US STATE SENATE

Democrat
Patrick Wiesner 17
Monique Singh 6
Republican
DJ Smith 133
Jerry Moran 749
US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, DISTRICT 1
Republican
Roger Marshall 533
Tim Huelskamp 383
STATE OFFICES
STATE SENATE, 39TH DISTRICT
Democrat
A. Zacheriah Worf 28
Republican
Larry R Powell 335
John Doll 568

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As most voters are no doubt aware, the primary election for several public offices will be Tuesday, August 2.

Residents of Hugoton will vote at the Memorial Hall, 200 E. Sixth in Hugoton. Moscow residents will vote at the Methodist Church, 304 Main in Moscow. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Voters must present a valid photo ID before they’ll be given a ballot. No campaigning within 250 feet of a polling place is allowed.

Please get out and vote Tuesday, August 2!

The following offices and candidates will be included on the ballot: Read More →

The Stevens County Board of County Commissioners met in a special session 8:30 a.m. Thursday, July 14, 2016 with all Commissioners, Pat Hall, Joe D. Thompson and Dave Bozone present. Also present were County Clerk Pam Bensel, RoGlenda Coulter from The Hugoton Hermes and a very large number of concerned people.
The special session was called for a budget workshop. Teresa, the Stevens County Accountant, was present and had a screen set up to show the Commissioners details of the county’s budget.
Upon seeing how many people were showing up and still coming, the meeting was moved upstairs to the courtroom, where the room filled to capacity also. The very large crowd was mostly there due to concerns about losing the Fitness Center. Read More →

The Stevens County Commissioners met July 5, 2016 for their regularly scheduled meeting at the Stevens County courthouse. Present at the meeting were Commissioner Pat Hall, Commissioner David Bozone and Commissioner Joe D. Thompson. Also attending were Stevens County Clerk Pam Bensel and Hermes Reporter Ruthie Winget. Tron Stegman, Carol Lee Burrows and Gary Baker were on hand to observe the meeting. Stevens County Counselor Paul F. Kitzke was absent.
Chairman Hall informed the commissioners Gary Baughman still wants to lease acreage east of the landfill. After some discussion, the matter was tabled at this time.
Hall reported the cost of the heating and cooling system at the Stevens County Hospital can be refinanced for ten years. This would cut the payment nearly in half. The interest would go up from 2.75% to 3.15%. The balance could be paid off early. Read More →

Citizens State Bank sponsored the Sack Race for the 2016 Hugoton Park Day. Participants ranged in age from four and under all the way to adults!

Winners for the “four and under” category were first place Blake Salmons, second place Carter Trujillo and third place Madison Niehues. Five- and six-year-old winners were Morgan Niehues and Ashley Coats tying for first, and Reaghann Maravilla in second.

In the seven- to nine-year-old age group were Daniella Alfaro with first, Olivia Salmans with second and Jonas Mauk and Daniel Alfaro, Jr. tying for third place. Ten- to twelve-year-old winners were Adam Mendoza in first place, Alexander Russel in second place, and Zane Poulsen finishing third. Winners for the 13-year-old to adult category were Tina Salmans and Westin Maravilla tying for first place, Conner Wells in second and Ryland Bennett with third.

As is the case every year, Hugoton Rotary’s Duck Race was a grand finale for Park Day, with lucky Greg Soelter claiming the big $1000 first prize – as well as the fourth place prize! Bart Anderson and Brahma Group’s duck crossed the finish line next for second place, followed closely by Sunbelt Feeders’ duck in third. “Hard Luck” winners plucked from the “Canal Street pond” were Pam Hamlin, Rick Hamlin, Stacy Burrows, Rex Coulter and Darren Figgins with Garnand Funeral Home. Hugoton Rotarians work to eradicate polio, provide scholarships and many other community projects. This year, the big duck race wouldn’t have been such a success without the help of the City of Hugoton workers and the Stevens County Fire Department.

