One primary election will be required in Chautauqua County before city and school board positions are filled in a general election scheduled for Tuesday, April 7.

The positions forcing a primary will be for Cedar Vale City Council and candidates are: Jean Smith, Jack E. Zimmerman Sr., Cecil Shore, Nellie L. McGathy, Bryan H. Satterlee, Larry Robinette and Molly Crossland.

No other primary elections will be required in Chautauqua County.

For Cedar Vale Mayor, three candidates have filed and they are Dwight O. Mattocks, Richard Cox and Barry W. Speer.
All registered voters residing in Cedar Vale may vote in the primary election and the voting place will be the Long Shed in Cedar Vale from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3. The top six vote-getters will advance to the Cedar Vale City general ballot.

County Clerk Cammie Farner said the following candidates filed for other city offices in Chautauqua County:
Sedan City: Five candidates filed for three open positions on the Sedan City Council: Melodi C. Jones, Larry S. Powell, Terry Ricketts, Jessica Copeland and Judy Tolbert.
This will not require a primary election.

No candidates for filed for the office of mayor in the City of Chautauqua and no candidates for any of the five council seats.

In the City of Elgin, no candidates have filed for mayor or any of the three council positions.

In the City of Niotaze, David Deal Jr. was the only candidate to file for mayor and the following candidates filed for the five seats on the city council: LaDonna Hempel, John Rosson, Patsy C. Clark, J.P Clark and Kirk D. Clinkscales.

In the City of Peru, Jimmy Wolfe Sr. filed for mayor while Greg Joslin, Paul W. Marshall, Harold D. Reed Sr. and Leo Walker filed for the five seats on the city council.
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In USD 286 - Sedan Board of Education races, the following candidates filed for office:

Member Dist. No. 1, Pos. 4: John C. Brown and Cynthia Leniton, both of Sedan.

Member Dist. No. 2, Pos. 5: Wesley Copeland Sr., Jack Warren and Sara Koontz-Smith, all of Sedan.

Member Dist. 3, Pos. 6: Sherry Howard, Peru.

In USD 285 - Cedar Vale, the following persons filed for school board positions:

Todd Massey, Miqueline J. Haden and Tom Everett, all of Cedar Vale, and each of the three seats is an at-large position.

For information about elections in Chautauqua County, contact County Clerk Cammie Farner.

The Sedan Relay for Life team, “Run with the Wolfes” is holding a fundraiser March 15-16. Olan Mills Photography, a highly respected and popular photography studio will be taking entrancing pictures for a donation of $10. You will receive a portrait certificate that entitles you to: one Family Natural Color 10 x 13 portrait or one 8 x 10, 2 5 x 7’s, 8 wallets (first pose).

For more information and to sign up for an appointment please contact Melodee Wolfe at 725-3831 or Donna Wolfe at 725-5703. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.

American Legion Carter-Rader Post 149 and the American Legion Auxiliary will hold their Chili/Soup Supper Fundraiser on Saturday, Feb 28 at 5 p.m. at the Cox Building in Howard. Homemade chili and soups will be complimented with over 20 pie selections.

The fundraiser will send at least two boys and two girls to Boys and Girls State respectively this year for education about our governmental processes. And in addition, four college scholarships of $250 each for local students is the goal.

Everyone is warmly invited to attend. Donations can be forwarded to the American Legion Auxiliary % PO Box 202 Howard, KS 67349 if you are unable to attend.

By Richard H Fechter
District Extension Director and Agent, 4-H and Agriculture & Natural Resources
Anyone interested in filing for the Rolling Prairie Extension District Board positions from both Chautauqua and Elk Counties have until noon, March 4 to file in the county clerk’s office in their respective county.

There are two positions open for election in each county. In Chautauqua County, the positions are: Position No. 1 currently held by Edwin Bowman; and Position No. 2 currently held by Jim Bruner. In Elk County, the positions are: Position No 1 currently held by Dale Clubine; and Position No 2 currently held by Caryl Barnaby.

The general election will be held Tuesday, April 7 for these positions. All positions take office on July 1 and our four year terms.

As the new economic development director for Elk County, Laura Fry is excited and pleased to announce that each month a new business will be selected and showcased in the Prairie Star. Elk County wants to recognize and show their appreciation for the service that area businesses have provided to the community.

Spotlighting K & K Floral
The February Business Spotlight is shining on K & K Floral, located in Howard. Since 2002, sisters, Connie Russell and Joyce Nash have been designing flower arrangements while managing the family run floral shop. After serving Elk County for the last seven years, the sister’s are pleased to announce Marie Mackey as the new business owner. The change in management is expected to take place within the following month.

Mackey is extremely excited about the new business endeavor. In February 2008, Mackey lost her husband, Staff Sergeant Bryant Mackey who was serving in Iraq. “The Howard community was great to me and our three children when my husband died. I am looking forward to giving back to the community.”

Sisters, Connie and Joyce are just as ecstatic as Mackey about the change in ownership. “She is going to be a fabulous designer and a big asset in the community,” says Connie Russell.

Even with the change of ownership, Connie and Joyce will continue designing and helping Mackey get adjusted.

“The three of us have really seemed to click and hit it off well,” says Joyce Nash.

Along with the new ownership there will be several changes taking place. Mackey plans to change the name from K & K Floral to Bryant’s Blooms.

“I am naming the business after my husband because I want his legacy to continue on for my kids.”

Mackey is also hoping to have a new tanning bed installed by the summer and is planning to eventually install a small gym.
Being the only flower shop in the county, K & K is known for their gift baskets, scented candles, balloon bouquets, funeral arrangements and wedding flowers.

