LYONS, Kan. – Road closures have been reported in Rice County.
That includes 21st Rd from Ave E-F which is Closed
22nd Rd from Ave Q-V
26th Rd & Ave H
2605 Rd from Little River to Ave I
Ave J from 10th-11th Rd which is closed
Ave M from 27th-28th Rd is also closed
K-14 south of Lyons has one lane open. KDOT is on scene flagging people through.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 66-year-old Hutchinson man arrested after he allegedly robbed a Hutchinson beauty salon has been formally charged.
Jackie Crenshaw has been charged by the state with robbery for going to Anima Bella Salon, 16 S. Main in Hutchinson, and forcibly taking $360 from one of the employees.
With help from the Reno County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect was later identified. Deputies went to his home and found the clothing he wore during the robbery. Officers also found cash.
Crenshaw has over two dozen convictions for forgery, theft, burglary and drugs according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
He will be back in court May 29.
HUTCHINSON Kan. — The latest unemployment numbers for Hutchinson show an improvement over last month. According to the numbers released by the Kansas Department of Revenue, Hutchinson had an April unemployment rate of 3.5%, down from 4% in March and lower than the 3.8% rate in April of 2018.
The rate for Reno County also saw a drop with the April rate of 3.2%, down from 3.6% in March and 3.5% in April of last year.
All of the other counties in the area also saw their rates drop for the month of April.
The state showed a rate of 3.5% in April. This was unchanged from March and up from 3.4% in April 2018.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The annual tradition to honor law enforcement was held this morning in front of the Law Enforcement Center in Hutchinson.
“This is a week that’s kind of somber obviously for law enforcement,” Hutchinson Police Chief Jeffrey Hooper said. “It’s where we pay respect for all those officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities.”
He adds that you think it can never happen in your community, but it can happen at any time. He talked about the close call recently in Rice County to the sheriff and undersheriff.
“We’re really fortunate that we didn’t have two more names going on that wall for 2019, we’re just thankful that they’re okay,” Chief Hooper said.
The ceremony Friday also included opening comments from Reno County Sheriff Randy Henderson, an invocation with Chaplain Mel Parrott and guest speaker state Sen. Dr. Ed Berger. He talked about officers giving the ultimate sacrifice. He also told the crowd to visit the Law Enforcement Memorial in Topeka to see the names of those lost over the years.
They also gave recognition to fallen officers. Taps was played by two members of the Buhler High School Band as the flag was raised by a Reno County sheriff’s department honor guard.
There were four local officers who lost their lives mentioned during the ceremony.
They include:
Kenneth Michael Kennedy
Officer Kenneth Kennedy was shot and killed by the female friend of a suspect he was struggling with.
End of Watch: Friday, Sept. 15, 1972.
Reason Sherman Monroe
Patrolman Monroe was shot and killed when he attempted to arrest a man who had beaten his wife. He was told the man went to a store with his son.
End of Watch: Wednesday, July 2, 1924.
Thomas Simpson Fowler
Reno County deputy sheriff Thomas Fowler was shot and killed while transporting a subject to jail.
End of Watch: Sunday, Dec: 11, 1910.
Edward Metz
Reno County Undersheriff Metz was killed after being run over by a Missouri Pacific passenger train.
End of Watch: Monday, Jan. 7, 1901.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Once again, someone in the community has passed fake money at a local business. This is a problem often faced by business owners around the winter holidays, but can happen any time.
The latest case happened around 5:30 p.m. Thursday at a local fast food restaurant that reported receiving a fake 20.
Business owners in the area need to be careful and make sure any money received is legitimate.
TURON, Kan. — A 62-year-old Turon woman was scammed out $2,500 after she made contact with another woman on Facebook Market Place to purchase a tractor.
The victim was told to make a payment using Amazon gift cards. She did, but never heard back from the seller.
Reno County Sheriff’s Capt. Steve Lutz said the address of the seller was kind of goofy and that the woman was basically ripped off.
The sheriff’s office is investigating, but it’s unlikely the woman will ever see her money again.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — One of two people arrested in a drug distribution case back in 2017 is scheduled for a hearing Friday.
Twenty-seven-year-old James Anderson of Turon is charged with possession of methamphetamine and paraphernalia with intent to distribute, personal use drug paraphernalia, felony interference, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of marijuana.
Anderson and 23-year-old Hali E. Laws, also of Turon, were arrested on April 15, 2017, by Hutchinson police.
Anderson has prior convictions for theft, flee and elude, and driving while suspended.
The hearing is scheduled in front of Reno County District Judge Tim Chambers.
TOPEKA, Kan. — Widespread spring rains haven’t dampened the outdoor spirit at Kansas state parks, although there will be impacts to some park facilities in eastern Kansas. However, many state parks in the western portion of the state were mostly unaffected by the rainy weather and are open and ready to welcome visitors. They include: Wilson, Meade, Cedar Bluff, Glen Elder, Lovewell, Prairie Dog, Webster, Sand Hills and Historic Lake Scott state parks.
Most state parks in the eastern half of Kansas report that campsite and cabin rental opportunities remain even though some facilities in low-lying areas are not usable including Cheney Reservoir, such as campgrounds, boat ramps, courtesy docks, beaches and access roads. The campgrounds and cabins at Clinton State Park are on high ground and are open for visitors, although boat ramps and the beach are closed.
Many state parks are located adjacent to federal reservoirs, some of which are holding water to mitigate downstream flooding. As a result, rising water levels can overrun shoreline areas, including wildlife areas. State fishing lakes do not store water for flood control, so they are largely unaffected by rising water. Crawford State Park in southeast Kansas surrounds a state fishing lake, so that park has been unaffected by flooding.
At affected parks, staff are happy to work with visitors to change their reservations to a dry campsite if available, arrange for another date in the future, provide a gift card good for a future stay or issue a refund. Park staff remind visitors to never drive around barricades into floodwaters. Just like driving on streets and highways, the mantra — “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” — also applies to state park roads.
Many state parks have special events planned for the weekend before the Memorial Day holiday, so there is plenty for park goers to do. Visitors are encouraged to call park offices for up-to-date information and campsite availability for the holiday weekend before setting out on their trip.
Visitors can also go to www.kshuntfishcamp.com to check on campsite and cabin availability and make reservations. For information about conditions at individual parks, go to https://ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks/State-Park-Alerts or visit www.ksoutdoors.com.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Although it will be a little breezy, Friday is “Bike to Work Day.” This is a chance to use an alternate way to get to work and get some exercise at the same time.
The ride will happen from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Participants can pedal their way to free breakfast from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at DCI Park at 2nd & Main, the Hutchinson Clinic trailhead near 23rd & Waldron, RCB Bank at 624 E. 30th and the South Hutchinson City Building at Main & Blanchard.
Bikers can also enter to win the $100 Harley’s gift card by stopping for breakfast or by posting a selfie on the Vitality Team of Reno County page using #bikewalkhutch!
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After two different groups requested that the Hutchinson City Council consider renaming Avenue A Park, the city is now seeking more input. City officials are asking residents to take a survey.
Christopher Wietrick requested the park be called “Smallville Park” after the fictional hometown of Superman and the annual Smallville Con.
Darrell Pope asked for the park to be named “Chester Lewis Park” after the civil rights leader who was born and raised in Hutchinson.
The city wants wider community input before a decision is made.
To lend your voice to the conversation, complete the survey.
Once that survey is complete, it will go before the city council again for consideration.