Winners of the Mr. Hugoton and Miss Hugoton were as follows: 0-6 Month Girls – first place: Alyvia Holcomb, second place: Amelia Roybal, third place: Rosalie Ward; 0-6 Month Boys – first place: Jesse Alexander Landa, second place: Konner Pike, third place: Cole Butler; 7-12 Month Girls – first place: Londyn Jade Campbell, second place: Arelynn Viurquez, third place:  Kendall; 7-12 Month Boys – first place: Leo, second place: Alec Persinger, third place: Kraysen Hill; 13-18 Month Girls – first place: Ellie, second place: Viviana Olivas, third place: Allyson Evans; 13-18 Month Boys first place: Karsyn Hale, second place: Kieran Piland, third place: Miquel Vargas; 19-24 Month Girls – first place: Jocelyn Smith, second place: Ryder Schmutz; 19-24 Month Boys – first place: Joel Baeza, second place: Isaih Perez, third place: Fysher Reinerio; 2-3 Years Girls – first place: Zoe Vargas, second place: Myah; 2-3 Years Boys – first place: Sean Landa, second place: Hayden Trujillo, third place: Rowdie Robinett.

The Stevens County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) met at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at the Hugoton EMS training center for their regular meeting/working lunch.

The meeting had a good turnout with LEPC committee members, Harry Bartel, RoGlenda Coulter, Bailey Esarey, Richard Everett, Josh Grubbs, Cathy Hernandez, Debbie Hickson, Brent Inkelaar, Rodney Kelling, Courtney Leslie, Joy Lewis, Tony Martin, John Moser, Judy Parsons, Terry Pierson, Paula Rowden, Susan Schulte and Phil Thompson in attendance. Also present were, Trista Nordyke, Adrian Howie and Jack Rowden.

President Paula Rowden called the meeting to order. Following the meal provided by the EMS, Paula said she thought everyone already knew each other, but asked that everyone introduce themselves. Minutes from the December 2015 meeting, emailed earlier from Susan Schulte to each member, were gone over and the agenda was presented with requests for any changes. Motions were made and passed to accept both.

Everyone was thanked for attending and Paula gave a brief history of the LEPC being formed. She said she observed a real need for community safety after 9/11. She explained how the further we get from 9/11, the more we remove ourselves from those feelings of threat. She then added that we are in a season where weather is a great concern and wonders if we have processes to manage “a Greensburg”. She continued saying that it’s organizing our community to manage circumstances beyond what one single entity could handle. Therefore, partner relationships are important amongst all entities in our community. Read More →

Floyd Knox’s Father’s Day was improved dramatically Monday morning when he received the call he had been picked as Super Dad 2016 at Thrifty King! Floyd took home a $25 gift certificate and $50 Chamber Bucks! Read More →

Saturday morning, June 11, several community members filed into the Stevens County Library’s meeting room to talk with Commissioner Joe D. Thompson about the budget issues plaguing the county. Representatives from various county entities were present, including the Senior Center and Extension. Joe D. offered the Commissioner Coffee meeting as an opportunity for residents to express their concerns and so he could talk face-to-face with community members. Read More →

Hugoton FFA member Austin Nordyke was recognized as the State Star in Agribusiness, one of the association’s top honors, during the eighty-eighth Kansas FFA State Convention, June 1-3, 2016, on the Kansas State University campus.

Each year, the Kansas FFA Association recognizes three members who have the top Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs with the Star Farmer, Star in Agribusiness and Star in Ag Placement awards. The Star competitions are sponsored by ICM, Inc., United Bank and Trust and Kansas Farm Bureau. Read More →

Hugoton USD 210 is joining more than 100 other districts in the state of Kansas as they provide nutritious free breakfasts and lunches for children throughout the summer.

This year, the district has been approved to serve meals at two different sites. Beginning Monday, May 23, the school has served children from ages one to 18 free breakfasts and lunches in the Early Childhood Development Center’s Hullabaloo Room. Read More →