HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled this week that all online sales are subject to the same state and local sales taxes that are collected on purchases at local retailers.
Hutchinson City Manager John Deardoff commented on how online sales have hurt the tax collections for the city:
Deardoff says it’s too early to know how much could be coming back to the city, but when sales tax is collected for online purchases, it could mean more money coming to cities and counties here in Kansas.
The ruling by the high court also means an added cost for many online shoppers.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The 26-year-old man arrested by police in association with a double shooting in Hutchinson Tuesday evening made his initial court appearance Thursday morning.
Curtis Garcia-photo Reno County
Curtis Garcia is jailed on a $500,000 bond on suspicion of first-degree murder in the shooting death of 18-year-old Norman Cushinberry.
Police were called to the 500 block of North Washington on the report of a shooting and found Cushinberry in the street. Efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.
The other victim, 18-year-old Tristan J. Delaney, was wounded and taken to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. He was then flown to Wesley Medical Center, where he is currently listed in critical condition. He was shot in the face and the abdomen, according to statements made in court.
Other statements in court indicate the shootings may have been over the possible sale of marijuana, as well as the use of fake money.
Police found a shotgun near Cushinberry. They also found some .380-caliber shells at the scene and during a search of Garcia’s home. Officers say they found two handguns, one being a .380 caliber and the other a 9 mm.
It was also mentioned that Garcia had his two kids in the truck he was driving. Garcia told police he did what he had to do to protect himself and his daughters. He is claiming self-defense.
Video surveillance of the scene only shows Delaney running from a home on the west side of the street. He then drops to the ground. Garcia gets out of his truck and throws the shotgun onto the sidewalk. The shooting is still under investigation.
No formal charges have been filed. Garcia is expected back in court on July 6.
MCPHERSON, Kan. — Police in McPherson and troopers with the Kansas Highway Patrol responded to a bomb threat around 6:20 p.m. Tuesday at the McPherson Walmart.
Because of the threat, store management decided to evacuate the store. McPherson Police, with the K-9 unit and troopers from the Kansas Highway Patrol, searched the store and found no explosive devices. The store was then reopened.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — An arrest has been made in the shooting of two people Tuesday evening in Hutchinson. Authorities took 26-year-old Curtis Garcia into custody Tuesday evening and booked him into the Reno County Correctional Facility on suspicion of first-degree murder. He’s being held on a $500,000 bond.
Curtis Garcia is suspected in the shooting death of 18-year-old Norman Cushinberry.
Hutchinson Police Capt. Troy Hoover described what officers encountered when they arrived at the scene around 6:45 p.m. Tuesday.
The other victim was wounded and identified as 18-year-old Tristan J. Delaney. Police blocked off 11th Avenue where he was found inside a vehicle. Hoover says Delaney is still in critical condition at a Wichita hospital.
As for motive, it would be speculation at this point, according to Hoover:
Hoover mentioned there was never any danger to the community — all three men involved in the incident knew each other:
Garcia did not appear in court. The investigation is ongoing. That hearing could come as early as Thursday morning.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Hutchinson Police Department at 620-694-2827 or contact Crime Stoppers of Reno County at 620-694-2666.
UPDATE: 6/27/18 — 8:50 a.m.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Police have made an arrest in the double shooting that shook the city Tuesday evening. The shooting occurred in the 500 block of North Washington.
Curtis Garcia
Capt. Troy Hoover confirmed that there were two victims. One person was taken to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, while the other died at the scene.
Police blocked off 11th Avenue where the wounded victim was being transported to the hospital by private vehicle. The driver of that vehicle spotted a police cruiser and made contact with the officer. The officer called EMS, who then took the victim to the hospital.
Hoover says the victim is in critical condition.
It’s believed both victims were involved in an altercation on Washington, but it doesn’t appear they shot each other, according to Hoover.
The Reno County Correctional Facility shows the arrest of Curtis Garcia, who is jailed on a $500,000 bond, for suspicion of homicide.
The investigation is continuing.
UPDATE: 6/26/18 — 9:55 p.m.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Police are working a double shooting in the city. The shooting occurred in the 500 block of North Washington.
Officers block the intersection at 11th and Poplar Tuesday evening.
Capt. Troy Hoover confirmed that there were two victims. One person was taken to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, while the other died at the scene.
Police blocked off 11th Avenue where the wounded victim was being transported to the hospital by private vehicle.
Members of that vehicle spotted a police cruiser and made contact with the officer. The officer called EMS, who then took the victim to the hospital.
Hoover says the victim is in critical condition.
