Some projects were completed and issues resolved during the last quarter of 2008, but discussions raised more questions for the new year. Will a new hotel and restaurant be built in Pratt? Will smoking be forbidden in all public buildings? Will a wind farm be built in Pratt County? How will the local economy be affected by the national downturn? Read on for the current status of these topics and stay abreast with the Tribune in 2009.
October
With a donation of $550, the Pratt High School Class of 1973 issued a challenge for other Greenback fans to raise funds for landscaping at the new school.
A Toys for Tots motorcycle run turned tragic when Rodger House, 60, died after colliding with a deer that jumped in front of him near Cairo. The annual toy run was sponsored by American Legion Post Riders and Gabriel’s Thunder, a Christian motorcycle group.
Gateway Ethanol filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, listing both assets and liabilities between $50 million and $100 million. Local creditors included the City of Pratt, Ninnescah Electric and SC Telcom.
Members of Rotoract, a student version of Rotary Club, at Pratt Community College, logged more than 750 hours of volunteer labor at the Pratt Area Humane Society’s new facility.
A group of business people from Dodge City purchased land adjacent to the Comfort Suites Hotel for Holiday Inn Express. A construction timeline was not announced. Preliminary discussions also included the possibility of a new restaurant at the site.
The Pratt County Health Department administered flu vaccines in a drive-through clinic that also served as a drill to assess preparedness to meet a health emergency. The drill proved that every Pratt County resident could be inoculated within a 48-hour period.
Pratt City and County commissioners began taking input from the public about the possibility of enacting a ban on smoking in public buildings. Neither governing body has taken a vote on the measure.
Residents of Coats, in the southwest part of the county, learned they will lose natural gas service from Kansas Gas Service in April 2009. Individual homeowners will need to find another source of fuel for heating homes, hot water and for cooking.
Skyline School renamed its football field in honor of Jim Webster, who taught at Skyline for 22 years and coached for 29.
November
Sheriff Vernon Chinn captured nearly 75 percent of the vote, handily defeating Democratic challenger Wayne Cline. Pratt County gave 66.7 percent of its vote to the Republic presidential ticket of John McCain and Sarah Palin.
The Pratt County Historical Society celebrated 40 years of incorporation with a well-attended open house at the museum.
The new Pratt Area Humane Society animal shelter was completed in early November.
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius appointed Dennis McKinney, Greensburg, as state treasurer, effective Jan. 5. McKinney, Kansas House of Representatives minority leader, will replace Lynn Jenkins who was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Bruce Benson resigned after serving 32 years on the Pratt Community College Board of Trustees.
The body of Alesia Dorris-Graham was found in her home Nov. 22 by a home health care worker. Dan Riendeau and Charles Robert Denmark-Wagner, both of Pratt, were arrested for her murder on Dec. 19.
Indeck Energy is planning to develop a wind energy farm in Pratt County but will move to another location, following action by the Pratt Airport Authority to protect its airspace from tall structures. Area landowners formed an association to work together to get information before signing contracts with the Illinois company.
Pratt retailers reported a profitable Black Friday beginning of the holiday shopping season.
December
A suggested donation of 50 cents per ride on a General Public Transportation bus became mandatory on Dec. 1. A declining number of available volunteers made it necessary to hire two part-time drivers, requiring a more steady source of income.
The Skyline Board of Education voted to create a capital outlay levy of 5 mills to generate $710,000 over a five-year period.
The USD 382 Board of Education agreed to sell a former Pratt High School band practice field and a building at 123 N. Oak, currently occupied by the Walden Center charter school and Parents as Teachers program, which will both move to the old Pratt High building.
The newly opened Pratt Area Humane Society became a temporary home for 12 dogs rescued from a puppy mill in southeast Kansas.
Lower prices for oil and gas, good news for consumers, forced Sterling Drilling Company of Pratt to pull as many as three of its four rigs in from the field in mid-December. Owner Steve McClain expected to lay off 55 of 64 employees.
A California truck driver reported being robbed at gunpoint at a Pratt convenience store. After a search of the surrounding area and lockdown at Pratt Community College that lasted about 90 minutes, he admitted he lied to cover the fact that he had gambled his employer’s money away. Larry Mason was arrested for making a false report and released on a $1,500 bond.
Michael Lane, Wichita, purchased the McDonald’s Store in Pratt. He will take over on Jan. 2. Steve and Jolan Strecker, former owners, plan to retire and possibly move to Denver or Kansas City.
A year after an ice storm caused major damage to poles and lines, Ninnescah Electric Cooperative is still trying to resolve a reimbursement issue with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Ninnescah is requesting $24 million to rebuild 400 miles of line.
Sheriff Vernon Chinn announced that he has been selected to attend a 10-week training program at the FBI Academy at Quantico, Va.
At the end of the year a gallon of unleaded gas was selling for $1.59 at most local outlets, down from nearly $4 in the summer and a little more than half the price a year ago.
Pratt, Kan. —
