A segment called, “Plains People”,  featuring Jim Harkness of Neodesha, formerly of Sedan, and the Emmett Kelly Memorial Clown School in Sedan, will be shown during the broadcast of Sunflower Journeys on KTWH-TV (PBS) channel 11,  out of Topeka on Dec. 24.  The segment may include the Sedan High School, the Emmett Kelly Historical Museum, and other sites around Sedan.

Shot and produced by John Njagi of KTWH, the “Plains People” series is a mini-documentary where the camera captures the moments that happen outside the interview, and the story is told from the individual’s perspective, narrating their own process, struggle or challenge.  Jim volunteers as “Chief Joey”  or school principle, of the Emmett Kelly Memorial Clown School, when in session.

Make  plans to attend the 4th Annual Emmett Kelly Memorial Clown School and Events scheduled for June 23-26, 2010. Read more

Kim Milliken is the new city clerk at Cedar Vale following her swearing-in on Monday.

Milliken currently lives at Independence and will move to Cedar Vale soon. She has three children, Chelsea, 18, who attends Coffeyville Community College; Michelle, 17, a senior at Independence High School; and Kristopher, 3.

Barbara Denney, city clerk for the past 10 years, has announced her retirement from city clerk’s position.

Milliken said she was excited about her new duties, noting that Cedar Vale is a beautiful town and she is enjoying getting to know everyone.

After a weekend of deer hunting, Roy Higbee wasn’t able to find that trophy deer to hang on his wall.  He did, however, get a big $200,000 check from the Kansas Lottery he can hang on his wall.  The Severy resident matched the first five Powerball numbers in the Dec. 12 drawing, winning a $200,000 cash prize!

“My wife Tamara and I were out deer hunting on Saturday when we decided to stop at a convenience store to get something to eat,” said Higbee.  “I ended up with $5 left and decided to buy a Powerball ticket.” Read more

Even though voters in USD 282-West Elk voted down a bond issue earlier this fall, apparently thinking it might save their elementary schools in Severy and Moline, it now appears the schools will close anyway.

At Monday night’s board of education meeting, it was proposed that the Severy and Moline schools close, although a vote was not taken on the actual closure.

The board did vote to hold a public hearing on Monday, Jan. 4, in the West Elk Auditorium at Howard, to gather input on the proposal.

Supt. Cory Reese told Prairie Star that details will be hammered out by the board and committees but it appears that modular units will be purchased to accommodate the creation of eight new classrooms on the Howard campus.

See this week’s Prairie Star for more information on this breaking story.