Saturday, April 21, 2018 at 2 pm at Pioneer Manor in Hugoton: The Quilts of Valor will have a presentation of quilts to twelve Veterans in the community of Hugoton. Please join them as they honor these Veterans with a quilt in appreciation of their military service. This got a little mixed up in this week’s Hermes. The Hermes apologizes for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Due to the high potential for wildland fires, Governor Jeff Colyer M.D. has declared a State of Disaster Emergency for the state. This declaration allows state agencies to preposition firefighting assets and personnel in case wildland fires develop.

The Kansas Division of Emergency Management activated the State Emergency Operations Center in Topeka to an enhanced steady-state level 3. The SEOC is staffed by personnel from KDEM and the Kansas National Guard. They are in contact with the Office of the State Fire Marshal and Kansas Forest Service; no additional support has been requested at this time. The Kansas National Guard has UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and crews on standby.

Very high and extreme grassland fire danger is forecast across much of the state through Friday and perhaps into Saturday due to warmer temperatures, low relative humidity, and strong winds. A Red Flag warning has been issued by the National Weather service for numerous areas of the state. Any fires that start will have extreme fire behavior and the potential to spread rapidly.

KDEM officials are reminding Kansans to avoid any activity that could create a spark and start a new fire.

• Avoid open burning.
• Check with the local authorities in each county for information regarding county burn bans.
(Stevens County is currently under a burn ban)
• Do not drive on or stop your car on dry or tall grass because your exhaust can spark a fire
• Do not throw cigarettes on the ground.
• Check and re-check any recent fires for rekindling.

For more information regarding the weather and a map of the red flag warning, click here.

The Hugoton City Council met for their regular session April 9, 2018 at the council meeting room. Attending the meeting were Mayor Jack E. Rowden and Councilmen Frankie Thomas, Dan Corpening, Shannon Crawford and Jason Teeter. Also present were City Clerk Carrie Baeza, Outside Utilities Supervisor Paul Nordyke, Electric and Park Systems Supervisor Gary Rowden, City Inspector Josh Grubbs, City Attorney Wayne Tate, Police Chief Courtney Leslie, Brad Musgrove, Jeff Sarchet and Hugoton Hermes reporter Ruthie Winget. Councilman Dean Banker was absent.

The council approved the city council minutes from March 8 and March 19.

Each member of the council was provided a copy of Municipal Judge Paula Sosa’s report for the month of March. They reviewed and approved the report showing $3,310.00 remitted to the city during March.

City Inspector Grubbs gave his monthly activities report. The council reviewed and approved the quarterly charge-offs.

Brad Musgrove from Musgrove Insurance stopped by to review the City of Hugoton’s insurance package. The council voted to approve the insurance package.

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

A member of United States Senator Jerry Moran’s staff will be in Hugoton at the Stevens County Library at 500 S. Monroe Street from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. to hold open office hours Thursday, April 19. Individuals who are experiencing difficulties with Social Security, Medicare, Veterans’ affairs or have other concerns regarding federal issues are encouraged to attend.

Questions about the event may be directed to Jordan_Langdon@moran.senate.gov.

The Stevens County Board of County Commissioners met in regular session Monday, April 2, 2018 with all members, Pat Hall, Joe D. Thompson and Tron Stegman present. County Clerk Amy Jo Tharp, County Counselor Paul Kitzke and RoGlenda Coulter from The Hugoton Hermes were also present.

The agenda for the morning included Airport Board at 9:00; Tony Martin at 9:30; SDSI at 10:00; Russell Child Development at 10:15; and Great Plains Development at 10:30.

When this reporter arrived, the Commissioners were talking with EMS Director Rodney Kelling. He was talking about what the penalty should be for burning during a burn ban. Amy looked up the resolution for the burn ban that appeared in The Hermes. This is a very serious issue right now with it being so dry. Paul will look into it and get back with Rodney.

Rodney brought up the matter of fireworks. People who sell fireworks need to know in advance if they should order inventory or not. Commissioners said this is very hard to decide so early since there is plenty of time for it to rain and change things. They plan to put this decision off as long as possible. Commissioners realize this is a big deal for big fundraisers and the fireworks show for the Fourth is an important happening.

