Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 14…and what do you mean, you forgot?! All is not lost – just hurry to one of the 21 Hugoton businesses participating in the 2017 Super Mom Sweepstakes and register your favorite Mom – or Grandma, Nana or Granny by Friday, May 12 for a chance to win great prizes and Super Mom 2017!

No matter what kind of interests your favorite matron possesses, the merchants of Hugoton have you covered! From gift certificates at her favorite shop to specially-curated gift baskets or a meal at her favorite hometown restaurant, cover your bases by registering all over town!

Participating businesses include Bultman, Inc., Citizens State Bank, Creative Specialties, El Abanero, Finishing Touches,
First National Bank, Flatlanders, Hugoton Drug, The Hugoton Hermes, Janet’s Bridal & Boutique, Jet Drive-In, Kates Pet Grooming, The Little Gift Shop in the Corner, Los Agaves, Lynnies Nest, Nieto’s, Pizza Hut, Ranchito Tex Mex Cafe, Stevens County Retail Pharmacy, Tan’alon and Yardmaster.

Winners at each business will be drawn Monday, May 15 and Super Mom will be drawn the same day.

This year’s Super Mom will also receive $50 Chamber Bucks from the Hugoton Area Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber Bucks can be spent at most local businesses, enabling Mom to pick out her own present!
Be sure to register today!

Did the weekend’s weather spell the end for southwest Kansas’ winter wheat crop this year?

Freezing temperatures, in combination with heavy, wet snow definitely worked together to the detriment of local wheat fields. The exact magnitude of the storm’s damage may not be apparent for days, or even weeks, but this much is known – Kansas won’t be contributing record bushels of winter wheat this year.

Last year, Kansas produced over 36% of the United States’ total winter wheat production. Stevens County contributed nearly four and a half million of those bushels. This year, the story may be radically different, after a late winter storm wreaked havoc on rapidly-maturing winter wheat.

To read the rest of this article, check out this week’s
Hermes – available now – by clicking here to subscribe online!

Thursday, May 4 offers a unique opportunity for national reflection and petition to God in the form of the 2017 National Day of Prayer.
The event will be publicly recognized in Hugoton at two locations: first at the First National Bank’s flagpole from 7:45 to 8:00 a.m., then at the Stevens County Courthouse flagpole at 12:00 Noon.
FNB is located at 502 S. Jackson, and the Courthouse is at 200 E. Sixth.

If you are unable to attend either event, you can still participate during the evening hours by watching the live stream of the
National Day of Prayer event in Washington, D.C. from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. A link to the live stream will be available by clicking here.
National Day of Prayer Chairperson Anne Graham Lotz will lead participants in unified prayer for America.

The theme for this year’s National Day of Prayer is “For Your Great Name’s Sake! Hear Us …Forgive Us …Heal Us!” inspired by Daniel 9:19. It emphasizes the United States’ need as a nation to cry out to God, who is sovereign over all governments and authorities.

Important items on the prayer request list include the United States government, US military forces, the media, businesses, educators, churches and families.

The National Day of Prayer, established in public law by a joint resolution of Congress signed by President Truman in 1952, then amended to designate the day under the 100th Congress and President Reagan in 1988, states “The President shall issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a National Day of Prayer on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups and as individuals.”

As the nation struggles with foreign and domestic threats, economic insecurity, cultural tensions, and continual challenges to basic constitutional rights, United States citizens are encouraged to heed the call by elected leaders to exercise one of their most precious freedoms – the right to gather, turn to God, and pray.

The National Day of Prayer tradition predates the founding of the United States of America, evidenced by the Continental Congress’ proclamation in 1775 setting aside a day of prayer. In 1952, Congress established an annual day of prayer and, in 1988, that law was amended, designating the National Day of Prayer as the first Thursday in May.

Monday, January 2, 2017, Stevens County Sheriff’s Department investigated a report of a theft at 910 South Lincoln Street in Hugoton. Several items were stolen from the residence. Destrie Whitaker, age 26 and Dontay Kingsby, age 20 were arrested for Burglary and Theft.

Wednesday, January 11, 2017, Stevens County Sheriff’s Department arrested Heather Romaker, age 33 on a Warrant. She was also in possession of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia at the time of arrest.

Monday, January 23, 2017, Stevens County Sheriff’s Department investigated a report of a theft at 800 South Lincoln Street, in Hugoton. Several items were stolen from the residence. Cole Twilligear, age 21, Dalton Twilligear, age 25, Cameron Hackley, age 24 and Dalton Ruiz, age 23, were arrested for Burglary, Theft and Criminal Damage to Property.

Tuesday, January 24, 2017, Stevens County Sheriff’s Department investigated a report of a theft at 400 Northwest Avenue, in Hugoton. Jess Fenton, age 25 and Kristina Shackelford, age 36, were arrested for Burglary and Theft. They were also in possession of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia at the time of arrest.

To read the rest of the Sheriff’s Report for 2017, check out this week’s
Hermes – available now – by clicking here to subscribe online!

There will be a come and go retirement reception for former Stevens County Clerk Pam Bensel Friday, April 28 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the breakroom across from the County Clerk’s office on the second floor of the Stevens County Courthouse.

