HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Cosmosphere is no longer considering a satellite location at Bluhawk in Overland Park.

Initially part of the original development, the Cosmosphere satellite facility is no longer part of a revised Bluhawk project plan.

The revised project plan is based on the removal of Cosmosphere from the project, a move that was made in full collaboration with Cosmosphere’s management and with its full support. The Price Brothers and Cosmosphere teams mutually and carefully evaluated recently available information and concluded that a multi-attraction approach for Bluhawk was not in the best interest of the project or Cosmosphere at this time. The Price organization looks forward to helping Cosmosphere evaluate other opportunities that could bring this significant Kansas asset to the Kansas City metro area.

“We worked very closely with Bluhawk to evaluate our plans and we concur with its decision to move forward without Cosmosphere as part of the project,” Jim Remar, president & CEO of the Cosmosphere said. “The Cosmosphere team wishes Bluhawk success and strongly believes it will be a terrific asset to the region.”

The Liberty Bell 7, which is a spacecraft that is part of the Cosmosphere’s collection, was scheduled to be on display in a retail space at Bluhawk in February. That exhibit will not take place.

“We are actively seeking opportunities for an exhibit featuring LB7,” Remar said. “We will also continue to seek opportunities for a satellite location for the Cosmosphere. The interest shown by the Greater Kansas City Metro Area in having a satellite location is evidence that can be a great channel for the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson to give people who have never heard of our community or our museum a taste of the programs. It is also a great platform for our science educators to offer more STEM education programming and outreach.”

NEWTON, Kan. — The Newton Fire Department responded to a structure fire Tuesday morning in the 200 block of West 1st Street.

The occupant was home at the time of the fire and escaped unharmed. Fire crews quickly extinguished the large volume of fire, containing it to the back half of the house.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Damage to the house was extensive, according to officials. There were no injuries.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson USD 308 School Board heard a report yesterday evening on a new Heartland Credit Union branch that will be constructed at Hutchinson High School.

The facility will be built inside B Hall on the interior of the HHS campus in an open area near the library. Final plans will be drawn up this spring with construction work done over the summer, Travis Riebel, director of career and technical education for the district, said. HCU officials hope students from the Hutchinson Career and Technical Education Academy will be able to build some of the teller stations for the branch from drawings the credit union owns.

The goal is for the branch to be operational when school starts in August.

Financial facilities across the country are partnering with local schools to place small branches in high schools. HHS staff members saw one in operation at Haysville Campus High School and were impressed.

Student interns will have the opportunity to apply to work in the facility and get real-world experience alongside a teacher and an HCU staff person. The branch fits well with business management and business finance pathways at Hutchinson Career and Technical Education Academy, Riebel said. The facility will also be an opportunity for the International Baccalaureate Programme Career Pathway students in business.

There will be some student-specific differences between the school branch and a regular branch. One difference is that students will not be able to overdraft debit cards issued at the branch.

Actual hours of operation have not been set, but students and staff will have the opportunity to open accounts and make basic transactions at the HCU branch. Because of its location, the credit union will not be open to the general public.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 40-year-old man was arrested for two serious charges.

Richard Andrew Petty was arrested for breach of privacy — disseminating sexual media of a person 18 or older — and blackmail for videotapes and photos of a person.

The state alleges the blackmail charge occurred Sept. 1 and Sept. 14, 2018. Petty tried to persuade a person against her will by threatening to disseminate pictures or videotape.

The breach of privacy charge occurred Sept. 13 when he released photos or videos of the victim in a sexual act.

Petty was arrested on warrant after an investigation by the Hutchinson Police Department.

The victim was in court this morning and said she wanted the charges dropped. Petty said it was a misunderstanding.

Petty has a stalking charge pending from an incident on Jan. 9.

Magistrate Judge Daniel Gilligan agreed to lower the $50,000 bond to $25,000.

Petty served some time for an aggravated battery case from 1997.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas Cattle Drive is getting closer. For the first time, the drive will be held in Pretty Prairie.

Darren Busick, an agent with the Kansas State Extension Office, says this event has something for everyone:

 

One of the speakers this year will be Amberley Snyder. Busick says she has an amazing story to tell:

 

Busick says Snyder is still in a wheelchair, but still competes. She will give her speech in the Pretty Prairie school auditorium at 11 a.m. the day of the drive.

The Kansas Cattle Drive is Saturday, Feb. 16.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After receiving several complaints in reference to possible prostitution occurring at a residence in the SW Bricktown neighborhood, members of the Hutchinson Police Department Repeat Offender Unit and Detective Bureau conducted an operation and served a search warrant at 311 W. Ave B.

Trudy Lee Haynes, 50, was arrested for promoting the sale of sexual relations, prostitution, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

She is free on bond.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Fire Department responded to 3609 W. 9th just after 3 p.m. Thursday for a reported structure fire.

The one-story mobile home was occupied at the time by one adult who was able to escape and notify the fire department.

First arriving units found the detached garage fully involved with extension into the residence.

Crews were forced to extinguish the fire from the exterior because of fire involvement in a weakened structure and a downed power line in the back yard. The area is outside of fire hydrants, so water was shuttled in with water tenders. The fire was extinguished with severe damage to the home. The garage was destroyed.

Fire crews remained on scene conducting overhaul and investigation. There were no injuries reported. Red Cross was called to assist the residents.

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Department of Commerce announced Thursday that 23 communities, including two in this area, will receive federal grants for a variety of community improvement projects. This includes sewer and water projects, housing rehabilitation, and community facilities improvements. These communities will share a total of over $11 million in federal grants.

Turon was awarded $600,000 to make water distribution improvements throughout the city. The city will provide matching funds through USDA Rural Development in the amount of $748,000.

McPherson will receive $220,000 to complete a street project. The city will contribute $387,500 in matching funds.

Community Development Block Grant funds are one of the commerce department’s primary tools in supporting the state’s small, predominantly rural, communities.