Want to have fun, defend your values, and try your hand at winning some great prizes? If so, the Ellis County GOP can make it happen. On August 12, they are teaming up with the Kansas Black Republicans to host a trap competition at the Hays City Sportsmen’s Club.

The 145th Nicodemus Homecoming Emancipation Celebration plans are coming together nicely, and the dedicated Homecoming Committee members, who are hard at work, promise a little something for everyone.

At the Rooks County Commission meeting held on Tuesday, July 11th, commissioners John Ruder, Kayla Hilbrink, and Tim Berland held a Public Hearing for the Covid Resiliency Program Allocation Fund Grant application process.

An unusual chain of events occurred early last month involving a one-vehicle accident along Highway 183 in the north city limits of Plainville. If not for the quick and heroic actions of the responding police officer with the Rooks County Sheriff’s Department, the results could have been fatal.

More than $4 million in Community Service Program (CSP) Tax Credits have been awarded to 36 nonprofit organizations in Kansas. CSP Tax Credits have been issued since 1994 and reduce Kansas’ tax obligation, according to a press release issued from the Office of the Governor last Thursday, July 13.

The difficult decision was recently made to disband the Stockton Lions Club due to low membership. The organization has been part of this community since the 1950s, and through the years, it has contributed to the town in hundreds of ways. Their presence will be sorely missed.

At the regular monthly meeting of the Stockton Unified School District No. 271 Board of Education held on Monday, July 10th, the members approved the board organization and appointments for the 2023-2024 school year as follows: Jesse Stithem to serve as president; Chad Sterling to serve as vice president; Vicki Gianni to serve as deputy clerk; Anita Conger to serve as treasurer; Terry Cikanek to serve as attorney; Annette Look to serve as KPERS representative; Sarah Armstrong to serve as food service rep, food service hearing officer, compliance coordinator for federal programs, and Title 9 Coordinator/sexual harassment; building principals and Vicki Gianni to serve as food service free/ reduced determining officials; building principals to serve as attendance officers; Stephanie Niblock to serve on Professional Development Council; Daphne Plumer to serve on Smoky Hill Education Service Center Board; Chad Sterling and Stephanie Niblock to serve on NCK Special Ed Coop Board; LeAnn Dix and Thelma Berland to serve on District Site Council; Stephanie Niblock to serve on KASB Governmental Relations Board; Sarah Armstrong to serve as Freedom of Information Officer; Annette Look to serve as Custodian of Records; BJ Hoeting to serve on the technology committee; Sarah Armstrong to serve as Section 504 Coordinator/Title IX Compliance Officer, Jesse Stithem to serve as Stockton Recreation Commission Board member; Kaye Whitney to serve as Child Nutrition Program Food Service Director; Vicki Gianni to serve as Wellness Policy Contact, Determining Official, Authorized Representative, and Homeless Liaison; Sarah Armstrong to serve as Child Nutrition Program Confirming Official and Hearing Official, Vicki Gianni to serve as Wellness Committee representative; Jesse Stithem and Stephanie Niblock to serve as Stockton Educational Endowment Association representatives; Thelma Berland to serve on Curriculum Council; Stephanie Niblock to serve on Stockton Area Chamber of Commerce board; and BJ Hoeting and Jesse Stithem to serve on Negotiations Board.

For the past year, Humanities Kansas has had the pleasure of working with Angela Bates, Ashley Adams, and LueCreasea Horne at Nicodemus Historical Society to bring the Smithsonian traveling exhibition, “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America,” to Nicodemus. “Voices and Votes” explores the dynamic history of American democracy and how each generation strives to form “a more perfect union.” The exhibition is currently on display at the Nicodemus National Historic Site from now to August 13.

The Pride of Texas Shows Carnival is going to be at this year’s Rooks County Free Fair and now is the time to buy your tickets for the rides! Advance armbands are $25.00 apiece and can be purchased at the Rooks County Free Fair Office. During the Fair, the armbands will be $30.00 apiece.

The Nova Theatre’s next FREE summer movie is Wednesday, July 19th, at 1:00 p.m. The movie is “The Secret Life Of Pets,” rated PG.