SEDAN — The United States’ response to the global economic crisis was to provide a $700 billion bullet without making sure the ammunition could hit the target, U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, told a group of Chautauqua County residents last Thursday.

In speaking at the Chautauqua County Farm Bureau office, Brownback said he voted against the U.S. Senate’s proposal last week that intended to provide $700 billion as a boost to the credit industry and as a lifeboat to troubled Wall Street investment firms.

“The telephone rang off the hook in our office from Kansans who were mad about this proposal,” said Brownback. “Our calls were about 2,000 against and 50 for the proposal.”

Brownback said the $700 billion proposal, which was put forward by the Bush administration, did not include any committee hearings. Instead, the euphoria and panic surrounding the credit crisis spread through the halls of the U.S. Capitol.

“Everyone was rushing to do something because ‘My hair is on fire and I’ve got to get this thing fixed’,” Brownback said. “But, we don’t have many $700 billion bullets. And, before I shoot that bullet, I want to make sure we hit the target.”

Even though the $700 billion recovery package did gain approval from a majority of the U.S. Congress and was signed into law by President George W. Bush, Brownback said an upturn in the economy won’t be seen for some time.

“I think we’re in a rocky patch for a time. We’re in a recession. We’re in entrenchment,” he said. “We’re having a run on the banks at the global level, not at the local level. We’re kind of an old-style, 1930s run on the banks where people want cash. They want out and they want out now.”

Brownback said he was even surprised at the breadth and speed that the crisis took as it spread across the globe. Rather than pump money into troubled firms that put themselves in high-risk debt, Brownback said he would have rather seen other options, including cutting capital gains taxes.

See complete coverage of Brownback’s visit to Sedan in this week’s Prairie Star.

Chautauqua County voters will decide whether to allow the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink when they go to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Currently, such sales are illegal without a private club license.

Terry Ricketts, Melodi Jones and Mary Kurtis believe it is time to make a change and allow restaurants to serve drinks, hopefully stimulating economic activity and creating more tax money.

“We believe passage of this countywide question will result in bringing in more people to our county and spending money in our communities,” said Terry Ricketts of Sedan who is working for a “yes” vote on the question.

“’We have already lost several potential restaurant owners because they wanted to include wine and mixed drinks on their menus,” said Ricketts. “We believe it’s time to give diners the option to order a drink with their food and this will result in more dollars for our community.”

The serving of such drinks would be restricted to public places where at least 30 percent of the gross receipts are from sale of food for consumption on the premises.

Melodi Jones, owner of Mel’s General Store in Sedan, commented, “We hear from many people who visit Chautauqua County that this is a choice they are accustomed to having in the communities where they live. Let’s face it, most fine restaurants in larger communities serve drinks with meals.

Mary Kurtis, manager of the Red Buffalo Gift Shop, supports a “yes” vote on the Nov. 4 question. “We already have access to malt beverages,” she said. “This would simply add the availability of mixed drinks and wine when you’re dining in a really nice place.”

Jones said most cafes and small-town restaurants probably won’t apply for a liquor license. “When you go to a local cafe for a hamburger and fries, you probably aren’t wanting to order a mixed drink,” she said. “Again, we are urging a yes vote so we can bring in more restaurants and clubs. But remember, at least 30 percent of their sales must be for food.”

Ricketts said experience has shown that liquor by the drink does not increase consumption. “You already have access to liquor, wine and malt beverages from your local liquor store, so drinking already is taking place. We’re just wanting it added to the menu of eating establishments and public clubs.”

The local committee believes a “yes” vote will create economic opportunities in Chautauqua County; bring in more tax money; create jobs in the county; help existing businesses by keeping tourists in town longer; and attract investors to complete existing projects in Sedan.

“Where can 40,000-plus annual visitors go for fine dining?” they ask.

“We are working to keep our downtowns alive and vibrant,” said Jones. “We believe this measure will help do that.”

Brochures printed by the Sedan Area Economic Development Committee (SAEDC) and the Bradford Hotel are urging a “yes” vote on Nov. 4.

Anyone wishing more information about this special question may contact Ricketts, Jones or Kurtis at their downtown Sedan business locations.

WICHITA — Former Sedan High School coach Les Davis was honored by the Kansas athletic community on Oct. 5 when he and nine other notable sports figures were inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in Wichita.

