HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Two local businesses were seized by the Kansas Department of Revenue Wednesday morning for failing to pay sales tax to the state, according to Reno County Sheriff’s Capt. Steve Lutz.

Sheriff’s Office deputies assisted revenue officials in seizing the properties of Daylight Donuts at 305 N. Main and the Polo Bar and Grill at 25 E. 30th.

It should be noted that the Daylight Donuts on North Main is owned and operated separately from the Daylight Donuts on East 30th.

This is at least the third time the Polo Bar and Grill has been closed for not paying taxes to the state.

It is unclear when the businesses will be reopening.

HAVEN – Fire crews battled a house fire south of Haven that was reported at 2 p.m. Wednesday, according to Emergency Management Director Adam Weishaar.

Weishaar said the interior of the single-story home, located at 16900 S. Haven Road, was a total loss. Firefighters from three county fire districts responded to fight the blaze. Officers from Haven Police and the Reno County Sheriff’s Office, as well as Haven EMS, were also on scene.

No one was inside at the time of the fire, with the occupant believed to have been at work.

The cause of the fire is unknown but officials believe thnk the fire started in the basement, Weishaar said.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County Public Works plans to close another road next week as crossroad pipe replacement continues.

Pretty Prairie Road between Herren Road and Riverton Road will be closed to all through traffic next Monday and Tuesday for a crossroad pipe replacement.

This schedule is subject to change without further notice.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After the Reno County Commission agreed to spend around $150,000 to get the manual elevator at the Reno County Courthouse fixed, it is still not operational.

Crews started the work back in September. They are still waiting on some parts to finish the work.

Boesen Plumb Elevator Solutions signed on to convert and partially modernize the elevator for a cost of $127,225. Additionally, other related expenses for the electrical work and miscellaneous items to complete the repair is estimated to cost around $22,775.

The elevator is original to the building, along with a majority of the associated wiring and mechanical controls, and uses a large generator that converts AC power to run the DC motor. The generator failed.

Officials have not said when the work should be completed.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Both Hutchinson and South Hutchinson police continue to receive reports of fake $100 bills being handed out. The latest report came from the Cox cable office. A white male made a payment using a fake bill Tuesday.

South Hutchinson police showed one of the bills on their Facebook page. The bill features Asian writing on the back.

With the holiday shopping season already underway, business owners — or anyone selling anything during this holiday season — and residents need to make sure the bills received are valid.

There have been several reports of fake bills being handed out in the past three weeks.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 52-year-old Hutchinson man managed to get his bond lowered when he made a first appearance on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Hector Contreras is accused of picking up a bat and threatening his landlord who came to his home in the 600 block of East 4th to collect rent.

Magistrate Judge Daniel Gilligan agreed to lower the bond from $5,000 to $3,000. Contreras will be back in court later this week.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Police are still investigating a disturbance on the northeast side of Hutchinson early Tuesday.

A police unit was called to the 1200 block of 35th Avenue around 6 a.m. That officer then sent out a request for backup and additional officers were called to the scene.

An ambulance and fire unit were also called because of a male individual who had a laceration on his head. He was taken to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for treatment and was still there as of mid-morning.

Officials continue to investigate the incident and have not released any information about arrests.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Fire Department officials have now released information about a house fire at 400 E. 16th that occurred early Saturday morning.

Fire crews were dispatched for a report of a bedroom on fire that was allegedly started by a juvenile. Upon arrival, crews were faced with a one-story residential home with heavy fire coming from a window. All occupants were out of the home upon HFD’s arrival.

Fire crews made entry into the home to contain the fire to the room of origin. The fire was contained, but not before smoke damage was done throughout the home. Fire investigators are working to determine the cause.