This Christmas season, many church families in the community will be offering special services in remembrance of the very special nature of the holiday season. You and your loved ones are invited to worship at the church of your choice this holiday season. A listing of all area churches can be found on page 4 of this week’s Hermes.

River of Life Church at 424 S. Jackson invites you to celebrate Jesus with them Sunday morning, December 23 at 10:30 a.m.

Everyone is invited to the Lone Star Friends Church for a Christmas Eve candlelight service Monday, December 24 at 4:30 p.m. The church is located nine miles east of Hugoton on Highway 51.

Hugoton Baptist invites you to attend a Candlelight Service at 5:00 p.m. at their church Monday, December 24.

First Christian Church at 600 South Van Buren in Hugoton will have Christmas Eve services Monday, December 24 at 5:00 p.m. Join them in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

The United Methodist churches of Hugoton and Rolla will have Christmas Eve services Monday, December 24. Rolla UMC, located at 600 Monroe in Rolla, will have services at 5:00 p.m. and Hugoton UMC, at 828 S. Main in Hugoton, will have services at 7:00 p.m.

Bethel Friends Church, located at 1040 S. Jefferson in Hugoton, will be hosting their Christmas Eve service Monday evening at 6:00 p.m. You and your family are warmly invited to attend and worship with the congregation.

The public is invited to a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at the First Church of God, 801 West City Limits in Hugoton. the service will begin at 6:30 p.m. Monday, December 24. Participants will share in a time of singing, scripture reading, communion and candle lighting to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, “The Light of the World”. The service will last about 40 minutes. Please bring your family and join them for this special service Christmas Eve.

St. Helen Catholic Church will present their Christmas Eve Service at 7:00 p.m. December 24, and will host a Christmas Day Service at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday morning. Both services will be bilingual. You are invited to attend the service at 1011 S. Jefferson in Hugoton.

Please enjoy a blessed holiday with your family and friends.

Hugoton’s boys kicked off their 2018 Blue and Red Classic with a loss against Perryton. They outscored the Rangers in the first quarter, and then couldn’t regain their rhythm, ultimately losing the contest 60-78. The second day of the tourney went much better for the Eagles as they battled the Guymon High School. Hugoton came out swinging, outscoring the visiting Tigers in every quarter except the second. Friday’s game ended with an Eagle victory 62-45. This landed the Hugoton boys in Saturday’s championship game.

December 8, the boys of HHS took the court at 8:15 p.m. to take on the Perryton Rangers once more. This time the Eagles were prepared for the onslaught, scoring 69 points to Perryton’s 65. Damian Lewis was high scorer for the game, tallying a jaw-dropping 39 points throughout the four quarters, including ten of the game’s 11 three-pointers. Carlos Montiel was next with his 14 points – four two point buckets, a three-pointer and three free throws. Ivan Valles contributed seven – five from the free throw line. Sawyer Harper recorded four. Michael Mirabal had three, while Jagger Hertel and Jayce Korf each made a free throw.

Damian Lewis and Carlos Montiel were both named to this year’s Blue and Red All-Tournament team.

The varsity boys will play next against Scott City at home Friday, December 14 with tip-off at 8:00 p.m.

The Stevens County Board of County Commissioners met in regular session Monday, December 3 with all members, Joe D. Thompson, Pat Hall and Tron Stegman present. Also present were County Counselor Paul Kitzke, County Clerk Amy Jo Tharp and RoGlenda Coulter from The Hugoton Hermes.

Commissioners had a busy schedule: Rex Evans-8:30; Bills-8:45; Landmark Appraisal-9:00; Tony Martin-9:30; McCully & Associates-10:00; County Land-10:30; Amy Rich-11:00.

The Commissioners had already visited with Rex Evans when this reporter arrived. Minutes and bills were gone over. Motion was made and passed to accept the bills and pay them.

