Come and join the fun of wine tasting at the Elk County Community and Education Foundation’s annual event on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 3 p.m.

Steve Ewing will be speaking about the different types of wines that he will be providing, and he loves to answer any wine questions that you might have. Steve and his wife Marilyn Miller Ewing (formerly of Elk County) will add their vivacious spirit to the night.

Ticket prices will remain the same bargain of $12.50 per person. That includes excellent wine and appetizers in addition to the great company. Tickets will be on sale in each town in Elk County. Posters will advise local board members who have tickets. Officers are Shari Kaminska, Deanna Cannon, Joanna Hunter and Linda Cooke , who are always ready to sell some tickets.

The ECCEF has been providing funding this year for building and/or transportation projects for every community and ongoing scholarships and educational events. This year our focus has been in supporting Elk-Konnected too.

We invite you to stop by and meet our members and friends. We love to have social events for Elk County while we support its progress.

The annual “Blues on the Green” concert will be held in Longton on Saturday, Oct. 4. Jamming under the stars will be Dr. Fuzz and the Antidotes, Harry Williams and Co., and Howlerz.

Added attractions will be the Rack Shack’s barbecue and smoked meats from Sedan, Longton’s own B.K.’s Beer Garden, and Bud’s Firework Show.

There will be no admission charged at the gate, but everyone is urged to help Kay and Richard Claytor out with expenses with a free-will donation.

The free concert will start at 6 p.m., at Kay and Richard Claytor’s yard, 9th & Delaware.

Starting Thursday, Sept. 18, the National Georaphic-featured pictures of the Flint Hills, which are famous both state and nationwide, will be on display in the libraries of Elk County.

The total display consists of 32 posters of pictures taken by photographer Jim Richardson and published in National Geographic Magazine recently.

If you have not seen these lovely pictures of our area featured in National Geographic in 2007, visit the libraries in Howard, Moline, Longton and Grenola from Sept. 18 to Sept. 25. Starting Sept. 26, the pictures will be featured in the Elk County Courthouse in conjunction with the Elk River Festival. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to see the Flint Hills through the eyes of photographer Jim Richardson.

Americans have always lived in a land of possibility—a place where the grass is “hopeful green stuff,” as the poet Walt Whitman put it. Our habit is to wonder what we can make of a place, to gaze at the future instead of the present. As a result, nature often lies hidden beneath our expectations. That’s why the Flint Hills of Kansas—the last great swath of tallgrass prairie in the nation—can be so hard to grasp. The Flint Hills are no longer hard to get to, no longer a matter of ox train and overland trail from somewhere east of the Missouri River. They’re transected by roads of every description now. But when you get to the hills, when you rise onto the low shield of flint and limestone that defines them and walk up onto the highest brow and stand into the wind that’s trying to pry your ears apart, what do you see?

Open sky, open land, unending horizon, the “limitless and lonesome prairie,” to quote Whitman again. Nothing much stands between herds of bison and herds of cattle, between the millions of acres of tallgrass prairie that once stretched across the plains and the millions of acres of corn and soybeans growing there now.

Historically, we have valued the prairie grasses mainly as cattle fodder or as placeholders till the sod could be broken and crops planted, crops that are themselves just placeholders until the houses eventually come.

The prairie topography is almost too subtle for us, which may be one reason the National Park System contains only a single unit dedicated to grassland—the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Chase County, Kansas, the heart of the Flint Hills.

The prairie is sometimes called a sea of grass—a metaphor that points to the endless green expanse and the wavelike motion of the grasses. But there is also a tide in these grasslands—a cycle of growth that sweeps chronologically across the Flint Hills. High tide comes early in the year.

The prairie swells into life in early spring, and if fire comes then, the plants respond with a redoubled burst of growth. The fires clear away last year’s plant debris, letting in more light and warming the soil.

Big bluestem—one of the dominant grasses in the Flint Hills (Andropogon gerardii) persists from year to year, spreading by seed and rhizome, creating an underground web of coarse roots near the surface as well as fine root fibers that may reach eight feet (two meters) deep where the soil allows. What grows above ground—the tillers—is essentially disposable.

The actual growing tip of the plant lies low to the earth in spring and is undisturbed when the tillers are cropped or singed. Like most of the other plants in the tallgrass ecosystem, big bluestem actually rejoices in grazing and fire, if they come at the right time of year.

