While on an evening walk with my two-year-old spanador, Charley, a few weeks ago, we were on our usual route on South 2nd Street when we came upon a very busy neighborhood. It wasn’t busy with people, mind you; this back yard was all aflutter with Purple Martins—swooping, gliding, diving, flapping, rising—and it was noisy with screaches and “zweeeets” and “tchewwew.” These martins were having a hey-day as they were loading up on any insect that dared to enter the area.

Stockton Grade School Principal Stacey Green was named the National Distinguished Principal for the State of Kansas in April 2020 by the NAESP’s National Distinguished Principal (NDP) program. Each year the NAESP congratulates principals from across the nation, in both public and private schools, and overseas, for their exemplary achievements.

The Washburn University Alumni Associ- ation and Foundation announced Wednesday, July 7th, that it has received a gift of $10.2 million from anonymous donors. The gift will be used for several capital projects in the coming years as well scholarships. This is the largest gift received in Washburn University’s history.

The Rooks County Commission met for its regular weekly meeting on Tuesday, July 6th with the three commissioners, Tim Berland, John Ruder and Greg Balthazor in attendance. The first order of business was the weekly reports.

SGT Katelyn Lindsey and SSG Ash Reynolds had the honor of singing the National Anthem at the Kansas City Royals game on the Fourth of July. The two serve in the Army Reserves with Katelyn marking her 17th year in the organization, and performing as a member of the Army Band. Katelyn is a vocalist, sings in a rock band ensemble and plays trumpet in the 312th Army Band.

Raul Batista, who was convicted of Aggravated Escape From Custody, Burglary, Aggravated Assault, Rape and Aggravated Battery of a local resident in 1989, will be considered for parole in September 2021. To help make sure his parole is denied, letters may be sent by August 31, 2021 to: Kansas Department of Corrections, Office of Victim Services, 714 SW Jackson, Set 300, Topeka, KS 66603. Please be sure to include his name and KDOC number with each letter: RE Raul Batista KDOC #0046123.

During the regular meeting of the Stockton City Commission held on Tuesday, July 6th, the commissioners met with Stockton Food Pantry representatives Mike and Sandi Rogers. Mike Rogers stated that the organization had been approved for two grants, and is waiting to hear back from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation grant they have also applied for. The purpose of the fundraising is for the purchase of a building for the Food Pantry. A fourth grant is in the process of being applied for, with the cost of the building estimated at $22,000.00. Donations are also being dropped off at Solutions North Bank. The total cost for the project with electricity, heating, air, electrical wiring and labor included is just shy of $25,000.00. The organization has a total of $10,000.00 at this time. Rogers feels they have enough seed money to get started on the project. He stated that at the last City meeting he had attended, the property south of the Solomon Valley Manor was discussed as a possible location for the new Food Pantry. The commissioners are not sure if that property is still in the railroad’s name. This will need to be looked into in further detail. Rogers would like the front half of two lots for the 40x16 foot building. Commissioner Bob Becker stated he was not sure if the location is truly available with the upcoming construction of the new Manor and future plans still being discussed for the remaining property. City clerk Courtney Flower said she had not talked with SVM Administrator Amanda Atkisson about the land, but didn’t think that area would be used, though it is hard to say at this point in point in time. Also, it would probably need to be zoned as commercial. Roger said that the other locations they have looked into are not available. For the time being, the Food Pantry is temporarily in the back of Funky Junky’s with Rogers noting that the contractor stated he could start construction any time, once everything is approved. Flower stated that the survey, deed and title would need to be taken care of which would take at least 90 days to complete. It was asked if the Christian Church house could be utilized, but it is not handicapped accessible. After a little more discussion, the commissioners voted to donate the south half of two lots as discussed to the Food Pantry with the organization to pay half of the closing and survey costs. The vote was 4 yes (Reesa Brown, Jesica Kerr, Nathan Glendening and Adam Bryant), 1 no (Bob Becker.)

As of Monday, July 12th, the Stockton Farmers Union Elevator has taken in 417,000 bushels of wheat. Woodston Coop has taken in 384,000 bushels. The crop is 23 % more than last year’s harvest. The yields have been good with the test weights not as good as they could be. Elevator manager Deb Miller stated that she does not anticipate a high protein count. There were still a few farmers out in the fields at the time of this report.