The Stockton area was again hit with a severe thunderstorm. Not only did we experience the usual heavy wind and small hail, but the city of Woodston saw firsthand the fury of a tornado. It felt like a storm was brewing all day long as the air was heavy with humidity and it was hot at 90 degrees. That evening we received another inch and a half of rain and small hail being thrown at us by very strong winds. North and west of town was hit harder with enough hail to look like snow drifts on some wheat fields, taking care of the harvest for their owners.

The memories of June 9, 2005 came back over the previous weekend in May, 2008, with the arrival of strong storms on Thursday and Friday nights. While we were spared a tornado’s damage, straight-line winds and over 6.5 inches of rain brought their own brand of damage. Wind was measured at 90 mph in rural areas, with huge trees and powerlines falling into the roadways. However, Stockton was fortunate to never have lost power in the storm. The field at Tiger Stadium looked more like a swimming pool than a football field following the heavy rain. The county road was washed away from the culvert at N and 12 Road, just west of the John Hance residence. The spillway at the Woodston Diversion Dam was wildly rushing with flood water and debris.

USD 271 board members Greg Beougher and Randal Riffel presented diplomas to 27 members of the Stockton High School Class of 2008 in Commencement exercises for Saturday, May 17. The SHS graduate section was featured in this issue.

Over 150 people attended the Crossroads concert at the historic Nova Theatre on Sunday, May 4 for the benefit of the new county hospital, the Rooks County Health Center. The Christian singing group, Crossroads donated their time and talent to help raise money for the Era of Caring Capital Campaign Fund. This free-will donation netted $1,630 in contributions.

Freakish-looking hailstones, some measuring up to four-inches across, caused considerable damage to homes and vehicles, when a severe thunderstorm came in with a bang at around 10:00 p.m. on April 25, 2008. In addition to the dangerous and destructive hail, there was also driving rain, 60 mph wind and lots of lightning and thunder. A tour of Stockton the next morning revealed broken windows, including some in Main Street businesses; twisted trees and broken branches; dents and holes in siding; damaged roofs and broken windshields.

Darrell Sammons and Mike Heenan were sworn in as city commissioners at the April 1st, 2008 meeting, joining other commissioners Reesa Brown, Twila Sander and Wayne Madison, as well as city manager Connie Conyac, and clerk Sandi Rogers. Recognition was given to Mayor Kim Thomas for all her years of service. An election for a new mayor was first on the agenda. Wayne Madison was nominated and duly approved by a vote of the other commissioners. The Oath of Office was then given to Madison by clerk Sandi Rogers.

The Board of Education of Stockton USD 2761 was pleased to announce that a contract for Superintendent of Schools had been offered and accepted by Mr. W. Luis Cass of Wallace, Nebr. This action was taken at a special meeting of the board on April 7, 2008.

Citizens of Rooks County were asked to help identify the “8 Wonders of Rooks County,” with the results to be announced June 18. The Stockton School District had recently received an anonymous donation to be used for technology purposes for the students.

Chris Sander, librarian for the Stockton Public Library, had applied for and received a network video relay system for hearing impaired. Frank and Carolyn Earl were pictured at the library as they demonstrated the new equipment.

The four candidates on the ballot for Stockton City Commission were featured with their answers to the Sentinel’s questions. City election was slated for Tuesday, April 1st. Also on the ballot was the question concerning extending a portion of the city sales tax collected to help fund the new water distribution project.