The Heartland Community Foundation is thrilled to announce the selection of the 2023-24 Youth Action Council (YAC) members. The YAC program, designed for high school students in Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties, aims to foster leadership skills, encourage philanthropy, and cultivate a deeper sense of community pride among young individuals.

At the June 6th Rooks County Commission meeting, the commissioners met with EMS Director Megan Niblock about replacing the water heater in the Plainville ambulance building. Niblock has received one bid and asked if the commissioners would cover the remainder of the cost for a new heater above $500.00. The commissioners will cover the rest of the cost. Niblock also talked about the land purchase for Plainville’s building expansion. After a short discussion, the commissioners directed Niblock to speak with the county and city attorneys about the options for the purchase.

During New Business at the Stockton City Commission meeting held on Tuesday, June 6th, the commissioners approved the appointment of Betty Cadoret to the Stockton Housing Authority Board. They also approved two building permits at 511 Pine Street for a shed replacement, and for Shayn Balthazor for a pod on his property to be used as an office. The commissioners then approved a Residential Revitalization application at 116 S Ash.

After 45 years in a career and job she never thought she would have, Deb Miller has retired as Stockton’s Farmers Union Elevator General Manager. When Deb graduated from college in 1978 with a degree in secondary math education, her sights were on a teaching position in the area.

With wheat fields less than a few weeks from harvest in this area, farmers are bracing for what is projected to be the worst wheat crop in 60 years or more due to the prolonged drought. Stockton’s Farmers Union Elevator Manager Michael Carpenter states: “In the surrounding area, a lot of the acres have already been abandoned due to poor yields caused by the drought.

If you haven’t already done so, be sure to make plans now to attend the 145th Nicodemus Homecoming Celebration which is slated for July 27-30 in Nicodemus. This annual event will not disappoint as many fun activities are on tap for the four-day celebration.

Willardene and Harry Purdum of Stockton appreciate all the prayers and support from the community for their great-grandson, Ezra Scott, who was diagnosed with chronic granulomatous more than two years ago. Here is the latest update shared by his parents, Jessica and Cameron Scott.

The Rooks County Museum board members and director met with the Rooks County Commission on Tuesday, May 30th, to discuss the removal of the trees and bushes at the facility. Director Rick Gianni stated that the museum board had talked about the project last fall, with one member saying he would do the removal of the bushes. He has been busy, and with the momentum going to clean up the outside of the campus this summer, Gianni received a bid for the project. The work was halted through miscommunications, and since then, the museum board has met. The Board was at the morning meeting to ask the commissioners to approve the $900.00 for the project. The commissioners said they had approved the voucher at an earlier meeting, so the project could move forward as planned. The museum board said they would now send their monthly meeting minutes to the commissioners so everyone is aware of the proceedings of the museum.

The Heartland Community Foundation is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded three grants from the Patterson Family Foundation, totaling $199,126, to support the rural communities of Rooks, Trego, and Ellis counties. The grants aim to uplift these communities by making more future grant dollars available for charitable organizations and initiatives.