TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas tied for the fourth-largest gas price decrease in the nation this week, with the average price-per-gallon falling nine cents to $2.47. This is good news for motorists with the busy Thanksgiving holiday travel week approaching.

After experiencing gas prices 15 percent to 30 percent higher than last year throughout much of 2018, pump prices are now in the single-digit percentages higher than 2017. For example, a year ago, the average Kansas gas price was $2.41, just two percent less than the current price.

Here in Hutchinson, prices range from $2.36 at some stations to as low as $2.30 per gallon at Murphy’s USA. Prices in South Hutchinson are higher with most stations reporting a price of $2.37 per gallon, according to Gas Buddy.

According to AAA Kansas, this week’s Kansas gas price extreme is in Elkhart in Morton County at $3.00 per gallon. Maize in Sedgwick County has the lowest at $2.23 per gallon.

WICHITA, Kan. — McCurdy Auction in Wichita has announced that the Starlite Drive-In personal property auction has been postponed until further notice at the request of the owner.

The auction was scheduled to take place Tuesday.

Megan McCurdy Niedens, COO and auctioneer of McCurdy Auction said, “At this time we have agreed with the owner to postpone the auction, allowing for time and consideration regarding the future of Starlite.”

The Starlite has served the Wichita community for over 50 years. Items in the auction include Starlite memorabilia, movie screens, projectors, drive-in speakers and commercial kitchen equipment.

A rescheduled date for the sale has not been set.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 72-year-old man was injured after a one-vehicle accident in the 200 block of North Main around 1:10 a.m. Sunday.

According to Hutchinson Police, Jack Byer was injured when he lost control of his vehicle and struck a tree.

Byer was transported by Reno County EMS to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for treatment.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — With the announcement that eNGines-LPG is coming to Hutchinson and beginning operations at the former Betts Bakery facility, Hutchinson City Manager John Deardoff talked about the city’s involvement with this project:

Although he didn’t give specific numbers, he talked about incentives:

The project has been in the works since March, according to Debra Teufel, president of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Mating season and the quest for more secure habitat have deer on the move this time of year, increasing the chances of vehicle collisions.

In fact, the Reno County Sheriff’s Office has worked eight deer-related accidents this week alone. Luckily, there were no injuries involved.

Typically, the greatest number of deer-vehicle crashes are in mid-November when the rut, or mating season, peaks. In addition to the rut, deer are also on the move in mid-fall seeking new food sources and shelter as crops are harvested and leaves fall from trees and shrubs, leaving them less secure than in their summer habitats.

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, 17 percent of the nearly 59,000 accidents reported last were deer-related.

Be aware that deer are on move this time of year.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 36-year-old man convicted in a drug distribution case is scheduled to be sentenced Friday.

Julian Price was convicted of possession of marijuana with intent to sell in a case from last year.

On June 29, 2017, Price led Reno County sheriff’s deputies on a high-speed chase. Once stopped and arrested, deputies discovered he was in possession of a seller’s quantity of marijuana.

Price has served time for prior convictions for two counts of aggravated battery and drug-related charges in both Saline and Reno counties.