(The following article is taken from the unapproved minutes of the Woodston City Council meeting dated November 8th.) The Council of the City of Woodston met in the Council Chamber at the City Hall on Monday, November 8th, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. Council Members present were Bill Dibble, Judy Turnbull, Caroline Manis, Annette Paulson and April Yakish.

RoCO ARTS COUNCIL displayed a lighted forest with Rudolph’s bright nose illuminating his festive artwork..

It is an exciting time in Stockton right now as ground has been broken and work begun on clearing the area for construction of the new Solomon Valley Manor. An official Groundbreaking event was held on Tuesday, Nov. 30, with the Stockton City Commissioners present, along with city manager/ clerk Courtney Hrabe, Dale Winklepleck, president of Solutions North Bank, and four officials from Parkway, the construction and architecture firm out of Lewisville, Texas.

After a discussion was held at a prior meeting about using ARPA funds for Redbud Village, the Rooks County Commissioners continued that discussion in more detail during their weekly meeting on Tuesday, November 23rd. Commissioners John Ruder, Greg Balthazor and Tim Berland talked with treasurer Kim Northup and clerk Ruthmary Muir about utilizing some of the County’s ARPA money for operating expenses and feasibility studies for the facility, citing the loss of revenue due to COVID-19. After noting there are no definite Federal guidelines for the use of the County’s ARPA funds, the commissioners stated they feel this would be acceptable as it is looking at the future of the facility because of its financial revenue loss during the pandemic. The commissioners voted to transfer $200,000.00 to Redbud Village with the Plainville Community Foundation to match the funds up to $170,000.00 to Redbud. It was understood that the County would pay back the money to the ARPA funds if it is found out that the money cannot be used for such a project. The ARPA funds are to be utilized by the County within a period of three years and must be COVID-19 related.

Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas is proud to announce the receipt of a $20,980 grant from the Beach Family Foundation. Jane Hipp, daughter of Ross and Marianna Beach continue their legacy with this grant award to support DSN- WK’s efforts to remodel and retool its workshop used to produce refurbished furniture and craft items for its new Custom Creations store in downtown Hays. Having a fully functional workshop will provide greater opportunities for new skill development and additional custom created projects for persons served by DSNWK.

It’s the 37th annual Parade of Christmas Trees at the Stockton Public Library! The creative designs/themes of the trees just keeps getting better and better! Decorations on the treesinclude doves, reindeer, stars, gnomes, and yes, even flamingos taking center stage. The twenty-five trees will be on display in the Carnegie Room during the month of December during regular library hours. Remember to vote for your favorite trees in the Adult and Youth Categories.

Madison Reed was honored at the IMCA National Banquet held in the Cornhusker Marriott in Lincoln, Nebraska (the IMCA national headquarters) on Saturday, November 27th as the Kansas State Champion in the Sports Compact Division for the 2021 racing season. Racers from around the country and Canada were in attendance for the annual banquet and awards ceremony which honored series, state, regional and national champions.

The Sacred Heart Home and School is presenting a New Year’s Eve Escape Celebration set for Friday, December 31, 2021 at the Sacred Heart Grade School in Plainville. The doors will open at 5:00 p.m. with the evening’s lineup including a meal, drinks and stage entertainment followed by a dance.

The third-grade students of Martha Fleck and Tricia Hemphill at Stockton Grade School are featured in individuals ads in this week’s Sentinel. Each student created a poster representing what they ae thankful for this Thanksgiving.

Governor Laura Kelly congratulated Rooks County for receiving $1 million in Cost Share funds as administered through the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). The funds will be used for improvements to County Road 10.