An Elgin man was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Wednedsay for his role in the kidnapping and rape of a 14-year-old Chautauqua County girl in July 2007.

Aaron Terning, 27, of rural Elgin, was sentenced to 165 months for aggravated kidnapping and 165 months for rape The sentence was imposed by Judge Roger Gossard.

Terning’s sentence was the same given to a co-defendant Stephen Greger, 56, also of Elgin. Greger is now serving his prison sentence at a state facility in El Dorado, Kan. In April, Greger pleaded guilty to aggravated kidnapping and rape.

Terning pleaded no contest to his charges and was subsequently declared guilty of the charges in September.

Terning and Greger were charged with the kidnapping the girl from her rural Chautauqua County home, taken to a barn where she was raped twice, then tied to a tree in a remote area outside of Elgin. The girl then escaped and ran to a house for help. The girl had been missing for the better part of a full day, during which time law enforcement and family members had conducted a search for the girl.

Terning could have been given a longer prison term (maximum sentence was 653 months, or 54 years) for each of the two charges. However, Gossard took into consideration that Terning had no previous criminal background.

By Ben Bellar
West Elk Play Productions will present “Suitable for Hanging” a play in three acts, written by Donald Payton, in the West Elk High School auditorium Nov. 14 and 15 at 7 p.m. The West Elk FCA will be serving a dinner on Friday evening at 5:30 p.m.

The cast includes Caitlin JuAire as Mrs. Raney, Sarah Taliaferro as Abby Raney, Zack Carlson as Sam Adams, Cortney Miller as Maxine Wrenn, Genna Mericle as Minerva Wrenn, Cole Mull as Hans Gruber, Micheal Craig as Bernard Zapotka, Tanner Weber as Charlie Hackle, Ben Bellar as Anatole Grindstaff, Kayla Harrod as Mrs. Hackle, Bobbie Julian as Hilga Grindstaff, Amber Jones as Tina, and Nick Plumlee as Frank Raney.

The stage crew members include C J Madison, Lucas Simmons, Richard Full, Luke Bellar, Dalton Singer, and Jason Ledford.

The play is directed by Dean Baum and Mrs. Linda Shilts-Baum. This is their fourth play at West Elk. A matinee will be held for elementary students on Friday afternoon.

The Sedan Vocal Music Department will present the 21st Annual Variety Show on Friday evening, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

This year’s theme is “Tunnel of Love” and the evening’s entertainment will be full of love songs, past and present, country and pop and Broadway.

Walt Disney songs will be represented as the Concert Choir sings love songs from Disney movies including “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” and “Beauty and the Beast,” while soloists will sing other Disney favorites, “Someday My Prince Will Come,” A Dream Is A Wish You’re Heart Makes,” “When You Wish Upon A Star” and “Candle On The Water.”

The Concert Choir will also perform “Can’t Help Falling In Love,” “Unchained Melody” and “What The World Needs Now Is Love.”

The Select Choir will sing and dance to “How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You” and “Disco Fever.” They will also sing “You Made Me Love You.”

All of the choir members will also sing solos featuring love songs through the years including “How Do I Live,” “I Cross My Heart,” “Our Song,” “Open Arms,” “A Moment Like This,” “Because You Loved Me,” “My Heart Will Go On” and many others.

This year’s show promises to take you on a trip down memory lane as you listen to the classic love songs of the past, said Rosie Sweaney, co-director.

Tickets for the show are available at the door and admission is $3 for adults, $2 for students or a family ticket for $10. Proceeds from the show help to fund choir events throughout the year.

Members of the choirs are Kylee Baker, Caleb Bechtle, Jakaya Barker, Kayla Capps, Heather Chrisman, Kayla Contreras, Zach Ford, Bobbie Hartley, Brittany Hills, Paxton Kerley, Kaitlin McDonough, Timothy McDonough, Lanie Miller, Lauren Miller, Julia Phillips, Evelynn Terrell and Baylee Williams. Directors of the choir are Rosie Sweaney and Trish Roudybush.

The American Legion Carter-Rader Post #149 and the Ladies’ Auxiliary will have a Veteran’s Day Dinner and Program on Saturday night, Nov. 15 at 6:30 p.m., at the Cox Building in Howard.

John Pritchett, formerly of Howard, and his associates from McConnell Air Force Base will conduct a unique presentation to honor all veterans.

Carolyn Wilnerd, Susan Galvan, Carol Hernandez and Gleneva Winn are hostesses for the event. A delicious dinner will be served with everyone bringing their own special dish. All veterans and their families are invited at attend.

