Coffeyville Bancorp, Inc., bank holding company of Community State Bank of Coffeyville, Kansas, and Stockton Bancshares, Inc., bank holding company of Solutions North Bank of Stockton, Kansas, today jointly announce the execution of a merger agreement pursuant to which Coffeyville Bancorp, Inc. will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Stockton Bancshares, Inc. The merger agreement has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies. The transaction is anticipated to close in the second quarter of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by bank regulatory authorities and the Coffeyville Bancorp, Inc. shareholders.

The Rooks County Commission meeting was held on Tuesday, February 6th, with highway supervisor Eric Biggs first giving his report to start the morning session. Biggs informed the commissioners that the graders have all been serviced, and all four loaders are up and running. Biggs will meet with Penco Engineering later in the week to look at the washout at Bow Creek on B and 15 Roads. Penco will work on an engineering plan to correct the road to prevent future washouts.

Rooks County has a new Spelling Bee Champion and she is from Stockton. After going head-to-head for six rounds at the Rooks County Spelling Bee held at Sacred Heart School in Plainville on Friday, February 9th, Stockton sixth-grade student Lyla Oller won the contest by correctly spelling the word “jeopardy.” Placing second after the hard-fought word battle was Cayden Klein of Plainville.

Jose Eduardo Gonzalez Chaparro of Denver, Colorado, entered a guilty plea on November 8, 2023, to an amended charge of Interference With A Law Enforcement Officer (Felony, Severity Level 9) following a police chase on March 31, 2023, along US Highway 183/Cedar and North Second Streets in Stockton. A total of 12 charges were filed by Rooks County Attorney Danielle N.

Leonard Bristow, representing the Rooks County Spring Show, was at the Stockton City Commission meeting on Tuesday, February 6th, to request funds for the annual event. Bristow informed the commissioners that the Show is in its 27th year and helps 4-H kids learn more about showmanship, animal responsibility, nutrition, and competitiveness before they show their livestock during the summer Fair season. The Spring Show is part of the North Central Kansas Livestock Circuit, which provides the 4-Hers with five events they can attend. In the past, the show at the Rooks County Fairgrounds has seen presenters from over five states and has grown every year, with approximately 400 animals shown at last year’s competition. The commissioners voted to donate $1,500.00 towards the event, with the funds coming from the transient tax budget.

After showing a downturn of 295 court cases in 2022 compared to 2021, the number of cases in Rooks County rose by 84 in 2023. Figured obtained by the Sentinel show 867 court cases for 2023.

After 45 years of service to Stockton and the surrounding communities, Chet and Annette Look have sold their Culligan dealership to Culligan of Kearney. The new owners took possession on Thursday, February 1st, and will keep the storefront in Stockton for service and needed products.

Caleigh Grace Iwanski of Stockton has been named to the Deans' List at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for the fall semester of the 202324 academic year. Iwanski, a senior majoring in animal science and grassland systems, was named to the Dean's List for the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.