The holidays are quickly approaching, along with all the sights, smells and even tastes of the season!

This weekend you can really indulge your senses at one or both of the annual Autumn Bazaars hosted by Hugoton UMC Women and Moscow UMC! The Hugoton event will take place at the Memorial Hall from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Saturday, November 3, while the Moscow Bazaar and Silent Auction will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the UMC Fellowship Hall at 300 Ransom in Moscow.

Baker Arts Center at 624 N. Pershing in Liberal will also host their annual French Market this Saturday and Sunday, complete with plenty of goodies to peruse all weekend! Shoppes will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 4:00 p.m. Sunday.

Craving some turkey dinner? The Rolla UMC will host their annual Thanks N Giving Supper Wednesday, November 7 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at 600 Monroe in Rolla. Everyone is invited!

The Hugoton FFA Chapter will be receiving recognition as a Three Star Chapter Thursday afternoon, October 25 during the second session of the National FFA Convention. This award is only given to the top 280 programs in the country! This National Chapter Award has been the focus of Hugoton’s chapter activities for the past 12 years, with months of work and a multitude of hours of planning, goal setting and achieving by all of the officer teams during that time period. Part of this year’s officer team- President Megan Newlon, Vice President Hallie Wettstein, Secretary Kynna Crawford, Treasurer Karina Rodriguez, Reporter Casle Heger, Sentinel Justin Blakeley, and Student Council Representative David Barker will be there to receive the award.

Post high school Hugoton FFA members Jessica Harper, Mariah Reynolds, Bernabe Mendoza and Elias Mendoza will be receiving the American Degree Saturday morning, October 27.

Convention sessions  can be viewed live on RFD TV ( Channel 120 in town), Thursday, October 25 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.  and Saturday morning, October 27. Hugoton FFA members will be featured on live TV during those times.

The four Hugoton graduates being honored at the Ninety-first National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, In. with American FFA Degrees are receiving the highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization. Less than one half of one percent of FFA members ever reach this high level of achievement.

The American FFA Degree shows an FFA member’s dedication to his or her chapter and the state FFA association. It also demonstrates the effort FFA members apply toward their Supervised Agricultural Experience and the outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement they exhibited throughout their FFA career.

American FFA Degree recipients show promise for the future and have gone above and beyond to achieve excellence.

The requirements to earn the American FFA Degree are set forth in the National FFA Constitution. To be eligible to receive the American FFA Degree, members must meet qualifications such as receiving a State FFA Degree, holding active membership for the past three years, completing secondary instruction in an agricultural education program and operating an outstanding Supervised Agricultural Experience program. Community service, leadership abilities and outstanding scholastic achievement are also required.

All applications are submitted to the National FFA Organization, after approval of a member’s state association. After review by national staff, the National FFA Board of Directors approve qualified candidates to receive the American FFA Degree at the National FFA Convention and Expo.

Candidates for the 2018 American FFA Degree will be honored on-stage during the Eighth General Session of the Ninety-first National FFA Convention and Expo Saturday, October 27, at the American FFA Degree Ceremony at Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S Capitol Ave, Indianapolis, In.

Recipients receive a certificate and the American FFA Degree key in honor of their accomplishments and dedication to FFA.

The Hugoton City Council met for their regular meeting Tuesday, October 9 at the council meeeting room. Present at the meeting were Mayor Jack E. Rowden and Councilmen Dean Banker, Frankie Thomas, Shannon Crawford, Dan Corpening and Jason Teeter. Also attending were City Clerk Carrie L. Baeza, City Inspector Josh Grubbs, Chief of Police Courtney Leslie, Outside Utilities Supervisor Paul Nordyke, Electric and Park Systems Supervisor Gary Rowden, City Attorney Wayne R. Tate, Adrian Howie, Alvin Riley and Hugoton Hermes reporter Ruthie Winget.

Mayor Rowden presided. The council voted to approve the minutes of September 10, 2018.

The council also approved Municipal Judge Paula Sosa’s September report showing 23 new cases brought before the court and $5,535.80 remitted to the city.

Josh Grubbs gave the City Inspector report.  He reported several  building projects were in progress. Many code violations have been corrected, and he has sent out more violation notices.

The council approved the motion to charge off the uncollectible utility acounts in the amount of $4,094.38 as every effort was made to collect the accounts.

Adrian Howie, representing the Stevens County Coalition, came to update the council on plans to improve Raydene Park. The committee is looking into receiving funding through grants to install an outdoor fitness area, a covered pavilion and a splash pad. They are looking into a feasibility study, but wanted the council’s approval of the use of the park from Main Street to Monroe Street and Thirteenth Street to Fourteenth Street before this step began. The council approved the motion to allow the use of Raydene Park to begin the feasibility study on the project.

