Eight volunteer fire fighters from the Stockton Fire Department attended a fire school put on by the Kansas Fire Fighters Association in Kirwin over the weekend. The two-day event was held on Saturday, February 5th and Sunday, February 6th.

The Rooks County Commissioners began their weekly meeting on Tuesday, February 1st by approving Plainville High School’s After Prom request. The commissioners will donate $400.00 to each of the County’s three high schools as long as they receive requests from the schools. The funds will come out of the drug and alcohol fund.

The Stockton Area Chamber of Commerce has announced that Ravin States Leake is the new Executive Director of the organization. She has begun her training with outgoing director Jayne Prockish to transition into the new position by March 1st.

Stockton fourth-grade student Corbyn Glendening won the grade school spelling bee, held on Wednesday, January 26th, by correctly spelling the world “invasions.” Second place and third place were decided by a spell-off between Hudson Kriley and Jayana Creighton. After three rounds of spelling, Jayana correctly spelled the word “orientation” to claim second place Sophia Antonini and Kansas Tso also had a spell-off to determine the fourthplace position and alternate.

WITH JANUARY BEING SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION MONTH, the U.S.D. No. 271 Board of Education was recognized last Tuesday, January 25, during halftime of the Stockton vs. Northern Valley basketball game by the Stockton High School and Junior High Student Councils. The board members develop policies and make complex decisions that shape the future of our education system. These seven community leaders are accountable for an annual budget of $4 million, 344 students, 55 employees and three buildings. Pictured front row, from left are: Claire Plumer, Delanee Bedore, Cheyenne Hoeting, Karleigh Horn, Meredith Gasper, Shae Yohon, and Camille Lowry; and back row, from left: Taigen Kerr, Coryn Hahn, Tierra Yohon, and board members Stephanie Niblock, LeAnn Dix, Jesse Stithem, Mark Billinger and B.J. Hoeting. Unable to attend were board members Aftan Tso and Chad Sterling.

The Stockton Sentinel is always looking for pictures for our “Yesteryear” page. If you have a picture that you’d be willing to share with our readers (preferably at least 20 years old), send it to Stockton Sentinel, P.O. Box 521, Stockton, KS 67669, e-mail it to: stkpaper@ruraltel.net or bring it in to our office and we’ll be sure you get it back.

Last Sunday was wall-to-wall sunshine with the high nearing the 60-degree mark. Monday was sunny to partly cloudy with the high in the low 50s. Tuesday the mercury shot down to a temperature of 24 degrees with snow falling throughout the day for an accumulation of up to two inches of the white powder. Wednesday the temperature was in the mid 30s with mostly sunny skies. Thursday the high was in the mid 40s with partly cloudy skies. Friday was sunny with the temperature reaching up into the mid 50s. Saturday was mostly sunny with the temperature in the high 50s.

It was announced at the Rooks County Commission meeting held on Tuesday, January 25th, that Jodie Ostmeyer had been hired as the new administrator for Redbud Village in Plainville. Heather Callahan will work with her as the interim administrator until Ostmeyer receives her training. Ostmeyer has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and is looking forward to her new position.

On January 10, 2022, Chief Judge, Glenn Braun announced that Mike Smith would become the next District Court Administrator of the 23rd Judicial District. The 23rd judicial district includes Ellis, Rooks, Trego and Gove counties. Mr. Smith was promoted from his previous position as the Chief Court Services Officer for the district.