The Elk County 4-H Fair events will begin later this week with the 4-H/FFA Horse Show on Saturday, July 31 at 9 a.m.

Next Monday, August 2, judging of the 4-H Fashion Revue, Clothing Construction and Fiber Arts projects will take place.  The Supporters and Friends of 4-H Picnic will be held that evening prior to the public 4-H Fashion Revue.  On Wednesday morning, August 4, the 4-H Foods exhibits will be judged.  That evening at 6 p.m. the 4-H Market Livestock will be weighed and checked in.

Thursday morning the fair officially kicks off.  4-H and open class exhibits will be accepted from 8-10 a.m.

Judging of all indoor exhibits will begin at 10 a.m.  During the judging, the fair building will be closed to allow the judges to complete their work.  The fair building will open up once all judging is completed.

The county fair has a long and closely related history with the 4-H program.  In fact, many folks cite the county fair as the culmination of the 4-H year.  A time when project members are rewarded for their hard work with recognition of ribbons, trophies and premiums.

The fair also offers a unique learning opportunity.  Youth at the fair learn responsibility, sportsmanship, the thrill of victory as well as the agony of defeat.  However, the fair must be fun for youth.  If it is not, then the many benefits of a fair will be lost.

See this week’s Prairie Star for full details of the fair at Longton.

Chautauqua County voters will narrow the field for an open county commission post when they go to the polls on Tuesday, Aug. 3.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and results will be printed in the Aug. 4 Prairie Star.

Three Republican candidates will compete for votes for commissioner in the First District. They will include: Sundance “Sunny” Young, rural Cedar Vale; Goff Searl, rural Cedar Vale; and Joseph A. Sutton, Sedan.
The candidate who garners the most votes in this primary election will be listed on the general election ballot in November. No Democrats filed for the postion which currently is held by Verne Sweaney.

That will be the only county position up for election this year. All other Chautauqua County elected officers will be up for election in 2012. Read more

Elk Countians will elect a county commissioner this year, but the decision will be made in the general election on Nov. 2.

Two candidates filed for the First District Elk County Commission currently held by Lawrence Jontra. Those candidates are Gus Jones, rural Elk City, a Democrat, and Douglas C. Ritz, rural Fredonia, a Republican. Both names will be listed in next week’s primary but not on competiting ballots.

Elk County voters will see the name of Mike Ward listed as a Republican candidate for District Court Judge, Dist. 13, Div. 4, with no opponent.

The race for District Court Judge, Dist. 13, Div. 1, will be narrowed from four Republican candidates to one in the Aug. 3 primary. Those candidates are: Jan Satterfield, El Dorado, Paul Dean, Madison, Terrence Huelskamp, Andover, and James I. Murfin, Bel Aire. Read more