HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Health Department is strongly urging people to stay out of flood water.

With all of the sanitary and storm sewer issues that arise with flooding, water can become contaminated with raw sewage. Other contaminants could include runoff from farm fields and other chemicals. It could also include petroleum from ruptured or flooded fuel storage tanks. Exposure to flood water can cause skin rash, wound infections, gastrointestinal illnesses and tetanus.

Flooded areas can also bring some very unwanted guests such as snakes and rodents who may be fleeing from the high water. Flood water can also contain submerged objects that can injure or even trap you.

If contact with flood water is unavoidable, remember to wash with soap and water as soon as possible. If you have an open wound clean and bandage it as soon as possible or seek medical attention. All clothing exposed to flood water or sewage should be washed in hot water detergent before wearing them again.

If you must work in flood water, it is important to wear appropriate personal protective gear such as rubber boots, gloves and goggles. If you have not had a tetanus shot or can’t remember when you had your last one, it is highly advisable to get one.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — With all of the flooding and severe weather over the past three weeks, many outside companies are coming into the area looking for work.

In some cases, the contractors are being very aggressive in their sales pitch. Homeowners in the city of Hutchinson should give strong consideration before signing any contract with someone they don’t know. According to Connie Strawn with the Building Inspection and Code Enforcement of Hutchinson, anyone who is going to do work in the city must have a contractors license. If they don’t, do not sign any type of contract. Also if they plan to do any roof repairs or replacement, they must have a Kansas roofers license.

Strawn says the contractor’s license does not pertain to water damage removals, but if they are going to do any type of repair, then the license is needed. Strawn says if there is even the slightest doubt about anyone offering to do work, contact the Hutchinson City Offices. If they are being too persistent or you feel you may have been taken advantage of, contact the Better Business Bureau.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After sifting through more than 40 applications, the Board of Directors with the Hutchinson Fox Theatre has whittled down the number of finalists for the executive director job to three.

Current Executive Director Josh Davies says they have received a number of great applications. He also stressed that the board is not in a hurry to name his replacement.

Davies announced his resignation earlier this year. He will stay on as the technical director, the position he held for 15 years before assuming both roles.

Davies has been with the Fox for more than 20 years and has been the executive director for about five years.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The economic impact that the CHS refinery turnaround had on the area showed with this month’s sales tax report.

The shutdown and maintenance project in McPherson was a shot in the arm for the Hutchinson economy as workers stayed in the city and purchased clothing and other items.

May sales tax revenue totaled $387,558 — a jump of more than $27,000 from May of last year. It’s also more than $48,000 higher than last month. City Manager John Deardoff says the numbers continue to look good for the year. “I think that we’ve had four out of the five months we’ve seen a positive increase over the same time period last year,” Deardoff said. “Probably a pretty good indication of some of the construction that is going on in the area.”

Deardoff says the CHS turnaround has been good for the area and expects more. “ I think the trend is there and hopefully the next few months will continue to show that,” Deardoff said.

The turnaround at CHS happens every four years. Many hotels and stores around Hutchinson reported very high sales traffic during that time. The state fair campgrounds were nearly full. The sales tax reports are expected to reflect that for another two months.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas State Fair announced it filled the last spot in the grandstand concert lineup.

Hanson, the trio of brothers whose ’90s hit “MMMBop” vaulted them to teenaged stardom, is coming to the Kansas State Fair. The Tulsa, Oklahoma-based pop rock band will close out the Nex-Tech Wireless Grandstand Concert Series on Sept. 14. Tickets go on sale at 8 a.m. this Friday.

The catchy 1997 hit “MMMBop” made Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson a household name. They were imprinted on hearts, minds — and yes, bedroom walls — across the globe. Their album, “Middle of Nowhere,” sold 10 million copies worldwide. “We are very excited to bring the Hanson brothers to the Nex-Tech Wireless Grandstand,” fair General Manager Robin Jennison said. “This is another great show for our concert series, and it will be a fun way to close out our nighttime events at the 2019 Kansas State Fair.” The fair is selling premium tickets for $55 in the Bud Light Party Pit – a standing-room-only area right in front of the grandstand stage. The grandstand’s center section is $30. All other tickets are $20.

Marketing Director Amy Bickel said the goal is to create a festive atmosphere that is affordable for all fairgoers. “We want this to be a concert where fans can come with family or have a reunion with friends,” Bickel said. “Many of the tickets are only $20, which includes the $7 gate admission through Aug. 11. It is an inexpensive way to see a great concert and spend a day at the Kansas State Fair.”

