At an all-time event high, 31 teams comprising 53 students from Plainville and Stockton competed on Wednesday, February 25, at the annual Rooks County Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC), hosted this year at the Plainville High School Cardinal Gym. Students in grades 7–12 showcased their entrepreneurial ideas through a 4minute presentation, tradeshow display, and previously submitted executive summary, continuing a tradition of hands-on, real-world business exploration.

The Rooks County tax revenue for 2025 has increased in all categories, which are Real Estate, Severed Minerals, Personal Property, State-Assessed Utilities, Oil, and Specials. The largest increase was seen in Real Estate, which rose by $543,156.58, bringing the total to $9,700,596.07, compared to $9,157,439.49 in 2024.

Lynette L. Goodro, 62, of Palco, is being held at the Rooks County Jail on a $5,000 bond following her arrest on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

Seven charges, including four drug-related offenses, filed in Rooks County District Court after a traffic stop on South 6th and South Cedar Streets in Stockton on October 23, 2024, have been dismissed by Rooks County Attorney Danielle N. Muir.

The Stockton City Commission meeting on Tuesday, February 17th started with the approval of the Consent Agenda, which included the Solomon Valley Manor gross payroll of $70,949.37, the Solomon Valley Manor warrants of $44,112.53, the City of Stockton warrants of $300,271.61, and the February 3rd regular meeting minutes.

Emergency management director Adam Bryant was at the Rooks County Commission meeting on Tuesday, February 17th, to present two pickup options and their costs to the commissioners. Bryant has a quote from Keller Motors about one option, and has spoken with Sheriff Gary Knight about the 2025 Chevy 3/4-ton pickup his department now has.

During the February 17th Plainville City Council meeting, a Hearing was held dealing with the nuisance abatement for Stephen Mataio. After listening to the information provided during the Hearing, the Council was to determine whether a nuisance exists.

Rooks County Health Center in Plainville announced it has been recognized as a 2026 Top 100 Critical Access Hospital by The Chartis Center for Rural Health. The Top 100 awards program celebrates outstanding performance annually among the nation’s rural hospitals based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX.

Voters in Unified School District No. 270-Plainville will head to the polls Tuesday, March 3, to decide the fate of two separate bond issue proposals aimed at funding improvements and renovations to district facilities.

On February 2nd, Taylor Hanson officially stepped into the role of the Stockton Area Chamber of Commerce Director. Hanson, who is already quite active in the community, wanted to help with the Chamber, and this position will allow her to contribute even more.