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PLUNKETT FINDS TREASURE IN HM COUNTY

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The Great Hamilton County Treasure Hunt ended on December 8 at 10 am when Aaron Plunkett and team solved the mysterious location of the buried $2,000.00.
The hunt arranged by Jim Barrett had many teams signing up online to receive clues by mail. 
Barrett said, “I sold 28 subscriptions and had people from western Kansas and eastern Colorado working on the many clues.”
Aaron Plunkett had a great time.
 Aaron had assistance from his cousins Mike and Meredith Helm from Castle Rock, Colorado. Mike and Meredith came for Thanksgiving and spent time together driving around the countryside of Hamilton County. I told them about the treasure hunt. They got excited and decided they would do it together. 
Aaron said, “The clue book that came in the mail was really cool. The clues came on parchment paper. It gave it authenticity.”
After the cousins returned home, they began researching online. There were four major clues, poems, a map, and brands. Everything contained clues. All the clues had local history, local cattle brands, and local businesses. For example, Trail City Bed and Breakfast and Winner Circle Feedyard were mentioned. 
Aaron added, “Jim did a wonderful job.  It was definitely a collaborative thing. I want my cousins to get credit as well. The final resting place was at the state lake. It was a blast. It was the biggest adventure I have had without leaving the county.”
Barrett hopes to put on another treasure hunt in 2025. 

Jim Barrett and Aaron Plunkett with found treasure
/courtesy photo

NEWS

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HM COUNTY EMS SEEKS EMR

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FAITH AND FARMING ROOTS HELP BRING HOME NATIONAL WIN FOR SCHWIETERMAN GRANDCHILD

Many may remember as a kid playing with Hot Wheels, building a town, using items from around the house for buildings, or perhaps building a town outside in the dirt. But it is the kid with farming roots that added fences made from sticks, pulled grass and put in the fence for... [More]

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Border Wars

The annual Border Wars Tournament is in the books. This year was larger than last year with 36 total games over three days. Kansas took on Colorado. Coming in from Colorado were teams from Eads, Las Animas, Stratton, Cheyenne Wells, and Lamar (JV only). Kansas teams... [More]

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ALUMNI SCRIMMAGE FUN HELPS WITH FOOD PANTRY NEED

The Herndon Gym was filled with excitement for the annual Alumni Scrimmage Saturday, November 30. Admission was a donation to the Hamilton County Food Pantry and fans could enjoy pulled pork sandwiches and homemade desserts with proceeds to benefit the basketball program. ... [More]

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TRAINING THE NEXT GEN OF OFFICIALS

The Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) announced Scott Goodheart of Pratt, Kansas became the Director of Officials. Goodheart serves in the role that Francine Martin fulfilled during the 2022-23 school year, the first year for this position at the KSHSAA.... [More]

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VETERANS DAY TRADITION CONTINUES

Veterans Day, the day we honor all veterans who served in times of war and peace. Veterans day, originally Armistice Day, marking the end of WW l which ended on the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. This tradition of honoring veterans during school... [More]

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BENEFIT FOR BATCHELOR BATTLING ALS

Brandon Batchelor is a husband, father, and grandfather who was diagnosed with ALS. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that causes the gradual loss of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. ... [More]

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COACH CASTRO AWARDED BETHANY COLLEGE ATHLETIC HALL OF HONOR

Jen Castro is the Junior High Football Coach, Head Softball Coach,  Powerlifting Assistant Coach, Elementary Interrelated Special Education teacher, and now can add the honor of being awarded the Athletic Hall of Honor Award from her alma mater Bethany College.   ... [More]

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OPINIONS

The Circle of Life

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Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! It’s 2025! Well it’s New Years Eve as I write this lol. It is the 140th year of The Syracuse Journal and my fifth year as editor.    For someone who was always on the road, the only roots as a vagabond, I think it’s cool that I landed... [More]

Life, Death, Sunshine, and Storms

Here we are, Christmas! Temperatures in the fifties and sixties doesn’t make it feel like Christmas.   I feel like it should be cold, wet, and white out.    There is a good chance of rain on Thursday. Moisture always makes farmers feel good.   My... [More]

Faster, Faster

Here we are. Ten days left until the end of the year. While this year has flown by, I am so busy trying to complete these end of year tasks, I am not focused on Christmas.     Yes the stockings are hung, the tree is decorated, and most of the presents are here.... [More]

Stretched

Here is my countdown. 12 days to Christmas Eve.  How are you feeling? Stressed? I know a lot of people including myself that are being pushed to their limits it seems. Where holiday music and lights were once comforting, they don’t seem to be enough.    What... [More]

Gifts from the Heart

It’s December. My tree is up! The lights on the roof light up the night for me along with our outdoor decorations.   I am still struggling that it is December. While I have many presents already purchased, ornaments hung on the tree, I can’t quite get into... [More]

A Kind Turn

It’s one week until Thanksgiving. How did that happen? Next week’s paper will go out early so that is likely my weekend job.   I am thankful I can do some of that work from home.  We had some flurries of snow on Tuesday that got me very excited for... [More]