Richard E. Wood, author of “Survival of Rural America,” containing a featured chapter on Sedan, will hold a book signing on Friday Nov. 21 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Mel’s General Store in Sedan.

Wood, a retired attorney of Denver, Colo., traveled the back roads to gather stories of people in some of the most vulnerable communities that are trying to stave off depopulation. Mr. Wood knows that rural communities need more than jobs or money to survive, they need to become valued again as desirable places to live. He takes a closer look at what has happened in several Kansas towns and shows that there is much more depth and diversity to rural life than meets the eye. Mr. Wood believes that small rural communities are the heart and soul of America.

Richard Wood is a former reporter for the Rocky Mountain News and the author of several books. He spent time in Sedan a year ago researching and gathering information for his book. The book was printed at the University Press of Kansas in Lawrence.

The book has been recommended by several universities as well as Rural Development Agencies across the state.

By Penny Swanson
On Tuesday, Oct. 28, eight schools embarked on a quest for excellence in mathematics at the annual West Elk 6th, 7th and 8th Math Relays. Students from Argonia, Caldwell, Central, Dexter, Sedan, South Haven, Udall and West Elk competed in 27 individual categories and five team tests. The night’s results proved to be successful for West Elk winning first place in the 6th grade division with 42 points over Sedan with 35 points; taking first place in the 7th grade division scoring 73 points followed by Argonia with 18 points; winning first place in the 8th grade division with 40 points over Argonia with 30 points; and taking first place in the team test division scoring 33 points over Argonia’s 29 points. Overall scoring found West Elk leading the relay and winning first place with 188 points over Argonia with 91 points and Sedan followed for third with 84 points.

Individual results are as follows:

West Elk 6th grade
Jasmine Hall - 1st-integers; Emily Perkins - 1st-decimals, 2nd-fractions, 3rd-word problems; Brandon Wolfe - 3rd-fractions, 5th-integers; Tristen Wilson - 1st-potpourri, 1st-mulitiplication, 2nd-percents; Kylie Bannister - 3rd-mental math.

West Elk 7th grade
Carson Jennings - 1st-order of operations, 2nd-potpourri, 1st-team test; Taylor Coble - 1st-fractions, 1st-team test, 1st-medley; Abbie McAlister - 4th-fractions; Broker Whitaker - 1st-geometry; Ashley Harrod - 2nd-geometry, 2nd-word problems; Emily Smith - 4th-probability/statistics; Courtney Hunter - 1st-probablility/statistics; Paxton Noll - 4th-ratio/proporations; Jasmine Coble - 1st-mental math, 4th-word problems; Aaron Miller - 1st-potpourri, 3rd-charts & graphs; Eli Smith - 1st-charts & graphs, 1st-ratio/proportions, 1st-team test.

West Elk 8th grade
Kiley Harrod - 1st-Algebra team, 2nd-polynomials, 3rd-order of operations, 5th-mental math; Jacque Girard - 1st-algebra team, 1st-geometry, 1st-polynomials, 1st-medley team; Kaitlin Jacobs - 1st-algebra team, 2nd-fractions; Katelynn Lampson - 4th-fractions; Trae Gillespie - 2nd-geometry; Amber Wacaster - 2nd-probability/statistics; Dylan Morgan - 1st-word problems.

The West Elk 6th, 7th, 8th Math Team will hit the road in February to compete in the Caldwell Math Relays.

Sedan Area will hold its Opportunity Retreat in the Sedan High School Auditorium on Nov. 11, at 6:30 p.m. as a part of the Kansas HomeTown Prosperity (KHTP) project. All citizens interested in the Sedan Area future are encouraged to attend.

The Opportunity Retreat is time to review assessment findings summarized for Sedan Area based on dozens of interviews, surveys, and observations of the KHTP coaching team as well as economic data for the region. Retreat participants will consider opportunity priorities for the Sedan Area based on the assessment findings.

Charting a course based on sound research and community support is fundamental to development success and is the purpose of the evening. KHTP coaches will provide a structured setting and strong facilitation to move citizens to consensus and ultimately action. The Retreat format provides three objectives: 1) Carefully examine assessment findings, clarify questions and issues, and use the information in decision making; 2) Actively explore the Sedan Area’s development priorities, considering the community’s values, opportunities, and assets; and 3) Prioritize Sedan Area’s development opportunities.