September 11, 2001 has become a day we all remember…where we were… what we were doing…how we heard. Images broadcast into our living rooms brought the horror home as we stared transfixed at our televisions, unable to look away…not believing what we were seeing.

Returning from a court hearing to the Newark (Ohio) City Law Director’s Office, a news bulletin came across my radio about a plane hitting one of the Trade Center Towers. Summoning a co-worker to the police department’s radio room in the basement of the city building, we stood with grim faced officers in silent disbelief watching the events unfold. Then the second plane hit, ending all hope this was a terrible accident.

NOVA (National Organization for Victim Assistance) immediately formed a national crisis response team of senior members from five state teams: Ohio, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Florida and New Jersey. That first NOVA team consisted of 42 members originally sent to be the in-person, next- of-kin death notification teams.

I was one of Ohio’s eight responders on that first team to be staged in the old train station at Liberty Park in Jersey City, directly across the Hudson River from Ground Zero. Since all planes were grounded, we drove a rented, 15 passenger van picking up team members along I-70 as we headed east. Not knowing if we were going into a war zone, we hugged our families good-bye, waving until they disappeared into the distance.

When we arrived, helmeted soldiers in camouflage gear carrying M16s guarded the sandbagged entrances to the train station and checked our ID’s. We walked in silence to the railing along the river, looking in disbelief at the continuing plumes of acrid smoke that rose into a deceptively normal, bright blue sky. F-16s swooped low over the Hudson screaming as they passed, shaking every pane of glass.

A parade of helicopters constantly shuttled body bags from Ground Zero to a temporary morgue set up in tents outside the station; but there were no notifications to be made. Bodies were incinerated forcing forensic identification of remains. We were reassigned to act as escorts for shell shocked survivors, assisting them with paperwork, filing for benefits…filling out questionnaires and taking evidence to help with identification… dental records, hair brushes, tooth brushes. We hugged them, cried with them…listened to their stories …helped them hang pictures of their loved ones on the ‘Memory Wall’.

Children came carrying letters and hand drawn pictures. One little girl, the daughter of a missing firefighter, had painted a picture to comfort her distraught mother. It showed her father in full firefighting gear standing outside the two burning towers with planes embedded in the sides.

Flames shot out of one side as the buildings toppled onto her father. She patted her mother while we hung the painting as she expressed relief that her greatest fear, felt by all firefighters’ families, had not been realized…”See, Mommy, the fire didn’t get him.”

Liberty Park was transformed into a Family Assistance Center (FAC) with trailers circling a courtyard offering services for family survivors: the Red Cross, United Way, Salvation Army, Small Business Administration, banking and insurance services, and mental health workers.

The Attorney General’s Office was there to expedite death certificates. Bless the Baptists who came with their traveling child care service. Their staff took care of babies and children so parents were free to concentrate on forms and answer difficult questions.

Later in the month, a small Buddhist group from Taiwan set up a trailer at the center offering $200.00 to each surviving family; sincerely and graciously expressing their sorrow to each victim and apologizing that they were unable to give more. They were my first experience with an organization from another country coming to the aid of the United States.

As a former police detective, I was partnered with Det. Tony Sanchez of the Fort Collins, Colo., PD. A bear of a man with a gentle manner and a NOVA member, Tony came to the FAC on his own to help.

We were assigned to the PATH precinct of the Port Authority PD to provide crisis intervention for the officers who had lost 13 members of their house in the attacks.

Officers would not talk with mental health personnel or command officers for fear of being deemed unfit for duty, but they would talk with another officer. They were exhausted, both mentally and physically, but they wouldn’t stop…convinced if anyone could survive, it would be the PATH officers. Shifts were changed to 12 hours, 7A-7P.
At the beginning of each shift, they knelt down together as a priest blessed them and prayed for their safety. On their off time they dug or carried buckets at the pile, refusing to give up, returning to the precinct house for short breaks to eat or nap in the hallways.

They wore miners’ helmets with large lights, their clothes filthy, hollow eyes looking out of soot blackened faces. One patrolman, who broke down with Tony, apologized for his tears by saying, “I hope you won’t tell anyone I cried like a baby.” Tony hugged him and replied, “You didn’t…you cried like a man.” That was one of the most sensitive responses I’ve ever heard.

