Approximately 40 people had gathered at Stockton City Hall to visit with Wes Bainter of Bainter Construction of Hoxie about an independent living complex for Stockton. The apartments would have two bedrooms with an attached garage and inside and outside accessibility. There would also be a meeting room for gatherings and a daily meal included in the rent of the all-electric units.

The Stockton VFW named Elvera Beiker of Plainville the Community Volunteer of the Year. J. T. Plummer, Alvy Beck, John Berkley, and Charles Dougherty presented Beiker with a plaque and pin signifying her over 5,000 hours of volunteer services.

The City of Stockton approved building a new medical clinic in Stockton. Lauriele Calvin and Dominic Antonini announced that Carousel Bakery and Café was to open in May.

The SHS Prom theme was “Between Now & Forever,” with royalty candidates Derek Spires, Janie Gilmore, Scott Voss, Carlee Lindsey, Calvin Dix, and Amber Kriley. There was a small turnout for the two open seats on the Stockton City Commission, with Wayne Madison receiving 83 votes and Kim Thomas receiving 53.

On April 1st, an angry thunderstorm with lots of dangerous lightning moved through the area, but only after lightning struck one of two oil tanks filled with two loads of crude oil in a battery located at 24 and U Roads six miles north of Codell. The firefighting personnel from Stockton, Plainville, Woodston Natoma, Ellis, Graham, and Russell Counties were called to the scene. The oil tank had collapsed, and the burning oil and wind-driven heat exploded, sending split pieces of the tank flying through the air. Six firemen were dispatched to the Rooks County Health Center for treatment from fighting the fire.

Taten Pulec was the 2010 Kansas Kids State Champion in his 12 and Under Division for folkstyle wrestling at the Kansas Kid Championship Tournament in Topeka. Dr.

Thomas and Ruth Ann Bigge were named as the 2009 Kansas Master Farmer/Master Farm Homemaker at a banquet held at the Courtyard By Marriott Hotel in Junction City. They were also to be honored at the Kansas State Fair in September.

Betty Bedore was retiring from the Rooks County FSA Office. Miranda (Byfield) McCune had opened a quaint ice cream shop in the east part of town on Highway 36 called Cune’s Corner.

Rooks County Sheriff Randy Axelson confirmed a break-in and robbery at the Curtis Patterson residence across the road from Rooks County Feeders at 22 Road in Plainville. When he returned home, Patterson discovered the burglary and was compiling a list of missing items.

Starting on July 1st, Kansas was to become the latest state to outlaw smoking in restaurants, bars, and workplaces. The landmark move was made on February 25th, when the Kansas House voted to send a statewide smoking ban to Governor Mark Parkinson, who promised to sign it into law.