Rodney Kelling from EMS and Fire checked in. He reminded the Commissioners of the LEPC meeting Wednesday. They visited about firetrucks and ambulances that are getting in need of replacment. Rodney had checked into lease to buy plans.

Pat Hall waived his county health insurance.

Landmark representatives, Terry Lawhon, Tom Furhman and Cindy Wellbrock were next on the agenda. Landmark has been serving as Stevens County’s appraiser company for 30 years. They laid out their company’s plan which includes four counties that would be sharing an appraiser. This would include paying for the prospective appraiser’s schooling and mileage to the school which may be in Topeka. Eventually Landmark will phase out and turn over all the responsibility and the paying of this person to the four counties involved. Also they would possibly expect Cindy Wellbrock to become a county employee. Stevens County’s part might be a little more than some because it has more parcels of property. Gas and oil is a separate charge than real estate.

Tony Martin gave his report for Road and Bridge. He talked about a possible program from the state for road safety. Tony is going to work on this possible funding. They also visited about dangerous intersections.

Sheriff Heaton and Undersheriff TJ Steers reported in for the Law Enforcement Center.

William McCully from McCully & Associates came in to present their plan for appraiser. He has worked in this line of business since 1984 working in four states. Many of these years have been with Seward and Mead Counties. His company is now appraising for 16 counties. He says his company has a very good reputation and demands that it stay that way. The Stevens County appraiser would be Angela Eichman who has been the Seward County Appraiser and is now the Morton County appraiser. He said Angela is very knowledgeable in instances like Synata (Abengoa). Commissioners expressed their concern that Synata should be paying property tax of some kind while just sitting out there.

Mr. McCully will gather information and get a proposal for the Commissioners to look at for their company to serve as county appraiser. A decision needs to be made before the first of the year between these two companies.

Information was gathered together to start taking bids from farmers to farm the farm ground the county owns. It is really not known for sure how the ones farming the parcels now were granted the right to farm them. So it seems only fair that all farmers interested, especially the ones that are farming them now, have the opportunity to bid for a five year cash rent plan. A certified letter will be sent to the ones farming the parcels now as well as a phone call.

Amy Rich came in to join Amy Jo in asking about the comp time policy that was revised in May. They were seeking more clarification of how it is to be used. Commissioners clarified their original intent of the policy. No further changes will be made. P

aula Rowden came in and reported higher revenue for the Health Department. She also talked about a new drug and alcohol counselor in Hugoton. She has hopes for help with USD 210’s report of high misuse of opioids in this immediate area.

Commissioners moved into executive session.

The HHS Show Choir was selected by video audition process last may and asked to perform in Branson, Mo. November 16-19. The members of Show Choir include Sesthleng Garcia, Vivian Titus, Claire Clark, Frances Gaskill, Brookelynne Johnson, Sydney Beesley, Rebecca Johnson, Ella Martin, Taylor Grubbs, McKenna Hamlin, Gavin Heger, Samuel Fabela, Austin Dale, Jaxon Teeter, Rafael Guereque, Terron Stegman, Trevor Bogan, Kian Lopez, Jacob Bell, Justin Blakeley and accompianist Casle Heger with director Renee Beesley and parent organizer Ginny Titus.

The group performed on the Branson Belle Showboat, before the Hughes Brothers Show, and at Silver Dollar City. Saturday, the show choir worked with a professional Choreographer, who gave them valuable tips about their actions and vocal abilities. The group also went to the show “Samson” at the Sight and Sound theatre. The HHS Show Choir expressed their appreciation to the community of Hugoton for their generosity to make this trip financially possible.

The Show Choir has been booked for several more shows for December through March. If your organization is looking for entertainment for your next Christmas party or meeting, please send inquiries to Renee Beesley at Hugoton High School.

This week will be a short one for many, thanks to the Thanksgiving holiday! Several area businesses are observing special hours in recognition of the holiday.

