We have much to be grateful for
IN TRYING TO identify a topic for this month, I kept coming back to how proud I was of our community this holiday season. Numerous things tripped the “proud bell” for me.
January 2022
Read MoreWe have much to be grateful for
A New Year’s resolution?
DO LOOKS REALLY MATTER? This topic is better suited to philosophers, but a series of observations from my trip to the Baltics earlier this year with Kansas Farm Bureau’s Casten Fellows Program has had me questioning my belief that if something works, it does not matter if it looks good. I have pondered the value of aesthetics in the spaces where we spend our time and the possessions with which we fill them.
Connections saved the day in 2021; may we carry those lessons learned into the new year
I MAY BE ONE of the few people who actually didn’t mind the isolation and social distancing required during the past year as the world, and we here in Pratt County, dealt with the reality of COVID-19 and variants. Making connections has never been easy for me and I would just as soon spend my time alone with a good book or sitting on a bucket in the barn or under the trees outside listening to the birds and watching clouds.
City survey emphasizes childcare needs in Pratt
A Comprehensive Pratt City Planning/Community Awareness meeting was held Thursday December 16 and included results from a survey conducted by EBH, a local full-service civil engineering and surveying firm serving city, county, state, federal, and private clients. The meeting, hosted by the City of Pratt’s building and zoning committee, is a once per 10-year opportunity for city leaders to assess community needs and sentiment.
Briggeman named outstanding Kansan by cerebral palsy foundation
JEREMY BRIGGEMAN of Pratt was recently notified that he is the recipient of the 2021 Peter John Loux Award. This award was established by the late Richard C. ‘Pete’ Loux, former minority leader of the Kansas House of Representatives, chairman of the Kansas Corporation Commission, and a board member of the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation of Kansas. The award was established and endowed in memory of his young son, Peter John Loux, who was fatally injured in an auto accident.
Southwind at Spearville reaches out for care staff
NEWS RELEASE - Southwind at Spearville, a new option for long term care and assisted living services in a small home setting is now hiring staff in preparation for their grand opening. Megan Wyant, Director of Nursing, stated, “We are currently seeking to hire multiple team members who are interested in being a part of our innovative care team. We are redefining the traditional care model and therefore the traditional healthcare workplace.” Current openings include RN’s, LPN’s, C.N.A.’s and C.M.A’s. The cul
Rotary Club of Pratt funds Christmas dinners, notes quarterly highlights
AS THE ROTARY CLUB of Pratt reflects on the second quarter of their operating year, the club ended the quarter in December with a special service project consisting of Christmas dinner donations to 18 Pratt County families. The Rotary Club of Pratt, in conjunction with club member contributions, raised $1,179 to purchase a Christmas meal with all the trimmings for selected families. Each meal served four people. The club worked with The Hope Center to identify the families and Dillon’s Food Store to coordinate the turkey meal arrangements.
Taylor Clark shares Miss America experience, plans for the new year
TO SAY TAYLOR CLARK is a hometown girl isn’t far from the truth in Pratt. Even though Clark was born and raised in St. John and Stafford County, many in Pratt are familiar with her name, her family, and her meteoric rise to fame on the back of a phenominal talent in music, especially drumming. When she won the Miss Kansas 2021 title last July, many were not surprised and many were very interested to see how she would do at the next level, Miss America, with that unique and entertaining talent. Clark did not make the finals
Kiowa County commissioners approve emergency medical service funding requests, continue law enforcement needs discussion
ON DECEMBER 30, local Pastor Jeff Blackburn opened the last regularly scheduled meeting of the Kiowa County Commission for 2021 with prayer. The commissioners approved their consent agenda payroll change for a part-time employee Jerry McClain, and several Department requests to transfer remaining funds into their special equipment accounts: District Court Office - $6,000, County Appraiser- $9000, Emergency Management Department - $10,000; Register of Deeds - $10,000.
STORIES THAT TOPPED LOCAL INTEREST
FIRST QUARTER - JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH In a year fraught with COVID-19 numbers, updates, restrictions and vaccinations, there were other stories in the news that topped Kiowa County Signal reader-interest trackers. Many were about local leaders, issues, business news and personalities, and indication that even in COVID-times, life went on for most.