Participants should come to the retreat with an open mind, a willingness to actively participate and work on Sedan Area’s future.

Sedan is one of three communities chosen in 2008 as a part of the Kansas HomeTown Prosperity Initiative sponsored in part by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Kansas Farm Bureau and USDA Rural Development. The HomeTown Prosperity philosophy centers around four areas for community sustainability: youth retention, entrepreneurship, leadership, and wealth retention. Communities participating in the project receive assistance through independent analysis and coaching to help community leaders strengthen existing efforts in those four areas.

The Moline United Methodist Women would like to invite the public to join them this Saturday, Nov. 8, for their annual Bazaar and Luncheon. The bazaar opens at 9:30 a.m., and will include many homemade, as well as ‘nearly new’ items, suitable for gifts. They will have a table loaded with homemade desserts to take home and enjoy right away, or to save in your freezer for the holidays. This year they will also have a couple of tables with rummage type items.

They will begin serving the luncheon at 11 a.m., with donations accepted as payment. They will serve your choice of delicious vegetable beef soup or chili, along with apple cake and jello salad.

Everyone is invited to come, dine, and enjoy the fellowship! They look forward to seeing you there.

Elk Konnected Physical Image Action Team is coordinating a Community Clean-up Day for Elk Falls, to be held on Saturday, Nov. 8. Action team members are working with the Friends of Elk Falls Association to identify projects and develop a plan to complete tasks.

Community members who have an hour or more free on Nov. 8 are encouraged to drop by the Pershing-Prairie Gem Museum (the little school house west of the old Elk Falls school gym) between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to lend a hand with painting and other clean-up projects. Drinks, snacks, and lunch will be provided.

Interested kids, organizations, church groups, and adult volunteers are encouraged to contact Shari Kaminska at 620-642-6303 to get involved with the Elk Falls clean-up day. Suggestions for projects are also welcome.

Elk Falls’ Community Clean-up day follows productive clean-up days in Moline, Grenola, Severy, and Howard. Elk Valley School District gave Longton a clean-up on its annual Community Appreciation Day in April.

The Sedan Area Econimic Development Committee is sponsoring a free art show at the Kurtis Art Plaza, 202 S. Douglas, Sedan, on Saturday, Nov. 8, starting at 10 a.m. featuring local, area and out of state artists with a variety of mediums.

It will be a good place to buy unique artwork for Christmas gifts. Children are welcome to come and do sidewalk art with chalk furnished.

The chili cook-off starts at noon with local and area contestants vying for the best chili and best booth voted by people’s choice. A variety of mild and hot chilis will be prepared for your pleasure and booths will be decorated. Come buy a tasting kit and support your favorite cook. Sampling will begin at 4 p.m.; $6 for adults with children under six free. Admission includes a chili supper after the judging results and live music for the evening. It’s not too late to enter the contest; call 620-725-3951 and show up Saturday.

Zumba, an aerobic dance exercise with music, will be presented by Lynn Black and students at 2 p.m. You can join in for a workout and fun.

A chocolate pie eating contest will be held at 3:30 p.m. with prizes awarded to the heartiest eaters.

Live music featuring the “Out of Touch” Band will begin at 4 p.m. and continue until 8 p.m. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the bonfire after dark while listening to the country and rock music with Sedan alumni Linda Padgett Heisman and husband Brad with others from the Caney area. “Out of Touch” played at the Chautauqua Club. You are welcome to come for just the music if you like; admission will be $6 and concessions will be available.

A drawing for the char-broil grill will be held at 8 p.m. SAEDC is taking $2 donations or three for $5, for an opportunity to win the stainless steel grill. Proceeds will support SAEDC projects.

Brody Allen Hurt entered heaven’s gates on Nov. 3, 2008 after 8 years and 23 days of touching the hearts and lives of everyone he met.

He was born Oct. 12, 2000, the son of Shawn A. and Carey D. (Miller) Hurt, and big sister Kylie.

Brody evened the score to 2 girls and 2 boys in the household. In Brody’s opinion, the boys always won. He loved to say “Bro’s before Doe’s” with a knuckle bump with dad. Brody loved all things boy…baseball, tractors, fishing, hunting, 4-wheelers, golf, sand piles and staying with his grandparents. He was most happy on the 4 wheeler at Grandpa and Grandma Hurt’s or in the big ol’ Ford pickup with Grandpa and Grandma Miller. Brody had a knack for persuasive arguing and ended most sentences with, “right dad?”

