It’s time to prepare for the Twenty-ninth Annual Santa Fe Trail Fishing Derby on the Cimarron National Grassland north of Elkhart, Saturday, June 1. The Derby will take place at the Cimarron Recreation Area and is a free event for kids 0 to 16 years of age and adults 55 and over.

This is also Kansas Free Fishing Day so fishing licenses are not required. Partnership sponsors include the Rolla Recreation Commission and Elkhart Recreation Commission. The Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks and Tourism will provide rods and reels for those who want to participate and need fishing gear.

Mobility-impaired anglers will find it easy to participate because one of the ponds has a handicap accessible fishing dock.

Cimarron National Grassland Ranger Kevin Taylor says, “The Cimarron National Grassland is proud to continue this fishing derby tradition. We encourage everyone to join us and enjoy their National Grassland. It’s a free day of fishing, family time and even a free lunch.”

Registration is at the gate as you enter. Fishing will take place 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m with the fish weigh-in by noon. A free hot dog lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. at the Group Site with awards after lunch. Prizes will be provided for the largest fish by weight in the following age categories: 0 to 4, 5 to 8, 9 to 12, 13 to 16 and 55 and over. There is also a prize for the overall largest fish.

“The National Grassland has received great support from local businesses and individuals. This event is only possible because of their contributions. We’re hoping the weather cooperates and we look forward to seeing each of you there,” said Taylor.

All fishing ponds at the Cimarron Recreation Area will be closed Thursday, May 30 through Saturday, June 1 at 11:30 a.m. They will reopen to the public at the conclusion of the Derby. Other locations on the Grassland open to fishing include the Wilburton, Mallard and Point of Rocks ponds.

Questions regarding the event can be directed to Cimarron National Grassland at 620-697-4521, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The 3A State Baseball Tournament will be in Emporia May 23 and 24. Hugoton will open play against Minneapolis at 3:30 p.m. Thursday. The Hugoton High School baseball team competed in the Regional tournament in Scott City last week. The Eagles were able to win three games and advanced to the State tournament for the first time in school history.

The Class 3A State Track and Field meet will be at Wichita Friday and Saturday, May 24 and 25. Hugoton has seven athletes that qualified for the State meet. In the 4 x 800m Relay there will be Jacob Eckert, JC Blakeley, Issac Valles, Bryan Gonzalez with alternates: Rafael Guereque and Luis Guerrero going. The relay team placed second at Regionals. Ashton Burrows qualified for State in the 300m hurdles placing fourth at Regionals. In the 800m run Jacob Eckert placed fourth at Regionals qualifing for State.

Local State bound athletes compete this weekend for medals and honors in 1A Track. Rolla athletes Alexandra Hart and Alec Langley will compete. Alexandra qualified for the high jump, triple jump, long jump and 100 meter hurdles. She is the number one seed in high jump. Alec will compete in the 100 meter run.

Congratulations to these athletes for placing at the Regional meet at Greensburg! Axel Granillo – first – discus; Adan Granillo – second – triple jump, and fourth – long jump; and Trenton Kennedy – fifth – triple jump.

Axel and Adan will compete at the State meet in Wichita . Friday, 9:45 a.m.-Axel will throw the discus. Adan will do the triple jump. Saturday, 1:15 p.m.-Adan will do the long jump.

Super Mom Margarita Baeza, in the center, accepts her winnings from Citizens State Bank employees Janett Peinado to the far left, and Robin Sullivan and Valeria Ruvalcaba on the right. Alisha Owens, second from the left, also awards Margarita with her Super Mom prize of 50 Chamber Bucks from the Chamber.

Wednesday, April 24, 2019, Hugoton Middle School hosted the 2019 Region 1 Team F Kansas Teacher of the Year recipients. The team consisted of, Kris Moore of Dodge City, Shannon Nordyke of Hugoton, Jane Culver of Dodge City, Julia Morales of Garden City, Jessica Ramos of Liberal, Stacey Magnett of Great Bend and Myron Tedford of Goodland. Each of these educators were chosen as their District representatives for
the 2018-2019 school year. The team was thrilled to visit each of the four buildings at USD210 and witness the great learning experiences happening throughout the district. Visiting each of the representatives’ districts has allowed the team members to collaborate on educational trends, see the diversity available in our schools, celebrate educational successes, as well as make valuable connections with other educators.

