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Kelly James Harris Gillett and Weston Bardon Rockers were married Oct. 15, 2021.

Perhaps more often recognized as a political and financial leader, being a cowboy remains closest to his heart. “I’ve had lots of great experiences, met many good people, cowboys were the greatest of all,” Dave Owen declared.

The legislature began the 2022 veto session on April 25. It has been an unusual year and the schedule confirms this since the legislature will return May 23 and the final day of session will not be until June. The last day is usually in mid-May. The delayed schedule is a response to the Congressional map being challenged in court.

Wellsville school district met with Kansas Education Commissioner, Dr. Randy Watson, and Kansas State Board of Education members, Jim Porter, Janet Waugh, and Michelle Dombrosky on April 22, USD 289 students and staff shared highlights of the district’s efforts to meet the Kansas Can Outcomes.

Not many people can say they’ve spent their entire career working in one place, but Jason Circle has done just that. He’s spent a quarter of a century at Ottawa Middle School, 23 of those years as an industrial technology teacher. Throughout his career he’s touched countless lives of students, parents and staff, and that’s why he was selected as the subject of The Ottawa Herald’s first teacher spotlight.

Hometown: Ottawa, KS Sports: Volleyball team freshman year, varsity golf team sophomore-senior year, bowling team sophomore-senior year, trap team Other school activities: Fellowship of the Stage Theatre Troupe, Environmental Club, Key Club, Spanish Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (Vice President last year and Co-President this year), class secretary and treasurer all four years, O-Club (sells popcorn at sports events to raise money for OHS activities), Renaissance Program, band, choir, chamber choir Outside of school activities: Job at Camp Chippewa, internship at Ottawa Veterinary Hospital, FFA (junior advisor), member of International Thespian Society, performing arts center certified technician Academic Honors: Top 5 percent of OHS seniors, 4.0 GPA for entire middle school and high school career, National Philanthropic Educators Organization (PEO) Scholarship recipient Post-secondary plans: Attending the University of Wyoming to study pre-veterinary and animal science for large animal veterinary medicine Erin Smith just may be the most involved student at Ottawa High School – she’s a member of over half a dozen clubs and activities and has participated in the inaugural seasons of two different sports, girls bowling and girls golf, even making it to the state competition in the latter. When she’s not busy with school-related activities, Smith can be found working at the United Methodist Church’s Camp Chippewa, where she provides year-round maintenance work and helps take care of the camp’s horses.

According to the US Department of Agriculture, over 87 percent of Kansas is farmland. Despite this, many Kansans are completely unaware of the role farmers play in the state’s culture and economy, which is why the Franklin County Farm Bureau works so hard to educate them.

Ottawa High School seniors Quinncy Morris (left) and Ryan Laurie (right) were recognized two of the top one percent of all graduating seniors in the state of Kansas during Governor Kelly’s Scholars Ceremony. Photo: Ottawa High School