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Print Matters

Sitting in the Herndon gym on Tuesday watching Syracuse take on Cheyenne Wells, I had a question about their newspaper. When I googled it, it said the newspaper shut down in 2021. I was sad. 
If you follow newspapers at all, more and more printing presses are being shut down. Less places for us to print. 
The website for Cheyenne Wells news said the Gazette (Colorado Springs) was their “sister” paper and to follow them. 
If you live in a small town you know that larger city papers can’t cover your rural news well.  In all honesty they aren’t covering their own areas well. They have been bought up by larger outlets which have a page or two of local news and the rest is canned or generic. Journalists have been let go. 
I stepped across the aisle to our competition and asked a few friendly folks about this. 
They responded that no that was not the case. They were putting their news it the hands of another small town paper, the Kiowa County Independent. That made me smile. 
A woman stopped in my office the other day and noticed the dictionary I have on a small table next to a vintage typewriter. As she thumbed through the 1960s publication, I realized something. Online news can be hacked, tampered with, adjusted to fit the narrative of today. Politically correct, erased, or canceled - it’s all possible. But print, mistakes and all the uncomfortable truths, lay there. Words have changed meanings over time. 
But print lays unchanged. This dictionary still defines uncomfortable words. It tells you what was going on at that time in history. 
Print matters. I will say it again. Print matters. 
To younger folks who haven’t been exposed to print, to newspapers, to large bulky textbooks, I feel like there is a disservice. 
Yes print is slower, not instantaneous, and can’t be corrected immediately if it is wrong. 
But a book or a newspaper that is read without pop-up ads can be digested better. 
I am not against an online presence or social media for many things. But there is a place for print, a wonderful place. I encourage you to close your internet browser and pick up a book or newspaper. I would also encourage you to support a small town local newspaper by buying a subscription. Yes, I would love it if you subscribed to ours. But I would love you to grab another too. Consider The Kiowa County Independent, Plainsman Herald, Greeley County Republican, the Lakin Independent, or the Wichita County Native Sun. Just a few off the top of my head. 
I wanted to end this column with a quote about newspapers. I saw endless negative pieces saying how dark and twisted news from newspapers are, having you believe the worst. I guess they never read small town news. 
Maybe we don’t cover it all but I would say with confidence we cover more good than bad. We highlight our youth, and we cover things that matter in small town rural America. 
This newspaper has been in print since 1885. That’s 138 years. Some years good some years sketchy. But it has continued on. So as we are coming to the end of another year, I want to thank all those owners and editors who kept it alive. And for every single subscriber and advertiser, you make a difference!

OPINIONS

That Still Small Voice is Calling

Today I am off to my daughter’s first volleyball game. Game? Match? I am learning. Please be patient.    Yesterday was the anniversary of 9/11, a grim reminder of how ugly the world can be and how hate destroys so much of humanity.   When I read the front... [More]

Fair?

It’s time for the State Fair! This year looks incredibly different from last year. I am actually shocked we even get to go.   As our daughter transitions to junior high, more hands are necessary to keep going. Her practices run early and late. Sometimes homework, studying,... [More]

But God

Here we are at the end of August 2024. Fall is so close I can almost touch it and then bam a 100 degree day. For some that is energizing. I am more of a cooler weather fan.   We are supposed to leave for the state fair next Thursday. I say supposed to because you never know... [More]

Batlles are hard!

I read a quote the other day that hardship draws you closer to God. While it may be true, I don’t feel a bright shiny light warming my heart, thanking God, singing Hallelujah. In fact, in the middle of the storms, I feel lost, discombobulated, uncomfortable, and question... [More]

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Walter's Wiggles

Have you heard of Walter’s Wiggles? It’s a long switchback trail in Zion National Park that leads you to Angel’s Landing. The view is breathtaking.  The steep uphill zigzag climb can give you a few moments wondering if it is worth it to go on.  I think... [More]

We Can't Do It Without You

It’s hard for me to fathom that school begins Monday. We just finished fair, fair clean up, after fair exhaustion week trying to catch up on everything put on the back burner because of fair.    This weekend I spent most of my days and nights putting together... [More]

Choices

It’s August!!!! It’s hot!!! That is a direct quote from me. Lol! Triple digit temperatures make everything uncomfortable.  While the county fair is over, I have not recovered yet. A lot of hard work by a lot of people, too many to name went into putting on a... [More]

Too Much News

On Friday, July 28, 1944, one of the Syracuse Journal headlines read , “TOO MUCH NEWS”. The article said, “We’re sorry, but last minute political advertisements and legal notices that had to be run this issue crowded us for space this week and we had to... [More]

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SPORTS

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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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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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Senior Night Volleyball

Three Syracuse High School volleyball seniors were honored on Tuesday, October 5, during the volleyball tournament at Syracuse.  Kaetlin Thomeczek, daughter of Joe and Dami Thomeczek has played volleyball since the third grade, playing with Syracuse Youth Activities Association... [More]

