This week will be a short one for many, thanks to the Thanksgiving holiday! Several area businesses are observing special hours in recognition of the holiday.

Equity Bank will be closed Thanksgiving Day only, while Citizens State Bank will close at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday afternoon and will reopen Friday, November 23 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Hugoton City Office announced they’ll be closed Thursday and Friday. The Hugoton Post Office will be closed Thursday only. Mail delivery will resume Friday. Stevens County’s Courthouse reported their office will be closed Thursday and Friday.

The Hugoton Senior Center will be closed and not serving lunch Thursday and Friday, November 22 and 23. Janet’s Bridal & Boutique announced their doors will be closed Thursday and they will reopen Friday, November 24 with regular hours. Yardmaster will be closed Thursday only.

Flatlanders Farm & Home will close Wednesday  at 5:00 p.m. and will reopen Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hi-Plains Lumber plans to be closed Thursday and reopen Saturday morning until noon.

If you happen to forget any essentials for your Thanksgiving meal, you can still pick up last-minute items at Carter’s or at Dollar General Thursday! Carters will be open from 7:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., and Dollar General will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Day for a one day only sale.

Circle K and Toot N Totum will also be open Thursday. Toot N Totum will be open Thursday, November 22 from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. and Circle K is open 24 hours.

Happy Thanksgiving from The Hermes!

‘Tis – nearly – the season to be jolly! Kick off the holidays just right and show off your Christmas spirit this Friday, November 23 along with Hugoton’s Santa Committee as they carol in the holidays! Townspeople and guests are invited to gather in front of the Hugoton Area Chamber of Commerce Office at 630 S. Main Friday evening for Christmas caroling, hot chocolate and cookies!

The annual event will begin at 6:00 p.m. Friday, and is a fantastic way to avoid the crowds of Black Friday while enjoying some good songs and great company!

Also be sure to mark your calendars for Santa. He will be in Hugoton Saturday, December 1 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Senior Citizens Activity Center. Come by to visit with Santa and tell him what you want for christmas! The event is sponsored by the santa Committee.

Hugoton, Dodge City, Garden City, Jetmore, Liberal, Ulysses, Cimarron and Elkhart are pleased to announce the Fifth Annual Pheasant Hunting Contest.

During this year’s hunting season, 575 pheasants will be banded on the leg and released in Stevens County near Hugoton, in Ford County near Dodge City, in Finney County near Garden City, in Grant County near Ulysses, in Hodgeman County near Jetmore, in Seward County near Liberal, in Gray County near Cimarron and in Morton County near Elkhart. If you are lucky enough to bag one of the banded pheasants, bring your leg band to one of the approved locations to register your leg band and claim your prize!

Kansas consistently ranks as one of the top three when compared to other states’ annual harvest of pheasants. With 185,000 acres of walk-in hunting land open to hunters in southwest Kansas, this area will give you a shot at cash and eight grand prizes.

Once you register the leg band at an approved location (listed below), you will automatically receive a “Rooster Roundup” hat and a community gift worth at least $10.00.

At that time, your leg band will also be entered into a drawing to win a grand prize of $500.00 in community gift certificate “bucks” (one per community – eight total) to be used for purchases of the winner’s choice.

The “Rooster Roundup” Pheasant Contest runs from November 10, 2018 to January 31, 2019.

If your bagged bird has one of the leg bands, you must bring the leg band to one of the approved locations to register your band and claim your prize!

Drawing for the grand prize for “Rooster Roundup” will take place after the end of the contest January 31, 2019. Winners will be contacted by phone.

For a complete list of rules for the contest, visit StevensCountyKS.com, www.visitgck.com, contact the Convention and Visitors Bureau at 620-276-0607 in Garden City, or any of the participating communities.

It’s all in the game – give it a shot!

The Stevens County Church Ministry Association (SCCMA) invites everyone to join them at the Annual Community Thanksgiving Service Sunday, November 18 at 6:00 p.m. The service will be at the First Church of God at 801 West City Limits in Hugoton with Pastor Israel Franco.

Hugoton Assembly of God Pastor Tim Singer will be the special speaker for the evening.

November 6, 2018 General Election

U.S. Representative First District
Roger Marshall 1282
Alan LaPolice 165

Governor/Lt. Governor
Greg Orman/ John Doll 168
Jeff Caldwell/ Mary Gerlt 16
Laura Kelly/ Lynn Rogers 269
Rick Kloos/ Nate Kloos 6
Kris Kobach/ Wink Hartman 1011

Secretary of State
Scott Schwab 1204
Rob Hodgkinson 231
Brian “BAM” McClendon 149

