HUTCHINSON, Kan. — If you’re planning on traveling for the Christmas Holiday, gas prices won’t be an issue with many stations having prices below $2.00.

Gas prices at most stations in Hutchinson vary from $1.94 to $1.97, while in South Hutchinson, many stations also below $2.00 a gallon with some as low as a $1.95.

Prices in Wichita also vary in price with some as low as $1.91 per gallon. In Salina, prices are higher according to Gas Buddy.com. The lowest there was $1.99 at a Casey’s General Store while many others were just above $2.00. Topeka prices are also higher with the lowest at a $1.99 per gallon.

So, if traveling is planned for your holiday, enjoy the low prices.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — HEAL Reno County has announced three more Pathway grant recipients.

These recipients include the Comfort and Joy food truck who received a $5,000 grant for healthy menu changes.

Bogey’s of Hutchinson has also received a $5,000 grant for a new healthy menu. You can ask for the healthy menu at their main location on North Plum.

And USD 312, the Haven School District received a Worksite Wellness grant for $10,000.

The district has committed to a healthy food and beverage policy and will use the funds for healthy snacks during staff meetings, wellness challenge rewards and fitness equipment for staff.

And another Pathway grant was received by the City of Hutchinson Parks and Facilities for $37,035. This will go towards trail work and lighting for the SW Bricktown Park. This work is scheduled to be done by July 2019.

LYONS, Kan. — An inspirational story happened this past Tuesday night in Lyons. Scouts and scout leaders from Troop 306 and Packs 306 & 310 in Rice County made a delivery to the Rice County Sheriff’s Office. As they are apart of the Hometown Heroes program, they left more goodies for the Sheriff’s Office staff.

During their fundraising campaigns, they collected money to donate their popcorn to heroes — firefighters, police officers, EMS personnel and troops overseas.

The scouts decided to keep their donations local this year by giving them to the aforementioned heroes and some local veterans.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The holiday travel season is here and many will be hitting the roads to visit family and friends.

Hutchinson Police Sgt. Brian Hirt says be prepared, leave early for any destinations so you’re not in a hurry and have supplies in your car in case your vehicle breaks down.

He also talked of their increased enforcement for those caught texting:

 

One of the other dangers during the holiday season is those who choose to drink and drive. He says they will be enforcing that more as well and talks of the potential dangers and consequences:

 

Again, law enforcement including Police, the Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol will be enforcing all traffic laws during the holiday season.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 40-year-old Nickerson man managed to get his bond lowered when he appeared before a judge on a charge of aggravated battery.

John Schwab is alleged to have choked his 17-year-old son after he lied about getting into a locked cabinet containing food.

The son told Reno County Sheriff’s Deputies that he thought he was going to pass out.

Schwab will be back in court on the charge next week.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The Hutchinson Fire Department responded to a house fire at 10 Hilltop Drive just after 11 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Apparently, an alert citizen driving by noticed smoke and flames coming from the exterior of the southwest corner of the home. The citizen notified a contractor who was on scene collecting leaves and cleaning up the yard. Both utilized a nearby garden hose to knock down the flames as firefighters arrived.

The fire was contained to the exterior of the home with no smoke or heat damage to the interior. The fire burned through the siding and into the foam board before it was completely extinguished. Fire also damaged the gas meter.

Hutchinson Fire Investigator Mike Cain said a halogen light that was covered with debris was the cause of the fire. Officials say the halogen light was used in a flower bed to accent the home. Halogen light bulbs have been known to cause fires when they touch the wrong surface for too long.

TOPEKA, Kan. — There are several phone scams occurring during the holiday season and one involves Westar Energy.

Westar is again alerting customers that imposters claiming to work for that company are threatening to disconnect service and asking for prepaid cards as payment. In some cases, the caller is using a prerecorded voice.

Several customers have called to report receiving suspicious phone calls.

Some imposters are very convincing. They may use websites that allow them to manipulate
caller ID, making the call appear to come from Westar. Officials say they use a prerecorded message. They say these scammers also speak with authority and when they target customers, the person who answers sounds like they work for Westar.

In some cases, scammers may even provide information like amount due to make them sound more credible.

Officials say before acting on one of these calls, check your records to see if a recent payment has been made.

If you’re still unsure, check your account online or call the Westar Energy Customer Relations Center at 1-800-383-1183 to check your account status.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Judge Tim Chambers noted that DNA testing in a 2012 rape case has been completed, but didn’t mention the results during a hearing Wednesday.

Back in February, Judge Chambers had ordered that DNA testing be commenced in the case against 27-year-old Craig Lee Gooch. Gooch wanted the DNA analysis of his fingernails to show that none of the victim’s DNA was under them.

He was found guilty for forcing a Hutchinson woman into sex after he crawled into her van at a local Dillons. Gooch forced the victim to drive him to her home, where the sexual assault occurred. Gooch is claiming none of this happened the way the state claims. The alleged crimes occurred back on May 11, 2012.

His attorney Shannon Crane noted that she hasn’t had time to look over the results and figure out a strategy for moving forward with Gooch.

Judge Tim Chambers gave the defense until Jan. 4, to decide if they want to file a brief with the court or have some sort of hearing over how the case moves forward.

The decision that DNA testing be done came from the Kansas Court of Appeals order back in December of last year.