The Plainville USD 270 Board of Education met on Monday, May 11th, with the first order of business the approval of the Consent Calendar, which included the April 13th regular minutes, the May 7th special meeting minutes, and the payment of bills.

The Department of Applied Business Studies at Fort Hays State University (FHSU) has named Delanee Bedore of Stockton as one of its six outstanding graduating seniors for exceptional achievement. The department houses three programs with various concentrations.

(We thank Thomas Riffe for sharing the following column so we can share it with our readers this Memorial Day.) “For most Americans, Memorial Day represents a nice three-day weekend filled with barbecues and picnics. But for some, it is a time to pause and remember a family member or friend who, as Abraham Lincoln said in his Gettysburg Address, ‘gave the last full measure of devotion,’ making the ultimate sacrifice in past wars.

At the start of the Rooks County Commission meeting on Tuesday, May 14th, Max Dibble, who is running for the Kansas House of Representatives 110 District, was at the morning session to introduce himself to the commissioners.

Community members and businesses are invited to take part in a special signature ad recognizing Rooks County Health Center for being named one of the Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals in the United States. The ad will appear in a special RCH section in the June 4, 2026 edition of the Sentinel- Times.

When the dust settled on the Rooks County Speedway, it was clear a new era had begun. Chad Sterling, a lifelong racing enthusiast from Stockton, stepped into the role of promoter with one mission: to revive the heart-pounding excitement of local racing and breathe new life into the historic track.

Four exceptional students from Rooks County have been recognized among Kansas’ most distinguished young scholars, earning the coveted title of 2026 Governor’s Scholars. This honor, awarded annually to the top academic achievers across the state, celebrates not only scholastic excellence but also leadership, character, and dedication to community.

The Stockton City Commission met on Tuesday, May 5th, with the first order of business the approval of the Consent Agenda, which included the Solomon Valley Manor gross payroll for $72,198.23, the Solomon Valley Manor warrants for $69,874.05, the City of Stockton payroll for $100,649.12, the City of Stockton warrants for $154,748.21, and the April 21st regular meeting minutes.

The Plainville City Council met on Tuesday, May 5th, with the first order of business the approval of the items listed in the Consent Agenda. The Agenda included the April 21st minutes, the bills paid for $822,543.17, the KDHE #22 drawdown of $187,972.42, the EBH invoice for $196.74, and the APAC estimate of $168,298.42.

At the Rooks County Commission meeting on Tuesday, May 5th, the commissioners first met with Craig Poe from High Plains Mental Health and his two colleagues. Poe presented the annual report of their organization, focusing on their work in Rooks County. They answered the commissioner's questions before their formal request for monetary funding for 2027.