Pam served Stevens County in the County Clerk’s office for 40 years. Everyone is welcome to drop by and wish her well!

The Stevens County Board of County Commissioners met in session Monday, April 17, 2017. All members, Pat Hall, Joe D. Thompson and Tron Stegman were present. Also present were County Clerk Amy Jo Tharp, Pam Bensel, County Counselor Paul Kitzke and RoGlenda Coulter from The Hugoton Hermes.

The following is just the unofficial highlights for the morning.

When this reporter arrived, the Commissioners were talking with Stevens County Extension Agents Josh Morris and Nancy Honig. Also supporting the Extension Office were Ashley Fiss, Steve Rome, Brad Niehues and Don Beesley. The discussion was about the Extension’s budget, which includes the local 4-H programs. Josh had given the Commissioners financial sheets to look over. They discussed payrolls, insurance and all the other expenses for their department. The group told of grants and donations they have been putting to good use along with the county funds. Of course the county valuation came into the discussion. Commissioners said the current valuation is now is most likely “the new normal”.

To read the rest of this story, check out this week’s Hermes available
now by clicking here to subscribe online!

Calling all egg hunters! Hugoton Lions will host their annual Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday, April 15 at the Parsons Sports Complex at Third and Washington. Babies up to age three will start at 10:00 a.m.; four- to six-year-olds start at 10:05 a.m., and seven- to nine-year-olds start at 10:10 a.m.

If you miss the morning hunt – don’t worry! Hugoton’s First Church of God will host a hunt for children up to sixth grade at 3:00 p.m. on their church grounds at 801 West City Limits.

Easter is this Sunday, April 16.
Several area churches have announced special services
in recognition of the holiday.

Assembly of God
138 S. Main, Hugoton
Assembly of God will host regular worship services starting at 10:45 a.m. Sunday morning.
After services, children will take part in an Easter egg hunt.

Bethel Friends Church
Eleventh & Jefferson, Hugoton
The community is invited to a 7:00 p.m. Good Friday service April 14. Worshippers are also encouraged to attend a 7:00 a.m. Sunrise Service at the Old Bethel site, or regular Sunday morning services at 10:30 a.m.

First Christian Church
600 S. Van Buren, Hugoton
First Christian Church invites local residents to their Easter morning services Sunday, April 16 starting at 10:30 a.m.

First Church of God
801 West City Limits, Hugoton
First Church of God will host an Easter egg hunt for community children Saturday, April 15 starting at 3:00 p.m. on the Church of God grounds at 801 West City Limits in Hugoton.

Sovereign Redeemer
1610 W. Tenth, Hugoton
Sovereign Redeemer plans a Good Friday service for April 14 at 7:00 p.m. They will also host a Sunrise Service at 7:00 a.m. Sunday and an Resurrection Day breakfast at 10:00 a.m.

Trinity Baptist Church
516 Northeast Ave., Hugoton
Trinity Baptist will host a Community Good Friday service starting at 12:05 p.m. April 14. The nondenominational service will conclude before 1:00 p.m. to accomodate those who have to get back to work.

United Methodist Church
828 S. Main, Hugoton
Hugoton’s United Methodist Church will host a Maundy Thursday service at 7:00 p.m. April 13 at the church building. They will also have a Sunrise Service Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. The regular Easter service will be at 11:00 a.m., and will be followed by an Easter egg hunt for the children.

Moscow Baptist Church
2030 Road Y, Moscow
Moscow Baptist invites you to a Community performance of their Easter Cantata at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, April 15 at the Moscow Baptist Church building one mile south of Moscow, and a half mile east of Hooker/Moscow Road. If you’re unable to make it, there will be another performance of the Cantata Sunday morning at 10:45 a.m.

You are encouraged to attend the church of your choice for the Easter holiday.
A full listing of area churches can be found on page 4 of this week’s Hermes.

Hugoton Area Chamber of Commerce, Stevens County Economic Development and Stevens County Farm Bureau Association will host a Legislative Update this coming Monday, April 10 starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Stevens County Library Meeting Room.

The Update offers a great opportunity to speak with government representatives and to hear about goings-on in the Kansas State Capitol. State Senator John Doll and State Representative Stephen Alford will speak briefly about their accomplishments and ongoing projects.

The public is invited to listen and to ask questions, so please mark your calendars to attend the Update Monday evening.

Tuesday was a busy day at the former VFW building! Volunteers with Peace House Ministries were handing out commodities – food distributed by the federal government through T.E.F.A.P. – or “The Emergency Food Assistance Program”.

The idea for Peace House to help came from Vernon Anderson, who contacted Patty Bultman to see if the group would be willing to devote some time to the project. Fortunately, for residents of Stevens County, several volunteers were eager to offer their services.

The morning of March 28, the ladies loaded up a trailer with commodities at Liberal, then trucked them to Hugoton to distribute to Stevens County residents. Patty reported the commodities should be available every other month, and a specific date for May should be available in late April.

There is no charge to participate in TEFAP, and it’s as easy as meeting these income guidelines:

Household Size                                  Max Monthly Income

1                                                                       $1,287
2                                                                       $1,736
3                                                                      $2,184
4                                                                       $2,633
5                                                                       $3,081
6                                                                       $3,530
7                                                                       $3,980