Davis was enshrined into the state hall for making his mark in not one or two but three different sports. Davis’ coaching career, which spanned nearly 50 years, included 1,522 total wins in football, basketball and baseball. Forty of his 48 career years in coaching were spent at Sedan High School. He retired from coaching in 2005.

During Davis’ tenure, Sedan became the third winningest football program in Kansas and was the smallest school ranked among the top 25 schools. Davis finished his coaching career with 316 victories in football (No. 2 all-time when he retired), 694 wins in basketball and 512 victories in baseball. Davis coached Sedan to 68 consecutive regular-season wins in a row in basketball. The Blue Devils won a state championship in baseball in 1973 and reached the state finals in basketball in 1979.

Now age 75, Davis has returned to the coaching ranks as he is serving under his son, Caney Valley High School head football coach Criss Davis, as an assistant coach.

Davis’ two other sons are also taking after their ol’ man. Randy Davis is a coach at Copan High School while Mark Davis is a coach at Udall High School.

Les Davis, who graduated from Wichita North High School in 1951 and Friends University in 1956, is a member of the Friends University Athletic Hall of Fame, the Wichita Sports Hall of Fame and Amateur Softball Association (ASA) Hall of Fame.

Also representing the 2008 class of inductees into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame were Kansas-born sports broadcaster Gary Bender, former Kansas State University basketball player Rick Knotsman, former Pittsburg State University football player Ronald Moore, former University of Kansas and NBA player Dave Robisch, LPGA touring pro Deb Richard, former Wichita State University baseball player Phil Stephenson, and former New York Yankees Ralph Terry and Mike Torrez. Also enshrined posthumously was the late Paul Lindblad, a former major league pitcher.

Davis’ biography and those of all other KSHOF inductees can be found at www.kshof.org.

By Shirley Black
The Elk County Community and Education Foundation’s annual event, sponsored by Steve and Marilyn Ewing, was, again, a big success. Those attending had the fun of wine tasting at the Polk Daniels Lake on Saturday afternoon.
Steve Ewing spoke about different types of wines he provided for us to taste, including several white and red wines from different regions of the world. He suggested food and wine pairings for the best effects. Most of the wines we tasted can be paired with many foods, including the cheese, meat, bread and crackers that were served lakeside.

In the spirit of the ECCEF, president Shari Kaminska Cannon gave a presentation on the different types of wine glasses and their uses. Steve loves to answer wine questions and even gave door prizes for those who could answer his questions at the finale He and his wife Marilyn Miller Ewing (formerly of Elk County) added their outstanding personal touch to the afternoon festivities.

There was excellent wine, great appetizers and tremendous company! Forty-two folks, some from as far away as Sedan, Independence and Kansas City, as well as several family members who reside at a distance, joined us for the event.

This year ECCEF provided funding for building and/or transportation projects for every community and continues to provide funded scholarships and educational events. Recently, we focused on support of Elk-Konnected and community clean up events held in all communities.

We are always looking for interested board members. Contact any member of the committee if you are interested in helping your community and our county move forward to become more cohesive and an even more fabulous place to work and play. We look forward to even more successes in the future.

School administrators and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office will implement the School Resource Officer Program beginning Oct. 15.

The school resource officer (SRO) is designed to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the school system. Although the SRO is composed of multiple duties, the most important job is to be a resource to many people including administrators, students, teachers and other citizens in the community.

Deputy Freda Speer has been named as the SRO for the Sedan and Cedar Vale schools.

“Deputy Speer was selected for the position due to her tireless efforts in serving the citizens of Chautauqua County,” said Chautauqua County Sheriff Frank Green. “She is a consummate professional. She treats every individual whether it is a first encounter or one of many with absolute civility and respect. She understands the concerns of our children, parents and teachers in keeping our schools and community safe.”

Speer’s duties will include proactive crime prevention, developing intervention strategies and crisis planning.
Based on the needs of the school environment, future plans are to develop and deliver specialized lesson plans such as date rape, sexual assault, sexual predation by drug, personal rights versus responsibilities of a citizen, effects of alcohol and commonly abused drugs, teen violence and school bullying. Since the advent of the Safe Schools Act, the SRO is the recipient of mandated reporting by the school.

“The SRO program will impact the lives of our students in so many ways. The student will benefit from the feeling of security in their school,” Green said.

Speer was raised in the Cedar Vale community, a graduate of Cedar Vale High School and Pikes Peak College, Colorado Springs, Colo. She attained certification from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center. Freda completed specialized training with the National School Resource Officer Association.

