March 4, 1949
• The Mound City News-Independent shared a story about the first-time use of the $5,000, brand new, Ideker wrecker. A cow had fallen 15 feet down into a cistern on the Edgar Kneale place north of Mound City. The wrecker winch lifted the cow out by the horns as though she didn’t weigh a pound.
• A gathering of some 254 farm leaders from Atchison County attended the 23rd annual soils and crops conference in Rock Port February 24. Recognition awards were presented to Mr. and Mrs. Albert Rolf of Blanchard, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Dunfee of Tarkio, and Mr. and Mrs. James Low of Tarkio.
• The five juveniles who were charged with thefts from various businesses and two homes south of Fairfax were sentenced by Judge Ray Weightman in Atchison County Court to serve time in the Algoa Prison and Boonville Reformatory. Later, he granted the youth paroles.
•Rock Port’s oldest citizen, Henry Heckel, died at age 93 February 24. At the age of 17, he learned the baker’s trade and when he came to Rock Port at age 21, he worked in Chas. Volkmann’s bakery. He later became a carpenter and had a hand in the construction of many of Atchison County’s homes and buildings.
• G.V. Smith, who came from Stanberry, Missouri, some months ago to take over The Ritz cafe, has sold the business to his brother-in-law, Russell Clevenger, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Smith’s son Russell and Martin Wharton will continue as regular employees.
February 28, 1974
• The recent annual Atchison County wild turkey census conducted by Conservation Agent Richard Sperber showed an increase from last year. The 1973 census showed 381 birds and this year’s county is 427.
• Rock Port High School Basketball Homecoming candidates are: king candidates – Phil Graves, Sherwood Duhon, and Gary Bogenreif; and queen candidates – Jill Wanamaker, Donna Haer, and Kim Burke. Homecoming was postponed due to the flu epidemic.
• D.W. Hill, general manager of Nebraska Public Power District, announced the achievement of the first self-sustaining chain reaction in the nuclear reactor of Cooper Nuclear Station in Brownville.
• Atchison County authorities arrested three juveniles after they called for a wrecker to pull a stolen car out of a ditch. The boys took off on foot and were later apprehended.
February 25, 1999
• Eleven FFA members and 22 4-H members took part in the Atchison County Fair Steer Weigh Day, which weighed in 72 steers.
• Chris Gebhards and Chad Rogers, Rock Port High School wrestlers, both placed sixth at the state tournament, earning medals. Chris placed in the 140 lb. weight class and Chad in the 160 lb. class.
• After Rock Port High School teacher Steve Sayer returned from his Rotary International trip to India, he remarked, “The United States is a great country. The poorest man I know is a rich man and doesn’t even know it. I will never complain about my taxes again.”
• Clarence Shaffner and Linda Huff with Star Hill Prairie Art Center in Rock Port met with representatives and officials in Jefferson City. Clarence presented Gov. Carnahan’s wife with a branding iron he had made with the governor’s initials.
