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Author: Hutch Post Staff

UPDATE: 4 suspects arrested for attempted aggravated robbery

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RENO COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating an attempted robbery and the four suspects allegedly involved are expected to be in court this week.

Kerrah Shulze, Blaine White, Kaleb Beard and Richard Fenters photos Reno Co. Sheriff

Just after 4:30p.m. Friday police were dispatched to the Kansas State Fairgrounds for an active shooter with a “machine gun.”

Armando Castillo Jr, of Mineral Wells, Texas reported being confronted by four individuals while inside his 5th wheel camper. He was battered but was able to grab a firearm he had hidden in the camper. Castillo fired several shots to try and get the neighbors to call 911.

Everyone involved was still on scene when officers arrived. No injuries were reported due to gunfire. During the investigation, it was discovered that the suspects came to Castillo’s camper to get cash.

Police arrested four suspects identified as 22-year-old Kaleb Schyler Beard, 23-year-old Kerrah Schulze, 20-year-old Richard Fenters and 22-year-old Blaine White all of Wichita. They were jailed on requested charges of attempted aggravated robbery, according to the release. Three had bonded out of jail. Fenters was still in custody, according to online jail records.

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Just after 4:30 p.m. Friday, Hutchinson police officers were dispatched to the Kansas State Fairgrounds for a shooting at the RV park.

Armando Castillo Jr. of Mineral Wells, Texas, reported being confronted by four individuals while inside his camper. He was battered but was able to grab a firearm he had hidden in the camper. Castillo fired several shots to try and get the neighbors to call 911.

Everyone involved was still on scene when officers arrived. No injuries were reported from the gunfire. During the investigation, it was discovered that the suspects came to Castillo’s camper with the intent to rob him of money.

Four suspects were arrested and charged with attempted aggravated robbery. They were identified as 22-year-old Kaleb Schyler Beard, 23-year-old Kerrah Schulze, 20-year-old Richard Fenters and 22-year-old Blaine White, all of Wichita.

Also, police were called to 423 E. Avenue A for the report of a stabbing. Police say that was a domestic situation and the victim was injured. However, the injuries were not life-threatening. No word on the identities of those involved.

Commission to hold public hearing on Wifco proposal

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County Commissioners will hold a public hearing then take possible action on a request from Wifco Steel to get some tax relief for an expansion project.

The Medora company wants to build a new 5,400-square-foot office complex.

If the project goes through, the existing office space would be removed providing additional manufacturing space that would allow Wifco the floor space to manufacture longer products, such as 50-foot skids and longer structural steel components.

The office addition is part of a major expansion plan for Wifco that includes $1.45 million for the purchase of new state-of-the-art precision manufacturing machinery and equipment in 2019.

Because of cost concerns, the proposed building will not be built if the Real Estate Tax Exemption is not approved, according to the proposal.

Wifco currently has 72 employees. Management believes the proposed building would add 10 or more additional employees during the year 2020. The average pay for each new employee would easily exceed $25,000 per year.

The matter is part of Monday’s County Commission meeting at 9 a.m. in the Reno County Courthouse.

Moran holds town hall before small crowd in Hutchinson

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Sen. Jerry Moran was in Hutchinson Friday for a town hall meeting as part of his annual tour of Kansas.

Moran took the time to talk about the latest round of tariffs put in place against China. “There’s a lot going on that affects our economy, and the decision by the president and this administration to impose additional tariffs in regard to China is one that has consequences in our state,” Moran said. The senator stressed to the Trump administration that the U.S. may need new and better deals, but they must be done without causing further harm to the midwest.

Moran added that, while the country can withstand such pressure for awhile, farmers may lose out long before then. “My conversation in Washington, D.C., both with my colleagues on the Senate floor and within the administration is that there is not a lot of time in which farmers can continue in these circumstances,” Moran added.

Moran also took time to address health care and veterans issues. The senator was also the guest speaker at Friday’s commencement ceremonies at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center.

As flood waters recede, residents asked to stay out of rivers and floodways

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — With the sun coming out and warmer weather in the forecast, there are those who will want to challenge the fast-moving water in the area rivers with their kayaks.

While there is no law enforcing the use of the rivers, the Hutchinson Fire Department is strongly urging residents to stay out of the flood water. “There is so much debris in the river that you can get pulled under quickly,” Hutchinson Fire Chief Steve Beer said. The fire department performed five water rescues since Monday’s flooding began.

The fire department recently acquired better water rescue equipment and have used it 17 times since last year’s purchase. Rivers are expected to fall below flood stage by Sunday but will continue to run fast for an extended period of time. The KDHE warns that flood water can hide things that can injure you and may also contain things such as raw sewage and other contaminants from runoff.

Meantime, many roads are still closed in the area. An updated list is available HERE.

Chamber asks for support of NextEra wind project

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce is asking for member support of the NextEra wind project. In a message to members, the chamber provided information on the project and listed positive impacts the wind farm could have on business and the economy.

The wind farm has been met with staunch opposition by some landowners in the area. The county planning commission has already said it will recommend that the commission denies the conditional use permit for the project following a long public hearing last month.

The message reads as follows:

NextEra Energy Resources’ Pretty Prairie Wind project is currently under consideration by Reno County for a conditional use permit. After several meetings, the county Planning and Zoning Board voted to not recommend the project for approval, even though numerous Reno County employees from the County Appraiser to the Reno County Health Department gave their recommendation to the Planning and Zoning Board to approve the project. Now the project will go to the Reno County commissioners for a final vote on May 21st.

