News

DODGE CITY, Kan. – Over the last few years, a buckskin mare born in the prairies of northwestern Oklahoma has made quite a name for herself.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University officials have released the new strategic plan, “Success Lives Here,” that will guide the university in its endeavors for the next five years. The University’s renewed strategic plan establishes goals and directions for the next five years that recognize and respond to the impact of an unstable economy, an ever-evolving employment market, and changing expectations for higher education institutions.

The heat was on for Stafford County Fair week, July 12-16 this year with temperatures climbing over 100 degrees on several days, but 4-H members and their families, plus many other community supporters came out to “Rise and Shine” (this year’s theme) in the moment and make the best of weather conditions.

Special to the Signal “Dance Greensburg” is a new 2-day event featuring the collective creative energies of professional dancer instructors Cheyla Clawson and Mina Estrada from Wichita. Kiowa County residents are invited to take part in creative experiences of expressive movement and learning July 22 and 23.

The Pratt Regional Medical Center (PRMC) Board of Directors announced over the weekend that CEO Darrell Lavender will no longer be associated with the institution, which is based in Pratt and has additional locations in Dodge City and Stafford County.

On July 2, while diving into the lake at Elm Mills from a rope swing, Pratt Mayor Zach Deeds landed in shallow water. The accident caused the fracture of four vertebrae, two in his back and two in his neck. Friends of the mayor drove him to Pratt Regional Medical Center in one of their vehicles. On the way, they called ahead and informed Pratt’s EMS of the situation.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is launching a “Build America, Buy American” campaign which will run through fall. To support the “Build America” part of this campaign, I have asked our five Region 7 district offices to expand their virtual procurement and contracting trainings across the Region 7 states of Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and Iowa to help small businesses get ready to compete for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) projects.

Dr. Paul Christo, Associate Professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, has been on the frontlines battling the opioid crisis, and his message to lawmakers is clear: “First of all, we have to make sure that we cut down on those that are manufacturing fentanyl illegally in the United States and also selling it illegally. And then … we need to make sure that we educate young adults on the dangers of the use of fentanyl. This is 80 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It can lead to death very quickly by ingesting just a little bit of it,” Dr. Christo said in a recent interview.

Let’s get something straight about abortion. It was never a constitutional right, though that untruth is touted by everyone from President Biden to liberal pundits to school kids mistaught through the past 50 years since Roe vs. Wade.

The Stafford County Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on Wednesday, July 13th, 2022, in the Commission Room in the Annex. Chairman Wycoff called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Present: Todd Wycoff, Bryce Garner, and Clayton Grimmett.