HUTCHINSON, Kan. — With the cold weather in place, people sometimes become inventive on how to stay warm. That includes electric space heaters to warm a particular area of the home.

Jason Holland, a fire science instructor at Hutchinson Community College and a former Hutchinson firefighter, talked about the dangers of using a space heater:

With these products using so much wattage, Holland says they can overload circuits, especially in older homes:

He says fires develop in homes eight times faster than in the past, meaning if a fire breaks out in your home, you only have three minutes to get out. Hall says it has to do with the way furniture and other products are made:

If you need tips on fire safety, including recommendations on using extension cords for your Christmas tree or other holiday lights, contact the Hutchinson Fire Department at 694-2871.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — We usually think of those small, less fortunate children who may not receive a Christmas gift without our help and there are a couple of programs locally that help with that endeavor.

But, what about teens? They also would like to receive a Christmas gift. First Call for Help is still continuing the tradition that Susie Christopher started many years ago.

Marilyn Graham who is the current Executive Director talked of their efforts to make sure teens are taken care of:

Much like an event earlier this year when they handed out backpacks and other school supplies, she talked about them having the event at the Hutchinson Mall:

She says even though the event is next Tuesday, it’s not too late if you would like to help a teen have a merry Christmas.

The teen Christmas event is again next Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hutchinson Mall.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Commission Tuesday approved a resolution authorizing and directing the issuance, sale and delivery of General Obligation Bonds for the Highlands Sewer District No. 8. This will provide improvement to the sewer district.

This will allow the county to levy and collect an annual tax for paying on the principal and interest on the $1,350,000 in bonds over a 20-year period.

According to information provided at the meeting, the interest rate will be 3.67 percent. The estimated debt payment each year would be around $101,000.

They expect to close on the bonds Dec. 20.

RENO COUNTY — A 22-year-old Hutchinson man who led Reno County sheriff’s deputies on a brief high-speed chase in a vehicle reported stolen in Hutchinson has been formally charged.

Tyler Humphries is now facing six charges including three alternate counts of felony flee and elude, felony theft, criminal damage to property and driving without a valid license.

Sheriff’s deputies were looking for the vehicle at a mobile home park in Yoder when Humphries fled east toward Haven. He then turned north to the intersection of Haven Road and Illinois where he got out of the vehicle and waited for deputies to arrive and surrendered. He was taken into custody without incident.

He has been on community corrections for convictions of three counts of theft from last year.

TOPEKA, Kan. — Denine Zorn of Hutchinson was at the Kansas Lottery headquarters in Topeka recently to claim a $10,000 top prize she won playing the $2 Triple 7s instant-scratch game. For Zorn, the win could not have come at a better time.

“I only play the lottery once a week or so. Just when I have a couple extra dollars on me,” Zorn said. “I usually play the $1 games, but when I saw those red, white, and blue Triple 7s tickets something just came over me. I can’t really explain it, but I just felt like I needed to buy those tickets.”

When Zorn got home she scratched the tickets and that’s when she realized what she had won. “I just started crying, I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “I signed the ticket and then I thought I should go double check it, so I took my dog for a walk and while I was out I scanned the ticket. When it said to ‘redeem in Topeka’ that’s when I knew!”

“It’s been a rough six months for me and my family. This win is truly a Christmas miracle for us,” Zorn said. “I’m going to be able to pay off some debts with it, which is so nice. There’s also a church down the road from me that helped me out when I was down. Now that I’m up, I’m going to give something back to them.”

The winning ticket was sold at Dillons at 206 W. 5th in Hutchinson.

There are still three top prizes left in the $2 Triple 7s instant-scratch game.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The two people arrested on drug distribution charges late Thursday night northwest of Hutchinson made a first appearance in court Monday morning.

Forty-two-year-old Jamie Bahr of Hoisington and 27-year-old Lacy Glenn are both facing charges of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute

Bahr also faces charges of possession of a stolen firearm, criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, distribution of hydrocodone, distribution of alprazolam, possession of stolen property and driving while suspended.

Glenn faces additional charges of possession of personal use drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.

Bahr’s bond of $33,500 was reduced to $21,250. Glenn’s $18,500 bond was reduced to $10,000.

Both will be back in court on Dec. 10.