HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 37-year-old man who was sentenced to just over 12 years in prison in a marijuana distribution case won his appeal of that sentence Friday, even though he was granted a downward departure.

Gerardo Saucedo entered pleas as charged and was sentenced to prison by Judge Tim Chambers. He filed an appeal over that sentence but the Kansas Court of Appeals upheld the sentence. The Kansas Supreme Court vacated that ruling and sentence in the case.

The question was over a prior crime of burglary which occurred out of state and was classified in Kansas an a person felony. The Kansas Supreme Court ruled Friday that it should be considered a non-person felony and vacated the sentence.

Saucedo was arrested after a search warrant was served on his home and he was convicted of possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, and no drug tax stamp.

He had around 90 pounds of marijuana in brick form believed to be from Mexico. But they also found numerous containers of high-grade marijuana that were found scattered throughout the home, as well as new packaging materials, a digital scale and some weapons. That was back in April of 2014.

The case will now come back to District Court for a future sentencing hearing.

HUTCHINSON — A former South Hutchinson priest was granted probation for stealing from a local church.

Reno County District Judge Trish Rose sentenced Juan Garza-Gonzalez to five months in prison, but granted a one-year probation for felony theft.

Reno County Sheriff’s Office detectives determined nearly $14,000 was missing from the church.

He had been the priest at Our Lady of Guadalupe in South Hutchinson since June of 2018, but was removed after the investigation began earlier this year.

STERLING – Even though the Sterling Village Advisory Council is active in its support of the long-term care residence, new members are being recruited to lend an even bigger helping hand.

Ginger Reed of Sterling’s Advisory Council said the group provides many opportunities to give back to residents, families and the community.

“Being a member of the council doesn’t involve a lot of time, but it is a vital part of caring for our seniors,” Reed said. “The noon-hour meetings are convenient and informative and the lunches are always delicious.

Reed offered just a few examples of the Advisory Council’s activities at Sterling Village including helping with the annual Bob Bethell Memorial Golf Tournament, which is set for Friday, Sept. 20; providing treats at Halloween; delivering snacks during the Christmas season; and arranging many visits from children, musicians, and church and community groups.

When Reed was asked to serve on the council, her father-in-law lived at Sterling Village, formerly Sterling Presbyterian Manor. He resided in a cottage at first and later moved to long-term care.

Lorene Bethell, RN and council member, also has a history with Sterling Village. The Alden resident was a nurse there during the 1980s and her late husband, Bob, was administrator in the late 1990s before he was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives.

“We were very involved in long-term care issues and caring for senior citizens,” Bethell said. “It is important to me to continue this legacy for the sake of Sterling Village residents and staff, as well as the whole community.”

Bethell echoed some of Reed’s comments about the importance and benefits of the Advisory Council.

“We create an inclusive, family atmosphere, and we welcome newcomers,” she commented. “It is personally rewarding to help with activities and fundraising efforts, and just to talk with our neighbors and friends about the importance of Sterling Village to all of us. It is crucial that we take good care of our aging community members.”

Sterling Village is a nonprofit entity.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County Public Works announced that Silver Lake Road between Victory Road and Rayl Road will be closed to all through traffic Monday and Tuesday of next week. Officials are closing the road for a crossroad pipe replacement.

The work is weather permitting.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas Court of Appeals affirmed the convictions and sentence for Chase Coble Friday. Coble is the Saline County man convicted of aggravated arson in Reno County. The fire was at the Plaza Towers building in downtown Hutchinson.

Coble was originally charged with three counts of arson and two counts of criminal use of explosives. Those charges were dismissed during the trial.

The fire happened when Coble was said to be experimenting with plastic and chemicals when it got out of hand. Police say he had the chemicals to make the black powder used in explosives. Coble claims he was trying to bond metals and plastic when chemicals spilled and caused a fire.

This occurred in his 12th-story apartment. The fire caused damage to his apartment, set off the sprinkler system and caused damage in other apartments.

He was attending Hutchinson Community College at the time of the explosion and fire.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 42-year-old Hutchinson man was taken to a Wichita hospital after he fell off the tailgate of a pickup and struck his head as the driver was turning at the intersection of 2nd and Waldron Thursday night.

John Dean was first taken to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center and later transported to a Wichita hospital for treatment.

The driver of the pickup, 41-year-old Justin Hargis, was arrested for aggravated battery-DUI, driving under the influence and driving while suspended. His bond was set at $11,000.

This occurred around 10:15 p.m. Thursday.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Firefighters responded to a home at 1430 Harding just before 3 a.m. Friday for a residential fire. They arrived to find nothing visible from the outside. Following investigation, an exterior fire had been extinguished by the homeowner with an outside hose.

The fire was reported by a passerby that alerted the occupants. Damage was noted on the exterior of the structure with minor damage into the attic area.