14 Years Ago

Body Three fires during the week kept the Stockton, Plainville, and Woodston Fire Departments on their toes. The first was a controlled burn that got out of control when the USD 271 employees burned off the tall grass at the driving range near the fairgrounds.

Body Doug Conn gave two reasons why he decided to return to the workforce after retiring as General Manager/Controller at Wilkens Manufacturing, Inc. The first reason Conn had was that he worked every day of his life, and things he enjoyed doing didn’t fill up his days all the time.

Body Mark Billinger began work at Webster State Park in his official position as Natural Resource Officer I.

Body Kori Bigge was back home in the arms of her family, friends, and neighbors in Plainville. She had not been inside her home since September, when she had suffered a debilitating heart attack.

Body Stockton Interim City Manager Keith Schlaegel started in his position on February 12th. He was the Heartland Building Center Manager for many years.

Body Caitlin Lingg, daughter of Pat and Sandy Lingg of Stockton, was the Rooks County Spelling Bee Champion, winning the honors after spelling “planetarium” and “narthex” correctly. Caitlin would go on to represent the county at the State Spelling Bee in Great Bend in March.

Body More than 30 citizens attended the public meeting held February 3 at City Hall to discuss the future direction of the Solomon Valley Manor. The Stockton City Commission was also present.

Body Stockton’s fear of losing the prison had become a reality. It had been just a year since Rooks County got the crushing news that Schult Homes in Plainville would be closing, with over 100 jobs to be lost.

Body The deadline for candidates to file for the spring elections had passed, and the names of all the Rooks County residents seeking city offices or school board seats was final.

Body A Phillipsburg teenager, Trenton Taylor Hoft, 15, was killed in a one-vehicle accident on Jan. 17, 2009, when the vehicle in which he was a passenger began to skid broadside and then rolled three or four times.