Community leaders in Sedan will host several officials from the Kansas Farm Bureau and Connected Nation next Tuesday, Dec. 8, as they tour the Bradford Hotel and interview local citizens about a proposed Broadband Communications Center.

An application is pending for a grant which would transform the hotel in Sedan into a high tech center intended to advance broadband service (fast internet speed) to rural areas. Selection of such a site is still under review by state and federal officials, however the Kansas Department of Commerce announced on Monday that a $2 million grant has been approved for “mapping” or determining exactly how the federal stimulus funds for broadband centers will be distributed. There are dozens of such applications across the United States. Read more

Basketball and wrestling seasons will get underway in earnest with area schools either hosting games or on the road for season openers.
Here is a look at some of those games. Read more

An Old Fashioned Christmas at the Swinging Bridge Cafe and Lodge Gift Shop in Moline on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 8 a.m.-8 p.m., will offer everyone a chance to purchase some Victorian “restored” Christmas wreaths and Christmas flower arrangements that were originally made by the late artisan, Alma Bainter of Grenola.

In the past, Bainter had shops in Sedan, Winfield and in later years, Grenola.  She was an accomplished ceramicist, Read more

The Sedan High School Play Production Department will present “Just Another High School Play” on Friday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. in the Sedan High School Auditorium.  Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for children.

The play, by Bryan Starchman and produced by special arrangements with Eldridge Publishing Co., is a comedy that covers nearly every angle of the typical high school play with a dose of history and improvisation thrown in for good measure.

The cast includes seniors Elizabeth Lampson, Misti Powell, and Lauren Miller, juniors Kylee Baker, Heather Chrisman, sophomores Katherine Hinkle, Emily Wark and Jakaya Barker, and freshman Jacob Chrisman.
The public is encouraged to attend this production.

The Sedan Area Chamber of Commerce announces Santa is coming to town! The Hollow will be the site of Santa’s annual visit on Saturday, Dec. 5. The jolly old soul will be handing out treats to all the good little girls and boys from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A photographer will be available to capture the precious memories.

Load up the kids, the pets, the wish lists and yourself and make the short trip to Sedan Hollow Park for treats, photos and fun with Santa.

The Howard Chamber of Commerce is busy preparing for its Christmas Open House, set for Saturday, Dec. 5. Santa’s arrival, the lighting of the town Christmas tree, children’s holiday activities, refreshments and door prizes are just a few of the great reasons to visit Howard during the open house.

In addition to the traditional event schedule, several merchants will be open and many will serve refreshments and award door prizes. Most of the prize winners will be announced at 5 p.m. at the Cox Building, prior to the tree lighting ceremony. Read more

Chautauqua County voters shouted a loud “yes” in Tuesday balloting to a one-cent sales tax to finance a new jail and law enforcement center at Sedan.

The total vote was: Yes 598 No 185

It was a 76/24 percent edge in favor of the new jail and sales tax.
By precinct the vote across Chautauqua County was:
Harrison-Hewins: Yes 12, No 6.
Jefferson-Cedar Vale: Yes 101, No 28.
Caneyville-Cloverdale: 13 yes, No 8.
Center-Belknap: Yes 23, No 2.
Summit-Wauneta: Yes 15, No 15.
Hendricks-Elgin: Yes 17, No 17.
Lafayette-Grafton: Yes 9, No 3.
North Sedan-Sedan: Yes 161, No 29.
South Sedan - Sedan: Yes 103, Nov 20.
Bellville-Chautauqua: Yes 48, No 9.
Belleville-Peru: Yes 51, No 30.
Little Caney-Niotaze: Yes 18, No 11.
Washington-Lone Cherry: Yes 15, No 5.
Salt Creek-Hale: Yes 12, No 2.