Candidates began filing for Polk County elections yesterday, Feb. 13. Those who filed included Rick Covil for re-election to the school board (see photo below), incumbent commissioner Tom Pack (R) (back left), Keith Holbert (R) for commissioner, Marche Pittman (R) for clerk of court, Michael Gage (R) for commissioner, Pam Hyder (D) for clerk of court, Russell Mierop (D) for commissioner, incumbent register of deeds Sheila Whitmire (R) and incumbent commissioner Renee McDermott (D). Polk residents have until Feb. 29 at noon to file for local offices. Filing can be done at the Polk County Board of Elections Office located in the Womack building in Columbus. (photo by Leah Justice)