Iolan Gabe Walisky left his house around 11 a.m. on Thursday morning to buy groceries and stop for a quick cup of coffee when a neighbor called to tell him his house was on fire.…

At age 90, Merrill Hodgden’s schedule is somewhat flexible.   “I can meet with you Monday, but 3 to 5 are my office hours,” he said that morning.  When our 2 o’clock interview drifted past…

The Iola-Allen County EMS saga may soon take another turn. City officials will ask if Allen County is willing to return to the bargaining table to renegotiate the city’s ambulance contract — even if it…

Iola will soon divide its fire and ambulance services, in a move to address what city officials have described as a “critical” staffing shortage. Iola City Council members voted, 4-2, Tuesday to go along with…

Iola Elementary School students, along with area preschoolers, were treated to a visit from the Iola Fire Department and EMS. They toured the ambulance and fire trucks and learned about fire prevention and safety, including…

Iola City Council members will be asked Monday to consider splitting Iola’s fire protection and emergency medical service personnel. The proposal would assist the city in covering a chronic personnel shortage because Iola cannot find…

Iola firefighters were called to a house fire Saturday evening in the 500 block of South Fourth Street. The fire was extinguished within a few minutes, with the damage limited to a single room and…

Lt. Eric B’Hymer, a 23-year veteran of the Iola Fire Department, was recognized Friday by the LaHarpe’s Veterans of Foreign Wars post as its Emergency Medical Technician of the Year. The award is the first…

Fire officials have not determined what caused a fire that destroyed a vacant house on the city’s edge Sunday evening. Iola firefighters were called to the fire at 1371 1300 St. at 6:36 p.m., according…