Part of the first agenda session for the Reno County Commission was to recognize a Hutchinson area man who saved two kids from a private pond on Christmas day. Commissioners, law enforcement and other officials gathered to present Bud Brown with a commendation for his bravery and actions for the rescue of two young girls that fell through the ice.

It was on Christmas day when emergency personnel responded to the report on Daveena Drive in eastern Reno County.

When they arrived, they learned that Brown had been looking out his window when he saw the girls fall through the ice, ran outside, towards the pond. He then went in after the girls and was able to go get both out of the water safely. Brown took them into his home, wrapped them in blankets and then called 911. He estimated the girls were in the water for somewhere between two to five minutes before he was able to get them out.

The two girls were identified as seven-year-old Janessa Stringer of Belle Plaine and six-year-old Jenna McKay from Bernice, Oklahoma.
Family members of the two young girls were also in attendance as well as friends of Brown.