Representative Marty Long, County Commissioners Joe D. Thompson, and Shannon Crawford and Eric Cox with Roc’N E Interprises LLC take time from visiting for this picture.Saturday, April 19 was the last Legislative Update for Hugoton. Representative Marty Long updated the group on bills vetoed and passed.

Governor Kelly vetoed 18 bills this session. A budget of 10.6 billion dollars was passed which was $210,000,000 less than last year. He also highlighted some of the tax cuts. One of them was the food sales tax. With no food sales tax the state loses about $650,000,000 a year in taxes.

Flora Food Group Factory Director Sarah Lackey was in attendance and Representative Long asked her a few questions about production at the plant.

Colter’s proud family joins him for his Eagle Scout Award Ceremony. From left, Jason Robertson, Grandpa Rex, Colter, Grandma RoGlenda and Stacie (Coulter) Robertson.Colter Cade Robertson has earned his Eagle Scout Rank!! Colter is the 15 year old son of former Hugoton residents, Stacie and Jason Robertson. Colter’s proud grandparents are Rex and RoGlenda Coulter and Dean and Jeanette Robertson.

Colter has been in scouting ever since he was a small boy. He has worked hard over the years earning the badges that would lead him to earning his Eagle Rank.

The Rank of Eagle Scout is the highest and most honored in the Boy Scouts of America. Young men who have achieved this rank in the past have almost universally risen to the highly respected positions in their chosen vocational pursuits and have retained into their adult years the ideals of community service which they were taught as Scouts.

The Texas State Scout Leader came to the Eagle ceremony and gave the five young men Colter has been together in Scouts with, a talk. He included how proud he was of them and that only around two percent of Scouts make it to the Rank of Eagle.

In 2024 Colter was searching for a project for his final scout award. Andrews, Tx. where Colter and his family live, had the perfect opportunity for Colter. Andrews has a Bird Viewing area that needed plenty of work that could be conducive for an Eagle Scout project. Colter chose the project of building new birdhouses to replace the old and outdated ones.

Since moving to Andrews, Colter has been in scouting with five of the same boys. Two of these boys, Aramis and Canyon, have become close friends with Colter. Aramis chose repairing a platform for viewing the birds.

Colter researched different size and shape birdhouses for different birds, and built them using non-toxic paint in earth tone colors. He then installed the new birdhouses with a little help from his parents and fellow Scout, Canyon.

When being interviewed by the local Andrew’s newspaper Colter said, “I am quite happy that I have finished this project working towards my Eagle.” Colter noted, “It has been a good experience. I hope that some kids will have the same opportunities that I have and get to see and do all the things I have done in Scouts. I hope to use my experience in Scouts for my future job.” Colter also added, “Hopefully this will inspire kids and adults to get outside more and enjoy looking at the different types of birds in Andrews. This is a nice ending to a long journey.”

Colter wrote a Letter of Ambition as a part of his Eagle requirements. In his letter he told of his goals and plans including: that he plans to get all A’s and B’s in his classes; stay in top physical shape, this goes with his weightlifting and powerlifting competitions; he has always wanted to join the Marines; then college; possibly become a cop, detective, swat, firefighter or paramedic; volunteer at the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America; and just be a role model and friend to children in the foster system.

He also wrote, “So that brings an end to my goals and asperations that I have planned out for my future. Thank you for reading my application for Eagle Scout.”

So proud of you Colter Cade. Congratulations.

USAF Lt. Colonel M. Zane Hershey is officially promoted to USAF Colonel M. Zane Hershey in Washington, D.C.

United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel M. Zane Hershey is now officially promoted to USAF Colonel M. Zane Hershey. He is a former Hugoton resident and a graduate of Hugoton High School. Zane is the son of Mike and Valerie Hershey.

Most all of Zane’s family, Mike and Val, wife Veronica, their children Leo and Rosalyn and Zane’s in-laws, Leo and Susie Castillo attended Lt. Col. Hershey’s Promotion Ceremony March 31, 2025. The ceremony took place in Roosevelt Hall, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.

Lieutenant Colonel M. Zane Hershey currently serves as the Deputy Chief, Actions Division, in the Joint Secretariat, Joint Staff in Washington, D.C. In this position, he supports the Nation’s top leadership within the Joint Staff, Department of Defense and interagency with effective information management and decision-making by leading the Joint Staff corporate decision process, providing administrative services, and establishing information requirements in compliance with law and policy.

