HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Just before 2 p.m. Friday, Hutchinson firefighters were dispatched to the 200 block of North Chemical for a structure fire with flames visible.

When they arrived, firefighters found smoke showing from the back of the structure and from the eaves. Crews made a quick entry and found the fire in the kitchen. The fire was extinguished quickly.

There was fire damage around the stove, and heat and smoke damage to the adjacent room.

The home was occupied at the time of the fire, but there were no injuries. The fire was a result of inattentive cooking.

Updated Fri. 9/21 at 1:10 p.m.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Hutchinson man accused of numerous charges associated with the incident Thursday morning at Yesway is being charged in two additional cases.

The case Thursday started with Hutchinson police being dispatched to the Yesway convenience store on West 30th.

Thirty-four-year-old Zachary Starlin intentionally rammed two patrol cars, wrecked into the Yesway building and then led police on a chase. Officers ended the chase because of concerns for public safety. He was later located in the area of 4th and Grandview and taken into custody.

Earlier, he allegedly broke into a residence that belonged to a woman he had a previous relationship with. He then drove her to the Yesway store on West 30th. During this time, he also threatened her and a dog with a knife.

This is apparently not the first time he sexually assaulted the victim. Back on July 12, he’s accused of forcing his way into her home and then sexually assaulting the victim.

During a court appearance Friday morning, he was also read a formal complaint in the third case for a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He’s accused of putting a man in fear of his safety when he threatened him with a hatchet. That was back on Aug. 5.

During the hearing Friday, he repeatedly asked for an attorney. That request was granted.

Bonds for the three cases are now set at $157,750.

Original Story

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson police officers were dispatched to the Yesway convenience store located at 1000 W. 30th regarding a “trouble with subject” call at 7:46 Thursday morning.

Once officers arrived, they discovered 34-year-old Zachary Starlin driving a tan-colored Oldsmobile. He was trying to leave the store.

According to police, he intentionally rammed two patrol cars, wrecked into the Yesway building and caused only minor damage before he headed eastbound on 30th.

Starlin was later located in the area of 4th and Grandview and subsequently taken into custody by two police detectives.

Starlin was arrested for potential charges of rape, aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, aggravated burglary, felony stalking, felony flee and elude, and theft. He was also served with a felony warrant.

Apparently, he earlier broke into a residence that belonged to a woman he had a prior relationship with. He then drove her to the Yes Way store on west 30th.

Starlin has previous convictions for drugs and aggravated assault.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The latest numbers from the Kansas Department of Labor show the unemployment rate for Hutchinson came down some last month from where it was in July.

According to the numbers, the rate for Hutchinson is right at 4 percent. That’s down from 4.3 percent in July and the 4.6 percent for August of last year.

There were 1,118 residents looking for work last month, most live in Hutchinson.

The rate for Reno County also saw a decline going from 4.1 percent in July to 3.8 percent last month and 4.4 percent in August of 2017.

All of the surrounding counties also saw a decline in their rates.

Statewide, the preliminary estimates showed a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.3 percent last month, down from 3.4 percent in July and 3.6 percent in August 2017.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The jury for a distribution case against Dominic Holder found him guilty. The jury got the case late Thursday morning and deliberated about an hour and a half.

He’s now convicted of being in possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

The state alleges that he had 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.

The defense argues that it was Holler who was driving the car that contained the drugs and the state has failed to prove he was involved with the drugs or that there was any conspiracy. Defense Attorney Justin Bravi argued that the car used was rented in her name and nothing in the car had any connection to Holder.

But, Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton said there is overwhelming evidence of his involvement after the co-defendant testified that she was approached about taking the marijuana from Mesa, Arizona, to Indianapolis, Indiana, by Holder. She agreed because she said she cared about him. With the money he provided, she rented a car and they left Arizona the day before the traffic stop.

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

With the guilty verdict, District Judge Trish Rose set sentencing for Oct. 26.

Original Story

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The trial for an Arizona man charged in a drug distribution case from Reno County continues in Reno County District Court.

Dominic Holder is charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

The state alleges that he had 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.

The co-defendant testified that she was approached about taking the marijuana from Mesa, Arizona, to Indianapolis, Indiana. She agreed and, with money provided by him, rented a car. They left Arizona the day before the traffic stop.

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

The state indicated that her testimony was the last witness, but has not yet rested its case. The jury was sent home for the day and the trial will resume at 9 a.m. Thursday.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The county’s approved budget included $60,000 for TECH. Traditionally, those dollars have funded the infant and toddlers program at the Early Education Center. However, the TECH board decided to sever its ties with USD 308 and the Reno County Education Cooperative, which run the center that provides services for children from birth to 3-years-old.

Brenda Maxey, President of TECH, told the commission that the board voted to end the relationship with USD 308 for the Early Education Center, believing the district was going in a different direction. The board decided to use the $60,000 for two other programs.

She explained their hopes for the children and family program:

Maxey then talked about the arts program, which she says has become much more in demand than expected:

This change is not sitting well with the County Commission, who assumed the money provided to TECH would again support the Early Education Center. Commissioners want the three groups to work out any differences so the money from the county can be used for the center, as it has been for years.

Whether that happens is yet to be determined, but it could affect any dollars the county provides next year to TECH when it looks at the 2020 budget.

Officials with USD 308 say they can cover the $60,000, but it would not come from new money from the state, rather, it would have to come from other programs within the district.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Last summer, Dr. Shelly Kiblinger resigned her position as superintendent of USD 308. The Hutchinson School Board then hired Gary Price to be the interim superintendent.

He says the board will now start looking for someone to replace him:

Price says he will not put his name in the ring to be considered the permanent superintendent for the district:

Price was also asked if the board will ask for his thoughts on any candidates for the position:

The process of finding a permanent superintendent will begin with Monday’s meeting.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Commission approved a resolution of general obligation bonds for the addition and renovation of the Joint Reno-Harvey County Fire District 2 station in Buhler.

The bond amount is $345,000. Part of that cost will be paid by the fire district’s equipment fund. The commission approved moving ahead with the project at an earlier meeting.

The commission also approved a letter of understanding between Reno and Rice counties as WIC Partners regarding WIC registered dietitians. Apparently, Rice County was having trouble hiring a dietitian to assist with its program. Nick Baldetti, Director of the Reno County Health Department, told the commission that one of the dietitians could go to Rice County three Wednesdays a month. All of the money is provided for WIC through federal funds, so no local dollars are used.

Reno County already has a similar agreement with McPherson County.