HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The lawsuit filed by Next Era Energy over the legality of the protest petitions associated with a proposed wind farm now has a challenge by more landowners.

These three landowners want to intervene, challenging the claims made by attorneys for Next Era.

Next Era Energy and Pretty Prairie Wind LLC., claims in their lawsuit that some of the petitions are not valid due to the method in which they were acquired and all of them should be dismissed.

The landowners within the area of the proposed wind farm managed to force a super vote of the Reno County Commission meaning all three had to be in favor of granting the permit.

The landowners involved with this motion to intervene have land adjoining the area proposed for the wind farm and are claiming an interest in the transaction and want Judge Tim Chambers to find their protest to the project recognized as valid under the due process clause. They believe they have an interest in what happens. They worry that if the protest petitions earlier deemed valid were to be made invalid, the two commissioners who voted in favor could then grant to conditional use permit.

If that were to happen, they say they would be able appeal the reasonableness and legality of that decision including the determination with respect to validity of that protest petitions. They would then be required to litigate that decision.

Of course they have to get the approval of Judge Chambers which could come in a hearing in this case. No dates have been set for any hearings on this matter.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The certified public accounting firm of Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball, Chartered have announced the addition of Shelby Stucky, CPA to their professional team.

Progressing from intern to student worker, Stucky originally joined ABBB as a full time team member in 2015. She now rejoins ABBB as a manager in their Hutchinson location.

“We are pleased to welcome Shelby back to the ABBB team,” said Brian Staats, CPA, CGMA, managing partner of ABBB. “In her tenure at the firm, we’ve witnessed her devotion to exceeding our clients’ expectations. We look forward to all she’ll accomplish in her career!”

A graduate of Wichita State University, Stucky holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and finance. She’s currently affiliated with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Kansas Society of CPAs (KSCPA). Stucky lives in Valley Center and in her free time, enjoys spending time with family and dirt track racing.

Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball, Chartered provides a wide range of traditional and non-traditional CPA and consulting services to clients throughout Kansas.

SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day is this Saturday. This day commemorates the sacrifices of Korean War veterans and their families. It is a national thank you to honor its members of the United States armed forces for their service and sacrifice during the Korean War.

The Korean War Veterans Recognition Act, signed into law in 2009, designates the 27th of July as National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, celebrating the cease fire to the Korean War.

Local businesses and organizations have partnered with the South Hutchinson VFW Post 12157 to provide an Armistice Day Dinner and recognition ceremony to honor of our Korean War Veterans at the American Legion Post 68, located at 730 West 4th Avenue in Hutchinson.

Veterans will eat for free and the price for guests is only $15.00. Due to space limitations, registration for the dinner is required, and can be completed online at www.shksvfw.org.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 20-year-old man who faces nine felony charges associated with breaking into a home while there was an occupant inside is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Tuesday.

Steven Voss is charged with aggravated burglary for the break-in at a home in the 2400 block of North Cleveland. He is accused of stealing golf clubs and a bike belonging to the homeowner. That was on May 16 or May 17. He’s then accused of attempting to pawn those items.

Voss is also charged with two counts of auto burglary for breaking into two vehicles and stealing various items from the owners of those vehicles. One of the burglaries occurred May 18, the other May 18 or May 19.

Other charges include criminal use of a financial card, in this case a debit card, to obtain cash. Those crimes also occurred around May 17 or May 18.

Voss remains jailed on a bond of $19,500. The hearing is scheduled in front of Reno County District Judge Joe McCarville.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 19-year-old man reported to police just after 3 p.m. Sunday that he had been battered while in the 1300 block of North Main. During the struggle with at least two individuals, he was robbed of his cellphone.

He was confronted by a juvenile male who alleged he owed money. That led to an argument and violence. The victim was struck in the back of the head. The victim fell and was then kicked numerous times. He was taken to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for treatment. He suffered a broken nose and other bruising to his body.

Diana Dominguez was arrested for aggravated robbery, aggravated battery and theft. It’s believed she drove the juvenile to and from the incident.

Dominguez is jailed on a $55,500 bond and will be back in court next week once the state has filed any formal charges.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The HutchCC Board of Trustees heard a report on the proposed budget for the next fiscal year at its July meeting.

Julie Blanton, Vice President of Finance and Operations, presented the college’s 2019-2020 budget proposal at the meeting.

There is the expectation of increased state funding to go along with a planned tuition increase of $2 per credit hour. For Reno County residents, the $10 per credit hour reduction remains in place. County valuation is slated to increase by 1.39%, allowing the college to budget a .6% reduction of its mill levy for the coming fiscal year. Since 2010, the general levy has been lowered by approximately 2 mills and is the lowest it has been in the last 10 years.

In additional business, the board approved payment of college bills, approved the academic catalog for the 2019-20 school year and set meeting dates for the coming year.

The next meeting of the board will be on Thursday, Aug. 8. The meeting will be at 7 p.m. in the Shears Technology Center Justice Theater. The public is invited to attend.

PARTRIDGE, Kan. — A 58-year-old Holyrood woman was taken to the hospital around 12:45 p.m. Saturday after a one-vehicle accident in Reno County.

Kristy Turner reported losing control of her vehicle in the 4300 block of South Sego Road. She couldn’t recall what happened to cause the accident. Alcohol was not involved and was not a factor. Turner suffered minor injuries with several small cuts on her arms and legs. She was transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center by Reno County EMS.

Reno County sheriff’s officials say it doesn’t appear she was wearing her seat belt. There was no airbag deployment.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Commission will officially approve a contract Tuesday with WSP Engineers to look at areas around Buhler on whether it’s financially feasible to get two areas above the floodplain.

The areas up for study will focus mainly on Buhler Road south of Buhler and possibly include 85th and 82nd avenues from Buhler to K-61.

Brad Shores with WSP stated at a previous meeting that he believes the most cost effective is along Buhler Road and not 82nd or 85th.

The second area officials were considering was West 56th around Cow Creek involving a three-mile stretch of road to K-14 Highway. However, they decided that would not be feasible and could cost millions and millions of dollars.

The goal of the study is to provide enough information for the county to make an informed decision on whether to proceed with a design project to help keep the roads open.

They’re also looking at grants for any projects, but Shores says there is no guarantee.

The study will begin once they make the formal agreement.