The Airport Board did not come in.

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

Spring is officially here, and lots of Easter festivities will be taking place this weekend!

First up is the traditional Easter Egg Hunt at Parsons Sports Park at Third and Washington, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning, March 31. The Hunt is divided by age. There will also be an Easter egg hunt later that afternoon at First Church of God at 801 West City Limits, starting at 3:00 p.m. All children up to sixth grade are welcome to look for goodies!

If you’re more into hunting bargains than Easter eggs, get over to the Stevens County Fairgrounds for the fifty-first annual Kiwanis Auction Friday and Saturday! The sale starts at 10:00 a.m. both days. Saturday, two auction rings will begin at 11:00 a.m. Consignments are being accepted until sale time Saturday morning. Lunch will be served both days by area 4-H club members.

Several businesses will be observing special hours in honor of Good Friday March 30. The Hugoton and Moscow City Offices will be closed Friday, as will the Stevens County Courthouse. The Hermes will also be closed all day Friday, with deadline at 5:00 p.m. Monday. Citizens State Bank announced they will close at 2:00 p.m. Friday afternoon. First National Bank will remain open regular hours March 30. Both Hugoton Drug and Stevens County Retail Pharmacy will be open regular hours, including from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon Saturday. Presto and Toot N Totum will be open regular hours throughout the weekend, as will Dollar General, and both the Hugoton and Moscow Post Offices will be open regular hours. Carters Thrifty King will be closed Sunday to allow their workers time to celebrate Easter with their families.

Please enjoy a very happy Easter

HHS will host “Moroccan Moonlight”

Hugoton High School juniors invite the public to see all their hard work putting together this year’s Prom – “Moroccan Moonlight”. Community members can view the prom decorations at the high school cafeteria this Saturday, March 24 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. You’re asked to enter through the front doors of the high school. You can also see the prom guests in all their finery during the Promenade from 7:00 to 7:45 p.m. on the front walk of the high school.

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Chamber Banquet will be Saturday

It’s not too late! There is still time to get your name on the list to attend the Chamber’s 2018 Annual Awards Banquet this Saturday, March 24! Join Chamber members to help honor Distinguished Service Awards Recipients and of course there will be dinner and entertainment! The Depot Theater Group will be here for the “Thirtieth Year Reunion of Ridgeview High’s Class of 1988”, and you never know what might happen. Saturday is guaranteed to be an evening of fun! Tickets are still available by calling the Chamber today at 544-4305!

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Community Palm Sunday service planned
for March 25

The community is invited to a Palm Sunday service this Sunday, March 25, starting at 6:00 p.m. at the First Christian Church. Pastor Gary Damron of the Lone Star Friends Church will give the message.

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Commodities to be distributed Tuesday

Commodities will be distributed at the VFW Hall, 300 S. Monroe in Hugoton, Tuesday, March 27 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There is no charge to participate in The Emergency Food Assistance Program. Income eligibility guidelines are as follows:

Household Size                                                               Maximum Gross Monthly Income
1                                                                                                             $1,307
2                                                                                                             $1,760
3                                                                                                             $2,213
4                                                                                                             $2,665
5                                                                                                             $3,118
6                                                                                                             $3,571
For each additional family member, add $453

Hugoton High School’s girls’ basketball season came to an end Saturday. It was not exactly the way the well-decorated senior class wanted to finish their season. However HHS again ended their season on a win, which they have done every year since they were freshmen. They went 2-1 in Emporia for 4A Division II state and brought home third place.

Wednesday, the Lady Eagles took on Baxter springs for their first round action. The Lady Eagles started out a little slow in the first, as the two teams wound up being tied after one, 7-7. After that, the Lady Eagles’ defense helped give them a comfortable lead, going into the half 24-17. Baxter springs tried to keep pace as both teams only scored ten in the third, but the lady Eagles proved to be too much for them as HHS ran the fourth quarter and pulled out a 51-35 win. Brooklyn Harper finished with 18 points and eight rebounds in the game. Jordyn Beard grabbed 14 boards.

