When Andrew (Andy) Pfannenstiel was presented with an invitation to attend the Inauguration, he knew it was an opportunity of a lifetime to be able to witness this historic event as President Donald Trump was sworn into office.

At the regular Stockton City Commission meeting on Tuesday, January 21st, and after an executive session to discuss non-elected personnel, the commissioners voted to delay the water and sewer increases until further notice.

A Woodston man remains in custody on a $40,000 cash bond following his actions at the Alta Convenience Store, located at 101 South Washington in Plainville. Melvin May Ray, II, 37, Woodston, was arrested by the Plainville Police Department on October 29, 2024, on probable cause and is currently facing five criminal charges.

Drug charges were filed in Rooks County District Court on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, against Paige Wilkerson, 33, of Plainville. The charges, Count 1, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Count 2, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, were filed following a probable cause/arrest report filed on November 22, 2024 by Rooks County Attorney Danielle Muir.

After President Chad Sterling called the meeting to order for the January 13th USD 271 Board of Education meeting, the members approved the amended agenda and the Consent Agenda with changes noted. Sterling then reviewed the changes in the KASB policy and asked each board member to read the policy as printed.

At the Rooks County Commission meeting held on Tuesday, January 14th, Rooks County Fair Board President Kelly Muir presented information to the commissioners about shortening the half-mile track at the fairgrounds to a 3/8-mile track. The fair board has received several requests from promoters about shortening the track, as most cars are set up for shorter distances.

Gasper Farms, consisting of father and son Dan and Joe Gasper of Stockton, is this year’s recipient of the Rooks County Conservation District’s Bankers Soil Conservation Award. The farm has been operating since the mid-1980s, beginning with traditional tillage and planting practices and transitioning to No-till practices in 1995.

It was announced January 16 that the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications for a second signup for Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Interested participants have until March 7, 2025 to apply.

The 2024 Rooks County Windbreak Award Winners are David and Barbara Griffin of Natoma. The land has been in the family since 1951, with David and Barbara purchasing it in 1990 from Melvin Griffin.

77 E ARS The Rooks County Conservation District’s 77th Annual Meeting will take place on Monday, January 27th, at 6:30 p.m. at the Plainville Grade School Caferia.