The Pretty Prairie Wind Project represents an important part of our country’s future economic growth. According to a study by Fort Hays State University, the project is expected to create an overall positive economic impact of approximately $132 million. That includes $39 million in additional tax revenue for Reno County, $50 million in payments to landowners, 250 construction jobs and 15-20 good-paying, full-time operational jobs. That kind of local investment can provide a tremendous uplift to all Reno County businesses and residents.

Additionally, the project represents exactly the kind of low-impact, high-value development that can have a positive effect in Reno County. Each wind turbine will take up less than one acre of land, use no water, make no emissions and require no new municipal services to maintain them. In these times, business recruitment is competitive and turning away a viable and reputable business that wants to locate in our community would be negligent to the economic growth in this area.

There are numerous wind projects all across the country, including seven NextEra projects here in Kansas. All of these projects are maintaining our clean air and water, providing renewable electricity and economic benefits for our entire state. At a time when many crops are at historically low prices, we need to be looking at alternative ways to support our economy. The Reno County economy needs a boost and not only will this project help stimulate our economy, it will also provide much needed maintenance and improvement to roads and bridges in our county.

It has come to light that a large number of the people who spoke in opposition to this project at the public hearings are Sedgwick County residents. These people do not live, work, or conduct business in Reno County and therefore we urge our county commissioners to not take their voices over the betterment of our Reno County economy.

A vote that terminates this project could send a message that Reno County is closed for business when it comes to wind energy. As we work to strengthen the local economy, we cannot turn our back on a project that offers tremendous benefits as well as supports the industry that represents one of our county’s largest employers.

If you are supportive of this project, we ask you to contact our county commissioners and urge them to approve Pretty Prairie Wind’s permit application and make a smart investment in our county’s economic future:
Commissioner Bob Bush: 620-694-2929 bob.bush@renogov.org
Commissioner Ron Hirst: 620-694-2929 ron.hirst@renogov.org
Commissioner Ron Sellers: 620-694-2929 ron.sellers@renogov.org

Respectfully,
Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber Board of Directors & Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber Economic Development Advisory Council

School Board to consider bids for Faris expansion

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson USD 308 School Board will seek approval to make major renovations to Faris Elementary School during Monday’s agenda session.

Faris Elementary School. Photo courtesy of USD 308

The board will consider a bid from Wiens & Co. for $2,010,500. The project includes four new classrooms, two new restrooms, a new PE office and storage, a custodial room, mechanical room, electrical/ IT room and a new gym. It also calls for making major renovations to existing areas. The additions will add 8,900 square feet to the building.

Also Monday, the Board will hear the continuous improvement report from Wiley Elementary School Principal Lynette Mclean. The board will also go into executive session to discuss the ongoing negotiations between the KNEA and the school district ton a new collective bargaining agreement for next year.

Monday’s meeting of the USD 308 School Board begins at 6 p.m. at Wiley Elementary School at 900 West 21st.

Club Car Wash coming to Hutchinson

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A new car wash is coming to Hutchinson. A Missouri-based company is expanding out-of-state and will open Club Car Wash.

According to marketing manager Emeri Bartels, the company that carries the name of Tiger Express Wash in Missouri decided to enter the Kansas market and has already opened a business in Topeka. They also hope to open a Salina location next week. Plans are to eventually open four locations in Topeka along with two in Salina.

Bartels says the business will be an exterior wash facility with a tunnel operation that will pull your car through the cleaning process. The business will offer free vacuuming for customers and other amenities. The 5,600-square-foot facility will be located at 1526 E. 17 where the closed Kansas Buffet Company building is located. Bartels says the business will employ about 10 people and says the company is very community oriented.

The company hopes to begin construction in about a month. Construction will take three to four months to complete.

Emergency declaration issued for Reno Co.

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County Commissioners have signed an emergency declaration and emergency management is urging residents in the usual flood-prone areas around Cow Creek to evacuate their property if they haven’t done so already.

Emergency Mangement Director Adam Weishar says the evacuation is not mandatory, but an Everbridge alert was sent out to residents in that area asking they leave before all roads become impassable.

The emergency declaration was signed late this afternoon as more rain is in the forecast and water from Rice County moves into the area.

A list of current closings is available on HutchPost.com.

Amtrak passengers trade train for buses after flooding closes tracks

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. —Amtrak passengers were awakened from their sleep early Friday morning in both Topeka and Hutchinson as a group of passengers coming from the east got off buses in Hutchinson and those coming from the west boarded buses for the trip to Topeka.

Amtrak passengers board buses at Hutchinson early Friday morning

Both trains were suspended at those locations after the BNSF tracks became impassible due to the flooding.

It’s the second day in a row Amtrak has had to bus passengers around the flood which has closed down rail service in several areas of central Kansas.

Animal shelter now providing Finding Rover ID system

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Animal Shelter is offering a new way to track your pet if it is lost. The shelter announced Wednesday that it will join the ranks of shelters in using facial recognition technology.

It’s called “Finding Rover” and every dog and cat that enters the Hutchinson Animal Shelter system becomes registered. Users of Finding Rover can search the shelter and surrounding areas from their smartphone or computer in efforts to find their missing pets. It also lets you search for adoptable pets.

Every dog and cat that leaves the shelter can remain protected on Finding Rover when the pet parent registers on Finding Rover with the same email address that the shelter has on file. If that dog or cat ever gets lost, their record will already be in the system.

Pet owners can go to Finding Rover’s website and register their pet at findingrover.com.

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