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TOP ACADEMIC HONORS -- Aleah Weaver (left photo), was awarded Council Grove High School Class of 2026 Valedictorian Wednesday during the annual awards assembly. She stands with her parents, Adam and Crystal Weaver. Jocelyn Skaggs was honored as the Class of 2026 Salutatorian and is pictured alongside her parents, Joyce Burnett and Clayton Skaggs.

The Council Grove High School Braves improved to 24-1 on the season Wednesday, overpowering the Herington Railers 15-0 in regional baseball action behind an explosive offensive performance and aggressive base running. The Braves will host Cheney Tuesday, May 19.

Council Grove High School seniors were recognized during Awards Day on Wednesday for academic achievement, leadership, athletics, fine arts, career and technical education, and community involvement.

Ally Hower, Council Grove, a senior in architectural engineering at Kansas State University, is among twenty-four students from the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering who will lead engagement and recognition events and represent the college through leadership and service as new members of the Steel Ring Honor Society.

Residents of the Flint Hills region will have an opportunity this fall to become part of a nationwide effort celebrating America’s 250th birthday as the American Discovery Trail Society brings the American Discovery 250 Relay through Kansas.

An evening on the historic Cottonwood River Bridge in Cottonwood Falls will once again become one of the Flint Hills’ most anticipated summer gatherings as the Chase County Chamber of Commerce prepares for the 2026 River Suite Dinner and Music event on Friday, June 12.

The North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging, based in Manhattan, has announced that Marcheta Jacobson has been named the new site manager for the Council Grove Senior Center.

Several new trees were planted in Alta Vista this spring, continuing a tree-planting tradition started in 2014.

Editor’s note: We hope you enjoy this new weekly series, offered over the next few weeks. We appreciate Jan Koepke writing the intriguing articles about seniors in our community and their interesting lives.

The USD 417 Board of Education met Monday evening, May 11, at the District Office in Council Grove for its regular monthly meeting, which included recognition of state qualifiers and champions, discussion of district finances and enrollment trends, instructional data reports, childcare concerns and the appointment of a new board member.