Headliners at the Rooks County Free Fair were Jamey Johnson and Heidi Newfield. Brian Waggoner, a Plainville High School graduate and a Cryptologic Technician (Networks) 1st Class office in the U.S.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States had announced that Alva Beck of Stockton had achieved All-American status as a Post Commander. Grand Champions of the 2009 4-H Style Review were Miranda Wildeman, Cecelia Beck, Erin Shaw, Haven Hamilton, Mark Riley, Amanda Diaz, Shaina Ott, and Chance Miller.

Barb Poore and Peter Bellerive began their duties as USD No. 271 Board of Education members at the July monthly meeting.

Sonic Equipment Company had installed the new digital movie equipment for the Nova Theatre. Allaire Homburg was Stockton’s new superintendent.

The residence of Billy “Jonesy” Jones at 1116 South First in Stockton was destroyed by a fire. According to Stockton Fire Chief Alec Hrabe, no one was at home when the fire broke out. The Stockton Fire Department had called in the Plainville fire crew to assist them in extinguishing the blaze. The house and outbuilding were both declared total losses.

The most recent additions to Richard Schleicher’s bull riding achievements wereplacingsecond in the state for the season average in points and placing third in the state at the Wrangler Kansas Junior High Rodeo Association event at Whitewater, Kansas.

Kriley Farms and Cletus Graf brought in the first loads of wheat to the Farmers Union Elevator in Stockton and the Woodston Coop, respectively. The test weights were averaging about 60 plus, with the moisture content dry.

The County’s oil valuation was down 38% from the year before. Butch Post had been hired s the new Emergency Management Preparedness Director for Rooks County.

Stockton sixth-grade student Richard Schleicher had won the National “Fight The Bite’” poster contest he had entered. The contest, which was sponsored by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, and the DEET Education Program had invited fifth-and sixthgrade students to create posters that encouraged children and adults to protect themselves against mosquito and tick bites, and the diseases they cause. Art teacher Barb Hensonhaddecidedtouse the contest as a class project. It wasn’t surprising to know that Richard’s entry post boasted a boy riding a mosquito, much like a bullrider would, holding a can of spray DEET. Richard was honored in Atlanta with the expenses paid for his entire family to witness the award ceremony, where Richard was the recipient of an award plaque and a $1,000.00 U. S. Savings Bond. Anna Hahn won a state award with her entry of a camping ground complete with a yellow tent and a boy standing in front of it while his dad is spraying a can of DEET. The slogan read, “I can’t believe that I can avoid mosquitoes.”

The Rooks County Relay For Life’s theme was “Cruisin’ For A Cure.” The event was held at the Stockton Tiger Football Field and Stadium with thirteen teams walking throughout the night to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Over $18,000.00 was raised.