HUTCHINSON, Kan. – There has been a need in years past for bus drivers in the USD 313, Buhler School District. School Superintendent Mike Berblinger says he thinks they are going to be okay as the school year gets closer.

“We’ve got some drivers coming in and we’re getting them trained,” said Berblinger. “We can still take some more, so if anybody is out there and is interested in a great part-time job, a little bit in the morning and a little bit in the afternoon, we would sure take some more applicants.”

Berblinger says those drivers are so important because they are the first ones many students see in the morning, and the last one they see in the afternoon.

Those interested in being a part-time bus driver, contact the Buhler School District offices at 543-2258.

TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a high risk warning for West Nile virus infections for northwest, south central and southeast Kansas. North central, northeast, and southwest Kansas are at moderate risk for West Nile infections. In addition, mosquitoes collected in Sedgwick County have tested positive for West Nile Virus and St. Louis Encephalitis virus.

West Nile can be spread to people through mosquito bites, but it is not spread from person to person. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. About 1 out of 150 infected people develop a severe illness leading to swelling of the brain or brain tissue that can result in death. There are no vaccines or medications to treat West Nile. People who have had the virus before are considered immune.

St. Louis Encephalitis virus is transmitted by the same type of mosquito that spreads West Nile. While most people who are infected with this virus have no symptoms or only mild non-specific flu-like illness, some individuals can experience serious neuroinvasive illness. Symptoms often include fever, headache, stiff neck, disorientation and altered level of consciousness. Coma, convulsions and paralysis may also occur. Both have a similar incubation period of 5-15 days.

KDHE recommends knowing your risk of WNV and how to take action to prevent mosquito bites and protect yourself against WNV and SLEV:

Visit the KDHE WNV website weekly to learn about the current WNV risk levels; https://www.kdheks.gov/epi/arboviral_disease.htm.

When you are outdoors, use insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient on skin and clothing, including DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535. Follow the directions on the package.

Many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants at these times or consider staying indoors during these hours.

The elderly or those with a weakened immune system should consider limiting their exposure outside during dusk and dawn when the Culex species mosquitos are most active.

Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.

Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out. Keep children’s wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren’t being used.

Horses can also be infected with West Nile. Talk with your veterinarian about vaccinating your horse to protect them.

Most West Nile infections occur in the late summer and early fall. Although there have been no cases of West Nile reported to KDHE in 2019, there have been over 300 cases of the most severe form of the virus, and 30 deaths in Kansas from 1999-2018. The last known case of  St. Louis Encephalitis virus in Kansas occurred in 2004.

For questions about West Nile virus or other Arboviral diseases, contact the KDHE Epidemiology hotline at 877-427-7317.

YODER, Kan. — Two people were taken to the hospital after a two vehicle accident in Reno County Wednesday afternoon.

It happened just after 2 p.m. when 65-year-old Louis Vieyra of Hutchinson reported his pickup was struck by a FedEx truck at the intersection of Longview and Obee roads. The FedEx truck was driven by 23-year-old Matthew Millslagle of Derby.

Both men were transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for treatment.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 24-year-old man, jailed on charges from a domestic case received an early Christmas present from the state Wednesday.

Peter Hanson was facing potential charges of kidnapping, domestic battery and interference with law enforcement at the time of his arrest, but the state only charged him with felony interference and a misdemeanor count of criminal restraint.

Several witnesses had reported to police that Hanson put a bear hug on the victim and forced her into a vehicle. He took her to an apartment where she was allegedly battered. Police arrived at the apartment and knocked on the door. He didn’t answer and wouldn’t allow her to answer the door either. According to statements made in court, he told her to act like she was asleep. Officers eventually forced their way in and arrested Hanson.

With the two less severe charges filed, Magistrate Judge Daniel Gilligan agreed to lower the bond from $102,000 to $5,000.

Hanson will be back in court on the two charges next month.

TOPEKA, Kan. — More than 20 projects aimed at improving intersections and roads in Kansas cities have been selected for funding through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s City Connecting Link Improvement Program, which funds improvements to state highways that extend through cities.

The cities will receive a combined total of approximately $18 million in funding for these 23 projects. This total includes $7 million in state fiscal year 2021 and $11 million in state fiscal year 2022.

Under the program, a city is required to contribute up to 25 percent of the project cost based on its population, though some cities contribute significantly more. Cities under 2,500 in population aren’t required to provide a match. Projects in this program may fall into one of three different categories including surface preservation, pavement restoration or Geometric Improvement.

For the state fiscal year 2021, Pratt will receive $1,000,000 for pavement preservation.

For the state fiscal year 2022, Lyons will receive $300,000 for surface preservation, and McPherson will receive $1,000,000 for a Geometric Improvement.

Hutchinson was not selected to receive any of this money.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Patients now have a new way to help pay for medical bills through a program named Health Services Financing at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.

The hospital in conjunction with Commerce Bank has put together a financial program that can be used to finance patient out-of-pocket expenses. The program is administered like a loan with affordable, interest-free monthly payments.

Mike Evans, Interim Chief Financial Officer for Hutch Regional, said the enrollment process is easy, paperless and all financially responsible parties are approved without credit screening.

“There is no set-up fee, origination charge or prepayment penalty,” Evans said.

The Health Services Finance account offers many benefits including one affordable monthly payment, quick and convenient enrollment process, no credit screening for financially responsible parties, ability to combine qualified services and charges to one account and interest free financing.

Patients are eligible for an Health Service Financing account regardless of whether they have insurance or not. Enrollment applications are accepted in person or over the phone. Accounts are wholly served after enrollment by Commerce Bank.

Ken Johnson, President and CEO of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, said the Health Services Financing option is part of a core commitment to take care of patients. “The program helps provide our patients and their families peace of mind when confronted with medical expenses, which lowers stress and speeds healing,” Johnson said.

For additional information about Health Services Financing, contact Financial Services at Hutch Regional by calling 620-665-2024.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Law enforcement agencies in the area will be conducting sobriety checkpoints this weekend.

That includes the Hutchinson Police Department and the Kansas Highway Patrol.

They suggest that if you’re going to be consuming alcohol, illegal drugs or prescription medication that may impair your ability to operate a motor vehicle, you should plan ahead and arrange for a designated driver.

Those caught under the influence will be arrested and prosecuted through district court.

The checkpoints will begin on Friday and continue through Sunday.

The Reno County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol will be conducting sobriety checkpoints Aug. 2 through Aug. 4.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Walmart and The Salvation Army are joining forces to provide new school supplies to local children in need during the “Stuff the Bus” campaign event at the Hutchinson Walmart on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019.

As part of a nationwide effort, the “Stuff the Bus” campaign event in Hutchinson is one of nearly 3,000 similar events taking place at Walmart stores across the country. In-store shoppers will receive lists of supplies needed, and all they have to do to participate is purchase and drop off the requested items at The Salvation Army collection bins located at the front of each store.

For those unable to make it to the store that day, there is a searchable online registry with all the items needed; each item requires just one click to purchase. You can find it at www.walmart.com/lists/view-events-registry-items.

Walmart and The Salvation Army have collaborated for more than 30 years in an effort to meet local community needs. Supporters like Walmart help The Salvation Army serve more than 23 million Americans each year through a range of social services, helping them overcome poverty and economic hardships. All donations made at “Stuff the Bus” campaign events will remain in the local community and will help The Salvation Army provide back-to-school support to local children in cooperation with our local service partners.