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More Questions than Answers

It is a beautiful, rainy Wednesday morning as I write this. 
Gentle rains have fallen all over our county, polishing the trees with a shiny luster, washing away the dust and dirt, and giving our crops a push.
I tried to take photos of the rain for the newspaper but nothing I found did it justice. 
This paper has been a challenging one because there is so much news I can’t report on. There just isn’t enough time, room, or advertising. 
 I wish we could afford a whole staff to cover it all. Isn’t it funny how a small town of about 2,000 people could have so much news? 
 In one day, there was a science fair, a golf tournament, 4-H meetings, and an SHS track meet. The SJH meet was canceled due to weather but JH will head to Tribune  Thursday morning. 
I didn’t get to cover all the dead birds around town that people have reported on. I didn’t get to tell you about a scam the Holcomb Police Department reported where a package arrives with a ring inside. When you scan the QR code to activate the warranty it gains access to information on your phone, such as credit cards and bank account info. 
Most of those things I couldn’t cover because I was trying to get this week’s paper out. Go on social media and the news I am missing is more than I am covering.
  But what we do cover, I am proud of. I am also grateful to Krista Norton who always manages to grab photos and stories even though she is also always on the move.
With just two weeks till the end of school, there is so much going on, it is hard to cover it all. So I appreciate everyone who lends a hand, drops us a note, a tip, or a photo.
  With that said, what we did put in, we worked hard on. And I hope you enjoy this week’s edition. 
Are you planning for summer yet? Working? Vacationing? Slowing down a little?  I keep saying it will slow down next week. LOL. 
 This Sunday is Mother’s Day. The  Saturday after that is graduation.  Maybe being busy is good because I am so focused on the next thing, I don’t have time to overthink. 
   Speaking of overthinking. I couldn’t wait for my dandelions to bloom, so I mowed them down. See last week’s paper for part one. 
 If I planted dandelions in the garden in my backyard,  they would die. It is just not my thing. And I feel too much pressure wondering what neighbors might think of the overgrown grass if I waited. I guess for someone who likes to think of herself as independent and free thinking, I cave to peer pressure easily. Or in this case the appearance of peer pressure. 
Last week, a neighbor brought me a lovely note and some dandelion jelly they made. My heart warmed at the sweet gesture. Did it stop me from mowing? Nope.
I saw a news story about alarming trends of teens being forced and manipulated to undress, commit suicide, call in bomb threats. And it is all through direct messaging on gaming sites or social media. 
 The world can be so scary. 
As the summer means more free time for our kids. Some will be busy with sports, work, or hopefully swimming and bike riding. But they will have downtime too. 
 I hope you have the opportunity to have talks with your children and other parents about the dangers lurking in their phones. I am grateful to have those friends.    
  KSHSAA puts out a “Less is More” Op-Ed that I also didn’t have room for.  It was about burnout in high school students due to summer athletics. And while I don’t disagree, sometimes I am just so grateful when my daughter is busy! 
 We are navigating a crazy world, How do we give our kids the independence and freedom they need to be successful on their own while at the same time protecting them from a dark world of predators that do not tire of trying to reach our kids? 
 I have more questions than answers. But I know communication is important. And as our children listen less to us and more to peers, teachers, and coaches, I pray our kids are surrounded this summer with positive influences. I pray that we can slow down long enough to check in with them, to 
check their social media engagement, to get with other parents to learn how to restrict their phones. 
They are smarter than us in a lot of ways. But they are still young. They are still curious, wanting of attention, and immature. 
 I leave you with this quote. “Before I got married, I had six theories about raising children. Now, I have six children and no theories.” — John Wilmot

OPINIONS

Moments in Time

It’s the last day of school. Another school year has ended. It has had a few challenges but overall a great one. In the last week, we have covered high school graduation, kindergarten graduation, and eighth grade promotion (next week’s paper).  High school graduation... [More]

I saw God on Monday

I spent Monday on the road picking up sheep feed and covering the Junior High Hi-Plains League Track Meet.  Or in more honest terms, I spent the day running around for my daughter. LOL.   It was a busy day filled with great memories. But I spent Tuesday in a... [More]

Looking Through Open Eyes

It’s May! April showers bring May flowers! We got rain!! Over an inch in the northern part of the county. In town, I have dandelions. They don’t look pretty. I mow and they still come up.  I am torn about dandelions. Dandelions are a healthy, nutrient rich food.... [More]

Finding your Path

We are nearing the end of April. Showers are in the forecast for the next few days. Rain in southwest Kansas is a beautiful gift to be treasured!  Life has been crazy, which has become the norm for me.  Between sheep, work, my daughter’s track meets, and everything... [More]

Hallelujahs and Headaches

It’s early Wednesday morning at 4:40 AM, as I sit in bed sipping a large cup of coffee writing a few notes on my phone to finish this week’s paper.  I walked into church Sunday. I saw the message, Hallelujahs and headaches, and I laughed. That is the theme of... [More]

Let the Light Shine In

It’s bug season in western Kansas. It sounds like drops of rain falling but really it’s bugs hitting your windshield of your car or pickup, and they are a pain to clean off. But they are also a sign of warmer weather here!  For a while now, I have been in a funk... [More]

A Little Bit of Grace

Happy April! There is wind, rain, and snow in our forecast for the next couple of days. Happy spring in western Kansas. LOL.   I have never been a big fan of April Fools Day but this year in particular April 1 was a rough one. It started off with a lot of gratitude... [More]

Connecting

Happy Spring! Happy warm temperatures. Happy sunshine without extreme wind days! It is supposed to be 88 degrees today and tomorrow. Doesn’t that sun feel good? And how wild that a week ago there was still snow on the ground.  It may sound crazy but I appreciate the... [More]

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SPORTS

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HI-PLAINS ALL LEAGUE

The Hi-Plains League has announced recipients of all-league basketball honors. The selection process begins when individual coaches submit names. The players are then voted on by the other HPL coaches. However, coaches may not vote on their own players.   Syracuse High School... [More]

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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!!

