Monday, January 2, 2017, Stevens County Sheriff’s Department investigated a report of a theft at 910 South Lincoln Street in Hugoton. Several items were stolen from the residence. Destrie Whitaker, age 26 and Dontay Kingsby, age 20 were arrested for Burglary and Theft.

Wednesday, January 11, 2017, Stevens County Sheriff’s Department arrested Heather Romaker, age 33 on a Warrant. She was also in possession of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia at the time of arrest.

Monday, January 23, 2017, Stevens County Sheriff’s Department investigated a report of a theft at 800 South Lincoln Street, in Hugoton. Several items were stolen from the residence. Cole Twilligear, age 21, Dalton Twilligear, age 25, Cameron Hackley, age 24 and Dalton Ruiz, age 23, were arrested for Burglary, Theft and Criminal Damage to Property.

Tuesday, January 24, 2017, Stevens County Sheriff’s Department investigated a report of a theft at 400 Northwest Avenue, in Hugoton. Jess Fenton, age 25 and Kristina Shackelford, age 36, were arrested for Burglary and Theft. They were also in possession of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia at the time of arrest.

To read the rest of the Sheriff’s Report for 2017, check out this week’s
Hermes – available now – by clicking here to subscribe online!

There will be a come and go retirement reception for former Stevens County Clerk Pam Bensel Friday, April 28 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the breakroom across from the County Clerk’s office on the second floor of the Stevens County Courthouse.

Pam served Stevens County in the County Clerk’s office for 40 years. Everyone is welcome to drop by and wish her well!

The Stevens County Board of County Commissioners met in session Monday, April 17, 2017. All members, Pat Hall, Joe D. Thompson and Tron Stegman were present. Also present were County Clerk Amy Jo Tharp, Pam Bensel, County Counselor Paul Kitzke and RoGlenda Coulter from The Hugoton Hermes.

The following is just the unofficial highlights for the morning.

When this reporter arrived, the Commissioners were talking with Stevens County Extension Agents Josh Morris and Nancy Honig. Also supporting the Extension Office were Ashley Fiss, Steve Rome, Brad Niehues and Don Beesley. The discussion was about the Extension’s budget, which includes the local 4-H programs. Josh had given the Commissioners financial sheets to look over. They discussed payrolls, insurance and all the other expenses for their department. The group told of grants and donations they have been putting to good use along with the county funds. Of course the county valuation came into the discussion. Commissioners said the current valuation is now is most likely “the new normal”.

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

Calling all egg hunters! Hugoton Lions will host their annual Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday, April 15 at the Parsons Sports Complex at Third and Washington. Babies up to age three will start at 10:00 a.m.; four- to six-year-olds start at 10:05 a.m., and seven- to nine-year-olds start at 10:10 a.m.

If you miss the morning hunt – don’t worry! Hugoton’s First Church of God will host a hunt for children up to sixth grade at 3:00 p.m. on their church grounds at 801 West City Limits.

Easter is this Sunday, April 16.
Several area churches have announced special services
in recognition of the holiday.

Assembly of God
138 S. Main, Hugoton
Assembly of God will host regular worship services starting at 10:45 a.m. Sunday morning.
After services, children will take part in an Easter egg hunt.

Bethel Friends Church
Eleventh & Jefferson, Hugoton
The community is invited to a 7:00 p.m. Good Friday service April 14. Worshippers are also encouraged to attend a 7:00 a.m. Sunrise Service at the Old Bethel site, or regular Sunday morning services at 10:30 a.m.

First Christian Church
600 S. Van Buren, Hugoton
First Christian Church invites local residents to their Easter morning services Sunday, April 16 starting at 10:30 a.m.

First Church of God
801 West City Limits, Hugoton
First Church of God will host an Easter egg hunt for community children Saturday, April 15 starting at 3:00 p.m. on the Church of God grounds at 801 West City Limits in Hugoton.

Sovereign Redeemer
1610 W. Tenth, Hugoton
Sovereign Redeemer plans a Good Friday service for April 14 at 7:00 p.m. They will also host a Sunrise Service at 7:00 a.m. Sunday and an Resurrection Day breakfast at 10:00 a.m.

Trinity Baptist Church
516 Northeast Ave., Hugoton
Trinity Baptist will host a Community Good Friday service starting at 12:05 p.m. April 14. The nondenominational service will conclude before 1:00 p.m. to accomodate those who have to get back to work.

United Methodist Church
828 S. Main, Hugoton
Hugoton’s United Methodist Church will host a Maundy Thursday service at 7:00 p.m. April 13 at the church building. They will also have a Sunrise Service Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. The regular Easter service will be at 11:00 a.m., and will be followed by an Easter egg hunt for the children.