To read the rest of this story,
check out this week’s issue of The Hermes –
available at the following stores:
Carter’s Country Supercenter
Dollar General
Daylight Donuts
Hugoton Drug
Stevens County Retail Pharmacy
and Eagles Landing in Hugoton
Slim Pickins in Moscow and the
Corner Stop in Rolla
or subscribe online now by clicking here!

Stevens County Sheriff Ted Heaton would like to make the Stevens County residents aware of this situation. It is very important to call the Sheriff’s Department if you feel this is being done to you.

“I lost my wallet and ID. I’m stranded – please wire money.”

“Your grandson (or other family member) is being held in jail. He needs bail money right away.”

Scammers try to trick you into thinking a loved one is in trouble. They call, text, email or send messages on social media about a supposed emergency with a family member or friend. They ask you to send money immediately. To make their story seem real, they may claim to be an authority figure, like a lawyer or police officer; they may guess at – or even know – facts about your loved one. These imposters may insist you keep quiet about their demand for money to keep you from checking out their story and identifying them as imposters. But no matter how real or urgent this seems, it is a scam.

If you get a call or message like this, what to do?

1. Check it out before you act. Look up that friend or family member’s phone number yourself. Call them or another family member to see what’s happening. Even if the person contacted you told you not to.

2. Don’t pay. Don’t wire money, send a check, overnight a money order, or pay with a gift card or cash reload card. Anyone who demands payment in these ways is always, always, always a scammer. These payment methods are like giving cash – and nearly untraceable, unless you act almost immediately.

3. If you sent money to a family emergency scammer, contact the company you used to send the money (wire transfer service, bank, gift card company, or cash reload card company) and tell them it was a fraudulent transaction. Ask to have the transaction reversed, if possible.

4. Report the message or call the Stevens County Sheriff’s Department at 620-544-4386.

Mid-term elections will take place Tuesday,  November 6 this year. Stevens County Clerk Amy Jo Tharp urges residents to make sure they are registered to vote before the Kansas deadline of Tuesday, October 16.

You can see if you’re registered to vote by visiting the Clerk’s office at 200 E. Sixth Street in Hugoton or by clicking here. Please note: you need a Kansas ID to register online. If you do not have a Kansas ID, you can still register in person.

The Stevens County Board of County Commissioners met in regular session Monday, October 1 with Joe D. Thompson and Pat Hall present. Tron Stegman was absent. Also present were County Attorney Paul Kitzke, County Clerk Amy Jo Tharp and RoGlenda Coulter from The Hugoton Hermes.

Commissioners had a light schedule for the morning: Bills – 8:30; Marilyn Harris – 9:00; Tony Martin – 9:30; Paula Rowden – 9:45; Vernon Anderson – 10:00; and lunch at noon.

The Commissioners were visiting with Robert Lucero and Rex Evans when this reporter arrived. Rex is taking Robert’s place as Courthouse Facilities Super-visor. Robert was going to show Rex the different things Rex will now be responsible for.

Marilyn Harris is taking on the job of Memorial Hall Kitchen Housekeeper. She will be in charge of taking care of the kitchen following events when the kitchen is used. She will be picking up a schedule each week/month in the courthouse.

Motion was made and passed to pay the bills.

Commissioners were ahead of schedule so Vernon Anderson went early. He visited with the Commissioners about the permits needed for KDI for their future lagoon. They talked about how clean the KDI waste water is. It is tested continually. KDI will definitely have to have permits to cross any county roads. Otherwise KDHE already has them do nearly all the permits necessary.

Tony Martin reported for Road and Bridge. He said the road they have been building is finished now. He gave the Commissioners the estimated costs, and commissioners asked Tony to make sure the proper forms are filled out and followed by KDI for crossing any county roads.

To read the rest of this story,
check out this week’s issue of The Hermes –
available at the following stores:
Carter’s Country Supercenter, Dollar General, Daylight Donuts,
Hugoton Drug, Stevens County Retail Pharmacy
and Eagles Landing in Hugoton
Slim Pickins in Moscow and the Corner Stop in Rolla
or subscribe online now by clicking here!

As cold and flu season approaches, the recent cases of viral meningitis at Hugoton USD 210 remind students, faculty, parents and the community at large to make sure to observe good hygiene to avoid feeling under the weather this fall and winter.

Please be sure to use the following healthy habits:

• Wash hands frequently

• Cover mouth when sneezing or coughing

• Do not share drinks, food, straws, eating utensils, lip balm, etc.

• Stay up-to-date on vaccinations.

Residents are also encouraged to avoid others who are displaying symptoms of illness and using alcohol-based sanitizer often. Other common-sense tips include eating healthy foods and getting plenty of rest.

