza.
Arnott became sole owner in 1988. Over the next few years pharmacists Jeff Dieker, 1991, Bill Walden, 1993, and Jim Bauer, 1994, became partners with Arnott in the growing business. In 2007, Travis Coffield bought into the practice.
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The new equipment warehouse for the Allen County Road and Bridge Department is to be completed this November. The warehouse is being built on land purchased by the county commission near the defunct Lehigh plant.
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The Iola City Commission has issued an austere Christmas lighting policy aimed at reducing electrical power use by as much as two-thirds over that required for last year’s Christmas lighting. The commissioners have ordered that no decorative lighting will be installed on public buildings. Other festive lights will be turned on for only three hours each day and then only on certain dates. City superintendent Jim Wilson has directed city offices to lower thermostats to 68 degrees, to turn off lights not needed for security or in areas not being used, and to close overhead doors in city garages as quickly as possible. Wilson also asked employees to conserve fuel as much as possible. “I sincerely believe,” said Wilson, “if all citizens cooperate wholeheartedly in the conservation of energy of all types that a rationing at the federal level can be averted.”
