The Shafer Gallery will host the “McKown Masquerade Ball” for guests ages 21 and over, featuring a costume contest, live music, and hors d'oeuvres at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4 in the Gallery, and the event also serves as a kickoff party for the “Friends and Acquaintances” Community Art Exhibit, which is underwritten by the Bill J. McKown Memorial Endowment and distributed by the Golden Belt Community Foundation.

The drought monitor report as of Tuesday, September 17 shows a continued slight deterioration in drought conditions for the state.