A news release from The Kansas Department of Agriculture on Wednesday, December 18, has identified highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in two game bird operations—one in Doniphan County and one in Rooks County. These mark the first commercial operations with HPAI in Kansas since early spring of 2024, although the virus has been confirmed this fall in wild birds across the state and some backyard flocks.

A crew from the Kansas Geological Survey, based at the University of Kansas, along with staff from three field offices of the Kansas Department of Agriculture's Division of Water Resources, will be in western Kansas to start measuring groundwater levels the first week of January 2025. Levels are measured annually as part of a joint project to monitor the health of the state's valuable groundwater resources.

Leaving a Lasting Legacy for Midwestern Farm Women: A Succession Planning Series This four-part farm succession planning workshop series is produced through a partnership by extension professionals at Kansas State University, the University of Nebraska- Lincoln, and Purdue University.

During their meeting on Tuesday, December 3rd, the Stockton City Commissioners were informed that several calls about the water and the water plant had come in to the office. A large bearing went out at the water plant a few months ago, and the City is still waiting for the part to arrive and for a service date to be scheduled. EBH, the company that built the water plant, has been contacted and asked why the City is having these problems. At the present time, the City has been backwashing and using other methods to help with the water situation.

Come in and check us out!!! New books for adults/ young adults are: • “Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone” by Sarah Graves • “Blue Christmas Bones” by Carolyn Haines • “Come Sundown” by Nora Roberts • “On Mystic Lake” by Kristin Hannah New books for children are: • “Mouse & His Dog” by Katherine Applegate • “Ali the Great Saves the Day” by Saadua Faruqi • “Horse & Buggy On Wheels” by Ethan Long • “Leo’s First Vote” by Christina Soontornvat • “Santa’s First Christmas” by Mac Barnett Your library staff, Chris Sander, Crystal Dunlap, Beth Hazen, & Jaxon Dunlap.

Economic development director Roger Hrabe met with the Rooks County Commission on Tuesday, December 3rd, to talk about the Northwest Kansas Planning and Development 2024 allocations from the County. The County pays the organization one tenth of a mil based on the year’s valuations. Rooks County still needed to pay the remainder of their dues for 2024. The commissioners voted to approve the final payment to NWKP&D in the amount of $2,505.96. The County receives the invoice every January, and the commissioners discussed paying the entire amount then or making a notification to pay the dues in January and June so this oversight does not happen again.

Mother and daughter Misty Higdon and Rihanna Rowe recently opened two new Stockton Main Street businesses in the former Stitch and Chatter buildings. With an opening between the two buildings, the ladies work together during the daytime and evening hours, with plenty of help from their family members.

According to the Rooks County Clerk’s Office figures, the County valuations show a decrease of $3,382,881.00 for the 2024 year. The 2023 total valuations were $101,319,245.00, with this year’s valuations coming in at $97,825,337.00.

The much-anticipated Christmas feature, Santa’s ‘Deer Ones, will appear in next week’s issue of the Sentinel. Don’t forget to purchase a paper on Wednesday morning from our news rack located in front of the Sentinel, or at one of our drop-off locations: Dollar General, J-Mart, and Websters in Stockton, and Plainville Short Stop, Mr. K’s Food Town, and Midwest Family Health in Plainville!

Have you noticed a discoloration and/or cloudiness in the City’s water supply? The City of Stockton wants all its water customers to know the water distribution plant is currently experiencing a mechanical issue due to a broken bearing. The City assures residents that the water is being closely monitored and remains safe.