By Jennifer Stultz
Tri-County Tribune Editor
jstultz@cherryroad.com
It is hard to look back at a year-in-review of stories published in the Tri-County Tribune because somehow it seems that many of those stories and photos just took place yesterday. How could these things have happened and be done, gone, over?
But we have this record of good and bad times, celebrations and grief. Looking back has purpose. It helps the reader release negative vibes about trauma experienced, recognize how the year went without all the emotion of immediacy. Looking back is a chance to reflect on lessons learned, gather thoughts and focus for the year ahead, improve mental health and wellbeing, and celebrate the good times.
Here are the top stories from 2024 as published in the Tri-County Tribune pages in print and digitally. Hopefully, the importance of keeping local news alive becomes apparent and the impact of the written word is reinforced.
January 2024
The first baby of the year debuted at Pratt Regional Medical Center on January 1 with the arrival of Valerie May Ramirez. A January 5 snowfall caused school cancellations early in the new year but students wasted little time getting out in the white stuff for some seasonal fun building snowmen and making snow angels. Another blizzard on January 9 shut down many highways and city streets temporarily and city crews piled large mounds of snow down the center of main streets to get traffic flowing again when the snow stopped falling.
Notable news for the month included the loss of the Isabel United Methodist Church to a fire on January 20, the continued development of the Stafford County Port Authority, a fully licensed commercial kitchen opened in the Stafford County Annex, Mark Morgan was sworn in as a Pratt Community College Board of Trustee member, the Pratt High School girls wresting team won tournaments at Nickerson and Baldwin, St. John’s Lady Tigers won the Mid-Winter Basketball Classic, and Pratt High School scholar’s bowl team won a tournament at Larned High School.
The town of Haviland and much of Kiowa County celebrated the December 2023 achievement of local son, Luke Ballard, who brought home the Bullfighters Only World Title from a Las Vegas, Nevada competition.
Across the Tri-County coverage area, elected city and county commissioners were sworn in and taking their seats in civic leadership. In Pratt, Jeanette Siemens and Kyle Farmer accepted re-election offices while Zach Deeds was unanimously elected by the sitting commission to serve a second term as City of Pratt Mayor. At the Pratt County Extension Office, Jenna Fitzsimmons was hired to serve the area as agriculture and 4-H agent. The month of January ended with the announcement of David Kramer’s retirement from more than 20 years as City of Pratt Fire Chief, with many more years logged in service as a local firefighter.
February 2024
The Pratt Area Chamber of Commerce held their annual Gala on February 1, naming several local businesses and individuals to top award status, including the Rolla Rena Skate Center which was recognized at the Small Business of the Year award winner from 2023.
St. John film student Mackenzie Hacker won an unprecedented first place National Film Society award, and super sophomore Arley Morrell led his Pratt High School boys basketball team in scoring and on to higher winning percentages on the court.
Winter homecoming festivities took center stage at several area schools with Eli Foote and Heidi Fisher named King and Queen at St. John, Jayden Mies and Anna Lamatsch crowned royalty at Pratt. Sports royalty rose to fame as Taye Wilson, Greenback wrestler, won back-to-back state championships for Pratt; and Pratt powerlifters Luke Gatlin, Owen Schmidt, and Leon Ramos claimed team and individual titles in regular competition.
March 2024
An indoor garage sale at The Vert, a refurbished building in the 300 block of S. Main Street in Pratt, elevated the facility into the public eye. More than 12 booths selling wares brought in buyers from near and far, and the list of possible events and occasions to be held in this new space lengthened with interest. Another business opening that drew great attention was the Dog Pound Boxing Gym, which opened in the basement of the old Sears/Jetts building on Pratt’s Third Street, just off Main. In other business news, Kanza Coop entered into a merger agreement with Farmers Cooperative to better serve farmers in central Kansas.
People making the Tri-County Tribune front page for Making a Difference included local photographer Bill Rea, Skyline Schools teacher Carrie Harrold, Pratt Coach and recovery mentor Jake Eisenhauer, and window artist Jayci Smitherman.
