HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A man who was arrested over the weekend by Hutchinson police made a first appearance Monday morning on a charge of aggravated battery-domestic violence and criminal damage to property. The incident occurred just after 2 Sunday morning.
Steven LeFevers is jailed on a $10,250 bond. The victim appeared in court and told the judge that they are new to the community. The victim requested the judge not put a no-contact order in place because LeFevers doesn’t know anyone and there would be no one to help him. District Judge Trish Rose didn’t take up the issue during open court, but instead had the victim speak with Assistant District Attorney Valerie Hanson after court.
LeFevers is expected to appear in court again on Dec. 10 for the formal reading of any charges.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 22-year-old man was jailed late Sunday after he led police on a short chase in the south part of the city.
Octavio M. Blanton faces a charge of fleeing, or attempting to elude, an officer. The chase ended in the unit block of West Carpenter after he struck a curb.
He was able to post bond. Blanton should make a first appearance in court later this week.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 39-year-old man was taken to jail just before 6:30 p.m. Thursday after he struck a pedestrian as she started to cross the street in the 200 block of North Poplar.
Fidel Garcia was taken to jail for aggravated battery-DUI after the mirror of his vehicle struck 63-year-old Jackie McElravy. Police say she was legally crossing Poplar at the intersection.
She refused EMS transport for any injuries, but went to the hospital later.
Garcia was tested and found to be over the legal limit for intoxication. He’s still in jail on a $10,500 bond.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Most everyone has lost someone close to them. Here is a chance to honor loved ones and help a local organization at the same time.
Hospice and Homecare of Reno County has launched its 32nd annual Remember Me Tree campaign at four area locations to raise additional funds to support the organization’s efforts to assist families dealing with end-of-life care.
Photo courtesy of Hospice and Homecare of Reno County.
Donations will be taken through Dec. 21 at each location.
Hospice staff and volunteers will be stationed alongside a Christmas tree near the east entrance of the Dillons Marketplace store in Hutchinson from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and on Sundays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Donations can also be made with the Lyons Federal Bank between 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 200 E. Ave. South in Lyons.
Area residents may drop off donations at the Hutchinson office of Hospice and Homecare of Reno County 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at 2020 N. Waldron, Suite 100, in Hutchinson. Those who wish to make a donation in the McPherson area are invited to visit the McPherson office of Hospice and Homecare of Reno County 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1318 N. Main Street.
Individuals donating $40 or more will receive a porcelain tree ornament. Those contributing $75 or more will be given a Willow Tree Angel.
Darla Wilson, VP Chief Administrative Officer for Hospice and HomeCare of Reno County, explains The Remember Me Tree program is an exemplary way to give a special gift in memory of a loved one or in honor of someone who has made a special impact on your life.
The 2017 Remember Me Tree program raised nearly $30,000 to support Hospice programs.
Hospice and Homecare of Reno County serve residents who reside within a 50-mile radius of Hutchinson.
For additional information, interested parties may call Hospice and Homecare of Reno County at 620-665-2473 or visit www.hospicerenocounty.com.
TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Supreme Court Friday upheld Daron Ingham’s Reno County conviction on one count of possession or use of a commercial explosive.
In March of 2013, Reno County 911 received a call about an explosion at a trailer park in Nickerson.
Ingham told the arriving deputy he was responsible for some explosions and said he made firecrackers in an attempt to blow up boulders.
The components were a beer can, a fuse, green tape, and gunpowder. Ingham said he set off the explosion in a cement mixer by the front door of the trailer. Deputies found a damaged can in the mixer.
Ingham then said that he was using the fireworks to blow up rocks inside the cement mixer in order to extract gold from them. Ingham showed the deputy the back seat of his truck, which was parked in the driveway. It contained a roll of green fuse, a container of Pyrodex gunpowder and a roll of clear tape. As he was showing the deputy the container of gunpowder, Ingham unscrewed the top and poured it onto the ground. At that point, the officer arrested Ingham and placed him in handcuffs to prevent him from destroying evidence.
He raised several arguments in his appeal, asserting the state used prejudicial language in describing the explosive. Ingham says jury instructions were either insufficient or improperly directed.
Both the Kansas Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court have now upheld the conviction.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Around 5:45 p.m. Thursday, Hutchinson firefighters responded to a working structure fire at 602 E. 15th.
Arriving units reported light smoke from the residence. Fire attack crews found a working fire in the kitchen of the home and were able to confine the damage to the kitchen. Smoke was located throughout the rest of the house. Crews utilized fans to clear the remaining structure.
Four occupants were home at the time of the fire. All occupants and three pets were able to escape uninjured. Red Cross assisted the family.
Hutchinson fire investigators determined the fire was a result of cooking.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Texas man involved in a fatal accident in Reno County in April of last year was bound over for trial Thursday.
Benjamin Buzzini was charged with alternate counts of involuntary manslaughter and a count of second-degree murder. However, Magistrate Judge Cheryl Allen found there was insufficient evidence that he was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. She did find that excessive speed was certainly a factor. Data from the Event Data Recorder showed the vehicle going 151 mph just before the crash. The gas pedal was pushed all the way to the floor.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the 2100 block of South K-96 Highway around 1:45 a.m. on April 25 for a single-vehicle fatality accident.
Buzzini was allegedly driving northbound and left the road for an unknown reason. His 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee rolled several times before coming to rest in the Kutter’s Furniture parking lot. It is believed Buzzini was ejected from the vehicle. He was taken to Wesley Medical Center with serious injuries.
His female passenger, Stephanie Futral from Wichita, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Neither occupant was wearing a seat belt.
The defense argued that there was no proof that Buzzini was the driver, but the state and law enforcement believe otherwise.
Arraignment in the case will be Jan. 7 in front of District Judge Tim Chambers.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A local man charged with rape and aggravated criminal sodomy has been bound over for trial.
Nathan Allen Crum is accused of sexually assaulting a local woman he met online. Crum invited her to his home to watch a movie. He’s then accused of forcing her into a sexual relationship after she repeatedly said no.
Crum admitted they had sex, but claims the sexual relationship was consensual.
The female victim was taken to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for treatment.
The alleged crimes occurred Aug. 17.
Arraignment is next Monday in front of Judge Tim Chambers.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A woman whose husband was wanted on a parole violation was arrested Wednesday after she and her husband took a trip to Wichita, then came back to Hutchinson. Law enforcement and parole officers then made contact with Michelle and Kirk Surdi, who were staying in the Sunflower Inn.
A bottle containing methamphetamine was found in the room. Michelle Surdi also indicated that she had more meth inside her bra and elsewhere on her person. She was also reportedly in possession of a scale. Authorities found 59 grams of meth. It’s believed she may have purchased the drugs in Wichita.
Potential charges include distribution of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia with the intent to distribute.
Her bond was set at $27,500. During a court appearance Thursday morning, she was denied a bond reduction. She should be back in court next week.
Kirk Surdi was arrested on the warrant for a parole violation for convictions including aggravated indecent liberties, burglary and theft for a case from Cowley County in 2012.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Just before 3 p.m. Thursday, the Hutchinson Fire Department responded to a working structure fire at 1006 W. 4th. The building was utilized for personal storage.
Arriving units reported heavy black smoke pushing from numerous locations within the building. Crews immediately performed an aggressive interior attack in order to locate and extinguish the fire. With zero visibility, supporting truck companies opened the structure to increase visibility through ventilation and to assist with firefighting operations. Fire crews were then able to confine the fire to the area of origin.
No one was reported in the structure at the time of the call, but fire crews completed a primary and secondary search of the structure just in case.
Fire investigators remained on scene to determine the cause of the fire.
