Final preparations are being made for the 20th celebration of the Elk River Festival, which will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26 at the Elk County Courthouse Square in Howard.

This year’s theme is “Honoring Our Past - Promoting Our Future,” and will be tied in to the dedication of the new All Veterans Memorial at Jackson Park.  A dedication ceremony will be held at the memorial at 8:30 a.m., and will feature the Elk County Community Choir.

The Howard Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a t-shirt quilt giveaway for the 2009 Elk River Festival.  Donations are being accepted for one chance Read more

The Howard Chamber of Commerce will host a “meet and greet” for Jetta Osburn, the city’s new police chief from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, at the First National Bank, 101 S. Wabash.

Chief Osburn was sworn in on Aug. 5 and started her full-time duties Aug. 14. She comes to Howard with 8 1/2 years’ experience as a patrol officer in Neodesha. She is currently enrolled at Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and an associate’s degree in law enforcement.

“My first goal is to meet the citizens of Howard and learn from them what they expect of me,” she said. “With the community’s help, I will work to meet their expectations to the best of my ability.”

All are invited to come and welcome the new chief. Light refreshments will be served.