Rooks County continues to see a high number of new COVID-19 cases. The absenteeism rate is increasing (6.0% above the baseline from 2019-2020). The positive testing rate is 33.8% this week and the two week incident rate remains high. RCH reports they are still having difficulty finding hospitals to receive patients when they require transfer to a higher level of care. As you are aware, spectators are not allowed to attend events and activities in our schools. While we know this is disappointing to our parents/ guardians, fans, and communities, we are thankful our students are able to play ball, to wrestle, and to participate. Many of the events will be live streamed either through our own media production sites or through the towns where we are visiting. Information regarding the events will be posted as it becomes available. Please understand that these modifications are implemented in the best interest of, not only our students and student athletes, but also our communities. Rooks County districts are dedicated to doing whatever we can to keep our students safe and to provide them the opportunity to participate in the activities. Our goal is to remain in school for the next two weeks before the holiday break. We plan to continue in-person learning for the week of December 7th-11th, 2020. If there is any adjustment required to the learning setting due to concerns in the schools, we will update your family quickly following a decision. We ask you to do everything you can to help us keep our students in school and our community in a healthy place. Please wear a mask when you interact with anyone outside your immediate household and avoid all gatherings, large and small. We are thankful to live in a county where we take care of one another. Happy Holidays from the Rooks County medical providers and school district employees! Bill Lowry, Supt. USD #271 421 Main Street Stockton, KS 67669 785-425-6367

Bodye Stithem, Stockton, is a new junior member of the American Angus Association®, reports Mark McCully, CEO of the national organization with headquarters in Saint Joseph, Missouri. Junior members of the Association are eligible to register cattle in the American Angus Association, participate in programs conducted by the National Junior Angus Association and take part in Association-sponsored shows and other national and regional events.

It’s the 36th annual Parade of Christmas Trees at the Stockton Public Library! The creative designs/themes of the trees just keeps getting better and better each and every year, and 2020 is no exception with snowmen, reindeer and snowflakes taking center stage. Plus, a few trees gave a nod to the pandemic. So make plans to go view the trees, which will be on display in the Carnegie Room during the month of December during regular library hours. And please vote for your favorite trees in the Adult and Youth Categories.

The biggest drop in the County’s tax revenue for the 2020 year comes as no surprise in Oil with a decrease of $1,274,580.99 from the 2019 total of $2,528,560.41. The total for 2020 is $1,253,979.42. Personal Property is down $26,959.92 sitting at $173,337.86 for 2020. Personal Property for 2019 was $200,297.78. Specials make up the last decrease with a slight dip to $31,034.88, down $1,831.06 from the 2019 total of $32,865.94. (The Specials” tax is imposed on city cleanup of property (lots, for instance to enable irrigation by the irrigation district; or for such projects and sewer, curb and gutter improvements.)