Equity Bank will be closed Thanksgiving Day only, while Citizens State Bank will close at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday afternoon and will reopen Friday, November 23 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Hugoton City Office announced they’ll be closed Thursday and Friday. The Hugoton Post Office will be closed Thursday only. Mail delivery will resume Friday. Stevens County’s Courthouse reported their office will be closed Thursday and Friday.

The Hugoton Senior Center will be closed and not serving lunch Thursday and Friday, November 22 and 23. Janet’s Bridal & Boutique announced their doors will be closed Thursday and they will reopen Friday, November 24 with regular hours. Yardmaster will be closed Thursday only.

Flatlanders Farm & Home will close Wednesday  at 5:00 p.m. and will reopen Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hi-Plains Lumber plans to be closed Thursday and reopen Saturday morning until noon.

If you happen to forget any essentials for your Thanksgiving meal, you can still pick up last-minute items at Carter’s or at Dollar General Thursday! Carters will be open from 7:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., and Dollar General will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Day for a one day only sale.

Circle K and Toot N Totum will also be open Thursday. Toot N Totum will be open Thursday, November 22 from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. and Circle K is open 24 hours.

Happy Thanksgiving from The Hermes!

‘Tis – nearly – the season to be jolly! Kick off the holidays just right and show off your Christmas spirit this Friday, November 23 along with Hugoton’s Santa Committee as they carol in the holidays! Townspeople and guests are invited to gather in front of the Hugoton Area Chamber of Commerce Office at 630 S. Main Friday evening for Christmas caroling, hot chocolate and cookies!

The annual event will begin at 6:00 p.m. Friday, and is a fantastic way to avoid the crowds of Black Friday while enjoying some good songs and great company!

Also be sure to mark your calendars for Santa. He will be in Hugoton Saturday, December 1 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Senior Citizens Activity Center. Come by to visit with Santa and tell him what you want for christmas! The event is sponsored by the santa Committee.

Hugoton, Dodge City, Garden City, Jetmore, Liberal, Ulysses, Cimarron and Elkhart are pleased to announce the Fifth Annual Pheasant Hunting Contest.

During this year’s hunting season, 575 pheasants will be banded on the leg and released in Stevens County near Hugoton, in Ford County near Dodge City, in Finney County near Garden City, in Grant County near Ulysses, in Hodgeman County near Jetmore, in Seward County near Liberal, in Gray County near Cimarron and in Morton County near Elkhart. If you are lucky enough to bag one of the banded pheasants, bring your leg band to one of the approved locations to register your leg band and claim your prize!

Kansas consistently ranks as one of the top three when compared to other states’ annual harvest of pheasants. With 185,000 acres of walk-in hunting land open to hunters in southwest Kansas, this area will give you a shot at cash and eight grand prizes.

Once you register the leg band at an approved location (listed below), you will automatically receive a “Rooster Roundup” hat and a community gift worth at least $10.00.

At that time, your leg band will also be entered into a drawing to win a grand prize of $500.00 in community gift certificate “bucks” (one per community – eight total) to be used for purchases of the winner’s choice.

The “Rooster Roundup” Pheasant Contest runs from November 10, 2018 to January 31, 2019.

If your bagged bird has one of the leg bands, you must bring the leg band to one of the approved locations to register your band and claim your prize!

Drawing for the grand prize for “Rooster Roundup” will take place after the end of the contest January 31, 2019. Winners will be contacted by phone.

For a complete list of rules for the contest, visit StevensCountyKS.com, www.visitgck.com, contact the Convention and Visitors Bureau at 620-276-0607 in Garden City, or any of the participating communities.

It’s all in the game – give it a shot!

The Stevens County Church Ministry Association (SCCMA) invites everyone to join them at the Annual Community Thanksgiving Service Sunday, November 18 at 6:00 p.m. The service will be at the First Church of God at 801 West City Limits in Hugoton with Pastor Israel Franco.

Hugoton Assembly of God Pastor Tim Singer will be the special speaker for the evening.