Attorney General
Sarah G. Swain 198
Derek Schmidt 1257

State Treasurer
Jake LaTurner 1248
Marci Francisco 183

Commissioner of Insurance
Vicki Schmidt 1253
Nathaniel McLaughlin 158

State Representative 124th District
Martin (Marty) Long 1311

State Board of Education Member, Fifth District
Jean Clifford 1246

District Court Judge District 26 Division 1
Bradley E Ambrosier 1278

District Court Judge District 26 Division 3
Linda Gilmore 1312

Commissioner District 1
Joe D Thompson 313
Jim Bell 71

Township Clerk
Linda Shaddix 158

Court of Appeals for Judge
Position No. 1
Stephen D Hill    970 Yes      232 No
Position No. 5
Kim R. Schroeder     1255 Yes     122 No
Position No. 7
Henry W Green Jr     941 Yes     229 No
Position No. 10
Anthony J Powell     964 Yes     212 No
Position No. 11
Tom Malone     959 Yes     213 No
Position No. 12
Michael B Buser     775 Yes     394 No
Position No. 13
Melissa Taylor Standridge     801 Yes     370 No

Next Tuesday, November 6 marks the date for mid-term elections. Several important state offices will be included on the ballot including that of Kansas Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer and Commissioner of Insurance. A few Stevens County residents will also see a County Commissioner position on their ballots. You can see a brief summary of candidates on page 3 of this week’s Hermes, but you are very encouraged to check out the candidates yourself.

The deadline to register to vote has passed, but if you’re unsure whether you’re registered to vote, you can quickly check by clicking here. It takes just a few minutes to check and it’s free! The site will also show you a sample ballot if you’re interested in a preview.

Voting almost couldn’t be easier! Hugoton residents will vote at Memorial Hall at 200 E. Sixth in Hugoton and Moscow residents will vote at the Moscow United Methodist Church at 300 Ransom in Moscow. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Make sure to take your photo ID.

Acceptable IDs include the following:
• Unexpired Driver’s License
• Nondriver ID Card
• Concealed Carry Handgun License
• U.S. Passport
• Government Employee ID
• U.S. Military ID
• Kansas College ID
• Government Public Assistance ID
• Indian Tribe ID

Don’t have one of these IDs? No problem! Kansans who need a photo ID before the November 6 election can visit any driver’s license office, jump to the front of the line, and get one for free. To ensure the ID is free, Kansans should specifically state they need it for voting. The cost for ID cards normally is $22.

“This service is always available and it’s important for us to remind voters that it’s an option ahead of the November 6 general election,” Director of Vehicles David Harper said. For a list of driver’s license office locations and hours just click here.

Joe D. Thompson will be the only candidate for Stevens County Commissioner District 1 on the ballot, but Jim Bell has announced a write-in campaign for the position.

Joe D. Thompson has served Stevens County as the commissioner for District 1 since winning the spot in 2014. He is married to Valerie and is a lifetime resident of Stevens County.

Jim Bell has been a Moscow resident since 1976. He served the county as a Stevens County Commissioner from 2010 to 2014. To vote for Jim Bell, you must print his name legibly on the appropriate line on your ballot.

Please consider the candidates and questions on your ballot carefully before casting your vote Tuesday, November 6. You can address any questions about your registration status, ballot contents or other election information to Stevens County Election Officer Amy Jo Tharp at 620-544-2541.

The holidays are quickly approaching, along with all the sights, smells and even tastes of the season!

This weekend you can really indulge your senses at one or both of the annual Autumn Bazaars hosted by Hugoton UMC Women and Moscow UMC! The Hugoton event will take place at the Memorial Hall from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Saturday, November 3, while the Moscow Bazaar and Silent Auction will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the UMC Fellowship Hall at 300 Ransom in Moscow.

Baker Arts Center at 624 N. Pershing in Liberal will also host their annual French Market this Saturday and Sunday, complete with plenty of goodies to peruse all weekend! Shoppes will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 4:00 p.m. Sunday.

Craving some turkey dinner? The Rolla UMC will host their annual Thanks N Giving Supper Wednesday, November 7 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at 600 Monroe in Rolla. Everyone is invited!

The Hugoton FFA Chapter will be receiving recognition as a Three Star Chapter Thursday afternoon, October 25 during the second session of the National FFA Convention. This award is only given to the top 280 programs in the country! This National Chapter Award has been the focus of Hugoton’s chapter activities for the past 12 years, with months of work and a multitude of hours of planning, goal setting and achieving by all of the officer teams during that time period. Part of this year’s officer team- President Megan Newlon, Vice President Hallie Wettstein, Secretary Kynna Crawford, Treasurer Karina Rodriguez, Reporter Casle Heger, Sentinel Justin Blakeley, and Student Council Representative David Barker will be there to receive the award.

Post high school Hugoton FFA members Jessica Harper, Mariah Reynolds, Bernabe Mendoza and Elias Mendoza will be receiving the American Degree Saturday morning, October 27.

Convention sessions  can be viewed live on RFD TV ( Channel 120 in town), Thursday, October 25 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.  and Saturday morning, October 27. Hugoton FFA members will be featured on live TV during those times.

