Eagles and Lady Eagles earn
Sub-State Championships at Lyons!

In the above left photo, Hugoton’s Lady Eagle basketball team includes, back row left to right: Sydney Hein, Coach Andy Gillen, Brooklyn Harper, Coach Jeff Ramsey, JoHanna Rawlins, Jaysa Featherston, Dallie Hoskinson, Rebecca Johnson and Coach Keenan Thompson. In the front are Jaqui Armendariz, Amy Scott, Katy Heger, Melissa Fabela, Marisol DonJuan and Lainey Hoskinson. The first-ranked 23-0 HHS girls will begin their State Championship play Wednesday, March 8 at Hutchinson Community College with a 3:00 p.m. game against eighth-seeded 15-8 Riley County High School.

HHS’s boys claim another Sub-State Championship Saturday at Lyons. The Eagle basketball team includes back row left to right: Jeff Persinger, Coach CJ Korf, Jagger Hertel, Carlos Montiel, Zack Leininger, Colby Korf, Tony Kinser, manager Jayden Korf, manager Martha Rubio, Coach Todd Fulton and Coach Gentry Slocum. In the front are Mitchell Hamlin, Jace Gilmore, Carter Brown, Valentino Degollado and Carlos Tinoco. The fifth-seeded 17-6 HHS boys will begin State play Thursday, March 9 in an 8:15 p.m. game against Gypsum-Southeast of Saline High School at Hutchinson Community College.

If you’re unable to attend the game but still want to cheer for the Eagles, click here to watch the semifinal games Friday and the girls’ and boys’ Championship games Saturday. At press time, the games Wednesday and Thursday’s will not be broadcast on OpenSpacesSports.com.

The Stevens County Board of County Commissioners met in session Monday, March 6, 2017. All members Pat Hall, Joe D. Thompson and Tron Stegman were present. Also present were County Clerk Amy Jo Tharp, County Counselor Paul Kitzke, Pam Bensel, RoGlenda Coulter from The Hugoton Hermes, Robert Rich, Vernon Anderson, Gary Porter and Rodney Kelling.

The following is just the unofficial highlights for the morning. The agenda included: Bills and Robert Rich – 8:30; Tony Martin – 9:30; Sheriff Ted Heaton – 10:00; Airport Board – 10:30; and lunch – 12 noon.

When this reporter arrived, the Commissioners were in several executive sessions.

Vanessa Willis checked in just to inform the Commissioners her office now does Hunting and Fishing Licenses.

Following the executive sessions, motion was made and passed to transfer Robert Rich from the Fitness Center to Road and Bridge.

Motion was made to pay the bills.

Vernon Anderson came in and informed the Commissioners his Zoning Board will be back in session March 15. They were visiting about a sub-station.

Rodney Kelling reported about the fires his department had been fighting. He said they had a very long weekend. Paul said he was informed firefighters 17 and under are not able to serve as firefighters. Paul is to do more investigation. They visited about a burn ban. Joe said he thinks they should for sure put one in place. Rodney said they had been out fighting a fire of rotten grain for UPA at least three times with trucks and a few times without. Rodney said UPA is working on a plan to bury it. He reports the bunker gear is in.

Tony Martin reported in for Road and Bridge. Commissioners informed Tony he will be getting a new employee. He requested an executive session.

Commissioners told Tony about the resolution for a burn ban. Road and Bridge has been graveling roads and doing crack sealing. Tony reports they are having really bad gopher problems they are addressing.

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

Monday, February 27, Representative Steve Alford and Kansas Senator John Doll visited Stevens County to speak with residents during a Legislative Update, co-sponsored by the Hugoton Area Chamber of Commerce, Stevens County Economic Development and Stevens County Farm Bureau Association.

Quite a few people were in attendance as the Update began at 6:30 p.m. Senator John Doll was first to speak, addressing the recent tax bill vetoed by Governor Sam Brownback. He reported the Senate was only three votes short – with 24 of a needed 27 – of overriding the veto, and they are pursuing those three votes actively. Senator Doll serves on ten committees including the standing committees of education, transportation, ways and means and ethics, in addition to several others.

Doll started off by going over his perception of “the good, the bad and the ugly” of the proposed tax bill. The good: it re-established three tiers, didn’t cut education and balanced the budget. The bad: the state’s school funding is in danger of being ruled unconstitutional; if the tax bill is passed, the courts may give the state a couple more years to remedy that. Senator Doll was adamant that, of the two pools available to move money for schools, the Tobacco Settlement Fund – used for the Children’s Initiative Fund – must be left alone, leaving only one source – the $360 million+ unclaimed property fund – to use for school funding. “There’s nothing more important than youth and education…that’s so important, and we need to leave that alone.” The ugly: Governor Brownback vetoed the tax bill, and he will continue to veto any tax bill proposed as he continues his plan for economic recovery in Kansas. After the override was unsuccessful, senators worked a few changes into the bill, including one affecting the tax increase upon its passage, not retroactively from January 1, 2017. That change should result in two more votes – the third will be very difficult to obtain.

