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What's The Next Move?

Watching the news can be terrifying. Locally, there was an awful car wreck. Nationally, a train derailment causing hazardous chemicals to flow into rivers and release toxins in the air that could affect a large part of the US.
Shootings, suicides, overdoses, and war. The world can be a terrifying place. What do you hold onto? Where does your hope come from? If you think it’s all over and what’s the point, maybe you are missing the bigger picture.
 Maybe in tragedies we come together. We lean on each other. We can teach, love, and care for the hurting. 
If I am still breathing, I have a purpose. Right now that is raising my daughter, helping her to make good choices, showing her the consequences of our actions. And helping her find peace through leaning on God.
 But all the talk in the world doesn’t compare to truly learning these lessons herself. As you let your children grow, we have to let go a little more each time. That’s so hard watching them make mistakes. But it is the only way we learn. 
 There was a student and family get together at Sam’s Pond on Monday to help them grieve. They played music, cried and hugged each other.  I struggled trying to go forward from this death. Finally, I turned to my bible. I read the story of Simon Peter and Cornelius. I read where Peter heard a message from God and then questioned Him because it didn’t align with what he knew to be biblically correct.  But God told him to go and he did. And he directed others to go and to wait for his message. 
It was a great reminder to me that God is living. God is not just in the past, just in a culture. God is alive. 
How quickly I can forget. I lose hope or focus and I stop leaning on His word. 
In Acts 10:30, Cornelius replied, “Four days ago I was praying in my house about the same time...Suddenly, a man in dazzling clothes was standing in front of me. 31 He told me, “Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been noticed by God!“
  How many of us forget that God still performs miracles? How many of us lose our faith in the day to day? 
I certainly lose faith in tragedies. Remembering that even though I don’t understand one bit of it, God is a big God. He has a plan. And we are all part of that plan. 
 He is living. He is moving. Because of Cornelius’ prayer and his giving, God could use him!
That reminds me of bread. No, I have no idea where that came from. 
But the ingredients must sit and have time to rise. Then it is kneaded. As bread is baking, the ingredients mixed together with heat smell delicious. If you let it bake the proper amount of time, which I am terrible at, the product is perfect. And it tastes delicious. 
But what if the bread sits, what if it doesn’t serve anyone? It grows stale and moldy. 
Maybe we are like bread. Maybe we have to be kneaded, and freshened. Maybe we need to be used at the right time. 
Most of all maybe we need to be open and excited and ready for His next move.
 I am guilty of seeing tragedy and feeling helpless and lost and frustrated.
But maybe God is saying focus on Me. I am going to do great things. And I need you to listen, to hear me, to be a part of it, and be ready! 
 At my daughter’s basketball game a couple weeks ago, she stood on the floor with her arms folded. 
She wasn’t ready to help the team. We talked about it and last week she did well. She wasn’t perfect but she was all in. Are we? Are we ready when God calls us to act? 
The world needs us. Are your arms open? Is your heart open? Is your focus on Him? 
 Curtis Mayfield sang, “So people get ready
There’s a train a-comin’
You don’t need no baggage
You just get on board
All you need is faith
To hear the diesels humming
Don’t need no ticket
You just thank the Lord.”
 May we take a step towards faith today. Ask God into your heart. Be ready. We are needed. You are needed. Arms open wide ready to come off the bench to help God’s team. 
  

OPINIONS

40 Days and 40 Nights

Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights and I can’t get through a five minute conversation without getting irritated.    I am laughing - sort of, about this, because in the past few weeks I have had people contact me saying that they “knew I would understand.”... [More]

A Sun Scorched Land

As soon as this paper goes out I am headed to get bloodwork drawn. So I am fasting which means no caffeine, which also means I can’t believe I am able to put words together or function well right now. LOL.  Spring has begun!  As I write this 40+ MPH winds are... [More]

Wonder

I woke up Tuesday from a good night’s sleep and excited for the day to begin. Since I am not a morning person, this was a nice change.  I showered, dressed, and went with my daughter to help her with morning chores at the barn.  Since it hadn’t rained I... [More]

Strong Women

I am writing this on International Women’s Day.  I think about how far women have come but I also love that Syracuse has always had women at the forefront. The first all female Syracuse City Council was in 1887. We have had women mayors, sheriffs, judges, and farm... [More]

Looking Forward

I am writing this on a beautiful Wednesday morning, the first day of March. Snow in the forecast for today, Thursday.  As I write this it looks like a 70% chance of 1 to 2 inches and breezy.   I am always grateful for the moisture but I would be ok with some long,... [More]

Recharge!

I am newspapered out. Is that a word? Certain times of life we are all go no quit, sacrificing self care for what needs done.    On the most beautiful day of the year so far, I had to turn down a walk, give up a healthcare appointment, and watch as many others had those... [More]

ANYTHING GOOD IN MY LIFE CAME FROM HELPING SOMEONE

I heard a quote from an actor Danny Trejo. If you don’t know him, he had a tough past ended up on drugs and in prison.  But that wasn’t the end of his story. While in prison, he found faith, got sober, and cleaned up his life. I admire Trejo for his authenticity... [More]

You're Going The Wrong Way

In the movie Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, Steve Martin and John Candy are driving down the highway late at night. Everything seems fine until someone across the median honks and yells at them “You’re going the wrong way.” Not just once but multiple times. ... [More]

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SPORTS

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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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HS Track

Head coach Steve Navarro said, “The coaching staff has really enjoyed working with this group of kids this year. They have been putting in hard work despite some less than stellar conditions for practice and meets. We are excited to see what they can do now that we are... [More]

