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CALIFORNIA Gold Rush

The year of 1848 was a very busy year around the world. Revolutionary wars spread across Europe. The starvation caused by the Irish Potato Famine made many people leave Europe for the United States. The Mexican- American war was ended by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo, and the U.S. gained a large amount of land including Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. All of those are important events, but one event that happened in 1848 may have changed the world more than anything else. On January 24, 1848 James Marshall discovered gold at Sutter’s Mill.

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The Pratt Presbyterian Church

The Pratt Presbyterian Church at 202 E. First Street was named one of 10 most beautiful churches in Kansas in a 2015 post by Only In Your State Attractions. Last week it looked stately and impressive as always, despite the cold winter blast that settled in Pratt for several days at the beginning of the new year. Photo by Jennifer Stultz

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Bixlers invite community to art barn for a country Christmas experience

DICK AND NANCY BIXLER enjoy visiting with neighbors, family, friends, art enthusiasts, and more. Those who stop by at their airbnb and gallery Bixler’s Art Barn south of Pratt get a good dose of Bixler hospitality, and that circle has just been expanded to include all of the Pratt community during a special Christmas in the Country event on Dec. 21, 22 and 23.

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USD 382 approves international trip

THE DECEMBER 13, 2021 Board of Education Meeting included many new alterations and news topics, and also a variety of personnel changes. To kick it off, PHS Teacher Brent Hoelting reviewed the elements and highlights of a trip for students that is scheduled to go to Switzerland and Italy. This trip was approved from the motion of Donna Hoener-Queal and Jeremy Demuth, and is scheduled to happen in March of 2023.

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Former Pratt Community College student inspires toy farm business in Kansas

WOULD YOU LIKE to buy a fourdoor truck for $180? How about a semi-truck for $225? Maybe a stock trailer for $150? Those prices can’t be real, so you must know that I’m just toying with you. Today we’ll meet an innovative Kansas company that has diversified its product line to include miniature-sized trucks and farm equipment -- toys that are being shipped coast to coast and beyond.

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We need mental health awareness in Kansas agriculture community. Resources are available.

AS THE secretary of the Kansas Department of Agriculture, I regularly talk with farmers, ranchers, agribusiness owners, and other stakeholders across the state. Sadly, the issues of ag stress, mental health and even suicide have been at the forefront of many discussions over the past three years.

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The First Amendment

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

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Local shop provides ladies with the latest in fashion and accessories

Picture yourself in a stressful situation. You’ve been invited to a special occasion last minute and have absolutely nothing to wear. You’re having trouble picking out what would be the perfect outfit, something not too crazy but just enough to make you feel beautiful. A local beauty bar and boutique in Pratt that started in 2018, Hello Beautiful is the shop to go to for any crisis involving fashion, cosmetics, and even accessories.

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