HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The incident involving a pedestrian and a train Monday night in Hutchinson re-emphasizes the dangers of trespassing on railroad right-of-ways.

While Hutchinson does not have quiet zones in the city where trains cannot use their horns, a locomotive can still sneak up on you, especially if you’re wearing headphones.

According to Live Science, 400 people die each year from trespassing along railroad right-of-ways. Nearly 400 others are injured each year, making trespassing the leading cause of rail-related deaths in America.

It’s also a pretty steep fine for trespassing on railroad property. If railroad police don’t catch you and assess a fine — the city could. The municipal fine in Hutchinson is a maximum of $2,500 and one year in jail.

PRETTY PRAIRIE, Kan. — Support from near and far has changed the look of Pretty Prairie High School’s band and music room.

Four youths vandalized the building in April and caused significant damage to the room and numerous band instruments.

Principal Kevin Hedrick says the support has been overwhelming with donations or support coming from as far away as New Hampshire and the Carolinas. “We’ve heard from so many people,” Hedrick said. “It makes you so proud when you have this kind of support.”

Hedrick says a group of students came in May 1 and helped prepare the room for repainting. An alum from Sherwin Williams in Hutchinson made arrangements to have the room painted with all supplies donated. Hedrick said carpet will be coming soon.

Donations have come in from all over offering band instruments or just support. The Farmers Co-Op in Pretty Prairie also made a significant donation to help with expenses.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The recent rainfall and flooding is providing the perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

The Reno County Health Department announced Tuesday that it will provide free larvicide mosquito dunks and directions for proper usage available to all Reno County residents at the Reno County Health Department. The dunks can be picked up at 209 W. 2nd Ave. in Hutchinson.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with Kansas Department of Health and Environment, recommend removing standing water where mosquitoes can lay their eggs by emptying items that hold water. If the water cannot be emptied, you can use larvicide mosquito dunks in the water.

To prevent mosquito bites, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend using Environmental Protection Agency registered insect repellents as directed, wear long sleeves and pants, use screens on doors and windows that will be open, and — if you are camping and sleeping outdoors — consider using a mosquito bed net.

For more information about the free mosquito dunks, please contact the Reno County Health Department at 620-694-2900 and visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at www.cdc.gov to learn more tips about preventing mosquito bites.

HAVEN, Kan. — The Haven USD 312 School Board is negotiating with a church that wants to purchase Partridge Elementary School.

Plainview Mennonite Church has made an offer to purchase the building for $100,000 contingent upon receiving a grant. The church asked the school board to hold the building until May of 2020, when the church will find out about the grant money.

During Monday’s meeting, the board countered with the $100,000 offer along with $5,000 in earnest money. The board asked the church to close on the deal by the end of the calendar year or pay another $5,000 in earnest money.

The board wants to make sure the church is moving forward with the purchase since any deal will take the building off the sale block.

CHENEY, Kan. — Levels at Cheney Reservoir continue to rise although much less water is coming in from the Ninnescah River.

According to the Army Corps of Engineers as of Tuesday morning, the lake level is at 1,427.5 feet with the top of the flood pool at 1,429 feet. Park officials say the flood gates are still closed and no time was given for opening them.

At the present level, most — if not all — camping facilities are flooded. The park would like to get the water out of the lake so things can dry out before Memorial Day.

Outside of the flooding, officials say the lake is in pretty good shape. Although there is some of the usual debris in the water, it’s not as bad this time. This may be because the flooding in October cleaned out some of the river channels coming into the lake.