HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Commission adopted the resolution to formally recognize the validity of protest petitions received for the NextEra wind project. The resolution confirms that 46% of those petitions were valid. This resolution makes it official. Next week, the commission will also put into resolution form the official vote declining the conditional use permit for the wind project.

One thing that doesn’t appear likely is the commission pushing for a temporary moratorium of wind projects in the county, something requested by some residents of the area last year and rejected by the commission. Commissioner Ron Hirst commented that he would like to see a moratorium while the planning commission puts together overlay zoning in the county. Some areas of the county are not currently under any type of zoning. The other two commissioners don’t appear to support that.

Commissioner Ron Sellers also commented on the rejection of the conditional use permit for the NextEra wind farm project calling it one of three mistakes in the last 70 years made in this community for economic development.

The other two included the rejection of being a part of the interstate highway system and also rejecting urban renewal for the downtown area. Both decisions were made back in the 1960s, according to Sellers.

The commission is expected to approve another resolution next week over the official vote, which didn’t receive the unanimous vote needed for the conditional use permit for the project to proceed.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Smallville Festival, Third Thursday’s largest event of the year, will be at 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday in downtown Hutchinson. The event is sponsored by First National Bank.

Organizers anticipate more than 2,000 people to enjoy the festivities, which include live music, art, more than 60 activity and information booths and more.

Smallville Festival featured events include:

• 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.: Sculpture Walk in Hutchinson – participate in a Community Mural NE corner of Ave A and Main.

• 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Beer Garden in front of Carl’s Bar (near 1st and Main)

• 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Workshop Student Art Show at the Hutchinson Art Center 5th & Washington.

• 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.: Super Hero Costume Contest at DCI Park sponsored by Heartland Credit Union.

• 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.: National anthem sung by Morgan Wilk and the Smallville Proclamation at DCI Park.

• 8 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.: Super Hero 1-mile run/walk and Smallville 5-K, presented by IdeaTek and organized by Hutch Rec Race Series. The start and finish line will be located at DCI Park.

Other events include a street dance at 1st and Main featuring the classic rock band Artifact, sponsored by Hutchinson Government Employees Credit Union.

Live music will also be featured throughout downtown Hutchinson, including Toy Depot, Avenue A Park, Sugartime Confections, Friendly Bingo Palace, Keller Music, 1st & Main and DCI Park.

Click HERE for full lineup of Third Thursday activities and booths or visit the Third Thursday Facebook page.

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Approximately 405 young men from across the state of Kansas, all of whom will enter their senior year of high school this fall, participated in the 2019 session of the American Legion Boys State of Kansas Leadership Academy. The event, which concluded its 82nd year, was held last week at Kansas State University in Manhattan for the 28th consecutive year.

This event provides a relevant, interactive, problem-solving experience in leadership and teamwork that develops self-identity, promotes mutual respect and instills civic responsibility.

Dustin Curiel of Hutchinson served as the head media counselor this year, was named Counselor of the Year. He was a 2014 KBS delegate from Hutchinson High School.

Also, Zachary Wash of McPherson, a senior-to-be at McPherson High School, was elected by his peers to represent Boys State of Kansas at Boys Nation this summer from July 19 to 27 at Marymount University in Arlington, Va.

The 2020 American Legion Boys State of Kansas Leadership Academy is scheduled to be held the week beginning May 31, again at Kansas State University. For information on becoming a delegate, visit https://kansasboysstate.com/ or https://ksbstate.org/.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After the Reno County Commission failed to get a unanimous vote for a conditional use permit for the Next Era Wind Energy wind farm near Haven, that topic will come up again on Tuesday.

No new decisions are expected other than adopting the resolution determining the validity of protest petitions received opposing the project. Last week, commissioners agreed 46 percent of those petitions were valid. On Tuesday, the commission is expected to pass a resolution making that official. Next week, commissioners will also put into resolution form the official vote to decline the conditional use permit for the wind project.

In other business, the commission:

• Will receive the 2018 annual audit report from Adams, Brown, Beran and Ball.

• Hear a funding request from Tech and get a monthly report from Maintenance Director Harlen Depew.

The Reno County Commission meeting starts at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Reno County Courthouse.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Starting Tuesday, the City of Hutchinson will close Apple Lane to begin a road base repair project.

Work will begin by setting up traffic control to limit traffic and provide safety with work beginning the same day.

The project will contain four work zone phases with 35 repairs and is expected to be completed by Friday, July 5.

However, weather could delay the estimated time for project completion.

ARLINGTON, Kan. — A 13-year-old boy was taken to the Wichita hospital after a crash involving a dirt bike in Reno County Sunday night.

Dakota Sundine of Wichita was injured after he wrecked the dirt bike in the 26,900 block of West Lake Cable Road.

He was transported by EMS to Wesley Medical Center with what may have been minor injuries.

The accident occurred just after 9 p.m.