At the regular weekly meeting of the Rooks County Commission held on Tuesday, August 30th, commissioners Tim Berland, Greg Balthazor and John Ruder met with health nurse Lori Eichman. Eichman reported that the outside repair work on the building is completed.

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The RCH Auxiliary has awarded the following Memorial Scholarships for the academic year 2022-2023: • Jacey Dopita, Plainville, $500, to attend Fort Hays State University, Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, May 2023. • Braden Gosselin, Plainville, $300, to attend NCKTC, ADN Program, Associate Degree in Nursing, he is employed at RCH.

Ben Jensen, a K-State Graduate from Republic County, was Senator Bowers’ Legislative Intern in 2021 and 2022. He now works for KCLY/KFRM as the Farm Broadcaster. This paper was written in late spring of 2022 and is very timely as the Governors Task Force on Wildfires is meeting this summer and fall to offer recommendation for potential law changes as well as best practices for future events.

A whole lot of shakin’ went on in north central and northwest Kansas during the month of August. Four minor earthquakes were reported near the Ellis/Russell County line on Friday evening, August 26th through Saturday morning, August 27th.

By V irgi L aska Stockton Sentinel Clint Armstrong stepped into the position as Stockton’s new recreation director in mid-July, following the departure of Aftan Tso. Armstrong is gearing up for the fall sports schedule.

Just when we thought we might get through the summer without any advisories for blue-green algae, one lake from Rooks County was added last Friday. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), issued its list of public health advisories for Kansas lakes due to blue-green algae last Friday, September 2nd.

After it being quiet for some time for the Stockton Fire Department, the volunteers were called out three times over the August 19th weekend. The first fire call came on Friday evening, August 19th and was located at P and 16 Roads.

By V irgi L aska Stockton Sentinel At the regular meeting of the Rooks County Commissioners, held on Tuesday, August 23rd, John Mapes of Mapes and Miller and auditor for the County, answered questions about the Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) during the Public Comments of the Budget Hearing held for the purpose so the commissioners can exceed the RNR for the coming year. The public had received mailed notices about the RNR with Mapes noting that the notices about the RNR show that just one line of the notice is for the County.

Governor Laura Kelly announced Thursday, August 18, that sportsbooks at Kansas’ four state-owned casinos can begin accepting wagers in person and on mobile platforms starting September 1, 2022, and will officially open September 8. Sports wagering, like all gaming in Kansas, is owned by the state and operated by the Kansas Lottery. Under temporary rules and regulations, the state’s four casino gaming partners can begin launching sports betting just in time for the first professional football game on September 8.