For the first time in recent history, the number of students attending USD 271 had increased over the previous year, though it was a modest increase. Enrollment for the 2007- 2008 school year in the district was 346, adding nine students over the previous year.

Kansas will have the highest tax levy this year in the history of the state. The expense of the state government makes it necessary to establish a levy of 2.41 mills compared to a levy of 1.66 mills last year.

A large crowd in attendance at the Rooks County Free Fair on Friday night was treated to one of country music’s rising stars — Taylor Swift, who “wow’d” the crowd with such hits as “Tim McGraw” and “Teardrops On My Guitar.” Following her knock-out performance, Taylor Swift hung around signing autographs for two hours after the show.

IN AUGUST OF 1994, Myrna Kincaid (left) and Virginia Doughty (right) had presented two American flags to Robert Miller, who was on the board of the Rooks County Free Fair. Both women belonged to VFW Post 8873 Auxiliary, which provided the Fair Board with flags to fly during the weeklong event.

* And So They Say: Judge at the Fair: “ I KNOW now that this is the biggest county fair in Kansas.” Lee Phelps: “Butch Ostmeyer got most of the rain he wanted before the Fair. I guess some folks just pray better than others.” Viola Paulson: “I got my fishing license and right away caught a five-pound fish.”

Braving the heat, Rooks County Farm Bureau members served the meal at the barbeque on Sunday night, kicking off the 128th Rooks County Free Fair. Helping serve the meal were David Reed, Dana Pieper of Palco, Staci Ketelsen, Jennifer Braun, Mike Braun, Ellie and Repp Braun.

CHET BAXTER was proudly showing off his nine-foot tall sunflower in the summer of 1994. If anyone had a sunflower that was taller, they were to let Chet know..

* And So They Say: Ig Gross: “I guess the reason I cannot make any money is because I am so honest.” Eloise Webster: “Yes, I rode a motorbike while in Bermuda and I have got the scars to prove it.” Freddie Baughman: “Well, I can tell you one thing, a week off from work is certainly exhausting.”

The Stockton Sentinel is always looking for pictures for our “Yesteryear” page. If you have a picture that you’d be willing to share with our readers (preferably at least 20 years old), send it to Stockton Sentinel, P.O. Box 521, Stockton, KS 67669, e-mail it to: stkpaper@ruraltel.net or bring it in to our office and we’ll be sure you get it back.

A young man named George A. Benson, living at Scandia, concluded that he could pass as a member of the American Legion, so he secured a button and put it on. As a result he was sentenced to 30 days in the county jail. He went to Belleville a short time ago and appeared in a clothing store operated by two Legion men, stating that he was short at the end of the month and the storekeepers gave him $2.00 with which to buy gasoline for his car. They later made an investigation and found that he was an imposter and was not a member of the Legion and had no right to wear the button. His arrest followed a short time later. Benson is alleged to have made a number of aliases and to have served time at different places prior to his arrest there.