Restaurateurs and caterers brought in beautifully prepared foods to the precinct house from cancelled celebrations, along with ornately iced confections and pearl-draped, multi-tiered wedding cakes. Officers ate in silence, all eyes on CNN’s ever present reporting from the scene.

I wish President Bush could have seen the reaction to his news conference when he held up George Howard’s badge, sent to him by George’s mother. The patrol room erupted as the officers hugged and cheered, bolstered by the thought of the president honoring their comrade. George was one of their 13 lost.

Officers, eyeing my badge, told me they had been BANNED from Ohio! As the story went, their PATH Gator’s softball team had traveled to Dayton for the national tournaments.

Someone came up with the good idea to buy beer for a group of homeless men and form them into a parade. Marching behind the blare of their bagpipes through downtown to city hall… the ‘Gators’ left the drunken and loudly singing group on the courthouse steps. City fathers were not amused. During the final awards ceremony, it is alleged there was a team ‘mooning’ incident which prompted the harried mayor to proclaim, “You’re ALL a bunch of SCUMBAGS!!” “Don’t EVER come back to Ohio!!” When watching reruns of the burning and collapsing towers… know that the officers running towards the buildings are some of those same ‘scumbags’.

Kenneth Tietjen was a PATH precinct officer. An all-American boy born on the 4th of July, 1970, he was handsome, brash and brave. Not a son of Sedan, but a son for all of us to be proud. He was off duty on September 11, watching the news.

At the report of the first crash, he grabbed on his uniform, ran out and commandeered a cab to the scene. There, he met up with four officers who had come together in one cruiser. At 31, he was the senior officer and immediately took charge of his squad.

Each cruiser carried six air packs in the trunk; the five each took a pack with instructions to help people out of the burning buildings. Kenny carried an elderly man down out of a stairwell. When their oxygen depleted, the team met back outside where Kenny directed them to get people away from the towers to safety, then taking the last remaining air pack, he ran back inside. Then the tower collapsed.

At his funeral service, the elderly man he had initially carried out introduced himself to Kenny’s parents. Because of the air pack, he couldn’t see his rescuer’s face, but carried against the young officer’s chest…the man saw and remembered the unusual nametag…’TIETJEN’. His family was most grateful to learn of the events prior to their son’s death, knowing he died bravely in the service of others, doing the job he loved.

I was honored to meet Kenny’s mother and sister at the FAC in November when they came to accept his urn and American flag.

His mother gave me his funeral card, told this story told to her by the other officers, and asked that I show people his picture and tell them her son died a hero. Engaged to be married in October 2001, his fiancée’s six year old son watched the towers fall on TV, then quietly went into Kenny’s room taking his pillow off the bed. He has slept with it since.

As September 11 approaches once again, memories of that day and time will touch each of us. My most overpowering memory of that time was of my partner and me accompanying the lieutenant and sergeant to the pile when the remains of Officer Uhuru Houston and Officer Clinton Davis were found. They were together and identified by the serial numbers on their guns.

It was around 1 a.m. andspotlights cast an eerie light through rising smoke and fluttering ashes while a red glow emanated from deep fissures in the debris.

As the call was relayed from worker to worker that bodies were being removed, all other digging stopped. A crane raised a yellow bucket up and over to the knot of firemen on the pile, then lowered to the workers.

Someone yelled, “We need a flag!” A fireman scrambled over the rocks, carefully carrying an American flag, gently draping the body bag as it was lifted into the bucket. Once again the crane lifted the bucket, then slowly swung it to the edge of the pile where the Lieutenant waited with a priest. We lined up at attention with police and firemen in two parallel lines, forming a corridor to the waiting ambulance. After a short prayer and blessing, six stoic PATH officers stepped out of the lines to lift and carry the gurney past the makeshift honor guard. I will never forget the eyes of those men.

I still worry about one young officer, only on the job for a few months, who was the only survivor of his squad. When they entered the tower after the first strike, a fireball blasted down through the center elevator shaft exploding into the lobby. The young man was able to duck behind the marble escalator but saw bodies being blown through the air. A fireman found him outside covered in blood. When he tried to get a hold of him saying, “Come on Buddy, you’re hurt…you’re hurt.” The young man refused help as he stood, arms outstretched crying…”It’s not my blood…it’s not my blood!” And it wasn’t.