Friday night, the tables were turned on the Lady Eagles. In years, past the Hugoton team held a number one seed and was “the team to beat” in the 4A II. That was before a season where several key players graduated and the team’s returning All-State player was out with a season-ending knee injury. The Lady Eagles managed to pull the season together and got them in the position to try for yet another title. However on this night, that goal ended with the new powerhouse Baldwin, which dispatched the defending champs and sent them to a third-place game Saturday. The Lady Eagles never seemed to get their offense to go against Baldwin and in some cases the Lady Bulldogs held a definite advantage thanks to their physicality. Even though the lady Eagles battled tough it was not enough as Baldwin jumped out to a 13-5 lead after one and then went to the half up 26-12. The Lady Eagles fought in the fourth and outscored Baldwin but at that point, the game was out of their hands, and the Bulldogs wound up winning 60-47. Harper led the team in scoring with 15 points and Johanna Rawlins contributed 13 more.

The Lady Eagles went into Saturday with a new goal after Friday night’s loss, which was to not be a team to end their season with a loss. The senior group of girls had two State championships and a third place State finish coming into Saturday’s game. They came out with yet another win and finished third again after a win over Marysville. The Lady Eagles only let the Lady Bulldogs stay close to them in the first quarter, then proceeded to run away with the game. The Lady Eagles won 64-43.  Both Harper and Rawlins put up 16 points to lead the Eagles. Laney Hoskinson helped the cause adding 13 points.

The Lady Eagles ended the season with a 17-8 record for the year. Harper was named to the All-State Tournament team. The Lady Eagles will lose three starting seniors next year with an additional three off the bench next season. However, the team will return four core players who provided starting time and quality minutes this season and some very talented JV players for next year’s run for State.

Both the Hugoton High School girls’ and the Moscow High School boys’ basketball teams will compete at the State basketball tournament this evening, Wednesday, March 7 at 8:15 p.m.

Third seed Moscow High School’s 18-5 Wildcats will face sixth-seed Wallace County with a 12-11 record. They’ll tip off at 8:15 p.m. at the 1A Division II tournament in Dodge City’s United Wireless Arena.

The fourth-seeded 15-7 Lady Eagles will take the court in Emporia at the 4A Division II tournament against fifth-seed 13-9 Baxter Springs.

You can watch live coverage of the boys’ game by clicking here.

The girls’ game will be broadcast here.

Good luck at State!

The Stevens County Conservation District celebrated their Sixty-eighth Annual Appreciation Banquet and business meeting Saturday evening at the Memorial Hall. Hunny’s of Guymon, Ok. served a delicious meal to all, and Hugoton High School FFA members helped serve the food.

Poster Contest Award winners were honored.  Twenty – four students were awarded for their posters with ribbons and cash.

Chairman Loren Seaman presented a Powerpoint presentation in honor of the 2017 Distinguished Community Service Award recipient, Citizens State Bank.

The Citizens State Bank was first established in 1913.  At that time the bank was just a wood building. The cashiers conducted business behind wire cages to protect the bank’s money. In 1925, Citizens State Bank built a brick building for their offices. This building is still in use, although it was expanded in 2002.

Walter Young, Citizen’s State Bank president from 1975 until 1989, fulfilled his goal which was to make sure it stayed a local bank. They have set a great example during the past 100 years. The bank has provided stability and continuity for the community from decade to decade.

The bank employs about 32 people at this time. They have provided the annual Conservation Banquet for the past 36 years. They also have sponsored the Stevens County Fair Barbeque, participated in the Fair 4-H livestock auction and supported school events. They have done much for the Hugoton community.

Plaques were presented to Citizens State Bank for the Community Service Award; to Matt and Keri Clark for the Grassland Award; to Tom and Patty Lahey for the Water Conservation Award; and to Walter and Dorothy McClure for the Windbreak Award.

Guest Speaker Jeff Hutton of the Dodge City National Weather Service, presented an interesting program about southwest Kansas’ weather in the past, as well as his forecast for the coming years.

The meeting adjourned.