This week's report of accidents in Rooks County primarily involved deer. However, there were also two other incidents: one where a driver lost control due to slushy conditions and another in which a driver fell asleep at the wheel. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in any of the accidents.

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During a meeting on Tuesday, April 1st, the Stockton City Commission approved the amended agenda and met with Laura Moffett from the Rooks County Fair Board. The Board is looking to apply for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) through the City to renovate the 4-H building at the fairgrounds. With the CDBG cycle now open for Community Facilities grants, Moffett is collaborating with Corrina Cox from Northwest Kansas Planning and Development on this large project. The application process began on April 1st, and Moffett noted that although the 4-H building is county- owned, the Board can utilize the low- to moderate- income (LMI) study conducted by the City of Stockton.

Renée McReynolds Laird is one of 12 distinguished Kansas State University alumni honored as 2025 Alumni Fellows. Laird is an Alumni Fellow for the College of Agriculture and will be on campus to present guest lectures April 23-24.

The Kansas Department of Commerce recently announced the launch of a new round of Rural Mural funding to support the creation of projects in rural Kansas communities. The total amount of funding available is $125,000.

Added sugar, derived from cheap crops like corn, is bad for babies. According to the American Heart Association, added sugars are full of energy but lack nutritional value, boosting the odds of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other health problems.

Kansas Senator Rick Billinger, Senator Elaine Bowers, and Representative Ken Rahjes held a Town Hall meeting in Stockton on Tuesday, April 1st, to answer questions from the public. The three legislators traveled around the state, stopping in Ellis, Phillips, Norton, Graham, and Rooks Counties to share updates from the 2025 Legislative Session.

The local churches have announced their schedule for Holy Week and Easter, which falls on Sunday, April 20th. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the services as part of their holiday celebrations.

The Stockton High School National Honor Society held its induction and recognition ceremony on Monday, March 31st, in the afternoon. The officers and members for the 2024-2025 school year are as follows: Aubrey Kesler (president), Ava Dix (vice president), Cason Iwanski (secretary), Jack Gasper (historian), and Cheyenne Hoeting (Stuco representative).

With the school year swiftly coming to an end, a flurry of activities and events will be held, with Prom one of the most anticipated for the high school students. This year, the theme is Enchanted Garden, with the location at Stockton City Hall (115 South Walnut).