It’s believed both victims were involved in an altercation on Washington, but it doesn’t appear they shot each other, according to Hoover.
Officers are still working the scene on Washington. Hoover says they’re still trying to sort out the details.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Newton attorney assigned to represent murder suspect Brennan Trass has been allowed to withdraw as counsel for the defendant. A new attorney has been assigned.
Judge Trish Rose assigned the case to Salina attorney Bobby Hiebert, who will now handle the defense for the case.
Trass believed that Kevin Loeffler and one of his colleagues were conspiring with the District Attorney’s Office against him. Trass no longer trusted Loeffler.
With the assignment of a new attorney, the trial — which was scheduled to begin on July 23 — has been delayed.
Trass is accused of murder for the shooting death of 24-year-old Jose Morales. Morales was found on the floor of a residence back on Aug. 17, 2015.
Judge Rose set a status hearing for July 27 to see how long the new attorney would need to be brought up to speed on the case.
Hiebert becomes Trass’ 10th attorney. Trass had an issue with his nine previous attorneys. Trass also filed a pro se motion to disqualify Judge Trish Rose.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Health officials will again perform a mosquito surveillance program here in Reno County. Dr. Ingrid Garrison with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Dr. Christopher Rogers with the Kansas Biological Survey were before the Reno County Commission Tuesday.
Dr. Garrison talked about the surveillance plan, which started in Reno County last year. She says they planted five traps around the county, including in the Turon area, where there seems to be a bigger issue with mosquitoes. She talked with the Reno County Commissioners about the plan for this year:
She explained that this is an effort to learn areas where mosquitoes are that might be carrying the West Nile virus. She says that those who are over 50 and have a suppressed immune system are most at risk. She talked about those who may become ill:
Dr. Rogers talked about a few places mosquitoes like to lay their eggs and form:
Residents should clear any standing water to discourage mosquitoes from forming in those areas.
Residents are also encouraged to use repellent when they are outside, particularly at dawn and dusk.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 57-year-old man on community corrections was arrested over the weekend in a domestic case. He’s accused of stealing money from his ex-wife.
Edward Rouse is jailed for robbery, battery-domestic violence, and theft.
According to police, his ex-wife was traveling on 4th Avenue Saturday afternoon and saw Rouse was following her. She then stopped at 4th & Pershing. He approached her vehicle and asked for money. She offered him $40, but he reportedly grabbed her wallet. She attempted to get it back, but he drove off.
Police went to his residence and found the $250 in cash in his pocket, as well as other items from his ex-wife’s wallet. Officers found her wallet in his mailbox.
Rouse made a first court appearance Monday where his bond of $11,000 was left the same.
Rouse also faces a possible corrections violation for convictions of distribution of drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He has also served time in prison for convictions of robbery, drug manufacturing, theft and forgery for cases in Wyandotte and Johnson counties.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — This year’s Smallville Con finished Sunday with another good crowd. Organizer Jon Robinson said Saturday was extremely busy:
The event is held each year on the fairgrounds as a celebration of all things pop culture and comic books and included over 130 vendor booths, cosplayers, special events, celebrity guests, artists, children’s events, giveaways, and much more. Robinson says it has definitely grown over the last year:
Robinson built one of the event’s biggest spectacles himself:
One of the guest stars was Corin Nemec, who played parts in Parker Lewis Can’t Lose, Jonas Quinn and Stargate SG-1, as well as the ABC miniseries, The Stand.
Nemec talked about the 90’s show Parker Lewis Can’t Lose:
He says the show is not on the air any more in the United States, but in Europe, it’s a whole different thing:
Nemec also talked about coming to events like Smallville Con and explained why he enjoys doing them:
Superman himself, Dean Cain, was the biggest draw for visitors of this year’s con. During his panel on Saturday, Cain stopped the Q&A to help an audience member propose to his girlfriend. Cain delighted the crowd by announcing he was happy to be home in “Smallville.”
Cosplayers, including another Superman, listen intently to Dean Cain during his panel Saturday afternoon. Photo courtesy of Ryan Diehl.
Cain told the panel he always saw Christopher Reeve as the real Superman. Cain said he played Clark Kent and explored that character’s life in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman with Teri Hatcher. Cain said Reeve embodied what it meant to be a super man in his real life.
An audience member asked Cain who his favorite superhero was — other than Superman, of course. Cain surprised the audience by picking Ryan Reynold’s Deadpool. He joked that the child who asked the question would have to wait at least 10 years before seeing that franchise.
The weekend also included a car show, live wrestling and a costume contest.