The Lady Tigers of St. John won a 2023 SubState Basketball Title, but lost in the first round of State compeition. Pratt Public Library hosted the Kansas Scholastic State Chess Tournament, an official Luke Ballard Day took place in Haviland, and the Parkwood Village Penguins basket ball shooters took first place in Legends Senior Living March Madness competition.
April 2024
Easter brought together cute kids, big adult-sized bunnies, colorful baskets, and lots of candy as children in Pratt, Stafford, and Kiowa counties traveled to-and-fro for a plethora of community events. Great photo opportunities ensued.
A solar eclipse on April 8 was one for the record books as people of all ages donned appropriate eyewear and witnessed a phenomena of nature. Kansans experienced an 86 percent of sun coverage at 2:30 p.m.
Emergency callouts kept area EMS crews and fire response busier than usual in early April, and a high-speed chase through Pratt resulted in the arrest of a stabbing suspect at Days Inn. Also on the community level, Justin Garrett became the City of Pratt Fire Chief, and Patrick Peterson was promoted to Lieutenant.
In business news, Mackenzie Musgrove opened a furniture rehab store in the former Balloons and More building at 105 W. First Street, continuing with flowers, balloons, t-shirts, engraving, and more, while adding in space and time for her own passion of refinishing furniture. U.S. Senator Roger Marshall met with business, school, and community leaders for a roundtable discussion hosted be Ninescah Rural Electric. Marshall meetings of this type help him gain a “bigger picture” understanding of the people he serves in the political arena. At the end of April, Blue Sky Farms and Twin Circle Dairy in Edwards County held an open house, grand opening day which drew federal, state, regional and local officials and agriculture partners interested in seeing how the large cow dairy will operate with more than 56,000 cows that will supply milk to Hiland Farms in Dodge City.
Pratt High School power lifters Carlito Lara and Alex Chavez won state titles at 132 lbs., and 114 lbs., respectively. In other school news, Barclay College students, along with community members, put on the theatre production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, thrilling those who witnessed the show in Haviland. Pratt High School student Katherine Jack, won the local Optimists Club Essay Contest, and she was also named a state winner for her essay about the importance of optimism at the presidential level.
May 2024
Pratt City Manager Regina Goff helped open the new City of Pratt Marco Teske Dog Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and several supportive speakers in Sixth Street Park at the beginning of May. In Macksville, the city library celebrated Earth Day with special books and gifts for local children, made possible by a grant from the Kansas Wildscape Foundation. Citizens in Preston held a fish fry fundraiser to help fund playground equipment for their city park.
Additional community events in May included a Davis Park fun event in Greensburg, the DECA Safety Fair in Pratt, May Fest at Bixler’s Art Barn, and a special ceremony recognizing housing grants and building plans in Stafford County. People enjoyed several evenings of “northern lights” sightings in the Tri-County Tribune coverage area. A special and long-running Memorial Day service took place in Iuka, and in St. John, the Jubilee of 2024 featured new events such as fireworks, the dedication of a new gazebo in memory of Jeff Williamson.
Late spring rains finally came to the High Plains, along with hail ranging in size from pea to ping-pong balls and dangerous winds. The Pratt County Emergency Management Office began utilizing live feeds for constant weather reports and updates as dangerous weather moved through the area.
On Saturday, May 4, the Pratt Community College Track and Soccer Complex was rededicated as the Bill Keller Family Sports Complex with many sports-minded families and athletes in attendance for the special ceremony which took place during a National Junior College Track and Field Regional event. The Pratt Community College 2024 Scholarship Auction raised more than $110,000 for the benefit of students attending that institution. Construction and deconstruction began for USD 382, funded by mill levy taxes and fabled Frog Dome gym was part of the first phase of change at the PAC Building.
June 2024
June brought Miss Kansas 2024 events into full focus in Pratt with the usual Saturday morning parade and several nights of entertainment and title competition. A special pre-pageant event took place at Jack Ewing Park this year, allowing fans to meet their favorite contestants up close and personal. Miss Butler County Alexis Smith was crowned Miss Kansas 2024 to the delight of those who enjoyed her winning talent number, a multi-voice ventriloquist act.