She is the daughter of Jerry Walker, Cedar Vale. Freda and her husband Barry returned to Cedar Vale after Barry retired from the U.S. Army with 24 years of service. They have three children, Andrew 25, William 22, and Emma 8. If a group or organization is interested in hearing more about the program, contact the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department for more information at 725-3108.

Two men, one from Howard and one from Leon, were arrested in Butler County last Friday on charges of felony theft and contributing to child misconduct.

Sheriff Craig Murphy said investigators now are looking at charging at least two more subjects in connection with cattle thefts that took place on Aug. 16 and Sept. 2 in Butler County.

According to Murphy, on July 28, three head of cattle were stolen from 16001 SE Teter Rd., Leon,resulting in a $2,500 loss. On Aug. 16, seven head of cattle were stolen from 3000 SE 50th, Leon, resulting in a loss of $7,000.
Then on Sept. 2, eight head of cattle were stolen from 16693 SE Teter Rd., Leon, with a $9,200 loss. Total loss was placed at $18,700. All three cases appear to be related at this time.

Murphy said investigators were able to confirm that some of the stolen cattle were found to have been sold to a livestock auction in Newkirk, Okla. Two subjects were identified as selling the cattle to the auction, along with collection of evidence confirming the sale.

Last Friday afternoon investigators arrested 58-year-old Billy G. Claycamp, rural Howard, and 21-year-old Ryan W. Claycamp, rural Leon, in connection with the lifestock thefts.

An Elgin man will face a jury trial in December on charges of kidnapping and molesting minors earlier in the year.

At a preliminary hearing for Mark L. Morton last Wednesday, Oct. 1, a judge determined that enough evidence existed to have Morton bound for jury trial. A trial is scheduled to begin on Dec. 11 with pre-trial motions set to be heard on Nov. 12.

Morton is charged with two crimes: two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a minor and one count of kidnapping. According to the complaint filed against Morton, the Elgin man allegedly had indecent liberties with a child under the age of 14 on April 6 and during a span between July 1 and Aug. 2. The court complaint says the kidnapping incident took place on July 1.

As in all criminal cases, a person is innocent of all charges until an admission of guilt or proven guilty by a jury of peers.

The Caney, Chautauqua, Cherryvale, Dearing, Elk City, Elk Falls, Grenola, Havana, Howard, Liberty, Longton, Moline, Niotaze, Sycamore and Tyro Post Offices will hold a Customer Appreciation Day on Tuesday, Oct. 21, during regular business hours to thank customers for their loyal business and support.

The local postmasters encourage customers to visit the post office that day, enjoy refreshments, and stay to talk.
Each postmaster wants their customers to know how much they are appreciated and that the post offices are working hard to continue to earn their business.

Post office personnel will be glad to explain the many services they provide and customers are urged to visit the website at usps.com to look up zip codes, locate post offices, calculate postage rates, order free Priority and Express Mail shipping supplies, request free carrier pickup of packages, and print online postage to receive free delivery confirmation. Customers may also manage their mail on usps.com to requests a hold or change of address. This is one way to save gas, time, and money.

Stop by your local post office on Oct. 21 for some refreshments, a big smile, and let them help you grow your business.

U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback will visit Sedan on Thursday, Oct. 9, and everyone is invited to come to the Farm Bureau office to meet him.

Brownback said he planned to meet with the Rural Water District Board in the Farm Bureau community room, 230 E. Main, starting at 2:15 p.m. Thursday and the meeting will be open to the public.

He will go from Sedan to Coffeyville where he will tour the Coffeyville Regional Medical Center’s new cancer unit at 4:15 p.m.

His day will start in Winfield at 10 a.m. when he attends a Southwestern College town hall meeting in the Memorial Library.

Homecoming activities will be held this week at Elk Valley High School with the homecoming football game and coronation ceremony ending the events on Friday, Oct. 10. The various activities during the week will be used to bolster school spirit before the Elk Valley Lions take on the White City Huskies.

Spirit Week has been set for each school day. Monday was P.J. Day, whereby students wore their pajamas. Tuesday was designated Favorite Team Day, where students dressed in favorite team attire. Wednesday is Senior Citizen Day, where students dressed as senior citizens, and Thursday has been designated as Twin Day, students find a partner and dress alike. Friday will be Orange and Black Day, whereby students and faculty are encouraged to wear school colors.

Wednesday evening the annual bonfire and scavenger hunt will be held at 6 p.m.

