The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) concluded a $6.89 million replacement of the state’s searchable database that collects, manages, and compares fingerprints and palm prints for identification purposes supporting the criminal justice system.

Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt announced last Thursday, June 27, that the Kansas Department of Insurance has made its annual distribution to local Firefighter Relief Associations (FRAs). Pursuant to the Kansas Firefighters Relief Act, $18,912,365.52 has been distributed among 553 local FRAs throughout the state.

This past weekend, the rains slowed the area’s wheat harvest a little, but no one complained about the moisture. Then it was back to business, with the numbers totaled out on Monday, July 1st, at 353,000 bushels at the Stockton Farmers Union Elevator and 330,000 bushels at the Woodston Coop. These numbers are double the count from last year’s harvest.

The Rooks County Commissioners announced at their weekly meeting on Tuesday, June 25th, that the Rooks County Golf Course received two grants from the Heartland Community Foundation for a watering system upgrade. The funds received were from the Dane G. Hanson Community Fund for $3,134.33 and the Rooks County Legacy Fund for $2,615.67.

1930-2024 Vera Niermeier, 93, of Stockton, passed away Monday, June 24, 2024, at Rooks County Health Center in Plainville. Additional information will be provided once it becomes available..

1918-2024 Former Stockton resident Philisene Probasco, age 105, of Hays, passed away Friday, June 21, 2024. More information will be provided once it becomes available..

The Heartland Community Foundation is proud to announce the award of $5,000 in scholarships to support area students for the upcoming academic year. These scholarships aim to assist students in pursuing their educational goals beyond high school.

At the Stockton City Commission meeting held on Tuesday, June 18th, the city commissioners met with Rooks County Sheriff Gary Knight and Undersheriff Chad Sterling so they could answer questions about the increases in the contract between the two entities for the coming year. Knight reviewed the breakdown in costs for the department’s vehicle lease agreement, noting how the price of cars has increased considerably in the last few years from $28,000.000 to $50,000.00, so he looked at lease options. He explained how the vehicle lease would work, stating the cars would come fully equipped and be traded out before they logged 75,000.00 miles. The lease agreement is for three years.

The Rooks County Commission meeting on Tuesday, June 18th, started with a donation request from Colton Williams for the RED FEST event in Stockton on June 22nd. Williams stated that the tax-exempt Stocktown organization had raised $6,000.00 toward the event, with another $6,000.00 needed. They have applied for grants and have yet to hear back on some of the requests.