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.
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.
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.
Mid-term elections will take place Tuesday, November 6 this year. Stevens County Clerk Amy Jo Tharp urges residents to make sure they are registered to vote before the Kansas deadline of Tuesday, October 16.
You can see if you’re registered to vote by visiting the Clerk’s office at 200 E. Sixth Street in Hugoton or by clicking here. Please note: you need a Kansas ID to register online. If you do not have a Kansas ID, you can still register in person.
The Stevens County Board of County Commissioners met in regular session Monday, October 1 with Joe D. Thompson and Pat Hall present. Tron Stegman was absent. Also present were County Attorney Paul Kitzke, County Clerk Amy Jo Tharp and RoGlenda Coulter from The Hugoton Hermes.
Commissioners had a light schedule for the morning: Bills – 8:30; Marilyn Harris – 9:00; Tony Martin – 9:30; Paula Rowden – 9:45; Vernon Anderson – 10:00; and lunch at noon.
The Commissioners were visiting with Robert Lucero and Rex Evans when this reporter arrived. Rex is taking Robert’s place as Courthouse Facilities Super-visor. Robert was going to show Rex the different things Rex will now be responsible for.
Marilyn Harris is taking on the job of Memorial Hall Kitchen Housekeeper. She will be in charge of taking care of the kitchen following events when the kitchen is used. She will be picking up a schedule each week/month in the courthouse.
Motion was made and passed to pay the bills.
Commissioners were ahead of schedule so Vernon Anderson went early. He visited with the Commissioners about the permits needed for KDI for their future lagoon. They talked about how clean the KDI waste water is. It is tested continually. KDI will definitely have to have permits to cross any county roads. Otherwise KDHE already has them do nearly all the permits necessary.
Tony Martin reported for Road and Bridge. He said the road they have been building is finished now. He gave the Commissioners the estimated costs, and commissioners asked Tony to make sure the proper forms are filled out and followed by KDI for crossing any county roads.
As cold and flu season approaches, the recent cases of viral meningitis at Hugoton USD 210 remind students, faculty, parents and the community at large to make sure to observe good hygiene to avoid feeling under the weather this fall and winter.
Please be sure to use the following healthy habits:
• Wash hands frequently
• Cover mouth when sneezing or coughing
• Do not share drinks, food, straws, eating utensils, lip balm, etc.
• Stay up-to-date on vaccinations.
Residents are also encouraged to avoid others who are displaying symptoms of illness and using alcohol-based sanitizer often. Other common-sense tips include eating healthy foods and getting plenty of rest.
Contact the Stevens County Health Department at 620-544-7177 for more information about vaccinations and other health concerns.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. According to the Centers for Disease Control, viral meningitis is a serious condition, but often less severe than bacterial meningitis. People with normal immune systems usually recover from viral meningitis on their own. However, bacterial meningitis can be deadly and requires immediate medical attention. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment confirmed the recent cases at USD 210 were not bacterial meningitis.
As always, please be watchful if you have a sick child. If you have concerns that your sick child may be in distress, please seek medical advice.
The Lions Club Annual Easter Egg Hunt was a huge success! The Easter Bunny waves to the crowd while pictures are taken of the kids visiting with him.
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