The Lady Bulldogs were undefeated during the Border Wars, defeating Eads on Friday, 42-7 and Walsh on Saturday 62-5, bringing their record to 3-1. But the winner wasn’t announced until Tuesday evening. Syracuse Athletic Director Josh Johnson explained, “It came down... [More]

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NEWS

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Twice The Ice Opens

Last weekend, Ark Valley Oil opened up a new self-serve ice and water vending machine at the west end of Syracuse, on Highway 50 and N Highway 27.  John Welch has had a vision for that location. When the property became available, he saw it’s opportunity. ... [More]

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Farm Store Opens North of Kendall

Drive ten miles north of Kendall where the blacktop ends, where the dust of the county dirt road flies. Travel a few more miles and on the Kearny County side of the border you will find the Horton Farmstead. Trees, farm equipment, a small backyard playground, barns, and a small,... [More]

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Weis Awarded Bronze Star Medal

Syracuse resident Marvin and Janet Weis returned home last week to find a package waiting at their door. Marvin was sure Janet had ordered something online. When they got inside and opened the manila envelope, Marvin was shocked to find he had been awarded the Bronze Star Medal... [More]

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GRAMMY D’S SWEETS MOVES TO SYRACUSE

“Since I moved back here,  everything is falling into  place.”  Diena Schwieterman, 1986 SHS graduate made the decision to move home. “As soon as I made the decision, it seems like everything began falling into place.”   Diena... [More]

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Powerlifters Head to State

Syracuse Bulldogs power lifting successful season is ending with nine athletes qualifying for the state meet Saturday, March 29 in Conway Springs at 9:00 AM CT, 8:00 AM MT. Qualifying are Natalia Figueroa, Stella Simon, Deena Rochat, Angel Peralta, Angel Ramirez, Will Roberts,... [More]

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LOCAL WOMAN HACKED ONLINE WANTS TO HELP PREVENT YOU FROM SIMILAR SITUATION

Scams. Hackers. They are everywhere. They call your phone, text a simple hi, email you from what looks like a reasonable business. They are out for your money or your identity.  We often think they get other people, not us.  Local resident Ronna Simon is exasperated.... [More]

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HOMECOMING NIGHT

On Friday night, the stands were filled with students, parents, and spectators out to enjoy homecoming against the Sublette Larks. The pep rally started off the afternoon with contests and games to get the students excited. The JH Pep Band played, the cheerleaders performed,... [More]

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SYRACUSE’S NEW STREET SWEEPER

If you think you have seen a little spaceship on the streets around town, you are not alone. Many of us have wondered what this new contraption is and how it works.  According to City Administrator, Brian Bloyd, it is the new Ravo R5 street sweeper. “This replaces... [More]

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OBITUARIES

Richard Helfrich

            A graveside memorial service for longtime Coolidge, Kansas resident Richard Helfrich will be held at 10:00AM on Wednesday, June 04, 2025 at the Sunnyvale Cemetery south of Coolidge, Kansas. Following the service a gathering of family... [More]

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Harold Wayne Crawford

Harold Wayne Crawford, a devoted husband, loving father, and cherished member of his community, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2025, in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, just days before his 89th birthday. He was surrounded by his family and his beloved wife, Pat, with whom he shared... [More]

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Tia I. (Schmidt) Pennell

Tia I. Pennell passed away on April 21st, 2025 at her home in Olympia, Washington. She was born December 11,1935 to Walter and Zelma Schmidt in Syracuse, KS where she grew up with her five siblings; Eugene, Gano, Gerard, Lorraine & Mickey. She went on to attend Syracuse High... [More]

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Elmer J. Simon

Elmer J. Simon, 91, of Augusta, KS, passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Viewing 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. with a Rosary following at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025 at St. James Catholic Church. Funeral Mass  10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 31, 2025 at St. James Catholic Church, Augusta,... [More]

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Charles Albert Richardson

Charles Albert Richardson passed away May 10, 2025 at his home in Kendall, Kansas. He was the son of Dee Loyd Richardson, Sr. and Edith (Stout) Richardson. Charles was born on June 23, 1939 in Iowa and spent his early childhood years in Grove, Oklahoma.  The family moved... [More]

Marshall “Bob” Gordon

 A Graveside Memorial Service for Holly, Colorado resident, Marshall “Bob” Gordon will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 22, 2025 at the Holly Cemetery in Holly, Colorado.  Per Bob’s request, cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation.... [More]

Donald Phillips

 A Graveside Memorial Service for Donald Phillips will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 14, 2025 at the Holly Cemetery in Holly, Colorado with Pastor Steve Knobbe officiating. Donald W. Phillips passed away on January 4,2025 in Houston, Texas at the age of 89. Don... [More]

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Angela Rose Bennett

  Angela Rose Bennett, 41, passed away Sunday, May 4, 2025 at Pratt Regional Medical Center. She was born on September 27, 1983 in Shattuck, Oklahoma to David Lynn and Teresa Gwyn (Carmin) Bennett. Angela graduated high school in Wichita. She worked at The Boys Home and... [More]

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