County farmer Eva Reynolds directed $2,500 to Hugoton FFA through America’s Farmers Grow Communities sponsored by the Bayer Fund. As part of their mission Hugoton FFA will use the funds to provide gardening plants to Senior Citizens and beautify the planter boxes at Pioneer Manor. “In addition, the funds will be used to continue the
development of leadership in our great organization by providing extra funding so that more FFA members may attend leadership development activities,” said Kynna Crawford, Hugoton FFA President.
Celebrating its tenth year, America’s Farmers Grow Communities,
partners with farmers to support nonprofit organizations strengthening rural communities. The program offers farmers the chance to direct a $2,500 donation to a nonprofit of their choice. It has awarded more than $33 million to over 8,000 nonprofits across rural America.
“A better life is Bayer’s goal. Farmers are invested in their communities, they root for their neighbors, and they know when and where there is a need,” said Al Mitchell, Vice President Corporate Engagement, Bayer. “Farmers are one of America’s best resources, which is why Grow Communities partners with them to direct donations to the organizations they are passionate about and that make a positive impact and a better life in communities.”
To learn more about the America’s Farmers Grow Communities program, visit www.AmericasFarmers.com or follow on Facebook at facebook.com/AmericasFarmers.
Started in 2010, the America’s Farmers programs, sponsored by the Bayer Fund, a philanthropic arm of Bayer, have been dedicated to partnering with farmers to strengthen rural communities. The programs provide funding for ag scholarships, nonprofit donations and school STEM grants. Since inception the fund has awarded over $50 million to rural communities. For more information visit AmericasFarmers.com.
The Bayer Fund, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the communities where farmers and Bayer employees live and work by providing funding for food and nutrition, education, and community development projects.

Crews will begin a surface recycle and chip seal project on K-25 from the east U.S. 56 junction in Stevens County to the south city limit of Ulysses Wednesday, April 24. The project will begin at the Stevens/Grant County Line and continue south to the east U.S. 56 junction in Stevens County.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane controlled by flaggers and a pilot car. KDOT urges drivers to be alert, pay attention to all work zone warning signs, and be prepared to stop.

Bettis Asphalt and Construction of Topeka is the contractor on this $2 million project which is expected to be completed in July, weather permitting.

For more information on this project, contact Larry Meyer, Area Construction Manager, at (620) 624-4451 or Lisa Knoll, KDOT District 6 Public Affairs Manager, at (620) 765-7080.

Lots of Easter festivities will be taking place this weekend!

First up is the traditional Lion’s Club Easter Egg Hunt at Parsons Sports Park at Third and Washington, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning, April 20. The Hunt is divided by age.

There will also be an Easter Egg Hunt later that afternoon at First Church of God at 801 West City Limits, starting at 3:00 p.m. All children up to sixth grade are welcome to look for goodies!

Bethel Friends Church at 1040 S. Jefferson Street in Hugoton will have Good Friday services at 7:00 p.m. April 19. The church will have Sunrise Services 6:50 a.m. Sunday morning, April 21 with no Sunday School. Normal morning services will be at 10:30 p.m.

Several businesses will be observing special hours in honor of Good Friday April 19. The Hugoton and Moscow City Offices will be closed Friday, as will the Stevens County Courthouse. Citizens State Bank plans to close at 2:00 p.m. Friday afternoon. Equity Bank will be offering regular hours.

Pigs R Us, Acosta-Nietos and Stumpy’s will be closed Easter Sunday. The Jet will be closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Pizza Hut will not open until 4:00 p.m. Easter. Las Agaves, China, McDonalds and Subway will be open as usual.

Please enjoy a very Blessed Easter!

