Voters who reside in West Elk-282 will go to the polls next Tuesday, Nov. 3, to say “yes” or “no” to a $5.55 million proposal that will greatly impact the makeup of schools in the district.

The basic question will be whether to close elementary schools currently operated in Moline and Severy and construct a new elementary school on the campus where West Elk Junior/Senior High School and the district office are located, south of Howard.

In addition to building the new grade school, the current bus parking area and some utilities will be relocated, and improvements  made to the bus lane, driveway and parking lot.

Those supporting the plan say a  new facility configuration will provide Read more

Students from seven Kansas high schools were honored Wednesday, Oct. 14, by the University of Kansas Alumni Association and KU Endowment.

A total of 54 seniors from high schools in Chautauqua and Cowley counties were recognized for their academic achievements and named Kansas Honor Scholars at a dinner program at Cowley County Community College’s Brown Center in Arkansas City.

Honored from Sedan High School were Christie Loftin, Jolene Reed and Sarah Buck.

Honored students were guests of the KU Alumni Association and KU Endowment.
Tim Hills, Sedan, is Chautauqua County coordinator.

The Kansas Honors Program is made possible through the KU Endowment and proceeds from the Jayhawk License Plate program.

It’s a striking sight — the all metal hunting lodge that’s perched on a hillside two miles south of Sedan on the west side of Highway 99.

“Kansas Finest Outfitters” is now open to hunters who need a good place to stay, hunt and enjoy some good, home-cooked food.

Sam Moore has been in the outfitting business for the past 13 years, mostly in the state of Illinois, but he and his wife, Tammy, have turned their attention entirely to Kansas.

Chautauqua County, Kansas, specifically.

“You’ve got some of the best deer hunting in the country right here in Chautauqua and Elk counties,” he said while pointing to an array of stuffed deer heads and racks along a wall. “They may not be the biggest deer Read more

For a number of years, the Sedan Ranch Rodeo has honored someone as a pioneer of ranching and the western way of life. These “old timers” as they are affectionately known, have all played a key role in the cattle business and have left their mark on our western and ranching heritage.

That tradition was continued at this year’s rodeo by honoring someone who is not quite an old timer but who truly exemplifies the qualities of the pioneer spirit.

Our 2009 Pioneer Award recipient is Tyler Bowman of Pawhuska.

Born on June 29, 1990, to Ace and Teresa Bowman, Tyler is the youngest member to be given this honor. He began handling ropes as a toddler and learned his skill from his dad, Ace; Uncle George; and Grandpa J.B.

Other grandparents are Mike and Libby Long of rural Peru (parents of Teresa Bowman) and Jean Bowman of Copan, in addition to J.B. and Mary Bowman who live west of Caney.

At a very young age, Tyler really began making a name for himself Read more

The Broadband Internet Center grant application that was to be announced in November has been delayed at least another month, according to information received today from Harry Watts with Kansas Farm Bureau.

Officials in Washinton, D.C. have indicated a desire to gather more information before they make the final determinations on successful grant awardees.

The application written Kansas Farm Bureau has the backing of Southern Kansas Telephone Co., the Southeast Kansas Education Center at Greenbush, the Sedan Area Economic Development Committee, Sedan Chamber of Commerce, Quad County Enterprises and numerous community leaders.

If successful, the Bradford Hotel in downtown Sedan will be the site of considerable activity intended to bring broadband internet services to rural America.