Members of the Hugoton Assembly of God traveled to Honduras last week for a mission trip. They worked in conjunction with King’s Castle going out into the streets and schools to connect with the children and their families. King’s Castle uses music, dance, puppets, and prayer to reach the children of Honduras and then connect them with their local churches.

HAOG participated in these programs, reaching out across the capital of Honduras in the city of Tegucigalpa. Missionary Jessie Harshbarger, originally from Missouri, brought the two groups together to make this amazing mission trip possible. During the week, they participated in 13 street/school programs reaching 1691 individuals. During those programs, they had prayer requests of 404 for health concerns, 332 for problems in the home, and 466 for salvation. The HAOG crew was also able to assist in the building of the foundation for King’s Castle’s new campground dorm and an area for a washer and dryer which will be a major blessing for the kitchen crew who currently hand wash all the laundry for that area.

HAOG missionaries included Tim, Kristi, and Mia Singer, Omar, Janett, Valeria, and Omar Jr Peinado, Jamyn and Kirstin Wolters, Angel and Cyson Hunt, Todd, Jennifer, and Austin Hewitt, Amanda and Thomas Willis, and Jeffrey Sternberg.

Hugoton Barbenders’ State qualifiers pictured in the front row left to right are Brandon Lopez, Diego Novelo, Genesis Landa, Emily Saucedo, Aleah Farnum, Valerie Valerio and Adriel Camacho. In back are Jorge Hernandez, Soe Lin Heger, Josephe Hernandez, Robert Williams, Xavier Santoyo, Kevin Mendez and Aquiles Aguilera. Not pictured are Josue Monroy and Bryan Loya. Picture courtesy of Nancy Hernandez.

The 2025 version of the Hugoton Barbenders that qualified for State are 16 strong. Bringing back a good core of lifters from last year’s showing at the 3A State meet gives great expectations for this year. Lifters headed to State are Brandon Lopez, Diego Novelo, Genesis Landa, Emily Saucedo, Aleah Farnum, Valerie Valerio, Adriel Camacho, Josue Monroy, Bryan Loya, Jorge Hernandez, Soe Lin Heger, Josephe Hernandez, Robert Williams, Xavier Santoyo, Kevin Mendez and Aquiles Aguilera.

Last year the girls placed third as a team and the boys placed fourth. With a larger boy’s group and from their performance at their meets this year, they have a good chance of being in the top two teams in the state. Josephe and Adriel are back to defend their first place finishes in their respective weight classes.

The State meet will be March 29 in Iola.

Good luck to all these competitors!!

The Hugoton High School and Middle School Robotics team pictured with their trophies from the left to right in back are Coach Kalinda Wight, Raymond Lamatsch, Asst. Captain Sophie Tower, Captain Brendan Gill, Micah Johnson, Aiden McDaniels, Ciara Anton, Captain Matisyn Newmon and Coach Mariette Gerber. In front are Paitan Schobert, Caitlyn Johnson, Asst. Captain Skylar Mason and Kreedyn Milhon. Not pictured is Wyatt Hudgins. Photo courtesy of Kalinda Wight.Saturday, March 1, the Hugotrons Middle School and High School Robotics Teams competed against 21 other teams in the FIRST LEGO League Competition in Liberal. FIRST LEGO League evaluates teams in four areas: Core Values, Innovation Project, Robot Design, and Robot Game. This year’s theme was Submerged, which focused on ocean conservation.

Over the past year, both teams put in many hours preparing for the competition. They did very well and their coaches and families are very proud of them. Coaches for both teams were Kalinda Wight and Mariette Gerber.

The middle school team received second place Core Values and second place Innovation Project! Team members included Captain Matisyn Newmon, Asst. Captain Skyler Mason, Ciara Anton, Aiden McDaniels, Micah Johnson and Kreedyn Milhon.

The high school team won first place Core Values, first place Robot Design, and first place Overall Team! As the top team, the high school team received a ticket to compete in Florida at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University this summer.

Team members include Captain Brendan Gill, Asst. Captain Sophie Tower, Caitlyn Johnson, Paitan Schobert, Raymond Lamatsch and Wyatt Hudgins.

U.S. Representative Tracey Mann was in Hugoton at the Senior Citizens Center Wednesday, February 19 on his fourth annual 60 county Mann Listening Tour.

He informed the audience that there are 435 congressional districts and this area is called the big first district. The big first district is the eleventh largest and fifth largest that is not its own state. This district is in the top three in ag production every year, number one in beef production, number one for wheat production, number one for soybean production, number seven for corn and number 11 for dairy. Rep. Mann said in the District there are 60 counties, fifty-five hospitals and fifty-three critical access hospitals.

He talked about the country’s debt. The country is currently 36 trillion in debt. In 2010 the US was 13 trillion in debt and last year the country spent over one trillion just in interest payments.

Rep. Mann talked about President Trump and some of his plans which included securing the border and US energy production. He said it takes 12 to 15 years to secure permits to expand or build a power plant. He would like to work on speeding that process up. Rep. Mann said if Congress doesn’t act, taxes will go up at the end of this year. The Tax Cut Jobs Act President Trump implemented in 2017 will expire December 31, 2025.

