Eleven grants totaling $549,000 were awarded through the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s 2016 Specialty Crops Program. Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture). Funds are received by the Colorado Department of Agriculture from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, which is aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops.

By Doris Lessenden

Difficult Times:  Sometimes life is hard to understand.  We face challenges and obstacles that were never in our plans.  Yet we can trust nothing a surprise to God. Zondervan Bible Society.

By Michelle Wyckoff

Michelle is taking some time off to enjoy these beautiful fall days and gather inspiration for her column.

By Sharon Scott

Plainview school held their annual Knowledge Bowl on Friday.

Congratulations to the Eads A team on taking first place and the Plainview A team taking second place.  Team members for Plainview are: 

Lydia Splitter, Grant Specht and Benje Davis.  Ruth Fees is their coach.

Susan Greenfield's dad, Norman and her sister Sami and husband John spent the weekend with her.  They went to the volleyball and football games on Friday evening between Eads and Kit Carson.  On Saturday, they attended the Oktoberfest in Eads.

By Teresa Witte

October 1, 2016 several volunteer firemen from Towner and Sheridan Lake, along with Colorado State Patrol, and Kiowa County Emergency Manager, conducted a demonstration at Plainview School on the consequences of texting while driving.

Trooper Parker gave a brief presentation  on the legal consequences of texting while driving. 

Kimmi Lewis registered as a Republican when she turned 18 and has served in many capacities in the Republican party since that time.  She is very conservative and dedicated, honest and hardworking.  She has a strong Christian background and strong family values and will serve to the best of her ability, and her abilities are many.  She will faithfully serve House District 64. 

Now’s the time for Coloradans to get a flu shot to protect themselves against the seasonal virus. The CDC recommends everyone six months of age and older should get a shot every year, ideally before the end of October.

Flu cases typically increase in the fall, and it takes about two weeks for the vaccination to take effect.

By Chris Sorensen

A Red Flag Warning for fire danger is in place through Sunday evening, and a Fire Weather Watch is in effect Monday due to dry conditions and high temperatures across southeast Colorado.

Daytime highs will be around 90 Sunday and Monday ahead of a cooling trend beginning Monday night when the overnight low drops to the mid-30s.

Tuesday’s high will be in the upper 60s, with an overnight low returning to the mid-30.

Low 60s are in store for Wednesday and Thursday, with lows at or below freezing.