One of our most popular features over the past 15 years - a full-page color photo on the front of the Kiowa County Press showing various impressions of life in Kiowa County. While a limited number of copies continue to be printed and distributed each week at Kiowa Healthmart, COOP C-Store in Eads, Haswell Propane, and Thunderbird Petroleum, we wanted to bring this feature to our online readers as well.

Shown below - the front page of the December 23, 2016, Kiowa County Press - Santa and Mrs. Claus greet visitors at the roadside park in Eads. Photo by Chris Sorensen.

By Chris Sorensen

The United State Geological Survey has recorded an earthquake in New Mexico measuring 4.0 of the Richter Scale. The USGS had originally reported the quake as 4.5 on the scale in intial information received 45 minutes after the event occurred.

Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukah all fall within three days of each other this year. As friends and families gather together this season, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety Inspection Service has four food safety tips to ensure a healthy and safe holiday.

Even on Holidays, Always Follow the Four Steps to Food Safety 

By Mark Sponsler, Colorado Corn CEO

Spending years on the defense as an ethanol advocate, it was encouraging and refreshing to see several positive developments take place recently – some validation in that the battle for American energy independence is still a U.S. priority, and that American farmers can continue helping in the fight.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for 2017 Noxious Weed Management grants. This year, the Department plans to award over $755,000 in grant funds to organizations and associations for projects that focus on controlling the state’s designated noxious weeds. Of that amount, over $105,000 are from the U.S. Forest Service’s State and Private Forestry program. These grants, which are administered through CDA, support projects that reduce noxious weed infestations occurring close to Forest Service-managed lands.

By Chris Sorensen

Although there was only a slight chance of snow Thursday in Kiowa County, the area received up to an inch of wet snow mid-morning. There is a potential for snow to return Saturday night, just in time for Christmas.

Radar indicated light precipitation continued in eastern Kiowa County during the early morning hours Friday as a mid-level trough moved east across the state.

High temperatures through the weekend will be in the mid-40s, while overnight lows will vary.

By Bob Garver