Dear EarthTalk: When will those gasoline driven leaf blowers that gardeners use be outlawed? The noise and toxic fumes they emit can’t be good for us.   -- Judy, via email

How is this movie losing to “Venom” at the box office? It barely made half the money of the subpar superhero movie last weekend, and early estimates for its second weekend have it trailing by $7 million. I’m not even talking about how “Venom” is creatively inferior to this film, because creatively inferior films beat out critical darlings all the time. I’m talking about how I saw “Venom” on opening day in a theater that was maybe a third full, while I tried on three separate occasions to see an early screening of this film, only to have it sold out on me every time.

The Kiowa County Commissioners Regular meeting was called to order by Chairman Richard Scott on September 27, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. Those in attendance were:

Richard Scott, Chairman of the Board

Cindy McLoud, Commissioner

Donald Oswald, Commissioner

Delisa Weeks, County Clerk

Tina Adamson, County Administrator

Oswald moved McLoud seconded to approve the minutes of the last meeting. Motion carried.

McLoud moved and Oswald seconded the motion to approve the vouchers as presented. Motion carried.

Rain and snowfall in several areas of the state delayed fieldwork and harvest activities last week. Soil moisture supplies improved from received moisture.

In northeastern and east central counties, reporters mentioned snow and rain delayed fieldwork but harvest of several crops continued as conditions allowed. Crops still to be harvested will dry down fast after the freezing temperatures last week, a reporter noted. Received moisture improved conditions for seeding winter wheat, as well as helping pasture conditions going forward.

To the Citizens of Kiowa County

I was reading an article a few weeks ago from KOAA News 5 regarding rural counties who are struggling with retention of Law Enforcement Officers. They had spoken with Bent County and Crowley County Law Enforcement, and the Fowler Police Department. 

As I was reading their statements, I could relate, and thought that maybe the citizens of Kiowa County don’t realize some of what their local Sheriff’s Office goes through. 

Mary Louise Huddleston

February 24, 1922 - October 14, 2018

Mary Louise Huddleston was born on February 24, 1922 at Hoisington, Kansas to Fred A. and Eva C. (McCurry) Black and passed away on October 14, 2018 at the Legacy in Lamar at the age of 96.

1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have.”

As a young cattle producer and a mother of six, I learned how to testify at the state capitol in Denver back in the early nineties.  I would go and testify about predators killing our livestock.  I had many pictures showing the damage and the dead calves from coyotes and mountain lions in Southeast Colorado.  In fact, my very first 4-H heifer at the age of nine had her first calf killed by a coyote.  Every time I’d testify I’d also remind people that I RAISE these predators.  Yes, I supply the habitat and land and water on my private propert

James E. Miller

October 14, 1939 - October 9, 2018

Graveside Memorial Service for long time Las Animas resident James (Jim) Eldon Miller will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 19, 2018, at Bent/Las Animas Cemetery in Las Animas. Pastor Diane Hutson will be officiating. 

James Eldon Miller, better known as Jim, was born October 14, 1939, in Las Animas to Glenn Elden and Viola May (Wright) Miller. Jim grew up “on the farm,” located just south of Las Animas. 

Carol Sue Kohart

September 20, 1938 - October 07, 2018

A remembrance gathering was held on Saturday, October 13, 2018, at the Kit Carson Community Building in Kit Carson.