Friday afternoon the students, faculty, and staff at Elk Valley would like to invite the public to the Homecoming parade and pep rally. The parade will start at 2:15 p.m. The lineup will begin on 2nd Street and will continue down Main Street to the football field. The parade celebration has not been held in several years, so the public is encouraged to attend to support the efforts of the school district.

Events will culminate with the crowning of the Elk Valley High School football homecoming king and queen at 6:30 p.m., before the football game, at the EVHS football field. Those students in the homecoming court include king candidates, senior Briar Baty, senior Devon Packett, and senior Scotty Leppleman. Queen candidates include junior Denise Beaumont, junior Tosha Wade, and sophomore Heather Beougher.

The 22nd Annual Sedan Invitational Ranch Rodeo will be held Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Lou Todd Memorial Arena in Sedan.

This rodeo will host the area’s top cowboys and cowgirls. Team registration will be at 9 a.m. and the rodeo is slated to begin at 10 a.m. Tickets will be sold at the gate for $5 for adults, and children 10 and under are free.
Recognized as “Southeast Kansas’ Largest Invitational Ranch Rodeo,” this annual event is known for its tradition of displaying the best working ranch cowboys and cowgirls from the Southeast Kansas and Northeast Oklahoma areas.

This year’s rodeo will showcase events displaying working ranch traditions. These events include Calf Branding, Cattle Sorting, Cattle Doctoring, and the always intense Wild Cow Milking. The rodeo will also showcase cowgirls competing in a Women’s Cattle Sorting.

The Stick Horse Race and Steer Dummy Roping are a sneak peak at upcoming talent of area kids. Entries for the kids’ events are free with prizes given at the end of the events.

Paid admission to the ranch rodeo allows you to browse some of the finest craftsmen in the area displaying their goods at the “Cowboy Trade Show.”

The Sedan Invitational Ranch Rodeo showcases the area’s best working cattle ranches and promotes the ranching lifestyle that has survived for many generations. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to experience the excitement and the cowboy tradition that southeast Kansas is so rich in holding.

Contact Shannon Adcock at 918-237-7837 for more information on the rodeo and trade show.

When the German Radio and Television Network (ARD) selected six American communities for a documentary, Sedan was one of them.

Hanni Husch, bureau chief from Washington, D.C., along with a camera operator, sound technician and producer, were in Sedan this week interviewing local people about their everyday lives and how they view today’s changing world.

Husch got to know many Sedan residents on a first-name basis as she toured the Chautauqua County Courthouse and many of the businesses along Main Street.

“Small-town people, especially those in the middle of America, have such a good grasp on reality,” she said. “They are so believable, so sincere, so hopeful that something good is about to happen.”

She was impressed with southeast Kansas, noting that it has unique beauty and charm. “I notice that people on both coasts like to talk about small-town America,” she said. “So we decided to find such a place to add some perspective to our program.”

Other communities to be featured on the program which will be aired in Germany will be Washington, D.C., Seattle, Wash., Las Cruces, N.M., Rifle, Colo., and Flint, Mich.

The entire crew spoke fluent English but the program will be aired only in the German language.

“We’ll make sure to send a video tape to you so the good people of Sedan can watch it,” Husch said.

Chautauqua Baptist church will hold a winter prep clinic for your car on Saturday, Oct. 4 from 10 a.m.-noon.

The church invites the public to come and let them check the fluid levels, tire pressure and windshield wipers. This will help you prepare your vehicle for the cold months ahead.

Oil, antifreeze, water will be checked and let you know if there is a need evident in those areas.
Chautauqua Baptist Church is located at 104 S. Main. If you have any questions, you may call the church at 725-3930.

By Jeanie Beason, R.N.
The Chautauqua County Health Department will hold a drive through flu clinic on Tuesday, Oct. 21st from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m in the parking area on the north side of the courthouse. You will not need to exit your vehicle at anytime. There will be directional instructions posted around the Chautauqua County communities in the coming weeks. Enter off of Chautauqua Street on to Elm Street. Elm Street is the street on the north side of the courthouse. Montgomery Street, which is on the west side of the courthouse, will be an exit only.

The health department will also start giving flu vaccinations at the Health Dept. office in the courthouse starting Oct. 1. Call before you come to make sure there is a nurse available to give the flu vaccine at that time.

