This year, seven entities across the state will receive $525,185 in grant funds for projects aimed to improve water quality. Projects must be focused in one of three areas: stormwater management training, projects that improve water quality where there’s been a violation, and the planning and/or construction of stormwater or wastewater improvement projects. Government agencies, publicly owned water systems and nonprofit water systems, watershed groups, stormwater program administrators, training providers, and private landowners were eligible to apply.

The Kiowa County Hospital District and County Board met in regular session on October 25, 2016 at 6:32 p.m. at the Bank Meeting Room.

District Board members present were: Robert Woods, Priscilla Waggoner, Mary Eikner, Sylvia Shields and Cathryn Anderson.

County Board members present were: Kim Harris, Craig Kerfoot and Lori Shalberg. Absent: Dennis Pearson (called) and John Negley

Others present: Tristen Sheridan, Wendy McDowell, Shannon Dixon, Kevin Siefkas, Braylynn Eder and Cassie Frey.

The meeting was called to order by Mary Eikner, Chairman of the Board.

By Doris Lessenden

“The Lord your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete.”  Deuteronomy 16:15….let us all have an attitude of gratitude.

Entry to all 42 Colorado state parks is free on Nov. 25 for a new Colorado Parks and Wildlife tradition called #FreshAirFriday. Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers this opportunity to those who have signed the pledge to head outside on the day after Thanksgiving. More than 50 retailers in Colorado and nationwide are closing their doors on Black Friday and multiple states are urging people to go outside instead of joining the rush inside to shop this year.

By Sharon Scott

Not much news this week.  Everyone is staying inside and trying to stay warm.  Our first snow wasn't very much, but enough to count as our first.  The cold weather that followed was hard to adjust to after all the warm days we've had in November.  We tried to make use of every minute on Sunday, putting up more Christmas decorations, while it was warm again.

By Eads USDA Service Center Staff

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

By Chris Sorensen

Sunday will be the warmest day of the week before daytime temperatures drop back to mainly 50s.

A high in the upper 60s under mostly sunny skies is expected Sunday, with overnight lows around the freezing mark.

Monday will start off mostly cloudy with a high in the low 60s as a broad upper trough moves in from the west coast. Overnight rain is possible before 4:00 a.m., becoming a rain-snow mix.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus — and the U.S. Postal Service can help you prove it when Santa replies to your child’s letter — complete with a North Pole postmark.

Here are the steps for your child to get a letter back from Santa:

1.    Have your child write a letter to Santa and place it in an envelope addressed to: Santa Claus, North Pole.

2.     Later, when alone, open the envelope and write a personalized response.