HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Museum has started a new series of exhibits that will highlight local heros.

The series will start with firefighters and then include police officers, first responders and other groups. The museum wants to trace the history of each organization including major events, showcase equipment and photographs. They also want people to share their heroic stories.

The museum is looking for photos, equipment, badges, certificates and other related objects for temporary loan. All photos and documents will be scanned and returned to the owners before the opening of the exhibit. Other loaned items will be exhibited for about one year and then returned to the lender at the end of the exhibit. The museum asks that you bring items to them by August 24.

If you need more information, you can contact Henry Platts at henry@underkansas.org or Lynn Ledeboer at lynn@undergroundkansas.org. You can also phone the museum at (620)-662-1184.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After efforts to save the Hutchinson Citizens Police Acedemy Program from the budget tax, the police department sent out notice to its officers that the program is being put on hold.

Captain Troy Hoover says, the continued shortage of officers has forced the department to postpone the program. Hoover expressed his disappointment over the news, saying that the program provided close interaction between the department and citizens:

 

 

Hoover says the program isn’t dead and they hope to bring it back once the department can get their numbers up:

 

Anyone that completed the first academy can volunteer to help as needed, which Hoover says will be appreciated. The officers who were in charge of the program will likely be moved back on the streets until more officers can be hired.

HAVEN, Kan. — The Haven USD 312 school board got their first look at the 2019 budget and set a date for August 20 for their public hearing. The proposed budget for next year totals $15,927,781 on taxes levied of $4,185,347.

The mill levy for the district would be 60.707 mills if approved following the public hearing.

Also Monday, the board got word that someone had made an offer on the Partridge Elementary School. Clark Wedel, Superintendent, said the offer was $50,000 which is well below the current asking price of $300,000.

The Board gave the go ahead to use the remaining bond funds from a facilities improvement project to make improvements to the football stadium. Wedel says, the district has a little over $500,000 and may try to make improvements to the stadium bleachers and press box along with other improvements.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Commission will go over several policy updates for Community Corrections during Tuesday’s agenda session.

The Board will approve updates in various areas including employee assistance, job descriptions, community service work, offender grievances and cooperation with the law among others.

Also Tuesday, the weed department will be back before the Board asking for the approval of a contract from Miller Homebuilders, for construction of a new maintenance building at a cost of $46,472.

And as always, the board will hear report from several department heads. Tuesday’s meeting of the Reno County Commission begins at 9 a.m. at the Reno County Courthouse.

BUHLER, Kan. — The Buhler City Council will hold a public hearing on the 2019 budget and then seek its approval during a special meeting on Tuesday evening.

The budget includes a more than $15,500 increase in employee benefits and an extra $1,095 for the library. The city will see its debt service fall by nearly $44,000.

The proposed budget for 2019 totals $1,707,874 on total taxes levied of $347,148.

The mill levy will fall a tenth of a mill at 51.3 mills. Tuesday’s meeting of the Buhler City Council begins at 7 p.m. in the city offices at 219 N. Main.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas State Fair Foundation’s Boots and Bling event was a tremendous success.

The event held over the weekend at the fairgrounds drew a record crowd according to Connie Schmitt. With the auction and ticket sales the foundation raised over $135,000.

The Kansas State Fair Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 2003 to raise funds for the renovation, preservation and beautification of the historical Kansas State Fair.

The board consists of 15 individuals from across the state of Kansas, including Hutchinson residents Bob Moeder, who is the organizations Chair, Steve Dillon, Dr. Stephen Mills, Molly McVicker, Richard Shank and Brad Rayl.