Brody had many friends that spread across the United States. Brody has been best friends with Zoe since birth. When he started school, Brody made another best friend, Tim. He loved Zoe and Tim and missed them so much during his illness. He also loved school and missed his classmates and teachers from Severy Elementary while he was away for treatment.

On Sept. 11, 2007 Brody was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer. Brody’s diagnosis came about after he started having severe leg pain in the last weeks of his kindergarten year. Brody spent the last 13 1/2 months of his young life giving his all fighting the cancer. He endured many rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, surgeries, long hospital stays and painful research treatments. All throughout treatments Brody was concerned about being a bother to others, even though he was hurting and not feeling well.

In the end, God proved what we had known all along, that Brody was extra special and was needed in heaven. His exit from this life is way too soon for all who love him but we know he can now walk, run, and play baseball again. We will miss forever his voice, laughter and arguments.

Survivors include parents Shawn A. and Carey D. Hurt, Severy; sister Kylie Hurt, Severy; grandparents Don and Juanita Miller, Grenola, and Jerry and Judy Hurt, Sedan; great-grandparents Helen Copeland, Howard, DeWayne Triboulet, Longton, and Mary Burt, Fall River; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Brody was met in heaven by his great-grandparents whom he never met: Albert and Grace Miller and Roy and Edith Hurt and Benny Burt.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at the Severy Elementary School, with Pastor Tony Pameticky of the Severy Baptist Church officiating. Viewing will take place after the funeral service. Visitation will not be held at the funeral home. Burial will be at the South Lawn Cemetery in Severy.

The family suggests memorial contributions to The Brody Hurt Severy Enhancement Memorial Fund and may be left with the funeral home. Online condolences may be at: www.countrysidefh.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Zimmerman Funeral Home in Howard.

CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY RESULTS:
Perry Russell will be the new sheriff in Chautauqua County following his election in Tuesday’s general election.

The final results of the sheriff’s election were:

Perry Russell: 1083
Write-in (Frank Green): 636
Cash Kimple: 72

In other elections on Tuesday, the liquor by the drink question was approved by county voters. Yes votes were 1,012; no votes were 751.

Jack Carpenter was re-elected to the Chautauqua County Commission with 511 total votes. Write-in votes were 88.

In the race for the 14th Judicial District judge race, Sedan attorney Gary House won the county vote over Robert Lattin of Independence: 1373 to 401. Combined with the votes from Montgomery County (13 of 48 precincts being tabulated), House has 3925 votes while Lattin has 2173 votes.

ELK COUNTY RESULTS:
There were no surprises in the outcome of Elk County’s election on Tuesday night, with all county candidates running unopposed.

Those elected include: Elizabeth M. Hendricks of Howard, Democrat, county commissioner, Dist. 2; K.R. “Ken” Liebau, Grenola, Republican, county commissioner, Dist. 3; Donna K. Kaminska, Longton, Republican, Elk County Clerk; Deanna L. Jones, Longton, Republican, Elk County Treasurer; Neva L. Walter, Howard, Republican, Elk County Register of Deeds; Marla Foster Ware, Moline, Elk County Clerk; Doug Hanks, Howard, Elk County Sheriff.

Also winning in Elk County: David A. Ricke, Rose Hill, Republican for district judge on the Republican ticket, Dist. 13, Div. 3; Charles M. “Chuck” Hart, Andover, Republican for district judge, Dist. 14, Div. 2; and Kristin Hutchison, Howard, Republican, district magistrate judge, Dist. 1, Pos. 1.

Numerous township positions also were on the ballot.

For president, Elk Countians followed the Kansas trend of supporting John McCain and Sarah Palin with 1,035 votes to only 359 for Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

Rep. Todd Tiahrt and Sen. Pat Roberts easily won re-election and had heavy support in Elk County, as did State Sen. Derek Schmidt.

State Rep. Jeff King of Independence easily carried Elk County by a vote of 1,146 to 219 for his opponent, Sandra Frisco. King won the election district-wide.

The new officers will be sworn in on Jan. 10.

A total of 1,111 voters went to the polls on Tuesday with another 336 casting advance ballots.

Both the Sedan Blue Devils and West Elk Patriots saw their football seasons come to an end on Tuesday night in the class 2A state playoffs.

Sedan lost to Pittsburg-Colgan, 47-12, while the West Elk team fell to Pleasanton, 45-14.

Sedan and West Elk each finished the season with 2-8 records.

More details will be printed in next week’s Prairie Star.