Updated 1:47 p.m. Nov. 22

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 53-year-old man serving a substantial amount of time in prison for a 2004 case will see his trial come in sometime in 2020.

Anthony Jefferson is accused of aggravated battery of a correctional officer at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility – Central Unit.

He was scheduled for trial on that charge on Dec. 7 but during a hearing Friday in front of Reno County District Judge Trish Rose. His attorney asked for more time saying he wouldn’t be ready for trial in Dec. Judge Rose granted the request but didn’t set a new trial date, instead set a status hearing in Jan.

This is not the first time he’s been accused of aggravated battery of a correctional officer. In 2005, Jefferson was convicted of that charge for spitting in the face of a corrections officer. He was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison by the late Reno County District Judge Richard Rome.

Jefferson was also convicted of aggravated battery for shooting at Jesse Villa. Jefferson hit Villa in the ear after firing a .38-caliber handgun in 2004. Jefferson was given a 15-year sentence in that case.

Those sentences are running consecutive to each other.

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 53-year-old man serving a substantial amount of time in prison for a 2004 case is scheduled for court Friday.

Anthony Jefferson is once again accused of battering a correctional officer at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility – Central Unit.

He faces trial on that charge and is scheduled to be in front of Reno County District Judge Trish Rose so she can learn the status of the case from the state and his attorney.

This is not the first time. In 2005, Jefferson was convicted of aggravated battery for spitting in the face of a corrections officer. He was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison by the late Reno County District Judge Richard Rome.

Jefferson was also convicted of aggravated battery for shooting at Jesse Villa. Jefferson hit Villa in the ear after firing a .38-caliber handgun in 2004. Jefferson was given a 15-year sentence in that case.

Those sentences are running consecutive to each other.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The Hutchinson Police Department is requesting the public’s help in identifying the person or persons who damaged the Christmas tree that they were donating to Interfaith Housing.*

This incident happened earlier Thursday morning, which surprised them that the person or persons were even awake at that time.

They said in a Facebook post that the tree will be rebuilt and ready for bidding on Saturday morning.

They hope someone will bid on the tree and take it home for the Christmas holiday.

*The department reported the tree was damaged as part of an ongoing prank with the Hutchinson Fire Department. The departments are using social media to raise awareness for Interfaith’s upcoming event.

Updated 1:03 p.m. Nov. 21, 2019

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Police worked an incident early Thursday morning on 2nd Avenue west of the Health Department. 911 dispatch says they had received a report of a threatening or armed person at the Hutchinson News offices. They had numerous law enforcement agencies assist in evacuating the building to then look for this person who was never found.

A temporary employee, Dominic Zales had called in the report and stated the he thought a female employee was going to let an armed person into the building and was fearful for his safety.

Police talked with the female employee who stated she didn’t know what he was talking about and after the investigation, police ended up arresting Zales for criminal threat and he’s jailed on a $2,500 bond.

Zales is no stranger to law enforcement and was on Community Corrections and had been sentenced on Oct. 4, for distribution of drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal possession of a firearm.

He had also served time for drugs and criminal threat in Crawford County.

Police did have 2nd Avenue blocked for a time while they worked the scene.

 

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Police worked an incident Thursday morning on 2nd Avenue, west of the Health Department. 911 dispatch says they received a report of a threatening or armed person at the Hutchinson News offices. They had numerous law enforcement agencies assist in evacuating the building to then look for this person who was never found.

A temporary employee, Dominic Zales, called in the report and stated he thought a female employee was going to let this armed person into the building. Zales said he was fearful for his safety.

After the investigation, police ended up arresting Zales for criminal threat. He’s jailed on a $2,500 bond.

Officials blocked 2nd Avenue while working the scene.

Police are still investigating the incident.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Even though there have been a number of arrests recently for the production and passing of counterfeit bills, local businesses are still receiving the fake bills.

An employee of a local dollar store in the 900 block of East 4th reported receiving a fake $100 bill just before 8 p.m. Tuesday.

With the holiday season here, business owners need to be extra careful when accepting cash.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 23-year-old man was taken to jail Monday night on a charge of aggravated domestic battery after he struck the victim’s car in the unit block of East 9th.

It happened around 8:40 p.m. when Dayton Snow went to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center looking for the victim after she told him she was going to the hospital to have her hand looked at. When she wasn’t there, he then began driving around town looking for her. He spotted her southbound on Main Street. As she attempted to turn east on 9th, he managed to strike her vehicle.

She didn’t suffer any injuries and the damage to her vehicle was minor, according to police. Under state statute, he was using what is considered to be a deadly weapon. He was arrested on the battery charge and jailed on a $25,000 bond.

Snow should be back before a judge once the state files formal charges.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Commission approved two resolutions authorizing bonds for the bridge replacements on 43rd Avenue, just east of Old K-61, and the bridge on Nickerson Road, south of Nickerson. Total cost of the bonds is $6,250,000. That means the projects can begin in the near future.

Additionally, the commission also agreed to the bids for the rehabilitation of three bridges. Those bridges are on Medora Road, Nickerson Boulevard and 82nd Avenue. The commission agreed with the bid for the Medora Road bridge over the Little Arkansas River with B&B Bridge Company for a cost of $128,429.

Commissioners also approved the bid from King Construction for the Nickerson Boulevard bridge over the Cow Creek Diversion Canal for $595,848 and the 82nd Avenue bridge over Blaze Fork for a cost of $351,358.

An agreement with Union Pacific Railroad Company and KDOT for the construction and maintenance of highway crossing signals at Salt Marsh Road and K-61 Highway, about two miles southwest of Turon, was also approved. This agreement will not cost the county any money.

With little discussion, the commission agreed to give a letter of support to TECH for its grant application to the Kansas Department of Transportation for the acquisition of two lift-equipped buses and one minivan. If approved for the grant, TECH will replace one vehicle and add two to its fleet.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After Reno County Public Works announced last week that Sterling Road between Boundary and Pretty Prairie roads would be closed because the bridge is in bad shape, officials are now recommending the bridge be taken out. The bridge was closed after a state inspection.

Officials say there is little use of the bridge and the sandy road is not well maintained and rarely used. It’s estimated that it would cost $140,000 to replace the bridge.

Public Works Superintendent Don Brittain also noted that, if they take out the bridge, the county would receive an additional $50,000 for another project. The county is already receiving $150,000 as part of KDOT’s cost sharing program. Taking this bridge off the system means they can receive the additional $50,000.

The bridge in question is located eight miles south of Arlington.

The commission made no final decision, but one is expected next week.