The four Hugoton graduates being honored at the Ninety-first National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, In. with American FFA Degrees are receiving the highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization. Less than one half of one percent of FFA members ever reach this high level of achievement.

The American FFA Degree shows an FFA member’s dedication to his or her chapter and the state FFA association. It also demonstrates the effort FFA members apply toward their Supervised Agricultural Experience and the outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement they exhibited throughout their FFA career.

American FFA Degree recipients show promise for the future and have gone above and beyond to achieve excellence.

The requirements to earn the American FFA Degree are set forth in the National FFA Constitution. To be eligible to receive the American FFA Degree, members must meet qualifications such as receiving a State FFA Degree, holding active membership for the past three years, completing secondary instruction in an agricultural education program and operating an outstanding Supervised Agricultural Experience program. Community service, leadership abilities and outstanding scholastic achievement are also required.

All applications are submitted to the National FFA Organization, after approval of a member’s state association. After review by national staff, the National FFA Board of Directors approve qualified candidates to receive the American FFA Degree at the National FFA Convention and Expo.

Candidates for the 2018 American FFA Degree will be honored on-stage during the Eighth General Session of the Ninety-first National FFA Convention and Expo Saturday, October 27, at the American FFA Degree Ceremony at Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S Capitol Ave, Indianapolis, In.

Recipients receive a certificate and the American FFA Degree key in honor of their accomplishments and dedication to FFA.

The Hugoton City Council met for their regular meeting Tuesday, October 9 at the council meeeting room. Present at the meeting were Mayor Jack E. Rowden and Councilmen Dean Banker, Frankie Thomas, Shannon Crawford, Dan Corpening and Jason Teeter. Also attending were City Clerk Carrie L. Baeza, City Inspector Josh Grubbs, Chief of Police Courtney Leslie, Outside Utilities Supervisor Paul Nordyke, Electric and Park Systems Supervisor Gary Rowden, City Attorney Wayne R. Tate, Adrian Howie, Alvin Riley and Hugoton Hermes reporter Ruthie Winget.

Mayor Rowden presided. The council voted to approve the minutes of September 10, 2018.

The council also approved Municipal Judge Paula Sosa’s September report showing 23 new cases brought before the court and $5,535.80 remitted to the city.

Josh Grubbs gave the City Inspector report.  He reported several  building projects were in progress. Many code violations have been corrected, and he has sent out more violation notices.

The council approved the motion to charge off the uncollectible utility acounts in the amount of $4,094.38 as every effort was made to collect the accounts.

Adrian Howie, representing the Stevens County Coalition, came to update the council on plans to improve Raydene Park. The committee is looking into receiving funding through grants to install an outdoor fitness area, a covered pavilion and a splash pad. They are looking into a feasibility study, but wanted the council’s approval of the use of the park from Main Street to Monroe Street and Thirteenth Street to Fourteenth Street before this step began. The council approved the motion to allow the use of Raydene Park to begin the feasibility study on the project.

To read the rest of this story,
check out this week’s issue of The Hermes –
available at the following stores:
Carter’s Country Supercenter
Dollar General
Daylight Donuts
Hugoton Drug
Stevens County Retail Pharmacy
and Eagles Landing in Hugoton
Slim Pickins in Moscow and the
Corner Stop in Rolla
or subscribe online now by clicking here!

Stevens County Sheriff Ted Heaton would like to make the Stevens County residents aware of this situation. It is very important to call the Sheriff’s Department if you feel this is being done to you.

“I lost my wallet and ID. I’m stranded – please wire money.”

“Your grandson (or other family member) is being held in jail. He needs bail money right away.”

Scammers try to trick you into thinking a loved one is in trouble. They call, text, email or send messages on social media about a supposed emergency with a family member or friend. They ask you to send money immediately. To make their story seem real, they may claim to be an authority figure, like a lawyer or police officer; they may guess at – or even know – facts about your loved one. These imposters may insist you keep quiet about their demand for money to keep you from checking out their story and identifying them as imposters. But no matter how real or urgent this seems, it is a scam.

If you get a call or message like this, what to do?

1. Check it out before you act. Look up that friend or family member’s phone number yourself. Call them or another family member to see what’s happening. Even if the person contacted you told you not to.

2. Don’t pay. Don’t wire money, send a check, overnight a money order, or pay with a gift card or cash reload card. Anyone who demands payment in these ways is always, always, always a scammer. These payment methods are like giving cash – and nearly untraceable, unless you act almost immediately.

3. If you sent money to a family emergency scammer, contact the company you used to send the money (wire transfer service, bank, gift card company, or cash reload card company) and tell them it was a fraudulent transaction. Ask to have the transaction reversed, if possible.

4. Report the message or call the Stevens County Sheriff’s Department at 620-544-4386.