Around town

Reception to honor Statz, Kinnie
    In honor of Linda Statz’s 28 years of service as Phillips County treasurer/public trustee and Joe Kinnie’s eight years as commissioner, the public is invited to an appreciation reception Tuesday, Dec. 18, from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Phillips County Event Center.
    
Dragons fall to Meloneers in mascot contest
    Thanks to votes from their loyal fans, the Holyoke Dragons made their way to the 1A championship in the 9Preps Mascot Challenge.
    After a bye the first round, the Dragons beat the Buena Vista Demons with 86 percent of the votes. A win over the Rocky Mountain School Oysters — 77 percent to 23 percent — put the Dragons up against the Limon Badgers. Holyoke won with 56 percent of the votes. In the championship, the Dragons were knocked out of the competition by the Rocky Ford Meloneers, who received 55 percent of the votes to win the 1A title.
    The top mascots from each state classification are now going head to head for the top honors. Mascots include Rocky Mountain Lobos, Stratton/Liberty Knighted Eagles, Alamosa Mean Moose, Rocky Ford Meloneers, Riverdale Ridge Ravens, South Park Burros, Fort Collins Lambkins and Kennedy Commanders. To vote, go to to 9news.com/hss.
    
Youth invited to 4-H activity night
    Kids in grades 3-6 are invited to experience a night of fun, friends and games during the “Be Somebody” event led by local 4-H officers Friday, Dec. 21, from 5-7 p.m. at the Phillips County Event Center.
    Youth are also invited to stay for more activities at the annual 4-H New Year’s party from 7:30-10:30 that same night.
    RSVP by Thursday, Dec. 20, by calling Kindra Plumb at 970-854-3616.