Stevens County’s interlocal agreement with the City of Hugoton, regarding the one percent tax increase, has been approved by the Kansas Attorney General’s office.
The one-cent sales tax increase will go into effect Saturday, July 1.
Stevens County’s effective tax rate will be 9.0 percent as of July 1, 2017. For the next two years, the County will receive 100% of the increase, with the hope of easing the property tax burden on local taxpayers. After the first two years, the City of Hugoton will receive a portion of the sales tax increase.

USD 210’s Board of Education met Monday, June 19 at Central Office’s new Main Street location. Board members Barry Hittle and Paula Rowden were absent.

Dawson Kerbow and Jacob Eckert, two members of the HHS boys’ State Champion track team came to the meeting, and Athletic Director C.J. Korf presented them with a certificate of recognition. The boys’ families also attended to see them honored.

Board members then reviewed district-wide assessment data, as presented by Superintendent Adrian Howie. Information from the state assessment, AIMSweb, MAP and even ACT tests was carefully evaluated by administrators. Mr. Howie acknowledged that “teaching to the test” is not the district’s goal – “teaching and learning” is the goal of Hugoton schools. All the tests’ data can provide a snapshot of each individual student and indicate whether help is needed.

HHS Principal Melody Witt discussed with the board the desire for the high school to move to a semester grading system instead of the former nine-week grading period. This policy is more aligned with the way colleges grade. The board will continue this discussion at the July meeting.

CJ Korf then presented two different Dual Activity policies for the board to review before July’s meeting. Board members agreed a formal policy could help settle disputes when they arise. Mr. Howie told the board building handbooks and changes for the coming year were available to look over.

Board members approved pursuit of early childhood grants to benefit the preschool program and Parents As Teachers. They then talked about the classified pay scale, and Mr. Howie reported he will ask for approval of the scale at July’s meeting. Teachers’ absences were also discussed, and the superintendent told the board the district had spent $15,000 under budget on substitutes.

Board members and Superintendent Howie then entered executive session for 30 minutes to discuss personnel changes. Upon exiting executive session, board members opted to terminate the employment of Sandra Ruiz and Mara Martinez. The board also approved personnel changes as recommended by Mr. Howie.

To read the rest of this article, check out this week’s
Hermes – available now – by clicking here to subscribe online!

Two members of the Hugoton High School FFA chapter, Megan Newlon and Austin Nordyke, were recognized last week. The students were honored for having some of the best career development programs in the state at the Eighty-ninth Kansas FFA Convention May 31 through June 2, 2017 on the Kansas State University campus.
Megan and Austin earned State FFA Proficiency Awards for outstandingaccomplishments they have made in developing programs that will prepare them for careers in agriculture. Their advisor is Les McNally.
Newlon received her award in Diversified Livestock Production, sponsored by McPherson County Feeders. Nordyke’s award is in Turf Grass Management, sponsored by Sod Shop, Inc.
The proficiency award program recognizes students for exceptional accomplishments and excellence in a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program. This program allows students to set goals and gain real-world experience in a chosen area of the agriculture industry.
For her SAE, Newlon raises horses, cattle, swine and sheep. By raising a variety of animals, she has become knowledgable in many areas of animal care. She exercises the animals, measures out feed rations, and also doctors sick animals with the help of her local veterinarian. She uses her experiences to help teach others about the equine and livestock industries. After high school, Newlon plans to attend college and earn a degree in animal science or agribusiness. She is the daughter of Jeff and Vicky Newlon.
Nordyke operates a lawn care business for his community. Originally partnering with his older sister, he took over the business to continue the tradition of serving the community while also developing his skills in communication and managing a business. He has been able to grow the customer base to 65 customers, and has generated income that has helped pay for college. He currently attends Wichita State University and is pursuing a degree in engineering. Austin is the son of Paul and Shannon Nordyke.

The Hugoton track and field teams participated in the State Track and Field meet in Wichita this past weekend. The boys’ team captured the class 3A State Championship with 62 points. The top eight placers in each event are All-State athletes.

The boys started off the meet Friday morning with three final events as well as preliminaries for sprints and relays. Tony Kinser claimed first in the high jump with a leap of 6’8”, while the boys’ 3200 meter runners started the day off with third and fourth place finishes. Mitchell Hamlin struggled a bit in the long jump but he had a lot going on during his jumping.

“We got everyone else in the sprints and relays qualified for the second day, giving us a chance to make a run at the [State] title,” said Coach Nick Rodriguez.

The second day continued with everyone working hard at placing in their respective events. During the second day, HHS team members understood they needed to do the best possible in their events, and place if possible.

“Our relays performed well and we got out of them what I thought we would. Our open event athletes worked hard and got us the points we needed,” said coach Rodriguez.

To read the rest of this article, check out this week’s
Hermes – available now – by clicking here to subscribe online!

This weekend is a long one for most working folks – to many, Memorial Day weekend signals the beginning of summer, great sales, or just an extra day off. However, the holiday is meant to be a day of remembrance for the men and women who died while serving in the United States military. This year, please have fun during your long weekend, but take a moment of silence to remember the sacrifices brave men and women make every day while serving in the military.