If there is a pure sound of grief, it is surely bagpipes. Bagpipes escorted funeral processions and announced the arrival of more urns being delivered to the FAC. The beautifully simple wooden urns containing ashes from Ground Zero were marched in carried by somber NJ Troopers to be presented with an American flag to surviving family members. Each family received a private ceremony in our chapel for the presentation.

Officer Jim Lynch’s brother came to receive his brother’s ashes. He brought a photo to hang on the wall of two, handsome, smiling brothers on a deep-sea fishing boat.

On that beautiful sunny day, the brothers hoisted beers toward the camera with their arms draped over the other’s shoulders, their heads butted together in joyous celebration. “This is how I remember him,” he said.

As Mr. Lynch climbed up onto a chair to hang the picture in a high spot, I braced his leg to help him balance as he leaned into the wall.

Something fell past my face… I looked down to the floor realizing as they hit and splashed, they were tears. Of all memories of that time, of all the stories of heroism and survival, of all the brave and amazing people, the most poignant of all were those tears of a brother.

Scott Hills turned red and his voice cracked as he talked about another case of vandalism on the Sedan campus where he is superintendent.

“I’ve had enough, and I know you’ve had enough, too,” he said to a an informal assembly of Sedan High School freshmen through seniors last Friday morning.

He showed pictures on a big screen of a large window that recently had been shattered in the new greenhouse which is part of the vocational agriculture building.

Hills said the school’s students, teachers and staff still haven’t gotten over major vandalism that took place two years ago at the school.

He showed pictures of that vandalism, noting that many students probably never saw it in its entirety.

More than $60,000 in damages were incurred during those break-ins. Hills said the vandals gained entry into every building on campus. The pictures showed desks that were upended, broken trophies, numerous shattered windows and display cases, broken computers, office equipment and vending machines.

In the ensuing months, the school has experienced other acts of vandalism, mostly caused by breaking glass or door levers.

“I just wanted to visit with you this morning as a fellow Blue Devil,” Hills said. “For the moment, forget that I’m your superintendent — I’m a graduate of this school, just as you will be soon. And I know it upsets you just as much as it does me to see the result of people who are expressing their hate for our school.”

Hills emphasized that he was not accusing Sedan students of the crimes. He simply felt the burden to “lay it on the line.”

“We all hear things from time to time,” he said. “I’m asking you, as a fellow Sedan Blue Devil, to keep your eyes and ears open. When you hear of something that might help stop this vandalism or lead to the arrest of those who committed the crimes of two years ago — please tell somebody!”

He pointed out several teachers in the auditorium who graduated from SHS. “You can tell them, or any teacher, or any adult, or your minister, or the police, or just a friend. But if you know something that will help us — please don’t keep it to yourself,” he said.

Hills admitted it is hard to get past such a barage of hate that took place two years ago.

“We don’t know if it was someone who hated our blue blazers, or our good sports traditions or our academic standing progress,” Hills said. “Or maybe it’s just somebody who is awfully unhappy. But whoever it is will say something at some point, and that’s when you can do your part for your school. Go tell somebody and let’s get this situation corrected.”

Hills said new video cameras have been installed on the campus and he believes that has helped to reduce unwanted visitors to the campus after hours.

He pointed out the school’s constant efforts to make students successful.

“It’s part of our purpose as your teachers and administrators,” he said.

“We want this to be a safe place to attend school, and we care about you,” Hills said.

Before the meeting ended, he and Principal Mike Todd extolled many of the students’ achievements and noted upcoming events that involve Blue Devil Pride.

“Help us out if you can,” Hills said.