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

Valentine’s Day has come and gone, but the sweetness continues for these lucky Sweethearts! Steve and Anita Munson were named the 2016 Sweetheart Sweepstakes winners after winning the $20 gift certificate at Bultman, Inc. They also won a $50 Chamber gift certificate to use nearly anywhere in town!

Other sweetheart winners abounded, including a very lucky couple, Pete and Amber Perez, who won $25 cash at First National Bank and a large pizza at Pizza Hut!

Read More →

The Stevens County Spelling Bee took place Wednesday, February 8 at 12:45 p.m. at the Moscow High School Gym. The Junior Bee was first with Hugoton students Amy Fedelin as runner-up and Storm Heger placing first. The match lasted eight rounds with Storm correctly spelling the word “contraband” to win.

The Senior Bee was also won by Hugoton students, with Samantha Berry coming in second place and Gillian Heger winning the Bee by spelling “Olympian” correctly in the fourth round.

Gillian and Storm are brother and sister and their parents are Robb and Kim Heger. Gillian will be competing at the Regional Bee in Amarillo, Tx. Saturday, March 4.

Valentine’s Day is coming around again, and if you haven’t picked up the perfect gift yet, local businesses just might have you covered! Simply visit area retailers and sign up for a chance to win a ton of great prizes. Every winning couple will then be entered into the 2017 Sweetheart Sweepstakes drawing for a chance to win a $50 Chamber gift certificate. For the Valentine’s sweepstakes, only couples are eligible to win. The winners will be drawn Wednesday, February 15. Read More →

Make sure to bring a big appetite this Saturday, February 4! Both the Hugoton and Moscow United Methodist Churches will be hosting their annual Ground Hog Suppers.

The Hugoton United Methodist Men will host their supper at Memorial Hall at Sixth and Monroe in Hugoton, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The menu features all the staples of a delicious “ground hog” meal: sausage, biscuits, mashed potatoes and gravy, sauerkraut and ribs, applesauce and pies! There will be coffee and milk to drink. Bulk sausage will also be for sale. A free will offering will be taken.

Moscow’s United Methodist Church Groundhog Supper will take place from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the church building at 300 Ransom in Moscow. Their menu includes sausage, ribs, BBQ pork and tenderloin, along with liver and onions, pickled heart, sauerkraut, sausage gravy, biscuits, baked beans and, of course, delectable homemade pies! They’ll also have coffee, tea and pink lemonade to drink. Free will offerings will be gratefully accepted, and take out plates are also available for those who can’t make it to the church.

Be sure to get out and enjoy some great food and excellent company this Saturday!

Hugoton High School head cross country coach Nick Rodriguez is going to have to clear some more space on his mantle for yet another accolade. This one comes from the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association and recognizes “Coach Rod” as the 2016 Girls’ High School Coach of the Year for the State of Kansas.

The honor is based upon the performance of the Hugoton High School cross country team during the 2016 season. The award is in recognition of the hard work and dedication of the student athletes, the coaching staff and the administration of the Hugoton High School. Read More →

Mark your calendar! Monday, January 23, St. Helen Catholic Church will host a blood drive from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. Donors will be able to give whole blood and Power Red donations.

The following may help you prepare to donate:

• Hydrate. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids on the day of your donation.

• Wear something comfortable. Wear clothing with sleeves that can easily be rolled up above the elbow.

• Maintain a healthy level of iron in your diet before donating. If possible, include iron-rich foods in your diet, especially in the weeks before your donation.

• Eat a healthy meal before your donation. Avoid fatty foods like hamburgers, fries or ice cream, as the fat contained may hinder the Red Cross’s ability to test for infectious diseases.

• Get a good night’s sleep.

• Bring a list of medications you are taking. The Red Cross will need to know about any prescription and/or over-the-counter medications that may be in your system.

• Bring an ID. Please bring either your donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of identification.

• Bring a friend. Bring along a friend, so you may both enjoy the benefits of giving blood.

• Relax! Blood donation is a simple and very safe procedure, so there is nothing to worry about.

Whole blood and platelet donors must be in good general health and feeling well, at least 17 years old – or 16 with parental consent – and weigh at least 110 pounds. Read More →