On April 1st, an angry thunderstorm with lots of dangerous lightning moved through the area, but only after lightning struck one of two oil tanks filled with two loads of crude oil in a battery located at 24 and U Roads six miles north of Codell. The firefighting personnel from Stockton, Plainville, Woodston Natoma, Ellis, Graham, and Russell Counties were called to the scene. The oil tank had collapsed, and the burning oil and wind-driven heat exploded, sending split pieces of the tank flying through the air. Six firemen were dispatched to the Rooks County Health Center for treatment from fighting the fire.

Taten Pulec was the 2010 Kansas Kids State Champion in his 12 and Under Division for folkstyle wrestling at the Kansas Kid Championship Tournament in Topeka. Dr.

Thomas and Ruth Ann Bigge were named as the 2009 Kansas Master Farmer/Master Farm Homemaker at a banquet held at the Courtyard By Marriott Hotel in Junction City. They were also to be honored at the Kansas State Fair in September.

Betty Bedore was retiring from the Rooks County FSA Office. Miranda (Byfield) McCune had opened a quaint ice cream shop in the east part of town on Highway 36 called Cune’s Corner.

Rooks County Sheriff Randy Axelson confirmed a break-in and robbery at the Curtis Patterson residence across the road from Rooks County Feeders at 22 Road in Plainville. When he returned home, Patterson discovered the burglary and was compiling a list of missing items.

Starting on July 1st, Kansas was to become the latest state to outlaw smoking in restaurants, bars, and workplaces. The landmark move was made on February 25th, when the Kansas House voted to send a statewide smoking ban to Governor Mark Parkinson, who promised to sign it into law.

* Stockton High School wrestler Carlos Gallaway was headed to the State Wrestling Tournament in Hays. * Present for the ribbon cutting at Cuppas Restaurant were Deacon Creighton, Rebecca Creighton, Dylon Peters, Shawn McReynolds, Michelle Storz, Chris Sander, Virginia Bice, Linda Cross, Linda McLaughlin, Jerry McReynolds, Wilma Turnbull, Diane McReynolds, Chris Kollman, and owner Darla McReynolds.

The Bluegrass trio Two Bits A Gander was set to perform at the Nova Theatre in March. Josh Price, a former Stocktonite, was one-third of the group.

Scoutmaster Misty Higdon received the Boy Scout Wheatland District Award of Merit, the highest award given in Scouting at the annual Baden Powell Banquet held in Hays. The Stockton Wrestling Club had three champions at the Plainville Open Tournament, with winners Joel Green, Kian Coffey, and Braden Higdon.

What Was Going On 14 Years Ago Hope Turnbull was the Stockton Grade School Spelling Bee champion, with Cecelia Back as runner- up. After purchasing Nick Lowe’s business shares, Rusty and Cheryl Hrabe became the sole owners of Webster’s Supermarket.