Norma Stoddard has been selected as Super Mom 2023!! Norma and her husband Ralph’s children are, Roy, Cynthia, Jill and the late Dennis, eight grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren. Norma’s original lucky entry in the Hermes Super Mom Drawing was entered at Yardmaster Garden and Gifts. This will entitle Mrs. Stoddard to a grand $25 Gift Certificate to be used to pick something wonderful from Yardmaster’s wide array of something green and flowery or a gift from Diane’s large selection of extraordinary gift items.

Norma’s entry was put into a final drawing with all the other winners listed here and drawn in a final drawing at The Hermes to declare her Super Mom 2023! As Super Mom, Norma will also receive an additional 50 Chamber Bucks from Hugoton Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations Norma!! Enjoy being declared Super Mom 2023 this year. And have fun spending those Chamber Bucks in a local business of your choice!

Other lucky drawing winners that will be enjoying their winnings are as follows. Donna Burrows will be able to put a $25. Gift Certificate to good use picking out something beautiful from Janet’s Bridal and Boutique. Connie Gold will have fun going through her specially created Gift Basket of spectacular items from Hugoton Drug. The girls at Hugoton Drug drew out Connie’s name to make her their Super Mom.

Evonne Franco’s name was drawn at Dream First Bank making her their special mom. Evonne will be able to pick up her $25 Gift Certificate and find some nice things of her choice. Equity Bank drew out Maria Maravilla’s name from their entry box. She will be able to enjoy putting that $25 Gift Card to some good use.

Flatlanders’ lucky winner of a $25 Gift Card is Chris Estes. Chris will have so many interesting items to choose from among Flatlanders’ gigantic selections. Acosta’s and Nietos Cafe will be the place for Lisa Rome to use her $30 Gift Certificate and select her meal after being selected their lucky mom. She will be able to use it whenever she feels she does not want to cook and wants some tasty good food created by Lupe and his staff.

Los Agaves Bar and Grill drew out Melissa Sullivan as their special mom. She can come in anytime and get her $25 Gift Certificate. She is guaranteed to be filled with some of their wonderfully delicious meals.

Kendrea Hall is China’s drawing winner. Kendrea will be able to enjoy some of the wonderful fare that China serves up with her $25 Gift Certificate. Lisa Bennett will also be eating good. Her name was drawn at Bonnie and Clyde‘s Grill and Sports Bar for their $30 Gift Certificate. Brittany Miller is the lucky mom to be drawn at Citizens State Bank. She will be able to spend her 20 Gas Capital Dollars anywhere in Hugoton she likes.

The girls at Main Revelation drew out Lori Blake’s name. She will have in hand her $25 Gift Card and have a lot of decisions to make to pick from all the amazing items MR has to offer in that little shop on Main.

Stacie Robbins can cruise on down to the Jet Drive-in with her specially picked someone. She was drawn as their lucky winner of two free dinners with drinks! Stacie and her someone will enjoy whatever they pick from Lana and her crew’s specialities. Kendra Lewis’ shop – Rebellious Nails and Boutique is open at 622 S Main.

Kendra drew Christy Wagenseller’s name as her super mom. Christy can pick from some great items or services with her $25 Gift Certificate.

Stevens County Retail Pharmacy will be presenting Kayli Frederick with her $30 Gift Card as her name was picked to be their winning Mother’s Day entry.

That Little Gift Shop in the Corner of the Stevens County Hospital is the lucky place for Cleta Norris. Cleta is their lucky mom and will be able to pick from all the beautiful jewelry they keep in that cute little shop in the hospital. Tan’alon is where Kathy Haynes’ name was drawn making her the lucky winner of a specially filled basket from the girls there.

Slim Pickins C-Store, Homemade Food and Antiques, will be offering their special mom Anita Munson with a free lunch and a drink as they drew out Anita’s name.

The Hermes congratulates all of these local Super Moms! Enjoy!!

Governor Laura Kelly attended the groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday, April 12 to celebrate upcoming improvements to the Cimarron Valley Railroad in Southwest Kansas from Dodge City to Hugoton. The railway was awarded nearly $15 million from both private and public sources, including the federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) fund and the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), to complete the Southwest Kansas Infrastructure Upgrade Project.

Governor Kelly directly advocated for the project’s grant application to the Federal Railroad Administration.

“These upgrades are not just an investment in our infrastructure, but an investment in our agriculture industry – and our economy as a whole,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “By rehabilitating over 85 miles of an essential rail line in southwest Kansas, this project will make it easier and more efficient for local businesses to transport biodiesel and other agricultural products.”

“The Cimarron Valley Railroad has been committed to transporting Kansas-grown goods across the country and the world in a safe, environmentally friendly, and cost-efficient way for over two decades. These funds will help us continue to do that,” said Nathan Champion, President of the Cimarron Valley Railroad. “We are thankful for the partnerships – both public and private – that have helped make these upgrades happen to ensure uninterrupted transportation of essential goods throughout local, national, and international markets.”

State legislators also attended the event.

“Upgrading the Cimarron Valley Railroad is essential to keeping our communities connected and their economies thriving,” said Representative David Younger. “Investing in our rural areas will improve rail operations, our economic competitiveness, and safety in the region and statewide. This is a great day for Southwest Kansas and our state as a whole.”

The upgrades are particularly beneficial to our agriculture communities: these funds will transform the line into an efficient agricultural thoroughfare that will connect Kansas to more markets. Freight is crucial to Kansas agricultural communities, and these upgrades ensure it remains one of the safest, most efficient modes of transportation at their disposal.

Hugoton High School Choir members board the Eagle Bus for 4A Regional Music Competition where they ALL received a I Rating!!!

The seventh grade Civics class says ”Thanks for our copies of the Hermes – we are having fun finding local current events in and around our great town!” Photo courtesy of Jill Skinner seventh grade Civics Class instructor. Thank you so much for teaching and learning about the advantages of reading the newspaper!!!

The Hugoton Wrestling Club takes 38 wrestlers to Hays to compete in the District 4 Championship. Cain Gomez, Brett James, Jerrick Gonzales and Kaison Pate participated in the 6 and Under championship in Wichita.