HUTCHINSON – Hutchinson city officials have reported the company they contract with for refuse service is seeing an increase on contamination at their recycling plant.

Stutzman Refuse officials said what was put in the bins to be recycled often can’t — along with all the other stuff that was with it.

Resident are urged learn and remember what can and cannot be processed through single stream recycling, and remember to clean and rinse all food containers before putting them in the recycle bin.

Items that can be put in the bin include corrugated cardboard, plastics, chip board (such as cereal, soda and shoe boxes), newspapers, magazines, phone books and junk mail, other light colored paper, aluminum, steel and tin cans, clean aluminum foil, and glass food containers.

Things that shouldn’t be put in the recycle bins include plastic grocery and trash bags, Styrofoam, food waste, ceramic dishes, electronics (E-waste), hazardous household waste, shredded paper, yard waste or trash, light bulbs, window glass, and mirrors.

For more information, visit the city’s Facebook page or call Stutzman’s Refuge at (620) 662-2559.

Updated August 8, 2019 11:03 a.m.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County District Judge Tim Chambers will now schedule an evidentiary hearing for a 54-year-old man facing a charge of aggravated arson. The hearing will center on whether Edward Love is competent to stand trial.

During a brief hearing Thursday, the defense indicated that they may want to bring an expert witness to testify over any mental issues the defendant may have.

The arson charge was filed officials determined that a fire in his room at the Sunflower Motel in Hutchinson was intentionally set. This was back on May 23.

There were 14 other occupants of the motel at the time he set the fire.

Family members in an earlier hearing noted that he has suffered a mental issues in the past.

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Original story

HUTCHINSON — Reno County District Judge Tim Chambers has scheduled a competency hearing for a 54-year-old man facing a charge of aggravated arson. The hearing will center on whether Edward Love is competent to stand trial.

The arson charge was filed by the state May 23 after an investigation determined that a fire in his room at the Sunflower Motel in Hutchinson was intentionally set.

The charge alleges Love used a cigar to start the room phone on fire. When firefighters responded to the scene, Love said he put the fire out and opened the window to let the smoke out.

There were 14 other occupants of the motel at the time he set the fire.

The competency hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Thursday in Reno County District Court.

Love has prior convictions from Lyon County for criminal damage to property.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Reno County Sheriff Deputies were dispatched to the area of 43rd and Lorraine for an injury accident just before midnight, Tuesday night.

When the deputy arrived, the Hutchinson Fire Department was working to get the driver freed from the vehicle.

The driver, later identified as Kenneth C. Griffin was traveling Westbound on 43rd when he crossed the center line, left the roadway to the left, then struck a tree, and the vehicle over turned, and finally struck another tree causing the vehicle to come to a rest.

Griffin was transported to the Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for his injuries.

The accident is still under investigation by the Reno County Sheriff’s Office.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Before the rains came, good crowds attended all of the National Night Out block party celebrations.

The Southwest Bricktown, Farmington Park, and Creekside neighborhoods each had a party and saw good crowds, although they began to leave once the rains came.

Southwest Bricktown Park at 301 West First ran out of tacos and hot dogs because of the crowds. Those attending also received frozen treats from Heartland Credit Union. There was also a bounce house and a DJ playing music.

Hutchinson Police were at all three events  including the K-9 unit at Southwest Bricktown.

The Farmington event was at the Park Gazebo at 316 Curtis St. and also included a free hot dog cookout, an inflatable obstacle course, disc golf and other games.

The Creekside neighborhood had their party at Hutchinson Wesleyan Church, 528 W. 10th Ave. They had booths on both sides of the church with fire truck and an EMS unit on the street. 10 th was blocked for two blocks. They also served hot dogs and popcorn as well as games and even door prizes. For a first time event, it was very successful.

South Hutchinson Police and Fire also hosted a block party at Voss Park at Avenue A and Walnut and they say the splash-pad will be on.

National Night Out is a nationwide program encouraging community events involving law enforcement on the first Tuesday of August each year.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Three people were arrested just after 3 a.m. Tuesday morning after Hutchinson Police Officers attempted a traffic stop in the area of 4th and Severance.

The was vehicle driven by 28-year-old Chanin Smith and officers knew she had an active arrest warrant.

Smith refused to stop and officers pursued the vehicle and she led officers to a residence at 2214 E 4th Lot 417.

Smith ran into the residence and 29-year-old Kylie Berry who was a passenger in the vehicle during the pursuit was arrested.

Smith, along with another occupant, 26-year-old Justin Pisoni surrendered to officers and were taken into custody. A search of the vehicle yielded drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine.

After obtaining a search warrant on the home, officers with the Patrol Division, Repeat Offender Unit, and K-9 Unit found numerous pre-packaged bags containing heroin inside. The gross weight of the heroin seized was approximately five grams which is equivalent to over 50 single uses of heroin.

Methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia used for the packaging were also located inside the residence.

Smith and Pisoni were jailed for suspicion of being in possession of Heroin and drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine and possession of personal use drug paraphernalia. Smith was also jailed for felony flee and elude and felony interference. Berry was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The Salvation Army is having their annual fundraising dinner, Portraits of Hope, which will be this Friday. The new Major Paul James at the local post talks about the event that celebrates 125 years of being in the Hutchinson Community.

“Sand Hills Event Center is the location of our venue, it’s this Friday night. Our guest speaker is Andy Addis with Crosspoint Church and we’re excited to have him,” said James.

He also talked of some of the other things which will be a part of the fundraiser and celebration Friday night.

“We have actually invited many of the officers that have been with the Salvation Army and have been here in Hutchinson in the past and several had said that they will be attending,” said James. He says there will be a band playing and an artist doing art work during the dinner.

Tickets are $40 for individuals or $300 for a table. For more information on tickets and whether they’re still available, you can call 620-663-3353.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Commission with little discussion approved an agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation for the 2021 High Risk Rural Road Sign Project grant.

This grant will be used to identify and replace all signs on the county roads east of K-14 to ensure they meet Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices standards.

Missing signs will be installed or existing signs will be relocated as needed to comply with current standards. There will be no cost to the county with this project funded 100 percent by KDOT.

They will seek bids for the project in May of 2021.

HUTCHINSON – The Reno County Commission is moving ahead with the process of finding a replacement for County Administrator Gary Meagher, who will retire at the end of the year.

The commission is asking for proposals from executive recruitment firms for help in finding a replacement. Human Resources Director Renee Harris said two of the companies considered have now merged, with Baker & Tilly recently combining with Waters and Company. The other firm is Austin Peters.

The commission requested proposals be submitted by Aug. 21. However, if those proposals could come sooner, the county could start the replacement process sooner.

Meagher will work through the end of his contract, which ends on Dec. 27.

PRATT, Kan. – Two connecting sections of U.S. 281 in Stafford and Pratt counties will be resurfaced which are expected to begin Wednesday.

One of the projects involves a 9-mile section of U.S. 281 from the Pratt/Stafford County line north to U.S. 50 in Stafford County.

The other encompasses a 6.7-mile stretch of U.S. 281 in Pratt County, from the Iuka north city limits to the Pratt/Stafford County line. The Kansas Department of Transportation is overseeing both projects.

Both will have traffic controlled through the work zone with a flagger and pilot car operation during daylight hours. Motorists can expect delays of up to 15 minutes. The lane-width restriction is 12 feet.

The estimated completion date is Sept. 20.

Venture Corp., of Great Bend, is the primary contractor for the $767,100 project in Stafford County and for the $548,130 project in Pratt County.