Lt. Col. Hershey received his commission from the United States Air Force Academy in 2006 and served in a variety of operational and staff assignments throughout his career. He served as Airpower Strategist (A5), Headquarters Air Force, Commander of the 3rd Airlift Squadron (C-17A), and C-17 Weapons Officer and Evaluator Aircraft Commander. Prior to assuming his current position, Lt. Col. Hershey was a student at the National War College, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.

Lt. Col. Hershey is a command pilot with more than 3,500 flight hours and 866 combat hours in operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, FREEDOM’S SENTINEL, ALLIES REFUGE, and Combined/Joint Task Force HORN OF AFRICA. His education includes 2006 Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Co.; 2006 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Al.; 2013 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Al.; 2013 Master of Business Administration, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Ok.; 2017 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Al., by correspondence; 2018 Master of Science in Transportation Management, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; 2019 Master of Philosophy in Military Strategy, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Al.; and 2023 Master of Science in National Security Strategy, National War College, Fort MeNair, Washington, D.C.

His flight rating is Command Pilot with flight hours of more than 3,500. Aircraft he has flown include C-17A, KC-135, T-LA, and T-34C.

Major awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster; the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters; the Air Force Commendation Medal; and the Army Achievement Medal. Other awards are 2013 Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School; 2014 Outstanding C-17 Graduate (DG) and Top Flying Award, USAF Weapons School; 2018 Honors Graduate, Air Force Institute of Technology; and 2023 Distinguished Graduate, National War College.

Colonel Hershey resides with his family in Springfield, Va. now. We here in his home town send our Congratulations!! You make us proud!!!! Thank you for your service.

Hugoton Elementary School sixth grade girls enjoying a trip to Emporia State University in March. The 24 students attended a math and science conference at the University. The goal is to increase young women’s interest and confidence in science and mathematics. Photo courtesy of Susan Ellsasser.

EYF; Enhancing Your Future with Mathematics and Science was the topic of the week in sixth grade on the first day of March.

Twenty -four sixth grade girls attended a math and science conference at Emporia State University March 1. The participants spent the day fostering awareness of career opportunities in mathematics and science-related fields. The goal is to increase young women’s interest and confidence in science and mathematics.

This is the twentieth year the conference has been attended by Hugoton students. Every year the girls report with enthusiasm, that they had a great time and that the workshops were fun and interesting. In these tight economic times the participants want to express a huge thank you to the Hugoton Board of Education for funding the trip.

Those attending were: Emma Demers, Kalaxy Mendoza, Kenia Maciel, Mia Fabella, Sofia Ortiz, Emma Rich, Sophia Araiza, Clara Morris, Haylea Beltz, Adelina Flores, Lorelei Mendoza, Brissa Evans, Elizabeth Jones, Zoe Serrano, Sophia Heston, Emma Marquez, Destinee Wasson, Averie Amerine, Jimena Salgado, Alayna Black, Vannia Diaz, Jazlyn Escalera, Analise Price and Hannah Marquez.

Sponsoring the trip were Emily Lott, Susan Ellsaesser, Laura Jones, Jayme Rich and Rebecca Marquez.

Members of the Hugoton Assembly of God traveled to Honduras last week for a mission trip. They worked in conjunction with King’s Castle going out into the streets and schools to connect with the children and their families. King’s Castle uses music, dance, puppets, and prayer to reach the children of Honduras and then connect them with their local churches.

HAOG participated in these programs, reaching out across the capital of Honduras in the city of Tegucigalpa. Missionary Jessie Harshbarger, originally from Missouri, brought the two groups together to make this amazing mission trip possible. During the week, they participated in 13 street/school programs reaching 1691 individuals. During those programs, they had prayer requests of 404 for health concerns, 332 for problems in the home, and 466 for salvation. The HAOG crew was also able to assist in the building of the foundation for King’s Castle’s new campground dorm and an area for a washer and dryer which will be a major blessing for the kitchen crew who currently hand wash all the laundry for that area.

