HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Jerry Anderson Jr. was scheduled for sentencing Friday after an all-female jury found him guilty of robbery in a 2015 case.

His sentencing has been delayed after the defense requested a special setting. The defense wants to argue for an acquittal or new trial.

The defense claims it has new evidence from a witness. The witness says Anderson did not have access to the black Saturn that belongs to his girlfriend, Adina Smith, at the time of the robbery. The person who robbed LoanMax was allegedly arrested on another matter the same day and was wearing the same shirt and do-rag that can be seen in the robbery footage. That person also had Smith’s vehicle at the time, according to the defense.

This witness didn’t come forward until now because they didn’t want to be labeled as a snitch, according to the written motion.

Anderson was convicted for a charge of aggravated robbery. He walked into LoanMax Title Loans on May 4, 2015, and demanded money at gunpoint. According to the state, he got away with about $1,400.

Reno County District Judge Trish Rose scheduled a special hearing for next Thursday afternoon to sort all of this out.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 25-year-old man on community corrections for distribution of marijuana was arrested Thursday on another charge of distributing the drug.

Law enforcement went to the home of Devin Wilson in connection to the investigation of a homicide case. Officers could smell marijuana every time the air conditioner came on. That led to a search. Officers found two containers and some bags of marijuana, as well as scales and other bags.

The marijuana was apparently purchased in Colorado. Wilson told officers he was selling it here at a higher price.

Potential charges include possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute.

He also faces a corrections violation for the case from last year.

Bonds total $22,500. He’ll be back in court next week.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Citizens for the Moderation of our Democracy, also known as the MOD Squad, has scheduled a rally for next Monday at the Shears Technology Center on the HutchCC campus.

The event, “Continuing to Move Kansas Forward,” will feature a meet and greet with Sen. Ed Berger, House Minority Leader Jim Ward, and MOD Squad local endorsed candidates, including: Steve Becker with the 104th District, Jason Probst with the 102nd District, and Shanna Henry with the 114th District. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. in the foyer. The formal segment of the evening will begin at 7.

All of the legislators mentioned will be given the opportunity to speak during this rally.

TOPEKA, Kan. — The latest unemployment numbers released Friday by the Kansas Department of Labor showed Hutchinson with an unemployment rate of 4.2 percent in June, up from 3.9 percent in May. That number matches the rate for June of last year.

The rate for Reno County is at 3.9 percent, up from 3.5 percent in May, and just under the rate in June of last year when the county had a rate of 4.0 percent.

According to the numbers, there were 1,175 residents of the county listed as unemployed with most of those living in Hutchinson.

Surrounding counties also saw slight increases.

For the state as a whole, preliminary estimates show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.4 percent in June, which is unchanged from May and down from 3.6 percent in June 2017.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 22-year-old Houston man in Hutchinson for work was arrested early Thursday morning after he reportedly threatened two people with a tire jack.

It happened in the parking lot of Walmart around 12:45 a.m. Aaron Pyykola apparently got into an argument with two people. He then got into his vehicle trunk and grabbed a tire jack. Pyykola threatened the two people, who then walked away.

Police caught up with Pyykola at the Atrium Hotel, where he’s staying, and arrested him for aggravated assault and driving while suspended.

In court, he asked for a signature bond. However, he has a pending case in Houston where he’s accused of evading an officer while on a dirt bike. Magistrate Judge Cheryl Allen only agreed to lower the bond to $3,500.

He’ll be back in court on July 26.

TOPEKA, Kan. — Westar Energy will celebrate the completion of its new offices at the Hutchinson Energy Center at 11 a.m. on July 25 at 3200 E. 30th.

Media Relations Manager Gina Penzig explained why the changes were made:

She says Westar is excited to have this little celebration at the Hutchinson facility:

The celebration will include remarks from John Bridson, Westar Energy vice president, and Abby Stockebrand, Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce economic development manager. A ribbon cutting will follow their remarks.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 33-year-old man arrested just over a week ago on a warrant for violating his community corrections on two drug convictions has been formally charged in a new case.

Law enforcement went to a home on East 28th on July 10 looking for Dustin Lytle. Officers performed a search of the residence and found drugs and other paraphernalia.

Charges include possession of heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia — all with intent to distribute within a thousand feet of a school — possession of prescription drugs, and felony theft.

It’s alleged that Lytle was selling the drugs within a thousand feet of Morgan Elementary School.

He remains jailed on a $62,000 bond.

TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas livestock producers faced with drought have another option to consider before selling cows. A USDA emergency assistance program is now available to help with forage needs.

Todd Domer with the Kansas Livestock Association explains what this means:

There are some things that won’t be allowed:

In addition to Reno County, Rice, McPherson, Harvey, Stafford and Kingman counties are also eligible for this program. Sedgwick County is not included.