The Stockton City Commission meeting was held on Tuesday, April 7th, with many items listed on the agenda. First was the approval of the Consent Agenda, which included the Solomon Valley Manor gross payroll for $100,879.25, the Solomon Valley Manor warrants for $154,580.91, the City of Stockton gross payroll for $88,880.61, the City of Stockton warrants for $72,876.87, the March 17th regular meeting minutes, and the March 309th special meeting minutes.

The Kansas 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees announced April 18 that it is actively exploring the potential transition of ownership of Rock Springs Ranch as part of a longterm strategy to strengthen the financial position to support youth development across Kansas. A central priority in these conversations is identifying a partner who would consider a usage agreement, allowing Kansas 4-H to continue accessing Rock Springs Ranch programming spaces without the financial obligations of ownership.

At the start of the Rooks County Commission meeting on Tuesday, April 14th, the commissioners met with noxious weed supervisor Ray Swaney. He was there to request part-time help for the department, which was granted.

A Kansas Court of Appeals panel, consisting of former Stocktonite Angela (Chesney) Coble, was joined by a judicial district chief judge and heard oral argument on Tuesday, April 14, at Colby Community College. The panel heard oral arguments in two cases in the Frahm Theater, Colby. Oral arguments were open to students and the public. When oral arguments ended, the judges talked with students and the public and answered questions about the Court of Appeals and the appeals process.

The Stockton Area Chamber of Commerce kicked off its first membership meeting of the year on Tuesday, April 14th, at The Daily Grind. Going forward, meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of each month at Stockton City Hall. The membership portion begins at 5:30 p.m., providing a forum for business owners, organizations, and community members to share ideas and suggestions with board members before the board convenes its official session at 6:00 p.m.

The first order of business for the Rooks County Commissioners on Tuesday, April 7th, was to present Undersheriff Chad Sterling with an appreciation plaque for his 20 years of service to the county, and Dena Bouchey with an appreciation plaque for her 30 years of service in the treasurer's office.

The Plainville City Council began their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 7th, with the approval of the Consent Agenda, which included the March 17th minutes, bills paid totaling $34,859.65, and the KDHE drawdown for $610,561.20, including the EBH and APEC invoices.

Rooks County residents in need of food assistance are fortunate to have two dedicated food pantries working together to ensure no corner of the county goes without help — one based in Stockton, and one in Plainville.

The Solomon Valley Pheasants Forever Banquet was held on Saturday, April 11th, drawing a large crowd to the St. Thomas Parish Center in Stockton for an evening of great food and fun.

Mayor Kyle Karlin called the March 10th City of Palco/McKenna Center meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Those present included Mayor Kyle Karlin; Council members Brandon Kuhn, Koleson Hubbard, Don Steeples and Joan Underhill; City Clerk Larissa Wilson via Teams Video Call; and Treasurer Patricia Wendling. Visitors present included Roger Hrabe, Jeanine McKenna, Andrea Keller. The following individuals arrived after the meeting began: visitor Nancy Beyea; Superintendent Marvin Keller; McKenna Center Director Brenda Lucas; and McKenna Tenant Manager/ Fire Chief Gregg Whisman via phone call. Those not present included council member Stephen Desaire.