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NEWS

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1961 SHS GRAD PENS BOOK ON HIS MUSINGS AND INSPIRATIONS

Trying to heal from the loss of his wife, 1961 SHS graduate, Garry Warner, at the advice of his family physician and friend, suggested journaling to overcome his grief.  The result, many years in the making, is a published book entitled Musings of a Walmart Greeter.  The... [More]

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FORMER SYRACUSAN WRITES CHILDREN’S BOOK

2015 Syracuse High School graduate Taelor (Oller) Leyva has always dreamed of being a novelist. But as her life and family grew, her priorities became God and her family.  Leyva is the daughter of Crystal Loder and Dustin Oller. She married 2016 SHS grad Diego Leyva and... [More]

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SHS CHAMPION BARNES GOLF CAREER TAKES SHAPE

While many youth in our community have been able to take part in the free junior golf lessons during the summer for many years, Paige Barnes recalls it as what pushed her on this journey.  Barnes said, “When we moved to Syracuse, my first experience with golf was... [More]

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Simon Retires

The year was 1989 when there were three law firms in Syracuse, Kansas - Jim Terrill, John Stanley, and Gale & Gale. By the end of 1990, there were two - Terrill and Gale & Gale.    Thirty-five years ago,  Janice Simon began working part time at Gale &... [More]

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Hamilton County Library's Grand Reopening

The long wait is over. The Hamilton County Library has reopened on Main Street. A grand reopening was held on Tuesday afternoon with tours all day. Library Director Amy Brucker choked up as she addressed the large crowd of library board members, county commissioners, patrons,... [More]

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County Fair Time!

The Hamilton County Fair is in full swing with many fun activities for everyone.  It began Thursday, July 18, when Ann Palmer was crowned Silver Queen at the VIP Center. Her princesses were Lola Fox, Marcia Ashmore and Ellie Seba. Following the coronation was the 4-H... [More]

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You Can Enter The Fair!

Fair Entries - How Does It Work It’s Easy and Fun to Enter! Want to participate in the Hamilton County Fair? Showcase your talents and turn your hobbies and special interests into a winner.  Who Can Enter? ALL Hamilton County residents are eligible to enter and... [More]

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Scarlett Hines Wins At World Finals

Scarlett Hines, daughter of Travis and Corinna Hines, has been riding a horse since she could walk.  She got her first pony, Ladybug, when she was two or three years old. She has participated in play days, local and regional rodeos, and now can add winning at the National... [More]

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OBITUARIES

Harvey Ellsworth Crist

Harvey Ellsworth Crist, 97, passed away Saturday, August 31, 2024, at his home in Syracuse, Kansas. He was born August 4, 1927 in Holly, Colorado, the son of Paul F. Crist and Margaret (Herbig) Crist. Harvey began his life in Holly, Colorado and was raised in Bear Creek Township... [More]

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Maxine Ralstin

Maxine J. Ralstin  Maxine Jeanette Ralstin passed away Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024 peacefully at her home in Syracuse, Kansas.   Maxine was born February, 21, 1942 as the third of four children to Freeman H. and Mary O. (Husky) Ralstin. Maxine was a lifelong resident... [More]

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Larry Finlay

Larry's life began with Millard and Elsie (Billy) Finlay on May 25, 1941, in Lakin, KS. He lived 83 years and passed away at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, on August 10, 2024. He was the oldest of four. His siblings are Llyndee Lacey of Independence, KS; Ron Finlay of Kendall,... [More]

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Bill Maxey

 Bill Maxey, of Amarillo, TX passed away on August 4, 2024.  Graveside Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 9, 2024 at Syracuse Cemetery in Syracuse, KS. Bill was born in Syracuse, Kansas to James and Betty Maxey.   He was the youngest of four brothers,... [More]

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Maurine Urton

Maurine (Boltz) Urton, 94, passed away Friday, June 28, 2024, at the Hamilton County Hospital in Syracuse, Kansas.  She was born November 28, 1929 in Syracuse, Kansas, the daughter of Henry Charles Boltz and Mildred Hannah (Logan) Boltz. Maurine was born in Syracuse &... [More]

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William (Bill) George McManess

  William (Bill) George McManess, age 64, passed away on Monday, June 24, 2024 in Wichita, Kansas at Wesley Medical Center surrounded by his daughters, son-in-law, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was born on December 14, 1959 in Wichita, Kansas to Charles (Chuck)... [More]

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Pat Daugherty

Born on August 13, 1932, Patricia Ann Daugherty (Pat or affectionately known as ‘Gram’, died on November 22, 2023, at the Kearny County Hospital at the age of 91. She was born in Kansas City, Missouri to Raymond M and Maude Hessling. Pat married Bill Daugherty on... [More]

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Loren William Youngers

Loren William Youngers, age 68, of La Veta, CO, passed away on May 29th, 2024. Loren was born September 11th, 1955, in Kingman, KS, the son of George and Evelyn Youngers.  He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Doreen Amon, and niece Anne Marie Youngers. He is... [More]

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