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SHS SPORTS WRAP UP

Baseball: The Bulldogs faced the Goodland Cowboys at home on Thursday, April 8, losing game one, 2-22 and game two, 1-17. Head Coach Dustin Doze said the Bulldogs really struggled throwing strikes again and they had too many errors. We need to clean things up if we want to... [More]

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Spring Sports Start

One year ago, athletes and coaches were beginning practice for their spring sport, some practicing during spring break, others enjoying the break from school. Soon they found out their break was extended a week, some with great joy, others with apprehension. Then came the unfortunate... [More]

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SUBSTATE HEARTACHE

Substate began and ended quickly but these Varsity teams left it all out on the court. In heartbreaking last second baskets, our basketball season was over. The boys lost by two points in the last five seconds and the girls lost by three. A wrap up of the season will come in... [More]

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NEWS

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Questions Surround Veterans Access To Local Care

Billy Whitfield can no longer see well or drive- He  and his wife Loretta are in their eighties. Billy is a retired military veteran who served from 1956 to 1958 in Germany and then returned to active reserve status back in the United States for four more years. Billy is... [More]

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FULLMER CATTLE DONATES $10,000 IN MEMORY OF TY FULLMER

It was one year ago when Ty Fullmer and Adriana Zapata-Munoz lost their lives in a fatal wreck on Highway 27. On Tuesday morning several first responders gathered together to accept donations from Fullmer  Cattle Company. Fullmer Cattle donated $10,000 in memory of Ty Fullmer... [More]

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KanCare Members: Update Your Contact Information NOW!

KanCare Members: Update Your Contact Information NOW!Renewals are coming, and addresses must be up to date to avoid losing eligible coverage.Topeka, KS – Medicaid renewals are starting this year after a three-year pause. If your address with KanCare is not up to date, you... [More]

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New Business: S-D Family Reserve Beef

Who doesn’t love to shop local? While we appreciate our grocery store, drug store, and lumber yard, what about local beef?  We see cows everywhere in Hamilton County. There are feedyards, dairies, cow/calf producers, but looking to buy specialty steaks locally? That’s... [More]

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Hospital Lab Success

Hamilton County Hospital is proud to announce the lab recently underwent a CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment) survey and received zero deficiencies. Hospital administrator, Kelly Hatcher said, “This is a huge win for us, we have struggled for over a year with... [More]

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FARM BUREAU 9TH DISTRICT DISCUSSES WATER ISSUES

Over 30 Farm Bureau members from 11 counties in Southwest Kansas met Wednesday, March 1, at the 9th District Issue Surfacing Meeting held at the Black Bison Pub.  The 9th district included representatives from Hamilton, Stanton, Kearney, Greeley, Wichita, Haskell, Grant,... [More]

PUBLIC NOTICE: FULLMER CATTLE COMPANY SEEKS KDHE PERMIT

Fullmer Cattle Company has applied for a permit from KDHE regarding their confined animal feeding facility. The KDHE is intending to renew or issue a Kansas Water Pollution Control Permit or National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit. If you would like to comment... [More]

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Elementary Carnival Rousing Success

On Saturday night, the Barney Akers gym was transformed into a magical carnival night for families complete with games, food, face painting, but most of all, fun which included lots of smiles and laughs. Over $5,000 was raised this year.  According to Elementary Principal... [More]

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OBITUARIES

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Nathan “Nate” Hobson

Nathan “Nate” Hobson, 45, of Rose Hill, died Saturday, March 25, 2023. Celebration of Life will be at 1:00 pm, Friday, March 31, 2023, at Rose Hill Christian Church. Nate was raised in Syracuse, KS and moved to Wichita in 2005. Throughout his career he was a funeral... [More]

William “Pug” Eugene Mitchell

William “Pug” Eugene Mitchell passed away at Logan County Senior Center in Oakley, Kansas on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at the age of 83.  He was born April 10, 1939 in Beloit, Kansas. He was the son of William Arthur Mitchell and Edna Sophronia (Colby) Mitchell.... [More]

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Victor D. Mustoe Jr.

Victor D. Mustoe Jr. passed away on February 18, 2023 at age 79. The Celebration of Life, conducted by Brother Scott Moore, is 1 p.m. Sunday, February 26, 2023 in the chapel of Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN. Inurnment in Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery will be scheduled... [More]

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Rose Marie (Jellison) Vana

A celebration of a life well lived and so deeply loved for Rose Marie Vana, will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel in Holly, CO. Pastor Mike Lewis will officiate. Rose’s final resting place will be in Walsenburg, CO with her... [More]

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Brayan Leyva-Montes

Brayan Leyva-Montes, 16, passed away Sunday, February 12, 2023 due to injuries from an auto accident near Liberal, Kansas.  Brayan was born on August 24, 2006 in Garden City, Kansas the son of Otoniel Leyva and Veronica Leyva-Montes. Brayan spent his entire life living in... [More]

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Kathleen “Kathy” Weckerly

Kathleen Elaine “Kathy” Weckerly passed away at her home in Manhattan, Kansas on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at the age of 67.  She was born November 24, 1955 at Donahue Memorial Hospital in Syracuse, KS.   She was the daughter of Gene and Eloise (Hughes)... [More]

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Beverly Jane Pollart

Funeral services for Beverly Pollart will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 18, 2023 at Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel in Holly, Colorado with interment to follow in the Holly Cemetery. Deacon Allan Medina will be presiding. Recitation of the Rosary will be held prior... [More]

Leopoldo Penaran Huerta

Leopoldo Penaran Huerta, 66, passed away Wednesday, February 9, 2023 at his home in Coolidge, Kansas.  Leopoldo was born November 9, 1956 in Urireo Guanajuato, Mexico the son of Salud Penaran Huerta & Maria Piedad Salinas. During his childhood years he worked with his... [More]

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