The group has had hits in recent years, too. “Anthem,” released in 2013, charted No. 22 on the Billboard 200, making it their eighth album to chart on the Top 40. A single from that album, “Get the Girl Back,” reached No. 39 on the Adult Pop Songs chart.

Isaac, Taylor and Zac will be 38, 36 and 33, respectively when they perform on the grandstand stage in September. Besides their beloved ’90s hits, the trio will perform other favorites from the 10 studio albums they have released in the past 25 years.

Here is the full Nex-Tech Wireless Grandstand lineup:

• Bobby Bones and the Raging Idiots with Nicolle Galyon. Friday, Sept. 6: Tickets from $20-$65. This comedy act is comprised of Bones, who hosts the nationally syndicated “The Bobby Bones Show,” along with Producer Eddie and a group of random friends. Galyon, a native of Sterling, Kansas, is a successful Nashville songwriter with several hit country songs.

• Billy Currington, Saturday, Sept. 7: Tickets from $25-$65. Grammy-Award nominee Currington has 20 Top 40 hits, including No. 1 songs “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right,” “Pretty Good at Drinkin’ Beer,” “Do I Make You Wanna” and “People are Crazy.”

• Skillet, Sunday, Sept. 8: Tickets from $20-$55. This quartet has cemented its place as one of the 21st century’s most successful rock bands. Their single “Monster” is the eighth most-streamed rock song of 2015 with more than 57 million plays on Spotify. “Monster” also earned the distinction of becoming the best-selling digital single in the history of Christian music.

• Demolition Derby, Monday, Sept. 9: An affordable family affair – this night of destruction occurs on Dillons Dollar Day. Gate admission is just $1 or free with a Dillons Plus Card. Demolition Derby tickets are $10 for adults 13 and over. Children 12 and under are free.

• Francesca Battistelli and Zach Williams, Wednesday, Sept. 11: Tickets from $20-$50. Battistelli, a contemporary singer/songwriter, has seven No. 1 singles. Her hits include “Holy Spirit,” “Free to Be Me” and “Beautiful, Beautiful.” Williams made music history when he achieved two consecutive No. 1 radio hits for a total of 35 weeks with “Chain Breaker” and “Old Church Choir.”

• Lauren Alaina with Mitchell Tenpenny, Friday, Sept. 13: Tickets from $20-$55. Alaina, a runner-up on Season 10 of American Idol, includes her first No. 1 hit, the title track “Road Less Traveled.” Breakout artist Tenpenny’s single, “Drunk Me,” recently hit No. 1 on the country chart. His latest single is “Alcohol You Later.”

• Hanson, Saturday, Sept. 14: Tickets from $20-$55. Hanson hit it big in 1997 with “MMMBop.” Their “Middle of Nowhere” album garnished them multiple Grammy nominations and five consecutive Top 40 singles besides “MMMBop,” including “Where’s the Love,” “I Will Come to You” and “Weird.”

• All Star Monster Truck Tour, Sunday, Sept. 15: Tickets from $5 to $35. Rev up your engines, the All Star Monster Truck Tour, featuring BIGFOOT, the king of monster trucks, will invade the Nex-Tech Wireless Grandstand. The VIP Monster Experience is $35, which includes gate admission, admission to the show, reserved seating, meet and greet with drivers and a ride in a monster truck.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Police Department held a swearing-in ceremony for its second K-9 unit.

Officer Cory Schmidt and Nika were joined by members from Cause for Paws and other special guests. Hutchinson Police Chief Jeff Hooper says the addition of a K-9 unit has been successful. “Within the first month or so they’ve made over 20 arrests already . . . that we would have never been able to make,” Hooper said. “Cause for Paws stepped up and saw the good work we were doing in the community . . . and really wanted a second team.” Like her predecessor, Tank, Nika is trained in narcotics detection and tracking.

While the first K-9 unit has a protective vest for Tank, Nika is still without one. Hooper says they are working to acquire a vest with the help of a young Pennsylvania resident. “Her name is Peyton and she dedicates helping law enforcement agencies raise money to buy vests for K-9 officers. And so we . . . are helping her raise money for Nika’s vest,” Hooper said.

The police department is selling T-shirts to help raise funds. For more information, you can contact the Hutchinson Police Department.