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The Rooks County Commissioners met with Jerry Michaud with DSNWK at the start of their weekly meeting on Tuesday, August 19th. Michaud updated the commissioners on the services Rooks County received from the organization during 2024.

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced on Friday, August 8th, that the Department of Commerce has awarded $362,000.00 through the Emergency Historic Assistance Lifeline (E-HEAL) program. These funds will support five downtown revitalization projects for buildings facing likely demolition or collapse.

For the third and final week, the Stockton Sentinel is printing the Delinquent Tax List for Rooks County in this week’s issue. Required by state law for publication in the final three weeks of August, the annual delinquent tax list contains the names of those Rooks County taxpayers who have not paid their property taxes in 2025.

The September 18th Sentinel will include our annual SHS Homecoming Feature, with individual pictures of the Tiger athletes (football, volleyball, and cross country), cheer, dance, and coaching staff, sponsored by local merchants, organizations, and individuals. If you or your organization or business would like to sponsor a Homecoming student or staff person, please call the Sentinel Office at 785-425-6354 as soon as possible by Friday, September 5th.

Monday morning, August 25, a scammer spoofed the Rooks County Health Center phone number and called a community member. The caller claimed the person had been “selected” to receive a swab kit because of their diagnosis. They insisted it was offered through Medicare.

The Heartland Community Foundation granted a record $691,954.80 to local nonprofits and community organizations during its fiscal year from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. This is the largest annual distribution in the foundation’s history—nearly $265,000 more than last year’s $426,339.10.

The 47th Annual Logan Labor Day Celebration will take place Sunday, August 31, 2025, at the Logan Golf Course, located 1.25 miles east of Logan on Highway 9. Sponsored by the Hansen Museum with funds from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, this family-friendly tradition is free and open to all.

The Rooks County Commissioners met with road and bridge supervisor Eric Biggs at the August 12th regular weekly meeting. Biggs began his report by showing the commissioners thin layers of blacktop material from the Zurich Blacktop, which was resurfaced in the late fall of 2023. The blacktop was contracted out to be two and a half inches in depth, but in some areas, potholes are becoming a problem due to its thinness. In some places by the edge of the road, it is approximately three-fourths of an inch. Biggs stated that chip sealing is not going to help it. They will continue to experience more issues, and there will be a lot of patching on that seven-mile stretch of road. Biggs has not yet talked to the contractors about the problem, as he first wanted the commissioners to be aware of the situation.

Rooks County has appointed a new EMS Director, Pete Rogers, who succeeds Megan Wise, who held the position since January 25, 2023. Rogers brings 25 years of experience in the emergency medical services field.