Drinking in the moments

Monday was a perfectly cold, crisp, fall morning. Colorful leaves falling filled the street with bright yellows, oranges, and reds. Gentle rains fell and a breeze blew in.  I loved it. It felt like a moment when all was right with the world.  There is an 80% chance... [More]

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SPORTS

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SHS CHEER TAKES SECOND

Small but Mighty! That is the name high school Head Cheerleading Coach, Marcos Valadez put on the 2024-2025 squad last summer, “We may not have the numbers, but our team has overcome adversity and is always stepping up to the challenge.”  Proving this, the Syracuse... [More]

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BULLDOGS OPEN FALL SEASON WITH FIRST PLACE FINISH IN GOLF

The Syracuse Bulldogs Ladies Varsity Golf Team took first at their season opener in Stanton County on Tuesday afternoon. They shot a team score of 207 at the Prairie Pines Golf Course in Johnson. The varsity team  is Lanee Owens, Bronwyn Lewis, Sammy Schwieterman, Maddy... [More]

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LEWIS HEADS TO STATE TRACK

Qualifying members of the high school track team traveled to Hill City Thursday, May 16 to compete in the 2-A regional meet against 15 teams, Ellinwood, Ellis, Hill City, Hoxie, Lincoln, Meade, Medicine Lodge, Oakley, Plainville, Smith Center, Stanton County, Sublette, Thomas... [More]

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BULLDOGS TAKE SECOND AT REGIONALS - HEADED TO STATE

The Syracuse High School boys golf team battled breezy conditions on Monday May 13 competing in the 2-A Regional meet on their own Tamarisk Golf Course.  Adjusting to windy conditions and competing at home paid off for the Bulldogs Monday, placing second, qualifying... [More]

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STATE GOLF RESULTS

State golf on Monday had the Varsity Bulldogs miss playing in the finals as a team by one stroke. They finished seventh out of twelve teams.  On Day 1, Brody Keller shot a 92 missing day two by two strokes. Ian Brummett shot a 95, Mason Scott  and Johnny TeVelde shot... [More]

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JH BASKETBALL WINS

Junior High Boys Basketball A, B, and C teams travelled to Elkhart on Monday, November 21. The A team won 41-34, B team won 26-21, and  C team lost to Elkhart 13-20. Head Coach Vance Keller said, “Elkhart was a tough win for both the A and B teams but both grinded... [More]

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LADY BULLDOGS BORDER WARS CHAMPIONS!!

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JH Basketball Season Underway with JH Boys sweeping Lakin

Monday night at home at the Herndon Gym, the Junior High boys swept Lakin! Head coach Vance Keller said, “We’re a young team with only six eighth graders and 12 seventh graders. We’ve had six total that started the season with injuries so we haven’t had... [More]

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OBITUARIES

Shannon Chambers

Shannon Rose (Hyatt) Chambers passed away January 2, 2025 at the Greeley County Hospital, in Tribune, Kansas. She was the daughter of Albert Hyatt and Donna Marie Strickland-Lopez.  She was born September 6, 1956 in Los Angeles, California.   Shannon grew up in Guerneville... [More]

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Jesus “Chuma” Manuel Apodaca Leyva

Jesus “Chuma” Manuel Apodaca Leyva passed away January 12, 2025 at the Hamilton County Hospital, in Syracuse, Kansas. He was the son of Celso Apodaca and Rafaela Apodaca Leyva.  He was born April 10, 1942 in Chihuahua, Mexico.   Chuma lived in Mexico for... [More]

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Pamela LaCost

Pamela Kay LaCost was born February 18th, 1965 in Syracuse, KS. She realized her final wish by passing away peacefully at her residence, surrounded by family and loved ones, on January 3, 2025, at the age of 59. Affectionately known to everyone as Pam, she spent her life caring... [More]

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Larry Sitts

Funeral Services for Larry G. Sitts will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, January 13, 2025 at Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel in Holly, Colorado.  Interment will follow in the Holly Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., Sunday, January 12,... [More]

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Rhonda Haslett

Rhonda Sue Haslett, 73, of Syracuse, Kansas, passed away at her home on December 29, 2024. She was surrounded by her family who lovingly cared for her during her brief but courageous battle with cancer. Rhonda was born on September 24, 1951, in San Diego, California. She was... [More]

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Rohn Kester

 Rohn Kester, 59, passed away on Friday, December 6th, 2024 in Trenton, Nebraska.  He was born at the Hamilton County Hospital on February 22, 1965 in Syracuse, Kansas. The son of Thomas and Betty Kester, he grew up in Syracuse where he attended Syracuse High School... [More]

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Charles

Charles “Carl” Gould was born on May 18, 1956, to Dennis and Karleen (Helfrich) Gould in Syracuse, Kansas. He grew up in Syracuse, where he attended school and graduated from high school in 1975. After graduation, Carl worked for various farmers in the area but... [More]

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Vaughn Chamberlain

   Vaughn Chamberlain, 94, passed away peacefully at his home in Harlowton, Montana, on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.  He was born at home on September 21, 1930, in Syracuse, Kansas, the son of Artimus & Evadee (Craven) Chamberlain.       Vaughn... [More]

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