Because of space restraints, all meeting minutes from the Sept. 10 edition can be found here:

ELK COUNTY COMMISSION
The Elk County Commission met for the regular meeting on Aug. 25.
After the meeting was called to order the minutes were approved Joe Fullhart, representing the City of Grenola, spoke during the Public Forum requesting the County’s help in knocking down some buildings in Grenola while they were working in the area. The Commissioners gave their approval.
Terry Countryman spoke inquiring about the status of rock & fuel in the County regarding road repair. Countryman said the Wolf Trail was a disaster after all of the recent rains. Commissioner Jontra said he would speak to the District 1 Road Foreman about the problem.
Billy Bunyard Noxious Weed Director spoke requesting the purchase of a bush-hog for the Weed Department, so he or someone could bush-hog when they weren’t spraying. Bunyard said bush-hogging is an approved method of weed control. Bunyard said there is money in the Special Equipment Fund to purchase the bush-hog. The Commissioners advised Bunyard to get bids for the next meeting. Bunyard said he had sprayed 262 miles of brush at a cost of approximately $31 per mile.
Chairman McDonald opened the Public Hearing for RWD #2 at 1:10. Mike West of SCKEDD updated the Commissioners on RWD #2. West said this was the 3rd time the RWD #2 board had come before the Commissioners asking for support and signatures on the application for the Community Block Grant. West said he believed the project was stronger this time around. West said he would be contacting several potential water district customers to request cost related to buying bottled water to drink and hauling water for other household use. West had the Commissioners take care of 3 items of business associated with the RWD #2 grant application.
Commissioner Hendricks made the motion to approve Resolution 08-08 certifying legal authority to apply for the 2009 Kansas Small Cities Community Development Block Grant and authorizing the Commissioners to sign said application. Commissioner McDonald seconded the motion and it carried.
Commissioner Jontra made the motion to approve entering into an Inter-local Agreement with RWD #2. Commissioner McDonald seconded the motion and it carried.
Commissioner Hendricks made the motion to approve the Residential Anti-displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan. Commissioner McDonald seconded the motion and it carried. West said this was only a formality as no demolition of dwellings will take place because of RWD #2 and there will no displacement.
Shelby Perkins thanked the Commissioners for their support of the RWD #2 project.
SCKEDD Representative Michael West informed the Commissioners that it was time to select a Grant Administrator and Writer for the RWD #2 grant application. West will send papers for the selection process. County Clerk Kaminska reported only 2 applications had been received. The Commissioners will make a selection at the next meeting.
SCKEDD Representative Michael West had some information on possible funding for the much needed repair of the Courthouse roof. County Clerk Donna Kaminska had contacted West to see if he knew of any possible funding for the repair. West said he would look into the matter and report at today’s meeting. West gave an overview of options to obtain funding for the roof repair. Potential sources of funding were a Heritage Trust Fund grant through the Kansas State Historical Society and Kansas State Tax Credit for Historic Preservation. West said the first step would need to be getting the Courthouse on the State or National Historic Register, which would limit future exterior changes that would modify the appearance. The downside to being on the Register would be that the County would have to get approval before any changes could be made to the exterior. West said because of Elk County’s size and economics, there aren’t any funds available to make changes to the Courthouse, so he didn’t see that as a problem. The Commissioners decided to include replacement of the Courthouse heating system in the grant application and asked West to proceed with the application process. West wanted someone from the County to accompany him to a meeting in Salina on October 6th that will discuss the application process for both the Heritage Fund and the Tax Credits. The Commissioners asked Bob Barrow or Byrdee Miller to attend the meeting for the County. The deadline for the HTF grant application is March 1, 2009.
County Clerk Donna Kaminska reported on visiting with Gray County concerning trash. Kaminska said they didn’t have any spec sheets to share.
County Treasurer Deanna Jones requested the passing of Resolution 08-09 authorizing Jones and her new deputy Rachel Wilson to execute documents and make deposits and withdrawals from the Municipal Investment Pool. Commissioner Hendricks made the necessary motion and Commissioner McDonald seconded it. Motion carried.
County Health Nurse Kandy Dowell requested the signature of Chairman McDonald on the Public Health Preparedness Grant application. Commissioner Jontra moved to approve McDonald signing the application. Commissioner Hendricks seconded the motion and it carried. McDonald signed the application.
Harley Schlotterbeck of Schlotterbeck & Burns presented a draft of the 2009 County Budget. The Commissioners had re-worked the budget presented at a previous meeting and Schlotterbeck returned with changes made. Commissioner McDonald made the motion to approve the budget with one change for publication. Commissioner Jontra seconded the motion and it carried. The public hearing for the budget will be Sept. 29 at 1:15 p.m.
County Attorney Marla Foster Ware discussed documents she had received from the attorney for the Caney River Wind Project. Ware said she had issues with some of the verbiage in the road maintenance agreement. Ware wanted to be clear on just what the County would have to do as far as roads were concerned.
Acting Road Supervisor Sharon Wagner gave the Road Department report. Wagner said she had placed a help wanted ad for District 3 on SKT channel 2 and in the Flint Hills Express. Wagner said they were working on the culverts on Grain Road and should be on Road 5A by Wednesday. Wagner again brought up the subject of comp time for one of the road employees. Steve Berry had accumulated comp time during flooding to use as vacation time with the approval of Dick Scott the former Public Works Director. The issue was discussed by the Commissioners at a previous meeting, but was re-visited today.
After several other items on the agenda were addressed, the meeting was adjourned.

