HUTCHINSON, Kan. — There were no serious injuries, but two cows were struck and killed over the weekend.

Robbin D. Garcia, 57, reported hitting a cow in the 1700 block of West 4th with her SUV. She reported minor injuries but refused transport by EMS. That was just after 8 p.m. Saturday.

A short time later, 52-year-old Diana Sander reported striking a cow carcass while eastbound in the 1700 block of West 4th. Later, 21-year-old Tyler Johnson of El Dorado reported striking the same carcass with his vehicle. No injuries were reported.

Ricky Vanderpool is the cattle owner. He was notified that two of his cows were struck in two different accidents.

He arrived on the scene to put away more cattle that were out.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Just before 5 p.m. Sunday, the Hutchinson Fire Department responded to 402 S. Charles for a report of a structure fire with possible injuries.

When firefighters arrived, they found nothing showing from the exterior of the structure. An occupant of the home was outside with obvious burns. Crews quickly treated that person and extinguished the remaining fire in the kitchen area. A smoke detector alerted the occupants to the fire. Minimal fire damage occurred.

Hutchinson fire investigators determined the cause to be unattended cooking. The person burned was transported to Wichita for the burn injuries. No one else was injured.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 55-year-old man who was a passenger in a pickup involved in a two-vehicle accident was taken to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for treatment of injuries, while one of the drivers was arrested on various charges.

According to the Reno County Sheriff’s Office, 59-year-old Kevin P. Martinelli of Hutchinson was northbound on Lorraine at 56th when he failed to yield to a westbound pickup driven by 50-year-old Tomas Luna-Moreno of Great Bend.

Fifty-five-year-old Sergio Luis Chavez, who was a passenger in the pickup, suffered minor injuries and was transported to the hospital by Reno County EMS.

Another passenger, 20-year-old Raul Luna-Perez, and Moreno were not injured. Martinelli was also not injured.

Martinelli was arrested for DUI, aggravated battery, driving while suspended, illegal transportation of alcohol and was given a notice to appear for not wearing a seat belt and failing to yield at a stop sign. His bond for the more serious charge was set at $10,850.

The accident occurred around 7:40 p.m.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 23-year-old Arizona man convicted of being in possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and conspiracy to distribute marijuana was sentenced Friday to just over eight years in prison.

Dominic Holder was convicted for having around 44 pounds of marijuana on April 15, 2017, and conspired to distribute with Alyssa Holler. The state alleges that both traveled together in separate vehicles when they were stopped for speeding in Reno County. They were apparently taking the marijuana from Mesa, Arizona, to Indianapolis, Indiana.

The defense was denied any relief, including motions for a new trial. The judge also denied any departure from prison or for a lesser sentence.

“Justice is done,” Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton said after the sentencing.

Holler entered a plea in this case and was granted three years community corrections.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — There is now a trial date for a 20-year-old man charged with murder in association with a fatal hit-and-run accident.

District Judge Trish Rose set a trial date of Dec. 18 for Taylor Lukone. However, the two sides in the case are also in plea negotiations, so the judge set a status hearing for Nov. 16.

Lukone is accused of murder from an incident that occurred on Sept. 21, 2017, in the 1200 block of East 4th.

At around 1 a.m., officers were called to the report of a bicyclist who had been struck by a vehicle that fled the scene. Parts of the suspect’s vehicle were left at the scene of the collision, according to police.

Lukone was driving to get cigarettes and spotted 51-year-old Jose Lopez riding his bicycle. He reportedly got angry over the way Lopez had supposedly treated his mother and intentionally struck him. He then left the scene. His car was found by police at a residence on East 6th. Lukone initially claimed his car had been stolen, but later changed his story.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 57-year-old Stafford man convicted of one count of aggravated assault with the intent to commit aggravated battery was sentenced Friday to 13 months in prison, but then granted two years community corrections.

Mark Hornbaker entered the plea for going to a home near 56th & Halstead on March 20. He drove onto the property and told the homeowner to leave, saying he had been sent by a local church. Hornbaker claimed at the time that the victim didn’t own the property, but said the church would find him some place to go.

Hornbaker eventually left the home and went east on 56th. The homeowner walked to the street and onto the grassy ditch on the north side of 56th. Hornbaker then made a U-turn at Halstead, then traveled west and tried to run the homeowner over.

The victim had to jump out of the way and believes Hornbaker was trying to kill him. The victim grabbed a handgun from his pocket after nearly being run over and fired in the air three times. He thought that might scare Hornbaker away from his property. The victim told the court Friday morning that he wished Hornbaker luck, but also wanted justice.

Hornbaker, who apparently suffers from mental illness, was not on his medication at the time of the incident. As part of the sentence, Judge Trish Rose ordered that he stay on his medication and said he could not drive at all.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The sentencing for an Arizona man convicted of being in possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and conspiracy to distribute marijuana is scheduled for sentencing on Friday.

Dominic Holder was convicted for having around 44 pounds of marijuana on April 15, 2017, and conspiring to distribute with Alyssa Holler. The state alleges that both traveled together in separate vehicles when they were stopped for speeding in Reno County. They were apparently taking the marijuana from Mesa, Arizona, to Indianapolis, Indiana.

Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton wanted more time after the defense filed a 10-page motion last week seeking some form of departure when sentencing happens.

Holler has already entered a plea in this case and was granted three years community corrections.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Residents concerned about the opioid crisis will take to the streets and march in memory of those fallen here in Reno County from the opioid epidemic Saturday.

Seth Dewey is the current state chairman for Oxford Houses across the state and talks about the event and the concern about the opioid epidemic:

He adds that this isn’t just an Oxford House event and says there is a lot of support:

Ana Woodburn, a graduate of Reno County Drug Court and an Oxford House alumna, now works with the Reno County Drug-Free Alliance, which works to fund the drug court.

She talked about why people are dying from opioid overdose:

She says a big concern is people who get clean for awhile and then start using again:

The march and rally Saturday will begin at the bird sanctuary on 17th and Main. Supporters will march down the sidewalks of both sides of the street. They will take Main to 4th, then cut over to Walnut and continue the march to George Pyle Park on Avenue B across from City Hall, where they will rally with all their supporters in Reno County who are tired of the senseless deaths.

The march begins at 2 p.m.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — It’s that time again when KWBW listeners are asked to help others for Thanksgiving with the 25th annual “Project Concern.” This effort is a joint project of the radio station, the Salvation Army and Dillons.

Capt. Marissa McClure with the Salvation Army in Hutchinson says applications are now being accepted:

There is some criteria for those who want assistance for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. McClure says it is income driven. She explains what those wanting assistance need to do:

Last year, The station collected $18,800, which meant 425 families and over 1,200 people were helped.

If you could give even a small amount to help those less fortunate, you can bring your donation to the KWBW studios at 9th & Main. You can also mail donations to KWBW, P.O. Box 1036, Hutchinson, 67504.

This not only helps those in need through the Salvation Army, but a portion of the money goes to Friendship Meals, the Christian Soup Ministry, and Emmanuel Lutheran Church — who holds the community Thanksgiving meal each year.