MCPHERSON, Kan. — Police in McPherson conducted two search warrants Wednesday afternoon at two different residences.
The first search warrant was executed in the 200 block of West Woodside where they found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia associated with the distribution of drugs. They also found 12 firearms, one of which had been reported stolen. They arrested a 49-year-old male and a 40-year-old female on numerous charges at that location.
The second search warrant was served in the 500 block of North Chestnut. Officers found methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Two men, ages 33 and 31, were arrested on numerous charges. Two others were also arrested for possession of drugs and paraphernalia. A fifth individual was arrested for outstanding warrants.
ARLINGTON, Kan. — Sheriff’s deputies were called to a location close to K-61 and Fairview Road, about a mile north of Arlington in a rural part of the county, Tuesday morning.
A rancher in the area contacted officials and asked for help moving cattle.
Deputies had contacted the rancher a couple of times trying to discourage the movement until the fog was totally clear. As officials arrived at the location, there was already about 200 head of cattle moving north on Fairview Road toward K-61.
Deputies turned on their emergency lights and attempted to stop traffic on K-61 while the cattle were moved across the road. While northbound traffic had stopped, a southbound vehicle went past one of the deputies and missed the cattle. However, a second vehicle — a semi hauling cattle — passed the same deputy and collided with several cattle on the roadway.
The driver of the semi had no injuries, but his semi was disabled. In talking to the owner of the cattle, he said he lost four cows in the accident.
HUTCHINSON, Kan — Fire Chief Steven Beer announced during a news conference Tuesday that the fire rating classification for the city of Hutchinson is changing from a Class Three to a Class One and that Fire District 2 is going from a Class Six to a Class Four.
Classes are scored on a scale of one to 10, one being the best while 10 is the worst.
Currently, there are only six Class One cities in the state of Kansas and only 329 nationwide out of 47,500 fire departments.
He says with being a Class One city, it’s good news for homeowners and businesses when it comes to insurance:
Beer states that the Insurance Service Office Public Protection Classification program provides important up-to-date information about municipal fire protection services in each community.
He says there are four things they look at when coming up with a communities classification – Emergency Communications, the Fire Department itself, the Water Supply and the Community Risk Reduction.
So what investment did the department make to get to this point? Chief Beer explains:
He says the city’s investment in infrastructure is also a factor and is helping them when fighting fires in the city:
Chief Beer believes this change in classification will help the city attract new business. However, the change in classification will not officially take effect until May 1, so everyone will have to wait to see any savings on insurance for homes or businesses after that date.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A traffic stop west of Hutchinson landed two people in jail on drug-related charges. A Reno County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a vehicle driving 67 mph in a 55 mph zone which occurred in the 14,000 block of West 4th.
Kerri Simmons, 40, was arrested for driving on a suspended license, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Ashley Smith, 31, was jailed for more serious charges including possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, with intent to distribute and possession of a narcotic drug.
Simmons was able to post bond while Smith remains jailed on an $18,000 bond.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The plans for Next Era Energy to file an application for a special use permit for a wind farm project in the county has been delayed. However, Spencer Jenkins told the Reno County Commission Tuesday that they would file no later the Feb. 15.
He explains the reason for the delay is that they have additional interest from landowners in that area to participate in the project:
That means with filing the application later than earlier, indicated it could be March before any hearing occurs over the project with the Reno County Planning Commission.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Selecting a new school superintendent wasn’t the only business the USD 308 school board approved. They also approved the 2019-20 calendar during their regular session at Hutchinson Middle School – 8.
The calendar is almost an exact duplicate of the current year’s calendar, just adjusted for the new year.
The first day of classes for pre-kindergarten through ninth grades will be Aug. 15. Hutch High sophomores through seniors start Aug. 16.
Classes will be out for Thanksgiving recess Wednesday through Friday of Thanksgiving week. There will be a two-week block of Christmas-New Year’s Recess from Dec. 23 through Jan. 3. Spring Break will be March 23 to Jan. 27, 2020. USD 308 coordinates its spring break with Hutchinson Community College because so many HHS students take classes at the college.
The final day for seniors will be May 14, 2020. The final day for all other students will be May 20, 2020.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A swearing in ceremony was held Monday morning for those elected or appointed to positions in Reno County.
That included Ron Sellers, taking the place of Dan Deming who decided not to seek another term representing District One on the Reno County Commission. Like Deming and one of his fellow commissioners Bob Bush, Sellers was on the Hutchinson City Council and served as Mayor. He’s also served on the Hutchinson Community College Board of Trustees.
He talked after the ceremony and said anyone who has the time and can serve on a board such as the County Commission should do so. He said he doesn’t have any specific things he wants to work on as commissioner, but he looks forward to being on the commission:
Also sworn into office was former Senior Assist District Attorney Daniel Gilligan who is now the new Magistrate Judge for Reno County. Gilligan has been with the District Attorney’s office for several years and has most recently acted as the juvenile prosecutor. He replaced Judge Cheryl Allen who retired last year.
He explained why he wanted to be the Magistrate Judge:
Gillian also talked what his job will consist of as a Magistrate Judge:
Also sworn in by Senior Judge Patty Macke-Dick for another term were Judges Joe McCarville and Trish Rose who ran unopposed on the last election. This will be the last term for McCarville who won’t seek another term.
Judge Trish Rose is sworn in.Judge Joe McCarville is also sworn in.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Two teens were arrested late Saturday on a charge of aggravated robbery. The incident occurred around just before 9 p.m.
The two victims reported being robbed at gunpoint in the 600 block of North Star. One of the victims told police that 18-year-old Caleb Grant held a gun to his neck and threatened to kill him if he moved. The robbers allegedly took a cell phone, cash and a backpack.
Grant, who is from Wichita, is jailed on a $26,500 bond, while 17-year-old Destiny Hippen of Hutchinson was taken to juvenile intake.
Grant also faces a probation violation where he was convicted of assault last year which also involved a handgun.
There may also be a third suspect who has yet to be arrested.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — District Judge Trish Rose denied the request for a new trial in a 2015 robbery case that has been going through the courts for years after a jury found him guilty at trial.
Jerry Anderson Jr. will go to prison for 18 years on a conviction of aggravated robbery. He walked into LoanMax Title Loans on May 4, 2015, and demanded money at gunpoint. According to the state, he got away with about $1,400.
The defense also argued for a departure to some form of probation, but that was also denied by the judge.
The victim of the robbery spoke before sentencing and told the judge she thought she was going to die. The victim and the state both asked for the maximum sentence. However, Judge Rose gave the mid-number in the sentencing grid box.
The defense also asked for an appeal bond, but it was not granted. Judge Rose asked the defense to submit a written motion that could be heard on Friday, Jan. 18.