Community members are invited to attend the
memorial service in Moscow at 9:00 a.m. with Pastor Sean Schraeder
from the Moscow Baptist Church. The service will take place in the Moscow Cemetery.
Hugoton residents may attend the 10:00 a.m. service at the Hugoton Cemetery
with Pastor Israel Franco of Hugoton’s Church of God.

Several area businesses will also be closed in recognition of the holiday. Citizens State Bank, First National Bank and The Hermes will be closed for the holiday, as will the Stevens County Courthouse. The City Offices and Post Offices in Hugoton, Moscow and Rolla will all be closed and plan to reopen Tuesday with regular hours. If you’ve got a honey-do list for the long weekend, you probably need to check off your list at Hi-Plains Lumber because they’ll be closed Monday, May 29.

Thrifty King announced they’ll be open for all your grocery needs, and Dollar General will also be open for all the outdoor essentials to get a great start to summer. Flatlanders plans to open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday, while the Store in Moscow will be open regular hours.

HHS graduate Katy Heger has certainly done this community proud with her incredible athletic skills throughout her high school career, helping the Lady Eagles earn two State titles in four years. She’s also represented Hugoton well in academics and attitude. Well – she’s done it again!

Katy Heger has recently joined an elite list, being named Miss Kansas Basketball for 2017. Fellow alumni of this prestigious list include three WNBA players. Katy is the daughter of Chris and Stephanie Heger of Hugoton. She has been involved with the HHS Lady Eagles’ basketball team since her freshman year. Katy recently signed to play basketball at Washburn University with the Ichabods.

To read the rest of this story, check out this week’s Hermes available
now by clicking here to subscribe online!

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 14…and what do you mean, you forgot?! All is not lost – just hurry to one of the 21 Hugoton businesses participating in the 2017 Super Mom Sweepstakes and register your favorite Mom – or Grandma, Nana or Granny by Friday, May 12 for a chance to win great prizes and Super Mom 2017!

No matter what kind of interests your favorite matron possesses, the merchants of Hugoton have you covered! From gift certificates at her favorite shop to specially-curated gift baskets or a meal at her favorite hometown restaurant, cover your bases by registering all over town!

Participating businesses include Bultman, Inc., Citizens State Bank, Creative Specialties, El Abanero, Finishing Touches,
First National Bank, Flatlanders, Hugoton Drug, The Hugoton Hermes, Janet’s Bridal & Boutique, Jet Drive-In, Kates Pet Grooming, The Little Gift Shop in the Corner, Los Agaves, Lynnies Nest, Nieto’s, Pizza Hut, Ranchito Tex Mex Cafe, Stevens County Retail Pharmacy, Tan’alon and Yardmaster.

Winners at each business will be drawn Monday, May 15 and Super Mom will be drawn the same day.

This year’s Super Mom will also receive $50 Chamber Bucks from the Hugoton Area Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber Bucks can be spent at most local businesses, enabling Mom to pick out her own present!
Be sure to register today!

Did the weekend’s weather spell the end for southwest Kansas’ winter wheat crop this year?

Freezing temperatures, in combination with heavy, wet snow definitely worked together to the detriment of local wheat fields. The exact magnitude of the storm’s damage may not be apparent for days, or even weeks, but this much is known – Kansas won’t be contributing record bushels of winter wheat this year.

Last year, Kansas produced over 36% of the United States’ total winter wheat production. Stevens County contributed nearly four and a half million of those bushels. This year, the story may be radically different, after a late winter storm wreaked havoc on rapidly-maturing winter wheat.

To read the rest of this article, check out this week’s
Hermes – available now – by clicking here to subscribe online!

Thursday, May 4 offers a unique opportunity for national reflection and petition to God in the form of the 2017 National Day of Prayer.
The event will be publicly recognized in Hugoton at two locations: first at the First National Bank’s flagpole from 7:45 to 8:00 a.m., then at the Stevens County Courthouse flagpole at 12:00 Noon.
FNB is located at 502 S. Jackson, and the Courthouse is at 200 E. Sixth.

If you are unable to attend either event, you can still participate during the evening hours by watching the live stream of the
National Day of Prayer event in Washington, D.C. from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. A link to the live stream will be available by clicking here.
National Day of Prayer Chairperson Anne Graham Lotz will lead participants in unified prayer for America.

The theme for this year’s National Day of Prayer is “For Your Great Name’s Sake! Hear Us …Forgive Us …Heal Us!” inspired by Daniel 9:19. It emphasizes the United States’ need as a nation to cry out to God, who is sovereign over all governments and authorities.

Important items on the prayer request list include the United States government, US military forces, the media, businesses, educators, churches and families.

The National Day of Prayer, established in public law by a joint resolution of Congress signed by President Truman in 1952, then amended to designate the day under the 100th Congress and President Reagan in 1988, states “The President shall issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a National Day of Prayer on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups and as individuals.”

As the nation struggles with foreign and domestic threats, economic insecurity, cultural tensions, and continual challenges to basic constitutional rights, United States citizens are encouraged to heed the call by elected leaders to exercise one of their most precious freedoms – the right to gather, turn to God, and pray.

The National Day of Prayer tradition predates the founding of the United States of America, evidenced by the Continental Congress’ proclamation in 1775 setting aside a day of prayer. In 1952, Congress established an annual day of prayer and, in 1988, that law was amended, designating the National Day of Prayer as the first Thursday in May.