Dear EarthTalk: I’m getting ready to join the electric car revolution now that my old clunker is getting on in age. What’s the latest and greatest? And is now a good time to buy an EV? -- Doug Ellis, Sacramento, CA

Hybrid-electric cars have become more and more common on American roads since the Prius launched here in 2001. Now fully electric vehicles (EVs) are finally coming of age thanks to innovations by Tesla, Nissan, BMW, General Motors and others.

America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education called on local farmers to help nominate rural schools to receive nearly $2.3 million in grants to enhance their science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs. Local farmers,Eric Ellenberger & Jeff Uhland, answered the call, and the Grow Rural Education program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, a philanthropic arm of Bayer, has recognized Kiowa County School District RE-1 in Kiowa County, Colorado with a $25,000 grant.

Every 10 years, Colorado must redraw the boundaries of congressional and state legislative district lines to ensure equal population. And every 10 years, Republicans and Democrats wind up in a costly court battle asking a judge to settle their differences.

Our process for drawing maps is broken. Amendments Y&Z would replace that broken process with a new 12-member commission that assures equal representation to Democrats, Republicans and independent voters.

I’ve been a part of both processes, and here’s what I know from experience:

“Venom” is based on a character from Marvel comics (best known as an enemy of Spider-Man), but his standalone film is not part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s akin to that “Catwoman” movie from 2004 that had nothing to do with Batman. It’s all part of a complicated rights issue between Disney (owners of the MCU), Marvel, and Sony (owners of this film). My guess is that the people at Disney could have gotten their hands on this movie if they really wanted to, but they decided that this was simply not a battle worth choosing.

“A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.” Proverbs 15: 14 NLT

John Leach,

Oct 15

• Begin 2^ndQuarter

Oct 19

• HS Knowledge Bowl @ Vilas

Oct 26

• JH Knowledge Bowl @ Eads

Oct 29

• 2pm Flu Shots
• 6pm PCC mtg

Oct 31

• Elementary Halloween Party

Nov 2

• HS Knowledge Bowl LCC Meet

Nov 9

• HS Knowledge Bowl @ Cheraw

Nov 22-23

• Thanksgiving Break

Nov 30 

• JH Knowledge Bowl @ Holly

On the November Ballot registered voters of Kiowa County will be asked to vote on Kiowa County Referred Ballot Issue 1A to EXTEND THE EXISTING MILL LEVY for Prairie Pines Assisted Living.  I’m concerned that the voters of Kiowa County may think that this will result in a tax increase.  It is NOT A TAX INCREASE, but a continuation or extension of an existing tax that has been existence for the previous 10 years.   The purpose of the tax is to help with construction debt ret