In business news, the Family Crisis Center established an advocate for local children, releasing that as many as 1,200 health and safety crises were addressed in the previous year for Pratt. Grand Plains Skilled Nursing Center in Pratt raised $2,641.75 for Alzheimer’s research during a special car show and summer fun event. Ain’t My 1st Rodeo, a clothing and western gear boutique opened in Pratt on S. Main Street. Cornwell Beef and Brew, a new coffee shop, opened in St. John on the north side of the center town square.
Wheat harvest began in June stirring up huge clouds of dust that enveloped much of the Tribune coverage area during harvest season due to dry, dry conditions. Occasional high winds, brutally hot temperatures, and sporadic rains made it an interesting harvest season with quality of crop suffering, but area farmers made the best of it with many great photos contributed to the Tri-County Tribune’s special wheat harvest in pictures contest (found online).
July 2024
Three candidates for the position of Pratt County Sheriff answered identical questions for voters in a special Tri-County Tribune referendum. Jimmy White, Danny Gimpel, and Nate Humble embarked on active campaigns that continued until the August 2024 Primary Election. Two Republicans also filed for Pratt County Commission, District 2 – Morgan Trinkle and Dwight Adams. In Stafford County, three candidates filed for the position of Stafford County Sheriff: Robert Murrow, Tori Perez, and Greg McAlister. In Kiowa County there were contested filings for hospital board and for city commission positions.
Community events this month included a special turtle release party at Lemon Pratt which was well attended by many wildlife enthusiasts of all ages, despite high heat conditions, hosted by Pratt Education Center and Science Museum Director Mackenzie Reh and friends. The Vernon Filley Art Museum in Pratt held a special unveiling party to showcase a work of art by local artist Laura Krusemark and to celebrate 10 years in existence. Fourth of July fireworks by the American Legion were shot on Friday, July 5, and other area communities held their own special shows throughout the weekend. It was also county fair time.
Cross Manufacturing, Inc. celebrated 75 years in business at their three locations, Pratt, Lewis and Hays, Kansas.
Fire destroyed the home of Tammi Keller, Jordon Wells, and Buck Tatro in Coats, Kansas. It caught fire not once, but twice, rendering the home un-salvageable.
August 2024
Primary Election results this month included a win for Jimmy White at the Pratt County Sheriff’s position, Jill Eller won the Republican nod for Kiowa County Commission District 2, and Robert Murrow retained his Stafford County Sheriff’s position.
Area prep students went back to school mid-August, except for 4th and 5th grade students at USD 382s PAC building who got a delayed start because of construction woes. All were back in the classroom two weeks later.
A new electrical training building began to rise from the campus of Pratt Community College, representing a growing industry and need for space to meet those needs with qualified graduates. SCTelcom announced an expansion of high speed internet service coming to Pratt, specifically scheduled for the south side of town along Lake Road and Country Club Road, and the El Rincon Restaurant opened in a new and bigger space at 516 S. Main in Pratt.
Pratt Elks Lodge BPOE #1451 sponsored a car show at Lemon Park in Pratt and raised $800 for the Pratt Area Humane Society, and other August events included fundraising events for the Kiowa County Senior Center, Haviland hosted the SW Kansas Antique Engine and Thresher Show, and St. John was the place to be on August 24 for the 2024 Cruise the Square Car Show. The Vernon Filley Art Museum sponsored a Filley Art and Music Festival downtown Pratt at Merchants Park and beyond at the end of the month.
September 2024
Fire destroyed the home of Denny and Ginger Bowe at 712 S. Oak in Pratt, a historical home built in 1905. There were no injuries in this fire. On Monday, September 16, however, a Pratt woman, Marjorie Meis, and her dog died in another home fire, this one at 601 N. Oak. Investigators determined this fire started in the kitchen on the east side of the duplex home.
USD 382 held a special dedication ceremony naming the new press box at Zerger Field after Jason May, a much-loved teacher and administrator at the school who passed away in 2022. Fall sports seasons got underway, along with homecoming plans and state fair participation by student bands and FFA groups.