November 6, 2018 General Election

U.S. Representative First District
Roger Marshall 1282
Alan LaPolice 165

Governor/Lt. Governor
Greg Orman/ John Doll 168
Jeff Caldwell/ Mary Gerlt 16
Laura Kelly/ Lynn Rogers 269
Rick Kloos/ Nate Kloos 6
Kris Kobach/ Wink Hartman 1011

Secretary of State
Scott Schwab 1204
Rob Hodgkinson 231
Brian “BAM” McClendon 149

Attorney General
Sarah G. Swain 198
Derek Schmidt 1257

State Treasurer
Jake LaTurner 1248
Marci Francisco 183

Commissioner of Insurance
Vicki Schmidt 1253
Nathaniel McLaughlin 158

State Representative 124th District
Martin (Marty) Long 1311

State Board of Education Member, Fifth District
Jean Clifford 1246

District Court Judge District 26 Division 1
Bradley E Ambrosier 1278

District Court Judge District 26 Division 3
Linda Gilmore 1312

Commissioner District 1
Joe D Thompson 313
Jim Bell 71

Township Clerk
Linda Shaddix 158

Court of Appeals for Judge
Position No. 1
Stephen D Hill    970 Yes      232 No
Position No. 5
Kim R. Schroeder     1255 Yes     122 No
Position No. 7
Henry W Green Jr     941 Yes     229 No
Position No. 10
Anthony J Powell     964 Yes     212 No
Position No. 11
Tom Malone     959 Yes     213 No
Position No. 12
Michael B Buser     775 Yes     394 No
Position No. 13
Melissa Taylor Standridge     801 Yes     370 No

Next Tuesday, November 6 marks the date for mid-term elections. Several important state offices will be included on the ballot including that of Kansas Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer and Commissioner of Insurance. A few Stevens County residents will also see a County Commissioner position on their ballots. You can see a brief summary of candidates on page 3 of this week’s Hermes, but you are very encouraged to check out the candidates yourself.

The deadline to register to vote has passed, but if you’re unsure whether you’re registered to vote, you can quickly check by clicking here. It takes just a few minutes to check and it’s free! The site will also show you a sample ballot if you’re interested in a preview.

Voting almost couldn’t be easier! Hugoton residents will vote at Memorial Hall at 200 E. Sixth in Hugoton and Moscow residents will vote at the Moscow United Methodist Church at 300 Ransom in Moscow. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Make sure to take your photo ID.

Acceptable IDs include the following:
• Unexpired Driver’s License
• Nondriver ID Card
• Concealed Carry Handgun License
• U.S. Passport
• Government Employee ID
• U.S. Military ID
• Kansas College ID
• Government Public Assistance ID
• Indian Tribe ID

Don’t have one of these IDs? No problem! Kansans who need a photo ID before the November 6 election can visit any driver’s license office, jump to the front of the line, and get one for free. To ensure the ID is free, Kansans should specifically state they need it for voting. The cost for ID cards normally is $22.

“This service is always available and it’s important for us to remind voters that it’s an option ahead of the November 6 general election,” Director of Vehicles David Harper said. For a list of driver’s license office locations and hours just click here.

Joe D. Thompson will be the only candidate for Stevens County Commissioner District 1 on the ballot, but Jim Bell has announced a write-in campaign for the position.

Joe D. Thompson has served Stevens County as the commissioner for District 1 since winning the spot in 2014. He is married to Valerie and is a lifetime resident of Stevens County.

Jim Bell has been a Moscow resident since 1976. He served the county as a Stevens County Commissioner from 2010 to 2014. To vote for Jim Bell, you must print his name legibly on the appropriate line on your ballot.

Please consider the candidates and questions on your ballot carefully before casting your vote Tuesday, November 6. You can address any questions about your registration status, ballot contents or other election information to Stevens County Election Officer Amy Jo Tharp at 620-544-2541.