SEDAN CITY COUNCIL
The Sedan City Council met for its regularly scheduled meeting on Aug. 18, at 7 p.m. at City Hall with mayor Tim Hills presiding. The council members present were: Judy Tolbert, Theresa Wilson, Brett Dickens, and Larry Powell. The employees present were: Sherry Miller, John Miller and Cash Kimple. Ralph Anthony and Ken Henderson were also present.
A motion to approve the amended agenda was made by Larry Powell and seconded by Judy Tolbert. The motion carried.
A motion to approve the minutes of the Aug. 4 meeting was made by Theresa Wilson and seconded by Brett Dickens. The motion carried.
A motion to approve the bills in the amount of $71,226.41 was made by Larry Powell and seconded by Judy Tolbert. The motion carried.
During the public forum, Ken Henderson voiced some concern about the availability of handicap parking on Main Street and complained about automobiles dodging him while riding his motorized wheel chair.
Ralph Anthony, with SKIL was present to visit with the council about the programs his organization has to offer to the city and community.
John Miller requested permission to spend $2,800 to hire Curtis Kiplinger to pour a cement apron to fix the water problem at the intersection of School and County Road.
Brett Dickens moved and Larry Powell seconded a motion to approve the request to fix the intersection at School and County Road at a cost of $2,800. The motion carried.
At 7:40 p.m. Larry Powell moved and Judy Tolbert seconded to go into executive session for 20 minutes for the purpose of discussing personnel. The motion carried. The counsel requested that Cash Kimple stay for the executive session. The regular session resumed at 8 p.m. Mayor Hills advised the session was held to discuss personnel and that no decisions were made.
Larry Powell moved and Theresa Wilson seconded a motion to place officer Shawn Butler on suspension with pay until the next council meeting, at which time the council will reevaluate the situation. The motion carried.
Mayor Hills advised that each council member was given a copy of the Fair Board financial statement.
The council discussed unsightly properties and the possibility of issuing citations.
The next meeting was scheduled for Sept. 2.
Brett Dickens made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Theresa Wilson seconded the motion. The motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

