Over the past two years the price of farmland in Allen County has decreased by between 10 and 30 percent, according to local bankers, real estate agents and other experts. A recent USDA report states that the decline has occurred throughout rural America and has been caused by high interest rates and low farm profits.
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Employees of the Iola Register will honor Howard James tonight at a retirement picnic planned earlier but postponed because of health problems. James retired on Jan. 1 to end a 50-year career at the newspaper. He began work as a carrier when he was 13 and worked at various jobs until he became a printer. With the exception of service in the Army in World War II, James worked at the Register throughout his life and retired as foreman of the production staff.
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Construction of the new Town and Country convenience store on North State between West and Madison is under way. It is scheduled to open by late summer.
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Senate Majority Leader Robert V. Talkington and House Speaker Mike Hayden said they thought the Legislature will act to raise the state’s beer-drinking age to 21 rather than face federal penalties if they don’t go along with the nationwide standard.
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The Iola Mill, bought earlier at auction by Howard Nelson, has been sold to Jack McFadden, Iola, and subsequently leased to Iola Grain. The Iola Grain corporation is owned by Kenneth Potter and Jackie McFadden, both of Iola.
