NICKERSON, Kan. — A 17-year-old Nickerson man was injured just before 7 a.m. Wednesday after a one-vehicle accident on K-14 Highway.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, Dakota Matthew Allen Hoffman was traveling southbound on K-14 when he lost control because of icy conditions. His vehicle went into a broadside skid into the west ditch and rolled two times. His vehicle came to rest on its top.

Hoffman was transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for treatment.

The accident occurred about two miles south of Nickerson.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A hearing for a man accused of murder will be an all-day event Wednesday in front of Judge Trish Rose.

Brennan Trass is scheduled for trial on March 25 for a murder that occurred over three years ago.

He’s accused of murder for the shooting death of 24-year-old Jose Morales, who was found on the floor of a residence back on Aug. 17, 2015.

Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton says Wednesday’s hearing will be a long one for all of the motions. Among the motions, a request for a change of venue — which is rarely, if ever, approved.

Trass has remained jailed pending the March 25 trial.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — With no discussion, the Reno County Commission appointed Harley Macklin and Bruce Buchanan to the planning commission. Their appointments are effective immediately and they will serve on that board until the end of 2021.

Commissioners also approved a certified power train rebuild by Foley Equipment on a Solid Waste CAT 826H compactor at a cost of $347,841. This is not the first time this has been done. Officials say it could take six to eight weeks to complete. They do have one other machine they will use in the meantime.

The commission also approved a contract with Reno County Community Corrections and Horizons Mental Health Center for behavioral health services for drug court participants at a cost of $26,190. The money will come from a Justice Assistance grant. According to officials, there are currently 29 clients currently using the service.

PLEVNA, Kan. — Around 12:35 a.m. Tuesday, Reno County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the area of U.S. Highway 50 and Andre Road, near Plevna, for the report of an injury accident involving a four-wheeler and a deer.

Deputies were directed to the 2700 block of south Andre Road and found a yellow four-wheeler on its side in the middle of the road with significant damage.

Several feet north of there, they found the driver, 49-year-old Darren M. Schaffter of Plevna. He was lying in the east ditch barely conscious.

Officials were alerted that Schaffter had not responded to any text messages since 8:30 p.m. His wife, Rhonda, says she arrived at home and noticed he was not inside. She then went looking for him. Rhonda finally located him about an hour later and called 911. It’s unknown how long he may have been lying in the ditch after the accident.

A deputy was able to locate a deer more than 130 feet north of where the four-wheeler came to rest.

Schaffter was transported by Reno County EMS to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita for treatment.

BUHLER, Kan. — IdeaTek Telcom in Buhler has announced the hiring of Craig Tyler as financial analyst.

Officials with the company say Tyler will design and build financial models and key business metrics and will review and analyze financial statements.

Before joining IdeaTek, Tyler worked in accounts payable at the American Packaging division of Lawrence Paper Company in South Hutchinson. He earned a bachelor of science degree in business management from Central Christian College in McPherson.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The question of attracting more conventions and other events to Hutchinson has become a concern to the city and also the local chamber.

Debra Teufel, president and CEO of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, says a task force has been formed to look at a number of options, including a possible renovation of the Atrium Hotel and Conference Center.

Teufel says the task force has provided feedback in an attempt to improve a product already in place:

 

She says there have been a number of ideas, but nothing is set in stone at this point:

 

Teufel says the city sent out requests to a number of developers asking for building proposals for a possible hotel. Only a few responded. Respondents presented their proposals and the task force was able to narrow the field to one:

 

She did not give a timeline. Teufel only said the agreement could come in the near future and would be brought up at a future Hutchinson City Council meeting.