To finish off the meeting, Rep. Mann answered questions from the audience.

Tom and Karen Schechter receive their winnings from Hugoton Drug and the Chamber. From left to right, Kaley Slocum, Tasha Medina, Tom and Karen, Chamber Director Tina Fernandez, Leigh Angell and LaDonna Perry.

Tom and Karen Schechter are the Sweetheart Couple of 2025! Tom and Karen’s original lucky entry in the Twenty-Fifth Annual Sweetheart Sweepstakes was entered and drawn out of the Hugoton Drug’s entry container. This entitles the couple to the $25. Gift Certificate that they can use to pick from Hugoton Drug’s huge selection of gift items or if need be – medical supplies.

After being drawn as Hugoton Drug’s lucky winning couple – their entry joined all the other business entries in a final drawing at The Hermes. As the winning couple drawn, Tom and Karen are also being awarded a $50 gift certificate from the Hugoton Chamber of Commerce to be used wherever the couple may choose.

Tom and Karen have made their home in Hugoton their whole lives. They grew up together actually and have been married for fifty-three years. They have two children, Scott and wife Tina and Stacy Dillinger and husband Derek; four grandchildren, Carson, Ashlyn, Grace and Channing; and two great grandchildren, James and Miriam. Karen expressed her appreciation to all the area businesses that keep our town running and made this a wonderful possibility.

Congratulations Sweet Sweethearts – Tom and Karen!!

Other lucky sweetheart winners that will be enjoying their winnings are as follows: Carla and Tacho Amador will be able to put a $25 gift certificate to good use picking out something beautiful from Janet’s Bridal and Boutique.

Yardmaster Garden and Gifts is the place for Walter and Estella Beesley to pick up their $25 Gift Certificate and shop till they drop in the Crawford’s goodie filled shop.

Lynnie’s Nest Floral & Art Studio was the lucky place for Chris and Chelsea Harper. The couple will enjoy the beautiful Rose Bud Vase created especially for them.

Dream First Bank’s lucky winning couple is Sophia and Roberto Martinez. They can take their $25 Visa Gift Card and splurge where ever their little hearts desire.

Bultman Tire Center’s sweetheart couple drawn is – Jessee Rae and Luke Kallenbach. Jessee and Luke will surely find a good use for their generous $50 Gift Certificate awarded from Matt and the crew.

The Wake Me Up @ The Gathering Place is The Place for Tim and Kristy Singer to go as they were the lucky couple to be drawn to win the $25 Gift Certificate by Michelle and her crew.

Los Agaves drew out Ferny and Justice Vera as their special couple. They can come in anytime and get their $25 Gift Certificate. They are guaranteed to be filled with some of Los Agaves’ wonderfully delicious meals cooked and served by some of the friendliest people in town. Dorian Enrique- Serrano and her other half are the Equity Bank sweethearts. They can pick up their $25 Visa Card and put it to some good use anywhere they like.

Twenty dollars in Gas Capital Dollars will be the prize awarded to Doug and Rita Mills from Citizens State Bank. Good at any Stevens County business.

Lynne and Jim Fink are sure to have a good time spending their $25 Gift Card as Flatlanders Farm and Home’s sweethearts and picking from Flatlanders’ gigantic selections.

Main Revelation drew out Maddie and Matt Rome’s names as their lucky sweethearts. The lucky couple can browse through the large selection MR has to pick from and put that $25 Gift Certificate to good use.

Connie Kerbow is sure to be fed well at Bonnie and Clyde’s Grill and Sports Bar. Connie’s name was drawn out as B&C’s lucky winner to receive a $20 Gift Certificate.

Thea and Will Schnittker will be sporting some beautiful new jewelry as the lucky winners at the Little Gift Shop in the Corner of Stevens County Hospital.

High Plains Theatre will be hosting Kenny and Melissa Sullivan for their Date Night. Kenny and Melissa will be able to pick a movie with their two tickets and be treated to the Date Night Bundle fixed especially for them as the Theatre’s drawing winners.

Lana and crew at the Jet Drive-In drew out Butch and Jackie Lewis’ names for their special Sweetheart couple. Butch and Jackie will be treated to Two Free Dinners and drinks whenever they decide to go out on the town.

Matt Johnson and fiancee Angelina McDonald are the lucky sweetheart couple at Twisted H Liquor. They will receive the $25 Gift Card they can put to good use to pick from all Twisted H has to offer.

Millie drew out Chris and Kelly Stanfield as Peddling Petals’ lucky couple. Chris and Kelly will receive that $25 Gift Certificate and be able to pick from some of Millie’s wonderful creations.

Congratulations to all our sweethearts you are all the sweetest! Thank you to our businesses that help support The Hermes’ projects. Please be sure to visit, shop and support all these area businesses. They are really the Greatest!!! They keep our community alive.

The Community Service award winners are Lynette and Les McNally. Pictured from the left are Luke Grubbs, Lynette, Les and Ron Honig. Congratulations Les and Lynette!!!

The Stevens County Conservation District Board celebrated their 75 years of Conservation service with their annual meeting Saturday, February 1. Introductions were made by Luke Grubbs and Invocation was given by Loren Seaman.

