Taking on the subjects of high school Business Essentials, Accounting, Personal Finance, Consumer Economics, Finance and Banking, and Computer Applications for Stockton High School this year is teacher Lita Allen.

The Stockton community was shocked and saddenend last Friday to learn that one of its own was tragically killed after two small planes collided mid-air near the Soldotna Airport on the Kenal Peninsula in Alaska, killing all seven people aboard.

EACH YEAR SINCE 1906 the 1/2 mile oval track at the fairgrounds in Stockton has been home to flat track motorcycle racing. With the cancellation of the 2020 Rooks County Free Fair motorcycle races which were scheduled to be held this week, the streak was in jeopardy. Therefore, this small group of Kansas riders did what they could to keep the consecutive racing streak alive by creating their own version of the races in Stockton on Saturday afternoon, August 1. Although the track conditions weren’t what the racers were accustomed to, the enthusiasm for the sport they love was unaffected by the pandemic, with each racer capturing a trophy in his respective class. Those enjoying an afternoon of fun were from left: Bud Posson, Norton, Dick Sherbondy, Stockton, Billy Smith, Norton and Hunter Townley, Lincoln

MANY FROM STOCKTON remember the snow sculptures Michael McShea and his brothers, Matt and Kit, made in the yard of their family home on the 400 Block of North Third Street while growing up. What some may not realize is Michael is just as talented when it comes to making sandcastles. Here Michael is pictured with his sons, Matias, left, and Beau being held by Michael. Michael enjoys spending time with his boys at The Country Club of Colorado in Colorado Springs and making sand sculptures for people to enjoy. See Page 10A of this issue for a look at his July 4th creation, which recently appeared on the website for the country club.

SHONI AND MALEA JONES had fun during the Boat Poker Run out at Webster Lake on the 4th of July. (Photo courtesy of Friends of Webster Lake).

DURING THIS COVID CRISIS, it is an especially hard time for those persons residing in nursing homes. Recently two friends, Nancy Dunning of Plainville and Cheryl Calvin of Stockton, were talking about ways they could help others in their local communities, and decided it would be nice to extend some good cheer to other community nursing homes, as well. On Monday and Tuesday of this week a small group got together at Sand Creek Mercantile to write to nursing home residents in the Stockton, Logan, Phillipsburg, Hill City, Alton, and Plainville facilities. More than 200 cards were individually handwritten by (from left) Marion Conyac, Nancy Dunning, Lorraine Baughman, Jane Cunningham, and Cheryl Calvin (not pictured). All the cards will be hand delivered to each of the nursing homes, for staff to distribute to each resident. (Courtesy Photo)

The Sentinel’s annual graduation feature, highlighting the SHS Class of 2020, will appear in next week’s issue.

See J-new l Page Stockton’s only locally-owned fuel and convenience store got a major facelift in the month of June. Local contractor Bellerive Construction installed new concrete siding as well as custom stone manufactured in Hays, while Roger Roy installed a new walkway around the building. The exterior materials and color scheme were replicated from the newly rebuilt J-Mart on the west side of Garden City. Just last fall at J-Mart in Stock Mart’s ok on 10A ton, local petroleum equipment company Westhusing’s Inc. installed brand new fuel dispensers that now accommodate chip cards, JJ Loyalty cards, and touchless payment options such as Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and the Phillips 66 mobile app.