HAOG missionaries included Tim, Kristi, and Mia Singer, Omar, Janett, Valeria, and Omar Jr Peinado, Jamyn and Kirstin Wolters, Angel and Cyson Hunt, Todd, Jennifer, and Austin Hewitt, Amanda and Thomas Willis, and Jeffrey Sternberg.

Hugoton Barbenders’ State qualifiers pictured in the front row left to right are Brandon Lopez, Diego Novelo, Genesis Landa, Emily Saucedo, Aleah Farnum, Valerie Valerio and Adriel Camacho. In back are Jorge Hernandez, Soe Lin Heger, Josephe Hernandez, Robert Williams, Xavier Santoyo, Kevin Mendez and Aquiles Aguilera. Not pictured are Josue Monroy and Bryan Loya. Picture courtesy of Nancy Hernandez.

The 2025 version of the Hugoton Barbenders that qualified for State are 16 strong. Bringing back a good core of lifters from last year’s showing at the 3A State meet gives great expectations for this year. Lifters headed to State are Brandon Lopez, Diego Novelo, Genesis Landa, Emily Saucedo, Aleah Farnum, Valerie Valerio, Adriel Camacho, Josue Monroy, Bryan Loya, Jorge Hernandez, Soe Lin Heger, Josephe Hernandez, Robert Williams, Xavier Santoyo, Kevin Mendez and Aquiles Aguilera.

Last year the girls placed third as a team and the boys placed fourth. With a larger boy’s group and from their performance at their meets this year, they have a good chance of being in the top two teams in the state. Josephe and Adriel are back to defend their first place finishes in their respective weight classes.

The State meet will be March 29 in Iola.

Good luck to all these competitors!!

The Hugoton High School and Middle School Robotics team pictured with their trophies from the left to right in back are Coach Kalinda Wight, Raymond Lamatsch, Asst. Captain Sophie Tower, Captain Brendan Gill, Micah Johnson, Aiden McDaniels, Ciara Anton, Captain Matisyn Newmon and Coach Mariette Gerber. In front are Paitan Schobert, Caitlyn Johnson, Asst. Captain Skylar Mason and Kreedyn Milhon. Not pictured is Wyatt Hudgins. Photo courtesy of Kalinda Wight.Saturday, March 1, the Hugotrons Middle School and High School Robotics Teams competed against 21 other teams in the FIRST LEGO League Competition in Liberal. FIRST LEGO League evaluates teams in four areas: Core Values, Innovation Project, Robot Design, and Robot Game. This year’s theme was Submerged, which focused on ocean conservation.

Over the past year, both teams put in many hours preparing for the competition. They did very well and their coaches and families are very proud of them. Coaches for both teams were Kalinda Wight and Mariette Gerber.

The middle school team received second place Core Values and second place Innovation Project! Team members included Captain Matisyn Newmon, Asst. Captain Skyler Mason, Ciara Anton, Aiden McDaniels, Micah Johnson and Kreedyn Milhon.

The high school team won first place Core Values, first place Robot Design, and first place Overall Team! As the top team, the high school team received a ticket to compete in Florida at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University this summer.

Team members include Captain Brendan Gill, Asst. Captain Sophie Tower, Caitlyn Johnson, Paitan Schobert, Raymond Lamatsch and Wyatt Hudgins.

U.S. Representative Tracey Mann was in Hugoton at the Senior Citizens Center Wednesday, February 19 on his fourth annual 60 county Mann Listening Tour.

He informed the audience that there are 435 congressional districts and this area is called the big first district. The big first district is the eleventh largest and fifth largest that is not its own state. This district is in the top three in ag production every year, number one in beef production, number one for wheat production, number one for soybean production, number seven for corn and number 11 for dairy. Rep. Mann said in the District there are 60 counties, fifty-five hospitals and fifty-three critical access hospitals.

He talked about the country’s debt. The country is currently 36 trillion in debt. In 2010 the US was 13 trillion in debt and last year the country spent over one trillion just in interest payments.

Rep. Mann talked about President Trump and some of his plans which included securing the border and US energy production. He said it takes 12 to 15 years to secure permits to expand or build a power plant. He would like to work on speeding that process up. Rep. Mann said if Congress doesn’t act, taxes will go up at the end of this year. The Tax Cut Jobs Act President Trump implemented in 2017 will expire December 31, 2025.

To finish off the meeting, Rep. Mann answered questions from the audience.