Contact the Stevens County Health Department at 620-544-7177 for more information about vaccinations and other health concerns.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. According to the Centers for Disease Control, viral meningitis is a serious condition, but often less severe than bacterial meningitis. People with normal immune systems usually recover from viral meningitis on their own. However, bacterial meningitis can be deadly and requires immediate medical attention. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment confirmed the recent cases at USD 210 were not bacterial meningitis.

As always, please be watchful if you have a sick child. If you have concerns that your sick child may be in distress, please seek medical advice.

Saturday, September 22 the residents and staff of Pioneer Manor will be treated to the annual
Costume Dog Show. This cute little show will start at 10:30 a.m. at the Manor’s Coffee Shop.
Dress those precious little puppies up and sign them up Saturday, the day of the event. All of these dressed up dogs must be on a leash.
Of course you do not need to have a dog to come and enjoy this fun filled day. Come out and help the residents enjoy the silly antics of these much loved pets. See you there!!

For more information you may call Celain Baker at 544-2023 extension 2610.

This Sunday, September 16, Hugoton Baptist Church will host the third annual Show and Shine at 724 S. Main in Hugoton.

The free event will begin with a service featuring guest speaker Randy Caddell at 10:30 a.m. followed by Show & Shine.

If you’d like to enter your car, or find out more information, please contact Gary Stafford at 806-255-0658.

Raffle tickets for Doug Reh’s famous “World’s Fastest Street Legal ‘57 Buick Special” will also be available. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit various charities. The car reached 197 miles per hour during an impressively quick 7.37 second quarter-mile!

Be sure to mark your calendar and stop by
Hugoton Baptist Church, 724 S. Main in Hugoton
this Sunday, September 16 for the Third Annual Show and Shine!

Saturday, September 8 is the High Plains music fest. It is slated to take place at Hugoton’s Dirtona Raceway again this year. Featured artists will be the Josh abbott Band, Logan Mize, Exit West and Genevieve Allen. Get ready for an incredible night of Red Dirt Country, Classic Country, and Southern Rock. Ticket sale proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society and other local charities.

The Josh Abbott Band is a Texas country band, composed of Josh Abbott, Austin Davis, Preston Wait, Edward Villanueva, Caleb Keeter, David Fralin and Jimmy Hartman. Josh Abbott founded the band in 2006 in Lubbock, Tx. while attending Texas Tech University. August 18, 2017 Josh Abbott Band released their fifth studio album entitled “Until My Voice Goes Out” which includes a string and horn section. The string and horn section were also incorporated on the national “Until My Voice Goes Out” tour.

Logan Mize is a country music artist/songwriter from Clearwater. In April 2010, Mize signed a publishing/record deal with Big Yellow Dog Music and a booking deal with William Morris Endeavor followed in August 2010. Mize has received air play as a “Highway Find” on satellite radio channel The Highway (SiriusXM). Logan has also experienced success as a songwriter. Logan’s TV features include the “Fabric of Life” Cotton commercial alongside Hayden Panettiere and in the CW series, “Hart of Dixie”, which featured both Logan and his band.

Exit West is a sultry blend of pop, R & B, and electronic music. Exit West began in the spring of 2003 as the studio project of Kevin Jenkins, a vocalist, keyboardist and guitarist residing in Seattle, Wa. Exit West’s first album, “Nocturne”, was released in February 2004. In the spring of 2004, a group was formed to take the music to the stage. Jenkins recruited his perpetual band mate Timothy Harper, along with Nocturne contributors Shane Smith and Dave Billin for the task.

Genevieve Allen was born in the Gulf Coast region of Texas. Music has always been a huge part of her life. Her musical world changed forever when her best friend turned on Houston’s 93Q and she heard her first country song. Genevieve quickly became obsessed with the music written about her world of rodeo and horses. She bought a guitar and started learning the music of her heroes. Genevieve then began writing her own music. She co-produced her first album, “Whiskey Kisses,” with Worley McKinney, releasing it in early 2014. She signed with LandStar in 2015. Genevieve is now an independent artist and just recorded her new album.

Saturday is also the High Plains Fall Fling Vendor and Craft Show at the Eagle RV Park – right across the road from Dirtona Raceway. Vendors will sell their wares all day Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The second annual IBCA-sanctioned High Plains BBQ Bash will also be happening and cooking will be going on all day.

A new attraction this year will be the giant kites, courtesy of Great American Kites & Events. The show is free to the public. Kites will be displayed from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

A group of about 15 AirStream owners – friends of Lee and Sherry Reynolds – will make their way north from Texas and Louisiana to attend the Music Fest and other area events this weekend.

Please see the High Plains Music Fest ad on page 6B of this week’s Hermes
or visit their Web site for more information!

Hope to see you there!