The
Hugoton
Hermes
K-9 Kleio finds 123 pounds of marijuana
Canine Deputy Chris Beltz and his fellow officer Kleio show the large quantity of marijuana collected with the help of Kleio’s fine training in a recent stop they assisted with.
Thursday, January 21, 2016 Volume 129, Number 3 16 Pages, 69 Cents Plus Tax Per Copy
Stevens County Sheriff Ted Heaton reports that Wednesday, December 30, 2015, Kansas Highway Patrol contacted the Stevens County Sheriff’s Department. They were requesting the help of Stevens County’s Canine Kleio to do a drug interdiction call on a vehicle that had been stopped. Canine Deputy Chris Beltz and his K-9 Kleio did an open air vehicle search. K-9 Kleio showed a posture indication. The trunk was opened at this time and 123 pounds of marijuana was recorded. The suspect was taken into custody along with the vehicle.
Airport receives KDOT grant money The Hugoton Airport Board met at the airport meeting room for their regular monthly meeting Tuesday, January 12, 2016. Attending the meeting were board members Josh Jorde, Jeff Crawford and Dell Cullison. Also present were Hugoton Airport manager Gary Porter, secretary Risa Meyer and Hugoton Hermes reporter Ruthie
Winget. Board members Robert Davis and Dax Gaskill were absent. Jeff Crawford presided. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. The board reviewed the financial report and voted to pay bills. The airport received the KDOT grant money for the runway resurfacing project. They received $63,785.36 which was
A large group of people enjoy the Senior Adult Prom Saturday, January 9, hosted by the 4-H Junior Leaders. Besides the dancing, the impressive crowd also enjoyed some fun games of Bingo,
90% of the total cost. Manager Porter reported Kirkham Michael has been contacted so they can get all the specifications together required for the new fuel dispenser that will be added to the fuel island. When this is completed, bids can be let out. Manager Gary Porter reported only one bid has Continued to page 4
The 2016 Winter Homecoming Court, left to right, includes Brooklyn Harper, Caleb Gayer, Marianna Shuck, Keely Hittle, Hunter Kerbow,
Winter Homecoming Court is announced Congratulations to the members of the 2016 Winter Homecoming Court. Freshman attendant is Rebecca Johnson, daughter of Matt and Nancy Johnson; sophomore attendant is Brooklyn Harper, daughter of Brian
delicious food and actual live music by Oklahoma Cowboy and Texas Lady to accompany the dancing. Photo courtesy of Joshua Morris.
Stevens County Commissioners meet in regular session The Stevens County Board of County Commissioners met in regular session Monday, January 18 with all members, Pat Hall, Dave Bozone and Joe D. Thompson present. Also present were County Clerk Pam Bensel, County Counselor Paul Kitzke and RoGlenda Coulter from The Hugoton Hermes. The following is just an agenda for the morning with a few of the unofficial highlights. The agenda included Bills at 8:30; Vanessa Willis at 9:00; and Tony Martin at 9:30. When this reporter arrived at 8:45 Commissioners were finishing talking with Vanessa. Motion was made and passed to accept and pay the bills. Rodney Kelling came in to report for his department. They visited about
capital outlay, bids for an ambulance, trucks, equipment and budget cuts now and in the future. Commissioners stressed that all department heads - not only Rodney - are going to have to find places to make cuts. They need to find ways or the Commissioners will have to. Rodney reminded the commissioners his people are paid by the call. He also added that in other towns, the city department helps to pay the expenses, especially since the biggest part of the calls are in town. He said the EMS calls are 80% paid back. Rodney also commented most area counties are full-time. He asked if a lease program had been checked into for equipment. Next on the agenda was Tony Martin from Road
and Bridge. Paul Nordyke from the city also came in. They talked about maintaining a road near the Manor, Road M. It was tossed around if it is officially city or county. There is city drainage in the area of the road. Paul said he saw no problem for the city to maintain it as a gravel road. A sign will have to be placed. Paul Kitzke will check into right-of-way. The Commissioners were ok with the idea, but will table the proposal until the right-ofway is checked out. The Commissioners asked Tony about the rumor going around that his department keeps getting new equipment. He assured all his equipment has been there since 2000. His department does pride themselves in keeping good care of this
Marisol Don Juan and Rebecca Johnson. Not pictured are Brandi Holmes and Reed Rome.
equipment by cleaning and good upkeep. The truck they are getting ready to trade-in is a 1986. They wait until they have 200,000+ miles on most. Tony then went on to talk about a gas line which was hit while maintaining a road. This could have been a serious situation but no one was hurt. He had a talk with his personnel about watching for line markers. Tony pointed out savings on asphalt his department was able to get last year and this year. Tony presented the Commissioners with a list of old and newly elected Fair Board members. Motion was made and passed to accept this list. Ted Heaton reported for the Law Enforcement Center. They are now housing Continued to page 4
and Aymee Harper; and Junior attendant is Marisol DonJuan, daughter of Odilon and Olga DonJuan. Senior queen candidates are Brandi Holmes, daughter of Joe and Terri Holmes; Keely Hittle, daughter of Kelly Hittle and Kerry Hittle; and Mariana Shuck, daughter of Richy and Nora Shuck. Senior king candidates are Caleb Gayer, son of Todd Gayer and Sonja Gayer; Hunter
Kerbow, son of Mark and Carla Kerbow; and Reed Rome, son of Keith and Lisa Rome. The flower girl Morgan Niehues, is daughter of Brad and Jamie Niehues; and the Crown Bearer is Grant Goode, son of Darrell and Ashley Goode. The coronation will take place at halftime of the boys’ basketball game versus the Guymon Tigers Friday, January 29.
A cozy fireplace welcomes customers into the lobby of the new Best Western Plus located east of Hugoton on Highway 51.
The board of Stevens County Economic Development convened for their monthly meeting in the convention room at Best Western Plus, also known as Stevens County Inn.
Best Western Plus is now open The new Best Western Plus is finally open for business. It is called the Stevens County Inn. The hotel opened for the first day of business January 18, 2016. The general manager is Rohit (Roy) Bombaywala. He is also in charge of the Budget Host of Liberal and the Hagman Lodge of Hugoton.
The new inn has 56 rooms and offers a complimentary hot breakfast. It has an indoor swimming pool and hot tub. Other amenities include a conference room, fitness center and business center. Hugoton is fortunate to have the Stevens County Inn for all of Hugoton’s extra guests.