The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each fall. It is recommended that all person get a flu vaccination, but for those who are at high risk it is essential. Those at high risk are:
People 65 years and older; people who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities; adults and children 6 months and older with chronic heart or lung conditions, including asthma; adults and children 6 months and older who need regular medical care or were in a hospital during the previous year because of a metabolic disease (like diabetes), chronic kidney disease, or weakened immune system (including immune system problems caused by medicines or by infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/AIDS); children 6 months to 18 years of age who are on long term aspirin therapy, (Children given aspirin while they have influenza are at risk of Reye’s syndrome); women who will be pregnant during the influenza season; all children 6 months to 23 months; people with any condition that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions (that is, a condition that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, such as brain injury or disease, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other nerve or muscle disorders.); persons caring for any of the above.

For more information call 620-725-5850.

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Greenwood County Home Health will be at the Howard Housing Authority on Oct. 7, at 9 a.m. to begin administering flu and pneumonia Shots. Anyone, any age may sign up to get the shots by calling Marcy at 374-2386.

Medicare and Medicaid recipients shots will be billed to CMS. Elk County Seniors 60 years of age and older that do not have insurance coverage may receive shots that day, funded by the Elk County Council on Aging, Inc. for a $5. donation to be used in Elk County.

Everyone else is welcome to call to sign up for the shots. The cost for everyone else is $10 for flu shots and $15 for pneumonia shots. You must call to be added to list to ensure GWCHH knows how much vaccine to bring with them.

Call 374-2386 by noon, Monday, Oct. 6, to sign up.

Homecoming festivities will take place this week at West Elk High School, ending with the varsity football game on Friday, Oct. 3, when the Patriots will take on the Pleasanton Blu-Jays at 7 p.m. This year’s theme is “Fall For You.”
A bonfire will be held in support of the homecoming game on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 8:30 p.m. in the school parking lot.

On Friday, Oct. 3, a homecoming parade will be held at 2:30 p.m. in downtown Howard, followed by a pep rally.

The West Elk Booster Club will hold a homecoming tailgate supper on Friday, with serving beginning at 5 p.m. through the end of the game. There will be a break during the halftime coronation ceremony. A full meal will be $6 and includes a hamburger, polish dog, or hot dog, choice of two sides, dessert and a drink. A small meal will be $4 and includes a hamburger, hot dog, or polish dog, one side, and a drink. Proceeds go to student scholarships and various student activities.

At the Friday evening game, the candidates will be introduced at 6:30 p.m., with the crowning ceremony following the game.

A homecoming dance will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 9 p.m.-midnight at the high school.

This year’s queen candidates are Danielle Fullhart, Shilo Malone, Kaylee Jo Perkins, Caitlin JuAire, and Alyssa Salisbury.

The king candidates are CJ Madison, Charlie Hall, Chance Hinkle, Kyle Huntington, and Kurtis Roebuck.

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The Burden-Central Raiders will take on the Altoona-Midway Jets this Friday evening, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m. for their 2008 fall homecoming. Coronation of the homecoming king and queen will be held during halftime of the varsity football game.

The theme for the homecoming festivities is “We’ve Only Just Begun.” A dance will be held following the football game at Central Elementary School.

This year’s king candidates are Kevin Lawson, son of Bob Lawson, Burden and Harlene Rice, Winfield; Wade Hughes, son of Mark and Karen Hughes, Burden; Ty Brady, son of the late Sam Brady, Atlanta; and Joey Day, son of Jimmie Day, Winfield and Michelle Sproviero.

Queen candidates include Misty Teague, daughter of Susie and Kenny Teague, Grenola; Ashley Wham, daughter of Kyle and Shari Wham, Burden; Bionca Beamer, daughter of Cindy Beamer, Burden; and Georganna Hopper, daughter of Mike and Rosalie Hopper, Burden.

This year’s court members include juniors Bryant Martin, son of Brett Martin, Atlanta and Kathy Englland, Hollister, Mo., and Autumn Hopper, daughter of Rick and Karen Hopper, Rock; sophomores Bobby O’Bryan, son of Rob O’Bryan, Burden and Avis Bishop, Burden, and Alexsa Coon, daughter of Cindy Beamer, Burden; freshmen, Tyler McMichael, son of Mike McMichael, Cambridge and Karen McMichael, Burden, and Chevette Dorsey, daughter of Charley Mitchell, Cambridge and Sharon Corder, Cambridge.

The prince will be Jacob Lowe, son of Travis and Lorri Lowe, Burden. The princess will be Lacee Sutton, daughter of Jeremy and Lida Sutton, Burden.