Stockton’s fear of losing the prison had become a reality. It had been just a year since Rooks County got the crushing news that Schult Homes in Plainville would be closing, with over 100 jobs to be lost. Those affiliated with the minimum-security prison in Stockton had heard rumors of closing for years, but nothing had materialized. But the announcement came February 1, 2009, that the Stockton facility would be closed, which was scheduled for June 30 to coincide with the end of the state’s budget year. The early closing was expected to save the state $339,000. Thirty- three employees would lose their jobs, although all were offered transfers to the Norton facility.

The deadline for candidates to file for the spring elections had passed, and the names of all the Rooks County residents seeking city offices or school board seats was final. No primary election would be necessary, but there were not enough candidates to fill all the open seats in the county, so write-in candidates would play a role in filling those seats.

A Phillipsburg teenager, Trenton Taylor Hoft, 15, was killed in a one-vehicle accident on Jan. 17, 2009, when the vehicle in which he was a passenger began to skid broadside and then rolled three or four times. In addition to Hoft, the driver and another occupant in the vehicle were all taken to Rooks County Health Center in Plainville. None of the occupants were wearing safety belts.

Just as we hear about “5 Star Restaurants” or “5 Star Hotels,” indicating the best of the best in their accommodations, the Solomon Valley Manor had recently been awarded a 5 Star-rating as determined by the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), ranking the facility in the Top 12% nationally. In addition, the Manor was also recognized as a nursing home with zero deficiencies in the previous year, and five or fewer inspection deficiencies in the previous three inspections. The national average is nine, with the range of nursing home inspection deficiencies in Kansas ranging from 0 to 69.

What Was Going On 14 Years Ago The Kansas Sampler Foundation announced the 8 Wonders of Kansas Commerce finalists on January 5th, 2009. Baxter’s Bait & Tackle of Stockton and Dessin Fournir of Plainville had been selected in the 24 finalists of over 100 that the public had nominated.

What Was Going On 14 Years Ago Ah, Kansas! Where you can just barely stand the cold one week (previous Monday was in the ‘teens), and a week later you’re breaking out your t-shirts and sandals! The front page featured a photo showing a temperature of 65 degrees was displayed on Stockton National Bank’s time and temp sign. A concert benefitting the Kori Bigge family, featuring inspirational “Top 10” recording artist, Ginger Millermon from Hutchinson, was scheduled for Jan.

What Was Going On 14 Years Ago This edition of the Stockton Sentinel, published Dec. 25, 2008, featured the Thirteenth Annual Offering of “Santa’s ‘Deer Ones,” with 326 pictures of loved ones in a special 36-page insert! There were three new homes in Stockton as a result of a cooperative project between Northwest Kansas Housing in Hill City, Solomon Valley Homes, LP, Rooks County Economic Development, and the State of Kansas.

Each year the U.S. Army All-American Bowl travels around the United States to find America’s best high school football players for its annual January game. The players, in turn, choose a Soldier Hero to accompany them to the game in San Antonio, Texas. This process had been done for several years and would have gone relatively unnoticed this year, except that while reading the December issue of “Sports Illustrated,” Doug Bigge, Plainville, saw a familiar name. Bryce Brown of Wichita East High School, who had rushed for more than 7,000 yards in his career, had been selected to be part of the East team as a running back. Brown chose Cpt. Rob Ukleya of Kansas City, Mo., a twice-honored Bronze Star Medal recipient, to be his Soldier Hero. Ukleya had ties with Stockton since he is married to the former Vicki Odle, daughter of Larry and Lana Odle, Stockton. Ukleya had served two tours of duty working with the medical units. One tour was to Afghanistan, and the other was in Iraq.

What Was Going On 14 Years Ago Connie Conyac presented the Rooks County Commissioners a list with information deal-ing with all of the grants, funding and projects she was either directly or indirectly responsible for. Conyac asked whether the commissioners would reconsider her employment agreements as she had presented at the meeting two weeks prior.

What Was Going On 14 Years Ago 2008 tax figures showed an increase of nearly $1.8 million, largely due to oil as the Oil category was the only one showing a significant increase in tax revenue to be collected. Except for modest increases in the Personal Property and Severed Minerals columns, every other category showed a decrease in taxes, with $107,899 less to be collected in Real Estate taxes.