14 Years Ago

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Just as we hear about “5 Star Restaurants” or “5 Star Hotels,” indicating the best of the best in their accommodations, the Solomon Valley Manor had recently been awarded a 5 Star-rating as determined by the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), ranking the facility in the Top 12%...

What Was Going On 14 Years Ago The Kansas Sampler Foundation announced the 8 Wonders of Kansas Commerce finalists on January 5th, 2009. Baxter’s Bait & Tackle of Stockton and Dessin Fournir of Plainville had been selected in the 24 finalists of over 100 that the public had nominated.