STOCKTON FFA MEMBER CAPPI HOETING is slated to be elected as the Northwest District FFA President or Vice President. Elections will be held in April.

The Stockton Fire Department was called out at 2:40 a.m. on Tuesday morning, February 22nd for a fire at R and 18 Roads. A tank battery had caught on fire due to an electrical short in the tank heater. The department worked for approximately four hours at the scene with all of the tank batteries lost to the blaze.

Co. E, 4th Missouri State Militia Cavalry Co.

Anyone who has studied the Bible knows that Jesus had a heart for the poor, the needy, and the homeless. Jesus was often criticized for the people that he spent time with—he was hanging out with the “sinners.” His response to the criticism was, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17)

CONTROL. In ruthless cultures, control is the goal. Last week, in Daniel ch.3, we saw that the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, had a maniacal obsession with controlling people. His decree to every official in every province in his empire was absolute: Bow down to my image or burn. That's the nature of tyrants. Tyrants beat their chests, throw temper tantrums, and demand that people submit to their will. Vladimir Putin serves as a modern-day example of Nebuchadnezzar as he seeks to bully and control the free people in Ukraine. How different was the Lord Jesus Christ! He never forced anyone to follow Him. But He did invite people to follow. The Lord said, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30). Yes, the Lord was clearly concerned about people and their lives here on earth. He fed the multitudes, healed the sick, and even raised the dead. But He was far more concerned about their eternal souls and that people would have rest for their souls. The Apostle Matthew said of Jesus, "He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope" (Matt. 12:19-21). IOW, Jesus was no control freak. And He didn't purposefully draw attention to Himself. In short, Jesus drew people to believe on Him for eternal life, not through force, but through love. His ultimate display of love was giving His earthly life for the sins of mankind on Calvary. What humility! May our hearts be that which is expressed in the old hymn, "Be like Jesus, this my song, In the home and in the throng; Be like Jesus, all day long! I would be like Jesus."

FCCLA members Savannah Gray and Sierra Kester of Stockton High School competed at KS FCCLA District B STAR Events with their project, “Pre-Teens and Screens.” For their efforts, Savannah and Sierra earned a silver award at District B STAR Events.

The Palco Lions Club hosted a soup supper for the community on Sunday evening, January 20th at the Township Hall in Palco. Delicious vegetable beef and turkey noodle soups along with chili, relishes, cheeses, and scrumptious desserts were enjoyed by the folks who attended - some after taking in the Sunday afternoon movie at the nearby McKenna Center. Money raised from the free will contributions will go toward various projects in the community.

We currently have eight (8) active reported cases of COVID-19 in the county and zero individuals in the hospital due to COVID-19. Our districts are seeing other types of illness in our schools; however, these seem to be declining.

Come in and check us out! New books for adults are: • “City of the Dead” by Jonathan Kellerman • “Robert Parker’s Bye Bye Baby” by Ace Atkins • “Abandoned in Death by J.D. Robb • “One Step Too Far” by Lisa Gardner • “Lightning in a Mirror” by Jayne Ann Krentz • “The Healer’s Daughter” by Charlotte Hinger • “The Four Winds” by Kristin Hannah Your library staff, Chris Sander, Crystal Dunlap, & Beth Hazen.

Haven Hamilton: “If I was on death row, my last meal would include the bowling alley’s Ranch.”.