“Our prices are the same year round. We sell a dozen roses, arranged in a vase, for sixty dollars,” says Connie Russell.
The shop operates Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., but will be open on Saturday, Feb. 14 for Valentine’s Day. They are located in Howard on Hwy. 99 and can be reached at 620-374-2567.

The Sedan High School Financial Aid Workshop, postponed by weather, has been rescheduled for Monday, Feb. 9 at 6 p.m., at the high school. The presentation is directed toward parents and students of graduating seniors, however it is open to anyone desiring information regarding financial aid opportunities for the 2009-2010 school year.

The workshop, featuring Brenda Hicks, Financial Aid Administrator at Southwestern College in Winfield, will provide information pertaining to federal programs, federal aid application, state aid programs, student loans, college work-study programs, and financial need-analysis. She will also assist by answering questions pertaining to “special” or “unusual” individual situations.

Anyone interested is invited to attend and take advantage of this opportunity. This workshop is being sponsored by the SHS guidance department and anyone with questions or needing information is encouraged to call Walt Koontz, Counselor, at 620-725-3186.

CENTRAL-BURDEN
“Painting the Town Red” will be the theme for the Central-Burden High School 2009 Winter Homecoming activities on Friday, Feb. 6. The king/queen coronation will be held during halftime of the boys varsity game when the Central-Burden Raiders take on the South Haven Cardinals in basketball action.
Following the game a dance will be held in the Central Elementary School.
Vying for the king/queen titles are: Wade Hughes, son of Mark and Karen Hughes, Burden; Ty Brady, son of Ann Brady, Atlanta, and the late Sam Brady, Atlanta; Joey Day, son of Jimmie Day, Winfield, and Michelle Sproviero; Geremy Andes, son of Todd Andes, Winfield, and Cindy Hogarth, Wichita; Misty Teague, daughter of Susie and Kenny Teague, Grenola; Bionca Beamer, daughter of Cindy Beamer, Burden; Georganna Hopper, daughter of Mike and Rosalie Hopper, Burden; Allyson Johnson, daughter of Scott Johnson, Winfield, and Kim Fleetwood, Arkansas City.
Court members include: juniors – Clayton Grow, son of Brian and Jeannie Grow, Atlanta; Anna Kill, daughter of John and Carol Kill, Grenola; sophomores – John McAlister, son of Delbert and Jill McAlister, Atlanta; Sarah Fischer, daughter of Mike and Georganna Garrison, Atlanta; freshmen – Jacob Stasa, son of Steve and Valena Behrendt, Burden; Tanya Hunsucker-Vaught, daughter of Tracy and Michelle Vaught, Burden.
The court prince is Logan Braun, son of Jason and Lisa Braun, Burden, and the court princess is MaKenna McKamie, daughter of Dean and Julie McKamie, Winfield.

SEDAN HIGH SCHOOL
This Friday evening, Feb. 6, Sedan High School will celebrate the final night of homecoming activities with the king and queen coronation followed by a high school dodgeball tournament in the new gym.
“A Hero’s Homecoming” is the theme for this year’s winter homecoming. The coronation ceremony will be held during halftime of the varsity boys basketball game with the Sedan Blue Devils vs. the Argonia Raiders.
Spirit Week has been held at the high school preceding the Friday festivities with students dressing up on Super Power Day, Alter Ego Day, Villan Day, Super Hero Day, and Blue and White Day.
StuCo is sponsoring a canned food drive to support the Sedan Food Pantry. The class competition is held from Monday-Friday. Students are challenged to “be a hero” and bring canned food items to donate.
King candidates are Kyle Williams, Trae Smith, Bubba Vandagriff, Alvin Loggins, Gayson Stettler, and Scotty Mitchell. Queen candidates are Katherine Mullendore, Megan Smith, Kirsten Roberts, Martha Stettler, Kristyn Farrice, and Georgia Ann Tucker.

WEST ELK HIGH SCHOOL
West Elk High School students have been celebrating homecoming activities this week which will culminate with the king and queen coronation and a all night lock-in for students Friday night.
The coronation will take place at halftime of the varsity boys basketball game between the West Elk Patriots and the Caldwell Bluejays, Friday night, Feb. 6. The theme song for homecoming is “Your Guardian Angel” by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus.
Those vying for the royalty titles are: Taylor Lowe and Kaylee Jo Perkins; Lucas Simmons and Natthawipa “Em” Thanmatikornchai; Gus Allen and Caitlin JuAire; Bailey Adams and Alyssa Salisbury; Shane Hall and Danielle Fullhart. Sony Lee will be escorting Shilo Malone who had a tie with the boys and is not a candidate.
Students this week have observed homecoming week by dressing in different attire each day. Monday was Inside Out Day; Tuesday, What the Heck Are You Wearing? Day; Wednesday, Elderly/Old Folks Day; Thursday, Hillbilly Day; and Friday, Red, White and Blue Day.
Wednesday, the gym will be decorated for the homecoming event.
Friday night, from midnight to 6 a.m., Saturday, a lock-in will be held at the school. Students need a permission slip turned in at the school by Thursday in order to attend. There will be no homecoming dance held this year.
Also during the week, the WEHS Stuco is sponsoring a food drive to help restock the Elk County Food Bank. This is a class competition. Anyone wishing to donated cans of food may drop them off at the high school for the specific class you wish to help in the competition. Or those who are unable to bring the items to the school may call the school and someone will come to your home and pick up the food donations.