HOWARD CITY COUNCIL
The Howard City Council met at City Hall on Aug. 18. Those present were Mayor Clark, Bob Winn, John Cooke, Mark Cookson, Wayne Willhite, Gary Harrod, and Kay Howell, City Clerk.
Also present were Betty Barnes, Twilight Manor Administrator, Marla Foster Ware, City Attorney, Jason Portenier, Police Chief, Kevin Mitchell, Water Superintendent, and Rob Cookson.
Betty Barnes was present with a report on the Nursing Home. She stated they have 43 residents with 5 part A Medicare. She also thanked Marlin and Nadine Baumgartel for their hard work at Jackson Park. It is really looking good. Betty stated they have filled all open positions at the home. They will have the exercise classes up and going by September. She is still not sure about the bus, as it was worked on again. She presented hand outs about cost of new bus. This was tabled for another meeting. Council reviewed the Nursing Home bills and financial statement.
Rob Cookson was requested to appear and show cause why his old school building structure should not be condemned as an unsafe or dangerous structure and ordered repaired or demolished. Cookson spoke to the council and stated that with the help of the local Lions club he has the building secure. They helped clean up the area and he has boarded up the main level windows and has secured the doors except for one door and he will take care of it. The council asked him why we should not condemn it. He stated he would like to save the building, but it will take some time to get information on grants. Several people spoke on trying to save and renovate the old school. It was also stated that he needs to get a professional grant writer.
Rob said he is not against turning the building over to the city. Several residents stated they are not in favor of that for the reason it will be city taxes that will pay for it. If he signs it over that will mean the city will have to do something right away. It was asked if Rob was going to put a roof on it. He stated not at this time. He did state he is president of the corporation that owns the grade school.
The council and Rob discussed giving him 30 days. There was further discussion on this subject. Wayne Wilhite made a motion to give Rob Cookson until Nov. 3, to come up with plans for the old school house and it was approved.
There was further discussion on this subject. Mayor Clark stated we are needing a committee to come up with some ideas on the old school. The Mayor asked for volunteers. The council members all agreed. Those appointed to the committee is Glen Illg, Henry Jacobs, Larry Smith, Patrick Perkins, and John Ed Robertson. Rob Cookson will be available for this committee. The committee will report back to the council. They also stated the owner needs to get a quote on removing the asbestos. They will explore grant money. Also one resident stated maybe we can get donation money to make it a recreation, fire house or something for the community.
The council reviewed the sewer pipeline specifications to give to contractors for the work at the sewer pump station to the lagoons. They added a time line of 60 days from time excepted. The council approved the specifications.
Kevin Mitchell was present to discuss the pumps at the water plant. The council wants to get information and cost to upgrade. He had gotten the quote for one but will get more information. He also wants to attend the A WW A Annual Conference September 17-19 in Kansas City. The council approved the conference.
Jason Portenier Chief Police wants to purchase a new radar machine. Cmn. Cooke made the motion to purchase the radar for $1,995 and it was approved.
The Council and Jason discussed court costs. The cost was raised to $70.
Martina Hubbell has resigned as Municipal Judge. The motion was made to appoint David Brace acting Municipal Judge and then approved.
Several other meeting items were discussed and the meeting was adjourned.

GRENOLA CITY COUNCIL
Grenola City Council met in regular session Sept. 4, at 6:30 p.m. in Grenola Complex Building.
Those present were Jim Carmichael, Joe Fulhart, Allen Moore, Richard Wells, Dixie Conklin, Preston Tillapaugh, Elmer Wolfe, Judy Shore, Cristen Bahr, Adam Arbuckle and Andrea Arbuckle.
Richard Wells moved to accept the August 7, 2008 minutes as printed. Allen Moore seconded. Motion was carried.
Allen Moore moved to approve the September bills for payment. Joe Fullhart seconded. Motion carried.
Cristen Bahr requested assistance with Octoberfest awards. Richard Wells moved to give the same as last year. Joe Fullhart seconded. Motion was carried.
Allen Moore moved to assist a customer with a leak the same that has been done in the past. Richard Wells seconded. Motion was carried.
Joe Fullhart moved to rent equipment from Arbuckle and Hopper and get the demo project finished. Richard Wells seconded. Motion was carried. A big thank you goes to all that has, and will assist in this project.
A clean up day is scheduled for Sat., Sept. 20. As before do not put tires, batteries or hazard waste in this cleanup dumpster. A separate container will be available for metal.
The Grenola Volunteer Fire Department meets every Wed. evening until the weather doesn’t allow it.
Allen Moore moved to give Preston Tillapaugh a one dollar an hour raise to be included for the next pay period. Richard Wells seconded. Motion was carried.
The Winfield Fire Department has given the fire department some air packs. A thank you gift will be purchased by Richard Wells on behalf of the city and given to them. This was approved with a motion by Joe Fullhart and seconded by Allen Moore.
Richard Wells moved to purchase two loads of 1 1/2 inch road stone. One to be truck spread on road by Christian Church and the other to be stock piled. Allen Moore seconded. Motion was carried.
Joe Fullhart moved to purchase a supply of master locks and keys. Allen Moore seconded. Richard Wells volunteered to make this purchase. Motion was carried.
Foe Fullhart asked to see a list of complaints each month. Allen Moore seconded. Motion was carried.
Joe Fullhart moved to sponsor an outside movie night on October 4, 2008. Richard Wells seconded. Motion was carried.
Allen Moore moved to supply a building key to the fire chief. Richard Wells seconded. Motion was carried.
Richard Wells moved to adjourn at 8:40 p.m. Allen Moore seconded. Motion was carried.

Severy Elementary will continue to participate in the inkjet recycling program this year. This program is in conjunction with the Empties4Cash Company. Here is what the program is about:

• The empty inkjet cartridges that are usually thrown away as trash can be recycled and remanufactured.

