HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council will be asked to approve more than $1.3 million in general obligation bonds for several city projects during Tuesday’s agenda session.
The projects on the list include: work on the zoo educational building, totaling $310,000; the resurfacing of the Rice Park parking lot for $120,000; and the next phase of the Main Street project for $725,000. The total cost comes in at $1,365,000.
The council will also recognize this year’s graduates of the Citizens Police Academy.
Tuesday’s meeting of the Hutchinson City Council begins at 9 a.m. in the city council chambers.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Despite its closing, Avenue A Elementary School will still serve a purpose.
Even though the school is closed, the building will remain open. The school district is moving all three Pre-K classes to Avenue A and will offer all day classes for 4-year-olds.
District Human Resources Director Rick Kraus says most of the teachers from Avenue A have jobs within the district, although some have left through natural attrition.
The building’s kitchen staff and custodians have also been retained.
The school board approved a major renovation for the building to prepare for next year’s transition.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Questions were asked recently about Hutchinson’s deep disposal wells.
The wells are part of the reverse osmosis water treatment plant. The questions arose during the public forum on seismic activity in the county.
While the disposal wells have no effect on any earthquake activity, some things have caught the attention of Public Works Director Brian Clennan. He says the wells used for disposing wastewater from the reverse osmosis plant are in good shape:
Still, the city is watching the wells closely because of an issue that could shorten their lifespan. Clennan explains:
Clennan says the city is taking steps to make sure the wells can continue to serve the R.O. plant beyond 20 years:
The R.O. plant stopped the spread of groundwater pollution that existed on the city’s east side. That water is pumped into the R.O. plant and blended with city well water. The waste that is left over is pumped into the deep disposal wells.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Hutchinson man convicted in the murder of his wife in 1979 has been denied a motion by the Kansas Supreme Court to withdraw his plea.
The state’s highest court turned down the motion of Phillip Parks in the murder of Rachel Parks from June of 1978. Parks was also convicted of attempted murder of his second wife in New Mexico. The issue arose when Parks asked if he could get credit for time served and concurrent sentences with the New Mexico case.
Sixteen years later, Parks has now filed a motion to set aside the conviction. Parks claims no one told him a plea agreement would still carry a life term in prison.
In 2009 the state legislature passed a law that amended the statute governing plea withdrawals to require the motion be filed within one year of the last appellate court order.
Since Parks is well beyond that time frame, his motion was denied.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Another major livestock show is coming to Hutchinson.
The North American Jr. Red Angus Event will be June 17-23 at the Kansas State Fairgrounds. The 2018 event marks the 13th annual show and the third time that it has been hosted in Hutchinson.
The show is expected to bring over 270 youth exhibitors and their families to Hutchinson for the week. The North American Jr. Red Angus Event offers programs giving youth the opportunity to learn and practice business skills in the beef industry and engage in leadership positions.
Activities during the week-long event include: cattle shows, judging contests, team fitting contests, livestock showmanship competitions, quiz bowl, and daily exhibitor socials.
The last time the North American Jr. Red Angus show came to Hutchinson was in 2013.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is wrapping up its 2018 Executive Survey. The survey, which was last done in 2015, is used to get a better handle on the needs of businesses and industry in the area. Abby Stockebrand, Economic Development Manager for the chamber, explains:
Stockebrand says the survey will also center on the current and future labor force in the area:
Stockebrand adds that the survey, which is completed by any business or industry in the area, will also provide an outlook in the technical and skill needs for the area. That is then passed on to schools and groups promoting such skills:
After the survey is completed, comments will be compared to the 2015, 2013 and 2012 surveys.
HAVEN, Kan. — A Girl Scout from Haven has made a difference in her community with a simple project. Kaley Mulligan started recycling cans for her Bronze project in scouts. Now, three years later, the project continues to benefit the Haven Food Bank. Mulligan talked about starting the project:
The generosity of the public has been second-to-none. It did start to create a few problems at the Mulligan household, as the number of cans donated grew too large to manage. So, Mulligan took matters into her own hands:
To date, the project has provided over $1,200 in donations to the Haven Food Bank.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, which includes Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, is the largest employer in Reno County.
The latest figures released to Eagle Communications and Hutch Post show HRHS is doing well financially.
HRHS showed a net income for July 2016 to June 2017 of $12.66 million on a total revenue of $148.1 million.
Three of the four sectors that make up HRHS showed a positive net income. Horizons Mental Health Center, however, showed a loss of just under $633,000. HRHS attributed the loss to a decrease in collections in accounts receivable. The center also had several open positions directly related to patient services that ate into billable revenue.
Hutchinson Regional Medical Center showed a net income balance of $12,882,998 on more than $127 million in revenue. Health Equip ended the fiscal year at $312,474 in revenue and Hospice and Homecare ended the year with a balance of $98,088.
President and CEO Ken Johnson commented on the financial health of HRHS:
Like with any company or healthcare system, Johnson says there will always be challenges:
HRHS recently released its 2017 annual report detailing many highlights and plans for the coming year.
SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Motorists who use Haven Road will need to find another route starting Monday.
Reno County Public Works announced it will close the busy two-lane blacktop between Greenfield and Red Rock roads Monday and Tuesday for a culvert replacement project.
The area is located about two miles north of Haven.
As always, residents can contact Reno County Public Works at 620-694-2976 for more information on this or any other county project.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Haven and Nickerson School Districts started their summer lunch programs Tuesday.
The Haven School District provides free breakfast and lunch at Haven High School with breakfast served from 7 until 9:30 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. There is no registration required.
For more information, contact the Haven School District at 620-549-3445.
In Nickerson and South Hutchinson, USD 309 is providing breakfast and lunch for all children under 18 Monday through Thursday.
Breakfast at Nickerson High School runs from 7:30 a.m. until 8:45 a.m. Lunch is from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. South Hutchinson Elementary provides lunch only from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
The district also provides free bus transportation for those wanting to eat lunch at the South Hutchinson locations. Pick up locations are at Reno Valley Middle School at 10:45 a.m.; Legacy Bible Church at 11 a.m.; 4th and Cloverdale at 11:10 a.m. and the Apollo Apartments at 5th and Washington at 11:20 a.m.
