Economic Stimulus money is hard at work in Pratt this summer. Pratt Community College in partnership with the Workforce Initiative Board — Area 1 (WIB) is teaching a short term 8-wekk course in Electrical Power Technology.  The class is completely funded by the workforce Initiative Act (WIA) and is being provided to 13 laid off workers from this from the WIB –Area 1 in Kansas.
Many of the 13 students are laid off aircraft workers from Salina. The students range from 22-40+ in age and come from a variety of different backgrounds. The goal of this program is to give them a fresh start in a new career that they can start very soon.

The City of Pratt will be spraying for mosquitoes beginning at 12:01 am Thursday morning, July 2nd on the east side of Main Street, weather permitting.
Please keep all windows and doors shut on the appropriate night.

There are two ways to look at travel — as a means to reach a destination as quickly as possible, or as a journey to be savored.

Jason Webster, of Hayden Tower Service, gives hand signals to crane operator Randy Wanzer, of Belger of Wichita, as Webster and Brian Stidman complete the top of a 197 feet tall Alltel tower at former JC Foods parking lot Monday afternoon. Many stopped to watch the pair work.

Derek Anderson, 5, pours water on his sister Shayli Anderson, 7, as they enjoy the Zerger Park wading pool at Second and Thompson. Grandpa Lance Anderson enjoyed watching the pair as they played.

Wheat harvest in Pratt County is rapidly drawing to a close. After a delay following a countywide rainstorm the dropped two inches of rain, the weather has been perfect for harvest and crews have been busy.

PAHS policy & Correction

Jacob Alban Tawzer is a miracle baby. Because of a medical condition, Jennifer Tawzer wasn’t supposed to be able to have a baby, and in fact thought she had polyps last January when a sonogram revealed Jacob’s presence.

Pratt Fire Chief David Kramer uses a deck gun to soak hard to reach areas at a fire in the Roy Holmquist salvage yard on the north side of Pratt Sunday afternoon. A fire of unknown origin broke out and firefighters had to lay a lot of hose to reach the closest hydrant. The fire burned mostly grass and trees but did threaten a propane tank and a metal building with cans of fuel.

In a continuing effort to expand Kansas’ hunting options, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is expending its Special Hunts On Private Lands Program this fall.

Gage Taylor holds a token in his mouth as he squirms through Messy Madness, a Pratt Recreation Department activity Thursday in Lemon Park. Children had to pick up tokens with out using their hands in a mess of ketchup, mustard, baked beans and oatmeal. Other messy games included Twister with condiments and a ground water slide with water and cooking oil. About 60 attended.

The H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, has come closer to home, with a confirmed case in Kiowa County.

Pratt residents are invited to open their doors, come out in the streets and get to know their neighbors better at the annual Pratt Night Out.

PRATT — The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks will conduct a basic wing-shooting clinic at the Pratt Gun Club this July. The course will include four sessions conducted on Tuesday evenings beginning July 14 and is open to anyone age 12 or older. The course is designed for beginning shotgun shooters and will provide instruction from the very basic to more advanced techniques.

OVERLAND PARK –– Gov. Mark Parkinson Thursday night named BTI of Greensburg the winner of the Governor’s Award of Excellence at the annual Kansas Cavalry Encampment at Johnson County Community College.