Citizens State Bank sponsored the delicious meal prepared by Hunny’s. Hugoton FFA members helped with the serving of the refreshments. The Hugoton High School Show Choir entertained during the meal. Guest Speaker was Ron Wilson Cowboy Poet.

Loren Seaman introduced the Windbreak, Grassland and Soil Conservation winners for 2024. The awards were presented to the winners by Grubbs and James Murray. Brian and Aymee Harper were the Windbreak winners. The Grassland winner was McClure Farms Partnership (Joel and Karen McClure) and Mid America Cattle (Walter, Estella, Don and Walle Beesley) won the Soil Conservation award.

The conservation poster winners were introduced and given their awards by Nick Martin and Tom Lahey. Door prizes were handed out by Martin and Lahey.

Les and Lynette McNally were chosen this year to receive the Community Service Award.

Les and Lynette have been involved in their communities all of their lives. As with many married couples, one may have been on the board or in the leadership role, but they both “served and supported”.

Les and Lynette both grew up in Hardtner which is south of Medicine Lodge. They both received degrees from Kansas State University. Les received his BS in Agriculture Education in 1979 and Lynette received a BS in Animal Science in 1977 and a MS in Animal Nutrition in 1979.

Les was an Agriculture Education Teacher for Garden City High School from 1979 to 1982. He was a farmer and rancher and had a custom hay business in Barber County from 1982 to 2007. He then became the Ag teacher for Hugoton High School and Middle School from 2007 to 2024.

Lynette was a farm and ranch wife and homemaker from 1979 to 2007. She became a substitute teacher for South Barber School District. She was the secretary for the United Methodist Church from 1994 to 2007 and an office manager for Farm Bureau Insurance until 2007. She became a substitute teacher for Hugoton, Moscow, Elkhart, Rolla and Satanta Schools from 2007 to 2024.

In the Hugoton Community via the FFA Les has been involved in several projects. Projects included annually from 2007 to 2023 Fair Fun Night at the Stevens County Fair; 2009 to 2024 provided portable bleachers on a trailer to view corn and wheat crop test plots; 2014 to 2024 Project Hope Food Bank ($750 average from profit sharing); 2023 and 2024 High Plains Movie Theatre – FFA Chapter sponsored an Ag themed movie during FFA Week and the buyout of $1500 each year (all attendees got in free, 378 people); and 2024 $13,500 relief for Texas wildfires sent to canadian FFA Chapter, and Boys Ranch FFA Chapter.

Lynette has been busy in 4-H. She served as Stateline 4-H Club Leader 1987-2007, activities included picking up trash after the Hardtner 4th of July, Fair clean-up days, bake sales and 4-H week activities. Les has been the goat superintendent and on the Fair Board for the Stevens County Fair for the last 18 years.

Les was honored as a finalist in the Gold Owl Award in 2024. Both have been honored with Honorary Chapter FFA awards and Friends of 4-H awards in previous years.

Les and Lynette have three children, daughter Colleen and Allen Trater of Glen Carbon, Il.; two sons, Caleb and Janae McNally of Quenemo and their children Braelyn, Grady, Gentry and Paden and son Lucas and Toni McNally of Hesston and their children Sophia and Titus.

Stevens County Conservation District’s Seventy-fifth Annual Appreciation Banquet is Saturday, February 1. The banquet is hosted by the Stevens County Conservation District. The event will be at the Memorial Hall at Sixth and Monroe in Hugoton starting at 5:00 p.m. Join them for dinner, accomplishments, awards, meeting and election.

The guest speaker for the evening will be Ron Wilson Cowboy Poet. Ron grew up near Manhattan on the Lazy T Ranch where his family resides today. His cowboy poetry is featured regularly in newspaper, radio and television. Ron chairs the annual Kansas Cowboy Poetry Contest, hosted the online television show “Cowboy Up”, and hosts the monthly online video show called “Cattle Trails Showcase.” He was proclaimed a “Poet Lariat” (not laureate) by the Governor of Kansas. He won first place in the cowboy poetry contest at the Kansas Cowboy Symposium at Dodge City and scored in the top two of his class at the National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo. He is the only cowboy poet in history to present a cowboy poem at a Kansas Governor’s inauguration. He also serves as national secretary of the Western Wordsmiths chapter and legislative chair for the International Chisholm Trail Association. Ron was named Horizon Award winner by the Heartland Chapter of the Academy of Western Artists, one of 50 Kansans You Should Know by Ingram’s magazine, and Ambassador for the National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum in Fort Worth, Tx.

The Hugoton FFA will be helping with the dinner and the Hugoton High School Show Choir will also be entertaining the audience. Hunny’s BBQ will be catering the dinner courtesy of Citizens State Bank. Door prizes will be given away!

This year’s winners are McClure Farms Partnership (Joel and Karen McClure), Grassland winners; Mid America Cattle (Walter, Estella, Don and Walle Beesley), Soil Conservation winners; and Brian and Aymee Harper, Windbreak winners.

The Distinguished Community Service Award will also be presented during the banquet and meeting. Be sure to mark your calendar for February 1.