It’s not too late!
There is still time to get your name on the list to attend the Chamber’s 2019 Annual Awards Banquet this Saturday, April 13! Join Chamber members at the Memorial Hall at 6:00 p.m. to help honor Distinguished Service Awards Recipients. Dinner and entertainment will abound! Entertainment is by Southwest Jazz Collective. Theme for the evening is Mardi Gras.
Saturday is guaranteed to be an evening of fun! Tickets are still available by calling the Chamber today at 544-4305!

Community Palm Sunday Service is April 14

The Stevens County Church Ministry Association invites everyone to attend the Annual Palm Sunday Community Service this Sunday, April 14, starting at 6:00 p.m. The service is hosted by the Hugoton Assembly of God Church at 138 S. Main Street in Hugoton.

Bethel Friends Church’s Good Friday and Easter Services are announced

Bethel Friends Church at  1040 S. Jefferson Street in Hugoton will have Good Friday services at 7:00 p.m. April 19. The church will have Sunrise Services Sunday morning, April 21 at 6:50 a.m. with no Sunday School. Normal morning services will be at 10:30 p.m.

In 2017, 28 percent of all traffic crashes in Kansas were attributed to driver inattention or distractions. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and law enforcement agencies across the state are working to educate drivers of the dangers of driving while distracted. Kansans will see a multi-media campaign running to support these efforts.

While distracted driving is most often associated with cell phone use, many other situations can cause distractions in the car. Interacting with children, eating food, using other electronic devices, and even things happening outside the vehicle contributed to more than 16,000 distracted driving crashes in Kansas in 2017.

“Taking your eyes off the road to send a text is like driving blindfolded down a football field,” said Chris Bortz, Traffic Safety Program Manager for KDOT. “You wouldn’t risk driving blindfolded, yet we see people on their phones or eating or putting on makeup every day on our roads.”

Many people may not know that distracted driving can be a ticketable offense in Kansas. For example, any texting, social media or internet activity on your phone can lead to a minimum $60 ticket plus court costs. However, the worst result of distracted driving would be to cause an injury or death.

“We are facing an epidemic. Too many people are injured or killed due to inattention on our roads. Distracted driving crashes are 100 percent preventable,” said KDOT Secretary Julie Lorenz. “Protecting yourself, your passengers and other Kansans is as simple as putting the phone down and avoiding all other distractions in the car.”

Law enforcement officers also encourage Kansans to “just drive” when they are behind the wheel. If your attention is anywhere other than the road, you’re driving distracted, and you’re driving dangerous. Drivers can minimize distractions by turning off electronic devices and keeping both eyes on the road ahead at all times. They also encourage passengers to hold their driver accountable and to not be a distraction themselves.

Lyla Evans of Hugoton Middle School has been honored for her exemplary volunteer service with a President’s Volunteer Service Award.
The award, which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country, was granted by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program.
Lyla volunteers her time with the after-school program, the summer program, and McCurdy Ministries during the summer to help make sure that their school is ready to go for the upcoming school year. “I know I speak for everyone at HMS when I say that we are very proud of Lyla for taking the time to give back to others,” said Middle School Principal Tyson Eslinger.
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), recognizes middle level and high school students across America for outstanding volunteer service.
“Across the United States, young volunteers are doing remarkable things to contribute to the well-being of the people and communities around them,” said Prudential CEO Charles Lowrey. “Prudential is honored to celebrate the contributions of these students, and we hope their stories inspire others to volunteer, too.”
“Demonstrating civic responsibility through volunteerism is an important part of life,” said NASSP Executive Director JoAnn Bartoletti. “These honorees practice a lesson we hope all young people, as well as adults, will emulate.”
Prudential Spirit of Community Award application details were distributed nationwide last September through middle level and high schools, Girl Scout council, 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and Affiliates of Points of Light’s HandsOn Network. These schools and officially-designated local organizations nominated Local Honorees, whose applications were advanced for state-level judging. In addition to granting President’s Volunteer Service Awards, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards selected State Honorees, Distinguished Finalists and Certificate of Excellence recipients. Volunteer activities were judged on criteria including initiative, effort, impact and personal growth.