Moscow Baptist Church
2030 Road Y, Moscow
Moscow Baptist invites you to a Community performance of their Easter Cantata at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, April 15 at the Moscow Baptist Church building one mile south of Moscow, and a half mile east of Hooker/Moscow Road. If you’re unable to make it, there will be another performance of the Cantata Sunday morning at 10:45 a.m.

You are encouraged to attend the church of your choice for the Easter holiday.
A full listing of area churches can be found on page 4 of this week’s Hermes.

Hugoton Area Chamber of Commerce, Stevens County Economic Development and Stevens County Farm Bureau Association will host a Legislative Update this coming Monday, April 10 starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Stevens County Library Meeting Room.

The Update offers a great opportunity to speak with government representatives and to hear about goings-on in the Kansas State Capitol. State Senator John Doll and State Representative Stephen Alford will speak briefly about their accomplishments and ongoing projects.

The public is invited to listen and to ask questions, so please mark your calendars to attend the Update Monday evening.

Tuesday was a busy day at the former VFW building! Volunteers with Peace House Ministries were handing out commodities – food distributed by the federal government through T.E.F.A.P. – or “The Emergency Food Assistance Program”.

The idea for Peace House to help came from Vernon Anderson, who contacted Patty Bultman to see if the group would be willing to devote some time to the project. Fortunately, for residents of Stevens County, several volunteers were eager to offer their services.

The morning of March 28, the ladies loaded up a trailer with commodities at Liberal, then trucked them to Hugoton to distribute to Stevens County residents. Patty reported the commodities should be available every other month, and a specific date for May should be available in late April.

There is no charge to participate in TEFAP, and it’s as easy as meeting these income guidelines:

Household Size                                  Max Monthly Income

1                                                                       $1,287
2                                                                       $1,736
3                                                                      $2,184
4                                                                       $2,633
5                                                                       $3,081
6                                                                       $3,530
7                                                                       $3,980

Greg and Tami Bond will be appearing as contestants on the popular game show, “Wheel of Fortune” next week, as part of “Grandparents Week”. Their show will air Monday, April 3 at 6:30 p.m. on NBC.
Their journey began last June when Tami and her mom, Jane Nix, went to the Wheel Mobile auditions in Mulvane at the Kansas Star Arena. Two weeks later, Tami received an email inviting her to come back for a second audition and stated they were also looking for grandparents as contestants, so if she wanted to bring her husband along, they could try out as a couple. “Greg was pretty hesitant, not nearly as excited as I was”, admitted Tami. But she signed them up and they went for the audition in July. Two weeks later, they received a letter from the Wheel congratulating them as they had been chosen as contestants. The letter said it could be anywhere from six to 18 months before they were contacted for a taping date. The letter also encouraged them to start practicing – so they did. Read More →

This weekend marks the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Kiwanis Club annual consignment auction at the Stevens County Fairgrounds! Be sure to get out and enjoy the nice weather and see what the auction has to offer.

Friday and Saturday the sale will start at 10:00 a.m. Two auction rings will start at 11:00 a.m. Saturday. Consignments of all kinds will be available, as well as concessions and a lunch served by 4-H members.

This year marks fifty years for the Kiwanis sale which was started in 1967. The Kiwanis Club has been working the annual event each year to help raise money for scholarships for area students.

People come from all over the area for this special auction each year hoping for a great deal/ or a special treasure. Make plans to attend the fiftieth year with the Kiwanis Club and 4-H members.

Sunday, March 19 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., the community is invited to a come and go reception at the Hugoton High School Cafeteria in honor of the undefeated State Champion HHS Lady Eagles!!

Team members will be available for autographs and photos at the reception. Fans can also order their State Champion t-shirts to remember this moment forever! Cookies and lemonade will be served.

The Lady Eagles will also be ordering their Championship rings Sunday, and each player is responsible for the cost of her ring. If anyone would like to help defray the cost of the rings, a donation box will be set up at the reception Sunday evening.

The coaches, players and their families have appreciated the support of their loyal HHS fans throughout this season – and throughout the past few years.

Since 2014, the ladies of HHS have won four Sub-State tournaments, a third place at 2016’s State tournament, and now, two State Championships – a 4A Division II title in 2015 and the 3A honor in 2017. This year’s seniors’ overall record stands at 90-8: 19-4 in 2014, 22-2 in 2015, 23-2 in 2016 and 26-0 in 2017.

Please come by the HHS cafeteria Sunday evening to congratulate the Lady Eagles and to wish them well in their future endeavors.