In business news, Dakota Holtgrieve, a certified financial planner and limited partner with Edward Jones in Pratt was honor by Forbes Magazine as the #1 “under 40-year-old” financial advisors in the state of Kansas. The 29th Avenue Pumpkin Patch opened north of Greensburg, and Pratt Community College was named a best value college by WalletHub.
October 2024
The Family Food Store in Sawyer officially closed their doors, leaving many sad former customers behind. In better business news, local singing group Sweet Adelines officially changed their name to the Sound Crew and they celebrated with a fundraiser spaghetti supper at the Pratt Community Center. The Annual Ladies Auxiliary Auction at Barclay College raised an astounding $100,069.20 this year, all for student success. Tiffany Riley was named the new Pratt Ambassador, charged with marketing the City of Pratt to the outside world and bringing namebrand entertainment to utilize the many city and civic venues in the area.
Pratt Regional Medical Center was named one of 100 best for joint replacement in America, and also earned full reaccreditation status. N’Cahoots Coffee & Shoppe celebrated seven years in business in Pratt. Kiowa County Memorial Hospital launched a mobile health clinic in October 2024 that travels to serve rural communities that lack medical access.
Area sports teams continued some winning ways with the Greenback football team going undefeated behind a high octane offense with Taye Wilson, Creston Pore, Arley Morrell, Kaleb Strong, and Owen Schmidt scoring in the end zone. Pratt High School girls won their home golf tournament after good performances at Cheney and Crazy Horse courses. Skyline football cranked out at season high 46-0 win over Udall, and Macksville Mustangs won over Stafford on the grid-iron. The St. John Tigers then defeated Macksville the following week in a hard-fought contest.
November 2024
The 2024 General Election took place with the Trump/Vance republican ticket winning handily in all three counties of Tribune coverage. Most other election results were non-notable, with U.S. Congressional Representative Ron Estes also winning by a landslide, along with State Senate District 33 candidate Tori Blew, and State Representative District 114 Kevin Schwertfeger, and State Representative District 116 Kyle Hoffman.
The Pratt High School girls golf team qualified their entire team for the state golf tournament this year. Greenback football lost by one point in a playoff game and exited post season earlier than anyone wanted to acknowledge.
Area veterans were honored at school programs, community services, and in the pages of the Tri-County Tribune. The Pratt Elks Lodge hosted a large Veterans Dinner on November 11, honoring more than 30 area servicemen and women.
Lemon Park Lights were lit with full community participation on November 23 at Christmas in the Park, Pratt; and Thanksgiving brought in many food donations and meal deliveries to those in need throughout the Tri-County Tribune coverage area.
December 2024
The City of Pratt brought a Christmas present to drivers on S. Main Street, removal of center street bricks and the installation of concrete and then smooth pavement. The project is currently under construction. Fossil Truck Sales and Detwiler Diesel Repair put up a large American flag at their new location on the east side of Pratt.
Holiday shopping was beneficial for many local businesses and Black Friday sales records were set at many establishments, including Bomgaars, which expanded in Pratt in October.
Movie matinees highlighted Pearl Harbor remembrance at the B29 Museum in Pratt on December 8. Also on December 8, the Ida Long Goodman Memorial Library in St. John held an open house featuring Christmas fun. Also on December 8 in Pratt, a McCaslin Concert Series program featured Christmas brass music by Stan Kenton. Christmas programs, Christmas trees, and Christmas music filled the news pages as the holiday approached. Bixler’s Art Barn hosted their annual Santa and Sleigh Ride events south of Pratt.
A special hot air balloon and Santa sighting event was brought to Pratt by Monica Baker Swarts of Baker Accounting.
The Pratt Lions Club held their annual Christmas raffle with Henry Lee winning the side of beef grand prize.
A Pratt father, Matt Wright, was killed in a house fire on December 16, 2024. His wife and children survived with non-life-threatening injuries.
And then it was Christmas, and the year came to an end.