• Bring those empty cartridges to school for the collection boxes.

• Severy Elementary gets paid up to $4 for each empty inkjet cartridge that has a print head, regardless of the brand or type.

• Severy Elementary needs OEM inkjet cartridges that have print heads from all of the following brands of printers: HP, Lexmark, Dell, Canon.

Epson print cartridges can be accepted, since the Epson cartridges are just ink tanks without a print head.

Those donating are asked to put the cartridge in the original box that you would have thrown away after it has been replaced to keep it safe from damages and spills, or a Ziploc bag.

Over $500 has already been raised for the school through inkjet donations.

BY ANDY TAYLOR
Prairie Star

SEDAN — The name of Cash Kimple, Sedan police chief, will appear on the Nov. 4 general election ballot as an independent candidate for Chautauqua County Sheriff.

Lori Richmond, Chautauqua County Clerk and chief election officer, confirmed that Kimple had filed for the sheriff’s position as an independent candidate before noon Monday, Aug. 4, as stipulated by state law. Kimple filed as an independent candidate with a petition bearing enough signatures of registered voters to have his name placed on the Nov. 4 general election ballot. Had Kimple chosen to seek an independent candidacy by not using a petition, he would have had to file for office before the June registration deadline, which is when all other party candidates would have had to file their registration papers.

“Only those independent candidates who file with a petition can formally file for office before noon on the day before the primary election,” said Richmond, noting that the primary election was held on August 5th. “As a result of having enough signatures certified on his petition, Kimple’s name will appear on the November 4th general election ballot for the race for county sheriff. He will be designated as an independent candidate in that race.

In the Aug. 5 primary election, Perry Russell of Peru defeated the incumbent, Sheriff Frank Green, for the Republican Party nomination. No Democrat Party candidates had filed for the sheriff’s campaign.

Following the election, Green decided to seek re-election through a write-in campaign on the Nov. 4 general election ballot.

This means the race for county sheriff will have three candidates: Russell, the Republican Party winner; Kimple, the independent candidate; and Green, the write-in candidate. Of those three candidates, only Kimple’s and Russell’s names will appear on the ballot. Persons wishing to elect Green will have write in his name on the election ballot.

Voters in Chautauqua County will determine on Nov. 4 whether to allow liquor by the drink in local establishments.

The general election ballot on Nov. 4 will include a special question that will read, “Shall the following the adopted?

That the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink in Chautauqua county shall be allowed in public places where at least 30% of the gross receipts are from sales of food for consumption on the premises?”

Lori Richmond, Chautauqua County Clerk, said her office had verified a petition submitted to her office containing a sufficient number of signatures to put this issue to a countywide vote.

BY ANDY TAYLOR
Prairie Star

SEDAN — Two people who led a multitude of law enforcement authorities on a chase and manhunt in Chautauqua County on Aug. 19 have been formally charged with a myriad of crimes.

An Oct. 10 preliminary hearing date has been set for Robert N. Lackner, 39, of Kansas City, Kan., and Erin Fraser, 29, of Winfield, both of whom remain in custody following the manhunt on Aug. 19.

At a first formal appearance hearing in Sedan on Aug. 29, Kristin Hutchison, acting Chautauqua County Attorney, formally charged Lackner with seven counts, including fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement, reckless driving, possession of stolen property, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon, and misdemeanor criminal damage to property. Phillip J. Bernhart, a Coffeyville lawyer, was appointed by the court to serve as Lackner’s attorney.

Fraser was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of stolen property, and aiding, abetting, fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement officers. Fraser’s court-appointed attorney is David Brewer.

At the Oct. 10 preliminary hearing, a judge will determine whether enough evidence exists to have Fraser and Lackner bound for a jury trail.

The Aug. 19 manhunt began in Bartlesville, Okla., where law enforcement was believed the two people were attempting to steal two John Deere Gator vehicles and a trailer from a John Deere dealership in that town.

Lackner and Fraser then drive from Bartlesville to Pawhuska with law enforcement in pursuit. The two people then drove from Pawhuska to Chautauqua County before abandoning their vehicle north of Sedan.

Fraser was found shortly after leaving the vehicle, but Lackner was located some 10 hours later after more than two dozen law enforcement conducted a massive search that included the assistance of canines.